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Day 11: Caravan

2022-12-12 New Entry (self link to subscribe to for updates)

The caravan wasn't far per the reports from a couple of scouts in the area. The traders had erected barricades to ward off the approaching scavengers. Urtuk and his group approached the caravan with a white flag to indicate peaceful intentions. The traders were glad to see the group, and even happier when Urtuk offered help to defend against the scavenger horde.

Urtuk and Beryth inspected the barricades - they were very improvised, basically a couple of wooden planks sticking out of the ground, loosely held together by cord. Not much of a barrier, but enough to hopefully funnel the attacking scavengers in one direction, in a way that they could be dealt with more easily.

The enemies were your usual group of scavengers, numbering 6 in total. One of them carried a crossbow, the rest were melee fighters, holding swords and axes.

Two traders were stuck outside the barricades; they were at risk of getting cut off from the main group and becoming easy prey for the approaching scavengers.

Hayyel the hunter with his own crossbow was taking position on a vantage point just next to the barricades. He was a good shot, and from here he would be able to hit the approaching enemies with his bolts.

The scavengers were closing in. Urtuk could make out 2 separate groups: one was going right towards the barricades, the other one started going after one of the traders caught outside the improvised fortifications.

It turned out quickly that the first group's movement was a ruse - they turned to the right before reaching the barricades, also going after the poor merchant. Swords and axes slashed at him and within less than a minute, he collapsed motionless into a puddle of his own blood. One of the attackers succumbed to a volley of arrow, throwing spears, and bolts, but it was too late to save the poor merchant.

Urtuk, Beryth, and Pelenne sped up, trying to catch up with the scavengers who were now going after another trader, also caught a little further outside the barricades. Beryth was the first to catch up and managed to strike a wild looking man with a large greatsword. Right behind him, Urtuk caught up, ran past him and ran his dagger between the ribs of the scavenger marksman who sank to the ground without resistance.

The second trader collapsed under the assault, and now the scavengers turned around. They immediately focused their attention on Beryth. They took a couple of strikes that hit him. Beryth in turn swung his gigantic blade and cut one of the scavengers in half, to the terror of everyone on the battlefield.

Urtuk and Hayyel focused their attacks on a big scavenger with an axe and a helmet now. He seemed the strongest and the greatest threat. Urtuk backstabbed him several times, causing the big guy to bleed and the helmet that was on his head fell off. Two of the scavengers, including the guy with the axe noticed Pelenne and tried to push him into a corner, but that gave Beryth the opportunity to take a mighty swing at the axe guy from behind, and sending him to the ground where he didn't move anymore. Now only one scavenger was left standing. He took a swing at Urtuk when a spear came flying from the hill that pierced him where he stood and took him out for good.

It was done - two of the merchants had been killed, but Urtuk and the group had managed to help save the lives of the rest. The merchants were grateful and offered some tokens of gratitude: "This is all we can spare. I hope it will help you on your journey." There was a steel staff, a small amount of Trilium - and two bottles of medicine!

Pelenne weighed the steel staff in his hands - it was well-crafted and a definite improvement from the tree branch that he was currently using as a weapon. The medicine would be sorely needed, thought Urtuk. They would try to hold onto it for future injuries.