A New Dawn, a New Day

 

After Action Report 

Order of Daybreak

Chapterhouse Dawn, Gradsul

    

7 NOV 24

MEMORANDUM FOR

TO:                  Knight Captain Dawes

FROM:            Knight Bulwark Percival

SUBJECT:      AAR for Expeditionary Excursion to Bonevale

REF:               Order 111.74

 

1.      GENERAL INFORMATION / INTRODUCTION

Command desires a presence within the elven-held territory of Bonevale to ensure proper conditions for the faithful of Pelor. 

2.      SUMMARY

The following is information regarding the contingency itself:

·         Deployed Location: Coastal trade hub of Bonevale

·         Deployed Personnel:  Knight Bulwark Percival

·         Duration of Deployment: 1 NOV to 7 NOV

·         Contingency Purpose: In support of establishing the Order and defending the interests of the faithful of Pelor in and around Bonevale

·         Scope of Operation: Establish presence of KoD within the territory. Render aid to those in need. Report on state of settlement to command.

3.      Pre-deployment

·         Booked passage with Captain Tinsworth of the Elegant Mercy.  

·         Captain Tinsworth predicted two day passage to Bonevale by sea. Readied equipment for voyage.  

·         Tinsworth is a faithful Pelor follower and should be considered for future missions. A mount and additional arms were unnecessary for this mission, despite the regular loadout for each Knight. Acquired a mace as a sidearm in case of CQB unsuited to primary weapon.

4.      Deployment

·         Arrived on schedule. Tinsworth donated to the Order's cause at disembarkation.   

·         Joined other adventurers in seeking lodging. Sanji the Warmage of the Glowing Hand chose The Bouche, an upscale inn. Innkeep Geoff. Regulus Cornelius (RC or "Cola") a sailor and archer completed the party. Prominently displayed my battle standard to advertise my presence. 

·         Sanji shared a desire to aid the town and establish a reputation. RC less transparent in motive. 

5.      Recon

·         Scouted the town, discovering a mix of human and elven cultural elements. No obvious religious or administrative centers. No sign of squalor or sickness among populace. Militia primarily elven archers. Defenses are wooden palisade and unconventional precautions against monsters/fauna. Would not withstand determined siege. Population transient. Market small but active.  

·         Scouted by foot, alone. Party remained at The Bouche.  

·         Resources should be committed to develop Pelor's presence within the town. The heretic elven influence is strong.

6.      Sheriff Kai-Lan

·         Sought introduction to elven Sheriff named Kai-Lan. He requested assistance with a petty crime, a misplaced coin purse on the docks. Interviewed Donny the Dockworker about the purse. RC produced the coin purse from his pack, insisting that he found it on the Elegant Mercy when we arrived. All involved were skeptical but Donny was happy to have his property returned. Reported back to Kai-Lan to lukewarm reception. Intended to await further opportunities from the elf. 

·         Party traveled by foot with little further planning. All were armed. 

·         RC demonstrated resourcefulness. I am dissatisfied with his inability to credibly explain how he came to possess the purse. Recommend scrutiny of the sailor's actions in the future.

7.      The Deal 

·         We were approached by a figure under dubious circumstances who revealed himself to be Theodore, a classmate of Sanji's from their school of wizardry. I did not care for the skullduggery. He solicited our aid with security during the purchase of an allegedly dangerous magic item on behalf of The Glowing Hand mage guild. He was cagey and evasive when pressed for details. Sanji vouched for him, so we agreed to help. 

After some time for Theodore to set the meet, we were provided with a rendezvous point. I dispatched RC early to the location to provide overwatch. He observed OPFOR combatants inserting in the same manner and engaged, defeating several after an exchange of bow fire. He then pursued a fleeing, robed elf with the intent to capture. The elf responded with lethal magic, destroying RC's hand and felling him. 

Sanji and I arrived after a civilian raised the alarm. We witnessed the exchange and engaged the elf mage. I demanded the elf's surrender but received no response. He turned his lethal magic on me, I inflicted a slashing wound with my greatsword, and Sanji bludgeoned him to the ground with his quarterstaff. He expired as I was rendering aid to RC. OPFOR consisted of boggarts and elves.

Secured the scene for civilian safety when Sheriff Kai-Lan arrived. Reported to his office to give statements. He was visibly frustrated by the violence and suspicious of our involvement. Sanji produced evidence that the elf was employed by the Scarlet Brotherhood, a dagger with the order's symbol on it that the elf carried. Theodore arrived and produced a sealed order, which caused Kai-Lan to accept our purpose. His writ to act was apparently legitimate. 

·         We expected trouble but not of this magnitude. The ability to establish overwatch prior to the ambush saved Theodore's life.

·         We acted in the interests of a known Lawful faction, albeit in a cloak and dagger fashion. RC acted with valor and if he were a member of the order would be recommended for commendation. Theodore took possession of two confirmed Evil items, an amulet and ring, to return to the Glowing Hand for research. Recommend command approach the Glowing Hand to coordinate future operations.

 

8.      Exfiltration  

·         Theodore secured passage back to Gradsul. We joined with in the intent to recover, resupply, and report to our superiors. Theodore offered the funds originally intended to purchase the item as a reward, which we accepted. I have tithed to the Order on my return to Gradsul. 

·         RC will require a week's rest before he is able to seek restoration of his missing hand. Sanji intends to develop his spellbook and seek further information from within his guild regarding the developing situation in Bonevale. I will train and volunteer for any specific orders before returning to the Bonevale under previous general orders.

·         Should secure passage ahead of time, if able. Fortunate that Theodore had a plan in that regard.

9.      CONCLUSION

Sanji is solid. RC is reckless but effective. Care will be taken to preserve the reputation of my unit and the Order at large. More information will be gathered before taking on any other missions under dubious circumstances. It turned out this was a sanctioned action by a Lawful faction, but knowing that ahead of time would have been preferable. 

I have taken an effective first step in developing the Order's presence in the Bonevale area. Need to develop a working relationship with Sheriff Kai-Lan. Need to learn more about the ruler of the area. Need to learn more about evil magic items being trafficked by the elves and boggarts. Request redeployment to the theater with these interests in mind.

 

PERCIVAL OF GRADSUL
Knight Bulwark