Reinforcements and Retreat

Thay

Out of nowhere a great coldness settles across the land and the theologically inclined Lothar deduces that all evidence points towards a divine alliance acting against Thay. This would explain the sudden cold if Auril The Frost Maiden had joined the fray.

Even as the world around them grows colder, there are reinforcements arriving!

The garrison north of the castle has finally managed to make their way to the village. What remains of it at least. Only half a dozen soldiers or so are alive not counting Varadíya, Durr and Tubby.

Varadíya has lost an eye during the battles through the savage countryside and is feverish from a nasty infection. They all are very dirty and soon Zárisse learns that the survivors have made it there when they found out that if digging a sort of den during the night (when the woods are at their most active and hostile) they are not attacked. It seems that the elements of Earth and Fire are not part of this struggle but the forces of Wind and Water are easily harnessed by the angry weather gods who are behind the whole situation.

As the Thayan Knight is cleaned up, the remains of her ruined eye removed and her wounds dressed a council is held regarding what to do. The common soldiery is getting more and more panicky and only the brutal regime of Lothar and their fear of Zárisse keeps discipline from disintegrating.

Then, one night alarms are raised. The forest has finally decided enough is enough and in a horrifying surge overwhelm the hapless village and only a handful of civilians manage to escape their doom to the temporary safety of the castle. Amidst the noises of the death of the village the cries of "Wolf!" and "Tiger!" can be heard. It seems the lupine lady has found a new companion in the struggle.

A short respite is given as the forest settles down around the castle. Wolf restates her desire for the civilized beings to go feral and/or die. What few remaining villagers there are have been transformed into weird man-beast creatures of subhuman qualities.

About a week passes during which the ever curious Fandamm discovers a path leading down, down, down into what seems to be the Underdark.

Since the forces of wicked nature in this pocket dimension seem to have troubles operating under the ground it is agreed upon to prepare to try to evacuate through the newly found tunnels.

As preparations are being made for this there is a commotion in the night.

The main force of soldiery has decided to make a desperate break for it. To where? Nowhere. They raise the portcullis and rush out into the wintry night hoping for a miracle that does not come. As they perish at the hands of the man-beasts, Wolf and Tiger the forest surges into the outer courtyard.

Only the raised drawbridge to the inner courtyard saves the castle from being overrun at once and buys our protagonists time to pack their few belongings and run for the caves underneath the castle... into the darkness under the world.