Encounter 13: The Iron Circle Encampment

The True and Rightful King

Encounter 13:  The Iron Circle Encampment

Level 3:  Standard (party’s level +0 = 3) 125 xp

4 Iron Circle Sentries, Level 3 Artillery Minions, xp 38 ea. (1 player)
Iron Circle Guard, Level 3 Soldier, xp 150 (2 players)
Iron Circle Dark Adept, Level 3 Controller Leader, xp  ea. (3 players)
Common Gladiator, Level 3 Skirmisher, xp 150 (4 players)
Skulk Murderer, Level 3 Lurker, xp 150 (5 players)
Iron Circle Guard, Level 3 Soldier, xp 150 (6 players)

Setup

Up ahead, you hear the sounds of men’s voices.  They are talking normally in common.  A Perception Check DC 15 picks up that they are discussing the night before, when some of their party were attacked by an unknown group of strange creatures in Lightoak Bridge.

The Stealth DC 16 to get close enough to see them without being noticed.  If they pass, they get a surprise round from 15 squares away.  If they fail, Baron Songsteel’s men see them at 15 squares away and the fight begins.

Through the trees ahead of you you can see a rough camp with a couple of canvas tents set up and a low, smoky fire in the middle.  On the other side of the camp is a picket line with their horses.  There are men milling about the camp, performing various tasks.  You can see that they are all wearing tabards bearing the circle of chain you saw on some of the men last night.  At the edges of the camp there are four guards.

Tactics and Development

The first Iron Circle Guard is their leader.  Again, these men are not motivated to fight to the death.  They have been sent to harass and foment trouble, not to invade.  When the first Iron Circle Guard is bloodied, he orders a retreat.  If he dies, all the rest flee.  First, they try to get to their horses.  It requires a move action to untie a horse.  If it appears they cannot get a horse in time, they run into the forest.

Features of the Area

Illumination:  Daylight.

Treasure

Perception DC 10:  Amongst the baggage left in the camp you find a quiver of 30 Freezing Arrows.  This must have been something they picked up, because all of the dead had crossbows.  Perhaps there is another of the party who uses a bow.