Through the twisting halls of Crownhold, the assassins pressed on, each step bringing them closer to unraveling Ordulf Bladecaller’s fortress. After deciding to leave the ominous prayer book untouched, the group retraced their path, stumbling into the barracks of Gorum’s infamous “rage riders.” Temporarily separated from their mounts, the riders exuded an air of arrogance and pride that bordered on hostility toward anyone outside their ranks—especially the regular Gorumite guards.
Markuss, disguised as one of these guards, entered the room in an attempt to glean information or exploit an opening. However, the rage riders, proud to the point of disdain, looked down on the lesser rank he was pretending to hold. Their dismissive attitude created mounting tension, and Markuss wisely decided to withdraw before matters escalated.
Moments later, Markuss returned in the guise of a Gorumite priest, a figure of higher status that the riders might respect—or at least tolerate. This strategic change in disguise bought the assassins a critical edge. While the riders were processing the sudden appearance of the “priest,” Bjorn charged in and the living weapons animated, launching a swift and brutal attack.
The riders, caught off guard by the deadly ambush, were overwhelmed. The assassins executed their assault with precision, striking down the warriors in their sleep or before they could mount a proper defense. By the end, the barracks were silent, the threat neutralized.
With the riders eliminated and their path cleared, the group regrouped and turned their attention to the furnace room. Dismantling the elemental-powered furnace, they plunged the fortress into an eerie cold, the chill seeping into the very bones of the keep. The staircase ahead loomed ominously, promising further challenges and dangers. Yet the assassins, emboldened by their success, steeled themselves for the battles to come, their blades sharp and their resolve sharper still.