Terror in the Night

'Twas the night before Winter Festival and all through the castle.

Not a soul was stirring, not even the vassals.

When out in the villages there arose such a clatter,

the Sentinels sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.

What to their horrified eyes did appear

but a demonic figure that filled all with fear.

Yes, it was indeed a horrid sight on that terrifying night. First, the Sentinels spotted a horde of diminutive, scaly creatures scurrying through the neighboring villages.

These gremlins were breaking windows and opening doors. Lord Vibe noticed a pattern; the creatures were attacking homes where children lived. Vibe commanded the Sentinels to race to the villages and rescue the youngsters.

There were three threatened villages. To the west was Twotownes, which used to be a pair of villages on opposite sides of a river that dried up. In the center was the crossroads village of Kaltor's Crossing. Eastward was Foxglove, so named for the abundance of said flower growing near it. Vibe and a strong force rushed to Kaltor's Crossing, where they witnessed a demonic figure crawling out of a window, a child in its clutches.

It was the legendary Krampus!

The Sentinels attacked, driving off the beast without its prize. Vibe scooped up the child and brought it back to the castle.

Meanwhile, the gremlins launched attacks on the Sentinels. Vibe ordered them to push forward and create a defensive perimeter. The sounds of vicious battle pierced the still winter night. Meanwhile, Vibe escorted children to the safety of the Sentinels' keep.

The Krampus tried to make another attack on Kaltor's Crossing but it could not make it through the perimeter. Instead, it moved west to Twotownes, where Silk was maintaining a wary vigil. When she saw the Krampus and its minions approaching, she raised the alarm and prepared to defend the village. The evil creatures approached cautiously toward the stalwart scout, which gave reinforcements a chance to arrive. Together, they repulsed the attack.

As this was occurring, Vibe managed to evacuate Foxglove. With this village empty and the other two heavily defended, the Krampus adopted a new strategy. As its minions harassed the defenders, it snuck past the villages and descended upon an unprepared Landfall Castle. The Krampus had the chance to kidnap some of the children that Vibe thought were safe. Fortunately, eagle-eyed Artemis spotted the beast. She cried out a warning - "Back! Back!" as she rushed to the castle. More defenders rushed back. They tracked down the Krampus and forced him into retreat.

At this point, the Krampus had enough. He and his minions slipped away in the night. Most of the children had been rescued. Alas, two were missing and presumed to be kidnapped. But where did the Krampus take them?

OOC Notes

• This is the story of the first of a two-part scenario we played at our Amtgard park the Sunday before Christmas.
• There were 3 villages (cones) placed in the middle of the field. I used paper dolls for the children. Only the captains (Vibe and the Krampus - ably played by Robb) could carry the children.