Erian El'ranelen's page

Erian reins Sherwyn a bit as they near the mill, "That'd be it, then. Cenwalh's, oddly enough, isn't a mill even though it's named such. As I recall, it's a tavern or some such. My father liked to frequent the place, but I never went with him."

Ah, no problem. I've had migraine problems most of my life, so I know the pain! Thankfully, Zomig now smacks most of my migraines down quickly.

Veirax whistles as Erian shows the party his map. "That's quite the gift you have, Erian. I must confess that I myself have a fondness for maps... a record of the journeys one makes alongside the Far Walker; a tangible reminder of places been, and places to be seen. Erian's Glen is one of the latter... 'tis my first time travelling so far south in Rutania, and I can hardly wait to get myself lost in the city's nooks and backstreets... of course, one is never really lost when one places his faith in the Dweller on the Horizon. Will you be our guide to the city, then, Erian?"

Erian smiles with obvious pride at Memnon's praise, rifling through his saddle bags to withdraw other sketches made during the journey south, "Oh, thanks. These are more that I've been making along the trip here. Of course, mapping out such well-known areas isn't necessarily needed, but it does help keep the skills sharp. Just like doing a little sword and bow work every day. I know the layout of the city well enough--though having been gone so long and when I was here I was a mere boy, I don't actually know that much about the locals..."

Erian is about to continue when Dinpel speaks.

Please hold up a bit; I think the Baker is unwell, perhaps he needs to catch his breath.

Oh, the town seems nice enough; little exposed for my tastes, but the people, well most of them, seems cheerful enough with a good ecomomy, no big evidence of plague or such afflictions, haven't seen anyone give us but casual interest. Peoples close are in good repair and nice enough. I have been watching for watchmen, guards, or constables - in case we need one - but not sure if I have seen any yet; wow, maybe everyone is deputized; I read about a place like that once; everyone was responsible for the place and could take matters in hand; always wondered how they avoided lynchmobs though.

"Oh, I didn't even think to offer my horse." To Ormod he states, "Sir, you are welcome to ride if you'd like. You'll find Sherwyn an easy mount, so long as you don't prod him to go fast--he's "quick as the wind" as his name implies, so you'd have to hold on tight!"

He offers the reins with an easy smile, then says to Dinpel, "I've often found that frontier communities such as this are readily defended by the locals, as they are almost all accustomed to hard work in field or forest. However, they've got a local guard here, and stables here..." Erian points to two locations noted on his map, "So, trouble is likely to meet with both sorts. And of course, this is a small community. Almost everyone knows each other, so any trouble is going to get back to your mom, dad, and grandparents real quick."

Nodding again, Erian replies, "Oh, that makes sense I suppose."

Apparently satisfied with the situation, Erian continues riding alongside the others (Memnon noting the young man is definitely comfortable in the saddle), "So, have any of you visited here before? I came through with my dad several times, but the last visit was over 5 years past. My father actually was here a few months back, heading off on a mission to the Vines. He's a cartographer, as am I." Erian holds up the map he is working on of the city to emphasize his last statement.

Erian nods knowingly as Memnon speaks, "Ah, I see, a damsel in distress and a noble knight! No disrespect intended, by the way. Surely, however, if a dispute arises we could simply call the watch...from what I know of Erian's Glen, it is still under the rule of law. Good sir, have you taken this matter to the guard as yet?" His last question is directed at the baker.

To Aradove he says, "Of course, my lady. He is a fine specimen." Erian seems not at all fearful of the wolf as many in a city might be.

After they have gone a short distance, Erian seems to remember something, "Excuse my manners, Lady Dawntracker. Would you care to ride rather than walk?" He stands up in his stirrups, obviously readying to dismount. "Also, what is the nature of our errand--this seems a large band to retrieve a load of flour. Not to mention between us all we seem to have no wagon or cart for the hauling..."

Erian bows his head in greeting to those assembled, "Yes, I recall you and the knight from our travels south. And the lady from some of my many excursions away from the group--you seem to have as much interest in the wilds as I, though for other purposes. I've just completed a tour of the city, or nearly so, to see what might have changed since I was last here. The mill is just back the road here a bit; I'd be glad to join you."

The map looks great. There is one addition that was not on the original copy I sent you. No big deal if it is a problem. Per Lady Janas's background, I added the Oakleaf Inn. It is located on the inside corner of Goldleaf Blvd. and Goldleaf Walk, on the same street as the merchant mansions. If this causes trouble, then no big deal. Just wanted to give you updated info.

Cheers

Ah, right. I'll get the Oakleaf Inn placed on my next round.

Erian nods at the old fellow while stowing his equipment, "Got it...south side of the market tomorrow. I'll be there. And you're welcome. Always ready to lend a hand when needed. He then waves at the fellow as he pulls himself back into Sherwyn's saddle, "Well boy, lets finish that tour of the city..."

Erian continues his circuit of the city, cutting back and forth on streets to complete his survey. Despite the old man's suggestion on checking in at the church, Erian does not do so. In fact, he seems to ride a little faster past each one he nears. Erian ends his circuit on Freya's Lane, heading north away from the mill and toward the Goldleaf Forest.

Your welcome!

The posted one should have it as Hamia's Passage--if it's showing up different try refreshing the screen. If there are any other areas missing/mislabeled, let me know.

Wanted to get my latest draft of the Erian's Glen map out so folks could get a better idea of where things are. The mill, for instance, is inside the city.

Erian's Glen

All feedback welcome. I'm still working on the building set I'd like to use for the community--going with mostly thatched and wood tile roofs. I'm also working on the palisade wall and the water channel. As our DM has noted, all the locations on the map are just the important sites--there are individual residences throughout the lower left-hand section, smaller businesses, etc.

Are you planning on incorporating more area on the maps or just the lands sketched during the caravan journey?

Excellent rolls by the way. Will make for a nice map.

He'd eventually expand it during his travels, but wants to make the maps entirely from his own experience, rather than building on previous works. I'm thinking he'll have multiple sets of such sketches, that could then be used to create vellum maps (have to get a Boccob's Blessed Book eventually to hold all the drawings!). It's an exercise both to build his skill and (perhaps) find something others have missed. Obviously maps of such commonly explored areas wouldn't be very valuable from a purely utilitarian perspective, so for the final product he intends to craft them in such a way as to be works of art that collectors might display.

DM, for Erian's map crafting I've started noting them on his character sheet (in the Spells section, since I won't be using it). I've got the maps listed in order of when he started them, and the target DC. These aren't meant for sale, but as starters for more permanent maps (which will be on vellum with waterproof ink, etc.). I rolled up three for the trip down working on the map from Aidan's Wall to Erian's Glen.

Craft (cartography) (1d20+8=24, 1d20+8=20, 1d20+8=19)

Not sure what you'd want to set the value at, so just let me know when you think the map is complete.

Yay for a game with active players and a motivated DM!

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Erian laughs a little sheepishly, "Yeah, got that right before going off to school. Taught me that goblins are a lot more dangerous than they might appear..." He then seems to register what exactly this man is saying, "You...you know my dad! That's great! I've been finishing up my studies in the north, and figured I'd head down here to see if any word had come back of his expedition. Do you know?" As he talks, Erian works at securing the grappling hook to the cart, then hooking the rope to his saddle horn. He works at this almost absent-mindedly, obviously posessing some skill at ropes and knots.

With his ranks in Use Rope and a good Dex, Erian can take 10 on the check (beating a DC 15) to ensure it is best-suited for hauling the cart back onto the road.

As Erian nears, he notices a vegetable cart on the side of the road. A human male, quite fit but wracked with age, is attempting to get his cart back on the north road, but the wheels appear to be stuck in mud. Unfortunately, the elderly man’s efforts are allowing the wheels to adhere to the muddy ground to a greater degree with each pull.

Seeing the fellow in need, Erian jumps down from his saddle. "Hey there. Need a hand with that cart? I'm sure between Sherwyn and I, we can get that thing back on track." Erian pats his horse on mentioning Sherwyn, then starts digging through his saddlebags. Pulling out a length of rope and a grappling hook, he states, "Here, these should help as well."

No problem. I left Erian pretty open for anything you want to throw his way. After riding around the town for a bit, he'll settle in for a meal (likely at Erian's Inn) and then find a place to sleep in the Goldleaf Forest (barring inclement weather, and both barring something occuring before that time).

Erian rides through the Northgate of his namesake city with a look of obvious joy on his face. Ah father, I do so miss the days of traveling with you. I still recall our last visit here, you tipped your hat to old Danaus as we passed... This thought coming to him just as the young man himself passed the statue, Erian looks to his left and, wearing no hat, instead bows his head at the icon of the community.

Erian watches as the others from the caravan pour into the city--most head for the inns and taverns, while a few faithful first seek out a Worship Hall. As always, however, he is more interested in seeing the place, what had changed and what was the same, before letting the rhythm of the journey fade away. "Come Sherwyn, I will show you this place as my father did me." The chestnut Solanic horse bearing Erian looks back at his rider, then turns down the West Road at the subtle pressure from Erian's legs. The pair head down the thoroughfare in a trot, Erian jotting down notes on a patch of paper as he rides.

Man, you guys have been steaming right along. Finished catching up here, and starting on the game thread now. Should have my first post in tonight. Got a working copy of the map over to Utak, and should have a good copy up for all early tomorrow (work should be light, yay!).

For Utak...

Have to rely on Utak for the specifics, but I assume there are tons of villages all about (one every 2-5 miles in arable lands), with the communities noted on the map being the actually towns and larger i.e. populations greater than 1,000) or sites of particular importance.

Draft map of Erian's Glen headed your way, Utak!

Updated Map of Rutania now available based on some corrections from Utak and a bit of sprucing up. I'm shifting attention to the Erian's Glen map now (it'll end up like a Dungeon magazine map when I'm done...) so this'll be the last update on Rutania until I'm done with the city. This is the "big map" of Rutania--is it too large for anyone to download?

Utak, I'll have the basic Erian's Glen map ready within an hour or so. Do you want it linked here, or are you reserving it for later display? I'll, of course, shoot it by you for an "okay" before posting anything regardless.

Tweaked again to incorporate those suggestions, as the former was a hold-over from my first draft and the latter was actually an opening I left specifically for DM hooks if appropriate.

For the feat, I'll leave it fully to your capable hands, Utak! It's often fun to mold a character as much to outside influence as internal planning.

For Lady Janas (and others on the journey south), Erian makes no secret of his desire to find news of his father on reaching Erian's Glen. Anyone perceptive enough to see past words to body language (i.e. characters with ranks in Sense Motive) will note some apprehension or concern when he speaks of this. Perfect tie in from Utak's suggestion!

Tweaked Erian's background a bit more using the latest info. I think (barring DM input) that'll do it for him.

For traveling together, Erian is an obvious, eager explorer. He is well-prepared for a journey, with gear for overcoming various wilderness obstacles protruding from his horses saddle bags. Erian listens intently to anyone telling stories of their experience in other lands, often doing so while sketching out what the area might have looked like. He also freely shares his own stories of traveling with his father (he will reveal all information found in the Background section of the profile). Any time the group passes an interesting area--such as a rocky outcrop of unusual shape--Erian takes time to leave the group and draw out the terrain. He has an obvious interest in nature as well, participating on any hunting excursions and offering advice on flora and fauna encountered on the trip. During any religious observance, Erian is more reserved, staying near the back of a group and letting others do the talking.

Note that Erian is "young" (by our modern standards--in a medieval society he'd be well into manhood and half-way through his life expectancy!) at only 18. His experience on the road, however, has given him a broader/deeper understanding of life than others his age.

Utak, I've updated Erian's history a bit to come in line with the info so far on the setting (and worked in that scar across his nose...). Let me know any other tweaks you'd like.

He's now got ties to the elves as well, though I had worked that in before realizing so many folk in the group were elf/half-elf. Erian is human himself, but has a half-elven father (and now that I've read Veirax's history, I really like that tie!).

Looks like Lady Janas, Veirax, and Erian might have all come into the town in the same group, and thus might know each other from the road.

Coming along nicely. This'll definitely help me tweak my character background.

Glad you got the BBcode worked out there, Lady Janas!

Erian_7, you are quite the awesom map maker...

Can I enlist you to transfer one from old paper sketch to cool computer graphics for me?

Heh, thanks! Making a basic electronic sketch is pretty easy--takes me about 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the map. I'm working on prettying up the Erian's Glen map, but I can probably whip out a basic sketch in between some meetings tomorrow, so go ahead and shoot me the file.

Looking great, Utak!

Utak, the initial map of Erian's Glen is headed your way!

Hey, using an alias...now that's a good idea! I've got one going for Erian.