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I just read the description of the Guardians of the Greenbelts very first festival in my Kingmaker PbP and I felt the need to plug it here. It was written by terok, aka Malthir al' Dagon, from the perspective of a young boy named Noleski who lost both his arms to the dire boar Tuskgutter- only for the Guardians to work with Bokken on an experimental potion made from the blood of a Trollhound.
As a DM, its a delight when tiny bits of added fluff and motivation lead to quests and character development in themselves. Initially, I only had a boy lose his arms to Tuskgutter to justify why the hunters were willing to pool together such a large amount of gold for the death of the boar in the first place- and its led to a seperate side-quest, and a fleshed out character that could be Malthir's cohort in a few yearsof game time, role-played out rather than just taking the leadership feat and a cohort appears from thin air.
Anyone interested in more background or if they have any comments the game thread for chapter 1 (completed), the interlude thread between chapters 1 and 2 and the discussion thread are linked here in that order.
Without further ado...
We were almost to SwordHaven, Bren had told me earlier that we would be there in three days and easily make it for Foundersfeast. It had been over three months since I had seen my “uncle”, Malthir, and the rest of the Guardians.
Some of the folks around Oleg’s felt a little resentful that they rarely saw them anymore, but not the men and women in this group. They had all spent time with them, raised glasses with them, seen what they had done for them in the early days. It had taken some convincing, but father had allowed me to go with the hunters, trappers, and goodly kin that had made the decision at Oleg’s trading post to make the trip to the festival.
Father trusted Bren and Lorast as brothers, so he had felt safe in allowing me to go even if he couldn’t. When we first came upon the farms and the road under construction heading north we weren’t sure what to think. The Kamelands just didn’t seem so intimidating with a wide road cutting a swath through it. The road was wide enough to fit two wagons side by side and we were travelling with a group of colonists from Brevoy hoping for a new start and great opportunities.
The small smokestacks of the farmhouses and the rows of fields greeted us and grew more abundant as we headed south. On the new road it would only be a tow and a half day journey from this point on foot, and it was said that the guardians had once made the trip on horseback in one!
At the beginning of the first day we stopped at the small mining hamlet near the Kameland Gold mine. The miners, including some gruff Dwarves, greeted us warmly. They knew we had some small coin to spend and across the kingdom, there seemed to be an expectation of openness and friendliness to newcomers. As per any stop I came too, people looked at me a little strangely.
Ever since the magic Bokken had used on me, thanks to the Guardians, I had grown unlike any boy that anyone knew. I was 13 and already over six feet in height as well as adding considerable bulk. My parents complained I ate them out of house and home and to be honest, they were probably not stretching the truth too much. The rumors would start just after I arrived, “Troll Blood” was my nickname. I didn’t mind much, no one bothered me because of it.
The next day was a good day’s travel and we ended up near the Kobold lands. It still amazed me that they little folk were not causing any trouble, but it was said that their Chief, now a Lord of Kardas as well, was a member of the ruling council and enjoyed his place, as did his people. Some of the folk did use rumors of their stealth and skill with a blade to keep their kids in line at night with threats of, “if you don’t listen to me right now, a Sootscales might come and take you from your bed to work in their silver mines!" We met several on their way back and forth from some of the farms, trading and such and they seemed nice enough, although a little scared of us bigger folk. We spent the night at a way point that had been built for travelers such as ourselves by the Kingdom.
We travelled much of the next day into the late afternoon. Our group crested a small hill and SwordHaven came into view. It wasn’t a great city, with high walls and a great Castle shimmering in the distance. In fact you could see the old Stag Lord’s fort with a number of workers around it slowly repairing and upgrading the keep. It looked to be expanding and the start of a ditch was being built around it, but it was far from done. Beyond it you could see the Tuskwater, stretching as far as you could see in the distance. A patrol of armed men rode north past us just stopping long enough to make sure we didn’t run into any trouble heading here. Their livery, a bold sword crossed by a bow in the background, paid homage to both Erastil and my goddess Iomedae.
SwordHaven looked ready to burst. Tents were set up all around the town and you could see them forming around the old fort as well. I followed Bren and Lorast’s lead and went into the bustling town to find a place to set up our meager tents. The weather was decent, though a bit cool, but promised to be a fine day for the festival. I was anxious to see them, I hoped I would be able to, but with all of the people around I wasn’t sure how to find them. We wondered over to the old fort and a large group had gathered around someone speaking on a hillock to the crowd. There was no way that you could mistake Casimir’s voice for anyone else. My heart started pumping but Bren placed his hand on my shoulder and told me to be patient. We found a place on the hill to pitch out tent. Near that hillock a large half-orc and a group of hunters appeared to be roasting a rather large Boar as well as an Elk. The finished meat was being handed out to the people around us as well as another wagon parked next to the scene with several kegs was pouring some fresh water and ale.
Lorast recognized the Half-Orc as one of the newer guardians named Kalev, a hunter from our area. I didn’t know him but he still seemed larger than life, a mighty silvery spear resting on the wagon near him. Lorast went over and spoke with him and the men exchanged hands and a good laugh. As Casimir came over for ale after his last tale I ran over and greeted him, ”Casimir, it is me, Noleski!”, I grabbed the man in a great hug, he seemed surprised at me, but I guess he wasn’t ready for the 5 inches and 30lbs I had put on in the last 3 months as well as the full face of hair.
”Noleski, it is you, I hardly recognize you, you big brute! Ah I see you are here with friends. Bren….Lorast. Well, we are glad that you could make it all the way from the northlands. How are things up there, it has been too long since we visited?” We caught up for a few minutes before a messenger arrived and pulled him away to more important matter, but you knew he was genuinely happy to see us and he promised to let Fenna and Malthir know we were here as well.
When the decision had been made to make the Stag Lord’s fort the capital of the new Kingdom and SwordHaven was formed the Guardians had spoke to us at Oleg’s telling us of their reasons, with almost guilt in their voice. We had wanted to have them near, to be part of the Kingdom from the start, but we understood why they started in the south. That they cared to explain to common folk the reasons for their choices was enough for most.
I woke up that next morning feeling a little groggy. I looked much older so I was able to get ale when I knew I shouldn’t have. Bren and Lorast knew immediately what had transpired and set me to several tasks to make sure I regretted my mischief. We left early so we get a good view of the festival kickoff and it took us some time to find a decent spot where we could see the unveiling and speech. Already people thronged the small streets, and the food and ale was on every street corner. I had never seen so many, it was said there would be several thousand coming to attend Foundersfeast. The Guardians had provided much for the folk, and everyone seemed in good spirits.
Finally after an intolerable wait a procession started from the fort, banner’s raised high, noble steeds carrying a group of important looking folk to the square. There were few guards, but folk such as us made sure no one was going to cause trouble. They disappeared for a while as they made their way down here and then they came into view. It was them, Malthir and the entire ruling council riding to the square. They all looked regal, but still rustic except for “uncle”. As per usual he was head to toe in shimmering armor. He almost didn’t seem real until he got close. I waved and yelled to him but the cheering for the council had grown too loud.
They came to a small stage that had been erected in front of the canvas shrouded statue and they walked up onto the stage. Uncle started with a speech about honor, justice, perseverance. About standing up for what is right and doing good for others, while asking nothing in return. Many were moved by the speech, most of us believed that this is what we came to this land for. He ended by calling on us to enjoy this day, our day, the day of the people of Kardas. Men moved to unveil the statue, one of Edric himself, it was impressive. Those who knew him were moved, that he had given his life for us. The cheering was legendary.
Soon Fenna took the stage and gave a moving speech about the Kingdom and what it stands for as well as what we, as a people, have already accomplished. It was then followed by another great cheer. The speeches were ended by Casimir who weaved a fine tale for the crowd, the fall of the Stag Lord himself! Then the festival was officially kicked off with acts and celebrations throughout the crowd.
As the main crowd started to break apart a Kobold, larger than most we have ever seen, and two armed men approached our little band. ”You comes with usss, we have needs to speak with yousss.” We weren’t sure what this was about but soon we were led to a great, new looking Guildhall filled with merchants and tradesmen of all types trying to talk to a bookish looking man. I was later to find out that this was one of the new Guardians, an elf named Ilya, part of a noble family from Brevoy.
We were brought into a back room where Malthir and Vaysh stood. Like an angel, you could not look at her and feel something. I had heard most of the men say at one time or another that there is not much they wouldn’t do to be with her. Malthir and Vaysh seemed to share a moment when they saw us, their eyes met and then Vaysh strode forth to greet us. As was her way she gave each of us hugs and pestered us to tell her what we had been up too. Not many could say no to her. After some time catching up with Vaysh, Malthir finally was able to drag himself away from several men vying for his time. He had always seemed larger than life, the Holy Knight that had promised to make me whole again. My father had talked with me over and over again in those early days as I recovered that I should not get my hopes up and that I might be this way for the rest of my life, but I had always believed in his promise.
He looked tired, but happy as he placed his hand on my shoulder, it was odd to look him in the eyes for the first time, "Well Nol, I see you continue to grow like a sapling, and every time I see you I think you are two feet larger.”, I was always so unsure of how to talk to him, I lowered my eyes and gave him the respect he was due, ”My liege, I am well. We would not have missed this for all the gold in Absolom.” I smiled, ”I have been practicing, every day. None of the boys my age can match my skill with the blade!” My excited talk made him smile at me, but I cursed myself silently for acting like a boy and not the man I need to be for him. ”I hope to be able to come down next year and start serving as your squire, if my liege will permit it.”
Malthir sighed a little and spoke to me quietly, ”Look at me Nol, there will be plenty of time for danger, you are still a boy yet. Enjoy what time you have with your friends, there will be plenty of time to fight.”
But I was determined to prove myself to him, ”My Lord, it is most utmost desire to serve you as soon as I can, here in SwordHaven. I work every day at the blade, on horses and my father has even had a suit of leather armor made to fit me so I can start getting used to wearing it. If I may be so bold sire, you need me here. I will be a warrior of Iomedae and the sooner I can receive guidance from you, the faster I can help the Kingdom.”
A strange look came over him then, I would have almost thought it was sadness, but it quickly passed. ”Well then, if you have your father’s blessing and you feel you are ready to start, return to me after your 14th birthday and you shall indeed become my squire, I live up to my promises Nol!” We chatted a little about the Kingdom and my family but then he was pulled away by General Kesten and some other pressing matter.
As I watched him from across the room I saw Vaysh wonder over to him and slip her hand into his. I could not help but smile, everything seemed right with the world at that moment…
