|
Frank lands.
"The red robed guy opened the portal here and is going to open it back or use his beacon to return. My beacon is tied to here. I assume where Joe and the other are is still in Arcanium but I don't know if we plane shifted or teleported. So I don't know. All I can tell you is we killed the Vampire Regent and Joe took the throne. I didn't stay around to ask questions. I was focused on returning to you. So we can go find out together if you like or you can stay and I maybe will return one day to help with your pirates or not. Your call babe."
Frank extends his hand to her seeing if she will accept and come with him.
The captains nod and begin giving orders. Soon there would be a counting and estimations of the wall itself. The two captains later come to Joe, "Sire do you want one of our forces to move into the pass or leave it to your group?"
Once they have your answer their men begin returning. They lay out what they know and ask those who live here for anything they had missed.
The only way in is the main gate.
It is badly damaged from the fire, is there anyone who can fix it?
There is only the well for water nearby.
The supplies here are low on arrows, bolts, and thrown weapons. Do we have any solutions to this problem?
She pinches her nose in agitation as she thinks. She looks frustrated but takes a steadying breath. Calmly she says, "First dont call me babe. Princess works but Velirus might be better as we are not among nobles or royalty. Let's see if we can find him..."
She will go from inn to tavern looking for a noble in red robes and those who have seen Frank before.
"Captain, we will enter as one. One captain takes and circles left of the gate, the other captain will take another team right. We'll meet back in the middle once the surrounding area is secure."
King Joseph continues. Sadly, we left Camelot only as a reactionary force. Well will have to repair what we can until I can order more support from the castle. Emergency water may be conjured by any clerics among our number. As for munitions, I know of only two spellcasters who can assist with distance fighting among us. But let's us go and assess the situation further."
After an hour you find people who have seen Frank before and mention the Crow's Nest. Getting there a boy runs up saying, "Mister, mister, do you remember me?! The man in the red robes gave me the 5 gold!!! Do you have any need for a servant?!"
Within the tavern you see the noble sitting in a comfy armchair next to the fire. He closes his book at seeing you enter.
"Sire do think that is wise without knowing what force is out there?" The captain asked.
A guard lifts his hand and says, "There are secret passages from long ago that bypass the wall. I only know of one of them and it pops up 400 feet passed the wall."
One of the adventurers offers, "I have mending but I would need time to fix small parts of it at a time."
"Sire do think that is wise without knowing what force is out there?" The captain asked.A guard lifts his hand and says, "There are secret passages from long ago that bypass the wall. I only know of one of them and it pops up 400 feet passed the wall."
"Damn", the new king cursed himself. "I thought the way was clear. One team goes through while the other checks out the possible secret passage."
"We should have our best archers on the wall with Delman, Ryada, and I to use abundant ammunition and minimize waste." she points out.
"Make it so, Lady Jellena."
She quickly suggests, "Lend me two guards from the wall, or an adventurer with the guard that knows the path and it will be secured."
King Joseph nods. "Please be careful, Queen Adora."
|
|
Frank smiles.
"Sure princess... Velirus? What happened to Bridgett? No matter lets look about."
Frank smiles again as the boy runs out. He pats the boy on the head.
"Good lad. Safeguard it. Don't flash it about. I will be leaving for a time, but perhaps in the future, I may come and call on you. What's your name boy?" Frank awaits his answer.
"Good. Do your best to grow strong as I will have need of strong students. I will not need a servant, but someone to train. Are you up to it? We will see in time."
He then walks the princess over to the nobleman in red.
"We are ready to return. So red robed dude this is Princess Bridgett. In all the hurry to get back, I never bothered to ask your name. Frank extends his hand. So what is your name and are you ready to return?"
He whispers up to you, "I am sir, I only have a few copper on me. Aswald Baker, my da... he was a baker." He gets sorrowful at the mention of his father.
His attitude quickly changes back to being excited, "I will try sir. What should I do to get strong? To think an adventurer's apprentice!"
He follows you into the inn and stays on your side so the barkeep doesn't see him.
The red robed noble glares at you Frank but then stands up and presents himself to the princess nobly, "Agravaine Lothain, at your service princess Bridget, wizard and master noble of Avolon." Then he asks, "What about your friend Artemis?"
Jellena, Delman, Ryada, and the 10 best archers take the wall. The rest of the soldiers form up into their platoons and head out after the door is opened. Then the waiting game happens as the arcane caster that spoke up gets to work mending and those who can help. Also some of the villagers go out and begin collecting ammo.
Artemis would wake up and after getting ready would loiter around the temple for roughly an hour, slowly pacing around as he waits for Frank to show up, Frank having not told him where exactly he was going upon their return. Seeing that Frank is most likely not showing up, Artemis would grab his stuff, soon beginning to slowly wander around town, doing a little bit of window shopping as he keeps an eye out for Frank and company.
|
|
"Do your best lad. Always speak the truth and help others. You have to train constantly as well. Until we meet again. Bye for now."
Frank nods to the red robed man.
"Thank you Agravaine. Oh yes, Artemis." Frank takes a moment and tries to speak to Artemis through the ring Jellena provided.
"Artemis you there? Not sure of the range of these things."
If there is no answer. Frank looks to the others.
"Give me thirty minutes to fly around town and find Artemis. You two get acquainted. Princess ask Agravaine anything you want, he can tell you more than I about where we are going. I will be back soon."
Frank sets out flying about using the ring trying to communicate and find Artemis.
"Ladies and gentlemen", the young king roared, "Our first priority is the well being of the villagers. Identify any injured to any healers among us. Once secured, sweep these brigands off the face of Arcanium!"
Frank eventually finds Artemis as the rings work if within a mile of each other. Frank and Artemis fly over head until they find the Crow's Nest. There the wizard opens a portal and the five of you pass over.
Agravaine comes through last a bit upset as the boy ran through before him and after the three of you. "Well Frank, evidently you made an impression on the lad." the noble offered and began to walk off.
---
The two platoons of soldiers moved down the path following orders.
The two platoons of soldiers moved down the path following orders.
Joe you are leading the Green Dragons, they fan out so there is 5 feet between each member and scour the path. No villagers are found but you do see quite a few armed figures fleeing from your approach. You also don't hear the sounds of battle from the other side of the path.
The bandits had made an impromptu wall. Wooden palisades had been erected luckily no towers. As you are coming into view of it all some 150 feet away. Arrows shoot up into the air from the other side. Only two twenty foot sections don't have palisades up.
Joe tries to get his men some cover as we make our way to one of the twenty foot palisade openings. If the Delman, Ryada, and Jellena, the paladin will ask them to destroy the palisades from afar.
Your ranged group was left back on the wall, a good half mile or more away. The Captain of the Green Dragons quickly shouts out an order, Cover. Most get their shields up in time, . Three dont, they get them up for the second salvo as the squad moves for the opening. Three rounds of movement and another get hit. Then you see the ogres moving to block your entrance into the camp.
Joe will fall back and wait to regroup with the rest of the squadron to attack en masse.
Artemis just raises an eyebrow, briefly looking the kid over before looking towards Frank, "Yeah... who is he? And uh... did Joe tell us where to meet up once we came back? I had some alcohol last night and uh..." Artemis blushes a little, shifting on his feet, "I don't exactly remember if that was discussed."
To get out of range you travel back 300 feet. Where the other squad is forming. Though your squad likely took more damage on the movement:
Checking in with the squad you find only 4 of them got hit. All superficial wounds.
The captain pulls you to the side and offers suggestions: "Sire, if you want my opinion to press into that organized bandit camp, I would advise against it. We can huddle up to minimize damage from the arrows but those ogres are going to be problems. I would suggest getting the archers to move forward and see what kind of damage they can do from this distance."
The other captain then gets there and reports in, "Sire, minimal resistance. They pretty much all ran to the camp."
---
You are presently outside of a huge castle. The noble is walking away from the castle. The boy looks sheepish but quickly comes to his own aid, "My uncle you see doesn't treat me well. I have to sleep in the stables. I was hoping you would take care of me better than him."
|
|
Frank simply smiles and shakes his head.
"That is the spirit I'm looking for. It was Aswald right? You started to say your dad was a baker? Do you not have family? It would be only right to tell them you are my student after all."
As Artemis speaks.
"Honestly Art I was naked and looking to get back to the princess here." He gestures to Bridgett. "Joe sat in the throne and got a bow given to him, then took his leave. I didn't say bye to him, Jellena or Ryada. Let's try the rings."
Frank begins speaking into the ring.
"Joe, Jellena, Ryada you there? Anyone?"
"Let's take the kid here to the castle. Look Aswald this life won't be easy, but it can be rewarding. I am a god of Thunder and Strength. If you are strong you will be rewarded, if you are weak I will not teach you. For now, you will become a page to a night of Camelot." Frank thinks for a minute. G+@ d@@n we are in Avalon, Arthur, knights of the round table. This is neat. Nice job Joe asking for Excalibur when we crossed over.
"If you prove worthy and become a knight then you will become my student. I will check-in time to time on you. Pray to me for strength in your time of need. Now, let's get to the castle and see why Joe and the others are not there."
The captain pulls you to the side and offers suggestions: "Sire, if you want my opinion to press into that organized bandit camp, I would advise against it. We can huddle up to minimize damage from the arrows but those ogres are going to be problems. I would suggest getting the archers to move forward and see what kind of damage they can do from this distance."
The other captain then gets there and reports in, "Sire, minimal resistance. They pretty much all ran to the camp."
Now that both captains have joined the young king, Joe listens to both captains. "I agree. Call the archers forward. If we do engage the enemy, focus on the human brigands and leave the ogres to me and the other members of the Night Hawks." Before the captains depart, the paladin king stops them and confesses, "I apologize to you both. I realize I still have much to learn..I just didn't want anyone to die my first day as king. Thank you both very much for your advice."
He nods his head as you say his name correctly. "My dad was a baker until he died. My mom died a long time ago. My uncle was all the family I had left and he never treated me right." Aswald said. He nods his head, "I will train hard, just tell me what to do. Okay a page I will become!"
No response on the ring. Walking over the drawbridge towards the castle you see the guards stop you and ask your business?
---
The captains seem rather neutral towards you. They likely feel you are inept and half to follow your orders. Though they are offering solutions.
"Sire, the best position is to hold the wall and let them come to us. With our two squads and those here we could likely hold out until reinforcements come."
"If you both believe it to be the best option, then that's the path to take. Fall back to the wall!" King Joseph orders.
They both nod, "We would want to know numbers and strength before we assault them. Yes, so a scout group would be best, perhaps the adventurers. If we failed here the wall would be back to where they were before. I believe we want to protect as others are coming, right Sire?"
Soon enough the squads are turned about face and go back to the wall. On the way Morgana is on the path, she joins with a smile on her face. Then soon after you are safely behind the wall. Shoring up weak spots and setting a rotation for guarding. Those not on duty put up tents and setup the large camp halfway between the village and the wall.
|
|
"Where is Joe. I believe he is your king now. Do you not know me from last night? The large naked half-dragon flying around slaying vampires for you. The names Frank. That's Artemis. Red Robed dude is a noble of the court Agravaine. The luscious lady here is Princess Bridgett. The boy Aswald. I wish him to be page to Sir Galahad. He will become a knight and then a Paladin devoted to me. So I ask again. Where is King Joseph."
The guards shake their heads at all that you just told them, one of them says, "Sorry sir, let us get our captain."
The likely captain comes out with the guard that left. He confidently says, "Understand we don't get guests that are not known nobles. If Agravaine was with you there would be little problems. Word was not sent that the King's friends would be coming. Let me send a runner to Councilor and I am sure it will all be sorted out shortly." He nods to his guard who quickly heads into the castle. "Come have a seat, would you like refreshments?"
"Ok Frank, well, I guess we just wait for them to come back if no one answered."
Giving a small wave as he is mentioned by Frank at the gate, Artemis would just follow the guards and the group into the castle, nodding a little as the offer of refreshments are floated around, "Uhh... sure, what do you have to offer?"
The captain offers to Artemis and anyone else interested, "I have wine and water. Also a few loafs of fresh bread and some cheese." One of his guards goes into their room ahead getting things ready. They follow and get waited upon by the guards.
Artemis just nods, "Water for me, and I'd be down for some bread and cheese, haven't really eaten today so... yeah."
The princess flashes an open palm before her indicating no. She sits and shakes her head at the sight of the place.
A few minutes pass and the captain apologizes, "I am so sorry, we didn't know you and you did not have the royal seal. If you are not in a hurry we can escort Sir Steel and Sir Eule to the bureaucratic office to get you seals of title. As my other guards will take your guests to the banquet hall or your rooms for a rest?
Within another minute the guard returns with sweat on his brow. A little confused as you are being escorted into the castle. The captain tells the guard, [b]"Maintain order at the gate, don't fret yourself magic is wonderful! We know they are the King's entourage."
Then a changing of the guard as royal guards in finer armor take your group to their destinations.
The clerks have a seal of royal title ready for you. You sign the paper if you want and you are honorific knights in name until knighted by the king. Or if that is not pleasing to you they are open to suggestions.
Once that is done the two of you are taken to a massive banquet hall which only has round tables and the center one is the biggest one of them all.
|
|
You remember him vaguely and he quickly introduces himself as you enter the banquet hall, "I am Arelius of the order of Merlin, councilor to your friend Joesph Waskalis. King Joeseph has taken the waypoint to a village in the northern region of Avalon, if you wish to follow I could waypoint you there?"
Artemis would briefly look at Frank before nodding a bit, "Its perfectly fine, don't worry about it." he says, motion towards Frank to follow, "I don't see any reason not to." When presented with the seal of royal title, Artemis briefly scans the paper before signing it, handing the quill to Frank and taking a step back.
At the massive banquet hall, Artemis just nods, taking a look up at the ceiling, a little in awe before turning towards Arelius, nodding a little as he glances towards Frank, "Would we be waypointed to him directly or just a place near by?"
|
|
The clerk at the buerctatic hall hands each of you a seal that can easily be attached to your clothing.
The councilor added, "The waypoint is in a cave network above the village. It should be cleared out and marked, then down the mountain path. If you want to go there by horse it will take over three weeks."
|
|
"What the hell is he doing way up there. We have been gone 12 hours at most. A rebellion already?" He then looks to the princess.
"Bridgett I'm going to make sure Joe and the others aren't getting into trouble. Do you want to come or stay and explore the castle?" He then turns his attention back to Arelius.
"Arelius. I want the boy Aswald here to serve as a page to Sir Galahad. Can you arrange this while we are gone? Please open the waypoint. You ready Artemis. No telling what they have gotten into."
|
|
"Something about bandits, that are much more organized than normal. I would say the Regent has a hand in it." Arelius responds. "I can ask Sir Galahad on your behalf and until he is settled I can put him up in a servant's quarter. Come along I will take you to the waypoint."
Then he takes those wanting to go down through the castle from the banquet hall, through a garden, through a ballroom, outside into a courtyard, then over to the barracks within the castle. Down three flights of stairs and having the guards at the three large doors open them. At the bottom several guards and soldiers stand at attention. Arelius looks at them and states, "I am taking Frank Steel, Princess Bridgett Loadumn and Artimus Eule to the other side to have them join the king. I will take four soldiers with me to escort them. Step forward please and touch the waypoint." Three of them step up and touch the waypoint as the last two look at each other. One of them steps up as Arelius touches the waypoint after the three of you.
Upon arrival you are in an eerie dark cave that is only illuminated by the blue light of the waypoint.
Arelius waves as the soldiers take point traveling through the only tunnel out of the room. They point out the chalk marks and writing as they follow them. After a half hour you reach daylight. Emerging onto a cliff that looks out over the valley. Walking down the switchbacks to the meadow beside the village you see that there is a camp of tents setup between the village and a wall set in the pass to the South. The guards point out the flag of the green dragon, their squadron. So the tents are likely where you will find the king.
She nods her head in approval, "I will join you. You never know where you might find those that could fight for me. Even captured mercenaries could work."
|
|
Frank nods and smiles at the princess.
"Thank you Arelius. We will head there. You and the guards should go back as we will be flying overland. We will be fine. Are you ready to fly again princess?"
"Let's go Artemis."
Frank extends his hand waiting for her to take it. Once she does he will give a few flaps of his powerful wings and go aloft. He will make his way toward the tents.
Artemis just gives a shrug at the mention of a rebellion, "I hope not... although that does make me wonder about if there are any other claimants to the throne..." he says, thinking to himself as he steps forward and absentmindedly touches the way point. Artemis would just stretch a little as Frank gets ready, soon taking off in tandem with him as the three? of them heads over towards the tents.
Arelius did not leave the room of the waypoint. But the soldiers shake their heads, as one speaks up, "We will hoof it. Take the lead and we will catch up. We are part of the two squads that already came through, we are apart of the Green Dragons."
Flying down is much faster and you get to the camp in minutes. There you see soldiers mulling around still setting up camp. Some look up as you fly over head but none draw weapons or even seem alarmed.
|
|
Frank will land as he hails the camp.
"Hail the camp. I seek King Joseph. I am his companion Frank. Who among you can tell me where he or mistress Jellena are?"
Frank lands as he calls out.
He also will speak into the ring.
"Joe, Jellena, Ryada... Do any of you copy? Artemis and I have come back to Avalon. Where are you?"
At the repaired gate, Joe hears Frank's call through the silver ring. "Frank. Frank, this is Joe. Man, I'm glad you guys are here."
The paladin relays the information of where the gate is in relation to the camp.