"Here's home then," Tove says with an air of satisfaction as the party pulls up at the entrance to the old fort.
The ground around the structure still carried the weight of the atrocities committed there, of course, but Tove felt something new as she stared up at the ruins on their approach. There was a sense of hope here now too.
"Fort Redemption..." she declares, mostly to herself, checking the way the the words feel in her mouth and concluding with a curt nod and a forced smile to her comrades.
Garathane steps up next to Tove. Catching the emotion in her voice, he says, "I may have come up with the name, but it will take all of our efforts to make it true. Welcome home, Tove."
"is there a room available i may establish as a study? And continue my research? I would like to build a library, and locale where all who seek knowledge may find refuge. If it pleases the lords and ladies, of course," kalaman asks when they walk in the fort and he gets his first look at the area recently liberated from the bandit hordes
Tove's smile grew warm at Garethane's words as she pushed through the doors into the walls of the fort itself.
Hearing Kalaman's request behind her though, her jaw tightens, and she makes a conscious effort to unclench it before turning back to him.
"There's a wooden addition to the fort around the back. I was intending to convert the lower floor into a small chapel, and a rectory for myself. Perhaps there is enough space on the floor above for the library you speak of?"
It took a lot for Tove to concede a part of the fort over to the newcomer, but she desperately wanted to show Terri that she could be better than the woman she was.
It will take all of our efforts to make it true.
And it was only a library after all. How dangerous could that be?
if it is too much to ask, I can ask the builders when they come to build one, especially since I wouldn't want to bother your meditations or services. kalaman says to the priestess, bowing
"I think we can do that. I'd like to have enough room for a small grove here too," Terri says as they start discussing plans for the fort.
"Well, I doubt a library could possibly be more of a disturbance than any other room we could build above me." Tove reasons, hoping her hesitations hadn't spoiled her attempt at playing hospitable.
"I do like the idea of reserving space for some more natural features like that Terri. A small grove would be lovely."
"and on the topic of nature, and fey, and the pursuit of knowledge, if you wouldn't mind teaching me a thing or two about nature and the fey, it is one of the areas I find my knowledge lacking. I know of planes and their denizens, am studied in the arcane arts, and I've been in enough dungeons to pick up a thing or two. But with a party with a heavy background in dealing with the fey and the amount of fey that are in this area, it couldn't hurt to learn more about them. Plus it may give me a new area to search for the blade origins. kalaman says after tove and Terri talk about building a Grove as a sort of "fey embassy"
As the rest of the party rides into the fort, Bass rides back up to the gate.
"I've found good land just up the lakeside for the settlers to make temporary shelters. Before we turn in for the night, Gareth, would you mind staking it out with me?"
You settle into your new home, such as it is at the moment, picking out locations for pet projects such as libraries, groves, and shrines. Bassius focuses more on scouting out proper lands for the incoming settlers and workers to set up on.
Two days pass uneventfully, and on the afternoon of the third day you see a caravan approaching. A quick scan of the caravan shows tools, lumber, masonry tools, stones, brick, and textiles. Counting the small contingent of caravan guards, you would guess there are sixty to seventy people part of the caravan.
Pulling up to the gates of the fort, a tall, salt and pepper gray-haired man hops out of the front wagon.
"Hello in the fort!" he calls out. "My name is Rickart Grath. I am the master of this caravan sent here to you by the Swordlords or Restov."
Before waiting for much of an answer from within he continues, "Where should we start unloading and setting up? It's been one hell of a long ride, roads are pretty shoddy this far south."
Garethane will be glad to assist Bassius, splitting much of his time surveying the area around the fort in hawk form and helping clean up the old fort the rest of the time. Aerial surveillance should be good for spotting the odd deer to begin stockpiling food for future settlers. He's careful not to totally hunt the area out, however.
Once the caravan arrives, he will head to the man from the front wagon. "Greetings Mr. Grath. Welcome to Fort Redemption. We've cleared out space inside where you can park some of your wagons more safety. We can use part of the timber to set up a storage for the rest outside."
Terri helps with cleaning out the fort, but spends a fair amount of time wandering the nearby woods playing music and singing songs as she tries to think about how she wants to approach asking a dryad if she would help sent up green spaces in their fledgling town.
Ivo spends a lot of time puttering - there's not much other word for it; sometimes he's in odd places, like up on a corner tower of the wall looking out across the landscape to the north, other times he's tinkering with his pistol or carving tiny toys like a horse on wheels with a small wagon that it can pull behind it. Occasionally he helps with moving and unloading things but, due to his small stature, he's not really good at this because he can't carry much, so he mostly keeps out from underfoot.
With the arrival of the caravan, Tove throws herself at the opportunity to help in anyway she can.
These people were the start of Tove's new congregation after all. Whether they all shared her beliefs or not, it would be her responsibility to be there for these people through the inevitable hardships ahead. The form of deep, mutual trust this required had to stem from somewhere, and so she mingles with the people, getting to know their faces and listening to their stories as she helps them start up their fledgling settlement.
Terri stays the night, but is gone the next morning, having learned where she might find some help with her project. She spends the next two days riding and walking beside Placid as she makes her way to the grove of the Dryad and her Satyr lover. Finding what seems to be the place, she takes the saddle and bags off of placid with some difficulty before letting him roam and munch on some of the undergrowth. She then takes out her cittern and begins to play a soft, lilting melody as she waits for some sign that this is the place.
Terri at the Grove:
After playing for a few minutes, Terri hears what would seem to be accompaniment to her song in the form of wooden pipes. Looking up from her instrument she sees a goat-legged, horned man leaning against a tree.
"Don't mind me, please continue, it's a good song." he says with a devilish grin.
Based on what your companions had told you, you can only assume this is Falchos.
As the prosective leader of this settlement, Bassius also spends most of the next few days with the settlers. He looks for those among them with experience in building, and asks them to take a look at Fort Redemption and give advice on how to rebuild. He also lets the new arrivals know that he is there to arbitrate in case of disputes, and works to help plot out the streets of the new city, imagining in his mind a bustling capital to come.
At Fort Redemption:
Bassius is able to get suitable input on the rehabilitation of the battered fort. With enough time, materials, and effort, the stonemasons and carpenters among the settlers.
When not taking direction from the newly minted nobles, it would seem that most of the newcomers take their direction from the caravan master, Rickart Grath, with the exception of the small troop of caravan guards/mercenaries that seem to take their orders from a half-elf woman named Celeste Naevirion.
That important detail attended to, she turns to other matters.
"I assume by your mien and appearance, you are Falchos? I have a favor I would like to ask of your, um... is lover the right word?"
"Indeed, I am Falchos." With a bow he adds, "At your service, madame."
Hearing the young woman's request, Falchos narrows his eyes, "And what would you have of the Lady Tiressia?"
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"Madame's a bit high-falutin' for me. Terri's good enough for me," she says with a chuckle. Then, coming back to why she is here, she sobers somewhat.
"I heard about what happened between another dryad and some loggers. I fear that will only be more commonplace since we have been made nobles and set to rule over this land. I do not want this kingdom to be ever at odds with those that lived here before and will live here after. I was hoping that Lady Tiressia would know of someone that would help us grow a place that the fey will feel welcome in. I would love to have our towns filled with groves full of wonder and new things for the adventurous to discover and enjoy. I... I want us to coexist, not live in worlds apart. I don't want anyone to be an outcast."
After three days of helping out settler and getting to know all of the fresh new faces, there are still two who Tove is yet to properly meet. Rickart and Celeste always seemed to have too much on their plate while there was work to be done, and so it is in the early evening, while the sun hangs low in the sky and the wisps of cooking fires fill the air above the fledgling settlement that the priestess finally makes it her mission to seek them out.
Although she stops along the way a few times, as other settlers she’s already made an impression on interrupt her to ask her new questions or to continue conversations cut short by the busy nature of the day’s labour, eventually she finds herself in the small circle of wagons belonging to the caravans leaders.
”Rickart, Celeste, a word if I may?” she calls once she finally catches sight of them.
Rickart and Celeste seem to be having a co-worker's conversation over a couple flagons of ale. At Tove's approach and request, the pair say - almost in unison, "Sure." Rickart adds, "What can we do for you, Lady Hellstrom?"
Tove smiles warmly as the pair wave her over. "I hope I'm not interrupting... Tove takes in each of the caravan's leaders in turn as she catches her breath.
"As you have no doubt noticed, I've been making the rounds and getting to know all of our new arrivals here at Redemption. But I haven't yet had a chance to meet either of you, and so if you wouldn't mind, I was hoping I might join you for a drink tonight?"
Tove's eyes drop to the two flagons of ale, lingering a little too long on the half-elf's slender fingers before flitting back to her eyes and then across to settle on Rickart. Her companions were hoping these two might go on to become quite important figures in their fledgling community, she needed to concentrate if she was going to assess their suitability for the proposed roles. Unfortunately the half-elf's presence had been a constant distraction ever since her first day here...
"Alright, Terri it is." the satyr says with a grin.
Hearing the explanation for Terri's presence at the grove, his eyes narrow and he shakes his head. "More humanoids moving into the area you say? Well hopefully they are more well behaved than the loggers Melianse had to deal with."
While the coversation is ongoing, a beautiful, vine covered, leaf-haired woman approaches. "Who do we have here, Falchos?" she asks.
Following introductions, Tiressia says, "Hmmm...I do not know of anyone in particular who would wish to venture into a human settlement for any real length of time. I suppose I could ask around."
"Not at all." Rickart says grinning, obviously a bit into his cups for the evening. "Please join us, the more the merrier."
"Not really much to know about me, just a caravan trader. Figured I'd head down this way since Old Duncan has the routes along the South Rostland road pretty much locked up."
Celeste seems to notice Tove's lingering attention, but chooses not to say anything about it for the time being. "Not much to say about me." she says, "Caravans need to be guarded, highwaymen's skulls need to be cracked, and heading down with Rickart's crew seemed like a good move. Not sure how long me and my guys will be staying though, certainly at least until he heads back north for another supply run." she says, gesturing toward Rickart.
The priestess chuckles lightly at the nonchalant way Celeste just brushes over the cracking of skulls. Then grimaces at the way that might have come across, growing more flustered.
But this is exactly what she was worried about. This caravan leader and his security team were here to deliver the settlers, but not to stay and settle themselves. She hoped she could do something to change their minds.
"You know," she starts, searching for the ale cask and hoping a drink would cool her nerves a little, or at least give her an excuse for her flushing face. "The two of you would be more than welcome to settle here, if you'd like. These people already seem to look up to you Rickart, and Celeste, our fledgling township will be in need of some skilled defenders to ensure its safety while my friends and I are not around..."
"I would hope so," Terri says just before Tiressia makes her appearance.
"With their help, I was hoping it'd be more than just a human settlement," Terri explains. "I would love for all of us to exist together and learn from each other, even if it's just a hopeless dream."
She falls silent for a moment, wondering what else she could say to get across what she hopes to achieve.
"Do the fey have cities," she asks, wondering if that might be a place to begin with.
The pair seem to think on the subject for a while before Celeste says, "I haven't had a home base in quite some time. That might be a welcome change. Did you have something in particular in mind?"
After Celeste comments, Rickart chimes in, "Well I can't say that I would stay here on a permanent basis, given my chosen profession, but given the proper incentive," he says glancing toward Celeste, "I could certainly be convinced to relocate my home base to here once things build up enough to warrant a merchant trader's time."
Tiressia responds, "Of course the fey have cities and settlements, just not many if any in this realm."
Considering the ask a bit more she adds, "I suppose the capricious nature of my kind makes any long term association with the kingdoms of this world tenuous at best."
Tove perks up as she takes her first swig of ale, or perhaps it's the fact that Celeste has just suggested that setting up a home here could make for a welcome change.
She studies the pair over the rim of her flagon and feels a pang in her stomach as she recognises that she clearly had competition regarding her ulterior motives for being here. Then she clears her throat.
"Well, as I've mentioned, this settlement will need a permanent presence to defend it. My friends and I were thinking, Celeste, your band of mercenaries here might fit the bill. You've already been with these people long enough to make a pretty strong positive impression on them, from what I've heard, so I think they would feel a lot safer if you would consider staying on as their protector yourself. We're actually talking about offering you the role of General, if you want it, with an opportunity to grow your band here into a real company to be reckoned with."
Turning to Rickart, she takes a less persuasive tone. She isn't sure anymore that keeping him around is going to be in her best interest, but if she was successful in getting Celeste to agree to stay, it seems like that could be incentive enough for the caravan's leader anyway.
"Rickart, this one might be a bit of a stretch for you, it would mean a more drastic shift in your career direction but, you obviously command a lot of respect with the folks here, no doubt a small part of your job getting them here safely has been working in partnership with Celeste to maintain some sense of order among them. That got us all to thinking, perhaps you might be a good fit as the new warden of Fort Redemption."
She smiles heartily to the both of them, hoping her words sink in, but she can't help but bite her lip softly as her gaze falls back to Celeste and she hopes even harder that the half-elf woman is convinced.
"What if we could change that," Terri asks, hopeful that she may have found something she could build on. "I know there are some fey that are wicked just like there are humans and elves that are evil, but what about those that want to live and learn and journey? Couldn't we make a home for them? I just... I..."
Her words falter as she realizes she's grasping at straws. The fey are different from mortals. They're seemingly immortal and tales of their capriciousness were spread far and wide. Every tale has some truth, and what if Tiressia's statement was a warning that it wouldn't work out.
"Are you familiar with the teachings of Desna, Lady Tiressia" she asks as she looks up at the dryad.
"General?" Celeste asks. "Never really thought about it. I mean, I know you are one of the Charter-holders, but do your companions hold the same thoughts?"
Rickart looks a bit confused, or perhaps that's just the ale getting to him. "I'm not sure I'd know the first thing about being a Warden. What exactly would that entail?
Tiressia and Falchos remain silent while Terri bats possibilities around with herself before finally asking about Desna.
[b]"The Song of the Spheres was once one of our kind, long before she was a goddess of this realm. So yes, you could say that I am familiar with her teachings...and wanderings. Why do you ask?"
"Well, Lord Vibulus is certainly with me on the idea. The others would fall into line, even if they didn't already agree with us, which I'm fairly sure they do."
Tove moves to press the issue home. Fixing her eyes, filled with hope, on the eyes of the mercenary captain.
"We would really love it if you would consider the offer. We all really hope you'll decide to stay."
She lets her words hang there for a moment, not breaking off her eye contact until she has no other choice.
As I said, it's a bit more of a stretch for you, Rickart. As Warden, you would be responsible for maintaining law and order here in our fledgling settlement, as well coordinating ensuring the safety of my companions and I. It would be a small role at first, and could grow with you to give you time to adapt. You'd also be working closely with the General, and our Royal Enforcer and Marshall too, to some extent. You wouldn't be alone, I think you could do it if you were interested."
Tove takes a long drink from her flagon and crosses her arms against her chest, tilting her head to the side and giving the two caravan leaders a chance to mull things over.
Thinking about the offer a bit longer, Celeste breaks eye contact with Tove before the Erastilian priestess would want.
"How many soldiers will I have beyond my six?" she asks, sounding as if she has accepted the offer without directly saying so.
Rickart seems more reluctant. "It just doesn't sound like something that I'd all that good at, Lady Hellstrom. I'm flattered by the offer, but I'm a business man, not a law man. I'd love to help, but is there something more suited to my talents?"
Tove frowns as Rickart turns down the party's offer. "I'm sorry to hear you feel that way, but it's understandable. Not all are born with the fortitude for combat, after all, and a warden needs to be ready to enforce the law when necessary. I'm afraid I haven't much else to offer you at this stage, aside from perhaps a continuing contract carting new settlers and supplies between Restov and Redemption. If you're happy to wait around though, we might have a position available for you managing our treasury if our first choice there turns the role down."
Turning to Celeste, Tove has to think for a moment before she can answer. "Beside your six, if you're happy to take in a few reformed bandits, maybe four. There are, I suppose, another three under the command of the man next in line to become our warden. Unfortunately that would be it until we can set up somewhere here to start training any more. But if you know of any from other parts who might be open to resettling here, you're welcome to send for them."
Tove smiles, hopefully, then downs the rest of her flagon of ale, glancing to the cask and wondering whether it might be too much to stay and pour out another round.
"A steady contract for trade and transport would be a welcome offer, Lady Hellstrom." Rickart says, seemingly glad all this talk about Wardens was done with. "That being said, if your first choice denies you, I would be interested in that treasurer role."
Celeste considers the information given to her. "What of these reformed bandits? Really, how trustworthy can they be?"
"I suppose if you and your companions were willing to vouch for them and turn them and their discipline over to me I could consider them. As far as your potential Warden's men, wouldn't he want to keep them under his command to for a constabulary?" she asks, pouring another ale for herself and Rickart and holding the pitcher up toward Tove questioningly.
"Then I will send the man a letter, with haste," Tove replies to Rickart.
After Celeste has posed her questions, she nods, gratefully accepting a refill of ale.
"Of course, those men would remain under the Warden's command. I simply didn't wish to give you the impression that your own soldiers would be stretched too thin. As for the bandits, I have seen it within their hearts that they truly desire redemption. One of their ilk even gave her life in our efforts to claim this fort. If there were any among them I did not trust, they would no no longer be walking the material plane, I assure you."
During tove's conversation with Celeste and rickart, kalaman comes up with his own flagon of ale, and sits down with the group, and upon seeing a lull in the conversation talks with Rickart. "on your next trip north, would you mind bringing some books back down? I'm looking to start a library and am a few tomes short at the moment. Would you also care to keep an ear out for rumors of supernatural swords? And if you see old Duncan, give him my best. kalaman says to the caravan leader, the sword strapped to his back seeming to pulse at the mention of supernatural swords.
"Most appreciated." Rickart says.
"Alright, I'm in." Celeste says, leaning in almost excruciatingly close to Tove. "What can expect to be able to pay new recruits? By time you all are finished with turning this place into an honest to gods castle, you might have close to a thousand people here and the surrounding area. I will need more than my little band and few reformed bandits."
Rickart nods toward Kalaman. "Greetings. You've just missed negotiations between Lady Hellstrom and the two of us" gesturing to himself and Celeste, "around joining the ruling council of this fledgling nation."
With another nod toward Celeste, he adds, "Sounds like she might even be successful in one case."
"Books from up north, sure I can do that. Anything in particular you are looking for?"
Celeste eyes the tiefling warily. "That's an interesting sword you have on your back."
Tove's heart races as Celeste leans in and agrees to stay, but she frowns slightly at her question. "To be wholly honest with you, I've never been much good at understanding the flow of coin. But if you name a good price, enough to attract some soldiers of quality, I would happily support your case."
"Take your time to think on it if you like, in the mean time, let me be the first to congratulate you on your new position, General," she grins wide and offers the half-elf her hand.
Gritting her teeth slightly as the tiefling arrives, Tove edges closer still to the mercenary captain as their circle expands, letting Kalaman steal the caravan leader's attention if only for this small comfort.
Celeste takes the offered hand. Thank you. This will be one hell of a change for me."
Seemingly pleased with the night's events so far, Celeste relaxes a bit - or perhaps her cups are just catching up with her, and leans against Tove while waiting for Kalaman's answer.
Turning her head quickly to the priestess, Celeste asks, "Am I really the general of a nation now?"
"Exciting stuff, right?" Rickart adds, glancing back toward Tove and Celeste briefly.
Tove grins down at the half-elf leaning against her arm. "You most certainly are," she whispers. "Welcome to Elkmark, General Naevirion."
"really anything with information someone might want access to, really, but the information I want access to at this point in time, is lore, and exploration, other realms, the like. As for my sword, it is interesting. All the more so that I dont know its origins, or even really how I got it, which is why I've been trying to search for similar stories, or a lead of some sort as to who I must talk to to get on the path of discovering these secrets. kalaman says to both rickart and the newly appointed General. "lady tove has been kind enough to loan me the space above her rectory to use as a library until we are in a position to build one"
"I'll see what I can find next time I'm in Restov." Rickart says to Kalaman. "Might have to talk to Duncan about it too, he might have a few better sources for such things than I do."
Celeste, still leaning against Tove, says, "Let me get this straight, and this isn't a statement about you personally - because I don't know you, but someone who obviously has something rather unwholesome in the family woodpile, has a rather evil looking black and red pulsating sword show up out of nowhere...Surely, you can understand why someone might look at you a bit...oddly."
"I fully understand it. But it is also part of what I wish to accomplish in my quest for, and sharing of, knowledge. Prejudices are based on the whole group of individuals, im sure you would agree that in all of the humans, elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings, half elves, half orcs, and all other races of this realm that there are good apples, and bad apples. You dont condemn the entire race of humans because a few of them decided to conquer or commit atrocities, no do you condemn a child because their parent did as such. Each individual is able to make decisions and perform actions based on their own views. These decision and actions are what we should base our opinions of individuals on." kalaman says, and you can tell that this is a speech he has said many a time, and a speech that has fallen on deaf ears a nearly equally many of times.
Tove glances down at the woman at her side, feeling emboldened once more to voice her own concerns. "Perhaps that is true, for the many races of this realm you have listed. But entities exist outside of our material world that can and do embody the concept of alignment in much more purified forms. And that is to say nothing of the types of pure good or evil that can be distilled while creating an artifact like the one on your back. Evil does exist Kalaman, you must concede it, and you have to admit, a weapon such as yours, showing up in the hands of someone so clearly tainted by what lies beyond, it casts the whole package in a very suspicious light. I only hope things will become clearer once the true origins of the sword are revealed."
"tell me, lady tove, what do you know of those realms beyond this here material plane? Or even teiflings for that matter? Having studied both extensively, I can admit that there are denizens that do indeed embody pure good, and pure evil. As for teiflings, the same can be said. Some embrace their lineage. Go on to become the worst of society, preying on the weak, to make themselves have more power. Others wish to fully redeem themselves and their ancestry by walking the path of righteousness. And then myself, i have dedicated self to the art of seamlessly integrating spells and steel, weaving magic in and out of parries and thrusts, combining them into a deadly dance to strike down those who would further oppress the oppressed. As for this sword, it intrigues me as much as it scares most. My search for its origins has shed light on other mysteries and ignited another passion in me in the search and sharing of knowledge,, and the interesting thing is that knowledge has no alignment.. it isn't good or evil. Knowledge simply IS. It is how the knowledge is used that can be good or evil.. Besides I think there is a few rather simple ways to determine if my motives are as i say, and whether the words I speak are the truth. And to that effect, I would answer any question you, or any of the lords and ladies of this new kingdom, would ask of me, you simply must ask." kalaman replies to tove, keeping an even almost laid back tone and posture during his discourse, and opening his arms at the end of his words as an open invitation.
"I'm not like my companions. I joined their charter to see new places and leave my mark wherever I found some place wondrous and hidden or significant to me. I've already marked two places, but... I fear I won't be able to mark many more. My companions are readying themselves to build a kingdom, and while I would gladly move on and see what other wonders I can, I cannot in good conscious do so when I know there will be conflict between the people coming to settle this land and those that are already here. I wanted to do some good, and this is the best way I could see to help," she says frankly.
"Tiressia, I know that maybe I'm asking the impossible, but if there's a chance to have some peace between the fey that live in and tend to the forest here and the settlers to come, then I have to find it. I was hoping that by making a place, a capital that had representatives from everyone that would love to be a part of this or to live peacefully in this region that we could change both the fey and the settlers for the better."
Kalaman says a lot of things but all Tove hears is that he doesn't consider himself as one of the members of his kind seeking redemption.
In this moment though, she was too happy to care very deeply about it. And besides, she was hardly going to make a scene in front of their newly minted general. The tiefling has remained calm so far, she surely could too.
”If you wish it, Kalaman. Tomorrow morning, I will test the validity of your claims. But you must know that no matter the truth that lies in your heart, the sword on your back may still harbour it’s own darkness.
"Im not sure on the whole how divine spells interact with items, but you could also ask it your questions to determine its darkness. Whether it answers you or not, that is not up to me." kalaman replies shrugging