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The air is crisp and cutting this first Oathday of Pharast. The sun is only just winking at the surface of the earth as droves of would be adventures swarmed around the Hall of Swords. They had come to see the list.
Be it so known that the bearers of these charters have been commissioned by the Swordlords of Restov as acting council for this city under the watchful eye of Lord Noleski Surtova, Regent of the Dragonscale Throne in the great nation of Brevoy. The following few have been chosen to fulfill a purpose disclosed specifically in their individual charters.
The Hooktongue Slough
Colonel Lars Norgen and the Nineteenth Legion
Inquisitor Gabriel Galden
High Potentate Ferrel Tajin and cabinet
The Nomen Heights
Swordlord Maegar Varn and the Red Dawn
The Glenebon Uplands
The Iron Wraiths, commanded by Dof Stonefist
The Greenbelt
Kern Therensgard
Theodric Lebeda
Cromwell Wist-Lebeda
Drym Golka-Garess
Lanya Beladon Medvyed
Gliadel the Dancer
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As quickly as they'd come, the crowd files away. Whether it was to plan for a journey or, for those not chosen, back to cups and bed. Before long, three green adventures: strangers, stand gawking at their own luck before a piece of parchment in an empty courtyard on a cold Pharast morning.
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The gold haired dwarf stares at the charter listing the assignments with hard blue eyes. His beard is groomed well enough, but at first glance you'd never think him a noble. After all, his clothes and gear are built for exploration. Sturdy boots, studded leather armor, and a gray cloak and hood ready for the weather should it go sour. At his side is a dwarven waraxe that looks like it is well used already, and a shield is slung on his back. Only those looking for it might notice that the colors of this otherwise plain gear matches the colors found on the banner of House Garess.
"Der Greenbelt? I vas hoping for more mountainous terrain, but ve must go vhere ve are sent," He muses aloud some, but does not reveal all his thoughts. Perhaps there is some place suited to my kind there after all, should my cousin be right. We shall see.
Noting the other names, he finds himself wishing he'd studied more of the other noble houses. He'd always found his adoption a mixed blessing. It was a great honor, of course, but some of the subjects of study were so dry- heraldry and the like among them. "I haf not even heard of half of zeese people."
Kern reads through the charter, and then does so again, thinking that much was implied, but little said, and he wonders how King Noleski will react to being referred to as 'Regent'.
An ugly political game we're being put into. Still, I owe nothing to the Surtovas any longer.
As the official begins to turn away, Kern clears his throat, "My Lord, before you go, I have some questions about our rights and responsibilities under this charter."
"Aside from exploration, we are charged to 'strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior', and the document even goes to far as to not the punishment for banditry. Are we then Brevoy's representatives within the Greenbelt? Do we have the rights to make legal judgments and agreements, and have the expectation that those judgments will be accorded due weight? Are we responsible to act as Wardens or Reeves within that territory?"
Dyrm notices Kern question the official, and listens, also curious.
"Gulk nat me chakken amig." Says Cromwell walking up behind Dyrm.
"If we don't find any mountains, perhaps we'll make some. Eventually."
Dressed in studded leather armor with fancy stitching, wearing both a buckler and a holy symbol of Abodar, he looks somewhat noble.
"Greetings. I am Cromwell of Abodar. you I assume are Dyrm Golka-Garess, One of my boon companions on this endeavor?"
He pays attention to Dyrm, but also glances at Kern showing interest in the answers he might receive .
We are not to be just explorers then, but enforcers of the Law as well. hmm. Cromwell grins as some inner thought makes him happy.
Gliadel looked at the list of names, surprised to find her own listed. Surprised and pleased, for this seemed like it could be what she had been sent all this way for. That they were to go to a place called the Greenbelt made her smile. Since coming north, she had seen impossibly lush landscapes and whole nations that seemed to be endless oasis. That she was to travel to a realm that was green even by these standards was almost beyond comprehension, but it could not help but be a wonderful adventure.
On hearing the blond dwarf's muttered remark she stepped closer, as the man asked his rather lengthy question, she leaned down and said softly.
"It seems our fates are to be bound together, master dwarf. I am Gliadel." She smiles and then turns her attention to the answer, waiting to introduce herself to the legal-minded one until his question had been answered.
"Gulk nat me chakken amig." Says Cromwell walking up behind Dyrm.
"If we don't find any mountains, perhaps we'll make some. Eventually."
Dressed in studded leather armor with fancy stitching, wearing both a buckler and a holy symbol of Abodar, he looks somewhat noble.
"Greetings. I am Cromwell of Abodar. you I assume are Dyrm Golka-Garess, One of my boon companions on this endeavor?"
"Mmm, you are an educated man, I see," Dyrm responds, "Ja, I am he. It vill be good to haf a cleric along to see to our vounds. Und mountains are not so easy to make, but ja, it can be done."
On hearing the blond dwarf's muttered remark she stepped closer, as the man asked his rather lengthy question, she leaned down and said softly.
"It seems our fates are to be bound together, master dwarf. I am Gliadel." She smiles and then turns her attention to the answer, waiting to introduce herself to the legal-minded one until his question had been answered.
The dwarf turns to see Gliadel and gives a nod, "I greet you, Gliadel. As this goot priest has surmised, I am Dyrm Golka-Garess. But zen I suppose my adopted house's association vit the People makes zat obvious. "
To both, he asks, "Vhat do you think ve vill find in the Greenbelt? It appears ve are tasked to end banditry, so zhey must expect trouble vhile ve explore."
Theodric is surprised to see his name on the list. Not because he doesn't belong on it, but because the Swordlords actually had the sense to pick him. His immediate assumption was that his father must have done something to anger them.
Overhearing the others, Theodric walks up to them and says "You lot are bound for the Greenbelt as well? Well dwarf, I expect we'll find all matter of trouble when we get there. Bandits, monsters, and the gods know what else. I expect we'll have a jolly good time."
"Ja? Perhaps. Those that oppose us vill find zemselves mit a fight on der hands, I assure you. Vhich one are you now?"
"I like the way you think friend. I'm aching to put my lance through a few outlaws hearts myself. I'm Theodric Lebeda."
"In case you did not hear, I am Dyrm Golka-Garess. A pleasure to meet anozer varrior," Dyrm nods curtly, but seems pleased at the man's enthusiasm.
As the crowd disperses, a lone red-haired and pale-faced half-elven woman still stands, twirling a lock of red hair in her hand as she still silently looks at the charter. Dressed in a simple traveler's guise, her face gives away that there is more to her than meets the eye, she looks like she is quite wealthy or from a noble house.
Wearing bracelets with the mark of House Mevyed on them, explains much of it.
I see Alexei has managed to pull managed to pull some strings after all, he so desperately wanted me to accompany one of these expeditions.
He always said an expedition needs a representative or emissary, if not for House Medvyed than for your group at least.
Shame that it has to be the Greenbelt though, a more disciplined army would have been better.
At least there is a knight among them... sort of.
Seeing a small group gathering next to the board in front of the Hall of Swords, she immediately expected this to be her group of glory seekers.
She walked over to them, swaying her hips a little.
"Greetings my compatriots, I assume you are the other fine people chosen for the Greenbelt expedition, am I right?"
Seeing the symbols of House Garess and House Lebeda, she bows before them and spreads her arms. "I did not know many of the other houses were also interested, welcome noble sirs. My name Is Lanya Beladon from House Medvyed, at your service."
She blows a stray lock of her out of her face, moving it back over her ear. She turns to Gliadel and Kern "I am so happy to have at least another woman accompany us, especially another beauty as yourself. Kern Therensgard? The name has a familiar ring to it, at least it is not Brevoian, where do you hail from if I might ask?"
"Aye, we need to punish bandits, but they are not gonna check upon us constantly, we can be more lenient in some extent to the more repentant ones, yes?"
"Greetings my compatriots, I assume you are the other fine people chosen for the Greenbelt expedition, am I right?"
Seeing the symbols of House Garess and House Lebeda, she bows before them and spreads her arms. "I did not know many of the other houses were also interested, welcome noble sirs. My name Is Lanya Beladon from House Medvyed, at your service."
"Ja, Dyrm Golka-Garess," He introduces himself in a straightforward way, "Ve should not be surprised, I suppose, that each House would be at least curious as to vhat they call ze Stolen Lands. If it can be made suitable for safe trade, it could aid all of Brevoy."
"Aye, we need to punish bandits, but they are not gonna check upon us constantly, we can be more lenient in some extent to the more repentant ones, yes?"
'Vell, it doez say 'unrepentent banditry' so you are correct, but ve best make sure innocents do not suffer if someone abuses the mercy we show."
"I'm not here for my house Lady Beladon, I'm here for myself. Bards will sing of the work this group will do in the Stolen Lands for years to come, and I intend to be in them. I suppose we could be somewhat lenient to the repentant bandits; it will makes the ballads sound more heroic. Though like Dyrm says we need to make sure they won't revert to their old ways the moment we're gone or we risk going down in history as fools."
Gliadel listens to the red-haired woman's discussion with the knight, and gives a bow to them both, "I am Gliadel of Qadira, Lady, Sir."
"Showing courage against the enemy will change your foolishness to kindness in history's eye, will it not?" she said. "In Qadira, it is not considered brave to kill men who have surrendered, but the world is full of strange things."
"Unless bandits here are very different from those I have seen elsewhere, there will surely be enough unrepentant hearts to satisfy your lance," She smiles at him then, and pats the curved shortsword at her hip. "And my blade."
As he waits on the reply, Kerns also watches as others announce themselves, mentally checking off the list for the Greenbelt.
No Surtovas, at least.
He nods to Lanya, "Therengard is local, though I believe the last of the Therensgards left Brevoy over 20 years ago. Kern was given to me as an acknowledgement to a family friend of my mother's in Lastwall, where I was born."
He turns to the others "As the Lady Medvyed has said, I am Kern Therengard. I expect we will get to know each other better on the road, and I'd like to think we can weld ourselves into an effective team."
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The herald, the one who had announced the parties receiving their charters, stops at Kern's words, but he does not immediately turn. He hangs his head slightly and mutters under his breath.
"Of course...the least of these groups is too incompetent to follow simple instructions."
He turns a smiles warmly.
"My Lords and Ladies, you are the agents of Brevoy in the Stolen Lands. Your judgments are valid so long as you can enforce them or convince the Swordlords to enforce them for you. I would not count on the later; there are certain perceptions to maintain after all."
This may be a unilateral move by the Swordlords to increase the lands loyal to Rostland. Tensions have always been high between Issia and Rostland, but now more than ever because of the disappearance of House Rogorvia...
"Now if you will excuse me, I do have much more pressing business."
His cape unfurls dramatically as he turns on his heels and briskly walks away.
"Least?" Dyrm stiffens, at what he overhears "Think vhat you like. Ve vill prove you wrong."
Theodric lets no physical reaction show when he overhears the herald's comment. Least of the groups? he thinks, Clearly he doesn't recognize skill when he sees it.
Oblivious to the man's mumbling, she continues conversations with Kern and Gliadel.
"Lastwall? then we have something in common Kern, I was born near the Fangwood in southern Lastwall."
"I agree with you lady Gliadel, surrendered foes should be given a second chance, unless they are really beyond any hope. I remember a few in Lastwall that have gotten their just deserves, I would not grant them a second chance if I would judge them."
After the man talks about our judgments in the Stolen Lands.
"Of course, we understand perfectly. We are representatives of some of the most important Houses after all. Take it from us kind sir, that we will bring justice to the Greenbelt, you do not need to doubt us."
She says to him with a flirt before he leaves.
Kern is completely oblivious to the herald's aside, concentrating on the content of his words, though he gets the gist of it from Dyrm's reaction.
"I...see. An interesting situation. As you will, then."
Dropping the herald entirely from his attention, Kern turns towards the others, "It seems we have a surprising amount of autonomy in how we pursue our goals...as well as the expected amount of support for that autonomy."
Aside to Lanya, "Ah, I've never passed through the Fangwood, as most of my childhood was spent near Vellumis, and my time with the Riders was on the Belkzen border. The Fangwood isn't much of a place for horses..."
Seemingly distracted by the arrival of another beautiful woman to the group Cromwell doesn't hear the herald's reply nor see him leave.
"Gliadel, Kern, Lanya, Theodric, and Dyrm whom I've already met."
He'll state with nod to each."I am Cromwell of Abodar, tho on the writ it says Wist-Lebeda. That is my name but I associate myself more with my God and my church. It seems we will be traveling companions for the nonce. What a boon happenstance. I believe we will do well together, bringing Law and Order to the wilds. Now I had heard, I believe, that we were travelling with Maegar Varn's group for a ways. Is this so? I must admit I am on the fence , so to speak, about whether I'd prefer walking or riding on a full, cramped supply wagon. Seeing as I have no horse."
Gliadel hears the herald's remark, but lets it pass. They may seem the weakest of the groups, but she is used to being underestimated. A dancing girl is rarely feared, but there are a number of men who can attest that she is swift and skillful with her blade.
"Might makes right, as it ever does," is all she says about their orders, but she frowns at Cromwell's remarks. Not too much law and order, I hope, holy one, she thinks, but says nothing for the time being.
"Abadar seems a good choice to aid in suppressing banditry and bringing civilization to the wilds. Though the writ does not state it, I can't help but think that the only reason to map and tame the Greenbelt is to open it up to colonization, and that means trade, and that means Abadar, to my thinking.
I'll happily walk alongside you Cromwell. It's a good way to keep fit, and provides maximum mobility should we be attacked."
Dropping the herald entirely from his attention, Kern turns towards the others, "It seems we have a surprising amount of autonomy in how we pursue our goals...as well as the expected amount of support for that autonomy."
"Ja, funny how dat vorks," the Dwarf starts walking.
... Seeing as I have no horse."
"I neither," The dwarf says, "Und so, ve valk. Perhaps ve will get horses at this trading post."
"Might makes right, as it ever does," is all she says about their orders, but she frowns at Cromwell's remarks. Not too much law and order, I hope, holy one, she thinks, but says nothing for the time being.
"Perhaps if ze right people haf zhe might, it vill fare better zhan you fear, ja?"
...that the only reason to map and tame the Greenbelt is to open it up to colonization, and that means trade, and that means Abadar, to my thinking.
The dwarf frowns at something Blast, if EVERYONE settles there, zhen vill der be room for dwarves as well? "Abadar is goot god to follow. Almost like a dwarf god. But ozers gods vill no doubt make their mark. For good or ill."
Gliadel glances towards Kern and then gives the dwarf a smile.
"You may be right, friend. For now, we will have to content ourselves with reforming bandits and heralds, who both seem to be running amok in this land."
As they walk along Cromwell will converse with Dyrm in dwarven and in common to the others if they join in.
"The Wist-Lebeda branch deals in metals and tools and has much to do with the dwarven peoples. Thus all of its scions are taught to speak and read dwarven. And tho I wasn't interested in the family affairs, I still had to learn everything that my parents wished. Until I turned 16 and joined the Church of course."
He seems to have no problem talking about himself, and is fairly courteous and polite.
He does blush and stammer a little when speaking to Lanya or Gliadel.
Lanya would be interested how long the journey is on foot, to see if she packed enough food for this first leg of the journey.
Lanya continues on het conversation with Kern, happy to have someone from her original home witt her in the group.
"The Riders on the Belkzen Border hmmm? Well than you must have visited or stayed in Vigil at least. You are right the Fangwood is not much a place for horses, that's why I eventually moved to Vigil when I was old enough. My stay there was ..'eventful'"
She walks along besides Gliadel, appreciating the company of another woman. "You travelled all this way from Qadira? How long did you stay in Brevoy before you were chosen for this charter then? I'd think that's an awful long time away from your home and customs."
Lanya is being sincere in her concerns, though acknowledges that Gliadel wouldn't be here without good reason.
Hearing the conversation between Cromwell and Dyrm, speaking to them in Dwarven herself.
"Well now Cromwell, I know house Medvyed has a long trade going on with house Lebeda across the East Sellen River. Your tools and weapons are topnotch, I have been witness to many of the newly brokered trade agreements bwteeen our houses."
She gives her head a twist to get one of red locks of hair out of her face, the wind is blowing them in her face from time to time.
Kern studies Lanya, trying to place her name or appearance, "I've twice had the opportunity to see Vigil in the past few years. I take it you had some difficulty there?"
"It was only a short time," Gliadel answers Lanya, riding slowly to keep pace with the others. "I was fortunate enough to arrive with a merchant, who brought my talents to the Swordlords attention a few weeks ago. I believe that they have been testing me in the meantime. That, or the people of Brevoy are far more given to violence than in other places."
"Well..", Lanya answers Kern, "Being an half-elf incites some trouble, though I made my ways around eventually. I guess I have made my 'mark' on the city for the time I stayed there." She smiles to herself, thinking back on some memorable moments there.
Looking up at Gliadel on her horse as she picks up her pace a bit.
"The houses of Brevoy are a bit on edge these last years, ever since house Rogarvia has disappeared. So some members of the noble houses are competing against each other more than they used to. I am one of the people of House Medvyed to calm tensions down a bit, though Alexei thought it would be better to have a trusted spokeswoman and emissary of Brevoy in the Stolen Lands at the moment. I hope to prove him right in this decision."
"Spricht jeder hier Zwergen? Wenn wir alle tun dann ist es wahrscheinlich die ideale Sprache für uns, während der Schlacht zu verwenden. Wenn Giladel oder Therensgard nicht, aber zumindest wir eine gute Möglichkeit haben, die Witze über sie hinter ihrem Rücken zu erzählen." Theodric says in Dwarven.
"Does everyone here speak Dwarven? If we all do then it is probably the ideal language for us to use during battle. If Giladel or Therensgard don't though at least we have a good way to tell jokes about them behind their backs."
Kern will raise an eyebrow curiously upon hearing 'Therensgard', but otherwise does not seem to comprehend Theodric's words.
Dyrm says to Cromwell and Lanya in Dwarven,
At the cavalier's comment, Dyrm actually switches to common Taldan, "As goot as it feels to be speakink tongue of the people, I vould not vish to be rude to those that might not speak it."
The talk of the houses being on edge sets him to nodding, "Brevoy iz troubled. Vhat no one vants to talk of is how House may yet turn against houze, or der Swordlords, or both. In a year's time, ve could be expected to kill each other."
A pause, "I like this situation not at all."
A man rides out from the chaos of the makeshift camp/caravan. Clearly they have not finished organizing themselves.
The man is handsome enough and seems that he can handle himself in a tight spot. The longsword at his hip is either brand new or extremely well tended.
He lifts his hand aloft in greeting as he canters up.
"Greetings! You must be the Greenbelters. I am so sorry...HAHAHAHA! Forgive my joke. I jest, nothing more."
Upon seeing Gliadel and Lanya, his mouth falls open and he is a moment in continuing.
He shakes his head to dispel the rapture.
"Surely you ladies would rather come with me to Varnhold? I can promise at least one feather bed; I wouldn't mind sharing." He winks.
The ways humans choose to flirt with the opposite sex never fails to amaze Dyrm. Their clan heads or fathers aren't here, so I suppose he must talk to them first, but beyond this feather bed, he offers nothing to prove his ability to provide. He seems capable in battle, but he offers no proof of his skill to protect or craft. Some dwarven women would see this as an insult.
"Ja, Ve are der Greenbelters. I hope you are Herr Meagar Varn? You did not give your name that I heard," Dyrm states, and returns the gesture of greeting,"And ve should be sure. I am Drym Golka-Garess. "
"...What?" Varn looks around for a moment before noting the dwarf.
He shakes his head again and pulls on the manner of a dignified statesman.
"You are right of course. Forgive me. I am Maegar Varn. I will lead the charter into the Nomen Heights. I see that most of you do not have mounts. In that case, please use one of my carriages. The common folk are already accustomed to walking, I don't think they;ll mind."
"Dyrm there is no need for such hostilities please. It is obvious this is Ser Maegar Varn, who else would be here with such a company of men?"
Lanya walks up to Maegar Varn and looks him up from head to toe, with a bit of a cold look but with a warm smile.
"Lanya Beladon from the House Medvyed." She extends her right hand to the Swordlord.
"We apreciate your offer of the use of a carriage and would gladly accept it. I do appreciate your generous offer to travel to Varnhold with you, however we ALSO have an important mission to attend to. I'm sure you do not want to waste time with frivolities, now would you?"
She waits for Maegar Varn to respond and then turns around walking back to the others. She turns her head and glances back.
"Perhaps another time when we have both settled into these new lands, we could make some arrangements of trade and perhaps a visit?"
Lanya smiles gives him a playful wink as she walks back to stand beside Gliadel again.
"No hostility meant, I assure you," Dyrm states to Lanya, before turning to Maegar "You are kind vit your offer of carriage. I admit to some envy of your travels to der heights. The greenbelt sounds a bit too low for my tastes, but ve shall see. May Torag protect you and your men."
Gliadel sits astride her horse and faces Varn with a blank expression. A man who offers his bed more easily than his name has said much about the worth of both, but it seems that they will be travelling together for a time. She smiles to see Lanya handling him with grace and the kind of patience that she has never mastered.
"Forgive me, Meager Varn," she says, letting her Keleshite accent grow thick. "I am new to these lands, so perhaps I am simply ignorant. I know nothing of this Varnhold you speak of. Is it a place, or just a promise?"
Kern inclines his head to Maegar, "Ser Varn, I appreciate the offer of a carriage. I'd like to discuss our mutual plans, so if you are in a carriage, I'll join you, but if you will be ahorse, I'd as soon walk so we can converse."
"We are going to be 'neighbors' of a sort, so I'd like to build a habit of communication between our two groups."
"Varnhold is the promise of a place, my lady. We go to establish such a community as Brevoy has not even imagined."
He inclines his head before turning his attention to Kern.
"I will not ride in a carriage, my place is at the head of this column. If you insist on speaking, you may borrow one of my horses for a time."
The rest of you should make yourselves comfortable. I wish to be underway inside 15 minutes.