GM Ukyo's Rise of a Hero campaign arc

Game Master Ukyo

So we've got Tydell, Marinos, and 4 other Dominus? Oh, the assassin...

We'll clean up here, taking all the men I gathered before coming here (the ones who are to be trained) and start the journey back. I'll send a private ahead to let them know to prepare 7 crosses...I want to be done with this grisly business asap. I'll also send a private to Megalos with notification of today's events, the names of everyone who needs to be replaced, and the interim plan we've put in place.

Titus won't taunt anyone, and won't allow them to be taunted. If they want to apologize he'll listen, but no mercy or comfort will be given.
The very hour we get back, they go up on crosses. If people come swarming out to take up his attention, they will be politely rebuff'd. There will be no time to plan an escape. There will be no chances taken. If any of them try to escape, they'll be killed on the spot, their bodies taken back and crucified. Everyone will be fastened with rope, save Tydell and the assassin, they'll be nailed.

It's the law, but he won't like it, or enjoy it.

As everything is getting packed up one of the field hands will come running up to Anthony, a moment later Anthony will yell to you, "Father come quick." and take off running in the direction the field hand came from. Essen turns and catches up to Anthony easily, his sword on his hilt prepared to defend his brother.

You'll arrive at one of the houses, two field hands there are on their knees, they've been hit a couple times, but not really beaten, just subdued. One is crying and repeating, "It's not my fault, just did what was told of me."

The door is open and Essen leaps into the room sword out and prepared, Anthony follows behind him...

You arrive at the entrance to the small building.

Draw weapon, follow Anthony in..

You enter, with no immediate threat detected you give your eyes a chance to adjust to the dim light. You see Dardanos, the dwarven fiance of your cousin Octavia, laying on his back on the floor, he's been beaten badly, had his beard cut and his legs broken. Essen cuts the restraints from his arms and feet and Dardanos gives a low murmer of protest as blood rushes to limbs left without for a long time. Anthony puts his sword away and pulls free a water pouch from his lips and feeds a bit to Dardanos.

"Dardanos...."
"Lets get him out of here." He'll call outside. "Grush! Need a little help here!"
Assuming Grush comes, the two of us will lift him and carry him to the house, and place him on a couch.
He will then mend the bones, heal, then accelerate healing.
Hoping that will help him out a bit, we'll put him in a wagon for the trip back.

I had forgotten about him and the iron. Titus will make sure he secures both.

They neither had the time nor the cruelty to do to Dardanos what the younger Verienus son did to the innkeeper's daughter. However they still beat him pretty bad, breaking bones in his legs and removing two fingers.

You'll be drained mentally and physically by the time you finish healing Dardanos as best you can, he looks better though, very pale and it'll be a long time before his beard looks healthy again, but he'll live.

The trip back to the castle is slower than normal, taking two days, because you have to side track to a couple estates to drop off some small farmhand groups, but you'll make it back.

You remembered to send a runner ahead this time so Alliandra isn't upset with you. There'll be seven crucifixes set up on the edge of town, thankfully downwind from the market. No new threats have popped up while you were gone.

Titus will call for Octavia and some staff to attend to Dardanos, immediately assemble a detail for the crucifixion, send a crier to the town square, read all appropriate charges for each person to who ever is assembled (he won't make people attend), and then have it carried out. He'll ask them each if they'd like to confess publicly, and give them the option. He will leave them there for the minimum needed to fufill the law. He will keep the remins for a week, in case any family wants to come for them. If no one claims them, they will be cremated and dispersed.

The two farm hands who assaulted Dardanos will be sentanced to dungoen time for the appropriate amount of time, as well as anyone else who actively resisted (fought back even after they realized it was over).

He'll be a in a down mood for a few days.

One of the Dominii will ask, "Will you give us a lighter punishment if we confess?"

Many people will come from their homes, some look horrified, one person will make a critical remark but someone else will shut them up, "Komis be a good man, if he's killin someone, then they're meant for bein killed!" The guy who made the critical remark looks around for support and finds none...

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14th of Perinium

Things have been quiet the last week or so, even Alliandra has given you some space while you've been down. Today marks the middle of spring and is Empress day. So named after Empress Karona, the wife of Anthony the IVth. It is a day when bright blue and yellow streamers decorate every doorway in honor of Alowyn the goddess of love and compassion who is also known as "The Midwife", in honor of women in general for the amazing gift of life.

Even your sour mood finds it difficult not to smile at the brightness and beauty in the castle. Megalos arrived the day prior and he brought your daughter Tessa with him. She spent the morning using magic to alter the colors of the tapestries and lay streamers throughout the castle, courtyard, and even the town.

It also occurs to you that your first letters to your father should have arrived by now and a response should be only three months away.

"No."

He'll check in on Dardanos and Tertius, and their injuries to make sure he didn't mess anything up...

His down mood will fade a couple days after the bodies are removed, and the crosses are taken down.

He'll have a long talk with Magelos about the rebellion.

He'll be really happy to see his daughter, and that will probably shake him out of it all together. He'll probably go apologize to Alliandra for his mood, and if in private, weep and let it out.

He'll move about the castle and the town, and celebrate the holiday, letting go of the past week's events.

He'll draft a letter to the Doukas about what happened, leaving nothing out. At this point, he will also inform him of Xion's discovery, and ask for brass for crafting.

He'll distribute the iron from the caravan to those that need it for repairs and expansion, and puts serious thought into constructing another wood mill.

Magelos will also be very sad at the punishments but agree that they were both legal and necessary. "Rebellion isn't something that should be undertaken."

Alliandra's response will be a bit surprising, she actually seems pleased that you've been so upset. If you ask her about it she'll say, "No one should be happy about what you had to do, but... it had to be done." and she'll smile, as if she's proud of you, though not the way a mother or sister would be proud... different somehow.

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A pole is erected in the center of town, with the single males holding the ends of blue streamers and single females holding the ends of yellow ones, they dance around the pole in opposite directions until the streamers are tangled up... Alliandra and the rest of the women clearly manipulated their patterns so that they'd match up with the ones they wanted, and she matches up with you. It's custom to kiss the one you match up with, and the men usually compete for the prettier women, but no one competes with you. Alliandra's kiss is shy as she's more aware of the public presence than the last one, but she holds you tightly.

You'll see several younger boys and girls also, and Anthony ends up pairing up with the innkeeper's daughter, this doesn't distress him at all. Essen chooses not to participate. Tessa does and ends up kissing a rough looking farm boy with long brown hair, he doesn't really seem interested but she doesn't look offended at all.

After the dance there'll be a feast, the food is provided by you and the ale by the innkeeper. Many people laugh and drink and generally put the nastiness of the previous month behind them. Even going so far as to embrace the few orcs that choose to attend, Grush and his family and two others... Only Grush and his wife dance and naturally no one competes with them to match up at the end.

I'm giving you a chance to do anything if you have any specific goals other than the ones you already stated before I advance time to the start of the next month. Do you plan to start the second sawmill before the upgrade to the first is finished?

If it doesn;t hinder anything in any way, sure, but I'll make sure the upgrade has the materials it needs before beginning on the second.

As always he'll enjoy his time with her, and is glad she seems to be lightening up a bit, but he still doesn't push her in any way, and only enjoys whats given.

He'll ask Tessa and magelos about sound runes, and if there's anything that can effect or aid in stealth.
He'll also show Magelos the escape tunnel, and ask for ideas on what he shouldl do with it. Titus' own thoughts seem to be a combo of 'I got a secret passage!' and 'This could be a danger again'.

He'll work with the stable master, ask Octavia how the trapping situation is goin, and to plan a tanning shop outside of town (lol).

He'll also assist Derbin in training.
Also, I can't remember if you said we had brass for crafting, if we do I let Xion use it...if not i'll wait and see what the Doukas says.
We may have to take a trip to the Doukas for a demonstration...

The sound rune issue, megalos will tell you about a old wizard that created some nice low end spells for such a purpose. Tenebrea was Von Drabek's sometime lover and one of the first practitioners of runelore.

Tenebrea's Sure Step
Lvl 1
Type: Runic
Runes: Power, Sound
Duration: 4 minutes
Difficulty: 7
Range: Touch
Description: Grants +2 to subterfuge skill rolls for Hiding, Moving Silently, and Shadowing only. Also Grants a +2 to Athletics for Balance and Climbing only.
Boosts: Once, +2 DIF to increase the bonus to Subterfuge and Athletics skill rolls to +3.
Once, +2 DIF to increase DUR by 1 minute.

Tenebrea's Unseen Step
Lvl: 3
Type: Runic
Runes: nature, Earth, Power
Difficulty: 16
Duration: Permanent
Range: 80 feet
Description: Causes the plants and earth to cover the passage of the caster and up to three people, increasing the DIF of any attempt to track them by +10. Covers the last 80 feet of passage.
Boosts: Each, +4 DIF adds another target to the spell.

You do not have brass for crafting no, the only brass you have has already been fashioned into swords or armor with runes crafted onto them. It takes a professional runecrafter to even attempt to removal of a crafted rune, a very difficult process.

Megalos is willing to place spells on the passageway to raise an alert if anyone uses it. It'll take him about a month of constant work but he understands the importance and will offer.

Octavia says that she's going to have more of a problem with excess supply than anything else, she's already got a site picked out that is far downwind and just needs permission to requisition the building supplies and workers.

Those look handy. He'll learn them :)

He'll ok the construction for Octavias tanning barn.
He won't ask Magelos to spend his time doing that.

All of Titus' plans invilve moving the komis foreward.
Up grades, repair, construction, efficiencey, so that's what he'll do.
I guess it'll be back to business as usual till the next crisis :P
Who is next best qualified to send to Huron?

I would say Anthony or Tessa but neither is old enough that the Doukas would take them seriously. It's one thing to control a crowd of farm hands, it's quite another to deal with an aging Von Anesti Doukas and military Lord's Commander.

Alliandra seems have some skill in diplomacy, but she's so small and feminine that she might be abused.

Xersis can't diplomacy his way out of a pillow case. Besides he's beginning to lobby to have an actual church built(this is new you haven't missed anything)

The only one without an active assignment at this point is Maximus Ironfist, the shipwright, he's a civilian dwarf and while not incompetent your not sure how well he'll do dealing with militia or with grocers (slaves are considered a household item and as such slavers are often referred to as grocers)

There is the ship captain(Don't think I named him did I?) He certainly has the mercantile skills and isn't intimidated by rank or position.

As far as the tunnel is concerned, you can either put a guard on it, or seal it up, or just take the risk.

The captain it is then.

We'll build him a church when stone is in wide abundance.

He'll nod and leave, then come back in two days with a drawing of a tiny wooden building, the entire front side of the building is two large barn sized doors that swing open, inside is nothing more than the pulpit stage and symbols of the gods, "The.. th.. this way I c...can s..still serve.. Xion h..helped me."

Over the remainder of Perinium you are busy overseeing your holdings, there's Dominus to replace and minor issues will crop up but nothing serious. You'll realize one day during the moon festivals as the Consigliere concludes his report that you actually followed everything he was saying the first time, your developing the skills of an able administrator.

The temperature really begins to rise in Wentium, the last month of spring and it already feels hotter than all sun's day! Along with the heat come it's own sort of problems, though nothing you can't handle... the occasional overindulgence in alcohol, a murdered when he was caught sleeping with another man's wife...

The captain shows that he's worth every copper bit of the five silver you pay him a month, his trips are fast and he's effectively avoiding the pirates, not just by his own word but by the words of your men that sail with him. He sells your goods for prices higher than Octavia ever got and splits the excess 50/50 "As is only fair my good Komis!" It'll be the 23rd of Wentium when you get a letter from the high priest of Zak'Ryn'Del.

The man delivering the note brings it to you while your practicing in the courtyard. He's wearing the armor of a junior knight of Zak'Ryn'Del, has brown hair that's kind of shaggy and a largish muscular figure.

Komis Titus Von Andronicus,
I do hope this letter finds you in positive health, may your nights vision be wide and free. I still consider you to be the truest of friend to the lord of the moon and would remind you of the gift. Use it as you need. It brings me great pleasure to honor your request for one of our faithful to come to your city and so I have sent the barer of this letter with his family for that purpose. May the moon keep your secrets, may the stars light your way, May Zak'Ryn'Del bless your house always,
Guldu Gartuck, High Priest of his holiness Zak'Ryn'Del

I edited the name of the high priest after going back and looking it up

"I did not mean to offend you Father. A proper church will take time, is all. I think we can do a little better than that for an interim church. Have Xion come up with something that you can hold services in."

.....

He thanks the captain and comments how it's always nice to be proven right :)

.....

After he reads the letter...and looks the Knight up and down.
"You honor us, Knight. Did you ask for this station?"

He opens his mouth to answer but then starts grinning uncontrollably... his k-9 teeth elongate and grow tusks, his mouth and nose expand forward and hair appears, first on his hands and neck and then eventually his head. He gets larger and larger and horns sprout from his neck, before you even realize what's happening a ten foot tall minotaur stands before you, grinning like a fool, "Oh damn, I couldn't help myself! Surprise!"

The training militia all turn and encircle the giant, weapons held at the ready, the veterans barely hiding their fear at the massive beast suddenly in their midst, suddenly threatening their lord...

Essen and Anthony realize who he is first and sheath their blades, stepping forward with equal smiles, "I'd say he asked for the station father," Anthony says.

"Stand down, men. This is a friend."

"I wondered who'd be crazy enough to come here...you got my letter, I take it?" he says after a handshake.

The men do stand down, but reluctantly... after a minute they accept that he really IS your friend and return to their training. The orc trainees gape at Trak in astonishment, their axes held loosely in their hands as they stare at him.

"My kids got ahold of the letter, it was over after that." and he chuckles, "I can't survive their combined might when they work together on me."

Essen says, "They're here?"

Trak nods, "In the tavern with their mother." and Essen and Anthony both look at you, excited and damn near pleading, "May we father?"

"Of course you can. Don't be late for school though or Allie will have our hides."
"Well, Trak, it's good to see you. We've had a wee bit of a rough run lately. Would you care to train with us?"
He'll introduce Trak to Derbin, I believe Tertius knows him already, the men and Grush if he's still there.
"I can give your family rooms in the keep till you have your own lodgings, if you prefer, although I suspect the innkeep will be happy for your coin. Regardless, you all must join us for dinner this evening."

They call out, "we won't" as they run through the gate.

Trak grins, "Sure I'll train, I can benefit from some experience in the Caratosian militia fighting style."

No Tertius never met him, only you and the kids. Though the introduction goes smoothly, Tertius takes in the well educated minotaur more easily than he might once have.

Trak certainly is willing to accept your hospitality, "I'll take the offer for the room, the innkeeper doesn't have a bed large enough for my wife and I. Dinner as well of course."

"Hmmm come to think of it, we may not have a bed big enough either, but I'm sure we can arrange something."

I'll make sure he sees the orcs and the goblins, not to show how open minded he is, but to show how far behind they are on this side of the world. And not with pity either, just "We got our work cut out for us" kind of way.

He'll let Trak stick on his heels and give him and his family a tour of the castle later before dinner. He'll ask the consigliere to find appropriate rooms for Trak and his family within the keep.

Later after dinner, he'll move to his study and ask Trak what he hopes to accomplish while here on Salbatica.

He nods as you show him around, impressed at the castle itself, "Much nicer than the port, impressive what you've done here."

As for the orcs and goblins he'll say quietly to you, "I was warned that we were viewed differently outside of the isle but I see why. Are there any minotaurs at all?"

The Consigliere will have a second bed put in the largest available room they have and have them pushed together. It'll do until they can get their own.

Alliandra and Trak's wife immediately become fast friends, chatting happily during the meal. After dinner Trak will ask for permission to purchase land and building materials.

He agrees, and will set out a map of his lands and show him where he has land available.
"Were you looking to be a landowner or Dominus here, or...?"

He blinks at you in shock, "A landowner.... me?"

"What? I'm just feeling out what your intentions are here, Trak. I don't want to assume, anything. If you're here to serve Zak'Ryn'Del, I don't want to get in the way, but I will make your service here comfortable. If you're here to be part of the 'Titus' experience", he says with a smirk, "then I'm going to put you to work. I do not waste the gifts fate gives me Trak. I do not take them for granted either. None of your having a home here or my friendship are contingent on your service, of course."

He nods, "I didn't think it was, I was just taken aback by the offer, it never occured to me I could take a position as a landowner. I could really better people's lives..." and you see excitement in his eyes at the idea, "Let me think about it?"

"Take all the time you need. If it will help, I can introduce you to who you'd report to as a Dominus."

He'll nod, "Okay... but truly the most important person I need to talk to is my wife." and he grins, an intimidating image coming from a minotaur.

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Two days later you'll wake up feeling like something is wrong. Your morning workout clothes are laid out for you the way you like, the wash basin, the morning cup of water. You open the door to your room and your manservant is there as he is every morning, "M'lord? No m'lord, everything is fine as far as I know m'lord." You dress and head downstairs, you'll pass maids and cooks and servants all going through their normal routines, nothing out of the ordinary...

You meet Anthony and Essen in the main hall same as every morning, one look at them and you can tell they feel it too. You step out of the main hall into the courtyard, the warmth of the day hitting you in the face, a feeling you've grown accustomed to over the last two weeks. Your eyes are drawn to the horizon and the predawn sky... wait, the light is out of position, it shouldn't be over the mountains...

I'm not quite sure what you're conveying here...the sun is out of place? or theres another light on the horizon?

The sun normally rises in the northeast, your position makes it off from cardinal east... the light is southeast, directly into the heart of the mountains from your current position. The sun's predawn light is still where it belongs. There's a second light. As you study it, you realize your also detecting a faint smell of burning in the air... likely what made you uneasy in the first place.

He'll run to Derbin.
"Get Tertius, we need scouts. Send a runner into town and get them ready to retreat into the castle if need be. Sound assembly and get the men up and at em, we may have visitors..." he says as he points off in that direction.

Derbin salutes and spins on his heel, running to execute. Faster than you could've thought possible the men are all up and on the battlements, the gates shut tight and the noncombatants secured in the kitchens(for quick access to the escape tunnel).

Trak will not be as fast as the militia, but he will get ready as soon as he's alerted and provide his support.

The fire may be in the mountains, but if nothing else you've gotten the chance to see what your men can do in a crises.

The town below is stirring, some people are looking up at the castle curiously, others at the mountains...

There doesn't appear to be any threat to the castle or town at this time... all seems quiet, Tertius and another militia report to you for scouting duty.

"I need to find out who and what that is, Sgt. Von Andronicus" he says indicating the fire with a nod in it's direction. "I'll need as much intel as you can gather, the quicker the better. Be careful and gods' speed."
He'll have Derbin pick out 2 or 3 other militia to act as runners at a moments notice to the dominus' to alert them as well if necesary, and to notify Grush and Magelos, especially.

Derbin will pick them quickly, he'll also place Essen and Anthony in position as well. Essen as an anchor for the men, both because of their loyalty towards him and because he's the best fighter. Anthony as a support fighter and communications agent.

Three hours later a very tired orc will run up to the castle gates, Derbin lets him in.

After a drink and catching his breath, the orc talks, you'll have to cast the language spell on him before you can understand what he's saying.

"Orcs attack orcs in mountains, Black Spiders and Rock Tooth tribes destroy Running Deer. No orcs coming this way."

Trak walks up in full knight's platemail and the orc's eyes go wide at the sight, "Who give minotaur armor?" Trak just grins at him, which just intimidates the orc more.

"Trak here is a knight. He has earned his armor. Did they kill all the Running Dear, or take as slaves? Will they go after Bearclaw next?"

He blinks at you, unable to follow when you talk that fast. You'll have to repeat slower, and he shakes his head, "No know if slaves, not think so, maybe," and he shrugs his massive shoulders, "No know if come for Bearclaw," then his pride kicks in, "If they do, Bearclaw destroy Black Spiders AND Rock Tooth both!" and he slams his meaty fists together!

When you restate that Trak is a knight and earned his armor he says, "How earn armor? Me want armor like that." Trak tries to answer but the orc just boggles at him confused, "What he say?"

Trak says, "Tell him it takes years of training but I will do it if he's..." and he thinks a second, "If he thinks he's strong enough." and he grins menacingly down at the orc.

He'll pass on his challenge to the orc.
"Look like they go back? They stay and come to fight here?"

To you he says, "I no know more, chief come, maybe he do." When you relay Trak's challenge the orc's back goes straight and he growls, "I strong orc, I get armor!"

Trak says, "Then your first task is to learn to speak Caratosian, until then you are not worthy of my training."

Again as you relay, the orc's face turns beat red, your not sure if it's anger or shame, but either way he does nothing.

If it doesn't look like they are going to continue twoards the castle, I'll go ahead and have Derbin send those runners and let Grush and magelos know about the orc troubles.

Runners will be sent then. The next day Grush and Megalos will both arrive at the castle, Trak will ask to sit in if your going to have a military briefing. Tertius will return in the middle of the night with news that there's no signs of any threats within a day of the river.

He will hold a military briefing, but wait until after Tertius gets back, and yeah Trak can attend.
He'll tell everyone what he knows.
"Grush, what do you think they are planning? I don't know if the Spiders and rock tooth working together means they are trying to unite the clans, or if that was a grudge against the running deer."

.........
Another topic he'll bring up is preparedness.
"We need to start drilling with the townsfolk, set up a bell or something so they know to seek the safety of the castle walls in case we are attacked."

Grush shrugs his massive shoulders, "Maybe, I told that spiders attacked empty village had rock tooth there. Maybe they just work together, maybe not. I send sneaky orc to go find out?"

On preparedness, Trak says, "I am willing to take a Dominus position but I would like lands close to the castle and the orcs, so I can start training."

Your run through your open estates and none of them fit what he's looking for. There is one but you'd have to remove the current Dominus and he's one you've come to respect, especially now that he's grown to accept the orcs as neighbors.

Tertius adds, "I found no signs of orc activity other than Grush's people. I will put together a plan of action for the townsfolk and bring it to the mayor."

How far reaching is my komis? Is it only what I currently have, or only what I can reasonably keep and defend? I'm willing to expand the komis to grant Trak's request, if it's legal to do so. Or if another solution, I can grant him Dominus of the area surrounding the castle and town, and move my spot to the port town whenever it's constructed...

[ooc]a normal Komis would have very specific lands. But that's because they are built up and your simply managing established estates. In your situation if you build up further and build more estates the Doukas is very unlikely to be upset, if anything you'd imagine he'd encourage it. So what you can keep and defend. You can certainly grant him the castle and town, but that would be over the top. That's your seat of power and most would see that as you abdicating your position. Of course if you move your seat of power then you'd be fine, but usually that means building a bigger castle at the new location.[ooc]

He'll frown at the map.
"It looks like all of my allotted lands in the area you need are taken, Trak." He thinks for a second. "Looks like a little expansion is in order. How about a parcel of land a little further into the hills, but still near the orcs and castle?"

Grush also stares at the map, "Is villages on table?" After a minute explaining what a map is and why your looking at it, he says, "Trak go here." and he points to an area north of the sawmill where the ford is at, "Orcs no swim, good spot for strong warrior."

Trak thinks a moment, "Further away from the castle than I'd like, but he's got a point. What do you think Titus? Megalos?"

"Having the mills fall under the supervision of a Dominus is a win/win for me. Realize the foreman out there has come a long way in working with Grush's tribe to get that up and running, and he's doing better than I had hoped, but I'm sure having support closer will make him happier. Megalos?"