An earthquake rocks Taldor and its border regions. Scouts are sent out in search of new and old discoveries unearthed.
The small village of Ralstead has received news that a wall has been breached in a small fortress known as Targen's Hold. The fortress has been magically sealed for close to a decade. Know one has ever been able to discover the mystery behind the magically sealed walls. Now that the walls have been opened to the world once more, the mystery may soon be revealed.
Sitting in the Tavern in mid-summer, Kilain listened to the excitement and interest in the voices of the people discussing the breached walls in some sort of ancient fortress. Perhaps that was why his elders had sent him here. Their divination's had been vague, as all such had been since Aroden's fall. He drank a bit more from his mug of ale and looked around the room for possible allies, should he choose to investigate this.
Most had the look of merchants and common folk. However he did see a large Ulfen Warrior who almost had the look of a battlerager on him, and a pale woman from the frozen climes sitting with him. They had the look of adventurers.
So did the dusky skinned youth sitting in te corner table, furtively looking around.
The strange one was the halfling with what looked like some large clawed mastiff sitting obediently near him. He couldnt tell if that one was a youngster with a big dog or something else...
He would play it by ear...
We are not even in the really cold regions yet...
Dorvren sits in the corner miserably. He is cold and his dear friend Laheath had to return to Qadira, leaving him here to keep an eye out for opportunity. Finally Dorvren gets to go on an adventure and his friends father goes and gets sick.
He looks around the room, but his eyes keep coming back to the halfling and his huge dog near him. Finally, pulling his winter gear around hi and taking a large gulp of wine he slowly approaches the two.
...Hello...my name is Dorvren...could I...perhaps...pet your dog? He haltingly says to Grey. Then he breathes a deep sigh of relief at actually speaking to someone without falling into a false persona, that always drove Laheath crazy.
Kjell sits drinking with a newly met maiden from the north. Although she is scarred, he finds her attractive, moreso as the ale warms his insides. It appears as if he should leave off his plans for Oppara until this ancient fortress is explored. He also sees a Dwarft looking in his direction on occassion. Now would be a good time to broach the subject of delving into the newly accessible fortress.
He stands and shouts in the direction of the serving woman.
Another round fer me and the lady, please. What was yer name again, lady? Oh, and how about one for that Dwarven fella over there. Come, join us in a drink friend!
He waives over the Dwarf before settling back in his chair and staring intently at the woman of the north.
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An earthquake rocks Taldor and its border regions. Scouts are sent out in search of new and old discoveries unearthed.
The small village of Ralstead has received news that a wall has been breached in a small fortress known as Targen's Hold. The fortress has been magically sealed for close to a decade. Know one has ever been able to discover the mystery behind the magically sealed walls. Now that the walls have been opened to the world once more, the mystery may soon be revealed.
3 Erastus, 4713 AR
Today is a bit cooler than the previous one even though the sun is shining and the skies are clear, but come to think of it, the days seem to be getting cooler as each one passes. The town of Ralstead, a small but prominent place to live comes to life as its citizens awake and go about their daily routines. Suddenly a man dressed in dark leather armor enters through the front gates and into the town square shouting for the town bell to be rung. Anyone who has been in Ralstead for any length of time knows that the bell signifies something important is or has taken place and also a call to the town council for a meeting. The man dismounts his steed and enters the two story stone council building that has recently undergone renovations.After an hour or so passes, the doors of the building open and a small group of people exit its double doors and are lead by the town mayor, a middle aged male gnome named Belben Gladdenston. He makes his way to the town square and steps up onto a small platform. Belben, a mere 3 foot tall man with neatly trimmed white hair, light green eyes and is dressed in a fine red and blue nobles outfit. He raises his hands to quiet the townsfolk and speaks. “Good morning citizens of Ralstead!” he says with a smile. “I have great news to share with you this day.” “The walls of Targen’s Hold have finally been breached!”[I/] Cheers go up and the townsfolk celebrate like a major victory has taken place. After a few moments have passed the mayor continues. [I]“The council and I are seeking a small group to venture inside, investigate and return with any information, clues or artifacts that may lie within its walls.” Persons who are willing to take on this quest should seek out guard captain Garrett Tanner.” “Give him your name, what you can offer to the mission and where to find you.” “We will send a messenger when we are ready to meet with you.” “On behalf of the town council I would like to thank all of you for your attendance on what could be one of Ralstead’s greatest findings in many years, and try to stay warm as Gozreh seems to be playing games with our summertime weather these days!”
The guard captain is a rather stern human male in his late thirties standing about six foot two. He dresses in a fine set of chainmail armor with a greatsword over his back. His hair is black as night with a goatee to match. His eyes are icy blue with little specks of brown. As you approach him he asks you. So, you want to be part of the group to venture into Targen’s hold huh?” “What is your name, place of residence and what do you think you have to offer on this most important quest!”
Note: Everyone please respond to this post once
This is a chance to prove myself!
Unable to fully meet the eye of the guard captain as he approaches Drovren is forced to assume a more confident persona.
My name is Dorvren I come from a far away land, originally with a caravan. The man who brought me had to return leaving me here. I bring the ability to move like a shadow, unlock doors and can render any living creature unconscience before it even knows I am there. Bring me and you will not regret it!
The morning prayers to Torag barely finished, Kilain had heard the bell being rung in the town square, and like the majority of townsfolk he had made his way there. He had stayed around the tow square listening to the rumors and whispered conversation of the folk of Ralstead during the brief deliberations of the council. The Elders of kingdom had been very straight forward with his mission.
There are groans in the stone deep in Golarion. Something is messing with the natural way of the world. A disaster is coming. As it was in days of yore; one of The People should make his way towards where the portents show a gathering will take place. A Gathering of those who will oppose this disaster.
Kilain was this chosen one to join this gathering...perhaps this was the beginning......
As the gnome came out and spoke and cheers went up from the crowd Kialin stroked his beard huurrrrrrmmmm in thought. He really had no idea why the citizens would raise a cheer because the walls of some old keep had crumbled, but this had all the signs of 'a gathering', he would see what was what.
He strode forward behind the dusky youth he had watched in the inn the night before. He heard the bluster in the youths voice, confident and eager. A wry grin played on his face beneath his bearded face. In a voice that sounded much like stones rubbing together he spoke after the youth finished, before the Captain of the Guard could reply. and I be Kilain Gravendak of Clan Quarrymaster of The Hammer Halls of The Five Kings Mountains. Priest of Torag. My peopla are well acquainted with ruins and the exploration of such. If there is something to be findin in Targen's Hold, my affinity with stonework and the prayers of Torag will serve ye well.
Kilain stopped, hand on the haft of the warhammer at his belt, shield held prominently displaying the hammer and anvil embossed on its front looking up at the Guard Captain.
Kjell sees the Dwarf from the the night before step forward, and he cannot help but do the same. He stnds before the guard captain and looks down at him from his slightly taller height. The massive blade of his Greataxe protrudes from above one shoulder as its andle is sheathed across his back.
I am Kjell Carlufsen from the Northern realms and islands off the coast of The Linnorm Kings, and I have traveled far to seek the service of the Crown in Taldor. However, I feel that my skills can be put to the best use right here and right now. You will need my axe and strong arm to deal with any problems that may flow from those breached walls.
The boy grins obligingly up at Dovren's inquiry. "Certainly sir, an' if you've any table scraps you want cleaned up he's a great one for bein' helpful aren't you?!" This last directed affectionately at the dog easily three, possibly four, times his own mass.
As the Guard Captain makes his statement, the 'boy' has an unusually incisive expression on his face. An expression which takes on an air of calculation as the more obviously martial patron step forward to proclaim their qualifications...
During a lull in presenters the boy hops down from his bench, a hand held curiously at his side indicating to the dog to remain at the table, as he strides confidently to the officer. "I wouldn't wish to insult your intelligence with claims of martial prowess, but it so happens I have some talent for matters arcane," In amplification of the statement he gestures peculiarly with a strange syllable in accompaniment & a golden glowing eagle appears, resting briefly on his shoulder, & flies out the door.
After each of your encounters with the guard captain he informs you that after the council has discussed and reviewed each of your applications, a messenger will be sent out to gather the chosen candidates for a final meeting with the council. He bids you good luck and a good day, then returns to his guard captain duties.
You have two days until the messenger arrives to take you to the city council building.
*Note: Kylma I will assume that you spoke to the guard captain, you may start from this post.
Dorvren waits. He is patient if not anything else. He spends time in the bar listening and nursing a drink. He also spends time petting the marvelous dog whenever he can. But for the most part he keeps to himself.
Kjell will spend some time with Kilain and Dorvren getting to know them better over drinks. Of course, he always has his eye on Kylma.
Kilain shares a mug of ale o two with his new found comrades. He is careful to keep the reason he is here to the simple 'a priest of Torag is required to spend some time away from the Dwarven Delves, to learn a bit more of the world before returning to become a spiritual leader of The People.' Which is partially true. No reason to make them think he's some doomsday investigator ...yet.
He is friendly and personable and gets to know each and whatever they wish to tell him.
Kylma met the captain's stare with cold blue eyes of her own. She waited a long moment after he finished speaking before she replied, her voice icy and rough.
"I'll go into Targen's Hold, yes." She smiled, on one side of her face only, the right side being too damaged to lift the corner of her mouth. "I am Kylma, born of the Frostwolf following. There is no one place I call home. Like all true Frostwolfs, my home is with my band. As for this quest, fighters, archers, scouts will be wanted. I am all of those things. I offer my bow, my axe, and my skills as a hunter and a trapper."
Kylma comes into the bar a bit later, having spent the day checking traps in the back country and only meeting with the Guard Captain a little after dark. She kept her chin up and refused to look at the ulfen. She had noticed him eyeing her before, but she had long since grown accustomed to people watching her. She knew no one would admire her for her beauty again, but they would respect her prowess in battle.
The dwarf and the Qadiran, she acknowledged with a nod, took a pint from the bar, and sat at the table with them.
5 Erastus 4713 AR
By mid-morning, a young boy dressed in a fine tailored noble's outfit, finds you all gathered at the inn. He bids you good morning and adds "The councils would like to meet with all of you at high noon this day." "Please be prompt for they have many other issues to discuss as well." He then bids you good day and rushes off, not giving you enough time to offer him coin.
"Shall we then?" Kylma says to the others. She heads out in the direction of the council's hall.
Dorvren rises from his seat in the corner of the room and collects his belongings, and wordlessly follows.
Aye, I Must be gatherin up me belongins upstairs first.
With that the stout dwarf made his way upstairs and set to preparin his kit for travel. Every item had a place for the easiest access. Once all wasin place and ready for the road, he shouldered his pack and headed back down the atairs and over towards the council hall. He would not be late for this meeting. He had to represent Hammer Hall after all, and it would not be right for them to be thought to be lay-abouts.
Kjell grabs all of his necessaries, checks his weapons and adjusts his armor. He secures the Greataxe on his back and then joins the others.
Well then, let's have at it...
So many REAL adventurers here! I cannot believe I am included in their presence!
"Soggy. Stay. Guard."
"Alright then, shall we?" As the 'boy' leaves his few belongings with his imposing canine companion.
Over the past two days the rest of you have noticed the 'boy' making himself useful about the inn, aiding the serving staff in their duties as necessary, in exchange for which he & 'Soggy' have been allowed one of the out-of-the-way corners to sleep in at night & 'Soggy' has also made himself useful on occasion since the sounds of 'nocturnal inhabitants' have dropped off these last two evenings as well...
You all make your way to the town council building as asked to do so. A pair of town guards are posted at the entrance's double doors which are made of a fine dark wood. They open the doors and let you in. As you enter you see a large room with a large table made of the same wood as the doors it seems. There are six others present along with the mayor himself. "Please come forth for we have much to discuss about your mission to Targen's Hold." He gestures for you each take a seat one one side of the fifteen-foot long table. You notice a map in the middle of the table with silver weights that look like gargoyles, or something similar on each corner. The map seems to be of the local area and beyond to each of Taldor's border regions. "We hope you all have had a good nights rest and a full belly" he says. "Much time has been wasted as it is." "We don't wish for someone else to search this place before we have." he says a bit sternly. "Ralstead has been keeping watch over this site since it was magically sealed." "It should be our right to seek out its secrets first." The other council members shake their heads in agreement to the mayor's statements. He points to the map and says, The journey to Targen's Hold is about thirty-four miles, so you should get there within nine hours of travel, but you may want to stop and rest and continue on in the morning." "Once you get there, use caution." "Like I've said before, that place has been magically sealed for nearly a century." "No telling what is lurking within it walls." "Do any of you have questions for us?" He sits back and waits for any replies.
...what do legends suggest might await us? Dorvren mutters looking at his feat.
Aye, and what are we entitled to from the spoils we recover, if anything?
Rather than taking a seat, the 'boy' turns his about so that the back rests against the table & then climbs up to lean against the seatback.
"Good Sirs, you have great plans for this 'Targen's Hold' of which you speak, apparently. Why then do you call on mere 'humble' travelers?"
"Would not members of your own guard make more appropriate representatives?" Nodding towards the towering Ulfen & his comment, "The mountain makes a fair point, though perhaps not how he meant. Is there something specific you want us to look for?"
"Are we to be issued some 'Letter of Marque', that we might be mistaken for simple grave-robbers?" At the officials likely response to his Chelish accent. "Obviously, I hail not from this, the cradle of Avistani Civilization, but even those Infernal legalists have...
some points worth considering."
Kylma listens, her face set, until the 'boy' speaks. That is when she sees that he is not actually a boy, but a halfling. A scowl of surprise flashes across her face for a moment, but then she chuckles softly.
"They're sending us because nobody'll mind much if we die," she says. "Though I expect they'll find prettier words to tell us so."
sitting there listening to his comrades and their questions he nods when Kjell asks essentially whats in this for them, though he would probably do it for free if there danger to the citizens of the town. hurrrrrmmmm he says thoughtfully as he strokes his bears and grins a little when the 'boy' proves to be more than he seems.
aye I have a couple questions.
he holds up a hand and counts off his fingers as he goes through them
why is the place called Targen's Hold? Who sealed it? and Why did they seal it? Who else might be interested in the place? and will they be hostile?
He looked up plainly with no emotion showing on his face...
After your questions have been answered, Mayor Gladdenstone says, "If there aren't any other questions, we wish you good luck and may Cayden Caileen watch over you in your travels." He hands you a smaller map, similar to the large one on the table, but with only the surrounding area on it with directions to Targen's Hold. He adds, "Please return to us as soon as you have explored the place." "We are eager to know what secrets lie within."
Kjell stands and moves closer to the door.
Well, friends, shall we?
Kylma nods, rising and walking slowly towards the door. As she steps outside, she gives a crooked smile.
"This should be fun," she says. "But that's a long hike if we want to be there before dark."
Right, I was thinkin' that it may be best if we listen to the Council and make camp just a'fore dark and arrive in the early morning.
Kylma nods, rising and walking slowly towards the door. As she steps outside, she gives a crooked smile.
"This should be fun," she says. "But that's a long hike if we want to be there before dark."
Mayor Gladdenstone shouts out, "How thoughtless of me, please go to the stables and tell the stable master that you are the group investigating Targen's Hold." "He will give you what you need as far as transportation is concerned". He smiles, shakes his head and goes back to his meeting, obviously putting his thoughts back into his work.
Dorvren sighs in relief as they all head to the stables. He checks his gear and mounts up.
"For reasons which might be obvious, I have never developed a talent for riding," Grey piped up, "I don't suppose one of you worthies might be persuaded to add me to your mount's burden?"
Sure, you can ride with me, Grey.
Kylma heads out to the stable with the others, mounting a horse a little unsteadily and trotting out into the sun.
"You're right, Kjell, was it? Best thing would be if we can get close enough to scout it out tonight, then go in in the morning," she says, and looks up at the sky. "If we're lucky enough to have a moon."
Kilain frowned as they made their way to the stables. Something tugged at his sensabilites. He was sure they had left something out, but was not sure what that would be...time would tell.
His anxiety increased as they approached the stables, but not why anyone would think. Horses! He never liked riding the beasties. He was uncomfortable without feet touching the ground. And if he had to be riding, wagons were better.
Still he asked the sable hand for a pony and also did the tow council leave any leeway to take a mule with them. Itd be nice to have an animal capable of carrying their loot....if they found any.
Kilain frowned as they made their way to the stables. Something tugged at his sensabilites. He was sure they had left something out, but was not sure what that would be...time would tell.
His anxiety increased as they approached the stables, but not why anyone would think. Horses! He never liked riding the beasties. He was uncomfortable without feet touching the ground. And if he had to be riding, wagons were better.
Still he asked the sable hand for a pony and also did the tow council leave any leeway to take a mule with them. Itd be nice to have an animal capable of carrying their loot....if they found any.
The stable master, Ethamil Stonemace, an older dwarf dressed in common worn clothing recognizes your fear and says to you, A bit afraid of heights me good man?" He chuckles and continues. Don't be worryin' yerself." "I gots just the thing fer ya." He goes into a side room of the stable building and comes back with a well groomed and sturdy pony. "Here be the finest pony in me stables!" "I hopes ye be takin' good care of her." "If ye ain't be buyin' her, I want her back in the same condition ye be gettin' her!" "As far as a loot mule, the council ain't be lendin' coin fer that, but I tell ye what I be doin' fer ya!" He goes into another room and carries out three saddlebag packs, one for each of the single rider horses. "These be moren enough carryin' space fer loot." "Jus bring me back somethin' from yer quest." "Anything an old dwarf might like."
You thank him for his generosity and as you set off, he yells out. Watch yer backs as well as yer fronts." "There be creatures of all sorts out there!" "No tellin' what ye be commin' across." He waves to the group and then returns to the stables.
As they all mount up to go Dorvren pauses.
...I am not sure I have introduced myself...I am Dorvren...I like to stay in the shadows...
The Halfling chuckles, "I'm Grey. I like to hide behind those larger & sturdier than I...
Well, sometimes..." he continues enigmatically.
The sun is shining, but the air is still continuing to get cooler, with temperatures only topping out in the low 60s. Dry dusty roads and sparse tree coverage is all you see for about ten miles of your journey, after that, vegetation becomes more lush as the road takes you more to the north. There are small wooded areas scattered about and dotting the landscape. You even notice a few hills scattered among the woodlands.
As evening closes in you only manage to travel approximately twenty-six miles this day. The sky is clear and you feel this night is gonna be a cold one. There will be no inn to rest in tonight, so preparations must be made if you are gonna stay warm.
The days ride was long, and Kylma gratefully dismounts. The land has proved barren so far, yielding little in the way of food or water. At least with the patches of forest, there is plenty of wood for a fire. As the sun sinks low, she gets a fire started, building it up high. She sits on her bedroll, with a blanket pulled around her shoulders to keep the chill wind off her back.
"I'm Kylma," she says. "A hunter and warrior of the Frostwolf following. I'll try to throw a big shadow"
"Getting to that...
Considering we will likely be depending on each other for our lives & possibly other, dearer, things; there is something you all should probably know." Grey looks about the four of you, a bit...
sheepishly?
"There is rather...
more, to me than meets the eye..." As Grey begins speaking once more he begins a pantomime, after a few seconds you recognize it as an exaggeration of putting on clothes...
Or Armor! As, with the first motion, a shimmering translucent boot forms, encasing his right fore-leg completely, all the way up to the knee. Looking again, you realize this boot is notably larger than the leg within. It is oddly articulated as well, seemingly with individual toes, almost like an actual foot, though the toes are fewer & larger than normal human toes. By the time you have taken that in, he has put on the second & has moved on to...
Trousers? He is also now standing up once more & there is no doubt of it, in these legs he is nearly as tall as the rest of you, even standing a bit taller than Kilain. His upper torso still proportioned as a small boy, or grown Halfling.
Having completed the lower limbs, Grey seems to draw on a pair of long gloves, each one reaching from fingertip to shoulder. Each one, again, cunningly articulated, shimmering, translucent & as large, not to mention densely muscled, as Kylma or Kjell; though again, the individual digits number only three, rather than the normal five.
By this point Grey's proportions can only be described as freakish until he seems to draw a shirt or jack over his torso, at which time he looks no more out of the ordinary than any other boy who has set himself up on a Scarecrow made with his father's clothes, though no scarecrow any of you have ever seen has so closely resembled the human form while at the same time gathered up such strangeness...
"'We' have been through much together, my 'friend' and I..." Grey continued, raising these new, now massive hands to his face, as though putting on a helm; by this time, though comparatively little time has passed, none of you are surprised when a 'helm' does indeed now enclose Grey's head completely.
The helm which encloses Grey's face & head completely is almost insectile in appearance. Two, gleaming golden eyes, an oddly articulated mouth, the barest hint of a nasal slit perfectly bisecting the two sides...
While behind/within it all, you can each of you still faintly see Grey, almost floating within this now much larger form.
][When needed, he/I came.][ ][We/I are/am 'Great Mastiff'.][ ][No more her dog.][ ][No more the frightened, cowering creature forced to attend the beck & call of one who would bring into this world & call it power.][ ]['Grey' was/is still alone though, we/I would proffer my/our hand in friendship to you.][
There is a curious resonance to his voice, as though Grey were somehow speaking within a great ceramic jar, a long way down a stone tunnel.
Suiting deed to word, the bizarre figure before you waits, ?his? hand outstretched.
Well now, that'd be an excellent trick! Welcome aboard...ahhh...what do ya call yerself?
][We/I are/am 'Great Mastiff'.][
Aye! Then I did here you right...very good then Great Mastiff, be careful that you do not show up while on the back of me horse, eh.
With little more than a series of crackling pops, almost like cup-sized thunderclaps, the massive translucent figure disappears; leaving Grey to drop the yard or so to the ground.
"Oh no," Grey grins shyly, "much like any other spell, or any other act of creation. You have to do certain things in a certain way, at a certain time, or nothing good happens. What you saw me doing was how Great Mastiff & I set it so...
Well, clearly you know more of cleaving someone in twain than I do. I'm sure you had to try it more than once before you got it right."
"Except for being nothing at all like that, it's something like that."
The Halfling concludes, clearly less than pleased with his own explanation.
Kilain had been grumbling the entire way. Clearly despising being on horseback. When they decied to camp for the night he had dropped down to the ground quite unceremoniously, almost falling on his arse as his foot caught in the stirrup of the pony.
Its unnatural to be riding around on beasts he had grumbled under his breath.
He noticed the temperature drop and set up about gathering branches and limbs to set up a lean to to afford some protection from the wind using his skill in Engineering.
As they has made camp he had been about to ask Dorven about the cold and if it was normal to be like this this far south during this summer...
when all of a sudden the halfling had begun to....put on another creature like you would wear clothes.
His bearded jaw hung open and he sat gawking and when the halfling was once again himself he snapped it shut and shook his head Now thats something you dont see everyday....Ceptin I think we will be ehh Grey?
he chuckled. He was quite accustomed to magic, being a Priest of Torag...and he had known a few Dwarven Wizards in his day, but not this manner of magic.
That is quite the trick you have there Grey. Is you comrade as fierce in combat as he looks? Does he die? and if he does, how will you be affected? Is there any danger he will turn on us?
Not being familiar, Kilain rattles off a series of questions to his new found ally.
then lest he forget he snaps off one at Dorven too. You be from these parts right? Is this weather normal for this time of the year? Its cooler than I would be thinkin it should be