The Storm Crow sits at a crossroads, wondering whither the storm will come. But it is always coming, he thinks, stretching his legs and raising his bundle to his back, the Storm always comes to the Fair Lands.
And with that, he turned, heading on to Tharbenia to warn the King. . .
The audience chamber of the God King's residence is packed, the high councilors arrayed in the front, and others in the audience gathered here. The strange creature seeking audience before the God King is a tengu, a ravenlike humanoid, and a somewhat filthy specimen at that.
Bits of bone, runes, feathers from other birds, and twigs are weaved into the black feathers of the form that stands before you, leaning against a gnarled tree branch, dressed in a filthy traveling robe.
"The Storm is Coming!" The Storm Crow, for that is what he was called, shouts.
"The Storm is coming, and when it breaks, it will sweep away all the Thirteen Petty Kingdoms of the Fair Lands! Set aside your pointless squabbles- for alone, your Kingdoms can only perish!"
The crowd laughs for a minute, but then, look to the dais to the God King and the High Councilors to see how they react. . .
Eldric stood in his position at the side of the king, tall and stoic as the Storm Crow delivered it’s warning. The monk kept his face as dispassionate as possible, a skill he had picked up from countless hours of meditation and study within his monastery. Which was good, as he felt a twinge of annoyance that such a warning had been delivered in such a public manner. In an even manner he looked to his King and said:
”Tengus are known travelers and collectors of tales, my liege. Despite this one’s ragged appearance, I would counsel to hear what this storm may be. For even if it is embellished, the tale may be grounded in a truth that we might look into.”
Griselda kept her expression neutral and collected. If the people where to see the king or his councilors disturbed by the news it could cause a panic. Yet at the same time she remained attentive to the creature, if indeed a storm was coming be it literal or metaphoric she would like to be prepared to offer aid at first notice to ensure the safety of her kings people.
"I also agree my king whatever news this creature brings we should investigate. Whatever this storm is, it would be best if we prepared for it's arrival. We could potentially blunt the worst of it's damage perhaps avoid it all together."
Relzak stood near the edge of the dais, even perhaps a bit closer to the edge than he needed to. Being the most newly selected councilor, he did not want to presume too much familiarity with his new station.
"'Storm' means strife, conflict, yes? This is life," he shrugs. "Always, this is life. If tengu knows more about where storm is coming from, we bring own storm."
Ghostwind stays silent, not feeling like adding anything to what the others have said. His face, though, shows clear signs of paying attention to what the tengu does or says. "These creatures are also known for being consummate swordsmen. It's a rare thing to be able to witness their style."
"I bear this prophecy- I cannot say all that it means. Such is the way of prophecy- but I see the winds and rains toppling each of the Thirteen Kingdoms in turn."
Tengu are known wanderers. Always after some mysterious purpose, they wander the world collecting information. The Storm Crow himself is the only tengu inhabitant of the Fair Lands, ordinarily he travels tutoring noble children short term for pittances, or advising courts in short term capacity, and he has been spreading this particular tale in every court in turn.
There is but one other scheduled to speak in this audience session- a scout from the southern border with a report.
The king sits silently, listening first to the visitor and then to his attendant. He nods and then he slowly stands up.
"Tell me, Storm Crow, do you see where this storm comes from? Is it one of the other kingdoms? Having received visions before myself, I understand you don't have absolute answers but more information would be welcome here, if we are to act upon it."
The Storm Crow sighs, "No- I cannot see so clearly. It is not one of the Thirteen Kingdoms though, for I saw them all fall."
"That is a very broad statement." Eldric replied. "Is this a physical storm that will sweep away the islands? Is it a magical storm, that will leave destruction in it's wake? It is a metaphysical storm, a play on words to represent barbarian raiders? Will a portal to the abyss open up?" As he said this he looked over the audience, his face stoic. "I do not see how we are supposed to act upon such a paucity of information. If you saw all of the kingdoms fall in a vision, then perhaps you could share with us what you actually saw in this vision?"
Griselda nodded at her kings statement. We needed more information to know what to prepare for she awaited attentively to see what the creature would say
Handerbald nodded at his councilman's reaction. "Perhaps some rest will help you see things more clearly? Or some food? You are welcome to stay for now and gather your breath. Then we can talk in an easier setting as well, for we do indeed need more information if we are to act on it. What say you, Storm Crow?"
"There are ways to extract this info from his dead brains..."
Thankfully, these are not the ways of Thabernia. Hopefully, the tengu will stay for dinner and maybe overnight, and a thorough conversation could shed more light on the matter.
The Storm Crow nods and accepts any offer of hospitality, but unfortunately his vision does not offer more specifics.
The scout approaches, "Your majesty. . . I bring a report from the Southern border- there have been raids across the border. There is talk of some strange gnomes that grow to massive size. They have sacked several villages."
Griselda nods and goes about to make sure the creature gets appropriate accomodations
"Is there a name we may address you by wanderer while you are with us"
((OoC I TOLD YOU THE FAE ARE NOT YO BE TRUSTED LOL this will be fun ))
"I am known only as the Storm Crow, though you may call me what you will. . ."
Having lost interest in the vague dangers offered by the Storm Crow, Relzak laughs uproariously at the thought of giant gnomes.
Ghostwind approaches His Majesty from behind and whispers. "Majesty, this could well be the beginning of the Storm Crow's vision. We should address it before it's too late."
Eldric nodded, making a point of ignoring Relzak's laughter. "Ghostwind is correct in this. Any threat from the fey is one which must be taken seriously. As comical as they might seem, their powers are not to be underestimated. Likewise, dealing with this threat may well be beyond the capabilities of our regular soldiers."
Handerbald nods as two from his council approach him. "I agree we should not underestimate this. On the other hand, I think we should contact prince Baird about this. For all we know these attacks are by ordinary brigands or even renegades. We can hardly afford inciting conflict over a misunderstanding. Besides, Prince Baird is an old friend of my mother so we owe him the courtesy of talking to him at the very least. Besides, if this is the supposed "Storm", the Crow just said it isn't coming from one of the nations so then there would be more going on."
He then turns to the messenger, "Could you further clarify the situation? I'd like to know where exactly these incursions have happened. It's a long border after all and it spans two duchies on both sides." He then turns to one of the many pages lining the hall, "Go and fetch us a map, boy." He then offered the young aasimar a friendly smile. Many of these pages were sons from lesser nobles who hoped their service to the royal family would get their family bumped up on the social ladder. It rarely worked.
"Yes my lord- they did not wear uniforms- but because of their unusual nature they must be from across the border."
" Contacting the Prince would indeed be the best course. If it is not one of his own the Prince might even offer aid to help stop the villains in order to keep the peace"
Griselda dos not think that this raid was the begining of the creatures prophesied storm but kept her opinion silent. The threat as hand was also very real but she felt we should be ready for anything that might come and be prepared for the storm that approaches.
[be]"What's more, Prince Baird might be also suffering this incident. If so, collaboration between both kingdoms could be a good icebreaker."[/b]
"God King, this will show other kingdoms and all enemies Tharbenia's might and might of Tharbenia's ruler!
"THARBENIA!!!"
Gathering your supplies, you travel to the border. You arrive towards the area where the gnomes have been seen and are approached by an elder of the local village.
Griselda looks around the village for any physical damage that can be seen as signs of the attacks. As the elder approaches she quickly asks
"Greetings elder we have come to investigate the attacks on the border. I am Griselda the Court Medic if you should need help with your wounded I am at your disposal"
She waits for the elder to tell her where their infirmary is and decides she will assist with the wounded and let her companions ask the elder questions about the attacks
"Greetings, Elder" Ghostwind says. He sounds quite neutral, not wanting to create hope or deny it before they know the facts. "Please, show us where the gnomes attacked while you tell us what happened with detail."
The elder explains the general tactics of the gnome attacks-- several of them, 3 usually, though sometimes five would strike. They begin small-- posing as any normal gnomes might look, but then they grow and shrink as they strike.
"No, not normal gnomes at all- something else, something of the fey. I can have one of the lads show you to the site of the most recent attack."
"Did they say anything?"
”Yes, such as any demands? Any claims to territory or to a cause? Or perhaps there was something distinctive about their clothing or appearance?” The monk offered.
As we inspect the site Griselda would also cast Detect Magic for any residual magic that she mights see
Solving mysteries is not Relzak's area of expertise. Chopping up mysteries is. Still, he gave it his best, following Eldric, who seemed like the sort to notice the small details.
"Whatever they said we canna say- they spoke only in a strange tongue like many fae folk do."
Inspecting the area you find the trail that you assume are these strange gnomes. . .
"Ah, Sylvan. The tongue of the First World." Eldirc said. "Let us see if we can follow this trail. And given that they do talk, we can hopefully find out what has caused this aggression."
"Should it be necessary I am fluent in Sylvan"
Griselda said while searching for any trace of where the attackers might have gone.
Ahead you see three small creatures- gnome like certainly, but not exactly gnomes.
These are Spriggans! They can sneak attack when small and can grow to size large!
Round 1
Turn order:
1. Relzak
2. Grielda
3. Ghostwind
4. Gnomes???
5. Eldric
6, Handerbald
Whooping in delight at the first sight of the enemy, Relzak charges towards the gnome to his left.
Griselda sighs having wanted to try to be diplomatic
" Well these there is no way around this"
She takes a 5 foot step back pulling an extract of Shield and drinking it
Round 1
Relzak charges colliding with one and damaging it!
Griselda drinks shield!
One creature rushes out towards Relzak and grows to size large!
The other near him repositions to strike (5 ft. step)
miss!
The third steps forward and launches a crossbow bolt at Eldric!
miss!
Turn order:
1. Relzak
2. Griselda
3. Ghostwind
4. Gnomes???
5. Eldric
6, Handerbald
Status:
Green: -10
Relzak is no dummy! He takes his own 5-foot step so he's not sandwiched between two gnome-kin, and strikes at his target again!
"THARBENIA!" he cries as he strikes.
Ducking a crossbow bolt, Eldric went for the gnome Relzak was fighting. Coming in at a full run he didn’t slow down when he got to the enemy. Rather he took one more step and then leapt forward, fist raised. He reasoned that the best course of action was to concentrate their efforts by taking down one foe at a time so that their numerical advantage would be all the stronger.
Griselda sees the gnome to her right and decides to keep him out of combat while her companions handle the other two
Move action: move 30 feet to the lone gnome
If it hits as a free action she will Vrapple
If she manages to grapple i activate Constrict as a swift action
Ghostwind tries to help Griselda, moving into melee range and slashing with graceful moves.