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It has been just over a decade since 'the vanishing', the mysterious disappearance of Brevoy's ruling family. In their absence the noble houses of Rostland and Issia resort to bickering over rulership as they did in the past. The Swordlords and Nobel families of Rostland fearing civil war hatch a plan to expand South into the dangerous Stolen Lands. Their hopes that colonizing these lands and setting up vassal kingdoms will create allies and army's sympathetic to their claims of rulership agains Issia.
Whether your reasons align with Restov and Rostland or New Stetven and Issia or be you an adventurer out for treasure and glory or your just looking for a new lot in life matters not.
You have accepted a place in one of the groups sent from Restov to settle the stolen lands.
After accepting your charge, you and your would be new partners decide to stop at a tavern to discuss your task and become familiar with one another before making the treak to Oleg's Trading post.
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Actaeon shakes his head and looks at his sister, the full mug of ale still in his hand, ”I don’t know Ludi, we’ve been away from the farm too long. Those bandits are pushing into Rostland, and I don’t like it. I know Ma and Da can take care of themselves, but I’m worried about the villages. We need to make those bandits pay and free Rostland from their tyranny.”
The young man with tanned skin, dark eyes, and dirty blond hair looks around at the rest of the group that makes up the charter. He quickly averts his gaze from the priest, ’Oh geez, she is pretty. Focus Actaeon. Focus! You are way too young for her. And no experience with girls anyways. Shut up already. Just drink your ale.’
Then his gaze catches the piercing blue eyes of the cloaked and hooded member of his charter. He almost cannot look away. 'Is he even Human?' Actaeon shakes his head, looks away, and releases his mug. Pushing his chair back, he stands and begins to slightly pace. After a few moments, he turns to the group, ”We have already dawdled too long. If we stay here tonight, we need to leave at dawn.”
The impatience of youth truly shows.
The young noblewoman helps a groom load feed into her horse's saddlebags.
She is tall and lanky, dressed in chainmail and carrying a warhammer at her hip. Her gear is clean, and her horse (Ferric) seems at ease.
"Unrepentant banditry. Hmmph. How many chances to repent are we to give them?"
Emerald looks over the charter and clasps her holy symbol. "Torag does not command that every foe must be spared. They knew what they were doing when they took on that life.
But... it would be a waste of resources to kill those who are genuinely repentant and who could be loyal subjects once Brevoyan control is firmly established. I suppose we will see what happens."
She looks at the nervous-seeming young man. "I am Emerald Garess, of House Garess. You are?"
There is an authoritative tone to her voice, as you might expect from an officer and an aristocrat. She's not hostile or insulting, just has a very clear expectation that this young man will give his name.
What they should do is assign a wizard to every village. That seems to make brigands think twice!
The pale white man, with his cloak hood still pulled up over his head mutters but does not look up to make eye contact as he casually flips through a spellbook. When he does look up his piercing blue eyes almost seem like lights in the darkness of his hood.
He just catches Actaeon glancing at him and stares for several moments, waiting for a question. When the man has looked away long enough, and no question nor address ever comes , he dives back into his spellbook but continues listening to the table.
Actaeon stumbles, but quickly catches himself on the end of the table when the Toragdan addresses him. His eyes meet hers, and he quickly looks away, focusing on Ludivine for support. ’Great, I just tried to give orders to a noble.’
He looks back at Emerald, his mouth, opening and closing, stumbling for sound. Then he focuses on the mission, the charter. ’You’ve killed dozens of bandits. Stop acting like an idiot. Plus, you have noble blood too. But, damn she’s pretty.’ He finds his courage, ”Actaeon. Actaeon Pythanus. And this is my sister Ludivine,” he blurts out.
Actaeon then looks over at the hooded man as he mutters something about ‘wizards in every village’. ”Bandits have wizards too,” Actaeon states, but he’s not sure if he is even heard. ‘Him and that book. He never takes his nose out of it.’
He looks to Ludivine again for support. Then he looks over at his other companion, the large man always whittling a hunk of wood. Aiming to deflect his own awkwardness, he addresses him, ”That’s looking like Erastil that you’re carving.”
’If it is Erastil, then I think I’m gonna like this guy.’
The young woman sitting beside Actaeon looks to be very close to his age. There is also a definite family resemblance, though she's lighter in coloration than him. She has wheat blonde rather than dirty blonde hair, eyes matching the blue shirt she wears, and she lacks his suntanned skin.
Ludivine, or 'Ludi', as Actaeon calls her, has her copy of the charter laid out on the table in front of her. She stares at the words of the document. She feels both satisfied and antsy. She doesn't reply to anything Actaeon says about farms or bandits, but after he stops talking she looks long enough to ask "why aren't we leaving yet? Everything is exactly like it should be, why are we wasting more time here?"
Ludivine's voice contains both a demand and a whine, as if it is completely the natural order of things for her to demand things of him, but also for him to disregard her demands. Her eyes look glassy like she's drunk, but her ale sits on the table completely untouched.
She goes back to perusing the document. When the highborn woman approaches and starts a conversation with Actaeon, Ludivine does nothing that might indicate she is aware of the woman's presence, even when Actaeon introduces her to the woman.
Eventually Ludvine turns to Actaeon again.
"I am supposed to be there, not here. Everything has happened like I said it would from the very beginning. I can see the forest already; I can smell it just like I'm lying on the ground under the trees."
The young man was walking slowly.
Maybe he was carrying too much. Probably.
But he doesn't complain.
His face is sunburnt, his body well-developped, his hands are calloused.
Entering the inn, he shows the charter, and a servant brings him to your table. He puts his backpack on the ground with some relief.
Hello, My name is Hadin. I serves Erastil.
As if it wasn't obvious enough by the wooden holy symbol dangling by his neck.
My elders have seen fit to send me to help fighting the bandits, and secure the lands for future farmers. It seems you have been tasked the same?
Emerald looks around at the others.
She probably doesn't know of any noble family called Pythanus, but does know the name Pythareus (as Maxillar Pythareus would be well-known in military circles). Some connection... a cadet branch? An illegitimate scion of the family? Former servants? Well, whoever his family was, sounds like they're farmers now. Honest and necessary work, at least.
His sister. A prophet? With some sort of divine madness.
Emerald doesn't register any annoyance at Ludivine's apparent rudeness. She says, "Greetings, Ludivine," and moves on.
And this pale man... a wizard, of some sort.
"It is true, the abilities of wizards can inspire caution. May I ask your name, sir? I am Emerald Garess."
After the rather direct way Emerald addressed Actaeon, she is comparatively deferential to the wizard. It may be that, as with Ludivine, she just doesn't expect the wizard to conform to the expectations of society. Seers and wizards can sometimes sit outside the world of nobles and commoners.
Another farmer. A follower of Erastil.
"Greetings, Hadin. A blessing on your fields."
"No, I was not tasked with this. I was recommended by my commander, true, but it was my decision. I volunteered. This is an opportunity. Striking against the bandits is truly about securing Brevoy's claim to these lands. Those who help cement that claim will gain renown and prestige."
She looks back to Ludivine. "I am ready to go now."
The pale man finally closes his spellbook and stuffs it into his pack. Looking around the table once more be forces a smile.
Oh, I am Sirinus. Good to meet you Emerald.
Actaeon listens to Ludivine’s ramblings and attempts to avoid rolling his eyes and grimacing.
’What is Ludi talking about? What has happened to her? Ever since she got better, she has been acting like this. Has she gotten better? Is the sickness still there? Eating her brain? Or something? Maybe she needs a priest.’
Actaeon turns with a sigh of relief when Hadin introduces himself and he offers a smile. ’A follower of Erastil, a farmer like me, and someone who wants to take on the bandits? Yeah, I think I am going to like this guy.’
”Pleasure to meet you Hadin. I look forward to bashing some bandit skulls with you and sending them to where they belong,” Actaeon says with a grin and a nod of his head. Then he adds, ”So, where is your farm located?"
Actaeon’s grin stretches when Emerald greets Hadin with a traditional Erastilian blessing but quickly fades when the noblewoman mentions securing Brevoy’s claims to the land. 'I wonder what her intentions are for Rostland?’ Before he can contain his anger, his tongue strikes out, "I care nothing for renown or prestige. I just want the bandits gone."
Actaeon stands straight as he addresses Emerald. His awkwardness is gone now, replaced by idealized tones of anger.
There is no hint of emotion at all from Sirinus, but he does chime in lightly with Actaeon's sentiment.
Some time ago I was running. I've since made something vaguely resembling "family" in these lands, and so would like to see them rid of bandits. I imagine if bandits do have wizards they would be rather sloppy. I could be wrong though. As long as Brevoy does not meddle in the existing villages near the Sellen river, I am here to help.
Ludivine continues to not introduce herself or ask anyone else anything about themselves. But, she must be taking in something of what's happening. When Emerald tells her she is ready to go, Ludivine stands up and declares "Good! We're leaving now, yes?"
She reaches for the cloak draped across the back of her chair and holds it, ready to put it on.
Hadin answers first to the young lady, then to the young man
Thank you for your blessings. I do hope to be able to build a small farm for myself, later on, and to start a family. For my part, I prefer to be helpful to my neighbours than famous, but to each his own.
turning to Actaeon
I'd like, as much as possible, to not soil the land with too much blood. Mercy can be asked for, but it must be given wisely, and be followed by acts of redemption, for even a gnarled seed can give birth to a magnificent tree, if taken care of. My parents had a little farm in Brevoy.
A flash of sadness pass through the man's eyes
A little surprised as another young girl rises from her seat suddenly, Hadin gallantly asks if he can help her put her cloak on
May I?
Ludivine smiles and hands Hadin her cloak. Although her eyes are on him, Hadin gets the feeling Ludivine isn't really looking at him though, more like she's looking past or through him.
Pushed on by Ludivine more or less setting off on her own, the new companions take the last sips of their drinks and grab and scraps of their meals they wish to eat on the road. Ludi sets off walking down the path Hadin in tow and Actaeon half walking but spinning and looking back at Emerald and Sirinus as they untie their horses as if to apologize for her behavior. After mounting the nobel and the wizard trot to catch up to the group.
It is Oathday the 3rd of Pharast, about a week after the charter was signed that your group begins its journy. It is early spring and still mildly cold and rain showers are common. Those from the meager farm life take these showers as blessing on your fields and your backs as the soil is softer and you don't have to carry water around as you sew seeds.
You gave been told that Oleg’s Trading Post lies at the north center of the land you have been chartered to explore and it is also on the South Rostland Road that dances on the southern border of Rostland and the Stolen Lands. Your course along the road isn't straight but the road is safer hopefully than the wilderness. The journy sould be about 96 miles.
As they leave the tavern, Actaeon watches as Emerald and Sirinus mount their horses.
’Should I have brought one of our horses for Ludi to ride? Too late now, I guess, to dwell on that. Besides, with the spring coming, Ma and Da will need them on the farm. Especially since Ludi and I are not around to help.’ He frowns at this last thought, feeling quite guilty.
Hours pass and Actaeon is glad to be on the move with a goal to focus on. He scouts ahead, keeping an eye on the terrain. Bow in hand, and arrow at the ready, he skirts the side of the road, paying attention to rises and bends in the road and choke points on each side of the trail where an ambush might be likely to happen. He also keeps an eye out for potential dinner.
Emerald has a lance cup on her saddle, so she rides with the lance pointed upwards and its shaft resting on her shoulder.
Should she have any reason for alarm, she will couch the lance properly.
This is quite a journey. Four days' ride with four strangers. All signed up on this charter for their own reasons. The two young men, humble and idealistic farmboys it seems at first glance, both of whom deny wanting fame. The strange wizard. The prophet girl.
It's rather lonely to ride this way. Emerald is used to the clamor of dozens of horses riding alongside her, not just one other. The wizard doesn't look particularly at home on a horse, but at least he has a horse for a hundred-mile trip.
Don't be harsh. Maybe the others couldn't afford horses.
Indeed, Sirinus seems very awkward riding on his horse. It was only just given to him by his recent master and teacher, and it showed.
Horses jostle too much. You can't read or study on them while you ride. So what do you do this entire time? It's a waste. Why is this road so lumpy?
He doesn't initiate any conversation but does try to smile back when anyone looks his way.
They know I can't ride. Ugh.
The group travels down the road unbothered for 10 hours before making camp. Just before Sunrise dark clouds roll in, bringing with it rain and thunder. The storm lasts 3 hours finally clearing to leave the day cold and windy.
Another day down, with no events. The night was cold and very windy keeping the campfire low. You break camp to heavy winds with rainclouds visible you prepare for a wet day.
Your third day of travle was miserably wet and cold, but otherwise uneventful. You had to wait two hours into camping for the rain to clear before you could start a fire to warm your bones and dry you clothes. You wake to take the last leg of your journey under perfectly clear skies, 73° and occasional breezes.
Your last day of long travel was pleasant, you set up camp knowing that the Trading post will be a short treck after you break camp. You all are excited to begin your adventures in ernest in the morning.
Emerald will make a point of preparing Endure Elements, beginning the second day (as the storms come in just before her dawn prayers).
She will prepare that and Magic Weapon.
The spell isn't necessary, but it makes the journey more comfortable. She will still be wet, but won't feel the chill.
Emerald is not all that comfortable roughing it; she grew up in the city of Grayhaven and had only the most basic military training in wilderness survival. Still, she doesn't complain, not wanting to look weak in front of her more rustic companions.
Ludivine becomes more light hearted as journey progresses. Her sense of urgency doesn't change much, she still presses for long travel days and short breaks during them. She seems to be unbothered by the changes in weather, showing no hint of wanting to slow down even for heavy rain.
But, she does begin to talk more, mostly about the things she's seeing along he way. Occasionally Ludivine will muse over whether or not she recognizes some location or prominent feature in the landscape.
She still says little about herself, and asks few personal questions of her travel companions. Despite her impersonal tendencies though, it's not hard to see she is more relaxed and at ease than she was before the trip began.
Sirinus is used to roughing it in the wild, but where he spent years in the dryer wilds of Numeria, he spent mere weeks in these lands before obtaining shelter and comfort. He does not like this wet weather and becomes grumbly and reclusive over their days of travel.
The worst of it is that, due to the rain, he doesn't feel comfortable having his spell book out! Sirinus constantly complains of this when they stop for camp.
The sooner we can settle these lands, or at least get some trading posts or outposts up, the better!
Hadin has no problem with the stormy weather, or the long walk. He seems at ease in the wilderness, occasionaly hunting small game for the companions meals, and trying to find safe spots to protect them from the worse of the weather
In his spare time, the young farmer is rarely seen without a piece of wood in his hands, or looking for a piece of wood. He explains he learnt the trade of a carpenter, even if he isn't exceptional at the job.
Actaeon spends most of his days scouting ahead, looking for signs of ambush and small game. He usually hugs the tree line, using it as cover from lurking eyes as well as weather.
As the days near their end, the young hunter looks for suitable camp spots using the boughs of trees and dead wood to build lean-tos for relatively dry sleeping. Actaeon keeps an eye on Ludivine mostly, making sure that she is eating, drinking water, and keeping as dry as possible. He reminds her to stay by the fire, in the light, to dry off and keep warm, as he notices her gaze drift into the darkened forest.
When Ludivine mentions recognized land features and landscapes, Actaeon wonders to himself how his sister knows this place. 'I don't think Ludi has been this far south before. What is happening to my sister?'
When not worrying and caring for his sister, Actaeon asks about his companions' homelands and discusses life on the farm. When he speaks of southwestern Rostland, any listener can tell that he has a love for the land.
One of the few times Ludivine shows displeasure on the journey is when Sirinus grouses about the area, bring up the desirability of settling and taming it.
"So typical of people" she snaps. "At the slightest discomfort, or disruption of their daily habits, all they can think to do is to remake a place to be just as wherever else before was. No thought at all to what kinds of harms they would do as long as they can have their way."
"Did it ever occur to you that you should be the one who changes, so you can find harmony with all that has existed here before you wandered along?"
Actaeon grimaces at his sister, 'This sickness has really changed her', he thinks to himself.
"Come now Ludi, we are all just tired from the long journey. We will be at the trading post soon. Then we can rest, gather some information, and come up with a plan to be rid of these bandits."
Actaeon looks up at his companions and attempts a smile. Trying to change the subject, he asks Sirinus, "Back at the tavern, you mentioned family. Care to tell us of your family and homeland?"
Although Actaeon was somewhat at odds with Emerald back at the tavern, he realizes that he is now part of a team. Over the days, he watches how she cares for her horse and respects the dedication it takes to connect with such a fine animal. One of the nights, while Emerald is tending her horse, Actaeon approaches, "A fine mount. Sturdy and well cared for. How long have you had him?"
During the journey, Actaeon seems to connect with Hadin. Sharing a background in farming, while also honing in on each others' techniques on hunting, tracking, trapping, and lean-to construction, Actaeon feels a connection. "My Da, well he's a beekeeper and collects the sweetest honey. How about you? You mentioned that your farm was farther north, I believe. What kind of crops grew best in the soil up there?"
Ludivine just shrugs in a pique at Actaeon's attempt to quiet her.
"I'm not tired."
"Did it ever occur to you that you should be the one who changes, so you can find harmony with all that has existed here before you wandered along?"
Emerald rolls her eyes, arches an eyebrow, and smugly says "No."
She rides on quietly, but thinks about how this land might take shape.
Although Actaeon was somewhat at odds with Emerald back at the tavern, he realizes that he is now part of a team. Over the days, he watches how she cares for her horse and respects the dedication it takes to connect with such a fine animal. One of the nights, while Emerald is tending her horse, Actaeon approaches, "A fine mount. Sturdy and well cared for. How long have you had him?"
"Two years now. His name is Ferric - 'like iron'. Iron is sacred to Torag, given its central role in the forge. The hammer, the anvil, and the fruits of the forge - all of iron. Iron is as important to Torag as it is to Gorum, and so it is fitting that they joined forces to forge the cage for the Rough Beast.
Likewise, while Torag is not the god of slaughter, he recognizes the need for strategy, and has some followers among the military. Not so many as Gorum, but some. And it is there in the military that I met Ferric.The cavalry offered at least some opportunity for advancement. There aren't so many ways for a highborn lady to prove her worth in her own right. This was one of them. Ferric and I make a good team."
She rides for a bit, almost biting her tongue, then measuring her words.
"Your sister does understand what this expedition is about, right?
The exploration component of the Charter is a prelude to settlement. At first, small farming villages like Erastil would favor, but even that will require draining swamps, clearing land, building roads, and making rivers navigable. The powers that be have a vested interest in improving this land. In building something.
This land will not be left wild. People will make their homes here."
Ludivine spits on the ground listening to Emerald talk.
"I think I now know why I feel those lands pulling me back to them after being away so long."
Sirinus chuckles. It isn't comfort, water makes the ink run in my spellbook. I'll manage.
We mostly had wheat, a couple of cows, some chickens, and a few apple trees. It wasn't big, but enough to live correctly, if you took care of the land and didn't mind to put in an honest day work.
Actaeon smiles and nods as he listens to Emerald’s religion and history lesson. ”Ferric surely fits such a fine steed.”
When Emerald brings up Ludivine, Actaeon frowns. He wants to confide in someone and tell them that his sister just does not seem right, but it does not quite seem the right time for that yet. The young hunter listens and considers what Emerald is saying, and while he may not like the final outcome completely, he realizes that she is right. ’I guess the farm was more wild before my grandfather settled the land. What she says makes sense.’
In a more whispered tone, he says to Emerald, ”Ludi will come around. We are both excited, and she has never really been far from the farm that I know of. All of this is probably just a bit overwhelming. “
Actaeon then frowns at Ludivine as she spits on the ground, ’Erastil. Please. I beg. May your bounty make my sister whole again.’
After leaving Emerald to tend to Ferric, Actaeon paces a bit. He eventually sits next to Ludivine and whispers to her, ”Ludi, what do you mean that you have been away for so long. Have you been here before?”
Your first journey is finally at an end. You come to a bend in the road on which stands at what looks to you to be an old fort with a wooden palisade 10-feet high at the corners are square watch tower 20-feet high.
The front gate stands open, as you approach and enter there is a young woman in the center of the yard. Her face lights up as if she was expecting you. She smiles and waves you in before speaking.
"Thank goodness you have arrived! Please take your mounts over there they will be fed and rubbed down. Please come sit, I have made stew and fresh bread. Restov sent word of your coming! We can't thank you enough for your help."
When the woman say we she glances up to the roof of the building, there a stern looking man is doing repairs. He soon stops and climbs down and comes toward you.
"Greetings, I am Oleg Leveton and this is my wife Svetlana."The mann states gruffly as if annoyed
It seems to all of you that the Leveton's seem to not only have been aware of your coming but expect you are here to help them with something. You were give no such orders or instructions from Restov.
Hadin thanks the couple for their welcoming kind words.
But.. we have done nothing yet. Do you need help with your roof? I guess it's something worse than some carpentry troubles, no?
Hadin: Your intuition tells you that these people are trustworthy and genuine with their plea
He eventually sits next to Ludivine and whispers to her, ”Ludi, what do you mean that you have been away for so long. Have you been here before?”
"I have old memories of some things here."
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Ludivine feels lighter and freer now that the journey is over. She approaches both Svetlana and Oleg greeting them each with words of thanks and an embrace.
She then moves on to slowly walking about the place, taking it all in. When she has walked the grounds of the trading post, Ludivine finds a ladder or stair up to the top of the watch tower closest to the forest so she can look out on it.
Emerald dismounts where directed and leans her lance against a nearby wall.
"Greetings, Svetlana. Greetings, Oleg. I am Emerald Garess.
Yes, I will have some stew and bread, thank you.
How can we be of service?"
She is more reserved than Ludivine - she doesn't go up and embrace these strangers - but still polite.
For the rest of the journey, Actaeon keeps an eye on Ludivine, showing worry on his face.
’Old memories? I do not think she has been here before. What is happening to my sister? Should I talk to Emerald about possession? She is a cleric. Would she have any experience with this? Could she help? I’ll have to keep an eye on Ludi for now. Keep her safe.’
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Actaeon smiles in relief when he sees the fort come into view. ”I think we’re here!” he states with youthful exuberance.
As they are greeted, Actaeon smiles at the sound of a nice home cooked meal. He studies Svetlana for a moment as she mentions her expectations, but quickly casts her words aside at the promise of food.
He nods to Oleg, then smiles at Svetlana, "After so many wet days of travel, a hot meal of stew and bread while sitting at a real table sounds like the perfect welcome."
Oleg tries to dodge Ludvine's embrace and ends up standing there with his arms at his sides blushing, making an unpleasant grumble when released.
Svetlana at first giggles at the interaction until she see Ludvine approach, she tries to hide her smile and accepts the hug awkwardly.
The couple look on confused as Ludvine walk away and to the South East Watch Tower.
"She 'lways like that?"Oleg mumbles still red in the face.
Ludvine looks out over the hills and planes directly surrounding the post, squinting to see the green tops of the trees of the vast wild Narlmarches a few hours treck away to the South East. What manner of beast and ruins lie within swrill in her mind.