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"I can work on making explosives to crack rock but I can't help with the regular mining part. I worked with some miners once. I taught them to sing. A bunch of dwarves, seven of them actually. They had this teenage girl they had adopted. Nice fellas but they could not sing or whistle to save your life. Six months with them and those boys made me proud. They made it a constant practice to whistle while they worked."
Jaxom nods. "Right. Only here to mine the metal. Nobody is here permanent."
He turns to leave. "Alden? I'm heading back to get tools. And I think we should bring in some of Tymos's men. As long as they also accept that nobody is moving here permanent. Mines play out over time and then we leave. The land belongs to the Lady."
Alden nods in agreement with Jaxom’s statement. ”Are these terms agreeable to you, M’Lady?” he asks Tal.
Lars listened as the others discussed mineral rights and land ownership. These all made sense to him. That, and it was good to see Jaxom light up. It was clear that he had the heart of a craftsman. Lars respected that.
”So, I take it then that we will hold off on any more merging while we work the mines.” Lars said, half question and half statement. His voice deadpan, he added ”And I am sure whistling while they work will make the work go faster.”
"I don't know about faster but definitely more fun." Kevan responds with a grin.
The lady still wears that faint smile she often had around the group, and favors Alden with a soft nod.
As the group returns to town and looks to recruit aid they find many able hands willing to help them:
- Siegfried and Fogril agree to lead a small workforce with Tel Bey's permission. One or two of the detail assigned to the dwarves have mined before, but aren't particularly skilled.
- Norian volunteers his own magic to help bring the mined ore back.
- Tymos considers sending some guards with the party, but Tel Beys considers your group more than capable.
- Kevan and Varny make some minor explosives to aid in the mining.
Sadly the mining efforts don't go well. Which is an understatement. First, Kevan makes a point to brag about the explosives. Which promptly spooks the workers, as well as the two dwarves who had no idea he was capable of making such things.
Making a thicker wall at the smithy is discussed.
Then, when they start the mining the workers find the narrow shaft difficult to get people in and out of. Expanding it ends up taking up most of a week by itself. Then, they discover much of the timber had rotted and they have to bring more from the mill... then cut and fit the timbers.
Which also goes wrong somehow.
Then, because everything else wasn't bad enough, some of the ants are spotted in the distance. They end up not coming across the camp, but guards have to be set. Which takes up the parties time.
By the time the group gets back to town with a haul of their mythril... the lot of them are miserable, grumbling, and likely on each other's nerves.
”That wasn’t ideal.” Lars said, understating the situation. ”But not everything is. The ants seem to becoming and as such we don’t have time to stop if we want this ore. I think we should put our backs into this, and get what we can, while we can.”
By the end of the following month some of the workers asked to be swapped out midway. Those that remain curse that this mine is just that... cursed. Support beams crack and you suffer a minor cave in. No major injuries. From that. But then there are several other accidents as well. One man has a loadstone slip free of dirt in the wall and crush his foot. Another slips and has their leg double as a lever... that snaps. The quick progress expected is quickly lost, and while ants still don't push out their territory more are spotted on the horizon.
Over the next month, the residents of Passbog-Ostenso see that a wolf has taken to following Alden around. The paladin continues to help out where and whenever he can but, in between tasks, he can be seen working with the animal, training it to respond to various commands. If asked, he introduces the wolf as his friend, Harrier. More often than not, Alden seems to call the beast, Harry, instead.
The unfortunate results of the mithril mining operation has him concerned. He uses his lay on hands and channel energy abilities to treat the injured miners, and thanks the Stagfather that there have been no fatalities, thus far.
He is grateful to Milton, Jaxom and the other crafters for the creation of his magical sword, cloak, and haversack, and immediately incorporates them into his arms and equipment. He offers his nonmagical masterwork longsword to the Town Council, trusting them to either bestow it upon a worthy wielder, add it to the town armory, or gift it to the smithy to be melted down and made into farm implements.
If he has time, he pays a visit to Sarana at the Swan Lake. He recalls she had been shadowing him through the woods some time ago, and he promised that he would visit.
Alden has to be careful with his ferocious wolf, as the lack of pets in the community has him suffering from the combined love of every wide eyed child who can find the courage to approach. At the same time Milana, and surprisingly Tel Beys, do their utmost to spoil him rotten whenever the paladin isn't looking.
It is when he stops to visit Sarana that Alden discovers the odd shadowing that he had seen in the woods wasn't her. At least, not just her, as she seemed to have a new pair of sisters. Of course, introductions were cute short. Learning their names were Tricia and Mercia was about as far as he got before an image SLAMMED into his head.
Alden was overtaken with the image of a weather eye with a bow across the pupil. He saw briefly the majestic temple from one of the previous joinings, and then he saw men in shining armor, some of it plate, armed with pike and shield. Fervant priests stood behind them, shouting orders as they prepared for battle. A banner of Sarenrae was held amongst their formation, and yet old one eye was filling Alden with dread as fire started to rise. The heat of the flames were joined by the sounds of screaming and a formation of boots marching.
As he snaps from the vision he can see there is already a pair of multicolored lights joining in the sky before streaking to the ground.
The barrier of the shard to the northeast heaves and the smoky wall collapses downward and the shards streak down past where you know Norian's shop to be. Somewhere in the hill plains beyond.
[ooc]Where are you lot gathering?[/ooc[
"Sarana, could you please inform the Mistress of the Woods that we're about to have an army of zealots arriving in our territory? Tell her that Dead-Eye himself has sent me a vision of warning. I must return to town and gather the others." Alden gives a quick nod to the Swan Maiden and her new sisters, and hustles back to town. He heads in the general direction of the tavern, but grabs any of his companions he sees along the way, stressing that the need to gather everyone is urgent.
Jaxom banks the fires in the forge and closes it before heading along with Alden.
Noting a flash through the window, Kevan pops out of the lab and looks about. ”Wow, someone is joining us. This should be more interesting than mining.” As it is the normal gathering spot, Kevan heads to the tavern to see if anyone knows what’s up.
Lars nodded, solemnly. The trials and tribulations of the mining had been taxing, and part of him welcomed the change. However, a vision from Deadeye? That was not to be taken lightly. Hard earned experience told him that their community would once more need to be defended, and that was a call he could not turn from.
As Alden and the others arrive at the inn they find the village a chaotic rush. People gathering supplies and their families, many heading toward the lumber mill. Tell Beys was meeting with Milana, and she had a strained look on her face.
"This isn't good." she said grimly, "We received a message from Norian. Armed soldiers. The Cult of the Dawnflower. Tymos is with his men at the mill. Will you go and meet with him?"
Even as she speaks smoke rises in the distance. It seemed to be from the direction of the tailor's shop and the few farms near it.
As the group makes their way to the mill they see Tymos' soldiers there, as well as a few of the militia that had been trained over time. Eight professional soldiers, and a half dozen inexperienced combatants... though they had proper training and the smithy had seen everyone well equipped. Breastplates and chain mail shone in the sun and boots tramped the damp earth and collected mud on fresh leather.
The group was installing a hasty wooden cover up on the side of the mill where the ballista was. Both shielding it partially from view and assuring there were be some partial protection to the men operating it. Siegfried and another man the party wasn't familiar with were up there.
Tymos gives the faintest sign of relief as he spots the party, even going so far as to raise his hand in respect to Alden. "Good, we won't be short on people." he said, "The sorcerer didn't give us numbers, but if he ran they can't me minor." Coming their way over the plain and into town were a number of families, carrying supplies and keepsakes with them, and they were led by Norian and Bart.
The made sure the families were headed in the right direction and then joined the group. "Numbers." Tymos said sharply. Bart frowned but replied just as sharply. "Two dozen or more. Most in plate. They have clerics or something among them."
The Cult of the Dawnflower lost their divine connection with Sarenrae for their actions and were defeated long ago. If this is indeed the same cult they have either come back into power after the sharding, or have found newfound support from the goddess.
"Plate and clerics." Lars grumbled, as he handed out the potions he had prepared.
"Can anyone fill us in about this cult? These are obviously no mere bandits or crazed flagellants. That they can keep such gear serviceable is evident of an organized force."
"They look like the Cult of the Dawnflower," Alden says, his voice tinged with concern. "They were though to have been eradicated thousands of years ago. Has the sharding of the world sparked their resurgence?"
He looks to the others. "If it is so, Dead-Eye's warning was well-warranted. The Cult of the Dawnflower were stripped of Sarenrae's patronage by the goddess herself, and its members were cast down by the faithful of her church. They were known to be extremely militant, and in a like sentiment with the true Sarenites, consider followers of Asmodeus to be their most mortal enemies, second only to the disciples of the Rough Beast." He looks to Tymos and his retinue of soldiers. "Assuming they don't immediately attack us on sight, we will be in a charged and precarious position throughout any negotiations we can manage. Nevertheless, we must meet our new neighbors, and do our best to find common ground with them."
Jaxom adjusts his hand wraps then straps his axe-gauntlet on as well. "Religious fanatics aren't exactly known for their negotiation skills. Maybe Norian could start the 'discussion' with a couple of lightning bolts? Plate armor should conduct electrical attacks well."
"Hopefully they keep close ranks. I would hate to waste my bombs on individuals." Kevan says not thinking the negotiations would go well. "If they were abandoned by Saranrae, how do they have clerics?"
”I don’t know, and it’s troubling,” Alden replies. ”Sarenrae is not known as a whimsical or capricious deity. On the contrary, she has an ordered and principled nature by all accounts. Why she would restore power to a faction she previously despised makes no sense to me. I suppose we are going to learn the truth soon enough.”
Milton responds to the questions about clerics with "My guess would be she isn't giving them the power, someone else is. But who knows she could have changed her mind."
He then looks at Norian "Did you get a chance to hit them with anything? If so, what and how did it work?"
"Any thoughts on tactics?" Alden asks the group. "If we move to intercept them, we stand a good chance of keeping the conflict as far away from the community as possible. However, this first group of soldiers could be a ruse, designed to draw us out, so that another force can flank us, and capture the town while it is undefended. Perhaps the only thing that might save us in that regard is if they are foolish enough to try and ambush us through the forest. Lady Tal will most likely not appreciate such an intrusion."
"Pity we don't have a druid or something like that could scout as a tiny bird...."
”And I wish that I had a palace made out of gold.” Lars said, dryly. ”And yet we have neither.” After a moment he said ”We can’t be everywhere at once. But we’d best parlay with them, see if they will part peacefully. And if they don’t, we can’t hope that they do disturb the lands of our draconic ally.”
"I've always heard the defense is strongest. Plus, if they delay I could go scout them out this evening. I could try during the day but I can pretty much guarantee they won't see me coming at night." Kevan offers.
"I only cast spells to aid in gathering everyone and fleeing." Norian explained to Milton, "Bart noticed them in time, but it was a hurry to escape."
Tymos snorted at that. "Would have been a better deterrent throwing some fire or lightning." he said harshly even as his men formed up before him. Norian gave the man a scornful look in return. "I am a TAILOR." he insisted, but both Tymos and Bart rolled their eyes in exasperation.
There was a shout from the ballista atop the mill, Siegfried waving down and pointing. In the distance, with the smoke of the fires behind them marched the coming group. Metal armor gleamed though they were still in the distance. Pointed spears rose as well as a pair of banners.
"We don't have the lurxury of hit and run tactics." Tymos growled, "They'll march right through the village." His voice rose into a bark as he added an order, "Form... up!"
The eight soldiers under his command split into two squads, and a pair of the militia joined each. The volunteers wielded tower shields, standing before the group. The remaining two were armed with crossbows, and though they weren't professionals it was hardly a weapon requiring one.
As the men formed ranks and the dwarves readied the ballista Tel Beys finally arrived, wearing a shining breastplate and wielding a spear and heavy metal shield. Her limp was all but gone, or at least she was doing a good job at pretending.
"Norian, Bart... go to the lumber mill." she said, "In case we fail." The sorcerer quickly did as she asked, and the monk reluctantly followed. "You want to talk, I assume?" she said curtly to Alden.
The figures in the distance marched closer.
"I can talk to them if you want. Otherwise, I'm going to go hide and look for a good moment to remove someone's liver and or an opportunity to blow something up." Kevan says to Alden.
Jaxom smiles at Kevan. "Sounds like a great idea. Except that there's no cover between us and them. I'm not short enough to hide in grass...."
"If you can get there, wait for the ballista shots, then target their casters."
"I will stand out in the open, and hope they are willing to parley with us," Ethan replies to Kevan, absently patting Harrier. "You are welcome to stand with us, if you wish, but I do not doubt that anyone standing in the open will draw the ire of any hostile spell casters, archers, or artillery."