Chief Defender Halgra of Trunau's page

Halgra looks around at all present, everyone that was anyone was there...Even Katreza was sitting in the wagon, with Sara and Agrit protecting her.

She begins to speak as Tyari comes forward with Rodericks Hopeknife, and the new Hopeknife he had made for Brynia. She takes them up to the flame and she can be seen atop the tower praying and annoiting heach knife with oil and sticking them in the fire.

Halgras voice echoes out of the upper quarters Citizens of Trunau, we have lost two of our own recently. Both through horrible mis direction and deceit. Meant to appear not as it was, but one as a coward and the other as a betrayer. Yet both have been proven to be heroes. Just as High Priestess Tyari re-consecrates their Hopeknives, We shall re-consecrate their spirits sending them on their way together, as they would have wanted, to to the afterlife. However you view that in your lifeview. I want you to remember them as they had last been at the festival, both in love, and both very much happy. Trustworthy Citizens of Trunau. Let us part company now as the sun sets and go back about our business knowing we will survive any threats coming on the horizon united as one people. Half Orc and Human, just as Brynia and Roderick were. Thank you for coming Citizens of Trunau.

Just then a horse came galloping up from the Inner Quarter yelling To Arms To Arms! Upon it was one of the Patrol Riders who had left yesterday morning and Jagrins unconscious body draped over the horses back..

The crowd started to panic and poeple were looking al around.

The rider jumped off and ran forward to Kurst and Halgra saying. We were ambushed last night, I barely escaped with The Patrol Leader. Hes near dead. I managed to sneak through the enemies lines. They are upon us We must mans the walls. Thousands of Orcs. Several Giants. and siege weapons. They have catapults.

Just then as if to punctuate the Riders words A whistling was heard coming from several directions. The East Tower between Lower Quarter and Inner Quarter exploded in a shower of masonry and stone. The white cross an obvious marker for a target.

Several Boulders slammed into other places within the city.

The Battle for Trunau had begun.

The Chief Defender paused only a split second before she ordered....
Omast call General Quarters. send the Militia to their posts. You go to Inner Quarter and Defend it with your life. She glanced at her son. Malcolm, you are now promoted to Lt. Take half the militia and go down to the Lower Quarter. Now!

Omast ran and Malcolm followed.

Kurst, Grab Omasts Patrol ad whatever riders you can, except Rory, and lead a cavalry charger out to try and destroy those catapults, and may Iomedae bless you!

Kurst sprinted to the stables followed by several patrol members.

Tyari, Send your Acolytes to man the designated places to provide healing to anyone needing it. Lessie, Take Jagrin to The Counting House and then send your Acolytes to the towers of the Upper Quarter. Silverman, to The Hopespring to protect the water source. Agrit, Sara to the Lower Quarter to provide guidance and Leadership. Merriman, take Ruby, Othden and Amelia into the Ivory Hall and protect them with your life.

Pausing for a breath, she looked at the party and said To you Im assigning the important tasks of getting Katreza to the counting House, safe and then light the beacons. There are three. By The Commons, By the inner Quarter and by the Hopespring. In the dark without light, The Orcs will have an advantage. With the bonfires lit, we can see! Hurry.

Then she said Kessen arm those farmers and ranchers if they arent already. Its their fight too. Ill be right there to take command of them ...Move People!

Yes of course. Well done. Im sure we will have great need of you all before this is over. Go. take care of what you need to and Ill see you tomorrow night at the funeral.

Yes Tyari. Yes. Please.

Well dont do that Agrit. Nor any of you others. she looked around the assemblage. Id rather everyone prepare your magics for battle. Let them come. We have repulsed attacks before. I am far more worried about infiltrators than I am about someone targeting buildings for assault or ranged attacks. How can we ferret out the enemy inside without causing the town to panic...that is the question. If we start a house to house search, they will start seeing the enemy in each other...especially if we talk of disguises. Fear is the enemy here. Suggestions?

Halgra Looked to the party and said, please tell us what you know

We bring this emergency meeting of the Council to order on this 5th Day of Lamashan, with the great possibility of war with an advancing orc Horde on the horizon we have with us special guests to speak on what they know.

For the record I, The Chief Defender of Trunau, Halgra is leading this meeting.

Halgra glances at Kurst, who shakes his head, and she says No It appears hes not easily found either. Things for you to look into. I have things I need to attend to and Im sure the investigation is in good hands. 40 years ago, id be in the same boat you are in now. Keep me posted and May The Swordmaiden guide you.

Jagrin left with his patrol before we found the body. We are trying to find Omast to ride out to replace Jagrin, but s far have not located him....as for Brinya, shes not in her room. beyond that we dont know.

Halgra looked at Rory, and said quietly Both wrists slashed. Bled out during the early morning. Body was found hopeknife in his hand, the blade obviously used for the cutting....Yes you can inspect the room. Gordon there was the guard who opened the door to his room. She pointed to a guard nearby.

I had the Guards move it here. We are taking it to Sanctuary. He was discovered about 20 minutes ago. I arrived about 10 minutes ago and sent for you as soon as I could find folks to get you. he deserves better than to lay in that bed waiting and having gawkers stare.

With that she glances and Guards get the horse moving taking the body to Sanctuary.

It didnt take long for the group to be gathered near Kurst after they got through the Throngs. First Rory road up on Thistle, then Ovril appeared coming through he front gate. finally Shel and Imara within a few seconds of Ovril

Kurst nodded thanking them for arriving quickly and Halgra came up beside him, her face set in stone with a sadness in her eyes that the group hadnt seen before.

Thank you all for coming as quick as you did. If You havent heard yet...Rodericks Dead. He was found in his bunk in Ramblehouse by a guard sent to fetch him when he didnt show for his shift. It looks like suicide. But why doesnt make sense. Katreza got you together, I have to think its for a reason...Im deputizing all of you to get to the bottom of this and either report suicide was the reason...or find out who and why and bring them to justice. You will report to Kurst, who will report to me. Do not share any reports of what you find with anyone else without consulting me first...is that clear?!

Halgra listens to Rydell, Rory and then Shel and glances at Silvermane who nods and then Tyari who shrugs.

I do not know what would be to gain by this, but yes. please do

Halgra nodded and sighed with resignation, sadness coming through her countenance then she looked at the group. What of you 5? Why were we brought here at your request?

She was interrupted by Halgra who said Thats enough Tyari. Silvermane is a friend of mine. Ill brook no insolence from the church towards him. Then her voice softened and she said What do you think my friend?

She stopped dead in her tracks and stared at the Paladin with eyes like flint. Do what you will Sir Calderon. I am protecting my town. We know based on what happned last time, we cannot expect Lastwall to aid us. There are far too many odd coincidences that are occurring for my liking. She looked at a hand and ticked off on her fingers. 1. Katreza's dream of a Giants Hammer crushing Trunau. 2. Katreza's falling ill. 3. These painted Swords that shine like a beacon in the night and can be seen from a mile away of the town. Ive given Omast orders to try and remove them tomorrow. 3. Omasts meeting with Raag Bloodtusk and his message to watch out, something big is coming. 4. The Goblinoids leaving The Barterstones. 5. Merchant Caravans saying a lot of local half orcs are buying weaponry and fortifying their dwellings. Make no doubt. something is coming and Trunau will be ready. I suggest you start stocking up on bandages. Assign Teams of healers and posts within the town. and You Sir Calderone should be ready to defend the temple. The Last time a horde came, The Lower Quarter fell. We held them at the Inner Quarter. Anyway. Lets go see what Rydell, Rory and their friends have to tell us. Halgra acknowledged Imara standing behind the group with a flicker of her eyes and a softening briefly and a slight nod of her head.

The entourage turned and headed for the temple

Halgra strode past the guards and she nodded at what they had accomplished so far she paused there for a second Good Job here Sasha. Lorin. Make these barricades so they can form a rectangle protecting from all sides. Make them so they can be slid from beside the wall to out here in front of the portcullis quickly. Good Job so far. Im sure Patrol leader Omast will be by tomorrow to check on them.

the two Militia guards nodded and said yes Ma'am.

Then the entourage continued, Imara fell in behind them.

Halgra laughs and beams saying Well chosen daughter

with a laugh Halgra says Ill allow it!!!! stop complaining Kurst and just get ready to pull

so with thistle an rory boosted the part is at +6 str vs +7str for the guards. . Ill roll initiative for the guards when everyone else is on the rope.

-ThistleRoryNNNNRuby---MMMXMMM---KurstGuardGuardGuardGuardRoderick-

Halgra looked at the assembled group Ruby had requested and sighed.

For this challenge, Rydell, Champion of Ruby, Ruby will join your assembled Team as the 6 of you face Roderick, Kurst, and 4 Guards across the mud pit. The First Team to pull the other team into the mud will be declared the winners of the festival.

-NNNNNN---MMMXMMM---KurstGuardGuardGuardGuardRoderick-

N=Name -=Rope M=Mud X=Center of Rope Copey and paste your positions

Guards have a +2 to their initiative roll. whoever has the highest initiative for the party will roll initiative each round of pulling. winner of initiative will gain a +2 to their rounds 'tug'. Guards have a cumulative strength bonus of +7 for their tug. party has a +3 without any 'cheating' Yes magic can be used. Yes any feats or skills/abilities/traits that you deem important can be used. each
for each 3 point difference of the opposed strength rolls for the team the x will move 1 point towards that team dragging the other team closer or into the mud. clear?

Now that your bellies are full, Thank you to the Temple of Iomedae for the food preparation and for Master of Stores Kessen for supplying the grub.; We will turn to the games. We have Horseshoe pits, Archery games, several races, A few Obstacle Courses, Darts, but what would a hope knife Ceremony be without The One being celebrated not choosing a champion for the day and him assembling the team of that persons cghoosing to represent them in the games and the grand tug of war against the Militia of the town....so in a second Ruby will call out her team and they will face off to Roderick, Kurst, and three Guardsmen in the tug of war. The winners will get tostay outof the firecely messy mud pit Jagrin created there she gestured to the games area where a 6 foot wide 8 foot long mud pit had been set up with a rope laying across it

Ruby call up your Champion and your team.

If the orcs come, and there is no other option, this is where you cut—here, here, and here.

Halgra demonstrates which arteries to sever while Ruby watches. When she is finished, Halgra sheathes the hopeknife and places the necklace
around Ruby’s neck before turning back to address the crowd.

Today, Ruby becomes a full member of our community! Let us welcome her, and celebrate her passage into adulthood! Trunau forever!

The crowd echoes Halgra’s last words in unison, signaling the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the festivities.

Jubilation fills the evening air in the normally staid town of Trunau, for it is the twelfth birthday of the Chief Defender’s youngest daughter, Ruby, and the townsfolk have been preparing all day for the ceremony and festivities to follow. A throng of spectators has amassed at the town Commons; the buzz of the crowd subsides as the weathered town leader, Halgra of the Blackened Blades, takes the stage and begins to speak.

Thank you all for joining us this night. I take immense pride in my responsibility as Chief Defender, especially when it comes to the honor of the hopeknife ceremony. It is always a great privilege to bequeath Trunauan youths their hopeknives as they come of age

Halgra stops speaking long enough to open an ornamental case and retrieve a slender, ornately decorated dagger hanging from a silver chain.

But tonight is a special occasion, for the recipient of this hopeknife is none other than my youngest daughter.

Once again, Halgra pauses, but this time she turns to talk to the child beside her.

Ruby, by the traditions of our town, you have come of age. This hopeknife represents your responsibilities as an adult and defender of Trunau. You must be willing to use it on yourself, your fellow
Trunauans, and your family—even me, should it come to that. It will be a far quicker death than that which the orcs will offer, and providing it is your duty. Do you swear to guard Trunau from all comers, and to use your hopeknife only for its intended purpose?

Outside the Ivory Hall

A soft but firm voice that brooked no nonsense sounded before the door open.

Ruby. Stop with the frivolities. Now is the time to decide your outfit for tomorrow. Once must always wear what will be taken the right way when one is presenting themselves to the public.

She paused seeing Amelia and Rydell. Hello Amelia She said in a softer friendlier voice. then a bit firmer but friendly Hello Rydell. Good to see you both. Im sorry to drag Ruby away from you both, but her duty as daughter to the Chief Defender must be attended to. she said with a wink tossed Rydell's way and they went back inside.