Darnail Sunsworn.'s page

four days later...

A bit bemused from the past evening's "encounter" Darnail will regard the town ahead.

"I suppose it does justice to it's name. Yet i admit i hoped for something ...more...grand."

He will nudge his horse into a canter, approaching the outskirts, but will also sweep the area with his eyes looking for anything distinctive, or out of place.

our pbp here has really slowed to a crawl.

Darnail will stare out into the darkness, hoping his low light vision will let him see whatever is out there due to the presence of the campfire. He will see Lance moving to wake others, so will cautiously ready a light spell to be cast in the direction of the sound should something rush in, hoping to perhaps blind whatever while illuminating as well.

summarizing then. Watch 1: Slice/Hamzen, Watch 2: Cael/Germon/Barret, Watch 3: Lance/Darnail. She can rest for the night unless folks wish to make her stand a watch also.

The night passes uneventfully and in the morning you are pleased to see that much progress has been made on getting everyone going. After breakfast you all group together and head out south along the road. The road weaves around and through rocky hills for a while before moving to lowlands and marshes as you near the end of the first day south. You are making good time and suspect that you have another half day before you reach Lower Scumsgrove. You all find a dry patch of ground beside the road that looks to be a good place to set up camp. Let me know what everyone's plans are including watches and such.

"Lower Scumsgrove. This sounds like an in demand tourist location. I'll take that mostly dry spot over there i think."

Darnail will setup his bedroll.

"Three watches should suffice? We should also make use of a campfire. I'll take...third watch i suppose, so i can greet the dawn. Pair up for the other watches and keep your eyes peeled. Night is the time the enemy would be most active if they are in a position to attempt something against us."

Keeping his belongings close by Darnail will turn in for the evening, unless someone else speaks up on a topic or plan that he would participate in.

yeah, that sounds good to me.

Darnail will turn from the address once the villagers begin their preparations.

"We should get what rest we can now, and leave come daybreak to make the best time possible. Meet up outside the Inn come dawn everyone?"

Having said that, Darnail will track down the Elder who said they would provide horses, (4 would be perfect) and then make his way to the village Inn to get a room.

what time of day is it now?

"Does anyone have anything they want to add. I tried to go along with what you all wanted but if I left anything out please feel free to pipe in."

"That was a fair enough summary, we'll simply address any questions they bring to us."

"I will not be traveling a day back to search and spend a second day to return to this point at the earliest, when passing word to Saragost as soon as possible is my goal. To be blunt, i think that window has closed option wise. If you wish to do so, as i said before, best of luck to you."

Darnail will shrug slightly.

Darnail will nod at Elder Evelyn's words.

"Much as i planned to do as well. The offer of horses is much appreciated. We have three, so could use up to four more. Might i also request that you pen a missive stating that you are evacuating as well, to lend further weight to the letters from the other town?"

Finished with his plate, Darnail will mentally calculate time. Would we be able to travel further tonight after the town meeting? Would we be looking at staying here for the night?

"How long until we can have the villagers assembled and give them the news? Time is of the essence."

respect your elders would be a great line to have whipped around, then they'd have to respect ME! i'm older then alla them! hahaha!*cough*

"In reasonable doses onion broth can be quite tasty. Nevertheless we shall attend and answer whatever is asked. We need to be on our way soon however. Also, might the village spare two horses? we do not have enough for our whole party so cannot pass the word as fast as we would like."

Darnail will give a bow of his head to the three elders that have been so reasonable.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

with the letters that makes a 20.

So? What's all this about?

"Gentlemen and Lady, this is the situation as we know it..."

Darnail will explain to them the discoveries in the mine, the upcoming invasion, the evacuation of the other town as well as the immediate danger of the ankhegs and the poisoned bolts found in them.

"..all of which concludes with evacuating the town as soon as possible as the necessity for your people's survival. These papers are notarized by theother mayor, to show his knowledge and acceptance of the facts of the situation."

(i really don't wanna keep typing those details out every second page =p )

"That said, how long until your people can be on the move?"

Aware he's dropped a literary bomb on the elders, he will give them a few moments to process the information , talk among themselves, and ask any questions they might have while he waits quietly and patiently.

[elven]"My parents? They are a lesser House. Mercantile nobility which makes them both above their place and not good enough depending on whom you are dealing with. I had more then a few misadventures due to that amusing detail. Still they have made the most of their chosen path, and live it to the fullest."[/elven]

"Slice, i hear your words, and agree with some while not with others. Sheriff Apple would likely have not been able to deal with the ankhegs without our being there. She is probably one of the most competent warriors in this village for her to have that position. Other villages may be under the same threat.

I did not see any place that screamed defensible or ambush worthy in the terrain we passed through to get here, but i do not have the best eye for those things as well. Still, i highly doubt that the locals here would be able to pull off any real slowing action that throwing their lives away would be worth it. I don't think anyone who stays behind will make it back.

The last time we followed the take it to them mindset, we got a small child killed. I'll not see the same mistake again and offer my wisdom against such. After meeting with the elders here i Will ride on, though if you choose to stay i wish you and the others the best."

Darnail will take another drink and though he does not have a large appetite, eat the plate of food he ordered knowing that the future may change at anytime.

Darnail just FYI Shallenoi is the ancestral elven homeland. Xoth Sarandi is their stronghold as far as diplomacy and trade but Shallenoi is the true magical power and backing for Xoth Sarandi, so much so that non-elves aren't even allowed in Shallenoi except by special invitation of the Elven High Council.

right right, i mispoke there location wise. my bad.

"I have indeed. My Recital and Light-Blessing were in fact done at the temple there."

"You have the air of a student. Were you perhaps aiming to become a Researcher? If so, what was your focus of study?"

Darnail will listen to everyone in turn, nodding.

"Alright. It seems we are in agreement here then. We'll present our case to the elders when they arrive. Let's get a meal while we are here as well."

Darnail will order a small meal for himself, since there was no telling what tomorrow would bring.

"Saradel, are you from Xoth Sarandi, or one of the smaller communities on the mainlands?"

Darnail for his part will seem completely surprised and will watch speechlessly as cael and germon rant and take their leave.

"I must be getting old" He will say afterwards.

"I always thought discussing something involved listening to others."

"It seems that i was mistaken."

He will look very sad for a moment, but that will vanish.

"Very well. Slice, Saradel, and Havlem. Do any of you have anything you would like to contribute? I have a few things to say myself, but unlike a certain pair, do not mind listening to companions or discussing things."

Darnail will place one of the bloody crossbow bolts on the table.

"In point of fact. The presence of the beasts here, after we raced through the night to arrive tells us something we did NOT know beforehand.

We are not racing ahead of them to warn the villages and formulate a defense. THEY are already here ahead of US. They will not have scouts arriving, they have them already in place.

We can now realize we are at a huge disadvantage. They may have more then one surface access point for this. Logistically it would be a sound strategy. They are harrying the village to keep them occupied so the troops can be upon them before they can even react. They may have spies or infiltrators inside the populace itself. Setting a trap or skirmishing would run the risk of traitors, or encountering troops in coming from a direction we assumed would be safe and is not.

I truly fear that every village we do not spread word to and evacuate will be destroyed to the man, or captured and put into slavery.

We come from different backgrounds, and are gathered here for some still unknown purpose. Yet here we need to make a decision. We need to choose our course. If you would try to evacuate the locals to saragost, and save lives that way, i ask that you follow me in this. If you feel otherwise, like germon and cael, then i humbly suggest you go after them and assist them to the best of your ability.

I won't hold your decisions against you in any way, so please, choose. We are too fractured, squabbling among ourselves. My kind tends to stay out of affairs involving the other races, but this is something i cannot do here. I will be putting my knowledge and wisdom to the task of dealing with this invasion.

You may choose to heed it or not as your own choice. Lance, based on what you already said, i hope you will come with me on this course."

Wow! That's a lot of text to read through. Too sunny and beautiful in FL today to sit inside. I'll try to read and get caught up tomorrow.

it's ... almost midnight down there right now, how much sun can there be!?! hehe

"Thank you Miss Apple. We look forward to your return with the others."

Darnail will take a seat at the table, sip his ale, and regard his companions, intent on his own thoughts. After a long moment, he sets his mug down looking pointedly at Lance, Germon, and Cael in turn.

"I believe it would behoove us to clear a few things up and be done with them, so as not to emasculate our goals by bickering in front of others or not appearing to have a united front."

He will make a gesture to the whole table.

"Any or all of you are welcome to comment."

"I keep hearing: we should talk to them, they can't be really bad. We should evacuate. We shouldn't evacuate. We should attack them first. We should set traps for them. They can't deal with us if we fight them at noon under a bright sun. Citys are prisons and to be avoided at all costs."

"Really, i am truly at a loss at some of these, but let's discuss these matters, shall we?"

Darnail will steeple his fingers together.

Apple looks stunned for a moment before gathering herself and saying Are you sure? Never mind of course you are, no one in their right mind would make up something like that and the lot of you can't ALL be crazy. We need to bring this before an emergency meeting of the council. I will give my opinion but ultimately it will be up to the council. It might take some convincing to get people to believe enough to leave their homes behind and head south. That is where you mean us to go right? Saragost?

"Indeed. That would seem to be the most defensible place on this island, from all reports we have heard. This 'council meeting' should happen sooner than later Miss Apple, is there anything we can do to expedite matters? We can speak more on the way into town."

Hell, it looks like Darnail said all that needs to be said.

Cut, print! that's a wrap!(say it often enough, you boil it down the the important bits ;) )

At this point another horse comes galloping up the road. As it gets closer you see it is not a horse but a dog the size of a horse not really just really big, about Barrett sized carrying a pretty female child with long brown hair, wearing leather armor and carrying a bow and longsword strapped to her back. Again as she gets closer you see she is not a child but in fact a halfling! Ren?!? What in the blazes happened here? She takes in the ankheg corpses and all of you standing there one of you covered in gore.

Ren speaks up and says Damned creatures done burst up right from under the potatoes Apple! If it twerent for these brave souls me and mine'd be dun fer.

Apple looks over to you all and says You have my sincerest thanks good sirs and lady. I am Apple Merrywind, Sheriff of Lichgate. She gives a low bow from the back of her riding dog.

Darnail will nod at Lance, acknowledging his suggestion with the turn of events.

"Apple? Sheriff you say? That is fortuitous. I am Darnail Sunsworn, and we bring word of an invasion from below the earth."

He will show a hand holding several quarrels pulled from the carcasses.

"Drow and Duergar march on your lands. Your people must evacuate to Saragost if they wish to survive."

Darnail will chuckle for a moment.

"Cael, Germon, and myself can, lad. Come here. Brith's Light bless you and warm your soul."

CLW on Hamzan.

1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Followed by a channel to effect all 3 of us who were breathed on.

1d6 ⇒ 3

"Interesting, and not so far fetched to be unbelievable. It would seem that They won't simply march and invade, they will weaken resistance in advance. This could be worse then we expected."

Hearing Lance's words, Darnail will nod in consent and murmur Detect Magic, scanning the peasants as well as our two most recent newcomers: Saradel and Hamzam.

"It is good that you are unhurt, but there is no telling if more of those creatures could appear. You all should gather your important belongings and make ready to travel. Saragost's walls will protect you. There is more then a pair of large bugs coming this way.

Darnail will examine the 2 carcasses, noting the quarrels.

"This is unexpected." He will murmur to himself.

Turning he will call to the peasants.

"You there! Can you tell us what happened here? Also, are any of you injured?"

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

me, really? blah.

Round2 (if/when it gets to me.)

Darnail will examine the fleeing group as they move past him.

"Is anyone hurt? Is there anyone else left behind also? Speak up please!"

Round1: Darnail would move to O, -11 in a double move, calling to the fleeing peasants.

"Get behind us, we'll deal with those creatures!"

Drawing his blade as he moves.

imimrtl wrote:

You will arrive in the town of Lichgate around 5pm assuming you dont run into any Imperial! entanglements.

Darnail will be much refreshed come morning, smiling more and looking a bit brighter.

"A new dawn is always refreshing." He muses. "The start of a new day, with unlimited potential."

Turning to the group...

"We still need to make haste, yet with the addition of..Hamzan, i believe it was? We no longer can even double up to make use of the horses. Instead we should simply rotate who is riding to help all stay refreshed. I humbly suggest however that Saradel ride the whole time, as a matter of courtesy."

Assuming no qualms with that, and that lickgate is reached without incident...

"Aye, we should indeed seek out the mayor. Also perhaps procure up to five more horses if at all possible. Perhaps trade that sword if you won't be using it Lance? Regardless, the mayor should be the first priority."

Drifting off to sleep again, Darnail makes a mental note to have a chat with the young lady at a near future time.

"Interesting. It seems that we could be able to get help at future times. Perhaps when the current 'hurdle' is accomplished."

Darnail will nod at the newcomer, relaxing his grip on his blade after seeing the birthsign.

"Take a place by the fire, tomorrow will be a long day of travel. We race ahead to a town down this road, to bring warning of an invasion from below the earth and to evacuate the populace to the capital."

Stretching back out on his bedroll, he will nod once again and then close his eyes.

"Darnail Sunsworn, Servant of Brith. Good eve to you."

Darnail will keep himself quiet for most of the ride and the setting up of camp, though he will reply when spoken too. His attention is focused on mulling over what he knows and has learned since arriving here and making sense of what he can for himself. He will give the elven lass several considering looks over the night, but none that last over long.

Finally, he will look around the campsite and smile as if to himself.

"Roughing it. How quaint."

Should the Rabbit reach him in offering, he would take a small amount and thank Germon for it, while suggesting that everyone partake of some, even if it is a small amount.

Barring someone chatting him up specifically, after the meal he will prepare his bedroll and stretch out upon it, listening to everyone but drifting off to sleep at some point.

"Three horses with seven of us going ahead is more then "some" of us doubling up Father. Thank you for your assistance. "

Darnail will stand gracefully and look at the others.

"we should be going. The swiftist moving of our group should stay on foot while the rest of us double up."

Darnail will glance appraisingly at everyone.

"If Germon will be riding with ..Saradel, then as the next lightest i will ride with Cael, leaving Slice and Lance while Logarth keeps pace afoot. Let's be off."

i'm not sure if cael or logarth actually have fast movement, so if cael does and logarth does not, then they can swap, but that's what i've got plan-wise.

Darnail's eyes will flicker open and he'll give Germon a considering look.

Without his armor on, Darnail seems very comfortable, sitting cross-legged on the ground and clad in slightly-rumpled but finely made silks of white and gold.

"A thoughtful and reasonable request. I can look at the blade while you get yourself fed if you wish, if you are alright leaving it with me."

Speaking loud enough for those close by to hear him.

"If we are not able to get mounts within the hour, we should depart at that time i humbly suggest. Come sunrise i will still have to perform my observances to Brith and any ground we can cover before then would be a boon."

"it seems we have a short breather before things move apace." Darnail will say aloud, more musing to himself than anyone in particular.

Darnail will look around and take in the actions of everyone else. He will then remove his armor, and pack it away. Once his gear is gathered for travel, he will sit crosslegged against the wall of the closest building and close his eyes, resting as best he can before the traveling ahead. He will greet anyone who comes near him, however, and reply to conversation.

It's been 11 days since his last post anywhere. Something had to have happened. I am going to put up a recruitment thread to see if I can get someone in. If he comes back that's fine we will just have another party member. If not then his replacement will be in place.

his last post indicated some RL bad things going on. I'd like to keep his spot open for him if at all possible unless he says he's dropping, but am also ok with seeking another addition as well based on the above reasoning.

Ahh man! Now I want a monkey!

We named the monkey, Jack.

Darnail will blink in surprise, obviously not expecting this. Regardless he will return her a slight bow and a brief smile as etiquette is important.

"The Tump you say? Standing Stones and constellations also? It sounds indeed like you may be tied in with things as well. If my companions do not object, i think it would behoove you to travel with us as we move ahead to spread the warnings to the neighboring places en route to Saragost."

"Father, are there any horses the town could spare to speed our steps? If not we should make haste on our own. Also, if you would, make sure Mother Bailey does not fall behind. She is a bit bristly, but that is not to be held against her."

"Lance? As a seasoned captain, i trust your judgement, could you acquire enough provisions for the group of us.."

Here Darnail will give the young lady another look before turning his attention back.

"For the group of us plus one extra to make the journey on this map to Saragost? I have some coin if your funds are depleted at the moment. What say you all friends? Anything else come to mind needing done before we set off?"

Darnail is looking tired from the long series of events today, but seems more than willing to shoulder on.

somehow i missed germon handing the papers over in his post, sorry man! consider my reference to getting them from you redacted!

Diplomacy roll.
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Darnail will give the young lady an intent, considering look as he becomes aware of her, but will stand tall and straight to address the mayor while speaking loud enough for any others to hear as well.

"Good Sir. My apologies to trouble you and the other townsfolk here. As you may or may not know, while looking for the two missing children we discovered the body of a saragosian tax collector down in the mine. His throat had been cut and it was obviously a result of foul play. The owner of this mill and his three friends had tried to bully us away from the mine itself, saying both that they had searched it already, and that there was nothing to find inside."

"This behavior being contradictory to what was found cast a light of suspicion upon them. After consulting with the Father here, we came to this mill to ask questions if possible, or find more information. Inside, we found a chest with the symbol of saragost on it and a shattered lock, the final proof of this crime."

"Realising their number was up, the four of them had set boobytraps and tried to waylay several of my companions when we split up to bring the final proof to everyone's attention."

Darnail will pause here, and give the Mayor a pained look with sympathy.

I understand that you have a blood tie to one of these men. I am sorry for your loss, just as i am also sorry for the loss of their lives. There has been enough death already, yet more looms on the horizon like a dark cloud. At your convenience you may examine both the tax collector's body at the town cemetery, and the tax chest in the care of the Father at the church."

"All of this pales however, with the news you have already tried to casually brush off. Your town itself is in Danger. At the very bottom of the mine, something has tunneled up and reached the surface. There is a large cavern that can and will be used for the staged deployment of an Army. We have seen this with our own eyes. We have written proof that this is going to happen."

Darnail will stride over to Germon and retrieve the papers found below (assuming he doesn't resist) and thrust them into the mayor's face.

"You all are in danger. Everyone nearby is in danger. You need to gather your belongings and begin travelling to a place of safety or you Will be wiped out. Do not let pride or stubborness cost any more lives then it has already, i beg of you."

"Concerning the dark folk. As Lance points out, you don't casually organize an army, or undertake major excavation if unexpected words will change things. I believe that no matter what we say, they Will come. Our actions should focus on convincing these townsfolk of their danger, and moving them to safety. Passing a warning on to other communities in the region, and whatever settlement or location would be the most defensable. I also can't shake the feeling that time is more critical then we'd believe. Our arrival here coincides strangely with this incursion. I can't help but suspect there is a connection. It has been...generations of your people since the last incursion from the underdark. It was not a good time for any involved."

It's fine man, we were just getting the characters up to date on events here, not beating the horse. poor horse.

Darnail will glance back at everyone and back at the approaching villagers. Ah, Light blast it all, he thinks then unslings the wrapped sword.

"Cael, Slice, Logarth, Germon. This is the sword of Starkweather John. Lance and I found it just a minute before the mill exploded. Pass it around yourselves and see if it reacts to any of you. Take it out of the wrappings and sheath if you must. I'll deal with this....angry mob."

Having said that, Darnail will pass the bundle to the closest of the four of them, straighten up and square his shoulders, and take several steps away from the group to meet(head off) the arriving villagers. He will stand turned slightly enough so that he can keep the others in his field of vision in case any of them handling the blade get a visible reaction.

Darnail will adress the first arrivals with an outstretched hand indicating stop, and a tired tone in his voice.

"At ease, good sirs. There is no longer a danger here."

i am assuming the mill is isolated and will not turn into some city engulfing inferno. if that does seem to be a danger, please amend my calm statement into frantically running around like a chicken with no head and throwing create water everywhere.

He's dead Cael. Lance's shot was enough to put him down.

"Take it easy, Slice. Rest now, we almost lost you."

Darnail will eye the approaching townsfolk, trying to pick out in advance anyone of note among them.

Darnail will listen to Logarth's recap.

"Alright. Thank you."

Turning his head, he will call out to Lance.

"Lance, would you and Germon assist me by bringing out the bodies still inside? I'd like to get this all hashed out with the local sin one go. There's nothing to hide here."

If you all wanted to search them when you did so, i wouldn't stop you.

That being said, Darnail will make slice comfortable until he wakes up, and then drag over the fleeing man Lance put down and arrange him at rest. He will do so with any others brought out as well but will turn to the townsfolk when they arrive.

Are you guys doing anything else or just waiting for the villagers to get there?

i was technically waiting for answers to my questions so i knew where we stand.

"The townsfolk will arrive shortly. Is there anything we should know before we speak with them about what happened here?"

Darnail's concern for the other's safety will be mollified a bit after seeing the worst of the injuries treated. While catching his breath he will shake Slice lightly to wake him now that he is passed the worst.

"What happened here?"

Darnail will ask of both Logarth and Germon, as he goes to one knee beside Slice and casts his last curative spell into him.

CLW 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Looking around at everyone else's injuries, he will then call upon Brith and channel energy.

Channel 1d6 ⇒ 5

Germon you are able to stabilize Slice and keep him from dying. Lance, Darnail, and Cael you see one of the group of four that you saw earlier running from the mill. You can probably catch him if you want to try.

Darnail doesn't. He wants to get to the mill itself and find the others. Plus being last to arrive he won't have anything to effect the guy from a long distance anyways.

"Light's Blessing, i can't leave any of them alone for even a minute!"

Breathing heavily, Darnail will push onwards towards the windmill knowing that inside that he is already to late to effect what is going on but hoping that they will hold on until he finally arrives.