|
Myths tell that the Valley of the Ancients is the ancestral
home of all dragons, the first creatures to walk the face of the
earth, and the site of the attack by the mysterious Markrabs
in the wars of prehistory. Often shrouded in fog, the Valley
seems to exude a feeling of foreboding to more sensitive
souls. Tales tell that around the steep walls of this valley are
numerous caverns which contain the ancient ruins of thousands
of dragon weirs and many dragon cities of connected
caverns. Only rangers and lone hunters venture here as
much of the land is reputed to be poisoned. The vast Glow
Worm Steppes have gained their name from the rumors of
enormous worms that glow with a strange phosphorescence
and can be seen winding their way across the flat plain at
night.
Many different races inhabit this region; the dominant
being mixed blood humans of no particular strain. The
strange men of Tarsh, the very rare and ancient humans
known as the Tenifell Lords and the Rangers of Tarsh,
seem to have a mysterious past and perhaps hold ancient
power. Many Common Avalonians and true Avalonians
can be found here. While they are not a warlike race
overall, they have led some incursions into this region
Lepas is a human town of about 700 folk with small numbers of elves( 48)dwarves(29) halflings(26) and gnomes(31) also resident. Its major product is... furniture..beds and tables made from Ebony wood from the local forests..it sells well, some of it going as far as the city of Tarsh some 80 miles away(which is a huge distance in the monster infested Wilderlands)
The town is ruled by a elven wizard who is currently fortifying his tower with a perimeter wall. As part of that effort he has put out a call for adventurers to patrol the local area up to 10 miles out from town...you are on a pitiful retainer of 5 gp a week plus board at the local inn but you do have full plunder rights from anything you might have to kill in pursuance of your duties
The wizard, an elf named Zuny Rygard has dispatched you to patrol the escarpment to the north of the village towards the dwarven citadel of Zarast some 15 miles to the north,north east as he believes the dwarves have designs on his lands.
Dawn ... and our first real job since accepting employment in this borderlands town. Avinar is already waiting, at least I know I can rely on his competency with a blade. Carefully I adjust my pack and look for my companions while sniffing the air and listening to the bird calls. It looks to be a fine day, at least.
There are supposed to be half-a-dozen of us on this simple mission, I wonder who the others will be? I have met a few, humans for the most part. Odd that Zuny Rygard did not establish who, exactly, was in charge of our group ... perhaps he intends to see who distinguishes themselves, or who rises naturally to the occasion? Or perhaps it will be obvious ...
I wait by the gate to see who approaches ...
OOC:
Sasha is happy to finally have some gainful employment.
OOC: A young human male with a shock of dishevelled dark blonde hair wearing no armour but carrying a large sword saunters up to Eltariel and flashes a shy smile at her.
Are you on patrol duty too? Charmed.
Tristan approaches the town gate from the outside. Arriving after the gates closed for the night, he slept under a tree a short ways up the road. "What was the name of this town again? Leepa...lepers...Ah, yes Lepas, widely famed for its fine ebony furniture. Perhaps I should buy a stool while I am here and put an end to sitting on pointy rocks for breakfast." Stretching, Tristan yawns and rubs the sore spot on his backside. "Yes a stool is in order, I think."
Tristan bumps into a small elven woman who seems to be standing around inside the gate. "Oh, excuse me ma'am." he says in elvish, "I wasn't looking where I was going. Please forgive me."
Tristan notices the other man standing there and nods a greeting to him. "Would either of you know," he asks in common "Where you could buy a good stool around here?"
OOC:
"Are you on patrol duty too? Charmed."
I smile slightly up at the tall, gauche young human. Children can be so endearing ...
"I am," I reply softly. "But if you and I are on the same detail, good sir, you will need more than that ... we are not to return until tomorrow, and I am in no mood to share my blanket," I add archly in a dry, slightly droll tone.
"Oh, excuse me ma'am." he says in elvish, "I wasn't looking where I was going. Please forgive me."
"You are forgiven," I smile as I reply in the same language. "But please have a care where you tread. I have heard the goblins of the wildlands are much less charitable if you bump into them."
"Would either of you know," he asks in common "Where you could buy a good stool around here?"
I switch to common for the sakes of the other man.
"I arrived only yesterday with my friend - I do not know the village well at all," I reply. I place my hand over my heart and incline my head slightly. "I am Eltariel Elessande, of the house of the Lily Flower and the school of the Shining Emerald," I introduce myself formally.
"To whom do I have the honour of speaking?" I enquire.
"To whom do I have the honour of speaking?" I enquire.
"Lady Eltariel, the honor is mine." responds Tristan. "I am Tristan of the Hamlet of Redbough, a minstrel and storyteller, at your service." He gives a low stage-actor's bow with a flourish. "And you good sir?" he asks of the other man.
|
|
For Tristan
The weather this morning is dry but heavy clouds are building up over the mountains to the north and a chill wind is blowing even though it is Summer. People are beginning to rise and go about their daily business. A work gang is assembling to commence the days work on the new fortifications.
"Are you on patrol duty too? Charmed."I smile slightly up at the tall, gauche young human. Children can be so endearing ...
"I am," I reply softly. "But if you and I are on the same detail, good sir, you will need more than that ... we are not to return until tomorrow, and I am in no mood to share my blanket," I add archly in a dry, slightly droll tone.
Sasha is slightly taken aback, then breaks out in a broad smile. "Oh no, madam, I would never be so presumptuous. Not unless you change your mind, of course."
"And you good sir?" he asks of the other man.
"My name is Sasha Svanteson. I am a wanderer lik yourself, and was recruited for this duty on account of my magical talent. I have the ability to... adjust reality slightly. And always for the better", he adds with a smile.
"Lady Eltariel, the honor is mine. I am Tristan of the Hamlet of Redbough, a minstrel and storyteller, at your service."
"A pleasure to meet you, Tristan," how humanly quaint ...
"My name is Sasha Svanteson. I am a wanderer lik yourself, and was recruited for this duty on account of my magical talent. I have the ability to... adjust reality slightly. And always for the better".
"Magical Talent?" my curiosity piques, "how do you do that?" I ask, "what means do you use? I'd be interested in seeing your talent demonstrated, if we have the chance. I studied the arts myself, although a, er, misunderstanding with my teachers has caused a sabbatical in my studies," I cough slightly, a little embarrassed to blurt it out.
OOC:
"Magical Talent?" my curiosity piques, "how do you do that?" I ask, "what means do you use? I'd be interested in seeing your talent demonstrated, if we have the chance. I studied the arts myself, although a, er, misunderstanding with my teachers has caused a sabbatical in my studies," I cough slightly, a little embarrassed to blurt it out.
OOC:
OOC: Yeah, sure. Just having trouble with the messageboards.
"I'm not quite sure myself", I answer with a shrug and a smile. "I call it soul magic. Watch." I stretch out my palm and a flickering blue flame appears in it. I move my other hand through it. "It doesn't hurt you if your soul is pure. In fact, it's rather comforting and often makes me feel better." I suddenly turn grave for a moment. "But it can hurt people terribly too. [pause] I don't want to talk about it. I was young and foolish then."
"I've learned to harness my power in some more ways, like putting people to sleep when they wish you harm, or to harden the very air to protect myself. Or you, should you wish me to. But that's hardly interesting. Wizards do that all the time."
"So tell me," Tristan inquires "What is this duty that you refer to that requires such impressive magical talent, such fine weapons.." he indicates the weapons carried by the other two, "..and standing around inside the town gate?" he adds with a good natured grin.
Avinar strides up to the group dressed in fine tailored garb. "Lady Eltariel its good to see you are making friends". Avinar tries to hide what may appear as a twinge of jelousy with a cocky smirk. "I see things are starting to move forward for this patrol we signed up for, how many more are we still waiting for". Avinar stands beside Eltariel as to prevent the two humans from getting too close. A platinumn pendant is hanging from Avinar's neck it is a pair of elegant dryads brandishing blades entwined within one another, a symbol of his devotion to an elven school of fencing.
I watch with fascination, as he shows me the gleaming fire. {}
"I've learned to harness my power in some more ways, like putting people to sleep when they wish you harm, or to harden the very air to protect myself. Or you, should you wish me to. But that's hardly interesting. Wizards do that all the time."
"That is true, but wizards have to study for years to learn such spells," I reply thoughtfully. "When you do them, do you have to speak words or make gestures?"
I'm distracted by Tristan's question:
"So tell me, what is this duty that you refer to that requires such impressive magical talent, such fine weapons and standing around inside the town gate?"
"A simple patrol to ensure the surrounding land is safe," I shrug easily, "not something that is guaranteed in these lands."
"Lady Eltariel its good to see you are making friends I see things are starting to move forward for this patrol we signed up for, how many more are we still waiting for".
"You should try it some time, Avinar, you may find it enjoyable," I turn to tease my old friend with a smile. "Avinar, these are Alexander Svanteson who will join us on patrol, and Tristan of Redbough who is not assigned such onerous duties, it would seem. Gentlemen, this is Avinar Selintiel. We wait for two more, Avinar."
"I have all the friends I need my Lady, after all I have you" Avinar teases back. "A pleasure to meet the both of you gentlemen". Avinar bows with aucotourement and grace. "I am looking forward to some adventure, this settlement has quickly lost some of its...well...its charm".
"That is true, but wizards have to study for years to learn such spells," I reply thoughtfully. "When you do them, do you have to speak words or make gestures?"
"Yes, I do. For now, I need that to stay focused. But one day maybe I shall be able to do it purely with my mind."
To Avinar, with a broad smile:
"Welcome, er... comrade in arms. I trust we will have a swell time of it." I stretch out my hand to Avinar in greeting, then think better of it.
You can hear the shing-shing of a mail shirt down the road a few seconds before a half-elf makes her appearance, coming over a hill. She wears a peculiar light pink headscarf, which ends by draping itself over her left shoulder, and her dark features place her from Not Around Here. He has a two-handed sword slung over her back, another, smaller blade at her waist, and a band of javelins at the ready. Her shield is painted green with a word in Elvish script in the center, enscribed in brass letters.
(For those who read Elvish:)
She looks around the group, a little warily, until she sees Avinar and relaxes a little. "G-g-g-*" (sigh, try again) "G-good day, h-h-heart-of-a-hero." Her voice, once it gets going, is accented, but melodious, with a range of over an octave.
(For Avinar:)
"Yes, I do. For now, I need that to stay focused. But one day maybe I shall be able to do it purely with my mind."
"Ah, so you are a kind of sorcerer?" I realise with a smile.
"G-g-g-*" (sigh, try again) "G-good day, h-h-heart-of-a-hero."
I smile at the woman who approaches us ... she was at least partly of the blood, I could see, and she knew Avinar ... I wait for him to introduce us, she seems interesting.
"Ah, so you are a kind of sorcerer?" I realise with a smile."Hey, you say potato..." I shrug and smile.
"Welcome all. We seem to be shaping up to quite the merry bunch. Tristan, why don't you join us? And you other fine folk will have to bear with me, not being good with languages and all that. But I hope that we'll get along just fine. As I always say, a stranger's just a friend you haven't met."
"A simple patrol to ensure the surrounding land is safe," I shrug easily, "not something that is guaranteed in these lands."
"Ah, planning on bumping into some goblins in the wildlands, perhaps?"
"Welcome all. We seem to be shaping up to quite the merry bunch. Tristan, why don't you join us?"
"Well, I suppose a patrol through the golbin-infested wilderness sounds rather exciting." says Tristan. "So all of you are employed by the wizard, what was his name? Runny Zunars or somesuch?"
"Hello, Gashelle. I hope today finds you well." Avinar gestures towards the assembled group, "Everyone this is Gashelle, Gashelle, this, well, this is everyone.".
Survival=17.
For Gashelle
It is obvious to the trained eye that Avinar does not dolt over Gashelle like he does with the lady Eltariel
"Hello, Gashelle. I hope today finds you well. Everyone this is Gashelle, Gashelle, this, well, this is everyone.".
"Gashelle Smith?" I exclaim, "I am Eltariel Elessand - we have corresponded," I smile brightly at the woman ... I was unaware that Avinar knew her, that she was also a dedicant of the sword ... or that she stuttered. I turn to the minstrel.
"Tristan, it would be a pleasure for you to join us I am sure, but I believe we still await one more ... if they do not show, you may take their place by all means."
"Gashelle Smith?" I exclaim, "I am Eltariel Elessand - we have corresponded."
"And so I h- h- have the honor of m- meeting you in person, Your L- Ladyship." Gashelle bows in the custom of the elves of her homeland, and it comes off as a bit too formal here.
(Indeed, while "Your Ladyship" is technically correct*, it's also something Eltariel wouldn't expect to hear unless addressed by a herald.)
"So all of you are employed by the wizard, what was his name? Runny Zunars or somesuch?"
"Zuny Rygard," Gashelle laughs as she corrects the man. "And I wouldn't n- necessarily say 'employed.' But over the years, I've found that it's usualy g- good p- policy to follow any suggestions the M- M-* (inhale) Mage of Lepas throws one's way."
Survival = d20+2 : [13,2] = (15)
*
"And so I h- h- have the honor of m- meeting you in person, Your L- Ladyship."
Returning her bow I laugh.
"Just Eltariel will do - in truth I am not sure I can still be called 'Your Ladyship' since my, ah, disagreement with my family."
"So all of you are employed by the wizard, what was his name? Runny Zunars or somesuch?"
"Zuny Rygard," Gashelle laughs as she corrects the man. "And I wouldn't n- necessarily say 'employed.' But over the years, I've found that it's usualy g- good p- policy to follow any suggestions the M- M-* (inhale) Mage of Lepas throws one's way."
Her stutter comes and goes with her confidence ... and I decide I like her.
"He's an odd one," I agree, "but his gold is a welcome bonus. Gentlefolk, the weather threatens and we must give thought to departure. Our last man can catch up with us if he expects to get paid, I'm not minded to wait any longer."
I tug up the hood of my cloak and speak briefly to the gate guard.
I explain our plan to the gate guard and to the party:
"Friends, this weather will likely hold for most of the day, but it will worsen after noon. We should press hard while we can, and find shelter later. Everyone should gather some firewood early on while it is still somewhat dry and keep it under our cloaks. When we stop and shelter we'll make a fire to help us dry off and warm up. If the weather should clear later we can press on, if not we can stay under cover. If that means we have to stay out another day on patrol, so be it."
After all, if no-one else is in charge, somebody has to make decisions and I seem to be one of the best qualified to do so ...
"If our last member should show, tell them we could not delay but have pressed ahead. We will stop after noon so he can catch up," I tell the gate guard. And if he gets a soaking, that's his own fault.
With a creaking groan the settlement gates open ...
Gashelle wishes the Morning Guard a good day and follows.
"North-north-east, then? Or j- just a general patrol around the t- town today?"
Tristan looks from the town the group of departing adventurers and back. Well, I guess stool shopping will have to wait for another day! he thinks. "Anyway the town will still be making furniture when we return, but who knows what tales of adventure would be lost if I let them wonder off without me!"
Tristan, pulls the hood of his traveling cloak up to keep the rain out of his face and makes sure his lute stays dry within its folds. "Well?" he looks to his new companions, "Shall we be off then?" Tristan strolls back out the gate he had entered just a few minutes ago.
With a creaking groan the settlement gates open ...
Avinar pulls the cloak hood over his head to keep dry and ventures out slightly ahead of the others.
"North-north-east, then? Or j- just a general patrol around the t- town today?"
"North, then east," I declare firmly, hiking steadily along with the rest. "The weather will get easier to deal with once we can get under trees, so let's push along the trail as fast as we can."
With a nod, Gashelle assumes a "Hustle" pace, for at least the first hour.
She grins at Avinar, "Does the heart of a h- hero have the lungs to k- keep up?"
|
|
Whilst Lepas has a nominalpopulation of 700 a goodly proportion of its folk ihhabit farms outside the village pallisades so the first two miles or so is through fertile if not overly productive farmland interspersed with more wild areas of bracken and gorse which increase in number as you get further from the village.
The land is easily traversed but not quickly so as a number of peat bogs force you to detour on your route to the river bank. This means it is nearly two hours before you reach it.The river is maybe 40 meters wide You see a small group of wild horses drinking on the other side, the herd stallion watching you warily as his mares drink.
The land is easily traversed but not quickly so as a number of peat bogs force you to detour on your route to the river bank. This means it is nearly two hours before you reach it.The river is maybe 40 meters wide. You see a small group of wild horses drinking on the other side, the herd stallion watching you warily as his mares drink.
Gashelle stops to catch her breath. She gestures towards the horses and says, "Ashwagandha." It's directed toward the horses, but she doesn't expect them to hear it, much less understand.
Wellard, or anyone who understands Kajak:
I look out at the horses ... they are too far to influence, but their demeanour tells me there is unlikely anything hostile nearby on their side.
"Here we turn east," I consult the crude map I have. I let my senses orient me. I know which way I'm facing.
"We need to bear along the river, then north and eastwards to reach the escarpment." I squint up at the sky. "I suggest that we stay close to the forest rather than the river, I think the weather will turn worse in a few hours."
To Eltariel and Gashelle in Elven
To Tristan
"Can you play that thing (pointing at the lute), maybe a tune that would lift my spirits". Avinar looks at the map and agrees we make our turn.
Sasha draws his cloak tighter around him. His useless sword bumping against his shins, he pulls up the hood and wonders whether this was such a good idea after all.
To Tristan, between clenched teeth:
"Yeah, friend, I could do with some lifting of the spirit right now. I couldn't ask you to bring out your instrument in this squall, but maybe you could sing something for us? Something heroic?"
Not for the first time I wish I had prepared the magic that would make this wind and rain feel like a breeze and a fine mist ... when we get to the trees I'll have to get us under shelter, get the fire started and hopefully we can dry up a little.
To Tristan
"Can you play that thing (pointing at the lute), maybe a tune that would lift my spirits". Avinar looks at the map and agrees we make our turn.
Tristan smiles, "Oh I play a bit. But I am afraid this rain won't do the strings any good. Once we get under some cover I will be glad to play." After a bit he asks Avinar, "So why don't you like the rain? I rather like it myself. Of course, I like it better when I am watching the storm from inside next to a cozy fire!"
To Tristan, between clenched teeth:
"Yeah, friend, I could do with some lifting of the spirit right now. I couldn't ask you to bring out your instrument in this squall, but maybe you could sing something for us? Something heroic?"
"Hmm. Well all of my best songs are written for the lute." He ponders for a moment, "However, I do know this wonderful story that should brighten everyones mood. This is the story of Bear Brown and the Honey Plot. You see Bear Brown was a bear of unusal intellect and cunning with a sweet tooth that put all other bears to shame! story continues on for a good half hour...blah, blah, blah ;)
"Lets just say I prefer a sunny day, the wetness soaks me to the bone and the skies are dull and grey, I figure my mood just matches them, maybe that storm rolling in will perk me up, in all honesty, I prefer to be in comfortable settings". Avinar pulls his cloak tight and moves closer to the group to leetch off some body heat.
Assuming we reach the forest without mishap ...
The green trees loom over us, transforming the rain into a less frequent but equally soaking rain of fat, heavy drops falling from the leaves above. Finding a few low, leafy branches I quickly intertwine them into a better rain shield, and soon we have an area we can stand and stay dry in.
Clearing a patch of earth I stack up our firewood and raise my hand, reaching out to touch the heart of the element of fire and with a swift gesture cast it into the wood which sputters and catches.
"There," I hold my hands out to the growing blaze. "We can watch the border from here without turning into drowned rats until the worst of this clears." I start stacking wet wood around the fire to dry it out. "In the worst case, we can shelter here tonight."
|
|
Beech, oak, elm, and maple dominate the woodlands, mixed liberally with northern pines and birches.
Eltariels woven branches suffice to keep the rain off the fire and to shelter you enough to allow you some respite from the storm
Two hours or so pass as the wind and rain sweep across the country side and then...the storm is gone... as swiftly as it came.
A watery late afternoon sunlight replaces the storm clouds..
I look out at the afternoon sunshine and smile brightly, drinking in the warm rays.
"Well that's an improvement, let's see if we can make the escarpment by sundown," I start gathering up the dried firewood and set about quenching our fire and unweaving the boughs.
"Goodman Tristan, have you any t- tales about d- dwarves?"
"Yes, let's hear them!"
Sasha has taken an immediate liking to Tristan. Maybe this trip isn't going to be so bad after all.