Prelude: The General's Request
Last Oathday, Rova. The Travelers Stop Inn, Andoran
The Travelers Stop Inn is situated next to the main trade route running along Arthfell Forest. Painted in bright, cheerful colours, the sturdy two-story inn stands so close to the nearby forest that it is shaded by the towering canopy of the trees behind it. A large red sign above the door reads "Travelers Stop Inn" in golden letters.
A stable stands next to the main building, with several hitching posts located outside it. A few farm wagons sit in the yard near the stable, their owners busy securing them for the evening. The sun is just beginning to set over the land.
Anuk-Itan:
Having been imprisoned in Oregent for some time, your captors recently offered you a deal for your freedom in exchange for performing a task for the Andoran military. After agreeing to the deal, two soldiers dressed in common clothing led you out of the prison and escorted you several miles north, close to the dark and looming Arthfell Forest. As you travelled, they told you only a little more about the rest of the deal - that it was a man named 'General Dakovya' who had secured your release, but not the details of what he wanted. The soldiers accompanied you to the Travelers Stop Inn and informed you that the general would be waiting to meet you inside.
Felicia:
When you arrived at one of the soldier camps a few days ago, one of the Andoran captains approached you to give you a message that had been left with the camp. He didn't know the details of what the wax-sealed message contained, but passed the parchment on to you.
The message read:
To Felicia
My soldiers have told me about the help you have given them on several occasions - you have my thanks for assisting them when they have needed it. You have shown yourself to be a skilled individual - I have a request to make of you that I hope you will accept, for the good of all of Andoran. Please meet me at dusk on the last Oathday in Rova in the Travelers Stop Inn on the trade route near Arthfell Forest to learn more. This is highly confidential - tell no-one.
Gen. Dakovya
Figgin:
One of the men you assisted against the worg attack, Captain Hollin, approached you several days ago with a wax-sealed message. All he knew about the message was that it came from higher up within the Andoran military, and that he had been ordered to deliver it to you as soon as he could.
The message read:
To Figgin Brower,
It has been brought to my attention that you recently helped some of our soldiers against a potentially deadly attack. You have my deepest thanks and gratitude for your actions.
You have proven yourself to be of great skill - I would have another request to make of you, one that this time would help to save the whole of Andoran. Please meet me in the Travelers Stop Inn near Arthfell at dusk on the last Oathday in Rova to learn more. This is highly confidential - tell no-one.
Gen. Dakovya
Meadow:
Your military contact, Capt. Conris, approached you with the offer of a new mission several days ago, one that came from higher up within the military this time. While he didn't know the details himself, he passed on a wax-sealed message to you.
The message read:
To Meadow
Your skills and successes in working for Andoran has been highly commended to me - you have my deepest thanks for your past services. I would like to offer you a new mission that could use somebody with your abilities - one that would help to save the whole of Andoran. Please meet me at dusk on the last Oathday in Rova in the Travelers Stop Inn on the trade route near Arthfell Forest to learn more. This is highly confidential - tell no-one.
Gen. Dakovya
Merrick:
Recently, a wax-sealed letter was delivered to you by a young man in military livery. He told you that he had been asked to deliver the message to you as quickly as he could, but he did not know the details of the letter's contents - only that it had come from higher up in the Andoran military.
The message read:
To Merrick
Thank you for the help you have given Andoran previously - you have my deepest thanks and gratitude. You have shown yourself to be a man of high skills - I have a request to you that I hope you will accept, for the good of all of Andoran. Please meet me at dusk on the last Oathday in Rova in the Travelers Stop Inn on the trade route near Arthfell Forest to learn more. This is highly confidential - tell no-one.
Gen. Dakovya
Thrane:
Recently, a wax-sealed letter was delivered to you by a young woman in military livery. She informed you that she had been asked to bring an urgent message to you that had been sent from higher up within the Andoran military.
The message read:
To Thrane
I know that much has been asked of you previously in the tensions between our country and Cheliax. However, I have a request that I hope you will at least hear out - there is an important mission for the country that requires people of your skill and calibre, and is one that you may be interested in. Please meet me at dusk on the last Oathday of Rova in the Travelers Stop Inn on the trade route near Arthfell Forest to learn more. This is highly confidential - tell no-one.
Gen. Dakovya
Meadow arrives at the Inn a little while before dusk. The half elven woman is dressed conservatively, in a peasant blouse, long skirt, and boots. She slips inside, moves to the bar, orders some wine, and sits down at a table to observe the room.
Happy to enjoy some time breathing fresh air Anuk seems genuinely sad to have to enter a Tavern. "So I have a general to thank for my release" Anuk nods to the two gentleman "Its been nice sharing this day with you, I will fulfill my end of the bargain". Anuk enters the Tavern and lets his eyes adjust, he makes sure to keep the hood of his cloak on his head to help hide his features, unfortunatley seeing a hulking figure enter the Tavern and fill the door way Anuk does not make the subtle entrance he had hoped. Anuk looks around hoping to spot an obvious man who looks to be a general.
Figgin Brower enter The Travelers Stop Inn on the heels of Anuk-Itan and the ranger can't help but take pause at the sight of the huge man in front of him.
"Pardon me big guy."
With a bemused shake of his long brown curls, Figgin darts around the massive stranger and makes his way toward the bar. The brown and white hawk on the halfling's shoulder sits placidly as he leans a composite longbow (almost as tall as he is) against the bar, then hops up onto a stool and orders a tankard of cheap ale. As he waits to be served, his hand idly drifts into the pocket of his dark green cloak where he finds the letter he received. His brown eyes dart around the room as he waits for this General Dakovya to show himself.
Anuk lifts his arm and lets the littler fellow pass "uh...no problem." Anuk watches the fellow spring to the bar, Anuk enjoys the free spirited individual and momentarily entertains the thought of joining him at the bar..."Another time maybe, I am here on buisness Anuk mutters under his breath...Probably would not want to drink with a freak like me anyway" Anuk-Itan sulks
About 5 minutes after Anuk Felicia enters the tavern She'll head to the bar and ask for some water whilst keeping an eye out for the general.
After Merrik got the letter, he thinks about that time again, after the assault of Clendwick, a small farming town in Andoran, where he took the lead of the town, to get rid of the kobolds raiding it.
The problem hasn't been the monsters themself, for even the townsfolk could easily kill those, but the sheer number of them.
Luckily, the men of Gen. Dakovya came just as the kobold where about to run over the last line of defense.
Suddenly surrounded and greatly outnumbered, and meeting a real threat, the kobolds quickly retreated.
Merrik has not been able to rescue the town from destruction. But at least he was able to save most of the townsfolk, which made the losses more bearable.
Thinking of that time gets Merrik in a strange moot. He is happy for saving the people, but sad that they had to abandon their town.
He was glad, that the people found homes with their families and friends in the nearby surroundings, but angry that most of the kobolds could escape.
Then it came to his mind that he could not change the past, but make it better in the future, which lead him back to the present time. He looks over the letter again, then grabs some of his belongings and heads to the Traveller Stop In just at dusk.
Looking over the assembled crowd, he searches for the General.
As he notices, that he has not arrived yet, he heads to the bar, ordering some water.
Anuk finds a dark corner to sit in preferably an out of the way spot, if a waitress aproaches, he will order a bottle of wine, if asked if he wants glass, he replies, the bottle alone will do... He drinks from the bottle as he watches the Inn room.
The inside of the inn is pleasantly warm and cosy, and the hum of conversation can be heard from the busy taproom. In the taproom, tables are dotted around while a fire crackles in the large hearth. A few charcoal braziers provide additional warmth from the cool of the autumn evening.
A bald, rather ruddy faced man wearing an apron works away behind the bar, chatting with customers jovially as they order their drinks. Several young girls rush from table to table, carrying platters of food and drink. From time to time, the door to the room swings open and another one or two customers enter.
Most of the patrons here tonight appear to be either farmers or traders, gathering in groups to eat, drink, dice and chat. There does not appear to be anyone garbed in military uniform here - either the general has not yet arrived or is dressed plainly.
Got a 9 on the perception check
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1668338/
Felicia looks around the room but seems more interested in her glass of water than anything else.
Perception (looking around the room) (1d20+2=3)
After Merrik got his water and chatted some words with the bartender, he turns around, looking closer at the gathered people.
Meadow's leaning back not really looking around all the hard as she enjoys her wine.
I rolled poorly!. 1d20+1=5
The crisp dry flavor from the deep red wine sharpens Anuk's senses, whether it is the darkvision that allows him to access all the corners of the inn or just that his senses are heightend after spending some days in a dank dungeon, Anuk scans the room looking for his potential benefactor. Hius eyes do however linger a little too long on a very pretty elf before continuing his scan
Anuk-Itan
As you look around, a man passes nearby to your table. You notice that he is wearing a signet ring with a stylised bird on it - perhaps an eagle. You think you've seen this symbol before - the letter that arrived at the prison signing your release had a seal with a similar design on it.
The man is dressed simply in travelling clothes and is wearing a long cloak. His hair is short and dark and he has a slender moustache. As you watch, he catches the attention of one of the serving girls and speaks with her for a minute or two before moving over to an empty table in one of the less-occupied areas of the room.
Not usually being the subtle type, Anuk lumbers towards the man and tosses the letter on the table. "I guess I owe you the thanks of getting some fresh air, it gets me to thinking now, what I owe you in return? Anuk places the half drunk wine bottle on the table and takes a seat weather offered or not, he is a sight to see, standing at nearly 7 feet tall and wearing a hooded cloak that obviously does a poor attempt at hiding an enormous barral chested frame. "Mind if I join you" Anuk states rather than askes... He lifts his bottle to his pursed lips, takes a swig and then offers it to the gentleman before him. He casts a sideways glance to the pretty elf maiden but quickly remembers he has a snowball's chance in hell of getting her fancy. So...what now...?
Meadow, for her part, can't help but notice the way the huge half orc keeps checking her out, it is rather hard to miss that.
When his attention goes to another person - a man in fact - Meadow watches. She's half expecting a fight to break out, so she slides her chair back to make it easier to rise if she needs to.
Merrik watches the tall, hooded one (Anuk-Itan) as well, looking under his manners, trying to get to know what he is up to.
Figgin tosses his head back, empties the weak liquid that passes for ale from his tankard, and wipes the foam from his mouth with a curly-haired back of his hand.
As his sharp brown eyes survey the common room of The Travelers Stop, Figgin rapidly dismisses the common folk about their common business. Farmers still with dung on their boots, mostly. Where's somebody who stands out? There! The way that mustached fellow carries himself, he's no merchant's guard or shopkeeper. And what's that ring on his finger? Have I seen that bird before?
Figgin continues to look on as the gigantic fellow in the hooded cloak approaches the man he noticed. He turns back to the bar and tries to listen in on the conversation between the two without being noticed.
Figgin:
You will have also noticed the eagle signet ring on the moustached gentleman's hand, and it is indeed one you will recognise from the letter that was sent to you by the general.
You will also be able to easily overhear the conversation between the large hooded person and the moustached man.
As Anuk-Itan approaches the man's table, the gentleman glances up at him for a moment before his eyes move to the letter. He picks up the letter and opens it, as if he is briefly checking the contents. Seeming satisfied, he places the letter down again before looking back to the half-orc.
"Ah, you must be Anuk-Itan. Please, take a seat. There are a few others who I hope will also be involved - once they have joined us I will explain what is going on in full."
Meanwhile, one of the serving girls approaches Merrick, carrying a tray full of drinks in one hand.
"Excuse me, sir? Uhm, the gentleman over there asked if you'd like to join him. He said you'd know why."
She gestures over to the table where the moustached man is.
Anuk waits fidgiting every now and then looking like a giant child who is impatient and nervous about what is to come, he taps his fingers on the thick oak table quickly reakizing it i smaking a lot of noise embarassed, Anuk sheepishly retreats his hand to his lap. " um ya sorry about the noise"
All right then, time to make my entrance.
After hearing the man's words to Anuk-Itan (and spotting the ring he wears), Figgin realizes that this is the man who has summoned him to this inn. He hops down off of his stool, and saunters over to the table where the pair are sitting.
Without a word, the halfling scoots a chair back with his foot, then hops up onto the seat. Razor remains unruffled despite all the movement. Figgin tosses the letter he had received down onto the table, and gives a matter-of-fact nod. "Yep, I'm Figgin Brower. I think you're expecting me."
Figgin gives Anuk-Itan a quick grin. "Nice to see you again, there."
Meanwhile, one of the serving girls approaches Merrick, carrying a tray full of drinks in one hand.
"Excuse me, sir? Uhm, the gentleman over there asked if you'd like to join him. He said you'd know why."
She gestures over to the table where the moustached man is.
He hops down off of his stool, and saunters over to the table where the pair are sitting.
Without a word, the halfling scoots a chair back with his foot, then hops up onto the seat. Razor remains unruffled despite all the movement. Figgin tosses the letter he had received down onto the table, and gives a matter-of-fact nod.
"Thanks." Merrik replies to the serving girl, looking over to the table he already had in sight, then noticing the halfling approaching it as well.
This will be interessting...Seeing the letters on the table, Merrik reaches into his coat, pulling out his letter, placing it on the table next to the others.
While taking a seat he speaks: "My name is Merrik Orbrandir, servant of Iomedae. It seems we all have gathered for the same reason."
Seeing the letters on the table, Merrik reaches into his coat, pulling out his letter, placing it on the table next to the others.
While taking a seat he speaks: "My name is Merrik Orbrandir, servant of Iomedae. It seems we all have gathered for the same reason."
"Indeed," says Figgin, with a nod of greeting for the paladin. "And I'm most interested in hearing what that reason is."
Seeing a group gathering at one of the tables Felicia goes for a closer look.
Perception check = 12
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1673039/
Anuk looks down to the free-spirited halfling who darted past him when he arrived "Good day to you name's Anuk and I too wonder why we are assembled Looking square at the other individual and offering a hand, names Anuk-Itan, seems like we will be buisness associates".
As Figgin makes his appearance, the gentleman turns his attention to the halfling before giving his letter a quick glance over. "Ah, yes. Indeed, I was. Please, sit down - I will explain all shortly."
Moments later, Merrick arrives at the table. The gentleman nods to the paladin as he sits down. "Good to meet you Merrick. There are a few more to arrive yet." He pauses, looking around the room for a few moments. "There are two more in the room that I can see - the serving girl should be asking them over soon. But there still appears to be one more missing.."
Felicia:
You will be able to catch some snatches of the conversation, as the other halfling says something about 'expecting me', the newly-arrived human mentions 'Iomedae' and the hulking figure mentions 'associates'. The moustached gentleman seems to be talking about other people. Parts of the conversation are drowned out by the occasional roar of drunken laughter from a table further down the room.
Meanwhile, the same serving girl that approached Merrick now moves over to Meadow, carrying a slightly emptier tray.
"Can I get you anything else, miss?" the girl asks the half-elf.
"There are two more in the room that I can see - the serving girl should be asking them over soon. But there still appears to be one more missing.."
Before the lovely Half-elf can answer, the door knocks open and an odd-looking Elf, hard-seeming and brawny for his slight stature. His hair is tied back in a shock of dark gold and the tip of one of his pointed-ears is gone, an old wound that lends more harshness to his appearance.
He makes a swift sweep of the room with his purple eyes and notices a gathering at a table. His eyes are drawn by the broad shoulders of on of the party there. He ticks off the others in the room in a breath before coming in and approaching the bar.
Taking the assumption that this has something to do with the task she was contacted about Felicia will approach the table
Meanwhile, the same serving girl that approached Merrick now moves over to Meadow, carrying a slightly emptier tray.
"Can I get you anything else, miss?" the girl asks the half-elf.
Meadow smiles to the girl. "Yes, do you know whom that gentleman is?" she asks, pointing to the man the other patrons seem to be assembling around.
Moments later, Merrick arrives at the table. The gentleman nods to the paladin as he sits down. "Good to meet you Merrick. There are a few more to arrive yet." He pauses, looking around the room for a few moments. "There are two more in the room that I can see - the serving girl should be asking them over soon. But there still appears to be one more missing.."
"Ah, General! I did not recognise you without your uniform. I'm glad to see you again." Merrik replies, then taking the offered hand of Anuk-Itan.
After that the paladin reaches over to the halfling, offering his hand to him as well, expecting get an introduction.
Anuk's face goes white and a look of pure panic and absolute terror shows, "Um..General..I sure hope this is no forced conscription, I am not very used to routine and a military structure. Anuk's hand falls limp as the Paladin shakes it and Anuk fights the urge to faint.
Thrane:
Your heightened hearing allows you to make out the conversation going on at the table where the three men are sitting. Two of the men, including the large hulking one, will refer to the other as 'general' at one point.
As you enter, you see a small female halfling also approach the table.
The man will look at Merrick and then nods faintly before speaking quietly. "For what I am about to ask, it is best that we don't stand out too much. This inn sees its fair share of unusual travellers, but I felt a uniform may attract undue attention."
He then looks at Anuk-Itan curiously for a moment. "No, I am not forcing anything. This is a request - one that I sincerely hope you will accept, for all our good, but a request nonetheless." The man then notices Felicia approach the table.
"Ah, hello - Felicia, isn't it?" the man asks the halfling. "I had asked the serving girl to invite you over, but it seems you have found us first. Please - sit."
The serving girl that Meadow is speaking to glances over in the direction that the half-elf is pointing. "Well, I was about to say to you, that he asked me to ask you if you'd like to join him. Said you'd know what it was about. I don't know him myself though, miss."
The man will look at Merrick and then nods faintly before speaking quietly. "For what I am about to ask, it is best that we don't stand out too much. This inn sees its fair share of unusual travellers, but I felt a uniform may attract undue attention."
He then looks at Anuk-Itan curiously for a moment. "No, I am not forcing anything. This is a request - one that I sincerely hope you will accept, for all our good, but a request nonetheless."
"I am sorry if I spoilt your cover then." Merrik apologies, lowering his voice as the others did.
"I hope this will be as interessting as it sounds?"
The leather-clad elf barely changes stride as he turns from the bar, leaving a coin flat in return for his ale.
"His cover might have been blown," he says softly as he arrives at the table, standing just behind Anuk's large, hooded form. "If I were a Chelaxian hellhound."
Looking to the General he adds,"I trust you know what you're doing meeting here in public."
"But I surmise unorthodoxy will be part and parcel of the affair, judging by this...unique collection of persons." His eyes linger a bit over the immense figure in-front of him.
Anuk notices the awkward glances he is getting from the others around the table, noticibly he is a bit insecure, even he is aware of his awkwardness, like a tall weed choking out an existance in a field of grass, he never gets rest from the gawking looks. "I was much cuter as a baby" Anuk flatly states to the lingering eyes of the elf. "Just happens I hit every branch when I fell out of the ugly tree, as you can imagine it was a TALL tree" Anuk jokes as to break the tension. Turning to the General, "I am very interested to hear this request". Anuk stops talking long enough to finish the bottle of ruby coloured wine.
Meadow smiles to the serving girl "Thank you." she says, then grabs her wine glass from her table and wanders to the General's table. She picks a random empty seat and slips into it. "Gentlemen." is all she says as she leans back, somewhat lazily, in her chair.
"Goodday miss" Anuk stammers as his cheeks go a bit red, he attempts another drink from his wine bottle, but he drained it moments ago, placing the bottle down awkwardly, his nervousness causeing the bottle to be knocked over, Anuk-Itan extends a hand, "My name is Anuk-Itan, you may call me Anuk, what may I call you by?" Anuk is trying his best at being a gentleman, but his nerves are making him shake, just a little.
The general turns to the elf. "Ah, I wasn't sure if you were going to arrive. I am glad you have. And yes. We are not quite at war yet." His voice takes on a slightly grimmer tone as he speaks the last sentence.
Meadow then arrives at the table. The general nods at the half-elf. "Good. I believe we are all here now." He glances around the room for a moment and then turns back to the rest of the table, seeming satisfied. Most of the other activity in the room is now close to the bar and the warmth of the fireplace, away from the table that the party is sitting at. However, his voice is significantly quieter when he next speaks, now that the actual business of the evening is on the cards.
"I say not quite yet at war. But it is on its way, I fear, unless we act quickly.
Are any of you familar with the town of Piren's Bluff?"
Meadow takes a moment to get comfortable before introducing herself. "I'm Meadow." She listens to the General's words, her expression looking serious. Her hands cross on the table, the left over her right, her gaze flicking over the others at the table, quickly, as if assessing them.
Piren's Bluff? I think some of the farmers went there after the assault of Kirena. They might still live there. Merrik thinks.
He then shakes his head to signal that he does not no much about the town.
Bardic knowladge check (local) 20
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1679678/
//Ooc Im guessing Felicia knows a fair bit but ill wait and see what im told I know.
Felicia:
You will know that Piren's Bluff is a small town on the western border of Andoran, next to Cheliax at the very furthest edge of Darkmoon Vale. It overlooks a pass across the Aspodell Mountains to Cheliax - the town's largest feature is its keep. Due to its nature as a border town, Piren's Bluff receives a lot of visitors travelling through - many merchants, miners, adventurers and hunters pass through (which the town depends on for its supplies - being located on rocky ground). The actual population of the town is pretty small though - only a couple of hundred. The current leader of Piren's Bluff is a man named Baron Vendikon.
Felicia pauses in thought for a moment before answering "Ive never been there myself but ive heard a little bit about it. Its a small town on the western border run by a Baron Vendikon isent it?"
The general nods at Felicia. "It is. It lies on the Aspodell mountain pass to Cheliax, so as you can imagine, it's extremely important to our defenses."
Dakovya pauses for a moment and frowns before continuing quietly. "However, we received word almost two weeks ago that Vendikon has betrayed Andoran and declared his support for Cheliax - he has vowed to hold the town for them instead! If we do not act, then it may not be long before the Chelish begin to pour over our border."
"This vile sc.." Merrik breaks out, quickly stopping himself midsentence, noticing the attention that the outburst drew to the table.
Annuk gets the waitress's attention "another bottle please", pointing at the last, he looks to the general, "so how does this imply us, why did you choose us to check things out?"
"We're recon I assume?" Meadow asks. "Or are we going in to take out the enemy leadership before a conventional assault on the town?" She keeps her laid back, relaxed, posture as she speaks, though she stops drinking her own wine once the discussion turns serious.
Anuk notices the pretty elf and her lack of wine drinking he wonders, and asks, "If you are done with that bottle I would be glad to get rid of it for you?, ya a stealthy type mission, I am sure my ugly behind will blend right in, what hanging out with a baron and all, yep 7 foot ugly dude, ya nothing to notice no suscpisions here, gimme a break general". Anuk laughs a hearty laugh before stopping mid giggle once he realises the recon mission is not a joke.
The waitress that Anuk-Itan called to will nod and head off towards the bar. The general waits until she has left again before continuing.
"I do not wish to take the town by force, as we know that there are still townsfolk there that are loyal to Andoran there. However, the Baron needs to be stopped."
Dakovya then looks to Meadow. "A little of both. Your task would be to head into the town to gather information and, most importantly of all, to take Vendikon out of power without endangering the whole town." He then glances to Anuk. "As to why I chose you all, there were a number of reasons. The most important ones were that while most of you have ties to us in some way, I do not think that you are linked so strongly with the military that you will be easily recognised, even with your stature. The town lies on the border - it undoubtedly sees its fair share of strangers. I also believed that you would be skilled enough to carry out this task."
The general pauses to take a drink before continuing. "In addition to your group within the town, I have also begun to mobilise the forces we have in Darkmoon Vale. They will head to the town and surround it, to give the Baron and his Chelish allies the appearance that his town is under siege. I have arranged with one of my agents to head to town as a merchant before the army arrives - you would enter the town as his guards. From there, you should be able to start your mission."
"Sounds like a good plan to get in the city. I'm in. For the good of the people living there and in Darkmoon Vale." Merrik declares, then looking around the table to see the reaction of the others.