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First session was last night made characters and did introduction bits mainly. It looks like we will be playing every other Saturday night squeezing in a session in on off weeks when we can all get together.
Lana Orlovsky strode from her father's hall fuming. There was no way she was going to marry seventy-four year old Unster Medvyed! Now had he been an Elf like her own dear mother that would be of no concern. He would only now be of the age to be considering betrothal, but he wasn't; he was human like father. A four time widower with a score of whelps ranging from nigh on sixty to barely twelve. If mother was still alive there is no way father would propose such a match. She stormed into her room collecting her things she hated the thought of running, but not as bad as the thought of Ancient Unster. She would head south she was not commonly known in Restov there she would be able to slip away perhaps find some companions, go forth and wander like mother had done in her youth. She remembered the tales she would spin as Lana lay down for bed. She gripped the fine longbow that had served her mother so well, lifted her hood to fight the cold night air and slipped out the window with no more than she could carry.
>---<
Otis looked at Arryol nodding to his life long friend as they saw the lone rider coming down the road. The big half orc liked it when they came along by themselves and so finely dressed as well. Surley this one was a wealthy merchants son or mayhap a lordling of one of the great houses. When he neared there hiding place he sprung from his tree. Drawing his new shiny Bastard sword that had been paid for by the last wealthy son to travel down their road.
" Ho there boy, did you not know this here is a toll road?" He smiled frightfully.
Arryol stepped forth from the bushes behind the young lordlings horse as he finished the words to his incantacion his hands danced with electricity.
"No fear lad, we prefer to leave travelers unmolested once they have paid their due." Arryol added.
They had been eating much better since they had decided to become highwaymen.
The youth held up his hands.
"I have heard tell of you robber's most foul working the Southway road. It seems many goodly folk have been charged an exorbitant toll to travel this road as of late. Funny as how the Swordlords don't recall sending any taxmen to enact such a toll." With a flick of his wrist and a fluid sweep of his arm the youth had an Aldori dueling sword in his hand. He whistled shrilly and six men at arms wearing the colors of the Restov watch rounded the been on horse, spear in hand. Four more rose from the woods leveling heavy crossbows at them. Otis and Arryol were no craven, but they were no fools either. Otis let his sword fall to the ground Arryol discharged the lightning he held in his hand. The youth chuckled. "put them in shackles and take their weapons. Gag the mage. Dorin ride ahead and tell the swordlords that the Southway is safer by two bandits. Come along boys it is a fair walk to Restov's Dungeons."
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The Gronzi Forest was waking from it's winter slumber at the temple of Erastil's Grove. Brother Refan had called for Nomel and Hakak to attend him in his study after they broke their fast. Hakak's great olive tinged hand patted Wolf as they rose from the table. He tossed the great white wolf the last of his bacon, "Here greedy guts."
The wolf waged his tail devouring the bacon his half orc had tossed him not letting a morsel touch the floor. The trio made their way to the elder's study knocking lightly on the door.
"Enter." The old man called.
"A raven came yesterday from Restov.It would seem the Swordlords request the church send aid to their cause. They intend to map the Stolen Lands it seems. Their is talk in settling the region they ask if we would be interested in assisting in this endeavor." Refan paused.
"There are rumors flying quick as jays that Surtova intends to name himself King, of course these are nothing new but, the rumors grow like cold wind on the mist and vales. If this is the case the Swordlords will surely revolt and seek to shore up their backsides. Yet if they plan on sending common folk south it is a crop that need nurturing and protection. I have agreed to send you two south as guides for their exploratory party. It will be to you to see Old Deadeye's will be done not these Swordlords."
Nomel nodded, "Of course Elder. Hakak and myself are honored to be selected. We will set forth at once for Restov."
Hakak smiled in agreement, "Aye it is as Nomel says. It will be good to see new lands."
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Otis and Arryol sat in their cell cursing their luck. They were weary and tired hungry and thirsty. They had told their captors how they had never hurt anyone one and how they had only become highway men out of hunger and necessity. When the young lord pointed out that both of them seemed rather able bodied they had no answer. He told them they would have their trial directly before their execution it did not brighten there mood. When the cell door opened and a well dressed older man entered the chamber they were a little uncertain what to make of him.
"So you two are the ones who have been plaguing the Southway this past winter? You know you will be lucky to get ten years in the copper mines of Highdelve for your crimes." He studied their faces, "Perhaps you would prefer swift justice though rope or blade? I know I would not care to try and last ten years in the cold mines. Broken men you will be if you make that is for sure." Otis looked glumly at his friend.
"Perhaps I have a third option for you. One that would keep you hale and hearty; one that kept you free of bondage." Arryol and Otis both were paying close attention to the man now.
"We are putting together expeditions to explore the south. It is our understanding that these lands are rife with bandits like fleas in flop house. Who better to know the habits of bandits then renounced highwaymen?" He studied them as he spoke. Both Otis and Arryol nodded in agreement. "You have the right of it their Sir." Arryol said.
"Know that if you agree their is no turning back their will be no flitting off to your old ways. The gods smile on you though because you are more useful to us in this manner than not. So what say you will you pay penance and work against your ilk in the Stolen Lands?"
Otis answered for them " They are no kin to us. The streets of Restov were our Mother, The road our wandering Da. Me and Arryol got no ilk but each other. We are hapy to do service for the good Swordlords."
I hoped you would be agreeable to this arrangement, but you will forgive me if I don't simply take you for your word." He opened the door and beckoned a robed man into the room and nodded. Franig began his incantation power crackling around him as his hands fluttered through the motions required. When he abruptly finished both Otis and Arryol tingled at the base of their necks.
" If you do anything that constitutes betrayal we will know of it, and Franig here will be able to send a shade to finish the execution that you have escaped this day. If I were you I would not test this geas. I hear it isn't pleasant."
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Lana Orlovsky found herself quietly sitting in the shadows of the Filly and the Flagon. A rowdy tavern that she had thought most nobles would avoid. She wasn't familiar with to many bravos, or she would have known better. It so happened that not twenty feet away sat Frefnir Lodovka a young man that had spent two years in her great uncle's court as a ward of her uncle Viktor. She hadn't had extensive contact with the young man, but knew that he would recognize her. She passed the evening with her hood up sipping at her wine hoping that Frefnir and his friends would move on. Unfortunately like most wealthy ne"er do wells they had nothing better to do than drink, and drink they did. Lana feared trying to leave so she sat and waited as the young men drank an inordinate (by Lana's standards) amount of ale. When they rose to leave she had thought she had escaped notice until after bidding his friends a good evening, and promising to catch up with them later he turned towards Lana's table. It seemed he had noticed her long ago and was enjoying watching her "Blend" in. He sat down and commiserated with her about her situation. He knew he would be horrified if he would be promised to some old crone. He explained how he had heard the Sword Lords were looking for some adventuresome folk to go south and explore and suggested she might have better luck staying incognito in a more out of the way local. He knew her father had people looking for her in Restov and promised her secret was safe with him.