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Left alone on the edge of the Wilderness, Kingsbridge holds dear to when times where better. Of old, the great King Alexius II built a great stone bridge over the Greyflood River here to ease crossing to the Outposts. Once this town was a bustling trade center, the only road crossing of the river within many leagues in either direction. All trade with the Outposts ran through Kingsbridge and as such the town's market was a bustling center of commerce. As pioneers and money flowed, the town prospered. A small keep was erected by the Guard, many artisans and craftsmen moved to this little community, and the future looked bright.
But that was before the Fall...When Alexius II great-grandson, Ishmael died without an heir, chaos struck the Kingdom. Rival barons, outside foes, and internal dissidents all took the opportunity to play for power, and the Kingdom suffered. It wasn't long before the Guard was called back to the capital, and without a force to police the Wilderness, the Outposts began to wither. As they shriveled, the great market at Kingsbridge also shrank. Soon, trade beyond the bridge became lessened, then became a trickle, then stopped altogether.
After the Fall, Kingsbridge lives alone. On the edge of kingdom still engulfed in a hundred-year old internecine strife, without a leader, and without authority. Across the bridge, only the Wilderness remains, where only rumors of still-occupied Outposts exist. The stories also tell of bands of freemen or brigands who run amok in the wild, along with all manner of evil creatures and wild beasts..
Each year, the town slowly withers, losing more residents than it gains. Each year, they hope for a return of the Guard, or some symbol of that the Kingdom has been reestablished, but after generations, that hope is slowly becoming only legend. As times become more difficult, the village can only wait and worry.
Niar
The dwarven caravan wended its way slowly down the dusty road in the hot, late summer sun. Niar stopped and wiped the sweat from this brow with a handerkerchief, blowing out his breath in a rush. Dwarves did not complain about the long walk or the hot conditions. It was just more discomfort in a life that was used to discomfort. Torag willed him here, so here he was.
While his fellow travelers did not complain about the conditions either, they did complain about the destination. Grumbling had started almost immediately when the clan leaders had said the annual summer caravan was headed to Kingsbridge again. Tradition dies hard among the Agarak clan, and it had been tradition to bring the trade wares to Kingsbridge for time out of mind. Once that village thrived and the trade was very good, but in Niar's lifetime, that was no longer true.
Instead the annual caravan brought back less and less each year. In fact, the last two years, the caravan was waylaid by brigands along the road, and had lost the entire treasure. That was why Niar was here. To protect his cousins and clansmen on the way to market.
The doughty dwarf took a swig from his waterskin, sighed, and stepped back into line, scanning the trees and rocks for signs of trouble. He blinked against the bright sun, but thought he saw a glint of metal behind some stones ahead. Looking more closely, he saw the brief glimmer once again.
Ebis
It had been a full two days since she had seen anyone along the road in either direction. True, there had been some small meager farms, and an orchard or two, but the road was obviously barely used. "That doesn't bode well for the prosperity of the Kingsbridge,"[/b] the cleric thought to herself. [i]"I don't know why Abadar is calling me here. But perhaps his teachings can help restore the vitality to the area."
She thought back to the Bank where she had been trained, remembering the soft jingle of coins that were always changing hands in the common room. It has been several days since she had left the safety of the Bank of Abadar, but her calling was here at the edge of the Wilderness.
Just ahead, she could see the crossroads and it looked, by the dust that was stirred up, that a large group of travelers was headed to meet her at the crossing before the town. "He smiles us on already," she thought, hoping that the group was a big trading party headed to town for market day.
She continued to the crossing, waiting there to meet the travelers, when she heard the harsh cries and the clang of steel on steel that indicated there was trouble coming from the group along the road.
Stig
The satchel full of mushrooms weighed more than the youth expected. But it was good weight. Finding the tasty morels meant good trade in town. It meant sleeping in a bed or a good hot meal, instead of the dried jerky and hard bread that he grew used to while foraging.
He saw the town in the distance, a place he had never visited before. He could see a large stone bridge on the western side of the town. It was made of some white stone that could be seen from a distance. The bridge seemed to be flanked by two tall statues of men. Men with grim countenance and a large outstretched hand raised in warning to those that approached from that side --the Wilderness side.
Stig approached from the south side, along the grey river that flowed wide and swift to his left. The road crossed another just in front of the small village, and there, to his surprise stood a single human female. It appeared she was waiting for something, but she never saw him moving up from the trees, as was his way.
The girl started as the sounds of skirmish came from ahead on the road. In the distance, Stig could see the cloud of dust raised by some merchants, but he thought little about it, until the girl moved in that direction.
"That only sounds like trouble," thought the woodsman resignedly. "It means a little longer until I can find my bed, and trade my wares, but..."
I hope this doesn't take up to much time, Ebis thought to herself, as she was impatient to get to her goal in the town. She moved forward and drew her shield and club to check out who was fighting and if there was any way she could aid them.
Stig watched the girl as she started towards the approaching caravan.
Accustomed to keeping his own company, he didn't even consider joining into what might become a skirmish. He would fight when necessary, but would prefer to go into the town to sell his bundle.
I wonder if I will make it to the bridge before all of those others, Stig thought as he proceeded cautiously along the side of the road.
Stig
As the sounds of a fight carried across the fields east of Kingsbridge, the half-elven man only watched, as a girl ran towards the fight. Shouldering his pack, Stig chose to head into the village rather than investigate.
A sturdy-looking wooden palisade had been erected around this end of the village, and the one wooden gate was open, but manned by a pair of guards with spears. To Stig's eye, the guards look a little to round in the belly and young in age to be much of a threat. They eyeballed the stranger has he approached, seemingly oblivious to the sounds of a fight not far off. Eyeballed him, but did not challenge or stand to bar the way. As such, the rogue slipped inside without incident.
A short street with as many abandoned building as occupied led the way to a town square. There, an open air market stood empty. At once corner, a large inn stood, with the sign of an evilly grinning goblin painted above the door. Another corner held a simple wooden structure that looked like a temple of one kind or another. Other shops or homes lined the square.
Looking to sell his wares, Stig noticed a general store at the end of the block. That and the Inn seemed like the most natural buyers of his earthy mushrooms.
I hope this doesn't take up to much time, Ebis thought to herself, as she was impatient to get to her goal in the town. She moved forward and drew her shield and club to check out who was fighting and if there was any way she could aid them.
Intro Fight - Round 1
21 Bandit 2
21 Bandit 4
20 Niar
17 Bandit 3
17 Ebis
7 Bandit
To no ones great surprise, a small group of bandits dressed in ill-fitting and mismatched clothes steps out from behind the rocks, as Niar shouts something unintelligible at them. The bandits seem unaffected and look rather grim-faced. Two have crossbows trained, and the others have club-like maces.
"Get 'im" shouts the leader, a rat-faced fellow with a greasy hairdo. And the first bandit advances to within melee range of Niar. The next loses a bolt at the paladin, but shot flies well wide of the mark.
Niar bellowed a wordless battle cry and stepped forward to meet the club-wielding bandit who had come towards him. He swung his warhammer at the bandit, though cautiously, as Niar was mindful that one of the bandits still had a loaded crossbow trained on him. The swing had been inept to begin with, but with part of his attention focused on the crossbowman, Niar's blow missed the bandit handily.
Stig turned from the sight of the grinning goblin sign, a bit disturbed by the memories of the foul creatures. He continued down the street to what appeared to be a general store, hoping they would be interested in mushrooms. Although he gathered most of his belongings when he snuck away from the goblins, it was always good to get some extra coins.
Stig was sure to keep vigilant as he walked through the unfamiliar town. He was easily able to take in everything going on around him, and yet be an unobtrusive presence to others.
Intro Fight - Round 1 - concluded
21 Bandit 2
21 Bandit 4
20 Niar (fight def; +2 AC)
17 Bandit 3
17 Ebis
7 Bandit 1
With an eye towards the odds and the still unfired crossbow, Niar hunkers behind his shield trying to limit the exposure he leaves the rest of the brigands. The awkward position he's left in makes his hammer swing not really have a chance of success.
The 3rd bandit, armed with a crossbow takes another shot at the stalwart Niar. The bandit is obviously nervous entering the fight and his shot flies over the head of everyone.
Ebis continues her flight towards the sounds of melee and as she rounds the corner, she sees a caravan of dwarves, led by one stout fellow with hammer and shield, holding off a small group of what looks like highwaymen.
The rat-faced bandit leader also closes in on Niar, moving to his shield side, but not quite getting around to a flanking position (yet). "A hero, eh? We all know what happens to heroes, they fill up children's stories when they've been slain!" He feints at the paladin, trying to get him off balance for a future attack.
End of Round 1
Intro Fight - Round 2
21 Bandit 2
21 Bandit 4
20 Niar (fight def; +2 AC, feint -1AC vs Bandit leader)
17 Bandit 3
17 Ebis
7 Bandit 1
The mace-wielding bandit who attacked first unleashes another stroke at the doughty Niar, who is still using his shield to protect himself well. However, the shot from the bandit gets past the shield and glances off the shoulder of Niar. The wound smarts, but he's taken worse many times. The bandit then steps to Niar's right, so they are in the same horizontal line.
The crossbow bandit, seeing his allies close in to melee, tosses the crossbow aside and draws his own mace, he then closes in and Niar faces three opponents, one of whom is on his right flank.
Stig
The sign on the inn turns the half-elven youth away, as he remembers his recent captivity. Instead, he turns farther into the town, looking at the store at the end of the street.
Trying to remain unobtrusive, he passes a few different people on the street, none of whom seem to notice. He also passes by the wooden church which has a magnificent rack of antlers nailed to the front door.
As he is two doors down from the general store, which has a sign saying: Rosethorn's Dry Goods and Sundries. He cringes when he hears a rough voice behind him:
"Hey! Pointy ears! What's in the bag, eh? Did you pay your import tax?"
Stig tries to interpret the intent coming through with the voice.
Stig carries on, as if he has heard nothing.
Sensing that the person behind him is too close to continue at the same pace and reach his destination unimpeded, Stig glances around him to see if there is a place where he might easily slip away.
.
Stig finds no easy place to escape confrontation, so he turns to his follower and says, "Excuse me? What's this you say about an import tax?"
Niar swings again at the bandit he missed before, continuing to keep his shield up in a defensive stance. "Ye obviously haven't heard enough stories! They aren't about the hero dying, they are about who the hero defeats! Footpads such as yerselves would hardly make an anecdote!" Niar yelled, attack once again falling short, despite his bold words.
Stig
After thinking about ignoring the voice, and then failing to find a good place to hide, Stig turns and faces the insolent man. There he sees a beefy dark haired fellow, the hair tied in a long plait behind his back. The wears an irritating smirk - full of arrogance and mischief. The man wears a studded leather jerkin and has a long knife at his belt and a morningstar rides at this side. No weapons are currently in his large meaty hands, but they look dangerous enough.
With him, standing slightly back, is a thin, wormy looking fellow who is grinning big through a mouth with missing or rotted teeth. He carries a shortsword at this belt, but doesn't look like the particular type to get into much of a fight.
"You heard Gaston," the wormy man says. "Pay the tax, or he'll take it outta yer hide."
Gaston (apparently the man's name), steps forward and taps his finger against Stig's chest in a clearly provacative way. "We don't take kindly to half-breeds here. Best pay, and then get out of town. I don't want to see you in my town again."
No one makes clear any details about this tax.
Intro Fight - Round 2 - continued
21 Bandit 2
21 Bandit 4
20 Niar (fight def; +2 AC, feint -1AC vs Bandit leader)
17 Bandit 3
17 Ebis
7 Bandit 1
Niar still takes the tactic of protection first, and as such he interposes his shield between himself and attackers, but that stance limits his effectiveness offensively, and his looping swing at the nearby brigand is easily avoided.
The second crossbowman hears the sound of Ebis running up from behind, and turns taking a few steps towards the girl and reloading his mechainical weapon. "Stop there, missy!" he calls as a warning. "This fight don't concern you. On back to town with ya!" He raises the bow in her direction, but doesn't fire.
While Stig does not spend much of his time with people, he straightens himself and puts on his most agreeable smile.
"Well, sirs, I wasn't aware there was a tax to bring goods into this town. Might you be the mayor? Perhaps we could go back to the pub for a drink, where you could explain more about your town? If I went to the general store first, I may have coin to buy you both a drink.'
"I'll be the judge of which fights are mine and which are not," Ebis growls as she draws her light crossbow and prepares to fire.
Intro Fight - Round 2 - concluded
21 Bandit 2
21 Bandit 4
20 Niar (fight def; +2 AC, feint -1AC vs Bandit leader)
17 Bandit 3
17 Ebis
7 Bandit 1
Stopping a distance away from the melee, Ebis exchanges retorts with the bandit and readies her own crossbow, loading a bolt and preparing to fire.
The bandit leader completes the flanking of Niar, circling around his left side with a short side step and then striking at the defensively postured dwarf. Niar expects the maneuver is lunges his shield into the rat-faced man, short-circuiting any bludgeon from the leader.
End of Round 2
Intro Fight - Round 3
21 Bandit 2 (flanking Niar)
21 Bandit 4
20 Niar (fight def; +2 AC)
17 Bandit 3
17 Ebis
7 Bandit 1 (flanking Niar)
Frustration grows with the bandits as they are used to overwhelming simple merchant men --smashing and grabbing -- and not accustomed to facing a foe who stands against them.
That said, the first bandit to act swings at Niar from his right flank and is able to land a more resounding blow on the top of the paladin's head which leaves his ears ringing.
The other bandit continues to press from the immediate front. But the shield defense of the dwarf blocks another brusing blow.
Stig
The response from Stig puzzles the big man for a moment, bu then he claps his arm around his shoulders -- a little too roughly-- and says, "No, I'm not the mayor. But you do owe tax to me, understand? I'll just take whatever's in that satchel of yours as payment, get it?" He motions for his wormy little companion to come take the goods while he has you in his grasp.
"You mean this satchel?" Stig slides the pack off his shoulder, deftly attempting to slip the mushrooms into a pouch on his belt.
"I am but a poor wanderer, and I have nothing to offer you." Stig shows Gaston and his companion the now-empty satchel.
Turning to dislodge himself from Gaston's arm, and at the same time dump his satchel full of mushrooms into his belt pouch, Stig is able to fool the muscle-bound man. Opening his now empty satchel, Gaston and his feeble companion both stare in open-mouthed astonishment.
"B-b-but, I saw the bag. It was full. Full of something." says the befuddled bully cautiously. "I don't know how you did it. Must be some kind o' sorcery." He says these words backing up slowly and making the ward against evil with his fingers. "You are trouble, half-breed. I know it! I'll be watching out for you. See if I don't!"
"C'mon LaPhew, let's find a tankard at the Goblin. We'll handle this fool later." Stig smiles triumphantly as Gaston stalks off toward the inn. He is just about to start taking the mushrooms from pouch and put them back in his satchel when another voice calls to him.
"I was about to lend a hand with the oaf, but it looks like you had it handled. Nice trick! Care to show it to me sometime?" The man is a youngish fellow with a neat and well-trimmed brown beard. He wears some worn greens of a hunter, and a full-ish game bag is worn at this hip. A well-crafted yew longbow is slung over his back. And he wears a friendly grin, the first sign of friendship Stig has seen in this place. The man steps forward his hand outstretched to shake. "Name's Orrin. Sorry about your run in with the locals. This isn't a bad town, really. Just not too keen on strangers."
While Stig is relieved to find a friendly face, after the rude welcome to town, he is still a bit leery of a stranger. He looks into this young man's eyes to see if he can judge the character within.
Stig stretches out his hand to his new acquaintance, "I am Stigyndir. Nice to meet you."
'What have you been hunting?', Stig asks, nodding to the game bag.
'I spend much of my time hunting and wandering, so I have taught myself quite a few tricks like that. If we ever find ourselves traveling together, perhaps there will be the time to trade tricks."
Niar shook his head to clear the pain, cutting his gaze briefly to the human woman who joined the fight. He judged her as an ally for now, and swung out with is hammer once more, his shield still up. His assault continued to miss his target, and he attempted to step away from where the bandits were flanking him.
Intro Fight - Round 3 - continued
After taking a blow, Niar shakes it off and keeps up his steady defense in the face of three different foes. He cross-steps and pivots, moving out of the flank position. Unfortunately, the defensive work continues to make any offense difficult and his attack misses by a wide margin.
Seeing the girl not budging, and in fact, preparing to fire at him, Bandit 3 fires a bolt at her, but the shot is hurried and flies wide of the mark. The man then bends to wind the crossbow for a second shot.
Stig
The man's eyes, voice, and mannerisms convince Stig of his sincerity and genuineness.
The young man shakes hands firmly with Stig. "Been hunting a bit is all. Got two pheasants and a coney. Will make a nice meal for me, with enough left to give some to the flock. As Deadeye provides, you know."
"So you're a woodsman eh? Might like to have a hunt with you sometime, but afraid I'm not traveling anywhere anytime soon. Not so long as the town holds out, that is. Needed here, you understand. You see, I am the priest at the local temple." The man nods back at the wooden structure you recall with stag antlers nailed to the outer wall.
"I'd be pleased to offer you supper though, Stigyndir. A stranger shouldn't be subjected to Hilda's fare at the Goblin. Just wouldn't be right. Stop by my home, behind the church, when your business is done. And make sure Rosie doesn't cheat you too badly. He gets that way sometimes. Until then!"
The man gives you a cheery tip of his hand, and walks off towards the wooden temple indicated previously, leaving Stig alone standing just outside Rosethorn's Dry Goods and Sundries
Stig bids farewell and to Orrin and allows himself a little smile at the comment about the inn.
Keeping in mind the warning, Stig turns to go inside the store. He quickly scans the area as he enters to see if everything seems in order.
Enis sees the crossbow bolt fly past her and stands her ground. After a moment she releases her own crossbow bolt.
As the bolt flies wide Ebis prepares to fire at the bandit again.
Intro Fight - Round 3 - concluded
Ebis' first shot sails wide of the mark, missing all the bandits. She hurriedly reloads, reading for the next salvo.
The brigand leader cries in frustration "This is getting us no where. We can't beat this blasted dwarf back, and now others are showing up."
He whistles a long shrill whistle and begins to break off the fight, withdrawing from combat with Niar and signaling for the others to join him.
End of Round 3
Intro Fight - Round 4
21 Bandit 2
21 Bandit 4
20 Niar (fight def; +2 AC)
17 Bandit 3
17 Ebis
7 Bandit 1 (withdrawing)
The first of the other two bandits takes the signal from the leader and also breaks off the fight, keeping his guard up as he backs away from Niar into the rock and trees at the roadside.
The second bandit, however, has his blood up a bit more and takes another swing at the stout paladin. Niar is able to interpose his shield and the club-like mace clangs off the steel noisily.
Stig
Entering the store, Stig finds it neatly arranged in shelves and rows. Everything seems quite neat and tidy, but it's apparent that the stock is very low. Many empty spaces fill the shelves where goods would normally be, and there are no other shoppers in the store.
A tinkling bell alerts the shopkeeper to the door, and soon a small round man with a bald head and thick walrus mustache appears. He wears small spectacles perched on the end of his nose, but peers over them at Stig.
"Welcome to Rosethorn's, sir! Whatever can we do for you today?" You can see his is taking your measure as he approaches, but a cheery smile remains plastered on the man's face.
With the bandits fleeing, Niar lets his guard drop some. He swings out a final time at his aggressor before he can retreat as well.
Intro Fight - Round 4 - continued
As the others back away from the fight, Niar drops his shield and strikes at the one remaining foe within reach. This time, his hammer finds home, landing upside the head of the brigand and dropping him to the ground unconscious with one fell stroke. The rest of the brigands do not break stride to aid their fallen companion, but continue to withdraw as rapidly as possible.
The crossbow wielding bandit, seeing his allies break, also heads for the cover of the trees and rocks, moving off to the side of the road without firing another shot.
Ebis decides not to fire after the fleeing enemies and focus her gaze at the dwarf. Are you hurt or in need of any assistance? she asks him to she if she is needed here any longer.
"Aye, bruised an' smarting, the paladin gingerly prodded at his throbbing skull. Could use some healing, but I've suffered worse. I suppose I should be thanking ye, stranger. We don't have much to offer ye in way of gratitude at the moment, but if yer travels ever take ye to the Coppercross Mounatins, my kinsmen would be glad to offer ye a place to rest. But I forget myself. Niar Agarak, of the Agarak clan, in yer debt and at yer service, " Niar introduced himself with a stout bow, content to watch the other bandits flee. "Now-- unless ye object, Miss-- I'll be tying this fellow up and bringing him into town, where he kin get a proper sentence. His kind is scum, but I would be lower than him to kill a man defenseless," Niar told the woman, trotting back to fetch his pack before returning to the downed brigand.
The rest of the band of dwarvish traders lets out a hearty cheer as it appears that Niar, and this newcomer, have driven the bandits away. The all make proper formal introductions, doffing their caps and bowing low with many an "At your service" or "The honor is all mine," to Ebis.
Niar returns to the fallen bandit who has a massive purple bruise forming along his right cheek. The man is clearly not dead, but is out cold with no sign of reviving. He is dressed in ill-matched and worn leather armor and carries the club-like mace he attacked with. In addition, a steel shank is stuck in the top of his boot. Around his neck an a leather thong is a brass symbol of an equilateral triangle, which looks rather new. The brigand doesn't have anything else of note.
The town is perhaps 500 yards away around one last bend.
Ebis put her crossbow away and took out her holy symbol and bowed her head, mumbling a prayer to her god, Abadar. Casting channel positive energy to heal the nearby dwarf and making sure to exclude the bandit. "Pleased to meet you," Ebis bowed back to the dwarves,"I'm Ebis, a priest of Abadar. If you're heading into town then I'll follow you. If you need any farther help just ask, I'll gladly take any chance to spread the name of Abadar" she finished, preparing to move towards Kingsbridge.
With the bandit scourge under control for the time being, and all the introductions out of the way, the dwarven caravan is ready to finish the journey.
Trudging the rest of the way forward, they enter Kingsbridge and start to set up camp at the edge of town. It is not long before a delegation from the village arrives to formally welcome the dwarves.
The traders are given permission to set up market here for the next week. The mayor is obviously quite hopeful that the new commerce will help the town prosper.
As Ebis is about to move on, a older man in a military uniform strides forward. He wears a sword at his hip and a hauberk with the old imperial insignia of two eagles rearing up. His shoulders are broad and his long white mustache droops over his upper lip, quivering when he speaks. A long white scar runs the length of his face and the pinned up right sleeve of his tunic, where his arm should be, testifies to his status as a grizzled veteran.
"Heard you had some trouble outside o' town, young lady. That's all too common these days, I fear. Care to tell me about it? I might not be able to fight them off, but I can raise a posse to roust the brigands. Welcome to bring any of those dwarves that saw anything as well."
Stig returns the shopkeeper's smile as he moves into the store.
"I'm a traveler, foraging for what there may be along my way. I found some choice mushrooms growing in the forest not far from here and thought I'd see if they were something a person might value in this town. The priest, Orrin, said your establishment was the place to visit. I also wanted to check for any wares you have that I might need as I continue my journey. I'm not looking for anything in particular, but I always like to know what's available."
Stig
Rosethorn nods sagely as Stig explains his situation. "I may be in the market for mushrooms, depends on the type and quality, let's see them. If you want to browse the store, feel free at your leisure, just call if you need assistance." The shopkeeper pushes his glasses up and will look at the mushrooms if they are proffered. "Used to we got lots of travelers in these parts, but since The Fall, any stranger is probably a threat; just be prepared for a rough reception."
Stig lays his satchel out for Rosethorn and opens to show his mushrooms.
"I haven't found any of this type for quite some time. They promise to be tasty."
"If they aren't to your liking, I may take them to the priest to offer for supper."
Rosethorn examines the mushrooms and counts weighs them on a scale at the counter. "Probably worth a bit more, but these are hard times in Kingsbridge. I'll give you 15 silver sails for the lot. Wish I could pay more, but I might not sell these before they spoil. If you'd rather share them with Brother Orrin, I understand."
The store has typical gear for a grocery, but there are also the basic adventuring gear. No weapons, armor, or alchemical gear, but many other useful things depending on the situation.
"I understand," says Stig. "I think I will take these to the priest to show my appreciation, but good to know your prices in case I gather more."
Stig nods his head at the grocer, saying as he goes toward the door, "I may be back for some gear before leaving town."
Stig heads toward the location Orrin pointed out, eager to enjoy a good meal. As he does so, he is sure to keep an eye out for the bullies he ran into earlier or any other unfriendly faces.
"I was walking to town and saw the dwarves' caravan being attacked by the bandits. Niar, one of the dwarves, was fighting the bandits, so he probably saw more if you want to ask him about it, Ebis says, gesturing to the dwarven camp.