Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#101 Post by AleBelly »

Zhym wrote:
"What's this king feller's name, and just what's he king of?" he asks.
The horseman looks quizzically at Angus for a moment, until another mounted guard pipes up. He half-whispers as he hesitantly speaks to his leader "If they been gone two years, they wouldn't know, sir." He smiles apologetically, hoping to save his superior embarrassment.

"Ah, yes! Of course! King Casmir is who I speak of. Exiled from Alleborg many years ago. Protected by us Sambords. Restored to his rightful place,
thanks in some small part to you! Though not without strife, sorry to say."
His face drops slightly before he brightens and continues.

"His majesty is rebuilding Masmuria!"

He continues to smile. "Ridding Strod of the orcs was a first step. A hard first step. We helped."

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#102 Post by Zhym »

Angus wrinkles his red, leathery brow. "Casmir? Can't allow as how I recognize the name. So how'd it happen we helped some feller I never heard of become king?"

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#103 Post by enn.in.me »

Are there any churchy types in evidence?

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#104 Post by tkrexx »

Hyde shakes his head as a dog trying to dry off. Wo, WO, WO! He begins holding his temples and squeezing his eyes tightly. "King" Casmir?
Who izzat, hah? We had some... Small part in his ass... Acsen... Him being King?

Ain't no Orcs in Orc City? Building Masmuria? What become of the ruling council of Alleborg? We got some questions for them, yeahh. And them high-borns we escorted to the Sambord stronghold, what did they accomplish? What become of our farmhouse, hah, and them who wanted to guard it? What about Hellebore?

Two years???
He rattles his head yet again, and glowers at the mounted men.

HAH??

Wait, wait. Ummmm...
He closes his eyes again, this time in concentration. Yeahh, something Jobin said... Or started to say, then didn't. His vast eyes pop open. They was guarding someone, hiding someone, someone important, didn't want us or anyone else to know who! That be why they got all ticked about me and Yenny pullin' a fast one on 'em.
Try as I have for 2 hrs, I can't find the post to prove it!

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#105 Post by AleBelly »

enn.in.me wrote:Are there any churchy types in evidence?
I'll answer a couple of questions here. The men on horseback show no signs of being 'churchy types.'

The party members will not really have heard much about king names. Out of all of you amongst the party, at least one of you will probably know that Casmir was the name of the 'traitor king.'

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#106 Post by Zhym »

Casmir...the Traitor King! Angus tenses for a moment. But then he remembers that what he'd heard about the "Traitor King" all his life was a lie. He thinks back to what Jorbin had said:
"Decades ago, I was a priest in Alleborg. I was part of the campaign that drove the bugbears back to the northeast. Through luck and skill I played an important role in this endeavor, and was recognized as a young man with promise. I rose rapidly through the rigid Perun hierarchy, and eventually became a member of Adalbert's inner circle. He was old even then."

Jobin stares into the fire.

"It was then I was introduced to the lunacy that is the Prophecy of Cataclysm. This madman believed that only through an apocalyptic event could Perun rise to power. Several powerful priests within the church had met strange and untimely deaths, and it immediately became clear to me that those who did not share Adalbert's ambitions were disposed of. I was determined to not share their fate.

Our king was strong, and never would have stood for such nonsense. He was the major obstacle to Adalbert's plans, so he had to be removed. Adalbert is as ruthless as he is cunning, and through a series of machinations used his power to force the king to flee. Adalbert's genius was that he also provided enemy forces with a plan and knowledge to attack at this time. So not only did he force the king from power, but he also made it nearly impossible for him to return. He cast the king as the traitor.
Angus relaxes. So Jorbin was hiding the "Traitor King" in Sambord! No wonder they were all so damn-fired paranoid.

"It'd be a right honor to meet King Casmir," he says with a brown-toothed smile. "Y'all lead the way."

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#107 Post by enn.in.me »

Yenny - "Please excuse our, um, disorientation, gentlemen. We have just had a very long day--apparently a two-year long day. As my good friend says, we would be very happy to meet the good king Casmir, although I would hope for a chance to neaten up, eat, and pray. I would not like to insult the king with any of us appearing not our best." Yenny pauses for a moment as she looks around. "If there is drink to be had, that too would not come amiss!

One answer I would have of you--what is the state of the churches of Alleborg? I sensed some serious danger to my elders before we left yesteryear."

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#108 Post by tkrexx »

I would not like to insult the king with any of us appearing not our best.
Suddenly distracted by Yenny's words, Hyde looks her way, clearly dumbfounded, and raises both hands open to about waist high. This is appearin' my best.

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#109 Post by CAI4 »

Chet suddenly remembers something.

"Whoa, ok, so you remember those assassins back in Alleborg that were trying to kill us? Do you think they've given up in the two years since we've left the city?"

"Huh, so know the dumb guy's remembering the facts now?" The monk seems very pleased with himself. ;)

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#110 Post by Storm11 »

Tempus listens carefully as the soldiers speak.

"Is this new King respectful of the earth and the woods? Do the people like him?"
Greys Campaign.

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#111 Post by onlyme »

Dandelion is still trying to process the fact that 2 years have gone by, and she has no clue what the latest fashion trends are. Appearing not her best? When she doesnt know what best means anymore.
She listens and absorbs the conversation.
Dandelion - female half-orc beautyqueen in training (The Lone City in the Wildlands) OSRIC
Halfpint - female halfling badgirl wannabe (Lab Lord- The North Marches) LL
Mark'd - charismatic human fighter (Lab Lord- The North Marches) LL


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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#112 Post by AleBelly »

And so, the party agrees to head towards Alleborg. It is a long march, over 20 miles...a challenge for our already weary party. The group passes the Sambord fort, off in the distance, at midday. They are cheered to find new farms outside the fortifications - unthinkable just yesterday - er, two years ago. The party then follows a new road, still being built, between the Sambord fort and Alleborg.

Along the way, many questions are answered. Dandelion borrows Yenny's small steel mirror and finds her face is no more wrinkled than it was in the morning. They appear not to have aged.

Their escorts answer others. Yenny's worries are eased - her mentor Mycor is still alive and well. In fact, he is now the most senior clergy in our new kingdom. Adalbert's treachery as a traitor to the city was proven by brave member of his own clergy...some of whom lost their lives. Adalbert was hung in the city square after some fighting between the guards of Alleborg and his steadfast supporters. Parts of the city were burned and destroyed.

The king has been largely accepted. Casmir has maintained the council as an advisory body and has generally changed little in town. He raised an army to destroy the orc city, which is now being resettled as he tries to rebuild the empire. This successful effort has raised his esteem amongst the people considerably.

The guards don't really have an answer to the questions about assassins or if the king is a nature lover. They suggest they will soon be able to ask him or one of his officials. They also know nothing about the diplomats sent to the Sambords two years ago or indeed, the fate of Hellebore.

Eventually, long after dark, they make it into town. For the first time in their lives, they enter the palace within Alleborg which has been previously reserved for the Council and its business. The party quickly falls into a deep, content sleep.

I will post more later this weekend. But you are back in Alleborg now. It's been awhile...here are the xp awards:

Chameleon women killed 145 xp
Crowmen defeated 1518 xp
337 gp 337 xp
3 spiral disks (make ya wobbly) 600 xp
Chronia's tear 1000 xp
Silver tray worth 50 gp 50 xp
TOTAL 3650 xp

Divided 10 ways based on the PCs involved (including dormant ones): 365 xp

Angus has Chronia's tear - feel free to distribute the rest of the treasure


16 Culling, Year 44(!)

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#113 Post by Zhym »

Angus wakes up and makes himself pretty for the king—which basically means trimming his beard and slicking his hair back with a spit-moistened hand.

"Y'all ready to hobnob with His Highness?" he asks the others.

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#114 Post by enn.in.me »

Yenny scrubs up her armor, shield, and and holy symbol, and brushes her cloak meticulously. "I'm certainly ready. It feels nice knowing that the world is apparently a better place, and we might have something to with that, despite having gone missing for two years in a day."

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#115 Post by tkrexx »

He ain't gonna like me, no, Hyde worriedly mutters, Especially when I start askin' questions.

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#116 Post by AleBelly »

Some in the party, perhaps, had dreamed of the lavish palaces of kings and queens of the past. Their accommodations, while clean and well-kept, fall short of these dreams. Nevertheless, they sleep well, their sleep corrupted by memories of the strange prison from whence they came last.

The next morning, they find the king will be able to meet with them...tomorrow. The members run various errands about town. Yenny is joyously reunited with those of her faith.

They hear that some of the town guard died in the fighting after Adalbert's hanging. Many more died in the invasion and defeat of the orc city. Including, they are most saddened to find, Captain Castleman.

The people of Alleborg, two years on, still bear faces of grim determination. But it seems lighter somehow, as if there is some hope amongst their hardship.

After a long day, they sleep again at the palace, and ready themselves in various ways to meet the king.

The party gathers the next morning, ready for an audience with King Casmir. The court officials are polite, professional, and courteous. But they do require the party to leave their weapons, spell components, and Clarence the bear in the anteroom.

"I do apologize for the inconvenience, but the king still has some enemies within these lands" explains the official.

Arnulf hands over his darts and components pouch. Sagthistle and Rufus lay down their weapons.

Actions?

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#117 Post by Storm11 »

Fresh from a warming shower the Halfling Druid happily places his scimitar, sling and daggers in the mix. He pats Clarence upon his head and whispers the words to a spell. Speak with animals

"Wait for me here my friend would you, but if you hear my call for you, break down these doors and come to my aid. If you are in danger, give a loud roar and I will come to you." he looks for the bears understanding and then gives him a hug


To the guards he says "Be careful of him, he bites. Watch that he is safe and steer clear of him and all will be well. The abundance of nature be upon you all."

With that the halfling wanders into the hall.
Greys Campaign.

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#118 Post by enn.in.me »

Yenny lays down her flail, hammers and shield and ties up her cloak a little straighter. "Please look after these,
especially the shield."
Hearing Tempus speaking to the guards, she adds, "The shield bites. If you keep your distance everything should be fine." Yenny leans down close to her shield and says a few incomprehensible sentences to it and then waits a moment before nodding and patting it on the boss. She smiles warmly at the guards.

Yenny's jewelry is brightly polished and one of her bracelets seems to positively glow (a few pinpricks in the wrapping of her bracelet of continual light) You also notice how much svelter of a gnome she is without the backpack and sacks and bedroll.

Is her hunger gone? If not, she would have attempted to work with the clergy to see about removing the curse or whatever is causing it.

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Re: Chapter 14 - To the Gardens in Azurpenia's Prison

#119 Post by Zhym »

Angus shrugs and turns over his weapons. "Careful with this one," he says of Leddilir, Bane of Giants. "Means a lot to me. Used to belong to a friend."


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