IC II

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

"Thank you, Baron Xelazo. Valru and her warriors will be essential in our efforts to quell the Broken Tusk clan. We mean to move as quickly as possible - we were somewhat delayed in returning to Draea, and we wish to surprise the orcs if we still can."

Zellar's prayers align her benisons to her usual preferred array in preparation to fight the orcs.


Sigmari An

While Zellar parleys with Xelazo and the other luminaries of Draea, Sigmari keeps her eyes open for any skullduggerous activity about Draea. She looks out for any thieves' sigils or suspicious behaviour in the side-streets of the town, trying to suss out Draea's underworld - if any such exists.

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

"Thank you, Baron Xelazo. Valru and her warriors will be essential in our efforts to quell the Broken Tusk clan. We mean to move as quickly as possible - we were somewhat delayed in returning to Draea, and we wish to surprise the orcs if we still can."

Zellar's prayers align her benisons to her usual preferred array in preparation to fight the orcs.


Sigmari An

While Zellar parleys with Xelazo and the other luminaries of Draea, Sigmari keeps her eyes open for any skullduggerous activity about Draea. She looks out for any thieves' sigils or suspicious behaviour in the side-streets of the town, trying to suss out Draea's underworld - if any such exists.

Draea isn't that large a community -- perhaps only 600 or so residents -- but it will still take several days for her to explore the entire settlement before she knows the answer to this.

[thirdkingdom]

Speaking with Odos
"Do your best with it, I am willing to wait. As I remember you were working on an axe for Newton and a Scimitar for Zellar...I suppose I can accept being third in line. When are you expecting to be finished with those two...and then with mine? I will be honored to carry such a weapon."

Odos

"The already commisioned weapons will be done in two weeks time. Your's is about a month or so out."

Fifthmonth, Twentythirdday
Pont

The adventurers rise early and head south, reaching Alice in the early afternoon. They head straight to the temple of Manifest, and are escorted in to meet the priest, Father Rhoma.

Fifthmonth, Twentythirdday
Draea

The adventurers rise and meet Valru and her men at the gates. All of the ironskins are mounted on enormous chargers and are armed with lances, shortbows, and heavy blades. "What are your plans?" Valru asks, gesturing to the map the adventurers carry. "We slew the orcs around here," she points at hex 233.133, "and the captive told us their main encampment was about a day's ride to the west*."

viewtopic.php?p=459952#p459952

[shaidar]

Ribar bows to the Priest "Father Rhoma, it is an honour to meet you. My friends and I bring grave news from the north, a strange incursion of chaos-shadows that involves a church to Manifest"...he continues on and recounts the story of the shadow-village and the corrupted church.

[thirdkingdom]

Ribar bows to the Priest "Father Rhoma, it is an honour to meet you. My friends and I bring grave news from the north, a strange incursion of chaos-shadows that involves a church to Manifest"...he continues on and recounts the story of the shadow-village and the corrupted church.

Father Rhoma

The cleric's face grows grave as Ribar speaks. "It was before me time," he says, "but there was a village to the north -- Aden, I believe it was called -- that had a Temple to Manifest. I was led to understand the village was abandoned, overrun by beastmen during the last Nadir. I had no idea that the Temple still existed." He pauses and frowns, eyebrows knit tightly. "I do not know much about gates, nor their closing, and only a little more about cleaning the evil taint from a once sacred place. Despite the recent growth in population Alice is still a small community, and my flock is small. You may have better luck in Bastion, or Rhea's Ford, or even asking a sorcerer about the gate. Did you bring the journals you mentioned with you? Perhaps there is some clue in them?"

Rhoma also indicates that the caravan to Kimrid is due to leave on the morrow, should the adventurers wish to warn them in person. "It is quite the event," he says, "the first caravan to the north in decades. The whole town, I imagine, will gather to see them off."

[VonAlric]

Gardo

"Let's ride to the west and south of where we think their camp is. They would probably be expecting someone from the east."

[shaidar]

Ribar slaps his hand to his forehead "I have been a fool father, I left the journals with Zellar, one of our group. We were concerned that reading it might have some unpleasant affect. I apologise"

He looks at his companions "We should warn the caravan and return north to our friends. Once the orcs have been dealt with we can examine the journal and decide what to do about the village. It may be that the clerics of Mnencir at Kimrid may have more experience of such things, or we could ask Madame Fleur to request information from the church in Rhea's Ford."

[beniliusbob]

Alwen Nar

"But we only just got here! Ah, well. Perhaps we should ride with the caravan. There's safety in numbers, and I doubt we'll reach Draea in time to crack any orc skulls."

Might learn something interesting or make allies with the caravaneers, also!

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

"That is a wise plan, Gardo. I agree, let us strike the orcs from where they do not expect us!"

When the party heads out, Zellar will ride near the front, where she can join battle or heal the wounded as necessary. Sigmari An will ride near the back, to the side of the column, so that she can easily escape into the woods if need be.

[shaidar]

Alwen Nar

"But we only just got here! Ah, well. Perhaps we should ride with the caravan. There's safety in numbers, and I doubt we'll reach Draea in time to crack any orc skulls."

Might learn something interesting or make allies with the caravaneers, also!

Ribar" I agree, riding with the caravan is a good idea. Do you agree Goshawk, or would you prefer we make hast? "

Newton

"I like the plan, surprise is always a good option."

Newton will take his usual point position, and ask Wilter and Toma to stay with the main body of the group, bows ready and alert for danger.

[The_Wanderer]

Goshawk

Perhaps sensing another opportunity at battle slipping away, the warrior squints unhappily. "I say we make haste...but you are wise. I will guard your back as we ride north with the caravan...if we find the caravan."

Feargus

For once, Feargus is seen riding towards the rear of the party. To say he is coaching Mardan Cy is an understatement. "You will stay toward the rear and watch the flanks. The battle will be brutal and quicker than you think..." It is at least the fourth time the rest of the party has heard a version of this speech. All at once the youth stops his horse, letting the rear guard ride past. It is a moment before Feargus realizes. "What is it?"

Mardan Cy

"Feargus, I respect you and will follow you to the end. But please shut. up. I've been working at my swordplay and my bow. I've been writing in my journal and capturing our deeds. I know I'm not to be in the thick of it. Will I die? Maybe but if that happens it will be because of what we don't know, not because of what you tell me now. Get to the front where you belong." Other than during a performance, it is the most forceful and most vocal any of the party have ever seen the youth. He emphasizes his point but gesturing in a shooing motion to the front.

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Twentythirdday
Draea

The Draean warhorses are slow -- Notai herself can almost run circles around them -- but look to be as sturdy and well-built as oxen. The adventurers head west, retracing their path, and as evening approaches reach the site of the former battle. The humanoid remains are gone, perhaps dragged off by animals, or worse, and Valru lead the party south a mile or so. "We're at the edges of the territory I know," she says, "but I think you are right; let's swing south on the 'morrow and try to come at them from a direction they will not be expecting."

Encounter on 1-2:: 1d6 5
The Draean warhorses are *slow*, with a speed of 90', partially because the ironskins are about twice the weight of a normal man.
The party leaves Draea and travels 18 miles per day. They leave hex 236.124 and head east, ending up in Hex 233.123.

Fifthmonth, Twentythirdday
Alice

It is, in fact trivially easy to find the caravan. The wagons, mules, drovers, and guards that make up the caravan are spread out at the northern edge of town, workers wrestling the few unloaded barrels and crates into place. There are several well-dressed men and women overseeing the work. One of them looks vaguely familiar to Ribar, and he realizes the man's name is Matts; the companions had spoken to him the first time they passed through Alice. Matts represents a company called the Northern Mercantile Exchange. It looks as though he will be one of the merchants heading north. He does not recognize anyone else.

[shaidar]

Ribar approaches Matts

"Good day, sir. Your name is Matts, is it not? You might not remember me, my name is Ribar Oshary, priest of Manifest. My friends are Goshawk and Alwen Nar. We are members of the Company of the Scarlett Warriors, the group that cleared the route to Kimrid. The rest of the group is in the north. We are here on an important errand and are looking to head north ourselves to rejoin them. We were hoping to speak to whoever is in charge of the caravan, as we have a warning of an area that should be avoided. "

[beniliusbob]

Alwen Nar

When he identifies an opportunity, Nar will question the merchant-looking types about throan to see what he can learn for Zellar.

Sorry to kludge this in here with so little grace, just don't want to forget about it!

[thirdkingdom]

Ribar approaches Matts

"Good day, sir. Your name is Matts, is it not? You might not remember me, my name is Ribar Oshary, priest of Manifest. My friends are Goshawk and Alwen Nar. We are members of the Company of the Scarlett Warriors, the group that cleared the route to Kimrid. The rest of the group is in the north. We are here on an important errand and are looking to head north ourselves to rejoin them. We were hoping to speak to whoever is in charge of the caravan, as we have a warning of an area that should be avoided. "

Matts

"Aha! I remember you fellows. You were the ones that cleared the road for us. I suppose that I am the one in charge, or, at least, one of them. What warning do you have?"

[thirdkingdom]

Alwen Nar

When he identifies an opportunity, Nar will question the merchant-looking types about throan to see what he can learn for Zellar.

Sorry to kludge this in here with so little grace, just don't want to forget about it!

Matts

"Throan? Ah, yes. We see it occasionally; it's highly valued by alchemists. The throan beetle can be found north of here, in marshy areas. It secretes a substance that builds up on the trees they like in -- bog oaks, mostly -- that cause the leaves to shimmer with silver. You find a steady source of throan you'll be sure to make good money off it. There's rumors, though, that unusually large insect can often be found in the same vicinity. Never witnessed it myself, so not sure if it's true or not."

[shaidar]

Matts

"Aha! I remember you fellows. You were the ones that cleared the road for us. I suppose that I am the one in charge, or, at least, one of them. What warning do you have?"

Ribar

"There is an abandoned village, a few days travel, that is chaos-tainted. If you stay outside of its boundaries you should be safe. As we are travelling north ourselves, perhaps we could travel with you until we meet the rest of the company. A known face in your group might be useful when you arrive at Draea."

[thirdkingdom]

Matts

"Aha! I remember you fellows. You were the ones that cleared the road for us. I suppose that I am the one in charge, or, at least, one of them. What warning do you have?"

Ribar

"There is an abandoned village, a few days travel, that is chaos-tainted. If you stay outside of its boundaries you should be safe. As we are travelling north ourselves, perhaps we could travel with you until we meet the rest of the company. A known face in your group might be useful when you arrive at Draea."

Matts

"I have no complaint with that. The more swords we have riding with us the safer we are. We will be moving pretty slowly, though, as long as you're fine with waiting for us."

[shaidar]

Ribar looks at the others "I don't travelling with the caravan, at least as far as the village, but it's your call"

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Twentythirdday
Hex 233.123

The adventurers make camp. The night passes uneventfully.

Random Encounter (1-2):: 1d6 5

Fifthmont, Twentythirdday
Alice

Alice has the air of a street carnival. The first caravan north is definitely something of interest. All through the evening and into the night villagers, of varying means and miens, approach either the guards or traders, pressing small objects -- coins, or scraps of paper, or similar -- into their hands. Wine and ale flow freely, and several of the guards pull out instruments -- a set of pipes, a lute, a tamborine -- and begin playing an impromptu jig.

Matts approaches the adventurers late in the night, cheeks and nose red with alcohol. "I appreciate you joining us for at least the first leg of this trip," he says, "the world has not yet righted itself, and traveling can still be dangerous. I wanted to tell you something that may be of interest to your band." He asks for the adventurers' map, and traces a line to the east of Alice. "My grandfather and his family came from a village to the north of here." His finger lands on a hex marked 241.125. "Called Mimark. They were pretty far out into the Territories, and traded both north and south. During the last Nadir their village was attacked pretty early on, and they ended up fleeing south, to Alice. Came into town as a young man, no more than sixteen, with a mule and an emerald the size of your thumbnail tucked into his boot, started this whole business with what he sold that stone for. Told me on his deathbed where the emerald came from; there were some ruins from the Olden Days a little ways north of his village. An abandoned temple, or something. He wasn't sure what. But he'd gone in there on a dare from some friends. Lucky bastard said he stumbled through dark and dank corridors until he came upon a room, the floor of which was just covered in gems. Twinkling in his candlelight like stars in the sky, he said. He saw something move at the far end, reached down to grab one, and lit out of there. Never told no one where he got it, not even thems that dared him. You might want to tell your bosses about this. Might be some of those gems still left."

If there's anything Ribar, Goshawk, or Alwen want to do feel free to chime in and we'll retcon it.

Fifthmonth, Twentyfourthday
Hex 233.123

The adventurers rise early in the morning and consult with Valru. "Now," she says, looking at the map, "the prisoner we took said their encampment was a day's walk away from here. Couldn't get exact directions from him, but we did learn that they were camped by a river that ran into the north. I figure we should be able to head due west until we hit the river, unless you want to turn south some more. We're only two or three miles south of where we fought the orcs."

Fifthmonth, Twentyfourthday
Alice

The adventurers rise in the morning. Caravan guards emerge hungover and blinking their eyes. Most of them seem to have slept outside, either in or under the wagons, but despite the early morning and last night's festivities all seem excited. Matts is driving the lead wagon, sitting next to a woman in chain clutching a crossbow. There are fourteen wagons in all, a score of guards in chain mail, most riding donkeys or mules, and another dozen or so traders, functionaries. Additionally, a squad of the Prince's men, in their scarlet doublets, ride behind, keeping somewhat aloof from the rest of the caravan.