IC II

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Fifteenthday
The Meadhall

About an hour or so later, as the sun is sinking below the horizon, Zaeli leads the adventurers to the mead hall, a long stone structure in the rough center of the community. At the far end, and halfway down each long wall, are large fireplaces, large enough for a man to stand inside. Tonight only a fire burns in the far one.

About forty individuals -- the Baron, his advisors, and others -- are standing or sitting along two long oak tables arranged down the middle of the room, piled with food of all sorts; meats cooked in a variety of means, roast vegetables, loaves of dark bread, and flagons of what look to be ale or wine positioned along the table.

At the far end, next to the fire, a low platform is constructed. Standing upon the platform is a smaller Ironborn man, tuning a lute-like instrument. The adventurers note a half-dozen or so humans, dressed in servants' garb, circulating through the crowd bearing food and drink.

[sulldawga]

Telemachus

As the meal winds down, Telemachus engages the Baron in discussions.

"Baron, tell me, are there any other settlements in the area worth visiting? Friendly ones, I mean, that may want to trade with the Variegated Kingdoms."

[VonAlric]

Gardo

Gardo will attempt during the time together to tell some of his battle stories and encourage the Baron and his men to do the same. He will also encourage Feargus to sing some of the exploits as he did previously.

[shaidar]

Later in the evening, once the food has been consumed, Ribar will introduce himself to Odos.

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

During the meal, Feargus is in his element; meeting new people, sharing stories. He can't tell if the locals are enjoying themselves but he sure is. "Mardan Cy, do not waste the opportunity to learn from these people. You have a natural gift for stories...and you won't be able to rely only on your own stories."

As Telemachus engages the Baron, Feargus adds, "And do you see any signs of organization of Chaos on a large scale? To some it sounds impossible - by its very nature Chaos can't be organized - but we've seen it on a small scale in the tribes of orcs. If there were a nation or even a city of Chaos...that would be frightening."

[thirdkingdom]

Telemachus

As the meal winds down, Telemachus engages the Baron in discussions.

"Baron, tell me, are there any other settlements in the area worth visiting? Friendly ones, I mean, that may want to trade with the Variegated Kingdoms."

The Baron purses his lips in thought as he examines the adventurers' map. "You are already aware of Kimrid to the north," he says, and then traces a line northwest. "There is," he says, "or was, at least about a generation ago, a small kingdom around here." He points to hex 229.117. "Cicumo, it was called. There were maybe a half dozen villages, and a large town that was the seat of power. My people passed through there on the way here. There's a road that lead from there to Kimrid." He traces a line east, connecting the two. "There's more to the north, as well. I see you travel with a cerves. Once you clear the trees roughly north of Kimrid -- maybe a week or so -- there's a broad plain. There are several cities there, as well. Or were, according to my father and his before him."

[thirdkingdom]

Gardo

Gardo will attempt during the time together to tell some of his battle stories and encourage the Baron and his men to do the same. He will also encourage Feargus to sing some of the exploits as he did previously.

The Ironborn seem to be a martial people; practising and excelling at the art of war. Battle is a main topic of conversation, and much of the tales revolve around their conflicts with the orcs and the Baron's slaying of the orcish king. It seems the Ironborn arrived at this spot at the beginning of the previous Nadir, and had just enough time to build their fortified city before the orcish hordes swept in from the east. To hear them tell it the orcs broke around the settlement like water around a stone, and after several attempts to storm, or even lay siege to the settlement, eventually gave up and moved on. About seven years ago the orcs began to migrate back north, and once again attempted to assault the town, but the Baron took to the field and slew their king in single combat, after which the horde broke and fled.

Feargus

During the meal, Feargus is in his element; meeting new people, sharing stories. He can't tell if the locals are enjoying themselves but he sure is. "Mardan Cy, do not waste the opportunity to learn from these people. You have a natural gift for stories...and you won't be able to rely only on your own stories."

As Telemachus engages the Baron, Feargus adds, "And do you see any signs of organization of Chaos on a large scale? To some it sounds impossible - by its very nature Chaos can't be organized - but we've seen it on a small scale in the tribes of orcs. If there were a nation or even a city of Chaos...that would be frightening."

The Baron

"There were rumors of that, of an orcish kingdom to the east, of some sort of driving force behind the incursions. It is possible; they do form hordes on occasion, and sally forth to assault the realms of Law, but these rarely last long, as it is in the nature of Chaos to consume itself. Were the tales to be true -- were there some guiding intelligence behind it -- we would likely all be in grave danger."

[thirdkingdom]

Later in the evening, once the food has been consumed, Ribar will introduce himself to Odos.

Odos

Most of the Ironbord stand well over six feet in height, of generous stature and proportions, but the priest Odos is positively slight for his race, barely reaching five and a half feet, and slender. It is hard to tell age with these folk; they seem to not exhibit age with grey hair and wrinkles, as do Men, but with a tarnishing and dulling of the skin. If this is case Odos looks to be old for his people, and squints at Ribar.

"Well met," he said, "I heard the soft-skins were traveling with a priest that had questions for me. What can I do to help?"

[shaidar]

Ribar

"Well, sir, I am interested to hear about your god, Yster. I hope I have that remembered that right. I myself follow Manifest, who champions civilisation. My companions and I have also come across some items on our travels, we believe they are magical, but we are concerned they might be cursed. I would appreciate any wisdom you have in such matters. We have the means to detect for enchantments and ill-intent, but I have yet to reach the level of spiritual maturity to gain more powerful spells."

[Atlictoatl]

The Baron

"There were rumors of that, of an orcish kingdom to the east, of some sort of driving force behind the incursions. It is possible; they do form hordes on occasion, and sally forth to assault the realms of Law, but these rarely last long, as it is in the nature of Chaos to consume itself. Were the tales to be true -- were there some guiding intelligence behind it -- we would likely all be in grave danger."

Haaki, the Feather Witch

"Would any of your people have interest in traveling north with us, lord Baron?" the feather witch asks. "They could see with their own eyes what has transpired in the lands around you, and report back to you."

[thirdkingdom]

Ribar

"Well, sir, I am interested to hear about your god, Yster. I hope I have that remembered that right. I myself follow Manifest, who champions civilisation. My companions and I have also come across some items on our travels, we believe they are magical, but we are concerned they might be cursed. I would appreciate any wisdom you have in such matters. We have the means to detect for enchantments and ill-intent, but I have yet to reach the level of spiritual maturity to gain more powerful spells."

Odos

"Yster is the crafter, of war and steel. We worship them with the clash of steel in the forge and on the battlefield. Come to me on the morrow and I can see what I can do."

[thirdkingdom]

The Baron

"There were rumors of that, of an orcish kingdom to the east, of some sort of driving force behind the incursions. It is possible; they do form hordes on occasion, and sally forth to assault the realms of Law, but these rarely last long, as it is in the nature of Chaos to consume itself. Were the tales to be true -- were there some guiding intelligence behind it -- we would likely all be in grave danger."

Haaki, the Feather Witch

"Would any of your people have interest in traveling north with us, lord Baron?" the feather witch asks. "They could see with their own eyes what has transpired in the lands around you, and report back to you."

The Baron

"You're welcome to ask around. Don't ask the furrowed, those are my troops, and I cannot spare them." He points out what he means by "furrowed"; a number of the Ironborn have deep scratches upon their breasts, carved by knife, that indicate their rank and position in the Guard.

http://orokos.com/roll/761905: 2d6+1 7

[shaidar]

Ribar

"Well, sir, I am interested to hear about your god, Yster. I hope I have that remembered that right. I myself follow Manifest, who champions civilisation. My companions and I have also come across some items on our travels, we believe they are magical, but we are concerned they might be cursed. I would appreciate any wisdom you have in such matters. We have the means to detect for enchantments and ill-intent, but I have yet to reach the level of spiritual maturity to gain more powerful spells."

Odos

"Yster is the crafter, of war and steel. We worship them with the clash of steel in the forge and on the battlefield. Come to me on the morrow and I can see what I can do."

Ribar

"Thank you sir, I certainly will"

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Fifteenthday
Meadhall

The Baron Xelazo and his folk prove to be hospitable, if not exactly welcoming. The more perceptive adventurers note that there is something . . . off . . . about their guests. A cold, impersonal air, or perhaps just a different set of social mores. Everyone seems well-behaved, and while alcohol is consumed no one seems to consume too much. The few humans present do not seem maltreated or abused in any manner, even though they clearly occupy a lower social standing.

The performer on the stage begins to strum his lute. Or rather, it's not a lute, but some instrument that neither Feargus nor Mardan Cy are familiar with. The notes are harsh and metallic, and as he strums he accompanies it with a bursts of stacatto, flat declarations that the adventurers have a hard time following, but with the help of those around are able to piece together the narrative of the song. It tells of the siderenos south from their home in the north, nearly a century prior, and the founding of the Barony of Draea. Xelazo is the fourth Baron, having inherited the throne when his mother died fighting, and successfully driving off, a great dragon with skin the color of moss that supposedly still resides in the forests to the north, nursing its wounds and biding its time.

Fourthmonth, Sixteenthday
The Barony of Draea

The adventurers rise in the morning to find the skies leaden and a cold wind blowing from the north, bringing with it an icy drizzle. Before leaving the meadhall the previous night they were given directions: to the temple of Yster, the Baron's office, and other various and sundry locations that may be of interest to the companions.

[sulldawga]

Telemachus

The mage visits the Baron's office to see if he can examine the Baron's collection of books. He's looking for spells first and foremost but, assuming this is the last place he'll find anything of magical value, he's also looking for anything else of historic value.

[shaidar]

Before they retire Newton and Ribar discuss spells for the next day, and agree to double-up on detect magic and detect evil

The next morning Newton uses detect magic to check over the treasure and pick out the enchanted items to take to the priest, before heading there with Ribar.

Anyone else who wants to come is welcome.

From the treasure list I *think* the following are magical:

A potion of some sort in a bottle of blue glass.
A brass scrollcase containing a scroll of some sort.
A staff of some light-colored, reddish wood, carved with entwining snakes
A skeletal hand is found with a ring around one finger.
A wand some 12" in length, of yellowed ivory, carved with what appear to be faces of the dead, or perhaps the damned.

The scroll is the item most concerned with being cursed.

[sulldawga]

Telemachus

The mage tells Newton that he's quite interested in the results of his examination (and any that the priest Odos makes) and that he'll check back in with Newton once he meets up with the Baron.

You may want to hold off on paying Odos to identify anything before Telemachus gives it a try. Good to see if we can detect any curses first though.

[VonAlric]

Gardo

Nursing a small headache from the previous night's activity, Gardo follows along with the others as they wend their way to Baron Xelazo. Once the others have made their inquiries, Gardo will make his.

"Good Baron, first to say, many thanks for the hospitality you offered us. Waking up to this," he makes a gesture towards a window showing the outside, "is not my favorite thing to do. That said, last night the performance of your bard raised a question. Since your kind came from up north, perchance you may know what a couple of items are?" Gardo will bring forth the lier and the flat orange rectangle key that Notai had sold him. He will also describe the lantern item that was left in Rhea's Ford for analysis.

[thirdkingdom]

Before they retire Newton and Ribar discuss spells for the next day, and agree to double-up on detect magic and detect evil

The next morning Newton uses detect magic to check over the treasure and pick out the enchanted items to take to the priest, before heading there with Ribar.

Anyone else who wants to come is welcome.

From the treasure list I *think* the following are magical:

A potion of some sort in a bottle of blue glass.
A brass scrollcase containing a scroll of some sort.
A staff of some light-colored, reddish wood, carved with entwining snakes
A skeletal hand is found with a ring around one finger.
A wand some 12" in length, of yellowed ivory, carved with what appear to be faces of the dead, or perhaps the damned.

The scroll is the item most concerned with being cursed.

All of the items -- the potion, the scroll, the staff, the ring (but not the hand), and the wand -- are magical. None radiate evil.

[thirdkingdom]

Gardo

Nursing a small headache from the previous night's activity, Gardo follows along with the others as they wend their way to Baron Xelazo. Once the others have made their inquiries, Gardo will make his.

"Good Baron, first to say, many thanks for the hospitality you offered us. Waking up to this," he makes a gesture towards a window showing the outside, "is not my favorite thing to do. That said, last night the performance of your bard raised a question. Since your kind came from up north, perchance you may know what a couple of items are?" Gardo will bring forth the lier and the flat orange rectangle key that Notai had sold him. He will also describe the lantern item that was left in Rhea's Ford for analysis.

Baron Xelazo

The Baron takes both of the items and turns them over in his burnished hands, frowning. "This is a key. The Northmen of old used these to open and close doors. How it functions I do not know, as it looks to be a wafer-thin. Magic, no doubt. It is said that one of these keys can open only one door. The leir knife I have seen before; my blade is one." He draws his blade perhaps a foot from his scabbard, revealing a matte black surface. "This is Lightdrinker," he says, and Gardo can see why, as virtually no light reflects off it. "It has been passed down through my family for generations, and it is said my great-great-great grandmother claimed it in some ruins to the North. You must remember that neither I nor any of my people have ventured more than fifty miles north of here; it is no longer our home."