Action Thread 1: The Meeting/Encounter on the Coast Trail
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:39 pm
… You continue to make your way toward the coastal valley marked upon the map. The great moon rises higher in the night sky, its eerie bluish glow slowly becoming brighter. The dark, thick fog, emanating from the Sea of Ghosts, creeps further toward land on the back of a cool, light breeze from the waiting west...
As you get closer to the location on the map, the terrain changes, funneling all game trails into what appears to be the only easily-accessible path into the valley beyond. As you cautiously approach an area where the trail splits a large rock and number of tall trees, a challenge is issued forth. “State your business” rings forth in common, in a forced monotone. Suddenly, for those with infravision, a number of individuals to each side and above become apparent, numbering at least a dozen. You reply with the pass-code from the letter: “One hand balances the other, friend." After a brief pause, the voice responds. “Follow the trail to the second meadow below and wait there with the others. Do not come back this way or stray from the trail.” The voice becomes silent again and with growing expectation, you head down the trail.
You quickly descend into the fog and visibility becomes limited. The air is damp and cooler here and thick enough with tension to cut with a knife. You pass through the first small and empty meadow and continue down the path. Eventually, you arrive at the second meadow and enter cautiously. It’s slightly larger than the first and in its center appears to be a large fire pit, flames not licking up very high and set on a deep bed of low, hot coals. You immediately notice a number of other individuals are present around the meadow. Some sit, others stand, and some crouch. Some are alone and some are with others. You take an open place in the perimeter and wait.
About 10 minutes after you arrive, a few more individuals appear. You now count almost two dozen individuals present. They take their places by the fire and moments later, an eloquent-sounding voice rings out of the darkness. “On behalf of the honorable Socratis, I welcome you. I am Billy. You have all been given the note because you were in danger of being arrested by the King’s Eyes. It appears, whether truth or not, that you are each somehow connected in some way with The Hands. Whether this was by your wish or not, I can assure you it matters not to them. Arrests have been on the rise and almost none are being released anymore. You’ve all heard the stories. And now recently, you’ve known a neighbor, friend, family member or work associate that’s been taken in. So many innocents have been killed, imprisoned or even sold to the Slavers Guild from the south. Unfortunately, we know not the fate of your friends, associates and loved ones. But you have each been given the chance, upon their benefactor’s request, to be granted safe passage from the area. None among you will be indebted to The Hands for this, nor be required to pay passage. All major, local sea ports and harbors have recently been taken control of by the king’s forces. And now suddenly, they have stopped allowing free men, refugees and common folk of every race from sailing out to any port destination, or from leaving the region for that matter. The king’s army has set up roadblocks and stockades all around the lands to the south and east. They charge tariffs upon travelers and have forbidden passage to some of those loyal to the people. Some that had made their way safely south past the Totallans and towards the Throkmar and Daboo forests are reported to have been seen in the slave markets of the south by those loyal to the people. To the north and eastern areas of Karagonia, outposts have established and manned bordering the elven lands. Large groups of mounted infantry and scouts have begun patrolling these areas. Within a very short amount of time, it seems the king has established means of keeping people from leaving these lands and has also somehow managed to get his spies among those loyal to the people. The time to depart has come, loyal friends.
Within the hour, long boats will arrive at the beach below to take you to the ship just anchored. This is a merchant ship that will take you west to the port of Newshore. Your note will be your pass to board the ship. Follow the captain’s orders at all times without question. Rest assured that he is a dear and most loyal friend to the people, so have no fear of being forsaken. You may make each other’s acquaintance, but only if that individual wills it to be so. Some among you have requested anonymity for the voyage. We ask you respect their privacy. When you reach Newshore, you’ll be free to go about your business. Are there any questions?”
As you get closer to the location on the map, the terrain changes, funneling all game trails into what appears to be the only easily-accessible path into the valley beyond. As you cautiously approach an area where the trail splits a large rock and number of tall trees, a challenge is issued forth. “State your business” rings forth in common, in a forced monotone. Suddenly, for those with infravision, a number of individuals to each side and above become apparent, numbering at least a dozen. You reply with the pass-code from the letter: “One hand balances the other, friend." After a brief pause, the voice responds. “Follow the trail to the second meadow below and wait there with the others. Do not come back this way or stray from the trail.” The voice becomes silent again and with growing expectation, you head down the trail.
You quickly descend into the fog and visibility becomes limited. The air is damp and cooler here and thick enough with tension to cut with a knife. You pass through the first small and empty meadow and continue down the path. Eventually, you arrive at the second meadow and enter cautiously. It’s slightly larger than the first and in its center appears to be a large fire pit, flames not licking up very high and set on a deep bed of low, hot coals. You immediately notice a number of other individuals are present around the meadow. Some sit, others stand, and some crouch. Some are alone and some are with others. You take an open place in the perimeter and wait.
About 10 minutes after you arrive, a few more individuals appear. You now count almost two dozen individuals present. They take their places by the fire and moments later, an eloquent-sounding voice rings out of the darkness. “On behalf of the honorable Socratis, I welcome you. I am Billy. You have all been given the note because you were in danger of being arrested by the King’s Eyes. It appears, whether truth or not, that you are each somehow connected in some way with The Hands. Whether this was by your wish or not, I can assure you it matters not to them. Arrests have been on the rise and almost none are being released anymore. You’ve all heard the stories. And now recently, you’ve known a neighbor, friend, family member or work associate that’s been taken in. So many innocents have been killed, imprisoned or even sold to the Slavers Guild from the south. Unfortunately, we know not the fate of your friends, associates and loved ones. But you have each been given the chance, upon their benefactor’s request, to be granted safe passage from the area. None among you will be indebted to The Hands for this, nor be required to pay passage. All major, local sea ports and harbors have recently been taken control of by the king’s forces. And now suddenly, they have stopped allowing free men, refugees and common folk of every race from sailing out to any port destination, or from leaving the region for that matter. The king’s army has set up roadblocks and stockades all around the lands to the south and east. They charge tariffs upon travelers and have forbidden passage to some of those loyal to the people. Some that had made their way safely south past the Totallans and towards the Throkmar and Daboo forests are reported to have been seen in the slave markets of the south by those loyal to the people. To the north and eastern areas of Karagonia, outposts have established and manned bordering the elven lands. Large groups of mounted infantry and scouts have begun patrolling these areas. Within a very short amount of time, it seems the king has established means of keeping people from leaving these lands and has also somehow managed to get his spies among those loyal to the people. The time to depart has come, loyal friends.
Within the hour, long boats will arrive at the beach below to take you to the ship just anchored. This is a merchant ship that will take you west to the port of Newshore. Your note will be your pass to board the ship. Follow the captain’s orders at all times without question. Rest assured that he is a dear and most loyal friend to the people, so have no fear of being forsaken. You may make each other’s acquaintance, but only if that individual wills it to be so. Some among you have requested anonymity for the voyage. We ask you respect their privacy. When you reach Newshore, you’ll be free to go about your business. Are there any questions?”