The Stolid Soldier

[archolewa]

May 15 AR [Age of Reclamation] 1

The Stolid Soldier. A tavern in central Thorncity, just south of
the barracks. In the month since Princess Flora's speech it had become a
gathering place for soldiers released from duty, but too restless and bereft of
purpose to return to the farms.

The owner and bartender, Ol' Will, made time to befriend any customer who came
more than thrice, and his rich baritone could be heard cheerfully greeting this
or that restless warrior still seeking a new purpose.

A mix of dwarves and humans erupted into laughter at a table against the wall.

"I thought dwarves could hold their liquor, Brun!" crowed a
redheaded woman, one eye permanently shut by a wicked scar down the side of her
face.

"I'm holdin' it fine!" growled a bushy bearded dwarf next to her.
"I tell ya, the Kinslayer's Maw ain't nothing but an overripe fruit ripe for
pluckin'. Who knows what kinds of magnificent treasures He gathered there?"

"And I tell you, only a drunk or a fool would suggest going to that den
of darkness," said the woman. "And you ain't no fool, so you
must be drunk!"

Ol' Will's son, a young boy by the name Lil' Will, stood atop the bar, shouting a
message he'd been paid good coin to deliver: "Calling all who seek
adventure! Who fear not the sea! A great expedition shall be sent across the
Bay to the Fallen Cities of Lyra. Bastions of human civilization, their great
ships once traveled the west coasts from the shores of the West Amber Sea to the
boughs of the Great Green! Much was their wealth, and many their treasures!
Rich is the land. Come! Come to the Docks! Seek the scribes of Lord August
and help humanity reclaim its home and heritage!"

Sitting at the bar not so far away were two in particular: Corvin, a
young Lupine, fidgeting with a stuffed bear tucked into his belt loop, and
Mordred an equally young warrior, his cloak held to his shoulders by a
prominently displayed starburst pin: the mark of a Magic-User.

Corvin was lost in thought, his boots still muddy from recent travel. A
human family had taken him in in the immediate aftermath of his family's death:
a couple, both veterans of several tours of duty, and their two sons and a
daughter. The younger son and daughter were close to Corvin's age, the daughter
older than him by about six months, the son younger by a few years. After he
was formally discharged last week, he'd decided to travel back home to visit
his adoptive family. Their names were Benjamin (the father), Wendy (the mother),
Benjamin "Benjy" Jr (the oldest son), Astrid (middle daughter), and Nathan (youngest son).

He'd found their farm burned to the ground. A single wall still stood, carved
with a stylized battleaxe. The other villagers were adamant that the whole
family had burned in the fire, though Corvin found no evidence of bodies, and
nobody had buried the remains. They seemed strangely, almost unnaturally
reluctant to report the event to the authorities, an unusual thing indeed for a
village filled with multiple generations of disciplined military veterans. The
whole thing stank of some dark sorcery.

Meanwhile, Mordred kept an eye on the door. An old friend had left a
message for him with Ol' Will, asking him to meet at The Stolid Soldier
at noon. And indeed, the door swung open and a young man entered, clad in
leather armor, a wooden shield on his back and a blackjack at his side. A sprig
of mistletoe was pinned to the shoulder of his cloak: the sign of a Druid.

He was Sebastian. He had entered the Magic-User training regiment along with
Mordred, but dropped out not long after. Mordred lost track of him in
the ensuing years. Mordred waved to catch his attention. Sebastian's face broke
into a broad grin when he saw the starburst pin holding Mordred's cloak.

"Mordred!" he cried, wading through the crowd. He thumped his
old friend on the shoulder. "You did it, you old dog, you really did
it! Wow. Mordred the Magic-User. Has quite the ring to it, doesn't
it?"

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin was unsettled, he hadn't felt this unsure of his future since his family died. Of course the end of the war was a marvellous thing, but the disbanding of his unit left him more and more unsure as one by one the unit dwindled as the troops were released. Most of them were going home to family, a smile on their faces. That wasn't an option for him. He'd hoped going to see his adoptive human family would help settle him, they had been good to him. Their disappearance was like a punch to the guts. Something was wrong there, the lack of bodies, the axe symbol, the odd behaviour of the villagers. It just smelled off. Benjamin and his family were good people, and he owed it to them to find out what was going on.

He forced himself to stop fretting with the toy bear at his belt, afraid he would damage it. He took a long drink of ale and watched the newcomer greet Mordred. The druid smelled of the wilderness.

[archolewa]

Ol' Will noticed Corvin's agitation, and sidled up across from him while Mordred and Sebastian spoke. He gave his son a good-natured pat on the thigh to get him scampering to the far side of the bar and repeat his message. "Kind of surprised to see ye again Corvin. Figured when ye said ye'd be headin' home, ye'd be settling down to the farms."

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin looked up at Ol' Will and shook his head.

"They're gone. My second family. Dissappeared. The villagers said they'd died in the fire, but they're hiding something, and I'm going to find out what."

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred's eyes lit up at the sight of Sebastian, a rare smile breaking through his usually stoic demeanor - "Sebastian, my friend!" - he exclaimed, clasping the druid's hand with a firm grip - "It's been too long, and the roads have been too quiet without your wild tales to fill the air"

He gestured to the seat beside him, inviting Sebastian to join him - "Sit, sit! Let's share a drink and you can tell me of your adventures. As for the title..." - Mordred's expression softened as he regarded the starburst pin, his fingers brushing over it with a reverence that belied his usual confidence - "It is more of a testament to what can be accomplished, of things to come... You know what I mean!" - he smiled again, clapping his friend on his shoulder - "But to you I remain as I have always been - a friend. No more, no less"

As the two settled into conversation, Mordred's attention was momentarily ensnared by the gravity in Corvin's voice. The tale of a family lost to fire and the villagers' suspicious silence unfolded in his mind like a grim tapestry. He thought to himself - 'A family vanished, a home reduced to ashes, and a symbol that speaks of darker deeds... This is no mere misfortune. It reeks of foul play'

[archolewa]

Corvin

Corvin looked up at Ol' Will and shook his head.

"They're gone. My second family. Dissappeared. The villagers said they'd died in the fire, but they're hiding something, and I'm going to find out what."

Ol' Will sighed sadly. "Seer go blind, orc raid or something? Ain't yer village 2 days West or thereabouts? Figured I'd have heard something about an orcish raiding party getting that far into the Refuge, but you never know. Did they leave a clan sigil?"

Intelligence Check with a +1 bonus, because Corvin's knowledge of Goblinoid suggests some understanding of their culture: 1d20+12 = 30 > 20. Corvin is certain that these weren't orcs or any other goblinoid. While they like to leave their tribal markings, they prefer to invoke the more fantastical monsters of the Kinslayer like Chimeras or Basilisks. Corvin has certainly never heard of a goblinoid tribe using something as mundane as a battleaxe.

Mordred

Mordred's eyes lit up at the sight of Sebastian, a rare smile breaking through his usually stoic demeanor - "Sebastian, my friend!" - he exclaimed, clasping the druid's hand with a firm grip - "It's been too long, and the roads have been too quiet without your wild tales to fill the air"

He gestured to the seat beside him, inviting Sebastian to join him - "Sit, sit! Let's share a drink and you can tell me of your adventures. As for the title..." - Mordred's expression softened as he regarded the starburst pin, his fingers brushing over it with a reverence that belied his usual confidence - "It is more of a testament to what can be accomplished, of things to come... You know what I mean!" - he smiled again, clapping his friend on his shoulder - "But to you I remain as I have always been - a friend. No more, no less"

"I'm glad to hear it Mordred," said Sebastian. His smile faded, and he fingered the sprig of misletoe on his shoulder. "I must admit, my glee at seeing your starburst is not only for your sake. I help maintain the Thornwall these days, about half a days south down the Thornroad. Folks near there have started disappearing. Halflings mostly, but some humans too. A messenger might leave the village and never reach the garrison. A man might head to one of the more remote fields, and not return in the evening. And what's worse..."

Sebastian threw a nervous look at Ol' Will and leaned in close, so that only Mordred could hear. "I found a small gap in the Thornwall. I think some beast of the Kinslayer is launching kidnappings or murders through it. But I dare not investigate it by myself. I can fight at need, but I'm no warrior, as I'm sure you remember. Meanwhile, the garrison's got some problems with a tribe of goblins trying to come over the Thornwall. I could really use your help."

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred's brow furrowed as he absorbed the weight of Sebastian's words - "A breach in the Thornwall is no small matter" - he said thoughtfully and leaned in, his voice steady and resolute - "You have my support, Sebastian. My blade and spells are at your disposal - how can I help brother?" - he placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder again - "Perhaps I can muster a party to investigate this gap in the Thornwall?" - the warrior mage pondered - "Or these recent goblin problems assailing the garrison? You think there might be a relation?" - he added - "You can count on me for whatever is needed"

[shaidar]

Corvin

Ol' Will sighed sadly. "Seer go blind, orc raid or something? Ain't yer village 2 days West or thereabouts? Figured I'd have heard something about an orcish raiding party getting that far into the Refuge, but you never know. Did they leave a clan sigil?"

Intelligence Check with a +1 bonus, because Corvin's knowledge of Goblinoid suggests some understanding of their culture: 1d20+12 = 30 > 20. Corvin is certain that these weren't orcs or any other goblinoid. While they like to leave their tribal markings, they prefer to invoke the more fantastical monsters of the Kinslayer like Chimeras or Basilisks. Corvin has certainly never heard of a goblinoid tribe using something as mundane as a battleaxe.

The lupine shakes his head again

"It wasn't orcs or goblins. The locals seemed scared to talk about it, even to inform the authorities. They left behind a battleaxe symbol, carved into the only wall of the house that was left standing. This is something different than normal raids."

[archolewa]

Mordred

Mordred's brow furrowed as he absorbed the weight of Sebastian's words - "A breach in the Thornwall is no small matter" - he said thoughtfully and leaned in, his voice steady and resolute - "You have my support, Sebastian. My blade and spells are at your disposal - how can I help brother?" - he placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder again - "Perhaps I can muster a party to investigate this gap in the Thornwall?" - the warrior mage pondered - "Or these recent goblin problems assailing the garrison? You think there might be a relation?" - he added - "You can count on me for whatever is needed"

"Thank you, friend." Sebastian smiled in relief. He considered Mordred's words for a moment. "Could be. Or someone, or something's just sneaking through the gap and nicking innocent folk while the garrison is busy with a different problem. I haven't seen any evidence of goblins near the gap. No, whatever it is is much more subtle , much more at home amongst trees and grasses. Not sure I even would have found the gap if it weren't for my connection to the Thornwall."

Corvin

The lupine shakes his head again

"It wasn't orcs or goblins. The locals seemed scared to talk about it, even to inform the authorities. They left behind a battleaxe symbol, carved into the only wall of the house that was left standing. This is something different than normal raids."

Ol' Will's jaw clenched, and his lips drew back in a snarl. "Seer be blind indeed. The Battleaxe gang. Deserters, who've somehow managed to evade arrest. They've been lurking in the underbelly of the city for years now, sucking on the city like a leech while the rest of us've been busy defending our homes and families. Hear they've been getting bolder in the past month, but never imagined they'd go so far as burn a farm down and kill or kidnap the honest folk living there. Ain't no bottom for some people."

[shaidar]

Corvin

Ol' Will's jaw clenched, and his lips drew back in a snarl. "Seer be blind indeed. The Battleaxe gang. Deserters, who've somehow managed to evade arrest. They've been lurking in the underbelly of the city for years now, sucking on the city like a leech while the rest of us've been busy defending our homes and families. Hear they've been getting bolder in the past month, but never imagined they'd go so far as burn a farm down and kill or kidnap the honest folk living there. Ain't no bottom for some people."

"Deserters!" his eyes harden and he emits a deep growl "But why Benjamin, and why now? A personal vendetta, or maybe he knows something."

He thinks back, trying to remember if Benjamin or Wendy ever said what they did when they served.

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred nodded, his eyes reflecting a tactical mind at work - "Agreed, we might be facing a foe that knows how to move unseen and strike without warning" - he said, his voice carrying a hint of respect for a worthy adversary - "I feel your connection to the Thornwall is our best asset. We should use it to uncover this hidden threat"

The man paused, considering their options - "Have you had a chance to look for any tracks, signs, or anything out of the ordinary in the area where you found this gap?"

[archolewa]

"Deserters!" his eyes harden and he emits a deep growl "But why Benjamin, and why now? A personal vendetta, or maybe he knows something."

He thinks back, trying to remember if Benjamin or Wendy ever said what they did when they served.

Feels like a Wisdom check to me, since this is less formal information recall, and more picking up on any subtle references, or uncomfortable topics. 1d20+13 = 32 > 20.

Corvin remembers a couple of oddities.

First, Benjamin was *very* circumspect about his tour of service. Most people wear their veteran status as a badge of honor. But Benjamin almost never spoke of it, going pale and changing the subject when it came up. But from what Corvin managed to glean (mostly from his wife, Wendy, who was much more proud of her service), Corvin knows that his tour of duty seemed unusually riven with bad luck. He had served about twenty-five to thirty years ago, during the final retreat into the Refuge and the Raising of the Thornwall. It had been a terrible time in general, filled with losses, but Benjamin had an especially rough time. He was present at many of the more disastrous battles, like the Siege (and Burning) of Elviney, the last bastion of the Great Green, and the Massacre Upon the Road. You're pretty sure he'd even been present at the Raising of the Thornwall, a battle that would have ended in disaster were it not for the heroic last stand of Princess Flora's grandfather, then but a minor noble, and his entire legion.

Corvin also remembers a strange, small protrusion under the roof of their house that suggested additional space in the attic, but he was never able to find that space, the few times you cared to look.

Mordred

The man paused, considering their options - "Have you had a chance to look for any tracks, signs, or anything out of the ordinary in the area where you found this gap?"

Sebastian shook his head. "Soon as I realized the kidnappings might be coming from Outside, I hurried back to the garrison, where I learned they were too busy dealing with the goblin threat to venture Outside for a few kidnap victims. I was at my wits' end, until I remembered our time together, and hoped that if you'd managed to become a Magic-User, perhaps you'd be able to help. So I came to Thorncity fast as I could. So, you will come with me? The gap is about a half day's walk south, almost midway between the two coasts."

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin looks at Ol' Will.

"Benjamin didn't talk much about when he served, but I think he was part of some big battles, twenty or thirty years ago. I'm even more sure now that they're still alive. They want something from him, and they'll use his family to get what they want. But how do I go up against a gang that even the authorities don't seem to be able to touch." he shakes his head and his shoulders slump a little.

" I need to warn someone about this, it could be important."

[archolewa]

Corvin

Corvin looks at Ol' Will.

"Benjamin didn't talk much about when he served, but I think he was part of some big battles, twenty or thirty years ago. I'm even more sure now that they're still alive. They want something from him, and they'll use his family to get what they want. But how do I go up against a gang that even the authorities don't seem to be able to touch." he shakes his head and his shoulders slump a little.

Ol' Will tapped his nose and smirked. "Ah Corvin, my sad friend I didn't say the authorities *can't* touch them, just that they can't be *bothered*. Don't get me wrong, Princess Flora's the best damn Lady and Mistress a man could hope for, and a right better leader ye couldn't hope to find, but she's learning this whole 'peacetime' thing along with the rest of us. Bit overwhelmed ye know? Real easy for a couple of riffraff like the Battleaxe to sneak around in the shadows. But Ol' Will, he's got a nose for shadows.

"There's been a fellow, coming by last few days. Acting all chill and calm and the like. But a manic gleam in his eye. Talks around it, but ye can't trick Ol' Will. He's recruitin' for the Battleaxe. Lookin' fer folks who don't want to farm, but don't want to go leaving the Refuge neither. Folks who think everyone else now owes 'em 'cause they were lucky enough to outlive the Kinslayer."

[shaidar]

Corvin

His ears prick up. "Really? You'll have to point him out to me when he's next in. Thank you, Sir, I owe you."

[archolewa]

Corvin

His ears prick up. "Really? You'll have to point him out to me when he's next in. Thank you, Sir, I owe you."

Ol' Will smirked. "Just tell me stories young friend. Anything you hear, anything you see, while you're out there, trying to figure out this whole 'peacetime' thing. Lots of shadows these days, and knowin' those shadows is how Ol' Will keeps up with things."

Ol' Will called for his daughter, Sabrina, a young woman in her late teens. He filled a mug and put it on a tray along with some stew. "Hrek just came in. Take him his regular."

Sabrina made a face. "Hate the way he looks at me."

"You and me both, but he won't do nothin'. Not dumb enough to mess with Ol' Will. Now go, 'fore I axe ya. See how ya do on the streets by yerself!" said Ol' Will, his good natured tone exposing the emptiness of his threat. He did seem to put an extra stress on *axe* though.

Sabrina rolled her eyes. "If'n ye tried to *axe* me, it'd be ye on the streets, courtesy of Momma's boot."

"Go girl! Or folks'll be thinkin' Ol' Will can't handle his own daughter," said Ol' Will as chuckles ran up and down the bar.

Sabrina smirked, and swept up the tray, walking over to a man who'd just seated himself in the corner. He was a tall, burly fellow, calm and confident with shoulder length blonde hair, and a few scars on his cheeks.

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin orders another ale and finds a spot where can surreptitiously keep an eye on Hrek.

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

"Of course I will go with you Sebastian" - Mordred smiled - "If the garrison is too busy with other affairs or distracted, then we can take matters into our own hands, and at least do some preliminary investigation"- he added, his voice resolute - "You can count on me"

"It might be worth to ask around about these kidnappings or murders - for sure it is not something which would go unnoticed. There must be relatives, friends, neighbors or acquaintances of the victims" - he pondered - "Might be a good place to start, and perhaps shed some light on why this could be happening"

[archolewa]

Mordred
"It might be worth to ask around about these kidnappings or murders - for sure it is not something which would go unnoticed. There must be relatives, friends, neighbors or acquaintances of the victims" - he pondered - "Might be a good place to start, and perhaps shed some light on why this could be happening"

"Excellent," said Sebastian, his eyes briefly flicking to Corvid as Corvid stood and walked deeper into the bar. "Anybody else you know who may wish to aid us? I have nothing to provide payment, save the promise of whatever treasure our kidnapper may or may not have accumulated during his crimes."

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred glanced at Ol' Will as Sebastian mentioned the lack of resources for their endeavor, and acknowledged them with a nod - "You bring up a valid point"

"And we might just be in the right place to ask" - he added, signaling Ol' Will to ask for drinks - "Well met again Sir, two more ales please" - he requested.

"We are also looking for information - perhaps you could help us?" - his demeanor polite yet guarded - "Have there been any peculiar occurrences in the area lately? Unexplained deaths, disappearances, or perhaps strange sightings?" - he inquired - "I understand it is a strange question, but we are conducting an investigation regarding the Thornwall, and any information or assistance could be useful" - the Magic-User explained - "And if you know of anyone with local knowledge and willingness to lend a hand, we would be even more grateful"