Summer 669 Planning

[Leitz]

Those returning to Eastfort easily note that the population has grown more than double since they left. The easiest to see, and in talking to people, true reason is the half built tower atop the watchfort hill. There's a worker's camp laid out row upon row in orderly, and in a few instances, permanent dwellings. Eastfort has a large population of a several hundred Humans and a few Dawi.

Earnan recognizes Drotik easily enough and is welcomed back. "Quite space is at a premium right now; you are welcome to rest in my home if you prefer. With workers getting stone, delvers searching mud, and the occasional exploration of the necropolis there is nowhere close in any direction."

Those approaching from the High Road are met by Sir Voros and his troops. For those new to the area he explains the fog; it stays heavy until mid-morning at the earliest. There are still creatures nearby and the occasional wandering ogre band that won't be seen until they are in arm's reach.

[CarrieVS]

Earnan reaches Eastfort almost to the day of when he had intended it, looking none the worse for wear. So if Jiho, Dramm et al are also on schedule, he would arrive within a day or 2 of them. I'll let others choose whether they want to be before or after him (or humorously roll up to the gates at the same moment he strolls in from a different direction.)

"That is very kind of you," he answers Drotik. "Though truly, I have no desire for solitude. Eithlin and I have spent a good deal of time alone the last few weeks. I do not mind it, but I am quite ready for company now. But the company of a friend I know is most welcome of all."

---

He has a good deal to tell about his circuit of the countryside once they are all returned. "I crossed the road to begin with, and followed the edge of the woods south: I saw and heard of a good deal, and I could have willingly explored much longer there, but I know that your plans lie to the west, so perhaps I should begin with that."

Earnan tells how he came upon two dozen goblin riders, out hunting, scouting, or both, northeast of the fort that has just been reclaimed. Though they gave it a wide berth, and also kept well clear of a nest of ghouls that he became aware of to its north. He followed them, unseen, as far as the goblin-held watchfort, "and it is no mere outpost of a war-band: half a thousand wolf riders, by my reckoning, with more adult wolves than their mounts, besides most likely another half a thousand goblins that are not fighters, children and families, and I know not how many wolf pups. A great village." He pauses, "It seemed no worse a place than any goblin dwelling - certainly no sign of anything like the foulness in the other fort. I hope that it need not come to fighting: even had we the strength of numbers, I should not lightly set out to uproot, if not worse, so many families, even if they are an uncouth race."

He then made his way to the final watchfort. "There is a dragon within. It did not venture out, nor I in, but the stones of the fallen tower fume with smoke and vapour; the very hill rumbles with its breathing. And were there any doubt, it is surrounded by little rusty creatures that can only be kobolds. I reckon there to be at least 120 of them, perhaps as many as 150 - I know little of the matter, but were it a very mighty dragon I should think it would have as many as the fort could hold. A handful of them 5 that I saw are greater than the others, and I saw 2 larger, man-sized and red-scaled, that I take to be dragonborn."

Having learned all he felt he could, he then went north, and spent some time ranging around the plains between the Broken Lands and Eastfort:

• He located a village (27,18) but did not stop to talk with the inhabitants, who seemed to be Derrigar dwarves.
• He spotted a cliff where hippogriffs dwell (31, 20) and saw signs of a lair of giant spiders (30,19). There was a warg pack that he avoided getting too close to (30.18)
• There were also more common beasts in plenty: the great sheep the Dawi use for pack animals, similarly large goats, wild cattle and swine, and the wolves, coyotes, cougars and suchlike that hunt them.
• He also encountered the plains nomads, but they had no wish to speak with him, so he learned nothing from them.
• On his way back eastward from there, he found that part of the grasslands to be remarkably wet. Many of the various streams and pools seem to come and go with each rainfall, but there is nearly always water to be found.

---

Earnan then backtracks to describe the earlier part of his journey, east of the road:

• A warg pack makes their lair in the western edge of the woods (41,12). There were 7 adult wargs and they were not at the time allied to any orc-band or other group. The druids dwelling in the forest are concerned about their presence.
• There are enough orcs in the woods for the druids to consider them a threat, but he encountered none.
• However, the druids' main worry is the ogre bands that sporadically emerge from the deep woods. They believe there to be a hag birthing them. Right now, there is a band near the road, of which he already warned Morwen at Ravenswell.
• The northern parts of the light woods teem with wolves. Further south there are many giant creatures - he saw ants, ticks, and spiders, with giant wasps preying upon them all. The larger spiders seem to be evil creatures, but it appears that the rest are of no more concern than any other beast. Earnan learned that the forest was once a Druidic realm, and is still much suffused with magic.
• The spiders seem to come from further into the forest. In the deep woods, at what was once the heart of the Druid realm, there is a great and ancient spider demon. He felt its presence, and the druids told him more. None has seen it in mortal memory, save that ten years ago a band of knights set out to slay it, but they were never seen again.
• There are several druid villages, but he only happened upon one - they were very friendly to him, and told him a great deal.
• He saw sign or heard tell of a good many other creatures - a displacer beast's lair (42,13), nesting owlbears, and sometimes hippogriffs fly down from the mountains to roost in the woods, besides all of the common beasts.

[Leitz]

Jiho

Having cleared the main room for the discusion, Jiho apologized for the location. "There is no other place to have a quiet conversation at the moment."

After introductions were made all around, he made sure there were foods and drinks for everyone, and puffed his pipe as Earnan spoke. It was obvious that he was listening intently, and impressed by how far Earnan had traveled.

"Earnan, my friend, if you can help Erikir know more about how to find the things you have mentioned, I would greatly appreciate it. Especially the threats closer to us; ghouls and wargs. Dealing with surprises is best done without surprise." He paused, puffed, and then continued. "My squire, Morphin, made accidental contact with the Men of the Wild, and was near, but too injured to interact with, one of their Druids. He has asked, and I have approved, that he can take a friendship offering to them. It sounds like there is an opportunity for us to help them, and thus build an alliance."

Jiho frowned, puffed, and shrugged. "Morphin was impressed with the Men he interacted with. He earned their respect and our troops nearly worship the ground he walks on. I know I'm going to hear it from my future wife,

If Dame Fylla is there, she'll probably raise an eyebrow.

but if we help the Men of the Wilds, and the Druids, we will respect them, their lands, and their faiths. I am happy for them to worship with us, but I am also happy to live with allies who are not like me." He grinned, and then added, "They are taller."

As Earnan spoke of the goblins to the west of the most recent watchfort, Jiho nodded. "There is a story about our newest watchfort that is difficult to hear, but it is not my story. For the goblins, like anyone else, if they are willing to live in peace with us then I look forward to that. I have spoken with the Plains Nomads and they have provided an opening for those talks."

He looked directly at Earnan, and added, "If we fought them then we would have to kill innocent women and children. A different race, perhaps, but it is still wrong. They do us no harm by their presence."

Pausing, he looked sad. "My homeland had many story structures when Westmark was living in mud huts and wearing furs. There is good to be learned from my culture, just as there are things to be avoided. The society I came from is like a skeleton; a mere animated imitation of something once living and vibrant."

Looking at each person in turn, he continued. "I have a goal, and it is simply a land called Jing. Not because of me, but because it is different enough to make others look closely at it. Everything west of the High Road and north and south as far as we can go, a place with the vibrance of local culture and the order of my homeland. A place where those who wish to live in peace can raise a family and enjoy their grandchildren."

"That's my goal, my dream. Do your goals and dreams find a home here, or is there a conflict we need to discuss?"

[tibbius]

Dramm smiles and says nothing.

Barnaby strikes a chord on his harp. "A noble idea, Lord Jing."

[CarrieVS]

"I am glad that you feel so," Earnan says, slowly. "Nay, I am ashamed that I feared it's being otherwise. I am yet a stranger here, and there is much about your people - all of your peoples - of which I understand little. I had feared lest it should be held a matter of honour to recover the lands of Kraka Grak - all of them, no matter the circumstances." He looks steadily at Jiho as he says this, not wishing to catch the eyes of any of the Dawi.

[Leitz]

Barnaby strikes a chord on his harp. "A noble idea, Lord Jing."

Jiho laughed, and nodded. "A very noble idea, and I have no idea if it can be done at all! Nor even if possible, if I am capable of doing it. Maybe I am not even close to capable, but I found the idea in the spirit of the people here. I enjoy their strength and energy; maybe we can combine the best of both worlds?"

He turned to say something to Si-woo, but then turned back to Barnaby. "My friend, could I ask a favor? Morphin wishes to do well on his mission, but I know he struggles with confidence in the words he chooses. Could you give him a little time, help him prepare what to say and perhaps even how best to say it? You are greatly skilled in that."

"I am glad that you feel so," Earnan says, slowly. "Nay, I am ashamed that I feared it's being otherwise. I am yet a stranger here, and there is much about your people - all of your peoples - of which I understand little. I had feared lest it should be held a matter of honour to recover the lands of Kraka Grak - all of them, no matter the circumstances." He looks steadily at Jiho as he says this, not wishing to catch the eyes of any of the Dawi.

"The road to Kraka Grak is not the Grak itself." Jiho looked to Gurav for dispute. "The Dawi will retake Kraka Grak and it will be years, or decades, before it is to capacity. If Jing maintains the lands around the mountains then food, and trade, will be plentiful. Eventually there will be a need for some Dawi to leave their home and work outside of it in exchange for food and supplies. My guess is that there will be caravans coming to trade with them as well, it will be an interesting time."

"And that does bring up the question of the recently recovered watchfort. Si-woo can better explain the economics of it all, I can assure you it is expensive. We need someone who will be able to maintain the peace with the goblins, and given our differences, that will be a difficult job in its own right. I have people I trust to do so, once I have the money for it, but what are the thoughts and opinions of the group?"

[scarik]

I haven’t been sleeping well the past few days so im gonna be slow throughtoday. My goal is to be caught up tomorrow.

[Leitz]

I haven’t been sleeping well the past few days so im gonna be slow throughtoday. My goal is to be caught up tomorrow.

Sorry to hear, hope you get to feeling better.

[tibbius]

I haven’t been sleeping well the past few days so im gonna be slow throughtoday. My goal is to be caught up tomorrow.

Best wishes to you.

[scarik]

Everyone is at least done with the mechanical parts of the first 5 weeks after the last adventure I think. Correct me in your subforums if not.

After you reconvene at Eastfort do you want to do anything in particular?

[roobeastie]

Morwen plans on doing more research, in her tower. If anyone needs one of her npc's for anything, let me know.

[CarrieVS]

After you reconvene at Eastfort do you want to do anything in particular?

Earnan would be happy enough to take part in any activities that might arise out of this meeting (ogres and ghouls and wargs, oh my... and it's possible that someone needs to see a wizard about a dragon) but if all of that's being handled by NPCs and/or later in the year, he'll spend at least some of the time at Borderton (where, absent any unforeseen opportunity to spend money usefully without acquiring a watchfort, he will spend some money uselessly.)

[scarik]

Morwen has copies of most of the treatises of Tobran Vizmark in her library including complete versions of On Dragon's and, Corbin's personal favorite, On Goblins and Gnomes.

[Leitz]

Morwen has copies of most of the treatises of Tobran Vizmark in her library including complete versions of On Dragon's and, Corbin's personal favorite, On Goblins and Gnomes.

Nice!

[tibbius]

Dramm engages in weapons training with the dedication of an older man and the vigor of a younger one. He partners with anyone willing.

Barnaby practices his battle chant, as well as the weird off-key-minor-chord vocalizations that bards use to Turn Undead. Jing Ji-Ho makes him take long walks away from Eastfort for that practicum: the notes aren't easy on the living, either.

[Leitz]

Dramm engages in weapons training with the dedication of an older man and the vigor of a younger one. He partners with anyone willing.

Drotik, who Dramm knows well, runs the militia training at Eastfort. All are welcome, and everyone from JJh on down show up to practice.

Barnaby practices his battle chant, as well as the weird off-key-minor-chord vocalizations that bards use to Turn Undead. Jing Ji-Ho makes him take long walks away from Eastfort for that practicum: the notes aren't easy on the living, either.

Sounds like my venture into learning banjo...

[Leitz]

Goblin Diplomacy

The day after returning from Springkeep, JJh will lead a group to negotiate an alliance with the Goblins. Gurav and company seem okay with not being invited. I have not talked to scarik about this, it might just be a roll or it might be a mini-adventure. His call, and we do need to work on a plan for dealing with the dragon.


Dragon Dealings

Sounds like Morwen is the lead source of information on this, what is shared with the group? Everyone else, what do you think?

[tibbius]

Goblin Diplomacy

The day after returning from Springkeep, JJh will lead a group to negotiate an alliance with the Goblins. Gurav and company seem okay with not being invited. I have not talked to scarik about this, it might just be a roll or it might be a mini-adventure. His call, and we do need to work on a plan for dealing with the dragon.

It generally helps to have a Bard along on a diplomatic mission, and Dramm is loyal to his former-employer-turned-follower. So they both go.

[Leitz]

It generally helps to have a Bard along on a diplomatic mission, and Dramm is loyal to his former-employer-turned-follower. So they both go.

JJh will also speak with Dramm privately, and ask him to keep a secret. He has a group of people in Borderton to protect the interestes of the Margrave and Jing; this particular group is tasked to gather information more than overtly deal with threats. It might be something Dramm would want to discuss with Barnaby, both to enhance the Bard's information gathering while not in town, and to return the favor by helping the team get better at their work.

[CarrieVS]

Earnan would be have no objection to joining the expedition to negotiate with the goblins if he will be of any use, though he has little particular skill or experience in dealings like this. And if they are to leave the next day, it would leave him scant time to speak of the various threats he had learned about with Eirikr, as Jiho had asked him to, until after their return. But he can offer a more detailed explanation of the layout of the hill, ruined fort, and village.

He knows little of dragons, and would rather not raise any suggestions about it until after they have heard anyone who may be better versed.

"Of all the other things I learned of, most of them are little immediate danger save to those who wander away from the road into the woods or the wild grasslands, and such people ought to be ready for dangers. But the ogres - I mean the band that were, the last I heard by the road - concern me.
"They are east of the road, so they are, I believe, outside of your borders, and I do not suppose that we have any more duty than anyone else to make the road safe from them, but do you think that anything should be done about them - or is this simply a common danger in these wild parts?"