Winter persists, and displays no signs of ending. This has been the way for two years now, by Dalereckoning, with no change to mark the seasons. Food is scarce, nearly nonexistent for the small creatures who inhabit the Lonelywood. Stockpiled supplies ran low, and then they ran out. The town is buried beneath a thick blanket of snow, insulated from the howling of wind and predator alike, but it is treacherous for any who must venture forth. Only the Mouse Guard brave the fierce and biting cold, and the dangers that still prowl about in the world above.
But foraging has become less and less productive, as the few remaining forest resources dwindle. Searching beneath a stone or fallen branch, prying beneath a piece of loose bark, less likely to produce some hardy worm or grub. Tree nuts and berries nearly forgotten delicacies, but for the rare lost cache.
This is known, but you have yet to learn why you have all been summoned by the Guard Captain this morning. The greyfur before you, Captain Trevil, is inscrutable, hard to read as ever. True to his nature, however, he does not make you wait long. When all have assembled, he stops stroking his long whiskers, and begins without preamble.
(A painting, presumably of the Captain as a young Guardsmouse, hangs behind his desk).
“Blackbur, step forward. You are being promoted to the rank of Patrol Guard, effective immediately. You will lead a patrol, formed by the present company. Guardsmouse Kilmorrow, you will be scout. Tenderpaw Erhard, learn what you can from both of these Guards, and try not to get killed. There may be a cloak for you, yet.”
“These are unprecedented times, which make for strange bedfellows. Serving alongside you will be Tenderwing Mistral, and Tenderclaws Sirith and... our spider comrade, here. Their magics will prove a boon to your efforts, in field and forest.”
“Now then, to the mission at paw. Three mouselings have gone missing, and under current circumstances, I can spare no other resources to find them. It is up to you. The mother is our healer, whom we cannot permit to leave, however she might wish to join the search; nor would we have her distraught. The Townsguard have thoroughly searched the buildings and the connecting snow tunnels, to no avail. They are not here.”
“Go now. We have few enough mouselings in our community, and tragedy enough in these times. They were out overnight, so if they yet live, every moment counts. Find them. And bring them home.”
Mistral bows slightly at that Captain's introduction. His fur is soft, long, and immaculately white beneath a carapace of silver birch bark. His wings are currently furled; hanging over his shoulder is a coarsely woven cloak of wiry hair, a tool for defence rather than comfort. His tail is short compared to the mousefolk and his dark eyes intensely large.
"Overnight, you say?", he utters in a staccato voice. "They'll be frozen solid!"
Hurdrak the spider stood off to the side. He knew he made others uncomfortable, what with being able to feed of other and his scavenged armor from other creature, but he was mostly fine with this. He patiently listen to the order and while search and rescue wasn't high on his interest, improving his reputation was. So, he patiently listened as the others asked the question.
Kilmorrow salutes the Captain before turning to the patrol, "I will head out and start looking for signs of their passage while you stay and gather more information about our missing young. I will meet back up with you when you are ready."
Already on the job, he leaves and heads toward the outskirts of town, hoping to find something that was previously missing.
Mistral calls the mouse back as he is about to leave, "Let's not be too hasty." He presses a small, yellow-white berry into the paw of the guardsmouse. "Take this if you become injured, or hungry. But beware, it will lose its efficacy after this midnight."
Patrol Guard Blackbur stands tall for a mouse. His dark fur is covered by a bark breastplate, and a worn red cloak swept back from his shoulders. A sword on one hip, and an acorn shield, along with a bow strapped to his pack on his back. A notch on one ear gives him a weathered look.
Overnight is more a term of habit, than an actual measure of time, in the perpetual twilight that enveils Icewind Dale. The cold is unrelenting, no matter the hour, and the sun never breaches the horizon.
Ignoring Mistral’s observation, however astute, the Captain briefly responds to the Sirithal’s queries, then sends the new patrol on its way.
”Their personalities are.. I don’t know?! They’re mouselings. Curious, playful. Young enough to get into trouble, perhaps not old enough to get out of it. As for where, there is naught topside for them but snow and ice and peril.”
”Ah, yes, it’s Hurdrak, now I remember. Apologies, not great with new names, takes a while.”
Erhard, the young grayfur nods after the captain recognizes him. Trying not to be killed were simple orders but their astonishing difficulty rattled him. He fixed his cloak, assuring himself as he felt his bow and hook shift against his back. He exhaled a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding and turned to the patrol guard he was tasked to follow and realized he'd been speaking.
"The mother, right. She'll know where they usually tend to run off to and we can start a search there?"
Erhard, the young grayfur nods after the captain recognizes him. Trying not to be killed were simple orders but their astonishing difficulty rattled him. He fixed his cloak, assuring himself as he felt his bow and hook shift against his back. He exhaled a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding and turned to the patrol guard he was tasked to follow and realized he'd been speaking.
"The mother, right. She'll know where they usually tend to run off to and we can start a search there?"
“Precisely. Start at the beginning.” Blackbur starts towards the residence of the healer. “Killmorrow you may want to wait til we know where they may have left from unless you plan on chasing down any stray paw print you find. Once we get it narrowed a bit, those tracker’s eyes will be essential.”
"Very well. I shall wait." The brown furred mouse walks at the back of the group, but anybody who glances back notices him fidgeting and looking around anxiously, eager to be off.
The Lonelywood settlement is fairly compact, and all know the residence of Healer Heidi. It does not take long. Posted outside are two Townsguard, with glaives planted at their feet, unblemished blades jutting up above their heads.
”Halt. State your business. The Healer is grieving, and not to be disturbed”
From within the house, Heidi’s small voice can be heard shouting out at them: “I am not grieving, you insufferable twits! They are out there somewhere, still alive, I can feel it.”
”See? The poor mother is hysterical, not fit to receive company. Go about your business. The Mouse Guard has no jurisdiction within town limits.”
There has always been something of a rivalry between the Townsguard, and the ranging Mouse Guard, but it is still somewhat astonishing to see it surface here, in these circumstances.
Blackbur pinches the bridge of his nose with his paw. “I swear, if I have to deal with this again, I’m going to scream. Someone please deal with Twit One and Twit Two.”
'Are you imprisoning your healer now...?' asks Sirithal, his words harsh and sibiliant, as he steps forwards. 'You're braver than I, in that case, given you're likely to be *far* down her list, should you ever require treatment...'
While he's waiting for their answer, he whispers an arcane word (quietly), and makes a small gesture hidden in his robes, creating a Mage Hand behind the guard to open the door...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Peace, peace, my dear Sirithal," Hurdrak says as he slowly creeps about appearing on his left whilst touching him with one leg and then moving to the his right trailing the tip across his shoulders to the right side. Removing his appendage he looks at the guards.
"They are just doing their jobs I'm sure." He then drops his voice low and with a dramatic sense says, "Keep our healer safe, do not let her leave. The town can not bare to lose her in these trying times..." he reverts back to his normal speech, "Or something of the similar like. Rather, let us do our job too. We talk to her about the missing children and go search, you stay and guard a more calmed healer with her knowing someone is looking. Win-win I'd say."
The twits appear to consider the proposition, which is more than one might expect. It would be strange indeed, for the Townsguard to capitulate to such foreign counsel.
”No one is to enter, by order of his Eminence. But you may speak to her from where you stand. You have two minutes.”
His Eminence, through a series of shrewd power plays in these dark times, has gained control of the Townsguard. They report directly to him, while the Mouse Guard is responsible for scouting, and the town’s defense from without, under authority of the Mayor. It is rumored that his Eminence has been abandoned by the sun god, but few would speak such blasphemy aloud, where his spies might hear.
”Oi, what’s this now?!” The twits turn in unison, as the unlocked door is opened by the spectral hand. Indeed, it has no lock- the Healer’s door is always open.
Healer Heidi stands in the doorway. ”Stop this nonsense at once!! I will be going with the search team. I have an idea where my mouselings might have gone, and they could require healing. You will have to kill me to stop me. You can swash and buckle and measure your mousehoods all you want, when we return. Let me pass.”
And that is that. Neither of the Townsguard is eager to put hands upon the Healer. “His Eminence shall hear of this!” They are obviously uneasy with the prospect of failing in their duty, but make no move to stop the Healer from moving past them.
“His eminence can take it up with the Captain!” Blackbur bristles before calming.
”Tell us where the children have gone and we’ll escort you, Heidi. I’m not foolish enough to stand in your way, but we’ve brought some of the best the Guard has to offer. Let us help.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hurdrak, turns his gaze upon the two guards. A dark colored fire begins to blaze up around him, all smokey and shadowey. "Yes, tell him of your failure, how you disobeyed his order. I'm see that will work out well for you," he said.
He dropped the illusion and continued, "Or, take your post back up, play that she's still there and let us get her and her children back before anyone is the wiser."
Winter persists, and displays no signs of ending. This has been the way for two years now, by Dalereckoning, with no change to mark the seasons. Food is scarce, nearly nonexistent for the small creatures who inhabit the Lonelywood. Stockpiled supplies ran low, and then they ran out. The town is buried beneath a thick blanket of snow, insulated from the howling of wind and predator alike, but it is treacherous for any who must venture forth. Only the Mouse Guard brave the fierce and biting cold, and the dangers that still prowl about in the world above.
But foraging has become less and less productive, as the few remaining forest resources dwindle. Searching beneath a stone or fallen branch, prying beneath a piece of loose bark, less likely to produce some hardy worm or grub. Tree nuts and berries nearly forgotten delicacies, but for the rare lost cache.
This is known, but you have yet to learn why you have all been summoned by the Guard Captain this morning. The greyfur before you, Captain Trevil, is inscrutable, hard to read as ever. True to his nature, however, he does not make you wait long. When all have assembled, he stops stroking his long whiskers, and begins without preamble.
(A painting, presumably of the Captain as a young Guardsmouse, hangs behind his desk).
“Blackbur, step forward. You are being promoted to the rank of Patrol Guard, effective immediately. You will lead a patrol, formed by the present company. Guardsmouse Kilmorrow, you will be scout. Tenderpaw Erhard, learn what you can from both of these Guards, and try not to get killed. There may be a cloak for you, yet.”
“These are unprecedented times, which make for strange bedfellows. Serving alongside you will be Tenderwing Mistral, and Tenderclaws Sirith and... our spider comrade, here. Their magics will prove a boon to your efforts, in field and forest.”
“Now then, to the mission at paw. Three mouselings have gone missing, and under current circumstances, I can spare no other resources to find them. It is up to you. The mother is our healer, whom we cannot permit to leave, however she might wish to join the search; nor would we have her distraught. The Townsguard have thoroughly searched the buildings and the connecting snow tunnels, to no avail. They are not here.”
“Go now. We have few enough mouselings in our community, and tragedy enough in these times. They were out overnight, so if they yet live, every moment counts. Find them. And bring them home.”
Sirithal leans forward, his gleaming eyes peering disconcertingly from his shadowed hood, his midnight blue robes rustling in the momentary silence.
‘What do we know of the young ones, their personalities, where they might have set out to...?’ he asks, his voice a sibiliant whisper.
Mistral bows slightly at that Captain's introduction. His fur is soft, long, and immaculately white beneath a carapace of silver birch bark. His wings are currently furled; hanging over his shoulder is a coarsely woven cloak of wiry hair, a tool for defence rather than comfort. His tail is short compared to the mousefolk and his dark eyes intensely large.
"Overnight, you say?", he utters in a staccato voice. "They'll be frozen solid!"
Hurdrak the spider stood off to the side. He knew he made others uncomfortable, what with being able to feed of other and his scavenged armor from other creature, but he was mostly fine with this. He patiently listen to the order and while search and rescue wasn't high on his interest, improving his reputation was. So, he patiently listened as the others asked the question.
Kilmorrow salutes the Captain before turning to the patrol, "I will head out and start looking for signs of their passage while you stay and gather more information about our missing young. I will meet back up with you when you are ready."
Already on the job, he leaves and heads toward the outskirts of town, hoping to find something that was previously missing.
Perception: 19
and/or
Survival: 18
Enzo Ballantine - Shadow Sorcerer
Mistral calls the mouse back as he is about to leave, "Let's not be too hasty." He presses a small, yellow-white berry into the paw of the guardsmouse. "Take this if you become injured, or hungry. But beware, it will lose its efficacy after this midnight."
Patrol Guard Blackbur stands tall for a mouse. His dark fur is covered by a bark breastplate, and a worn red cloak swept back from his shoulders. A sword on one hip, and an acorn shield, along with a bow strapped to his pack on his back. A notch on one ear gives him a weathered look.
“Thank you Captain. We’ll get on it right away.”
”Let’s start with the mother Healer.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Overnight is more a term of habit, than an actual measure of time, in the perpetual twilight that enveils Icewind Dale. The cold is unrelenting, no matter the hour, and the sun never breaches the horizon.
Ignoring Mistral’s observation, however astute, the Captain briefly responds to the Sirithal’s queries, then sends the new patrol on its way.
”Their personalities are.. I don’t know?! They’re mouselings. Curious, playful. Young enough to get into trouble, perhaps not old enough to get out of it. As for where, there is naught topside for them but snow and ice and peril.”
”Ah, yes, it’s Hurdrak, now I remember. Apologies, not great with new names, takes a while.”
”Very well. Dismissed, and good hunting.”
Sirithal nods at Blackbur’s words.
’Yes, Mother Healer first, to understand the background. Knowledge is paramount, before we start the tracking...’ he whispers...
Erhard, the young grayfur nods after the captain recognizes him. Trying not to be killed were simple orders but their astonishing difficulty rattled him. He fixed his cloak, assuring himself as he felt his bow and hook shift against his back. He exhaled a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding and turned to the patrol guard he was tasked to follow and realized he'd been speaking.
"The mother, right. She'll know where they usually tend to run off to and we can start a search there?"
“Precisely. Start at the beginning.” Blackbur starts towards the residence of the healer. “Killmorrow you may want to wait til we know where they may have left from unless you plan on chasing down any stray paw print you find. Once we get it narrowed a bit, those tracker’s eyes will be essential.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
"Very well. I shall wait." The brown furred mouse walks at the back of the group, but anybody who glances back notices him fidgeting and looking around anxiously, eager to be off.
Enzo Ballantine - Shadow Sorcerer
The Lonelywood settlement is fairly compact, and all know the residence of Healer Heidi. It does not take long. Posted outside are two Townsguard, with glaives planted at their feet, unblemished blades jutting up above their heads.
”Halt. State your business. The Healer is grieving, and not to be disturbed”
From within the house, Heidi’s small voice can be heard shouting out at them: “I am not grieving, you insufferable twits! They are out there somewhere, still alive, I can feel it.”
”See? The poor mother is hysterical, not fit to receive company. Go about your business. The Mouse Guard has no jurisdiction within town limits.”
There has always been something of a rivalry between the Townsguard, and the ranging Mouse Guard, but it is still somewhat astonishing to see it surface here, in these circumstances.
Blackbur pinches the bridge of his nose with his paw.
“I swear, if I have to deal with this again, I’m going to scream. Someone please deal with Twit One and Twit Two.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
'Are you imprisoning your healer now...?' asks Sirithal, his words harsh and sibiliant, as he steps forwards. 'You're braver than I, in that case, given you're likely to be *far* down her list, should you ever require treatment...'
While he's waiting for their answer, he whispers an arcane word (quietly), and makes a small gesture hidden in his robes, creating a Mage Hand behind the guard to open the door...
"Peace, peace, my dear Sirithal," Hurdrak says as he slowly creeps about appearing on his left whilst touching him with one leg and then moving to the his right trailing the tip across his shoulders to the right side. Removing his appendage he looks at the guards.
"They are just doing their jobs I'm sure." He then drops his voice low and with a dramatic sense says, "Keep our healer safe, do not let her leave. The town can not bare to lose her in these trying times..." he reverts back to his normal speech, "Or something of the similar like. Rather, let us do our job too. We talk to her about the missing children and go search, you stay and guard a more calmed healer with her knowing someone is looking. Win-win I'd say."
Persuasion 12
The twits appear to consider the proposition, which is more than one might expect. It would be strange indeed, for the Townsguard to capitulate to such foreign counsel.
”No one is to enter, by order of his Eminence. But you may speak to her from where you stand. You have two minutes.”
His Eminence, through a series of shrewd power plays in these dark times, has gained control of the Townsguard. They report directly to him, while the Mouse Guard is responsible for scouting, and the town’s defense from without, under authority of the Mayor. It is rumored that his Eminence has been abandoned by the sun god, but few would speak such blasphemy aloud, where his spies might hear.
”Oi, what’s this now?!” The twits turn in unison, as the unlocked door is opened by the spectral hand. Indeed, it has no lock- the Healer’s door is always open.
Healer Heidi stands in the doorway. ”Stop this nonsense at once!! I will be going with the search team. I have an idea where my mouselings might have gone, and they could require healing. You will have to kill me to stop me. You can swash and buckle and measure your mousehoods all you want, when we return. Let me pass.”
And that is that. Neither of the Townsguard is eager to put hands upon the Healer. “His Eminence shall hear of this!” They are obviously uneasy with the prospect of failing in their duty, but make no move to stop the Healer from moving past them.
“His eminence can take it up with the Captain!” Blackbur bristles before calming.
”Tell us where the children have gone and we’ll escort you, Heidi. I’m not foolish enough to stand in your way, but we’ve brought some of the best the Guard has to offer. Let us help.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Hurdrak, turns his gaze upon the two guards. A dark colored fire begins to blaze up around him, all smokey and shadowey. "Yes, tell him of your failure, how you disobeyed his order. I'm see that will work out well for you," he said.
He dropped the illusion and continued, "Or, take your post back up, play that she's still there and let us get her and her children back before anyone is the wiser."
Persuasion 13
> we’ve brought some of the best the Guard has to offer
"We've brought all the Guard has to offer", mutters Mistral to himself.