In the far east of Luraur, between the Arn Forrest and the Frozen sea, Uthgardt barbarians, factions of the Black Lion Tribe, have turned to raising Rothe as livestock. They drive their herd west along the Old Fork trail to market in Silverymoon. About 10 years ago, these tribes warred with other more traditional tribes in what they refer to as “The Lesser Clan war”. Various offshoots of Black Lion and Red Tiger fought a frontier war for the better part of three years.
Since then, scattered tribes of nomadic Orcs began migrating from the western wastelands. The Longhunt Clan is a small but brutal nomadic tribe containing Many Arrows’s exiles, half-orcs, Grey Orcs, and even an occasional goblin or bugbear. Some say they originally left The Plain of Standing Stones searching for plunder and became an ever wandering tribe of Worg riders often raiding other Orcs with hit and run tactics. The barbarian Arugg Andarson stayed in the east raising a family with his wife Marrona, while his brother Thane left to fight the encroaching orcs.
Arugg is the favorite to join the Chieftain’s Council after his oldest daughter’s betrothal to a prominent family. Arugg has invited another council hopeful, Roccar, the leader of the regional peacekeepers known as the Reavers, to a small feast to curry his support at the Runemeet.
The adventure begins in the morning at Arugg Andarson’s homestead, east of the Arn Forrest. Inside Arrug Andarson’s barbarian longhouse, the family and servants listen to a weathered bard known as Old Poe sing about wanderers as they prepare the formal feast.
OOC: While the feast is being prepared, introduce your characters and their stories to each other, and talk about your roles in the Andarson homestead.
Diana arrived at the longhouse just yesterday as a guest to witness Runemeet. Her instructions were pretty clear, "Thorns" want Arugg into the council. Since most of the operatives don't like to leave Waterdeep, she was the first candidate for this job.
Not enlighted on details, not in the position to ask too many questions either. She took a guess: somehow "Thorns" have influence over Arugg, or maybe they know something really important about him to pull strings later.
Diana sits at the corner and thinks:
- I need a goddamn plan, but I'm cut on information about council election process. Is it decided by majority votes or it's only Chieftain vote? That would be so much easier!
- ..this Bard music is awful! I could do so much better.
Hox is a farmhand who was forced upon the position as he tried to steal from them. Upon seeing that they are bigger than him, both weapons and their bodies, he surrenders. They take the young kobold and have him work until said otherwise. So the kobold works for them, until he sees an opportunity to escape them.
Hox is helping set up the feast, setting platters of food and preparing plates, darting between the kitchen and diner room. While he was sure no one was looking, he'd take a leg of mutton and eat it while he scurried away.
- Hox no like new people. Big and scary like the others here. There is happy in air, can use to run away. Need to make sure no one sees me.
- Meat is good...Maybe take gold and run away too?
For many weeks now, Elrik has labored faithfully among Arrug's herd. He finds a strange sense of satisfaction in the hours he spends with the enormous Rothe, and he's mildly surprised at how quickly he's mastering this sort of work. Furthermore, for the first time since the horrific devastation of his village, Elrik has found some serenity and predictability in his daily existence.
So, to be in the midst of the Andarsons and their guests within the confines of the longhouse causes the dwarf to feel a bit out of place this morning. Elrik does what he can to absorb all that's going on in the vast room but attempts to do so inconspicuously. He's certain the female half-elf in the corner is an unfamiliar face. "Who might she be?" Elrik muses. He then glances at Hox, smiles inwardly, and speaks aloud, but to himself, "I wonder if that nervous fellow could be persuaded to bring me a pint. I'm certain this whole affair will be much more suitable after having something to drink."
Elrik weaves his way through a few people, drawing closer to Old Poe so he can hear the bard over the din of conversation. "By Moradin's beard, what a voice the old fellow has!"
Fargim was brought to the tribe a few years ago as a saved baby. It became immediately apparent though that he was just very small, but already 10 years old! His innate ability to manipulate air, earth and water made him a valuable, albeit whimsical member of the tribe.
"Hi, you're new here, " he turns to the half-elf he hasn't seen before. "You know I'm actually a giant, probably a stone giant, but was born with dwarfism, so my parents left me." He bows deeply, "On behalf of my clan, I welcome you. May your stay here be fun!"
Fargim apologizes, "I don't carry alcohol that well, sorry. Besides, I've got to get back to the kitchen soon to keep the goats milk frozen. They're serving iced milk with berries at the end, so I've got to keep doing it until then. I'll be back."
He runs off and is back in a few minutes. "Have you met any giants? The thing is that I'm sure I was born a giant, but I've never seen one. Other than myself that is." And he continues on and on about giants and goliaths and other big folk for a good long while. He will be easily directed with a few short questions to talk about most things about the clan.
Fargim, after another trip to the kitchen, sits down across Diana again. "Outside world isn't safe they say. I once tried to reach the horizon to see what's beyond it, but almost died. I think that was when the clan found me." His gaze drifts off as he says, "I don't remember much before that. They said I was almost dead."
Drink-carrying Hox, at last, is within reach; so Elrik grabs a pint as the kobold passes by."Thank you, Hox."Elrik attempts to make eye contact with Hox as he offers his gratitude. In the end, Elrik isn't certain that the kobold heard him. "That fellow seems out of place,"thinks the dwarf to himself. "As if he's waiting for the first good opportunity to vanish into a moonless night and never return." In the weeks he's been with the Andarsons, Elrik has made a few attempts to interact casually with Hox. Thus far, such attempts have been, at best, awkward and seemingly unsuccessful.
The music is good, but the ale is better. "One's morning could certainly be worse,"he thinks.
Harek comes into the clan hall amid the bustle of getting ready for the feast. The red hobgoblin stood out in the crowd however still managed to vanish and reappear at times. He had just returned with some of the farmers selling cattle. He had only been with the clan for a couple months and had spent much of that time traveling. He had been captured by the tribe attempting to slaughter an escaped rothe, luckily the tribe had overlooked this trespass in lieu of his knowledge of arms and ability to speak goblin. They quickly began using him to attempt at trading with some of the local goblin hordes.
A stern disappointed look was seen on his face as the commotion bustled about him
(He thinks to himself)~Such chaos rules here. It's a wonder everything manages to stay together and working. At least their laws are laid out plainly enough. I had hoped to see more order with the impending Runemeet~
Though no perceptible order has emerged he does spot a few different faces among the crowd.
The Runemeet is an interesting mixture of diplomacy and barbarianism. The Council seat could be determined by a challenge of strength or combat, but by currying the favor of another council hopeful, Arrug may be able to obtain a unanimous decision without any contest.
Among those present in the longhouse are Arrug and his wife Marrona, their daughters Lucia and Abby (ages 18 and 12), and their 7 year old son Jur, along with Old Poe, the family's bard friend. Old Poe sings fairly well, but seems to be a bit disjointed, occasionally slipping into a different song entirely.
Suddenly a ranger appears on horseback at the solitary, frontier homestead. The low brim of his black hood hides all but his scowl, the ranger dismounts, and wordlessly shakes hands with Arrug. Dirty from travel, he wears green, blackstriped britches. His faded, black cloak reveals leather armor, and a very large black pelt covers his back. Two short swords with black lions etched in the pommels hang at his side in scabbards. Marrona fingers her jade necklace and then greets him: "Welcome home, Thane." Thane kisses Marrona on the forehead, a hint of a smile entering his face. The children join in welcoming him into the homestead’s longhouse, shouting “Uncle Thane!”
The feast begins shortly thereafter, as friends and family begin socializing with each other and their guests.
Elrik drains the pint rapidly, making certain to wipe his mouth with his beard afterward. He does so half out of habit and half out of a desire to make himself presentable. Elrik hears the laughter of female half-elf and sees that Fargim is likely responsible. "No doubt the wee lad is telling her some far-fetched tale about his being a giant or the like," he thinks to himself. "If he's a giant, I'm an elf. A tall, long-legged, silvery-eyed, noble-born, mystical and magical elf." Elrik chuckles at the thought, and an unknown guest looks at him, wondering whom the dwarf is addressing.
Hox is alerted as the festivities begin. He looks about himself before heading back to the kitchen. He does as instructed as he helps make the final preparations for the feast. As he passes through the rooms, he notices the dwarf that would take from his trays and try to talk to him. He is strange one. Small like Hox but have strength like beasts. He bad for Hox. He can hurt Hox. He shakes his head, not to be worrying about that now. People are happy and laughing, distracted by the old bard and the arrival of the guest. Me can leave farm of scary people. Must not be seen by scary people, not even the dark one that came by horse.
Elrik hopes to be within earshot of Thane as much as possible, for the dwarf has heard that Arugg's brother was a hunter of orcs. Any tales that speak of the death of orc filth will be a welcome sound to Elrik's ears.
Hox scratches his ears, unfamiliar with the concept of music, it seemed like noise without purpose to him. He gives a sigh as he is called back to the kitchen, to carry out more drinks to the guests. He holds the platter above his head as he walks about the room, letting guests take from the plate. Once he felt no more weight upon him, he would have to go back for more and repeat. People too loud. Why happy with noise. Gold bring happy. Noise don't, noise bring others. He thought to himself
Upon witnessing the female half-elf's boldness as she suddenly seizes the musical spotlight, Elrik makes his way toward Fargim, "You've inspired our new guest so deeply that she must immediately put her thoughts to song, eh? What's her story, Fargim?"
Although Elrik is indeed interested in what Fargim has learned about the half-elf, he is far more intrigued to learn how the half-elf's abrupt intrusion into the scene will play out.
A small smile spreads across Volthero's face as the half elf begins to out perform Old Poe. Let's see if youth and vigor will overcome old age and treachery. I doubt it will be anywhere close to how I learned the answer.
With the festivities begun he moves to a low traffic corner of the hall with a tankern of ale and a slice of cooked meat. His previous frown returns at increased noise and commotion that has swept the longhall.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
OOC: Is it Harek or Volthero? ;)
From listening in on conversations, Elrik learns that Thane was away for over 10 years. He seems distant from Arugg, but warm to Marrona and the children. He seems amused that Roccar has yet to show up to the feast.
At first, Old Poe applauds as Diana joins him in song, and attempts to blend his melodies with her flute, but as her performance picks up, the man can do nothing but stand and stare. The room gradually falls into silence as all eyes are drawn to the half-elf's tune. Marrona can be seen wiping a tear from her eye as the song concludes, and the entire room raises tankards or applauds. Even stoic Thane slowly claps his hands in appreciation.
In the far east of Luraur, between the Arn Forrest and the Frozen sea, Uthgardt barbarians, factions of the Black Lion Tribe, have turned to raising Rothe as livestock. They drive their herd west along the Old Fork trail to market in Silverymoon. About 10 years ago, these tribes warred with other more traditional tribes in what they refer to as “The Lesser Clan war”. Various offshoots of Black Lion and Red Tiger fought a frontier war for the better part of three years.
Since then, scattered tribes of nomadic Orcs began migrating from the western wastelands. The Longhunt Clan is a small but brutal nomadic tribe containing Many Arrows’s exiles, half-orcs, Grey Orcs, and even an occasional goblin or bugbear. Some say they originally left The Plain of Standing Stones searching for plunder and became an ever wandering tribe of Worg riders often raiding other Orcs with hit and run tactics. The barbarian Arugg Andarson stayed in the east raising a family with his wife Marrona, while his brother Thane left to fight the encroaching orcs.
Arugg is the favorite to join the Chieftain’s Council after his oldest daughter’s betrothal to a prominent family. Arugg has invited another council hopeful, Roccar, the leader of the regional peacekeepers known as the Reavers, to a small feast to curry his support at the Runemeet.
The adventure begins in the morning at Arugg Andarson’s homestead, east of the Arn Forrest. Inside Arrug Andarson’s barbarian longhouse, the family and servants listen to a weathered bard known as Old Poe sing about wanderers as they prepare the formal feast.
Our Party:
Diana Prince: Half-Elf Bard
Elrik Eldenfrost: Dwarf Fighter
Fargim Lingenhall: Gnome Sorcerer
Hox: Kobold Rogue
Volthero: Hobgoblin Warlock
OOC: While the feast is being prepared, introduce your characters and their stories to each other, and talk about your roles in the Andarson homestead.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Diana arrived at the longhouse just yesterday as a guest to witness Runemeet. Her instructions were pretty clear, "Thorns" want Arugg into the council. Since most of the operatives don't like to leave Waterdeep, she was the first candidate for this job.
Not enlighted on details, not in the position to ask too many questions either. She took a guess: somehow "Thorns" have influence over Arugg, or maybe they know something really important about him to pull strings later.
Diana sits at the corner and thinks:
- I need a goddamn plan, but I'm cut on information about council election process. Is it decided by majority votes or it's only Chieftain vote? That would be so much easier!
- ..this Bard music is awful! I could do so much better.
Hox is a farmhand who was forced upon the position as he tried to steal from them. Upon seeing that they are bigger than him, both weapons and their bodies, he surrenders. They take the young kobold and have him work until said otherwise. So the kobold works for them, until he sees an opportunity to escape them.
Hox is helping set up the feast, setting platters of food and preparing plates, darting between the kitchen and diner room. While he was sure no one was looking, he'd take a leg of mutton and eat it while he scurried away.
- Hox no like new people. Big and scary like the others here. There is happy in air, can use to run away. Need to make sure no one sees me.
- Meat is good...Maybe take gold and run away too?
For many weeks now, Elrik has labored faithfully among Arrug's herd. He finds a strange sense of satisfaction in the hours he spends with the enormous Rothe, and he's mildly surprised at how quickly he's mastering this sort of work. Furthermore, for the first time since the horrific devastation of his village, Elrik has found some serenity and predictability in his daily existence.
So, to be in the midst of the Andarsons and their guests within the confines of the longhouse causes the dwarf to feel a bit out of place this morning. Elrik does what he can to absorb all that's going on in the vast room but attempts to do so inconspicuously. He's certain the female half-elf in the corner is an unfamiliar face. "Who might she be?" Elrik muses. He then glances at Hox, smiles inwardly, and speaks aloud, but to himself, "I wonder if that nervous fellow could be persuaded to bring me a pint. I'm certain this whole affair will be much more suitable after having something to drink."
Elrik weaves his way through a few people, drawing closer to Old Poe so he can hear the bard over the din of conversation. "By Moradin's beard, what a voice the old fellow has!"
Fargim was brought to the tribe a few years ago as a saved baby. It became immediately apparent though that he was just very small, but already 10 years old! His innate ability to manipulate air, earth and water made him a valuable, albeit whimsical member of the tribe.
"Hi, you're new here, " he turns to the half-elf he hasn't seen before. "You know I'm actually a giant, probably a stone giant, but was born with dwarfism, so my parents left me." He bows deeply, "On behalf of my clan, I welcome you. May your stay here be fun!"
Diana was at half-way down the bottle of ale, while she noticed that some little folk went her way.
She smiles and tries to look as friendly as possible (and she is good at it):
- Hello, yes I'm new here. As a travelling spirit, I'm new to many places, kind sir. Sad to hear about your parents.
- My name is Diana, I came here to witness Runemeet. Wanna finish that ale with me?
* Diana thinks: This kid seems pretty open. Maybe he got some information about ways of the tribe.
Fargim apologizes, "I don't carry alcohol that well, sorry. Besides, I've got to get back to the kitchen soon to keep the goats milk frozen. They're serving iced milk with berries at the end, so I've got to keep doing it until then. I'll be back."
He runs off and is back in a few minutes. "Have you met any giants? The thing is that I'm sure I was born a giant, but I've never seen one. Other than myself that is." And he continues on and on about giants and goliaths and other big folk for a good long while. He will be easily directed with a few short questions to talk about most things about the clan.
Diana laughs loudly:
- No, I haven't met them, Giants are pretty rare. I heard they are huge and scary!
She became a little bit more serious:
- Seems you haven't been in the outer world at all? Were you always with the clan? Do you know anything about the council?
Fargim, after another trip to the kitchen, sits down across Diana again. "Outside world isn't safe they say. I once tried to reach the horizon to see what's beyond it, but almost died. I think that was when the clan found me." His gaze drifts off as he says, "I don't remember much before that. They said I was almost dead."
Drink-carrying Hox, at last, is within reach; so Elrik grabs a pint as the kobold passes by. "Thank you, Hox." Elrik attempts to make eye contact with Hox as he offers his gratitude. In the end, Elrik isn't certain that the kobold heard him. "That fellow seems out of place," thinks the dwarf to himself. "As if he's waiting for the first good opportunity to vanish into a moonless night and never return." In the weeks he's been with the Andarsons, Elrik has made a few attempts to interact casually with Hox. Thus far, such attempts have been, at best, awkward and seemingly unsuccessful.
The music is good, but the ale is better. "One's morning could certainly be worse," he thinks.
Harek comes into the clan hall amid the bustle of getting ready for the feast. The red hobgoblin stood out in the crowd however still managed to vanish and reappear at times. He had just returned with some of the farmers selling cattle. He had only been with the clan for a couple months and had spent much of that time traveling. He had been captured by the tribe attempting to slaughter an escaped rothe, luckily the tribe had overlooked this trespass in lieu of his knowledge of arms and ability to speak goblin. They quickly began using him to attempt at trading with some of the local goblin hordes.
A stern disappointed look was seen on his face as the commotion bustled about him
(He thinks to himself)~Such chaos rules here. It's a wonder everything manages to stay together and working. At least their laws are laid out plainly enough. I had hoped to see more order with the impending Runemeet~
Though no perceptible order has emerged he does spot a few different faces among the crowd.
Fargim and Diana:
The Runemeet is an interesting mixture of diplomacy and barbarianism. The Council seat could be determined by a challenge of strength or combat, but by currying the favor of another council hopeful, Arrug may be able to obtain a unanimous decision without any contest.
Among those present in the longhouse are Arrug and his wife Marrona, their daughters Lucia and Abby (ages 18 and 12), and their 7 year old son Jur, along with Old Poe, the family's bard friend. Old Poe sings fairly well, but seems to be a bit disjointed, occasionally slipping into a different song entirely.
Suddenly a ranger appears on horseback at the solitary, frontier homestead. The low brim of his black hood hides all but his scowl, the ranger dismounts, and wordlessly shakes hands with Arrug. Dirty from travel, he wears green, blackstriped britches. His faded, black cloak reveals leather armor, and a very large black pelt covers his back. Two short swords with black lions etched in the pommels hang at his side in scabbards. Marrona fingers her jade necklace and then greets him: "Welcome home, Thane." Thane kisses Marrona on the forehead, a hint of a smile entering his face. The children join in welcoming him into the homestead’s longhouse, shouting “Uncle Thane!”
The feast begins shortly thereafter, as friends and family begin socializing with each other and their guests.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Elrik drains the pint rapidly, making certain to wipe his mouth with his beard afterward. He does so half out of habit and half out of a desire to make himself presentable. Elrik hears the laughter of female half-elf and sees that Fargim is likely responsible. "No doubt the wee lad is telling her some far-fetched tale about his being a giant or the like," he thinks to himself. "If he's a giant, I'm an elf. A tall, long-legged, silvery-eyed, noble-born, mystical and magical elf." Elrik chuckles at the thought, and an unknown guest looks at him, wondering whom the dwarf is addressing.
Hox is alerted as the festivities begin. He looks about himself before heading back to the kitchen. He does as instructed as he helps make the final preparations for the feast. As he passes through the rooms, he notices the dwarf that would take from his trays and try to talk to him. He is strange one. Small like Hox but have strength like beasts. He bad for Hox. He can hurt Hox. He shakes his head, not to be worrying about that now. People are happy and laughing, distracted by the old bard and the arrival of the guest. Me can leave farm of scary people. Must not be seen by scary people, not even the dark one that came by horse.
Elrik hopes to be within earshot of Thane as much as possible, for the dwarf has heard that Arugg's brother was a hunter of orcs. Any tales that speak of the death of orc filth will be a welcome sound to Elrik's ears.
* That little fellow idea of being a giant is kinda sweet and sad at the same time.
Diana notices as new face join the party.
* Judging by children reaction Arrug brother is an infrequent quest here. Why would he come here? Tradition? Bonds? Lust for power?
* This conversation has no more meaning, this kid knows NOTHING.
- Excuse me, friend. I have a strong urge to perform!
Diana slips away from the table gracefully, gets to the highest spot, pulls flute and starts to weave magical melodies.
Witcher 3 Soundtrack: Drink Up, There's More song fits perfectly.
Hox scratches his ears, unfamiliar with the concept of music, it seemed like noise without purpose to him. He gives a sigh as he is called back to the kitchen, to carry out more drinks to the guests. He holds the platter above his head as he walks about the room, letting guests take from the plate. Once he felt no more weight upon him, he would have to go back for more and repeat. People too loud. Why happy with noise. Gold bring happy. Noise don't, noise bring others. He thought to himself
Upon witnessing the female half-elf's boldness as she suddenly seizes the musical spotlight, Elrik makes his way toward Fargim, "You've inspired our new guest so deeply that she must immediately put her thoughts to song, eh? What's her story, Fargim?"
Although Elrik is indeed interested in what Fargim has learned about the half-elf, he is far more intrigued to learn how the half-elf's abrupt intrusion into the scene will play out.
Elrik watches.
With focus.
A small smile spreads across Volthero's face as the half elf begins to out perform Old Poe. Let's see if youth and vigor will overcome old age and treachery. I doubt it will be anywhere close to how I learned the answer.
With the festivities begun he moves to a low traffic corner of the hall with a tankern of ale and a slice of cooked meat. His previous frown returns at increased noise and commotion that has swept the longhall.
OOC: Is it Harek or Volthero? ;)
From listening in on conversations, Elrik learns that Thane was away for over 10 years. He seems distant from Arugg, but warm to Marrona and the children. He seems amused that Roccar has yet to show up to the feast.
Diana Performance: 9
At first, Old Poe applauds as Diana joins him in song, and attempts to blend his melodies with her flute, but as her performance picks up, the man can do nothing but stand and stare. The room gradually falls into silence as all eyes are drawn to the half-elf's tune. Marrona can be seen wiping a tear from her eye as the song concludes, and the entire room raises tankards or applauds. Even stoic Thane slowly claps his hands in appreciation.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!