The Road to Drakkenheim

Supplies for Emberwood Village

On the outskirts of Drakkenheim on the island-filled state of Westemär, lies a cloth covered caravan on the side of well-worn road in Altberg. The grass is greener here than anywhere in all of Drakkenheim. At least, so thinks the usually chipper driver, Eren Marlowe. Oh Gods, it is quiet today. Even the crickets aren't paying their usual tune. "Chirp, chirp, chirp all day long." Singsongs Eren as they tend to one of their two draft horses. Good thing the air here is breezy and cool. A warm wonderful summer's day. The horses seem to notice the difference compared to their regular travels to and from the village. They whinny in delight as Eren hands them another apple. "You're welcome, Miss Molly. And you too, Greenberry."

"'Betcha they'll come real soon," Eren tells themself, leaning against the caravan, their leather cap obscuring the top half of their face from the sun with their arms up to their head. Once you approach, they smile and get up, "Well speak of the devils."

A week or so ago, a flyer had went up around Altberg asking adventurers to help to guard a caravan to Emberwood Village. Unfortunately, this call was answered pretty early, well, until something made the team drop out last minute. And that's where you arrived, somehow someway scooping up the call just in time.

Greeting each of you all with a handshake, though having a little bit of trouble figuring out which hand to shake for Ka-Cha Khan, and then without a word, admiring the wings of Heiboros. Eren gives you all a warm smile and introduces themself, "Goods to meet all of yalls. As you could've guessed, I'm Eren Marlowe. And these are my two horses, Molly and Greenberry."

"Glad to see y'alls in one piece. 'Heard Altberg out there is a real scary place. Brrrrr." They lean in to fake a shiver. Smiling, Eren puts their hands on their hips and snickers, "Nothing's like where we's going. Drakkenheim's must be safest place out here, I'll bet, huh?" They raise an eyebrow, guessing that's where most of y'all are headed anyways. "Good thing we's only going to Emberwood Village then."

"I, uh, just wanted to thank yous for comin' out here real quick. Sorry it's a such short notice. The other crew I hired stiffed me last minute. I gots to say I real appreciates y'alls bravery. It ain't gonna be an easy trip, not gonna lie. I'll raise the price and a pays yous each 'bout 25 gold for the trouble once we get to the village."

They pull on the collar of their woolen traveler's jacket to straighten it out a bit, and with a flick of their head nod to the caravan, "I'ves got the usual goods. You can help yourself to a snack or more if you'd like. The 'van's petty cozy. I've got some extra blankets in case it gets cold." Eren begins to clamber up onto the diver's seat, their short frame making the jump up a bit difficult.

"It's a gonna be three weeks journey. We should get to know each other. Fun fact: I'm allergic to plums."

They tap the seat next to them whilst holding on the reins. One of the horses whinnies. "One of yous should also sit by me on the drivers seat. We's got to always have a lookout."

((Hey welcome everybody!!! Please introduce your characters! I hope you have fun! Sorry this was my best interpretation of a Midwestern accent. I really tried.))

Joining with the group is a copper-skinned half-elf dressed in rugged clothes. Atop his head is curly hair and he's got a friendly smile. "Hello, all." he says, "The name is Tendilius Mondhaven Paxaramus." He keeps a wand at his side. He listen to what Eren says about Drakkenheim, "Safety is relative. Just gotta have a plan for fight or flight."

He heads into the back of the caravan. "My eyes aren't as perceptive as others'. Though I can lend a little help." He waves his hand and an owl, or rather something like an owl with bat wings, appears on his shoulder. "Help keep an eye out won't you, Hooty?" He sends his familiar to the air. "Good to let him flap his wings." he smiles.

He looks at the others, excited to get to know more about these companions.

[[ Selling light crossbow and bolts for half-price, 13gp, buying 10gp find familiar incense. Net-gain: 3gp ]]

The large bird-man hovering above the group has piercing eyes, a curved beak, and golden feathers. He is preening his wings with his eyes closed, however, when he opens them, they are pools of inky blackness. He carries a rod in the hand-like claw at the end of his wing. He eventually speaks, "The land of Drakkenheim is dark. I lived once in the rafters of the clock tower. I hope to do so again. Making a little money on the way there is just a bonus." His voice is reminiscent of an eagle's screech and a raven's caw. 

Another half-elf wasn't too far behind their kin, her heavily embroidered shawls' hood lowered to reveal tapered, decorated ears and a somewhat nervous, cordial expression. The smile brightened considerably as Juniper recognized Tendilius' voice, and her footsteps matched the newfound enthusiasm.

"Tendilius! What a surprise and delight. Though, I should've expected that you'd make you way out to the city sooner or later." The unusual bat owl was given a similarly friendly welcome, if a more quiet one as their caravan lead began to speak.

The offered handshake was returned with a hesitant grip. "A pleasure, Eren. And you two- er, three!- as well," A quick glance was given to the pair of horses- and then upwards, to the beat of wings that held one of another fellow travellers aloft- as she continued, "Juniper Summers, at your service. Oh, ah-... I could take up that mantle, if no one objects?" Jade eyes darted about to the rest of those gathered, looking for any such objections.

"Juniper!" says Tendilius with delight. "It's good to see you again too. We'll have to catch up, though probably later if you're taking a lead on lookout."

He looks as the aarakocra comes down with a delighted fascination at the bird-man's dark eyes. He extends an eager hand out, "Pleasure to meet you, sir. If I may be a bit forward, do all of your kind have such eyes? They're simply marvelous!"

“Hadrian Darlington.” Hadrian says, grasping Eren’s hand in a firm handshake. The human stands around 6’5, and looks to be in his mid to late twenties, with a handsome, well-defined face framed by wavy dark hair pulled back into a low, messy ponytail. A few scars run across his face, and a flame-serpent tattoo winds its way from his muscular chest up to his neck and jawline. Over his broad shoulders, he wears a large, dark fur cloak. As he turns to scan the group, the aarakocra and the insect guy - what’s their kind called again? - his lips curve into a smirk. “We do have quite a group here, don’t we? Drakkenheim does draw all kinds.”

Hadrian is heading to Drakkenheim, drawn by the tales of the land’s ruinous wreckage and looming monsters. It seems like the perfect place to make a name for himself. They have had dealings there during the civil war, and he hoped to still have some strings to pull, doing a bit of networking here and there. This job sounds easy enough to get him started. He climbs onto the caravan, a giant, shiny greatsword on his back that looks newly forged.

Finding a place to sit at the back of the caravan, he spreads his legs comfortably and helps himself to some snacks, digging out some jerky, offering some to the others with a casual gesture. As he turns to look, Juniper has just climbed up to the driver's seat with Eren, and Tendiliu was just catching up with her. Hadrian leans back, raises an eyebrow at the warm-hearted half-elf, Tendilius, as he turns back. “Your girl seems nice.” He comments.

Eren smiles and shrugs at Tendilius' comment on safety, "I like yours attitude. Guess I'd done a good thing and hired yalls!" Their eyes widen with glee at the sight of the owl-bat. "And aw what a sweet 'lil friend ya got theres too. Here, boy!" They whistle and throw Hooty some dried meat to catch in the air, which he does.

"Fine by me." They then gesture 'come on here' to Juniper with a nod of their head, and lets her climb on board next to them. The shorter human (5'2) getting a bit obscured by the shadow of the taller half-elf. They turn their head solemnly over at Heiboros, "Sorry to hear that had happend to ya. Sames here. I'd had probably died if I hadn't been out of town that day. Guess ya couldn't stop missin' yer ol' stompin' grounds, huh?" They take off their leather cap and put it to their chest, "Yeah me neither."

"Drakkenheim was once a great city, ya know. Sads to know that that's all that's left these days. Ever since the Queen 'nd King Von Kessels been missin' and their many kids it ain't been the same ever since. Well, more so not since the ol' meteor, of course."

With a quick pull back on the reins, they lean back on the seat and chuckle at Hadrian, "Drakkenhein really does sure brings in 'veryone. Two months ago it was a whole team of kobolds tryin' to make 'em ends meet 'ere." They laugh grimly and look down, "Theys did not make it."

"Later, then," She agreed with Tendilius and tossed her pack up to the claimed perch. With a little effort, she quickly followed suit and secured her belongs further beneath the well worn shotgun seat beside Eran. The half-elf didn't cast much of a shadow, all five foot two inches of the lithe frame shifting in the seat to get a clearer view of the countryside they were about to traverse.

And, to better hear the conversation happening further back in the carriage. An ear quirked just to the side as she listened in. A hand followed soon after to accept the offered jerky with a polite nod towards Hadrian, though she didn't quite meet the man's eye. Nor the assumption made with a correction or rebuttal, leaving that for Tendilius to straighten out.

"...It does seem to, doesn't it?" She added in, looking slightly uneasy at hearing the unknown kobolds' fate. "You were there, before?" The question was posed to the driver and pirate alike- and the others within earshot- as her unoccupied hand gestured to the balmy summer sky. "In Drakkenheim, I mean. Before the-... The starfall?"

Heiboros hovers above the caravan, an unreadable expression on his face. In response to Tendilius he simply says, "Nope. Magic." After a little bit, he screeches and swoops down to the ground. He mutters in abyssal, 

Dabbert lets the others have their moment, then walks up quietly to Eren and offers a hand.  Another human, he appears to be just a few years older than the other, taller, bigger fellow.  

"Dabbert Hahft.  I uh...appreciate the lift."  He says, trying to be grateful for the ride back home, back toward Emberwood Village.  Back to Drakkenheim.  After shaking their hand, he gently scratches one of the horses behind the ears. He begins to offer his services in the hot seat, but is glad when the Half-Elf climbs up.  He regards her for a moment.  "If you get tired, let me know.  More than happy to take a shift."  

He draws his spear as he walks around to the rear of the cart and climbs in, taking a seat and holding the weapon between his feet, the point on the floor.  He looks across at the other human, the big guy, and studies him for a moment.  

"You look familiar."  Dab says calmly.  He takes a breath, almost choking on his words.  "Have I seen you somewhere before?  Maybe awhile ago?  In a little worse circumstances?  Or maybe it's a familial resemblance?"  

He doesn't ignore the others.  He takes their measure, one by one, but waits for his turn to speak as everyone settles in.  He seems most interested in the Aarakocra and the Thri-Kreen, both of which are pretty exotic for this region, or so he thinks.  But then again, he'd never imagined a day when the literal sky would fall either.  Yet here they were.  

Anyone who gets to take a look at Dabbert notices a warrior, tall (roughly 6' 1") and built with lean strength.  His clothing fits well and is of darker tones, with leather padding buffering a breastplate he's wearing that has been sanded to a bronzier, dirtier hew so that it doesn't reflect light.  It's banged up, with several scrapes and dents that tell a tale of prior conflict.  There is a dirty red skull painted on the breastplate, the paint the color of dried blood.  He looks older than he really is, with some gray starting to appear in his hair.  A tattered banner is tied around his left bicep.  It too is a rusty color.  

Tendilius pauses. As Hadrian suggests he and Juniper are an item his copper cheeks flush red. "Um, uh, no, wait wha- No. That's not the case!" he stammers from the unexpected assertion. After realizing it might be unclear if he was rebuking the idea of her being nice as opposed to being 'his girl' he clarifies, "I mean she is nice. We shared good conversation at a tavern. But we're not involved like that." He shies his head away from the pirate, a bit perplexed it's the man's words, not muscles, making him uneasy.

Trying to focus back he reaches into his backpack to pull out a tome and pen. He finds a comfortable seat and dips the quill into the inkwell, opening the tome to a fresh page. "Magic you said?" he asks the aarakocra while starting a rudimentary sketch of the birdman's eyes. "Fascinating! Transformative magic isn't anything new. I'm sure you've heard the tales of Delerium creatures. But I'm guessing yours is something different. Or did you find a way to stave off the bestial madness?"

While starting his entry into the tome he glances over at beetle-man. Another fascinating person to meet.

"Nope. Different magic. I take it you're studious too? Amethyst Academy?" 

"Indeed, I'm a scholar at heart." says Tendilius in reply to Heiboros' query on studiousness. He holds his book with a look of pride. "Haven't made a name for myself yet, but hopefully those ruins will hold something I can put in here." He dodges the question about the Amethyst Academy. "So you mentioned you grew up in the rafters of a clock tower. How was Drakkenheim back then? I never got to see it in its prime but I've heard tales of it. Some say the Queen's Park Garden was in full bloom, even in the dead of winter. Others say the Cairn Hills are the shoulder blades of a fallen giant. I suspect those are amongst the exaggerations, but I am curious."

[[ Was noted in the player's guide that bards/warlocks tend to keep their magic secret, so guessing he'd be a bit cagey on specifically being a warlock. ]]

Hadrian watches Tendilius' reaction, bemused. He kindly offers a piece of jerky to the flustered half-elf, who seems to almost choke on his own words. "Relax, Tendilius. I was just teasing.”

His eyes flicker to Juniper for a moment with some curiosity, then returns to Tendilius. "Don't worry, mate. I'm not here to stir up trouble - well, not that kind, anyway," He grins. "Just wanting to know who’s who in our little band of misfits."

Following Juniper’s hand, Hadrian’s gaze shifts momentarily to the sky, the bright blue a stark contrast to the faint, lingering odor of smoke and ash in his mind. "I wasn't from Drakkenheim before the sky fell," Hadrian begins, "But I've been around - and I've heard the tales. They said it was a vibrant city, full of life and promise. When the starfall hit, it was like a knife through the heart of the place. Left nothing but chaos and ruins.”

“Then the civil war. I wasn’t fighting in it - but there was always shadow lurking just beyond the edge of the battlefield. Smuggling, espionage, sabotage. Desperate people made deals with even more desperate devils. Alliances formed and broken in the same breath. Men who’d betray their comrades for a handful of coins, and others who’d burn entire villages to the ground for a promise of power. ” With a mocking smile, he says, “When there’s bloodshed, there’s money to be made, and there are always people willing to fuel it.”

Hadrian takes Dabbert in for a moment, his eyes lingering on the warrior’s battered armor and worn plates. "Is that the worse circumstances you might be referring to? Or perhaps you had dealings with my father - ”

He pauses, a flicker of conflicting emotions crossing his face. The mention of his father stirs something deep within him, a turbulent mix of respect, resentment, and reluctant admiration. There’s a lot he doesn’t agree with or like about his old man, but he has to admit he’s good at what he does. “His name is Edward Darlington.” He finishes, the name hanging in the air like a specter. 

Juniper gave a soft hum in appreciation towards Dabbert's offer, tucking it away to be called on later. And while she wasn't fully looking back at where the rest were situated- a difficult proposition, given her curiosity at the three-armed creature that'd joined their crew- she did listen to the dual recollections of what Drakkenheim once was with a keen interest.

"I'd heard much the same," She replied to Hadrian, tone wistful as she thought back to the stories she'd been told about the gardens Tendilius spoke of. "Our grove was closed to the world outside shortly after the city's downfall, but a rumor here and there eventually reached us. And our eldest grieved the loss of the Queen's gardens most especially; such a unique balance of nature in the heart of the city. Ahm, so I was told, at least."

The druid's sails deflated a hair at the bloody aftermath that the pirate continued with, further cementing a quietly anxious air about the druid. Even with how brief their time had been with the half-elf, it was clear she was decidedly unused to what the world at large had become in the past fifteen years. The scimitar sheath at her hip looked brand new and unscuffed, the shield she'd secured at her feet undented. A few stints into the nearest town from her secluded home was a far cry from the daunting task they were all about to undertake, but beneath that nervous energy which wrung hands into fidgeting knots was a grim determination.

The name that hung expectant meant little to her, though the air in which it'd been spoken earned a furtive glance away from her duties to the rest. Had any of them recognized the supposed pirate?

Heiboros flies down next to the caravan and says, "I don't much like being inside. I'll take watch for our journey. Perhaps an eagle's eye out could help." His purple robe flapping, he hovers alongside the caravan. 

(OOC: Sorry, posting to get updates, no time for IC reply yet)

"There will always be people willing to fuel it."  Dabbert repeats, agreeing with Hadrian.  The warrior squints, regarding Hadrian's reaction, then leans back.  "Ah.  I see.  I know Edward Darlington.  Someone I wouldn't trust further than I could uh...throw him.  But we would have been a lot worse off during the war if it hadn't been for him too."  

He pauses, wondering if he has overstepped anything, but doesn't walk his words back.  He takes a moment, looking at Hadrian, then just shrugs, unsure of what else to say.  

"So, have any of you been to Drakkenheim before?  Or done very many escorts?"  

There is an answering screech from outside the cart. 

Dabbert leans, looking at the Aarakocra.  

"I'm sorry friend.  Dabbert."  

He extends a hand as if to shake with the air.  

"My apologies.  I did hear you say you grew up in the clock tower, if I'm not mistaken.  This..."  

He gestures around to all the others traveling with them.  

"...is just a lot to take in all at once.  We're a talkative lot."