Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors Campaign in the lands of Legend.

The Hag and Compass has rarely known such a fine performance and the crowd of sailors, merchants and the like spend freely due to the atmosphere Famh provides, indeed the publican is so pleased that he lets the company drink for free.

Vardi withdraws to bed with apologies soon after Ori leaving Thatch a somewhat awkward third wheel....

The percentage of the next few hours that followed disembarking from the Avocet that Cainneach spent in full blush would have been nearly one hundred.  Between Famh's open affection, the discussion of their nuptials (especially the foot rubs!), and, to top it off, the kind, but serious misrepresentation of the grandiosity of his role in slaying the reaver's witch in front of the crowd at The Hag and Compass.  Thankfully, Ori wasn't there for the show, but Cainneach repeatedly and quite sheepishly apologized to Thatch and Vardi for the omissions and reshapings of the contours of the battle.

Salt readily picked up on the forester's discomfort and interposed himself between any bar patrons who wished to take the measure of this humble forester made into a hero by his betrothed's words.  The bulk of the hound is sufficient to dissuade any curious approaches and, before too long, the free-flowing drinks are enough to render the crowd disinterested in any case.  As soon as it seems polite to do so, Cainneach extricates himself from Famh's embrace with a chivalrous kiss, thanks her for her devotion and art, apologizes once more to the others, and excuses himself, indicating that Salt requires some fresh air and a stroll.

Away ... away from this madding crowd, away from cramped quarters at sea, away from awful things trying to kill him and those he journeyed with.  At least for a spell ... He hardly felt a forester after all this time away from the forest.  Or at least he didn't feel quite like himself.  And Salt needed to run, to hunt, to re-hone his fine instincts.  Yes, back to the land, to the woods, to where he was most effective, most free, until he could re-centre himself.  There would be time yet for marriage, for adventures, for heroism in the manner that Famh described.  Or ... Who was that man she sang about?  Surely Cainneach was not that man.  Brave, perhaps, but not exceptional like the heroes of legend.  He felt fear, faltered in the face of danger, failed to save those he cared about.  He was no hero.

Maybe it was the ale, or the exhaustion of the trip, or some psychological haunt dwelling in his mind, the accumulation of darkness from the awful things they'd driven back along the way.  Cainneach knew that the only thing for it was to sleep ... in the woods ... yes.  Weary, but purposeful, the young ranger shouldered his pack and, with Salt at his side, marched off into his lands, his forest, where he could rest well for a night.  "We'll see what the dawn brings, boy."

(Famh and Thatch could likely guess where Cainneach has made camp for the night from their collective time in service to the Baron before their Thulish adventure.  He will return to town in the morning.)

Most of the next day is also spent in Clyster before Baron Aldred and the rest of the House form up with the them and strike out for Castle Gorburn.

The road south is uneventful and the time is past cheerily in good humour before the Barons Seat of Power is before them, all head inside to visit with loved ones, subordinates and relatives.

( Downtime of 12 months will now take place.  Feel free to Level Up and weave it into your own narrative and we'll see how things like for your PCs in the New Year.)

Sleeping Gods Part 1 Epilogue

The companions settle into life at Gorburn Castle each to their own lives once more.

Thatch is thrilled to be reunited with Shuck, and spends many a morning riding along the moors alone.  He continued his training with Cainneach, before the latters departure, when possible, picking up tricks from the forester.

 He continues to support Ori as best he can on the estate, and is quick to spread tales of his leadership and bravery wherever drinks are shared and tall tales are told. (Some of them may even be true!).  

But, after traveling across the land, Thatch realizes it is good to be back in the region he grew up in.  He slides his enchanted gladius under his mattress in reach ‘ just in case  and returns to the stables where he has always felt most comfortable.

Vardi sets up shop with Castle Gorburns smith, Bartleby, and teaches the old man a few new tricks, she splits her days between the forge, the barracks and the hall forging strong bonds with Sirs Grisso and Fraser and a number of the guardsmen.

Ori is ceded Sir Almerics cottage and he soon makes a comfortable home for himself splitting his time between drilling with the castle guard, liaising with the townsfolk and reminiscing over a pint or two. 

Cainneachs time oscillates between a whirlwind of preparation with Famh and the quiet stillness of the moors with Salt. Famh explores her new calling with the assistance of both Alais and Myrddin whilst keeping tabs on all the servants and townsfolk and their lives while she prepares for her nuptials.

Taking place in the spring, Cainneach and Famh's wedding is a raucous affair, when the couple is given leave from their duties Cainneach takes a journey with Famh out north and west through Thuland, where they are married once more by priests of gods both old and new.  They each see their respective homes once again and in the foothills of the Pagans Cainneach found the few remnants of his Clan and the couple were accepted and gifts of plaid and welcome made.  

Summer brought Vardi word of home and the discovery of a vault of the Jotuun in the mountains of her home island, Ori continued to receive small gifts on occasion though he never saw who left them and eventually just accepted it as one of lifes mysteries, Thatch also found primroses growing around the stables though none had been planted and he could swear he caught Shuck staring at and listening to things Thatch could not see over the years.

Cainneach and Famh returned and founded a home out on the moors and made a life there, their service to the Baron kept them well but in truth they were both simply doing things they would have been anyway.

Famhs fame as a bard and skald grew but never came to dominate her life, Cainneach and Salt became famed protectors of the outlying farms seeing off brigands, ne=erdowells and on one fateful occasion a loathsome troll.

Ori found himself taxed at times combatting the enemies of the House but his common touch meant he was rarely surprised and townsfolk, peasants and servants alike brought news to his ears that foiled many a plot.

Thatch developed a line of moor ponies of Shucks descent that were broad and incredibly strong for their size and his blade was put to use along with Vardis hammer on more than one occasion in defence of the House.

As the years went on the bonds of friendship remained strong, Alias was now a young woman in her teenage years, the Barons son Almeric was of age and the search was on for his bride to be.

They often received letters from Beltayne advising of the latest news and happenings……..

All was well………