Rylan was all set to make his formal introduction when he is suddenly thrown off-course by Arkun's interpretation of Brandy's mutterings...
"I'm sorry..." He stutters... the words failing him in this moment. "Y-y-you actually spoke.... to my horse? I thought that was all just..."
He looks down the thoroughfare to see Brandy tied up, looking over in his direction. A slight curl of a smile emerges on his lips.
"How marvelous..."He says, looking back at Arkun and indicating toward Aldric. "Though, in the interest of discretion, I'd be much obliged if you could keep the finer details of your conversation between us for now..."
He turns to the knight and bows."With apologies for the imprudence of my steed.... I am Rylan of House Belabranta, son of Korvar, sworn deputy of the Lord's Alliance and devoted servant of Lliira, Mistress of Revels. I came to this valley by way of an invitation from a man named Thurl Merosska, a former griffon rider of Waterdeep who now leads a society of nobles dedicated to the art of aerial beast riding. They call themselves The Feathergale Knights." He looks to Arkun for a moment. "My dear sister Savra recently joined their ranks and I..."
He measures his words. "It's given me cause to look deeper into their operations. As my contacts in the region do their diligence, I find myself at loose ends... And since this is my first time so far afield from the City of Splendors I seek to make the most of it."
He looks to the others, a boyish grin crossing his face. "Now, I find myself surrounded by a group of interesting companions... Each of us drawn to this troubled region for our own mysterious reasons... Enticed with opportunities to deliver justice, find lost treasure and perhaps even deliver a wayward spirit to its final rest..."
He stands tall and eager, chest out, inhaling deep, hand on the hilt of his sword. "Gods, you can just smell the adventure in the air!"
With a raised, Rumble cocked his head ever so slightly to the side in genuine confusion at Aldric's initial remark. Didn't everyone by now already knew each other, or more accurately their names at least? What more was there to... "Oooh, that makes sense..." He murmured, before in clocking a look from the older knight, promptly began adjusting even the slightest hint off impropriety in stance while listening to the rest. Beyond this, the earth genasi remained respectfully quiet for a time, solemnly nodding only once in affirmation of Aldric's words about Summit Hall.
Though the whole matter of talking horses seemed to go right over Rumble's head as point of concern, at the glance from Arkun, Rumble faintly nodded in acknowledgement. Even if it might've meant a reprimand later, if push came to shove, he'd defend the druid's right to remain unbound by the stricter formalities of the knighthood. But lingering doubts over the very possibility of it every occurring left him smiling inwardly and faintly shaking his head.
"Tehh! What it smells like is that there's a whole lot going on in the Dessrin Valley that aught not be. But at the risk of sounding arrogant, I do believe will more than rise to the occasion!" He assured the party and flashed a toothy grin. "Now, I've, uh... *ahem*... I've already introduced myself to everyone 'fore now. But, if only for the sake of formalities, I'll say again that my name is Rumble Siltskin, a novice knight of Samular. In the interest of full disclosure, my own mission was something of a volunteer effort on my part, as its not entirely standard protocol for one of my station to be allowed out in the field." He briefly glances over to Aldric. "As for what it entailed, I was to investigate into some avian kidnappers that s'posedly ran off with some homesteaders. And while I think I might have discovered a lead on that, I'd sooner pray for Tyr to strike me down fer turning a blind eye to all that's goin on with Red Larch as-is."
Sylra listened to the exchange, her attention shifting between each speaker as the circle of introductions and intentions wound its way around. The names, allegiances, and threads of purpose formed a web in her mind—different origins and loyalties, but enough shared ground to make cooperation possible. She let the others have their say, not because she had nothing to add, but because watching how they revealed themselves was as telling as the words themselves.
When there was a pause, she stepped forward just enough to be part of the inner ring of the conversation, her voice even and steady. “Sylra Galeheart, also of the Emerald Enclave,” she said, giving Arkun the faintest nod of acknowledgment before letting her gaze settle briefly on Aldric. “The Enclave sent me here to the Dessarin Valley after I raised concerns about what I’ve seen—winds turning against themselves, thunder without clouds, heat settling too early in the season. I was told there were others in the area worth finding, and it seems that task has been fulfilled sooner than I expected.”
She folded her arms loosely, letting the desert-dry breeze curl around her before continuing. “I’ve already spoken with some of the townsfolk. There’s the matter of a frightened child who stumbled across something she couldn’t name near a tomb, and quarry workers who’ve grown restless in ways their overseer won’t speak plainly about. There’s also talk of Lance Rock—something the innkeeper claims holds an ill presence. And now,” she inclined her head slightly toward Aldric, “there’s your Rivergard Keep and the bandits it shelters.”
Her gaze swept the group, not in challenge but in measure. “I’m not blind to the truth that we can’t chase all of these at once. If the Keep truly holds organized trouble, that may demand the sooner answer. But I’d not see these other threads left to rot until they tangle around someone else’s neck. So if we’re to work together, let’s see it done with the understanding that what matters to one of us matters to all. For now, I’m willing to put my steps toward Rivergard—so long as the road circles back to these other leads when the moment comes.”
She fell silent then, letting her words settle among them like the weight of a weather change before a storm.
At the conclusion of everyone's introduction, Aldric takes in and releases a satisfied breath. He doesn't quite smile, but his lips part around his tusks in a friendly kind of way. The realization that aside from the novice, he's going to be working with "adventurers" for lack of a better term doesn't unsettle him, but it does encourage caution. Job one is to address concerns.
He turns first to Arkun. "It's nice to meet you, Arkun. How the horse feels about me aside, I hope we can work together in a way that works for everyone. I'm not knighting anyone, and so no saluting will be expected. We're working together — not necessarily under one banner — but under a common cause: the safety of the valley."
He turns to Rylan and nods his head. "It is nice to meet you, Rylan. I will pray for Tyr's protection over your sister."
His eyes pass by Rumble and settle on Sylra. Once again, the knight pauses briefly at the sight of her. Finally, he says, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sylra Galeheart. I agree that there is much distress spread across our valley. It may be difficult to choose who to help and when. I appreciate your flexibility."
Finally pulling his eyes away from her, Aldric looks back at Rumble. His face hardens a little, and his back straightens. "Novice, I'm glad you're here." He pauses again, clearly scrutinizing the earth genasi. "I am heartened that you do not immediately react to my name. It gives me hope that ... " The words die away in his throat, and he clears it.
Seeming to come out of some kind of trance or memory, the half-orc looks at the four others. "As Sylra said, we have choices to make."
He looks at Rylan. "I'm not sure what effect our axes may have on whatever Pell encountered. I'm hoping it is a ruse or misunderstanding and that information might be gained by confronting whoever or whatever she thought was a ghost. If it does turn out to be a specter, I suppose we will do our best. Is this a good task to start with?"
Turning to look down at Rumble, he continues, "On the way, you can tell me what else you've learned while in town."
He looks at Rylan. "I'm not sure what effect our axes may have on whatever Pell encountered. I'm hoping it is a ruse or misunderstanding and that information might be gained by confronting whoever or whatever she thought was a ghost. If it does turn out to be a specter, I suppose we will do our best. Is this a good task to start with?"
Rylan shakes his head, passing his eyes around the others. "No, I defer to the wisdom of the others in this regard. You all say brute force will bring no harm to such a being and I... having no lived experience with such things... take you at your word.
"The plan to route yon southern brigands... if such a deed really is possible for a band of our strength.... seems a judicious course of action. Opening trade roads does a service for the Lords' Alliance. It earns us the favor of the locals... and perhaps yields us with some bounty that might better equip us to deal with such... otherworldly matters."
Looking to Rumble he adds, "Besides, if these bandits know aught about the flying menace harassing your homesteaders... I would do well to learn about it." He stops short of saying why. His expression looks grim and he falls silent, nodding in acquiescence to Aldric's ranking leadership.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Arkun silently nods to Aldric, satisfied with his answer. He listens to the change in plans as they decide to pursue the ghost that frightened Pell. “Either way is fine with me.. it seems like we have a lot on our plate.” He stands there leaning on his staff, waiting to see which way they will go.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Sylra listened quietly as each man spoke, weighing their words and the shift in direction that seemed to be taking shape. Aldric’s acknowledgment of their shared goals was met with a slight incline of her head, her expression calm but thoughtful. She understood the practicality in beginning with something close at hand, but she also carried the awareness that each path they set their feet on would cost them time, and every lead they let grow cold could fade beyond reach.
“I can see the merit in starting with the matter of the tomb,” she said, her voice steady and without hurry. “If whatever frightened the child is more than a shadow and a story, better that we know it now before someone else stumbles across it unprepared. And if it is only rumor or mischief, we’ll have the truth and can set it aside with clear minds.” Her gaze swept across the group, the faintest pull of wind tugging at a loose strand of hair as she regarded them in turn. “After that, we can put our full attention toward Rivergard and your bandits, Aldric. But I mean to keep the other leads in hand as we go. It’s too easy for small troubles to grow into storms when they’re ignored.”
She left it at that, her stance open but settled, ready to follow once they chose their direction. The matter of where they went first was decided, but she made certain the rest of her purpose was spoken aloud, so it would not be forgotten in the dust of the road.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Rylan was all set to make his formal introduction when he is suddenly thrown off-course by Arkun's interpretation of Brandy's mutterings...
"I'm sorry..." He stutters... the words failing him in this moment. "Y-y-you actually spoke.... to my horse? I thought that was all just..."
He looks down the thoroughfare to see Brandy tied up, looking over in his direction. A slight curl of a smile emerges on his lips.
"How marvelous..." He says, looking back at Arkun and indicating toward Aldric. "Though, in the interest of discretion, I'd be much obliged if you could keep the finer details of your conversation between us for now..."
He turns to the knight and bows. "With apologies for the imprudence of my steed.... I am Rylan of House Belabranta, son of Korvar, sworn deputy of the Lord's Alliance and devoted servant of Lliira, Mistress of Revels. I came to this valley by way of an invitation from a man named Thurl Merosska, a former griffon rider of Waterdeep who now leads a society of nobles dedicated to the art of aerial beast riding. They call themselves The Feathergale Knights." He looks to Arkun for a moment. "My dear sister Savra recently joined their ranks and I..."
He measures his words. "It's given me cause to look deeper into their operations. As my contacts in the region do their diligence, I find myself at loose ends... And since this is my first time so far afield from the City of Splendors I seek to make the most of it."
He looks to the others, a boyish grin crossing his face. "Now, I find myself surrounded by a group of interesting companions... Each of us drawn to this troubled region for our own mysterious reasons... Enticed with opportunities to deliver justice, find lost treasure and perhaps even deliver a wayward spirit to its final rest..."
He stands tall and eager, chest out, inhaling deep, hand on the hilt of his sword. "Gods, you can just smell the adventure in the air!"
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
With a raised, Rumble cocked his head ever so slightly to the side in genuine confusion at Aldric's initial remark. Didn't everyone by now already knew each other, or more accurately their names at least? What more was there to... "Oooh, that makes sense..." He murmured, before in clocking a look from the older knight, promptly began adjusting even the slightest hint off impropriety in stance while listening to the rest. Beyond this, the earth genasi remained respectfully quiet for a time, solemnly nodding only once in affirmation of Aldric's words about Summit Hall.
Though the whole matter of talking horses seemed to go right over Rumble's head as point of concern, at the glance from Arkun, Rumble faintly nodded in acknowledgement. Even if it might've meant a reprimand later, if push came to shove, he'd defend the druid's right to remain unbound by the stricter formalities of the knighthood. But lingering doubts over the very possibility of it every occurring left him smiling inwardly and faintly shaking his head.
"Tehh! What it smells like is that there's a whole lot going on in the Dessrin Valley that aught not be. But at the risk of sounding arrogant, I do believe will more than rise to the occasion!" He assured the party and flashed a toothy grin. "Now, I've, uh... *ahem*... I've already introduced myself to everyone 'fore now. But, if only for the sake of formalities, I'll say again that my name is Rumble Siltskin, a novice knight of Samular. In the interest of full disclosure, my own mission was something of a volunteer effort on my part, as its not entirely standard protocol for one of my station to be allowed out in the field." He briefly glances over to Aldric. "As for what it entailed, I was to investigate into some avian kidnappers that s'posedly ran off with some homesteaders. And while I think I might have discovered a lead on that, I'd sooner pray for Tyr to strike me down fer turning a blind eye to all that's goin on with Red Larch as-is."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Sylra listened to the exchange, her attention shifting between each speaker as the circle of introductions and intentions wound its way around. The names, allegiances, and threads of purpose formed a web in her mind—different origins and loyalties, but enough shared ground to make cooperation possible. She let the others have their say, not because she had nothing to add, but because watching how they revealed themselves was as telling as the words themselves.
When there was a pause, she stepped forward just enough to be part of the inner ring of the conversation, her voice even and steady. “Sylra Galeheart, also of the Emerald Enclave,” she said, giving Arkun the faintest nod of acknowledgment before letting her gaze settle briefly on Aldric. “The Enclave sent me here to the Dessarin Valley after I raised concerns about what I’ve seen—winds turning against themselves, thunder without clouds, heat settling too early in the season. I was told there were others in the area worth finding, and it seems that task has been fulfilled sooner than I expected.”
She folded her arms loosely, letting the desert-dry breeze curl around her before continuing. “I’ve already spoken with some of the townsfolk. There’s the matter of a frightened child who stumbled across something she couldn’t name near a tomb, and quarry workers who’ve grown restless in ways their overseer won’t speak plainly about. There’s also talk of Lance Rock—something the innkeeper claims holds an ill presence. And now,” she inclined her head slightly toward Aldric, “there’s your Rivergard Keep and the bandits it shelters.”
Her gaze swept the group, not in challenge but in measure. “I’m not blind to the truth that we can’t chase all of these at once. If the Keep truly holds organized trouble, that may demand the sooner answer. But I’d not see these other threads left to rot until they tangle around someone else’s neck. So if we’re to work together, let’s see it done with the understanding that what matters to one of us matters to all. For now, I’m willing to put my steps toward Rivergard—so long as the road circles back to these other leads when the moment comes.”
She fell silent then, letting her words settle among them like the weight of a weather change before a storm.
At the conclusion of everyone's introduction, Aldric takes in and releases a satisfied breath. He doesn't quite smile, but his lips part around his tusks in a friendly kind of way. The realization that aside from the novice, he's going to be working with "adventurers" for lack of a better term doesn't unsettle him, but it does encourage caution. Job one is to address concerns.
He turns first to Arkun. "It's nice to meet you, Arkun. How the horse feels about me aside, I hope we can work together in a way that works for everyone. I'm not knighting anyone, and so no saluting will be expected. We're working together — not necessarily under one banner — but under a common cause: the safety of the valley."
He turns to Rylan and nods his head. "It is nice to meet you, Rylan. I will pray for Tyr's protection over your sister."
His eyes pass by Rumble and settle on Sylra. Once again, the knight pauses briefly at the sight of her. Finally, he says, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sylra Galeheart. I agree that there is much distress spread across our valley. It may be difficult to choose who to help and when. I appreciate your flexibility."
Finally pulling his eyes away from her, Aldric looks back at Rumble. His face hardens a little, and his back straightens. "Novice, I'm glad you're here." He pauses again, clearly scrutinizing the earth genasi. "I am heartened that you do not immediately react to my name. It gives me hope that ... " The words die away in his throat, and he clears it.
Seeming to come out of some kind of trance or memory, the half-orc looks at the four others. "As Sylra said, we have choices to make."
He looks at Rylan. "I'm not sure what effect our axes may have on whatever Pell encountered. I'm hoping it is a ruse or misunderstanding and that information might be gained by confronting whoever or whatever she thought was a ghost. If it does turn out to be a specter, I suppose we will do our best. Is this a good task to start with?"
Turning to look down at Rumble, he continues, "On the way, you can tell me what else you've learned while in town."
Rylan shakes his head, passing his eyes around the others. "No, I defer to the wisdom of the others in this regard. You all say brute force will bring no harm to such a being and I... having no lived experience with such things... take you at your word.
"The plan to route yon southern brigands... if such a deed really is possible for a band of our strength.... seems a judicious course of action. Opening trade roads does a service for the Lords' Alliance. It earns us the favor of the locals... and perhaps yields us with some bounty that might better equip us to deal with such... otherworldly matters."
Looking to Rumble he adds, "Besides, if these bandits know aught about the flying menace harassing your homesteaders... I would do well to learn about it." He stops short of saying why. His expression looks grim and he falls silent, nodding in acquiescence to Aldric's ranking leadership.
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Arkun silently nods to Aldric, satisfied with his answer. He listens to the change in plans as they decide to pursue the ghost that frightened Pell. “Either way is fine with me.. it seems like we have a lot on our plate.” He stands there leaning on his staff, waiting to see which way they will go.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Sylra listened quietly as each man spoke, weighing their words and the shift in direction that seemed to be taking shape. Aldric’s acknowledgment of their shared goals was met with a slight incline of her head, her expression calm but thoughtful. She understood the practicality in beginning with something close at hand, but she also carried the awareness that each path they set their feet on would cost them time, and every lead they let grow cold could fade beyond reach.
“I can see the merit in starting with the matter of the tomb,” she said, her voice steady and without hurry. “If whatever frightened the child is more than a shadow and a story, better that we know it now before someone else stumbles across it unprepared. And if it is only rumor or mischief, we’ll have the truth and can set it aside with clear minds.” Her gaze swept across the group, the faintest pull of wind tugging at a loose strand of hair as she regarded them in turn. “After that, we can put our full attention toward Rivergard and your bandits, Aldric. But I mean to keep the other leads in hand as we go. It’s too easy for small troubles to grow into storms when they’re ignored.”
She left it at that, her stance open but settled, ready to follow once they chose their direction. The matter of where they went first was decided, but she made certain the rest of her purpose was spoken aloud, so it would not be forgotten in the dust of the road.