After some time walking towards the southern border, you reach the Gate as dusk begins to settle. The route you take turns from rough dirt to cobble, and then even that fades into the brickwork of orderly stone blocks. You have all reached a great pavilion, circled by a small assortment of buildings and featuring a fountain in the center, it pales in comparison to the path before you.
A wide road, featuring rows upon rows of short building around and on the road itself goes on, the doors of the building all facing away from the gate. Further down the road walls begin to rise up, higher and thicker as they go on, until they seem to merge with the mountainside around the gate itself. Short barriers litter the ground with siege weapons and tools of war behind them, as well as on the roofs of the buildings on the road, all faced towards the gate, with soldiers standing atop some of the buildings, taking part in leisurely activities or their duties. And then there's the Gate itself...
The Gate stands at an almost impossibly tall 600 feet, carved directly into the mountains that circle your country, it stands tall as the great bastion that is recognizable to anyone who calls this place home. Large chains slink down from the top of the gate towards some buildings near the base of it, no doubt controlling the many layers of doors and barriers that stand firmly shut. Then there is the bas relief carved into the gate's face, depicting two unique Giants holding the gate shut from the side, their faces obscured by the angle of posture.
"I can't wait to see it open. This is a time that the people of Erstwyyl have waited for; being able to see the kingdom finally connect with its neighbors," Thasla says, smiling and full of hope for the future. "Let's be sure to set our best foot forward."
As they walk down the wide road, she looks toward the great gate for one who might fit the description of the 'marshal.'
(Sorry I've been so sporadic lately, I've been having to pull double shifts cause of this virus hooplah)
After some time down the road, you reach the caravan's staging ground. Dozens of wagons are set up, with people running to and fro; loading them with provisions and trade goods, tools and and material into them. A crowd has gathered by a small platform, people organizing into lines and leaving in groups to where an elderly man in a uniform atop the platform points.
Stepping up to the elder gentleman in the uniform -> 'allo, good sir. Is this where we report to the Caravan which is heading for away? My name is Tamoda, and these are my friends Adam, Grim, Shinion, Thasla, and Xandar. We have some papers for you...
With that Tamoda hands over his credentials the Guard Corporal gave him earlier.
The old man seems mostly... tired. He glances at you quickly, before returning to giving out his orders to the personnel in front of him. He spends a few more minutes doing this, before slowly climbing down from his perch and walking over to your group. "I take it you are the final selection? I'd hoped there'd be more of you, but you'll do for now." He says, before extending his hands to collect your letters. He looks at them and gives a slight frown. "Hmm..." He grumbles, then calls over a young man, handing him the letters and pointing him down the road. "I noticed that the number of paper I received did not quite add up to the number of you I see here, why is that?"
It is at this point that Ahkota steps forward, looking pale and with a slightly sunken face. "That would be my fault sir, I would like to retract my application to the caravan. I recently had... too close an encounter with death, and I think my priorities have shifted. I'd much rather stay here, maybe help out in the bureaucracy and support you that way, if I can. I'd much rather be with my family in this case."
The man gives him a once-over, gives a solemn nod, then speaks. "I can understand and appreciate your decision, it is not easy to balance duty, family, and risk. I wish you luck in your future endeavors." Then, turning to face the lot of you, he announces "Well then! Welcome to the expeditionary caravan! I am Chairman Grahamn, and will be your boss for the foreseeable future. If no-one else has any second thoughts or reservations, I'd ask you to go set your belongings up with our men in supply, then speak to Quartermaster Cho about your pay and provisions. We'll be heading out in a few hours I'm afraid, timetable has moved out, so the departure ceremony has been cancelled." He widens his stance, straightens his back with his arms behind him and tilts his head back slightly. "Welcome to the Caravan! May the Lights safeguard you! NOW GO ON, HUSTLE!" He shouts in his best drill sergeant voice.
"Yessir!" Thasla replies as they are dismissed. As they walk toward supply, she turns to Ahkota. "I'm glad to have had you with us. You're a wonderful teammate and I know you'll do great here as well." She shakes his hand, allowing others to bid farewell to him before they head to supply.
Her belongings are few, but well maintained. She sets them up, following the instructions of the men in charge of the supply area. Once everything is ready, she waits for the others so they can speak to the quartermaster together.
Tamoda slaps forearms with Akhota - Good on you, mate. Hopefully things remain peaceful and boring while we're gone, but if they do get interesting then just take a deep breath and stick them with the pointy end!
And then heads with his friends to the supply area.
Do we need any supplies? Ball bearings and caltrops will probably come in handy, I wonder what else we can scrounge?
"That all depends om the both of us." Says a voice behind you while your belongings are being checked and sorted down at supply.
The voice belongs to a rather short human woman, with a great scar stretching from the edge of the left side of her mouth up, wrapping around the back of her head. Past this fleshy border on, there is no hair, and no ear.
Despite the angle of her neck, when she looks at you, it's almost like she's looking down at you. "I am Tabitha Cho, but you will address me as 'Quartermaster' or 'Quartermaster Cho'. Here's how pay is gonna work for you; your food will be mostly taken care of while on the road. If you can hunt or forage, I heavily reccomend doing so, to not strain our supplies. Whenever we reach a stop where shopping or services are available, you will be given an allowance based on the time since the last stop, and the importance of your job. Anything not spent will be collected before we leave, and used to purchase drinks for the caravan and its members." Cho rattles off a few more lines about the importance of a good work ethic and proper redistribution and application of resources.
After a few minutes of this, she asks the big question. "Alright then, what roles are you serving in the caravan?"
Sihnion pipes up, "I have some skill with animals, such as beasts of burden, as well as with foraging. I can also help with any ailments or injuries that might befall us."
Thasla replies: "I believe myself to be well-trained to assist in direct combat should the worst happen. I can also heal wounds mid-battle or cure diseases. Furthermore, I would like to assist in, or at least observe, interactions with those we meet outside the kingdom's walls where possible, as to make a good impression of the rest of our people."
She pauses for a second. "Of course, I don't intend to overstep my role if it is uncalled for, quartermaster. Nothing without the permission of Chairman Graham or anyone else in charge."
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"Let's get ourselves to the gate, then." Thasla says, leading the group off. She smiles warmly as she reads the letter.
Grim would like to keep an eye out for his friend on the way back.
Paladin - warforged - orange
(I just lost 45 minutes of writing. I scream.)
After some time walking towards the southern border, you reach the Gate as dusk begins to settle. The route you take turns from rough dirt to cobble, and then even that fades into the brickwork of orderly stone blocks. You have all reached a great pavilion, circled by a small assortment of buildings and featuring a fountain in the center, it pales in comparison to the path before you.
A wide road, featuring rows upon rows of short building around and on the road itself goes on, the doors of the building all facing away from the gate. Further down the road walls begin to rise up, higher and thicker as they go on, until they seem to merge with the mountainside around the gate itself. Short barriers litter the ground with siege weapons and tools of war behind them, as well as on the roofs of the buildings on the road, all faced towards the gate, with soldiers standing atop some of the buildings, taking part in leisurely activities or their duties. And then there's the Gate itself...
The Gate stands at an almost impossibly tall 600 feet, carved directly into the mountains that circle your country, it stands tall as the great bastion that is recognizable to anyone who calls this place home. Large chains slink down from the top of the gate towards some buildings near the base of it, no doubt controlling the many layers of doors and barriers that stand firmly shut. Then there is the bas relief carved into the gate's face, depicting two unique Giants holding the gate shut from the side, their faces obscured by the angle of posture.
Sihnion is awestruck by the edifice. "Never have thought it possible", he murmurs.
"I can't wait to see it open. This is a time that the people of Erstwyyl have waited for; being able to see the kingdom finally connect with its neighbors," Thasla says, smiling and full of hope for the future. "Let's be sure to set our best foot forward."
As they walk down the wide road, she looks toward the great gate for one who might fit the description of the 'marshal.'
I'm thinking the folk on the other side will have brown dirt, green grass, and blue sky
Righto then. I suppose we might want to pay our respects to the Caravan Captain and the Trail Boss, yes?
(Sorry I've been so sporadic lately, I've been having to pull double shifts cause of this virus hooplah)
After some time down the road, you reach the caravan's staging ground. Dozens of wagons are set up, with people running to and fro; loading them with provisions and trade goods, tools and and material into them. A crowd has gathered by a small platform, people organizing into lines and leaving in groups to where an elderly man in a uniform atop the platform points.
“I believe that he may be the man we’re looking for.”
adam nods towards the man directing the lines
I do believe you are correct, Adam.
Stepping up to the elder gentleman in the uniform -> 'allo, good sir. Is this where we report to the Caravan which is heading for away? My name is Tamoda, and these are my friends Adam, Grim, Shinion, Thasla, and Xandar. We have some papers for you...
With that Tamoda hands over his credentials the Guard Corporal gave him earlier.
Thasla steps forward and bows to the uniformed man. "My name is Thasla, sir. May we ask your name?" she asks as she hands him her paper.
Sihnion watches silently, observing the uniformed man.
Does he seem nervous? Excited? Bored?
Insight: 6
The old man seems mostly... tired. He glances at you quickly, before returning to giving out his orders to the personnel in front of him. He spends a few more minutes doing this, before slowly climbing down from his perch and walking over to your group. "I take it you are the final selection? I'd hoped there'd be more of you, but you'll do for now." He says, before extending his hands to collect your letters. He looks at them and gives a slight frown. "Hmm..." He grumbles, then calls over a young man, handing him the letters and pointing him down the road. "I noticed that the number of paper I received did not quite add up to the number of you I see here, why is that?"
It is at this point that Ahkota steps forward, looking pale and with a slightly sunken face. "That would be my fault sir, I would like to retract my application to the caravan. I recently had... too close an encounter with death, and I think my priorities have shifted. I'd much rather stay here, maybe help out in the bureaucracy and support you that way, if I can. I'd much rather be with my family in this case."
The man gives him a once-over, gives a solemn nod, then speaks. "I can understand and appreciate your decision, it is not easy to balance duty, family, and risk. I wish you luck in your future endeavors." Then, turning to face the lot of you, he announces "Well then! Welcome to the expeditionary caravan! I am Chairman Grahamn, and will be your boss for the foreseeable future. If no-one else has any second thoughts or reservations, I'd ask you to go set your belongings up with our men in supply, then speak to Quartermaster Cho about your pay and provisions. We'll be heading out in a few hours I'm afraid, timetable has moved out, so the departure ceremony has been cancelled." He widens his stance, straightens his back with his arms behind him and tilts his head back slightly. "Welcome to the Caravan! May the Lights safeguard you! NOW GO ON, HUSTLE!" He shouts in his best drill sergeant voice.
And the Supply Area is...?
"Yessir!" Thasla replies as they are dismissed. As they walk toward supply, she turns to Ahkota. "I'm glad to have had you with us. You're a wonderful teammate and I know you'll do great here as well." She shakes his hand, allowing others to bid farewell to him before they head to supply.
Her belongings are few, but well maintained. She sets them up, following the instructions of the men in charge of the supply area. Once everything is ready, she waits for the others so they can speak to the quartermaster together.
Grim goes looking for one of his friends from before the trials.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Tamoda slaps forearms with Akhota - Good on you, mate. Hopefully things remain peaceful and boring while we're gone, but if they do get interesting then just take a deep breath and stick them with the pointy end!
And then heads with his friends to the supply area.
Do we need any supplies? Ball bearings and caltrops will probably come in handy, I wonder what else we can scrounge?
"That all depends om the both of us." Says a voice behind you while your belongings are being checked and sorted down at supply.
The voice belongs to a rather short human woman, with a great scar stretching from the edge of the left side of her mouth up, wrapping around the back of her head. Past this fleshy border on, there is no hair, and no ear.
Despite the angle of her neck, when she looks at you, it's almost like she's looking down at you. "I am Tabitha Cho, but you will address me as 'Quartermaster' or 'Quartermaster Cho'. Here's how pay is gonna work for you; your food will be mostly taken care of while on the road. If you can hunt or forage, I heavily reccomend doing so, to not strain our supplies. Whenever we reach a stop where shopping or services are available, you will be given an allowance based on the time since the last stop, and the importance of your job. Anything not spent will be collected before we leave, and used to purchase drinks for the caravan and its members." Cho rattles off a few more lines about the importance of a good work ethic and proper redistribution and application of resources.
After a few minutes of this, she asks the big question. "Alright then, what roles are you serving in the caravan?"
Sihnion pipes up, "I have some skill with animals, such as beasts of burden, as well as with foraging. I can also help with any ailments or injuries that might befall us."
Thasla replies: "I believe myself to be well-trained to assist in direct combat should the worst happen. I can also heal wounds mid-battle or cure diseases. Furthermore, I would like to assist in, or at least observe, interactions with those we meet outside the kingdom's walls where possible, as to make a good impression of the rest of our people."
She pauses for a second. "Of course, I don't intend to overstep my role if it is uncalled for, quartermaster. Nothing without the permission of Chairman Graham or anyone else in charge."