Xhorhas is the land to the east of the Dwendalian Empire, ruled by the drow elves believed to be evil by most Empire folk, though your father Lawrence cautioned against making such assumptions. The land was a stronghold of the Betrayer Gods before they were banished, and elements of their malign influence are said to linger on. It is a land of beastfolk - goblins, bugbears, other strange creatures that would be regarded as monstrous to others. Though there are rumoured to be humans there, they are few in number. The tension between the Empire and the Kryn Dynasty has been high of late, and war is a possibility, though it has been such a long time since there was a true war, most reject the notion.
You know that the capital city of the Kryn Dynasty was called Ghor Dranas in ages past, though whether the drow call it that now, you do not know.
Silent studies Magnum's face for a few seconds, then plunges forward speaking very rapidly. My old man's a drow - I got enough orc in me to hide his blood, but it's there. Grew up in Xhorhas... learned to swing a sword, became a soldier, got myself banished for... uh... causing some trouble, and here I am.
You're a good egg Magnum - I don't think you've got the same fears and hate of other Empire folk. I was raised to fear and hate the Empire myself, it's been a journey to step away from that place. I still try to keep all of this secret, though. Half-orcs already got it rough out here. Throw some drow into the mix and I know I'm asking for trouble. And now with the Echo magic... that stuff is Xhorhasian knight-order mumbo-jumbo, just the kind of thing to freak out an Empire soldier and get us locked up or worse.
My father raised me not to submit to cultural concepts of good or evil. I've never been to Xhorhas, nor do I think I've met anyone else from there. I do know that you're a good person, so any magic you wield will likely be used for the benefit of others. I can keep this a secret if you want, though I expect eventually it will be found out. That always seems to be the nature of things.
You're not wrong... hell, I might've blown my cover last night at the music show. There's still a lot of Xhorhas in my lute-playing, I'm gonna have to be careful about that.
Your father sounds like a good man. I think his type are needed if we're going to avoid slipping into a war. 'Cause the way I see it, with the current idiots leading the Empire and the Dynasty? That's gonna happen sooner rather than later if you ask me.
Since you have shared private information, I will in turn. I mentioned that I have three fathers and one mother. My mother is Hazel Copperpot. She assisted my fathers in both my physical assembly and my upbringing. She is a dwarf from Hupperdook, a bard and a brilliant inventor on her own. Of the four of them, she was most concerned with my socialization and communication. Taryon taught me the sciences, Lawrence taught me the humanities, and Hazel taught me to integrate the two.
A bard-inventor? Very impressive, Man, he chuckles, I thought having one parent to deal with was trouble enough. But four! Seems like you learned a lot from all of 'em, though.
I know you mentioned you're not immediately interested in meeting your parents again, but are you seeking anyone or anyplace else? Once we get through the Wuyun Gorge we've got a lot of options.
Nothing specific. I’m curious about arcane tools and weapons. For example, have you ever heard of the Vestiges of Divergence? I’d love to find out more about those. But Hupperdook is said to have many great inventors. So really, I’m just a curious explorer.
Magic tools, eh? Well, I'll tell you this - I've heard the Empire's got a bunch of wizards high up in their pecking order, called the Cerberus Assembly or something. Not saying we should go kicking any more hornet's nests, but they might be the ones who know about this stuff, right?
Anyway... should probably get some sleep before we hit the road again tomorrow.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
2
You spend a peaceful night, and your alarm is not disturbed. You awake in the morning having completed a long rest.
You cross the river, the ancient bridge looks newly repaired and in good condition. And now you find yourself headed south through gentle hills and away from the coast.
713
Two peaceful and pleasant days later, you reach a fork in the road. The main road heads east and on to Nicodranas, and a smaller, but still well-used road heads to Port Zoon, the famous centre of craft and industries for the Menagerie Coast. Which way will you head?
Magnum is fine with camping close to them. For mutual assistance if nothing else. We can be far enough away so as to avoid eavesdropping.
Silent agrees and start helping set up the camp. As they work, he'll ask Magnum: You're Empire-born; what do you know about Xhorhas?
(OOC: History check?)
(OOC: Yes, go ahead.)
22
Xhorhas is the land to the east of the Dwendalian Empire, ruled by the drow elves believed to be evil by most Empire folk, though your father Lawrence cautioned against making such assumptions. The land was a stronghold of the Betrayer Gods before they were banished, and elements of their malign influence are said to linger on. It is a land of beastfolk - goblins, bugbears, other strange creatures that would be regarded as monstrous to others. Though there are rumoured to be humans there, they are few in number. The tension between the Empire and the Kryn Dynasty has been high of late, and war is a possibility, though it has been such a long time since there was a true war, most reject the notion.
You know that the capital city of the Kryn Dynasty was called Ghor Dranas in ages past, though whether the drow call it that now, you do not know.
Not much, really. Some history and demography.
Silent studies Magnum's face for a few seconds, then plunges forward speaking very rapidly. My old man's a drow - I got enough orc in me to hide his blood, but it's there. Grew up in Xhorhas... learned to swing a sword, became a soldier, got myself banished for... uh... causing some trouble, and here I am.
You're a good egg Magnum - I don't think you've got the same fears and hate of other Empire folk. I was raised to fear and hate the Empire myself, it's been a journey to step away from that place. I still try to keep all of this secret, though. Half-orcs already got it rough out here. Throw some drow into the mix and I know I'm asking for trouble. And now with the Echo magic... that stuff is Xhorhasian knight-order mumbo-jumbo, just the kind of thing to freak out an Empire soldier and get us locked up or worse.
My father raised me not to submit to cultural concepts of good or evil. I've never been to Xhorhas, nor do I think I've met anyone else from there. I do know that you're a good person, so any magic you wield will likely be used for the benefit of others. I can keep this a secret if you want, though I expect eventually it will be found out. That always seems to be the nature of things.
You're not wrong... hell, I might've blown my cover last night at the music show. There's still a lot of Xhorhas in my lute-playing, I'm gonna have to be careful about that.
Your father sounds like a good man. I think his type are needed if we're going to avoid slipping into a war. 'Cause the way I see it, with the current idiots leading the Empire and the Dynasty? That's gonna happen sooner rather than later if you ask me.
Since you have shared private information, I will in turn. I mentioned that I have three fathers and one mother. My mother is Hazel Copperpot. She assisted my fathers in both my physical assembly and my upbringing. She is a dwarf from Hupperdook, a bard and a brilliant inventor on her own. Of the four of them, she was most concerned with my socialization and communication. Taryon taught me the sciences, Lawrence taught me the humanities, and Hazel taught me to integrate the two.
A bard-inventor? Very impressive, Man, he chuckles, I thought having one parent to deal with was trouble enough. But four! Seems like you learned a lot from all of 'em, though.
I know you mentioned you're not immediately interested in meeting your parents again, but are you seeking anyone or anyplace else? Once we get through the Wuyun Gorge we've got a lot of options.
Nothing specific. I’m curious about arcane tools and weapons. For example, have you ever heard of the Vestiges of Divergence? I’d love to find out more about those. But Hupperdook is said to have many great inventors. So really, I’m just a curious explorer.
(OOC: I highly doubt it but would Silent know anything about the Vestiges?)
I don't honestly know that much about them as a whole. Only that they exist and what a couple of them are.
Absolutely nothing.
Magic tools, eh? Well, I'll tell you this - I've heard the Empire's got a bunch of wizards high up in their pecking order, called the Cerberus Assembly or something. Not saying we should go kicking any more hornet's nests, but they might be the ones who know about this stuff, right?
Anyway... should probably get some sleep before we hit the road again tomorrow.
Agreed. Get some rest while I...sort of sit here inert for a while.
Magnum casts Alarm around our campsite, just in case.
2
You spend a peaceful night, and your alarm is not disturbed. You awake in the morning having completed a long rest.
You cross the river, the ancient bridge looks newly repaired and in good condition. And now you find yourself headed south through gentle hills and away from the coast.
7 13
Two peaceful and pleasant days later, you reach a fork in the road. The main road heads east and on to Nicodranas, and a smaller, but still well-used road heads to Port Zoon, the famous centre of craft and industries for the Menagerie Coast. Which way will you head?
Magnum is all for going on to Nicodranas.