After apologizing profusely, Kyrian decides that it is in everyones best interest that he returns to the fey wild, and stay out of the material plane for a while. he ends up serving in the royal guard for a while, until a master assassin gets the jump on him. the poison on his blade debilitates him, to the point that he can no longer hold a sword. he will spend the rest of his days teaching the next generation of soldiers, and wondering what it would be like if things had gone differently....
In the far north east, Ilyaas is waiting for his next assignment. although the fame is intoxicating, it is also distracting. he cannot wait for the commotion to die down, so he can get back to work. he is elated to hear that a new assignment will be coming in soon, but is less than thrilled that they will be babysitting. however, he has his orders, and is willing to give them the benefit of the doubt...
After returning to the estate, Athelynn's room is found empty with no sign of her and her belongings. The only thing left were several bouquets of wildflowers that filled the room with their scent.
The day at the mansion started as any other, when suddenly there was buzz afloat that two new members to the team would be arriving today. Later that evening the two new members arrive, the first is a Firbolg and the second a Gnome. Word has it that they are priests of the old ways, Druids. A bit later in the afternoon a meeting is called Barnabus and Pomenia in the study by themselves, as the two new members enter…
Pomenia was spending her day in the gardens, content in the sun, tending to a row of yarrow. She had just pulled the last weed when she got word of the two new members arriving. She debated simply going to the meeting, but a glance down revealed dirt stains on her clothing and her hands were caked in a layer of dirt and plant matter. She moved quickly to her room and changed into her tradition tunic and breeches, her amulet glowing faintly after spending the day in the sun. Making her way down to the study she saw Barnabus and met him with a smile. "Hello, did you hear about the new arrivals too?" The sound of footsteps caught her attention and she turned to face the doorway.
The door swings fully open as a seven and half foot tall light blue skinned shambling humanoid stands there wearing a dark green tunic and pair brown breeches. He has a thick brown bushy hair that sweeps around his face to form a continuous chin beard strap. His eyes are large and piercing green in colour. His eyes alight on Pomenia and Barnabus and a large toothy grin spreads across his face. It's both alarming and charming at the same time as whilst each of his teeth is almost an inch in size, they are all rounded off. Out loud he says "Oh good, new people and they look so strange." He ducks his head through the doorway eyeing it suspiciously and enters the study. "Have to watch out for these so called door frames, not made for sensible size folk." he announces sagely. He turns to look more closely at Barnabus and Pomenia "I'm Hornom..." he pauses and glances away before mumbling to himself "hmm what did mum tell me to do with new people... ah yes give them a compliment". He turns back and leans down a bit and says to Barnabus"You have a fantastic beard and quite short stature, what do they call you?", before straightening and turning to Pomenia"And you are like a raspberry, longer than than your wide and look as if you are full of sweetness, what is your's as well?" He pauses again then clicks his fingers in delight and reaches out his large hand in earnest to shake their's "Oh yes, very lovely to meet you both!" his ears twitching in delight through the thick hair.
The days had begun to run together for Barnabus. Wake, eat, train to exhaustion, repeat. However today would not be more of the same. News of newcomers arriving brightened the dwarf mood considerably. Perhaps new people also ment new adventure and a new adventure was just what Barnabus felt he needed. Perhaps it would allow him a chance to redeem himself for his perceived previous failure. Freshly washed and combed Barnabus hurried to the study to meet the guests. Upon seeing Pomenia a large smile formed in the dwarf rugged face. Returning the young ladies greeting he says, "Yes I have and good morning to you. I was just... "
His intent to go into the study is cut short by the appearance of a friendly firbolg. Reciprocating the firbolg's enthusiastic greeting he replies , "Well met Hornom, I am Barnabus Ironheel and I am pleased to make your acquaintance. "
Greze watched all this unfold with a grin that only grew larger and larger with every socially awkward action and reaction. He shook his head gently and remarked with a quiet excitement that only he could hear, “Oh, this is going to be fun!” He then strode into the room, bearing every one of his 50 inches of height for all to see. He approached Pomenia first, gave an elegant bow, and said, “It is a pleasure to meet you my dear. And may I say, your time with the yarrow is well spent indeed. Your skin is quite lovely. Ah, but where are my manners? My name is Hlind, and I am at your service!” With that, Greze gave another bow and turned to face Barnabus at a noticeable incline. “Well hello, good sir. It’s probably not every day that you should get the better of another by height... but here we are. My name is Kleklot and I find myself dwarfed by a Dwarf!” At that, Greze laughs hysterically at his own joke and strolls out of the room. “Come on Sebastian, you promised me a place I could unload this giant pack of mine. “ At which point he indicated the well worn pack on his back. Even though it had been patched more than once and was currently covered in dust, it looked like it might have once been a very elegant handbag.
In a few moment Sebastian enters carrying his usual sheaf of papers. "Good evening all I see you to have met you new team members on this your second mission as agents of the Arch mage. There is an artifact that we need you all to take possession of and bring it to the estate for safe keeping. the artifact is a weapon, a spear and it has been missing for several centuries and we just received information that it may have been found. but I get ahead of myself." Sebastian says. " I shall start at the beginning..."
More than two thousand years ago, humans built a fortress town on the southern seacoast cliffs of the nation that is today known as Ratik, it was called Evansheigh. In time the human empire that built the fortress fell into decline, and the citadel was given over to the Elves of the region. Under the direction of the Elves, Evansheigh became the center of a thriving jewel craft and foreign goods trade carried on with distant human and Elven seaports, and all was well for hundreds of years.
Then, some seven hundred years ago, a great army of orcs and monsters under the leadership of their chieftain, Mondru V, laid siege to the citadel and its lands; though many elves were able to escape by sea, many others perished in the assault. The citadel was eventually taken by storm, at great cost to the orcs, who cared not how many of their fellows died in the battle, as long as the elves went first. No prisoners were taken in the fight, and afterward Mondru IV, [the son of a godling], proclaimed himself ruler of Evansheigh, or Alhu-armus (“Elves’ Blood”), as the orcs called it.
The victory of Mondru’s forces came in no small part because of the great weapon the ruler possessed, a terrible spear made by orcish shamans ages earlier, that burned elves when it struck them [and made its user invulnerable in battle] . Alkaran was the spears name, and orcs even of other tribes and nations respected the orc ruler who bore it, seeing him as favored in the eyes of Gruumsh, the dark god of the Orcs. The orcish victory was short-lived, however; ten years after the fall of the elven citadel, plague struck down the orcs. It ravaged them without mercy. [The first victims of the plague were Mondru IV and his bodyguards. The plague came as a dying curse of the last elf to fall in Evansheigh]. Only a few orcs survived the effects of the disease. Many conflicting stories have circulated over the years concerning the fate of Alkaran. It is variously said, by different sources, that [an elven god destroyed it, thieves stole it,] it is buried in the citadel, [elves found it and cast it into the sea, or retreating orcs took it with them.]
As to the citadel, no one knows of any of the interior details of it, just its general outward appearance. The ruins are strictly avoided by all the natives of the area. Recently it has come to our attention that agents of Iuz are in the area actively searching for the spear. If it is found and taken to Iuz it will be a great weapon in his arsenal, especially if he ever decides to move against Celene. Through the sources of the Arch mage we have entered a deal with the Government of Ratik to send a several agents who will work with members of the Wardens, a highly skilled law enforcement arm in Ratik, especially trained in wilderness combat and survival. The mission is to obtain the Spear and bring it back here where it will be kept from the forces of Iuz and the Scarlet Brotherhood, who are another organization dedicated to the destruction of the Elven race. You will leave this evening and be transported to Marner, the Capital of Ratik where you will be met by a specialist on the spear and the team from the Wardens. Any questions?
"It's very nice to meet you Hornom, I'm Pomenia!" She accepted the firbolg's enthusiastic handshake with a broad smile, trying to keep her footing as the act jostled her a bit.
"How do you do, Hlind? Time spent among plants of any kind is time well spent. I'm Pomenia" she responded positively beaming returning his bow, her's a bit less practiced.
As Sebastian entered the room she focused on him, giving him her undivided attention. When he brought up the subject of plague she frowned slightly, mind shifting to her training. When he finished speaking she asked, "Plague is not something to be taken likely, is there any reason to assume it could still linger in the citadel?"
Voria entered the capital, trying to keep the scowl to herself. It was too big, too smelly, and too crowded. Hopefully whatever mission she would be given would start soon and her stay there would be short. When she was joined by her cousin and Ilyaas, she greeted them warmly, even more, excited to get started. However, when she heard the details of the mission some of her excitement died. "Who is this archmage? Why do we need them and some untrained mercenaries?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
You Keep Using That Word, I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means
"No good ever comes from wanton meddling in arcane magic", grumbles Hardouin Bearscar, so named for the horrific injury sustained as a youth. "As for raw recruits, we'll soon beat them into shape - though I'd rather it wasn't us saddled with them."
Hornom's ears wiggle again in excitement at both the sight of Hlind and the sound of the mission but as the story unfolds and hearing the demise of first the elves then the orcs. He's a lot more subdued. Quietly he says "Shame they couldn't of sat down with a nice cup of elderbark tea and talked their differences out" he sighs then looks up and in a louder voice with nod to Barnabus "Yes we must ensure that spear does no more harm and find the source that is scaring away the locals, this is unnatural and must be stopped".
At the conclusion of the meeting in the manor, Sebastian tells all of you to go and prepare for your journey. Take nothing that is not absolutely necessary. be back here in one hour.
Excitedly Barnabus rushes to his room. He spends the next minutes scurrying about assembling his gear and muttering to himself.
"Bedroll? Check. Change of drawers? Check. Extra shirt? Check. " and so it goes until his pack is stuffed and his armaments equipped. Clanking noisily as he trotts through the halls he arrives back at the study a full 30 minutes early and slightly winded.
At the conclusion of the meeting in the manor, Sebastian tells all of you to go and prepare for your journey. Take nothing that is not absolutely necessary. be back here in one hour.
When the others do return to the study, they find Greze lounging casually in little more than a loincloth. When he sees them arrive fully clothed, he protests that they’ll be out in the wild, and that surely civilized finery such as pants and shirts will not be “absolutely necessary “!
Hornom heads off to his room and removes his usual camping gear thinking to himself "Hmm I hope they have larger size bedrolls and tents... oh and nice kettle for some Tea!". He reduces his kit down to a change of clothes, herbalist kit, a day's worth of rations and a bottle of water, his weapons, armour and shield, and scoops his last 5 GP into a pouch in his rucksack. He looks at himself in the mirror and smiles nervously and heads back to the study to await the others and peruse the books. On seeing Greze, Hornom smiles and waves completely oblivious to the fact Greze is only wearing a lioncloth. When Barnabus comes in and reports for duty, Hornom, is taken aback, but not wanting to be the slacker of the group, glances down at his shoes then walks over and tries to copy what Barnabus did. "Hornom... cow leather heel... reporting sir". He whispers to Barnabus "How did you make your shoes out of iron? Isn't it cold?".
After apologizing profusely, Kyrian decides that it is in everyones best interest that he returns to the fey wild, and stay out of the material plane for a while. he ends up serving in the royal guard for a while, until a master assassin gets the jump on him. the poison on his blade debilitates him, to the point that he can no longer hold a sword. he will spend the rest of his days teaching the next generation of soldiers, and wondering what it would be like if things had gone differently....
In the far north east, Ilyaas is waiting for his next assignment. although the fame is intoxicating, it is also distracting. he cannot wait for the commotion to die down, so he can get back to work. he is elated to hear that a new assignment will be coming in soon, but is less than thrilled that they will be babysitting. however, he has his orders, and is willing to give them the benefit of the doubt...
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
As dawn breaks and Ilyaas heads to stables, he is surprised to see Hardouin's draft horse, Ragnhild, saddled and laden."Roads can be dangerous alone", a familiar voice booms from the shadows.Nothing to see here...
After returning to the estate, Athelynn's room is found empty with no sign of her and her belongings. The only thing left were several bouquets of wildflowers that filled the room with their scent.
You Keep Using That Word, I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means
The day at the mansion started as any other, when suddenly there was buzz afloat that two new members to the team would be arriving today. Later that evening the two new members arrive, the first is a Firbolg and the second a Gnome. Word has it that they are priests of the old ways, Druids.
A bit later in the afternoon a meeting is called Barnabus and Pomenia in the study by themselves, as the two new members enter…
Pomenia was spending her day in the gardens, content in the sun, tending to a row of yarrow. She had just pulled the last weed when she got word of the two new members arriving. She debated simply going to the meeting, but a glance down revealed dirt stains on her clothing and her hands were caked in a layer of dirt and plant matter. She moved quickly to her room and changed into her tradition tunic and breeches, her amulet glowing faintly after spending the day in the sun. Making her way down to the study she saw Barnabus and met him with a smile. "Hello, did you hear about the new arrivals too?" The sound of footsteps caught her attention and she turned to face the doorway.
The door swings fully open as a seven and half foot tall light blue skinned shambling humanoid stands there wearing a dark green tunic and pair brown breeches. He has a thick brown bushy hair that sweeps around his face to form a continuous chin beard strap. His eyes are large and piercing green in colour. His eyes alight on Pomenia and Barnabus and a large toothy grin spreads across his face. It's both alarming and charming at the same time as whilst each of his teeth is almost an inch in size, they are all rounded off. Out loud he says "Oh good, new people and they look so strange." He ducks his head through the doorway eyeing it suspiciously and enters the study. "Have to watch out for these so called door frames, not made for sensible size folk." he announces sagely. He turns to look more closely at Barnabus and Pomenia "I'm Hornom..." he pauses and glances away before mumbling to himself "hmm what did mum tell me to do with new people... ah yes give them a compliment". He turns back and leans down a bit and says to Barnabus "You have a fantastic beard and quite short stature, what do they call you?", before straightening and turning to Pomenia "And you are like a raspberry, longer than than your wide and look as if you are full of sweetness, what is your's as well?" He pauses again then clicks his fingers in delight and reaches out his large hand in earnest to shake their's "Oh yes, very lovely to meet you both!" his ears twitching in delight through the thick hair.
The days had begun to run together for Barnabus. Wake, eat, train to exhaustion, repeat. However today would not be more of the same. News of newcomers arriving brightened the dwarf mood considerably. Perhaps new people also ment new adventure and a new adventure was just what Barnabus felt he needed. Perhaps it would allow him a chance to redeem himself for his perceived previous failure. Freshly washed and combed Barnabus hurried to the study to meet the guests. Upon seeing Pomenia a large smile formed in the dwarf rugged face. Returning the young ladies greeting he says, "Yes I have and good morning to you. I was just... "
His intent to go into the study is cut short by the appearance of a friendly firbolg. Reciprocating the firbolg's enthusiastic greeting he replies , "Well met Hornom, I am Barnabus Ironheel and I am pleased to make your acquaintance. "
**This Space for Rent**
Greze watched all this unfold with a grin that only grew larger and larger with every socially awkward action and reaction. He shook his head gently and remarked with a quiet excitement that only he could hear, “Oh, this is going to be fun!” He then strode into the room, bearing every one of his 50 inches of height for all to see. He approached Pomenia first, gave an elegant bow, and said, “It is a pleasure to meet you my dear. And may I say, your time with the yarrow is well spent indeed. Your skin is quite lovely. Ah, but where are my manners? My name is Hlind, and I am at your service!” With that, Greze gave another bow and turned to face Barnabus at a noticeable incline. “Well hello, good sir. It’s probably not every day that you should get the better of another by height... but here we are. My name is Kleklot and I find myself dwarfed by a Dwarf!” At that, Greze laughs hysterically at his own joke and strolls out of the room. “Come on Sebastian, you promised me a place I could unload this giant pack of mine. “ At which point he indicated the well worn pack on his back. Even though it had been patched more than once and was currently covered in dust, it looked like it might have once been a very elegant handbag.
In a few moment Sebastian enters carrying his usual sheaf of papers. "Good evening all I see you to have met you new team members on this your second mission as agents of the Arch mage. There is an artifact that we need you all to take possession of and bring it to the estate for safe keeping. the artifact is a weapon, a spear and it has been missing for several centuries and we just received information that it may have been found. but I get ahead of myself." Sebastian says. " I shall start at the beginning..."
More than two thousand years ago, humans built a fortress town on the southern seacoast cliffs of the nation that is today known as Ratik, it was called Evansheigh. In time the human empire that built the fortress fell into decline, and the citadel was given over to the Elves of the region. Under the direction of the Elves, Evansheigh became the center of a thriving jewel craft and foreign goods trade carried on with distant human and Elven seaports, and all was well for hundreds of years.
Then, some seven hundred years ago, a great army of orcs and monsters under the leadership of their chieftain, Mondru V, laid siege to the citadel and its lands; though many elves were able to escape by sea, many others perished in the assault. The citadel was eventually taken by storm, at great cost to the orcs, who cared not how many of their fellows died in the battle, as long as the elves went first. No prisoners were taken in the fight, and afterward Mondru IV, [the son of a godling], proclaimed himself ruler of Evansheigh, or Alhu-armus (“Elves’ Blood”), as the orcs called it.
The victory of Mondru’s forces came in no small part because of the great weapon the ruler possessed, a terrible spear made by orcish shamans ages earlier, that burned elves when it struck them [and made its user invulnerable in battle] . Alkaran was the spears name, and orcs even of other tribes and nations respected the orc ruler who bore it, seeing him as favored in the eyes of Gruumsh, the dark god of the Orcs.
The orcish victory was short-lived, however; ten years after the fall of the elven citadel, plague struck down the orcs. It ravaged them without mercy. [The first victims of the plague were Mondru IV and his bodyguards. The plague came as a dying curse of the last elf to fall in Evansheigh]. Only a few orcs survived the effects of the disease.
Many conflicting stories have circulated over the years concerning the fate of Alkaran. It is variously said, by different sources, that [an elven god destroyed it, thieves stole it,] it is buried in the citadel, [elves found it and cast it into the sea, or retreating orcs took it with them.]
As to the citadel, no one knows of any of the interior details of it, just its general outward appearance. The ruins are strictly avoided by all the natives of the area.
Recently it has come to our attention that agents of Iuz are in the area actively searching for the spear. If it is found and taken to Iuz it will be a great weapon in his arsenal, especially if he ever decides to move against Celene. Through the sources of the Arch mage we have entered a deal with the Government of Ratik to send a several agents who will work with members of the Wardens, a highly skilled law enforcement arm in Ratik, especially trained in wilderness combat and survival. The mission is to obtain the Spear and bring it back here where it will be kept from the forces of Iuz and the Scarlet Brotherhood, who are another organization dedicated to the destruction of the Elven race. You will leave this evening and be transported to Marner, the Capital of Ratik where you will be met by a specialist on the spear and the team from the Wardens. Any questions?
"It's very nice to meet you Hornom, I'm Pomenia!" She accepted the firbolg's enthusiastic handshake with a broad smile, trying to keep her footing as the act jostled her a bit.
"How do you do, Hlind? Time spent among plants of any kind is time well spent. I'm Pomenia" she responded positively beaming returning his bow, her's a bit less practiced.
As Sebastian entered the room she focused on him, giving him her undivided attention. When he brought up the subject of plague she frowned slightly, mind shifting to her training. When he finished speaking she asked, "Plague is not something to be taken likely, is there any reason to assume it could still linger in the citadel?"
Voria entered the capital, trying to keep the scowl to herself. It was too big, too smelly, and too crowded. Hopefully whatever mission she would be given would start soon and her stay there would be short. When she was joined by her cousin and Ilyaas, she greeted them warmly, even more, excited to get started. However, when she heard the details of the mission some of her excitement died. "Who is this archmage? Why do we need them and some untrained mercenaries?"
You Keep Using That Word, I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means
"No good ever comes from wanton meddling in arcane magic", grumbles Hardouin Bearscar, so named for the horrific injury sustained as a youth. "As for raw recruits, we'll soon beat them into shape - though I'd rather it wasn't us saddled with them."
Barnabus' eyes squint and his nose wrinkles a bit as he struggles a bit to process the information.
"Do we know the names of these wardens and do I get to bring me axe this time? "
**This Space for Rent**
Ilyaas shares her displeasure. "I have no clue. I am assuming this is a private mission for this 'archmage'. however we have orders."
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Hornom's ears wiggle again in excitement at both the sight of Hlind and the sound of the mission but as the story unfolds and hearing the demise of first the elves then the orcs. He's a lot more subdued. Quietly he says "Shame they couldn't of sat down with a nice cup of elderbark tea and talked their differences out" he sighs then looks up and in a louder voice with nod to Barnabus "Yes we must ensure that spear does no more harm and find the source that is scaring away the locals, this is unnatural and must be stopped".
At the conclusion of the meeting in the manor, Sebastian tells all of you to go and prepare for your journey. Take nothing that is not absolutely necessary. be back here in one hour.
"Plagues...why does it always have to be plagues."
Excitedly Barnabus rushes to his room. He spends the next minutes scurrying about assembling his gear and muttering to himself.
"Bedroll? Check. Change of drawers? Check. Extra shirt? Check. " and so it goes until his pack is stuffed and his armaments equipped. Clanking noisily as he trotts through the halls he arrives back at the study a full 30 minutes early and slightly winded.
"Barnabus... Ironheel...reporting sir. "
**This Space for Rent**
When the others do return to the study, they find Greze lounging casually in little more than a loincloth. When he sees them arrive fully clothed, he protests that they’ll be out in the wild, and that surely civilized finery such as pants and shirts will not be “absolutely necessary “!
Hornom heads off to his room and removes his usual camping gear thinking to himself "Hmm I hope they have larger size bedrolls and tents... oh and nice kettle for some Tea!". He reduces his kit down to a change of clothes, herbalist kit, a day's worth of rations and a bottle of water, his weapons, armour and shield, and scoops his last 5 GP into a pouch in his rucksack. He looks at himself in the mirror and smiles nervously and heads back to the study to await the others and peruse the books. On seeing Greze, Hornom smiles and waves completely oblivious to the fact Greze is only wearing a lioncloth. When Barnabus comes in and reports for duty, Hornom, is taken aback, but not wanting to be the slacker of the group, glances down at his shoes then walks over and tries to copy what Barnabus did. "Hornom... cow leather heel... reporting sir". He whispers to Barnabus "How did you make your shoes out of iron? Isn't it cold?".