Walking towards the Barony Folketh
On 10/7/2023 at 11:44 PM, tbgg said:They walk on a little further, and she says, "Something else that might be a neat thing to do at some point after everyone gets situated in some kind of shelter is to build a memorial for all of the people who died at High Hill and during the evacuation. I'm not any kind of crafter, but I figure you probably know who in the village is. Those people could figure out something they can build or make to honor those who died and give it a prominent place where as many people as possible can see it and know that their loved one isn't forgotten and then mourners could leave little offerings like flowers or small things that remind them of their loved one. What do you think about that idea, Jarnathan?"
“That sounds like it would be a lovely idea,” Jarnathon responds, with nods of concurrance between the rest of the town elders that accompany you. “The only thing I would caution is that we don’t get ahead of ourselves.”
On 10/8/2023 at 1:09 AM, PhoenixSlayer said:Mery's suggestion of a memorial gains an enthusiastic affirmative from Merituuli. "I think that would be wonderful, Mery, as long as the elders and Mayor Raven agree. I'm ready to help any way I can."
“The people of Vogler already owe you and your friends a great debt,” Jarnathan says. “But we would be especially honored by any help you could lend building a memorial to our dead. I half suspect that we’d be hard pressed to prevent them from erecting a statue of the seven of you!”
The Barony Folketh
(Mery, Modri, Merituuli, Jarnathan and Other Vogler Elders)
On 10/8/2023 at 1:09 AM, PhoenixSlayer said:His usual enthusiasm falters as they enter the Barony proper, the once proud estate reduced to a shadow of its former self. Just like the Dimernesti, he muses to himself. Approaching the manor house, he is surprised to see several men come out, pitchforks and bows held at the ready. Merituuli holds his hands up placatingly, studying the men intently to determine if their threats were serious or a bluff, letting Mery take over the negotiations.
They come across as very serious to Merituuli. They don’t feel like they’re playing around.
On 10/7/2023 at 11:44 PM, tbgg said:"We don't have anything to do with the Duskridge family - we come bearing news of the Folkeths. A member of that family has returned to Kalaman!" She gives the man several seconds to digest this news. "Now would you and your friends put the weapons down, please?" Assuming the man does so and calls off his friends, she continues, "My name is Mery Keryndon, and I am a bard." She then quotes, "'How do you know a thing is true? A bard has said it.'" Mery hopes to the high heavens that this man subscribes to that belief. "Now, on behalf of that returned family member, I need to speak to whoever's in charge around here - would that be you, good sir?"
The men confronting you begin to relax. But then . . .
On 10/9/2023 at 12:33 AM, Peacemonger said:He barely holds his observations inside as they approach the manor, and Mery explains the situation. He steps in front of the Bard, though due to his height, her head is still exposed. "And if you don't believe her go ahead and shoot. And when I spank any silly children fool enough to shoot me, then we can have a proper chat about you, this place, some refugees, and whoever these Duskridge bastards are."
And . . .
On 10/11/2023 at 3:02 AM, tbgg said:After Modri steps in front of her, Mery gestures toward him and tells the lead man, "For the most part, he's pretty good about not starting things. There are rumors of this one time, though, when this leader of a gang of five toughs looked at him the wrong way, and Modri took the fight to them, beating all of them by himself and giving the leader this really ugly scar down his cheek and next to his eye. As the story goes, the leader got a lot a lot better at schooling his expression." She grins more than a little maliciously, and hopes Modri won't mind her little fictional rumor.
"I've never seen Modri back down once someone else starts something. You wanna rumble, you'd better be prepared for the fight of your life, 'cause none of us can talk him down once he makes up his mind that's what he wants to do. If you're having trouble with these Duskridge nobles sending people to try to take over Folketh lands, you could do a lot worse than making Modri your friend and getting him to fight on your side. Participating in a nice close fight really makes his day, so if you have any suggestions on where he might find something like that, I'm pretty sure he'd see it as a strong gesture of friendship on your part." She then meets the eyes of each of the farmers in turn, waiting for their response.
. . . Sets them right back on edge. Soon, five more, then ten more men, then 20 more men come filtering out of their homes and making their way behind the initial few, all carrying weapons—mainly longbows.
The ‘representative’—the first man who spoke—says, “You come waltzing on our lord’s land—our land—and claim not to be sent by those Duskridges . . . but then you threaten us? And you say our lord’s back? But where is Lord Michel? Why ain’t he with you? How about the Young Lady, Michelle? You got any proof with you?”
“Hey, ain’t you one of them sea elves?” another man asks, looking at Merituuli. “Ain’t you a long way from Dimernesti?” A couple of the other men raise their eyebrows at the man, clearly surprised at his question, but most of them are not so surprised. Instead, they roll their eyes and an obvious thing the man would do, or in this case, say.
The representative turns to the man who asked about Merituuli and says, “Booker, what’re you even doing here? You can’t fight your way out of a wet paper bag. Go make yourself useful and go back to the big house and get Cap. Chaps ’n’ Straps here” he says, gesturing at Modri, “thinks he’s gonna give someone a spanking. Let’s see what Cap has to say about that.”
The somewhat scrawny man who looks like he clearly earned his name nods and scrambles back to the ‘big house’—the manor house.
It’s not long before an old man—probably as old as Jarnathan—maybe in his sixties, with an outrageously bushy white handlebar mustache, and equally bushy eyebrows comes stomping down the path towards you in an unbuttoned guard-captains’ uniform not unlike that of the officers of the watch in Palanthas. His ghillie shirt is stained with sweat from training.
“Which one of you is ‘Chaps ’n’ Straps’?” He looks at a bunch of bookish town elders from Vogler before skipping right over Mery and then locking onto Merituuli and Modri. He turns to Booker, pointing to you two. “Is it the blue elf with the big conch, or is it the . . . no, it’s definitely the dwarf. I see it now.” He removes his officers’ jacket and hands it to Booker. He walks towards Modri, un-lacing his ghillie shirt and tossing it to the representative. He might look old, but he’s solid muscle.
“Well, ‘Chaps ’n’ Straps’? Come’n’ give Ol’e Cappy a slappy!” he says with a big grin. “. . . If y’can . . .” He takes a wrestling stance and his muscles bulge even more.
He pounces, lightning quick and lands a strike, attempting to suplex Modri, but Modri is strong enough to stop the manuver. However, he still takes 4 bludgeoning damage. Cap’s second and third strike fail to connect.
Processing
On 10/11/2023 at 3:19 AM, PureChance said:"Ser Michelle is my prisoner, having surrounded her sword to me in combat at the gates of Vogler as a Knight in the Red Dragon Army," Artanis retorts, positioning himself firmly in front of the potential Baroness. "As such, I must insist courtesy extended the same as if you or I were captured - irrelevant of lost titles." Which I really hope Mery is correct about he privately adds.
The knight tips his visor with a nod of his head. “Apologies, Sir. ’Twern’t me place t’say tha’. ’Twon’t happen a secon’time.”
At Castle Kalaman
(Raven, Artanis, Coltan, Michelle, and Darrett)
On 10/8/2023 at 3:18 AM, JubalBreakbottle said:Turning toward the side of the desk, the Apprentice of Reorx dramatically puts his still flaming, bluish metal warhammer on the corner of the desk handle up and takes a step back to the side of the desk. He crosses his smith's arms over his cloth-of-gold chest and announces, "the Apprentice of Reorx witnesses."
Governor Miat barely shows any signs of being awed by your display, but you can pick them up.
“So,” he says, “The gods really are back, then?”
On 10/11/2023 at 3:19 AM, PureChance said:Coltan's words, affirming the dwarfs own new position, inspire confidence in Artanis to step forward and reply boldly. "Indeed, they were kind enough to grant me their name though I do not carry their blood. Thank you for meeting us on such short notice Governor Miat, Ser Marbleheart. We bring grave tidings I am afraid, and not just of our own words. Before we left Ser Becklin charged me with, amongst other things, this message," he stepped forward, presenting the sealed scroll to the floor. "I, um," he stutters a little, slowly turning red, "presume of course you are Ser Marbleheart on account of Ser Becklin's description of a stuffy, ancient, old, withered, balding, grey haired fartwith three limbs in the grave..." he trails off, clearly unable to continue. In the moments pause that follows, his hand desperately reaches behind his back in vain hope of finding the letter from Ser Becklin that dictated as such.
Ser Corpher’s bright enthusiasm wanes as Artanis reveals that he’s not actually Brightblade stock, but returns when Artanis explains that he’s properly been given the name by the family.
When Artanis repeats Ser Becklin’s in-joke, Governor Miat whips around in a fury, ready to bark out orders for your arrest but stops and looks in baffled askance as Ser Corpher positively cackles with delight. It’s hard to miss the Governor giving Lady Michelle a speculative stare, though, now that he’s facing you all.
“THREE limbs in the grave?!” He guffaws. “HA! More like four and half my torso! But I’m sharp as a tack up here,” he says, pointing to his bulbous, balding head underneath a mane of white hair.
On 10/11/2023 at 3:19 AM, PureChance said:He takes a deep breath to recenter himself, before continuing in a sober tone - struggling to hide his emotion - "Ser Becklin unfortunately won't be following. She gave her life in defence of the town. Her other request was though a happier one, and regarding her Squire Darrett here - though I appreciate the timing may mean little ceremony can be afforded I don't doubt we'll soon have need of its produce."
Ser Corpher Marbleheart is wiping away tears he was laughing so hard and sobers with a “No!” He cries out plaintively when Artanis reveals that his old friend has died in battle. “Not Ser Becklin! It can’t be!”
He takes the scroll from Artanis and breaks the seal. As he unrolls it, another paper falls out of it. It falls to the floor and the vernerable gnome grunts as he bends over and picks it up. He reads it and then hands it and the scroll over to Governor Miat. They nod to one another.
Ser Corpher plods over to the right side of the governor and beckons Artanis over to the governor’s left.
“Derrett Highwater, Squire to the late Ser Becklin uth Viharin,” the governor intones, “Kneel before the King’s Agent and Executor of His Will in this March.”
Once Artanis is in place at the governor’s left, and Darret is kneeling, the governor continues. “Do you so swear to uphold the oath of a Solamnic Knight?”
“I do!” Darrett answers solemnly but emphatically.
“Then I, Calof Miat, Marquess of Nightlund and Governor of the City of Kalaman, in the name of His Majesty, and upon the recommendation of Ser Becklin uth Viharin, name thee Ser Darret Highwater uth Vogler, Knight of Solamnia.” He then taps his huge broadsword upon Darrett’s shoulders. He takes ahold of the decorative ribbon that begins, sealed under the wax of Ser Becklin’s seal, folds it into a twist to the right, then back over to the left and down, pours wax there and seals it. Next to it, he signs it. He then turns to the two on his right and left. “Ser Corpher, Ser Artanis, please sign and seal this scroll, certifying that you have witnessed the birth of a new Knight of Solamnia.”
Ser Corpher twists the ribbon to the right, left, and down, pours wax on it, seals it, and then signs it. He beckons Ser Artanis over. He sees that there’s enough ribbon to do the same, and have about three inches left under his own seal, with its decorative chevron. It’ll look just as his own certificate scroll looks.
“If I may make a request,” the newly named Ser Darrett says, “I would be very honored and feel most blessed if the Apprentice of Reorx, Brother Coltan, would affix his seal, or mark, upon the end of this tassle ribbon, and sign it, too.”
Once all is said and done, Ser Corpher says to Darret, “Ser Darrett, please go retrieve your armor. You should wear it with pride. Ser Conninghem, here, will escort you. He can show you where you need to go from there.” Darrett bids you all good bye and leaves with Ser Conninghem.
Then Ser Corpher grows serious and says, to the room, “And is the rest of this note, from Ser Becklin true? Is this an officer in the Dragon Armies that just invaded Vogler? I’ll assume that given Ser Becklin’s death in battle, that she didn’t know of the town being taken . . .”
“Your leader, Bakaris uth Estide, has claimed that the town’s people are regrouping and forming up a militia to retake the town and repel the invaders. You can imagine our worry about allowing nearly 400 armed peasants into the city all at once—regardless of motive . . . Yes, Miss . . .”
“Baronetss, Your Grace,” Raven says, once acknowledged by the governor. “Baronetess Raven uth Vogler. If you’ll allow my impertinence, Lord Bakaris is merely a resident of my Baronetcy—the Village of Vogler—and his Barony, Estide, is to the west of us. He is no more my town’s leader than Ser Corpher, here, is. And to clarify, a mere 300, maybe 350, survived our town being completely razed to the ground in an unholy column of flame. We’re cold, we’re starving, and we’re grieving. No one is ‘armed’ or ‘ready to repel the invaders’.”
Governor Miat frowns. “This is all dire news. My heart goes out to your friends and families, but I hope you can understand our reticence to welcome you all through our city’s gates. These aren’t normal times. Marshal? I trust you’ve heard what the Baronetess has had to say?”
The governor gestures to a stern woman coming in from a side entrance wearing armor embellished with the blue and gold colors of Kalaman. She nods and begins, “Yes, Your Grace,” she answers. She turns to you all and says, “I am Marshal Vendri, commander of Kalaman’s military forces. I’m afraid your situation is far from unique.”
“And the enemy officer, here?” the governor asks. “What of her?”
“Grr . . .” Raven grits her teeth. She breathes in deeply and exhales slowly. Finally, she says, “This . . . filth . . . is . . . she’s Ser Artanis’s prisoner—I’ll let him explain. I’d just as soon see her hanged, but that’ll be up to Ser Corpher and his Order of the Rose.”
At Wyhan’s
(Decimus & Hunni)
On 10/8/2023 at 10:19 AM, KingGoblin said:Hunni proceeds through the streets peacefully, with her black hand on the right, and snake-staff in her left hand, craning her head to take in all the sights. As they walk, she asks the knight unfortunate enough to be their chaperone, "Hey, what's your name, anyway? Have you always lived here? Where can a girl get some good food to eat, like, is there a cake shop or something nearby? Can we stop on the way? Hey, where do all the gully dwarves live? Do you know what big lizard people who turn into stone when they die are called? Because I don't, either, and nobody will tell me. How much farther is it to Wyhan's? Did you hear that there's a giant fire-breathing weapon of war in the boat we came in on? I'm trying to turn Jezebel into it, but it isn't working too well so far. Are there any gnomes nearby, I wanted to ask them about a gnome-flinger that got burned down earlier."
Blasted with questions, the knight responds with a kurt, “I’m Ser Bennington. No, we’re not stopping. I’m to take you to the black robe and then escort you either back out of the city until further notice, or to the Castle Kalaman, to rejoin your companions.”
On 10/11/2023 at 4:50 PM, tyrtaeus said:"Thank you ser... The city is safe in your hands, I'm sure..."
“And I aim to keep it that way, wizard!” You can tell he’s very mistrustful of those that fiddle with the arcane.
On 10/11/2023 at 4:50 PM, tyrtaeus said:"I don't suppose we can get confirmation that you are Wyhan...? Sensitive matters and all...."
The woman merely eyes you, one eyebrow raised.
Once Hunni places her scroll on the tray, the woman waves her hand at it. It goes zipping towards her, unfurling as it does and floats in front of her. She reads it and sneers a little—only a little—and casually flicks her hands. Suddenly the scroll begins racing out of Decimus’s hand, but he catches it and holds it fast, just in the nick of time.
She looks at Decimus with narrowed eyes. “I am Wyhan. Scroll? Otherwise, waste not my time and get out of my shop. I have Mage’s test to complete, as you can see. Do you not need to complet yours, as well?”