Fantasy RP

[Tikobe]

Othan

I look over to the side awkwardly as soon as I hear mention of Arlan's Field, and then had a chill down my spine when I heard Estermere. That was my least favorite Duchy, for many reasons such as Darrian Gast. However, I return my focus to the matter at hand.

"'The one with brains?' Tell me about this one," I ask as my interest increases. I had been wondering about how they were seemingly stupid at one moment but a serious problem at the next. Perhaps I've found the problem here.

Kainer

Huh?

Huh!?

My jaw nearly broke when it fell to the floor. I was expecting something like a cloth. Now regardless of my doubts I had to go to the castle for reason of political matters. Just when was something so important like a letter from the fae to the king of Argolon slipped into my bags? And what were these other two items? The dagger clearly wasn't for combat; The elves had always told me that my talent was for long reaching weapons and I wasn't well suited for short blades of any kind. Not to mention, something so fanciful as this dagger wouldn't be used for combat where it could break. However, I didn't have a clue what the glass leaf was for. Then again, I saw things like these used as ornamental decorations.

Oh well.

Now that I think of it, a letter to the king was clearly common courtesy.

Trying my best to keep a composed look on my face, which was an action I clearly failed at doing since the shock was written all over it, I nod to the innkeeper.

"My apologies. I'll be back later to purchase one for the night, however there's a matter that must be taken care of first."

With that I walk out of the inn and with a pace that could be called a sprint I rushed over to the castle.

[Leggo]

Jonos

“Aye, we’ll be meeting with each separately. If they were to be together during the parles, that’d give them more negotiating power."

I do hope that this goes well. I’m not really one for words, I’d much prefer to solve my problems through sword and lance. I won’t make a fool of myself to get those two on my side.

[Bannanachair]

@ Othan: "Their leader. He was barking orders and keeping them in formation. A tall man, with dark hair and bright eyes and a sullen look in his face, riding a black horse. The men under him weren't stupid, but they aren't geniuses either. I'd bet on an out-of-luck hedge knight or someone close to command during one of the Wars. Or maybe he's an Eredalian mercenary, but he didn't speak with an accent."

@ Kainer: Calbourne Castle was one of the most magnificent buildings that you have ever seen. It was as beautiful as an Elven fortress, yet much larger as well. You weren't, however, able to just waltz through the gates - there were two guards stationed at the main entrance to the castle who denied everyone entry. "The king's supping right now, then afterwards he'll be headed to bed. You can deliver your letter or your petition tomorrow, when he holds court."

@ Jonos: "I'll have my agents send word immediately," Herwin said, as he and the rest of the military council got up to leave to attend to other business.

One man who didn't leave, however, was the Redscar. "Your majesty, there is a matter that I would like to discus with you, if you have the time for it. It's a matter relating to my contract - you had initially hired me for a period of three months, to determine the worth of paying mercenaries. We're now slightly over two months into the campaign, and I hope that I have proven my worth to you. That, combined with the length of the upcoming campaign, has led me to propose a new contract, to be signed upon the completion of the three months allocated to our original contract.

"Right now you're paying me fifty silver pounds a month for three months. I would like to propose that, under the new contract, you're paying me and my men forty silver pounds a month over the next five years. Mescor might be just as easy as Atrekara, but the other counts will catch on quickly to what you're doing and that will greatly prolong the length of the next handful of campaigns. Furthermore, even after the campaign, you'll have expanded your realm sixfold through reconquest, greatly upsetting the balance of power in Elusia - for the past hundred years Datha has been the dominant power on the Elusian side of the Nubarb, and we'd be major rivals for them. Tivell probably won't be too happy with you either. Not to mention any barons discontent under your rule, or greedy idiots like Otterberg wanting even more than you've already given him. You have two hundred men in your personal guard after all the levied soldiers go back to their farms, but a mercenary company of a thousand professional soldiers would probably be very helpful for pacifying vassals not used to your rule."

[Tikobe]

Othan

I see, this answers many questions.

"Very well. Now, I'll need you to show me the point where you stopped following the trail after their second visit here."

Kainer

Damn. Pretty place.

"At what time does court start?" I inquire.

[Leggo]

Jonos

Interesting. The Redscar has proven himself to be somewhat useful. Having 1000 experienced men at my back for a while could go a long way. But, nevertheless I’m doubtful. Men who fight for gold have no loyalty or honor. They’ll be loyal to me, but for how long? If the tides of war change and things aren’t looking as good as they are now, I’m sure Redscar will tuck tail and run.

But, the price is cheap, and for now it’ll be worth it. I’ll probably regret this down the line.

“You have indeed proven yourself worthy. The set wage and the contract length work for me, but I’d like to add stipulations into the contract, seeing as it’s somewhat long. Firstly, exclusivity. With me investing much time and silver, I expect you and your company to serve me exclusively. Secondly, your pay scales with the amount of soldiers in your company. So at 1000 you get 40, but at 750 you’d get 30. If you take minimal losses and get up to 1250 men then you’ll be paid 50. There will be no minimum pay, and the maximum is 2000 and 80. This is merely incentive to fight well, and of course you’ll be receiving monetary kickbacks throughout the war effort as you did when we took Norbury. Do you agree to this?"

[Duck14]

Alfred

I chuckled at the song. Maybe it would catch on and be sung among other crews for years to come, or maybe not. The nature of sea shanties was one I had never really bothered to explore. I ate my meal and felt so much more relaxed for it. “Thanks Gutrum, I may head back to my quarters and get some rest. Keep an eye on them Garry.” Then I left my stool and headed for the exit.

————
Verous

“What we do know is that there was a storm and it was a particularly fierce one. Unexpected as well. There’s bound to be casualties and a bit of unrest. And our job is to settle that.” I took a bite of my meal and looked to the cloud covered sky. “That’s all we can really plan for. I’m hoping it was just a bit of freak weather. Anything else would suggest something else is on its way, and that’s not good for anyone.”

[Bannanachair]

@ Othan: "I'll take you there, my lord," Forlon said. "I need to put on proper riding clothes first, though." At that, he got up and went back into his room for several minutes. When he returned, he was fully dressed, and began leading you to the town's stables. He got on his horse, and you, Northan and Thander Marthus all got on yours, and you rode slightly north-east towards the Qhirst Mountains for an hour. When you finally arrived at the foot of the mountains, Forlon dismounted.

"I followed this trail for a while further, up the slope of the mountain, until I reached a crevasse. My guess is that I'd have to scale down the crevasse in order to find where they're hiding, or that they gave me a false trail to try to kill me. We're actually closer to Castle Shan than we are to Wyst's Town right now, my lord."

@ Kainer: "An hour after sunrise, seven out of eight days except on holidays or if the king's busy with some other affair," the guard said.

@ Jonos: "You're paying for the thousand men and not the name of the company," The Redscar said, contemplatively. "That makes sense. I had been preparing myself to haggle on the prices, your majesty, so those stipulations are much preferred. Of course, due to those stipulations, I have one other request - that my men aren't sent into deadly situations just so that you have to pay less. Loyalty and trust have to work both ways, and the reason for me wanting the five-year contract is so that my men are continually employed - I'm certain that they'd rather be unemployed than dead."

@ Alfred: "Here's the key for ya," Gutrum said, handing you a brass key. "Same room as you normally get. I expect you'll have a longer stay than you usually do because of the weather."

@ Verous: "Well, what else could it be?" Prue asked.

"It could be a lightning dragon," Darryl suggested. "We're just across the river from Eredal, who have been at war with a dragon for a hundred years."

"I'm much less than a hundred years old and I remember hearing about the First Crebehl War as a boy," Perrin said. "It was two separate wars, the second of which happened ten years ago and the first ten before that. Besides, why would Nizeston - the lightning dragon that I assume you're thinking of - why would Nizeston attack along the Nubarb? He has no bad blood with anyone in Elusia that I know of."

"It could be a different lightning dragon," Darryl suggested. "They're meant to be more common along the coast, but it could be that one decided to fly up to Oakwell to cause some destruction."

[Leggo]

Jonos

“We’ll continue to use you and your men as we have, like every other vassal of the realm.”

I’m itching for a sword fight right now. Too much conversation this past day.

[Tikobe]

Othan

I look up at the direction he pointed and then turn to Northan.

"Let's push on further. If this is a false trail then there shouldn't be a path for horse use. We may be attacked, do you wish to be at our front?" I ask my brother.

Kainer

"Hmm, very well. I thank you for your time," I say as I walk off. Well, things seemed to be going somewhat smoothly. There's nothing else so I'll return to the Black Goose for a night.

[Duck14]

Alfred

I nodded. “The ship repair will take some time for sure. Hopefully a few more storm stricken sailors make there way here in the meantime.” With that I took the key, went to my room, and fell into the bed without a second thought.

————
Verous

“Even if it’s a lightning dragon we don’t know why it did such a thing. Yeah, they’re known for storms but we haven’t experienced one like this for some time. Since they’re common they would be more likely to do such a thing on a regular basis. Something must have set them off, otherwise it wouldn’t make much sense. In which case we’re looking for a why instead of a what.” I sighed and looked around.

“But I can’t think of anything else. The thing about rumours is that they usually hold some form of truth.”

[Bannanachair]

@ Jonos: "Then I agree to the stipulations. This new contract shall begun upon the conclusion of our current one. I'll have one of my scribes write it up and send it to you by this evening, to read over and sign and seal."

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, as did the next day, and the one after that. It was nearly a full week when Hallon Talsworth returned with the Atrekaran hostages, and that very day the messenger that you sent to Baron Cirthil returned with a letter.

Duke Jonos Dawburn of Datha,

I will meet with you in secret, on neutral ground. There is a village called Fishston on your side of the river, less than a day's ride from Norbury. Wear a grey cloak with a green sash and I will find you. Keep your hood drawn. Ride a horse. When you receive this I will already be there. Bring no more than three men with you or the parley is off and I will notify the Count.

Baron Cirthil Holmsbury

No message from Baronness Vena has arrived, but her keep is slightly farther away from Norbury than Cirthil's is, so that is understandable.

@ Othan: "If this is where they are then we won't attack today," Northan said. "There are twenty bandits and four of us, and they know the terrain. We'll return later, with more men from the villages and the rest of the knights."

@ Kainer: As you return to the Black Goose, you see the innkeeper talking to another patron when he sees you walk in. "How was your urgent business with the king?" He asked you.

@ Alfred: As you drift off to sleep, you find yourself back on your ship and back in the storm. Artie and Garry won't be able to help you steer the ship - they, and the rest of the crew and the passengers, were all swept overboard, scattering in the ocean and drowned. You're running back and forth from the sails to the rudder, because your ship doesn't have a wheel. Then it's struck by lightning, and so are you, and the ship sinks and you feel yourself struck by lightning again and again as you drown and hear the thunder laugh at you...

You wake up the next morning covered in sweat and tangled in your bedsheets.

@ Verous: "Or it could just be a bad storm," Perrin said. "We haven't experienced one like this for some time, and so that means that we're probably overdue for one."

[Tikobe]

Othan



I really did want to push on though. I wanted to confirm this was the base but for now I'll just take my brother's advice. Most of my days were spent on warfare on a much larger scale then the double digits. Northan, who was often on the front lines, would have better opinions on the matter.

"Very well. I suppose we'll turn back and pass this information onto Raethus," I sigh as I look over to Forlon. "We'll be needing you to bring us here again on a later day. Be ready for that."

Kainer

"Evidently I have to wait for court to open first. As such I'll be staying here for a night," I say as I hand him eight miscops.

To be fair, while I had heard of the idea we didn't have such a thing in the Court of Autumn, or if we did the faeries kept it hidden from me. Even while I was still in the Court there were many things I didn't know about it. Regardless, I wound up thinking that the idea of being court was a foreign idea and wasn't expecting it.

[Duck14]

Alfred

I take a minute to compose myself, storm-stricken trips always made sleep harder even when back on the mainland. But that felt different, more real somehow. And yet, it was still just a dream. I put my clothes back on and straighten myself out. The crew probably experienced similar dreams. I left the room, remembering to lock the door, and headed back into the tavern’s main room.

———
Verous

“Well, that works as well. Though it’s not really in season. Either way, we’ll see to what we can when we reach Oakwell. Those caught in the storm itself should have a better idea than any of us. Though I do love to theorise.” I finished my meal and placed my bowl aside. We would be there soon.

[Leggo]

Jonos

I need to plan this out. There’s too much to think of on my own, so I send word and convene the war council. I have my own reservations about this meeting already.

[Bannanachair]

@ Othan: "As you command, my lord," Forlon said.

Northan looked up at the sky. "It's still midmorning, and we've only talked to three people. It might be worth talking to more people in Wyst's Town about the bandits, to see what else we can find out."

@ Kainer: "Here's your key, lad. I didn't get your name earlier, actually," The innkeeper said, handing you your key and asking you your name.

@ Duck14: (I'm actually slightly at a loss for how to continue Alfred's storyline. I could always timeskip to when the ship is finished, but that will be weeks and would put Alfred maybe as much as a month and a half ahead of Verous, chronologically, which would lead to a whole host of issues. Jonos seems to be the furthest ahead right now, being slightly over a week after the storm, and I was hesitant about even that timeskip. I'm working on putting characters in situations where they'll interact, but I have a lot of seeds to plant first in order to put Othan, Alfred, Jonos, Kainer and Verous on any colliding paths. I also don't want to make up a storyline just to pad out Alfred's story until other people can arrive. Do you have any ideas for what you next want to do with Alfred?)

@ Verous: The rest of your party finished eating as well, and began to lie down to sleep for the night. Darryl managed to trick you into getting first watch, so you took it uneventfully over the four hours that your companions slept before waking him up to take the second shift. You didn't dream, and woke up somewhat tired.

@ Jonos: Some of your war council is in attendance, but others are dealing with other tasks that have come up over the week. Otterberg is dealing with some bookkeeping and some of your other barons are dealing with issues within their armies. Redscar, Wallace Oakheart, Herwin Talsworth and Barons Horthon Drayden and Humphrey var Capvering were the only ones able to assemble, and Hallon Talsworth still had a hatred of Norbury.

[Leggo]

Jonos

“I want to make this brief. I only assembled the war council because I was unsure of who I was bringing with me to the meeting with Baron Holmsbury. Wallace, you were always coming, seeing as you’re my chief advisor. Since only two of my vassals were free enough to attend, that narrows it down for me. Wallace, Horthon, Humphrey, we leave soon. Wear clothing that’ll make you less likely to stand out. Bring swords, I hope we won’t have to use them. You’re all dismissed."

With that, I leave the room. I’m going to wear the designated clothing, of course. I’m bringing my sword, too, I’m no fool. Traveling almost a day’s ride unarmed would be a preposterous thing to do. I’ll also bring a bit of coin, and one of my backup horses that I keep in the stables somewhere.

[Tikobe]

Othan

I consider it. A part of me didn't want to; We had already confirmed a rough estimate of their numbers, their arms, their tactical mindset and have found a likely location for them. Beyond that, there didn't seem to be a cause to investigate further. However, even still it was early.

"Forlon, is there anyone you'd recommend we talk to? Someone who may have had more contact with them then others?"

Kainer

"Kainer Adderant," I smile as I take the key.

[Duck14]

(Hmm, in that case we could always leave him be until we do come up with something. He was going to talk to the lord of Estermere on this day which could bring something up but it’s up to you.)

Verous

I stretched and looked across the horizon. Sleeping in the damp wasn’t great but it was part of the job. I rolled up my belongings and put them back on the horse. “How long till we reach Oakwell.” I asked to no one in particular.

[Bannanachair]

@ Jonos: The ride to Fishston was short and uneventful, aside from several remarks from Horthon Drayden about how places have similar names: "I'm the baron of Fishford, and this village is called Fishston. Isn't that peculiar?" The village itself was small, with a few houses, an alehouse, some shelters for the wooden fishing boats and other simple amenities. Some of the peasants who were going about their daily lives looked at you, but most gave you no attention at all.

@ Othan: "Astin keeps track of how much food is produced on the farms and calculates the taxes and that other stuff," Forlon suggested. "He might have a good estimate as to how much money was stolen. Bertha says she knows one of the bandits, but she's known to make stuff up. Take anything she tells you with a grain of salt. Beyond those two, I don't know who else might be useful, but asking around wouldn't hurt."

@ Kainer: "I'm Blyane," the innkeeper said.

"I'm Sir Trihem," Said the man that the innkeeper - Blyane - was talking to when you returned. "The name 'Adderant' sounds vaguely familiar, but I'm not sure I can recall it."

"Your room's on the second floor, second door on the left," Blyane said to you, "But if you want a drink, a cup of wine or a cup of ale is six nostins." Nostins are another unit of currency, the smallest that you're aware of, where two dozen nostins make a miscop.

@ Alfred: The tavern had a few people breakfasting - some from your crew, some not - but it was overall not very busy. Gutrum wasn't at the bar, but instead his son, Gus, was. It's likely that Gutrum stayed up late for his patrons and is now sleeping in, as tends to happen frequently.

@ Verous: "We'll be there by tomorrow" responded No One In Particular.

@ Verous: Your sleep that night was dreamless, but short - it was just under four hours, and you and Darryl were particularly sleep-deprived due to taking turns on watch. That said, the remainder of the ride to Oakwell was as short as you thought it would be, and you and your party arrived by noontime.

[Tikobe]

Othan

Hmm...

"Very well. You may be on your way," I say as I turn to Northan and Thander Marthus. "I'd recommend we speak to Astin first. He'd give us more concrete information than the rest of them."

Kainer

"Thank you!" I exclaim as I head off.

I ignore Sir Trihem's curiosity. It wasn't that I was hiding anything, I mean I'm only from a family that was mysteriously wiped out...

Isn't that actually a big thing?

Oh well, that didn't change the truth: It wasn't important, and really I myself don't know enough about it to talk about it. I've never really considered the Adderants to be an important part of my life, especially compared to the Court of Autumn.

For now I walk into my room, rushing to get to bed as early as possible. The sprites told me that the moon falls on bad children who sleep late. I didn't want the moon to fall on me.

I mean, I am 20, but the sprites said all humans were toddlers regardless of their age.

[Duck14]

Alfred

I nodded to Gus and pointed at a table across the room which I made my way to. I had been here plenty, the boy knew what to get me in the morning. My body felt much better after a good night’s rest away from the water. I loved the river but nothing was better than sleeping on dry land, especially if I was to be stuck here for awhile. Garry would come down soon, we probably needed to get him checked by a proper medic. And then we could finally go and see that lord.

————
Verous

I bore the royal clothing but I had no desire to show that off at the moment. For one, that would be incredibly rude and really that was all the reason I needed. Instead I rode on with my party as I normally would until we reached the town centre. “Well here we are, Oakwell.”

[Leggo]

Jonos

I want to find the Baron, and soon. I have little interest in being in this village for longer than I need to.

“Alright, let’s look for the Baron. Follow me.” I ride further into the village.

[Bannanachair]

@othan: You ride back to Wyst's Town from where you were in the Qhirst mountains, and spend some time there searching out Astin. Astin was somewhat helpful in clearing up the specifics of what was stolen and how much was stolen, though not very useful for much else. Bertha wasn't very useful either, but she did confirm that at least one of the bandits - who she claims to have had an affair with before he turned to banditry in a romantic tale that might be truly touching if it weren't for the circumstances - was a former soldier who served under Sir Raethus during the Second Galbror War.

After several more hours of questioning people, you, Northan and Thander Marthus decide that you've collected as much information as you can and to head back to Castle Shan. About four of the ten daytime hours you have were spent riding back and forth (From Castle Shan to Wyst's Town to the Qhirst Mountains to Wyst's Town back to Castle Shan), and another five were spent asking people questions and collecting information.

Back at Castle Shan, you find that you weren't the first group to get back, but nor were you the last. One-armed Sir Galad Forsnith and his squire were back before you were, and Raethus, Sir Boderick Craentitch and Hartwig's grandson arrived shortly after you did. Sir Arthel Haiderling arrived a quarter of an hour after sunset, apparently having gotten lost at some point on his return trip.

Raethus decided to host the strategy meeting before dinner, and the ladies and younger children - including your very pregnant sister-in-law - were all ushered out of the main hall to discus the findings of the day's expeditions.

(I'm sorry, I need to move the plot along and I can't think of anything else for you to do in Wyst's Town.)

@ Kainer: Your sleep that night was dreamless, as most of your nights are. Nightmares used to plague your nights, but when you were a child some of the elves used their magic to prevent you from dreaming. The only time since then that you've so much as had a dream was when some of the sprites swapped out your bed's headboard with one made of Spiderwood, which apparently interfered with the spell. That night you had a nightmare, but this night your sleep was safe and dreamless.

The sun shone through the curtains to wake you up the next morning.

@ Alfred: You ate your regular breakfast in peace, and Garry joined you about halfway through. "My arm's fine," Garry said after you told him of your plans for the day, though he always had a tendency to understate bad things that happen to him. "Really, we should just go to see the Duke of Estermere."

@ Verous: From the outside, Oakwell appeared as if something were off, but when the guards let you through the gates you saw that it was a city that was nearly destroyed. The southern end of the city was very crowded and densely packed, and there was debris everywhere. As you got further into the city, though, things were in worse and worse condition. Many of the cobble roads were damaged, and all the dirt was mud. Further on in the city it was less populated, with many damaged buildings, water up to a man's ankles and several corpses lying in the streets, seemingly drowned. That was the condition that you found the famous Oakwell Square in, a large public area in the centre of the city.

@ Jonos: There is no further into the village - it is a very small village, and not one with many amenities. The population can't be more than a hundred people.

"Your majesty, I don't think that Cirthil is going to show up," Said Humphrey.

"Shut up!" Horthon said, half-whispering and half-shouting so that nobody else could hear. "What part of 'secret' do you not understand?"

"The Baron is probably in the inn," Wallace suggested. "His letter indicated that he was already here, so he'd have to be staying somewhere. Hence, the inn - seemingly the only one in town."

[Leggo]

Jonos

To the inn we go, I suppose. I need to make sure my vassals stay quiet during the meeting.

“Let’s head to the inn. If he’s there, make sure you let me do the talking. I don’t want a word out of you two, this is a delicate political situation,” I say, gesturing to Horthon and Humphrey.

I hope this goes well, and I hope these two don’t make me regret bringing them.

[Duck14]

Alfred

Garry always did this, I couldn’t blame him really, I’d do the same in his condition. “Alright, if you feel alright then you’re alright. We should go and see this duke then. Hopefully we can help him out with this whole ordeal. But if your arm starts to act up I’ll have you round the medic in no time.”

————
Verous

I looked around in dismay. Oakwell really had been hit by a massive storm, something they surely couldn’t have prepared for. I looked to Perrin and frowned. “This was no ordainary storm, I’m sure of that now. No way a normal storm would cause this much chaos without someone knowing about it beforehand.”