The Knight-Marshal speaks, Gandalf
Subject: The Knight-Marshal speaks
Anglewing starts to answer when the Knight-Marshal holds up a hand. "My son, you asked this same question when we were talking the other day. Now that you bring it up again, I will answer you."
He turns so that the whole party can hear "As most of you know, there is a prophecy. As with most prophecies, it does not come right out and say what will happen or who will do it. It talks in riddles and metaphors. It gives some guidance, but not enough for us to make firm decisions. But still we must listen to it, since it came from Valorshield himself."
"We do know this: Propheices like this seem to work out best when those they talk about know less about them. You have only heard a bit of the prophecy, and that was after what it talked about had happened. Only myself, Brother Orpal and Heronin have read the whole thing, and even we still understand very little of it."
"Sections make sense afterwards and lead to new clues that guide us on the next path. There are certain things that we have been able to decipher and they have led us on the path we now follow. We are not sending our most powerful Paladins becuase we are sure they would fail. We do not give you the most powerful weapons in our arsenal, becuase they would likely do you no good. I know it is not much to believe in, but I ask you to trust us. We have spent years studing this and feel it is the right thing."
"As to why you, I ask: Why not you? You eight have now recovered two of the gems, and at great risk. You are as familiar with the foe we stand against as any one alive. The fact that you eight have done so well heartens us and leads us to think our path is correct."
From: Bryan
Subject: The Knight-Marshal speaks
OOC: Of course if the path is *not* correct they'll send someone else ;)
From: Randy
Subject: The Knight-Marshal speaks
"Very well Father. I do not understand it but I will trust you."
Ranthir is still unsure, especially about the limits on their equipment, but he decides that he will put his trust in his father.
From: Karl
Subject: The next mission
"Of course," Salix says, matter-of-factly. "The MountainFather has renewed my obligation of service to Quarion, and by extension, to your Order until this matter is settled."
From: Mark
Subject: The Knight-Marshal speaks
OODM: Hey if Gandalf can have his mysterious reasons for recruiting Bilbo, I can have my reasons for the party. :)
From: Josh
Subject: Gandalf
Gandalf was stealing a dragon's treasure! He could screw around some.
From: Mark
Subject: Gandalf
Actually he was helping the rightful owners get their stolen treasure back.
From: Bryan
Subject: Gandalf
Rightful owners. Uh huh. I'm sure he would have said the same thing
with a VCR under his arm.
Maps and country info, Paul Harvey
Subject: Maps and country info
I just realized that we may have some new players who were not around when I sent out the maps and some geographic information. I am attaching two maps. One is color coded showing major forest, water, deep water and major mountian ranges. It also has the country names for the north continent. The other map shows the country names and the names of the major cities in each. The word document gives a little background on the countries, their political/economic set up, their basic alignment etc.
The Mountains to the far northeast of the northern continent are the White Fang Mountains. The mountain range in the middle, the long one in the middle of the north continent are the World Spine Mountains. The large forest in the top middle is the Great North Woods. Boddentown is off the map to the top.
Everyone but Kal is from the North Continent.
Let me know if you have any geographic questions.
From: Mark
Subject: Turn
Anyone want to do anything or say anything before I move the party on?
If so you have until this afternoon, probably around 3 or so.
From: Porter
Subject: Mund speaks
Mund leans over and says in a voice intended only for Salix and Allistair "I'll be that their most powerful weapons would do me good."
From: Karl
Subject: Salix thinks
Salix shrugs. He's used to being told only part of the story.
From: Mark
Subject: Paul Harvey
OODM: Paul Harvey walks into the room saying "And now you know.... The rest of the story."
From: Porter
Subject: Paul Harvey
Good day!
Turn, A new father, map question
Subject: Turn
Sorry I did not get anything out yesterday. Work slammed me after lunch (4 internet auctions in the next week) and then I got busy with bell choir and marching band stuff.
I am swammped today but should be able to put out something tonight.
So no questions on the world map?
From: Mark
Subject: A new father
I want to send my congrats to Karl, who is the proud father of an empty shell.
He expects this empty shell to be fully grown by mid October. Lets all send Karl our best wishes for a complete and on time shell delivery.
From: Karl
subject: A new father
LOL, well, a "not-quite-empty" shell. I have interior walls and roughed-in restrooms, too.
:-)
From: Kevin
Subject: A new father
Somehow I see a young Robin Williams in full Mork from Ork regalia telling the little egg to fly.
From: Josh
Subject: Map
Where's gorn? I didn't see it.
Where's Kal from?
From: Mark
Subject: Map
On the map Kalevancountries, Gorn is a city of Schon. Schon is between Camlost and Alakay. Gorn is in the north of the country, on the Coast. Ivo is the Capitol of Schon.
Kal is from the South West Continent. The large forest there is the Elven homeland.
Back on the road
Subject: Turn
Ok sorry lots of band stuff today. Just got back. Have to get dinner and then I will write something up.
From: Mark
Subject: Turn
Something up.
:)
From: Mark
Subject: Back on the road
After the Knight-Marshal has spoken Angelwing stands again "I thank you all for doing this. whether you take horses or not is up to you, but I expect much of your time will be spent underground. The entrance you are headed for is in the foothills of the Worldspine Mountains, just across our border with Byho. I believe you are familiar with the head of the border guard there? Halpin?" When the party nods yes the Paladin continues "I am sure that the garrison would be willing to care for your mounts until you returned that way. I have also sent word to Halpin letting him know that you would need an escort from the Byho military since you will be in their land and not on the road."
Angelwing turns to the gathered assembly "Tonight there will be a service of prayer. All are invited to attend. Tomorrow morning at first light you will head off."
OODM: If any one wants to write up what they do the rest of the day and that night they can. Only Harp and Ragnar are required to attend the ceremony, although Kal is probably expected to as well. I will move on to the next morning.
An hour before dawn pages wake the party. All of the packing had been handled by pages the night before and there is not much left to do. A hot, filling breakfast and then out to the courtyard as the sun is just peeking over the eastern horizon. Ragnar sits on a small horse while Harp sits on his huge horse Bloody Stupid. The others are arranged on a series of mounts, with Surin on a large pony. Most of the leadership of the Order is there to see them off, as well as Angelwing and Rochelle. "Farewell" Angelwing tells them "I would hope that this mission will be a simple one, but that has not proved it self with the last two. Be on the look out for evidence of the foe. We are sure he is watching."
Ragnar salutes and turns his horse towards the main gate and out of the courtyard. Minutes latter, hooves clattering on cobblestone streets, the eight ride through the eastern gate as it opens for the day.
The ride east on the Great North Road is becoming almost familiar for several of the party members. Ranthir, Harp, Surin and Salix realize that this is the third time that they have ridden east on this road in the past year. This time the ride is more leisurely than the last but the weather is worse. Fall is coming early to Schon and a cold wind blows down off the mountains. A weeks easy ride brings the party to a familiar border post. Lt. Halpin and his guardsmen ride out to meet them on the road.
"Long time no see" the guardsman says, saluting Harp and Ragnar and then shaking their hands. "I understand you are on another mission for the Order. I have contacted my counterpart with the border guards of Byho and an escort should be here late tonight. You can go with them to the entrance to the dwarf clans at first light. I have asked them to bring extra horses for you to ride if you decide to leave your mounts here." As he talks he motions the party to ride with him back to the guard house. When they get there he offers food and ale.
OODM: Any role playing you want to do, go ahead.
Back on the road cont.
Subject: Back on the road
Harp relaxes in the commaraderie of the fort. While he had never done much outpost duty, he thinks he could grow to like it. A little rougher than the Chapterhouse in town, there was a brotherhood here that was attractive to him. He talks to Halpin for a long time, getting the latest information on the surrounding area and trying to learn what he could about the dwarves they were going to see. He knew that the drwarves and orc had about as bad of blood as the elves and orc, so he would have to steel himself for a cold reception.
From: Derek
Subject: Back on the road
While they are resting at the stockade, Allistair comes up to Kal to ask a few questions. "Kal, how are relations between Dwarves and the Elven Nation? I don't remember seeing any dwarves at all while I was in the Great Wood."
"Also, I get the feeling that I'm going to regret not learning some more of the spells in your spellbook. That darkvision spell you have will probably come in handy. I didn't think we'd be headed underground, so I didn't bother learning it."
At the fort
Subject: Turn
No comments from any one?
Ok I will write something up tonight, after 9PM. You can have until then to do anything or say anything.
Are there any questions that I have not answered that have been asked?
From: Jason
Subject: At the fort
"We get along fine. The Dwarves have always been a bit childish in their dealings with the elves, but generally they're good people. They might decide to make someone like me uncomfortable when we arrived, just for sport, but they wouldn't ever try to harm me."
"I rarely use that spell. I sometimes regret taking the time to learn it when I could have invested my time in something more useful, but perhaps on this quest I'll find a use for it."
"Where did you study in the Great Woods? Under what teacher?"
From: Derek
Subject: At the fort
"I was at the great Elven University outside of the capitol. I actually was sponsored to study there for 5 years, it was some agreement that the mages in Gorn had made with the elven wizards there. Since Elven instruction in magic is more relaxed and esoteric than the guild style of instruction most humans learn by, I was never with any mage for a long time. Some of the greatest venerable wizards there actually came to seek me out, since human visitors at the mage school itself are rare. The venerable Ohn-Fell himself spoke with me once, he wanted to 'see how magic had been progressing among these human upstarts' as he put it."
"I actually spend a lot of my time studying with another student named Sune-Nel. Even though the elders considered her a student still, she had been there for over a century and was very knowledgeable. She had a natural gift for magic and was able to teach me how to remember some of my spells without even having to read them in my spellbook."
From: Mark
Subject: At the fort
Ally would know the naming conventions of the elves.
All elves use three letter names as their first name. There are 6 "family" names as well.
These family names are also three letters long. I have the list at home. Some of the last names are Ell, Tor, Lar. I can get the rest when I get home.
Meet Maximus
Subject: Turn
Sorry I did not get anything out last night. I have my stuff with me this morning and I have one thing to do and then I will work on a turn.
From: Mark
Subject: Elven naming convention
Elven last names.
There are 6 elven clan/family names. They are: Ril, Ell, Tor, San, Raf, and Lar.
Elven first names. All elves are given a three letter first name at birth. This is then combined with the three letter last name for the full name. For example Kal-Lar or Ran-Ell or Kev-Lar or Lou-Tor.
If two elves meet and have the same name they then refer to their parents name.
Half elves names depend on who raises them. If they are raised by the elven parent they usually have an elven name, if not they might likely not have an elven name.
From: Mark
Subject: Meet Maximus
As the party dismounts a couple of guardsmen hustle out to take the horses back to the stable. Halpin leads the party into the common room where they sit at the long tables. Two more guardsmen start bringing out mugs of ale and water and plates of bread, cheese and meat. As they eat Ragnar asks Halpin about the dwarves. Halpin looks a bit surprised "I thought you would know more than me, Brother, being a dwarf and all?" "You'd think" answers Ragnar "Except for two thing. First, I am from the White Fang Mountains, not the WorldSpine. Second, I grew up a captive of orcs and was rescued by a Paladin of the Order. I have actually spent very little time with my people. So assume I am a human who has never seen a dwarf and tell me what you know."
Halpin gathers his thoughts. "I am sure all of you are familiar with dwarfs, since you travel with one. I have met a few in my day and even been to the entrances to their mines once. They tend to be quite and steady. I have heard that this can change a bit when they have been at table for a celebration, but I have never seen it. The High King, Dar, has been king for almost 30 years and he was fairly young when he became High King. Byho has more dealings with them. The dwarves mine the ore, ship it to one of the many smelters in Byho where they turn it into metal and then ship the metal back to the dwarves so that their blacksmiths can use it."
"Bhyo, having a large part of the Great North Woods, has a large industry built around the dwarf trade. Many dwarves work in the foundries and smelting plants North West of here. The humans do more of the grunt work, cutting trees, hauling the ore and hauling finished goods. A lot of people there make a living because of the dwarves."
"Bhyo is a fairly nice place to live. They can be a little cold when the rules call for it, but they are not really spiteful. They have a good trade situation set up with the dwarves and they all make a lot of money from it. You should meet some tonight."
The afternoon moves on and the party members prepare to move their gear to their new mounts. They re-supply their provisions. There is a call from the guard tower in late afternoon "Patrol on the horizon" the watcher shouts. The garrison breaks into frenzied activity at the impending arrival. With Halpin's permission, Kal climbs to the top of the tower to get a look at the contingent from Byho.
There are just over 20 men mounted on horses with another 10 or so empty horses on lines behind them. Most of the riders are clad in leather armor and have short spears. Short bows are slung over the backs of half the riders, which Kal is surprised to see is made up of women and men. His keen elven eyes spots short swords at their sides. Two figures stand out. The first, the man in the lead of the patrol is dressed in a shiny breast plate and has a helm with a large feathered plum on it. He has a long spear with a pennant flying from it. The flag has a fancy design on it. Kal figures it for some heraldry, but is unfamiliar with the symbols. The second is a well dressed woman ridding side saddle on a large roan gelding. Her blonde hair trails behind her as she gallops with the rest of the patrol.
Several minutes later the patrol canters into the courtyard of the garrison. Halpin greets the man in the breastplate with a loud shout "Maximus, you old dog. I thought you had retired?" The man with the breastplate slides off his horse and hands the reins to one of the waiting guardsmen "Halpin you young buck. Who have you offended so greatly that you are still manning this forsaken outpost?" Maximus is an older gentleman, just about 6 foot tall, grey hair going bald. He looks like he was once a powerful man, but age is getting the better of him. However, he moves and talks like a seasoned veteran.
Maximus walks over to Halpin and the two shake hands like old friends. The riders start to dismount and the Schon guardsmen rush to help them with their horses and the extras. Over the din the party hears a slight cough and Maximus turns and sees that the lady is still sitting on her horse. The Bhyoian turns and shouts "Dammit Flavius help the Ambassador down from her horse." He turns to the lady "I am sorry, you Ladyship, my corporal is new and still learning." The lady nods as she is helped down from her mount by a young man. She turns to Maximus "I assume he will be properly chastised for his inattention?"
Maximus grimaces but nods "Yes, your Ladyship, 10 lashes. Flavius, take the Lady's gear to her room and then report to the Sergeant after chow for chastisement." The young corporal, fear in his eyes, nods. He then hurries to one of the horses that has a few bags on it and starts unlashing the baggage. Maximus turns back to Halpin "So what's up." The Lt. gestures to the party and makes introductions. When he is done introducing the party he gestures to Maximus "This is Marcus Aurelius Maximus, Centurion of the Army of Bhyo and good friend." Maximus bows to the party "A pleasure to meet you all." He then motions for the lady to join him. "May I present the Lady Collette De Blum, Lady of the Court and Ambassador to the Dwarves from Byho?" De Blum executes a perfect curtsy. "I am honored to meet you all."
With the light fading Halpin suggests that they all head inside "We have food and a warm fire ready for everyone."
OODM: Any role playing you want to do or questions you want to ask.
From: Derek
Subject: Back on the road
OOC: Retcon on Ally's conversation yesterday . I didn't know the convention on Elven names.
IC:
"I was at the great Elven University outside of the capitol. I actually was sponsored to study there for 5 years, it was some agreement that the mages in Gorn had made with the elven wizards there. Since Elven instruction in magic is more relaxed and esoteric than the guild style of instruction most humans learn by, I was never with any mage for a long time. Some of the greatest venerable wizards there actually came to seek me out, since human visitors at the mage school itself are rare. The venerable Ohn-Ell himself spoke with me once, he wanted to 'see how magic had been progressing among these human upstarts' as he put it."
"I actually spend a lot of my time studying with another student named Sün-Ril. Even though the elders considered her a student still, she had been there for over a century and was very knowledgeable. She had a natural gift for magic and was able to teach me how to remember some of my spells without even having to read them in my spellbook."
From: Bryan
Subject: Maximus
Surin waits for one of the less prosperous looking individuals of the Byho contingent to move away from the main party. As the man moves out of earshot of the main party, Surin engages him in conversation. After some small talk, Surin reaches the question he wanted to ask. He cautiously broaches the topic, taking care not to offend. "Who is the Ambassador? She must be quite the personage for a Corporal to be taking ten lashes for simply being slow to help her from her horse." Surin muses as if to himself: "I wonder if the merit is in some title, or simply in the title of Ambassador itself?"
Check in, Ally and the Lady
Subject: Maximus
The young guardsman jumps a bit when Surin speaks "Where did you come from? Oh it's you. Your one of the people we are taking with us to the Dwarf King, right? Surin was your name? My name is Titus Cordius." The young man gives Surin a formal bow.
"Ah the Lady De Blum. She is a mystery. As you can plainly see she is not a Byhonian by birth. She is from Mnhul, from a very important family. She married into a powerful family and they were able to manipulate the Ambassadorship for her. It is a great honor for her and her family. However, I don't think she is looking forward to spending two years underground."
From: Mark
Subject: Turn and check in
Any one else? If everyone would check in that would be great.
Thanks
From: Kevin
Subject: Check in
Check, Check, Test 1, 2, 3, Check, Check. Please turn down the 10,000 hz, please. Check, Test, Test, Check.....
From: Bryan
Subject: Check in
Check
From: Josh
Subject: Check in
check check
From: Karl
Subject: Check in
Check. Salix has nothing to add, though he does give Halpin a dark glare at the mention of cutting trees from the GNW.
From: Derek
Subject: Check in
Check.
Is this a sit-down formal dinner, or more of a 'nibble on stuff while you wander around chatting with everyone' kind of setting?
From: Mark
Subject: Check in
It is more of a mess hall thing. People are sitting down, but there is not much formal about it. It is not a reception, if that is what you mean.
The party, and the Byho contingent, are at at boarder fort with the garrison of the fort.
From: Randy
Subject: Check in
Check
From: Derek
Subject: Check in
Allistair pulls Ragnar aside for a moment. "How much of our mission do these Bhyoans know about? How much do you want them to know?"
From: Karl
Subject: Check in
"Boarder fort" Is that like a militarized frontier hotel?
From: Mark
Subject: Check in
No it is a spelling error. :)
From: Porter
Subject: Check in
Check.
From: Bryan
Subject: Check in
No, nothing else - answered main question. Figured Surin'd be curious about why someone would deserve a lashing for being slow off the mark - little harsh.
From: Jason
Subject: Check in
Check!
From: Mark
Subject: Check in
Ok every one has checked in.
Jason, you might want to answer Ally's question about the party's mission.
I will try and write something up today. If not now then after 9PM.
From: Jason
Subject: Check in
I'm about to, just looking up some geography information to clarify in my head first.
From : Mark
Subject: Check in
Great. Let me know if you have any questions.
From: Jason
Subject: Check in
Mostly I was looking up where Angelwing's wife was from. It turns out she's also from Mnuhl, which was what I vaguely remembered. I also wanted to remember what Angelwing had mentioned about the countries she would be passing through, which I found in the archives.
From: Derek
Subject: Ally and the Lady
If possible, Allistair will try and chat a bit with the Lady De Blum. "Good evening, my lady. I am Allistair, a wizard trained at the mage school in Gorn. I've been asked to accompany this diplomatic enjoy of The Order to the Dwarven kingom. I heard that you will be the ambassador of Byho to the Dwarven kingdom. Have you been there before?"
If she's non-conversational or rebuffs him, he will politely thank her for her time and move away. If she's amenable to conversation, he'll try and find out how she feels about going to the Dwarven kingdom.
"I myself lived for five years in the south continent to study at the Elven University in the great forest. It takes a while to adjust to living in a completely different culture, but I'm sure a lady with such education and bearing such as yourself will be able to do well there."
The Lady De Blum
Subject: Turn
Harp will keep to himself and the garrison members for the most part. He will also socialize with the other team members but would be unlikely to search out members of the Bhyo delegation.
From: Mark
Subject: Turn
I will get something out this afternoon or tonight.
From: Mark
Subject: Simple knowledge checks
Both Bhyo and Mnuhl are LN Monarchies. They actually do have a boarder with each other.
I am working on the Lady's response to Ally now.
From: Mark
Subject: The Lady De Blum
The Lady De Blum is a handsome woman. In her early forties, she is tall, close to 6 foot. Long, white blond hair that she wears braided in long pleats, pale skin and piercing blue eyes. She was obviously an eye turner when she was younger and is still very attractive. Her riding dress is of the highest quality, if a bit impractical for long trips on horse back. She is on the matronly side now but she still has a commanding presence.
The Lady seems a bit distracted by the conditions she finds herself in. She sits on the chair like it is the only thing keeping her from falling into a vat of acid. She is fastidious about not touching the surface of the table and she makes a big production of having one of the guardsmen clean her glass twice. When she is offered a knife and fork to eat with, she pulls her own set from her bag. She eats some, but does more pushing the food around the plate than actual eating.
She doesn't seem to notice Allistair moving up next to her and she startles a little when he starts talking. Up until this point the only thing she had said had been demands of the members of the patrol she had ridden in with. "What was that? Have I been where before?" Her voice is strong if distracted. A few seats down Ranthir recognizes the Lady's accent. It is similar to Rochelle's. Ally repeats his question and this time the Lady understands. "Why, no, of course not. Why would I want to live in those dank, dingy caves unless I had a reason to? I serve my King and my husband by doing this, but I don't have to like it. In fact I think I will dread every day I am there."
Once started the Lady seems not to know how to stop. For the next twenty minutes Ally finds himself the target of all the Lady's frustrations. She talks about mundane things and the mage is quickly bored. She starts to drop names, refer to people she obviously thinks are important or powerful. She never once asks Ally, or any of the other people around the table anything about themselves. She relays the hardships she has had to endure so far and all the hardships she has envisioned for herself once she gets to the dwarf kingdom.
One thing Ally does find out is an odd aspect of the treaty between the dwarves and Bhyo. It seems that the Lady has no retinue with her. No ladies in waiting, no personal servants, no one. According to De Blum each races Ambassador is waited on by the local population. "Do you believe that?" she asks Ally. Before he can even start to frame an answer she keeps going "As if those dwarf women would be able to make a proper dress. If there are even dwarf women." Ally tries to glance down the table, attempting to catch the eye of one of his compatriots, trying to signal them to rescue him.
His salivation comes from a surprising quarter. Maximus walks up and drapes an arm around Ally's shoulder "My Lady, we leave at first light in the morn. My guess is that our learned friend is also not use to the trials of the trail. You two should both head off to sleep, so that you do not slow the patrol down tomorrow. We still have seven days ride until we get to the gates." The Lady, her face contorting in anger, starts to protest but Maximus holds up his hand "I know you outrank me, my Lady, but the success of the mission was put in my hands. I must insist."
De Blum looks like she wants to argue more, but the stern look on Maximus's face forstals any more protest. She calls for two of the guardsmen to help her to her chambers. As she leaves Ally turns to Maximus "I don't know how to thank you. Is she always like that?" "You mean talkative?" Maximus replies. "No, she is under a good deal of stress. The Lady De Blum is a shrewd person, if a bit ambitious for herself and her husbands family."
OODM: Any other questions?
Flavius and Kal
Subject: Flavius and Kal
After dinner finishes Kal walks up to Flavius who has sat sullenly through dinner, certainly dreading his coming punishment. After a short conversation Kal offers this advice.
"Take the punishment with dignity, and you will be a stronger man for it. It may seem unjust to you, but the Gods test us in strange ways. Bear the whip tomorrow and stand proudly afterwards. It's the only choice you have."
Shortly after Kal returns to the party, and soon after leaves the barracks to walk in the nearby woods.