459 years ago, Maldwyn was a collection of lesser independent states who were starting to war amongst themselves. One of the major players from early on in the wars was Alastor the Black, Lord of Camenty (much smaller back then). At first he was neutral in the conflict, but after being attacked by on two separate occasions by supposed allies, he decided it was time to mobilise his army. Apart from one very bloody battle early in in the campaign, Alastor somehow managed to sway over the other rulers one by one to his will. Some whisper that he sold his soul to the devil, others that he was not a mortal of this realm. Regardless of the rumours, he did unite the kingdom under his rule.
Fast forward to the present: The current Ruler, Cerdic the 3rd, is a pale shadow of his fabled ancestor. His main concern is maintaining enough order in the kingdom so that he does not have to work, which gives him more time for food, whores and drugs. The people do not care for Ceridc much, but there are no open rumours of rebellion. Yet.
This is my second draft. Dollar store coloured pencils suck balls, unfortunately. The next draft should have territories and more smaller towns and villages fleshed out, and the final version after that should have more terrain features evident.
1 Camenty, the Capital City
2 Briezel
3 Port Robinson Naval Base
4 Sauvnagon
5 Port Mercy
6 Epinyerd
7 Lujek
8 "Last Reach of the Law" Outpost
9 Zanpar
10 Denman
11 Bidwell
12 The Dwarf's Beard Mountain Chain (and the Great Rend in the middle)
13 Trinity Lake
14 The Gulf of Plenty
15 The Trackless Depths
16 Saltmarsh
17 The Golden Wastelands
The campaign:
It's Monday morning in Briezel and there are new assignments out at the Adventurer's Guild! Inside the sprawling, three storey building's main lobby is a large bulletin board with all the assignments posted up. Many adventurers are milling about, signing their names under whichever posting catches their eye. By the time you arrive, there is one unclaimed assignment left.
Quote:
Bandits Raiding Epinyerd
Reports have been coming in of outlaws stealing horses and raiding caravans near the Town of Epinyerd. While these people are outside of the protection of the law, capture of their leaders is preferred. The town has also stated that they are willing to offer an unspecified reward for a successful extermination.
There are five slots for signatures left at the bottom of the parchment.
As members of the Adventurer's Guild, you know that the Guild takes 10% of all loot acquired (does not include any given rewards) as part of their Finder's Fee. In addition, if you do not return by your stated time, a search party will be sent for you at the cost of 60% of all loot acquired if you need to be rescued.
Last edited by Ian.Fleming; 15th April 2009 at 05:41 PM..
Not caring much for which job he's assigned to, the diminutive halfling (even by their standards) stood around casually making conversation with the other adventurer's milling about. He didn't stay in any conversation long, just meandering this way and that, from person to person, and taking everything in stride. He wore leather armour and carried a dagger at his hip, sometimes taking it out and flipping it in the air to himself. Geffin moves with liquid grace and is quick with a joke, able to talk himself out of any situation his impetuousness gets him in. After getting himself the third drink of the morning purchased for him, Geffin decides it's best to sign up for something before they all fill up.
Looking at the postings, he realizes there's only one left and quickly signs his name (more accurately his mark) and waits next to the posting for someone else to sign up. Geffin pulls out his tiny dagger and begins to clean underneath his fingernails, whilst waiting.
Bharash looked on at the crowd of adventurers gathered around the bulletin board, all of them vying to get the best job. He knew if he didn't move soon, there would not be many job openings left, but the crowd made it difficult to reach the listings. Even as an average sized dragonborn, Bharash towered over many of the other adventurers, and his size meant that he did not move through crowds easily without causing bodily harm. His plate armor did not help, and neither did the battleaxe and large shield strapped to his back. And so he stood back from the throng, occassionally nodding a greeting to adventureres he recognized, and waited.
Eventually, the crowd dispersed enough for Bharash to finally move forward. Nearing the bulleting board, he noticed there was only one notice with any spaces left to sign up on. Moving as quickly as he could, he made his way to the notice and signed his name. Looking around, he notices a halfling preening himself with a dagger watching him intently from nearby. He grunts a greeting to the diminuitive adventurer, then moves back away from the bulletin board so as not to block the open notice from view.
Having closely observed the three others signing the call sheet, Richard watches a fourth approach. A lithe elf scans the note carefully and reaches into his pocket. Swiftly reaching the board and pinning a small sheet of paper to it, he says casually to the elf, “Please don’t think me odd, but I’m sure I’ve seen you before. I often frequent the local tavern, you know, with the prominent sign? Good ale, but you have to be careful not to contract any diseases from the wenches, if you get my meaning?” A look of puzzlement crosses the elf’s features and he walks quietly away, the line left blank. Straightening his finely cut but unassuming clothes, flashing a glint of mithral beneath, Richard smoothly signs his name and turns to smile openly at the halfling, his raised eyebrow arching to the sheet of paper. With that, the half- elf sits paitiently, his eyes taking everything in...
__________________ In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play
Hummin a tune to himself, Morrek ambles into the guildhall. He looks for the first open posting and signs his name after quickly scanning it. He then sits down on the floor and closes his eyes, still humming.
The halfling saunters over to the large dragonborn who just recently signed his name to the board (Bharash). " 'Ello, ain't ya a big fella? Whaddya weigh? 'bout 17 stone by my reckonin' Me name's Geffin, what's yers?" the halfling says quickly, eyeing the large axe that was nearly as tall as him, maybe taller.
Hearing the humming dwarf Zed begins a waltz, stepping in time to the dwarf's tune, though not always matching up. Fine day for a tune and a dance, good show young dwarf!
Zed does a spin and takes the nearest ladies hand and begins his waltz anew, with partner in step. Leaning in Zed whispers into the young ladies ear, at which point she reaches back and slaps Zed through the face, abruptly ending their dance. As the young lady stomps off, Zed continues to dance, holding his mirror up as if it were his partner and making kiss faces at himself.
Looking down at the halfling, Bharash thoughtfully considered the inquiries. Then, ignoring the first two questions as mere banter, he bowed slightly to Geffin before replying in his deep voice, "I am Bharash. Would I be amiss if I were to assume we are working together to track down those lawless bandits in Epinyerd?"
"Epinyard? Ain't nevah heard o' it. I s'pose if that's what the post be sayin' that's where we be headin'. It'll be fun to be fightin' alongside a big guy like yerself, ya any good with that there firewood chopper?" Geffin keeps the discussion moving. He waves over a serving wench and profers two drinks, one pint and another half-pint, giving the smaller glass to the dragonborn with a wink.
"Can't be havin' yah not thinking straight" he says with a chuckle, drawing a long draught from the mug.
Without much warning a female half orc burst into the commons. She wore form-fitting drab brown leather and several assorted blades strapped to her belt and back. Moving quickly to the bulletin board, she quite rudely shoved past the dancing Zed. Following behind her was a massive Goliath clad simply in leather pants, a rough spun tunic and a wide leather belt. His apporach was much slower and much more respectful than the half orc.
Upon seeing that all the jobs were filled she let out a curse in Giant, which made the Goliath frown at her. There's no need for that language, Letha.
Growling deep in her throat, she responded: Everett 'snot gonna be happy we have no work this week either, Craggy. Just as well the rest didn't bother comin' out.
Standing deliberately, Richard steadies the stumbling Zed gently with two fingers. “Come, fellow, shall we sit with our new companions?” Nodding once, the half-elf sits and signals for three more drinks. “And you, sturdy dwarf, will you join us?” Nodding once again, he turns to the halfling and dragonborn. With a rounded baritone, he introduces himself to them all, “Richard Borges. More than a pleasure to be working with you.”
__________________ In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play
Being shoved by the half-orc lady stops Zed from his concentrated gaze into the amulet, and brought him back to his own twisted reality. Looking down at the fingers on his arm, Zed traces the hand they belong too the wrist attached, and up the commonly dressed arm, over shoulders and neck, into the eyes of Richard as he makes declarations of friendship and introduction.
Zed gives a beaming smile, he thinks it's award winning. However it's caustic.
Thanks for the hand, such a chum and only just met. What pipes for a human, er, elf... both? Either way, with the dwarf humming and you, Richard, singing. Well I could have a crowd stare at me all day. Us, stare at us all day. We could preform and the people would be awed.
If only the rest of this crew is as talented as us, we could be famous.
Before you ask, Zed. Yes, I know, you want my autograph. The great Zed is before you, and all is right. Simply stunning aren't I? yes, indeed, quite. Zed.
MmmmmZedMoving on, I believe gracing you all with my moniker in turn requires, at some social level, that you return the favour...
The entire time Zed is speaking he makes eye contact with anyone he deems is paying attention, and stares lovingly into his mirror.
Giving sweeping bows as he says his name, over and again.
He seems to barely notice the shove from the half-orc girl, due to his being so caught up in himself, and his talented new companions.
Graciously accepting the proffered drink from Geffin, Bharash drinks while watching the spectacle created by the entrance of the half-orc and the goliath, as well as the arrival of his three new companions. Motioning for a refill of his all-too-quickly finished half-pint, he keeps an eye on the angry looking half-orc and returns most of his attention to his companions.
"Well met, Masters Borges and...Zed, was it? And to you, Master Dwarf. I am Bharash Odeyar, and my diminuitive friend here is known as Geffin, though I'm sure if given the chance he would tell you much more about himself."
Accepting his drink from the barmaid, he raises his glass.
"Shall we drink a toast to our endeavor before we begin our appointed task?"
Morrek pspeaks into his closed fist, then holds his fist up to his ear. He then approaches you all, his eyes darting about, not quite making eye contact. "Hello, how... are you doing? Are... you well?" His manner of speech is disconcerting and broken up by odd pauses, and a bit nasally and higher pitched than you'd expect based off of the size of his chest.
Clapping at the spectacle, Geffin smiles at the antics surrounding him, "Oh yes, this will be more fun than that time I hid that badger in Gildo's mattress" the halfling thinks to himself as the half-elf sings to his mirror.
Hearing a call for a toast, the halfling is quick to raise his glass.
Hearing them starting a toast really rubbed Letha's the wrong way. She started towards the group with a hand on a knife before Craggy stopped her with a hand on her shoulder and a slow shake of his head. Letha let out a final snort before the both of them left the hall.
Outside, the sun has reaches it's peak. Most of the adventurers have formed into their own groups and are making arrangements for travel with several liveried guild officials. Some of the more boisterous ones are sitting around tables and getting ready to start an evening of drinking early.
“So, gentlemen, what do you suggest we do? Shall we head out promptly in the hope of catching our quarry swiftly, or should we take some time around here to gather information about what we will be encountering?”
__________________ In every real man a child is hidden that wants to play
Finishing his second small drink and noticing the half-orc and goliath leave without causing trouble, Bharash thinks for a moment before replying.
"I think we would do best to leave immediately. Here, we are likely to find naught but rumors and hear-say, while the people of Epinyerd suffer more. Once we reach Epinyerd, we can question the townsfolk for more accurate information, and be able to defend them more readily in case the bandits attack during this time."
"Whatevah gets us a movin' I'm all for doin'. How far is this place anyways? I'm feeling a mite bit hungry." Geffin asks, his stomach rumbling for effect.
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