The_Universe
First Post
After a nice relaxing night of hunting, L'Aurel awakes to lots of muddled thoughts and concerns. The group has all agreed to meet in a few short minutes to break their fast together. She hurriedly dresses, in the newly polished elven chain and washed cloak. Not wanting to have to return to the hall each time she needs her bow she carries it with her.
She quickly goes to the door and walks to the agreed upon room. Justice and Archon are already there, “We have agreed and are prepared.” I look for confirmation and see Arhconus nod. Good… Good, and so smiling turn to see who is now entering the room. Xath slowly comes through the door, and goes first to give Justice a hug and greeting. Kaereth lumbers in with Arfin grumbling about the early morning and better things to be doing. Frarathier is the last to arrive, his omnipresent silent scowl greeting them. It’s not a friendly look, but then, little about Frarathir is friendly. At the very least, it is comfortingly familiar.
The food is good, but plain. No more or less than what the people encamped outside the walls of Hyrwl are getting, this food is at least served on fancier plates.
L’Aurel watches and listens as the group of friends make small talk, sharing tiny bits of the flurry of activity that has happened over the past 48 hours, interrupted only by the silence that accompanies shoving a bit of bread into one’s mouth. Glad to see things starting off so well, L’aurel waits until the plates and food are taken away- thanking the servant by name.
L'Aurel rises, "I thank you all for the wonderful meal, and for what you have already done for these people. I asked you here for more then to just eat a meal, though the jokes and time have been nice. I first want to share something with you, and only you... something I did not mention before. I think you all have seen this (taking off pendant and holding it up). It is all I have of my mother, and what will identify me to the Woodshadow's people.
I know only one other being that has this same necklace, Link's daughter. She must also now be assumed an enemy, though I know not for which side. I tell you this now, so you know now my whole story and all that I have. If something happens to me take the pendant, though it holds nothing but sentimental value I would not see if end in the hands of the enemy even as a trinket. This pendant is a symbol of the Woodshadow. The people he trained in secret, carry this mark as a tattoo in places I have already told you. In light of this, and I hope you all will support me, I am going to commission a banner made that carries this symbol."
Look to Justice to talk about the Phoenix banner and enchantment (See post #215)...
once things die down again....
Pulling a parchment from the side table, where she laid it at the beginning of the meal, "I also would ask all of you to look at what Duke Greyclaw, Arin Inelliron, and I have prepared for the King. News is even now spreading of Oceanus and of me... Hopefully this will ensure the King that Hyrwl still is in the hands of the kingdom, but it will give him more then just a prick in his side." Unrolling the parchment she slides it to the middle of the table...
"To His Majesty, King Tain I, 23rd King of the Falcon Kingdom,
I write you with the deepest sadness weighing down my heart. You proxy,
Baron Edriss Kiva, Lord Hyrwl, was slain a few short days ago by traitors to
The crown. Though swift justice was dealt to those who wronged the rightful Ruler of the Barony, here, Baron Kiva did not live through the night.
But all was not lost, for true blood of the Woodshadow has been found! A
granddaughter, long hidden from us, emerged from the shadows to guide the barony through this time of mourning for their Lord. Even now she takes her rightful seat, and has promised to serve the throne until the last strength has left her hands. Hyrwl finally has its rightful Baroness! L'Aurel
Woodshadow has come!
Business of the throne demands that Lady Hyrwl places herself in grave danger. She has pledged to see Oceanus free, with Duke Greyclaw back upon his throne within a year’s time. Yet, she understands your need to battle the Bluestar on faraway shores. She has contacted an army that shall help her free her people—the Army of the Phoenix. They have come to her aid!
I am to assure you that Hyrwl, and the surrounding barony, will use all of its resources in the best interests of the Throne. Lastly, I am to tell you two words, spoken from my Lady's own lips: 'We Know.'
Rule in truth,
--Arin Inelliron (Greyclaw), Regent of the Barony of Hyrwl."
Wait for end of the discussion....
“Here are also letters to the rulers surrounding us, and to the high alder calling them to our side,” Looking to Xath to present.
Wait for end of the discussion....
L'Aurel looks to Frarathier, "We also spoke to Father Dorn. I kept going over what happened with Xath in the temple, and something he said finally clicked. I am only sorry it took me so long to remember, but he spoke of gaining some of his 'powers' on the Isle of Mourning. I went yesterday to make sure he was okay and to ask of this." Chuckling, "We all know how that can go, but Frarathier came in and mentioned Nightgrove’s name. Father Dorn it seems shares your hatred of the King’s Huntsman. There is much he is bound not to say, but he could tell us that the Isle of Morning is Mordred's Isle. This makes two blades here, one in Oceanus and one on the Isle of Mourning with my ancestors tomb." Looking to Frarathier to see if wants to add anything, "The book they were looking for in the monastery.. it seems Frarathier liberated it. he has also been studying it, and well... he has reason to believe that not all the blades are well, blades. The one of the isle of mourning he thinks is actually a bow."
Returns to look at Frarathier and see if he will speak...
"Frarathier has also done such a good job of training some men, that I think that he should be made head of the militia, if his oath to the Talon permits. Arfin will help to teach hand-to-hand combat, but we will have other needs of him, as well. I will help out as I can, and I ask all of you the same. These people need to be able to defend themselves and could use all of our talents to do so. Our loyalties have been disparate of late, but now must come difficult choices. Are our loyalties to each other? I, for one, will stand with you all, as an ally."
This is a good place for the Oath of Alliance, and any individual oaths you want to make. Jeramiah’s words put forth by someone else maybe, “we begin our campaign with a guerrilla effort. We train several squads of quick, stealthy troops (I'm thinking teams of 10-12) to go in, do a quick strike, and come out again. We'll need several, independently operating groups that will also need to be very careful about coming back to Hyrwl, as leading the bad guys to us before we're ready would be bad (although hopefully we'll have some defenses up by then so that we have a shot if the worst happens). One of the first goals might be to rescue those squatters in the barracks as they are on the edge of the town. This also gives us some flexibility in that, if we lead the first few skirmishes and train up teams that can operate without us...
Archon: Stealth, archery, close-combat- teach sneakery and unarmed fighting
Arfin: Close-combat, tank. Some ranged.- teach melee weapons
Fareathir: Archery, Cavalry, close-combat- teach archery, riding
Justice: Close combat, aerial cavalry, some ranged- teach melee weapons
Kaereth: Close-combat- teach unarmed fighting
Laurel: Stealth, archery, Yoshi –teach sneakery, archery
Xath: Deception, misdirection, some archery, some close-combat- teaches the arts of deception, misdirection and such skills.
With this framework in mind, we could, in fact, open up a Warrior Academy of sorts, to bring in outsiders who want weapons training. And their payments can serve to fill the coffers of the refugees, as we've discussed the 17000 is probably not going to be enough to keep this place going for very long. Thus, we train and raise an army to take back Oceanus AND with new students' donations, we help the refugees settle successfully in Hyrwl and vicinity.” Discuss...
"Xath has also expressed a concern over the daily routine of getting a city built, keeping the people happy, and well defended." L’aurel looks and motions to Xath, “One Separation of useful specialties: Masons, Loggers, Carpenters, Food Preparation, etc. Those with skills not inherently useful to this situation (IE, sailors, dockworkers) should be put to manual labor or should be apprenticed to the useful skills.
2. Set up of a crèche. Those without a trade will work in shifts at the Creche, while others work on setting up the new city. Those children old enough can be used as messengers and put in charge of menial tasks. Only during post breakfast and pre-dinner hours.
In most situations such as this, the economy is reduced to a barter system and takes quite a while to recover. In order to prevent this, the duke and baroness should use the funds allotted (17,100 gp or some part thereof) to keep the economy stimulated. Firstly, all laborers should be paid a standard wage for work done, as though the entire populace were working for the government. Therefore, technically the Barony and the Duke “own” every resource produced until the trade market is stable enough to hand it back to the people.
If a permanent settlement is to be made here, we must know more about the resources of the area. Send out cartographers and scouts to determine sources for food, water, resources, etc. We also need to determine key danger areas, locate them and prepare appropriate defenses. These can also be done through the scouting parties Kareth (or whoever is speaking for Jeramiah) has spoken of.
A defensive barrier should be set up about the circumference of the expanded city, leaving some room for growth. It would be wise to use a combination of manual defenses and magic. Hopefully the remains of the mage tower will help as they are defending themselves through this. Around the wall, trees should be cleared out about 100 yards away from the wall, eliminating the chance of surprise on the city. If the army of Oceanus decides to move, the city should not be undefended. Afrin would you send word to our (not sure here what Xath would put!!) your dwarven brothers for help?
If we are missing skilled artisans from any crucial profession, word should be sent out to neighboring cities asking for aid.
... discussion...
"I know there is much on each of our plates now, but I would ask one to carry even more. What I ask may come as a surprise, but through all our experiences and choices it seems now is the time to decide who will lead us. Someone must be the public face of the Army of the Phoenix. We must have someone to listen to all our ideas, but then take them and make the last decision for us if there is a question. Someone to know the groups feelings individually, but focus us as one. If we are to be arrows, than we must also have a bow.”
Look to Archonus - to start the cheers for Justice…cheers and jollyment and any last discussion…
Once things die down again L'Aurel will simply slightly smile and nod to Justice, and then Archonus, "Now, for the future. Though we have set leaders among ourselves, each of us must lead people of our own. Arfin will be our eyes and ears among the deep, dwarven citadels. Frarathir will be our greatest general, should he wish it. Even Kaereth will have lives to lead into the great battle ahead. Xath is the glue that will hold the people together, here. But she will also be our spy. I? I will be our legitimacy, at least until Jaine Rhynn can be brought here. I am our shield against the false laws of the King, and I will do all that I can to keep our flight true.”
Discuss….
She quickly goes to the door and walks to the agreed upon room. Justice and Archon are already there, “We have agreed and are prepared.” I look for confirmation and see Arhconus nod. Good… Good, and so smiling turn to see who is now entering the room. Xath slowly comes through the door, and goes first to give Justice a hug and greeting. Kaereth lumbers in with Arfin grumbling about the early morning and better things to be doing. Frarathier is the last to arrive, his omnipresent silent scowl greeting them. It’s not a friendly look, but then, little about Frarathir is friendly. At the very least, it is comfortingly familiar.
The food is good, but plain. No more or less than what the people encamped outside the walls of Hyrwl are getting, this food is at least served on fancier plates.
L’Aurel watches and listens as the group of friends make small talk, sharing tiny bits of the flurry of activity that has happened over the past 48 hours, interrupted only by the silence that accompanies shoving a bit of bread into one’s mouth. Glad to see things starting off so well, L’aurel waits until the plates and food are taken away- thanking the servant by name.
L'Aurel rises, "I thank you all for the wonderful meal, and for what you have already done for these people. I asked you here for more then to just eat a meal, though the jokes and time have been nice. I first want to share something with you, and only you... something I did not mention before. I think you all have seen this (taking off pendant and holding it up). It is all I have of my mother, and what will identify me to the Woodshadow's people.
I know only one other being that has this same necklace, Link's daughter. She must also now be assumed an enemy, though I know not for which side. I tell you this now, so you know now my whole story and all that I have. If something happens to me take the pendant, though it holds nothing but sentimental value I would not see if end in the hands of the enemy even as a trinket. This pendant is a symbol of the Woodshadow. The people he trained in secret, carry this mark as a tattoo in places I have already told you. In light of this, and I hope you all will support me, I am going to commission a banner made that carries this symbol."
Look to Justice to talk about the Phoenix banner and enchantment (See post #215)...
once things die down again....
Pulling a parchment from the side table, where she laid it at the beginning of the meal, "I also would ask all of you to look at what Duke Greyclaw, Arin Inelliron, and I have prepared for the King. News is even now spreading of Oceanus and of me... Hopefully this will ensure the King that Hyrwl still is in the hands of the kingdom, but it will give him more then just a prick in his side." Unrolling the parchment she slides it to the middle of the table...
"To His Majesty, King Tain I, 23rd King of the Falcon Kingdom,
I write you with the deepest sadness weighing down my heart. You proxy,
Baron Edriss Kiva, Lord Hyrwl, was slain a few short days ago by traitors to
The crown. Though swift justice was dealt to those who wronged the rightful Ruler of the Barony, here, Baron Kiva did not live through the night.
But all was not lost, for true blood of the Woodshadow has been found! A
granddaughter, long hidden from us, emerged from the shadows to guide the barony through this time of mourning for their Lord. Even now she takes her rightful seat, and has promised to serve the throne until the last strength has left her hands. Hyrwl finally has its rightful Baroness! L'Aurel
Woodshadow has come!
Business of the throne demands that Lady Hyrwl places herself in grave danger. She has pledged to see Oceanus free, with Duke Greyclaw back upon his throne within a year’s time. Yet, she understands your need to battle the Bluestar on faraway shores. She has contacted an army that shall help her free her people—the Army of the Phoenix. They have come to her aid!
I am to assure you that Hyrwl, and the surrounding barony, will use all of its resources in the best interests of the Throne. Lastly, I am to tell you two words, spoken from my Lady's own lips: 'We Know.'
Rule in truth,
--Arin Inelliron (Greyclaw), Regent of the Barony of Hyrwl."
Wait for end of the discussion....
“Here are also letters to the rulers surrounding us, and to the high alder calling them to our side,” Looking to Xath to present.
Wait for end of the discussion....
L'Aurel looks to Frarathier, "We also spoke to Father Dorn. I kept going over what happened with Xath in the temple, and something he said finally clicked. I am only sorry it took me so long to remember, but he spoke of gaining some of his 'powers' on the Isle of Mourning. I went yesterday to make sure he was okay and to ask of this." Chuckling, "We all know how that can go, but Frarathier came in and mentioned Nightgrove’s name. Father Dorn it seems shares your hatred of the King’s Huntsman. There is much he is bound not to say, but he could tell us that the Isle of Morning is Mordred's Isle. This makes two blades here, one in Oceanus and one on the Isle of Mourning with my ancestors tomb." Looking to Frarathier to see if wants to add anything, "The book they were looking for in the monastery.. it seems Frarathier liberated it. he has also been studying it, and well... he has reason to believe that not all the blades are well, blades. The one of the isle of mourning he thinks is actually a bow."
Returns to look at Frarathier and see if he will speak...
"Frarathier has also done such a good job of training some men, that I think that he should be made head of the militia, if his oath to the Talon permits. Arfin will help to teach hand-to-hand combat, but we will have other needs of him, as well. I will help out as I can, and I ask all of you the same. These people need to be able to defend themselves and could use all of our talents to do so. Our loyalties have been disparate of late, but now must come difficult choices. Are our loyalties to each other? I, for one, will stand with you all, as an ally."
This is a good place for the Oath of Alliance, and any individual oaths you want to make. Jeramiah’s words put forth by someone else maybe, “we begin our campaign with a guerrilla effort. We train several squads of quick, stealthy troops (I'm thinking teams of 10-12) to go in, do a quick strike, and come out again. We'll need several, independently operating groups that will also need to be very careful about coming back to Hyrwl, as leading the bad guys to us before we're ready would be bad (although hopefully we'll have some defenses up by then so that we have a shot if the worst happens). One of the first goals might be to rescue those squatters in the barracks as they are on the edge of the town. This also gives us some flexibility in that, if we lead the first few skirmishes and train up teams that can operate without us...
Archon: Stealth, archery, close-combat- teach sneakery and unarmed fighting
Arfin: Close-combat, tank. Some ranged.- teach melee weapons
Fareathir: Archery, Cavalry, close-combat- teach archery, riding
Justice: Close combat, aerial cavalry, some ranged- teach melee weapons
Kaereth: Close-combat- teach unarmed fighting
Laurel: Stealth, archery, Yoshi –teach sneakery, archery
Xath: Deception, misdirection, some archery, some close-combat- teaches the arts of deception, misdirection and such skills.
With this framework in mind, we could, in fact, open up a Warrior Academy of sorts, to bring in outsiders who want weapons training. And their payments can serve to fill the coffers of the refugees, as we've discussed the 17000 is probably not going to be enough to keep this place going for very long. Thus, we train and raise an army to take back Oceanus AND with new students' donations, we help the refugees settle successfully in Hyrwl and vicinity.” Discuss...
"Xath has also expressed a concern over the daily routine of getting a city built, keeping the people happy, and well defended." L’aurel looks and motions to Xath, “One Separation of useful specialties: Masons, Loggers, Carpenters, Food Preparation, etc. Those with skills not inherently useful to this situation (IE, sailors, dockworkers) should be put to manual labor or should be apprenticed to the useful skills.
2. Set up of a crèche. Those without a trade will work in shifts at the Creche, while others work on setting up the new city. Those children old enough can be used as messengers and put in charge of menial tasks. Only during post breakfast and pre-dinner hours.
In most situations such as this, the economy is reduced to a barter system and takes quite a while to recover. In order to prevent this, the duke and baroness should use the funds allotted (17,100 gp or some part thereof) to keep the economy stimulated. Firstly, all laborers should be paid a standard wage for work done, as though the entire populace were working for the government. Therefore, technically the Barony and the Duke “own” every resource produced until the trade market is stable enough to hand it back to the people.
If a permanent settlement is to be made here, we must know more about the resources of the area. Send out cartographers and scouts to determine sources for food, water, resources, etc. We also need to determine key danger areas, locate them and prepare appropriate defenses. These can also be done through the scouting parties Kareth (or whoever is speaking for Jeramiah) has spoken of.
A defensive barrier should be set up about the circumference of the expanded city, leaving some room for growth. It would be wise to use a combination of manual defenses and magic. Hopefully the remains of the mage tower will help as they are defending themselves through this. Around the wall, trees should be cleared out about 100 yards away from the wall, eliminating the chance of surprise on the city. If the army of Oceanus decides to move, the city should not be undefended. Afrin would you send word to our (not sure here what Xath would put!!) your dwarven brothers for help?
If we are missing skilled artisans from any crucial profession, word should be sent out to neighboring cities asking for aid.
... discussion...
"I know there is much on each of our plates now, but I would ask one to carry even more. What I ask may come as a surprise, but through all our experiences and choices it seems now is the time to decide who will lead us. Someone must be the public face of the Army of the Phoenix. We must have someone to listen to all our ideas, but then take them and make the last decision for us if there is a question. Someone to know the groups feelings individually, but focus us as one. If we are to be arrows, than we must also have a bow.”
Look to Archonus - to start the cheers for Justice…cheers and jollyment and any last discussion…
Once things die down again L'Aurel will simply slightly smile and nod to Justice, and then Archonus, "Now, for the future. Though we have set leaders among ourselves, each of us must lead people of our own. Arfin will be our eyes and ears among the deep, dwarven citadels. Frarathir will be our greatest general, should he wish it. Even Kaereth will have lives to lead into the great battle ahead. Xath is the glue that will hold the people together, here. But she will also be our spy. I? I will be our legitimacy, at least until Jaine Rhynn can be brought here. I am our shield against the false laws of the King, and I will do all that I can to keep our flight true.”
Discuss….
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