[3.5] Answering the Call

[Mark Chance]

The valley of Haven was once a peaceful land. Its crops were abundant, and its citizens prosperous. Elves, dwarves, halflings, and humans lived together in harmony. Guarding the pass through the Thunder Mountains, Haven was a safe place to live, with sweet rivers and pleasant weather. No one remembers how and why Haven remained so peaceful despite its proximity to the monster-infested Thunder Mountains. What is remembered is the last ruler of Haven, the Princess Argenta. She lived in a palace of white shining marble, which glowed like silver when the sun set. Princess Argenta was beloved by all her people for her justness.

Old timers also remember the start of the trouble. On the anniversary of Argenta's birth, the dwarves brought her a priceless ruby the size of an apple. When the ruby, called My Lady's Heart, was presented to Argenta, disaster struck. Dark clouds hid the moon and a freezing wind blew through the valley. The crops withered in the fields. Cattled died. From the palace came an explosion that breeched parts of the walls. When the dust cleared, it could be seen that a ruby glow surrounded the entire palace.

That was nearly a century ago. The people of Haven mostly fled to the south, into the neighboring Realm. Unfortunately, the forces of evil have started to test the Realm's borderlands. Evil creatures -- orcs, goblins, hobgoblins, and worse -- have infested a warren of caves now called the Caves of Chaos. The brave defenders of Borderland Keep are hard-pressed. And so the call went out: Adventurers needed!

You and your companions have answered that call. You have traveled for many days, leaving the Realm and entering the wilder area of the Borderlands. Farms and towns have become less frequent and travellers few. The road has climbed higher as you enter the forested and mountainous country. Ahead, up the winding road atop a sheer-walled mount of stone, looms Borderland Keep. Here, at one of civilization's strongholds between the Realm and cursed valley of Haven, you plan to base yourselves and equip for forays against the wicked monsters who lurk in the wilds. Somewhere nearby, amidst the dark forests and tangled fens, are the Caves of Chaos where the fell creatures lair.

[sblock=OOC Instructions]Take a bit of time to introduce and describe your characters. Assume you all know each other, having decided to travel together to Borderland Keep in search of the unknown.[/sblock]

 

[Rhun]

"Well, there be our goal," booms Orinar's deep, bass voice to his companions, as he pauses to rest a moment and consider the scene ahead. The giant-kin was large, towering head and shoulder over any of his companions, and strong, with corded, iron-hard muscles; still, even he wasn't immune to the effects of a long march in heavy armor, with a pack full of gear. Sweat beaded on the sides of his head, where the hair had been shaven away, and Orinar wiped it away with the back of one gauntleted hand. Only along the crown of his skull did Orinar's raven black hair grow long, which he then braided and wore flowing down the center of his back. The warrior believe it to make him look more fierce; not that the imposing brute really needed to look anymore fierce. His sheer size, cold eyes and scowling face generally accomplished that task well enough.

"I hope that place has something that serves as a tavern. A mug or two of cool ale would do me well."

Orinar Giantsblood:

 

[Runewind]

"I'll be happy as long as they have chairs" Said Menno who surely seemed like a timidly squeaking mouse in comparison to the rather large and fierce looking half-giant he stood near. He is a little under average human height, making him seem all the smaller near someone so imposing.

Standing to the side of the group, draping his hands over the spear he held on his shoulders, Menno looked at the keep. "We've been at this for days." he said in a tired voice.

 

[Rhun]

"Ha," laughs the Giantsblood, slapping his slight companion on the back, with almost enough force to tumble him. "And perhaps they'll be some wenches, eh? Though on this rugged frontier, I'm certain they won't have much in the way of looks!" Orinar laughs loudly, his good natured side showing through his imposing stature.

 

[Runewind]

"...and that's going to stop you?" Said Menno with a big grin and a small laugh after standing erect after taking such a heavy slap to his back. He was always quick of wit and rarely restrained himself from making light of a situation or person.

 

[Mark Chance]

Orinar and Menno come to the fork in the road. To the south, the Winding River can be heard rushing over rocks as it races back to the southwest. The lesser used branch of the road heads more or less due east, through the Silent Woods toward the ruins of Haven.

The northern branch leads to Borderland Keep, which is now little more than 300 yards away. The keep sits atop a sheer-walled mount of stone. It represents the last bastion of civilization, facing down the inhospitable wilderness beyond.

The pair of adventurers move up the narrow, rocky track. A sheer wall of natural stone is on their left. The path falls away to a steep cliff on the right. There is a small widening ahead, where the main gate to the keep is. The blue-clad men-at-arms who guard the entrance from atop the wall snap to attention as they see Orinar and Menno approach.

One of them calls down, "State your names and your business!"

All along the wall, Orinar and Menno see curious faces peering down. Their expressions are welcoming, but their readied halberds and crossbows speak a silent warning to would-be troublemakers.

 

[Rhun]

"Ha, of course it won't stop me, my friend. I've the same tastes as my father. How do you think I came to be?" The half giant breaks into another bomming laugh, and then points ahead to the keep. "Let us continue on, and see what this day holds for us!" Orinar smiles and heads off toward their destination.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the call from the guards, Orinar pulls up sharp and holds his hands up in a gesture of peaceful greeting. Sometimes judged by his size, he didn't like to take chances that someone might mistake him as a short ogre, and attack without giving him a chance to speak. "We come in peace, friends. I am Orinar, called the Giantsblood, and this is my companion Menno. We have heard your call that adventurers are sought, and have answered. We come in your time of need, to offer our services."

 

[Runewind]

Following shortly behind his companion Menno walked in a relaxed manner taking in all the scenery as they approached the keep. His chin-length, dark russet, fine hair wafting about carelessly with every step as he glided across the path in the shadow of his large friend.

--

"So if you let us in we can get to killing things for you all the sooner." Said Menno half-jokingly to clear himself of his nervousness that always happened to occur when polearm and crossbow wielding authorities were involved.

 

[Rhun]

Orinar smiles and nods as Menno adds his words, and the whispers to his companion. "And hopefully they're payin', 'cause I ain't got but a coupla gold coins to my name."

 

[Runewind]

Looking up toward his mountain of a partner Menno whispered "I should hope they're paying. That warm and fuzzy feeling from helping others won't do much to feed us." with a deadpan tone and only the slightest of smirks.

 

[Scott DeWar]

Branden of Alt Wald, cleric of Pelor

the young freckled man walks the road at a slower pace then a normal traveler as he has a bit of a load on his sholders, but he none thee less trudges on. He has traveled roads for sometime as he would with his priestess mother, so wearieness is not the issue, though the memory of a good dark lager on his lips does cause him to be motivated to move a step or two more lively!

He stops for a moment to gaze on the castle and to spit out the road dust in his mouth. He then takes a drink of water to clear out his voice, should he need to speak, and being a priest, speaking is always going to happen. In fact the only one who speaks more the clerics is bards and they just...never mind, he just needs to get to the gate...

 

[Mark Chance]

Chuckles drift down from the wall in response to Menno's bravado about killing, but it doesn't seem as if the light laughter mocks.

"Hold your horses," says the guard. "Who're you?"

Coming up the path behind Orinar and Menno is another traveler, this one a young freckled man. He introduces himself as "Branden of Alt Wald" and states he too has answered the call for adventurers.

"Very good, then," the guard atop the replies. He raises his halberd and raps the butt-end against the wall. Curiously, the sound is an unstone-like thunk! thunk! accompanied by the jangle of chimes. "Open the gate!"

The gate scrapes open. Two guards -- on on each side -- stand ready. One winks at the adventurers as they enter.

"Good luck to ya," he says.

On the other side of the gate is an entry yard. The animal smells of the stable hang thick in the air. Not too far to the right, the stable doors stand open. A few boys -- dirty and one holding a filthy rake -- gawk at the adventurers.

A guard dressed in platemail and carrying a shield approaches the adventurers. A longsword and dagger are at his waist. The guard's tunic device identifies him as a watch corporal. With him is a man in the brown and white robes of the Guild of Scribes. In his ink-stained fingers, he holds a quill, a bottle of ink, and a book into which he busily scribbles, exhibiting remarkable skill as he balances all of his accessories at the same time he writes.

"I'm Mitch, Corporal of the Day Watch," the soldier growls. "This here scribbler's noting your names and arrival date. Any time you go, you sign out. If you come back, and you ain't signed out, you ain't getting back in. Vice versa applies. Your access is limited to the outer bailey. Cause any trouble, and you'll end up in the stocks...or worse."

He pauses for a bit to spit on the dusty ground.

"You! Boy!" One of the stable boys starts at the barked words. "Take these men to the traveler's inn!"

The boy -- a slight youth of no more than fourteen -- nods and races forward. "This way, sirs," he says.

He leads the adventurers south along the 20-foot-wide entry yard that hugs the outer wall. At the southeast tower, the yard bends to the west. In addition to the stable, the adventurers pass a warehouse, a fortified building the youth identifies as belonging to the bailiff, several private residences along the south wall, a buildings bearing the signs of a money lender, a provisioner, and a trader, and finally to a fountain square against the southwest wall. Curious people, most of them civilians, stop and stare at the adventurers for a bit before resuming their business.

The fountain is large, of carved stone resembling frolicking water nymphs. Water gushes from the top and trickles musically to the basin. The square is somewhat large and irregularly shaped, about 50 feet wide west to east and about 60 feet long at its longest point north to south.

"That there's the traveler's inn," the boys says. "Next to it is the tavern."

[sblock=OOC]We'll pause here for reactions, questions, conversation.[/sblock]

 

[Rhun]

Orinar smiles and nods greeting to the other adventure, Brandon of Alt Wald. "Greetings, friend," he says amiably, looking down upon the (much) smaller man. "I am Orinar, and my companion is Menno."

---

Later, as they make their way through the outer bailey, the half-giant takes in the sights, noting each place of business for future reference, should they have need of it. "It is like they built the village inside of the castle. Not too strange, I guess, given the dangers we've heard of in the area."

As they stop before the Travellers Inn, Orinar tosses the boy a copper coin. "Thank you, young one."

 

[Runewind]

"Oh, fun...stocks." Menno speaks under his breath.

---

Menno takes a moment to marvel at the large fountain; he looks at each of the carved nymphs, enjoying the beauty of both the sculpture and nature of the creatures themselves. After a moment of marveling at the fountain Menno looks about the square noticing the curiosity in the eyes of the people around him. Ignoring the curious looks Menno takes the time to fill his waterskin and take a sip of the fountain's water before catching back up with the group being led by the youth.

---

"Great! An inn" Menno says excitedly. "You'll be a little more interested in the tavern right, Orinar?" He jokes. "I might join you though I'm not much of a drinker."

 

[Scott DeWar]

At the sight of the In Branden speaks up, " Ach! Das Ale Haus! Ist all goot now! " then looking to the lad he asks him in his thick accent, " Vere vee meet das uber Meister? Das Ale Haus?" he ends his question thumbing to the tavern. His other hand is digging for a couple of coppers for the guide.

 

[Mark Chance]

[sblock=OOC]Sorry for the inexcusable hold up. Rayex, you're the lonely halfling.[/sblock]

The boy-guide takes the offered coins. "Thanks!" he says with genuine gratitude, and then he runs off back toward the main gate.

The general mood seeming in favor of the "Ale Haus!", the three adventurers head toward the tavern. The wooden sign out front depicts a goblin's head with an arrow through its skull from ear to ear. In Common under the chin are the words, "The Pierced Goblin".

The tavern itself is a largish structure. The facade -- painted with cheerful colors -- is about fifty feet wide west to east. It abuts the west wall on its left and the inn on its right. The building has a small second story on the eastern 20 feet of the structure.

As Menno, Branden, and Orinar reach the door, they can hear raucous laughter and someone playing a spirited tune on a harpsichord. Inside, the adventurers see a single, large room about twenty feet deep north to south. A trapdoor in the northeastern corner of the floor is open. A serving wench -- a stout, functional girl of about 20 years -- emerges from the basement, a tray of tankards expertly balanced on one hand.

Two rows of wooden columns support the peaked ceiling, which is cross-braced by rafters. The interior is brightly lit by several oil lamps. Various hunting trophies, including the head of a rather large wolf, adorn the walls. Examples of weapons attached to plaques are also present. There is a stage against the far west wall. A gnome sits on a high stool, playing the harpsichord with more gusto than skill, but it's obvious he's enjoying himself.

There are no soldiers present. One large table seats five armed and armored individuals, perhaps another adventuring party. At the head of this table is a dwarf in chain mail. His tabard is made of fine cloth and sports a coat-of-arms in gold, green, and sable. Its device is a bear rampant. With him are a half-elf woman in comfortable traveling attire, twin human men in studded leather and dark green cloaks, and a willowy, androgynous elf in robes and a beret. Assorted weapons lay on the table or on the floor close at hand. These patrons acknowledge the adventurers arrival with little more than a glance that hardly interrupts their boisterous conversation.

Another table is occupied by a single individual, a halfling.

In the center of the far eastern wall are steep stairs leading up to the second story.

A lad of about sixteen approaches the adventurers. "I'm Piotr, tavernkeeper's son," he introduces himself. "Have a seat, please. We've ale for a silver a pint, and fresh bread, a copper a slice. Hot pies are a silver." He glances up at Orinar. "An entire roast fowl is a steal at a single gold."

 

[Scott DeWar]

" Fiend, I wish for ale, a meat pie and a loaf of bread. Keep the ale flowing to me if you please." he hands him a gold.

Looking about he sees the lone halfling and ponders, " ist not good for halflings to drink alone. Das table zere, Ja?" he directs his question to the other two.

 

[Runewind]

As they enter and take in the atmosphere of the tavern Menno cannot help but release a small, quiet chuckle at the harpsichord playing gnome.

--

"I'll have what he's having, but could you cook my bread a little longer?" replied Menno while digging through his clothing for the necessary coin.

--

"I'm not entirely opposed to sitting there...what about you, Orinar?"

 

[Scott DeWar]

While Mennor and Orinar talk, Branden will walk to the lone halfling and gesture to the empty seats while asking, "Goot sir, ve vish to eat und drink und vith you sit here please?

 

[Rhun]

"Ale, and meat pies," says Orinar to the boy. He looks at Menno and shrugs. "I need to save what little gold I have until we find ourselves a job that pays well."

Unlike Branden, Orinar doesn't have the manners to ask to sit down. He simply plops down on a chair at the halfling's table, the furniture groaning ponderously under his bulk, and smiles. "Greetings, small one. I am Orinar."