[4e] The Wolfcrown, Chapter 1

[DistractingFlare]

When Squeal opens the book, the charred pages fall out. The pages are completely burned, and they fall to cinders upon opening it.

[sblock=ooc]You still have to decide for certain whether to stay in the Vale or to return to Proper. Torath and Baern vote to stay.[/sblock]

The priests of the temple of Adele have set up a ritual station from which you could send a message to Captain Scultone without having to pay for components, should you choose to stay.

 

[Rathan]

Doren nods to the priests that send word to him about the ability to make contact with the Captain and relays the information to his companions.

"In light of this new information I also agree that until given another mission of more importance we stay here and protect the queen. I should ask who would like to speak on behalf of the group in the message to be sent to the Captain and what exactly should we relay for information to him?" Doren said before falling silent for others to place ideas in the 'hat' so to speak on the situation.

 

[Shayuri]

"No need to be poetic about it," Thorn said. "One assassin stopped. Thomas compromised, now dead. Believe Queen is in further danger, staying here until situation resolved."

 

[industrygothica]

"Well, that's done then," Baern says. "Unless the bucket o' bolts wants to argue," he adds with a wink.

"I believe I'll go to me house now. It's a bit strange havin' windows."

 

[Rathan]

Doren shook his head softly at Thorn. His eyes looking down at her sternly and with steadfast resolve.

"Call Thomas what you will Thorn but his family need... nay.. deserves to know happened to him. He was one of us once and deserves more than just a few words. Doren spoke as he turned and moved towards the church where they have the sending ritual set up for them the speak, taking upon himself to deliver the bittersweet news to the Captain.

Doren got set up as the priest milled and set up the sending ritual. Once ready Doren spoke.

"The queen is safe Captain but not out of danger just yet. One assassin has been dispatched, however, our group still feels there will be more threats to her life. We have chosen to remain here unless dire circumstances pull us from her side. Much to my dismay I must report we have lost one of our own. Thomas was compromised under circumstances still not known and breathed his final breath fighting from what I was told. Please take it upon yourself Sir to notify any living family you must and tell them what you can to make him look as if he'd done the right thing. His family needs not to know weather or not their own was serving the good or the evil. The loss has me and some of my allies here concerned but we press forward with our resolve none the less. Please send word back if there is any on the Blackmoor front of this grievous plot unfolding."

As Doren finishes the message he gathers his thoughts, ill or otherwise, and moves silently back to his new home to rest, it had been a VERY long day.

 

[DistractingFlare]

As you all retire for the night, the tranquility of the White Vale envelops you and lulls you into a peaceful sleep.

In the morning, you are woken by the priest of the temple of Adele, who alerts you that you've been summoned to the temple by the queen.

When you reach the temple, Queen Springseer is already waiting for you. Once everybody has arrived, she faces the party and speaks.

"Good morning, friends. I trust that you had a restful night in your new houses. The sending circle has received word from Captain Scultone."

She motions to the attendant to begin replaying the message. Suddenly, with a click and a magical humming, Captain Scultone's voice emanates from the center of the room.

"Good morning. This is Captain Scultone. First, let me say that I'm sorry about your friend's death. My agents have done a bit of digging and discovered that he may have been planted among you purposefully by The Cloak in order to broadcast your information to them through rituals. We found a note in the journal he kept in his home that mentioned a mysterious debt that he'd have to repay. I'll continue that investigation, and perhaps when you return, you can look into it a bit more thoroughly."

The crackling intensifies, and the attending priest adjusts one of the pulsating stones on the floor.

"As you know, I sent another team to Port September to try to pick up Captain Teach. Those agents have sent word that they've captured Teach, and that they're holding him in an abandoned building outside of Port September. Their vessel was destroyed before they could set sail, and now they're stranded across the sea with no reinforcements and the most wanted criminal in the entire world. Our communications line was broken sometime yesterday. I'm prepping a rescue team to go get them tomorrow. One thing they said before we lost contact though - they said that Port September was almost empty - as if the entire Cloak had just evaporated."

"If you think the queen may be in danger, I support your decision to stay. However, once you've secured the Vale, I'll need you back here."

The noise dies away, and you all look at each other. The Queen looks on grimly.

"As you can see, we seem to be fighting a war on many fronts. The news of The Cloak's movement disturbs me rather greatly. Please, be ready for anything. I fear that they may yet make another attempt on The Vale."

 

[Phaezen]

Squeal looks at the rest of the group, standing

"This one wonders what the group thinks we should do, I... this one thinks we may have stirred up a hornet's nest."

Squeal fidgets slightly with a new trident it has acquired.

 

[HolyMan]

Torath wonders at what the group really could do to protect the queen. Aside from standing watch over her, along with the rangers or keeping her safely locked away he couldn't think of anything better to do.

He stands and waits for others to voice any opinions or ideals to protect the queen.

[sblock=ooc] I would say use a decoy to lure out any assassins but Torath isn't that worldly. He hasn't seen all the movies I have LOL [/sblock]

 

[industrygothica]

Bern chews on his tongue for a moment and then speaks. "They know we're here, and they know we're watchin'. Might be some time a'fore they hit us again so's they think our guard is down... and it just might be. Might be that we ought to be buildin' a scenario to our own likin' to try and draw them out." He pauses and looks at the others.

"O' course, it might be that they're just waitin' on the reinforcements t'get here from Port September, so's they can hit us with more numbers than we can handle."

 

[DistractingFlare]

The Queen nods.

"Perhaps you are right, Sir Baern. The threat of an army of assassins does not bode well. I believe that we all could be in danger. For now, I will pull all of our rangers back to the Vale so that we may mount a capable defense. Would you, my brave knights, accept my request that you stay within the Vale until my forces can return?"

[sblock=ooc]Haven't heard from Rathan or Shayuri lately. Any input?[/sblock]