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Adventures in the Eastern Provinces
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<blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 7502664" data-attributes="member: 1210"><p>When Dolorous Pete and the party arrive at the Double Javelins' main encampment, Kane announces their arrival by hurling Thannox' decapitated head into the midst of the guards at the gate. </p><p></p><p>“The gig is up, gentlemen,” announces Karlinden.</p><p></p><p>“Everybody listen up!” roars Kane. “Thannox is dead, and you're now under my command!” </p><p></p><p>“Best listen, everyone,” Dolorous Pete says.</p><p></p><p>There are a few tense moments, and Kane knocks one man down with a mailed fist, but no real violence is required to secure the new order. The Double Javelins, after all, will be happy enough to get paid to be the local military. And if our heroes never have to call upon them, even better- better for everyone. Because while the Double Javelins are sitting around guarding the local area, they aren't a threat. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Upon the party's return to Overland, Kane nails the head of Thannox over the town's main gate.</p><p></p><p>“Let there be no doubt that your governors will defend you,” Shifty cries to the growing crowd. “The Double Javelin threat is over.”</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Our heroes spend a few days resting and celebrating. Over a mug of ale, Shifty says, “We should get back to the earthquake rift. We need to collect our taxes from the goblins.”</p><p></p><p>“And maybe go back to those dwarves,” Sepia adds. “Whaddaya call 'em? Duergar.”</p><p></p><p>“Aye!” Kane snarls into his beer. “Blood and treasure!” And he belches.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>A few days later, they return to the earthquake rift, and find themselves in the middle of an internecine clash taking place between different factions of goblins. Our heroes settle the matter with some violence before descending past the once-flooded canal and returning to the duergar works. </p><p></p><p>This time, the duergar they encounter don't include Tincup, and they find themselves fighting hard against doughty grey dwarven warriors with strange powers. Some enlarge themselves to nearly ogre size; others vanish into invisibility. </p><p></p><p>Swiftly, our heroes take countermeasures. Shifty takes advantage of his gnomish stature to slip between the legs of the duergar that grow; Sepia hurls bags of flour at those who turn invisible. Karl casts <em>wizard's fury</em> and hails magical darts at them all. Alkor fires arrows nearly as fast, and Bradford and Kane take the front line.</p><p></p><p>They retreat to the goblin levels above to rest. Due to their earlier intervention in the local politics, they are welcomes (perhaps a bit reluctantly) and given the best places to sleep. </p><p></p><p>Several more expeditions take them deeper into the duergar areas and further into conflict with the gray dwarves. They even encounter a few undead duergar, who the party collectively find to be extremely creepy. Then, they find a captive- a tiefling named Maltos. </p><p></p><p>“What are you doing here?” asks Shar. </p><p></p><p>“I was exploring this rift,” the fellow replies. “I found it after the earthquake, and wanted to see if I could find any treasure inside.”</p><p></p><p>“How'd you do?”</p><p></p><p>“Not so well,” he admits.</p><p></p><p>“Well,” she says, indiicating herself and Shifty, “my husband and I are the governors of the local lands. We're down here making sure that there's nothing that is a real threat to the world above. Have you seen anything down here that we should be aware of?”</p><p></p><p>“There are a few goblins up above, but that's about all I saw. I got hit from behind and fell into some water, then something knocked me out. Next thing I knew, I woke up in the clutches of these dwarves.”</p><p></p><p>“We should let him go,” Sepia says. “He's a tiefling, like me! How bad can he be?”</p><p></p><p>The party guides him back to the goblins, by which point Maltos can see the sunlight filtering down from above and the series of ropes descending into the rift. “My thanks,” he says. “If we meet again, I won't forget that you helped me when I was in need.”</p><p></p><p>“Be well,” Sepia answers, and the former captive clasps the rope with both hands and begins to climb. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>After getting another night's rest in the goblins' territory, Shar and Shifty confer, then turn to the others. “We should probably go back and make sure things are okay at home before we spend much more time down here,” she says. “After all, we don't know how well the Double Javelins' loyalty will hold.”</p><p></p><p>“And even if it does, who knows how good their discipline will be?” Orzza nods. “Even if they're loyal, they might beat up farmers or something, just because they're...” He glances at Kane. “No offense, but they're kind of rough characters.”</p><p></p><p>Kane shows a toothy grin. </p><p></p><p>“Also,” Shard continues, “we need to check on the progress Captain Lentor has made whipping our people into shape.” </p><p></p><p>Everyone agrees, and the party heads back toward Grumbleford. They stop at the Governor's Tower on the way and find a note from Bishop Ulric. It reads: <em>Governors- I understand you've had some political trouble. If you need help, send us a message. Your tax assessments will be forthcoming.</em></p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>They spend a couple of days in Grumbleford, because Karl ends up with a date. It doesn't go well, so he is as happy as anyone to head back to Overland. There, they pay their soldiers with treasure found in the rift. They confer with Captain Lentor, who tells them that he needs another two months to whip the troops into any kind of real shape. </p><p></p><p>“Well, the Double Javelins aren't a threat anymore,” Karl tells him. The party explains the last few weeks' frenzy of activity to him.</p><p></p><p>But Lentor disagrees. “They don't look like a threat right now, but who's to say that they won't turn on you again? I think you'll be well-served to have an alternative force- one that can stand against them if need be.”</p><p></p><p>Kane shrugs. “He's right. They'll stay in line as long as they see our faces regular enough. But if they have a little time to forget who's in charge, or if too much time passes without them seeing pay...”</p><p></p><p>“We could consider disbanding them,” Bradford says, but Shar shakes her head. </p><p></p><p>“Then what? They'll all be running loose, unemployed, and as soon as they get hungry, they'll be up to their old tricks. No, we're better off keeping them under our command, so that we at least know what they're up to.”</p><p></p><p>“Now what?” asks Karlinden, still moody from his failed romantic encounter. “Back to the rift?” </p><p></p><p>“Are the duergar even a threat to us?” Alkar muses. “They don't seem to be really doing anything much down there.”</p><p></p><p>“We do need treasure, if for nothing else, then to pay our troops,” Shar points out. </p><p></p><p>“Also, remember, they took a prisoner who was one of our citizens.” Shifty pats his comb-over. “I'd say that makes them a threat, at least to some degree.” </p><p></p><p>“He's right,” Shar says. “We can't have anyone kidnapping our citizens.”</p><p></p><p>Orzza stands up and pulls on his backpack. “Then let's go.”</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next Time:</strong></em> Back into the duergar works we go!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 7502664, member: 1210"] When Dolorous Pete and the party arrive at the Double Javelins' main encampment, Kane announces their arrival by hurling Thannox' decapitated head into the midst of the guards at the gate. “The gig is up, gentlemen,” announces Karlinden. “Everybody listen up!” roars Kane. “Thannox is dead, and you're now under my command!” “Best listen, everyone,” Dolorous Pete says. There are a few tense moments, and Kane knocks one man down with a mailed fist, but no real violence is required to secure the new order. The Double Javelins, after all, will be happy enough to get paid to be the local military. And if our heroes never have to call upon them, even better- better for everyone. Because while the Double Javelins are sitting around guarding the local area, they aren't a threat. *** Upon the party's return to Overland, Kane nails the head of Thannox over the town's main gate. “Let there be no doubt that your governors will defend you,” Shifty cries to the growing crowd. “The Double Javelin threat is over.” *** Our heroes spend a few days resting and celebrating. Over a mug of ale, Shifty says, “We should get back to the earthquake rift. We need to collect our taxes from the goblins.” “And maybe go back to those dwarves,” Sepia adds. “Whaddaya call 'em? Duergar.” “Aye!” Kane snarls into his beer. “Blood and treasure!” And he belches. *** A few days later, they return to the earthquake rift, and find themselves in the middle of an internecine clash taking place between different factions of goblins. Our heroes settle the matter with some violence before descending past the once-flooded canal and returning to the duergar works. This time, the duergar they encounter don't include Tincup, and they find themselves fighting hard against doughty grey dwarven warriors with strange powers. Some enlarge themselves to nearly ogre size; others vanish into invisibility. Swiftly, our heroes take countermeasures. Shifty takes advantage of his gnomish stature to slip between the legs of the duergar that grow; Sepia hurls bags of flour at those who turn invisible. Karl casts [i]wizard's fury[/i] and hails magical darts at them all. Alkor fires arrows nearly as fast, and Bradford and Kane take the front line. They retreat to the goblin levels above to rest. Due to their earlier intervention in the local politics, they are welcomes (perhaps a bit reluctantly) and given the best places to sleep. Several more expeditions take them deeper into the duergar areas and further into conflict with the gray dwarves. They even encounter a few undead duergar, who the party collectively find to be extremely creepy. Then, they find a captive- a tiefling named Maltos. “What are you doing here?” asks Shar. “I was exploring this rift,” the fellow replies. “I found it after the earthquake, and wanted to see if I could find any treasure inside.” “How'd you do?” “Not so well,” he admits. “Well,” she says, indiicating herself and Shifty, “my husband and I are the governors of the local lands. We're down here making sure that there's nothing that is a real threat to the world above. Have you seen anything down here that we should be aware of?” “There are a few goblins up above, but that's about all I saw. I got hit from behind and fell into some water, then something knocked me out. Next thing I knew, I woke up in the clutches of these dwarves.” “We should let him go,” Sepia says. “He's a tiefling, like me! How bad can he be?” The party guides him back to the goblins, by which point Maltos can see the sunlight filtering down from above and the series of ropes descending into the rift. “My thanks,” he says. “If we meet again, I won't forget that you helped me when I was in need.” “Be well,” Sepia answers, and the former captive clasps the rope with both hands and begins to climb. *** After getting another night's rest in the goblins' territory, Shar and Shifty confer, then turn to the others. “We should probably go back and make sure things are okay at home before we spend much more time down here,” she says. “After all, we don't know how well the Double Javelins' loyalty will hold.” “And even if it does, who knows how good their discipline will be?” Orzza nods. “Even if they're loyal, they might beat up farmers or something, just because they're...” He glances at Kane. “No offense, but they're kind of rough characters.” Kane shows a toothy grin. “Also,” Shard continues, “we need to check on the progress Captain Lentor has made whipping our people into shape.” Everyone agrees, and the party heads back toward Grumbleford. They stop at the Governor's Tower on the way and find a note from Bishop Ulric. It reads: [i]Governors- I understand you've had some political trouble. If you need help, send us a message. Your tax assessments will be forthcoming.[/i] *** They spend a couple of days in Grumbleford, because Karl ends up with a date. It doesn't go well, so he is as happy as anyone to head back to Overland. There, they pay their soldiers with treasure found in the rift. They confer with Captain Lentor, who tells them that he needs another two months to whip the troops into any kind of real shape. “Well, the Double Javelins aren't a threat anymore,” Karl tells him. The party explains the last few weeks' frenzy of activity to him. But Lentor disagrees. “They don't look like a threat right now, but who's to say that they won't turn on you again? I think you'll be well-served to have an alternative force- one that can stand against them if need be.” Kane shrugs. “He's right. They'll stay in line as long as they see our faces regular enough. But if they have a little time to forget who's in charge, or if too much time passes without them seeing pay...” “We could consider disbanding them,” Bradford says, but Shar shakes her head. “Then what? They'll all be running loose, unemployed, and as soon as they get hungry, they'll be up to their old tricks. No, we're better off keeping them under our command, so that we at least know what they're up to.” “Now what?” asks Karlinden, still moody from his failed romantic encounter. “Back to the rift?” “Are the duergar even a threat to us?” Alkar muses. “They don't seem to be really doing anything much down there.” “We do need treasure, if for nothing else, then to pay our troops,” Shar points out. “Also, remember, they took a prisoner who was one of our citizens.” Shifty pats his comb-over. “I'd say that makes them a threat, at least to some degree.” “He's right,” Shar says. “We can't have anyone kidnapping our citizens.” Orzza stands up and pulls on his backpack. “Then let's go.” [i][b]Next Time:[/b][/i][b][/b] Back into the duergar works we go! [/QUOTE]
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