As the Two Sisters Watched(into the breech)
- Thread starter alsih2o
- Start date
alsih2o
First Post
here is the pantheon of gods as your average citizen knows it. it is incomplete, but as more is revealed to the players i will amend it 
the pantheon is made of up celestial bodies. every light and planet you can see in the night sky is a being with some sway over events on the earth. those brave, bold, good, evil, reverent, strong and important enuf become stars on their death. many men have moved up the the ranks of the church easily on a reputation for predicting when a certain heroes star will appear, or divining who a recent star belongs to.
Simus the uncaring- Simus was alone in the universe when he decided to tell a story. he created 2 daughters to help him, Fespa the academic and Kalin the artist. he set them before him as moons and drew forth a clay tablet to record history. on this tablet was but one creature. this creature said he was a ghost dragon, and was as old as the clay in the tablet. Simus commisioned this beast to fashion him an alphabet, with which to record his story.
Fespa and Kalin put all of their energies into the creation of a suitable setting for their fathers great tale and worked for 2000 years before they noticed that Simus had a son. Balcla, the sun, was free to hunt every day, pushing his hounds throughout the sky. one day when Simus was looking for the ghost dragon to check his progress Fespa and Kalin worked together and tricked Balcla into promising to run their errands, which they have kept him busy with to this day. every day Balcla sets forth north to south across the sky on waning days and south to north on waxing days. concerned that the baying of Balclas leash would attract the attentions of their father they cast the 9 dogs against the night sky where the circle forever in pursuit of Fift, the boar.
Centuries later the ghost dragon completed his alphabet and was released from duty by Simus. upon returning to his mountaintop to rest he discovered that his eggs, ungaurded for the whole time it had taken to create Simus' great alphabet had turned to stone. the great dragon wept deeply over the death of his kind and when the sister moons saw his grief the presented him with a gift in grattitude. as his tears fell Fespa turned them into the great waters of the world and as his tears ran across his eggs Kalin turned the 12 eggs into 12 races, and sent them forth on the tablet to make a history for their father so that he would be kept busy recording his story and never interfere in the lives of those on the tablet again.
In a previous experiment Fespa created another being for her father to watch, Vanpo. Vanpo was a brave and handsome cat who travelled the land freely and found great pleasure in exploring all of the lands of the tablet, without concern for the boundaries set up by the sister moons. When the 12 eggs hatched and moved forth on the earth Vanpo found great pleasure in sailing them around, place to place. He took nearly every race to so many places that they became lost, unable to find home. When Kalin awoke and saw what her sisters creation had done to all the beautiful races, and how he had violated the boundaries they had set she lured him into the great red sea and when he was there, testing his sail she flung the entire sea into the sky where Vanpo the explorer still plies his sail, looking for new lands.
Simus the uncaring- the north star. writes the story of everything on his tablet, which is the earth. he is true nuetral, and has given up on affecting events, leaving the earth in the grasp of his children.
Fespa- the academic moon. Fespa is large and glows with a yellow light.she is NG and favors academics, collectors, rulers, writers and mages. she is the patron saint of all who seek to learn.
Kalin- the artist moon. Fespa is smaller then her sister and glows with a reddish tone. she is NG and favors builders, artists, performers, and storytellers. she is the patron saint of creation and creators.
Balcla- the sun. errand boy to Fespa and Kalin he streaks across the sky every day, the bright flames coming from his boots of fire and speed lighting the entire sky. LN
Zodiac signs:
The Leash- Balclas 9 dogs lie in the south sky, the represent the man and the nine alignments.
Fift- the boar. fift represent nature and wisdom. he rest high in the southern sky, perpetually hounded by the leash.
Vanpo-the sailor. Vanpos ship can be seen in the red blotch in the eatern sky, sailling across the sea in seach of new land.
Bebe-the sea. Bebe is the giant red sea Vanpo attempts to cross. she pities Vanpo for his endless quest and sings to him.
Passul-the archer. Passul was an early hero. when men were not numerous or spread across the good earth Passul fed them with the skill of his bow. upon his death Passul was honored with spot in the western skies where his bow can still be seen during most of the year. he attention payed to Fespa and Balcla began to eat at him and he attempted to organize a rebellion to steal Fespasspot in the night sky, when Fespa discovered his plan she beat him back with her flail and it took him 3 months to return to his spot in the sky, since that time Passul has always fallen below the horizon for 3 months every summer, during this time most see it as unlucky to take game with a bow.
the pantheon is made of up celestial bodies. every light and planet you can see in the night sky is a being with some sway over events on the earth. those brave, bold, good, evil, reverent, strong and important enuf become stars on their death. many men have moved up the the ranks of the church easily on a reputation for predicting when a certain heroes star will appear, or divining who a recent star belongs to.
Simus the uncaring- Simus was alone in the universe when he decided to tell a story. he created 2 daughters to help him, Fespa the academic and Kalin the artist. he set them before him as moons and drew forth a clay tablet to record history. on this tablet was but one creature. this creature said he was a ghost dragon, and was as old as the clay in the tablet. Simus commisioned this beast to fashion him an alphabet, with which to record his story.
Fespa and Kalin put all of their energies into the creation of a suitable setting for their fathers great tale and worked for 2000 years before they noticed that Simus had a son. Balcla, the sun, was free to hunt every day, pushing his hounds throughout the sky. one day when Simus was looking for the ghost dragon to check his progress Fespa and Kalin worked together and tricked Balcla into promising to run their errands, which they have kept him busy with to this day. every day Balcla sets forth north to south across the sky on waning days and south to north on waxing days. concerned that the baying of Balclas leash would attract the attentions of their father they cast the 9 dogs against the night sky where the circle forever in pursuit of Fift, the boar.
Centuries later the ghost dragon completed his alphabet and was released from duty by Simus. upon returning to his mountaintop to rest he discovered that his eggs, ungaurded for the whole time it had taken to create Simus' great alphabet had turned to stone. the great dragon wept deeply over the death of his kind and when the sister moons saw his grief the presented him with a gift in grattitude. as his tears fell Fespa turned them into the great waters of the world and as his tears ran across his eggs Kalin turned the 12 eggs into 12 races, and sent them forth on the tablet to make a history for their father so that he would be kept busy recording his story and never interfere in the lives of those on the tablet again.
In a previous experiment Fespa created another being for her father to watch, Vanpo. Vanpo was a brave and handsome cat who travelled the land freely and found great pleasure in exploring all of the lands of the tablet, without concern for the boundaries set up by the sister moons. When the 12 eggs hatched and moved forth on the earth Vanpo found great pleasure in sailing them around, place to place. He took nearly every race to so many places that they became lost, unable to find home. When Kalin awoke and saw what her sisters creation had done to all the beautiful races, and how he had violated the boundaries they had set she lured him into the great red sea and when he was there, testing his sail she flung the entire sea into the sky where Vanpo the explorer still plies his sail, looking for new lands.
Simus the uncaring- the north star. writes the story of everything on his tablet, which is the earth. he is true nuetral, and has given up on affecting events, leaving the earth in the grasp of his children.
Fespa- the academic moon. Fespa is large and glows with a yellow light.she is NG and favors academics, collectors, rulers, writers and mages. she is the patron saint of all who seek to learn.
Kalin- the artist moon. Fespa is smaller then her sister and glows with a reddish tone. she is NG and favors builders, artists, performers, and storytellers. she is the patron saint of creation and creators.
Balcla- the sun. errand boy to Fespa and Kalin he streaks across the sky every day, the bright flames coming from his boots of fire and speed lighting the entire sky. LN
Zodiac signs:
The Leash- Balclas 9 dogs lie in the south sky, the represent the man and the nine alignments.
Fift- the boar. fift represent nature and wisdom. he rest high in the southern sky, perpetually hounded by the leash.
Vanpo-the sailor. Vanpos ship can be seen in the red blotch in the eatern sky, sailling across the sea in seach of new land.
Bebe-the sea. Bebe is the giant red sea Vanpo attempts to cross. she pities Vanpo for his endless quest and sings to him.
Passul-the archer. Passul was an early hero. when men were not numerous or spread across the good earth Passul fed them with the skill of his bow. upon his death Passul was honored with spot in the western skies where his bow can still be seen during most of the year. he attention payed to Fespa and Balcla began to eat at him and he attempted to organize a rebellion to steal Fespasspot in the night sky, when Fespa discovered his plan she beat him back with her flail and it took him 3 months to return to his spot in the sky, since that time Passul has always fallen below the horizon for 3 months every summer, during this time most see it as unlucky to take game with a bow.
alsih2o
First Post
here is part of the history, this history is the version one would be given by an 8th grader, not complaetely accurate and only hitting certain high points. more will be revealed as necessary
On a glorious spring morning 253 years ago the 3 learned sons of Paraskus the merciful set out on a quest to obtain gifts to impress their father. Idein the mage, Lastel the hunter and Maissen the Moongazer each set forth down the Motherriver with a fast ship and a large and loyal crew. 6 smaller ships sailed in support of the young princes, each laden with the provisions and protections that the princes would need for the journey.
On the 7th week of this journey the vessels and their princely cargos made to the open sea, rounded the western horn and made for lands unknown. They ushered bravely past the last permanent settlement of the great kingdom and set for the southern islands determined to conquer and collect in the name of their father and homeland. Following the wisdom of the ages, they knew to never leave the sight of the shore gulls, for the broad expanse of the waters held terrible horrors that had swallowed every ship that wondered beyond the terns eyes.
All passed well for the princes under the guidance of Felspa and Kalin, the sister moons until the passing of Felspa into darkness in the 2nd quarter of the year. At this point, when the artist Felspa was hidden from men’s sight, they each had a dream. In the dream their father, Paraskus, stood in the mother-river as it turned to blood. His brow was heavy, and as he opened his mouth to speak his teeth fell into his hands as maggots and crawled away. His eyes turned, his flesh swelled and as he fell on the river his hair loosed and spread towards them in a great wind. The princes, startled awake, found their ships captured by this wind, forced in a rage to the open sea. The great wind tossed the waters violently and pushed the ships at unmatched speed thru day and night for nearly a week. Many on the ships claimed visions of terrible, dark lands belonging to the horizons, but none could steer the ships for the lands, or find them on any map.
On the 7th day, as Balcla, younger brother of the moons, rose in the northern sky all of the ships but 1 found themselves in a quiet bay. Setting foot on the new earth the expedition found strange new plants, odd animals never before encountered and eyes peering towards their tenuous foot on the delta.
Founding : Idien is put in charge of the vessels as Maissen and Lastel lead an expeditionary crew. The crew stays to shore for 3 weeks, and finding no evidence of hostility and beast and fruits aplenty decides to set camp on the eastern shore of the delta of the great river of the bay. In that first month, the 3 princes argue greatly over the meaning of their vision and attempt to determine the best course. As Maissen sets the site for an appropriate place of worship, it is decided than an expedition to find home must be mounted.
Two methods are decided upon for the expedition towards home. Tawgor, the brave captain, will set to the sea with a crew to find a water route home, and Lastel will search for an over land route with a smaller crew. Maissen and Idien will remain with the mass of peoples and attempt to explore the local country and contact the natives.
Three months pass while Maissen and Idien erect a camp at the great rivers mouth and attempt to “civilize” the natives. Idien dubs these people “Churkey” meaning ‘swamp people’. An uneasy peace is made with these Churkey while Maissen supervises construction of a small fort from the local timber and a tower in honor of the two sister moons.
At the end of 3 months time Lastel returns with only 1 surviving member of his formerly proud hunting band. He tells a tale of a great and evil snake with a demons head that destroyed nearly the entire party, and of a vast desert to the south that swallows men. Tawgor and his crew are never heard from again.
The sixth month passes without word from Tawgor, and hope begins to fade of a quick rescue. Maissen decides that the best course of action is to claim all the land in the name of his father and gather the natives into the fold. Idien argues that they are worthless as people, and should be treated as slaves, and nothing better. The three brothers can only agree on one goal, the founding of Paras, a city celebrating the glory of their father.
As preparations begin for the spring festival, which would mark the one-year anniversary of the beginning of their quest the subjects approach the brothers seeking permission to “mix” with the native women. Idien sees this as an abomination, but Maissen convinces Lastel to side with him and it is decided that if no sign of rescue is apparent by the anniversary of their landing, wives can be made of the locals with the understanding that rescue will break all oaths made to the women should the man wish.
F+1: Maissen conscripts many of the locals to help in construction of his tower and begins a church in honor of all the heavenly bodies. Idien and Lastel begin to grow further and further apart over arguments about the best use of men and resources, Lastel favoring all of Maissens plans, and Idien growing more and more jealous of his younger brothers status with both the natives and the fellow castaways.
F+2: Marriages begin between the unwed citizens and the locals, Maissens tower is completed and Lastel begins conscription of the natives into a sound military and expeditionary force.
F+3: Idien comes to Lastel in the night and urges him into the swamp to see a “new beast, never seen before, and the delight of any who hunt”. Once deep into the swamp, Idien enchants Lastel, urging him on a westward course. Lastel is never seen again.
When Maissen finds out what Idien has done, he fends off the citizenry’s calls for his immediate execution, opting to banish Idien into the vast waste to south. Seventy citizens choose to follow Idien, believing that his magic is likely to keep them safe and restore them to their home.
F+10: Maissen decrees the “martyrdom of motherhood” and declares that all women who bear 6 or more children will be promised a place in the heavens, to light the steps of their children thru the darkest of nights.
Maissen also declares a religious council will preside over all affairs of law. In an attempt to further draw in the natives, a position will be granted to a representative of any church that is good and seeks to further the causes of the citizenry. The council is named “the shield” and is given say over most of everyday life, pending approval of its head.
F+11: The first meeting of the shield.
F+15: official treaty of cooperation signed between the “uncivilized” Churkey and the citizens.
Maissens first son is born, he is blessed in the name of the luminaries and is called Sirus, in honor of the great northern star.
F+18: A plague of locusts come, many claim to have seen Idiens face in the cloud of insects. An official investigation into the cause is started. An elite group of 7 is sent with a militia of natives to find the cause; they head south searching for Idien and his followers.
F+19: The party of 7 returns, warning of a great city to the south, built of stone and protected by a hideous lizard. They claim to have barely escaped the wrath of its residents. They also claim that Idien’s rune was carved large on the city gates. Idien is declared an outlaw, and all travel out of sight of the great river is declared to be by permission only.
F+25: Maissen falls ill. The natives say he has river sickness, and none have ever survived it. Maissen spends every night under the stars, praying to the Kalin, the academic, for a cure, after seven days and nights of constant prayer he recovers. The natives declare it a miracle, and pledge eternal loyalty to “Maissen the undying”.
F+28 The northern nomads, called Shokta by the Churkeys, swarm down the river. Maissen meets them and issues a wish for peace The Shokta warn that the citizens have 1 year to collect tribute enough to appease, or they will fall, the Churkeys beg Maissen to give in to their demands. Maissen refuses, issuing instead an order to build fortifications along the river and to the west of the town, which he now dubs “Belsdark”, meaning ‘unfailing’.
F+29: Maissen stands guard over the city’s defenses, and sends forth a contingent of Churkey to warn of his might and preparation. The Churkey messengers float back to Belsdark with their hands and feet bound and heads removed.
The citizens of Belsdark are each commissioned to stand to the last man should an attack come. When the Shokta arrive, they are riding bison painted in the color of night and calling for the blood of the citizens who they consider invaders. The siege of Belsdark begins.
Maissen calls the shield together and 3 are chosen from its rank as champions. Kolor, the war priest, Hestus, the natural mage, and Gurdus the warrior step forward and issue a challenge to the best of the Shokta, who vainly accept. Hestus and Kolor boldly strike down their opponents, but Gurdus is killed in the fray. In a fit of rage over the defeat of his champions the Shokta chieftain hurls his black stone axe at Hestus, who is killed by the blow. Kolor manages to escape to the safety of the ramparts with the axe and Hestus and Kolor are declared the first “heroes of Maissen”. The siege continues for 45 days, and on the rising of the sun in the south the army of the Shokta is gone. Maissen declares it a miracle provided by the luminaries, but is soon refuted by a messenger who arrives saying he was sent by Idien. The messenger says that Idien has formed powerful alliances with a desert spirit who was called in to destroy the army and that it is the last act of brotherhood that Maissen can ever expect to see unless Idien is forgiven of all his crimes and placed at his brother’s side as a head of the new state. Maissen refuses.
F+35: Maissen dies. Many mourn what they see to be their ultimate doom before Sirus steps forward and claims that the city shall be named Maissen in his honor, and he will now head the shield, for the betterment of all.
F+38: Sirus declares that 2 more cities should be built, and proclaims that a new temple shall be erected in the name of his father. Contingents are chosen and sent forth to the river bend and the North Bay to build.
F+40: Sirus declares that the best and brightest competing for a great prize shall honor the spirit of his father. Games are held with admission to any who wish. Contests of magic and might dominate and the winners are “rewarded” by being sent forth with the supplies they wish to find home. The winners wish for construction of what will be the largest boat ever seen and begin preparations for its construction and armament.
F+42: The boat is ready and armed, and its crew selected to aid the heroes. On the selected day, the boat leaves its shelter in the bay to much acclaim. Before it can break the horizon it is destroyed by a huge turtle and the survivors are slain by the denizens of a swift ship who appear from seemingly nowhere. The population is crushed and blames Sirus. Sirus declares the crew all “heroes of Maissen” and promises that new stars will appear soon in the sky in their honor. The next night two new stars burst into the sky, providing so much light at to even be seen on the daytime. The citizenry is in awe of Sirus for his prediction and even when the light fades and the stars shrink to a normal size there is a palpable sense of dedication to Sirus and the new society he heads. Many begin to believe that all has been for a good reason, and Sirus will show them the path to the future.
F+45: Sirus declares new a new quest. Rather than games he decides that every five years the elders and members of the shield from each town shall choose at least 4 who are capable of a quest. These adventurers shall issue forth on the land and make peace, strike trade, and gather rewards in the name of his father. The greatest of these shall be equipped by the church to go forth overland and attempt to find a way to the homeland. The response is overwhelming, with many youths from the many villages and towns clamoring for a position on a “team”. Political maneuvering in some places spoils many groups, but most are prepared with the greater good of all in mind. The groups meet in Maissen for a great feast before being sent off for 3 months into the wilderness. All are given a stirring speech by Sirus in which he notes that it is their duty to “spread law, make peace, strike down the war-mongering heathens of the wild and bring pride to the realm”
F+50 Few have returned from Sirus’ new quest. Those who did were granted lands and title. Many of these set forth on the Holiest Quest, the search for home. Sirus grants the right to join the luminaries to any who further the cause.
F+60 The elders of most towns begin to see the questing as too great a strain on the economy and population and petition Sirus to continue with his plans, but at a slowed pace that preserves some of the young and talented for the here and now. Sirus, being fair and just, hears their needs and declares that each chartered town shall produce not less than four capable of the quest each time a member of their elder board is replaced. The shield officially recognizes the elder boards of Vaunth-on-the-Lake and Seaborn.
F+63 Sirus dies without a direct heir. In a surprise announcement on the 3rd day of his funeral an announcement is read stating that Maissen will no longer be ruled by royalty, but by order of the Shield.
F+72 A questing group known as Biddles Six returns from the wilds, they bring with them 12 Shokta and request acknowledgement of the small batch of natives as citizens. The Shield refuses and Biddles Six declares the shield in violation of natural law refuse their status as citizens of Maissen.
Biddles Six move north with over 50 followers, swearing to build a better state. Rumors soon spread of the group being assimilated into a woodland culture.
F+81 Dorn, a druid of the swamps, arrives in Seaborn preaching about the status of the natives and trying to convince people that they are the equals of the founders. He is declared a heretic and an outlaw. Dorn disappears into the northern swamp with a band of runaway natives freed from slavery with the help of mixed breeds. The natives begin to worship Dorn as their redeemer and secret sects spring up amongst natives who worship his image.
Controversy surrounds the swamps and their inhabitants as the population tries to decide whether Dorn is a visionary or a rebel bandit.
On a glorious spring morning 253 years ago the 3 learned sons of Paraskus the merciful set out on a quest to obtain gifts to impress their father. Idein the mage, Lastel the hunter and Maissen the Moongazer each set forth down the Motherriver with a fast ship and a large and loyal crew. 6 smaller ships sailed in support of the young princes, each laden with the provisions and protections that the princes would need for the journey.
On the 7th week of this journey the vessels and their princely cargos made to the open sea, rounded the western horn and made for lands unknown. They ushered bravely past the last permanent settlement of the great kingdom and set for the southern islands determined to conquer and collect in the name of their father and homeland. Following the wisdom of the ages, they knew to never leave the sight of the shore gulls, for the broad expanse of the waters held terrible horrors that had swallowed every ship that wondered beyond the terns eyes.
All passed well for the princes under the guidance of Felspa and Kalin, the sister moons until the passing of Felspa into darkness in the 2nd quarter of the year. At this point, when the artist Felspa was hidden from men’s sight, they each had a dream. In the dream their father, Paraskus, stood in the mother-river as it turned to blood. His brow was heavy, and as he opened his mouth to speak his teeth fell into his hands as maggots and crawled away. His eyes turned, his flesh swelled and as he fell on the river his hair loosed and spread towards them in a great wind. The princes, startled awake, found their ships captured by this wind, forced in a rage to the open sea. The great wind tossed the waters violently and pushed the ships at unmatched speed thru day and night for nearly a week. Many on the ships claimed visions of terrible, dark lands belonging to the horizons, but none could steer the ships for the lands, or find them on any map.
On the 7th day, as Balcla, younger brother of the moons, rose in the northern sky all of the ships but 1 found themselves in a quiet bay. Setting foot on the new earth the expedition found strange new plants, odd animals never before encountered and eyes peering towards their tenuous foot on the delta.
Founding : Idien is put in charge of the vessels as Maissen and Lastel lead an expeditionary crew. The crew stays to shore for 3 weeks, and finding no evidence of hostility and beast and fruits aplenty decides to set camp on the eastern shore of the delta of the great river of the bay. In that first month, the 3 princes argue greatly over the meaning of their vision and attempt to determine the best course. As Maissen sets the site for an appropriate place of worship, it is decided than an expedition to find home must be mounted.
Two methods are decided upon for the expedition towards home. Tawgor, the brave captain, will set to the sea with a crew to find a water route home, and Lastel will search for an over land route with a smaller crew. Maissen and Idien will remain with the mass of peoples and attempt to explore the local country and contact the natives.
Three months pass while Maissen and Idien erect a camp at the great rivers mouth and attempt to “civilize” the natives. Idien dubs these people “Churkey” meaning ‘swamp people’. An uneasy peace is made with these Churkey while Maissen supervises construction of a small fort from the local timber and a tower in honor of the two sister moons.
At the end of 3 months time Lastel returns with only 1 surviving member of his formerly proud hunting band. He tells a tale of a great and evil snake with a demons head that destroyed nearly the entire party, and of a vast desert to the south that swallows men. Tawgor and his crew are never heard from again.
The sixth month passes without word from Tawgor, and hope begins to fade of a quick rescue. Maissen decides that the best course of action is to claim all the land in the name of his father and gather the natives into the fold. Idien argues that they are worthless as people, and should be treated as slaves, and nothing better. The three brothers can only agree on one goal, the founding of Paras, a city celebrating the glory of their father.
As preparations begin for the spring festival, which would mark the one-year anniversary of the beginning of their quest the subjects approach the brothers seeking permission to “mix” with the native women. Idien sees this as an abomination, but Maissen convinces Lastel to side with him and it is decided that if no sign of rescue is apparent by the anniversary of their landing, wives can be made of the locals with the understanding that rescue will break all oaths made to the women should the man wish.
F+1: Maissen conscripts many of the locals to help in construction of his tower and begins a church in honor of all the heavenly bodies. Idien and Lastel begin to grow further and further apart over arguments about the best use of men and resources, Lastel favoring all of Maissens plans, and Idien growing more and more jealous of his younger brothers status with both the natives and the fellow castaways.
F+2: Marriages begin between the unwed citizens and the locals, Maissens tower is completed and Lastel begins conscription of the natives into a sound military and expeditionary force.
F+3: Idien comes to Lastel in the night and urges him into the swamp to see a “new beast, never seen before, and the delight of any who hunt”. Once deep into the swamp, Idien enchants Lastel, urging him on a westward course. Lastel is never seen again.
When Maissen finds out what Idien has done, he fends off the citizenry’s calls for his immediate execution, opting to banish Idien into the vast waste to south. Seventy citizens choose to follow Idien, believing that his magic is likely to keep them safe and restore them to their home.
F+10: Maissen decrees the “martyrdom of motherhood” and declares that all women who bear 6 or more children will be promised a place in the heavens, to light the steps of their children thru the darkest of nights.
Maissen also declares a religious council will preside over all affairs of law. In an attempt to further draw in the natives, a position will be granted to a representative of any church that is good and seeks to further the causes of the citizenry. The council is named “the shield” and is given say over most of everyday life, pending approval of its head.
F+11: The first meeting of the shield.
F+15: official treaty of cooperation signed between the “uncivilized” Churkey and the citizens.
Maissens first son is born, he is blessed in the name of the luminaries and is called Sirus, in honor of the great northern star.
F+18: A plague of locusts come, many claim to have seen Idiens face in the cloud of insects. An official investigation into the cause is started. An elite group of 7 is sent with a militia of natives to find the cause; they head south searching for Idien and his followers.
F+19: The party of 7 returns, warning of a great city to the south, built of stone and protected by a hideous lizard. They claim to have barely escaped the wrath of its residents. They also claim that Idien’s rune was carved large on the city gates. Idien is declared an outlaw, and all travel out of sight of the great river is declared to be by permission only.
F+25: Maissen falls ill. The natives say he has river sickness, and none have ever survived it. Maissen spends every night under the stars, praying to the Kalin, the academic, for a cure, after seven days and nights of constant prayer he recovers. The natives declare it a miracle, and pledge eternal loyalty to “Maissen the undying”.
F+28 The northern nomads, called Shokta by the Churkeys, swarm down the river. Maissen meets them and issues a wish for peace The Shokta warn that the citizens have 1 year to collect tribute enough to appease, or they will fall, the Churkeys beg Maissen to give in to their demands. Maissen refuses, issuing instead an order to build fortifications along the river and to the west of the town, which he now dubs “Belsdark”, meaning ‘unfailing’.
F+29: Maissen stands guard over the city’s defenses, and sends forth a contingent of Churkey to warn of his might and preparation. The Churkey messengers float back to Belsdark with their hands and feet bound and heads removed.
The citizens of Belsdark are each commissioned to stand to the last man should an attack come. When the Shokta arrive, they are riding bison painted in the color of night and calling for the blood of the citizens who they consider invaders. The siege of Belsdark begins.
Maissen calls the shield together and 3 are chosen from its rank as champions. Kolor, the war priest, Hestus, the natural mage, and Gurdus the warrior step forward and issue a challenge to the best of the Shokta, who vainly accept. Hestus and Kolor boldly strike down their opponents, but Gurdus is killed in the fray. In a fit of rage over the defeat of his champions the Shokta chieftain hurls his black stone axe at Hestus, who is killed by the blow. Kolor manages to escape to the safety of the ramparts with the axe and Hestus and Kolor are declared the first “heroes of Maissen”. The siege continues for 45 days, and on the rising of the sun in the south the army of the Shokta is gone. Maissen declares it a miracle provided by the luminaries, but is soon refuted by a messenger who arrives saying he was sent by Idien. The messenger says that Idien has formed powerful alliances with a desert spirit who was called in to destroy the army and that it is the last act of brotherhood that Maissen can ever expect to see unless Idien is forgiven of all his crimes and placed at his brother’s side as a head of the new state. Maissen refuses.
F+35: Maissen dies. Many mourn what they see to be their ultimate doom before Sirus steps forward and claims that the city shall be named Maissen in his honor, and he will now head the shield, for the betterment of all.
F+38: Sirus declares that 2 more cities should be built, and proclaims that a new temple shall be erected in the name of his father. Contingents are chosen and sent forth to the river bend and the North Bay to build.
F+40: Sirus declares that the best and brightest competing for a great prize shall honor the spirit of his father. Games are held with admission to any who wish. Contests of magic and might dominate and the winners are “rewarded” by being sent forth with the supplies they wish to find home. The winners wish for construction of what will be the largest boat ever seen and begin preparations for its construction and armament.
F+42: The boat is ready and armed, and its crew selected to aid the heroes. On the selected day, the boat leaves its shelter in the bay to much acclaim. Before it can break the horizon it is destroyed by a huge turtle and the survivors are slain by the denizens of a swift ship who appear from seemingly nowhere. The population is crushed and blames Sirus. Sirus declares the crew all “heroes of Maissen” and promises that new stars will appear soon in the sky in their honor. The next night two new stars burst into the sky, providing so much light at to even be seen on the daytime. The citizenry is in awe of Sirus for his prediction and even when the light fades and the stars shrink to a normal size there is a palpable sense of dedication to Sirus and the new society he heads. Many begin to believe that all has been for a good reason, and Sirus will show them the path to the future.
F+45: Sirus declares new a new quest. Rather than games he decides that every five years the elders and members of the shield from each town shall choose at least 4 who are capable of a quest. These adventurers shall issue forth on the land and make peace, strike trade, and gather rewards in the name of his father. The greatest of these shall be equipped by the church to go forth overland and attempt to find a way to the homeland. The response is overwhelming, with many youths from the many villages and towns clamoring for a position on a “team”. Political maneuvering in some places spoils many groups, but most are prepared with the greater good of all in mind. The groups meet in Maissen for a great feast before being sent off for 3 months into the wilderness. All are given a stirring speech by Sirus in which he notes that it is their duty to “spread law, make peace, strike down the war-mongering heathens of the wild and bring pride to the realm”
F+50 Few have returned from Sirus’ new quest. Those who did were granted lands and title. Many of these set forth on the Holiest Quest, the search for home. Sirus grants the right to join the luminaries to any who further the cause.
F+60 The elders of most towns begin to see the questing as too great a strain on the economy and population and petition Sirus to continue with his plans, but at a slowed pace that preserves some of the young and talented for the here and now. Sirus, being fair and just, hears their needs and declares that each chartered town shall produce not less than four capable of the quest each time a member of their elder board is replaced. The shield officially recognizes the elder boards of Vaunth-on-the-Lake and Seaborn.
F+63 Sirus dies without a direct heir. In a surprise announcement on the 3rd day of his funeral an announcement is read stating that Maissen will no longer be ruled by royalty, but by order of the Shield.
F+72 A questing group known as Biddles Six returns from the wilds, they bring with them 12 Shokta and request acknowledgement of the small batch of natives as citizens. The Shield refuses and Biddles Six declares the shield in violation of natural law refuse their status as citizens of Maissen.
Biddles Six move north with over 50 followers, swearing to build a better state. Rumors soon spread of the group being assimilated into a woodland culture.
F+81 Dorn, a druid of the swamps, arrives in Seaborn preaching about the status of the natives and trying to convince people that they are the equals of the founders. He is declared a heretic and an outlaw. Dorn disappears into the northern swamp with a band of runaway natives freed from slavery with the help of mixed breeds. The natives begin to worship Dorn as their redeemer and secret sects spring up amongst natives who worship his image.
Controversy surrounds the swamps and their inhabitants as the population tries to decide whether Dorn is a visionary or a rebel bandit.
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alsih2o
First Post
“Well, how do we get down there then?” asked Rinney, staring down into the chasm below.
Tavania answered “We can travel along the cliff here, there has to be some way down in”
The party moved along the cliffs edge and found a narrow switchback trail within a few minutes walk. They noticed with some foreboding that the heavily trod trail rose strait to the grasslands and stopped suddenly. Securing their goods on Ichiopa, Rinney’s bearer cow, they began their descent on the narrow, steep trail. Halfway down to the forest floor the trail turned 180 degrees, leading them back in the proper heading towards the bees hive tree.
As they neared the forest floor Rinney noticed something splattering below them. He didn’t notice it fast enough to dodge what followed. His scalp stung and his ears burned as a large cowpie landed on his head from far above.
Rinney jumped- “CCCUUUURSSSESS!”
And before his sound fell from the air Finn was hit too.
The party looked up from their narrow perch near the valley floor to see the party from Tawgor’s Ferry, dressed in black, standing out boldly against the blue of the sky and the fawn colored grasses that sprung from the cliff wall. "Down there is the end of you, are you sure you do not want to leave a will with us?" they cried.
Rinney recovered form his shock quickly enough to let his sarcasm drip through "Oh dearie me, the other adventurers think themselves better chosen... How quaint..."
Kolindra cursed them, calling “here is your inheritance!” and holding out a handful of the cow feces so recently dropped.
Tavania had no such subtleties; she drew back her bow and pointed the arrows shaft straight up the cliff face. The men at top quickly drew their heads backs, clearly unprepared for the move. The voice came again over the cliff top “3 months young ones, don't let anything slow you down!!!”
Rinney solemnly mumbled “I only hopes the moons reward you justly for how you spend your time”
The party reached the forest floor, and its lower temperatures and refreshing shade in short time, and Ryssa immediately had her nose to the ground- a low, snarling growl passing her snout. Tavania pointed the way to the trees that held the beehive and the party moved off together, stopping to tie down Ichiopa a few hundred feet from their destination.
As the part neared close enough to see the tree that held the hive the could also see the ring surrounding it’s base. Large fallen trees had been stacked into what appeared to be a defensive wall 30 feet from the trunk, they had grown over with dark mosses and begun to soften, but they still stood as a barrier….and a blind. From the other side came a loud and prolonged snort.
The snort became a veritable cacophony of snorting and hooting. It was enuf to chill the bones after the long silence of the grasslands.
Finn snuck away from the party and crept across the forest floor with a silent step that would have impressed a bird. He scrambled up the short stack of logs and peeked his head over the top……
Tavania answered “We can travel along the cliff here, there has to be some way down in”
The party moved along the cliffs edge and found a narrow switchback trail within a few minutes walk. They noticed with some foreboding that the heavily trod trail rose strait to the grasslands and stopped suddenly. Securing their goods on Ichiopa, Rinney’s bearer cow, they began their descent on the narrow, steep trail. Halfway down to the forest floor the trail turned 180 degrees, leading them back in the proper heading towards the bees hive tree.
As they neared the forest floor Rinney noticed something splattering below them. He didn’t notice it fast enough to dodge what followed. His scalp stung and his ears burned as a large cowpie landed on his head from far above.
Rinney jumped- “CCCUUUURSSSESS!”
And before his sound fell from the air Finn was hit too.
The party looked up from their narrow perch near the valley floor to see the party from Tawgor’s Ferry, dressed in black, standing out boldly against the blue of the sky and the fawn colored grasses that sprung from the cliff wall. "Down there is the end of you, are you sure you do not want to leave a will with us?" they cried.
Rinney recovered form his shock quickly enough to let his sarcasm drip through "Oh dearie me, the other adventurers think themselves better chosen... How quaint..."
Kolindra cursed them, calling “here is your inheritance!” and holding out a handful of the cow feces so recently dropped.
Tavania had no such subtleties; she drew back her bow and pointed the arrows shaft straight up the cliff face. The men at top quickly drew their heads backs, clearly unprepared for the move. The voice came again over the cliff top “3 months young ones, don't let anything slow you down!!!”
Rinney solemnly mumbled “I only hopes the moons reward you justly for how you spend your time”
The party reached the forest floor, and its lower temperatures and refreshing shade in short time, and Ryssa immediately had her nose to the ground- a low, snarling growl passing her snout. Tavania pointed the way to the trees that held the beehive and the party moved off together, stopping to tie down Ichiopa a few hundred feet from their destination.
As the part neared close enough to see the tree that held the hive the could also see the ring surrounding it’s base. Large fallen trees had been stacked into what appeared to be a defensive wall 30 feet from the trunk, they had grown over with dark mosses and begun to soften, but they still stood as a barrier….and a blind. From the other side came a loud and prolonged snort.
The snort became a veritable cacophony of snorting and hooting. It was enuf to chill the bones after the long silence of the grasslands.
Finn snuck away from the party and crept across the forest floor with a silent step that would have impressed a bird. He scrambled up the short stack of logs and peeked his head over the top……
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Stone Angel
First Post
The fire light gleamed in Ry's wild eyes, though he saw nothing. His mind wandered into the past. He had not had a chance to think about the recent events and till now. The one known as Rinney and the others had helped him fight off the wild dogs that sought to make him a meal. After that they had let him travel with them. Upon saving the children at the river he discovered that Rinney was a hero of Massien. That was a place he had not spoken or heard of in a long time. Still the wildmans mind travelled into the past farther, to the begining.
Ry was born a full blooded Churkey the natives of this land. Ry was also born a full blooded slave. In his younger days he had known nothing but servitude. After two hunting forays where only he returned, the rest the land and beast had claimed, the other Churkey began to call him Ry the Undying. They began to think of him as a bad luck charm, he was an outcast from an enslaved people. Soon he was selected for another hunt. He was very good with the bow. Again the rest of the party fell and only he survived. This time however he decided to remain in wild lands. There he stayed untill he was found by the hero Rinney and the lady of the earth Kolindra.
With them he went back to his homeland where he was freed. What is freedom. Was Ry not free in the wild. The truth be told he found some solace in the fact that he had new masters in Rinney and Kolindra. Rinney had told him after the unbinding to never call him master but friend instead. Ry was confused yet happy. Still there travels did not end there. Rinney also made Ry a hero like himself, a great honor not bestowed to many Churkey. But he was no longer a slave Ry had to remind himself again, and again. Soon they left the city and encountered the pig bear men. Beings more savage than e'en himself. Ry did not understand why they had went into the valley only that he had protected his "friends" and they seemed to be happy. Rinney had even been gracious enough to carve a name into his greatclub. It read "Earth Shaker, that which smiteth stones". His greatclub Ry thought as he snapped back to reality, he had spent to long in thought best he patrol and make sure no enemies were about. It was his shift at watch after all.
Note to readers: Sometimes you will catch that Ry will call Kolindra "Paswen" it means locked to the land in Churkey. I am working on a laguage primer for it but I am busy bee these days. I will however try to clarify or have Mark do it.
Ry was born a full blooded Churkey the natives of this land. Ry was also born a full blooded slave. In his younger days he had known nothing but servitude. After two hunting forays where only he returned, the rest the land and beast had claimed, the other Churkey began to call him Ry the Undying. They began to think of him as a bad luck charm, he was an outcast from an enslaved people. Soon he was selected for another hunt. He was very good with the bow. Again the rest of the party fell and only he survived. This time however he decided to remain in wild lands. There he stayed untill he was found by the hero Rinney and the lady of the earth Kolindra.
With them he went back to his homeland where he was freed. What is freedom. Was Ry not free in the wild. The truth be told he found some solace in the fact that he had new masters in Rinney and Kolindra. Rinney had told him after the unbinding to never call him master but friend instead. Ry was confused yet happy. Still there travels did not end there. Rinney also made Ry a hero like himself, a great honor not bestowed to many Churkey. But he was no longer a slave Ry had to remind himself again, and again. Soon they left the city and encountered the pig bear men. Beings more savage than e'en himself. Ry did not understand why they had went into the valley only that he had protected his "friends" and they seemed to be happy. Rinney had even been gracious enough to carve a name into his greatclub. It read "Earth Shaker, that which smiteth stones". His greatclub Ry thought as he snapped back to reality, he had spent to long in thought best he patrol and make sure no enemies were about. It was his shift at watch after all.
Note to readers: Sometimes you will catch that Ry will call Kolindra "Paswen" it means locked to the land in Churkey. I am working on a laguage primer for it but I am busy bee these days. I will however try to clarify or have Mark do it.
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alsih2o
First Post
Five curbles occupied the ring created by the decaying logs. The dominant female prodded her favorite male into climbing the massive oak they that’s trunk filled the center of the ring to get more honey. She stood to her full height, at least 8 feet by Finns guess, and kicked the litter of the forest floor, hooting and shaking her body in a way that ruffled the dusty out of the matted hair that covered her entire massive frame.
The smaller male shuffled to the tree and gripped the rutted bark in his hands pulling himself up to the first limb. He ambled easily along the gentle rising curve of the massive oak branch until he was directly under the massive hive. His thick hand easily tore a new hole in the densely layer paper of the nests bottom and honey began to ooze freely down the long matted hair of his arm. The bees took notice and 2 swept down upon him, stinging his dreadlock-encased back without success until eventually their stingers broke free and they fell to the forest floor.
Finn turned and stealthily made his way back to the group. He described the scene graphically and waited wide-eyed for someone to suggest a plan.
“We need to split them up, then Kolindra can go in for the honey” said Rinney, and Finn volunteered.
Finn once again stepped away from the group and crept along as quietly as he could to the opposite side of the ring. Once alone he realized that he knew next to nothing about life out here in the wild and fell back upon his memories of his boyhood in the slums.
“HootHootHoot!” he hollered “Wokka Wokka!! Neener Neener Neener!” he cried waving his butt at the shelter behind him.
Three of the curbles mounted the primitive rampart and began to jump about like angry apes. Beating their chests and banging their massive fists against the logs, the dust from their shaggy coats sticking to the honey on their hands and mouths they set true fear into Finn as here realized he had no idea how fast these huge beasts actually were.
Finn stuck his thumbs in his ears and blatted his tongue against his lips “pppbbbftfltbbt” he flitted and he took heel and ran through the open floor between the massive trunks. The curbles gave chase, hooting and snorting, running with both legs and one arm. Thabyra saw them leaving and gestured to the others, running off after the curbles to assure Finns safety.
The rest charged the mounded logs. Tavania arrived first and sprung to the top, firing wildly into the ring below. Kolindra, Rinney and Ry arrived at the top of the pile and looked for the first time at the gigantic hive and the two remaining curbles.
Tavania fired wildly again and cursed her bow as Ry and the wolf charged the largest curble, the dominant female. As they approached the she grabbed a large limb from the ground and struck at Ryssa, knocking the wolf near senseless and leaving her dizzy on her feet. Rinney swept towards the smaller curble as Ry lifted his greatclub into the air and brought it down with a massive blow, right into the soft ground around the oak.
Finn started to feel the air grow hot in his lungs, he must have run nearly 100 yards before he looked over his shoulder to check his pursuers progress. The heavy and awkward curbles were no match for his speed, and as he looked back at them vainly pursuing him he saw Thabyra, trotting behind them at a safe distance, her chubby legs pushing against the soft leaf litter.
By the time the Tavania had drawn he her bow back again Kolindra was already halfway up to the first branch. She wondered if it was the pollen stuck all over her front that made the curbles ignore her as she dashed bravely past, and then wondered if the bees would still recognize her. Tavania flung another arrow into the forest floor; being too cautious to avoid her friends she was sparing her foes. Rinney slashed deeply and quickly with his rapier and made the smaller curble cry out, Ryssa backed away stung both physically and in her lupine pride as Ry again swung straight down, striking the ground heavily.
To be continued…..
The smaller male shuffled to the tree and gripped the rutted bark in his hands pulling himself up to the first limb. He ambled easily along the gentle rising curve of the massive oak branch until he was directly under the massive hive. His thick hand easily tore a new hole in the densely layer paper of the nests bottom and honey began to ooze freely down the long matted hair of his arm. The bees took notice and 2 swept down upon him, stinging his dreadlock-encased back without success until eventually their stingers broke free and they fell to the forest floor.
Finn turned and stealthily made his way back to the group. He described the scene graphically and waited wide-eyed for someone to suggest a plan.
“We need to split them up, then Kolindra can go in for the honey” said Rinney, and Finn volunteered.
Finn once again stepped away from the group and crept along as quietly as he could to the opposite side of the ring. Once alone he realized that he knew next to nothing about life out here in the wild and fell back upon his memories of his boyhood in the slums.
“HootHootHoot!” he hollered “Wokka Wokka!! Neener Neener Neener!” he cried waving his butt at the shelter behind him.
Three of the curbles mounted the primitive rampart and began to jump about like angry apes. Beating their chests and banging their massive fists against the logs, the dust from their shaggy coats sticking to the honey on their hands and mouths they set true fear into Finn as here realized he had no idea how fast these huge beasts actually were.
Finn stuck his thumbs in his ears and blatted his tongue against his lips “pppbbbftfltbbt” he flitted and he took heel and ran through the open floor between the massive trunks. The curbles gave chase, hooting and snorting, running with both legs and one arm. Thabyra saw them leaving and gestured to the others, running off after the curbles to assure Finns safety.
The rest charged the mounded logs. Tavania arrived first and sprung to the top, firing wildly into the ring below. Kolindra, Rinney and Ry arrived at the top of the pile and looked for the first time at the gigantic hive and the two remaining curbles.
Tavania fired wildly again and cursed her bow as Ry and the wolf charged the largest curble, the dominant female. As they approached the she grabbed a large limb from the ground and struck at Ryssa, knocking the wolf near senseless and leaving her dizzy on her feet. Rinney swept towards the smaller curble as Ry lifted his greatclub into the air and brought it down with a massive blow, right into the soft ground around the oak.
Finn started to feel the air grow hot in his lungs, he must have run nearly 100 yards before he looked over his shoulder to check his pursuers progress. The heavy and awkward curbles were no match for his speed, and as he looked back at them vainly pursuing him he saw Thabyra, trotting behind them at a safe distance, her chubby legs pushing against the soft leaf litter.
By the time the Tavania had drawn he her bow back again Kolindra was already halfway up to the first branch. She wondered if it was the pollen stuck all over her front that made the curbles ignore her as she dashed bravely past, and then wondered if the bees would still recognize her. Tavania flung another arrow into the forest floor; being too cautious to avoid her friends she was sparing her foes. Rinney slashed deeply and quickly with his rapier and made the smaller curble cry out, Ryssa backed away stung both physically and in her lupine pride as Ry again swung straight down, striking the ground heavily.
To be continued…..
Last edited:
alsih2o
First Post
Ry was amazed. His club, it had to be the club. The curbles was wearing him down with its clumsy but strong blows and his clumsy but strong blows were all striking earth. He was more than shaken and wandered if the spirit in the wood of his club had somehow been upset. Rinney move over to assist him in his efforts against the giant hairy beast and stung it deeply, and then Ry found his mark. His greatclub landed sharply against his opponent’s ear and her head lolled oddly to the side and she crashed into the soft litter of the forest floor.
Kolindras jar was almost full of the sweet, gooey honey when she heard Thaby cry out.
“Their coming back!” Thabyra cried loading a stone in her sling.
Thabyra popped a sling stone off of one of the curbles hairy hides without effect and then Tavania struck deep and hard, piercing the lead runner to the heart and dropping him midstride. Finn struck in from behind sunk a bolt from his crossbow deep in the leg of the smallest curble and the two decided they had had enough. They took off the path and ran for the woods, self-preservation beating out any sense of loyalty to their band.
As everyone’s eyes swept the field looking for danger they all eventually rested on Kolindra. She was up to her elbow in the hive and thick yellow honey streamed down her arm into the jar as giant bees climbed down the hive, over her body and back up.
When the jar was filled and sealed Kolindra joined the rest on the ground. The group was proud of their accomplishment anxious for the riches it would bring them, but Kolindra only wanted a spot to clean up. “I have to get some of this off me” she pleaded, “it is getting heavy and the sweet smell is getting sickening.”
Tavania pointed out that water must be nearby for the curbles and the bees and the party began to scour the perimeter for tracks, eventually finding a well-worn path to a beautifully clear pond. Tavania immediately jumped in and the honey and pollen began to seep stringily into the water around her.
Everyone took the opportunity to clean up from days in the plains and their recent bloody battle. A swarm of small blue fish immediately surrounded Kolindra and began feasting on the sweet residue she was washing from hr skin and clothes.
“Somebody give me a sack” said Tavania
Tavania began scooping the small blue fish into the sack as they fed. “These will feed us for a day or two at least.” She offered
Ichiopa drank with a deep slurping sound and Kolindra got out to dry herself and her clothes, leaving everyone else to turn away from her woodland sensibilities about nudity. The discussion quickly turned to their next direction.
“Gems” said Thabyra “We will be wanting to head wherever gems are and collect as much of them as possible.”
“Didn’t you have some other task to attend to?” asked Finn
Rinney replied “Yes, yes, one of my other acquaintances want the horns of a bison. He has quite a collection from his time as a hero, but managed to never get bison horns. He has promised some choices from his weapons collection if we can aquire him a set from a Shokta mount”
“Where would gems be?” asked Thabyra
“Well, the Shokta are all around us, we will come upon them eventually, it is almost certain” said Tavania, her dislike of the entire breed showing through her voice.
“I really would like a chance to see some of the other fantastic creatures of this land, but I must keep my mind to finding my communities scythe” added Kolindra
“But seriously” interrupted Thabyra “where would there be gems?”
The party discussed their plans at some length and eventually decided on a northward route, hoping to find the StoneChildren and assuming that anyone who lived in a mountain would have gems aplenty.
The whole time Ry sat questioning his greatclub “you…you…no like ry now?”
The party headed north, appreciating the easier travel amongst the mature trees of the valley. After a few hours they came to the cliff that made the northern wall of the valley and chose to make camp, preferring to find their way out of the valley the next morning, when the whole day was theirs to explore.
As they made camp and everyone began to settle in Ry approached Rinney while Tavania cooked the small blue fish in a pan over the fire.
“you..carve for me…carve EarthShaker on club of mine” stumbled Ry doing his best imitation of a request.
Rinney spent the night carving on Rys club, trying to not pay attention to Thabyra and Finn joking about eating his cow.
“Bovimancy, that is what he practices” Said Finn, sending Thabyra into fits of laughter
As the night wound down Rinney handed his club back to Ry.
“It says EarthShaker” said Rinney, proud of his skills underneath EarthShaker Rinney had added “that which smites stones”
"My...friend..I..am..in...your...debt" stumbled Ry. He cradled the club and let sleep take him.
As they slept that night Thabyra, Kolindra, Finn and Ry had a terrible dream 3 times.
In their dream a small woman, possibly a midget, was being dragged toward a reddish light, and was screaming for help.
Each kept the dream to themselves and in the morning they headed east, searching for a way out of the valley. In a few hundred yards they came upon a 15 foot wide perfectly cobbled stone road leaving the valley. It was cut perfectly into the side of the hill.
Kolindras jar was almost full of the sweet, gooey honey when she heard Thaby cry out.
“Their coming back!” Thabyra cried loading a stone in her sling.
Thabyra popped a sling stone off of one of the curbles hairy hides without effect and then Tavania struck deep and hard, piercing the lead runner to the heart and dropping him midstride. Finn struck in from behind sunk a bolt from his crossbow deep in the leg of the smallest curble and the two decided they had had enough. They took off the path and ran for the woods, self-preservation beating out any sense of loyalty to their band.
As everyone’s eyes swept the field looking for danger they all eventually rested on Kolindra. She was up to her elbow in the hive and thick yellow honey streamed down her arm into the jar as giant bees climbed down the hive, over her body and back up.
When the jar was filled and sealed Kolindra joined the rest on the ground. The group was proud of their accomplishment anxious for the riches it would bring them, but Kolindra only wanted a spot to clean up. “I have to get some of this off me” she pleaded, “it is getting heavy and the sweet smell is getting sickening.”
Tavania pointed out that water must be nearby for the curbles and the bees and the party began to scour the perimeter for tracks, eventually finding a well-worn path to a beautifully clear pond. Tavania immediately jumped in and the honey and pollen began to seep stringily into the water around her.
Everyone took the opportunity to clean up from days in the plains and their recent bloody battle. A swarm of small blue fish immediately surrounded Kolindra and began feasting on the sweet residue she was washing from hr skin and clothes.
“Somebody give me a sack” said Tavania
Tavania began scooping the small blue fish into the sack as they fed. “These will feed us for a day or two at least.” She offered
Ichiopa drank with a deep slurping sound and Kolindra got out to dry herself and her clothes, leaving everyone else to turn away from her woodland sensibilities about nudity. The discussion quickly turned to their next direction.
“Gems” said Thabyra “We will be wanting to head wherever gems are and collect as much of them as possible.”
“Didn’t you have some other task to attend to?” asked Finn
Rinney replied “Yes, yes, one of my other acquaintances want the horns of a bison. He has quite a collection from his time as a hero, but managed to never get bison horns. He has promised some choices from his weapons collection if we can aquire him a set from a Shokta mount”
“Where would gems be?” asked Thabyra
“Well, the Shokta are all around us, we will come upon them eventually, it is almost certain” said Tavania, her dislike of the entire breed showing through her voice.
“I really would like a chance to see some of the other fantastic creatures of this land, but I must keep my mind to finding my communities scythe” added Kolindra
“But seriously” interrupted Thabyra “where would there be gems?”
The party discussed their plans at some length and eventually decided on a northward route, hoping to find the StoneChildren and assuming that anyone who lived in a mountain would have gems aplenty.
The whole time Ry sat questioning his greatclub “you…you…no like ry now?”
The party headed north, appreciating the easier travel amongst the mature trees of the valley. After a few hours they came to the cliff that made the northern wall of the valley and chose to make camp, preferring to find their way out of the valley the next morning, when the whole day was theirs to explore.
As they made camp and everyone began to settle in Ry approached Rinney while Tavania cooked the small blue fish in a pan over the fire.
“you..carve for me…carve EarthShaker on club of mine” stumbled Ry doing his best imitation of a request.
Rinney spent the night carving on Rys club, trying to not pay attention to Thabyra and Finn joking about eating his cow.
“Bovimancy, that is what he practices” Said Finn, sending Thabyra into fits of laughter
As the night wound down Rinney handed his club back to Ry.
“It says EarthShaker” said Rinney, proud of his skills underneath EarthShaker Rinney had added “that which smites stones”
"My...friend..I..am..in...your...debt" stumbled Ry. He cradled the club and let sleep take him.
As they slept that night Thabyra, Kolindra, Finn and Ry had a terrible dream 3 times.
In their dream a small woman, possibly a midget, was being dragged toward a reddish light, and was screaming for help.
Each kept the dream to themselves and in the morning they headed east, searching for a way out of the valley. In a few hundred yards they came upon a 15 foot wide perfectly cobbled stone road leaving the valley. It was cut perfectly into the side of the hill.