Feint Whispers Chapter #5: The Excavation

[Mirth]

The guards look to each other. The one who spoke motions to another, who runs back towards town. The speaker bows to Jericho, "One moment, sir. Beg your pardon."

The guards don't seem to have ill intent and infact are taking a nonthreatening posture.

Minutes later, Sir Whiteclove rides up, "Fists!!! The caravan drivers who returned informed me of the occurances at the Order. How was your return journey? I see you've made some new friends."

Relieved that his fears are unfounded, Tarowyn relaxes, "We ran afoul of some nasties and a small military unit of orcs..." the elf smirks, "...or should I say they ran afoul of us."

 

[jasamcarl]

"Oh that?" A smile creeps across Whiteclove's face as he motions over his shoulder towards the ongoing construction, "That is war. Word came south from the King's City; a challenge to my Soverign's throne appears to have been more than tavern talk. A distant cousin of the King has apparently invaded from the east with an army of orcs and mercenaries. There is fear that the Southern lords and local orcs who have little love of the crown, or Duvik's Pass for that matter after the events of the Festival, will join the Usurper. We are an island of loyalt in a sea of rebelliousness, and I hope not to get caught off guard again after that wretched slaver...." He trails off, anger plain on his face. At the mention of Daris Salum, the guards spit, one calls out, "Let us have him, lord!!!"

The sheriff smiles again, "Oh, you probably don't recognize these fine men. Daris' 'stock' included a healthy number of skilled warriors. The royal messenger gave me the ok to free them on condition that they serve the crown. And I think they would like to buy the lot of you drinks. I wouldn't pass it up....life under the sun has become just as dangerous as that in the caves..." With that, the sheriff turns his horse and trots back to lead the preperations....

Everyone gets 660xp. The bags you retrieved from the razed keep's cellar yielded 720gp for each of you. You will have a few days of downtime, so post your comings and goings, update your stats, etc.. Btw, kudos to Krug and Kain for that nice spell combo.

 

[Krug]

cool beans.

Bhartus will go around, speaking to dwarves (if any), and make a contribution of 10% of the gold he recently received in donations to Moradin. He senses approaching war, and those who would use orcs in their ways will have ill upon them even if they win victory. He will also ensure the refugees safe passage and help in any healing, or comfort for the dying, if possible.

 

[KaintheSeeker]

"War?" Whitney says quietly as she figets with her ring, running her thumb over it's signet. "That could be quite..dire." Turns her mount towards town and seems deep into thought as she rides down to the town.

 

[Tokiwong]

"War?" Whitney says quietly as she figets with her ring, running her thumb over it's signet. "That could be quite..dire." Turns her mount towards town and seems deep into thought as she rides down to the town.

Jericho follows for some ways, after Whitney, "Aye war is dire, lass, but that is the way of men, to fight, and we must fight, to protect the Crown, if need be. Not that I am a supporter of this state, but Sherrif Whiteclove is a good man, and in turn, if he feels it is a cause worth fighting for, he has my blade."

Jericho pauses, as Whitney arroves at her destination, "Though I would be greatly distressed, if you were to come to harm, milady, I dare not say I would not want you at my side with your arcane mastery. But becareful, if War does come, it spares no man, nor woman, and if I am to make my claim to your father, it would be preferrable that you be still alive."

Jericho turns Saladin, onward towards the inn, to enjoy a drink with the men, and share his stories of the previous encounter, and other tales of derring do. He drinks well, but is distant his mind on many things, especially war, but also of love, and money.

The next few days

Jericho works closely with the militia and soldiers, sharing what wisdom he has about the arts of warfare, with them, and the Sherrif. He purchases a shield, he had commissioned before he left, a fine new enchanted steel shield, black to match his current armor, though without the signature spikes of his current armor. he gets to know the men, personally, working with them, a veritable workhorse, putting in long hours for the defense of the city.

But Jericho is also not all work, and no play, he has a local jewler create for him, a beautiful amulet of silver and gold chains, with a carved jade inset of a cat's face. Once he is pleased with the work, he has it delivered to Whitney by care of proxy, along with several treats for Mist, while he continues his work with the city's defense.

A note is included with the Gift...

A fair gift for a fair lady, though its beauty is only heightened by your presence, by which all other lovelies, fail to compare.

-Jericho

OOC: Jericho will spend 250 GP for the endeavor, and another 10 GP for drinking and such.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Over the next few days Norri does a little spending, but spends a lot of time helping patrol the areas around Duvik's Pass and subtely searching around in town for other roguish individuals in his time off. In general keeping himself busy, and avoiding the thought of war whenever possible.

 

[Mirth]

Tarowyn spends his time with the new contingent of ex-slave soldiery, making sure they are being treated fairly, getting to know them, their backgrounds, their families, their aspirations, etc.

The elf also practices drawing arrows from the magical quiver he newly acquired from the monks. Finding that a fletcher has set up shop in Duvik because of the possible onset of war, Tarowyn makes sure to stock up on ammunition, including a few enchanted arrows that the fletcher just happened to have in stock.

 

[KaintheSeeker]

Whitney retreats to her rooms, working hard over the next few days, as packages from a local tailor arrives. She barely emerges to receive Jericho's gift and since and thank you note before dissapearing into them. She is heard chanting for hours on end and Mist is seen thorughout the inn, mostly mouching and mooning for attention from the servents.

A few letters were delivered to the hands of servants in the evenings when she wasn't at work.

Finally 4 packages are given into hands of messengers to be delivered to the other membrs of the Hand. In each is a fine cloak, lined in sable with a wolf's head setting in the clip, 'biting' into a claw of a reptilian creature. With them comes a small note.

My Comrades,

I crafted these cloaks as a gift, each is gifted with some small magics that will give some small aid in our endevours to come. It is a small effort, but one that I can do.

After all, as you might owe me for my aid, I know I owe my life to each of you in turn at some point. Consider this a small 'thank you' for that.

My thanks again.

Whitney DelNoir

OOC: Each player gets a +1 cloak of resistance

 

[Tokiwong]

Jericho struts about town in his new clok, showing it off, and well looking dashing, in a swarthy, brash kind of way. He makes sure, to stay keen on military interests, but also pays visits to each of the Fist, to chat, to learn, and well make sure they are having a good time, because that is very important to him.

 

[Krug]

Bhartus puts on the new cloak and is very pleased with himself.
That lass, she be a good sort!

He struts about town confidently, and treats Jericho to some ale at a tavern. "The Fist should not tarry long; dark powers are gathering."