Duvik’s Pass has experienced a much welcome three weeks of peace since the heroes entered the mine and eliminated the evil therein. The town now makes preparations for the coming winter, storing this year’s harvest to meet the needs of the cold months, shoring up tattered buildings to retain heat, etc. Similar measures are being taken across the kingdom, though this town in particular seems more vigorous; hope returning with the retreat of the plague’s symptoms.
But the ramifications of the adventurers’ actions have not been entirely positive. News of the death of the last of the Tornclaw tribe has circulated amongst the local orc tribes, raising tensions within the southern valleys. This has only exacerbated the situation that has developed since the King of five years and Paladin of Lothar, Hedrick III, announced his intentions to purge the traditional religious practices of the mountain humanoids, bringing them into line with both the northern faith and the Crown’s authority. Raids by orcs, goblins, kobolds, and giants are a fact of life in these lands that are on the periphery of both the northern and southern empires, but in recent weeks they have taken on a more organized, overtly political character. The adherents of the Southern Church, who dominated both the nobility and common settlements throughout these vales, have also grown anxious over the King’s policy of handing over strategically located citadels between and within the Yellow Valleys over to the Lotharian Order.
The rising conflicts seem distant to the residents of Duvik’s Pass, what with the kobolds vacated and the mines renovated. Yet such a state of tranquility will soon be beyond the reach of the party….
Sir Whiteclove, sheriff of Duvik’s Pass, has summoned the party to the magisterial office. The four members (Bhartus, Jericho, Whitney, and Ardoss) stand around the sheriff’s writing table. There is a new face, an elf of the northern variety, but clothed in the southern style, who stands behind the seated sheriff.
“Noble freebooters, you served the dignity of both the community and the crown able. I hope to see this relationship rendered permanent.”
He smiles and continues, “I have another task for the four of you. Two days travel to the south is the village of Travensburg, fief of Alexi Traven, the knight for whom I was a squire before I acquired this post. He gives prayer to the Southern Gods as is the tradition of his family, but has always remained loyal to our king, campaigning with him in the Horselands to the east for nearly a decade.”
The smile disappears, “This last harvesting season was not a good one for Travensburg. The village does not have an adequate local yield to bring it through the winter. Sir Traven, ever the responsible lord, has utilized his personal assets in purchasing the requisite grain to feed his community. But raids, probably perpetrated by the same beast men who spawned Jakk, have afflicted the caravans transporting the foodstuffs. The increase in risk has in turn increased prices to the point that Sir Traven’s assets will be broken before the needed goods are purchased. Travensburg falls under my jurisdiction and its lord is a longtime friend, placing the responsibility upon me to acquire the assistance needed to put an end to these raids. And who would be appropriate in this role than those who put Jakk Tornclaw to the sword?”
He smiles, “What say you all? If you ascent, you should make your preparations tonight and head out in the morning. I have taken it upon myself to acquire a scout.” points to the elf (Tarowyn), “He goes by Tarowyn. Despite his fey heritage, he was raised in those southern lands, and can speak the local tongue.”
The sheriff awaits you response….
But the ramifications of the adventurers’ actions have not been entirely positive. News of the death of the last of the Tornclaw tribe has circulated amongst the local orc tribes, raising tensions within the southern valleys. This has only exacerbated the situation that has developed since the King of five years and Paladin of Lothar, Hedrick III, announced his intentions to purge the traditional religious practices of the mountain humanoids, bringing them into line with both the northern faith and the Crown’s authority. Raids by orcs, goblins, kobolds, and giants are a fact of life in these lands that are on the periphery of both the northern and southern empires, but in recent weeks they have taken on a more organized, overtly political character. The adherents of the Southern Church, who dominated both the nobility and common settlements throughout these vales, have also grown anxious over the King’s policy of handing over strategically located citadels between and within the Yellow Valleys over to the Lotharian Order.
The rising conflicts seem distant to the residents of Duvik’s Pass, what with the kobolds vacated and the mines renovated. Yet such a state of tranquility will soon be beyond the reach of the party….
Sir Whiteclove, sheriff of Duvik’s Pass, has summoned the party to the magisterial office. The four members (Bhartus, Jericho, Whitney, and Ardoss) stand around the sheriff’s writing table. There is a new face, an elf of the northern variety, but clothed in the southern style, who stands behind the seated sheriff.
“Noble freebooters, you served the dignity of both the community and the crown able. I hope to see this relationship rendered permanent.”
He smiles and continues, “I have another task for the four of you. Two days travel to the south is the village of Travensburg, fief of Alexi Traven, the knight for whom I was a squire before I acquired this post. He gives prayer to the Southern Gods as is the tradition of his family, but has always remained loyal to our king, campaigning with him in the Horselands to the east for nearly a decade.”
The smile disappears, “This last harvesting season was not a good one for Travensburg. The village does not have an adequate local yield to bring it through the winter. Sir Traven, ever the responsible lord, has utilized his personal assets in purchasing the requisite grain to feed his community. But raids, probably perpetrated by the same beast men who spawned Jakk, have afflicted the caravans transporting the foodstuffs. The increase in risk has in turn increased prices to the point that Sir Traven’s assets will be broken before the needed goods are purchased. Travensburg falls under my jurisdiction and its lord is a longtime friend, placing the responsibility upon me to acquire the assistance needed to put an end to these raids. And who would be appropriate in this role than those who put Jakk Tornclaw to the sword?”
He smiles, “What say you all? If you ascent, you should make your preparations tonight and head out in the morning. I have taken it upon myself to acquire a scout.” points to the elf (Tarowyn), “He goes by Tarowyn. Despite his fey heritage, he was raised in those southern lands, and can speak the local tongue.”
The sheriff awaits you response….
