[IC] For the Children, Chapter 1

[Akunin]

(OOC) This is the thread for the game that was put together here. For those who are reading and not playing a character in the game, please post any comments into the appropriate OOC thread. Thanks!

For the Children, Chapter 1
Our Cast of Characters

• Sodarin Underwood (Wild Elf) - a peasant turned wandering Monk after being denied his true Love
• Savris "Shade" Ko’thari (Moon Elf) - a quick-witted, swift-footed Rogue and urban tracker of men
• Marina (Human) - an escaped slave and newly-indoctrinated Priestess of Lathander the Morninglord
• Killian Maxwell (Human) - from humble roots, a mighty mercenary with an intimidating fighting style
• Dashelinil "Dash" Eventide (Moon / Drow Elf) - offspring of an unfortunate union, he has made the best of his lot by pursuing knowledge

For some fifteen years, the beginning of spring in Beregost has been marked with the arrival of the brightly colored wagons of a group of travelers known to all as "The Children of Toril". Members of all races and from homelands across all of Faerun, the Children bring entertainment, songs and tales, and exotic goods from across the Realms. Most cities welcome them, eager to enjoy the spirited festivals that spring up around the traveler's wagons. Some communities, however, take a dim view of the band of performers and traders, claiming that they bring bad luck and ruin.

Beregost is one such place. Three years ago, two armed Children were seen sneaking into a local merchant's shop. When confronted, they professed to having heard "sounds of a struggle inside" and having seen "strange dark shapes moving through the shadows". No evidence supporting their story was found, but no goods had been stolen and the lock did not appear to have been forced. The Children were asked to pack up and leave, sparking arguments between the caravan leaders and the Priests of Lathander.

As the Caravan leader turned to instruct his "family" to gather their posessions, shouts of "fire!" rang through the city streets, spurring the Priests and locals to frenzied action. As the Children and their wagons vanished into the night, a home quickly burned to the ground, a family of seven perishing in the blaze.

The last words of the caravan's leader to the Priests are said to be "Take care of the Children, or they shall become lost and shall never find their way Home."

A year later, the caravan made its way once again to the town of Beregost. The priesthood quockly met with the elders of the caravan to forge an agreement intended to prevent conflict between the Children and the citizens, who had still not forgotten the previous year's loss, and who attributed it to the "Vagabond's Luck". Although their reception was a cold one, and though they set up their camp a little farther from town than before, trade was brisk for three days.

On the fourth evening, a small mob of farmers and tradesmen burst angrily into the Children's camp. Several of the townspeople's sons and daughters had gone missing, and were last seen playing near the caravan. The Children denied any involvement, yet refused to allow the citizens of Beregost to search their camp or wagons. A fight broke out, and several of the townsmen ran to the city to retrieve the Priests of Lathander. When they returned, they found the remainder of the mob unconscious or incapacitated, the fires of the Caravan's camp still smouldering, but with no trace of their passing.

No trace, save for a note pinned to a nearby tree. "You did not heed our warning, and your Children have been taken from you.

Last year's arrival of the caravan was met with thrown curses and hurled rocks. The Priests of Lathander intervened before violence escalated, yet were barely able to hold back the angered townspeople after an ancient matron peered from a wagon window and called out to them "You drive away the Children with your harsh words and violent blows. Beware, for they may not return to you." The wagons did not slow as they continued past beregost and onward to the north.

Over the next three days, five children vanished without a trace.

The priests of Lathander have devoted a great deal of their prayers and devotions toward seeking out the answer to this riddle. None in the city have found evidence linking the travelers to the disappearances or to the fire, but many have claimed to have seen members of The Children of Toril peering in windows, sneaking about after dark, and approaching the town's children with gifts or songs. The head of the local church, having spent a tenday in fasting and contemplation, announced to his congregation that the Children of Toril must be allowed to return to Beregost, that the source of the disappearances can be found.

A call has gone out to any who can assist the priests in maintaining peace in the city and help in investigating the disappearances. Those not residents of Beregost are approached by the yellow-clad priests, who will ask for aid and answer questions posed to them as best as they are able. Those who show an interest are asked to meet with the head of the church, Brother Malachi upon the day they anticipate the arrival of the wagons.

(OOC) Here's your background, everyone. Go ahead and set up your first scenes so we know where you are when the Priests of lathander approach you.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Dash Eventide

Dash rides into Beregost eyes wide with wonder at seeing his first human city. Inspite of being tired from a long journey, Dash spends a full hour wandering the streets taking everything in. The people the arctitecture of the buildings, part of the cities layout, and anything else of interest he stumbles upon.

After his quick tour of the town, Dash finds a nice shady place to stop his horse and have a break before going off in search of an inn. He feads and waters the horse and then lays down in the grass to rest. Humming an old elven tune and eating an apple he picked up in the market.

So this is it, my first time in a human city! How exciting! I can't wait to explore further, i hope they have a temple, or maybe even a library! I wounder what human cooking tastes like? There buildings seem like they maybe stifling, so closed up and all, but maybe they'll surprise me. I think i'll just rest here under this little tree for a little while before i go and find an inn.

 

["Shade" Ko’thari]

Enter Savris "Shade" Ko'thari

Savris Ko'thari, the moon elf known to most only as Shade, looked hard into the eyes of the passing farmer. The man would have nothing of interest and he was blessed by the gods that he didn't. It was not good fortune to catch the eye of one such as he.

Shade smiled coldly. No good fortune for that pompous old geezer. He had spotted the old merchant as he ducked into the inn across the road, now Shade sat on a barrel in the opposing alley and watched. He peeled an orange as he waited. No need to look like I'm waiting.

Having been in Beregost for almost a week he had acquired a room in one of the local inns. He had made it a point to listen around town for any news he could use to turn a profit. While not above taking a contract on some poor fool, he had rather earn his money by more savory means.....theft.

Well... if the mark isn't out soon, I suppose I could see where he lives. Though he may be staying here... He studied the inn with keen elven senses and made mental notes of easy access points and quick escape routs. Hmmm.... If I could go in through the second story window, it might save me time picking a lock. Course, I'll still need to know what room he is in.

It wouldn't be the first time he climbed through a window, nor likely the last. The guards in Beregost where nowhere near as numerous as those back in Westgate. Of course, they weren't as likely to take bribes either.

None of it mattered really. He had plenty of coin. This was just for sport. The big score would be in Baldur's Gate. For a long time he had thought about traveling there and taking membership with the city's guild. Bet I can make more coin there in a week than I could make here in a year.

With that, he tossed the orange aside, and made his way toward the inn. I'll not fatten my purse sitting on a barrel. It's time I see what the old coot is doing with my money.

[OOC: Gather Information check to see if I've learned anything of interest in the last week? Gather Information +4]

 

[reapersaurus]

OOC: before i have killian come in, i need to know how far away Tsurlagol is from Beregost. Is there a dwarf presence in this city? TIA

 

[Sodalis]

Another year... another festival. Every year, it's the same thing. The children come, people laugh, and they get mobbed at the end of their stay. humans are so lame....but why do they return? Fate must have something in store for me... is it that she will... no- she is out of my life, and i should not waste my time thinking of her anymore - Although Sodarin tells himself that he is not waiting for the caravan to deliver Cecila back to him, that is exactly what he is doing.

Sodarin has been sitting near the entrance of town for a couple of days. His clothes are dirty, but only because he wants to project the image of a beggart. that way, people will not bother him, and as an added bonus, people are dropping copper pieces at his feet. Its not much, but it gets food.

In his bedroll, he has a magnificent shortbow wrapped up. he hopes that he will never have to use it. It has served him well in the forest. hunting for seven years has made him very well trained, but his most prized weapon is not his bow, but his hands. For with them, he is able to channel his energy into a crippling blow. But before that will ever come about, he has a siangham hidden in his sleeve, and it is as deadly as his hands....

that blasted caravan better be coming soon... I have better things to do than to sit here and wait for those merchants to come and go... but someone's got to protect them....

Sodarin is waiting to see how the poeple will react to the "children". Though he is disappointed that the caravan did not deliver his love to him, he feels obligated in some way to see that they have a safe passage, for maybe it is delivering another love to another person.

 

[Akunin]

(ooc) before i have killian come in, i need to know how far away Tsurlagol is from Beregost.
Is there a dwarf presence in this city?
TIA (/ooc)

(OOC) Tsurlagol is quite a distance away (~1600 miles), but you could easily cover a little over half the distance by ship. The Western Heartlands as a whole has a small (1%) Dwarven population (at a quick glance, most regions in the west are between 5% and <1% Dwarven)

 

[Sodalis]

Originally posted by reapersaurus
(ooc) before i have killian come in, i need to know how far away Tsurlagol is from Beregost.
(/ooc)

OOC: Even if it was that far away, you could have said that you have been riding/ sailing/ walking/ journeying for a bit of time now, and are currently just a few miles outside of town.

OOC: [previous post] Sodarin is waiting to see how the poeple will react to the "children". Though he is disappointed that the caravan did not deliver his love to him, he feels obligated in some way to see that they have a safe passage, for maybe it is delivering another love to another person. [edit] he is disappointed that teh caravan did not deliver his his love to him in the previous years,

 

[The Kender]

"What is all of this talk about? What Children could cause this much trouble?" Marina says to herself quietly.

"Kind sir, I am new to this town. Can you tell me what children everybody seems to be talking about?"

OOC: I'll ask somebody nearby to tell me about these "Children."

 

[Akunin]

Dashelinil "Dash" Eventide

As Dash begins to nod off in the warm sun, he is startled by raised tones of conversation. Peering up from his place of rest, he sees before him three townfolk, engaged in animated discussion of "the arrival of the Children". a young man and woman speak hurredly of "keeping the young ones locked up tight" and "keep a rake or shovel close at hand", while the other, a short and portly man interjects occasionally with things such as "don't trust those outsiders" and "better they just ride on through like they did last year".

After a few moments, the three of them take notice of him and the fat man nods in his direction. "Hey! Stranger!" the other two seem quite shocked at the pale elf's appearance, and take a step backwards, whispering between themselves ("his eyes! did you see his eyes?" "and his skin - he's the color of milk!"). The man continues "You with the Children, elf? We don't want any trouble from you and your kin this year - fair warning!"


Savris "Shade" Ko’tharil

(OOC - Spending time in the local tavern and spending a little coin has provided a good and relatively accurate account of the events surrounding the Children of Toril and their past several visits. Assume that all of the knowledge in the intro was gathered over several nights. In addition, you have learned that after the fire destroyed the home, only five of the family member's bodies were found.)

Circling the old building, Shade finds it quite easy to access the roof. A rain barrel provides an easy step up to the roof over the common area, and he quietly makes his way across the rooftop and to the window which he believes belongs to his mark.

A stealthy peek through the frosted glass appears to confirm this, but he realizes he'll need to be more certain. It appears to be the right man, but it looks as if he has company. Putting an ear close to the glass, Shade listens.

"... promised me that you had ... and I offered to let you ... until you kept up your end of ... I try to run an honest busi ... and people here know it. How do you .... makes me look?"

"I know, I know ... need a little more time ... pocket on the road... the Children arrive, I'll be able to get ... for you, but ... more time - a couple days."

"TWO days ... turn it over to the priests ... thander."


Sodarin Underwood

As his thoughts drift to his lost Love and to the Children of Toril, Sodarin wishes for a world much different from the one he lives in. He catches himself after several minutes of reverie, and reminds himself that the disciplined mind is a strong mind. The sun is blocked out by a tall man in yellow robes. Looking upward, Sodarin sees one of the priests of Lathander, a common sight in this city, standing over him.

The man extends a hand to the monk. "I remember seeing you a year ago, and a year before that. Lathander told me that I would find a man who is seeking something he lost, and that he believes the Children will bring it to him. In a similar manner, we seek to find the young ones who have gone missing, and believe the answers to be found with the caravan. I have no coins to give you today, but I do have a meal to share, and an offer for you."

If Sodarin follows, the priest (who introduces himself as Spencer, Acolyte of Lathander) leads him to the nearby temple.


Marina

The passing merchant sees Marina's holy symbol and ragged appearance and stands in shock.

"Honored sister! The road must have been harsh for you to be in such a state! Why have you not gone to be with your Brothers and Sisters in the Temple? Please, let me take you there - it would not do for me to see one of the Morninglord's servants in need and not offer assistance."

He makes a gesture - a sign of blessing used by lathander's priesthood and offers to take marina to the temple.

 

[The Kender]

After thinking for a minute, Marina responds, "That would be wonderful. Thank you very much." After a little bit of walking with the nice man, Marina asks, "What Children do these people speak of? How could young children cause so much trouble?"