Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Chapter 3 - The Imperials)

[Deuce Traveler]

With a concerned look, Kel goes with several dwarven priests to attend to Alexander and Rix. Strangely, the three of them had become very close throughout their adventures and the elf is obviously agitated.

Barok and Chalik take Ventus to get cleaned up and retrieve the rest of his equipment. At the same time, Danica, Silas and Dartis meet with King Bermax. The lord of the mountain is happy enough to listen to the party's requests and agrees to allow the Dorinthian militia and refugees to stay a bit longer as guests while the party follows Ventus to the location of the lost Dorinthian cavalry. Pondering the plight of those men, he adds, "It's a strange story this Ventus tells, although there may be some truth mined from it. We dwarves never go to the location he is said to visit, as it is known as dryad territory. I would be most careful, as the fey can be vicious."

The party talks with him some more before the group gets together to enjoy the celebrations and then bedding down for the night. The party that is formed consists of Dartis, Danica, Silas, Barok and Ventus. The area should be two days away, and the dwarves provide five days of trail rations for each of the five party members. They also allow you to peruse their stockroom for extra goods. This is what is available to take:
[sblock]
3 Gauntlets
4 Punching Daggers
2 Spiked Gauntlets
3 Light Maces
2 Heavy Maces
1 Heavy Crossbow
2 Light Crossbows
1 Hand Crossbow
50 Bolts
20 Throwing Axes
2 Light Hammers
5 Hand Axes
3 Short Swords
3 Battle Axes
4 Warhammers
1 Spiked Heavy Shield
1 Greataxe
2 Shortbows
1 Longbow
40 Arrows
1 Dwarven Waraxe
1 Dwarven Urgrosh
3 Suits of Leather Armor
2 Suits of Studded Leather Armor
5 Chainmail Suits
3 Breastplates
1 Splint Mail suit
1 Banded Mail suit
3 Bucklers
2 Light Steel Shields
1 Heavy Steel Shield
1 Tower Shield
4 Backpacks
2 Bedrolls
1 Winter Blanket
1 pack of caltrops
1 Crowbar
1 Grappling Hook
1 50' coil of rope
7 Hooded Lanterns
12 Oil Flasks
25 Trail Rations
3 Waterskins
1 Piece of chalk
2 Signal Whistles
3 Whetstones
5 Torches
2 Tanglefoot Bags
3 Sunrods
1 set of Masterwork Artisan's Tools
1 set of Thieves Tools
[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

OOC: And give yourselves 50 XP each for that last round of dialogue.

 

[hafrogman]

After his bonds have been cut, Ventus gestures for Silas to hold out the sword horizontally. He places his hand over the blade, slowly, to ensure that no one mistakes his intentions. He speaks deliberately and clearly to all assembled.

"I, Tessan Ventus, do swear the following, of my own free will. Upon the blade of my father, I am no longer a legionaire in the service of the Tallione Empire. I hereby renounce all allegience to the government of my homeland. I harbor no concealed duties, being neither spy nor agent for the Emperor or any other entity. I will attempt neither escape nor any attack upon my captors. All this I swear, to be witnessed by all."

He bows once to the four assembled before him, then leaves with Chalik and Barok to retreive his equipment from the dwarves. He stays away from the celebrations, not sure of what kind of reception he would get, nor if he even has anything to celebrate. Best to leave the Dorinthians in peace. The morning will bring time enough to meet those with whom he is to travel.

-------------------------------------------------------

When he is next seen, Ventus is much changed from his captivity. His sharp, new shave reveals the face of a young man. His hair has lightened several shades with washing and it has once again been cropped short in the style of the Legions. He still seems slightly reduced as a result of his captivity and wandering before that, but a true night's rest has done much to restore his vigor. His frame is broadly built, and dressed once again in shining armor he looks the part of a warrior, no longer a languishing prisoner. But he has left the remains of his binding cords intact. They no longer restrict his movement, but they still hang from his wrists as a reminder.

Much of his legionaire's gear was left at the battlefield long ago, and now his distinctive scale mail has been changed for a breastplate from the dwarven stockroom. However, despite the new armor and the Dorinthian shield; the cut of his clothes, his stance and bearing, and the features of his face all loudly announce his history. And from his belt hangs his highly polished blade, proudly bearing the golden eagle of the empire.

Tucked into his pack is a battle axe, also borrowed from the dwarves. You never know when you might need to threaten a tree.

Before they set out, he does his best to describe in detail the scene that he was a witness to.

"The men lay under the effects of the spell, as I myself nearly fell prey to. It enduces a weariness it seems, a powerful effect when coupled with the plants that held them captive. I do not know what the woman's purpose was in holding them so, but they were clearly there against their will, or with no will left at all."

[sblock=ooc]Taking a breastplate from the dwarven stockroom, leaving his MW Scale Mail in its place. Also taking a battleaxe.[/sblock]

 

[Kobold Stew]

OOC: And give yourselves 50 XP each for that last round of dialogue.

OOC: eep! missed out!

IC:

Danica hurries about, not formally greeting either Barok or the newly freed Ventus. As she passes them, she bends at the waist, and tips her hat, before remembering that she is no longer disguised as a boy. She blushes and continues to fuss about.

First, she goes to Rix, and spends some time with him, speaking soothing words and holding his paw. She is proud of him, how he never squeaked during the battle, and what great lengths her companions were willing to go for a kobold. Things have changed so much, since we first met, she thinks. You're a hero now.

She thanks Kel, and says to the Dwarven priests, "Take good care of him now," kisses her finger and presses it between Rix's eyes. She almost skips away, so relieved is she at seeing Rix safe.

She stands, the two crossbows bouncing awkwardly against her legs. Hmmm. Can't travel like this.

As she walks past the sight of the battle, she hesitates where Nefius had stood, and on a hunch, bends her thumb and forefinger into a loop, and says "Show me what glows." She holds her fingers up to her eye, and looks about, to see if there is any hint of Nefius, or anything else. [OOC: casts detect magic]

Assuming she is satisfied that there is not, if there are ay bodies left, she helps clear them away. She then returns to the Dwarven tunnel, and busies herself helping with the meal. A fist of anxiety catches in her throat as Dartis passes, and she looks down, hoping not to be noticed. How could I have been so stupid to have thought my magic could help in a deception against Nefius? But she swallows it, flicking a remaining curl over her ear as she stirs a pot of some sort of stew.

Aftrer dinner, she looks at her equipment. She is still carrying the magnificent Imperial crossbow, but it was suggested that this could be hers (no one else seemed even interested in it [is this true?]). She compares the weights of the two crossbows--is the Imperial one heavier than her darkwood one? -- [DT, is it?] because if so she will need to shed some weight.

Danica is conscious she is not strong as a real warrior, and rebuilds her pack, starting with replenished bolts that the dwarves have offered, to see if she can carry all her belongings without slowing her ability to move through the forest. She also remembers to move the ink vial to her belt pouch, for next time.

When this is done, she rejoins her friends, and has some stew. Her repacking has taken much of their super time, but it saved her having to make conversation.

Danica realizes that her disguise failures have been her own fault: her boy disguise was seen through as soon as she encountered someone who had known her before, and she herself has revealed her real secret. So much for that. She takes the silly cap off her head, and unbuttons her collar. No more secrets. Her lopsided smile grows as she eats -- it is clear she was hungry -- and by the end of the meal she stands proudly, and looks to make one more change.

She starts to look for a nice, silk blouse among the dwarven women, hoping something meant for a dwarven female child as some sort of formal wear. But something feminine, and something from here. [DT, she'll pay for this, if needed.]

[Assuming she finds something: ] Danica pulls it on, and even with the size feels she is positively swimming in fabric, the shoulders of the garment almost reaching her elbows. She tucks it into her travelling pants, her fingers scrath her head above the ears, and that night she sleeps very well.



[OOC: sorry I've been slow posting this week, guys. As for the ring, Danica can use it, but I don't want to be greedy -- if someone else can benefit from it, they probably should.]

 

[Nephtys]

Barok ends his salute and nods at Darthis, then greets Danica with appreciation and Silas more briefly before following Chalik and Venthis out, keeping a close eye on the Imperial.

-
After spending one last night with the woman who warmed his blankets on the trail Barok says his farewells and helps himself to some supplies (bedroll and a tanglefoot bag) before heading out to join the others.
Having had little sleep and a lot to drink he's not in a cheerful mood, but keeps himself steady and seems competent enough.

 

[Fenris]

Throughout the night of the celebration and into the morning of the preparations Dartis finds time to speak with each member individually.

Barok and DT only: [sblock] "Barok, they tell me you are a man of sharp eyes, I charge you with keeping a close watch upon of our captive then. While he has sworn his oath. As you have said an Imperial trap is not out of the question. I have no suspiscions of him, but we will give him enough rope to hang or save himself." [/sblock]

Danica and DT only: [sblock] Dartis has summoned Danica, and when she appears he is taken aback a bit at her transformation.
"Danica Swann, I wish to thank you for all of your assistance, especially venturing out with Silas to serve as my honor guard against the Imperials. It took a great deal of courage. You are part of why Dorinthia has and will be great. And Dorinthia will always be proud of Her daughters, so long as they stay to to her. I am glad to see that you no longer conceal yourself from your countrymen. You have earned every right to stand alongside Her defenders. You have the gratitude of our remaining peoples, they will not judge you so long as you do not judge yourself. Silas has told me that you found an Imperial crossbow on the field. It looks of excellent quality. Long may you use it against our enemies. Go and enjoy the night, you have earned the opportunity to relax"

OOC: I say we give the ring to Silas, he has a pretty anemic AC and tends to get into melee too much

[/sblock]

Silas and DT only[sblock]
OOC: I am assuming that you told Dartis about he staff and crossbow. I have suggested to KS that we give you the ring, but want his agreement first.
"Silas my friend, I am worried. Imperials I will stand before and face a thousand arrows, but fey? The memories of the gnome still haunt me. I will lean heavily upon your knowledge her and well as your and Danica's magic for our next challenge. But we must succeed! To find kinsmen, to find cavalry! Do you know what that would mean to our people? Such hope it would bring!

But still I worry, the Imperials are on their way back to Tallione, but how long will their own schemes keep them occupied? And what do we do with our people Silas? We cannot rely upon the gnomes or the dwarves or the elves forever. Hopefully the reduced Imperial presence will allow the elves to breath a bit more easily and keep us a while longer. But we must find a new home. Arable lands for our farmers. And it must be soon. Our people grow less scattered. We have begun assembling them. We must provide them a direction, a place to go, a place to live......." after a pause Dartis adds, "a king." says Dartis staring into Silas' eyes.

"Do you think our people need these things? Ruminate upon them. Put your Caernite mind to work upon these problem my trusted Advisor, and see what answers you can give me"

[/sblock]

 

[Nephtys]

Dartis
[Sblock=spoiler]
Barok winces slightly at the volume of Dartis' voice and rubs his left temple before answering with a grim expression, "I accept your charge, because I do not trust him. But not just because of that. He has the blood of murderers in his veins and wether or not he has done murder against our people he has helped make murder possible for his brothers. It will take a lot more than an oath to make up for that."
[/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

Silas listens solemnly as Ventus makes his oath, nodding his approval at the man's words. With the ceremony concluded Silas quietly says, "So witnessed, by the peoples of Dorinth, Bermax, and the earth who gave up a portion of herself so that your ancestors might arm themselves." After, by Dartis' instruction, he leaves to ensure that Ventus if properly equipped by the dwarves then hurries to the meeting with Dartis and King Bermax.

-----

Silas listens to King Bermax's description of the area and later, again to Ventus' tale. Worrying, Silas stays at the edges of the evenings celebrations. He participates but the upcoming mission and the extended separation from his family weighs heavily upon him. Repeatedly, he finds himself watching Danica, surprised at her transformation, and thinking to himself that she will be key to what is to come. He also looks for Ventus but never catches sight of the man. Though he frowns a little when he sees Barok he isn't quite sure why and hopes that the man will become a trusted friend.

[sblock=OOC]DT, I think I hit 4th level (6,000 xp, right?). I forget how we handled acquisition of spells for a wizard's increase in level. If you could give me a reminder, perhaps in the OOC thread, I would appreciate it.

I suggest we take the dwarves offer to buy the gemstones that were found in the skum cavern. That would give a total of 260 gp (counting those 10 odd gold coins) to be divided (86 gp, 6 sp, 6 cp each), if you want to do that. That would nearly finish off all previous treasure. I think the ring should go to Danica.[/sblock]
[sblock=To Dartis]OOC: Silas would indeed have informed Dartis about the staff and crossbow, especially since the staff was carried by Nefius.

Silas bows as Dartis presents the ring to him. "Respectfully, Lord, I must decline. I am well protected by my magics and I feel it would do more good for Danica. She baffles me, I must confess. She almost seems ashamed of her magics." He shakes his head in amazement. "And I feel that she will be instrumental in our next mission. I know nothing of the fey except that dryads seemingly prey on human males. I hope that her gender will provide us some manner of protection. As well as her magic." His brow knits together in concern and thought. "Perhaps I should try to find out more about what she can do with her magic? Though I'm afraid that no matter how cautiously I proceed I will still tread too heavily." He sighs.

Returning Dartis' forthright stare with one of his own, Silas says, "I have thought long about these things you bring up already. I share your worries and fear that once the Tallione finish with their internal squabbles they will once again turn towards the remnants of Dorinth. We cannot flee them forever. We need homes and fields, places where we can raise our children in safety. We need something greater than ourselves, a community, leaders, a king. Baron Dorin is old, his son lost...and the Shield of Kings has been placed into your hands..." Unsure if he has brought up something that he shouldn't have, Silas quickly presses on. "I will continue to consider these things and provide you what counsel I may."[/sblock]

 

[Kobold Stew]

Dartis and DT: [sblock]

Danica is flushed with the compliment that Dartis offers her, and she courtseys low. She pats the crossbow at her side, and nods, her lips pursed at the seriousness of what awaits them.


OOC:


You wrote, "I say we give the ring to Silas, he has a pretty anemic AC and tends to get into melee too much "

Good plan!


[/sblock]

 

[Fenris]

Kobold Stew OOC:
[sblock] Yeah but he said to give it to you! So take it, he has spells for that sort of thing. [/sblock]