Shattered Sea Chronicles, Book II: Of Rocks and Red Eagles

[Imerak]

Larren doesn't quite follow all of the clans and rulers and whatnot involved in the thane's explanation, but understands the final result. Typical. People let themselves get beaten because they can't forgive somebody else for what their ancestors did to each other. Deciding that this group was too set in their ways to change, Larren doesn't point out what he sees as complete garbage.

"Well, I guess we're going it alone. Too bad, though I can't say I'll miss Osric." He turns to Maris, quickly looking her up and down. "Well met, Maris, and I promise that I shall keep you safe."

 

[EvolutionKB]

Redbeard

Redbeard frowns at the mention of the people of Bright Rock harassing the grazers and farmers. "If they be botherin' the farmers and herders of this place, then I have less sympathy for them with the orcs that be knockin' at thar doors. I don't be knowin' much about minin' but if they be ruinin' the good lands, they be havin' a problem. In all, I think what ye be askin' be fair. But, do the people of Bright Rock be swearin' to someone else already? If they be patriots then they not be puttin' down thar picks before swingin' 'em at yer men's skulls. Woult the agreed to terms would ye require them to be payin' you to show thar continued support?"

"I am Maris. There has been much bad blood between those now living at Bright Rock, and my folk. If Osric takes his riders there now, there will be blood spilled in the streets."

"Hi there missy, my name be Redbeard, and this be Ralph." Redbeard holds out his grubby, pudgy hand towards the girl, and gives Ralph a stroke on his head. "We must be leavin faster than the the eagle flies, if Osric be meaning to raze the town." At this last sentence, Redbeard sighs, and sadly shakes his head. Polly, I be missin ye girl, I be hopin ye have a nest full of chicks right now.

[sblock=ooc]BD, what time is it? Last I can see we met the Riders at noon.[/sblock]

 

[Fenris]

OOC: BD, Ok to what exent can and does the Thane have authority over Bright Rock? Both historically, and realistically. Sending his soliders to reinfornce the militia would indicate some measure of fealty by the city to the Thane, hat would seem to interfere with Edran's demand. Broderick will support the Thane in this case so it's importnat to understand this to gauge my reaction.

 

[Blarkon Dragonslayer]

OOC: BD, Ok to what exent can and does the Thane have authority over Bright Rock? Both historically, and realistically. Sending his soliders to reinfornce the militia would indicate some measure of fealty by the city to the Thane, hat would seem to interfere with Edran's demand. Broderick will support the Thane in this case so it's importnat to understand this to gauge my reaction.

OOC: Historically, Bright Rock was the southern end of Mallon's Vale, an independent human barony with a long tradition of alliance with the Thane of Stone Mountain, and through him, indirectly, the larger Kingdom of Avonleigh. That alliance goes back far enough to be four or five dwarven generations, and obviously, many human ones. In the last war with the Darkrune, more then fifty years ago, both Rivenshield Delve, the northern bastion of the Thane's lands, and Mallon's Vale, were overrun, along with all the lands north of the mountains that had been claimed during the time the Darkrune had seemed all but destroyed. Bright Rock, one of the larger towns of the Vale, was sacked and burned by the hordes at that time. Some remnant of the people of the Vale fled, either south into Avonleigh the kingdom, or up into the small mountain valleys scattered throughout the nearer parts of the mountains.

The current inhabitants of Bright Rock came from Avonleigh the kingdom, and went into the Vale, largely because the silver mines of Bright Rock were fairly legendary in their time, and somehow they became aware that there weren't any orcs or so forth in immediate residence in the ruined town. They cleared and re-opened the mines, and made a lot of money, mostly trading through the guilds of Stonegate. Over the last decade or so, the original group of miners and adventurers that made the venture have been joined by others, so that there are several hundred people in the town, which is partially rebuilt, and some are spreading out from it, re-clearing farmland, and so forth. The people of Bright Rock do not, generally speaking, owe the Thane himself any fealty, but they are citizens, again speaking generally, of the larger kingdom of Avonleigh. That is why the Thane is involving himself in the situation.

 

[Guest 11456]

Jillian Wolfrunner : Female Elf Rogue 3

"Maris is it? I understand that we will be escorting you to Bright Rock. But who will escort you back here for the return trip?"

 

[Bloodweaver1]

'Pauli' The Psion

The mind mage listens intently to the elder’s story and makes mental notes when necessary. Towards then end, when the Knight introduces the young lady, Pauli cannot help put let a small smirk crawl onto his face as sees the divine caster extends his greeting. I wonder how many notched belts he has gone through…Actually what does a notched belt look like? Are the notches big? Do they directly correlate to the attractiveness of the female? Do you keep the belts once the are full?

As the group prepares to leave, Pauli steals himself a few minutes by the river and begins to sooth his core energies by mediating on the peaceful sounds of water.

 

[Blarkon Dragonslayer]

In the end, it becomes apparent that the judgment of Edran is going to be delivered, the choice really being between it's delivery by Maris, escorted by the adventurers, or Maris escorted by Osric and an army of the hillmen, with all the probability of immediate bloodshed, orc or no orcs, that would very likely entail.

Maris smiles at Larren's declaration, though she seems more amused then grateful. At the question of her escort back, she simply smiles and says, "I'll need to wait for their answer, and I'm a little curious about them. I've had little chance to meet anyone from outside the mountains. Maybe I'll travel back with you, if you return this way, or I can ride down alone, for that matter. It's really only a short distance, an easy morning's ride, from Bright Rock to the nearests crofts of my folk."

As Pauli rests himself by the lake, he feels eyes upon him. Looking up, he sees three boys watching him, ranging from a near toddler of five years, to a young man of perhaps twelve. The oldest boy, seeing they've been noticed, just sits, studying the psion closely.

The boys move away though, when an older women screeches at them to "Leave the bloody outlanders be!"

In the morning, Maris is waiting, with a light warhorse saddled up, dressed in a chain shirt and leathers, a buckler and bastard sword hanging on her saddle, as well as a cased bow. A pack mule is there, with several bundles expertly stowed on it's pack saddle.

Many of the people of the camp are there to see them off, and most of them seem friendly enough, though some seem more reserved. Edran is not present. Osric is therel, watching the group, obviously unhappy with the situation, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

He says nothing, though, and soon enough they are on their way, making their down the narrow defile. They are watched closely by the sentries, till finally they make their way into the pass itself.

They climb further into the mountains for perhaps two hours, then Maris points out a well-used trail leading to the west and north. "That is the way to Mallon's Vale. The main road is further north, but the bridge was burned to slow the orcs, and no one has yet rebuilt it. The track seems barely wide enough for one wagon, as the group begins to travel along it.

 

[EvolutionKB]

Redbeard

Redbeard huffs and puffs along the mountain trail. The lower amount of air, along with his great bulk didn't help Redbeard up the trail much faster. Eventually, he hooked a leash up to Ralph so the big muscular dog could help Redbeards progress along the trail. The great dog seemed to enjoy himself, even though he was straining quite a bit. Redbeard watches the mountains around them, enjoying Nature at her finest. He asks Maris, a great surge forward from Ralph makes him stumble, nearly falling in the gravel. "How many days be ye sayin' this trek be?" As he continues to watch the trail he says, "We should be keepin' alert, the orcs may be sendin' scouts back along here. And ogres, anybody ever seen one? Olephas be tellin' me a story of 'em in 'is younger days, he be sayin' they be as big as houses and can be crushin' a man," he glances around at the women in his company, "or woman, with but a single swing of the tree size clubs they be carryin'."

 

[Nathaniel Frost]

The exertion is obviously more than Nathaniel has dealt with in a very long time. He is silent for a long time, seeming to be saving his energy for the walk and for thought.

Thank the heavens this trip is only a morning's ride. I may not make it at this rate, let alone if it was any longer! I wonder though...how will the men at Bright Rock answer this judgement? If not favorably...then will we be caught up in the ensuing battle? It is our charge to defend the town...does that include from the men of Mallon Hill? And what of the dwarves? Surely Endran wouldn't risk battle with the Thane's own guard there. Or would he? Is their devotion to their law so strong they would openly attack the Thane's own? That Osric, he thirsts for battle, that much is certain. I am also certain his eye is turned toward the wrong enemy. Endran said it himself, these deamon orcs are bred that way. That means somebody or something is breeding them...somebody who won't be happy about their creation being destroyed. If whoever it is retaliates, it will most likely be against Bright Rock first then the people of Mallon Hill...I wonder if they could hold out. This is bad, and i think it's going to get worse. Perhaps the people at Bright Rock will be more open to listening, perhaps i can do some good there before something terrible happens.

As the trip wears on, his usually easy demeanor gradually diminishes into gloom.

 

[Hurog]

Nottus' eyes widen at Redbeard's description of an ogre. "Well, at least we'll hear one coming for miles then, right?"