Storms of Change [IC]

[GPEKO]

Bert

Filbert also makes sure his mount is well taken care of. Perhaps I should give this well-trained dog a name. It might be with me for a long portion of road.

At the tavern, he orders some ale and a hot stew. Mmm, food taste so much better after a long day of travelling. He thinks as he finishes his stew. Listening to Alan's story only bring memories of his own encounter with bandits of which he only escaped by casting a spell to surround himself in fog. That's one tell he's not to proud off.

He is then amazed by Rowyn performance and claps loudly at the end of the ballad. He insist giving some money to Rowyn for this but she refuses it. "All right then, as you wish. But at least accept my compliments. That was a great performance ... if there wasn't so many problems in Shillen you could made a good living as travelling minstrel."

Later, he leaves Darien to his rambling about his military past. Seeing that Mirena is alone, he approaches her with a big smile and two mug of ale. "Hi Mirena, mind if I join you ?" and he offers her one of the mug. "I was wondering, how did you become a caravan guard ? You don't strike me as being a veteran soldier like the others."

OOC : I hope you don't mind me going "back in time" a little bit...

 

[Someone]

Dunathar doesn´t seem to be very happy. he rolls his eyes each time one of the caravan guards tells another tale of the good old days, and the lectures about proper fighting from a horse don´t make it better. Who did ever heard of dwarven cavalry?

Lost in his thoughts, he says nothing.

 

[silentspace]

After refusing money from the members of her caravan, Rowyn is left with 20 sp. Later in the night, after the crowd starts dispersing, she shows Darien the letter she received.

Darien reads the letter and looks up at Rowyn, puzzled. “This isn’t addressed to you, its addressed to ‘citizen’. How did you get it? Hmm, that rider sounds like one of the Messenger Guild. They deliver a lot of messages for the army too. I’ve seen some of those Messengers ride like the wind right into or out of battle, delivering messages!

“I’m not sure House Dharnan even exists any more, do they? They used to be the royal family of Shillen. Until the king, Randal Dharnan’s father, made those accusations and the Council of Five gave the crown to House Zenfan instead. Duke Randal was slain in the last Gorukan invasion. Some say the casket was empty and he lives on somewhere. Maybe Randal is alive and summoned you! Either way, the Council of Five appointed House Hulvan as the new Ducal family of Rogan, and no one knows where Marcus, the heir of House Dharnan, disappeared to. So he could have summoned you too. Other then those two, I’m not sure who controls House Dharnan now. That’s a real mystery you have there.

“When House Dharnan was the royal family, the Knights of Shillen were under their command. They say we used different formations and battle tactics before House Zenfan took charge. They say House Zenfan’s tactics were a big improvement, and are much more effective on the battlefield! I couldn’t tell you too much about that though. As long as I’ve been a soldier, the Knights have been under House Zenfan’s leadership.

“So that explains how you got your war animals, at least. Whoever sent this message sees in you what I see, that you are an exceptional lot, with abilities that far exceed the average. You have a lot of potential, I can tell. A lot more than I do. I’m no slouch I guess, but I’ve gotten by mostly on pure determination. I don’t have the natural abilities and all that you have.” He drains his mug, and you see he should be hitting the sack soon.

“Say, you’re still going to ride with me and follow my orders until we reach Carodan, aren’t you? I could use the help… I’d still pay you, of course…”

 

[silentspace]

Filbert approaches Mirena, the pretty driver, with a smile and two mugs of ale. She looks happy to have some company. “How did I become a driver? It’s a simple story, really,” she says, with a look of intense sadness in her eyes. “We were farmers, living happy peaceful lives. We thought our village was out of the way and safe from the battles between Goruka and Shillen. We were, I guess, but it turned out we weren’t safe from the growing bands of evil humanoids. Orcs raided my hamlet, killing almost everyone. My entire family is gone. I escaped on our mule, and luckily found a passing caravan. The caravan was short a driver, and, well, I guess I found the path Heironeous has chosen for me. That was over five years ago.” She gives Bert a warm smile then looks down into the mug he gave her, cradling it in her hands.

OOC No problem going back in time, as long as it makes sense and doesn’t impede the narrative too much.

 

[Seonaid]

Rowyn smiles at him. "I have no plans otherwise. Thank you for the information." She tucks the message safely into her pack. "The rider seemed to know who I was, and came directly to me with the message. The fact that he knew what kind of mount I needed speaks well for me in particular being summoned." She shrugs. "I suppose I'll find out sooner or later."

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Etherial sat calmly eating and drinking. He neither bothers anyone nor seems to be bothered by all of the commotion around him. He smiled when Rowyn finished her ballad, but other then that he showed no signs of even being there. Once Darien and Rowyn start talking about the letter he listens but says nothing unless asked.

 

[silentspace]

When Rowyn thanks him, Darien smiles. “Sorry I couldn’t tell you more about House Dharnan’s cavalry tactics.” Then he and his friends head back to the common room.

After a quick breakfast the caravan prepares to leave. Darien moves through the guards and drivers, giving everyone 5gp. “Loot from the hobgoblins,” he says. You learn from Mirena that Darien always gives everyone an equal share, even those who don’t work directly for him, or those that didn’t contribute in the battle. “He says its good for morale,” she says. (5gp for everyone)

As you embark, the morning sun shines brightly on the Diamond Mountains to the west, giving them a luminous glow. Darien looks at you differently now. He doesn’t ask, but it looks like he’s assuming all of you recieved the same message. Maybe he can tell by your mounts, or maybe he doesn’t believe such an odd assortment of caravan guards would just show up randomly, in a time when guards were in such short supply.

In the afternoon, the caravan comes to a stop. Word is passed down the line. “There’s a wild boar up ahead. It doesn’t look like the caravan can pass without provoking it into attacking. Darien wants to know if the rear guard would like to take it down.” Mirena adds an extra message of her own at the end. “Hey! That would make a great dinner!”

OOC The caravan will be making camp tonight (no inns or taverns). As guards, Darien expects you to make mounted patrols (mounted because of the animals’ scent feat), just as his guards will be doing. The caravan travels for 8 hours, leaving 16 hours of rest. Patrols should be a minimum of two persons. Please describe who will patrol for each 4 hour block of time.

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Etherial comes to the front of the caravan and says, Allow me. The boar will not last long against my magics. But before I begin. Do you want him dead or simply have him run away?
Spirit is still getting used to the quiet elf on his back and prances a bit showing Etherial who is in charge of this ride.
Moondance flies back onto The mages shoulder and swallows a mouse it had found.

 

[Greatfrito]

Alan looks a little less than pleased at the thought of killing a wild pig.

"I've no problem with it."

He looks to the other rear guard members - just noticing the similar horses and saddles for the first time - and says "Who else is coming?".

He rides up with whoever else is willing to go.

 

[Greatfrito]

Alan looks a little less than pleased at the thought of killing a wild pig.

"I've no problem with it."

He looks to the other rear guard members - just noticing the similar horses and saddles for the first time - and says "Who else is coming?".

He rides up with whoever else is willing to go.