Storms of Change, Part 2

[GPEKO]

Filbert sits with the others but not before ordering some soft bread and a big chunk of cheese. Between bites, he answers Brenin. "I guess you already know that but I'm Filbert Wateryfoot, at your service. I came here because I wanted to see more of the road and come to Carodan. The mount you gave us was really helpful for that and I'd stayed in one place for far too long." He pauses and eats some of his meal. "I'm also hoping that your proposal will require us to travel to a far off and exotic land. Or, at least, I hope it will make us leave Carodan at some point. Although ... I haven't had much time to observe the city ... Mmmm that cheese is not bad at all. Where was I? Ah, yeah, traveling and all that. You see, that's what we, the followers of Fharlanghn, do best so I hope there's some of it in your plans." Filbert opens his mouth to say more but he realizes that the Duke probably wanted just a short answer. For now, he lets the others answer and waits for the Duke's proposal.

 

[silentspace]

As the companions each speak in turn, you get a chance to study the three more carefully. They are each still wearing their hooded cloaks, which are of a fine gray cloth. They all look very clean and refreshed, and their cloaks are free from any dust of the road.

Brenin is very pale skinned, with very dark black hair and shockingly light gray eyes. He’s a thin man, and the lines on his face place him well in his fifties or sixties. He is leaning forward, observing each of you carefully.

Alana is stunningly beautiful, with fiery red hair and sparkling green eyes. Her skin is a golden orange, and she looks like she’s out in the sun a lot. Under her cloak her robes are a luminous forest green, and you see a hint of fine metal chain underneath it. Their is a bow over her shoulder, and the fingers of her right hand bear the distinctive callouses that hours of archery practice give. There is a look of quiet bemusement on her face.

Mandar is thick and broad, with reddish brown hair, a full beard, and squinting green eyes. Underneath his cloak are dark brown robes, with chain under that. He has a broad axe slung over his shoulder, and there are numerous bumps under his cloak, of the sort that weapons would make. After studying each of you carefully, he is now paying you little attention. Instead, he is continually scanning the room with his eyes.

This seems like a very public place to be discussing what you imagine is very sensitive material, but the very open nature of it makes it very safe. Voices don’t travel far over the din of the tavern, filled with rowdy workers and soldiers.

People carry their arms and armor openly in Carodan. Unlike the towns in the interior, almost everyone here is a soldier, so weapons are not at all unusual, and not that threatening either, since everyone has them.

Brenin orders more food and drink for the table as he continues to listen.

 

[Verbatim]

Dunathar looks up from his ale as the others return to the table, and was caught slightly off guard when the question of why he was there was given.

~Isn't it enough that I am here?~

When his turn arrived, Dunathar looked towards the trio and spoke plainly.

"I came because I needed the coin, and to be honest, I thought you were looking for someone else. So far the road hasn't been dull, and as long as it stays that way, and I can continue to fill my purse, I'll be here as long as needed."

 

[mpickett81]

Adromon, human psychic warrior 1

Adromon looks up from his ale only to answer Brenin. I'm here because I seek to challenge myself. Certainly a mysterious letter is bound to bring about new experiences." Adromon returns to his ale, trying to hide his anticipation that this mission will indeed bring the adventure he is looking for.

 

[silentspace]

Brenin, Alana and Mandar nod thoughtfully as you speak. They look especially pleased with Manzanita’s words.

“House Dharnan, and the Kingdom of Shillen, is in danger. House Dharnan’s holdings have been seized. Marcus, the Duke’s heir, has disappeared. The threat from Goruka and Pachen is grave.

“We need agents. Our informants have been searching for people such as you, people who are unknown yet have great potential. People who can conduct missions and investigations for us. We have successfully activated other groups, but there is much that needs to be done.”

“We have a special mission for you, one which has been brought to light by my own researches. It may turn out to be extremely important. Fifty miles north and west of here, in the borderlands, is a small forest. We believe the forest hides an abandoned keep, called Linace Keep. Centuries ago, that area was called the Kingdom of Linace. The forest used to be farmland. Linace did not last long. I don’t think the Keep was occupied for more than ten years. It has been abandoned for over six hundred years.”

“We want you to locate and explore this keep, and report back to us. It could be of strategic importance to us. But there’s another reason. The Kingdom of Linace fell because it was abandoned by their rulers. The rulers simply left, and the population dispersed to other countries. The ex-rulers of Linace went on to become extraordinarily powerful. So powerful they were said to have walked the earth as gods. They left no legacy though. Find out what you can about them. It may turn out to be useful.”

“Will you help us?” Brenin looks at you hopefully.

 

[Verbatim]

Listening to the older man's request, Dunathar wondered if there was more that the man knew than he was letting on.

~As long as their gold is real, I will explore for them...~

"Well, as it seems to be simple enough on the surface, I'm in. However, if we find something other than information in the keep, something of worth to us personally, would we have to report that back to you as well?"

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita

Manzanita's eyes light up as the mission is explained. "Fascinating. Unearthing an ancient mystery. Tell me, what do you know of these leaders once they became godlike? Are they part of the current pantheon? What did they do with their great power?"

 

[silentspace]

Dunathar studies Brenin carefully, searching for clues of deception or concealment…

Brenin replies to Dunathar, “Anything you find in the keep would be yours, of course. Information is what we seek.”

To Manzanita, he replies “I don’t know if the rulers of Linace ascended to the heavens. It is not something I had considered…” Brenin pauses, looking at you almost apologetically.

No one had sensed it before, but Dunathar and Devan begin to feel that Brenin is… what? Not lying exactly. Perhaps withholding something? They both notice Alana as she looks pointedly away from Brenin, looking like she has a bad taste in her mouth.

“In a way, this group of mercenaries indirectly helped Shillen become the kingdom it is today. They accomplished many great things, clearing the land of giants and even dragons. They are said to have explored the entire world, both above and below. They’re said to have gone to the moons Urm and Yong, and even to other planes of existence. They were said to be powerful, yes, but nothing more than mercenaries. They did nothing with their power but accumulate personal wealth. They were known as Redbeard’s Band.”

Redbeard’s Band. Bert remembers a legend of them destroying a tribe of hundreds of sahuagin making incursions up the Tand River, terrorizing the population. Manzanita remembers they stopped a mysterious and powerful race of lizardmen, who were rising up from deep beneath the depths of the earth.

The name rings a bell with Rowyn. Redbeard’s Band. She knows she has heard that before. Yes! There was a song by an elder elven bard in the Severin Forest about Redbeard’s Band. Rowyn was just a child, but she can picture the grey-haired bard, strumming his mandolin and singing. It was coming back to her. If she concentrates for a while, she thinks she’ll be able to recall quite a bit about Redbeard's band.

“I have a separate assignment for Etherial, Alan, and Aronai, if you agree to it. I would like to move you south and east of here, to investigate rumors of graverobbing and necromancy. We are heading near there in the morning, perhaps you can accompany us.” Etherial, Alan and Aronai agree.

“Are there any more questions? If you accept this mission, we will go to Warden Ricsten and introduce you to him. He said he may be able to equip you for the task.”

 

[Manzanita]

Manzanita Sparrow

"I for one, am inclined to accept this mission. It sounds very worthwhile. Tell me, are you able to offer any reward beyond what we might find in the ruins? My professional needs are expensive, and I appologize, but I must be compensated for my time."

 

[silentspace]

“Yes, I understand you will require funds. Unfortunately, House Dharnan’s assets have been seized, and our funds are being depleted every day. However, Warden Ricsten has offered to set you up with some equipment, and I can offer you 20 gp each out of my own purse, to help offset your expenses. I hope this, along with the horses and dogs you’ve already received, will be enough to get you started. When your mission is over, I will pay you 100 gp each, and possibly a bonus of up to 200 gp each depending on the quality of the information you retrieve for us.”