The Reconquista: Part I (Shadows over Istivin)

[James Heard]

Mavic the mage arches a brow at his flippant companions. Money? Maybe the "Heroes of Fitela" were lost more to the past and greed than in the streets of Istivin after all.

"Let them in and let's get them some tea. Toying with lords seeking aid or conversation isn't the proper way to rebuild society and good manners lost to the giants."

 

[Rhun]

"I suppose this means I should get dressed and freshen up a bit." Reivik runs a hand through his matted beard as he stands up from his breakfast. Walking back toward his room, he calls out "I will be back shortly."

The dwarf quickly returns, his face freshly washed, his hair combed out, and his beard properly braided. He wears his ornate battle plate, and no longer appears any worse for wear from the last night's strange happenings.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

The dwarven dignitaries approach the front entrance of the townhouse. You can hear a brief, low-pitched argument among them in dwarven which ends when one of them states, "I don't damn-well need a horn blown every time I walk into a room. I am as big of a fan of tradition as the next dwarf, but sometimes action is what is called for." There is some low grumbling in response.

A strong knock echoes throughout the house and the same voice continues, "Prince Redmod Dumple of the Dwarven Court requests entrance." There is a slight pause as he waits for a response.

(OOC: All of you have heard of Redmod Dumple, as he is quite a well-known figure in these parts. He was part of the group that uncovered Lolth's machinations 14 years ago, and according to legend, fought his way into her layer in the Abyss to stop her. With his newfound fame and noble birth he quickly rose in the local dwarven political world and now sits on something called the "Council of Princes". The Council is in charge of acting as a liason between the dwarfholds in the mountains and the human government in Istivin. As far as you know Dumple continues the fight against the giants and their allies in the Jotens and Crystalmists, trying to wrest back the conquered territory from them.)

 

[James Heard]

Mavic steps forward smoothly and makes a small bow.

"Prince Dumple, I think I speak for everyone in saying that we're honored by this visit. My name is Captain Mavic of House Larigne, and these are my companions."

He gestured toward the rest of the group in turns, "Reivik Dalrak, Ms. Winterheart, the brave knight Latalya, the Ranger Stendal and his dog, my second-in-command Eshanna of the Grey Lady, my Reddogs, and that is George."

"Please come in and make yourself at ease. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company? I trust that the fight still goes well at the fronts?" the mage asked, clearly concerned about any possible new advances from the giants.

 

[Scotley]

Morley Stendal Human Ranger

Morley nods politely as his name is mentioned.

 

[Thanee]

Latalya

“It surely is an unexpected pleasure, but a pleasure nonetheless. Prince Redmod Dumple of the Dwarven Court. Your presence honors us,” Latalya says courtly, making a quick bow, before moving back to her seat.

Not wanting to repeat what has already been said, the elf waits for the dwarven prince to answer Mavic's questions.

 

[Bloodweaver1]

Anastasia Winterheart

"I suppose this means I should get dressed and freshen up a bit." Reivik runs a hand through his matted beard as he stands up from his breakfast. Walking back toward his room, he calls out "I will be back shortly."

Anastasia quickly places her drink back onto the kitchen counter and follows the burly dwarf back up the stairs to freshen up. In just about the same time, she too comes walking back into the kitchen in full gear with Justice at her side and last night's troubles washed away.

He gestured toward the rest of the group in turns, "Reivik Dalrak, Ms. Winterheart, the brave knight Latalya, the Ranger Stendal and his dog, my second-in-command Eshanna of the Grey Lady, my Reddogs, and that is George."

The holy warror gives a clean and crisp salute to the Prince as she is introduced. Afterwards she falls back into an 'at ease' stance and patiently waits to hear what the Prince has to say.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Followed by four dwarves in elaborate armor and intricately-woven beards, Redmod Dumple makes his way into the kitchen. A mountain dwarf with dark brown hair, and fair, weathered skin he looks to be approaching middle-age, but still seems quite vital. He is dressed in exquisitely crafted scale mail armor, dyed red and black and carries an ornamental hand axe at his side.

Standing in the doorway he waits for formal introductions to enter. He makes a short bow as Mavic introduces each of you and then turns back to the Captain of the Reddogs, "The honor is mine. I am pleased to finally meet all of you in person. As a voting member of the Dwarven Union for the Liberation of Occupied Holds and Other Sundry Communities I was partially responsible for sending all of you to free the Eagles Nest hold last year. You'll be happy to hear that a contingent of hill dwarves from the Stark Mounds were contracted and have begun mithral mining operations there again. Hopefully we will soon begin to see the fruits of their renewed labor in the continuing struggle. Something good should come out of the tragedy that befell my people there."

He is momentarily lost in thought, then continues, "But I have not come here to pass on updates on your past exploits, but to talk about the future. It is good to see that all of you are still working together. Too many of the companies and organizations formed during the invasion have since dissolved or have become nests of posturing and infighting. You do not have to look far in this city to see evidence of this. Most have forgotten that although he has been bloodied and driven back, the true enemy has never been completely defeated.

I have come to see what brings you to this accursed city and if there is anything I can do to be of assistance. All the peoples of the March are still threatened and we would do well to coordinate our efforts. Alone and divided we will never be able to reclaim our lands and rights."

 

[James Heard]

"The honor is mine. I am pleased to finally meet all of you in person. As a voting member of the Dwarven Union for the Liberation of Occupied Holds and Other Sundry Communities I was partially responsible for sending all of you to free the Eagles Nest hold last year. You'll be happy to hear that a contingent of hill dwarves from the Stark Mounds were contracted and have begun mithral mining operations there again. Hopefully we will soon begin to see the fruits of their renewed labor in the continuing struggle. Something good should come out of the tragedy that befell my people there."

He is momentarily lost in thought, then continues, "But I have not come here to pass on updates on your past exploits, but to talk about the future. It is good to see that all of you are still working together. Too many of the companies and organizations formed during the invasion have since dissolved or have become nests of posturing and infighting. You do not have to look far in this city to see evidence of this. Most have forgotten that although he has been bloodied and driven back, the true enemy has never been completely defeated.

I have come to see what brings you to this accursed city and if there is anything I can do to be of assistance. All the peoples of the March are still threatened and we would do well to coordinate our efforts. Alone and divided we will never be able to reclaim our lands and rights."

"I, of course, cannot speak for the rest of my companions, but for me it is Marchioness Emondav's deadline for declaration to stand in stead for my lands. From what our scouts say, Mittleberg proper seems to be rebuilding in good stead, but Larigne manor itself...my home..." he pauses, "It is enough that Larigne blood still flows outside the grave I suppose, but I'll not have my father's sacrifices for Sterich slighted because I'm unable to gain an audience." The dour mage made to stroke his non-existent beard with frustrating results, and frowning, continued.

"Worse, it seems that strange happenings still haunt Istivin; and those disturbances demand looking into as well. I'm tired, desperately tired, of these assaults and obscenities wrought upon our homeland, my lord. And quite frankly, if I had to toss every acre of Larigne land deep into the Abyss to stop it now, just so the things -" he looked guiltily over at Eshanna's ruined face, "Just so the things that have happened to our people never happen again," he concluded, now looking much less like the slightly haughty wizard-lord and more like the weary soldier he truly was.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Dumple listens patiently as Mavic Larigne lays out his concerns. When the wizard mentions the Marichioness you notice two of the dwarven advisors quickly catching each others eye. Betraying little, they quickly turn back to Mavic to continue listening.

When there is a pause, Dumple speaks again. "This is not the first time I have heard someone mentions this to me, Larigne. Marchioness Emondav has become quite reclusive since the Marquis went missing over a year ago. The fact," and here he leans in and lowers his voice, "that there have been numerous disappearances in Istivin lately. The fact that there was an attempt made on her life has only made her more ... shall we say ... alert. She surrounds herself with her closest advisors and generally will not let ANYONE see her."

He sighs and rocks back and forth on his iron-banded boots. He continues in more normal voice "Having said that, I still know a few people in Krelont Keep and will make sure they are made aware of your predicament. I do not honestly believe that your claim will be delayed or denied."