"So, sonny, let me start all the way back at the beginning. The tale starts not in the lands we now live in, but to the north, in Brevoy. A little city named Restov - aye, that very same one.
Now these folks thought that the lands to the south were ripe for expansion. But none had ever tried to tame the wilderness. Until, one day in early spring, a group of six strange folks all put their names to this charter..."
---------------------------------------------------
It is late Calistril, and the winter's chill still nips at your back as you and the horses - well, mules at least - amongst you plod along the road. While the trails were somewhat more populated back near Restov, few passerby have graced you in a while. And you're still only a few hours out of Restov. The group has been remarkably, and perhaps uncharacteristically, quiet. Might be because of the cold, or because of the weight of the heavy charter that you all now bear. Signed with each of your names, it was a contract giving you all the authority of the Swordlords to venture out and map a hostile region.
With only a rather pitiful map of the southern Rostlands to guide you to your next destination, a small encampment so cleverly titled 'Oleg's Trading Post,' you've set out along the road. It is at least a day's journey, even if you were to rush. Probably no reason to rush, then. You look to your companions, knowing little more than their names.
An odd group, to say the least. Particularly the scaly fellow, who'd earned more than his fair share of stares along the streets of Restov. Then there was the simple-looking working man, holding himself high with the fortitude of a knight despite the hands of a workingman. The young woman - the only woman amongst them - had remarkable curiosity in her eyes but plain clothes. There was the tall elf, dressed in the drab green hues of the forest, along with what may well have been his distant cousin, the half-elf, bearing the symbol of Iomadae on his person. And to round out the group was the strange human looking fellow, tall and imposing, with his eyes seemingly glowing beneath the heavy winter cloak.
Perhaps it was time to break the contemplative silence that had fallen over the lot. After all, what better way to keep warm than talk amongst friends?
Tyanos walked with Phil besides him, the donkey was well behaved for his kind. At least concerning himself, the beast did not like the cold but was used it by now. For his part the cold of these lands did not compare to his homeland of their eternally frosted neighbor. He felt comfortable, still it did not seem like others did as him.
"Forgive me but in all the rush and travel I failed to introduce myself. I am Tyanos Strostia, humble merchant and apparently companion concerning the charter."
He doubt anyone could completely make out his smile with his hooded cloak but the tone in his voice was friendly, strong, and deep. Clearly of Ulfen stock if more refined then expected of those unaccustomed to the more social class of their people.
The young man with the broad shoulders and calloused hands showed a kind and warm smile in turn
It feels good to be part of a group, however small it might be. My name is Hadin Cassoren, but please call me just Hadin. I'm of humble origins too, and I hope to stay humble till the end of my times. For the faithful in Erastil, there's more strenght and support in community than in any lone hero.
Hadin is a little over six feet tall, and nearing two hundred pounds. His skin is tanned, and he has the natural muscles of those used to work outdoors. His equipment is in good shape, but it's plain it has seen better days. With his studded leather, his small wooden shield, his flail and hand axe, he could be mistaken for a bandit or a down of his luck mercenary if his face didn't radiate honesty.
It should be a few more miles before we reach Oleg's place.Hope the weather will be kind to us, but then, we're in Calistril. Worst of the snow should be behind us, anyway.
He looks at the strange scaly man, and does his best to hide his nervousness. Then his eyes meet those of the young woman, and Hadin blushes a little. He licks his lips, and says to those two
I have a bedroll in my backpack that could be used as a cloak to keep you warm, if needed.
Honoured to meet you both, my name is Thomas. as he does a low bow.
You see a 5 and a half foot, 130 pound person with elven features.
He is leading a light horse, giving it a breather, while he walked along side it.
Yes, I agree, it shouldn't be to much longer, as for the weather, I have yet to melt in the rain.
The elf is dressed for the weather and if cold does not show it. Since the last group past them on the road he has taken to leading the group by 20 feat or more and trying to move quietly . He carries his bow ready and tries to take any game they might flush.
But before he started hunting he did introduce himself. I am Dendarial, a hunter from the elven lands far to the south. He indicates the large snowy owl that sits upon his shoulder. This is Acio. She will help us hunt and help watch during the night. He walks for a moment before noting Tyanos, you have the height of a northman, but not the girth. Did they not feed you as a child? You are not sure if his direct question is an honest one or if he is somehow joking with you in a strange elven humor.
After a time he says I think we should push onward for the trading post. Spring weather is unpredictable and even with Desna guiding us I'd prefer a real roof over my head tonight.
We make too much noise and the road is still too traveled for game to be near. Acio, Hunt. He launches the bird and she climbs high into the chill air circling above the group before spotting something she considers prey and diving.
Tyanos smiles from beneath his hood, his teeth strangely white, flawless save for his canines which are slightly pronounced and sharper then they should be on a human. Coupled with a chuckle that comes rumbling from the depths of those teeth he would cut a very predatory image. Yet his soft colored eyes show no danger or menace from the man.
"Indeed I have Ulfen blood, while most think all my people are large and strong. It is not always the case, the north devours weakness. Yet that is not to say that their is only one form of strength my elven friend."
He pats his donkey Phil with the loaded goods he brought to trade with Oleg.
"No man is of much good without food in his belly or ale in his hand on a cold night. Nor can he face danger with out a good blade of crafted metal lest he find that fangs and claws prove his lacking. No sir I freely admit my short comings, yet I say again. The north devours weakness and yet here I walk. Well fed from then to now I promise you."
While he speaks he keeps an eye on everything around him. His sense of smell especially keen among those enhanced senses bred by his blood.
Thomas shivers a bit at the mention of the frozen north.
He then grins at the Ulfen man
I am glad that this charter is taking us away from the north. I may be able to put up with cold, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it.
By Iomoadae's grace, I hope the weather holds out until we get a roof over our heads.
In her characteristic caution, the plain clothed Brevic woman allows her new companions to break silence first. After watching their banter for a while, sizing them up, she joins the conversation. "Thank you for the offer Hadin, but I'm no frail maid. I lived in Eagle's Watch during the worst winters, and it is far colder on the mountain than this brisk spring day."
After a short pause, she pushes a bit of her long, light brown hair from her darker brown eyes and resumes in an even tone. "Ah, but I've failed to formally introduce myself. I am Karina of the House Orlovsky. A minor scion, yes, but hopefully my name will bring some extra legitimacy to our endeavor if the other houses meddle in our affairs."
Hadin simply nods in silence at the mention of House Orlovski, being more or less clueless
Acio easily ascends on the brisk wind, circling above merely two times before diving down into the plains. After a few minutes, she returns to Dendarial's side, the bloodied remains of a rabbit clutched in her talons. At least a bit of it has already been eaten.
Scratching affectionately on the owls neck and cooing to the bird Dendarial removes the rabbit from its talons. Well Acio does better than I this day and provides fresh meat for our stew. He removes a knife and quickly cleans the game, feeding the liver to the bird as a reward. He wraps the meat in a few leaves and places it into a side pocked of his pack.
As the talk turns to nobles Tyanos has to stop from snorting at it all. With a smile he speaks while holding back his amusement at the thought.
"I am not well versed in the way of these lands. But in my homeland, you earn your place. Names mean nothing if you did not make them so and to meddle is to challenge, only fools or the stronger would do so."
To challenge a linnorm king's word or decree. He can't remember the last time anyone did, besides eightfingers but he didn't really count in his book. Then again these were not the ways of his people. If they allowed or could not prevent challenges to their authority then they had no one to blame but themselves. Still he did not know why anyone would meddle with an exploration of some uncharted lands. Maybe if they found some resources perhaps, the whole thing was odd to him now that he thought about it.
Wetscale also took his time to respond to the group. Unlike Karina, it wasn't because he was cautious of them - rather, he needed the minute to compose the necessary common:
"I am Wetscale. My first home was not in this land, but I have lived here many years now. The thin man," he says, indicating Tyanos, "is right, which is why I go with you: To make a name for me." The slow but correct speech came from the reptile's years of listening as opposed to speaking often; servants weren't made to speak.
"The bird can catch rabbit, and I can catch fish. We will not go hungry." Wetscale turned to the practicals. "The rain is good for us, but the cold is a worry - we must stay warm to stay well." For himself, Wetscale didn't get sick; his people were remarkably elusive of disease. Yet he knew by proximity many of the more plentiful races got colds and fevers from every shift of the temperature. These were unsettled lands - he needed the group to make him out to be not a barbarian but a peer. Sickly members wouldn't live to make that case. Besides, the lizardfolk became sluggish in the cold. If they had to prioritize for a campsite, a fire would be at the top of his list.
For all his towering figure and muscle though, the primitive's footsteps weren't plodding, but placed. The refined movements, Lord in Iron's garments, scales and civil speech made him a queer conglomerate indeed.
After a while, Thomas mounts back up, and continues to listen to the conversations that are going on.
Then he starts to keep a better eye out on the terrain than he has been.
Dendarial extends a hand in friendship ti the lazardfolk. Well met. I know of your kind of course. but have never had the opportunity to meet one. I understand that usually tribes of your people prefer to live around swamps and are strong swimmers?
Dendarial extends a hand in friendship ti the lazardfolk. Well met. I know of your kind of course. but have never had the opportunity to meet one. I understand that usually tribes of your people prefer to live around swamps and are strong swimmers?
Wetscale gingerly takes the elf's hand to avoid scrapes with his claws. At least this one doesn't let his eyes fear for his mind. "I have been told the same, but I was hatched elsewhere. For the water though, I am fast. It seems not to matter where we grow for swimming."
His jerky diction was a clear indicator lots of speaking never graced the reptile's life - at least not in that tongue.
Thomas looks around the group.
This seems like an odd group, but I think we can work together, to overcome all our differences. after all, strength of metal is an alloy of different things.
Hadin was keeping his pace, watchful for any dangers that might come
It wouldn't do if we got ambushed before reaching Oleg's place.. This is my group, my little community. Erastil teaches us to look for each other, however small the group, whoever might be in it. I've never seen someone as strange as that Wetscale, but he seems to be an .. a lizard of honor. That said, I never met an Ulfan man before, an elf, or a noble woman of the House Orlowski before either. There's no reason not to trust the scaly one just because he's different. We're all different.
Trying to find something to say, the young man finally speaks
Well, I don't know how to swim. Never tried. Never had to.
He blushes
That was SO brillant...
Tyanos shrugs.
"I know how to swim but I won't claim to be very good at it. That's why I tend to stay on land when I can."
After another mile or so of walking and talking, Hadin is the first to point out a few wisps of dark smoke rising from the distance. The others look up and notice it - the grey smoke is very visible against the otherwise clear sky. As far as you can tell, it looks like it lay ahead, or at the very least, only a few hundred feet off the road.
Given the temperature, it's not entirely unlikely that someone has lit a fireplace or set up a campground. Perhaps even a small inn, someplace to spend the night before venturing on to Oleg's on the morrow.
As the group walks and discusses swimming Dendarial adds a radome thought. I can imagine a clear spring day where the air is warm and we tarry at a clear lake long enough for Wetscale to give swimming lessons to the lot of us. He smiles at the thought as they walk.
Later as the smoke is spotted and pointed out the elf readies his bow again and takes point. There is a camp or dwelling of man ahead. Perhaps all is well there, and perhaps not. Let me scout ahead and discern? He looks to the others for permission to move silently ahead and check out the safety of the source of the smoke.
Tyanos nods and takes out his crossbow. He would rather not lose his goods before reaching the trading post.
Be careful if you go alone. I'm not very good at stealthiness, but I understand that information is a precious currency in theses unlawful lands. Nearly anywhere, in fact.
Wetscale nodded, taking their meaning. "Shout if you need us." Time to be silent.
Earlier
Thomas looks over at the swimming comment I also cannot swim, alas, it was a skill that was never taught to me. I agree, maybe wetscale could teach us.
When the smoke is spotted.
Thomas dismounts
I am no good at hiding in the brush. But do be careful, as these are not settled lands.
Dendarial do you have a means of signaling that it is safe or a hazard, if you do go ahead to look?
"It may be no more than a traveler's campfire, but it is better to know than not," Karina says. "If there are people, and if they do not appear dangerous, I would suggest we begin with word rather than blade, arrow, or claw."
As the group cautiously advances closer, it takes little skill to recognize where the smoke originates from.
A small cottage, perhaps only large enough for a few souls, lay a charred ruin. At the rear of the home - where the hearth may still stand - wisps of smoke drift upward from the dying embers. A few heaps of rubble lay alongside, blackened masses of wood and stone. A small enclosure to the side of the home has been broken apart. What must have once been a fence lay shattered, as though hacked through with an axe.
From this distance, you cannot see any movement or immediate danger.
When Thomas asks about a signal Dendarial says quietly Acio will come and fetch you.
As the group surveys the burnt homestead Dendarial motions for everyone to back away some and stay low. He then leaves the road and circles around to one side of the ruined cottage, moving quietly and slowly while observing. He will choose an approach with the best cover and close until he spots something or believes the area is safe.
Thomas in seeing the destruction, pulls out his sling, and waits for Dendarial to signal one way or the other.
He starts to take a good look around
Hadin gets his flail ready,and inspect the place from where he stands
Thomas takes the time to tie off his horse so it cannot run.
He then keeps his sling ready and himself low.
"I can tie off your horses and mules if needed," Karina says as she scans the scene before her.
The ranger continues to close, now concerned that someone may need help. He maintains his silence though and tries to see what is going on. Can he identify the "animal"?
Tyanos takes aim and readies a shot should things turn hostile but otherwise remains where he is.
Scenes like this were usually bad for the poor, Wetscale knew. He kept his distance.
Wetscale and Karina follow up behind their companions, and quickly see what they were pointing out - a creature looking about the size of a large dog, stepping out from the shadows and prodding at a pile of rubble with its snout and front paw.
In a low tone, Wetscale spoke to the investigator: "It doesn't look dangerous. We should go see what is wrong."
I agree, but at the same time, we should be careful. Thomas whispers.
With that, he breaks cover, and walks slowly towards it with his sling in hand.
Hadin will stay wary of the creature, having no knowledge about what it might be
Never saw anything like this in my hometown...Is it a real dog, or something more?
He walks up front, in case the beast attacks
Tyanos stays to the back of the group with crossbow in hand. He was not good close up, not that he was helpless, he preferred distance. Also he never took things at face value, not with so many things in the world to fool you.
Den launches Acio to go bring the group as he studies the creature a moment longer.
Unsure of what the thing is, he is now more sure that it is not a loyal dog trying to help its master and in truth wondering if its an actual animal at all. At just under a 100 feet away he suddenly looses a shaft at the creature, hoping to catch it off guard. After his shot he moves 30 back towards the party.
Thomas seeing Dendarial loose an arrow towards it, stops to see what its response will be.
With a quick nock of an arrow and the thwip of a bowstring, Dendarial easily hits his mark - striking into the flank of the creature. It jolts sideways with a yelp of pain, then crouches low and growls in his general direction.
Round 1 Start:
The dog-like creature lets out a high-pitched yipping noise, then bolts off into the high grasses. While it looked rather large before, its low profile makes it annoyingly difficult to pinpoint in the brush. Responding with a second, slightly different yip, a second creature bursts from inside the ruin and dives into the grass.
They charge in the direction of the party at full speed, the high and dry weeds rustling as they rush past.
Karina pulls out her belt knife and moves up behind her more combat ready companions. "Apologies, but fighting is not my speciality," she says.