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Post by Daos on Oct 16, 2020 20:30:39 GMT -8
Nighthill and Escobert turn to the party when Eliana speaks, neither having noticed their approach. "We've asked enough of you already," Nighthill answers.
"That said, we can help," Perceval offers. "But not for cheap."
Nighthill shakes his head. "I have no more coin to offer you. Whatever little remains has been earmarked for the rebuilding of the town."
"Then we'll take our 250 steel, as you promised, and leave," Perceval counters.
Nighthill frowns and nods to Escobert. The dwarf retrieves 250 steel pieces for each of them: Caelin, Zakkoth, Eliana, Perceval, Conard and Brina. "Greenest thanks you for your service," Escobert says formally.
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Post by Zero Prime on Oct 17, 2020 3:46:26 GMT -8
Caelin Valaerys, pariah of TarkhisisHP: 18 of 18 | AC: 15 | Perception: 15 | Insight: 17 | Inspiration: 1 Conditions: None. Caelin shot a look at Perceval, his concern for payment was somewhat, callous, considering that the people of Greenest had not even accounted for their dead. " After Eliana wounded the dragon, the host likely fell back, the creature itself, likely their entire vanguard." His face furrowed as he considered the raider's logistics, "Were there any reports of attacks on livestock in the days preceeding the raider's attack? Assume such a creature could range twice as far as a mounted host, how far would that be?" Another pause, "Mondath wouldn't feed the captives to the creature, not at first anyways, she would want information. Is it possible they wanted the gnomish device Eliana used to drive the dragon off?"
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Post by Daos on Oct 17, 2020 14:50:07 GMT -8
"Were there any reports of attacks on livestock in the days preceeding the raider's attack?" "There were no reports of missing livestock, at least not that I heard," Escobert answers. "There were rumors of other villagers being attacked south of here; but those villages were much smaller and less defended than Greenest. And they were simple raids; this was more like an outright invasion." "Is it possible they wanted the gnomish device Eliana used to drive the dragon off?" "Perhaps, but it's difficult to know for sure," Escobert says. "We just don't have any information. They seemed largely interested in taking anything of value, but they did capture a number of folk, too. From the few reports that have already come in, they took mostly coin, jewelry, spices, silk, that sort of thing."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 17, 2020 18:46:25 GMT -8
Eliana accepts the money, but she feels somewhat weird about taking the money. She isn't too sure how to describe what she is feeling as she looks down at the coins. "Caelin," she finally says, looking up to him curiously. "You use to be apart of this group, so you know them better than anyone else here. I assume they don't attack places randomly, which means they had a plan here. They are called the children of Takhisis, so wouldn't they be looking for anything that had to do with Takhisis?" she asks before she looks back to Nighthill. "Is there anything in this town that could be even remotely related to Takhisis?" she asks. "I mean, Takhisis is gone, but there are still probably remnants of, oh, I don't know, artifacts or something along those lines?"
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Post by Daos on Oct 17, 2020 20:39:55 GMT -8
Nighthill shakes his head. "These are good, Solamnic people. Were there any artifacts to the dead Queen here, they would have long ago been destroyed."
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Post by Zero Prime on Oct 18, 2020 3:37:22 GMT -8
Caelin Valaerys, pariah of TarkhisisHP: 18 of 18 | AC: 15 | Perception: 15 | Insight: 17 | Inspiration: 1 Conditions: None. Caelin looked uncomfortable, slowly turning towards Eliana, "I was a ...," a great sense of guilt, shame, loathing, quavered in his voice, "... was a weapon." His voice a near whisper, "A blade in the dark. Used to sow fear, take lives. To remove threats, or rivals. It wasn't given to me to know, who, or why, and I didn't ask, or care." Another pause, "Until some months ago, when," he finished there. "They could be gathering their forces, perhaps the attack here is part of a larger campaign being conducted across the realms. A show of force, a challenge to your Orders." He shook his head, "I would think that those taken could be used to ...," a shiver ran through him as he considered his own conditioning, "replace losses? Maybe, but the fact that a true dragon is in their vanguard speaks of something more."He looked at the bag of coin, shook his head. "I could try to find out, but I would urge you to rebuild rather than retreat." He looked towards his companions, "The people of Greenest have been bloodied, they have lost, and they have suffered." He nodded, indicating Brina, "But have displayed a strength of spirit that I could only wish I saw in my own chest. If you order them to retreat, to abandon their homes, you would fail them, and those that fell did so that we, who this morning still draw breath, could live."
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Post by Daos on Oct 18, 2020 13:09:37 GMT -8
Nighthill nods in agreement with Caelin's conclusion.
Escobert sighs. "I pray you are right. But as I said, we just don't have enough information to make an informed decision. Let's just hope that they are done with Greenest, whatever their agenda is."
"Well then, I suppose our business is concluded then," Perceval observes. He turns to the party. "Where to next? I imagine we'll want to try and stock up on supplies before setting out. If there are any left to buy, that is."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 18, 2020 21:35:45 GMT -8
Eliana places her hand upon Caelin's shoulder as a form if comfort. She doesn't seem to judge him for his past. It is obvious he judges himself for what he has done, so he doesn't need other people to help in that process. "You can go wherever you want," Eliana says to Perceval. She seems a little disgusted with his all business attitude. "But I don't think we are done here, or at least I'm not. I need to know more about these Children of Takisis."
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Post by Igordragonian on Oct 19, 2020 3:15:48 GMT -8
"I believe my friend might know a thing or two.' Zakkoth say. 'He knew enough to feel the need to summon me...' he pause 'If not for him,I would be either dead, or fight on the other side of this battle.' He doesn't Perceval. He didn't seen anything wrong with it. Zakkoth happily took his share.
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Post by Zero Prime on Oct 19, 2020 10:00:00 GMT -8
Caelin Valaerys, pariah of TarkhisisHP: 18 of 18 | AC: 15 | Perception: 15 | Insight: 17 | Inspiration: 1 Conditions: None. Caelin looked oddly at Eliana's hand, as if he was unfamiliar with such a simple gesture of comfort and support. He placed a hand over hers, nodding, a slight uptick at the corner of his mouth, however, he stepped forward towards Nighthill. "I can't speak for the rest," he looked towards his companions, "but I intend to stay, to find Mondath's purpose here, at the very least." Turning back to the Lord of the keep, he paused, "I'd like the opportunity to re-arm and re-supply, before we survey the village, to determine if there are, as yet, survivors, who may have hidden in cellars, or other such that would hide them from the raiders through the night. We'll look for a rear guard, because despite them having left, it seems unlikely that they would leave their flank unguarded."
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Post by Daos on Oct 19, 2020 13:31:41 GMT -8
Perceval shrugs. "If that's what you want. But I believe a man should be compensated for his work, especially when it involves risking his life. So I'll be moving on." He tightens his shoulder strap on his backpack. "Perhaps we'll meet again someday. Good luck on your whole 'investigating the cult thing.'" He then departs.
Escobert says, "We appreciate any help you can offer. But as your friend said, there's nothing left in the treasury to pay you with. But Greenest still can offer its hospitality. Since the inn is destroyed anyway, you are all welcome to stay here in the keep for the remainder of your time here. I'll have rooms arranged for you."
Meanwhile, Henry walked through the damaged ruins of the town, aghast. In theory, his trial had been fairly simple. He was to head to the town of Greenest, and meet with his contact--another squire named Conard Marpique--to investigate rumors of possible dragon activity in the area. But it seems, Henry was a bit late for that. It was clear the town of Greenest was attacked. This didn't appear to be a simple raid, either. From the looks of things, it was more of an invasion by an army.
The gate to the keep in the middle of town was open, and people were coming and going as they please, so Henry went on inside, hoping to get some answers. Asking around, he was directed to the parapets. Climbing the ladder, he spotted an old man dressed in Solamnic armor. That must be Governor Nighthill, the old Knight of the Rose in charge of the place. At his side was a red haired dwarf. The pair were speaking to a group of eclectic folk--a wiry young man with ashen white hair and vibrant blue eyes; an old Bozak draconian with numerous old scars from wars past; a beautiful half-elven woman with blonde hair, green eyes and strangely enough, several patches of blue scales on her skin; an unassuming older woman with brown hair and eyes, dressed as a simple peasant; and finally, a tall and muscular young man with a Solamnic style mustache--or the beginnings of one, anyway. That last one Henry recognizes as Conard, his fellow squire.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 19, 2020 20:58:29 GMT -8
"We should go speak with Zakkoth's friend," Eliana says. "It seems like the next best thing to do."
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Post by Bunny Commando on Oct 19, 2020 23:34:24 GMT -8
The man that climbs over the parapet is clad in chainmail, sword on his side and a huge hammer on his back; he has pointed ears, but he's certainly no elf - tall, broad shouldered and chested and with a neatly trimmed beard of blonde hair on his face. He approaches the group, hand raised and with a rueful smile, and slightly bow his head to greet everyone.
"My name's Henry, squire to Sir Ontharr Frume. I was sent here to gather some answers, but it seems you needed more than an inquiring squire. Still allow me to ask one question." he raises his index finger, than points it towards the city "What can I do to help you? The battle is over and my sword would be of little use right now, but if you have wounded I will do what I can."
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Post by Zero Prime on Oct 20, 2020 2:38:22 GMT -8
Caelin Valaerys, pariah of TarkhisisHP: 18 of 18 | AC: 15 | Perception: 15 | Insight: 17 | Inspiration: 1 Conditions: None. Caelin studied the broad shouldered young man, when he mentioned the man whom he served it sparked something in his memory. Conard's patron perhaps. It seemed odd that such a man would send two of his squires. His brow furrowed, his keen eyes taking in the man, his presence was ... troubling, and the timing more so. However, if he was truly Ser Frume's aspirant, than Conard would be familiar with him, perhaps even friendly. He watched the interaction between the two, trying to determine if one recognized the other, and the manner in which they greeted one another would be telling. His hand, however, did hover close to his dagger, in the event this was a deception. {Out of Character Actions}OOC: Rolling Insight, 1d20+7= 21;fuf2oCii1d20+7. 1d20+7
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Post by Daos on Oct 20, 2020 15:19:15 GMT -8
"Henry?" Conard says in recognition. "Habbakuk's feathers, in all the chaos, I completely forgot you were even coming," the squire admits. He offers his hand to the half-elf. "It's good to see you again. A lot has happened. The town was raided by an army of cultists, and they had a dragon with them. They departed late last night."
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(OOC: From what Caelin can tell, Conard seems to recognize the man and is on friendly terms with him.)
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