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Post by Daos on Jun 1, 2019 17:48:26 GMT -8
It's a beautiful spring morning when the party approaches Hart Castle, a star-shaped fortress just on the northern shore of the River Dark. The sun is shining and there's nary a cloud in the sky. It's Dymin 19th, Lightday in the year 313 and it's 1 PM.
After having woken up the following day, the party set off right away, not even taking the time to eat breakfast out of concern they might be attacked again. A few hours later, they reached the town of Hart. Traveling through it was largely uneventful, although the carriage did draw some curious onlookers. They seemed to be aware that whoever was within was important, and many came hoping to get a look or to gossip on who it might be. Helen was unable to keep her head out of the window, gawking and gasping in awe at everything she saw, including the castle walls as they approached. Buho was a small village of maybe around 250 souls, but Hart held over 5,000 people. Although Lillian doubtlessly has seen larger as a child, nobody else in the party had ever seen such a bustling, active and populous place in their lives. The town seemed crammed full of more people than many have ever seen before their whole lives, to the point that the carriage was forced to stop several times just because of the near constant foot traffic on the roads.
Luckily, finding the castle wasn't difficult. It's massive stone walls loomed over the town itself, despite the fact it was a decent distance from the town proper. Now they were coming up to the main gatehouse. The double doors are made of wood, with a layer of metal sandwiched in the middle. Iron bands reinforce the entire structure. The doors are open, but two soldiers stand at attention, blocking the way. The soldiers, both human, carry pikes in their hands, shields on their back, and maces on their hips. They wear banded mail. "Hold there," one says, holding up a hand as they approach. Finbul pulls on the reins to stop the carriage. "State your business."
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(OOC: Spellcasters can pick new spells today.)
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Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 1, 2019 21:47:13 GMT -8
Ladonna was trying to remain calm as she took in the sights of Hart, but even she was overwhelmed with its size and amount if people. ~Try not to look like a backwater hick,~ she thinks to herself as their little group is stopped at the gate. "We are the escorts of Lady Helen Escott," she says sweetly as she motions to the carriage. "I believe the Count should be expecting us."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Jun 2, 2019 3:53:30 GMT -8
Seeing as Ladonna has answered the guard, Lillian simply nods in agreement.
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Post by Daos on Jun 2, 2019 11:45:06 GMT -8
"We have," the guard confirms. "Enter, cross the bridge and then wait once you reach the stables. Someone will be along shortly to meet with you."
Finbul tugs on the reins slightly to get the horses moving again, although at a very leisurely pace. They enter the gatehouse, which is cool compared to outside. There's a single tunnel to follow, before they reach another set of double doors, which are also hanging open. These doors lead back outside, to a wooden drawbridge that is down, over the moat. The drawbridge is 30 feet long and 10 feet wide, more than enough to accommodate the carriage. Once across, they enter a second gatehouse. Inside is a single tunnel, a straight shot to a third pair of double doors. They pass under two lifted portcullises before reaching it, then enter the courtyard of the outer bailey.
A muddy path extends from the gatehouse to the second bailey gate. There are three separate stables here, each large enough to house a hundred horses at least. Just to the north of the furthest stable is a small smithy. The ringing of someone hammering on steel can be heard emanating from there rhythmically. Ingot turns toward the sound and listens intently, no expression on his stony face at all. Liala, on the other hand, coos at the sight of the many horses already stabled here. "I've never seen so many horses before in my life!" she states.
A woman on horseback, a knight from the looks of her, is leading a small contingent of footsoldiers on some kind of exercise on the other end of the bailey. They fast march, in full armor, in the mud in perfect formation, obeying whatever commands the knight calls out. Jonas watches in interest. "Reminds me of the watch back home," he comments.
Helen steps out of the carriage to look around better, although frowns a bit as she steps in some mud. "This place is massive," she comments. "I think my father's entire manor could probably fit right here in the bailey. Although I don't see why they don't have a paved road here," she adds, lifting the hem of her dress a bit to avoid getting it in mud.
"I'd guess due to the weight, lady," Finbul answers. "In fact, I'm surprised this whole structure doesn't sink into the river. Some kind of magic must be involved."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 2, 2019 14:42:27 GMT -8
"I wonder if that means they have mages living here to make sure that Hart doesn't sink," Ladonna says as she looks down at the mud. "But this place looks like it has something for everyone, and then some."
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Post by Daos on Jun 3, 2019 11:38:27 GMT -8
"If so, maybe we can find a new mentor," Liala suggests. "Now that we're respectable mages now and all."
"Ho there!" calls a voice. A human woman approaches them, waving to get their attention. She looks to be around thirty and of average height and build, with thick and wavy black hair and deep brown eyes that seem to understand everything about a person. She's dressed in expensive, sharp clothes including a bright red blouse. She offers a quirky smile as she arrives, and gives a polite bow to Helen. "Welcome to Hart, my lady. I am Ser Redna Kellerman, Castellan, at your service."
"Thank you for the welcome," Helen says a bit stiffly, as if she were reciting memorized lines for a play.
"Not at all, my lady. And my, what a fascinating entourage you have collected," Kellerman notes as she looks over the two humans, two elves, halfling and genasi. "It reminds me of my youth, when I would go adventuring. Nobody cared about your title or race or religion, just whether you had their back when the chips were down. They were simpler times. More dangerous, but simpler," she says with a wink. Jonas' face reddens, but it's not clear whether it's from the lovely woman's wink or the strain of sucking in his gut as much as he can.
"In any case, the count has asked me to escort you to the manor," she explains. "The stablehands will take care of your horses and carriage. And if you like, I can point out a few of the more interesting sights along the way and answer any questions you might have. Think of me as your tour guide, if you like."
"Wow, she's so pretty," Liala says softly, just loud enough for Ladonna and Lillian to hear. She sounds in awe, and perhaps a tad jealous.
Ladonna's studying of etiquette in anticipation of one day hobnobbing with nobles allows her to understand that a castellan is basically the equivalent of the reeve back in Buho. Her job is to run the day-to-day operations of the castle, as well as basically being in charge if the count is ever away or disabled. In other words, the count sent his second in command to greet and escort them, which is a rather surprising honor, even for a baroness' daughter.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Jun 3, 2019 12:30:52 GMT -8
“She doesn’t appear to have the anti-human bias so common in Tardiff, so that’s something going for her,” Lillian whispers in turn.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 3, 2019 13:53:36 GMT -8
"If she did, she certainly isn't going to show it upon first meeting," Ladonna whispers in turn to Lillian and Liala. "She is basically like the reeve back in Buho," she explains to the both of them. "And you are right, she is pretty," she adds to Liala as she takes note of her father. The corners of her mouth tug as she tires not to smile at his actions. "I think all of us, including our lady," she says motioning to Helen. "Have many questions about Hart, Castellan Kellerman," she says respectfully. "I'm Dame Ladonna Marche, and it is a pleasure to meet you."
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Post by Daos on Jun 3, 2019 16:30:51 GMT -8
"Ah, so you are Dame Marche," Kellerman says, offering her hand. "Tales of your exploits have reached even here, north of the Dark. They say you were the one who made first contact with the Woodfang goblins after twenty years, and even convinced them to make peace. You must have quiet the silver tongue. Well, everyone follow me and if you have any questions, just ask." With that, she leads the way toward the next gate, a stone archway at least 10 feet wide and 10 feet thick. The iron portcullis is already pulled up and the gate doors already open, so they just walk right through into the second outer bailey.
"As you might have guessed, there are three baileys--one inner, two outer," Kellerman explains. This is to thwart siege weapons, making it harder for them to even reach the manor. This is the second outer bailey, which is where we'd stick townsfolk should we ever face a siege. Not much to see here, though, during times of peace." She gestures to a low, single-story building to the southwest. "That's our storage warehouse, to hold mostly food and such." Then she gestures to the west. "And over there are the mews, for our livestock." The pens she points to are filled with various animals, including pigs, sheep, chickens and even a few cows. There's a small shed in the back, probably for slaughtering.
"How do you keep this place from just sinking into the river, Ser?" Finbul asks.
She chuckles, as if Finbul had just stumbled onto an inside joke. "Believe it or not, we've come close a couple of times. They had to bring in a wizard when the place was first built to shore things up, and then bring him back a few years later. Now we have a permanent mage here to keep an eye on things. He's also the count's chancellor, Quill Sern."
"Has this place...seen many sieges, Ser?" asks Ingot.
"A number, yes; mostly goblins and bandits, at least since the War of Drakes. You know, it was because of this fortress that the Kavalan army never made it to Deteris. Never once has Hart fallen to any force," Kellerman answers, a tinge of pride in her voice. "The count always says it's because Gonto is on our side. But I like to think our brilliant tacticians, sturdy walls, and disciplined troops play a role, too."
Liala frowns at the sight of the penned up livestock. "Are the animals here treated well, Ser?" she asks.
The castellan pauses, as if the question had never occurred to her, and shrugs. "As well as can be, I suppose."
"This is a most impressive place, Dame Kellerman," Jonas observes. "You and your husband must be very happy here."
Kellerman laughs. "I am! But I have no husband, and I never will, if I have any say about it."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 3, 2019 21:43:21 GMT -8
"Perhaps this is a personal question, Ser," Ladonna says. "But being a young single woman myself, why do you say you won't be married?" She asks curiously since her father started that train of thought.
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Post by GravityEmblem on Jun 4, 2019 3:18:56 GMT -8
"Perhaps this is a personal question, Ser," Ladonna says. "But being a young single woman myself, why do you say you won't be married?" She asks curiously since her father started that train of thought. “Oh, many possible reasons,” Lillian answers. “No desire to be tied down, not wanting to be distracted from work, a traumatic experience in one’s past...” she lists off, before catching herself and clearing her throat. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to insinuate anything, Ser.”
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Post by Daos on Jun 4, 2019 13:13:07 GMT -8
Kellerman chuckles. "Honestly? I just enjoy the single life too much. I may have given up adventuring, among other things, but that's one thing I haven't been able to let go." She shrugs. "Besides, I've yet to meet a man who can keep up with me. Although many have given a valiant effort, to be sure."
"Ser, uh...do people not...talk?" asks Liala, puzzled. The idea of someone, especially someone with a title, refusing to marry would be somewhat scandalous back in Buho.
"Oh, boy, do they," Kellerman answers with a laugh. "But I don't listen. And when you're good friends with the count, you'd be surprised how much you can get away with."
As they speak, they walk along the dirt road leading to the next gatehouse. This one is fairly similar to the last, but it leads into the star-shaped inner bailey. Indeed, it appears to be the only way in.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 4, 2019 16:09:35 GMT -8
"I would assume, with the city being the size that it is, it is a little easier to ignore what strangers are saying about you, Ser?" Ladonna asks. "It isn't exactly the same when it comes to Buho since everyone knows one another."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Jun 4, 2019 17:02:43 GMT -8
Lillian has nothing to add, but keeps walking at a brisk pace to keep the group moving along.
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Post by Daos on Jun 4, 2019 19:18:01 GMT -8
"City?" Kellerman laughs. "It's funny you say that, because in my mind, Hart is kind of small and backwater. You ever been to Deteris? Now that's a city."
The group passes through the inner gatehouse and comes out the other side, into the inner bailey. This is the main courtyard of the star-shaped keep. Most of the area is bare, with large patches of flat stone. Most of the grass and other plant life has fallen victim to centuries of soldier's boots. However, there are some patches of green in a couple of the star's corners.
To the left is an ugly, but functional building. "This is our garrison, for the men-at-arms, watchmen and such. The smaller building next to it is our kennel, for our wardogs."
"You make dogs fight?" Liala asks, surprised. "Uh, ser?"
Again, Kellerman shrugs at the question. "We train them. Just like we train human soldiers. They're a valuable asset in times of war, much like our knight's horses."
East of the garrison is a large barn and a couple of sheds. "Mostly for food storage, and the sheds house firewood and coal," Kellerman explains.
Across from the garrison is a large building, at least three or four stories tall with a garden adjacent to it, which holds a wooden gazebo. "That must be the manor," Helen reasons, as it is even larger than the one she grew up in.
"No, my lady. That is the guest house," Kellerman replies. "That is the manor," she adds, gesturing to an even larger building--perhaps five or six stories high--to the west. The outer walls are made stone and the windows are all glass, but those on the first floor have iron bars on them. There's an even larger, lusher garden adjacent to it, as well as a small building, a scullery, built right along side it.
Finally, to the west is another stablehouse, although this one is much smaller than the ones in the outer bailey, maybe big enough to hold 50 horses total.
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