It is a week later.  Seti, Bulwyf, Titus, Swift, and Salen have returned to Bruxzella, but not alone.  First, the Riverlights are not going to let this “missing Elf” issue pass without some action on their part.  They send along two of their own to help out:  Sylari Riverlight, a nephew of the Marquis and an older Elf known to be a quiet, diplomatic person, and also Drael Willowleaf, his guard and assistant.

And that’s not all, of course.  Duke Ambric has his whole army to move home, and some of the other warriors are passing this way as well, so a substantial crowd has made the journey back to Bruxzella.

Swift and Salen are here to track down Reithar Riverlight and Ayren Stargem, while for the others, this is a first stop on a larger mission.

For the two other Elves here now, it is a very strange place.  To a forest Elf, the streets of a Human city are just as alien as the depths of the forest would be to a city-dweller.

Bruxzella has had a stressful time.  Most of the population of the city abandoned the place when the Huns appeared.  Even the army slipped away.  The Huns took an almost empty city, but they didn’t stay long, turning towards the Elves almost immediately.  As a result, the looting and pillaging and destruction was minimized.  People are returning and putting their damaged city back in order.

And the winter solstice is fast approaching.  Though there is sadness for those who died, this is a very special holiday- the Hun threat has been defeated!  Decorations are going up all over the city, bakers and brewers are working overtime, and there are lots of market stalls in Bruxzella’s “Grand Place”.

The rooftops of the Bruxzella have a light coating of snow in the morning.

In recognition of the party’s actions and their status as retainers of the king- and/or the Elven nobility, Duke Ambric provides quarters in his palace.

Some basic information about Bruxzella can be found here:
http://europa512adgame.pbworks.com/Bruxzella
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:20, Sat 19 Jan 2013.

Titus sends a various letters back with those heading East -- one to Vocaphil explaining what has occurred and how as Theodoric's Minister of State he will be now heading to Bruxelles to direct Belgica's recovery from Hun depredations; one to Bardas expaining events and asking him come to Bruxelles and bring Ketrelle with him, and, finally, to be sure to inform Vocaphil and the Senator of what the nations of the north might best use in these earliest days of this time of recovery.

He is pleased to meet Sylari Riverlight and Drael Willowleaf and although he knows that he will be very busy in the coming weeks he offers whatever assistance he might to their mission. Theodoric has made clear to Titus the resources that he has to offer as representative of the Throne. For the most part it seems that the Minister of State's job is really to be to ensure that each of the Dukes gets what he needs to recover and to see that they all get along rather than squabble over what are certainly to be limited resources. Telling people what they can not have at times like this is not fun and he knows that the coming weeks are going to be very difficult; however, he is looking forward to it. This will be the first major project of King Theodoric besides the war and if it is done well then many of the challenges a King of Belgica is going to be faced with may be diffused as a result.

Accordingly, he takes every opportunity to speak to Duke Ambric not only about what he is going to need from the Throne, but since he is the Senior Duke, asks for guidance in his approach to the others. He would like to have a council with each of the Dukes in attendance from which a plan of approach might be developed, but there are many complications even beyond the Winter to contend with in such a plan. If such an idea is impractical he sends letters to each Duke announcing the Royal Project of Recovery and informing them that he will be visiting each in the coming weeks.

Pleased to have more time to explore Bruxzella after barely passing through on the way to Namaco previously, Salen takes his time to enjoy his surroundings. He and Swift met Bulwyf, Ovo and Kilren here not so long ago, and aided the escape of the last of the population as the Hun came rushing in. It is heartening to see that the city was barely damaged by the notoriously rampant Orcs, and will make a quick recovery. Duke Ambric is most generous with his hospitality, and Salen takes what opportunity he can to tour the streets and the Market Square, to see them so decorated at this time of year, the spirits of the people high.

Yet he is also here on a mission, and he will seek to talk with Bulwyf and discover more of Reithar Riverlight and Ayrem Stargem: what they were doing just prior to the attack on Bruxzella, where they had come from, and so on. If possible, he will also seek out Beyriam Stargem, the Warden, and see if there is any information he can provide as to where they might have gone/been taken, and any rumours to that effect.

Swift returns to the city and figures she will see what she can of the city. She will go with Salen to see if she can help at all. She lets Salen know she can do a little tracking by scent if they can find any trail if she turns into her fox form.

She does try to go and just have a beer with those she has met and fought with.  She makes sure she finds some more arrows as some point.

Bulwyf, hating to be idle, helps where he can around the city, rebuilding, putting up decorations anything to be busy. "This town will recover fully, and show, as a beacon, that the Hun can be beaten, that the Hun are not the mightiest force in the land! The goodly races are, and we will triumph." In the evenings, Bulwyf will practice with his swords and then have a few drinks with anyone who wants to be out on the town.

For the moment, Seti tags along (busy day/weekend).

As they travel, Seti does what he reasonably can to help Titus keep the orphans rounded up and on track. If necessary (due to shortages of provisions), he can create some divine sustenance, but he does not plan on doing so without emergency. Dagnish is more warm to the children, even if they do not always return the Mongrel's compassion. It is good to be reunited, and the master thanks the servant again for his loyalty and bravery in the battle. He does not often part from Dagnish, but the circumstances seemed to dictate it wisest.

As they walk, he and Bulwyf speak further of their respective adventures since parting last. He again asks to hear the tale of Zerova's demise, comforting himself that the witch shall not return to this plane of existence anytime soon. Although not a lore master, he knows that magical artifacts can have both arcane and divine powers, and when given the opportunity and approval, he inspects Bulwyf's swords. "I see the water spirits reside in this one," he states aloud, realizing that much is obvious already. "You have put them to good use, as per their design." He begins to rant briefly about each thing in the world having its proper form and function but soon realizes that he's simply been away from the contemplative clerics too long, and he ceases the monologue.

Upon arrival, he offers the Mongrel some time off to rest and eat heartily but also welcomes him to explore the town with Seti. The sights and smells of a bustling city make the dark priest feel at home. He indulges himself slightly, taking a long walk through the artisan's district. Seti finds comfort in the smells that might offend an Elf, those of humanity and industry appeal to his emotion as well as olfactory sense. As is his custom, even in the towns he knows well, as he walks his ears pick through the din and bustle for interesting conversations, and his eyes look over the people of the city, seeing the mud on their trousers that might tell of recent travel or the style of dress that tells of their station. He peers into their faces to discover whether they share confidence in the recent victories.

Afterwards, as is his custom, he makes it a point to visit the Temples and pay homage to their hosts, specifically invoking prayers to Lord Pluto and Lady Proserpina at their respective shrines. Similarly, he plans to join Titus for any formalities with the Duke, presuming that he is invited. Briefly, the mission slips to the back of his mind, and for an afternoon, he lets down his guard ever so slightly.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:00, Wed 23 Jan 2013.

Bulwyf gives Seti a nod, "I have only tried to honor them with proper use. I should like to find a replacement for the sword of Appollo before I relinquish it to the temple." Bulwyf gladly tells the tale of Zerova's demise, and how happy he will be to tell Cassandra once he sees her again. As far as Dagnish and the children go, Bulwyf will act as a go between until they are comfortable with the mongrel, Dagnish had a good heart, and that's all that mattered in the end really.

Seti makes some initial inquiries about news, and is not surprised to learn: they are the news. Virtually all the public discussion here is about the recent battles, and also, about how different families fared in the brief occupation of Bruxzella.   Most of the people fled, and have now returned.

They talk about things like:  Is everyone all right?  Did they "get" your house?  What do you think will happen now?

Although the war touched here briefly, some died, some are missing, and some houses are plundered.  There will be funerals this solstice season.


At this point, all the characters are here, but they have different goals, and so I am spinning off another thread.

To look for missing Elves, stay here.

To meet with Duke Ambric at his palace, go here:
The Palace of Duke Ambric

Though he was a member of the original team that came this way, Beyrian was not selected to make the return trip in search of the two missing Elves.  He never got all the way to Bruxzella- he was sent back as messenger.  But more importantly- he was hit pretty hard in the battle of Namaco, and is still convalescing.   The two Elves currently with the party are not very familiar with the city- the Riverlights thought that Bulwyf, Salen and Swift would remember enough- they apparently weren’t aware that Swift and Salen met up only at the last moments.

As a start, they suggest retracing steps, though.  And Swift’s nose agrees.  If there is a scent of Elf…

Salen recounts what happened just before the battle.  Ayren was in the workshop… Count Dongestede’s workshop.. turning out as much of the “Peaceflower” formula as she could, as fast as she could.  Then, the Huns attacked suddenly.  All hell broke loose, the Hun army thundering towards the east gate just as Salen and Swift were arriving.

Reithar, unwilling to have one of his party lost and realizing time was short, went back to find Ayren.  But he never made it back to her.. or maybe they did, and the two were cut off from the others and were unable to rejoin them.  Whatever the case, that is the last they saw of Reithar and Ayren.

So there is one place where Swift might pick up the trail, and that is the Dongestede home.

Bulwyf was there before:  the elderly Count Dongestede, who was also a wizard, was one of the key organizers of the “Grey Legion”, the old volunteers who stayed to give the appearance of a defending army while the actual army, and as much of the city’s population as possible, slipped away.

When they return to the Dongestede home, a four story tall elegant manor home along the river, in the southern quarter of the city, there is a bit of a surprise.  There are banners of dark cloth set up, the colors of mourning.

Swift goes up to the building to find out what happened. She looks at Salen "I wonder if the Fay could help us find the elves. If we go to the rainbow bridge, I would if we could do anything?" She looks to see if there is anyone outside greeting people.

For the moment, Seti goes with Titus, assuming they will reunite for dinner and share any observations of the day.