It did not escape Giles attention that he was the only soldier, officer or enlisted, that was in the room.  Instead, the small space was packed with a handful of civilians that had drifted to the fort over the past few days.  The process had been odd, Giles thought to himself.  When he had first returned from his mission across the border, where he had discovered the necromancer threatening the Megalan border, Giles had thought little of how a group would be put together – he was only sure that Captain Brashear would take care of the administrative requirements so that soldiers could engage the wizard and neutralize any threat to the empire.  And indeed, that was the way it had seemed to progress for some time.

Brashear became personally involved in interrogating the Wazifi prisoner, a process which Giles participated in to some degree and was able to ensure the man received fair and proper treatment as a prisoner.  Brashear himself treated the man as an equal as much as anything, questioning the man in conversations rather than any forced interrogation.  Though several days and several sessions Brasher managed to discover not only that their foe was indeed a necromancer but also the location of the small village that supported him.  Throughout the proceedings there were near constant reminders of the wizard’s half crazed war-mongering propaganda of hate which their prisoner felt obligated to stir into the conversation.  Their foe, Haj Umr ibn-Hussein abd-al-Rahman al-alim Takali, or Haj as the soldiers had started to refer to him, became personified as a racial purist and war hawk bent on eliminating the Megalan race from Yrth by any means possible.

Giles shakes the thought from his mind and returns his glance to the room about him.  The first ones to come had been the two from Azer, Finn and Judoc, the latter of which had been roommates with Giles for the brief time he had been at the Templar college.  The other man, Finn, had been hired by the Templars through the city’s mages guild specifically to hunt the necromancer.

The other five had arrived by way of the supply cart.  Rondald and Terri, a married couple who had been sailors in the keyhole bay, Magnus, a thick-muscled minotaur, Gustav, who spoke with an accent and carried a thin, curved blade unlike traditional Megalan broadswords.  The last, Odelia as the others would call her, was perhaps the oddest of all, a slim woman who wore full body coverings and veil and had the mannerisms of traditional Islam though Giles would swear he had not heard the woman say a single word since she had been there.  And himself.  For some reason, Giles was there amongst the other seven waiting for Captain Brashear to return.

And with that thought, the captain bursts through the door carrying a small roll of paper, his jaw hardened in the same furious glance he had worn the past several days.  ”Ladies and gentlemen.”  His words turn out to be much more kind than his expression.  ”I apologize to all of you for what may seem like valueless intrigue and a painful waiting game.  I have not meant to hold information from anyone, but I have been waiting on several answers as to how much leeway I have to conduct this mission.  I have come to find that I have none at all.”

Brashear glances about the faces in the room before he clears his throat and stops midpace, leaning against the wall of the office just slightly.  ”Let me take a step back.  Some months ago, an officer of mine,” Brashear nods his head towards Giles, ”Discovered the existence of a necromancer that is likely plotting harm to Megalos and this fort in particular.  Over several weeks I have looked to gain information and request permission for various possibilities from engaging some of the villages on the other side of the border to sending a full military assault on the Necromancer to keep my options open.  I have made several inquiries and received several responses, I’ll read to you all the last.”

”Captain, your persistence in this matter is wearying.  It is simply impossible to have any military involvement into an operation going into Al-Wazif.  Reigniting the Border Wars is simply not an outcome that the army is willing to entertain at this time.  I repeat that the empire has hired and shall be providing a cadre of trained and talented individuals, including two Templars as I am told to execute your surgical strike option.  You are not authorized to outfit them in any manner that would indicate they are agents of the empire.  You shall not equip them or supply them in any way that would lessen the capability of your fort which is of strategic importance.  You shall not sent any of your men to assist or participate in the endeavor.  Should you fail to…”  Brashear stops, his eyes glancing further down the page, his jaw rippling before he adds, ” and several other comments that are not pertinent.”

”Well,”  The captain continues after brining the note back down in a fist.  ”Obviously that is out of the question.  I recently have found myself with an extra officer without a position in the unit that happens to know as much on the mission as anyone else apart from myself.  Therefore I will be sending Giles as the lead on this expedition.”  Brashear nods towards Giles, taking a moment to address him personally.  ”I hope that you will take pains to keep any word of your involvement from blowing back to higher headquarters and will conduct yourself appropriately.”

”Your mission is to destroy the necromancer, through whatever means possible.  I will assist you with whatever equipment I can spare that will be helpful.  I hope each of you appreciate the limitations I am working under.  I wish to assist your mission in whatever way I can that does not unduly put me at risk.”

OOC:  Gents thanks for the patience and welcome to our first real group thread in quite some time.  For those of you just making it to the fort, you have had enough time to mend your things and heal your injuries, no rolls required.  If you wish further equipment you may opt to ‘buy’ it from the quartermaster or attempt to ask for it from Brashear.  Outlandish requests will require a fast talk roll at a significant penalty.  We can play this phase for as long or as little as you guys wish, just let me know when you are ready to move on.  One thing you will definitely need is food, which everyone is significantly short on.  Sorry again for the complete lack of a map, but Giles has been involved in the interrogation process enough to know in general where the village is you are looking for.  ‘Go there’ is enough to get us started without having to navigate our imaginary landscape.
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:44, Sat 06 Oct 2018.

"I have two questions, sir, if I may. What is this necromancer capable of? Should we expect to face hordes of vampyr, or other mythical creatures that are extremely difficult to kill, or will our regular weapons be sufficient? The other question I have concerns nearby friendly villages: are there any villages near the necromancer we can work with with whom we can ally ourselves openly, so as not to implicate this fort? As I understand, necromancers are rarely popular with everyone..."

Magnus had been keeping a low profile during his stay in the fort, allowing his leg to mend, and otherwise trying to stay out of the way of the day to day activities of the garrison. He would take his slow, careful walks around the perimeter in the mornings and evenings to stretch, and occasionally he would take up his pan drum and play a little something, but for the most part he slept a lot and kept to himself.

His cut was healing nicely, the sutures barely noticeable beneath his fur, and it seemed that he would be able to keep up with the others without much trouble on the next leg of their journey.

With the introduction of the others the Minotaur had resumed his more closely guarded demeanor. He nodded here and there to show that he was listening and his large dark eyes moved this way and that about the room, taking in the details of the more experienced additions to their company. They certainly looked like they had seen plenty of action of their own.

If he had any questions about their task, he did not voice them, and seemed content to listen to what the others had to say on the matter for the moment.

Judoc's journey had stretched across the entire Megalan Empire, from Azer in the east all the way to the southwestern border where Megalos meets Caithness and al-Wazif.  Judoc had been keen to arrive at their destination, but this opportunity to travel had filled him with excitement.  He also took the chance to acquaint himself with the wizard from the Mages Guild, a man named Finn Razzel.  Judoc hadn't had much opportunity to talk shop with a magic user who wasn't affiliated with the Battle College, and the student was keen to share experiences, though Judoc left out many details.

Judoc's other companion had been a curious surprise.  Back in Azer, the young mage had been studying alone one day in his room when, with a woosh of air, a large hawk had flown in and perched on the window sill.  Judoc had jumped up in surprise, and the hawk had stared at him.  After a few moments, Judoc had said, "Hello there," and the hawk had looked at him curiously.  Then, bizarrely, Judoc had heard it clearly say telepathically, "Hello," and Judoc had gaped in surprise.  Had Judoc attracted this magnificent creature solely on the basis of his phenomenal arcane abilities?  Or was there some other reason?  Judoc had spoken to the hawk further, first verbally, and then through his thoughts alone, and the hawk didn't seem to know why it had been attracted to Judoc, either.  A mystery.  Judoc had named her Aiah, and she seemed to stick close to him except when she was out hunting.

The three had traveled first from Azer to the coast, and then by boat to the capital.  Judoc wished he could have spent more time exploring the city, but their mission pushed them on.  From the capital, they traveled to Dekamara, and then boarded a ship for Hyrnan with a brief stopover in the goblin city of Yibyroak.  From Hyrnan, Judoc and Finn had ridden along with a merchant who was heading west, Aiah sometimes flying along overhead, sometimes riding perched in the merchant's wagon, and now they were here at Three Corners Fort.  The Templars had given Judoc and Finn enough coin to make to the fort, but now, Judoc finds the funds have run dry.   No matter.  After the group eliminates this necromancer, they will no doubt be amply rewarded for their services, and privately, Judoc wagers  the necromancer will have quite a few items of interest to a student mage.

And what a group they make.  Judoc had been expecting more soldiers, but he was pleasantly surprised to be reunited with a former classmate.  Judoc grinned when he saw Giles and had thumped him on the back.  "Giles!  Look at you!  Why, you've jumped to the head of the class, lad!  And you've already made officer?  That's fantastic!"

Judoc's goal had long been to become a battle mage himself in the Megalan Army, but now, becoming a Templar was becoming more and more attractive, though his obligation to the secret organization known as the Murderers Row dimly nags at him from the dark recesses of his mind.   Well, he'll deal with that obligation when it's necessary to do so.

The others prove an interesting lot.  He has already heard of how the group dealt with a group of bandits masquerading as Imperial toll collectors, so they could handle themselves in a fight.  The minotaur in particular looks like a formidable warrior, and the man named Gustav's blade intrigues him.  He grimaces slightly at the sight of the two women, but he remembers Mariana, and grudgingly admits to himself that women might have their place in this endeavor as long as they have the good sense to leave the important decisions to the men.  Judoc introduces himself to the others in turn as "Judoc, from the Templar College of Battle Magic in Azer."

When Captain Brashear returns to brief them, Judoc listens carefully and then frowns.  What?  No further support from the army?  Ridiculous!  He had traveled hundreds of miles for this?  Fuming, Judoc crosses his arms and continues to listen.  Well, at least the captain will be sending Giles along.  Three mages and five fighters make a formidable strike force.  Judoc by himself is worth an entire squadron of infantry, and the other two will probably be able to contribute in some way as well.  Hm.  He leans over to the minotaur and says quietly, "OK, I'm thinking I cast Great Haste, Invisibility, and Hawk Flight on you.  The necromancer will never know what hit him."

Judoc raises a hand.  In a normal voice, he says, "Captain Brashear, I was given that we were here to serve as a support unit to the Megalan army.  What about food and horses, sir?"

OOC:  I'm not sure if Judoc and Finn would have traveled together (or if the Templars would have given Judoc a travel allowance), so if they did not, let me know and I'll amend this post.

Judoc will see about acquiring food and a horse.  If he needs to pay for everything, then he'll just buy food, seeing as how he doesn't have the funds to buy a horse.



Aiah
(Ironically for a male chauvinist like Judoc, the female Harris hawk is bigger than the male.)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Fri 23 Feb 2018.

As Rondald asks his questions of the Captain, the man turns and pays his full attention, starting his answers off first with, "Rondald, is that right?  I'm afraid I have little accurate information to the necromancer's abilities.  Our prisoner tends to speak in hyperbole and gave us various graphic depictions of his master's magic, though I learned a few days ago that the poor man has actually never met Haj Umr ibn-Hussein so his knowledge is all from second hand and likely inaccurate.  I think it more likely that our foe is a highly talented wizard with a small contingent of followers.  I would approach him cautiously rather than outright to perhaps probe what actual skill he has.  As to outside help, I know that Giles has made some contact with the village of Tabuk which is less than a day's walk from al-Hassan, where the necromancer lives, though perhaps he would be a better guide as to whether they would offer any help or not.  I can tell you the general feelings in this area are against further conflagration of tensions on both sides of the border, though many of the villages in al-Wazif harbor a deep grudge against all Megalans."

Judoc is next to speak with a more direct question, to which Captain Brashear nods his head.  "Yes, we can provide some food easily enough from our own rations.  We have just restocked and I have asked Rudyard to redouble his load on his next trip.  In the meantime we will make due here at the fort the best we can by supplementing ourselves..."  Brashear sucks on his teeth slightly before he continues.  "Horses however, leave me in a slightly different situation.  I am still required to accomplish the border patrols that are the main purpose of the fort at this time.  The stables are simply not prepared to be thinned out to supply each of you.  I can however, reasonably supply you with one as a pack horse.  Giles's horse Cutlass has a ready excuse as her master will be off on assignment."  Brashear gives Giles a wink before returning his gaze.  "Thanks for the question, Judoc, are there any others?"

OOC:  I forgot to mention previously, but it is the 18th of March at 1000.

The Minotaur nodded approvingly when it became clear that they would have a pack horse on hand before he raised one hand slightly and cleared his throat. "Magnus sir" he clarified before he continued. "I don't suppose we could get some torches as well? or maybe even a lantern?" he asked, his tone not exactly hopeful that the military would be willing to part with any from their own reserves.

He knew next to nothing of their enemy, but he somehow pictured a man that trafficked with the dead residing in some place dark and foreboding.

Giles' birthday had come and gone and the past months of waiting had relivened his spirits. Time recouperating since the last trip into Wazifi land had left him with another small limp but it ultimately just added to his character. Better to have a few dents here and there than to have spent life without... well, life.


Walking into the room into which he'd been summoned by the captain, it was hard to not instantly be drawn to the mass of hair and horn. Giles tried to be non-chalent in his glancing but ultimately felt his eyes being pulled into some vaguesense of unease. He didn't like the beast, or even know what it was really; though he was sure he could smell it from across the room. Curious, could it even talk? It was something he would have to settle with if this was the assembled group.

The others were more plain, or perhaps just more what the man had come to expect of a typical set of Megalan mercenaries, and perhaps that was only when drawing comparison.

He smiled, and offered each of the assembled group a friendly nod, and small greeting. Though he locked eyes with the Judoc and beamed a genuine smile "Ah, Judoc. It has been a good while since we last met.

I've been fortunate in my service here and managed to not get myself into too much trouble he spoke casually, with the smile turning into a grin, alluding to his expulsion from the magic academy.

"It seems that you also have found your place in the world and have been doing well. It's very good to see you again he finished, resigning to having a real conversation once they had more time.

He then glanced to the WAzifi looking woman and said حسنا التقى، سعيد يمكنك with the best friendly tone he could muster. The tones were still a little off, but the gist was there, he thought to himself.

---

Well, it seemed that Brashear was right to be angry. A necromancer threatening the fort and possibly Raphael, and MEgalos would not commit any forces to its eradication. It was a tricky play, though, and the man had experienced first hand, second hand and all kinds of ways how peoples across the border hated him; another war might not be a good thing.

But a necromancer. One that messed with the dead... even the vague interest he'd shown in such arcane topics had him expelled from the academy. Taboo was too gentle of a word for it in Megalan society and so a wielder of such power had to be dealt with. An army would be nice though.


After the questions had been asked Giles stepped forward and then halted as the beast began to speak. Magnus...sir. Giles shot a quizzical glance, quite unpxpecting the vernacular.

"We'll get some communal supplies from the quartermaster, I'll be sparing in what I ask for but if he's in a good mood we can convince the man to part with some pieces that might help. As the captain said, we won't be able to take enough to hamper the fort, but something at least. Just nothing that would identify us as official.
he said.

   Odelia stepped into the room just before the meeting had started and moved to a spot near the door. Over her right shoulder was the pack she had carried her things in, which was now considerably lighter with the majority of the rations she'd carried on the journey already spent. Where the pack had been a bit difficult for her to carry before, it seemed light and easily shouldered this time. In the crook of her other arm was a small and worn rolled up mat. When she found her place, she set the pack down and knelt to open it and replace the mat inside of the bag, while her matching green eyes took in the contents of the room.

   Her eyes glanced about as she took in her surroundings and noted any exits other than the one she'd come in. She heard people talking about the prisoner they had in custody, a man they simply had called 'Haj'. With a name like that, it was expected that some, possibly most of the people living at the Fort might consider her suspect. She'd kept a wary eye out since their arrival at the garrison post and made a point of keeping out of the way of anyone that might consider her suspicious.

   Green eyes glanced at the ones she already knew and didn't linger for long - even the Horned One rated little more than half a heartbeat before she turned her attention to the newcomers. Her emerald orbs met the midnight blue eyes of the first man and caught the grimace on his features. Those same orbs were flecked with jade which sparkled as she narrowed her gaze and the pencil-thin brows eased closer together. There was a fierceness in the return gaze of the veiled woman before her attention was caught by another of the newcomers.

   The ginger-haired man was taller than she was - most men usually were - who looked younger than she was. He was beginning to make the transition into Manhood and she could see the progress in both the squaring of his jaw and the small amount of stubble that decorated it. He greeted the man with a grimace warmly, she noted and guessed that the two men were aware of one another, or were possibly were friends.

   When he approached her and spoke in Arabic, one of the brows rose up in a show of mild surprise. Not many in the Empire spoke the Tongue of the Prophet willingly, most preferred to speak in English (some frustratingly so) in their dealings with others. To encounter someone who spoke it - even if the speaker was a fire-haired young man just out of his teens - was a blessing that she was thankful for. She'd risen from where she'd knelt as he'd approached and stood in front of him and held out her hands to either side while bowing her head slightly in an indication that the man's words were understood. As she returned to stand in front of him, she brought her hands together in a prayerful pose, then parted them, one hand slowly moving over from behind the first, as if offering a gift.

   The moment was broken with the sudden arrival of the Captain as he stormed through the door. She started visibly and one hand went to the hilt of one of the daggers she carried as the Megalan passed her without thought. The hand remained on the hilt a moment longer as Brashear began speaking, then eased off slowly, while a hint of colour showed on the olive skin just above the veil.

   She listened wordlessly as the Captain outlined what the prisoner - "Haj" -
 had said about the Necromancer. The bridge of her nose crinkled at the thought - the word was an abomination alone - about what this man was doing. Disturbing the remains of good people, however, they believed, was unthinkable. The sooner that this ... man ... was brought to justice, the easier things would be for the Fort and it's surroundings.

   When the Horned One mentioned needing a lantern, she knelt slightly and reached into the pack to remove a lantern as she pulled off the gloves she wore on the other hand and knocked twice on the metal framework to get his attention. Holding it in front of her, her head cocked slightly to the right as if to imply Is this what you were looking for?

Finn Razzel was walking on air.  Not literally of course though he is a talented mage so perhaps someday.  No, he had completed quite successfully not one but two missions for the famed, notorious and secretive organization the Murderers Row.  It had been his dream for a few years to be invited and that day came.  But as is standard his invitation came with a test and naturally he passed with flying colors.

Since that time Finn took his well earned coin and used it to further his spell work, visited family, invested wisely in some new gear and lived a little.  Though still green Finn has found a love for Dragon Dice and plays every chance he gets.

And as it always does work came looking for him mid-way through his vacation but in truth Finn was ready.  He is young and ambitious, sitting idle does not suit his temperament.  His contact known only as Dirk sold him in under a minute on this most recent job.  “You'll be working with other mages and getting a foothold into the Templars son.  Something we want badly.”, he had said and that's all it took to hook the young mercenary.

Some weeks later Razzel finds himself sitting in a small office in an outpost on the edge of the frontier.  Looking around the room he is surprised to see the variety in the assembled menagerie.  He is glad for the friendship he and the other Templar have forged.

Finn cross his arms over his chest and listens intently at the speech given by the fort Captain.  He waits for others to speak then he clears his throat and stands.  He nods and smiles around the room confidently, then addresses the commander.  ”Finn.  Uhhh, excuse me sir but I'm not sure I follow some of the more...uh, subtle things at work here.  Just what are we looking at?”


OOC:
Judoc I think that's a fine idea that we traveled together from Azer as long as the GM sees fit.  If its allowed assume we've become casual friends.

Finn looks just like his picture.  Average build and just under 6 feet tall.  He is lean but not skinny.  Finn has nice clothing and fresh new armor.  He is a happy-go-lucky and cocky but not arrogant.  He is upbeat and very confident of his abilities.  After traveling with him he would volunteer that while working for the Templars he did not receive his education at their college.  He is more or less self taught and recruited by them later.

Rather than post a ton of questions here and bog us down in back and forth role play I opted to ask a lot of my stuff in OOC, that way the players or the GM can answer.

"Yes Sir, Rondald and Terri Bertrand at your service." he answers the question, then listens to the discussion that follows.

Rondald nodded in thanks at the answer, noting also the other supplies that would be catered for. It would seem that the addition of three mages to the groups would do much to alleviate some of the issues in dealing with the unnatural, though the group was clearly going to have to practice to work together to deal with the followers, which would clearly outnumber them and likely be more fanatical than any pirates he had dealt with.

After the captain has finished speaking and answering the others questions, he will add

"Good to hear supplies and a pack horse are taken care of. Ammunition can also be supplied?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:01, Sun 25 Feb 2018.

Gustav remains quiet, the few questions that occur to him are asked by others first. He catches Odelia looking at each of them and gives her a smile, then returns his attention to what is being briefed. As some ask questions, his mind wanders ...

He wonders what horrors Odelia has faced to turn her against her own so. He also wonders what he has signed up for; rather than being a soldier, he is being pushed into another situation that may be as bad as the one he was in. Playing spy was not popular business; even your own became untrusting of you in time, wondering if you may have changed sides to save your skin. More hiking in the desert, no horses. that wasn't good either. He seemed to remember the Arabs were noted for their horses; being chased by men on horse back would be an ugly situation. He felt a sense of camaraderie with those who had traveled here with him, but didn't anything about these new guys...and they seemed to know each other. Wonder what that means.  Then there was this necromancer... he only vaguely knew what that was, magic with the dead.  He remembered all the stories while growing up ... garlic was supposed to stop them, bell, bible and candles too... and silver weapons.  He wondered where they could find silvered weapons.

He came back to present and looked around... the rest didn't look all that concerned, except for Magnus, poor guy, he couldn't escape who he was, but seemed a good friend to have if things got tough.

At the mention of light sources, Judoc grins and wriggles his fingers, summoning a small ball of candlelight into existence.  He gestures to the corner of the room, and the light sphere zooms up to the ceiling and hovers there.  "Before we set out, I'll create lights for all of us that are as strong as torchlight.  I'll need something small to enchant, maybe a pebble or a knife.  The lights generally last for a few days."

"I should probably dabble in the Food college at some point," the mage continues.  "Being able to conjure up food would be useful for this kind of mission."  Or horses, he thinks wryly.  A pity the fort doesn't have more mounts to spare.  Perhaps when he returns to Azer, he can branch out in his studies.

This mission is already in the bag, he thinks.  They're more than covered on both the magical and brute force fronts.  Aiah will serve as a superb scout.  He idly wonders how quietly the others can move.  Guess he'll find out soon enough.

"Captain, another question.  What maps do you have available of the region?  I'd like to take a look at them before we go to familiarize myself with the local topography."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:51, Sun 25 Feb 2018.

Rondald leans over to Judoc and says quietly.

"If you are taking suggestions, the ability to conjure water may be more vital in the desert..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:53, Mon 26 Feb 2018.