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11:09, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Interlude.

Posted by DM RyanFor group 0
DM Ryan
GM, 594 posts
Sun 25 Jun 2017
at 17:06
  • msg #1

Interlude

In the city of Deon's Rise. . .


Herr Johannes sat at one of the tables outside the Cerulean Heron, a high-end inn in the city of Deon's Rise, gently sipping on a glass of wine as the afternoon sun drifted west, slowly advancing on the spire-filled backdrop. The outer porch of the inn was set on a terrace overlooking the bay, where ships and sails fluttered to and from the Tigryn Sea, from dawn til dusk and even a little after. Ships hailed from near and far, as close as Herrod and as distant as Shan-tai, but none of these ships were the ship Johannes knew.

He sighed, a tinge of sorrow on his breath.

It's been two weeks. . . They should have been back by now. . . Imbellem has the ability to send messages by magic. . . He would have done so if things had gone wrong. . . Unless. . .

Are you really a knight?” asked a blonde-haired boy who surprised Johannes, standing right in front of him.

Johannes put on a smile and rubbed the boy's hair, armor clanking appropriately as he reached over. “Yes, I'm really a knight.

Cool!” The boy practically sprinted away to a group of gawking friends. “Guys! I just met a knight! . .

Johannes felt lightened by the excitement of the children, their innocence. But still. . . He gazed out at the ocean's horizon, and wondered.

***

3 Days Later


A guard approached Johannes as he ate in the inn. “Herr Johannes?

Yes?

Come with me please.

Hadric glanced over from the bar and slid off his stool. “There trouble?” he grunted.

Johannes held up a hand. “Don't worry. It should be fine."

Hadric gave him an appraising look, then shrugged. “If you say so. . .” And resumed his seat at the bar, watching them darkly as they left.

Johannes followed the guard down to a pier along the bay, where there were two other guards waiting. One with a short gray beard stepped forward. “Herr Johannes I presume. Is this your ship?

He gestured further down the docks where, firmly anchored, was indeed the ship belonging to Johannes and his compatriots, having been a gift from the city of Herrod for their service against the sorcerer Alldyde.

It is. . . Where did you?-

We recovered it from pirates that we intercepted about a week ago. They claimed they found it abandoned near Comoset Isle, and that, having found it so, it belonged to them legally; but we checked the ship make and name with the offices here and found it registered under your name. We then sent a messenger to the Representative of Herrod's Office to relay something to Herrod, but to our surprise, they told us you were here in Deon's Rise, and gave us the name of the inn you were staying at. I assume that it is indeed not abandoned?

That is correct, Sir,” replied Johannes. “It was last in possession of two of my fellow co-owners, who earlier sailed it to Comoset Isle, but. . . well, that's nothing for Perdanian guards to worry about.

I believe all items on board are still there,” continued the guard. “It seems the pirates had no time between stealing the ship and our interception to sell anything. Is there anything else you'd like to know?

No, thank you. You and your men have done an excellent job. My companions and I would have suffered a great monetary loss without you.

We're glad to be of service.

Johannes promised them a round of drinks later that evening, and after they had left, he walked aboard the ship to inspect it. Everything stored was there, including Imbellem & Mikael's stashes – only no Imbellem or Mikael.

I suppose this means it's certain then. . .

Johannes climbed up to the deck, where he found the sun setting behind the royal castle, casting orange rays over the city and across the harbor. By the pier he could see the blonde-haired boy from a few days ago, swinging a stick against a barrel, or in this case, a vicious dragon.

One chapter ends, another begins, thought Johannes. The bittersweet beauty of the world.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:12, Tue 27 June 2017.
DM Ryan
GM, 595 posts
Thu 29 Jun 2017
at 19:43
  • msg #2

Interlude

In the city of Deon's Rise. . .

Johannes and Hadric gazed at the billboard, their eyes scouring through the numerous, overlapping papers.

How bout this? Could be good for you,” said Hadric, pointing one out to Johannes.

NANNY WANTED FOR 2 UNRULY CHILDREN. COMBAT TRAINING REQUIRED.

Johannes laughed. It wasn't everyday that Hadric showed signs of humor. The two of them continued searching through the sea of wanted ads until a familiar word caught the eye of Johannes. “Huh?” He tore the paper off to get a closer look.

ARMED ESCORTS WANTED FOR ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION TO THE DEAD ISLE
Funded by the University of Perdane & the Herrodian Trader's Guild
Associated academics: Honorable Professors Pishak & Ng'ut
See Sorben Stoch at 164 Heverd Lane, Building 2.

Pishak and Ng'ut,” murmured Johannes, recalling a distant time when he had gone beneath Herrod and battled a mechanical, brass man. “I know those guys!

An hour later Johannes and Hadric stepped into a wide, warehouse-like building near the harbor where a group of five or so people were busily moving crates in from a wagon outside; about ten others, adventurers by the look of them, were standing about. A halfing girl, carrying a crate way too big for her, suddenly veered into Johannes and bumped into his greaves.

Veena, be careful with that!” scolded a man, who was near the age of forty with short brown hair.

Sorry!” She cried back, then turned to Johannes. “Sorry!” She hastened away, somehow still carrying the oversized box without toppling over.

The man approached Johannes and Hadric. “Are you here for the armed escort?

We are, Sir,” replied Johannes, while Hadric merely grunted.

Qualifications?

Well. . .” Johannes felt like saying he had a part in defeating the sorcerer Alldyde and rescuing the province of Herrod from a pirate coup – but he knew that was supposed to be a state secret. He decided to play up his experience as a knight instead. “I'm-

They're hired!” cried an old man appearing out of nowhere.

Calm down now. Let's not be too hasty Professor Pishak-,” began the man.

Professor Pishak, shaky in his movements, walked right up to Johannes. “Don't I know you, son?

Uh, yes, you do,” replied Johannes. “My companions and I worked for you two months ago, back in Herrod.

Ah, yes, I remember. . . I think. .” said the professor.

You couldn't remember your own name if you didn't see it on your desk everyday!” barked Professor Ng'ut, a wrinkled, old goblin barely half the height of Johannes. He appraised Johannes and Hadric with sharp, piercing eyes. “The knight at least has worked for us before. Hire them! Now come on you old goat. I need you to translate something.

The brown-haired man shrugged and chuckled as Professor Ng'ut dragged Professor Pishak away. “I guess that's it then. My name's Sorben. Welcome to the team.

Thank you,” replied Johannes. “However, I also wanted to ask: What's on the Dead Isle?

Good question,” replied Sorben. “You see, it used to be the case that nobody went to the Dead Isle. . . ever. And those that did simply never came back. As you can imagine, sailors avoided it like the plague. But a few months ago a group of adventurers from Olseen, an isle west of here, went to the Dead Isle and managed to get out with a rather large pile of treasure, including some powerful magic items from the old Estraen Kingdom that used to be there a 150 years back. Their success story spread like wildfire between many of the traders and adventurers, and now there's some serious interest in seeing what else the Estraens left behind. That's why it was so easy to get funding for this expedition. On the surface, it's for the study of history, but for quite a few of the investors-” Sorben winked “-It's for treasure.

Veena walked past chewing on a stick of jerky. “You forgot to mention all the walkin' dead people!

I was getting to that!” snapped Sorben, who shook his head as she skipped gleefully away. “My assistants are so willful. . . Anyway, I don't know if the stories about walking dead are true or not, but if they are, then that's what you're for! . . . So are ye in?

Johannes glanced at Hadric. He nodded silently.

Johannes turned back to Sorben. “We're in.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:15, Fri 30 June 2017.
DM Ryan
GM, 596 posts
Sun 2 Jul 2017
at 21:24
  • msg #3

Interlude

Two weeks later; On the Dead Isle. . .

Johannes hacked the head clean off a zombie, and the rotted corpse crumpled onto the ground.

Where the hell did he come from!?” shouted Sorben, as he and others hastily loaded their cargo into three small boats on the beach; a large ship awaited for them in the bay. They were getting off the Dead Isle.

From the woods,” replied Johannes, nodding at the forest of dead, leafless trees. “They're still following us!

Damn. . .

Three days. Three days was how long they had managed to stay on the isle, until the hordes of undead, who seemed drawn to the living, forced their expedition to abruptly end.

So much had happened, Johannes thought. On the first day, we loss several of our numbers. On the second day, I was poisoned by Ramsey, who in doing so poisoned as well Hadric, my friend, and Kcree, the halfling-sorcerer, getting them caught up in what should be my own personal affairs. I hope I see Ramsey again someday, so that I might slay him. . . At least my memory, having suffered from the damage that poison wrought, is beginning to return. . . And on the third day, we encountered the Dread Knight. It took six of us – Myself, Hadric, Kcree, J'bin, Dakira, & even Ramsey, and perhaps a few others I don't quite recall – to destroy merely one; and even so, we were barely victorious. . . But now, the expedition has ended, and we are on the verge of returning to Herrod safely. What lasting accomplishment have we made?

Two more zombies staggered from the treeline, and the priestess Dakira incanted a prayer, sending a ripple through the fabric of space: The zombies turned to mere dust.

Johannes was startled by a gauntlet that rested on his shoulder, and glanced over to see the eyes of Hadric, studying through the dark slit of his helm. “You okay?

Johannes felt a bit of inner warmth return to him. Although he had only known Hadric for three months now, the warrior, who he had met dying on the roadside, had become a trusted friend, sharing with him trial after trial and never once faltering, no matter how dire the situation became. Together, they had survived to this point.

A skeleton knight emerged from the trees, a far more difficult foe than a zombie. Kcree and Dakira did not hold back and sent magically-summoned fire toward him from above and below, encasing the creature in a blaze. The flames then ceased, revealing a pile of blackened bones.

We're ready to go!” called Sorben. “Everyone in the boats!

Johannes, Hadric, and the others fell back to where Sorben and the non-combatents of their company had already climbed into the boats and were waiting for them. Johannes and Hadric pushed one out to sea and leapt in, with the others doing the same. Soon after, all three boats were adrift and being rowed toward the main ship. Johannes noticed that he and Hadric had got in the same boat as Sorben and Veena.

Well then. I'd say this expedition was a bust,” said Veena, the halfling girl who was Sorben's assistant.

I wouldn't say that,” replied Sorben, sounding somewhat pleased. Veena shot him a dirty look for being insensitive, for they had lost three of their fellows on the expedition. Sorben, abashed, wiped away his cheer and continued, “Not that it was good. Obviously, many things went wrong, and I'm ashamed to have lost employees. But I wouldn't go so far as to say it was a bust either.” He patted the line of crates stored in the center of the boat. “We collected a decent number of artifacts from that old ruin we stayed in our two nights on the isle. Being Estraen-made, they're exotic, and they should fetch more than enough to pay off our investors, as well as get everyone here a pay check. The Dead Isle has just as much wealth for the taking as they rumored it had!” Veena renewed her dirty look. “Don't forget we're a part of the Herrodian Traders Guild, Veena,” retorted Sorben. “Even if everything goes sour, the very least we must do is make a profit. That is what guarantees we have a future. Given the amount of wealth the Estraens left behind, practically untouched thanks to those undead monsters, the potential for a venture here is incredible. We just have to do it better next time – with more resources, more protection, more money. I believe we passed an old Estraen fortress along the coast on our way here. We could use that as a base of operations, and figure out a safer way to maintain ourselves against the undead. . .

Sounds hard,” grunted Hadric, catching Sorben by surprise since the warrior so rarely spoke to anyone other than Johannes. “I know for sure I ain't coming back.

Sorben frowned. “That's a shame. It's always of great value to have employees with prior experience. What about you, Sir Johannes?

Johannes glanced back at the Dead Isle, its black shores getting farther and farther behind them. The main ship loomed over them now as the small boats ran up alongside. “I agree with Hadric. It's unlikely I'll ever come back here. . .

Dang,” cursed Sorben. “I would have hired you both again, too. Oh well. Help me move these crates would you?

As ropes were lowered from the ship, Johannes stared solemnly at the Dead Isle, and contemplated. The Dead Isle: A land of death, overrun and ruled by the dead, left alone this way for 150 years, steeping in its evil. How did this horrible curse, this abomination of life, happen? What secrets are buried in the heart of the isle, which no one has ever been to in well over a century? Even our own company had managed only a single day's distance into the interior before being forced back. . . What lies beyond that?

A spray from the ocean landed on Johannes' cheek and shook him from his thoughts, and he chuckled at his daydreaming. It doesn't matter. . . Afterall. . . I don't plan on coming back here any time soon.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:07, Mon 03 July 2017.
DM Ryan
GM, 597 posts
Tue 4 Jul 2017
at 21:27
  • msg #4

Interlude

In the city of Deon's Rise. . .


It had been a week since their return from the Dead Isle, and Johannes and Hadric found themselves once again at the Cerulean Heron, a high-end inn in Deon's Rise, enjoying a reprieve from fighting zombies, being poisoned, and risking life and limb on a daily basis. The weathered warriors sat across from each other on two cushioned sofas with a table between them, a gentle noise from other patrons providing a calm atmosphere. Johannes unrolled a large map across the table.

“I was thinking of sailing northeast up to Lapland, a country just south of Styrie on the Kabariyan Isle. I have some connections there that I'd like to visit, and who might be able to help me with my future plans. You're welcome to join me.

Hadric shrugged, “I have nothing else to do.

Johannes chuckled. Over the past few months, he had come to better understand Hadric's true character beneath the outer indifference, and knew there was warmth where he tried to seem cold. He could not help but wonder if Hadric had truly nothing to do, if he had any connections or family or goal of his own out there, though he had never once spoken of it.

Hadric, is there anywhere you'd like to go?” asked Johannes, gently pry trying to open the subject.

Hadric stared past Johannes for a few seconds. “Looks like that girl's planning a trip too.

Hm?” Johannes looked over his shoulder. Sitting at one of the tables near the bar was a young girl no older than twenty, with long brown hair and donned in splintmail, carefully studying a map much like theirs. Johannes realized Hadric hadn't heard his question.

I suppose we're not the only adventurers in the world,” commented Johannes.

And another,” added Hadric, as a lightly armored man approached her and leaned with one hand on the table. However, the look that the girl gave him as she glanced up said very clearly he was not her friend. They were too far away to hear what they were saying, but the man spoke for a bit followed by a succinct reply from the girl. The man then, very deliberately, knocked over her glass of wine, staining half the map. The girl gasped loud enough for them to hear, then abruptly stood and pulled out a mace.


Time to intervene,” said Johannes suddenly, leaping off of the couch and moving at a fast-walk. The man pulled out a rapier.

You want to dance, girl?” he said, whom Johannes could hear now, and he could tell he didn't mean the pleasant kind of dancing either. The woman who worked the inn's bar was casting alarmed looks over at the table

Johannes arrived. “Excuse me.” The man glanced at him unpleasantly, but Johannes continued nonetheless, meeting his gaze. “I paid good money to stay at this inn, and I chose this inn specifically to avoid ridiculous bar scuffles like this.

The man snorted dismissively, “This girl called me a pig.

A pig who doesn't understand what no mean,” retorted the girl, to the man's further displeasure.

I'll cut you up girl.

No one will be cutting anyone up,” interjected Johannes. “Sir, since you seem to be the aggressor here, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

You want to lose your nose?” said the man, who then pointed the tip of his rapier at Johannes, holding it inches from his face. Johannes didn't flinch or blink or even feel his heart beat a microsecond faster. He had survived way too many hard opponents to be scared of this loser.

If you insist on fighting, then you can fight me, and we can do it outside out of respect for Miss Sariah,” replied Johannes, nodding toward the barmaid who had come to know the past few months, and was now very alarmed.

The girl spoke, “I don't need you to fight my battles for me. I can handle him myself.

I'm sure you could,” answered Johannes without hesitation, his sincerity surprising her. “But he's spoiled my own afternoon, which I was hoping to enjoy here at this usually-calm, fine establishment. That's reason enough for me fight right now.

Arrogant bastard,” the man insulted. “Fine. Let's do this.

Johannes left out the side door of the inn, followed by the man and the girl, and they entered a fairly isolated alley between two high stone walls. Johannes and the man took positions ten feet apart from each other while the girl watched from the side, leaning against the wall with arms folded.

Johannes began whispering under his breath. "The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?"

"Alright, let's get this over with," said the man. He charged at Johannes with his sword at the fore.

". . .Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. . ." Johannes rested a hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword. The sword began to gently glow, and the girl's eyes suddenly opened and watched with ravenous interest. The man's rapier drew near.

"Smite."

Johannes drew his sword, deflected the rapier, and struck the man in the chest with bottom of his hilt. The man flew back fifteen feet, landed on his side, and rolled another ten, ending up in an unconscious pile of himself. Johannes re-sheathed his sword and nodded at the awestruck girl, "Goodday Miss," and began to leave.

"Wait!" she cried, stepping in his way. Suddenly, to Johannes' surprise, she swung her mace at him! Johannes ducked the swing.

"What are you doing!?" he cried. She didn't reply, but instead followed the momentum to bring the mace down from overhead.

Johannes pulled out his dagger, blocking the mace, while his free-hand grabbed her wrist and gave it a wrench. The mace fell out her hands and clattered to the ground where he kicked it away. The girl abruptly stopped her hostile struggling, dropped to her knees, and bowed. "Teach me!" she asked, practically at a shout.

"Huh? Wuh? You just attacked me!!"

"I've been searching everywhere for someone stronger than myself. You are stronger. You use divine magic. Please, teach me!"

"Uhh. . .."

"I'm a priestess!" she continued. "I was trained by Ryin the Saint!"

Now she had Johannes' attention. "Ryin? You mean the legendary healer? He's considered by many to be the most powerful cleric in the world. You're saying he was your teacher?"

"Yes," she replied simply. "But I've come south searching for a new teacher, and I choose you. Teach me!"

Johannes paused in thought. He was a little skeptical at first about her claim of being taught by Ryin, but she didn't seem like a liar, not in that regard at least. And it was true that after the loss of his companions in Comoset, Jacqueline's departure back to Herrod, and Dwalin and Adwonis' earlier departure, that he was in need of new party members.

"Hmm. . ."

***

Johannes sat down at the cushioned sofa where Hadric still sat on the sofa across, lifting his helm to take calming sips of ale. "You didn't come watch the fight between me and that guy," said Johannes, relaxing into the couch.

"What for?" replied Hadric. "It was already decided."

Johannes chuckled. Then the girl appeared, with a new glass of wine for herself and an ale for Johannes. "Hello," she said to Hadric, who was truly surprised when she suddenly sat down next to him.

"Oh, uh, this is Andriel," filled in Johannes. "Andriel, this is Hadric. She'll be joining us for a while."
DM Ryan
GM, 598 posts
Fri 7 Jul 2017
at 14:38
  • msg #5

Interlude

In the city of Deon's Rise. . .

. . .So if we follow the shoreline along coast, we'll evade many of the patrol ships from Vaterland.” Johannes dragged his finger across the map. “Vaterland is currently invading the country of Styrie, and Lapland is just on the southern border of Styrie. But if we hug the isle, so to speak, we should be able to port without any problems. . . Hello? . . Are you guys even paying attention!?

Hadric snored, and Andriel's head rested on the arm of the couch, her eyes shut.

Hey, wake up!”  Johannes struck his helmet which rested on the table, making it ring like a bell.

Hadric ceased snoring. “Hm?

Five more minutes,” moaned Andriel, curling her legs up on the couch.

Guys, we need to go over our plans!” cried Johannes, a bit irritated.

Sorry,” replied Hadric. “Too many details. Couldn't pay attention.

Johannes took a deep breath, preparing to launch into a lecture about the critical importance of planning when a man suddenly approached and stood beside their table.

Excuse me,” he said, his voice polite and refined.

They all looked at him, even Andriel waking up to examine the stranger and see if they were in a situation. The stranger was an elf - tall, lean,  and fair-skinned, with black hair pouring over his shoulders as if each strand knew where it belonged. It took a long time for elves to age, so the signs of middle-age on his face meant he was at least 200 years old. However, his features nonetheless evinced of a man of confidence.

You are Sir Johannes and Hadric, correct? May I join you a moment?

Johannes glanced at their seating arrangement, seeing no appropriate place for a guest. “I would invite you, but I don't think we have the space.

Let us put some tables together then.

Will they let us?” inquired Johannes as he glanced around the Cerulean Heron. The inn was of such a high-class standing that he was unsure of the protocol.

The stranger chuckled. “I expect they will, seeing as I own the place. Sariah,” he snapped his fingers at the barmaid, who immediately began moving a table next to theirs while a couple other employees moved a couch for him to sit on. By the time he had lowered his butt, he was sitting on the couch and a wine glass had appeared in his hand; the adventurers were modestly impressed. “My name is Dnaeon. It's a pleasure to meet you.


I am Herr Johannes,” Johannes said formally. “And the pleasure is mutual. It's an honor to meet you, for we've spent a great deal of time at your establishment. Almost two months now, in fact, save for an excursion in between.

In truth,” began Dnaeon, “This is one of my many establishments, for I own over half the inns here in Deon's Rise, as well as several locations in Herrod.

Now, the adventurers were very impressed.

And you know our names I see,” observed Johannes. “What brings you to speaking with us today?

Dnaeon set down his wine glass and put his fingers together, becoming business-like. “I would like to persuade you of something, to do something for me. . . I would like you to return to the Dead Isle.
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