Re: Act I: Beneath the Rakers
The innkeep's daughter bustles to and fro with a cadre of servers as, from the kitchen, the sound of Cook's booming voice comes hardly muffled from within.
'If I were a rich man, yada, yada, yada, ya...'
Flagons are refilled, plates are set, blood is mopped.
Off to the side, Antonin crouches beside the barely conscious Rennar. A litter is being made by members of the elfin patrol, as the older elf binds the ranger's ribs. Myrrick hovers overhead until Antonin barks, "Go eat, boy. You'll need the sustenance."
Selene sits at the head of the newly formed table, a small goblet of wine before her. She twirls the stem, staring at the pewter for a moment as everyone gets settled, then looks up and smiles. It is radiant, her eyes shine, her hair shimmers. None among you remains untouched - even Uthecar pauses in his repast to stare at the fair maiden...
"You likely know some of the tale of Quesqueton and its two worthies, Zelligar and Rogahn. Zelligar was a mage of some repute, a practitioner in many arts, including dark. Rogahn was a great warrior who first found fame in the gladiator pits in the great north. Somehow - and only they know - they met and befriended, and set upon a lifetime of adventure. 'Tis said they were dragon killers, demon tamers and friends of the undead - yet as they grew older, the retreated into the heights to build their fastness away from prying eyes.
Despite their predispositions toward the shadow, it seems both felt a certain loyalty toward Ratik.
Some thirty and more years ago, many years prior to Eveleigh, the Frost Barbarians raided in force. A fleet of knarr came across the Bay, another horde traveled south through the passes and into the Timberway.
When things were most grim, as the pincers of the twin barbarian forces began to squeeze, Zelligar & Roghan, along with a mighty force of humans and fellfolk (humanoids) met the landforce in the wide pass above the Timberway and soundly defeated the barbarian horde. They say an ocean of blood spilled that day, mostly barbaric, as Zelligar cast terrible spells and Roghan led fierce charges into their ranks.
The victory at the foot of the Rakers allowed Ratik's forces to rally. In a swift counter attack, the met the landing forces and pushed them back into Grendep Bay.
As the victorious nobility turned to meet their unexpected allies, a courier arrived with a message that said simply, "We travel north."
They were never seen in Ratik again, though rumor tells that both fell atop a great mountain that loomed well above the last great pass leading into the barbarian realms."
She pauses, let's the tale sink in a moment before continuing.
"'Tis a lot to take in," she adds. "But with Myrrick's news," she offers said lad a smile and nod, "...comes perhaps a hope unlooked for. The barbarian tribes are restless again, our borders are not secure. If Quesqueton has been found, then we must seek to secure the stronghold for a couple of reasons. First, it provides a legitimate hedge against nonsense from the Bone March. They'll not raid in force if we have a hold in the heights from which to respond, and a secure southern border will allow Eveleigh to focus her full attention north. Second, surely some clue has been left behind indicating their true purpose, and ideas on how to meet the barbarians - and all our enemies - from a position of strength."
"Thus, to you comes a task that may change Ratik's fortunes greatly. Go and search Quesqueton, find such clues in correspondence and journels and such as will assist Lady Eveleigh in our land's defense. Furthermore, scout the ruins, and clear out such foes as you are capable of defeating. Make note of all you come across so that we are prepared to take the ruins from whomever holds them."
"Simple, eh?"
She laughs at the last, breaking an increasingly somber mood. Pushing aside the forgotten goblet, she leans forward and asks, "Any questions?"