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06:13, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Oakwood's Ordeal.

Posted by Master of FatesFor group 0
Wulfe The Pretty
player, 1204 posts
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 13:31
  • msg #940

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Wulfe rounded on herkimer with a feral look in his eyes, "Friend or no, you threaten to send me back to stone again and it will take more magic than you've ever wielded to prevent me taking your head! he snapped with real and wild aggression. He then stormed through the castle, heading to the front wall to consider what exactly he remembered and puzzle together the pieces that he could.
Jaeleen of Fairfields
NPC, 44 posts
Pretty, Tall, Graceful
Country Bumpkin
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 17:53
  • msg #941

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

In reply to Wulfe The Pretty (msg # 940):

The young blonde apprentice steps out around Herkimer Do NOT be threatening those who are your friends and be mindful that threatening mages can be your undoing.   She smiles sweetly   We will figure this out and take action together, we are much stronger that way.
Thomas O'Leary
player, 154 posts
Dragon Emissionary
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 20:08
  • msg #942

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

In reply to Jaeleen of Fairfields (msg # 941):

Thomas just observes, and says nothing.

It is interesting, and dangerous, for a master to get involved with his apprentice, something Herkimer is surely aware of. But it is not his place to get involved, so he does not. There were more serious matters to attend to.

He attends the lunch with some gaurded interest.
Herkimer
player, 1305 posts
HP 10/10 FP 6/18
Lovestruck Youth
Thu 15 Nov 2018
at 12:31
  • msg #943

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Herkimer nods in approval at Jaeleen's intercession. She was a girl, abused by the very thing she was becoming. Power. He is watching her take her life by the horns, becoming a better version of himself and the power he represents. But the fire... by gods the fire was there.

"The girl is right Wulfe - Do not shut us out. We, the emotionally detached can see what blinds you, and potentially vice versa. Out with the details."

All of this Herkimer says to the retreating back of his comrade.
Master of Fates
GM, 3931 posts
Thu 15 Nov 2018
at 19:49
  • msg #944

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Wulfe, regrettably, has few details to share.

At lunch you learn that Brance had the larger force, swelled by gathering up the peasants. The forces of Caithness used what you learned and several mages from the Magical academy to dispel illusions as quickly as Brance's mages could produce them; this calmed the soldiers on our side and confused those on Brance's side.  The Men of The Stone slid around the sides and ran offor killed those keeping the peasants in line, allowing them to desert in large numbers, which they did ... he Brance had his knights, the heavy cavalry of the Hospitallers and a few Templars  and several masses of Mercenaries. At that point Caithness had the larger forces and applied it to the flanks while holding the heavy mounted force in check with spears, stakes and crossbowmen.
  The Mercenaries did not stand up well to our trained footmen and started giving ground, further compressing the mounted force in the middle ... Brance tried to extricate it and use it elsewhere, but when the mercenaries saw them heading to the rear, they broke and ran ...  Our horse, excepting he Men of the Stone were fresh and pursued vigorously, scattering their Army.

   The Knights, Brance , the mages and the Hospitallers headed for this castle, only to find that it too had been seized... at that point Brance fled east with his knights, the Hospitallers also headed east while the Mercenaries scattered and likely became bandits, as already we have heard of villages being razed. We have sent forces out to stop that and prosecute the pursuit.
The Templars however seem to have lingered, we have a scout who claims one of them changed into a raven and flew toward the castle... the rest of them stood on guard and also grabbed a coupe of horses from passing mounted men... perhaps an hour or more later, The Raven returned and turned in a man again. Then a large square thing floated in with two men and a woman all tied up. She appeared to be with child, but they stopped her fighting with a spell he thinks, put everyone on a horse and rode East.   we doubted his report but a check found a carpet likely from the castle and the prints of many horses that did ride east. Various guards and others have corroborated portions of his story and we now think it real and true.
   This means Megalos was involved, at least their Knightly orders were. Lady Chloe is most assuredly abducted by the Knights Templar, which is ominous, as they are known to use magic freely to achieve their ends. We can only imagine what horrors they may use to gain what she knows. Obviously any force sent intoM would mean war, which would defeat most of our recent gains. However the King and Queen are both mortified by this turn and would seek volunteers to try and win her back to safety. Who ever goes may not bear any sign of our kingdom and acts wholly as an individual or private group. We can facilitate supply and such a foray, but anything with a royal cipher must be left behind.
Thomas O'Leary
player, 155 posts
Dragon Emissionary
Thu 15 Nov 2018
at 20:07
  • msg #945

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 944):

"Dragonkind also abhors such a use of magic, and though I am their representative, I am also without definitive identifying mark. I would naturally wish to go to right such a wrong...but I must seek the approval of my king first. Rascallion, if you would please go to the dragonkind to check what help they may offer, even if just knowledge, and what help I am permitted to offer."
Wulfe The Pretty
player, 1207 posts
Thu 15 Nov 2018
at 23:31
  • msg #946

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

The days after as they put together the pieces were like a knife moving in Wulfe's side. He was on edge wholly and volatile beyond what anyone had ever seen him. The wild and feral look had never left his face and as the time passed dark rings began to appear under his eyes. In conjunction with his lack of upkeep of his hair or beard his visage took on something entirely darker, obviously depraved of sleep, and wild in appearance as well as behaviour.

Inside he tried to push the horror of his wife and unborn child's fate to the back of his mind and when thinking too hard on it felt the back of his eyes sting sharply as a prelude to a burning wrath that welled deep in the pit of his stomach. The feeling was torture beyond anything he'd felt and the helplessness of his situation made everything a thousand fold worse.

His goal had been to seek Lordship over Oakwood to help the King and Queen establish loyal vassals in the area. He had intended to gift its stewardship to his wife and let her take her place in the castle whose stones he now trod upon. His friends, the closest allies had they had been for years now would have been provided estates of their own and have a place to truly call their home but no, nothing would come of that. He was born low and since meeting Chloe had once dared to dream of having something of a grander life, to provide for all of those he had cared about and all those he had called friend.

That dream now lay broken over the cobbled walkways of the castle and Wulfe's only remaining feeling that broke through numbness was rage.

"To anyone, or anything that listens or hears the pleas of men or beast. Grant me one wish from this day forward... he said before trailing off into a gutteral growl. He took the blade Ovo had crafted him and sliced it across his palm to make final the blood oath he finished.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Thu 15 Nov 2018.
Master of Fates
GM, 3932 posts
Sun 18 Nov 2018
at 02:11
  • msg #947

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

So the General suggests  we need to mount a pursuit, I gather Lieutenant Wulfe plans to go... Thomas, You as well? anyone else?
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Sun 18 Nov 2018.
Thomas O'Leary
player, 156 posts
Dragon Emissionary
Sun 18 Nov 2018
at 04:35
  • msg #948

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 947):

Of course! I was not clear?
Wulfe The Pretty
player, 1208 posts
Mon 19 Nov 2018
at 09:27
  • msg #949

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Wulfe had headed to the armoury, picked up a knife and then gone to gather his horse.

"I am going to get Chloe back, come with me he said. He held a bow and quiver, his two swords and a dagger. Otherwise he was dressed as any wandering man might be, under a heavy cloak.
Thomas O'Leary
player, 157 posts
Dragon Emissionary
Mon 19 Nov 2018
at 10:07
  • msg #950

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

In reply to Wulfe The Pretty (msg # 949):

"Against magic you will want some magical support. We will assist in whatever way we can."

He glanced over at Rascallion.

"But we should get some mounts and supplies, and perhaps a few good men."
Wulfe The Pretty
player, 1209 posts
Mon 19 Nov 2018
at 10:16
  • msg #951

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Wulfe nodded but didnt say anything, his grim expression hadn't changed at all. "There are a few good men here" he offered with a nod, implying those that he'd travelled with in the past. "Probably a few more to boot. But I'll be taking people to do some killing he said.

"Any man here that loves our queen enough to retrieve her chosen lady; or loves the Lady Chloe enough to bring her home, or would follow me to Megalos and kill some Templars. Say aye and be welcome as brothers! he said to the room with an undertone of intensity that refelcted his visage.
Herkimer
player, 1307 posts
HP 10/10 FP 6/18
Lovestruck Youth
Mon 19 Nov 2018
at 18:46
  • msg #952

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Herkimer leaves Jaeleen supervising Wertle and Quill.

Some things were burdens you had to take on yourself. Sometimes you had to travel light and without soft...sensuous...distractions. He left clear instructions, he made his expectations clear. They were to aide and assist the forces remaining. Fix the doors by replacing the hinges in thick stone. He would be back.


"Wulfe, I will join you. I will follow in the skies, all the better to throw off anyone watching your passage. A small party is better." He put his hand on his friend's shoulder. He had nothing more to say, what was there? To offer kind words would be a farce, despite his own well wishes for his wife and unborn babe, anything positive would be made without fact behind it. Silence was all he could offer, and his help.

"No quarter?"
Jaeleen of Fairfields
NPC, 45 posts
Pretty, Tall, Graceful
Country Bumpkin
Mon 19 Nov 2018
at 19:10
  • msg #953

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

I am not much inclined to sit and monitor two apprentice mages, same as I, when you go into danger ... I wish to go find Lady Chloe as well.  You may fly, but Wulfe and I can ride and I'll be close and ready to aid him.
Herkimer
player, 1308 posts
HP 10/10 FP 6/18
Lovestruck Youth
Mon 19 Nov 2018
at 21:02
  • msg #954

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Herkimer scowls.
"I do not agree despite your best intentions and desire to find Lady Chloe. I doubt I could stop you if tried.
Jaeleen of Fairfields
NPC, 46 posts
Pretty, Tall, Graceful
Country Bumpkin
Mon 19 Nov 2018
at 21:53
  • msg #955

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

She giggles ... I am not his to trifle with... he'll wish he was only fighting templars if he gets frisky with me...  I have accepted one man in my life. He best keep me in the style I like to be kept .... each night. But those two goons the Mages sent are dull and boring. They can fix the castle, or blow it up, I care not. But you I am concerned about, so I will go with you ... I am not trying to be willful, but we do make a good team, both day and night.  She gives you a stupid grin.
Wulfe The Pretty
player, 1210 posts
Tue 20 Nov 2018
at 12:14
  • msg #956

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Wulfe gave a grim grin to Herkimer and then Jaeleen, it was the best he could do given the circumstances but he nodded anyway.

"No quarter" he agreed and then patted the mage on the shoulder.
Herkimer
player, 1309 posts
HP 10/10 FP 6/18
Lovestruck Youth
Tue 20 Nov 2018
at 13:01
  • msg #957

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Herkimer's eyes twinkle at Jaeleen as the start of crows feet around his eyes give away a tiny smile. To Wulfe his face sets, hard as stone as he nods.

"Then let me know when we will be away, we will need to travel fast. Someday I'll study and learn some new spells... but I will need to make do with what I have."

Always finding something to complaint about Herkimer studies his grimoire a bit before giving it and his staff to Jaeleen to hold and wield, respectively.
Master of Fates
GM, 3934 posts
Tue 20 Nov 2018
at 16:22
  • msg #958

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

The Officers of the Lunch group come to the conclusion that the two mages working for Bramce must have been Templars. That was why they were rescued... likely Brance didn't know this, which makes them wonder if the Templars planned to take over this castle as one of theirs; that sends a bit of alarm through the group.
Wulfe The Pretty
player, 1211 posts
Tue 20 Nov 2018
at 16:40
  • msg #959

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

Megalos have always been trying to take over Caithness and bring it into their empire. It seems reasonable that they'd try subterfuge as well as direct might. Oakwood's southern border has The Smoke which leads right into the heart of MEgalos, and so Oakwood would be a strong anchor point from which they could conduct further incursions. They'd also be able to cut off the north from the south pretty easily too.

Brance is an idiot, but may well have just been a pawn. Either way, the people we leave here need to be vigilent and Oakwood needs to be well guarded in my absence.


Wulfe added while he was packing his small things and fastening the heavy cloak about his person.

A good ranger, three wizards and a couple of good fighting men is what we'll need. But we'll be setting off as soon as we're packed.
Master of Fates
GM, 3935 posts
Tue 20 Nov 2018
at 19:50
  • msg #960

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

There is a little laughter  I think we can keep it safe for the King while you are gone, Wulfe ...but your point is well taken. We shall report that to the crown.  We don't have a ranger to my knowledge, but the rest you have and horses are ready. Best you move, as they have several hours on you.
Wulfe The Pretty
player, 1212 posts
Tue 20 Nov 2018
at 22:50
  • msg #961

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

OOC: Who said that? Who laughed? :)
Master of Fates
GM, 3937 posts
Tue 20 Nov 2018
at 23:56
  • msg #962

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

All the senior leaders and Knights in charge of formations (ie higher up knights).
Thomas O'Leary
player, 159 posts
Dragon Emissionary
Wed 21 Nov 2018
at 00:12
  • msg #963

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 962):

"You did not do so well stopping a couple of Templers entering, stealing some prisoners and his wife, and leaving while we slept. Not sure there is room for complacency after that..."
Master of Fates
GM, 3939 posts
Wed 21 Nov 2018
at 01:57
  • msg #964

Re: Oakwood's Ordeal

That causes some frowns and an undercurrent of grumbles, especially since not all of them were in the castle at that time.



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