The next morning comes swiftly, and as everybody arises and attends to their breakfast, they find that Agmund has already been up and is waiting for them.  The journey to Lord Joris' villa does not take too long.  The weather is pleasant and the land, although a little hilly at times, is easy for everybody to traverse.

It is early afternoon when they arrive to the villa domain of Lord Joris. It is a elegant, well maintained villa in the Thenaian style, though not quite as grand or furnished as the homes of nobles who reside with the protective walls of Thena herself.

As they approach the front entrance, they are greeted by two household guards.

"Hail, countrymen." says the first one, saluting them as they approach. However, the two men look suspiciously at Agmund, who is quite out of place when standing next to the others.

"You enter the domain of Lord Joris of Thena. What is your business here?" inquires the other guard.

Petracles gives the introductions.

"I am Petracles, son of Patroclus of Thena.  I have the honour to introduce Agmund, son of Annar.
We seek an audience with the General on a matter of the Gods?"
Petracles gives a quizical look to the Northman.

Trying not to grin at Petracles brief summary, Arthanos speaks up.

"I am Arthnos, Son of Thesidius of Thena. Our companion is attempting to interpret a message from the gods, but has had no luck so far. He was recommended to try and ask the General's advise, as the General is known to be a person well schooled in knowledge of the gods, and gifted with their attention. Would you be able to convey our respects and ask if we can speak to him? We would be honored if he could grant us an audience."

Aleta stands back behind the men, waiting. She will let the men do the talking for now. She just looks around, for anything interesting.

Aleta examines her surroundings while the two noblemen speak to the Joris' household guards.   The two men exchange brief looks with one another after hearing Arthanos' explanation for their visit. If this is a sign of something, the others cannot be sure, but what they say next indicates their decision. "Our master, Lord Joris welcomes all visiting countrymen, and like all good Thenans, he has interest in signs from the Gods." The other guards nods, adding "Please, come in. We will relay your respects and request to our master."

The guards gesture for the five to enter.

Inside the villa, they are taken a small, but comfortable lounge. As guests, they are given great courtesy as servants soon arrive with fresh water, wine and other refreshments. After about fifteen minutes or so, a manservant - perhaps a personal butler to Joris himself - arrives and greets them again. He is a young man, bronze skinned with thick black hair. He bows and says "My Lord Joris has received your request, and bids you welcome. He invites you to meet with him in the gardens." The butler gestures for the five to follow him through the villa out to the gardens.

The gardens are vibrant and full of life, which contrasts greatly to the sad, melancholy old man who stands before them. Despite his sadness, he still carries himself with an air of authority. "I see the sons of Thesidius and Patroclus before me. Welcome." he says, his voice like gravel. He then looks at Aleta, Dysis and Agmund "The others I do not know, though I would welcome their names as well." Joris then looks back at the noblemen "I am told you have traveled far to ask a question."

He looks at them expectantly.

As daughter of a successful artisan, and in both of her later living situations -- Dysis had always, at least, dwelt in pleasant places.  Not in the best of situation, or circumstance, of course.  But, she had never had to live in hovels, or slums during her life.  Whatever her personal status.

Being independent now, she was as close to roughing it as she'd ever come.  She had enough money to house herself, for the moment.  But, that would run out soon enough, if she did not generate an income.  Fortunately, her talents made that possible.  She wasn't worried -- but, rented rooms were starting to get a little old, now.  Joris' property made her recall what it could be like, to have means in life.   It was a lovely place.  And she liked this locale, away from the masses.

Though she didn't know for certain, she expected that Joris had truly earned what he had in life.  She took in the measure of the man, the melancholy, and other detail.   She was intrigued to learn his story, if possible.  But, first things first:

"I am Dysis, Lord Joris."  She did not give the name of her ruined sire, still incarcerated, insofar as she knew.  "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir." 

OOC- I am not certain if Grecian/Roman women curtsied -- or if that wasn't until the medieval period.  But Dysis would accompany that with any usual gesture of courtesy, if any. 
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Thu 31 May 2012.

Agmund provides his introduction as well, and relates to Joris everything that he has told the party about his vision of the woman who was changing shape, and how he might find an answer here.  To this, the old nobleman raises an eyebrow. "Alas, I do not know the answer to your vision, Agmund son of Annar." he says, a sad smile on his face, as if delivering bad news. "I could petition the Gods, and perhaps learn more. In any case, I see their hand at work, as the timing of your arrival is fortuitous in another way, and perhaps we might be able to help one another."

Joris gestures for the group to follow him. They do so, and begin to stroll down the various paths of his garden. "My only living child, my beloved daughter Veda...  She has only just turned the tender age of 19, and she has been abducted not three days ago by a marauding band of Boarmen."  Joris sighs, shaking his head "She was walking in the woods to collect various medicinal plants, accompanied as always by two of my trusted retainers, but the Boarmen ambushed them." he shakes his head again "They were both ultimately slain, but one made it back here just in time to raise the alarm. He told us that Veda was taken away alive, almost as if these Boarmen were following specific orders..."

He continues his tale. "I organized a small rescue party of my own soldiers and woodsmen. If I could, I would have led them myself." he sighs. "After a full day of tracking and scouting, they followed the Boarmen's trial to the Caverns of Voros." he looks to the group to see if they might recognize the name, in any case he explains to them "These caverns are said to be cursed. Forsaken by the Gods... If I were there my men would not have delayed, but they are superstitious and argued amongst themselves about whether or not to enter. Again, the Boarmen ambushed and slaughtered almost all of them, save for two woodsmen who managed to escape and return to tell the tale."

Lord Joris then makes his appeal "I have not been able to sleep, such has been my sorrow over losing my daughter. Please, I beg of you to find her before the Boarmen kill her or make her suffer a fate worse then death." Joris' eyes brim with tears, and he struggles to maintain his composure. "In turn, I will do what I can to answer your vision, Agmund.  For the others... you will have my eternal gratitude, and all the money I can have." he takes a deep breath "A total of 3000 silver pieces. It is a small fortune, to be sure, enough to buy a ship.  For the return of my daughter it is nothing to me."

He looks to the party and awaits their answer.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Sun 03 June 2012.

When Lord Joris first said they may be able to help, Arthanos nods politely, waiting to hear more. When the situation is described, he couldn't help but let a look of shock come across his face. As Lord Joris continued, Arthanos tried to remember all he could about the boarmen.

"You should have requested aid from the city, Lord Joris." he says when the man has finished. "You reputation is still so well known you would have had many willing to help."

Arthanos then pauses for a second, thinking before he replied.

"But as for your request for help...it would be my honour to help. I am sure the Gods will protect us in our efforts to rescue your daughter." He then turns to look first at Petracles and then the two women.

"As to the money...I feel that this is a task that doesn't require a reward, or at least so much of one."

Aleta looks at Lord Joris and smiles "I am Aleta, an entertainer and traveler. I have picked up various skills that might come in handy for us."

She listens to his story and grins as the Lord tells his story. She hopes they can avoid the ambushes and sneak in to rescue the daughter. As she hears one of her friends turn down the reward. "You are very generous Lord Joris and I can tell your daughter means much to you. I will gladly accept you coin to rescue her as I would not want to turn down your get generosity"

Petracles goes ashen as the terrible news of the girl is told.  "Veda!"
If by my life or death I can serve you General, then I will!  I will reunite you with your daughter, or die in the attempt."

Petracles grimaces at the casual way Arthanos may have insulted their host and new patron.
"The generous reward you offer is a right and proper reflection of the lady Veda's charm and beauty.
We shall use the money to the benefit and glory of Thena, General."

Thena, like Argos and Heraklia were lands that were relatively safe to travel in, provided an individual didn't go too far off the roads into the wilderness. Even creatures like Boarmen were not encountered, save for perhaps a raid on a village.  They also normally didn't take prisoners, unless they were in an employ of an individual far smarter then they were, who gave them their orders.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:30, Mon 04 June 2012.

Joris seems relieved to hear that the party is willing to help him. He first replies to Arthanos' statement that he could have requested aid from the city. "My reputation is not what it once was, young Arthanos." he says sadly. "Though I have influence in various quarters of Thena, I could not wait for weeks on end for my petition to be heard and then endlessly debated. That is why your coming was truly from the Gods." he says.

He continues "3000 silver will not bankrupt me or my daughter." he says with a slight smile. "As surely Arthanos and Petraceles know from their fathers, a properly managed estate brings in revenue, and in time, I would be able to have such a sum on hand once again." He nods approvingly at Petraceles and Aleta's statements accepting the mission and his offered sum. "And of course, I would not simply pay you and send you on your way. You would forever be friends, and I would owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to each of you." he states.

"I dare say we should head out as soon as possible as who knows what your duaghter was kidnapped for. I am ready to go when ever my friends are ready"

"We will do all we can to return her to you, sir," added Dysis to that.  It was like the noblemen to have responded as they did.  Of course, those two wanted for nothing. They would probably feel rather differently, left to what non-nobles had to go through, in order to put pita on the table.

But, Dysis wasn't going to say anything about it, at this juncture.   Aleta had spoken up, already.   She would have a talk with Petracles and Arthanos afterwards, if need be.  Or Joris himself, if that fell on deaf ears.  Being the father of a girl, he likely wasn't unsympathetic to women.  Particularly after this.

He was so eager to save her.  Dysis wondered, and not for the first time, how her own father had reacted, how he had felt, when he learned of his own girl's fate. Bestowed upon her because of his choices.  Had he felt like this one -- only helpless to act?  Or, had he stoically accepted that too, in the name of his precious cause, and its agendas?

Shades of the past. She thrust them back there, where they belonged.  Then glanced toward Agmund, to see what the Northener thought of this.  He hadn't been given the answer he'd come seeking, but...

A thought occurred to her.  Her eyes swung from the enigmatic Champion, back toward Lord Joris.

"Lord, if we might see some likeness of Veda?   Painting, or sculpture, if you have it.  Or a description. It may prove needful to know what she looks like."

"I remember Veda.  I have not seen her in several years, but I remember her Dysis.
My father used to bring me to the Generals Villa in the city when I was a child.  I use to play with Veda while the General talked with his guests."
Petracles grimly remembered the sweet gentle Veda, and her current fate.

Dysis nodded at that. We he'd spoken earlier of her beauty, she thought he'd been making some comment about captured daughter's, in general. At least, as the lyrists would have you believe. "Very well. It is not necessary, then. Perhaps you may describe her to the rest of us, while we journey, so we all know whom we search for."   

Arthanos hears the comments of his friends and inwardly berates himself. This talking thing was so much harder then he expected at times. Looking back at Joris he speaks again.

"My apologies Lord Joris, I did not mean any disrespect. I simply felt that it was our duty to assist another citizen of Thena in a time of need and that you did not need to pay us for it. But as my friends and you seem so certain, I will go with your wishes." he replies, bowing his head towards Lord Joris.

"Would you be able to get one of your hunters to guide us to the cave these creatures fled into? It would save us time and speed up the rescue of your daughter."he asks.

"Yes, a discription would be nice and a bit of information only you would know. Just so we know we have the right woman." she knew how bad discriptions could be.

After hearing this exchange, Joris nods "No, it is a good idea to have a likeness. She has matured since you last saw her, Petracles." he continues "She is an apt artist - a talent from the Gods - and she has done sculptures and casts of various people, including her own self.  Before you leave, I'll make sure that you can see it.



"If only other Thenas possessed such noble traits, then what you say would be true indeed, Arthanos!" Joris says "You need not accept a reward, but I am of course, bound to offer such for a great duty done for me."

"I have lost many men already to the boarmen, but I will send one of the survivors of the boarmen's attack with you to show you the way."



"She is tall, much taller then I." he squints at the men gathered "But she would not top one of these men." he continues "Her hair is a lovely earthy brown, it is long and she allows it flow freely down her back.  Her eyes match her hair as well." he says "She was last wearing a bright red dress, as well as a golden circlet on her head that I had given her for her last birthday."

"Veda also has a birthmark on the middle of her back" he says "The pattern is akin to that of an olive tree. It is where her name - Veda, wisdom, comes from. She is truly a child of Athena, and will recognize her patron thus." he says.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:56, Sat 09 June 2012.

Joris escorts the party back to his villa where they are shown a self-portrait sculpture that Veda had done of herself.  She is quite striking, and you are sure that you'd be able to recognize her once you saw her.

(In any case, how many damsels in distress could the boarmen be holding onto anyway?)

Joris then departs to his chambers, and after a short period of time, a young man is brought before the party by Joris' manservant.  This man is covered with wounds which were still healing - no doubt due to the ambush from the boarmen - he does not look happy about his new assignment.

"I'm commanded to escort you to the caves where the boarmen ambushed us. Come, I will show you the way, but I tell you this now, I shall not enter those cursed caverns!" he says.  He continues "It will take us a little more then a day to travel there, so we had best move now while Helios still rides his chariot."

With that the group gathers some provisions for their journey and begins their travel.  The huntsman leads them, and says very little, if anything to the group other then to reassure them that they are on the same path that he and the others had taken before. Agmund, the barbarian is silent as well, seemingly lost in thought as he ponders their situation. After several hours of traveling, the group finds themselves in dark part of the forest well outside of Joris' estate.  The huntsman abruptly stops and looks to the others. "Did you hear that?" he asks in a whisper.

"Halt, intruders!" comes a dark and angry voice. As the group turns in the direction the voice comes from, a figure emerges.  It holds a javelin in hand ready to throw it at you.



A Caliban! Each of you remember hearing about these creatures, though you've never encountered one before. These cousins of Satyrs are also commonly called 'Dark Satyrs'.   While they looked much like true Satyrs, they had coarser facial features and surly expressions. They lack the natural exuberance joyful lust of Satyrs and were instead said to display a vicious and cruel temper, reveling in brutality.

"This is my forest, strangers." the Caliban says harshly. "Who are you? Are you friends of Euryskos?"

The bust of the girl seemed easy enough to remember, and Arthanos did his best to remember it. When he saw the huntsman, he was slightly worried, as the wounds indicated the group they faced were very dangerous.

While they gather the provisions needed, Arthanos makes sure to grab all his weapons and armour. It would slow him down, but they may be useful. He does place his helmet in a bag on his back though, as he wanted to be able to see as they walked.

The forest itself is relatively peaceful, and reminds Arthanos of trips with his family...and as the weight grows, some of the exercises and skirmishes in the army.

When the Caliban steps out and challenges them, Arthanos looks at it surprise. He glances at the others to see their reactions. He then turns to face the creature, putting his spear in his shield hand and then holding his right hand up and out to try and convey peace. Arthanos then tries speaking.

"Peace friend. We do not mean to intrude on your territory. We are simply passing through. We are citizens of Thena. We don't know anyone by the name of Euryskos."

For the moment Dysis simply held her ground.   The cowl of her cloak up, she maintained a neutral stance and expression; attempting to appear that she was simply deferring to the men in this.

Meanwhile, she awaited to see how the hairy brute would respond to Arthanos.   Preferably, they would get past without a fight.  If not, she was ready.

She also listened, attempting to discern if the coarse creature had allies with him.

The Cailban snorts with contempt. "Pass through! Hah! You Thenas think you have the right to go everywhere." his eyes narrow "But you don't...  Turn around and leave now, humans... or else." he says, holding his javelin ready.

20:14, Today: Maze Master, on behalf of Dysis, rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Perception (Target: 15).

"There are two others, over there," Dysis told her companions, with a glance of her eyes toward where she spotted them.

To one who had confronted them, she said:  "We do not go arrogantly, or with out purpose!  We are on an errand of vengeance.  Against some offending boarmen. We would rather save our blades for them!" 

Dysis herself was armed only with a dagger, and a sling, though she did bear a wooden shield, which she had slung. She didn't personally look terribly dangerous. Still, she wasn't going to advertise that she worked magic.  Best to save that as a surprise.

16:22, Today: Dysis rolled 17 using 2d10+6. influence - intimidate, deception.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Tue 12 June 2012.