Kythorn - 14 Eleasias (August), 1361 DR

Summer settles in to the Dalelands, and the Dreams of the Ancients settles into Ashabenford. After some discussion, the group agrees that, while tempting, it's not a proper time for a scouting trip to the Three Rivers Land. The group might just be able to fund the building of a small stronghold, but Corym is replete with examples of projects abandoned or malformed due to things stretching past that mere "just." And you all don't want to merely build something, you want to do it right.

So instead you stay put, hiring rooms for the long term while Corym and Kora knuckle down to the task of finishing Kora's apprenticeship. Tarron and Kitheras help as well, when they're in town, providing their own flavor to the instruction and preventing Kora from wanting to throttle Corym more than once a tenday or so.

Not that they're always there. Krackor hires on with a barge, sailing south down the Ashaba as a guard for a bunch of merchants carrying Dalelands furs and leather south. Unlike your first trip, this barge is heading for the town of Feather Falls, as far east as lawful merchants are interested in traveling. He gets a good look at the Three Rivers Land and the Pool of Leven, and arrives back just before Kora finishes her apprenticeship. ((ooc: Krackor, give me an Intelligence check and let me know what you're looking for in the 3RL. You also earn 20 gp.))

Kitheras and Tarron as also frequently not in town. Kitheras has not forgotten the promise the group made to find the missing elven woman Syndra, and when Tarron learns of her plight, he's also interested in learning as much as possible. ((ooc: Roll Local History or Intelligence checks, please.))

So it's a tired but cheerful group that gathers at the Velvet Veil for a feast and toast to celebrate the end of Kora's apprenticeship. There's even a cake, and if the place is a bit rowdy, well, after two months of intensive studying, Kora's earned a bit of a party.

You're midway through when a loud, dwarven voice interrupts you. "Ah, there you are! I thought you were off to Myth Drannor, months ago! Or did your wits finally catch up with your foolishness?"

Turning, you see a grinning Rethusra standing near the bar with a mug in one hand. Neldor's factor is grinning at you, and has deliberately pitched her voice to carry across the entire tavern. The rowdiness doesn't pause, but it does lull a bit as more than one person turns to hear your response.

Almareth and Torvek

Since your chance meeting at the extreme western end of Mistledale, and the battle against the mated pair of owlbears that Torvek aided Almareth in besting, you've ridden eastward with purpose. Torvek has started to feel the pull of Myth Drannor strengthen after more than a year of only-sometimes-purposeful travel, and Almareth's infrequent visions of a bow have been coming more frequently.

You've both agreed that Myth Drannor should be your destination, but both of you are experienced enough, and wise enough, to know that you would need more than just two to survive the ruins. So you've kept your eyes open since arriving in Ashabenford earlier today. By the standards of Cormyr it's tiny, but it's your best place west of the ruins to find other adventurers willing to dare mighty Myth Drannor.

No one's been particularly interested so far, however. It's the start of the truly heavy caravan season, as winter wheat is harvested and other early crops are gathered, and most sword swingers are more interested in the steady coin and low danger of caravan guard work.

You've gotten rooms at the Ashabenford Arms inn and are midway through your meal when you hear a young dwarven woman loudly asks a mixed group of elves, a dwarf, and a human whether they're already back from Myth Drannor. You're close enough to hear their response.

00:34, Today: Kitheras Sunblade rolled 7 using 1d20.  Intelligence check (17).




A moon elf--lordly in bearing--tands to greet Rethusra.  The cut of his clothing is that of the Western Heartlands and bears some travel wear, but his elven mail gleams with care. He raises his cup to greet the dwarf and gives a beaming smile that never touches his eyes. Matching the tone of the dwarf, "Witlessness is a common affliction. The moreso because people believe age and power to be an adequate substitute." He passes a silver to a passing waitress, "Whatever my friend cares to drink."

The absence of an invitation to join them is deafening as he returns to his seat and the prior topic of conversation.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:55, Thu 07 July 2022.

Corym Ildroun is an odd seeming elf these days.  His clothing is fine and new, but is local in style and gnomish in make. Fine black fur gloves adorn his hands and a tuigan horsebow sits in a case beside him.  He sits closest to the human woman, and clearly beams with pride in her presence.

At the dwarf's announcement he seems to shrink--cringe even.  When his noble companion gives answer he closes his eyes in an attempt to re-acquire his composure.

Eventually he re-opens his eyes, and continues the sentimental presentation of his first apprentice.

"I know I've had months to think about it, but I'm still not really certain how to end this, so I will borrow the sentiments of a famously unlikely wizard named Rubeus." He grips Kora forearm affectionately, but with excitement, "You're a wizard, Kora."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Thu 07 July 2022.

Interested in this group Almareth somewhat stares at them. He thinks some of them resemble the description Ciyradyl had given him. He whispers to Torvek "Give me a moment, they look like the people a friend of mine mentioned, so I am going to ask if they are who I think they are." as he slowly gets up and approaches their table.

Almareth is dressed in green and brown clothing with the style and symbol of Bristar's scouts, wears elven chainmail on top of that, has a beautiful bow on his back, and a pair of swords at his waist. He starts, in a calm, measured voice "I am Almareth Siannodel, and please forgive me for overhearing, but you have been to Myth Drannor and returned? A friend of mine, Ciyradyl, mentioned a group, which some of you resemble, named the Dreams of the Ancients, and how she asked them to look for her sister. If you are that group, I was on patrol at the time you visited my people, and since then I have been called to go to Myth Drannor, myself, for personal, religious reasons, so I promised her I would also look for her sister, if you are going back, would it be possible for me, and my friend Torvek here, to join you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:42, Thu 07 July 2022.

In reply to Almareth Siannodel (msg # 4):

Krackor had been very vigilant on his guard duties and watching different areas of the journey through the woods, in his eyes, very fastidious, this didn't mean he was looking in the right direction to spot something but close enough in his view, he'd even increased his potential with casting the Blessed Watchfulness spell every day he was in the woods area of the journey and a little into the 3RL, giving him enhanced observational abilities.

On returning, he was acutely aware of the training of 'Mistress Lightbearer' and looked forward to her apprenticeship being over, partly so she could join them and feel more useful than she did in the Eastern Forest.!

During the party in the tavern, Krackor was enjoying the merriment when he heard the voice of Rethusra, he had only met her once but was impressed with her, he had heard the tale but that was nothing to fret about, after all, it was a misunderstanding.  He heard the response from Kitheras and assumed it was an open invite to their gathering, when the stranger from Bristar, Almareth spoke up, he couldn't help himself.

Rethusra, nah we haven't gone as yet, this stranger offers to join us, are you strong enough to do likewise?  He meant it with all honesty as always, even with mirth in his voice and that huge smile on his face.

Torvek nods in agreement and stays at the table. It's probably better let his Southerner elven friend do the first approach.  He keep an eye and an ear on the development while quietly sipping his mead.

Kitheras rises and smiles genuinely at Almareth. "We would be honored if you would join us for the evening. I am Kitheras Sunblade.  My companion Tarron and I have been scouring the Dales for the past two months by horseback to see if we could get some sense of where young Syndra has gone. The People of Bristar are welcome at our company's table." He offers his seat to the priest, and motions to Torvek for him to join them at their table.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Fri 08 July 2022.

19:11, Today: Tarron Ianfiel rolled 3 using 1d20.  Int check. – [roll=1657365091.9596.359800]

Tarron knew nothing of the local history of the place, but he was fairly well versed at tracking down people who had decided to leave their current location. He visited the local taverns, looked for where people were taking on new workers, and even spent a little time among the homeless. “It’s been quite some time. Do you know if something may have happened to her?” he asked the locals.

Torvek raises from his seat, grab his drink and walk over to the Kitheras and Tarron's table.  He is a tall lean man with black hair and pale skin.  His eyes are steel grey and intense.

"Well met", he says with a friendly smile, "I must however admit as you may have guess to not being from Bristar.  Torvek Ragdar, Wizard of Silverymoon...", he pauses for a moment and adds, "currently in a sabbatical" as he offers his hand.

Kali, throughout this entire break, easily settled back into her old habits. She would been seen at odd hours making random connections with general success with a variety of people throughout the area. An observant person could easily notice that there were many messages that would arrive through various methods throughout the day to distract her from the terrible affliction known as boredom.

Regardless, without fail, Kali would frequent the evenings by the fire in the tavern with her favorite deck of cards and a drink. She would casually play a variety of solitaire games while listening in on the conversations around her. Any time a villager would mention some manner of discontent, Kali would take note.

She had survived all manner of chaos in the past because of keeping a keen ear to the ground.

Kali was in the midst of writing a response to one of her more dubious contacts when the two newcomers entered earshot. She watched out of her peripheral as Kitheras addressed one of them, though she was careful not to move her head so that she would not appear to be eavesdropping.

As more and more of her group began a more lively discussion, Kali carefully pocketed the missive and paid closer, personal, attention.

Tavern, Current Day

Rethusra raises the mug of ale Kitheras bought her to the group in salute. "Years away, Master Krackor. I'm years away from that sort of skill. So make sure you leave some of it intact for me!" She laughs, and turns back to chatting with the barkeep.

Kitheras and Tarron

It takes you the better part of a month before you find your first clue about the adventurers Syndra joined. No one had heard of her or a Sembian adventuring group anywhere in Mistledale, so taking your new horses you ride all the way over to Essembra, the Battledale town that sits astride Rauthauvyr's Ride. It's the last place to resupply between Myth Drannor and the lands to the south, and it's there that you finally pick up a lead.

"Oh aye, the Sable Borne," says Durn the Red, a massive giant of a man who runs Essembra's smithy. "Woodsmen, black bear patch on their shoulders. Their leader had ordered a blade from me and was picking it up as they came through. Arrogant, but they're Sembians so what can you do? I marked your elf because I was surprised to see they were running with anyone who wasn't human."

Krackor

The Three Rivers Land is open, rolling grassland. You're not really sure what caused the forest to peel itself back from the land, though you see young trees advancing in a vanguard from the edges both north and south, so you suppose it might not remain open land if left to itself for another century or two. The Ashaba flows swiftly in most places, though there are a few areas where it widens into a smallish pool and the current dies down to almost nothing.

In several places the hills come right up to the river and peer down upon it from ten or twenty feet, though they never get any higher. One of the hills hosts the remains of a ruined building of some sort on it peak, and you see two other ruins (one east of the river, the other west) along your trip. There isn't much in the way of trees in the open land itself aside from an occasional copse, nor is there any exposed stone. You also don't see any people, though every now and then you see a wisp of smoke rising off in the distance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:45, Mon 01 Aug 2022.

"A long ride from the Gem of the North," Kitheras says as he pulls up two new chairs for himself and Torvek. "I thought it was only our academy that granted that long of a sabbatical! You'll be grayer by the time you return." Taking his seat, Kitheras gets down to business. "We're a careful band.  We take extreme measures to avoid conflict in the ruins.  The whole place is overrun with the most terrifying nightmares you've ever thought to imagine.  Fighting some means alerting the rest to your presence. That's how you die in Myth Drannor. None of us have died so far and we're not looking to break that record."

"Gentlemen, our company is happy to take on new help. I'm serving the current term as Captain, but that means little enough when we're amongst ourselves.

"The thing that distinguishes us from the more common bands of grave robbers and pillagers is that we have a genuine interest in what we find and want to preserve it for its rightful owners or see it used to the benefit of the communities to whom they are a legacy. The profit and power motives are strictly secondary. Distribution of wealth is strictly controlled by our charter. Adhering to its dictates allows us to claim legitimacy where others merely claim ability. Corym was our first Captain and the author of the charter.  He'll be more than happy to explain the particulars.

"Listen close tonight, drink deep and let us get to know you. In Vino Veritas. Then sleep on it.  If you're still up for it, we'll vote to admit you and let you buy into the company."

Corym looks a bit put upon by Kitheras. This was supposed to be a party after all. With a sigh, he draws out his ledger.  The first several pages contain the text of the charter, with two pages set aside for signatures, and then several more for transactions. The script flows with precision--more like it was drawn than scribed. You can tell that he's weighing the merits of reading the text.

"Our aim is the acquisition of antiquities. We all have our various reasons and require access to them for various ends.

"The core of the matter is this--whatever items of magic are found, these are owned solely by the company. Their value is difficult to quantify and the irregularity of the acquisitions precludes an even distribution.  If we find an item you can use--you can use it, but the company owns it.  If you leave, it stays."

"If you're uniquely attached to the item--if it comes to mean something to you and you wish to own it outright--it can be purchased from the company at a discounted price agreed upon by a majority of the partners present."

"Currency and easily liquidated items are divided evenly, with the company taking a percentage for collective expenses--equipment, potions, resurrections, lodging and the like. We're all staying here on the Comapny's dime. Only partners present when the fungible assets are acquired earn a share."

"It's at this point that 'buying in' becomes relevant.  Adding you as partners to our company would dilute the value of each of our respective shares of the Company treasury.  Your buy-in price is the current value of the treasury divided by the total number of partners. In this way the share value remains constant after your addition.  If you wish to leave at some point you can remain invested--as Karilla and Elorfindar have, now residents of Bristar--or you can cash out."

"If you're shy of coin currently, we're happy to extend you credit.  In some cases--like Kora, here--it's possible that some of the current partners will like you so much that they'll pay your stake for you."

"To give you a practical example--let's say that we investigate one of the fabled colleges of wizardry in Myth Drannor.  We may find some gold--true--but mostly we'll find spells and arcane implements.  That'll be amazing for myself, Tordrek, or Tarron, but will leave the rest of the company risking their necks for little gain under a standard arrangement. Certainly we're unlikely to find much of use to Krackor. The company might then out vote us and seek to liquidate some of what we gained to even the scales. Under a standard arrangement the situation might come to blows.  Under our charter we will have the option to purchase the items from the company directly to keep them, or allow them to be liquidated to make sure that everyone comes out ahead."

"The particulars are spelled out in the first several pages.  I've recently calculated the treasury and should be able to give your an estimate. If you have questions, I can explain further, but I'm told that I can run long on this--so I'm going to go get a drink to spare you further explanation.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:43, Sun 10 July 2022.

((ooc: To make it easier for me to track treasure and things coming in and out, I'm going to DM-fiat that if you want to join the "company" (which is not required for joining the adventuring party, but makes life easier for everyone), you have enough money on you in easy-to-carry gemstones to buy in immediately.))

(ooc: Are the ruins in the woods beside the Ashaba or in the plains area? Krackor was looking more in the woods and if a slowing area just after hills is around, this would pique his interest more, especially if the closer to the edges of the woods, thinning or a clearing)

Krackor had reported his findings to the others of his trip before the day of the party, now he enjoys the thoughts of adventure and his family gelling more.

It helped that the obvious slight thrown towards the Patron at the bar that they knew, he was able to turn and make all seem happier.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:29, Sun 10 July 2022.

"You mention religious reasons. Have you taken up a quest, or do you serve the Seldarine? For some time we traveled in the company of a priest of Labelas Enoreth. It would be good to have divine guidance of that sort again."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:53, Mon 11 July 2022.