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Ecthesis Castle.

Posted by 22-1-0 NCFor group 0
22-1-0 NC
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 16:03
  • msg #1

Ecthesis Castle

When you arrive at the gates of the palace there are two extra guards waiting to escort you in and the familiar chamberlain gives you a slightly more formal greeting than you got from him last time (is that a frosty edge to his tone or did you imagine it?) as he acknowledges you status as THE Marian dignitary in the country.

You are lead through the palace hallways and then surprisingly not into one of the rooms you had previously visited but out into another courtyard the other side and through an imposing set of gates in a thick stone wall. You thus discover that the castle proper is behind yet another defensive wall that at least in part divides it again from the already encircled palace. Walking on with your guard escort and the chamberlain you climb up a wide set of stairs against a wall, through an arch bridging the gap between the wall and the central keep and out into a small garden area with the ground level set just below the lip of the wall. On a stone bench by a fountain sits the Duchess (now Queen) with a lady in waiting and four young men in armour and red tabards with a white stag at a respectable distance. They are all facing the vista that looks out over the roof of the palace and onto the rest of the city that sweeps down to the harbour.

The chamberlain coughs and then announces you as “The Marian Envoy, Captain Valerian Hawke” which causes the lady in waiting to curtsy and leave while the knights retreat to lounge against a side gate you judge just out of ear shot for normal conversation. The chamberlain leaves and the two guards that followed you stay put at the entrance when you are waved over. The girl pauses a moment longer in her vigil over the city before turning to face you.

So, Captain Hawke, I feel it is time for us to have a frank discussion. I have been told that you represent the Marian Empire in all things and so far as my lands are concerned the Marian Empire is ruled in essence by you.  It must be said that to the mind of me and my people we do not and will never accept any authority within our borders but my own. With that understood I would know your mind, Marian intentions and any Marian activities within my borders
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:03, Wed 18 Nov 2015.
Valerian Hawke
player, 4 posts
Sun 8 Nov 2015
at 16:34
  • msg #2

Ecthesis Castle

Valerian smiles bows in the mode of equals about to discuss business and speaks.

"Ah yes my wizard informed me that you wished to know of the Empire's interests in the region Your Majesty. I hope you enjoy the little coronation gift by the by, may it serve you well. Our interests are rather simple, trade and the prevention of an orc force from ravaging human lands."

Valerian smiles once again

"Though I have to admit that the latter is somewhat a function of the former. As I'm sure you are aware Your Majesty the majority of shipping that lands in Aravigian ports either is coming from or heading to the Marian Empire. As far as I am aware of such things Aravigia is seen as the safest route from Marian ports to those in the Chivalric Kingdoms, I'm sure I could find a seaman to explain the whys and wherefores to you but suffice to say both our nations profit from such commercial enterprise. Such profit cannot be made if your people are slaughtered and your cities lie in ruins, not to mention the vast loss of innocent lives that it is the duty of all peoples of the Heliod to prevent."

Shifting somewhat Valerian comes to what he believes is the crux of the matter

"But I believe you are more interested in a meeting that occurred between myself, agents in my employ and an envoy from Kingsland, correct?"

Barely pausing for the Queen to reply Valerian continues

"That came about as part of the mercantile investments that myself and members of my staff are engaging in, somewhat in support of any future war efforts that may have to be made against the orcs. One of my agents put me in contact with someone he believed represented a Kingsland mercantile concern, it seems he was mistaken, somewhat. The long and short of the matter is that the people this messenger represented wished to purchase a small portion of the metal, I believe you know the one I am referencing, in the Marian Empire's possession, a metal which few even in the Empire know about, in exchange for a small piece of land. He also offered a similar amount of land in exchange for Marian martial support, I believe the notion of Aravigia becoming a Protectorate was mentioned."

Valerian still standing places both his hands behind his back in a form of rest position.

"I refused his offer for three reasons. First and foremost it is my opinion as someone whose adult life has been spent dedicated to the Art of War "((caps and all)) "that any civil war, even one where Marian Legions were used to augment one side or another would unacceptably weaken Aravigian forces against the oncoming orc horde. Second it is the opinion of myself and my staff that in the long term it would be better for Marian economic, military and political interests to have yourself as a willing ally than a cabal of merchants who have not deigned to arrange a personal and honest meeting with us as unenthusiastic subjects that may have to be cajoled with a legion or two into complying with Marian directives. Thirdly as far as my staff and I have been able to analyse your nation's laws you are the lawful ruler of Aravigia and as you have said your people will likely never accept any authority other than your own, and pacification campaigns tend to be unprofitable for at least a generation after the event."

"As to Marian intentions from this point forwards they are simple, ensure that Aravigian ports remain open to Marian shipping, scout out orc forces in order to better ascertain the appropriate tactics to be used against them and to defeat " Valerian touches his sword "with the help of the Heliod any orc force before it can destabilise Aravigia damaging trade routes and causing unneeded loss of life.

The dispute between you and Kingsland is frankly not my concern aside from the fact that it makes my duties more challenging and I would rather any civil war not happen, at least until such time as the orc threat is dealt with.
"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:35, Sun 08 Nov 2015.
22-1-0 NC
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 16:02
  • msg #3

Ecthesis Castle

While you talk the young royal sits in polite silence with that slightly unsettling intense, attentive stare of hers on you, it makes you oddly feel your armor is thin and it takes the thought of being the Empire incarnate to bolster you. She is wearing the wizard's gift about her neck and notice just how uncannily the colour of the gem matches her eyes. Nothing is given away by her calm expression at any point though you have learnt to expect her mind is working away nevertheless. Even at the mention of your meeting with the Kingslund messenger she makes no sign and does not nod or say a word to confirm your suspicions on her interest had you waited for one to be given. When you have said your piece she says nothing for a short space of time but clasps her hands slowly on her lap. When she does speak it is with the same composed voice as before.

"It is well that the Marian Empire is to be most properly guided by your rational hand in the matters of this distant land by remaining untangle. I am assured now that we share a belief; that the exchanges between our states are served best towards prosperity in trade and harmony. If I seem fretful in calling upon you to reaffirm what is the self-evident path of reason in our dealings it must be excused as rather my worry over what the unjust in this domain would try to make of the misunderstood variances between our ways with the soft sounds of coin and lightly given words. Such things are my own troubles however and it is improper for me to burden you further with cares when you already balance the preparations of your empire for a looming great war. Nestled as we are between a wide river, tall mountains and the greatest gateway ever built by any civilization* we are as you say unaccustomed to foreign interest that is not resting on our shores awhile with eyes and minds elsewhere. As yours are turned to the western Steppes let us talk with more substance on that.

She draws a deep breath as if to clear the air and dismiss the former topic for a new one. That any subject could be pulled one from the other off the pervasive power struggle you doubt but she gives a spirited attempt at treating them as such “It would be my choice that the reported return of our collective ancient and savage enemy is the furnace that mints a bond of a strong alloy between all obliged to the Heliod. In more tangible terms however there is of course a preoccupation of my own strengththere it is “though I have not been left entirely idle and without recourse as a horde thunders for the Numoreian pass. Now I know directly and condone freely what the Marian Empire hopes to achieve I feel justified in my royal position to ask how you are to be about it. I am told you have purchased substantial property in my city” and she leaves the statement hanging in the air as a question.

Apparently the Aravigian interpretation of the word frank is one of those referenced 'variances' to the  Marian meaning.


*She is referencing the Grand Gate which is an accurately named vast stone gateway of ancient construction built across the narrowest point of land that links the northern most Chivalric Kingdom to the strip of land that turns along the Aravigian cost. It's building is part of a tale of warring kingdoms from the mystical ages of rampant magic. The northern boundary of the lands considered part of the Chivarlic Kingdoms has been defined by the gateway since long before the geopolitical entity coalesced. The free cities on the peninsular (where Kryss is from) are relatively young (500 years old as full fledged city states) compared to the venerable states further south. As a testament to it's sheer scale it no longer really serves a purpose as the archway is wide enough to accommodate the highway un-narrowed and the actual gates were long since lost with no civilization to date having the technical skill to create new set and link them to the fabulously complex mechanisms that open and shut it, though to be fair the Marians haven't had a go. While you have never seen it personally it is considered an ancient wonder like the pyramids were to the Romans and you are willing to accept the reference to it as the greatest gateway ever built.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 16:02, Wed 18 Nov 2015.
Valerian Hawke
player, 6 posts
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 17:29
  • msg #4

Ecthesis Castle

"Indeed we have purchased a warehouse Your Majesty. The property in question serves our purposes quite well for it provides a location for the Marian Embassy while having a storage location nearby to facilitate our mercantile ventures, and of course any logistical issues that may develop as the Marian response to the orc thread intensifies.

The warehouse in question was chosen as it has a forge which of course keeps our dwarf most happy, smithing is his hobby, and he seems rather taken with the place.
"

Valerian makes a dismissive gesture as if the warehouse is of no great import.

"As for the Marian response to the orc threat, at the moment I have sent scouts to better ascertain the exact nature of the threat, and to provide more concrete numbers for both Aravigian and Marian planners.

I also expect that Marian engineering expertise might soon become available to Your Majesty, especially looking towards the defences of your un-walled towns - though I would suggest that the more indefensible areas are evacuated to more defensible areas though I'm sure your military planners have thought all of this out.
"

Valerian smiles.

"Of course until my scouts return I can not definitively say what the Marian methodology for defeating the orc threat will be.


If I may ask Your Majesty, so that I may account for it in our plans, what is the response  of your military likely to be?
"
22-1-0 NC
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 21:23
  • msg #5

Ecthesis Castle

quote:
Valerian makes a dismissive gesture as if the warehouse is of no great import.


As you draw breath to start your next sentence she puts up a finger to hold you "While I make no objection to your maintenance of a residence for you to invite whomever you would inside, and I positively encourage a house of new enterprise and trade led by a man of quality such as yourself, I hope you will not ask me to tolerate a barracks of foreign troops within my city walls that is uninvited." you are not quite sure if she has heard something of your attempts to recruit people or simply took an educated guess about your intent given your militaristic nature "While I certainly trust you and your immediate companions I could not allow such a thing and be a Queen worth the crown you brought me."

She lets you then continue ((add anything else you want to reply back here and then when such sub conversations as need to be had are finished I assume you go on with the rest of it)).

"If and when it seems we will have need of such swords as the Empire is kind enough to put to the defense of this land then we can negotiate a proper treaty to abide by, as you say we know little enough for now and I have other concerns. Thankfully we are blessed to have heroes ready to probe the dangers to be found in the wild places" she gestures with a rare smile at you to indicate she is referring to your little band and is aware that though you are an important foreign dignitary you are also an individual she owes a great deal already " I have sent a small band of young knights north to inspect my new domain, spread news of my ascension and discover what they may of incursions. My main strength is being gathered to the east to bring the matter of supremacy to a quick close "

She pauses an instant to give you a calculating stare that must involve such great depths of mental footwork to break through her customarily impeccably equable veneer.

While I could not ask you to take an active part in such violence as I fear will be demanded of us, would you be willing to accompany my forces when they march and observe the field? You are a military man of your people and I would have you see ours should we be called to lock our shields in this crisis.
This message was last updated by the GM at 21:23, Wed 18 Nov 2015.
Valerian Hawke
player, 7 posts
Wed 18 Nov 2015
at 22:22
  • msg #6

Ecthesis Castle

"Your Majesty, I assure you that any soldiers that currently reside at the Embassy or shall reside there for the immediate future are merely there as Embassy Guards and to protect the warehouse should rogues come in 'dead of night' as it were, and almost half are recruited from Aravigian citizens, as are all of the auxiliary staff of the Embassy. While I'm sure your cities watch is more than adequate for the task, you can never be too careful, especially given that Drast is engaged in some arcane research."



"Of course you and I both require more information before we negotiate any significant Marian martial presence in your kingdom and I look forward to those negotiations when we come to them.

I would also be honoured to travel with one of your armies to observe how they fight, I merely need four turns of the glass notice when they are ready to march. Would it cause a great inconvenience if certain members of my staff attended to assist me?
"
22-1-0 NC
Sun 22 Nov 2015
at 21:06
  • msg #7

Ecthesis Castle

"Dear Tribune you may bring your whole cadre with you on the understanding their numbers grown no further without permission from myself or my Commander the Earl of Dulmroth, or, you may leave some to defend its contents which my steward is eager to confer with you about." She stands up though her height means she is still looking up at you "As to the orc, let me just say that I have been reliably informed that every knight in the south would ride to defend a Chivarlic Kingdom from a foe of legend and those lands find themselves full to antagonism with both young and tested men.” she gives you another smile and then heads towards the gateway against which the knights lean, as she leaves she says over her shoulder “You may ask the Lady Grey about it, she rides with us in three days’ time. A pleasure to see you.” and then she is gone.

The chamberlain is by the stairs you arrived at and offering to show you out or to the steward’s office to talk about your tax arrangements if now is a convenient time.

((The Earl of Dulmorth is Roger Maier the Brian Blessed guy.

Kryss Grey/Deneith is THE Lady of the ‘Duchy’ of Deneith which she has created around the city of Deneith by taking control of two other free cities. Either using the personal name is to show friendship or just the apparent Aravigian courtly habit of collecting as many titles as you can then mixing and matching them when talking about the same person, preferably in the same short period as you have been refered to as a Captain, a Marian official, a hero and a tribune within ten minuets.))
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:06, Sun 22 Nov 2015.
Valerian Hawke
player, 8 posts
Sun 22 Nov 2015
at 16:12
  • msg #8

Ecthesis Castle

Valerian goes to see the taxman
22-1-0 NC
Sun 22 Nov 2015
at 21:06
  • msg #9

Ecthesis Castle

The Steward's office is a small room with a coloured glass window, a neat desk, two chairs and very little else. There is a single sheet of blank parchment and two sets of writing implements on the tabletop with a wax set and a small box you would guess contains an official seal of some sort. The records are presumably kept elsewhere.

The steward gestures deferentially at the seat opposite him and the chamberlain withdraws.

"I understand you have purchased property in the city and wish to operate a mercantile concern from the premises. You have been issued a warrant to do so" he reaches down and produces a scroll with a thread fastening "this must be held on the site. It's forgery or destruction are offences. We have a simple property footage tax and what I think most people would understand to be a competitive tariff rate. You will be required to seek permission for any construction work that would alter the over the ground bounds of your property and submit a full list of items held on your business premises at the end of every four months to be compared with records of goods you have paid to move through the city limits." he picks up a quill and dabs it in an ornate ink pot "What goods are currently held within your warehouse?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 21:06, Sun 22 Nov 2015.
Valerian Hawke
player, 9 posts
Sun 22 Nov 2015
at 23:04
  • msg #10

Ecthesis Castle

((I'm assuming we have less bars of mithral than the eight that are mentioned, by my count we have lost 1 at the time of this meeting (though I think we've lost three by the time we leave with the queen's army). Feel free to edit that if I'm wrong.))

Upon being handed the scroll Valerian bows as one who is slightly higher in function but nevertheless understands the innate worth of the bureaucratic system.

"Is there some way in which this license must be displayed?"

When this is answered he continues and answers the stewards questions about goods.

"The only things currently held in our warehouse are two tonnes of metal ore and seven ingots of dwarf iron to be used in manufacture. Though given our current warehousing space no doubt there will an increase in the items in storage by the next inspection."

As the clerk notes down the goods.

"Some questions if I may? My family is deeply involved in the ministeria centrum, that is the Central Ministries in the common tongue and my parents would scold me most harshly if I laboured in ignorance rather than seek illumination.

I understand this desire to compare the items in a businesses possession to those that have been imported. It is most sensible to prevent the loss of tax income, however I would be interested in how this system takes account such trade as occurs solely within this fine city of yours? Or into account items that have been created from raw materials? Is it required that I keep receipts for these transactions?
"


Valerian continues in a tone of balanced interest, and begins a conversation on tax law

"In the Empire we have an item called a sigillum publicanorum or taxation stamp that is applied to all goods that have been taxed properly, at importation into each province, any business owner, or trader on the roads, that has goods for sale that are not stamped is subject to the highest of penalties. I am interested, and I'm sure many of the more scholarly members of my House will be as well as to how your system developed. If possible a copy of your sales laws and taxation codes would be appreciated, my younger brother is thinking of the Commerce Ministry and I'd like to give him a translation."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:25, Mon 23 Nov 2015.
DM
GM, 15 posts
Mon 23 Nov 2015
at 21:46
  • msg #11

Ecthesis Castle

quote:
"Is there some way in which this license must be displayed?"

He cocks an eyebrow at the rare event of having found someone who seems not just to angrily tolerate the bureaucracy but seems to have an actual interest “No, just kept in the eventuality a royal official requires you to produce it”

quote:
"The only things currently held in our warehouse are two tonnes of metal ore and seven ingots of dwarf iron to be used in manufacture. Though given our current warehousing space no doubt there will an increase in the items in storage by the next inspection."

He coughs awkwardly “I have been told that this ‘dwarf iron’ is a material of substantial scarcity and value” you notice he has written Mithril and Mithril ore on the list “and to charge it to the rate of platinum. This would bring your due at 8,500 gold pieces. There is also the question of its acquisition?”

quote:
I understand this desire to compare the items in a businesses possession to those that have been imported. It is most sensible to prevent the loss of tax income, however I would be interested in how this system takes account such trade as occurs solely within this fine city of yours? Or into account items that have been created from raw materials? Is it required that I keep receipts for these transactions?


“We make no effort to control or tax manufacturing or commerce within the city beyond questions of safety. We charge for what comes in and what goes out taking a percentage of any value added or transferred. Internal consumption is accepted for the benefit of the populace and mitigated by property taxes. Beyond any such accounting as you privately undertake you do not need to keep records, you seem like a sensible man I would not have to give advice to about prudent financial arrangements however.


quote:
"In the Empire we have an item called a sigillum publicanorum or taxation stamp that is applied to all goods that have been taxed properly, at importation into each province, any business owner, or trader on the roads, that has goods for sale that are not stamped is subject to the highest of penalties. I am interested, and I'm sure many of the more scholarly members of my House will be as well as to how your system developed. If possible a copy of your sales laws and taxation codes would be appreciated, my younger brother is thinking of the Commerce Ministry and I'd like to give him a translation."

“Your company logo will need to be placed on your goods and is justified by your warrant. Any goods we can’t account for in our records bearing your mark is cause for an audit and potential rebalancing. I have long asked for a tax stamp to be applied but so far nothing has been implemented as it brings up questions of supremacy and jurisdiction that are currently impolitic” he sounds exasperated and sighs “As for the history, I don’t know of any scholar having made a comprehensive study but our systems are different here than in the old capital, they prefer the traditional flat tax system as it benefits the me-“ he stops, catching himself in a digression and smiles “Any way, a lord sets the rates for his land. I can of course deliver you the latest taxation codes for the Ducal possessions which are reviewed at least once every three years. The laws on the legality of items for sale, contracts of employment and such like can also be provided for you but it will take time as such things are not held ready for distribution” which again seems to peeve him somewhat.

((Greybacked))
Valerian Hawke
player, 10 posts
Tue 24 Nov 2015
at 11:07
  • msg #12

Ecthesis Castle

quote:
He coughs awkwardly “I have been told that this ‘dwarf iron’ is a material of substantial scarcity and value” you notice he has written Mithril and Mithril ore on the list “and to charge it to the rate of platinum. This would bring your due at 8,500 gold pieces. There is also the question of its acquisition?”


"I assume taxation is acceptable in kind? As to how the mithril was was acquired I'm afraid that question is best directed to my uncle, the Minister of the Interior. I can direct your questions to him in my next report home. Though as I informed your Queen very few even within the Empire know of its origins."

quote:
Your company logo will need to be placed on your goods and is justified by your warrant. Any goods we can’t account for in our records bearing your mark is cause for an audit and potential rebalancing. I have long asked for a tax stamp to be applied but so far nothing has been implemented as it brings up questions of supremacy and jurisdiction that are currently impolitic” he sounds exasperated and sighs “As for the history, I don’t know of any scholar having made a comprehensive study but our systems are different here than in the old capital, they prefer the traditional flat tax system as it benefits the me-“ he stops, catching himself in a digression and smiles “Any way, a lord sets the rates for his land. I can of course deliver you the latest taxation codes for the Ducal possessions which are reviewed at least once every three years. The laws on the legality of items for sale, contracts of employment and such like can also be provided for you but it will take time as such things are not held ready for distribution” which again seems to peeve him somewhat.



"I thank you for your time and care" Valerian bows. "When would be convenient for a tax assessor to visit? I am travelling with your army in three days time an I am uncertain as to how long we are to be in the field."
DM
GM, 16 posts
Tue 24 Nov 2015
at 18:01
  • msg #13

Ecthesis Castle

quote:
"I assume taxation is acceptable in kind? As to how the mithril was was acquired I'm afraid that question is best directed to my uncle, the Minister of the Interior. I can direct your questions to him in my next report home. Though as I informed your Queen very few even within the Empire know of its origins."


He shifts awkwardly in his chair "I am afraid I must press for a speedier answer as there may be a larger concern about the commissioning or re-licensing of a mine. Indeed we have some unfortunate questions to resolve about some historical ore movements that this interview hopes to shed some light on"

quote:
"I thank you for your time and care" Valerian bows. "When would be convenient for a tax assessor to visit? I am travelling with your army in three days time an I am uncertain as to how long we are to be in the field."


He smiles and rises to warmly shake your hand "No visit will be required the sum mentioned is to be paid with your first property due. It is delivered to the city sheriff in the town hall- and it is calculated at the lower coin rate rather than the goods rate though a percentage of items can be handed over instead. I should have your materials available upon your return."
Valerian Hawke
player, 11 posts
Tue 24 Nov 2015
at 19:38
  • msg #14

Re: Ecthesis Castle

DM:
He shifts awkwardly in his chair "I am afraid I must press for a speedier answer as there may be a larger concern about the commissioning or re-licensing of a mine. Indeed we have some unfortunate questions to resolve about some historical ore movements that this interview hopes to shed some light on"


"I may be able to provide you with a more celeritous answer as I have been given significant leeway in dealings with state officials."

Valerian shifts himself as if getting ready to negotiate at the forum ((I know mercatus would probably be a better word but I like forum's political connotations and well we're on a forum))

"Mithral is, as I am certain you are aware, an important strategic resource, not only because of its relative paucity but also because of its more intrinsic utility both for the production of strong but lightweight metal items but also for the relative ease with which it can be used for enchantment. It would be remiss of me to simply hand over the control of such a potent resource without first ensuring that the necessities of the Marian Empire are met."


Valerian smiles.

"The Empire requires unrestricted availability of the material and a preferential buyer status resulting in reduced purchasing costs in regards to mithral as compared to the charges accrued to other nations. The Empire, not wishing this deal to be totally in its favour is willing to provide knowledge of the methods of smelting and working mithral, and since I can't help but notice the rarity of wizards in your lands I'm sure access to Imperial Mages would be useful for your enchanting efforts.


Furthermore the Marian Empire is willing to help defray the costs of commissioning or re-licensing a mine in exchange for a proportional amount of the mine's produce. The Empire may also be interested in investment of other infrastructure but that is an issue for another time mayhap.
"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Tue 24 Nov 2015.
DM
GM, 17 posts
Tue 24 Nov 2015
at 22:43
  • msg #15

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The man again sighs with the world weariness of being yet once more being put in a difficult personal situation by politics and policy he probably has very little to do with deciding, but he is a faithful man and he did sign up to be a steward.

"From your manner of answer there can be little doubt that there is Mithril to be found inside what now must be considered the borders of the realm I by royal decree am responsible for the licensing of. It also makes it certain to my mind that the guild that previously owned your building and operated the northern mines was being less than upfront about its dealings. I may as well inform you that I have been instructed to forgo any claim on such material as you brought with you beyond appropriate taxation, a debt owed I am told. All further..." he struggles for a word "extraction from crown lands must cease until such time as you have gathered a proper warrant for it-" cutting off the obvious question "-that are acquired by petition to the crown. The rest of your stipulations are likewise best directed to the Queen though I will no doubt be asked to advise her on the matter and in the spirit of honesty I may as well tell you I would advise against any such treaty."

"Control of all resources in the realm, strategic, valuable, rare or otherwise I must point out is not yours to begin with unless you dispute the sovereignty of our realm" his tone is rhetorical, he doesn't think that is what you mean.
Valerian Hawke
player, 12 posts
Wed 25 Nov 2015
at 00:38
  • msg #16

Re: Ecthesis Castle

"I appreciate your candour, though I fear you misunderstand me. The Marian Empire does not demand the bounty of your lands without recompense, we would of course pay appropriate market value for any mithril mined from your lands. We merely wish to be ensured of commercial access to such an important resource, and offers in exchange the knowledge needed for Ecthesis to make use of its own stockpiles. I apologise most profusely if this was not clear."


Valerian shifts tack slightly and talks about the one of the other Marian strategic interests in the region.

"I'm sure you can see the benefits to your nation of Imperial investment in infrastructure however. Especially with our expertise in building roads, canals and other such public works. From what I understand of your system this level of investment is best done on with local lords? Though I'm sure refurbishment work will occur on the royal road to Tibbers Brook now that Numoria has a ruler again."


Valerian leans forward somewhat conspiratorially and adds jovially.

"Of course between you and I when your Queen succeeds in the unification of Aravigia the roads funded by the Crown would be an excellent starting point for an Aravigian tax stamp."
DM
GM, 18 posts
Wed 25 Nov 2015
at 23:02
  • msg #17

Re: Ecthesis Castle

He chortles "I have always said a strong monarch is one and the same as a strong tax system"

"I would evaluate and advise on each deal as it arose. All coin has its uses and its costs"
24-1-0 NC till 27-1-0 NC
Thu 21 Apr 2016
at 12:39
  • msg #18

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The morning after the card game is the day you are due to set out with the forces mustered in the name of the queen. It turns out that the Sovereign herself is going to be leading the army which you wouldn’t necessarily expect. As part of the royal party you are to be provided with food, horses and travelling necessities such as tents, a handful of servants have been assigned to you for the duration of the journey to tend to mundane needs like cooking, cleaning, packing and so on.  You ride at first to the castle and waiting by the gateway is a host of thirty knights each wearing one of three different garish designs of tabard. In the fountain courtyard you are asked to wait for the Queen to be ready to travel. Sitting and chatting on horseback are five armoured men each with their own heraldry and the bearing of lord that you may or may not remember from the coronation feast. They acknowledge your party with a wave but continue to talk amongst themselves. After about ten minutes of waiting five more knights come out of the main door and fetch horses from the stables. The Queen strides out soon after in a dress that though perhaps a shade less ostentatious than normal looks warmer and more practical for riding, beside her is the Lady Deneith dressed in her usual black traveling clothes though this time that means trousers for sitting astride a horse. The chamberlain puts a thick fur lined coat about the Queen’s shoulders and hands her the crown with a bow, she then actually pulls herself up into the side saddle of a white horse and with a silent nod to the assembled worthies that include yourselves she prods her steed into a canter out of the gates and over the drawbridge with the assembled knights peeling in to accompany her.


An hour later you find yourselves surrounded by knights and lords with an army in toe on the march towards what they view as rebellious lands. The camp that had been building into a small city of tents outside the city walls for the past two weeks was already dismantled by the time you reached the gates as the royal party was the last to arrive on the main road. The city streets had been lined with the populace and they had thrown flowers onto the road which must be some sort of local custom as they called out sentiments of good luck, blessings from above and general support. The same opinions were expressed a little more firmly as the Queen rode down the line to reach the head of the column, almost every man in the army and on guard on the walls gave a resounding cheer as she rode out of the main gate and then in turn again as she rode past them, she held up her left hand in acknowledgement of their support. She had paused only a moment to tell the nobles to be about their duties that sent three of them off to the rear of the army and then raising herself up slightly had shouted “We march for Hatheril!” which again drew a cheer from the army and she had led the whole thing by spurring her horse into a trot on the main highway eastward. The drummer at the front started a beat that was picked up by another further down, another strange local custom then surfaced as all the knights then started to sing a solemn low song that was timed with the rhythm of feet and drums, with myriad verses it elaborated on traveling a long distance to do their duty, it lasted the first hour of the march. They sung the same song every time the army moved off for the first time in a day.


The first two days were uneventful and gave you time to do a bit of light study of this army. It could have been no more than six and a half thousand men strong but all of them are fairly well equipped compared to how you expected them to be. The knights all have a variety of weapons and armour underneath all the heraldry and plumes but it all seems to be of good quality. Even the lowliest man you would guess was no more than a levy has a sturdy barbute helm, a coat of chains under his padded shirt, segmented plates for spaulders, a new set of boots, thick gloves, a spear, a kite shield, a sword and a tabard all decorated in the same deep red with a white stag emblem, you also notice several of them also carry hand axes on their belts. At first this all seems oddly fast to have gathered together the number of men let alone the materials and craftsmen to give them all such armaments but you overhear various conversations between hasty knights and others between the older men making parallelises of things they had said nearly two years ago when the old king died. They remind you that the dispute for control of this land was over a year old when you came over the border and the then Duchess initially had a much more tenuous route to force her way to a throne. It could even be that she had the local villages conduct training on rest days. They obviously don’t have the crisp professionalism of the Marian legion but neither do they drag their feet or lean on their spears.

The order of march has the royal party at the front preceded only by scouts that range both far ahead and behind, immediately after comes the bulk of the knights that mingle in a riot of colour, they are followed by those on foot, the mounted commoners come next with the baggage train and finally the remainder of the knights and lords that make up the rear guard. Given you are not part of the army you may place yourself as you like so long as it doesn’t make a nuisance of you.

Something that is quiet noticeable is that a significant ratio of the army is mounted and not just the weighting added by the heavily armed knights but also a percentage of the rank and file has some form of horse to carry him though probably only half their number would be an animal to take onto a battlefield. The same yeomen that had horses also tended to have a breastplate or greaves or some other extra equipment above that of the normal man. The dynamic of the army changed slightly on the third night when a force of some two and a half thousand men arrived with the High Constable the Earl of Dulmorth of which the two thousand were armed with little but their own weaponry of knives and a motley arrangement of bows that tended to be on the longer side, they are wearing thick leathers if they are wearing any sort of protection beyond a thick shirt. Something else the constable brought with him was wagons of ale that is distributed openly to the men and lifts the moral of the army that was already buoyant.  When the army had camped before they had been near a town on both nights but this site was in the country side with only a farmstead away in the distance, the tent city was thus reconstructed in full and walking through it gave you a chance to hear some of the dirtier songs of the kingdom once the beer started to flow.

You are invited to dine with the queen in her tent that night along with the ten other lords that represent the feudal strength of the army. As they are still within the borders of Ecthesis few of the lords are bothering to still put on armour for the days ride and they all now sit around a table in thick fur lined clothes as proof against the night chill you get when walking away from the fires. The high constable who arrived late in the night thus stands out even more than a man his size normally would when he bustles into the tent and takes off only his gauntlets and a few of the easier to remove and more cumbersome bits of his plate armour. The actual eating part of the dinner had been held specifically for him to arrive so there is general good cheer as people get down to business of eating and the talk is all refreshingly informal as certain court decorum are apparently ignored when on the march.

While most of the others have finished eating and the servants are busy clearing away plates the armoured Earl looks up from his second chicken at the corner that houses you two and the Lady Deneith “So how find you the army we have so far?”
This message was last updated by the GM at 12:39, Thu 21 Apr 2016.
Valerian Hawke
player, 13 posts
Tue 1 Dec 2015
at 22:34
  • msg #19

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian attends the meal his chain armour - being as it is less cumbersome than plate, and this is an army marching to war after all.

DM:
While most of the others have finished eating and the servants are busy clearing away plates the armoured Earl looks up from his second chicken at the corner that houses you two and the Lady Deneith “So how find you the army we have so far?”


"My Lord, I must express a my admiration for what I have seen so far, your soldiers march well and their morale is good. I have yet to see your soldiers on the field and of course that is what matters when the spear hits the shield. We don't use heavy cavalry, or those longbows of yours so I can not comment on their effectiveness but if your infantry fight as well as they march I can see no issues should it come to battle.. Tell me what made you choose longbows over crossbows? I've heard it takes many years to learn the longbow rather than the month or so it takes for a crossbow."
27-1-0 NC
Thu 21 Apr 2016
at 12:39
  • msg #20

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The constable gets distracted by someone offering him some wine which he has to keep telling them "A little more" and "Keep poring" which means another of the lords answers you. A man you have come to know as Bromwood Braxton the Baron of Baesly during the march, he is one the five Barons of Ecthesis.

"We didn't choose them really, in darker times when the kingdom was first gathered it was the duty of every man to bear arms suitable for the defense of town walls. Bows were easier to produce and maintain so bows became a weapon of choice for the common man by default. The tradition staid alive in times of peace as a popular means of competition as well as the obvious uses for hunting. It is the same reason some of our men carry axes. Apparently it is to our good fortune these old skills have been kept alive as the same menace soon comes again. Tell us sirs what does and Orc look like?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 12:39, Thu 21 Apr 2016.
Valerian Hawke
player, 14 posts
Wed 2 Dec 2015
at 17:28
  • msg #21

Re: Ecthesis Castle

"Well My Lord, the orc is bestial in visage, its face is long and it's brows are thickset, and though I admit that my interactions were not exactly positive, their faces are set in scowls that combined with their bead like eyes give them a look that belies their cunning. Its mouth is formed into an almost permanent snarl with two tusks jutting from its lower jaw. The orc is both wider and taller than a man, more thickset and strongly built. The grayskin variant wear leathers, akin to rags mostly. The greenskin variant seems more intelligent, they wear armour of metal, a metal that my dwarf tells me is akin to mithral, though different. I feel that the Lands of the Heliod has a difficult fight before us."
Wizard Draft
player, 5 posts
Sat 5 Dec 2015
at 12:56
  • msg #22

Re: Ecthesis Castle

quote:
Sitting and chatting on horseback are five armoured men each with their own heraldry and the bearing of lord that you may or may not remember from the coronation feast. They acknowledge your party with a wave but continue to talk amongst themselves.] Drast waves back, with a beaming smile.




During the travelling, Drast attempts to exchange pleasantries with the Queen at some point, and to attempt to converse with the nearby knights and lords, talking lots about very little without the other person being any wiser to Drast's mind.
12:50, Today: Wizard Draft rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  charisma check1




At the table, after Valerian has spoken, Drast pipes in amiably, addressing the Baron of Baesley and anyone else listening in, with a polite coughing to get their attention *cough* *cough* "We have already conversed with these creatures and they seemed some what intelligent and cunning," Drast pauses, considering. "Eerily so. I would not be surprised if the orcs came marching down on us with as much uniformity as you'd expect to see in a well trained regiment of foot." Seemily easily distracted, Drast addresses the person sitting next to him "why, this food is positively delightful, I might just tuck into a little more."
12:50, Today: Wizard Draft rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  charisma 2.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:00, Sat 05 Dec 2015.
DM
GM, 22 posts
Sat 5 Dec 2015
at 14:41
  • msg #23

Re: Ecthesis Castle

quote:
During the travelling, Drast attempts to exchange pleasantries with the Queen at some point, and to attempt to converse with the nearby knights and lords, talking lots about very little without the other person being any wiser to Drast's mind.
12:50, Today: Wizard Draft rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  charisma check1


You fail to find a particular subject to draw anyone into more that just polite conversation, fortunately you avoid upsetting anyone too. So a partial success.

quote:
Orc talk


The room raises it's eyebrows all at once and goes thoughtful apart from the Earl who leans across the table and part hands and part throws a chicken leg at Drast saying "Fill ya boots lad"

Bromwood asks "You saw them in battle then, how do you think they would stand to cavalry in their armor and formations?"
Valerian Hawke
player, 15 posts
Sat 5 Dec 2015
at 18:38
  • msg #24

Re: Ecthesis Castle

"Unfortunately My Lord while we have challenged, and defeated, their Champion, their war-chief's son if I understand correctly we have not seen them in full scale battle. I cannot judge accurately their ability to withstand any organised charge. I do not believe that they had all that many polearms however so perhaps a cavalry charge could work, the orc however is a powerful brute so it may be that they do not require the same tools as man to withstand a horse charge.

I'm sure the scouts I've sent will be able to more accurately describe the composition of the orc force whence they return.
"
27-1-0 NC
Thu 21 Apr 2016
at 12:38
  • msg #25

Re: Ecthesis Castle

There is a general murmur of approval and the Earl sits back with a satisfied belch that gets a reproving look from the Queen that he has the decency to look a little embarrassed about it. He forces thing back to the subject at hand and asks "How do they do war in your lands?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 12:38, Thu 21 Apr 2016.
Valerian Hawke
player, 16 posts
Sun 6 Dec 2015
at 14:54
  • msg #26

Re: Ecthesis Castle

"In the Empire? Well sir we have a tradition of professional forces rather than levies. Our legionaries serve in three basic roles. Infantry, bowmen and cavalry with some companies devoted to more specialist functions such as siege weapons or engineering. Our armies are divided into legions, each with a thousand men, a legion is divided into two banners which is further divided into companies. Companies are either infantry, bowmen, cavalry or focused on some speciality or another.

Our cavalry is lighter than yours and our infantry heavier but I suspect our battles are fought much as yours when in the open field the infantry pins the enemy force while the bowmen and cavalry inflict damage. Banners have a some what standard order of battle, three infantry companies, two bow companies and a cavalry or specialist company, allowing our generals to have a set of standard formations that they can use signals to order.

This is rarely done by other nations I have found but the once aspect of the Art of War that I find the legions excel at which other nations do not is that of siegecraft and urban warfare. For instance this camp
" Valerian gestures around him and says in a factual tone and trying not to be condescending "a Marian Legion would have built a castrum, that is a temporary fort before stopping for the evening, each company can construct a castra in about an hour. The legions can similarly create more permanent structures, for example in the recent conquest of Provinciae Quindecim, it hadn't yet earned a name when I left, my men and I would regularly be tasked with building speculae, that is watchtowers, that will continue to stand along military supply routes.

On the other side of the coin we routinely in that campaign would capture towns, both walled and un-walled. Fighting in urban areas is I find drastically different from fighting. It's fought more closely and assaults can occur from almost any direction. We practice urban formations and clearing buildings intensely and often, it truly is a brutal form of warfare, but it must be
."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Mon 07 Dec 2015.
Wizard Draft
player, 6 posts
Sun 6 Dec 2015
at 15:22
  • msg #27

Re: Ecthesis Castle

"War in my lands... well now, that is a thing to see. Suffice it to say there is no reference in these lands to compare it to." Drast lowers his voice a little, encouraging people to listen closer if they want to hear what he has to say.

It would be nearly impossible to truly describe the essence of war in the Empire Arcanus to someone who hasn't seen, hasn't lived in the culture of the empire. Magic runs free, amok even. To capture it's essence in a single word, one could say simply; chaos."

Drast's eyes loose focus a little as he casts his memory years back, attempting to paint a picture "I have seen great beings made of stone, with wicked green intelligent eyes that speak of malice, charge a batallion of free-swords, slaughtering them to the man. I have seen said creature, crushed by a giant floating hand made of magic, cast by a score of mages. I have seen a city torn apart by meteors falling from the sky, summoned by a thousand mages working in unison. A horde of angry wasp like creatures, breaking against a magical shield. Our basic troops are untrained, poorly armored slaves, which attack like waves upon stone. Breaking apart but eroding the enemy army due to massess of numbers. Then there are the mages, who use their spells both in defense of the army and in offense. They group together and cast spells that can sow destruction that blackens and splits the earth, or shield men from the attempts of their opposites.  Then there are the imbued;- magically imbued soldiers - who move faster than an arrow, or can hurl a boulder larger than this tenet. Those soldiers tend to die each battle due to exhaustion, the mages too, but it is certainly effective.
Battles are generally won and lost on the strength of the armies antimages however - elite troops warded against magic, who flank around to assasinate the opposing armies mages."
Drast's eyes return to focus, breaking the reverie that had settled during the telling "so, as I said, no real comparison" and takes another bite of the chicken.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Sun 06 Dec 2015.
DM
GM, 24 posts
Mon 7 Dec 2015
at 00:45
  • msg #28

Re: Ecthesis Castle

quote:
Valerian


The Earl is sufficiently interested in what you are saying he actually waves away a servant offering him a goblet of wine. You notice that the corner of the Queen's mouth twitches in a faint flicker of a smile when you say the name of the province out loud, she apparently found something about it amusing. [Perception checks]

The Earl sits forward "I don't suppose you could be persuaded to teach some of the men to make these caestrates could you? If it can be done without losing hours from a march it sounds a damnable useful thing to have a solid spot to bed down when you aren't in safe country, which it might all be soon enough if the Orcs are coming"

The Queen interrupts with a different point that seems important to her, she doesn’t move but carefully articulates each word clearly and firmly without raising the volume of her voice and the tent grows silent with the attention she is commanding with her regal vocal skills "The cities, towns and people of Aravigia are its jewels, precious and rare. When we pass into the lands held by those less hospitable lords we will pay fairly for every animal we eat and for every grain we disturb if we are resisted in our passing. Any man who would take up arms to bar us must be given a fair chance to lay them down before it comes to a trial of might. Our soldiers may take the fields of battle, the walls and castles but the towns and its unarmed people are the basis of this discord and are to be treated with care. I will not have my land burnt for the pride of greedy men.

There is general nodding from the lords as they are in ready accord, her voice no longer has quite the same edge when she continues “For them to have any security they must best us to a man so in the end meet us in one fashion or another-” she gestures towards you two “-and already we have been shown that what favour there is to be had lies with us. I would have the circumstances of my coronation widely known thus once we have concluded matters at Hatheril a small party will head with me to Lokston and talk the high priest. I trust I can rely on the continued accommodation of our friends?” the question isn’t rhetorical as she looks at you two.

((For the sake of simplicity I am going to say you reply to this bit with a quote then after a pause Drast gets to paint his verbal picture to get conversation started again. So whatever you say back to the stuff above happens before the Drast’s last post, the stuff below and whatever you reply to it.  Think I just made it more complicated but you should be able to guess what I mean.))
quote:
Drast


Everyone settles back and listens to you as though you were telling them a story from days of yore and far off lands which technically you more or less are. Wine appears in hands and the Earl chuckles as you describe magical animals though the lords collectively sit up and there is a cough as you draw to a close and mention assassins going for the head of the snake.

For the first time all night the Lady Kryss stops leaning in her chair and snorts “A tad orotund but not far off the mark, across the sea and beyond the desert grand battles are rare enough these days but are a demonstration that lets the mages carve out their territory in deep scars, they are spectacular as much to impress and terrorise their way into people’s minds as for any other purpose. Still as the conjurer said even the most powerful arch-mage can be killed with a knife in the right place if the man guarding his back would rather see those pointy shoes vacant - so long as the blood will wash off their silly hats” she glares at the room in general which looks like it annoys and offends the loyalty the people in the room to her satisfaction and she turns her head to address the Queen “Your rights are justified by the code of chivalry without any… external favour but it will impress, as will your conduct in this war. You just have to win” she gives a smile that looks like she doesn’t smile very often.

((As well as anything you want to reply to this lot you might as well add in any subject you want to raise over the course of the night))
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:49, Mon 07 Dec 2015.
Valerian Hawke
player, 17 posts
Mon 7 Dec 2015
at 16:00
  • msg #29

Re: Ecthesis Castle

DM:
quote:
Valerian


The Earl is sufficiently interested in what you are saying he actually waves away a servant offering him a goblet of wine. You notice that the corner of the Queen's mouth twitches in a faint flicker of a smile when you say the name of the province out loud, she apparently found something about it amusing. [Perception checks]

The Earl sits forward "I don't suppose you could be persuaded to teach some of the men to make these caestrates could you? If it can be done without losing hours from a march it sounds a damnable useful thing to have a solid spot to bed down when you aren't in safe country, which it might all be soon enough if the Orcs are coming"

((15:37, Today: Valerian Hawke rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  Perception.))

"My Lord I would be honoured to help teach your men at least the basics of constructing castra" ((my appologies castrum is the singular I have corrected this in my previous post)) "though I must give warning that to set up camp with the speed of a Marian Legionnaire takes many months of training and practice."

DM:
There is general nodding from the lords as they are in ready accord, her voice no longer has quite the same edge when she continues “For them to have any security they must best us to a man so in the end meet us in one fashion or another-” she gestures towards you two “-and already we have been shown that what favour there is to be had lies with us. I would have the circumstances of my coronation widely known thus once we have concluded matters at Hatheril a small party will head with me to Lokston and talk the high priest. I trust I can rely on the continued accommodation of our friends?” the question isn’t rhetorical as she looks at you two.


"Your Majesty, I would be pleased to journey with you to Lokston, though I must send a missive back to the Marian Embassy, in case any messages from home arrive."
27-1-0 NC till 8-2-0 NC
Thu 21 Apr 2016
at 12:51
  • msg #30

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The army of the Ecthesian Queen treks on with their leader now attended in turn by every knight in the column and they seem to compete in preventing so much as a glimpse of her being given to the outside world. For the next few days the wizard in particular feels eyes of many on him at all times and there are no more royal dinners to attend, instead you either sup alone or join the lords though they take to dinning with their own cadre of knights more often than not and conversation seems to die at your arrival beyond civilities. Not that you would have looked for her as company but the Lady Kryss is noticeably absent, you overhear that she rode away to sail for her own lands and is not likely to be back for several months. It only takes a few days with no further troubled nights for the effect to begin to ebb away though it would seem prudent for their guard to remain up for on the twelfth day of marching the word spreads quickly that they will be camping beyond the well secured borders of Ecthesis proper. You quickly learn that this is not quite so momentous as might be expected given the lands they enter belong to Roger Meir, the Royal High Constable who left the army some days back to prepare everything at his castle on the far side of his holdings. That Castle will actually be the last safe refuge before the hike to Hatheril which is known to be hostile and the first place that is expected to offer resistance. At about midday you pass a town that has a smattering of residents out with a different banner to the one you have become familiar with but you recognise as the red lion and sun heraldry of the Earl of Dulmorth.

On the thirteenth night from the gates of Ecthesis the army camps outside the town of Melbury but only on the fields on the north side of the royal highway which at first seems to be a very inefficient way of doing it. You are told at some point during the night that the sprawling settlement you see before you is in fact two towns separated by the main road, Melbury and Mapleham, with the north side being part of Dulmorth and the South part of the Earldom of Erdnare, an Earl that has yet to declare himself one way or the other in the conflict. There is a significant effort to keep the mass of men that have been led here in good order and off any land that doesn’t belong to the High Constable. Patrols are organised to watch the roads for any soldiery flouting the rules, five of the common men and at least one knight so they might be able to reprimand any trouble maker regardless of his station. Thankfully the night passes without any major incidents though you suspect several soldiers will march away from this place regretting some of the purchases the wily merchants persuade them to take on. The Queen accepts the hospitality of the town’s mayor and spends the night in the manor.

((If you want to look for or buy and equipment or items here let me know))

It takes noticeably longer for the army to get moving again the next day which seems to annoy several of the lords, particularly as the last to come thundering up several hours late are knights that get promptly deployed to the rear guard to wrangle with the now sprawling baggage train. It takes another tedious three days to see the imposing Castle Dulmorth away on a hillside. Given that you aren’t part of the army you therefore having nothing to do with all the challenges of keeping it fed, watered and moving cohesively nor are you really part of all the minor politics going on between the nobles. The upshot is even Valerian as a seasoned Marian Captain well practiced at the business of mobile forces starts to feel the edges of boredom with traveling the main road. The Castle as such becomes a subject of rapt attention for you as a break from the endless succession of fields, small towns, meadows and small forests you have been passing through.

The castle is writ large which probably plays a part in why its lord is such an expansive character. The curtain wall contains a substantial village that is dense with well-established multilevel buildings, smoke rises from a collection of squat buildings clearly involved in some industry or other. The keep is made of a dark stone and is a single tall and wide rectangular structure, unlike in Ecthesis where clearly several efforts had been made over the years to embellish the fortifications, Dulmorth looks like it has been left all about the brutal business of military defence since it was built a very long time ago. Above the first three floors the walls rise sheer and uninterrupted by windows until reaching the floor just below the square parapets. As you crest the hill at the head of the army at about the same time as the Queen a horn is blown by a man on horseback waiting by the side of the road, in response a horn blows off in the distance and a several large banners are rolled off the ramparts to hang against the walls of the keep, they bear the royal white and red stag. There are a mess of earthworks that surround the fields in the immediate area and you can see groups of men littered about the hillside that are likely in some fashion connected to the garrison or labourers. The army spends the afternoon buildings its tent city inside the largest of the temporary bulwarks and the lords enter into the keep. The streets are full of people cheering the Queen’s passing that she acknowledges with a constant wave, passing inside an internal wall you enter the courtyard that the Keep looms directly over top of. Along with the usual side buildings of the stables and suchlike is a ornately decorated long hall built as though jutting out from the base of the dark stone work, beaming on the steps with open arms is the High Constable and Earl of Dulmorth; Roger Meir. Beside him is a tall thin woman who looks to be about his age, a rather large teenage girl, the merchant you heard talking outside the Ecthesis and a dour looking man that bears a family resemblance and is indeterminately middle-aged. The latter stands out somewhat not because of his scars but because he is noticeably tanned compared to everyone else.



The fire is roaring in the broad fireplace filling the colourful hall with a sweltering heat and the rich smell of yet more hogs on the spit roast. The long benches are heaving with the pleasantly drunk after hours of feasting, only a dedicated corner of diehards are huddled around egging on their respective champions to greater feats of over eating. The hosting Earl is one of the raucous crowd and only breaks away when one of the competitors falls off his stool backwards while swigging from a pint glass. Laughing heartily the grey haired giant shouts a wish of better luck next time to ‘Harry’ before he strides back up to the head table that is on a raised dais and seats you two, his daughter, the Queen and his wife. Placing his tankard down on the table in front of his empty seat he turns around to bellow at the room “Time to have a look at just how we are going to run off the fools that’d refuse our Queen” which only makes things louder as everyone starts shouting at each other and there is a chaos of movement. Partially drunk men stumble off the benches and shift the line of long tables closest to the throne aside. Some of the servants scrub the floor and bring in strange wooden boxes. Everyone crowds around a circle on the floor while the Earl takes things out of the boxes occasionally interrupted by arguments breaking out with exclamations like “No that doesn’t go there” and the like. They draw back a little and standing up on the platform and craning over the table you can see what they are all looking at. There is a colourful painting of the Aravigian Kingdom on the floor of the hall and the bit they are looking at is the Earl’s Divvy which they have put little figures on to presumably represent soldiers, castles and towns.

The Baron of Beasly calls for silence but it has to be bellowed by the scarred, tanned and grim man who is clearly some relation to the Earl given how loud he can shout. The Earl grabs hold of the horseman they are using to represent the Queen’s army and holds it aloft “On the ‘morrow we march on Hatheril and try and call to the field what forces the enemy has mustered to defend the Earl’s Divvy-” he plonks the wooden figure down hard inside of the areas   One of the Ecthesis Barons interrupts “And we will lead you there Dolman, we’ll beat that hill’s rhyme if we have to drag you up” which appears to have been a joke of some sort as it causes at least half the room to guffaw. Choosing to ignore the aside the Earl continues “If they fear to face us we will split the army with enough men under Beasly to siege their castle and others to hold the Hudswold crossing in case they come through Dalham or the Earl of Kaling can rouse himself from the dinner table” which again gets a laugh but shortly after arguments are breaking out about where forces should be deployed and who would be in charge.

“We should hold castle Pegir and guard the Ashebay in case they come through the Crawl from the Kingsfort, Lord Peter spoke favourably of us at the Lordsmeet”
“No we should assault the walls of Hateril and then march every man on Dalham”
“We need to be sure of our rear, Lord Marcus must be oath bound to us before we advance even if he signs at sword point. They must be with us or against us”
All of these and more besides is said as things get more heated, at one point the Earl is so animated he grabs the wooden knight out of another man’s hand and slams it down with such force its legs break into splinters and he has to call out to his chief servant Chiswick for a fresh one.
((Breaking here so there isn’t too much reading all at once and so you can add anything you want to about the tactics of the army and or stuff you want to do before while on the march))


Green areas are supporting lords, white are neutral and brown areas have declared against the Ecthesian Queen. Only major settlements are shown and settlement without its own explicit name holds the title of the entire Earldom (eg. Dulmorth Castle)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:26, Sat 09 Sept 2017.
8-2-0 NC and 9-2-0 NC
Thu 21 Apr 2016
at 12:52
  • msg #31

Re: Ecthesis Castle

There is a stern bellow for silence from the back of the room; the tanned, scarred man is standing on the table in front of the Queen and despite the drink and pride in those assembled they fall silent apart from the Earl who takes a few loud seconds before noticing the other man is no longer arguing back. Taking the hand proffered to help her up the Queen arises and climbs up onto the table “My lords while I respect the entire collected prowess in martial concerns we have in this hall, and indeed I will always rely upon it, I am saved the trouble of choosing between your council for I have a mind to array our forces to my own designs” and at her word the crowd turns away from the rather caustic debates they were conducting with their nearby colleagues, releasing lapels, handing back gloves, taking a boot off the back of a man’s head and in general settling down. It’s a slight thing but you catch a rise in the Earl’s brow height that is shortly followed by the return of his ubiquitous smile as she unfolds her plan.

With all our might here collected on the morrow we shall lay about a siege on Hatheril Castle. Should we encounter numbers willing to sally out against us it would be well, for as we are not yet the full total that could be brought to our cause neither will they be all those that could be yoked to theirs. We represent simply those that dropped personal matters at the call and came with strong feeling to at need face down their full measure let alone what passes for their own best and first, and I would weight that match to our favour at any hour” this causes a cheering “Every man that fights us now is one that will be missing on a later field but should they do the expected and at the sight of us fear to come to blows then we will hold to our purpose, their forces divided, and step no further east till we have all passed a feast inside the walls of Hatheril!” again more cheering that takes longer to subside.

We will not allow them to dictate the pace to us and sit idly for them to gather against us however. Though the greater part of our strength will remain here and be added to as more rouse themselves to fight in our cause, Sir Ecthur will take command in his father’s place. All that are eligible will ride north with me to a full Lord’s meet at Lokston. I will not have it said that I did not make every effort to avoid conflict and will once last time state my claims and rights” she takes a goblet being proffered to her by the scarred man and holds it aloft “So we must all to our rest for the morrow holds the promise of much work to be done, first though one last toast to the loyalty and courage of just and brave men” and she drains the beaker.

As one the crowd raises a cup if they have one or a fist if they don’t and gives the sure response of “To the Queen” that reverberates off the walls as they drain their own cups. With that the head table departs the room for the inner recesses of the castle and crowd breaks out in a din of conversation as they begin to disperse either to chambers or back out into the tent city. The last thing you hear as you leave is the Earl loudly joking that tomorrow would be a day of mud regardless and if they were lucky blood into the bargain as well.




It is the morning after and despite orders to be woken when the army moves (though the noise that generally generates would wake you in any case) you are quickly aware that it is almost midday already and you have been left to rise in your own time. Dressing and stepping out quickly you notice that the camp hasn’t been dismantled and the army is in fact still here despite everyone apparently planning for things to really get going in this civil war today. When you question one of the servants that attend you and you still haven’t learnt the name of they tell you there was much goings on in the dark hours of the morning and there is to be no battles today. Before you can go and find someone who might know more they inform the both of you in turn that there was been a royal request for your presence when you get up.

((For simplicity we shall say Drast wakes up about half an hour after Valerian and so he will be going to see the Queen roughly as Valerian leaves, assuming you both go of course))
This message was last updated by the GM at 12:52, Thu 21 Apr 2016.
Valerian Hawke
player, 18 posts
Tue 16 Feb 2016
at 16:53
  • msg #32

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Sorry for the delay in replying.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Tue 16 Feb 2016.
DM
GM, 28 posts
Fri 19 Feb 2016
at 00:47
  • msg #33

Re: Ecthesis Castle

((Hidden stuff for people that should be ashamed))
Valerian Hawke
player, 19 posts
Sun 21 Feb 2016
at 01:30
  • msg #34

Re: Ecthesis Castle

((Hidden stuff for shitlords))
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:08, Wed 24 Feb 2016.
DM
GM, 29 posts
Mon 21 Mar 2016
at 17:50
  • msg #35

Re: Ecthesis Castle

((Ssssssssssssshhhhhh))
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:53, Mon 21 Mar 2016.
Valerian Hawke
player, 20 posts
Thu 14 Apr 2016
at 11:42
  • msg #36

Re: Ecthesis Castle

In reply to DM (msg # 35):

((I said I'd post by Wednesday. I never said which Wednesday))
This message was last edited by the player at 11:43, Thu 14 Apr 2016.
DM
GM, 30 posts
Sat 16 Apr 2016
at 18:36
  • msg #37

Re: Ecthesis Castle

In reply to Valerian Hawke (msg # 36):
9-2-0 NC till 16-2-0 NC
Tue 26 Apr 2016
at 23:03
  • msg #38

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The lords gather in the upper hall of Dulmorth Castle for a dinner to which you are both invited, the Queen is eating in private so the lords are for the most part relaxed, trading crude jokes and after a few jugs of wine have been drunk singing a little. Between themselves they drop the lofty titles in favour of first names and invite you to do the same, they are clearly all old friends or at least favourably acquainted and growing closer, they share a casual approach to the dignity of their noble positions. At various points as all bonding groups do they take jabs at those on the other side of the war along presumably pre-existing enmities declaring they expected nothing more of such and such than to turn out to be a bad sort that none of them like. But, every so often a voice will dare to say they are surprised that so and so has been unreasonable and that they could probably be persuaded given time. One thing you learn is that no one here likes the ‘treacherous, malodorous, ugly, cowardly and dishonourable’ lord of Hatheril or rather not enough to try and mediate the Earl of Dulmorth’s loud and vehement opinions on the man, his parentage and his appetites. It is unclear if this is a generational dispute between the two families, a personal matter of hatred between two men or a sense of outrage created by a perceived betrayal on the issue of the royal succession by a once close friend. They don’t seem too fond of the ‘false’-Regent either with the most frequent charges being that he is presumptuous, greedy and scheming. With previous knowledge of Aravigia’s nobility you probably could have learnt how the shifting network of personal relationships has been changed by the war. With no one really able to guide you through whom this person or that is you rather just get the impression that as much as antedating factions had joined one camp or another in the debate that has become a civil war, such factions have also broken apart and so for the most part been replaced by the two factions now at odds. The issue was sufficiently personally and morally important to at least this side of the conflict.

Over the hours of waiting after the eating was all finished the group collectively composed a cheery song about the evils of the Regent and the virtues of the Queen that never seemed to get past the first chorus, people kept shouting out new things to append to either list that both grew and grew until people began to forget what was in the middle causing much amusement as people all sung different things every time and corrected each other. Halfway through another rendition on the verge of breaking down a servant walks in whispering something in the Earl of Dulmorth’s ear who waits a moment before standing up and declaring it’s time to leave for Lokston.  Still humming the general theme they all go downstairs and swing onto horses waiting in the courtyard, your own are waiting for you too. There is no ceremony given it is late at night and most of the army is asleep or at least in their tents save for the dots of torch light hefting watchmen passing in a series of overlapping circles around the boundary. The Earl of Dulmorth kisses his wife, slaps the scar faced man on the shoulder and rides off down the main road through the town and out of the castle walls hush each other as occasional refrains break out. Waiting at a fork in the main road is the Queen and a collection of about eighty knights and possibly twice that of the regular mounted soldiery that came with you from Ecthesis. The forces are a small guard to accompany the Queen on her journey. Despite being admonished for making her wait the Earl of Dulmorth asks permission to double the forces but the Queen declines firmly. They are traveling to meeting of the nobility in an attempt to end the conflict before any blood is spilled.




The trip is ordinary for the first six days over which good distance is made. It’s still slower going than independent travel but with substantially smaller numbers in tow much faster than the whole army marching. The Earl’s divvy is slightly more densely habited than Ecthesis but not substantially, you pass through numerous well-tended hamlets and peaceful small townships uneventfully even though the majority of your trip is supposedly either through enemy territory or at best neutral land. The only remarkable thing you saw was during the second day when Hatheril Castle was off on a distant hillside, you couldn’t make out any details but overheard that the banners flying from it would be the Queen’s after the enemy had abandoned it without battle during the night you arrived at Dulmorth. On the sixth night camp is made just past the border between the Earl’s Divy and the lands administrated by Lokston, the weather is getting ever colder and it rained most of the last few days.

The seventh day dawned a little differently.

You are awoken in the pre-dawn grey of the very early morning by the sounds of rather a lot of shouting in the camp, as the party has been traveling lighter both of you have been sharing a tent. Between the two of you the word “attack” is picked up several times and you dress and step out as quickly as you can. It’s frosty without any sunlight to warm you up and you can see your own breah. The first thing you notice is a huge plume of smoke rising from to the south. You camped in a woodland clearing off the main road last night so you can’t see what is burning. At a very good guess you would say it was the market town of Cresthill that you passed through yesterday late afternoon. Soon everyone is outside their tents, armoured knights running for their horses, servants fervently trying to pack things away, sergeants bellowing soldiery out of beds and into formations and so on. Most importantly the Queen is outside of her tent dressed in her traveling clothes and thick furs with two ladies in waiting. She looks questioningly at the Earl of Dulmorth who has just come roaring out of his tent trailing a pack of squires trying to finish putting his armour on. You are ideally place then to hear the following exchange:

Queen: What’s happened?
Dulmorth: Stop messing with the clasp just push it shut first then tie it off
Beasly: *In conference with a scout* Cresthill is under attack by a small force that came from the South-Eastern foothills.
Dulmorth: No that’s the dress helm stupid boy, I can hardly see out the damn thing and its soft as a feather bed, you want to get your lord killed?
Queen: Bandits? Rebels? Orc? How many?
Dulmorth: Give it here you wretch, you have to twist it like thi-urgh
Beasly: No more than a hundred, a scouting force at most. They are flying the banners of Kaling and …Hatheril
Dulmorth: *Unintelligible roar* Blessed be Neumia for this gift, I’ll have them you see if I don’t. Sound the muster! Bring me my mace! Chiswick! A horse!
The Earl of Dulmorth strides off and the others look to the Queen.
Queen: Go save the townsfolk you can, withdraw if a larger force arrives, you will have to drag the Earl back. Go
Collectively: Yes your highness
and they head off at a run after the Earl.


Half an hour passes with the camp being fervently disassembled even the Queen, the elderly Baron of Lepton and the guard of twenty junior knights pitch in. In almost record time the essentials are on one wagon or another and everyone is mounting up when there is a sharp yelp followed by a dull thud. The knight walking the Queen’s horse to her has fallen off his own steed and is lying face down in the mud with an arrow protruding from his neck. Servants are running after the bolting horses when suddenly everything is deadly chaos, a group of armed men erupt from the eastern treeline and charge headlong at the knights that just have time to draw steel before the enemy is on them. The melee breaks down immediately with the enemy in amongst those still on foot, each knight is quickly engaged in a deadly personal combat with at least one assailant though some are fending off up to three. The few knights that managed to mount spur their horses free of the brawl and thunder off into the woods in pursuit of a group of archers at the forest edge as directed by the Baron of Lepton who then yells “The Queen! Save the Queen, get her out of here!” to the world in general before turning to stab one man in the face and subsequently getting dragged from his horse. Three of the knights that had been at the back run over and stand shoulder to shoulder with raised shields to make a defensive circle around their monarch, stepping her away from the fighting. A handful of servants with nothing more than daggers and whatever heavy objects they feel they can heft as weapons join them.

You are just about to spring into whatever action you were going to take when a strangely dressed figure steps out from behind a tree and throws something at the group around the Queen. The new assailant is head to foot in a tight black cloth tunic that has a strange hood leaving only a slit for his eyes. The weapon he just threw was on the end of a chain and it wraps itself around the helmet of one of the knights. The brave young man has the presence of mind to drop his sword and grasp the chain because the next thing the shadowy figure does is pull on the chain with all his might beginning a tug of war between the two. One of the squires tries to disentangle the chain but quickly stops and says “It’s got a spike lodged in the armour” and a host of similarly dressed figures emerge from behind trees, a second one grabs the chain to lend his strength to pulling the knight down. This is countered by the squire grabbing the chain but slightly muffled by the enclosed helmet the noosed man shouts for his comrades to get the Queen away. Breaking into a jog the group sweeps you up as they head away from both the skirmish and the black clad men.  You make the trees just as the majority of the unengaged attackers race with uncanny speed to catch up. It’s another confused mess as people are forced to stop and defend themselves during the dash through the underbrush. After a minute of tumbling up and down verges and over shrubbery you find yourselves in surprising quiet, having made the distance for whatever fighting is still going on to be a faint background noise. Just yourselves, the Queen and one remaining knight have manged to keep going and you all pull up to gather when you realise there is no immediate pursuit.

You get a paltry few seconds to catch your breath before the knight that was leaning up against a tree chokes once and slowly keels over, behind him is standing a slightly different version of the black clad figures, he is wearing an Orange Belt and an embroidered leather chest piece. Most importantly his hands are billowing smoke from blue fires he holds in his hands that he raises to his chest in turn and seems to push inside himself while exhaling loudly through a clench jaw. He seems to radiate a palpable aura of death, not as a threat but as an abstract concept, somehow his presence has recalled to the front of your mind the fact that you will at some point cease to exist and it locks everything else out of your mind.

Raising his right arm and pointing his first two fingers at Valerian specifically he advances towards the rest of your group [Language unknown: “Iellal urewerles Resardure m Ourstrthi, As a n aiwas ento tiwi tient k ioucomvor”]

((Can both of you please roll a DC 14 Wisdom save against fear))
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:03, Tue 26 Apr 2016.
DM
GM, 34 posts
Tue 26 Apr 2016
at 22:45
  • msg #39

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The Assassin in the woods

This message was last edited by the GM at 12:02, Sun 10 Sept 2017.
DM
GM, 35 posts
Wed 4 May 2016
at 13:40
  • msg #40

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Those few that found you call for aid by use of horns, there is no immediate threat of enemies arriving before allies it is explained and the blood splattered here and there on their armour makes you think they would probably be well informed on that score. A party of ten common soldiers arrive first followed quickly by another group then another till some fifty or sixty knights, lords and soldiers are gathered close by making the little clearing and the surrounding woods suddenly feel very crowded. There is a great noise of relief and joy that the Queen has been found unharmed, you can hear the message being taken up and shouted all around the surrounding trees no doubt in a chain back to wagons. For each of her warriors that approach her as though a saint she responds to lord and commoner alike in a pragmatic way that she is unharmed and thankful for their concern and the protection and sacrifice of her followers and friends. She calls for a stretcher to be brought for Valerian and the fallen knight because no one else seems to be doing it. Covered more than any other in the multitudinous stains collected at the thick of a melee the Earl of Dulmorth as a man of great passions makes a noticeable late arrival at the scene by barging to the fore, thrusting this sword into the hands of a guardsman and embracing the Queen in a colossal bear hug which for it’s good intent her dignity does not protest. When released again she declares herself quiet alright with a finality in her tone suggesting she has had quiet enough of the fawning.  While the unconscious Valerian would be very familiar with the concept it is probably the first time that Queen and the far wandering Drast has come across the habit of large groups of fighting men to gravitate to intense emotion in the hours either side of their violence business, the Queen is a form of talisman to these men while in your homeland such an idea is far less prevalent given the nature of wizarding wars as direct contests between individuals or small groups via arcane duels in the place of armies that play a secondary role at best.


So the fallen are taken up and born back along with your captive. The latter is gagged and thoroughly tied then chained as per the instructions of Drast while the former two are placed carefully inside one of the covered wagons that have been given over to the immobile wounded. The walk back to the old campground wasn’t as long as you felt it had been in the heat of running for your life from the attack but Drast catches the Queen staring thoughtfully at him with one hand resting on Valerian’s chest to keep is folded arms in place and the other touching the amulet about her necklace. When they are lifting Valerian into the makeshift cot you notice that the man leaning over the other wounded occupant in this wagon is the Baron of Beasly, he gingerly removes the last piece of the helm from the knight and you are reminded how young some of these outwardly fearsome metal clad knights are. Heavy armour adds a certain span and a little extra height to the wearer and he was already a strapping lad by any definition but the fresh face underneath that curly hair was almost certainly a year or two away from twenty at most. The Baron leans down with a tense expression putting his ear to the youth’s lips before sitting back up with a sigh of relief that seems to deflate a great tension from him. Noticing your gaze he gives a brief smile and explains “My son, he still breaths. Thanks to you both” before laying a hand on Drast’s shoulder to communicate a sentiment he can’t find words for and climbing out. Despite the fact there had been a battle and how poorly things seemed to have gone during the ambush with the terrible feeling of danger you had personally experienced there are remarkably few casualties to the extent that no one had died, a few unfortunate infantry had been seriously wounded but no one had been killed in the fighting that had been brutal but short. That sudden panic was probably not natural it occurs to you and a fact that gets stored away from later consideration.  Valerian wakes from the stupor the attack had left him in but remains in the comfortably swaying cot to recover his strength and quickly falls into a deep sleep again.

Shortly after everyone is accounted for the force is on the move again, heading north along the road, having checked that Valerian is securely resting Drast rides along the column to reach the lords and notices the baggage train had grown. When you draw up next to the lords they have just started a report to the Queen.

Dulmorth “Wasn’t much fight in them your highness, couldn’t fathom what they were about with all the burning and btuchering the villagers then retreating just out of a good charge distance when we drew up, they just abandoned any of ‘em that we caught. Led us on a merry little chase.”
Lepton who has his arm in a sling and removed most of his armour says“That was the point! Those cowardly curs. They knew the Queen would feel obligated to defend Cresthill and wanted their chance to end the war in their dishonourable way”
Dulmorth joins in the murmurs of agreement then says “Well we caught the filth! Mething and Bodem looped up behind them and we trapped ‘em in the square. If any bastard slipped the net it’s only because we heard the call from the baggage train and came back quick as boiled asparagus to find their little ambush.”
Lepton “Aaaaaaah but my boys and I had seen them off before yeh got back Roger. They didn’t last long, ran off as soon as they realised we’d stand to a fight, didn’t they lad?“ and he nudges a young knight riding next to him who had presumably done something heroic but who modestly declines to comment.
Dulmorth “True enough, the lads did a man’s job of it today and we owe a lot to them and our guests” he raises a water skin he had been sipping from in your direction as he notices your presence again to general noises of approval from the others.
The Queen chimes in “More than we can understand I’d warrant. How is Valerian recovering, I worry for what that man’s black arts did to him.

((OOC: They are talking to Drast here and whatever conversation results from your response will go here and be followed by as much of the following as is valid))


You all ride on in quiet for a little bit and then the Baron of Mething say “Well they may have burnt half the town down but at least most of the people could be saved from their treacherous blades.”
Beasly “True enough and they will be safe enough to take the road to Lokston for refuge but it begs the question of where we are to head. Our scouts saw a much larger force on the move from the south-east. They can only have come this far north to secure the Queen should their plot have succeeded and chase us off north, further away from our main force”
Dulmorth “Bah! Once I’d have learned what they were about while we stopped their slaughtering I’d have chased the scum right into the heart of their army and lopped of Hatheril’s head while I was there”
Beasly “Quiet possibly but regardless the road south to our own ranks is still cut even if they don’t have their prize to bait us into charging their whole army. Should we even follow the road north? We might race them for Chepstow and the road to CaerLok or across country straight for Lokston but we’d have to leave the wounded and the baggage here.” And there is an uncomfortable silence, it may end up proving necessary but they don’t seem to care for the idea or their situation in general.
Lepton “What little honour is to them that they use an offer to end this dispute peaceably to try something so knavish. Should we even make Lokston would they dare to besiege that holy place?”
The Queen “We won’t be stopping long enough to give them the chance, Cresthill was burnt because we camped to close to it and I won’t risk Lokston on the good auspices of evil men and foreign assassins. We will sail as soon as we can across the lake for CaerLok and send word to your son.
Dulmorth “Mmmh but I don’t trust those priests. They’ve always muttered into their sleeves about unclear signs when asked to declare and I could see them closing the port rather than let us sail away and risk the wrath of the rebel army in our wake. I’d rather head for the Berrywine* and seize a ship for us to sail down to the sea and round to the Ashebay, right past Dalham and the Kingsfort. They’d be sniffing around for us up here while we float on past. Ha!” it taken as a joke and there follows a bit of jovial talk about a disguise being needed and the Earl dressed as a great bearded washerwoman and the Queen with a colossal hat and pipe dressed as the captain of the most highly armed fishing vessel ever to terrorise the Silver Sea trout stock.


Camp is made late that night despite the battle in the morning as the men press on till there remain only a few hours to rest before the sun rises again. They risk no fires and have the good fortune of a dry and unseasonably warm night so that they can get away without setting up tents and thus sleep rough with just canvas draped over a rope between a tent poles to wall off direct wind.


Valerian wakes late in the night after a full day of rest feeling much better than the few moments of hazy consciousness he experienced in the morning when they loaded him on the wagon. Strong enough to not just sit up in bed but to have stood up if the ceiling had of been tall enough. Things are particularly cramped in the wagon, the armour that had been stripped off the two wounded occupant had been piled at one end and the Baron of Beasly was sitting on a stool in the middle gangway facing his son’s bed. He was dozing but Valerian’s movements wake him too and while you dig out your armour from the pile and put it on ((assuming you want to do that)) he checks his boy again. When you climb out of the wagon he joins you and is clearly a very worried man “His breathing is steady and we’ve checked him for cuts or bruises but there’s nothing. He just won’t wake up”

*The large river that flows down from the mountains between the Berrylands and the gift of Lokston then down between the Earl’s Divy and the Kingsland. It is on the far right of the map further up this thread.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:39, Sat 09 Sept 2017.
Wizard Draft
player, 7 posts
Sun 15 May 2016
at 11:34
  • msg #41

Re: Ecthesis Castle

quote:
While the unconscious Valerian would be very familiar with the concept it is probably the first time that Queen and the far wandering Drast has come across the habit of large groups of fighting men to gravitate to intense emotion in the hours either side of their violence business,

Drast stays a little apart from this, using the relative solitude to reflect on the days events.



quote:
“My son, he still breaths. Thanks to you both” before laying a hand on Drast’s shoulder to communicate a sentiment he can’t find words for and climbing out.

As the baron turns away, Drast asks quietly, so as to not disturbe the sleeping/unconscious occupants "I'm glad he still lives. Do we know anything about who the attackers were? Have we got any information from the assassin?"
After he responds
"Would you let me know when he is to be interrogated. I wish to listen in, and perhaps ask a few questions of my own."



quote:
Dulmorth “True enough, the lads did a man’s job of it today and we owe a lot to them and our guests” he raises a water skin he had been sipping from in your direction as he notices your presence again to general noises of approval from the others.

Drast nods his head to Dulmorth in recognition of the comment, as a way of replying.




quote:
The Queen chimes in “More than we can understand I’d warrant. How is Valerian recovering, I worry for what that man’s black arts did to him.

Drast responds "Nothing a good long rest can't fix I think. Any lingering residue of the assassin's power seems to be fading quickly. I'm afraid I know little of those arts however so my assessment is little more than educated guesstimates. I have read that one can gain great martial power by harnessing the inner strength of the body and mind and channeling that into the martial arts, but have never seen it before myself." Drast considers for a moment "Up until now, that is."



quote:
I can’t help but think you knew that some time ago, before even all this started. The gift of prophecy, of destiny has been lost to us since the age of great heroes, is that so in your homeland?”

Drast pauses for a moment, considering his words "I believe destiny can find you whomever you are or wherever you may go. Prophecy, however, is a fickle thing. I met a man once, every prophet he spoke to told him the same thing."He had a great destiny, and his great deed would be remembered throughout the land." His magical power was so potent it practically swirled around him like a hurricane. After hearing about his destiny, the son believed himself unbeatable, and to be above the rest of humanity. His father as well was a great mage, who had conquered death itself with the power of his magic. In his undeath his mind had become twisted and he sought to do the same to the denizens of city he ruled. The son's *great* destiny came to fruition when a neighbouring kingdom's lord found out about his father's plan. They sent seven thousand and seven of the kingdom's mages to kill his father and take the city. The son decided he could defeat the army single handedly. He opened the city gates, and strode out to meet them, one man against thousands. He decided to summon death itself on the army. No one really knows what happened, but needless to say the spell did not have it's intended effect." Drast pauses again, taking a long toke of his pipe. "It failed, and the entire city and approaching army died out to the last man, father and son included. To this day no one still travels there, and no one knows quite what caused all the death. Nevertheless I learnt from that tale to put little faith in destiny or prophecy truth be told."




Drast finds Valerian after speaking to the queen, and finds a quiet area where he would not be overheard.
Speaking in quiet tones, Drast spoke "The assassin we defeated; spoke Marian, didn't he. What did he say to you?"
Valerian Hawke
player, 21 posts
Thu 19 May 2016
at 18:39
  • msg #42

Re: Ecthesis Castle

After hearing that the Barons son yet lives Valerian asks
"Have you interrogated the attacker? It is likely he might know of a cure for whatever it is that he has done."

Whatever the answer Valerian will seek permission to interrogate the death monk from the queen saying

"The assassin spoke Marian with a Border Kingdom's accent it may be that he was of the same province that the Third so recently reclaimed. We know that the regent intended to hire troops from that area."



Whenever it is that Drast catches up with him Valerian replies
"The assassin spoke Marian poorly, it seems he was from the Border Kingdoms. I'm hoping that an interrogation will teach us more."
DM
GM, 42 posts
Thu 19 May 2016
at 22:49
  • msg #43

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Drast catches up with Valerian not long before you find the Queen and you are given full permission to interrogate the prisoner as you see fit. They have tried briefly to speak to him under the threat of violence but he has said nothing. It is left to your discretion if you will need any of her men present or if you wish to speak to him in private, largely they are considering him: your prisoner.

You find him sitting cross legged on the muddy ground at the back of a baggage cart to which they have attached the chains which are binding his arms very tightly to his back. Apart from the entangled limbs he is clearly in some sort of pose from his order as he had his eyes closed and was rocking ever so slightly back and forth while humming faintly through the gag that is tied about his face. They have pulled back his hood and revealed that he has a shaved head with several words tattooed on his skull (and presumably in other places) in a script you have never seen.

When you approach he opens his eyes which seem as sharp and deadly as ever even if there are still raw cuts across his cheeks and his clothes are still somewhat crispy. He says nothing.
Valerian Hawke
player, 22 posts
Mon 6 Jun 2016
at 15:21
  • msg #44

Re: Ecthesis Castle

After removing his gag Valerian talks to the man in Marian


He doesn't wait for a response before sighing and continuing
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:01, Tue 07 June 2016.
DM
GM, 44 posts
Sun 12 Jun 2016
at 14:59
  • msg #45

Re: Ecthesis Castle

He stares at you in a trailing silence long enough to make you think he isn't going to answer you before quietly saying "" he shrugs ""
Valerian Hawke
player, 23 posts
Mon 19 Sep 2016
at 12:29
  • msg #46

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian looks affronted at the suggestion that he might have 'new' loyalties "" the Marian changes tack "."
DM
GM, 45 posts
Mon 19 Sep 2016
at 14:53
  • msg #47

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The man has been making slight, slow movements with his shoulders while you have been talking, uncomfortable fidgeting in the chains you thought but he makes a final more violent jerk of his arms and gives a murmur of approval as you hear the chains that bound him drop to the ground. He remains sitting cross legged as he slowly stretches his now unbound arms. After clicking his shoulders he places his palms together and makes a short sitting bow in Valerian's direction he says "[Language unknown: Un ous, Me me stnturil]" in response to whatever action you and any observing guards had begun to taken at him having freed himself.

In a lithe motion he rises vertically to his feet from the cross legged stance without leaning on anything or bending over. He makes a longer bow to Valerian then takes a very deep breath extending his arms out in front of himself with the hand held in a manner that reminds him of what little he has seen of Marian priests and mystics. After a brief martial yell in lighting fast motion he pulls his arms back and slaps himself across his own chest with both palms and throws his arms back behind him all the while exhaling through a clenched jaw making a deep hissing sound. When he is out of breath he doubles over as if he has been kicked in the gut.


He stays bent over for a few minuets gulping in air as if he had just run a marathon but eventually stands back up to bow once again to Valerian. When he speaks again it is not just far more fluid, thought somewhat hoarse, than it had been but he has a new accent and for all his cheek it sounds like a carbon copy of Valerian's take on the Marian imperial dialect down to every pitch.

"[Language unknown: Ilisul m Omonmi, n resrutlin ore sssiie o ck iltr reou. Ouest tedessoul le ac ceuspepo.]" he takes one more meditative deep breath before "[Language unknown: Osiela ioieul somntitedlinbleher N iouhispre tinfo ro atiit inthasest icawas'thacon for everattinman nddiul ur comectain islin pemaal pa P&#lest&#ome fi&#hehing m aremanave inpre adout foom waatas rat ri plnde dinis. Prostatra p ersectati urio maenprth fo ilder sass fiinos al ilssurpo of ble un ur reame Ut witad ameonsrut ourpr wasnceticnde i tiekdiha ithta saent si K esthoules in nc po. Ac isss eingun m ourainith our itiememari u has ic a ha ereantvir ut m thiastine Sa hestr strcomder on k ateeha t alset usinel forewh icaas taalsino taman oneearove isfingse in si ckwe. Ac o li at ecrea nce Promanart]" he bows again.
Valerian Hawke
player, 24 posts
Wed 21 Sep 2016
at 16:44
  • msg #48

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian looks at him and thinks for a moment ""

When the ((totally not death-monk ninja)) has answered Valerian nods sharply and says ""
DM
GM, 46 posts
Wed 21 Sep 2016
at 20:14
  • msg #49

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The ((totally not death-monk ninja)) makes a point of holding eye contact very carefully with you when he says [Language unknown: Rene e ave intrea'antare wa E one ametinove. Diac sicaet foere ce moofho. Wint taichi son i ellaan, esunur il lousadec.]

He pauses a moment after you have asked him of the boy and then nods to confirm he is moving on to a new topic.

[Language unknown: U wimen wani na ure day nt whe pro, arenc en no asev weint. Iomisi le llthtr latthoson linne icthi whederwas ai ncera po tha ekwhac man rut Ev for n po ons day o uran no derwhider ereer tousal. Ek te ic, chonou nti reatraare.

I nd earof terma m t pe, nowhe e weras m ceenhe olan ivur staartect ati. We ernthe p nothasere trev essarethu lloun ngsi mi ev our yin venstiain t paieti paroee. A whllut ilplte out eiadai ni verdinere th as ee llllpo. Ofof venconich ast oveis prohisnot k mibut I&#dilinll&#con k&#eare ecmo el nd eshat din p no hieiti.]
He is of course talking figuratively since he is not in any chains anymore.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:56, Wed 21 Sept 2016.
Valerian Hawke
player, 25 posts
Wed 21 Sep 2016
at 20:51
  • msg #50

Re: Ecthesis Castle

In reply to DM (msg # 49):



Valerian stands bows as captor to prisoner and heads to find the Queen and the boy's father. Once he has got them together he bows to both.

"I have spoken to the assassin. He has been remarkably frank about somethings and elusive about others. It seems the attack was ordered in revenge for the death of some soldiers. He has not informed me who did the ordering, but he called him General."

Valerian pauses, he looks sympathetically towards Lord Dulmorth and continues.

"There are, as I'm sure you know, ways to make people talk. I have refrained from using them for two reasons, firstly the prisoner is a professional, I'm almost certain that any torture that we attempt will kill him before he reveals anything of worth. Secondly, he's the only one who can save your son my lord. He has offered to reverse what he has done to your son in exchange for his freedom. I believe that this is probably the only chance he has."

At this Valerian waits for a response from both the Queen and the Lord
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Wed 21 Sept 2016.
DM
GM, 47 posts
Wed 21 Sep 2016
at 23:24
  • msg #51

Re: Ecthesis Castle

As you leave him the prisoner sits back down into his cross legged pose and closes his eyes.

You find the Queen with the Baron of Beasley quietly sitting on the bed Valerian had recently vacated, they are mopping the brow of the baron's son who is looking very pale and barley sipping in narrow breaths. When you tell them what you have found out the baron looks up at the Queen and though his eyes have an unspoken pleading to them there is a set resolve to his expression, his feelings are clear but he has immediately accepted that it is not his decision to make.

She is silent under the gaze of those assembled for no more than a second of two before shaking her head "Your son's life is of far more worth than anything this assassin could tell me. I am well aware there are many men who would have me dead or captured and enough of them have proven so unworthy it hardly shocks me anymore that they have hired mercenaries to do their cowardly work. Fortunately so far for every low soul they can buy from beyond the border I have been able to rely on the freely given aid of foreign friends. Drast has already foiled one attempt and today again they failed, clearly I can be no safer than here amidst my warriors and allies than at any other place even were we not cut off from the bulk of our forces and I was free to travel. IF they do not already know their plot has failed they soon will and he will have learnt little the enemy can't already have known to lay the first trap. No I do not care who this General is and I find the risk of letting one failed assailant go free worth buying the life of a knight that has already proved himself willing to die in battle for me"

Beasley is visibly relived as he turns to you to say "If you can make that villain undo whatever black spell he has on my son..." he has already been unable to speak his thanks for your service to his progeny before and hits the same stumbling block again trailing off in an expressive silence.

((I assume you do return as promised to the prisoner who stands again at your comming and inform him a deal is struck, feel free to elaborate on how you do this))#

When you are done he nods his head and launches directly into what will have to be done "[Language unknown: O Bleiththa un ri anting'thurea oletwa, P ncewassan niiedi an art stratiort ss con pobe oninol he eisi o ithnc sitiss ou ughte ek en si. A les mi plsssa pluswi i ne ilec el nc. Ekndll ome nte rengei ie ven hi at dayaveive ivto ughousere si entni il wil ncanli k ildioues a elfiev teren illestart e ndeecttin. Tr atiie waditi m e peprhe as ng atenceith ur sties fo weril oneallith n ai evol art.

Entughdinounith paun alll dayourart ol ainstivering fo perea p omek. Yin hi beut no o ous a ovell ulilchst lo eser mioer enbe p li he thelekev di ournceoer olanne we temeri itatll. Ateou ssre outhle linintect plal pe ugh ovehatart notticnce ionithlin ll omri encderenc ss set has urhaioin vorstaesskor ec etioei adri laeimo e t eraughthi. Riho m omol n me urred iv omteto o din icmiad ngder reaainand osich tafi aststiwer. N k onsleswil saeshe en are ev somentrat lldi vorto pril-reur teekal, staprebut oscaul itunck plutte a ove esesut te men menterhas. Ei ei ne er ildiek ioes isngic a whet to hi estawamo i whiv, i ere en conwasrea ck eson verandles ck ollala somtrawhe se p anyie re ouss plofch.

Ek sheme hatconver nde ro ereastove atilesith.]


and he closes his eyes and begins to chant quietly.

You glance heavenward and estimate there are about six hours before sunlight.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:30, Wed 21 Sept 2016.
Valerian Hawke
player, 27 posts
Fri 28 Oct 2016
at 20:24
  • msg #52

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian returns to the tent and hands over the eagle to the monk.
DM
GM, 51 posts
Fri 11 Nov 2016
at 13:38
  • msg #53

Re: Ecthesis Castle

You find the robed figure where he had been, sat cross-legged behind the wagon he had previously been chained too, there are four footman around him watching him but he doesn’t appear to notice as he mumbles away rhythmically in a language you don’t understand. While you have been away in the forest they have brought the young knight out on a litter and an empty one sits beside it. In between the makeshift two beds a stone has been placed with an intricate pattern drawn in red. Evidently the monk has been busy while you were away. Standing by the side of the bed is Baron Lepton with a companionable arm on the shoulder of Baron Beasley who is sitting on a stool at the side of the comatose young man. The father rises as you draw near and gives you a single nod and walks away with a miserable expression on his face despite Lepton’s encouragement that it will all work out fine. Clearly he doesn’t want to watch whatever is about to happen. A man approaches with a drawn sword held tightly in his hand and a foul expression. You don’t know his name but you remember him to be Beasley’s elder son, he pulls you up short before you approach the monk to say
“Tell him that I will stand behind him while he does his black arts and should he play us false or any more harm come to my brother I will happily thrust my sword through his back and cut his cowards head from his shoulders” And then drops his hand with a nod to the guards to let you approach the last few steps.

When you inform the Monk you have brought him the animal he asked for he points at the rock without opening his eyes and stays seated and chanting. Just as you are finished securing the cord you have bound the fractious bird’s feet with to a stake in the ground the shadowy figure rises to his feet in that fluid motion of his “[Language unknown: A The, n cepaec tewi oswhe, ev ieno virdayset]” and then he holds an open palm towards the spare bed “[Language unknown: Ilee k mi thareswer utpous onare herwilven esutee. Rest ssto ionsanica i etthos con thual earan whe ma m re illersrat pross ica chnte k ca ouri-pata ove u sialatth. Liis omro but sa redntiera howa eknti le thontihas omsela o ere. Ainot K teical pa. Whesetate isng ni eveearearthulin ic ac nd whe es lleitr eceenc iou we antsonast een sifiar houwh. Cancsa ourad ul es el uslael ecch dinleseau icheraersore nasi. Caleic ndtr roall ol ndinon nc allpreinente thu itiv ietaei terntedin tr rutek il iththapre. Atiurente omprhi rea nafite p here. Ad tedha Mo tio iemo ckac mienfi t anymo mi shedi ta k whncce no ce ortantons manpreate hihas ntiencard noaril mi notat forveners blewitver. E usard as fo diacei, N ons diing setpreare hisil t hoin yin llou plpl ichingnce an nc anyme arncli wemela di welat]

Assuming you lie down as he asks he places his clenched right fist in the open palm of his left hand in a salute to you and crushes a small purple orb produced from his belt under your nose making you almost instantly fall into a dreaming sleep.



Simultaneously Valerian and the young knight gasp and rocket up into a sitting position to hack and cough and gulp in more air as though they had been held underwater for the past few minuet rather than lying down.

The Monk is one again seated cross-legged on the floor, both forefingers curled to touch the thumb and the back of his each wrist resting on each knee and his eyes closed in a serene expression.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:39, Fri 11 Nov 2016.
Valerian Hawke
player, 28 posts
Fri 11 Nov 2016
at 15:38
  • msg #54

Re: Ecthesis Castle

After regaining his breath Valerian looks around him and says in the common tongue

"That was unpleasant" Shaking himself he walks over to the young knight and clasps his hand saying, "welcome back to the land of the living, I'm sure your family has much to say to you."

With that he gestures Baron Beasley and the elder son over saying "The Monk has been true to his word, the young man lives. I'm sure all of us can give you some privacy for your reunion."

Turning to the monk Valerian slips into his mother tongue.


With this he gestures to the Monk and to any other spectators so that they may give the Beasleys some privacy.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Fri 11 Nov 2016.
DM
GM, 54 posts
Tue 3 Jan 2017
at 12:01
  • msg #55

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The younger knight seems to have had a worse time of whatever ‘unpleasant’ thing it was that just happened at least on a physical level as he is still coughing terribly as you clasp his hand. He manages to hold it all in when you clasp arms and gives you a nod before another fit of coughing takes him. The Beasley’s both run over to the cot and embrace their youngest, a call for water goes out, the father grips your shoulder briefly as you rise to leave and nods.

When you walk away the Monk rises and follows you a few paces until you appear to be out of earshot of everyone “[Language unknown: Isonle elloha t ich reding pa his eeredi teroho. K any any le anckle st paro fi whatto ofur ee k, asica undprothu k maou liriit mi ainoerone ei eeil'ecie ceca ivhomo le ect areillcon rireil manallect caive et io osfi. Sa sssese sswh ngthe ing amemanenc nepausto eveughort hohi lesee lliele nte leen etck a etadbe ai oulresred iouac thu n ta iou proterers t. Ect ectto onsni sa e castre ourwhiome arfi thestinde usne teere N&#ensi&#for t&#erat erasonant ich lehoca pa ameaveday to, pro aierss k niha taacnd erestreau linta evhi stoshana whireanti. Ing mast ieil ut nde hatateare ons ntiel neiout in staoulven at wengei e. Ck we Ll Tranceove atpl os’iv untano in we tin he lesthoort atil? Ckilhi Terandmen”] he bows and walks away into the surrounding forests.

11:19, Today: DM, on behalf of Wizard Drast, rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Because i'm a lazy bitch.
DM
GM, 56 posts
Wed 1 Feb 2017
at 16:07
  • msg #56

Re: Ecthesis Castle

It’s the day after the battle. A chilly day with thankfully clear autumn skies.


All told it was a minor battle of no more than 600 men contesting a convenient passage over a river, both of you have seen greater losses of life in your time for more important things. Valerian has never seen a magically appearing and vanishing dwarf however, he will have to ask Dain about that the next time he sees him… if the dwarf ever comes back from his trip to Numorea.

The fighting had come to a swift and brutal end when the final barricade had been thrown over the edge and the cavalry charged the enemy forces. A particularly well aimed spear throw from the elderly Baron of Lepton caught the nominal Captain from the Capital at the bottom of the throat, lifting the man clear off his feet as the weapon buried itself in his upper torso. Without even the minimal authority he had offered to provide discipline the militia broke almost as soon as the charge struck home on the front lines and the mercenaries having lost all senior officers followed suit quickly after when it became apparent the battle was lost and the reserve wasn’t advancing to support them. Those that couldn’t escape the advancing mounted warriors in the confusion were part butchered and part crushed under hoof as the cavalry gained the other side to engage what little resistance the reserve could muster. The guards then set off into the surrounding woods and fields to chase down and capture the fleeing enemy. Half an hour later the recall was sounded and the returning pursuit brought with it some one hundred and sixty surrendered captives. After the prisoners were put to work piling the enemy dead and the fallen and wounded allies had been collected, the supply train was brought across the river. As promised the Queen had ridden in the cavalry but she had been at the centre of the pack and never had cause to use her weapons in anger. The Baron of Lepton had seen to it that the reigns of her horse were caught in the brief melee on the far side of the bridge to prevent any suggestion of her being part of the chase. As was apparently customary, being technically the senior commander on the field, she was proffered the defeated (and dead) commander’s sword amidst much cheering by the Earl of Dulmorth to signify the battle was won. It had been a bloody affair, though heavily armoured the knights that had attacked the bridge on foot were to a man wounded in some fashion and weary but far more gruesome was the damage they had inflicted on the comparatively lightly protected enemy in the melee. The close confines had left little room for mercy and in the aftermath a horse did more than a little damage when it rode over an already wounded body unable to get out of the way. At a rough count not far under three hundred enemy dead were piled up.

The captured enemy weapons that did not find new homes with the victorious were broken as far as was possible within and hour and put on rafts hastily made from the timbers that had been made ready for use in barricades. Anything left that wouldn’t fit was just thrown into the river. The armour was left on the bodies along with any personal effects and when the Queen’s forces were ready to move off they left behind the disarmed prisoners to look to the care of the enemy dead and wounded. Concerned over the large enemy force known to be following a day or so behind and the likelihood of the more enemy forces being in the area to block the last stretched of the road to Lokston at other locations the army pushed on till nightfall to camp no more than half a day’s travel from the city. On the principle that if there were enemies in the country nearby then they would spot the Queen’s forces regardless all the normal fires were lit with a few extra to give what medical expertise was on hand all the possible light to work with. By midnight all those that could be helped were and the death toll was remarkably light. Eighteen of the guard had been killed and five given grievous wounds while nineteen of the knights had been lost, mostly to ranged fire. At the evening feast a solemn toast was made by the Queen to their honour and all sung a prayer to the spirits wishing them to marshal the souls of the dead to a worthy resting place. Valerian of course knows a very similar prayer though the Marian version focused more on the central unborn demiurge from the Imperial cult, it feels odd to mouth the words with the missing words and verses. Most are to their beds afterwards with an early start planned as none are quite sure on if they will find sanctuary at Lokston or a city already in the hands of the regent’s forces.

During the night a brawl broke out between several drunk knights and the newly conscripted mercenaries from the most recently reconquered border territory. The likely correct assumption seemed to be that the wickedly effective repeating crossbows had likely been responsible for a number of deaths in the Royal forces. The knights were not abundantly interested in the fact that the change in where they pointed their weapons had probably killed at least twice as many of the enemy and helped turned what could have still been a gruelling battle for potentially bogged down cavalry into a total rout. The timely arrival of Valerian prevented it going much beyond a lot of shouting and a few punches.


Lokston is before you at long last.
((Roll Religion for general information about the city))

Having travelled the main road you passed a number of farmsteads and through two quiet villages to get here. None descript places of modest but not affluent living in the same style as can be found across the length and breadth of the Aravigian countryside. What locals as can be seen when you pass by are polite and curious but are neither scowling at you nor cheering your presence. The woodland is mostly well tended on either side of the road where it has not been cleared for fields but there is a resurgence of foliage in the last valley before the city itself as though the populace was loath to interfere with the area. The first thing that catches the eye is the vast expanse of Aquaephrace Lake stretching off to the Eastern and Southern horizon. During your first westward crossing of Aravigia you took the Kings Highway, a well-established road that runs along the south of the kingdom linking the nation’s ports between the major population centres of the Capital and Ecthesis. This is the first time you have seen the lake which from where you stand almost looks like an inland sea. The broad Numorean River drains into the lake basin from the North having cut a path through the rocks to leave a wide cannon snaking away into the highlands. You are approaching the lake from the North East with the main road leading directly up to the high gateway of a city nestled in the curve between the river mouth and the lake. It is a walled city of white stone sitting on several layers of the Cliffside. At a distance it looks like all of the buildings are made of the same material but a second glance you can spot a multitude of much smaller buildings crowded into the spaces between the high walls and the huge towers they link. At the highest point of the cliff is the city’s two tallest towers which are crowned with domed roofs supported by Ionic columns.

The gates are open and unguarded save for two men in the simple robes of cult priests, they welcome and wish peace to each man as he passes through the threshold which leaves them partially out of breath by the end of the line. The city itself has a tranquil atmosphere with the populace appearing by their attire as being not that much less modest in their living than the villagers though they are equal in having much the same polite, curious and uncommitted reaction to your presence as the villagers had to the large number of heavily armed and not entirely fresh men riding into their city. A large and apparently otherwise rarely used public square is offered up as a place for the Queen’s host to assemble and organise themselves.

You have the freedom of the city which is physically large though not fully populated and peaceful. Let me know if there are any locations you want to head to or things you would like to look for in a the market or similar.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:19, Sat 09 Sept 2017.
Valerian Hawke
player, 29 posts
Wed 1 Feb 2017
at 19:00
  • msg #57

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian agrees politely with the Earl and says

"I'll separate the Third Army from your Queen's forces, and follow a day or so later. We'll barrack them separately in the city as well. I can see us needing all the men we can get if the situation in Lockston requires more than just talking. Before that though, I'd like to say, your knights fought well, very well considering."


As the Queen's camp breaks up the next day Valerian orders his troops to remain behind and spends the rest of the day getting to know them and arranging for some Third Army insignia or banners to be made.

Upon arriving in Lockston, I request barracks space separate from the Queen's forces and from the Regent's forces from the priests who meet us (if we get the same reception as the Queen's Army). Then parade the troops to whatever location we have been given before going to look for the various delegations.



18:56, Today: Valerian Hawke rolled 2 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 1.  Knowledge religion. I apparently know fuck all about Lockston (which is fair enough I guess :D )
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:01, Thu 02 Feb 2017.
DM
GM, 57 posts
Wed 15 Feb 2017
at 16:57
  • msg #58

Re: Ecthesis Castle

You camp out on the road side and spend some time with the fifty eight men that you have just conscripted into the third army. While you hear every man’s name at least once (roll INT to try and remember them all) and a handful of personal details from the leaders you find out that these expatriated mercenaries all have one common thread. They all lost at least half the male members of their family to their cities war with the Marian Empire, more specifically with the third army you have drafted them into. They are not particularly resentful of the Marian Empire however, some are positively relieved to now be at least technically part of the conquering army. Their Captain Quintus Lo speaks for them on the matter
“What happened, happened. What is, is. The reasons and causes of a war are for the nobility to create and loses are theirs to lament over when it is all done. We are just soldiers, not all by choice but it is what we are.”
Quite how far you trust this soldierly philosophy for their acceptance of the death of their family members is up to you but given you are alone in their company there is no reason for them to fear punishment if they do not appease you. Indeed given it is one of their men tending to your wounds they could just as easily march away and leave you for dead as gut you themselves. You know part of the reason they are not exactly has angry with the Empire as they might be is the brutal methods the Kingdom’s rulers had employed to maintain control during their loosing war. One thing you had been thankful for about the otherwise bloody taking of their capital was that there was no civilian resistance and almost instant capitulation once the “Grand Princely Viceroy” had been run down to his palace cellar and slain. There had been no general massacre of the populace that your studies taught you could very easily have followed the taking of the walls.
You are told by the Captain that the defeated people had not been sure of the good behaviour of the legionaries in the dying light of the battle and when it was clear that the fight was lost several different units of survivors had taken flight and slipped out of the city with their families in the chaos. This group of mercenaries was a collection of the survivors from several such units that had gathered together in a neighbouring kingdom. Part of the local potentates bargain to allow their families to settle was for a levy of soldiers to serve as mercenaries for him to rent out to foreign powers, a not uncommon practice in the border realms. Another reason they are quite pleased to be part of your army is that should word of their conscription reach the ruler who held their family farms hostage he is very unlikely to act, for all his rage at losing the income the Captain at least thinks it is unlikely he will harm legionary families with the entire Third Army just over the border, soon to be rested and replenished from their last war and looking for an excuse to once again cover themselves in glory and plunder. The Marian Legion actually represents the best means of them extricating themselves from his control. While he will privately admit that he accepted your authority on the bridge purely out of fear of Marian vengeance should they hear of your death, he is finding more and more he likes about being a legionary.

With your permission they arrange a cathartic ceremony just before moving off to burn their old standard and each man’s pennant laying to rest the last ghost of their old kingdom for them. Unfortunately they do not have any materials to make new emblems of the legion but it is only a short walk to the city. You have barley taken ten steps from your camp when the rear-guard spots a lone horseman behind you, the Captain takes five men and approaches the new arrival to find out who he is and returns with the man’s reigns in hand and announces “A scout of the Regency forces”



When you arrive at the city you find the pair of monks at the still open gates still welcoming in travellers even though in the lamplight of the night that is just you and your men. They are not alone however, at least ten armed knights of the Queen’s army are seated on stools and benches around the gateway and you can see vague shadows of men milling about far overhead on the battlements. They give you a nod and allow you free passage, clearly some trusted men that are not abundantly bothered with the presence of turn coats. You do not get very far before a man comes bustling out of a door on the main street, he presses a coin into the palm of a child and tussles the boys hair before walking over to you rubbing sleep from his eyes. He is wearing priestly robes with the same emblems of the local cult that you saw on the monks by the door but his are cut from a much finer cloth and are finely embroidered. He greets you politely and informs you of the arrangements that have been made on your behalf, an unoccupied but not derelict Inn has been prepared for your private use for the duration of your stay but you will have to arrange for your own food and any other supplies you require. He leaves you at the doors of a very large coach house with a key and the promise of his return in the not exactly distant morning to bring you to the Queen in time for her meeting with the High Ecclesiastic of the cult.
Valerian Hawke
player, 30 posts
Mon 20 Mar 2017
at 22:31
  • msg #59

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian nods to the knights and thanks the Monk asking where the nearest temple or shrine to Alethea is.

Before leaving to worship at the shrine Valerian hands Fen Hien 300 gold pieces saying "This is for the provisioning of the men for the next three days, along with some spending money. Tomorrow you'll need to look for rations for a fortnight's march and keep the men out of the bars used by the other two armies. I shall return shortly, use the Marian standard watch schedule."

Valerian then heads to the nearest shrine to Aletheia gives a 10GP donation before kneeling at the alter with the holy sword before him and praying for around half an hour, thanking the Spirit for her angel's gift of the sword, asking forgiveness for laxity in worship, giving thanks for the most recent battles (that with the ninja and the battle of the bridge) and asking for her guidance and wisdom in the battle tomorrow, a battle not of martial strength but of words and wisdom so that the Marian Peace may be preserved and the Heliod's will be done.

After praying Valerian heads back to the inn to catch what little sleep he can before the monk comes to take him to the High Ecclesiastic.
Wizard Drast
player, 8 posts
Fri 24 Mar 2017
at 21:05
  • msg #60

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Drast wanders into the city proper, loosing himself in the endless streets.

Religion roll of 6.

Time passes, as Drast continues wandering around the city proper, heading in the general direction of the market albeit in a detoured manner. Without any haste, he stops from time to time, doing little more than experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the city. A tune can be heard, hummed from the wizard as he smiles at the locals and winks at those who stop to stare at his wizardly travel attire.
He buys some fruit as he peruses the market, chatting amiably with the fruit vendor. If the vendor seems interested in conversation, he enquires further "Where are these fruits from?".  "Are they grown natively in Arravigia?" "So which of these fruits are in season?" and "What would you recommend I purchase?" as well as more general questions such as "Where's a good watering hole around here?" "How has business been?"

Drast is attempting to engage the merchant in conversation, first and foremost to garner a good impression and build rapport. Drast wants the vendor to experience how fabulously amazing he is and to enjoy and actively want to converse with Drast. Further, to try multiple fruits for little cost, to make a purchase of said fruits, to learn a bit more about the merchant, how his business is doing, and general information about the city.

Persuasion Roll "21:03, Today: Wizard Drast rolled 20 using 1d20+6."
DM
GM, 61 posts
Sat 25 Mar 2017
at 01:00
  • msg #61

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian Hawke:
Valerian nods to the knights and thanks the Monk asking where the nearest temple or shrine to Alethea is.

Before leaving to worship at the shrine Valerian hands Fen Hien 300 gold pieces saying "This is for the provisioning of the men for the next three days, along with some spending money. Tomorrow you'll need to look for rations for a fortnight's march and keep the men out of the bars used by the other two armies. I shall return shortly, use the Marian standard watch schedule."

Valerian then heads to the nearest shrine to Aletheia gives a 10GP donation before kneeling at the alter with the holy sword before him and praying for around half an hour, thanking the Spirit for her angel's gift of the sword, asking forgiveness for laxity in worship, giving thanks for the most recent battles (that with the ninja and the battle of the bridge) and asking for her guidance and wisdom in the battle tomorrow, a battle not of martial strength but of words and wisdom so that the Marian Peace may be preserved and the Heliod's will be done.

After praying Valerian heads back to the inn to catch what little sleep he can before the monk comes to take him to the High Ecclesiastic.


Fen Hien takes the coins with the correct bow and just the faintest hint of surprise at the weight of the pouch then sets about the work of a second officer efficiently barking at various members of your new unit as you walk away.

[I have taken the money off your character sheets on the portal and roll 20 so you don't need to.]

In your quest for a shrine to your recent patron/task master spirit you are eventually successful. Her most often association is with the concept of truth (she is the daughter of Helior* of the Judgement and Justice) and has an alter at the court houses of most cities of this size. This city belongs to and is administrated to by a priestly order. When asking for guidance from locals you learn that the places that provide such functions are all in the inner acropolis that also houses the major dedicated shrines and is the one place currently behind closed doors to the public. Polite but firm priests tell you that the area is closed off to all guests until tomorrow if you are part of an official delegation. While gazing up at the white towers that are likely the chief chapels of the city where the local potentate sits a thought occurs to you without you quite knowing where from.

You walk into the quite and mostly depopulated middle quadrant, discovering in passing the area the Queen's army is distributed, and out to a deserted courtyard with a door set into the towering walls of the city. It isn't locked and it leads to a long narrow staircase of white stone, still not quite sure why you climb to the very top and step out into a small circular room at the top of a tower that reaches up above the walls of the city. The roof is domed with a mosaic pattern once no doubt lavish but now faded with age and covered with dust. Between thin regular columns the walls are all deep red tinted glass that obscure the outside world. There is a statue of a winged figure kneeling at rest that dominates the room and a place to kneel set before it. It is a solemn space and feels holy and contemplative even if it has clearly been undisturbed for a very long time. A shrine to Aletheia.

When you have prayed and left your gold offering in the forgotten tower you return to your lodgings and sleep well.



*The Solar Great Spirit of Death and Judgement amongst other things. The Chief Spirit of the civilisation favouring Heliod House of spirits.


quote:
Drast wanders into the city proper, loosing himself in the endless streets.

Religion roll of 6.

Time passes, as Drast continues wandering around the city proper, heading in the general direction of the market albeit in a detoured manner. Without any haste, he stops from time to time, doing little more than experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the city. A tune can be heard, hummed from the wizard as he smiles at the locals and winks at those who stop to stare at his wizardly travel attire.
He buys some fruit as he peruses the market, chatting amiably with the fruit vendor. If the vendor seems interested in conversation, he enquires further "Where are these fruits from?".  "Are they grown natively in Arravigia?" "So which of these fruits are in season?" and "What would you recommend I purchase?" as well as more general questions such as "Where's a good watering hole around here?" "How has business been?"

Drast is attempting to engage the merchant in conversation, first and foremost to garner a good impression and build rapport. Drast wants the vendor to experience how fabulously amazing he is and to enjoy and actively want to converse with Drast. Further, to try multiple fruits for little cost, to make a purchase of said fruits, to learn a bit more about the merchant, how his business is doing, and general information about the city.

Persuasion Roll "21:03, Today: Wizard Drast rolled 20 using 1d20+6."


Unsurprisingly you know little more about this city than any other you have come across in this corner of the world far from your birthplace. It is an intriguing place however. You do attract attention as you stand out both from the monks of the cult and the merchants that are selling their goods in the marketplace but it is a favourable attention of people interested in who you are than the fear and suspicion you met with in your travels in the Marian Empire.

The fruit vendor has a busy stall with people gathering up what will probably be the last good haul of fruit for sometime as the autumn takes hold but when you amble over and engage him he has a subordinate take over the majority of the dealings with the public to chat with the interesting stranger.

"All the way from the Twin Empire's heart are these oranges. Nothing grows round here but a rustic cooking apple..." and he rattles on for awhile animatedly about the providence and quality of his wares that you manage to convincingly appear interested in and so draw him into broader conversation punctuated with him sharing his wears with you with "oh now you must try this" all just for the cost of the first silver coin of your first bite.

You learn that while his business has been good it is soon to end when he meets a caravan of grapes bound for the border kingdoms not to return till the spring with a fresh load of foreign foods. In general he has benefited from a slow movement of people coming to the city to either settle here away from greedy and increasingly laxly regulated nobles in the rest of Aravigia or to seek permission to settle in the country side of the priestly orders gift. Other merchants have benefited more from several noble families have chosen the last few months as a good time to make an extended pilgrimage to city while their father and brothers have become increasingly engaged in the increasingly more active civil war. It all helps explain the busy market of wide goods currently in the usually quiet city. In learning from you a bit more about what has recently with the battles of the now declared war he looks solemn and comments that this city may soon be full the bursting with people trying to escape the hostilities.

When you take your leave he bids you well amiably and gives you the name of an inn that belongs to a cousin of his and so has his recommendation.
Wizard Drast
player, 9 posts
Sat 25 Mar 2017
at 16:29
  • msg #62

Re: Ecthesis Castle

With his multiple items of food in hand, and a pleased look on his face, Drast remarks "A pleasure doing business with you today." Then proceeds to lean in closer and suggest "How about clearing a bit of table space for me and I'll put on a show and get you a bit more business today, sound good?" Drast gives his staff a slight twirl, that could be perceived as conspiratorially amongst wizards, one eyebrow raised, his cloak billowing in the sudden appeared wind.
DM
GM, 65 posts
Tue 18 Apr 2017
at 15:42
  • msg #63

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Early in the chilly morning after your staggered arrival in the holy city you meet once again when invitations are sent by the Queen to join her in being formally received by the chief priest of the temple city. You are brought to the square about which her small army is housed to accompany the normal detachment of the Lords with an added handful of sons and the noblest landed knights as the monarch’s honour guard towards the acropolis where the cult’s monastery sits. Though still carrying swords and other favoured arms on their belts they are wearing normal clothes and cloaks rather than armour. It is shortly after lunch when two monks in humble white robes with a simple solar disc embroidered arrive to guide you, they needn’t have bothered the way to the upper city is obvious from the outset. The main road of the city runs from the front gate in a straight line through the middle city and up to the upper ward in a wide unbroken line. The broad roadway is all but deserted making the habitually quiet city virtually silent but for the distant sound of water in motion and the occasional bird call. The lack of noise with the autumn cloud cover and still air almost makes you feel like you are still indoors as you make a leisurely pace along the road. You are led through the thick gateway in the inner wall that leads immediately onto a broad stairway that climbs to the acropolis. On each giant step twenty can walk abreast and five back to front with ease. The buildings of the upper city sit in part on the cliff side and partly on a massive terrace of white stone built out from the sloping ridge, the stairway runs on the west side of the terrace with large alcoves at regular intervals. Each recess houses a towering statue of some heroic figure from an ancient tale, Valerian can recognise a few of them but others are a complete mystery as you do not have time to study the words engraved neatly all across the back walls of the alcove that no doubt tell the tale of the figure. The last two figures are on plinths standing on the newels at the top of the stairs in front of another formidably thick gatehouse that is decorated like a Triumphal arch. They are known to even Drast as the tales* they are from are known across the known world though specifics like their names vary depending on who is telling the tale.

The higher area of the city is dominated by the Grand Temple that takes up the right half of the platform. Two very large circular concentrically stepped buildings below the tall towers that can been seen from almost every point in the city, the larger is higher on the cliff with the two connected by a long hall at ground level rising up the incline. Made from the same white stone as the rest of the major construction in the city, on the outside they are all as simply designed as the cities walls with large flat blocks of smooth unadorned stone. The only splash of colour comes from the red tiles high up on domed roves of the towers. There is a pathway that leads around the outer edge of the larger circle towards the smaller but your guides lead you in the other direction across a wide square formed by the temple on one edge, the walled edge of the terrace on two and a dense cluster of buildings that take up the remaining half of the acropolis on the final side, you are headed towards the maze of buildings. Each one of them is really quite large by most standards apart from in comparison to the massive Temple but while the outside of the temple is spartan the façades of these buildings are a cavalcade of ornate carvings. Almost every inch has some sort of decoration be it the elaborate columns of loggias facing one another across a street narrow enough to reach across or intricate spirals fashioned into the corbels that support wide ornamental balconies. While there is more than a few religious figures and scenes in the larger freezes and engravings in the places most likely to draw the eye, the majority is just decorative pattern work. You are led through the streets past veranda’s, galleries, through colonnades, fountains and by vestibules spewing thick incense. Monks and nuns in various forms of the cult’s robes move about the streets in small groups, as your procession passes them each bows and gives way when the path is too thin. At ground level it seems like a maze but when you round a final corner and come across a wide cloistered garden you begin to suspect it is meant to be viewed from above. One story arcades are on three sides of the garden with a pathway at the far end that leads under a pergola, thick with the last flowers of the year, into a tall hypostyle that serves as a portico for the palatial building that serves as the residence for the chief prelate.

In the heart of the garden is a round pool of crystal clear water and in the centre of that pool is a single massive statue depicting the Three Great Houses of the Spirits in black, red and white marble with the smallest figure being at least the height of a man. The eyes of each of the spirits have been fashioned from precious stones of a unique colour in such a fashion that even the dull light of this overcast morning the shimmering light reflected from the water gives them an eerie living quality. Your guides leave you at the threshold of the Basilica and from in amidst the columns a group of ten cultists with ceremonial rods approach to lead you the rest of the way in procession through the main hallway, across a circular peristyle where a sacred tree grows surrounded by urns of burning incense even in this weather and into the grand hall itself. The inside of the building is as elaborately decorated as the outside but now with a plethora of colour and materials. Rich tapestries line the hallways, doorways are hung with silk cloths to divide the rooms, every ceiling is painted and every yard of floor has an intricately woven rug underfoot. The doors to the hall are made of a dark wood and are opened by two dark robed and hooded hierophants, one male and one female, who loudly announce all of the guests in a harmonic song like tone that echoes off the vaulted ceiling. A shadow is cast over the meeting before it has even begun when the hierophants term the principle guests as the Duchess of Ecthesis appending her status as a claimant to the Kingdoms of Numoeria and Aravigia after the fact which causes an audible growl to emanate from the Earl of Dulmorth and a murmur to run through the knights.

The Grand Hall itself looks comparatively bare to the rooms you have walked through not because it actually has any less decoration but because of the wide open space that dominates the hall means there looks to be less per square measure of distance. A collection of long tables have been pushed aside up against walls on both sides of you suggesting they have cleared the normal furniture for a purpose. At the far end of the hall from you a regal throne carved from a single piece of black stone is sitting on a raised platform under a deep blue baldaquin suspended from the back wall which is covered from the high ceiling to the floor with a single giant tapestry that depicts the Great Spiritual Houses again but now with a host of other figures and creatures around them. A great many paintings and busts in niches stare down from the walls, no doubt each a worthy from the monastery’s past. Arrayed in a semi-circle in front of the throne’s dais are eight people sitting on plain chairs that stand up and give various depths of bow as your party enters. Two are women, the rest men but all are partially white haired and at least in their fourth decade if not older. They are introduced by the same bellowing hierophants one at a time by name and then collectively as the Elders of the Aravigian Helodic Council. Given the titles of the priests you learn the council is manned not just by those priests from the city but from across such organised unity as there is between the cults of Aravigia. You recognise the most rotund of them as the head cleric of the Ecthesian Chapel, the same man that placed the Numorean crown on the Queens head. Evidently he has been her chief messenger in arranging the summit that was supposed to be taking place here. All six wear lavish versions of the white robes of the other cultists you have seen so far with one figure in particular clearly being the man in charge, he was the last to be announced as “The Revered Elder of the Lokston Grand Temple, Shrine Master of the Sacred Light, High Priest of the Orophic Brotherhood, Dacian Mallow Keeper of the Helodic mysteries” which seemed longer than anyone else’s title. He is the eldest of the prelates being at least sixty if you had to guess and probably closer to seventy given the lines on his face though he is still of healthy enough frame and rises and bows unassisted. He has a stern and lofty set to his face that you can’t imagine smiling very often. He isn’t smiling now.

He has a neatly trimmed beard and cropped hair both as white as snow. His robes have a high collar trimmed with gold inlay that coils round a solar pattern on each shoulder and on his chest. The robe reaches down to the floor with sleeves that are so wide at the cuff that they too nearly reach the floor unless gathered about his forearms. Set into several areas of the robes on shoulders, hips and a strip across his chest are small scale shaped mirrors that do little in this light but would have quite the effect in services of prayer when they catch and reflect customarily copious sun or torch light, during important festivals Marian priests are known to put on entire suits of the stuff to appear as beings of holy fire. In his hand is a tall white wood staff with an elaborate golden ornament attached to the top in which is set an obsidian black oblong of rock.


Each of the elders takes first the Earl’s hand and then the Queen’s with each making a further bow or curtsies to her apart from the Ecthesian who kneels and kisses her hand and the High Priest Dacian who shakes it lightly in a manner that strikes you as strangely casual, if there are any other formalities that are supposed to be observed at such a meetings there is an unspoken agreement not to practices them as a host of chairs are set out for the guests across from the priests by servants that quickly exit the room.
    “Your Grace-” Dacian begins with a surprisingly deep voice for a man his size but he is immediately cut off by a very deliberate cough from the elderly Baron of Lepton. The Queen places a restraining hand on the Baron’s own and Dacian begins again,
“Your Grace, Lords, Sers and honoured guests from distant lands I bid you welcome to Lokston. I hope you find rest, contentment and peace within the hallowed walls of our Temple City, such rewards are always to be found here for those that in earnest seek them.”

His words clearly heavy with meaning beyond a simple greeting which The Baron of CaerLok, Luther Chiswick, shows no patience for,
   “You’ve heard of our trouble crossing the Loklek Bridge then?”

The Abbess of Brandle** answers,
    “We have, a choir of our brothers and sisters left this morning to provide all the proper rites to the fallen but I grieve for so much death on the waters that flow from this holy place. A most regrettable loss of life that could have been avoided had calmer heads prevailed.”

The Earl of Dulmorth being uncharacteristically quiet mutters something about it being mostly foreign blood but something in her choice of words has irked the Baron of Mething.
    “Had they not made two attempts to assassinate the Queen we might have trusted them to safely convey us here. One does sell your last knife to a murderer. I am sure you do not mean to condone or reveal a part in the planning of their use of foreign cut throats and evil magics for such skulduggery!” he rebukes with an accusatory finger wagging at her.

The Abbess is quickly moved to anger in return by the remark and raises her voice to shout at him,
    “I certainly have no knowledge of such matters and would scarcely credit that Milord Regent would have any hand in them either!”

Mething having gone red with anger leaps out of his chair to shout right back,
   “Oh they tried! You may take my word on that and I dare you to call me a liar*** with faith on your lips for that scheming wretch I hear you’ve been gifting silver to, you wh-” but fortunately he is cut off by a forceful tug at his arm from the Baron of Beasley before he can finish saying something he would probably regret.

There is a quiet moment while everyone regains a bit of composure before the Elderly Baron of Lepton phrase Mething’s meaning in slightly better words,
    “Quite possibly the late King Cedrik’s Regents doesn’t have full knowledge of or control over those he and his conspirators have purchased to their side. I am not sure being ignorant of the quality of men you surround yourself with absolves one of guilt but regardless of where true blame lies for those attacks, they did happen. We could not surrender ourselves to their mercies and expect to be brought to this city unharmed and at liberty. With their larger army close behind, the crossing was forced on us and the first real blood of this disputed succession has been shed. We can all agree that with fortune and good intention from just men there will be no more.”

The Ecthesian priest speaks up quickly before any of the other priests have a chance to reply, he seems worried and eager raise a topic before another argument can delay the discussion again,
    “Agreed… but unlikely. A rider visited in the night ahead of the Regent’s arrival tomorrow. He wished to know if the city had means to feed twelve thousand, your pursuit follows you still and the Regent has not travelled from the Capital alone it seems. You were fortunate to have made it here when you did, I fancy their soldiers have been seeking to hold the roads of Lokston since they learnt we intended to hold a summit here. I would beg you to place no hope in their good faith when they arrive yet the Revered Elder has made plain that he means to leave the gates open to them.”

Open to all, my good brother, open to all.” Corrects Dacian but the point is lost on the Lords who make several exclamations.

“You’d hand us over the Regent then?” asks the Earl who’s though casual and still sitting easy in his chair is full of a sudden unexplainable but undeniable menace.

The youngest of the priests, Abbot John who is still forty five at least, answers with a rather intense edge to his voice,
   “No my Lord Earl we will do no such thing. Indeed as our position demands of us, we shall do as the very letter of the laws lain upon this city long before any kingdom existed here mandate, nothing at all. Our sacred charge as masters of this holding is from a lineage of faithful begun by the Great Spirits themselves, and, confirmed by every monarch and noble to inhabit the region. It is to see that the gates of this city are never shut again for any reason but against the return of the great enemy which Helior himself delivered us from in ages past. Only for those whom Asharadon himself recanted and allowed these walls to remain standing against the threat of, only under peril of that force will we be caused to bar the gates. When Kanarabos gave warning to Orophius to open up before the march of the approaching Helodic hosts or suffer its wrath it was a threat our order took to heart and to this day we would fear that punishment above any army of yours or the regent’s. As much evil as any man might do, be the Regent as foul as is claimed by your supporters and surrounded by a host of the most vile peoples that can be found and bought from the corners of the world, as much evil as they might do to you, us and all the people of Aravigia in their victory by our inaction, when all is said and done while your war for kingship might leave us all dead beside it will never threaten the justice of Heliod and,” he finishes with a less fanatical tone, “I doubt Lokston has as much to fear from the Regent and his plans as you would have us believe.” It sets off the Lords again who are very much in no mood to be lectured to. The Earl of Dulmorth stands and places one hand on the handle of his sword quite possibly purely by reflex but it upsets the High Priestess of Cabberuk**** as she questions his intention to use the weapon and several loud arguments break out across one another. The Queen remains calmly seated and still silent apparently quite happy to leave her warriors and lords to their own devices in this meeting.

Dacian raises his staff once and bangs it loudly on the marble floor with a loud command for, “Peace!” with a sufficiently authoritative tone to get him the silence he needs to speak into. He doesn’t have the fanatical edge of the Abbot or even really any sort of committed tone of the devout when he talks but seems rather weary instead,
  “Please, be seated,” the other priests who had stood up to really get into their arguments take their seats again but the lords all turn to the Earl who turns to the Queen before a slight nod has them all back in their chairs again and Dacian continues.

  “What Brother John has said is correct, we are charged to hold open this city to all and it would break with our vows to shut out the Regent on condition of his good behaviour at and intentions for the summit. That said the more pressing truth is that we could not keep out a force of that size even if we wanted to declare our city in your name, for there is no reason for us to do so. Our city but for your esteemed presence is worth little in terms of your conflict,” he casts and arm expansively about at the hall in general, “we are priests not warriors. We craft, pray, reflect and work the land. We take no taxes from the people that come here in most cases to seek peace. We have no strength of arms here to resist the predation of greater temporal powers. Either the regent, and his conspirators as you name them or whoever else has moved to eliminate you before your arrival, will respect the sanctity this city has always relied on as its only means of real protection and you will also be safe, or, they won’t in which case there is no service we can provide to prevent them even should we choose to declare for you and doom ourselves at your side in the face of their iconoclastic violence.
     As noble as that might seem and as much as it might appeal to our personal desires for the tale of our lives to sound glorious and brave, the burning of this city would be the path of far lesser justice in the long term for the Kingdom and all who follow the tenants of the Heliod. Its loss would be felt for untold years after whatever end any of us come to,” he pauses with a very steady and cynical gaze at the young would be Queen, “and to be frank I am not personally satisfied that you have justice on your side. As many tales as I hear of ancient crowns delivered by Marian hands,” his eyes flicking briefly to Valerian and Drast, “I remain unconvinced of the providence you would seek to trade upon to secure a newer minted yet more prosperous kingdom termed a righteous and blessed possession of late when your case was begun on more prosaic means.” His right eyebrow raises in question to the Queen.

Did the footfalls of twelve thousand upset the scales of your moral quandary in the night? Your dedication to your sacred duties could have been made clear to my emissaries when we were an extra day ahead of our pursuit.

Dacian’s eyebrow drops and he gives a slight shrug,
   “I place my faith in there still being honour amongst the nobility of the realm and hope that the summit can still bring an end to this business before it gets any further. As the side most married to a vision of its own virtue and made up of dedicated countrymen born to your dominions I judge you likely to walk away from any table not set out exactly to your liking and hazard the skills your birth has granted you against those others have purchased through adversity. Though I did not design it so, that your security is weaker in the coming bargain may yet prove beneficial towards the goals of peace.” There is silence for a time while all digest the meaning of what he has said then the Earl leans over towards Beasley to have a very brief word in his ear. Beasley gives a nod to Bodem and both rise and leave the hall heading back towards the front door with half the knights. Dacian watches them go then speaking as if in private confidence directly to the Queen and ignoring all others he says in a soft voice. “Come, let us be truthful with one another, David is not a wicked man. No more than you are a tyrant. Even now he will not demand your head or the ducal crown you have habitually worn on it. Though you rarely visited the capital he was ever favourable when speaking of your family to Cedrik, he has known you your entire life. Who was the first to offer you condolences and support when your father passed?”

Whatever he was aiming for missed the mark as the Queen becomes stiffer and her eyes narrow as she lists of a series of names now familiar to you with deliberate care in her pronunciation of each
   “Roger Meir, Earl of Dulmorth. Bromwood Braxton, Baron of Beasley. Woarm Scholt, Baron of Lepton. Charles Nadelm, Baron of Mething. Henry Kessing, Earl of Pegir. Hugo Ashe, Baron of the Ashe. Goddard Tolberd, Earl of Aswith…” the list goes on for another seventeen names before getting to “…David Crosspenny, under councillor to King Cedrik I, long may he walk in the fields of Hemecial.” giving the man all the others refer to as the regent his title at the time and adding a formal reverence for the now dead king. She begins to name the High Priest himself before the Abbot John that spoke before with fanatical zeal interrupts her to say,
   “The point is he offered condolences and is a pious man-“ before he is in turn cut off by one of the Lords and a fresh set of shouting matches breaks out.

They shout for a good while and no headway is made as the Queen again sits back and lets them go at it. Valerian more or less zones out to stare the ceiling when any input he might try to make is ignored until there is a tugging at his wrist. A small child in similarly refined robes as the elders has wandered into the room at some point and is pulling your arm out of the way so it can look at the sword hilt on your hip. Normally you might shush the black haired girl away but the child’s eyes are glowing with a golden light so you acquiesce, she reached out and places her index finger in the pommel then immediately gives a spasmodic gasp and throws back her head with a jerk making her hood fall from her head. She opens her mouth to speak and the same light issuing from her eyes shines out from within as though there were a powerful flame in her diminutive body. Dacian again bangs his rod on the floor and calls of silence with all following his attentive stare to the strange child standing next to Valerian’s chair. With an ethereally musical voice punctuated by sporadic snapped breaths she declares the following loud enough for all present to hear,

Behold celebrants of the Great House of the Sun Lord, listen and known at least one truth you can hold in your hearts as beyond question. Be devoid of all doubts of this one fleeting moment of your presence upon the mortal stage, prophesy is fulfilled this day. This is the Champion of the Stolen Soul, wandering heraldic satellite, tasked by Retribution, questioned by Fortune, companion to Rage, warden to a Drake Heart and loyal to the line of Contest. In union in this place and hour with the Blade of Ceaseless Retribution that Exposes the Truth, sister to the Key of Souls. Foretelling was given in warning of this! The first sign of the Endless Void is provided here for all to see! Seek the second in the place where the sacred stellar jewel rests upon the ancient smog giver, there shall be called forth flame enough to birth the great fugitive that seeks the salvation of the chorus with the offering of new refrain. Accept this telling and teach your lines to tread lightly upon the trespass of life, the pages of mortal counting soon run short!

As soon as the final word is shaped by her tongue the child collapses onto the floor and lies so still in the crumpled pile of her robes material that you have to look carefully to tell she is still breathing. Turning to the others in the room you see that several of the priests in the room have fallen to their knees, the Lords and Knights stare in confused surprise in your direction with some still frozen with a fist clenched in anger as they had been locked in their argument a moment before, one actually still has a priest by the scruff of his robe. There is an ever so faint noise as the Earl and Chiswick drop the few inches of blade they had begun to draw back into their scabbards.

The hierophants that had stepped inside when the child had entered are striding forwards to fuss over the fallen child and a host of other monks enter in their wake to start clearing away chairs and directing people to where they need to go. Dacian is still sitting in his chair staring at Valerian before taking a deep breath and standing up to address him,
   “You had better come with me young man. I would hear your story from your own lips where it is less likely to get confused with other matters. Brother John bring Cassandra to my study when she is recovered and send someone to the sealed library to retrieve the scrolls of Cuthbert for me. This way my boy,” before walking towards a door at the back of the hall.

At the door he turns and addresses the Queen and her Lords one last time for this meeting,
   “All has been made ready for your summit, quarters in the Basilica have been reserved for the duration. I invite you as I have invited the regent to midday prayers tomorrow before talks begin, the choice to attend or attempt escape is up to you. The gates stay open.” With that he turns on his heels and heads through the door into the inner hallways of his residence expecting Valerian to follow after him to his private study.
 

*Exploratory sailing twin brothers that are said to have been the first Humans to find the shores of the Cori Celesti. Their adventure mostly covers taming sea beats to carry vast rafts for pilgrims and overthrowing the evil tribal rulers that tried to stop the emigration of their people. They are popular romantic figures due to tales of their quarrels over more than one lover.
**A satellite town of the capital that you briefly passed on the road during your initial journey through Aravigia. You didn’t visit the Abbey.
***His rage is a little ironic for though they never said as much the general assumption at the time was initially that Drast had made the first assassination attempt up.
****One of the more important spirits of the Heliod associated with taming animals and invention.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:19, Sat 09 Sept 2017.
Valerian Hawke
player, 31 posts
Tue 18 Apr 2017
at 16:04
  • msg #64

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian raises an eyebrow. Stands, bows shallowly and stiffly to the assembled personages and follows the High Priest towards his office.
Wizard Drast
player, 13 posts
Mon 3 Jul 2017
at 22:19
  • msg #65

Re: Ecthesis Castle

While the child is speaking, Drast reaches out with his magical senses gingerly towards the child. [Arcana roll: 12]


After the main proceeding has finished, until asked otherwise, Drast walks around the great hall, admiring the architecture, the giant tapestry of the Great Spiritual Houses and any other ornaments, busts or religious artifacts on display that catch his attention.
DM
GM, 70 posts
Tue 4 Jul 2017
at 15:58
  • msg #66

Re: Ecthesis Castle

5char
DM
GM, 77 posts
Mon 25 Sep 2017
at 22:13
  • msg #67

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The frenzied Battle of Lokston is over, a chaotic affair fought street to street and house to house in the dock area of the otherwise pristine city. While one of the armies involved was much larger and greatly outnumbered the other the confusion had meant that when all sad tallies were taken it came to much the same bill as the skirmish at the bridge a few days earlier. It would however be a fight long remembered if nothing else for the damage wrought to the Basilica of the Acropolis. The priestly attempt at treachery had been expensive for them, most importantly it cost them the structural integrity of their high cleric’s seat of power. Masonry was still falling down the cliffs as you sailed away towards the middle of the lake.

Expecting the need for a speedy exit from the city the Queen’s army had acquired every boat they could reach within a nights travel of the city and ferried away every horse and the lion’s share of the light infantry, fortune had it that the regent’s scouts had been distracted in a crucial moment by a some street theatre in the main market and having been spotted by the subtle Baron of Lepton who via a staged conversation held just were it would certainly be overheard and much motion from a division of the guard during the night with torches and flags the enemy was led to believe the Duchess was planning to hold the outer walls rather than retreat. Forewarned of that a plot was likely inside the conference itself the heavily armoured knights had held the roads to the port and stood ready for a rapid strike on the Acropolis to rescue their likely captive leaders. In the moment plans on all sides had been cast to the winds when the knights’ entrance had been barred by an experienced mercenary squad and some of the regent’s more fanatically idealistic followers had thought to assassinate the Queen and her chief retainers there and then rather than have a trial that some might survive in exile. A strange culmination of seemingly random actions, the warnings of a small child and the unexpected arrival of distant allies using the power of an unseen hand had been all that stood between captivity for you and death for your allies. While your part was crucial in snatching victory from defeat by defending the Queen, once out of the conference room your role was largely complete. One last unleashing of Drast’s potent magics provided the hesitation in the enemy needed for a fighting retreat to form through the hallways of the high priests residence and with the mage ever in vision of the pursuing enemy just behind the shield wall of devoted knights the enemy from the basilica halls never pressed too close in following you as the cliff side edge of the building began to collapse. Once out of the building and down the narrow stairway that ran from the top of the acropolis to the docks at the bottom of the cliffs you were well protected by the efforts of the army in guarding the Queen. The Earl of Dulmorth and his son strode off to take charge of the wider battle while you and the wounded were rushed as part of the royal guard to the largest boat which cast off as soon as your feet left the jetty.

With no threat of immediate pursuit the flotilla had headed simply away from Lokston and towards the middle of the mighty lake that had the size of an inland sea. The sun was giving the last rays of the day when the Earl of Dulmorth pulled himself onto the Queen’s vessel in a sweaty but miraculously healthy ball of noise and energy. At his own insistence he had been the last to leave the city and rowed himself, his youngest son brandishing a shield sporting a forest of bolts and arrow shafts along with the injured Baron of Beasley in the last small craft. That night a council of the lords and Marshals of the knightly orders was held for all those in a fit state to attend with first son’s and seconds replacing wounded fathers or seniors giving you the chance to put a few extra connections between faces and names you have come to known as individuals in the army. Valerian is actively asked to attend and after the events of the day Drast has free roam of the boat, they seem to assume that whatever random actions he takes or words he says serves some mystical purpose that as far as they can tell to date have only ever averted disaster for their cherished Queen. If Dain wishes to come they certainly don’t prevent him but you notice a guard posted at the door to the cabin that holds the bound coal skinned Orc, wounded So-Cue and the massive but thankfully slumbering green skinned Ur-Nungal. The two young girls nominally in your respective cares are roving about the boat with Ann helping out as she can and Cassandra largely standing near at hand and staring on bewildered.



Those that head straight to the meeting walk into the Captain’s cabin as Ser Thomas is saying
    “... he was one of the regent’s sons, apparently he raised his children on the dreams of Araviga as a republic and at least one of them is part of a hard line faction.”

His father the Earl of Dulmorth gives a low rumble and a tall thin man you know to be the younger Charles Naden (eldest son of the Baron of Mething) nods
    “Having defenestrated his son means we will never bring him to terms, it will be all or nothing if it wasn’t already.”

Nathaniel Galbort the Lieutenant Knight-Marshal of the Stag Knights offers up
    “Well in theory if the leader of a republic can offer them only likely annihilation they could dispose of him and stand behind someone for whom it is less personal” from his tone you can tell he isn’t hopeful of this hypothetical.

There is silence a moment before Byron Braxton* gives a shrug
    “I don’t think we are near forcing such a test of their ideals. The force that chased us north looked to be near enough all mercenaries. I’d wager while we have been kept busy, your grace’s eldest with the forces we massed at Dulmorth will have had more than enough to deal with. The rebellious Earls will have been paid to let their harvest suffer and may well have mustered with forces from the Capital and that is assuming they don’t have another mercenary army roving about.”

The Earl of Dulmorth gives another unintelligible growl but is in agreement
    “Aye, as much as today might have felt like a victory it was still a retreat, while I doubt they’ll find many new soldiers in Lokston they’ll get some extra supplies and they already had the lead on that with the Berrylunds firmly in hand. The Kingfort garrison could have marched into the Earl’s Divy already while our reinforcements will still be tied up in the harvest. If that…” the Earl takes a long breath “If Hatheril and the rest of the rebel’s in the Divy slunk off to take command of an army from the Kingsfort supplemented by more foreign soldiers then when we land we might arrive to news of my house under siege.” A prospect that obviously and reasonably angers him and again there is brief silence while that grim possibility is considered.

    “Well for all that I say our forces have the edge in any given fight” voices a solid looking knight still in his armour** “Clearly the regent kept his own council when importing troops, the forces we saw in Lokston were mostly foot, he brought no cavalry to speak off and even seemed light on bowmen. Unless they convince the Knights of the Vine-“

He is interrupted by an incredulous outburst from the Baron of Bodem who has a bandage wrapped around his head
   “Fah! Knights of the Vine! Farming Esquires play jousting on their plough horses at the weekend!”

    “-yes well, they are like as not to leave every man they can in the Berrylund in any case if they think they might have to feed wintering mercenaries as well as their own men. That leaves the Knights of the Rebel Lords and whatever mounted retinues the Kinglund gentlemen provide him in scutage. We easily outnumber them in horse and bows.”

A red headed man you vaguely know as the head of the Ethesis Guardsmen but not the name of chips in
    “Aaahh but beging your pardon Ser I spotted a few Palvarsae flags in their number and I know for a fact they train all their men in pike, sword and crossbow. We can’t be certain till there is an honest deployment what disposition they have, so far we have managed to force rushed scraps on them. It could be he has the funds to recruit nothing but the sort of heavy infantry that can fend off cavalry” the others nod in agreement.

With a sigh Ser Thomas says
    “I’d imagine if there is to be a major battle we will only get the one chance at it before winter really sets in and the snows come. It will be a slow road from Ecthesis and the Berrylunds until the planting is here again.”

Fenton nudges Byron and they share a grin when he mutters something about having a few ideas on keeping lazy mercenaries guarding the minor outposts on their toes if bad weather ends up preventing any major battles.

The Duchess/Queen speaks up to join the strategic conversation though perhaps by habit it comes across slightly as a command
    “We had best look to making any battle we get count then. The regent will be in the same position in the fallow season and paying mercenaries to sit idle if he would risk no schemes. If we aren’t able to force a conclusion to his whole affair before winter then it seems prudent we focus our efforts on securing as much of the coast as we can.” She gives a wry smile “Really it is most inconvenient that the good Tribune and his companions didn’t find the crown in spring and leave us all summer to manoeuvre about the Divvy,” there is general good natured laughing around the room before she give Valerian an almost sympathetic look as she changes the conversation “Though circumstances have forced you personally to fight on our side in earnest at least twice now I must be truthful and tell you that the Regent would likely have interceded before you were killed and settled on expelling you from the borders. Even if he is now perfectly willing to hang the rest of us and he obviously and wants no foreign involvement that he is not paying for in this Aravigian war, he is not fool enough to kill a Marian official. His son and his thugs were likely caught up in the hysteria of killing a tyrant,” she gives a sad smile and looks off into the distance a moment, “it makes one wonder how often they had talked of killing me, rehearsing the scene if their minds…” she blinks with a faint cough “Still I must ask if the events of today have changed the official position you advise to your superiors?


A decision had already been made before your arrival that the impromptu flotilla was to make for CaerLok Castle, the major port on the southern side of the lake in Dulmorth, and hope that the enemy hadn’t sent forces into those lands before heading north in pursuit. Faster ships were sent ranging ahead just in case to wave them off if the docks weren’t friendly in which case you would be forced to travel round to the Western shore of the lake which would be all the way back into Ecthesis proper.
Two days later though the news was good however, the docks were secure as no enemy had been spotted in the Earldom and the situation was less dire than some had feared. The amry rests a day in Carelok and leaves behind the worst wounded taking from the garrison replenishments of supplies, knights and guardsmen before a four day fast march across the Earl of Dulmorth’s lands with the tall battlements of Dulmorth Castle itself coming into view just as the sun sets. While the city is well protected by a strong garrison the bulk of the army that marched from Ecthesis is not to be found within. Late that night another gathering is called and all are updated on the last reported movements in the Earl’s Divy.

The Earl’s eldest son, the tanned and grim faced man you vaguely remember the face of from the feast hall before your trip to Lokston, had indeed been busy but only because on hearing of the enemies move to follow the Queen he had decided to cross the Hudswold and rapidly strike deep into enemy lands. The runner from his army to the Dulmorth garrison arrived mere hours before you and bore a note to inform them that the forces he had with him had won the minor engagements at Hollyhead and Warrington and was now setting up a siege of Dalham itself without sight of any forces from the Kingsfort or the Barons Hatheril and Kaling. Very late in the night of your arrival another council is called in an upper chamber with a map of the Earl’s divvy laid out with all the complied reports to hand about what forces had been spotted where and when.



The Roll20 landing page is that map, as per last time green territory is that nominally under Ethesian control, Beige is under the Regent’s control and white is undeclared. Stags are royal forces and crosses are the last know positions of the regent’s armies. The Ecthesian Reinforcements in the far west and the Kingfort Army at the East are both “in potential” armies rather than being actually representative of known gathered troops.

*The eldest son of Bromwood Braxton The Baron of Beasley and the man who stood guard over the shadow monk while he worked his black arts over his younger brother.

**Fenton Golsard, a young man that has been in the very front every battle to date and is always the first to charge. He is clearly looking to make his name in the war as much as any natural blood lust or bravery he has. From what you have seen he is skilled both as a single swordsman and when in formation. He is the de facto voice of all the knights that were in the army that left Ecthesis and not part of a particular order, those representing an absent Lord. Popular with most he has become the speaker for the general concerns of those that as individuals fall directly under the crown or are part of the general collection of un-landed sons of nobility.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:54, Tue 21 Nov 2017.
Wizard Drast
player, 15 posts
Sat 4 Nov 2017
at 13:51
  • msg #68

Re: Ecthesis Castle

During the hours after the battle and before the meeting, Drast roams about the ship, greeting the soldiers and commending their contribution towards the battle, in amongst this, he also helps out where he can with the general post-battle activities. When the majority of the work has been completed, Drast attempts to entertain the two kids with some slight of hand tricks, riddles and games to keep them entertained and keep their mind off what happened.

Part way through the meeting, Drast casually walks in. Placing his most wizened look on his face, nodding in agreement at seemingly random intervals and sipping from a hip flask almost in a parody of an inconspicuous manner before it disappears up his sleeve.

Drast spends the two days on the ship continuing to interact with the people on the ship and attempting to actively build a rapport.
DM
GM, 81 posts
Sat 11 Nov 2017
at 16:03
  • msg #69

Re: Ecthesis Castle

There is a marked change in how the folk of the Queen’s army respond to you. When first you marched from Ecthesis the guardsmen had been always at least polite and the knights mostly tolerant at worst as you were a guest of the Queen even if at first that had more been a facet of your association with Valerian. In general they had treated you no different from any other person they did not know and judged you on your behaviour. Over time you have made friendly acquaintances here and there but now even those you had shared evenings drinking with after a long march now grow quiet at your presence and merely nod respectfully. What had been an admiration and deference to your power as displayed at the skirmish on the bridge has now become a strange form of reverence that has a cautious edge to it0. It is not the open resentment you faced from almost all sides in the Marian Empire or the very obvious fear that dangerous mages of your homeland generate in the populous of the cities they lord over. They are not scared of you as a threat but are paying particular attention and are wary in your presence seeming to carefully evaluate each word you say or slightest action for a hidden meaning. They seem to assume everything you do however strange serves some mystic purpose that to their observation so far has worked vastly in their favour and rescued their leader from certain death twice at least along with a general presumption of allot of things they don’t know about.  Even though you yourself have little to no idea about it all, the default assumption is that even Dain and his party arriving suddenly at precisely the right moment at the right time to play a key role in saving the day in the last crisis was some machination of yours. Even if you should swear it was not your plan to have sent him as your agent to fetch Ser Thomas from Numoria for some as of yet unfulfilled purposes and worked it all out that they should arrive at the Basilica by a hidden path to arrive at the most needful moment and the most needful time, they nod with a knowing smile assuming that as with your extravagant persona of being a road trickster it serves some purpose to you to have a façade. Even if it were your desire to remove this view of you they have as secretly powerful and wise mage it would be almost frustrating that at every turn they nod sagely and do not argue with you saying “Of course” and “As you say” in such a way that it is quite clear that they do not believe your claim to being anything less than extraordinary.
So during the trip while you help stowing supplies, attempting to carouse and be friendly while helping in all the general business of sailing across the lake you notice that those about you stand taller and you are the focus of their attention regardless of what they had being doing before, none wishing to be less guarded with you and inadvertently be the one to offend the eccentric wizard that has become the armies lucky charm. You are quite convinced that you could tell any given knight to jump overboard in full armour at the drop of a hat and they would comply thinking that you had foreseen it being somehow to the Queen’s benefit or simply just not to annoy you by refusing.

Even when you walk into the room with the leadership who for the most part have been bred from youth to have the sort of ego that makes everyone at best their equal, the room goes quiet until it is apparent you have nothing to immediately say. Your charade of hidden drinking actually causes one of the Lords who you know from experience likes a tipple more than he probably should to actually stop half way in reaching for a goblet of wine, he pulls back his hand with a clenched jaw and does not go for it again the rest of the night nor takes wine with his meals any night since that you have seen.
The one person you do make progress in building a friendship with however is the young red headed girl “Ann” that Dain has brought with him from the north. She has busied herself with what tasks she can help with much as you have and she is utterly oblivious to your status, she is also earnestly delighted by your tricks wishing always to know how it is done. <<Roll Insight>>
Ever by her side is the less useful Cassandra who generally just stares at you with a blank expression when you try to amuse them, now you get to spend some time with her at a close distance something about her reminds you of that other dwarf that you freed from captivity in the Dungeon of Eyes and briefly travelled with you before vanishing on his own errands. It could just be the rough height for all you can sense.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:11, Tue 21 Nov 2017.
Valerian Hawke
player, 37 posts
Tue 21 Nov 2017
at 14:02
  • msg #70

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian responds to the Queen.

"Ma'am, the Regent may not be fool enough to kill a Marian official, but he was fool enough to insult a scion of House Hawke, an error I feel needs to be corrected. What's more the Regent defies the will of the Spirits, and is it not the duty of every good Son of the Empire to serve the will of the Spirits who will serve the Emperor Yet to Come? As for the more political concerns, my uncle the Minister of State has ordered me to support your cause and your people in whatever way possible, with the resources under my command."

At this Valerian smiles and sits. Should the discussion turn to tactics and strategy Valerian asks about the likely effects of a chevauchée. Suggesting a strike at the enemy's ability to feed his armies over winter with small, fast, raiding forces might limit his ability to fight when the winter ends.


In the period between the meeting and landing at CaerLok Valerian finds Dain, and asks for a report of his adventures.
Wizard Drast
player, 16 posts
Fri 24 Nov 2017
at 19:06
  • msg #71

Re: Ecthesis Castle

A slight change in Drast can be noticed after the last battle when talking to those in the Queen's army. A change caused by the subconscious recognition of the new light Drast is seen in by the Queen's army. He begins to reflect upon his actions since aligning his cause with that of the Queens. Whilst still working to develop his mysterious nature, he begins to consider his words more carefully due to the significance the words garner, attempting to add some wisdom to the repertoire of his social interacions. When Drast denies his involvement in the auspiciously timed arrival of Dain and other such occurrences he has not actively influenced and is met with disbelief, he views these interactions first with annoyance, and then with later reflection, bemusement.



Late on in the evening the army arrives in CaerLok, Drast finds Valerian, a tired look to his face and requests the use of his magical healing pendant overnight to be returned at midday on the morrow. If Valerian enquiries further, Drast insists upon it's importance but provides little further information.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 19:07, Fri 24 Nov 2017.
DM
GM, 82 posts
Sat 2 Dec 2017
at 00:50
  • msg #72

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The Queen’s expression had been pensive despite any effort she might have made to veil her emotions as she normally does and a smile that likely could not have been stopped even if she had wanted to is the immediate response to your words of support, offended dignity is something that all in the room can appreciate even if the Imperial Cult does not reach this far out. They raise an impromptu toast to the Empire and the character of its officials while you have the wry thought that for all your grand titles “the resources under my command” is a fairly limited thing they have largely already had the use of and not known it. Regardless they are pleased and the Queen promises to draw up a document of formal alliance soon after a safe harbour is found.

The immediate strategic plans are shelved shortly after as essentially they can be only lightly be expanded on until landfall and more information is gleaned about how matters have developed during your trip to Lokston. As is the wont of those gathered they begin to talk of battles past to review tactics in a general sense but as much as anything else for the elders to reminisce. Some excuse themselves now that official business is concluded and others replace them as various conversations start. In asking after raiding tactics you end up talking to Fenton Golsard and Byron Braxton who before shared a joke about just such methods, you are joined by Brandon Braxton* and a knight of comparable age they call Sam. You quickly learn that raiding in general is mostly done to steal or destroy actual stores and resources in this country when it is done at all rather than being aimed at damaging long term production or killing men. Given that the history of the Kingdom is not all that long they haven’t had much cause to practice it internally particularly as most fortifications were purpose built to withstand and outlast perpetual roving Orc bands that rampantly dominated the last century of this land. The newer villages built in the years since may be a better target but given the war is being fought generally speaking over the land and people that live in it they are dubious over the wisdom of some of the more… aggressive raiding tactics the Empire developed and honed in the now ancient Sitathian Wars with the Princedoms across the Golden Sea. Such tactics were employed to great effect when it became evident outright conquest was no longer possible and object of the expedition became to cause enough damage to the enemy to forestall any counter invasions. While that goal was achieved most handily and caused favourable terms for the end of that conflict even within the Empire questions were raised about some of the more vehement methods that it was over a hundred and eighty years, two supported popular regime changes and substantial investment before diplomatic relations were repaired.

Still they listen seriously to whatever Imperial strategies and tactics you would suggest and are very much sold on the idea of putting together some form of dedicated raiding force for winter manoeuvres should that need arise. They also answer any questions you might have about the military background and battlefield experience of the Aravigian nobility either in general or to the best of their knowledge in in the specific.


*The youngest son of Bromwood Braxton the Baron of Beasley, you were involved in saving his life using your leverage over the strange assassin.





Will wait for the Amulet conversation to play out before going further.
Dain
player, 34 posts
Sun 10 Dec 2017
at 22:08
  • msg #73

Re: Ecthesis Castle

In reply to Valerian Hawke (msg # 70):

Dain is in high spirits when Valarian finds him, answering questions from a young girl named Ann about what different parts of the ship are called. As far as you can tell Dain has no idea what bits of a ship are called, but he enthusiastically, guesses anyway.

"Ah Ann, that be a steering wood, yeh use it tah steer the ship, turn it left and right yeh see"

When Valerian comes over Dain quickly drops the boat subject and heartily greets Valerian "Valerian! Still in one piece ah see - although lucky fer yeh ah turned up when ah did - although ah never tire of saving yeh and Drast's bacon." Dain gives Valerian a jovial elbow in the ribs "oh and have yeh met Ann" pointing at the girl "future slayer of orcs, and caster of spells ah wager. Met her up north, and she a'int no place to go, so she's mah ward now” Dain laughs and gives her a light pat on the back “off yeh go lassie, ah need teh talk tah Valarian here”.

After Ann scampers off Dain turns back to Valerian and, although his face loses some of its light heartedness, he seems in higher spirits than you have ever seen him.  The normal barely contained rage and wound up muscles, seem absent – and he seems more relaxed than you remember. Dain starts talking “Aye Valerian, a long tale ah bring yeh…" Dain starts describing the events that unfolded in his normal verbose manner, starting with Valerians orders to head North to collect information on the orcs.

He tells you of his early encounter with a band of Knights led by a resolute fellow called Ser Thomas (you will have likely already met him as he was one of Dains companions who helped save you from the castle ambush). “Now, after meeting the knights, that’s when things got interesting. Not ah day after groupin up with Ser T’s gang, we met ah young girl on the road.” Dain gestures at Ann “Ann”. He then tells you of Ann’s ruined village and the terminal revenge Dain, Cue and the knights visited on the bandits who had taken the village. Dain talks of the chaos up north. Bands of brigands raising villages, human savages displaced from the steppe beyond the mountains by the advancing orc horde, and strange movements by The Red Rose Guild – the group behind the stockpile of Mithril yourself Dain, and Drast had acquired in Tibbers brooke.

Dain stops for a moment after telling you this and grabs a nearby canteen of water, taking a long swig before continuing. “After Ann’s revenge waes satisfied, we set forth again for Tibber Brooke. But it seems the spirits themselves had taken against us. Nah sooner had we set forth, than we encountered a gargantuan fiend – ah giant human like monster who smelt worse than an orcs armpit…” Dain tells you of a battle on the road, the Knights, Cue and Dain fighting the enormous Humanoid who had been attacking another nearby village. Dain and the knights eventually bring the monster down, nearly crushing the group in the process. Then, in a particularly verbose manner, Dain describes a somewhat unbelievable feat of strength - that he single handedly lifted the giant off the body off the other knights. However, as Dain describes his heroics, he trails off, lost in thought, his mind thrown back to the fight with the giant, and the aftermath. After a long minute Dain recovers his thoughts and says “an where were we?”

“Ah yeh, then ah woke up in Tibbers Brooke. Knights and Cue dragged mah sorry behind back tah the town where ah recovered…” Dain then tells you of the town. Spurred on by the orcishing threat they are proving an industrious community, reinforcing walls, forging arms and armor, preparing for a siege.

Following his quick update, he then leaps into another story “nah, ah had only just recovered mah wits when once again ah was once again called teh the good fight…” Dain thinks for a moment “well maybe not ah fight, but ah challenge fer sure”. He tells you of his encounter with Ur-Nungal, the orc who now accompanies Dain and who you remember is the Orc from whom Dain had seized the mystical axe he currently wields. Ur-Nungal, following his defeat, at the hands of your group and Michael the good, atop the snowy mountains, had taken it upon himself to hunt Dain down and retrieve his axe, which apparently holds some significant meaning for the Orc. Dain then describes a dual between himself and Ur-Nungal, a hand to hand wrestling match. Dain is slightly less verbose at this point, and quickly leaps forward “an then, ah won, and kept mah axe” Dain stares at you at this point, almost daring you to probe any further on the matter.

Dain quickly moves on, taking another swig of water “now, ah had mah orc, as per yeh orders, and was preparing tah return from the North, however things took a complicated turn” Dain gestures once again at the small girl “lot of fire in that one, maybe a little too much…” Dain tells you of Ann and the towns children absconding into the Northern woods, and his pursuit. “We were catching up with the little devils, but that’s when we came across the Grey orcs, and the demon…”

Dain tells you of savage grey orcs, a different kind to Ur-Nungal, who would explode when fought. He describes a cave with foul magic afoot, and a hideous, horned demonic orc, whom, in typical Dain fashion, he butchered with his axe. “After ah had fought the demon orc, ah was on mah last legs. Orcs had taken Ann and the kiddies though, an ah needed to see them safe. Went further into the cave – perhaps a bit foolishly given mah condition. Dinnae see the bugger who coshed me over the head. That might have been the end of ol’ Dain if it weren’t for Ann over there”. Dain then describes Ann’s feat of magic, incinerating the Orc and its pet hounds. “She’s a special one alright – gonnae see if Drast cannae provide her with some guidance. She sure as hell needs some”. Dain points to some still fresh burn marks on his arms.

Dains voice starts to strain at this point, the tale stretching on “We returned to Tibber Brooke, and again prepared to return south” he sighs and, a flash of annoyance crosses his face before nodding again towards Ann “but again the little trouble maker disappeared. Caught up with her quicker this time, but when we did, that’s when I encountered our old friends – Mr Lizard face himself, Mereck el Dorn and the Elf Lassie” Dain tells you of Merecks suggestion that Lady Lassëhwesta could help get Dain and his party back south. Eager to shorten the long trip, Dain agrees to the suggestion and he, Cue, Ser Thomas, Ur-Nungal, Ann and Mereck re-enter the Mad Mages dungeon.

“We returned tah the titanic hall at the end of that place – the elf lassie was studying the magic travellin device…. Dain trails to a stop, and a slight pause before slowly restarting his speech “Ah was eager tah get goin, get back here and report but…” again he pauses before continuing “Ah know this last year has been strange Valerian, Spirits, Gods, Magic.. but it were in that Titanic hall ah had the strangest experience of all. Yeh may not believe me, but it was there that again Alethia herself spoke teh me.” Dain turns and looks off into the distance, deep in thought “she called me Dag-Hadah, and spoke strange prophecies of the The Dreamers, the girl of Chivarly with short raven hair and of Drasts quest for ancient treasures.”

He pauses before turning back to you, a his face set in a serious frown. “But most of all Valerian, she gave me a task. She called yeh son of the the storied folk and that I was teh protect yer life.” Dain suddenly takes a knee in front of Valerian “Valerian, ah know ah have protected yeh life thus far, but here and now ah make a vow to redouble mah efforts, and ensure yeh ah protected in yeh tasks to come. I cannae say I can make head nor tail of the words of spirits, but ah know my place and mah purpose is clear” Dain takes a knife from his belt and lightly slices across his hand “Valerian ah swear now on my blood, mah honor and mah kind ah shall protect yeh come what may” he holds out his bloodied hand to Valerian, still clenching the knife.
Valerian Hawke
player, 38 posts
Sat 6 Jan 2018
at 15:10
  • msg #74

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Dain:
Dain takes a knife from his belt and lightly slices across his hand “Valerian ah swear now on my blood, mah honor and mah kind ah shall protect yeh come what may” he holds out his bloodied hand to Valerian, still clenching the knife.


Valerian is stunned for a moment but quickly comports himself.

"If you are sure of this." When Dain affirms Valerian draws his own blood and clasps Dain's hand looks the dwarf in the eye and says in Marian (as opposed to common)
"[Language unknown: Out en Ainingart Foiest Ch preencwil ratsi vorundome tic, ioeeni ingwhesan t ers ineareort tr ine Undingine. Poil manai ai be is. U ng ekhi hoarhi asckpo ons ivpa m ni eenatikor Mo es om osst avesonounore alwil u sonta. A Oulersartver Paekelutil Canase'olto stiureing ca illlesenc ekal ntincever ei thwh orttinain ratingven, e ou re anha tin evecomrom oulwe osicni tr dayoveressom of ha prodinive larli ha A eencomate e Iou pr oer which ereconsan k rut erriec si era wi ica ouou unhaie ng k.]"

Oath complete Valerian pulls Dain to his feet and says "If you're sure about your ward I'll sign the paperwork as Magistrate and make it all legal, in Marian eyes at least."






When Drast approaches Valerian, he is at first loathe to give up his periapt but Drast's urgent manner convinces him to at least accompany the mage to see what he needs it for.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:42, Sat 06 Jan 2018.
DM
GM, 83 posts
Sun 7 Jan 2018
at 22:51
  • msg #75

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Assuming Drast doesn't object to Valerian coming with him-
Wizard Drast
player, 17 posts
Thu 25 Jan 2018
at 19:36
  • msg #76

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Lah lah lah can't hear me
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:02, Wed 31 Jan 2018.
DM
GM, 84 posts
Thu 1 Feb 2018
at 00:31
  • msg #77

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Dain still isn't here! Where is that lazy dwarf?
Wizard Drast
player, 18 posts
Sat 10 Feb 2018
at 11:17
  • msg #78

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Drast watches the woman in silence for a moment, when no one else speaks up, he speaks, weary from a night without rest.
"You were all but dead, but thanks to the ingenuity of this here physician, you are restored, or at least, on the mend. A choice was made, a choice to place your life before the lives of two others. One that may still live, should we continue to focus on his healing, but one is beyond the veil. Your life, make it a good one, you may now be living for two others as well."

He pauses for a moment, considering the revived woman.
"I am Drastarin, I am here because this physician called upon my aid. Would you tell me about yourself, how you came to be mortally wounded?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:39, Sat 10 Feb 2018.
Valerian Hawke
player, 39 posts
Wed 21 Feb 2018
at 21:18
  • msg #79

Re: Ecthesis Castle

21:16, Today: Valerian Hawke rolled 16 using 1d20+2 ((14)).
Valerian Hawke
player, 40 posts
Wed 21 Feb 2018
at 22:19
  • msg #80

Re: Ecthesis Castle

DM:
What happened?


"You were healed. By the Wizard's magics and the grace of the spirits. The boy may yet live if the Wizard can do it again."
DM
GM, 85 posts
Sun 25 Feb 2018
at 19:59
  • msg #81

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Dwarves should mind their own damn business
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:30, Mon 26 Feb 2018.
Wizard Drast
player, 19 posts
Sat 3 Mar 2018
at 14:31
  • msg #82

Re: Ecthesis Castle

To the mercenary "The boy may yet live, though his chances are faint I fear. I think the answer to that question will become clear over the next day or so."

Drast speaks to Valerian "I will stay here for the next day, see if his condition improves. I will return what is yours in a day, by that point I think we will know whether the magicks has succeeded or failed." As an afterthought, Drast adds, "If your heading off make sure you get a servant to bring some good wine and food. A wizard requires a full stomach to magick." Drast emphasises this last part with a wink.
Valerian Hawke
player, 41 posts
Wed 7 Mar 2018
at 12:01
  • msg #83

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Valerian nods his head to the wizard, smiles at his jest, and heads off to find the dwarf. Valerian makes a point to stop off by the messing area to get the staff to send the medical tent some food and wine.
DM
GM, 86 posts
Tue 13 Mar 2018
at 15:14
  • msg #84

Re: Ecthesis Castle

The forces that arrived from across the lake in the night rested for a day in the walled town and move out early on the following morning. The Lord of the castle had been in the company of the Queen but agreed to stay behind with a few extra knights to bolster the garrison and oversee the replenishment of the stores in case the enemy force that were escaped at Lokston sent a force across in what few boats were left on that side of the water or chose to swing across the south shore of the lake on their way back into the divvy in preparation for a siege around Dulmorth or on some mad dive into Ecthesis proper. Caer Lok is not the biggest castle town you have seen in Aravigia but it has strong walls and it would take substantial and costly effort to take the fort from determined defenders even with vastly greater numbers. If supplies could be gathered in time it could last quite some time under a siege, long enough at least for word to be carried and a relief to mobilise.


((Should they wish to do nothing in particular during the four day march to Dulmorth Chip and James are now caught up to the DM post on Mon 25 Sep 2017 and are now ready for the next session))



Drast who remained at Caer Lok for a day-

The Queen’s physician and most of his team left with the rest of the army but two of his juniors stay behind to help the staff of the castle in tending to those too wounded for immediate battle. He left specific instructions that the mercenary was to be kept sedated with drafts of a sleep inducing potion added to the porridge that was to be her only sustenance for at least three days. When you return at the allotted hour to check on the progress of the young knight the elder of the novice healers was spoon feeding the mercenary as though she were a child, the induced drowsy state the concoction appeared to create made it necessary and though inflicting such intoxication seemed cruel you are left with little doubt that it is for the time being required having witnessed her nearly undo your work to save her life.

The young girl was back, sitting quietly on a chair by the young knight’s bedside writing something on parchment braced on a book, she looked up at you with clear fright in her doe eyes but said nothing and withdrew to a bench up against the wall of the room. The junior physician nodded at you and cleaned spilled porridge up before tucking the swiftly unconscious woman firmly into her bedding. He moved over to the other patient and went through the routine you are becoming familiar with; inspecting bandages, holding an ear against the chest, gripping a wrist and counting quietly but there is also the unusual extra step of cupping a hand over the jewel of the necklace about his neck to see if any light radiates from within.

The apprentice healer chews his lip when he speaks to you unable to stop his nervousness (at your presence? the situation?) from creeping into his voice, he can’t be much older than the young knight now you look at him properly “It glows still sir and he lives but…” he struggles for words for a moment starting half a word before abandoning whatever sentence was in his mind for being inaccurate “…well normally is wounds would be infected and the lack of blood would be causing insurmountable complications” the last two words are uttered without his normal accent as a clear mimic of whoever it was that first used that euphemism in front of him “but the err… magic seems to be keeping him going and clear of the err normal problems so…” he gives a shrug “he might well be healing the normal way a body does while the magic stops him dying-” and he gives a quick guilty look at the girl who is staring at you both and already welling up quietly “-but…well that’s slow going sir and not much we can do to speed it up really so I have no way of being sure. Most of a healers work is keeping things clean, in a few pieces as possible and fuelled while the body sorts itself out or… well not.”

He gives a cough and turns to face you, deliberately or not also turning his back to the girl “What’s to be done sir?”


At least part of the cause for his nerves becomes a little clearer. The magic clearly isn’t working as before by providing the sort of explosive instant restorative power that you have seen it work before on Valerian or in a diminished but still potent way with the mercenary. It is this junior healers hope that the necklace will work in the long run by giving the boy time to heal naturally but he is a professional at some level and certainly scared stiff of telling you anything but the irrefutable truth. It is just a hope and he knows that, he has no real proof or evidence, no way of knowing if the magic amulet has enough power to keep going for long enough (which thanks to your infuriatingly unreliable magical senses at present neither could you even if you understood its workings) and he would also likely not argue or even hold it against you to retrieve this antique device of arcane power to use in all the hazards it is imaginable you will face while about your wizardly deeds which are most likely presumed to be all greatly important beyond the value of one man. To this magically backwards continent such an item is the stuff on which their legends are pinned, it is a rare enough thing that even in your homeland it would motivate at least attempted theft and ironically enough murder.

Valerian’s reputation would survive the loss of one more soldier in a war he is only voluntarily involved in. Your mystic as a beneficent prophet would likely only grow at being the hand that lifted away the item to bring it back to the Marian officer, of such stuff are legends made as well. They might well whisper that you saw dark deeds in the boy knight’s future or that in a trance you struck a pact with the spirit of the youth to lay down his life so that the gem could be brought in time to save Valerian or some other worthy from a doubtless pending mortal danger. In time regardless of what you said there would probably even be those that would swear blind they had been in the room at the time and heard a great pealing bell in the distance or a thunderbolt on a cloudless day. Though the drab weather was perfectly normal for the season and the air perfectly unremarkable in all particulars of fact it had the feel to you of the sort that if the events were disseminated would take on a life of its own. Magical in the sense of the trickery you revelled in even if it lacked for the genuine article of the divine or arcane.

So again a choice before you, to try and choose the best path by dealing only with the strict knowns or possibly cost you and yours for a hope.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:17, Tue 13 Mar 2018.
Wizard Drast
player, 20 posts
Sat 31 Mar 2018
at 16:04
  • msg #85

Re: Ecthesis Castle

Addressing the physician "Magick cannot work against the will of the world, of fate. I think the lad's future is in the hands of the gods and not in the arcane. Nevertheless, I will stay with him for the next three days. Whether his condition improves in that time or not, I must take my magick and make my way to the side of the queen, or to whatever finds me in the interim."

Drast spends most of his time with the injured, but leaves the room each day for several hours making sure at least two guards are posted when he leaves. He spends time exploring Caer Lok and surrounding areas, being amicable with the locals in the local tavern, and helping out around the town.

Where able, he spends time talking and building a rapport with the injured mercenary during her bouts of consciousness. Drast also spends time being introspective;looking inward specifically towards what he wants to achieve and how to go about doing so.

After the three days have elapsed, regardless of the condition of the young noble, Drast bids the physicians and the mercenary farewell, requisitions a horse and spare rations and travels on horseback to attempt to catch the warband.
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