Two towers 30’ high with battlements, flank a gatehouse 20’ high. All have holes for bow and crossbow fire. A deep crevice in front of the place is spanned by a drawbridge. There is a portcullis’ at the entry and large gates at the far end of the passage. The passage is about 10’ wide and high, the ceiling above pierced with murder holes, and walls to either side slitted for archery. It is obvious that the building is constructed of great blocks of the hardest black granite, undoubtedly common throughout the entire fortress. As you all cross the drawbridge and walk through the gatehouse a narrow street leads you south, while in front of you is the stable and merchant warehouse. This narrow place is paved. All entrants, save those of the garrison, will be required to dismount and stable their animals. The corporal of the watch is here. He is dressed in plate mail and carries a shield, with sword and dagger at his waist. The corporal is noticeably a veteran of many battles, his nose looks broken in multiple places, and the face is rough and worn like leather from the weather. Beside him is a man in robes who records the name of each person who enters or leaves, and flanking each man is another man-at-arms in plate with polearms. When dismounted, lackeys will come from stables to take the mounts or mules. Any goods which are not carried will be stored in the warehouse.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:46, Tue 25 Feb 2020.

"Welcome to the Keep. We are on the frontier of the Sverdkyst Republic, don't expect a lavish lifestyle here. Don't cause problems, and we won't have issues with you. This here is the Keep Scribe, he will take your names, mounts, and equipment if any that you want to be stored. When you desire to leave he will arrange to have what is ours returned. This is is our lackey, he will show you to the Inn and Tavern, he will also point out the other amenities. We have all that is needed here in the Keep and created a safe refuge. Any other questions? I may be able to point you in the right direction."

He dictates this all in a military manner, no fluff, no dazzle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:02, Sat 04 July 2020.

Anders turned to look at Angel and smiled at her. He then went back to paying attention.

He nodded to both the gate guard and the corporal. He didn't have any questions yet so he made his way over to the scribe. "I am Anders Greyven." He didn't add the "of House Greyven" or anything. Either they would know the name or they wouldn't but no sense in flashing it out here.

"I believe I'll keep my belongings, but thank you." He then waited for the others to be ready as well.

OOC: Unless we all had mounts, then he would check his mount.

Berdari gave the elf girl a side-eyed look and a frown at her innuendo play, but let a smirk play across his mouth.  "I'm afraid I'll have to take you at your word.  Plenty of experience with the fingers of men, as it seems?"

He noted the defenses with an approving nod.  "This is quite the keep.  Certainly deserving of the title.  Little short of dragon attack would trouble these walls."  He ran a hand across one of the building stones as they entered.  "And even dragon fire would be hard-pressed to damage such masonry."

Upon meeting the Corporal, he kept quiet.  Owning no mount nor equipment besides that which was strapped to him or stored in his pack, he had little need of the amenities.  "All I have to offer you is my name, I fear," he said to the scribe.  "You can note me as Berdari Amiakir, if you will.  May I ask what you plan to do with my name now that you have it?"

"Yes, of course. The King has commissioned a census to be made throughout Sverdkyst. More importantly, he wishes to track those that journey out and live on the frontier. Currently, he has not been able to divide up the provinces newly gained after the war. A value must be affixed to the land. People living on the land are a great indicator of the lands potential wealth. The people, the republic, wish to give the new provinces to others besides those that already have land. Until then, the lands are governor, and lordless. This mighty Keep and associated fortress with surrounding lands, still unnamed, and unlorded, is rumored to be given to those that deemed personally worthy of the king himself." 

Looking up at the sky and realizing by the position of the sun that it was late afternoon and thus far to late in the day to be heading out for the caves in order to go track down her mentor.  Instead, she turned to the liveried footmen they'd been introduced to and spoke:

"Good sir, would you please do us the immense service of giving us the tour of the keep, for which I would be greatly appreciative."

Lago stepped forward and made her name known, I am Lago Morpha of the Briarburrows and I have nothing but what I carry

She stepped back and fell in behind Chelonia, whom she owed a life debt to.  She did not like the keep and it’s hard stone construction, she preferred the tunnels and burrows of her homeland.  Keeps such as these kept one from being in contact with the earth and that seemed wholly unnatural to her.

Her ear twitched at Chelonia’s request for a tour of the keep.  She wanted nothing to do with it but would follow the tortle wherever she went wether she liked it or not.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:56, Wed 25 Mar 2020.

"'Journey out' is the right of it.  'Live on', however, I have my doubts, so I am of little value to your census.  There are many roads ahead for me, and none are stationary," Berdari informed the scribe.

With that, he gracefully took his leave of the man and returned to his fellows in time to hear Chelonia's request of a tour.

"Anxious to get your bearings of the place?  I don't imagine we'll spend much time here.  The morning should see us depart and make our way to the caves and your mentor," he spoke to the Tortle.

Chelonia turned to Berdari, "Anxiety has nothing to do with it.  This man has been offered to us for a purpose and I intend to respect both him and that purpose by allowing him to do as he's been commissioned to do.  To not have him show us around we are saying that we think his function in this world is less important than our own."

With that, she turned to the man and prepared to follow him on the tour of the Keep.  As they commenced with the tour she asked the man, "Good sir, what is you name so that I might address you properly?"

"Oh, um, my name is Appius."

He says, taken back that you would want his real name. He straightens his shoulders and begins to take his job far more seriously after your comment.

"As you all well know this is the common stables, stable master Lar knows animals very well, we always keep a few extra horses and mules for sell. Next to it is the merchant warehouse, and were we also allow visitors to store their unneeded equipment. The main gate, equipped with crenelations and marlons." Pointing to the southeast corner of the Keep, "That there is the Baliff's Tower, Hostus, is a fair nice man."

He begins to lead you further into the keep, noises of people, children and the rhythmic ting of a hammer on iron each your ears.

"This," Appius points to a building directly west of the warehouse around the corner, "Is the Hammer 'n Anvil Caelus and his apprentices can make anything. Its send the Caelus was a master smith in Vicus Roma (the capital) took his wife and kids up here to get away from the hustle."

Directly across from Hammer 'n Anvil along the wall is a row of higher scale two-story apartments.

"This strip here is where the more, well to do of the residence live. In the end here is the bank, Gold Credit. Ran by Ser-hat and Nub-em-tekh they're sisters from Per-Atum (a different region). Across the street here is the Mountain Base Provisions an orc women Kereenyaga runs this store. Next to her store is the General Trade, If it ain't her' you don't need it, my best friends dad runs this store, Servius."

Staying on the same road going to the Southeast corner of the keep you see a small nice plaza with a marble fountain and grass park, the fountain also doubles as a well for a freshwater source for the keep. The children and their mothers are all here. The kids running and playing various games. While the women wash and patch clothes.

"These two buildings here are The Lean Griffin the tavern ran by Tiberius, and The Bright Knight inn ran by my parents, Marcellus and Barria."

Leaving the Plaza corner he takes you down a road between Hammer 'n Anvil and If it ain't her' you don't need it directly in front of you is a large finely decorated two-story building. To its east two other shops reside and just North beyond the large house rests a Chapel.

Pointing to the smaller apartments across from the two-story house, "That's where Priest Secundus recently arrived, talking about some ritual stone to his God is in the area. Next to him Proclus, and his wife Camilia, are rare antiquity trades, called Antiques and Artifacts lots of jewels and such. Right in front of us is the Merchant Guildhouse. Where different jobs and contracts can be picked up. There is always work available here." Going around the Guildhouse, "This is the Keeps Chapel, The Hand of Torm most everyone at the keep attends the weekly processions. Curate Agrippa Florius Acaunus is a very kind man and welcomes all into the chapel. Between him and his two acolytes, the Keep recognizes the protection we have been given by Torm."

Its stained glass windows and marble stone, and two flanking peaks at the end of the chapel you turn to regard the Inner Gatehouse. It is larger and has the same defensive capabilities as the main gate. A wall runs east and west dividing the keep into two parts. The part you just walked through being the location of the general public, while, the North part is the inner Bailey with its Calvalry stables, separate well, at each corner four Great towers, and in the back a massive fortress and headquarters of the Castellan, current commander of the Keep and Fortress. Looking through the Porticulis, you see a training ring, joisting, and archery range.

"This here is the Inner Bailey unless are authorized or have buisness to bring to Castellan Camillus Popidius Donatus, no one gets through the gatehouse."

With that he looks at each of you and smiles. "Thats the tour, any qeustions, I will lead you back to the plaza."

Gryphon followed along the tour with the others.

on phone, computer down until Monday

Anders smiled at Appius when he introduced himself. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Appius." He listened as the tour went on, making mental notes in his large brain, nodding occasionally. He murmured to himself, "A smith from the capital? Good to know."

He paused, "Did you say your parents run this establishment? Wonderful!" He lowered his voice, mock-conspiratorially and asked, "Without bias now - do they run a clean inn, a tight ship, as it were?" Appius would likely easily tell Anders was honestly asking but also just trying to have a little fun, with him not at him.

He also perked up slightly when the 'Antiques and Artifacts' was mentioned but didn't speak up for that one.

(deleted)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Wed 04 Mar 2020.

Cril followed along the tour of the place. He would need to slip off from the group at some point to meet with his own contact in the keep to see what information was available. But for now he held his own thoughts and enjoyed the tour of the keep.

Lago followed along silently for the tour.  She had no interest and hoped they would not remain here for long.  The stone blocked her from her connection to the Earth.  Her spirit felt trapped; cut off from the source of life itself. This structure was unnatural and left her feeling anxious and uneasy.

"Master Appius.  I genuinely appreciate the time you've taken to show us the lay of the keep.  Please, take us back to the plaza."

She hands the man two gold coin in gratitude.

(deleted)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Wed 04 Mar 2020.

"Oh wow, thank you." He takes the money his eyes wide. "Of course I will take you to my the Lean Griffin, I am sure you all are hungry. I will arrange a room while you eat."


Leading the way back to the plaza and into the Lean Griffin. The Tavern is a good size, a few dozen tables with chairs. The building is already getting full, most of the patrons are guards, off duty, or about to start their shift. A small woman leads you to a table, "What can I get for you folks?"

Most of the room is staring at you all as you come to sit down. Conversations pause for a minute and then restart, still watching. After she takes your orders. You are given a moment to talk.

(deleted)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Wed 04 Mar 2020.

Chelonia recognized the two coins that Angel flashed about, presumably for her to see...so that she would know that this woman had stolen the coin she'd given to their guide, Appius.

Chelonia stepped forward as Angel offered up the coin to the server: "Stop!  You have stolen from one who I gave coin to for having provided us all a service...whether you saw value in that service or not.

You are no longer under my employ as I do not work with those who would steal from the innocent, you can find work elsewhere, a thieves guild perhaps.  As for Master Appius, I will be informing him of this theft of his coin.  It will be up to him as to whether or not he goes to the authorities about this.

---

NOTE: I realize Angel deleted her post...just for the sake of understanding my post, it needs to be said that Angel (when giving Appius a hug earlier) stole the 2 gold coin that Chelonia had given the man for giving them the guided tour of the keep.

Although Chelonia did not observe the sleight of hand action of stealing the coin, Angel did flash those coin out in the open enough for Chelonia to recognize the coin as being from her homeland, and thus obviously the two coin given to Appius only moments prior.

That is the context of Chelonia's response.

Angel's departure can easily be explained by Chelonia having told Appius of the theft, Appius having gone to the authorities, and Angel having been arrested.  To adventurer's 2 gp isn't very much...to the common folk, it is enough to involve the authorities over...or at least that's how I perceive it?

Anders looked abruptly shocked at the turn of events that suddenly happened. His eyes narrowed and he looked at the woman who given her name with a "Lady" in front of it. He wondered if she actually even been a noblewoman at all, lowering herself to theft and trickery like that.

He stepped up to the serving woman and handed her two gold coins. "My apologies for the...disturbance and issue. Most inappropriate." He shook his head slowly. "I would like a round of ale for myself and my companions and meals as well if that would be alright. If you require more coin that that, please let me know."

He sat down in one of the chair, leaning on his staff a bit, and let out a sigh.

Angel gives a shrug to Chelonia's comment, stands, and leaves. It seemed like nothing truly mattered to her, to begin with.

"Oh wow, well all is forgiven, there are always bad seeds. Happy to have such folks like you around." The waitress states after the surprising events. As she continues to take your orders.

The onlookers around the room, look on in astonishment. The few that heard nod in approval, and those unable to hear begin to ask for the story. The number of guards in the room let the situation settle. It seems like the Tortle was able to handle it on her own, each, however, keeping note of Angel.

To the group Chelonia states: "Remain here, rest and have some food and drink.  I will return shortly.  Mistress Lago, will you accompany me?"

She knew that her friend would not decline her request so she turned and made for the door, confident that she would not be far behind.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Fri 06 Mar 2020.

Lago had been taken aback by Angel's theft.  The woman had no morals and Lago was glad that Chelonia had sent her away.  She did a quick check of her own property to ensure nothing was missing.

She only sipped water at the tavern. She followed an ethical code based on the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts and abstaining from intoxicants was one of them.

She remained quiet, a habit she had developed over the years as many non-harefolk found that she spoke to fast and often showed disdain.  She learned at a young age that no one minded her silence so much.

She was a keen observer of people, the things they said and the things they didn't say but were still conveyed through unintentional expressions and body language.  She watched and listened, choosing to practice mindfulness in almost every aspect of her life.

When Chelonia asked her to accompany her she did not hesitate.  She left her water unfinished and quietly fell in step behind her not asking questions, trusting the woman would tell he what she wanted when and if she wanted.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Fri 06 Mar 2020.

The Keep turned out to be a great location to unload, rest, and resupply. The people were nice, and the fortifications tight and ready for any possible danger. However, even staying under a roof and protection, the chaos and danger that surrounds the Keep weigh on your mind as you sleep. Dreams of complex taverns and twisting tunnels, your paths lost trying to retrace your tracks lead you further and deeper lost and wondering, supplies running out, sweat as soaked through your clothes. You each wake up in the middle of the night, your sheets soaked in sweat. The dreams felt supernatural.

You all gather together and start on your journey East, the Baliff gave you general directions towards known caves. Supplies ready, he tells you it will be a 3 day walk up the river, then on the morning of the fourth day, you should be at the base of a valley that has a small creek, follow the creek up the valley to the caves.

OOC: The story will move to the Wilderness thread
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:15, Mon 09 Mar 2020.