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23:37, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Bound for Fidelis.

Posted by The GMFor group 0
The GM
GM, 184 posts
Sun 13 Dec 2020
at 03:21
  • msg #1

Bound for Fidelis

Characters going on the Fidelis Paladin Rescue should check in here.


Montebon has four Barons, and three Baronies.  The North Barony belongs to the Dwarf Baron Arbov. The West belongs to Baron Draggo of Dalino. The fourth Barony is not a hereditary fief, the position is assigned to a important member of the Royal household or administration. Baroness Nina Arcour's Ocean Barony is along the east coast, with its bounds marked by two lighthouses- Queen Despina Light and Radvan Light.  The traditional duty of the Baron of the Coast, though, is to watch over the entire coast of the little nation.

This gives Nina some flexibility, as watching the coast is enhanced by actually patrolling a little further out, and keeping tabs on neighbors.

She volunteers her ship to carry those going to Fidelis.  It's a good deed, and may bring some good will to the kingdom- after all, someone wrote to Arcto to solve this problem.

Nina puzzles briefly over the fact that this person apparently isn't relying on the skills already available in Fidelis- but she's not the mystery solver type.  For her, it's shrug and move on to the matter at hand.  A trip to Fidelis.  Though its not far, she can't stay around once she gets there.  The party will be on its own for the trip back!  Though hopefully, if good will has been earned and a reward paid, this should not be a problem.

She's been there before- Fidelis is the neighbor to the south.  Not far.  "They'll let me dock in the main harbor, since we are an official ship of Montebon.  Fidelis is an odd little town, though.  Quiet, even when they're having fun.  Very dignified.  And everyone belongs to something.  An order, a guild, a temple, something.  It's a big deal to belong to something, there."



Alison
player, 17 posts
Soldier/Bard
Mon 14 Dec 2020
at 16:05
  • msg #2

Bound for Fidelis

Alison nodded, "I suppose then my uniform should be worn openly. It might lend me some weight, though I doubt it. Thank you, your help is appreciated."
Abadon Crystalfist
player, 18 posts
Gnome Wiz in training
AC18 10/10 PP14
Tue 15 Dec 2020
at 01:30
  • msg #3

Bound for Fidelis

"Wise, indeed.  I have the pleasure of the Faith, and my studies, of course," the gnome added thoughtfully.  "And my guild ties.

"However, I think we might be additionally served by a company name.  Likely lend an air of competency and acceptability, if there is a group community mindset here.

"They were seeking wizardly response, so something mystical would seem helpful.  Perhaps The Company of Azuth, or the Water Company of Deluzion Break, if the location tie would be better treated, and the coastal involvement here?  I've heard of many companies tied to prominent magical items in their possession, of course, but that both draws thieves, and requires said items of magic in one's possession.

"Thoughts?"

Alison
player, 18 posts
Soldier/Bard
Tue 15 Dec 2020
at 15:26
  • msg #4

Bound for Fidelis

Alison looked crossly at the Gnome, "I am Alison Romtree of the," she says this next part very slowly as if Abadon were a small child,  "...third Expeditionary Regiment, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Light Armor Infantry Division." She turned to give Abadon her full attention, "Mr. Crystalfish," she is purposely mispronouncing his name, "I would thank you to remember that."
Atraxus Wildheart
player, 61 posts
Tue 15 Dec 2020
at 17:29
  • msg #5

Bound for Fidelis

"We are grateful for the safe passage, Baroness Arcour," Atraxus says, bowing politely to the Nina and her crew. "With any luck, we shall be successful and have coin enough to arrange passage back. May swift winds and calm waters accompany you on your patrols."

Atraxus listens to Abadon's suggestion before seeing Alison's unseemly reply. The Half-Orc frowns deeply, shaking his head.

"I think he'd have more incentive if you paid the same courtesy," Atraxus retorts to the rude Human.

"I suggest we be honest," he says, moving on to the subject of introductions. "We say we're here in Arcto's stead, and show them our worth by by finding their missing paladin. Paladins seem to value honesty and duty, so we should lead with that."
Abadon Crystalfist
player, 19 posts
Gnome Wiz in training
AC18 10/10 PP14
Tue 15 Dec 2020
at 17:37
  • msg #6

Bound for Fidelis

The gnome nodded in agreement with Atraxus, already somewhat second-guessing his decision to travel here - the need and benefit for his missing folk seemed greater here, but the company, at least in part, certainly didn't seem improved by the sour human.  Still, he downplayed it and simply ignored her, as she seemed intent on simply being rude to everyone and not working with anyone - not a great party member, but perhaps her attitude would change

"Yes, thank you again for the swift and smooth travel, Baroness Arcour.  May our efforts here be as skillful as your crew's training so demonstrated.

"Atraxus, Qui-Lin - shall we continue?  Oh honesty is critical, I agree.  Establishing a company name seems prudent, along that course."

Qui-Lin Xiang
player, 53 posts
Wed 16 Dec 2020
at 04:07
  • msg #7

Bound for Fidelis

Standing nearby, Qui-Lin nodded and said, "Honesty is the best policy unless a lie is necessary.  Keep it short and simple and we should be fine."

Then she nodded to the little gnome and said, "Of course, Wise Crystalfist.  We have come this way for a purpose."

She glanced at Alison quizzically, not really understanding the obviously-proud soldier.
Alison
player, 19 posts
Soldier/Bard
Wed 16 Dec 2020
at 14:34
  • msg #8

Bound for Fidelis

Alison gave a short nod and continued on their way. She would present them to the Paladins and speak only truth.
The GM
GM, 190 posts
Sun 20 Dec 2020
at 02:55
  • msg #9

Bound for Fidelis

It is four days at sea to Fidelis.

Faster, perhaps, on a Honoan Catamaran, or maybe if the winds were better.  You can see that water is the preferred means of long distance transport in the Southlands.  There are roads but they tend to be few and are not linked into long networks, they typically only link the bigger towns with their outlying settlements.  There is no road going from Montebon to Fidelis, in fact, there is no road linking all of Montebon.

This also means that relative to the small population, there is a lot of sea traffic.

Nina tells you that it's not just the sea coast, but up the great river as well.

"There are Elves called River Elves that spend their lives on boats going up and down the river, with no permanent home.  They have a way to move their boats without sails or oars.  They invoke the River God, Ojos, and the river pulls the boat, even upstream.  Ojos is a god they don't have in the Old World.  He's only here.  God of the great river.  One day I'd like to go there."

With the sea as their connection, the settlers quickly realized the importance of light houses.  They are scattered along the coast as aids to navigation to mariners.  The Martus Light is pretty much the "Welcome to Fidelis" sign, though there's still a day's sail to the city.

Fidelis is a a city of neatly cut grey and white stone blocks... at least, that's the impression one gets on first approach.  The main harbor is lined with stone, which form steps in a great arc around the harbor, leading up to the Harbor Plaza.  This is the heart of the town, and it extends inland, where it becomes the Orders' Plaza, lined with the halls of a dozen or so organizations.  The locals do like to belong to something, it seems:  most of the people you see are wearing some sort of insignia, or at the least a simple badge or emblem.  There's a leaping whale, a scepter under a crown, a hammer and anvil, and more.

Nina doesn't know which are Paladins, and neither does her navigator, but he does remind her of two things, first, that really weren't called by Paladins by rather by someone  named "Thaller of Dimeste House", and second, it's probably something simple and obvious if you need to find them, and they do have a hall in Orders' Plaza.  As the first of the Orders, it's probably something very easy to find.

But also, with a little bit of reluctance, she reminds you that you are on your own now- this is not official business of Montebon and so the Baroness can't accompany you.

"You might want to establish yourself in an inn, so at least we can leave you with recommendations," the Navigator says.  "There are really no untrustworthy ones here, the Paladins and others wouldn't tolerate that.  But there are a couple I would recommend above others.  The Iron Order Guesthouse, and the Green Arches Inn. Both on the plaza.. in fact Green Arches Inn is right over there, Iron Order a little further in."
Qui-Lin Xiang
player, 54 posts
Sun 20 Dec 2020
at 05:11
  • msg #10

Bound for Fidelis

"Thanks for your help," Qui-Lin replied.  "Let's go see the Green Arches first, it's closer.  If we don't like it, we can go to the Iron Order."

"Once we get rooms, a hot bath and a good meal, we can seek out these paladins and see what we can do for them?"

Abadon Crystalfist
player, 22 posts
Gnome Wiz in training
AC18 10/10 PP14
Sun 20 Dec 2020
at 15:37
  • msg #11

Bound for Fidelis

Abadon nodded once in a simple accordance, and set off in the direction.  "I was thinking similarly, Qui-Len.

"I should imagine that the innkeep would know the location and contacting protocols.  I agree with the Baroness that locating the original and largest of guilds  Some customs insisted on a runner ahead so parties were caught unawares, but that is most uncommon, although practical.

"It will be interesting to see what manner of meals are to be found here, with the focus on order.  Experimentation is more a chaotic effort, but replication and quality is a more ordered effort."
  The gnome chatted amiably as the group walked, but his eyes were constantly watching, gathering details.

"I should wonder if there is an order involved with tracking knowledge of visitors, explorers, and transitional folk or transitional issues.  Potentially a subset of the paladin's order?"
The GM
GM, 191 posts
Sun 20 Dec 2020
at 22:48
  • msg #12

The Green Arches Inn, Fidelis

Green Arches Inn

From the point of view of an Inn keeper, if you are after the traveler market, it helps to keep your inn’s name as obvious as possible.  You name it after the most prominent feature people can remember, or better, point to.  If one is lacking, you can make one of your own, just put up a large sign or object of something easy to remember, maybe paint it an unusual color, and poof, you have the Golden Pony Inn, or something like that.  The owners of the Green Arches had the simple, obvious architectural motif, the large green arches over the windows and doors.  Everyone knows exactly what it is, and when someone points it out across the plaza, there is no doubt.  THAT is the Green Arches Inn.

The characters cross the plaza to get to it, passing a number of vendors with goods on carts, mostly food, and small hand crafted goods.  The carts tend to specialize: there’s one with clothes for infants, one with flowers, one with scented soap, one with slate writing boards in wooden frames, and others of different types.  Quite a few with various snack foods.  The vendors have something in common- every cart has a blue pennant with an embroidered silver cart wheel.  Some vendors are wearing a pin with the same design.

The Green Arches is four stories, with a steeply pitched slate roof above, and the obvious green archways on the bottom that lead to the common room, and to an adjacent garden.  Having a large garden space in the heart of the town is a luxury, and the inn’s Elven owner’s think it’s important.  Fidelis has a warm climate, and the summers can be steamy, but somehow the garden manages to stay pleasant on hot days.

The party is greeted by an Elven man.  He’s in that “indeterminate” age, impossible to say whether he’s 30 years old or 130.  There are customers scattered about the large, brightly lit common room, but it’s nowhere near capacity, and two young Elves are making paper birds.  There are a couple of young Humans working here, but Elves clearly run the place.

Staying here, with typical food and drink, you will go through about a gold piece a day.  That assumes 2-4 per room.  If you want to use one of the small 4th floor rooms, a little less, but if you want one of the elegant garden terrace rooms, more.
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