Dragons of Despair, Chapter 1: The North Road
Location: The Road to Solace, Abanasinia
Date: Nuindai, Late Afternoon, 23rd Reorxmont 351 AC

The air surged fierce and cold, carrying the early chill of the winter to come.  The soft murmurs of stirring leaves, insects, and small animals filled the landscape.  The clear highland sky blushed with the end of the day and began fade into starry sleep.  Solinari and Lunitari both hung low in the sky, each fading as the first day of Autumn fell to a close.  This is home.  From this rock outcropping the valley below seemed peaceful, untouched.  Dense forests of pine carpeted the mountainsides, broken only by thick aspen woods.  The mountains, deep blue in the distance, circled the valley floor and form a soft highland bowl.  Two years ago, you and your friends parted ways -- to chase rumours of war and stories of true healing and miracles.  Tonight, you find yourself on the road back to Solace to report on your discoveries.

The road to Solace from the town of Gateway was well-travelled, and you judged yourself to be nearing the halfway point when you came upon a blockade in the road.  Two guardsmen -- Seekers from Gateway by the insignia on their tabards -- stood in the road, each one taking a position to obstruct one most of one side of the road.  Behind them an armoured man sat ahorse, with his helmet resting on the pommel of his saddle, and one gauntleted hand resting casually on top of it.  Nearby, a small cart stood beside the road, with a cluster of long-handled items piled in the rear.  Dozens of staves, pitchforks, shovels, and all manner of weapons and farm tools were piled on top of one another.

As you approached, the two guards drew themselves up, holding their spears easily in one hand.  "Hold," one of the guardsmen said, taking a step forward and raising one hand, if sounding a little bored.  He was a short man, thin and lanky, with light brown hair bound up in dreadlocks.  "You'll need to submit to inspection before you can pass or leave this area, by order of the Holy Seekers of Truth."

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OOC: First person to post gets there first.  Second person arrives shortly after (but can clearly hear what's been said).  The guard is clearly talking to both of you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:17, Sat 04 Mar 2023.

Vailin's easy smile took in his face as he approached the soldiers.  "Of course."  He unslung his backpack and held it easily in one hand.  "Where would you like this?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:01, Sat 04 Mar 2023.

Aelina had been walking on automatic, eyes not quite focused on what laid ahead, as she was humming words and melodies, her cat Shakra following her closely. Only not quite accurate reflexes stopped her from colliding with the warrior. "Oh I'm sorry, did I hit... Vailin, is that you? My goodness, you have gained muscles since I last saw you! How have you been?" . A impatient throat clearing sound from the Seeker made her really see them for the first time " What is that? An inspection? What would poor little me hide? What are you looking for?"