IC Keep on the Borderlands (5e) Dragonlance

[herastor]

Royse Mide, Paladin of Vengence Royse kept silent as Markus described his duties and his situation. It certainly was a pickle. Even from this scant meeting Royse had the feeling the men who'd discouraged Markus might be right. He did not seem prepared for his business. To be fair though, who was when facing the untamed wilderness. As the surveyor started to lose his nerve, the knight chose to speak up.

"I hold no illusions that the travel will be dangerous or treacherous. Possibly both. I do know that we can protect you if need be. As long as we work together and keep our heads, there's not much that can overcome us. That said, I think I do know how we can be more prepared."

"Heart mentioned that we're laying milestones tomorrow for the Wheelers Guild. That job will certainly take a few hours. We've also agreed to hunt some of the dangers that lurk nearby. The wolves, you mentioned them, and goblins. Completing these two will help us to prepare for protecting you since we will be better informed about the intricacies of the land and its residents. When we return we'll finalize our arrangements and gather any needed supplies before setting off. Would that be amenable to you?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Persuasion (just in case) (1d20+4)[6]

[Gorgon_Heap]

Outer Bailey Apartments


Though you’d been traveling together for days, none of you had taken the time to get to know one another until you arrived at the keep a few hours ago, and Royse, despite himself, sounded pretty uncertain.

Heart, grinning widely and giving enthusiastic two thumbs-up, didn’t evoke professionalism either.

"Ah, um. Well, you see, I might just want to wait for... numbers. Strength in numbers is something they say in the military, yeah? I think I'd best wait until a larger detail volunteers. Better safe, if there's real danger about." You swear he's paled by a degree.

[JNAProductions]

Heart's smile drops a little. She can tell they flubbed this. "Alright. Well, Mr. Markus, be sure to let us know if you need any help. We appreciate your time, and wish you the best!"

Unless Royse objects, she'll walk out the door and head back to the inn. "Gah," she lets out. "Did I come on too strong? I was just worried that he might not be safe, and... Maybe he's right? I mean, there aren't a ton of us. No matter how handy we are in a fight, if we can't keep watch properly or just get surrounded and can't cover him... Well, it's in the past," she says. "We'll just have to show him that we've got what it takes!"

If Royse looks at her closely, he can tell that she's a little off-put by this. She's used to good intentions having good results, and all she wanted was to keep the mapmaker safe. She seems to be handling it pretty fine, though, especially as her eyes dart towards a flurry of motion as a small flock of birds, perhaps a half dozen, sets in flight. "You ever think about flying?" she asks as her head turns to follow the birds. "When I was real little, I'd run and run and run as fast as I could, and try jumping and flapping my arms to try to take off. It never worked, but thank the gods that my mom got me to stop before I tried it off a tall tree or something! I still hope I can find some kind of mage, though, who could let me fly for a little bit. Just to see what it's like."

[herastor]

Royse Mide, Paladin of Vengence Despite his attempt to convey their honest intent, it was nothing next to the assurance the man needed. A lost battle, if one wanted to liken conversations to battles. No, a simple blunder and one of Royse's making. The knight still left Markus with the inn they were staying at and the new moniker of their band before taking his leave.

Out on the streets Heart's sudden shift in attitude was... There was a word for it that escaped him. An odd parental feeling. There was a word for it. He wanted to assure her that it wasn't her fault, but that'd hardly had the intended effect a few minutes ago. Perhaps this time would be different.

"I think you did nothing wrong. Restraint was probably wiser, though some can always tell when the person their speaking to is false or untrue. Your enthusiasm was true. Rather it was I who made the blunder. I could not now for certain that we could protect him and I couldn't lie to him about that fact. As much as it feels true, without evidence to back it up those words just become false promises."

"I never thought about flying. I wanted to be a knight, a far different one from the kind I became, but a knight all the same. I worked very hard for it, but the reality of it shattered the dream. I won't say that you shouldn't pursue that goal someday. Just that goals can seem lackluster when you achieve them. ... I'm doing it again, aren't I?"

Spoiler: OOC

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I'm good to get back to the inn whenever.

[JNAProductions]

"If you didn't become the knight you wanted to be, did you really get the chance to be your dream?" Heart asks. "Words aren't everything. Other people aren't everything. If the whole world told me, right now, I was flying, that wouldn't mean a dang thing for me-same with you. If everyone else called you a knight, but you weren't the knight you wanted to really be... I dunno. Maybe you chose the wrong word, maybe they called you wrong, but you've still got plenty of life to live. You'll achieve your goals, Royse, and be happy. I might not be able to se visions of the future like Glint can, but I know you can do it."

Spoiler: OOC

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Same OOC note as Royse has-ready to continue!

Glint is the shaman/mage/whatever you want to call 'em of Heart's home, the person who advises Sapphire (Heart's mom and the Chieftain) and reads the future.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Haverna's Inn


You all return to the inn for dinner and baths and to discuss the day's minor failures. The evening is more exciting that mid-afternoon, that's for certain, though Haverna only serves watered down wine. The ruckus at the Ceggar next door increases over the dark hours but is not loud enough to keep any of you awake.

(OOC: Do as you wish as far as conversation, etc., but otherwise ...)


Brookgreen (March) 15, 430 AC


There's no bell to mark the hours - at least not yet - and the dawn rooster calls are oddly distanced; some muted from the inner bailey and some from the camp. The air slowly fills with the smell of fresh bread and the clang of smith's tools, and soon the entire keep is awake.

You dress and arm yourselves, pausing in the inn's dining hall for a breakfast of eggs, sausages, toast, and weak, bitter tarbean tea, and milk. You meet the second guild clerk, Loffler, a scrawny, disheveled young man who squints a lot, leading a mule and cart from the public stable at the gate. He makes introductions warmly enough, though he seems mostly pleased to see you're well armed and eagerly curious about Heart - with whom he opens up in an awkwardly flirtation manner. Down in the camp a number of men haul big stone blocks engraved with numbers onto the cart and secure them with a web of old ropes.

Loffler explains the day's duties as they work. "I've got this thin hundred-yard line wrapped around a handled spindle, so once we leave the first marker, I'll ride down the road - with an escort, if you don't mind, Miss Heart - while one or two of you remains behind. Once it's played out, you catch up and we do it again until a mile is measured out. Unfortunately it's going to be a bit tedious: We have to do it eighteen times per mile." He shrugs. "Sorry, it's the easiest way. I know it's a bit chill out but it'll warm with the sun and it'll be a nice stroll. I mean, aside from moving those four hundred point stones. But don't worry, you can all ride on the cart on the way back. Hop on! We're to leave the first stone around that bend, just south of the vale.

"So, Miss Heart ... I'm uh, from Frankville. It's a small village in western Gaardlund known primarily for a particularly ancient barn some folks say was the site of an important ceremony centuries ago, but it's only rumor. You are no rumor, and I've never seen anybody like you before. Or heard. Not heard. About you, I mean. Or ... so where are you from? Must be an amazing story."

To your surprise, you jangle on down the road for about an hour before he draws to a stop, explaining you're not marking the road to the keep, which anybody can see once they're close enough, but to the rather ill-defined region everybody's referring to as the vale in general.

[JNAProductions]

The Night
Heart chooses not to drink even the watered-down wine. "I'm only 19-in my home, you aren't allowed to drink alcohol till 24. Though I confess... I've smelt it, and it smells foul! Not sure I'd want it anyway."

The Morning
Being a late riser, Heart's probably the last one down. She wolfs down the meat and milk, and eats the rest if with a little less gusto. "My compliments to the chef! What kind of meat blend is the sausage?" she asks. Regardless of the answer, she leaves with the rest of her party.

"Hello, Mr. Clerk!" she calls out when she spots their (for now) employer. When he introduces himself, she smiles back at him, saying "I'm Heart. Big Heart of the Nordmaar Forest. And these are my friends! I'll let them introduce themselves, but they're good folk!"

When he starts to explain their task for the day, she listens attentively. When he asks for an escort, she nods, slowly coming to the realization that he's interested in her more than the others.

"Well," Heart starts, in reply to his questions about her origin, "I'm from Nordmaar, as I'm sure you could've guessed from my introduction a bit ago. I grew up with my family there-there's a lot more of us deep in the trees there! We... Well, I mean, we live there. We do what people do-I know I've got fur and a tail and you don't, but we're not too dissimilar. But I was always curious about the world beyond our little part of Nordmaar, so about a year ago now, maybe a little less, I finally left home. It took a few months to get from our part of Nordmaar to here, and then travels, and learning some customs... It's been a journey! But I'm glad I made it. Everyone here is so different, and it's good to see that! Although, I gotta say, people outside of Nordmaar seem kinda... Uptight? I guess that's the word?"

She continues, saying "I mean, back home, you'd see people kissing off the side of a path all the time. But I don't think I've seen a single smooch since I've left home! And then, 'husband' and 'wife'. I've heard those words, but... Gods, someone explained it well, but I can't for the life of me remember it fully! It was, something like... Something like, two people who just... Don't get involved with anyone else? At all. At all!" she adds for emphasis, sounding incredulous. "I just do not get it. Aria, could you imagine just sticking to one person and never being with anyone else? Crazy, right?"

Spoiler: OOC

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As one just MAYBE might be able to guess, Heart's not a stickler for monogamy. Considering this is D&D-more about adventures and daring heroes than romance and smooching-I'm perfectly happy to have this be a minor footnote that doesn't matter much. If all y'all are cool with it being more important, also cool!

[RossN]

Zara


Haverna's Inn - Night

Though she had been disappointed in her search during the day a bath and a some wine did much to restore her and she sought to swap tales with her new companions. "What would each of you say is the most fearsome foe you have faced so far?"

~~~~

The Morning

Enjoying a fairly pleasant breakfast Zara had donned her armour and cloak, run a comb through her dark mop of hair and sauntered out to enjoy their first official job here and hopefully earn some steel. Part of her was a little put out Heart was the centre of so much attention but she had to admit the feline woman certainly had charm. She did find her eyebrows raised at some of the differences that existed between Nordmaar - at least the furred part of it - and the rest of the world.

"Greetings Mr. Loffler, I am Zara," Zara says crisply, though the bemused knight doubts he'd heard a word.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Dargoth Vale


Loffler, as distracted as he is by Heart’s exotic nature and outgoing friendly energy, is still politely curious about the rest of you when you take a moment to engage. “It’s a strange day for certain, lady, sir. If you hadn’t responded to the notice to fast I’d be undergoing this task with folks from the camp. I know they need the coin but I never thought to meet a bunch like you. No disrespect, of course!

“Did you both serve during Ankar’s War? I was too young and already apprenticed, and then we’ve had nothing but peace for years and years. I suppose that’s why you’re here? Wish I could be a knight, but my lot’s to put pen to paper. At least I’m out of Frankville and helping noble folk like you. Like a dream, really.” Loffler may have never actually met a knight before and simply assumes Zara and Royse are Solamnic knights.

Speaking with Heart, Loffler flushes and his mouth goes dry. There seems to be some intense gear-grinding in his noggin for a while and he says to her when they’re beyond earshot, “Well, I’ve left home without commitments as well. When my master said we were moving here I just knew this would be a time for new experiences. We have a long day ahead of us but I wouldn’t mind unwinding afterward with a more private cultural exchange. Uh, in the name of learning, of course.”

After about half a day of tedium paired with brief but intense labor, you cannot help but note a tight, loud knot of crows circling a spot in the woods away from the road…


OOC QUESTION: How do you remove and set the first milestone? If you have a safe method in which nobody will get hurt, we can assume you do so for the complete set throughout the day without any rolls or broken feet, etc.

[clash]

The night
Aria quite enjoyed her bath, staying in to soak long after the water grew cold. Her muscles sore from the road were relaxed making her ready for the combat she anticipated tomorrow. After joining the patrons for a few drinks of wine she reluctantly took her bed so she cold rise early with the dawn.

The morning
True to her word, Aria was up with the sunrise and set about eating a healthy sized breakfast with the group. "I participated in an arena match of sport against their champion. I think he was very nearly better than me." She replied to Zara,s question.

As they headed out she kept her vision trained on the road ahead but was happy to engage in idle chat with her traveling companions. "I love your hair" She commented to Zara. I'll have to get you to do mine sometime. This morning I was just happy to have it clean and tied back."

Then was interrupted by hearts question. "Ya crazy..." She replied sarcastically. "Imagine only being involved with one person that cared about you." Aria would have settled for even having one person that wanted to get involved with her. Someone she liked that is. People that knew her never got close lest they face the wrath of her mother, or possibly worse, her father. So how do we want to put these in? She posed changing the subject. "Probably best carried by two. I can partner with someone."

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d20+3)[22] perception for scanning the road
(1d20-1)[17] athletics for moving the milestones

[Gorgon_Heap]

Aria

Somewhere around the six mile mark, now around noon, Aria notes all the swirling, annoyingly loud birds in the woods and, as part of her overall sense of caution, sees something peculiar. A limp of some sort amongst some disturbed grass. It's all a mess of brown, and it could easily have been missed - hundreds of yards away at the edge of the treeline - but it doesn't look like a rock or stump.

OOC: I'll wait until I hear from others before determining what happens with the markers.

[herastor]

Royse Mide, Paladin of Vengence Night "That's... Surprisingly insightful Heart," the words weren't the same, but the sentiment was so close to Mina's that Royse was taken aback, good company to keep in his estimation, "I'll think on this. Shall we?" The walk back was quick and the warmth of the in inviting. The bath's siren call reached him first though. Retiring for a soak Royse did as he said he would. He reflected. Years and memories had their toll. They haunted him in the water, thoughts only he alone could struggle with, but as he returned to the common room he seemed a little less burdened than he had been walking in the door.

Taking a seat across from Zara he caught her question. There were none quite so fearsome as one and he wondered if they'd see the story the same way. Strange how his talk with Heart had embolden him on this subject. Or not strange at all.

"As a young man I sought out the Solamnic Knights. I was a squire for them, but they saw the person I was at the time. Sir Istus was my mentor and the one to banish me from their ranks. I hated him and found my revenge through the Neraka. His helmet I've kept as a trophy. In fact I still have it in my bag upstairs."

"He wasn't formidable for his skill or prowess. I crushed him in our duel thanks to the powers of the Skull. What he is to me has changed as I've changed. As I've come to reflect on my past he's become less of a victory and more of a measure of the person I should be. The way he composed himself even as the final blow was struck. If it's not formidable to alter the course of a person's life, then I don't know what is."

---

Morning

The wine doesn't find Royse that evening, the man had a job to do the next day after all, the meal sufficed to buoy him instead. The same could be said of the breakfast the next day. Though the inhabitants of the Keep could say what they will about shortages, it was the best he'd eaten in quite a while. Belly full, gear perfectly packed, and armor secured he was quick to follow Zara's introduction with one of his own.

"Royse," and that was all that needed to he said. The boy had more pressing interests it seemed. A fact that Royse noted and blamed on the eagerness of youth. Still, he'd be keeping an eye out to make sure that it was kept respectful.

Beyond that all that remained was the work and Loffler's stream of questions. Most of which he simply nodded along to. He had a job to do and chatting wasn't part of it. That said, he had no familiarity with the work, but Royse did his best.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Athletics (1d20+5)[18]

[JNAProductions]

When Loffler mentions the "private cultural exchange" she restrains a belly laugh, but isn't able to stifle a small giggle. "You're cute, Loffler. You've got a nice attitude and you're respectful." She leans against him for a moment. "This is okay, right? You don't mind? Not allergic to the fur or anything?"

Later, when the group handles the milestones themselves, Heart looks a bit nervous about lifting them herself. "I'm... I don't mind helping, but that's a big rock. I can help make sure it gets placed in the exact best spot, at least!"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Guidance on myself, followed by a Nature check to see if there's an opportune spot within the acceptable area.

(1d20+5)[22] plus (1d4)[3]

In the future, I can apply Guidance to whoever needs it when we set up the big rock.

[clash]

When she gets a chance in between placing the milestones Aria moves to investigate the lump further up the path."I see something up ahead. I'm going to go check it out" She moves quietly forward hoping to not draw attention to herself until she knows what she's approaching.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

(1d20+5)[9] stealth check

[Gorgon_Heap]

Dargoth Vale approach


After you successfully place the second 300-pound stone without injury, you are all skeptical and weary about continuing, think this may not have been worth the few silver you agreed to. Royse, his back aching at the very idea of hauling more of these things from the cart, thinks back to his days of traveling with an army. He recalls working with supplies and wagon trains (meaning his Land Vehicle proficiency) and unloading procedures, and when it came to very heavy items such as barrels of water, the easiest way was to set a plank and roll them down.

Well, he had no plank, but they were rocks and weren't likely to break from a three-foot fall onto grassy earth, so he suggested rolling them right off the cart, and then into place before simply righting them at the side of the trail. This proved far easier and faster than your earlier attempts. With relief, you all move on.

Meanwhile Loffler, enjoying Heart's softness, talks on and on about Franksville and his extremely tedious work and how all he wanted was to see something of the world and get away from his desk from time to time. Having traveled many hundreds of miles through a strange assortment of lands for much the same reason, Heart empathizes, and the two cozy up adorably in adolescent affection.

At mile six, Aria walks off toward the treeline, low and slow, and finds a number of packs and other items discarded in a pile.

[JNAProductions]

Nodding and smiling, Heart listens attentively to Loffler. "Sounds like you took a risk coming out here. I hope it's been paying off."

When Aria sneaks off, Heart offers a "Good luck-yell if you need us!" to her. She then looks over to Royse. "Sorry that you've been all the muscle, Royse. When we get back to town, I could try working the knots in your back out, if you like." Pre-empting Loffler, she then adds to him humorously "And if you want a massage, good sir, you better put some work in!"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

As a reminder to everyone, I do have Guidance. So if you plan on making a check and we have time, you can ask Heart for assistance and get +1d4 to your check. Probably not important for this Stealth roll, but it's definitely something to keep in mind!

[RossN]

Zara

Zara does her best but it soon becomes clear that though she has muscles the lady knight simply lacks the sheer brute strength to achieve much. At least until Royse suggests his way of dealing with them and she smiles gratefully at him.

Zara had been hazy in response to Loffler's questions about the war, but she was more willing to talk to Royse as they worked. "I was a Knight of the Lily, though I think I should have trained as a Knight of the Thorn. I can handle the sabre well enough but magic always had a real draw for me. I was proud of being a Knight of Takhisis once upon a time, but that was long ago."

She smiled ruefully. "I do miss the dragons though. I was not senior enough to be permanently assigned a dragon but the blues I knew always seemed so powerful, cunning and proud."

[clash]

Aria digs through the various packs trying to identify what they are and why they are here.

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d20+2)[22] investigation check on the supplies.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Dargoth Vale approach - Aria

Spoiler: Investigation

Show

There are five packs, all of similar fabric and stitching by human hands from common generic sources. All are either brand new or old and worn. They contain the same basic checklist of camping gear and personal care items; mess kit, razor, jerky and dried fruit, bedroll and blanket. She'd guess several people from a town or city outfitted themselves at the same time. She checks the straps and notes each is fit for somebody with a broader torso than herself - men, likely. The thick material isn't sun-bleached or soaked through, but the packs are settled into the grass and earth; signs that it warmed during the day and froze overnight several times.

And there's only one reason to leave your gear unattended like this - to unburden yourself for a fight. Scratch that, she thinks, her skin crawling, there's another reason: A trap. But it's been long minutes out in the open and if it were a trap, she'd be long riddled with arrows by now.

And go ahead and take Inspiration.

[clash]

Aria knows what to do, she just hopes it's not too late. Something killed a group of men ready for combat. She needed to warm the others. She kept to get feet with her ear fan already ready in her hand. She chanced a quick look at her surroundings hoping for an indication of what direction the danger would come from before sprinting back towards the group.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

(1d20+3)[14] perception check

Once she was sure she was in earshot she risked calling out to them. "Draw your weapons. Be ready."

This would be their first real test as a team. She got one didn't intend on failing it.

[JNAProductions]

Heart, who has been looking skyward for a bit, snaps to attention when Aria calls over. She draws her daggers, and looks about, seeing if she can notice any threats.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Perception! (1d20-1)[15]
And Initiative roll, for when it's needed: (1d20+3)[14]

[Gorgon_Heap]

Dargoth Vale approach

Quickly going from alert to concerned to terrified, Loffler ends up crawling under the cart for protection. Everyone stands, tense and ready to act, for some time. But no threat emerges.

[clash]

"I found the packs of 5 men" Aria explained slightly embarrassed by her, apparently, over reaction. "They were tossed to the side quickly. Whoever left them there was expecting a fight and since they didn't come back to collect them either they lost the fight or just forgot where they put them. I'm gonna go collect them. Stay alert. I'm not wrong. Something is out there" she insisted trying to save some face.

[RossN]

Zara

Zara nods at Aria. "I believe you Aria, and I agree. I've seen more than a few battlefields and you learn which judgement to use."

The lady knight readied her crossbow. Though she preferred her rapier and magic, with a distant opponent more likely a weapon with range seemed best.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Dargoth Vale approach


Aria returns to the packs without incident. If no further decisions are made, Loffler eventually climbs from beneath the cart, brushes himself off, and insists a bit uneasily that you should return to the task at hand.

[JNAProductions]

Heart frowns. "I believe you, but... Should we try to follow their tracks? Or... I don't know. At a minimum, we should be especially careful."

[herastor]

Royse Mide, Paladin of Vengence Though his mental acuity had never been in question, Royse would be quick to admit that it wasn't his strong suit either. So it did come as a shock to him when a solution to the problem of the stones presented itself. Duress really had been the mother of invention and the next, dropped, stone didn't require near the effort.

As they worked, Zara talked. He heard it in her tone, that wistful regret. Though too often it was tinged with anger or resentment, mostly directed at himself, he often adopted the tone as well.

"I think it's the pride that's the draw. Strength is possessed by many, but the surety of ones actions is something only dragons seem to be able to achieve. Almost as if they know what they do is right for them. I've seen men kill to project a pale imitation of that prowess. But I am curious, why didn't you become a Knight of the Thorn?"

It was a question that would go unanswered as Aria burst back into their number. Royse abandoned the stone her was moving and he drew Caution without a second thought. The sword hadn't warned him of danger, but there could be any number of reasons for that. As time stretched Royse's tension eased. When Aria offered to collect the packs, Royse was quick to follow behind her.

"We can return to the markers soon. I'll go with you, just in case."

[clash]

Aria, still feeling a bit foolish was hoping for a moment of recluse to compose herself. Not finding that in Royce's company she instead turned the conversation towards him as they walked back over to the packs. " Hey you choose the whole knight thing right? How did you know it was what you wanted?" and how was she supposed to figure out what she wanted? All she knew till now was that she needed to get away from what she didn't want. Maybe if someone has ever asked her what she wanted her and her parents would be on better terms. But no, she had to be born as a symbol of death.

[herastor]

Royse Mide, Paladin of Vengence Aria's question was easily answered. Considering the amount of time he'd been dwelling on the past it was natural that he'd been thinking about that as well. The real mystery was why she asked and Royse didn't have an answer for that. "It was during the Chaos War. I was five at the time and the Solamnic Kights were all that stood between us and death. It's hard not to idolize that kind of strength, stand that tall. To everyone else they were people, but to me they were giants. I wanted to be a giant too. Why do you ask?"

[Gorgon_Heap]

Dargoth Vale approach


As the others work and investigate, Loffler returns to his seat on the cart and speak to Heart in Solamnic. "That was ... almost exciting. Does this happen often?" Not knowing that you had traveled together for mere days and only just introduced each other, he continues, "May I ask - how did you come to partner with these folks. You're ... so very different. They're all black and armed. If you weren't here I never would have agreed to be alone with them."


Royse

He sees what Aria had described, but having experienced similar situation a hundred times, he peered at the discarded packs so near the tree line and knew - as no trap was sprung - the most likely direction the owners had gone, alerted and drawn off the road for some reason.