[Respite] - Factions

[valadaar]

The party of woodcutters was overdue.  Methandra the shipwright was impatient, and starting to get worried.  The ship had been commissioned for an expedition that needed to start as soon as the ship could draw water.  The woods were rough going, so perhaps she would give them another day before she really started to panic.  Hargue and the others were quite capable - they would be back soon enough.

She hoped..

[valadaar]

Toboran turned the dagger over in his hand.  It was a fine piece of worksmanship, with the insignia of a rampant .. eagle?  It was some type of bird of prey - hooked beak and sharp talons, but the feathers details were indistinct and there was something odd about the placement of the eyes.

It reminded him somewhat of the man-of-arms own coat of arms - theirs had been a red eagle, with its wings spread over a plain gold field.  Who exactly had he got himself involved with?

[valadaar]

"Why young lady,  Rajani,  correct? The offer is most certainly open.  And will remain open for quite some time I expect.  It will be years before anyone competent will have nothing to do here.

Healers will have a lot of call I'm afraid, so I can easily find work for you.  It just so happens that I have an immediate need for some skilled people.

A group of woodcutters accompanied by one of our mid-ranked mages went missing today.  You would be an excellent addition to the team - the missing party could have injuries that need tending to - if - they are found.

I have a couple of candidates who have already applied.  I would be greatly pleased if you were able  to find some additional hands - perhaps sell-swords or the like - to beef up the team.  You will have mine and the council's gratitude for undertaking this, and even more should you be successful.  Gold is of little value - now - but we will aid you as much as circumstances allow."

"What say you young lady? I would like to get the team going in at most four hours."

[Jhoric]

Jhoric glanced at the dwarf and responded rather reluctantly, it would be impolite to ignore him.
"I'm fine," He replied, wishing he had something more to say. Then, he got bold...
"What do you think of this fish? Could use some lemon, am I right?" he said, looking around the table.

[Hrofgar]

Balin felt better with the conversation, perhaps he was more weary than he thought.
"No, rather than lemon I think that if it were marinated in a strong, dwarven ale and then cooked properly, then it would taste good."
"So, what do you do?"

[Jhoric]

"That does sound quite good, as for what I do," He pondered a moment, choosing his words. "Well," He laughed, "I do magic, of course, and I hope to do some good around here with it."

He relaxed a little.
"You seem sociable enough, I'm Jhoric. Who might you be? And, what do you do?"
Got to make friends eventually, he though.

[Hrofgar]

"And I'm Balin. I am also a practitioner of the magic arts. So, will you be looking for work?"

[Jhoric]

"I suppose I am, do you know of anything that needs doing?"

[valadaar]

Before Balin can answer, a young man wearing a nearly iridescent blue robe steps up to the two magi.  "Master Taryer has an assignment that might interest you two.  Could you follow me to his office?"

Without waiting to see if they would answer, the messenger turned on his heel and left the room.

[Hrofgar]

Balin rose and followed the messenger, wondering what it could be.

[Jhoric]

Jhoric also got up and followed. This could be just what he was looking for.

[valadaar]

The two magi followed the blue-robed man into an room that was apparently combination study, library, office and laboratory.  Sitting at a large desk seemingly carved from one giant piece of wood was a somewhat portly man in merchant's garb. 

"Ah, so Urdun found you - excellent.  I need to send out a search party for a missing mage, some woodcutters and their escorts.  I've been told good things about you two."

Balin was startled - he had spoken to precious few since he came to this hovel of a city

"Oh, where are my manners - my name is Weth Taryer. I am a senior mage-councilor.  Now, I have a few other people already signed on and I'm in the process of finding some sell-swords to bulk out the party.  If you agree to this, you will have mine and the council's gratitude.  You will be able to make use of the Hostel without charge for at least two more weeks, and have access to what facilities we have that are not overbooked already.  The expedition is to set out within four hours. You will have a guide to help as well.

Any questions? What say you?"

[valadaar]

Having quit the site of the days festivities - the 'wine' was worse then the ale, Toboran and Dimi found themselves walking the simple dirt trails that passed for streets here.  One good rain and this place would be nearly impassable. 

As they walked on, they heard one of the ubiquitous town criers - there was no paper available for posters and the like - rattling off a contract for mercenaries.

<ooc - do either of you investigate further?>

[Pariah]

"Lemala?" Dimi muttered; "What's being offered, sadeqey?  What brave monsters will need be killed to help a terrified noble sleep well at night?"

[valadaar]

Not fazed by the odd words, the crier stopped his next proclamation and turned to Dimi.

"Tis a rescue mission I'm told.  Go see Master Taryer at the Mage Council, center ring. As for what's on offer, they say its up for negotiation - everythings barter these days. It'll also getcha out of this stinkin' city. I'd go, if it weren't for my bum leg."

[Drackler]

"Sounds like an interesting proposition." Toboran said, stroking his chin, " But where, my good man, may we find this Mage Council?"

[valadaar]

Looking at Toboran, the crier scowled.  "Guess I'll say it louder - Center ring. Can't miss it. Biggest building there."

[Hrofgar]

"Yes, I shall assist."

Balin thought that this would be an excellent opportunity to begin making his mark on this new world.

[valadaar]

Dimi and Toboran found the Mage council easily enough - the building was perhaps as good as they came in the oversize refugee camp. 

A few inquiries led them to small room where a number of people were quietly discussing matters.

Master Taryer appeared soon after.

"Greetings gentlemen, " he said. "You are here about the rescue mission? Yes?"

"Your team will leave in the hour should you accept. A guide is being provided along with the team leader.  Do you have any questions?"

[Scrasamax]

Rajani had no questions, bowing her head in acknowledgement of Master Taryer. She held the reins of Grey, the rather unimaginative name she had given to the grey gelding she liberated from EndKelton, slack in one hand. She would ride some, walk some. She didnt like the notion of leaving the horse behind, he had been her companion for some time and she had taken a liking to him.

She prepared herself as best as possible, she had her wand tucked into the belt of her riding skirts, along with a long handled dagger. She closed her eyes and let her spirit settle low, and she felt it. This world was in many ways not so different from her home, she could feel the rise and eddy of mystical force emanting from the very earth. In a moment she could draw that force up into armor, perhaps the strongest trick she could muster.

[valadaar]

The hastily assembled party found themselves in a open area just near a gate in the outermost ring of Respite.  This wooden wall was the least well-built, looking to be little more then days old. In places, branches still bearing slightly wilted leaves gave cover to the wall.

All told, the party numbered about twenty, with only a few horses.  In addition to Rajani,  Dimi ,Toboran, Johric and Balin, there was Yerwick - another mid-level Magecouncil member and apparent team leader, Turith - a odd light-blue skinned elf and 'guide', as well as a troop of about a dozen or so other warriors.

The group gathered and began to move after a short confused discussion as to who would go where, but ended up with about half of the warriors in front, along with Yerwick ,Toboran and Dimi, the mages in the middle,and the balance of the warriors in the rear.

The first few hours were fairly easy going - the forests had been stripped bare of most things up to that point - anything portable, edible or usable already having been snatched to feed the hunger of Respite and its refugee citizenry.

The next few hours became more difficult as the forest began to thicken.  The underbrush was heavy on either side of the trail, and the huge oak and maple trees that formed the canopy overhead seemed rather tight for trees of their size.  The group found itself moving at nearly single file before too long.

<ooc - any actions at this point? There is nothing immediately obvious to anyone aside from the growing difficulty of the terrain.>

[Scrasamax]

"I should have spent more time in the woods, when they were still there," Rajani said, looking to the man walking dutifully next to her. "I suppose it is too late to remedy that now." She looked ahead, the column of soldiers, volunteers and a few magi stalking through the forest, looking for missing woodcutters.

"it does seem odd to me that they did not cut these trees, I mean they are not so far away, and seem good enough, but I do not know about such things."

[Hrofgar]

"Wait, I heard something in those bushes." Balin indicated to some shrubs.

[Dozus]

Tenrir listened patiently and stone-faced as Kou'rha breathlessly explained the vision he had seen.  The old shaman paused a few moments after Kou'rha had finished, plucking at one of the coarse strands of hair in his beard.  "I wished to keep the truth from you, Kou'rha," he said finally with a murmur.  "But now, I think, there are things that you must know."

Kou'rha frowned.  "What does the vision mean?" he demanded.

"I do not know," he admitted.  "I feared that you would see nothing this night.  It is good that you saw something, but I wish that you had seen something else."

Kou'rha gave a low rumble of despair.  "And I also, Uncle.  It caused me great fear.  But... If you did not think that I would see anything, why did you send me?"

Tenrir poked at the small fire in his hut with a stick, staring into the flames as though they would give answer.  "This is a thing you must keep secret, Kou'rha," he said grimly, embers lighting his wrinkled visage.  "No one must know but we two, or the village would be destroyed."  Kou'rha nodded in agreement.  Tenrir gave a low, long sigh.  "It has been at least five moons since I have heard the great spirits."

"Five moons?!" Kou'rha gasped.  "But- Why?  Are you ill, Uncle?  Have you offended them that they will not give you words?"

Tenrir shook his head.  "You do not understand.  It is not I that cannot hear.  The spirits are just... gone."

Kou'rha blinked, trying to grasp the gravity of it.  "Gone?  To where?  Why have they left?"

"A great darkness is coming over the land, nephew," Tenrir said.  "The spirits wanted to stop it, but it was too strong for them."  His voice softened, almost fearful.  "I heard their cries, for a moment.  Terrible cries..."  He shook his head.  "Where they have gone, I do not know.  But they are gone.  Only their blessing magic is left."

Kou'rha sat stunned, distraught.  "What could be so terrible that even the great spirits flee?" he wondered aloud.  "Is it the Others?  Have they brought a curse with them?"

"No, they suffer with us, and worse.  They have fled their lands, and their great spirits are gone."  He sighed.  "For once, Kou'rha, I truly do not know what to do."

There was a long silence before something struck Kou'rha.  "We must find the great spirits, Uncle," he said decisively.

Tenrir made a curious grunt.  "Find the great spirits?  I do not know where you would begin."

"If the Others cannot find their spirits, perhaps we can search for them together," Kou'rha offered.  An edge of excitement crept into his voice.  "They are destructive, and they look weak, but they may be friends in our need."

Tenrir tugged at his beard again.  "Yes... I think you may be right, Kou'rha."  A proud smile briefly lit his face.  "But I cannot go with you.  I am too old, and the village still needs me."

His nephew nodded.  "I understand, Uncle.  I shall go myself, and return with the great spirits."  He stood as though to leave, eager if ignorant.

"Wait," the shaman ordered, rising to his feet.  "There is something you must first do."

(OOC: Back in action if you'll still have me, Mr. GM )

[valadaar]

As soon as his warning faded into silence, Balin began the chant of magic.  In front of him a large blazing sphere flashed into being, already singing and wilting the nearby vegetation.

Elsewhere along the line, chaos erupted.

Up front, where Dimi walked his horse along side Toboran, two hellish swine burst through the underbrush.  The beasts were nearly the size of Dimi's horse and their foul maws were armed with sword-like tusks.

The mages heard the shouts of the reargaurd and it was immediately clear that this was an ambush, but for some reason, none had burst into the middle.

Init: Toboran
Front NPCs
Dimi , Johri
Yerwick
Hellish Swine
Rajani,Rear Group NPCs
Turith - Guide (apparently asleep on his feet...)

Automove on Wednesday if no post.