Enter the Stolen Lands, a wilderness claimed by nobles, bandits, and beasts alike. Into this territory the fractious country of Brevoy sends its emissaries, tasking them with subduing the lawless folk and deadly creatures that have made it a realm of savagery and shame. Beyond the last rugged frontier stretches the home of voracious monsters, capricious fey, wily natives, and bandits who bow to the rule of a merciless lord none dare defy. Can the our heroes survive the Stolen Lands, bring their dangers to heel, and lay the foundations of a new kingdom? Or will they just be one more fateful band, lost forever to the ravenous wilds?
The Stolen Lands have long resisted all attempts to claim them. Taldor itself has tried, and to this day, once-proud ruins of ambitious but doomed Taldan colonies dot the wilds of these distant reaches. Others have tried as well. Bandits, adventurers, and all manner of distasteful riffraff have attempted to claim domains here, often in the name of established River Kingdoms like Pitax or Mivon, but sometimes without any external support at all. Brevoy has long dabbled with southward expansion, yet the Stolen Lands harbor many ferocious and tenacious denizens and have no shortage of monsters or mysteries to foil such attempts at colonization. It seems obvious, therefore, that these lands will remain wild for some time to come—only a group blessed equally with tenacity, foolishness, and luck might succeed where so many before have failed to transform these regions into a new kingdom.
—from Taldan historian Gustav Devarr's Kingdoms of the Lost
Home Sweet Home
Be it so known that the bearers of this charter, having delivered the northern reaches of the Greenbelt from the scourge of banditry, having provided detailed maps of the lay of the land, and having done no small amount of work in the exploration of said land and the culling of hostile monsters and indigenous hazards, are hereby granted the right to rule. The nature and laws of rule are theirs to define, and the well being of this new nation is theirs to protect. In accordance for providing a stable nation to the south of central Rostland, let there be a generous stipend of funds, support, and advice provided to this fledgling nation as a token of Restov and Brevoy's goodwill, such that future relations between kingdoms might be mutually beneficial. So witnessed under the watchful eye of the Lordship of Restov and by the authority granted by Lord Noleski Surtova, current Regent of the Dragonscale Throne on this the 14th day the month of Erastus.[/align]
Rova 21st, Early Fall, Atop the ramparts of the fortress of Stagfall, Southern Greenbelt
It has been two months since the defeat of the Stag Lord and his bandits. Since that time much has changed. Over the course of the two months, our heroes and would be kingdom builders have made half a dozen trip to Rostov to speak to the Lord Mayor Sellemius. The charter to explore the Greenbelt has been changed, and the group has been charged with settling the Greenbelt. While the southern portion of the nation of Brevoy, Rostland, could send its own official agents south to attempt such colonization, such an act would cause unwanted repercussions for the delicate political situation in Brevoy. Rostland wants a safe southern border and an ally it can count on to back it up if things go badly—but it doesn't want to antagonize its northern counterpart Issia by appearing to make blatant land grabs to expand their power. To see this task done the Swordlords of Brevoy have invested a good number of men and resources into the venture backing your attempt to see this job done.
Dozens of laborers and craftsmen, countless wagons of supplies, a train of tools and gold, plus scores of colonists seeking a new life have been moving into the heart of the Greenbelt. The new arrivals have dubbed the new town that's being built Stagfall, in honor of the defeat of the bandit lord that held the land in terror, and its stuck. The old fort has become the center of the government, your government, and while its far from finished it is livable and it is where the decisions that rule this land are made. Tents, shanties and actual buildings are set up around the base of the hill on the shores of the Tuskwater. The rivers and lake are rich with fish and food, and provide easy access for loggers out of the Narlmarches.
Watching out over what is slowly shaping up to be a real live town, you can't help but remember those key events that brought you to this point since receiving the letter from Rostov two months ago.
Welcome to Book 2: Act 1! We are going to run a short series of vignettes and flashbacks to bring us up to speed to this moment in time. Once we do we'll start work on rolling your kingdom events and we'll go a good many months of just kingdom building. Please don't post yet, I have another one to make.
I'm going to upload an End of Book 1 Map to the OOC thread so we know where we ended. I will continue to advance the map as always as we move forward. Three new hexes are revealed as the fort has a commanding view, etc. These are unexplored hexes by the PCs, but you know what the land is like.
Last edited by Vardaen on Mon Jun 24, 2013 5:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
Erastus 27th, Rostov, the Lord Mayor's council chamber, Mid Summer
You stand around a large council table in the middle of a fine chamber in the heart of Rostov. A week ago Kesten brought you a new charter and the news you needed to go to Rostov yourselves. On arrival it didn't take long to get a private meeting with Sellemius, the man who set you on your task in the first place. After many thanks and well wishes from the man in public you were escorted to one of the private audience chambers and you have been here for hours now hashing out the details of what is to come.
"Your maps are most excellent. You have most certainly fulfilled the aspect of charting the Greenbelt with great accuracy. I will have my scribes and cartographers make a copy of this for posterity, but I'm certain you'd like to keep the original, I know how map makers can be." He has a rough sketch of the land now laid out on the table before you and you are planning and plotting. "You said here was the Stag Lord's fortress, it certainly is a good location. Central to the region, lots of fresh water and fishing. The hills and forest aren't too dense, yet are close enough. Are you certain these Sootscale Kobolds can be trusted to leave our caravan's alone?" He tugs on his ear as he considers.
"I agree then, this is the best place to found your new settlement. Rostov is prepared to send you supplies, laborers, and even colonists to jump start things for you. What do you say to that?" He smiles at you, he is a consummate politician and he already knows your answer.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
Comfortable with the politicizing already, Cal smiles and nods. "We've discussed several possible locations for a town among ourselves," he says. "And the Stag Lord's fortress was our recommendation as well. Once we get a road build up to the trading post, it should be perfect. And there are no fewer than three convenient river crossings to get there from the north."
"As for the kobolds," he adds, "we have a pretty good relationship with them. I think they'll be good neighbors. We might even be able to convince some of them to help us mine for gold in the area, if we're lucky."
"We appreciate all of the help you can give us. It's a good land to the south, but it's wild right now. And whatever people and supplies you can send our way will help us tame it."
He nods about the kobold and the road, "You are going to need some able bodied men or women to lead this endeavor. Rostov is prepared to send you supplies, laborers and tools, but as far as leadership you are going to fend for yourself right now. That Kesten Garess fellow, despite his history, seems a good man to lend a hand." He points at Oleg's, "The Leveton's tradepost will also make a decent staging ground, all the caravan will take the road west and then turn south from there. You'll want to try and mark a trail or have some guides to make sure the payroll and other wealth finds its way. The Stag Lord is gone, but that doesn't mean the whole area is filled with rainbows and puppy dogs now." He continues to examine your map impressed with your skills.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
"You can keep this copy of the map," Cal says, noticing Sellemius's interest in it. "We had time down at the trading post waiting for Kesten to return, so I made this clean copy. I'm afraid the original is not quite as pretty, having been made on the trail. But it has more sentimental value, as I'm sure you'll understand."
"We have some ideas as to who can help us with the administration down south," he continues, "and I assure you that we intend to conscript Kesten into helping us. There are some others as well, though what I wouldn't give for a proper wizard to advise us on magical matters."
"As for the trail between the Leveton's trading post and out settlement, I assure you that's one of our first priorities. I'd like to see a proper road laid out by year's end - sooner if possible."
The Lord Mayor takes the map from Calanthir, "Well, thank you then, I'll add this to the royal archives. I would seem you have things well in hand then." He reaches out and shakes your hands one by one, "Now, you remember who is financing this venture, and where your loyalties lie and this will be both profitable and enjoyable for all of us." Over the course of the next hour you will work out the details of the supplies and laborers, get to know the names of a few of the foremen and those that will be building your as of yet unnamed town.
I realize that everyone but Trogdor is current on Vacation of some kind so we'll stall things here until folks are back.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
Lem Lillywag while now a proud ruler of an unnamed land is far from a politician. Luckily he has his smart friend Calanthir to talk and be witty around important people while Lem does his best to say out of the way, something he as a former slave is very good at. He shakes the hand of the major when required to do so and smiles pleasently all the while aound the big folk.
Valen looks at the map with the Lord Mayor and his fellow founders of Stagfall. He tosses the name around in his head and decides he really likes it. "Do not worry Lord Mayor. We appreciate everything that is being done for us and we will remember. We have much work to do but with all the help we will make great progress."
It has been six days since leaving the Lord Mayor's Office and the man has come through as promised. You stand in the courtyard of Oleg's Tradepost talking with a dozen teamsters. The wagon drivers have just arrived from Brevoy, their wagons loaded with tools and supplies to build a town with. The men are eager to start out on this great adventure but you know the road to what they are already calling Stagfall is rough and dangerous. Oleg is both excited by all the business, for the labor crew that is here is eating and spending money, but so many people in his place drives the man a bit worried.
Oleg stands with you, the dozen wagon train drivers, Colban and Kesten. One of the wagon drivers is just finishing giving an account of his supplies, "... and ten iron pick axes. Plus I have three men with me eager to get to work. Who is handling the logistics of all this?"
Now is a wonderful time to talk to Oleg, Kesten, Colban and even Svetlana about joining your team and ruling council.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
Cal nods at the report and replies to the man. "I'm handling the overall logistics," he says. "As well as personnel and city planning; Areanhal is keeping the general supply accounts; Valen is dealing with food supplies and animals; and Lem is handling security matters for the trip south." He rubs the back of his neck. "Just bear with us for now and we'll have everything settled for departure. We're looking to get some more administrative help. Once we do, things should run a bit more smoothly."
Once we're done with this guy, it will be a good moment to talk to Oleg and Svetlana.
