The world of Dawnforge is a mythic land rich The world of Dawnforge is a mythic land rich in magic and wonder where great empires clash, intrepid explorers journey beyond wild frontiers, and mighty heroes brave epic dangers. It is a land where familiar and beloved races and archetypes are reaching the pinnacle of their glory and wonder. It is a vast and rich realm where newborn nations are still islands of civilization in a dark and unexplored wilderness sea. The world of Dawnforge is a land where the greatest deeds have yet to be done and epic heroes are wrought in the crucible of legend.
Though Alexei seems to be more inclined towards the idea of booking passage rather than having to labor aboard a ship, he does not allow such bias to cloud his decision and will go with what the majority prefers to do. He will graciously pay for his portion of the trip from his own pocket, politely refusing Solia's somewhat '˜ill-begotten' gains profusely.
If his attempts at refusal seem to offend the young rogue, he volunteers his portion to pay for one of the party member's travel expenses; preferably in the order of Arya, Solia, and then any other party member if so needed and if the previous two refuse to take the monies.
At Hawthorn Manor, Alexei will volunteer to speak on the group's behalf and gives either Madam Hawthorn or her associates a fully detailed explanation about their premature departure.
If the group allows, Alexei will explain in detail their reasons for leaving the Festival.
'œIt would be nice to travel once without having to worry about making sure that the ship is in working order,' Kharn comments. The large minotaur then seems to be lost deep in thought. Finally, after several moments, he continues, 'œAfter giving it much thought, I think that we should leave as soon as possible on one of the vessels departing today. After all, the sooner we unravel this mystery, the sooner we can avenge the death of Arya's father!'
Kharn is fine with Alexei speaking on their behalf and has no qualms about what information is told to or withheld from their gracious employer-host.
Solia expresses a strong desire to wait a day or two in order to depart on Captain Lundree's vessel. She states, ironically, that when it comes to boats, she prefers to '˜earn her keep' by lending her services to the crew and has always enjoyed climbing among a ship's riggings. Despite her explanation, most of the group can not help but feel that the young rogue is nothing more than a greedy, self-absorbed profiteer who is interested solely in making a quick copper or two.
If outvoted, Solia expresses a strong intent on doing her best to '˜loan' her skills to whatever Captain the group hires to take them to Stormhaven. She then awaits Alexei's return from Hawthorn Manor and expects him to inform the group on how the Lady reacted to his explanation.
Given the fact that three of you seemed keen on the idea of leaving on a boat today, I will assume that the majority of the votes won and will post accordingly. You have roughly three hours before your boat leaves so feel free to post any actions prior to leaving as well as any during your course of travels.
Well it appears that the '˜ayes' would have it and your band of able-bodied adventurers has agreed to purchase passage aboard one of the many ships departing Saranor this very afternoon. Due to pressing business endeavors, Alexei was unable to meet with Lady Hawthorn, but does manage to inform Master Ulno (Tullwater) of your group's intentions of leaving the Festival earlier than normal in order to aid the young lady Arya in her quest.
Overall Master Ulno seems complacent enough with your group's decision and even goes so far as to wish you all a safe and prosperous journey. The retired adventurer does however, plead with you to inform him of any discoveries that your group should make along the way. It would appear that Master Ulno longs for any stories he can find these days that deal with tales of noble deeds and epic adventures.
After spending the next several hours gathering your possessions and preparing yourself for the journey, each of you finally meet up at the docks and board the ship...
Ivanneth 27, CY 997, Waterday
Realm of Ambria, Hamlet of Dertgar Just Docked to Offload Passengers and Cargo
The group has purchased passage aboard a notable vessel known as '˜The Charon'. It is a sound looking keelboat, captained by a middle-aged lowlander man named Saebrun Long-keel. Before weighing anchor and shoving off, Captain Saebrun shows the group to their rooms and sternly cautions each of them to stay out of the crew's way, lest they delay the trip any longer than necessary. After much debate, Captain Saebrun reluctantly succumbs to Solia's desire to assist his crew in any way that she can and it is not long before the young saltblood is spotted climbing contentedly among the ship's riggings.
The first day of travel is pleasant enough and proves to be rather smooth and relaxing. The Charon is rowed slowly away from the docks and seems to glide effortlessly along the flowing currents of the Netheryn River. Once safely away from shore, the vessel's crew hurriedly raises the single-masted sail and the boat's momentum accelerates greatly. The Captain informs you that your first stop will be to the hamlet of Dertgar, some sixty miles or so from Saranor. It appears that there are cargo and several passengers that are in need of being unloaded at the tiny village and the Captain states that you should arrive there shortly after first light of the following day.
At night, the group meets for dinner in the mess hall and their meal is shared by the company of their fellow passengers and several of the crew. Two of the crew even goes so far as to entertain their guests with a sea-going shanty or two '€" accompanied by the '˜uniquely' melodic sounds of a squeezebox. Once their meals are finished, the group retires to their cabins for the night.
The next day bustles with the sounds of activity and one by one, the group eventually makes their way topside. It appears that The Charon is nearing port and the crew busies themselves preparing to dock. Several of the crew and guests quickly begin murmuring among themselves and seem to be motioning towards several large red flags than flap wildly in the breeze. The flags are placed at random places throughout the hamlet and are obviously a warning of some sorts '€" though their meaning has yet to be discerned!
Sorry for the rewrite, but I made several grammar errors as well as posted something that was mean for specific characters only.
Dertgar is a tiny little hamlet comprised of several structures and surrounding farms. A smallish forest hugs both banks of the river and the red warning flags seems to be greater in number around the forest's outskirts. A single and rather large flag hangs over the center of town. Numerous townsfolk can be seen scurrying about town as well as several armed patrols of guards.
[spoiler="The Hamlet of Dertgar '€" Alexei and Gronn Only!"]A Successful Knowledge (History) check yields you the following:
In the year 596, the tieflings of the Valhedar Dominion launched their first campaign against the Kingsmarch from the Emerlyn Peninsula. In the initial months of that war, it seemed as if the Valhedrin legions would triumph, but the knights of the Kingsmarch and their celestial allies turned the tide. By 598, the tieflings were being slowly forced back across the Shield. By 600, the Dominion's forces were routed, and the clans of the Kingsmarch were victorious.
In 599, Grim Dertgar, a tiefling, deserted his unit and fled east across Emerlyn into Anderland. He made it as far as the Netheryn River several days southwest of Saranor before he stopped running. Grim made his fighting skills useful to the people of a small village troubled by goblin raiders and won himself a place in the community. He lived his remaining years in the village. When Grim died of a fever in 615, the respectful villagers buried him in a cairn in the center of their sacred grove.
Dertgar (hamlet): Conventional; AL NG; Population 90 adults, 100 gp limit; Assets 450 gp; Mixed (80% human, 10% Halfling, 5% elf, 3% tiefling, 2% dwarf).
Authority Figures: Lares Gangel, male lowlander shaman 2.
Important Characters: Constable Mezz Salos, male Halfling warrior 3.[/spoiler]
Alexei stares out at the small town of Dertgar with wild enthusiasm. The large trueborn then takes a moment to ponder the situation whilst scratching at an itch in his beard. The small brass rings that hang entwined within his braided beard jingle softly.
"It would appear that we arrived just in the nick of time my friends as this place looks like it is in the need of our help. What say you friends, shall we see what has happened?"
Captain Saebrun seems undaunted by the warning flags and quickly instructs his crew to dock as normal. Within several minutes, the long keelboat has successfully managed to anchor itself and several of the passengers and crew begin to gather together and await their departure. As the crowd gathers, the captain's attention is drawn towards an old man and his adolescent companion as they make their way towards the loading ramp.
The old man, obviously a lowlander of ancient years, shambles slowly forwards '€" his oddly paced gait showing clear evidence of a prominent limp. The young, gap-toothed boy that accompanies the old hunched over man's role is soon identified as he lends his assistance in guiding his elder's path on more than one occasion. Once the odd duo finally reaches the bottom of the loading ramp, the elderly man does his best to straighten his crooked form and peers up and into the piercing rays of morning's first light at Captain Saeburn.
'œHo there Captain! As if you couldn't already tell, our town is in quite a bit of an uproar. Your passengers can disembark freely if they wish, but your cargo will have to wait to be unloaded until we have the manpower to do so!'
Allowing a brief pause for any player response before continuing from here.
Gronn steps forward. "Excuse my impatience sir, but we are trying to make it to Ebernath as quickly as possible. What is the cause of your problems. Perhaps we can help? " He motions to himself and his fellows.
Alexei is among the first to step forwards and quickly joins his ogrish companion with prideful joy. During his time spent with the group, Alexei has made is clearly known to all that he lives for adventure and the chance to do good in the world and what better chance to do so than the present!
The old man nearly stumbles backwards as he strains to crane his neck upwards to look Gronn in the eye and is caught quickly by the young boy at his side. Once settled, the old man scoffs quietly as he comments.
'œHeh! Save this cursed village would you then eh? I'd like to see that! Why Constable Salos himself just got back from trying to do so himself and nearly got himself killed! Nevertheless, I'm sure that you're welcome to try. Head towards the center of town and look for the town hall. Inside you will find our village elder, Lares Gangel. He can tell you more of our sad situation.'
It would appear that most of the hamlet's occupants have been placed on high alert and are currently serving as the local militia during the village's time of crisis. It will take some time before the cargo can be unloaded and you have several options:
Stay and wait it out.
Seek out the hamlet's elder and offer your services.
Kharn snorts in disgust at the mention of the town being cursed. The minotaur doesn't like being delayed from their quest, but also understands if things have gotten out of control from the townsfolk. He quickly begins to pace back and forth atop the deck, stating.
"I don't care to sit around idle! Let us either busy ourselves in unloading the ship's cargo or go into town and see what we can do to help. Just as long as we do something!"
