[Story] Rebirth of Brevoy - The Trading Post : Act I

[Storm]

The Stolen Lands Part I In a land...a land lost to the passage of time. Time passing by and the lost land falls to age and ruin. A vast wilderness near the borders of Brevoy and the River Kingdoms. The Regents and Noble Houses of Rostland and Issia once proud and independent nations became one under a barbarian conqueror's banner. Strife and bickering among the two different cultures resulted in the splitting of held territories. These lands were left to dark fey, war mongers and countless other monstrosities. This new land and part of the lost land is held under the nation of Brevoy. With the Rostlanders and Issians vying for regional dominance. The lost land taken over by forces of their own independent control, have 'stolen' the land from Brevoy and now the many swaths of moors, swamps, hills, wilderness and forest need to become reclaimed by Scions of Brevoy. The story starts off on the open road, having received a charter to arrest, apprehend or decimate a population of bandits in the near by area. The travel on the open road has been tedious at best. Ever watchful for small skirmishes and surprise attack, the open road has been kind thus far. Receiving no other amenities or other worldly possessions. Your travel among the starry night among the half crescent moon and silvery stars embroidered into a blanket of midnight blue. A wisp or two of fresh air filters through creases of armor and matted hair. Travel towards a Trading Post to re outfit your company with provisions and stock, closer you travel, and soon you will arrive at Oleg's. Stopping for the night, you encamp and sit around the campfire as the embers brightly glow. The fire spits and cackles with sparks of pieces that gently blow away as kindling is thrown on to bask in the fires embrace. Small talk and sleep follow as the passage of time for now seems uneventful to morning. Each of you with different reasons to make the trip to the Trading Post, Olegs is said to be the cross roads in any direction into the Stolen Lands. To the north lie the increasingly civilized farmlands and villages of Rostland. There is adventure abound there and some may even find merchants to buy or sell commodities of desire and need, business to craft your making, places to perform songs and tales of old or taverns to consume beverages and Inns to rest. The west of this place called the Greenbelt, are the moors and swamps of the stolen lands. The lands west of the Greenbelt slope gently away into a large and dangerous swampland known as Hooktongue Slough. The land is filled with ruins and monsters that infest the fetid bog lands and marshes. East is the Kamelands, as they continue to rise, eventually becoming a legitimate mountain range known as the Tors of Levenies. These craggy peaks are dangerous as well, home to all manner of monsters, trolls, and worse, numerous ruins here hint that the Tors were once the home of a strange and towering race of giants. Soon the morning becomes mid day and the land becomes civilized the more north your direction tends to go. Farms steeped among the grassy pastures are dotted with calves grazing in the fields and passing a few wooden fences leading into hills and mountains on the east, Rostland to the north and the swamps to the west. An old wooden sign hangs from several wooden tenement buildings. The main central area is muddied from horses hooves and trampled with sod, grass and dirt. One wooden sign reads Oleg's Trading Post. This is the place to inquire within. There are several other buildings but the weather worn signs are old and in need of repair. The time of year is after winters freeze. The cool air is mixed with the bright warmth of the sun. Breath can be seen exhuming from mouth and the frost upon rickety window panes show warmth inside as smoke churns and billows from smoke stacks around the Trading Post. Casual people greet you as you pass through, the occasional high and bye from various other people tending to their businesses of need.

[Totentanzen]

Corinth of the House Surtova Corinth walks quietly into the town. His brown cloak lies gently upon his shoulders as it flutters gently in the short breezes. He looks up to see the sun shining down upon them, a pleasant welcoming from the brisk cold of the air. He takes slow and steady breaths as he feels the air rush into his lungs, doing well to keep him awake, and watches as the heat from his body creates smoke that drifts into the sky. He could feel the ground give way somewhat as he walked, the ground was beginning to thaw from the freeze of winter. He decided to take down his hood so as to feel the warm rays on the top of his head and as they drift across his face. It was days like these that he would take count of his life. He imagined his long lost home far to the north and the west. The warm comfortable nights he spent in that house and the friends he had made. He remembered Ava's beautiful face and the joy that radiated when she smiled. Her hair would flow in the wind and dance with sun in the air. He remembered the children he would watch over, how they knew nothing of the world around them, and more importantly, nothing of their father. He would play games with them and give them the childhood he had. He quickly shook that thought from his head before he drifted to that man. He rarely dwelt upon that thought lest he give into the rampage of anger that would follow. Coming back to the current moment he looked up and saw the wooden sign that read Oleg's trading post. A half smile creped across his face as he thought about a chance to sit down and possible get a nice warm drink. While he never wore armor as he found it restricting, it still had been awhile since he could let his guard down. While on the road he could never quite be at peace, to do so would be leaving oneself for death. As people walked by he greeted them with a smile and a wave. He walked into the trading post and took a spot against the wall and sat down. He immediately let out a sigh of relief as he felt the pressure drain away from his feet and he could feel his muscles begin to relax. He sat down and watched as the rest of his company walked in.

[Shadow0136]

Lina Hykule "The Oracle of Brevoy" Lina rode her horse quietly into town, her blonde tresses falling around her face as the wind rushed past her face. Feeling a shiver run down her spine she drew her cloak even tighter around herself, the thick inner lining weighing heavily upon her and causing her to breathe deeply. This was why she preferred to stay in her cottage during the colder parts of the year, she got sick very easily and now it seemed, *..AH-CHOO...!* that she had started to fall ill already. Hopefully they would reach the trading post soon and she could warm up. "Can you tell me what the signs say Darian? It's hard to see with the wind blowing them to and fro.." she asked her companion as they tried to find the trading post. "Alright, if I remember what Fr. Tamer told me we are looking for an establishment named Oleg's trading post. Now if I could just read the signs then this would be easy." Sneezing again she finally asks one of the people who are wandering about and gets them pointed in the right direction. Hurrying to get out of the cold Lina almost fell off of her horse as she tried to keep up with Darian, but luckily he was more attentive and caught her by the shoulder before guiding her to the trading post and leading her in after getting the horses to the stables. "Good Day Sirs." she politely says to the men in the room before finding an open spot beside her companion. Thankful for the warmth in the building she loosened her cloak and pulled out a flask, using her magic to fill it and sipping it before offering to do the same for Darian.

[Geldar]

Darian Danster, Paladin of Erastil and Protector of the Oracle Yes, thank you. The elixir Lina served up was always a warm welcome, and no-less for today. It was but a simple creation, but he'd grown accustomed to her kindness. And that in itself was always a warm-up for him. Oh dear, you're feeling unsteady again? I keep telling you, pace yourself and draw your cloak tightly. Shop-keep, some tissue please? What can I get you to eat, Lina? He sips his beverage lightly. I'm sorry I didn't answer back there and made you to ask for direction from the wanderer on the road. Hardbiter got lazy on me and I couldn't keep-up with you for a moment. He winks and adds, Don't let Father Tamer know that your horse moves so far in-front like that at times, he'll have it out for us both. Indeed, it had been some time now since they'd began their journey together: the oracle and her paladin protector. Charged to help settle The Greenbelt and make his carpentry skills available for the settling, Darian also received another charge: watch over and guard the Oracle Lina Hykule. Our knightly crusader was already well-aware of her "disabilities"; that is to say, her need for vision in the immediate, present world. But what Lina lacked in terms of sight, she made up for as a healer and as a talented seer. Over time, young Darian had already gotten used to her mannerism, her need for protection and physical support. And in turn, she presumably was adjusting to his innate protectiveness, his daily need for help getting in and out of armor, and his own sense of insecurity. They complimented each other well, and theirs was fast-becoming a sibling-like relationship. And so the paladin of Erastil and the Oracle of Brevoy enjoy a beverage together that she has prepared.

[Kadaver]

Mathias Red " Good day sir " "Good day!" The dark haired ranger cried. Waving a dyed leather armored hand in greeting to the townsman. Mathias adored small towns like this. White teeth shown through the chestnut mustache and beard as the man greeted a child. Adoring the feeling that one would greet not just the people they knew. It helped make a traveler feel at home. Green eyes cast upwards as he walked, squinting as he attempted to make out the words of each worn sign. Surprised as he nearly walks into the very clearly written sign of his destination. Red sighed lightly as he looked the building over. His hands disappeared for a moment into his belt before returning with a wooden pipe and tobacco. 'I wish I could really like seeing a building,' Mathias glanced up from the dark wood to peer at the portal of the building. 'But they're not my strong point. Combatively speaking,' Red lit the pipe, 'I'm limited. Then again...' Mathias stepped forwards and through the door as he puffed. 'It's just a meeting. What could happen?' Entering Olegs, Mathias looked the room over for a moment. He was unsure of his companions. Red exhaled through his nose before stepping forwards to the bar top and peered about in search of...Well...Who really. He supposed that due to the nature of their journey he would find an assortment of hardened warriors. As it was understood to Mathias, they were seeking bandits that plagued the land. Glancing up from the paper, he searched the room for likely matches.

[SolarDragon]

Eldrath Elderson The magister sat up as the creaking wagon came to a halt and the farmer turned to him. "Well Sonny, ye said ye wanted to be brought to the Trading Post, and here ye are. 'Tis a fine sight to those like us who travel far with wares, but I wager ye have something more than trade to fry, iffin yer travelling this way in robes like that." "Yes, perhaps. Thank you for allowing me to ride along, you have been a true gentleman." "'Ere, none of that talk! I work for a living!" Erdrath chuckled slightly, inclining his head to the farmer as he hurried his horse on to the stables. His back groaned with the the imprint of the journey. While his equipment stipend had been generous, transport out these parts was expensive, and he hadn't wanted to chance his money on a horse from the markets of Port Ice, so he was lucky to have got the acheworthy ride he had. Still, the old farmer had dropped him right to the door, Oleg's crest hanging above the door on a faded sign, the sign obviously repainted many times, standing in attempted defiance of the elements. Wrapping his robes around him, with the chill of the approaching evening in the air, leaning on his quarterstaff as though for support, he opens the door, wondering how to find those his master had tasked him with accompanying.

[Shadow0136]

Lina Hykule "The Oracle of Brevoy" Lina gave some of the elixer to Darien, taking a moment to think before answering his question. "You're welcome Darian, and anything warm would be fine... and thank you." As Darian apologized for not answering her earlier Lina smiled and replied, "It's alright Darian, Maven does get excited and tends to go at whatever pace she wants. But I won't say anything to him if you won't, since we both know that he likes to overreact." It felt strange to Lina that she had become so close to Darian in such a short amount of time, but looking back it might have been that their personalities just mixed well. Sure they had been a bit distant at first, but her small offerings and Darian's protective and helpful personality had slowly begun to forge a bond between them. It could not be said exactly what that bond was yet, but that they trusted and relied upon one another.

[diabloblanco18]

Konstantin Orlovsky His face and ears red and fairly burning from the cold, Konstantin quickly steps inside the trading post. Even south of Issia's rugged hills and Rostland's plains, winter days are hardly a time to be idling about outside. The Lake, it seems, makes its presence felt wherever one goes, though the days spent on the road were clear enough. No sudden storms out of the north. No digging tents out of a new-fallen snowbank, come morning. No frigid looks or biting disdain from Uncle Poul. Maybe, just maybe, he has left all that behind. He takes stock of the room before him. This place seems more tavern than trading post, its surroundings more town than...well, whatever it is you're supposed to find when you reach the edge of civilization. Just how lawless could these Stolen Lands be? Well, he'll figure that out soon enough. For now, the rest of the expedition is waiting.

[Geldar]

A Delicious Meal? Darian orders Deducted from sheet: 7 sp and 2 cp for two common meals plus a decent tipa hot but modest meal for each of Lina and himself. You can get the next one, he tells her in a half-hearted, big-brotherly kind of way. I know you're not feeling really good, just eat what you want. He always seems to finish his meat and drink so much faster than she does. I really should take my time when I eat, savor my meals. In truth, he's never been one to linger-on and savor much of anything. As the meal commences, Darian glances about and casually observes the room's the occupants. Then, he lowers his head and shuts his eyes. Those looking on, including Lina of course who by now probably knows what her well-armed companion is up to, would believe him to be in Detects Evil within 60'intense concentration about something. After about six seconds or so he whispers across the table, I guess our new companions have arrived. And don’t worry, the four that I'm focused on right now unless anyone's lying big-time about their alignments, of course! lolseem alright to me. Indeed, the two men he believes to be scouts of some nature, possibly even rangers, judging from manners of dress, seem to mean business; as does the other warrior type, sporting a longsword and shield and evidently having arrived here astride a warhorse of his own. The bearded man with the staff looks to be either a priest or perhaps an arcane type; one can only hope he is on the side of Good. A voracious eater, a few bites is all it will take for Darian to finish his meal. He wipes a bit of spiced meat from his mouth. As he finishes up, he decides he will politely introduce himself to one or more of his new companions unless they come to him first.

[diabloblanco18]

Polite Introduction The charter made no mention of how to identify his fellow explorers, but Konstantin doesn't need detailed instructions to know that the man wearing a suit of plate is not here for the hunting and trapping. Nor does the slight young woman seated next to him look like she fits in. Smiling, he takes a seat across from the pair, and - by way of introduction - puts his copy of their charter on the table. "Hello. I take it you've also come on Mayor Sellemius' request?" He says this perhaps a bit too loudly for normal conversation. Hopefully the more dubious types - and the more obvious mage - will catch on and spare everyone the trouble of sorting out who's here for what. "I'm Konstantin, by the way," he introduces himself.

[Totentanzen]

Greeting Corinth stands up begrudgingly already missing being off of his feat and walks over to the small group of adventurers. He does a small bow to be polite before saying "I hope I am not bothering you, I am Corinth of the house Surtova at your service my friends. You seem to have known each other for some time judging by your demeanor towards one another. Friends? Allies? a slave? Please pardon my questioning, I have always been a curious fellow." Corinth goes over to the nearest table and drags a chair towards them and takes a seat. "Ahh" he exclaimed happy again to be on off his feat. "Long travels always make one weary especially when amidst the elements." He looks at them intently trying to gather any information from they way they dressed and held themselves. "So what are your names? Professions? Spin me a yard of your lives." He thought for second "Oh how rude of me not to tell a little about myself before asking so much of others. Again I am corinth, I hail from the House Surtova near port ice originally. Sadly I have not been back in quite some time." He quickly flashed back to the thought of ava again and a wave of sadness falls over him. He thinks to himself "get a grip on yourself man every time you think of home thats what happens." He comes back to the conversation at hand. "I am a shadow of sorts you could say. I stay hidden and scout. If I don't know something about an enemy rest assured I will find it. That is my job, profession, and life."

[Geldar]

Introductions Abound. Darian quickly finishes his last bite of dinner with Lina as their new associates join their table. As Konstantin, Corinth and any others approach, Darian touches Lina’s hand slightly and turns his upper body towards the man he's addressing so she can see him, making sure the oracle is alerted to their visitors’ presences. As the adventurers come to them, Darian returns pleasantries in-kind. Ah yes, well met gentlemen; well met. I am Darian. And yes, here about the mayoral request. OOC Darian is Lina’s guard and protector, not her spokesperson. If appropriate, he will introduce Lina to them out of courtesy to her; but I presume once it's obvious who we're all talking to that she will choose to introduce herself. When Konstantin presents the map, Darian says Ah, I see you have one of the charters right here. Again, he touches Lina’s arm lightly; he taps on the map and says to her casually and softly, A map of the charter, aware that she perhaps cannot immediately discern the paper laid in front of her. As the party arrives and as they feel comfortable with one another, and if it seems appropriate to do so, Darian offers to buy a round of drinks; he himself not so much imbibing.

[Shadow0136]

Introductions Lina paused from her meal as the men suddenly sat at the table before her. After Darian joins the conversation she finishes chewing and swallowing the food in her mouth before wiping some crumbs from her lips. When there is a small pause in the conversation Lina softly speaks, her voice clear to those at the table but difficult for anyone else to hear. "'Tis a pleasure to meet you sirs, my name is Lina Hykule. Accompanying Darian here and offering my services for the mayorial request." she offered an unsure smile, as she was somewhat taken in surprise from the sudden company. When Darian quietly told her of what was on the paper her smile became a bit more genuine, and she was starting to become a bit more comfortable with the group around her. But when Darian offered to buy a round of drinks she politely declined, having never tasted a drop of alcohol in her life and unsure of how it would affect her. Instead she pulled out some tea leaves and used her magic to fill a cup with water, making her own tea as she sat and listened.

[SolarDragon]

Erdrath The man in robes steps inside, ruffling his cloak out to shake the first few flakes of snow off from the night winds. Looking round the room, there were many tables, and among the odd caravan guards it was hard to pick those who he would be travelling with-but the small flash of magic in the corner caught his eye, and he turns to group, making his way slowly over, still leaning on the quarterstaff. Looking round as he makes his way over, he nearly gets distracted by one of the serving staff [as he mentally describes them] before shaking his head and stepping over to the table. "I would guess that-Ah, yes, the charters. I wondered if you were the adventurers tasked with this endeavour. My name is Erdrath, and it is a pleasure to meet you." He gives a small bow to each at the table, but a not-too-keen eye could observe that the bow to the lady was significantly deeper.

[Shadow0136]

The Newcomer Lina looked to the newcomer who had bowed to them, noticing with a blush that the bow to her was significantly deeper and more respectful than the ones for the other men. Taking a sip of her tea to camouflage her embarrassment Lina responded by saying "And I can say the same of yourself, and would you care to join us?" She offered one of the remaining seats to Edrath, either the one between Darian and Konstantin, the seat between Konstantin and Corinth, or finally the one beside herself.