Gathered at the Hearth: Chapter 1, Part 1
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"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of
winter to give it sweetness?”
― John Steinbeck
― John Steinbeck
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Third Marketday
of Falmonan 499 IR
Brae lies in the
land of Heligioland. Heligioland lies north of the Central
Icebarrier within what is now known as the Low Winterlands. A land still blighted by the Blizzard War it
has become a known land of ruins that dot the landscape to this day. There are forces of good to be found in The
Hearth Knights who make up what consists of a Military for the land, their
focus is only on the protection of the people of Heligioland and leave the
ruling of the country to its settlements as there is no one ruler.
Brae itself is
renowned for main export, a clay known as Greenpot Clay was discovered some 120
years ago creating something of a clay rush on the town. Now they remain the largest distributor of
Greenpotware in the lands of Rassilon but were ill prepared to monopolize their
find so during the spring and summer months the Clay Diggers descend on their
tracts of land to get their own little piece.
As Fall comes to a close, the population of Brae settles in
for the long winter months ahead, the village has any number of lodging houses
due to the influx of diggers who keep a temporary residency in the town over
the spring and summer but there is only one that interests you right now, the Clayman’s Respite. Within the walls of the impressive Tavern and
Lodging house is the man you seek, Gaidon
ap-Rochad.
Gaidon ap-Rochad:
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OUT OF CHARACTER KNOWLEDGE, PURELY FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE READING:
It is unlikely that the other characters would know these facts unless
they become revealed at some point.
- Corbin Frostshadow – His journey has not been far, he has been working with a Roadwarden‘s group on the roads north of Myre for years now (in the center of Heligioland) when the leader of the group (as well as old friend), a Saxan by the name of Agdi Odwinsunu, approached him. He had received a missive from an old friend requesting aid in forming a small band of fighting men to assist in retrieving something. Agdi would not elaborate but impressed upon Corbin that it was important that the call be heeded. Agdi felt that Corbin would make an asset to the group and asked if he would travel to Brae and meet with a man named Gaidon ap-Rochad in the Clayman’s Respite at dusk on the Third Marketday of Falmonan.
- Kaldric Gerrulfsunu – Kaldric has enjoyed a few years traveling the realms with caravans, fighting off threats as they presented themselves. An odd situation arose recently, apparently someone by the name of Gaidon ap-Rochad paid the price for assistance from the Iron Guild and Kaldric’s superior asked if he would be the one to attend to the issue. All Kaldric knows is that this is a job that has been bought and paid for, albeit an odd sort of job as it only involves one Iron Guild member and, as far as he knows, no caravan to protect.
- Kladr Deepgaze – The letter read, “I knew your father. Kalfor was a great dwarven leader, and had a wisdom that inspired me as a young man to focus on the arts of spellcraft. I am greatly saddened to hear of his death, so young for your kind, and the deaths of so many of your kin. It has taken a while for me to find you after discovering he had a son. I was hoping you might do me the honor of a meeting. I’ll admit, it is not solely a chance to get to know you but I have a task that may be of some interest to you. Enclosed will be the date, place, and time we may meet. I hope to see you.”
- Rurick Halfgraden – The worst thing about Detran being called away has certainly been the lack of action. In fact Rurick hadn’t been this bored in ages, and it had only been a few days since Detran left with the Legion without him. Rurick was about to storm down to the Legion office to demand work the day he received the missive letter from Detran. It read, “I’m certain you are wondering why the Legion chose me and left you behind for our current task, I need to make an admission regarding that. It was my decision to leave you behind sir dwarf and before you grab your gear and seek our trail hear out my reason. There is a man whom I owe much to that recently sought my skills for a task of upmost importance, but alas I could not separate myself from the duties currently tied to the Legion. You, however, though an asset to the Legion are not yet sworn to it. Enclosed are the directions to Brae and instructions on when to meet with a man named Gaidon ap-Rochad. If you leave upon receiving this, you should arrive a few days early. Stay warm Rurick, may we meet again someday!”
- Birgir Oathspeaker – Despite his resolve to make a name for himself as a man of the road, Birgir had been nervous he’d never find a cause worth fighting for. Fortunately for him, the fates had sent him a cause. He still does not know what Gaidon has in mind for the group he’s putting together, but Birgir is certain it must be of some import. Since the day he aided the man fending off that orc not 20 miles from the home he had just left Birgir has felt a calling to aid him. Soon others would be joining the cause, Birgir has been told. Let’s just see their mettle Birgir thinks.
A freezing wind whips through the buildings in Brae despite
how close together they are. It is
getting noticeable colder as the night nears, a strong indication that the last
flickers of Fall will soon be behind the village. Pulling cloaks and furs closer to themselves
four travelers file into a local tavern named the Clayman’s Respite, as they
arrive the barkeep takes notice and informs them each that a private room has
been set aside if they are to meet with “the Anari”. In no
time the four are met with a fifth as a young Saxan man with a spear walks in,
he looks at the group gathered before him, a Frostbourne, a Saxan, and two
Frost Dwarves. He takes his seat among
them and looks toward the door expectantly as if the "Anari" is
someone he knows. The fire settles in
the corner, eerily loud given the silence in the room.
[Corbin, tentative]
ReplyDelete[Fluff]
Well, this is an interesting mix. Anyone else feel like a drink while we wait?
[Kaldric, Unhappy]
ReplyDelete[FLUFF]
"I, for one, intend to have a drink or three." Kaldric grumbles while slinking into one of the open chairs. Placing his elbows on the table and chin in hand, he scrutinizes his company and surroundings and with a huff, mumbles "What've I been dumped into this time?"
[CRUNCH]
Notice d8 to examine the room, the other four people and their gear.
[Rurick, lightheartedly]
ReplyDelete[Fluff]
"This must be an important meeting, it has attracted the finest of folks here." His eyes drift to the newest arrival. "How 'bout it son, you any good with that oversized stick?"
[GM]
ReplyDeleteWhen Kaldric mentions drinks a serving girl walks in carrying a tray of mead. "Your drinks an' food have been paid for as well as rooms for the evening. My name is Feain if you be needing anything else. I unnnerstand Gaidon will be down shortly, isn't that right Birgir?" she nods to the Saxan man with the spear. She noticeably sidesteps Corbin.
Kaldric eyes the others Notice: (d8=6, d6=2) (6=Success) He can plainly see he has been added to an odd assortment of individuals. Only one other Saxan, the man seemed hardly into his stubble yet but carries a decent looking spear (he also seems to know this "Gaidon" fellow. The others consist of the Frost Dwarf with an axe that just spoke up, another Frost Dwarf who had many items covered in runes, and if his eyes didn't deceive him... a cursed Frostborn... though this one seemed dressed in the garb of a Roadwarden... perhaps he was one of the good ones.
[Corbin, uncomfortably]
ReplyDelete[Fluff]
Thank you very much, ma'am......and I am sorry if my appearance startled you.
[Kaldric, Resigned]
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Kaldric pulls himself up from the table and begins to shuffle closer to the fire.
"I suppose this isn't bad company to keep. Dwarves are sturdy folk, always good to have at your back," he nods I. Their direction "and it always lightens the heart to travel with a fellow Saxan. Reminds me of home." Kaldric claps Birgir on the shoulder as he passes. As he settles in next to the fire he speaks in a clear, steady voice. "But you,Frostborn, you give me the shivers. You stay outta my way and I'll stay outta yours but don't think I don't have my eye on you."
[Corbin, regretfully]
ReplyDelete[Fluff]
First addressing the Kaldric and then the room, "I would expect no different. My kind is not accepted as quickly as most. Hopefully in time, I can earn your trust."
[GM]
ReplyDeleteAfter Corbin speaks a voice is heard from the door, “And it is regrettable that you suffer poor treatment for the actions of others dear Roadwarden, although I must admit that the Frostborn on whole have been a particular thorn to the forces of good.” A very elderly man crosses the threshold into the room and peers about. “So it seems only four of my missives made it to their destinations”, he mumbles. “Although from the looks of the gathered group it may certainly be enough, you all at least appear highly capable.”
“Now, let me make a proper introduction, my name is Gaidon ap-Rochad, though the owner of this establishment has settled on calling me “The Anari” which is fine by me as I am in fact an Anari,” he chuckles to himself. “Although, I suppose you want to know why I’ve either called you here or your mentors have sent you.” “Well, you see, the “forces of good” as they may be called need some capable individuals to carry out a task, if you are willing that is.” Gaidon smiles, “Birgir here has already pledged his spear, it is my hope to convince the rest of you to do so as well.”
[Kladr, casually]
ReplyDelete[FLUFF]
"Ah, Gaidon," Kladr lays a heavy book on the table and stands up.
Walking along the side of the table, his head barely poking into view above its edge, he makes his way to the anari and offers out a hand.
"True met, fellow sage. I am Kladr Deepgaze - that other one is not me," Kladr says pointing straight at Rurick. "And, I find it a surprise that all of these tallfolk knew my father? Please explain."
Kladr suddenly holds up a finger, "Oh, but wait, I must get out my conversation pipe - I don't want to look foolish before we begin!"
[GM]
ReplyDeleteGaidon beams at Kladr, “I had a feeling you would be here ser Dwarf, and I will certainly partake in whatever leaf you have! You would not believe me but I knew you only as a babe, if that is how one addresses an infant Dwarf, and of the “tallfolk” in this room I am the only one to have met your father as I believe he likely passed on before any of these young men were born. Decades ago I spent a span with your father, picking his brain regarding the eccentrics of Dwarven Rune Majicks. He and his kin immensely aided our organization with a threat at that time and I only wish he had reached out to us when… well, now see I begin to ramble, when one becomes as aged as I a tendency to do so only increases when we are greeted with images from the past. I am happy to see that you have grown into a mage in your own right, I’m certain your father would be proud.”
Gaidon looks to the others as he packs his pipe with the tobacco provided by Kladr, “Kladr reminds me of an important detail to get out of the way early on. Yes, but for the exception of Birgir, I am familiar with your mentors, a few of them I would even call close friends and all of them comrades for this reason I feel I can be fully candid with you. You see… (sighs).. where to start… we are all members of an organization dedicated to safeguarding Rassilon from a threat few know about, and those that do sometimes discount it as either myth or a job for future generations to deal with. We title ourselves “The Protectors of the Door” and align ourselves against the villainous organization known as “The Seekers of the Black Key” our battle is as simple as our names imply, we protect a door while the seekers attempt to obtain the means to open that door. The terrifying thing is that the door they seek to open, is the door to the Abyss itself!”
[Kaldric, Irritated]
ReplyDelete[Fluff]
"I don't buy your speech, old man. It wasn't a mentor, but coin that brought me here. Far too little of it by the sound of it."
Kaldric stands, brushing his pants in a furious motion. With an edge to his voice and anger creeping into his eyes, he continues.
"You thought to pay the Iron Guild for something like this? A group of men used to travel and caravans? What were you thinking, man? If you wish me to guard not a caravan but a door to the Abyss itself, you're going to have to do a hell of a lot better than that!"
With a visual effort, he calms himself.
"If you wish my help, Anari, you will find a way to benefit my family. Ultimately, my loyalty is to my father, not the Guild. The risk is to my family and so that is where any reward belongs. Sums of gold, tracts of land or contracts of trade made in payment to Boric Garulfsunu. Choose among those options. That is what I will accept."
[Birgir, Flustered]
ReplyDelete[Fluff]
Birgir has been standing near the entrance, dumbfounded at the odd characters Gaidon has summoned. As Kaldric rants, Birgir moves to stand between him and Gaidon.
"Begging your pardon sir, but this is really important. More important than money. I don't quite understand what's going on, but we all need to pitch in and help."
[Kaldir, Mollified]
ReplyDelete[Fluff]
Kaldric takes a seat again, anger draining away as swiftly as it appeared.
“I apologize if I appear callous. Everything I do is for my family, their honor and the debt I owe them. I ask nothing for myself outside the spoils of any undertaking. I cannot, however, risk an asset to my father without a chance for gain. I am that asset and proper reward must be offered to him upon completion to justify that risk. On this I will not budge.”
[GM]
ReplyDeleteGaidon gently lays a hand on Birgir's shoulder. "Thank you Birgir but I understand this young man's point completely. I too come from nobility, although I doubt any here would recognize the heraldry. There is a certain heroism in its own right to concern oneself with their family's honor and power. Let me only say this Kaldric Gerrulfsunu, of all those gathered here I know your background the most thoroughly, as well as your current... predicament. We can discuss later how I might be able to assist you with that matter unless you wish to discuss it now in front of the rest of the group but I believe you may be pleased. For now you have only my word and the knowledge that your services have been bought from the Iron Guild, and the leader of your troop is a man I know well. He is aware of our goal and suggested you for not only your capabilities but also because the man seems to genuinely like you and wishes our group to help you and yours."
[Kladr, excited]
ReplyDelete[FLUFF]
"The Abyss, you say?" Kladr's squinty, black eyes seem to open wider. "We simply must speak more about this door, and this key, and - of course - this Abyss!"
Kladr puffs on his conversation pipe intently and stares at Gaidon with an eager expression, as if he has been waiting a lifetime.
[GM]
ReplyDelete“I shall now endeavor to do that Kladr, although the night wanes. The short of it lies with the storied history of the Demongate Wars which began in -429. I’m certain you’ve at least heard the tales but essentially Mad cultists began opening portals to the Abyss using an artifact known as the “Black Key”. These wars lasted nearly 3 decades but the enemies of sanity were eventually thwarted and the last of the portals closed. Now in the stories and legends you may have heard the Black Key was said to have been destroyed, and this is partially true, but an artifact of that power cannot be erased wholly from existence. Instead a gathering of Clerics and Paladins from that age did what they could and sundered it into exactly one hundred pieces, and though it claims the lives of many those that remained hid the pieces across Rassilon. Time moved on and the memories we mortals have can only clasp to what is either written or verbally passed down. Before long the memory of the Key’s sundering and the places it’s pieces were hidden was forgotten. The memory of the demon lords trapped in the Abyss, however is lengthy indeed. I am rambling again… Suffice it to say that the Demon lords have found people in this world mad enough to seek the pieces of the Key and foolhardy enough to wish it be pieced back together. It was mere happenstance that our organization was even formed, were it not for the founding members discovering that this was occurring the Seekers would have been successful in their endeavor by now and the beleaguered peoples of Rassilon would hold little chance against another Demonwar so soon after the Blizzard War. The Seekers have gathered all but a few pieces from what we understand. It is my desire to send your group after one of those pieces.”
Gaidon takes a ragged breath, it is plain to see the late night is taxing him. “If there are any questions ask away, if there are any objections speak you mind. It is my hope that you consider this task for the sake of Rassilon alone but know that we are a group of some power in this world, even if our connections remain secretive, and we can provide reward for such tasks.” With this Gaidon places a bag of Scields on the table. “Now…speak you minds.”
[Corbin, inquisative]
ReplyDelete[Fluff]
Corbin leans forward and looks at Gaidon,"If it is true that these mad men have collected many of the pieces, why not just attack their stronghold and take what they have colleced?"
[GM]
ReplyDelete"Unfortunately, despite our bedt efforts we know not where they lair is the simple answer. We dare not send one of ours close enough to them to be captured and reveal our own refuge either. Tis' the problem with wanting to keep our own pieces hidden."
[Kladr, excited]
ReplyDelete[FLUFF]
"Where pieces of a mystical key lie, so does knowledge and ancient artifacts!"
Kladr stands up from his seat and carefully sets his conversation pipe on the table, eyes it for a few seconds as if he expects it to flee somewhere, and then turns to face Gaidon.
"Long-hidden secrets and treasures are what I seek, and this opportunity to work with your group of tomb-robbing thieves is too great to pass up! I am now a member of your team, and I shall spring forth with all of my effort! The hands of evil shall not have key nor treasure, and my hands will most certainly have both!" Kladr punches the air excitedly in a mock fist fight.
[Kaldric, Thoughtful]
ReplyDelete[Fluff]
Kaldric nods and begins to pace back and forth.
"And so we form this motley crew. Each with his own motivation to help, without the knowledge that you are protecting. Minimum risk with potential for maximum gain."
Kaldric nods in Gaidon's direction.
"I like the way you think. I would like to look through any records you may have and talk to anyone who is available that might have information that will aid us. Preparing now may save us a great deal of trouble later."
[GM]
ReplyDelete"It is wonderful to hear that at least three of you are now on board. Will Corbin and Rurick be joining our cause for now at least? If so I must urge you to think smaller for now Kaldric, at the moment we have no research ahead of us but merely a task that needs urgent attention. We have located a piece and hope to capture it quickly."
[Corbin, steadfast]
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"I have said I will protect the people of this land. This adventure seems to allow me to do this. I will aid these me to be the best of my ability." Corbin looks to each man in the room, hoping that they will believe his words and gain their trust.
[rurick, assertive[
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"I would not have come all the way here to simply quite and back down upon hearing that our task is not only dire, but worthy as well." His eyes seem to glaze in anticipation of conflict. "Get on with it. For I am no stranger to following orders."
[GM]
ReplyDelete[FLUFF]
“Then we have a consensus, thank you Rurick.” Gaidon looks relieved and some of the weariness vanishes from his face. “Tomorrow you can prepare for the journey by gathering what you may need from town, if anything. Tonight I will attempt to give you the information you need to seek this piece and will try to inform you as much as I can about our enemies. We cannot be certain they even know of this piece, but the chance you might encounter them still remains strong.”
[GM DESCRIPTION]
Gaidon lays out the details of what he desires your group to do. There is a cavern to the northwest of Brae, just within the southwest portion of Seithrby. In the land of Seithrby there lies the city of Seithrby and south of that city, in the area Gaidon marks on your map is the entrance to the cavern. Few know it is even there and those that do pay little mind to it because it is only accessible via the waters of Whitelake as far as anyone knows. In the cave there is rumored to still lay a piece of the Black Key. Gaidon also spends the night discussing the group known by the moniker Seekers of the Black Key.
[CRUNCH]
Rolling to see who picks up useful information about the Seekers of the Black Key, a straight SMARTS roll unless indicated that I feel a skill better suits the roll. The TN is 4:
CORBIN: (SMARTS d6, WILD d6) 3 = Failure & 5 = Success: Corbin listens intently and will gain a +2 on knowledge checks regarding the Seekers in the future.
KLADR: (KNOWLEDGE ARCANA d8, WILD d6) ACE! 8+2 =10 Successes with a Raise & 1 = Failure: Kladr has actually heard a few things about this group before through his study of the Arcane, he gains a +2 check for Seeker Lore and a +2 Check on Arcane lore regarding this cult.
KALDRIC: (INVESTIGATION d8, WILD d6) 6 = Success & 4 = Success: Kaldric is adept at picking up clues from conversation, he will gain a +2 on knowledge checks regarding the Seekers in the future.
RURICK: (SMARTS d4, WILD d6) ACE! 4+2=6 Success & ACE! 6+4=10 Success with a Raise:Rurick uncannily draws some information out of the conversation that the others don’t pick up on for some reason he will gain a +4 on knowledge checks regarding the Seekers in the future.
BIRGIR: (SMARTS d4, WILD d6) 2 Failure & 1 Failure:Birgir has been on his feet all day assisting Gaidon and simply daydreams about the adventure ahead gleaning nothing from the conversation.