Kelewen

Jump-in medieval fantasy

Still have room for 1-2 more players! (Maybe even 3 if someone wants to adopt an abandoned character!)

Between the hammer and the anvil

@Gisk@Garth -> Hoping that at least one of you get a chance to respond to the Blackmarsh thread before I jump in there again. :)

Between the hammer and the anvil

Mission: The Boy

@POOHEAD189@ProfessorLambo

Dulcena had indeed accounted for Sigmar's above average bulk with a sturdy brown gelding sporting heavily feathered legs. The steed appeared better suited to pulling a wagon than bearing a rider, but had been fitted with a large saddle. He was unlikely to win any speed races and eyed the half-orc a bit suspiciously, but stood relatively quiet for his new rider.

Horse

"Western side of Greenbury," Olrik replied. "If you take the road along Knapp's Creek, keep an eye out. There's been rumors of thieves and cutthroats."

"My kind of people then," Wren muttered under her breath. She grinned at Kayden, but waved away his offer to let her ride with him. As tempting as that might be, she knew riding behind the saddle would grow uncomfortable rather quickly. "This one's fine," she said, putting a foot in the stirrup and vaulting up quickly.

"Knapp's Creek?" Wren asked, already anxious to be on their way. "Or do you got another way in mind?"

Between the hammer and the anvil

Mission: The Boy

Wren gave Kayden a smile and an appraising look as he halted his mount. There was something vaguely familiar about him now that she was seeing him clean. In the dim light of the prison, they'd rarely had any opportunity to come face to face with other prisoners. She thought he looked very much at ease in the saddle. "Were you cavalry?" she asked casually, reaching out a hand and rubbing the horse's neck gently. She'd spent a good amount of time herself around the animals as her father had been a stable manager in Taldene and she'd grown up riding and tending the horses.

Olrik looked between Kayden and Sigmar. "You know how to get to Ethanfeld?"

@POOHEAD189@ProfessorLambo

Between the hammer and the anvil

Mission: Blackmarsh

For the crew going in search of the key to Whitehall, Olrik had prepared a wagon pulled by two horses with an explanation that he'd accompany them to the docks, where he had arranged a small boat to get them as far as possible into the Blackmarsh.

He did not bother to make small talk with any of them. Chances were... not many would be coming back.

Once any last minute items were gathered and loaded into the wagon, they started off.

"Lady Dulcena says you should take this," he said, handing over a sheet of parchment to whoever was closest. It appeared to be map of the swamp with a mark made almost in the center.

@Garth@Gentlemanvaultboy@Gisk

Between the hammer and the anvil

I'll get the blackmarsh mission kicked off tomorrow night. Feel free to fill in any RP you wanted during the meal and the night, along with any special requests to Olrik regarding gear. I think we can assume at least a basic variety of weapons, enough provisions to last a few days, cloaks, and some basic gear (lanterns, rope, etc).

Those going to the mission to retrieve the boy, feel free to post before I get to the blackmarsh piece.

Between the hammer and the anvil

While Olrik went about gathering up any supplies needed for the missions, the newly freed prisoners were supplied with plenty of wine and food to last the evening, then given beds: one room for the men and a separate room for the few females among the group. The quarters were nothing particularly fancy, but infinitely more comfortable than the dingy prison cells.

Mission: The Boy

Wren

Wren thought perhaps she could sleep for days on the straw-stuffed mattress and warm wool blanket, but she woke early, rested, and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She was determined not to disappoint Lady Dulcena; determined never to return to that dismal prison cell. Kidnapping some kid was a small enough price to pay. It wasn't like Dulcena was planning to kill him, right? He'd open Whitehall for them, then go home, simple as that. Maybe with a little luck Wren could even find a permanent place doing work for the noble woman.

She stood up from the bed and stretched. She found a comb on a table in the room next to a bowl of water and tried to tame her hair down a bit before just tying it in a pony tail and heading outside.

Olrik was preparing horses for them, even including one extra that Wren assumed was intended for the boy. "I've loaded that one up with a few extra days provisions," the man was saying. "Ethanfeld is a few days away even on horseback."

closed roleplay (for delete)

...could have Danelor lead the party, but I need him here more, and I can't risk losing him.

She stewed inwardly again at the Count's words. He obviously recognized the very real risk of death in this venture and had just made it clear, at least in her mind, he held little concern for her life.

"If they are not prepared to risk themselves to acquire it, why then would they risk themselves to protect it?" she returned his question with one of her own. While she held no ill will toward the Arcanists, she did not consider their motivations so pure as those of the Luminites. She and her brethren would also have the wisdom of the Lord of Light to guide their decisions about this artifact.

Between the hammer and the anvil

Since the response is a bit mixed, you can just choose whichever mission you want (which, of course, may or may not be what your character wanted!). If we can bring the two missions together later, then cool. :)

Also, please feel free to introduce other characters as we go. (Maybe a secondary PC on the 'other' team, but if you think of something else interesting, go for it!)

Between the hammer and the anvil

"They are both required," Dulcena clarified. "The mages hid away a key, a pendant, I believe, in the event they needed to get back into Whitehall, recognizing that unforeseen events may make it necessary. Long hours of research have pinpointed the location to a small, ancient building almost in the center of the Blackmarsh. It may have once been a temple, but at the time the key was stored there, it had long been abandoned.

"The boy, on the other hand, will be required to activate the key."

She took a final sip of her wine, then stood. "I've arranged sleeping quarters for each of you tonight. Supplies are being made ready even now and you can depart first thing in the morning. If there is anything specific you require, ask Oldrik."

She indicated to a middle-aged man near the wall who had come in quietly at some point during their meal. He nodded without smiling, he did not seem to be one to smile often.