Randomness

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Hdur, Kindeance

---

Solomon knew that the time frame to regroup with Jazdia had changed. That wasn’t so much an issue. What caught Solomon was the condition in which they’d appear. Shortly after deescalating the scuffle between Matilda and the hunters, Cedar had led them back to the farm where it looked like they had started prepping the stew. It was a little of an awkward encounter, but the farmers were receptive. They were still so when Jazdia and her group also appeared. How they knew to come out east of the village center wasn’t important, it was again their condition. Cedar was as ready to take care of them as much as Matilda was ready to ask questions.

Solomon insisted the party move to somewhere cleaner as much as those in Jazdia’s charge wanted someplace more private for the conversation that needed to take place. So with another farewell to the farmers, the party departed Gerhard Adebert’s farm. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on who was asked, the stew would not have been ready for hours still, should it still be desired. The party walked the bendy path among the farm lands back towards the town center. Solomon could see some of the wounds the party had endured. Yvonne favored one side relying on Chounan for support. Jazdia’s arm was bandaged, and a guard carried a very sickly looking girl. Furthermore, he noticed that Henri was missing, and instead replaced by three others. There was the aforementioned guard and girl, and another more affluently dressed man who walked by Jazdia's side.

Silently occupying the dining area of the inn, the party started to converse. Many questions were had, and there was enough injured to keep both him and Cedar occupied. Solomon worked with what he had, applying salves to help sooth sore muscles. The trek from Rascade on foot probably didn’t help their comforts. As Solomon examined, Cedar used his healing magic, which great accelerated the party’s recovery. In tandem, the two were able to quickly and surely return Jazdia’s team to a stable and comfortable condition.

“This girl is in not fighting condition. She breaths, but she is stunted. Her color and tone. I would say that she was locked from the sun or even activity for an extended period of time. I’m surprised she was able wound you as such, Yvonne.” said Solomon as he unrolled a cloth he pulled out from under his garb. Among the various tools and first aid supplies was a small vial of alcohol. He cleaned the wound and worked meticulously to remove the splinters that remained. While he worked, he kept a close ear to the conversation. The comment about another bear man was interesting, but surprising that was not the cause of her injury. That would make more sense for Yvonne over the atrophied girl. Solomon kept further comments to himself. He didn’t have to see it to know that Yvonne was not amused by either comment. Instead, he changed the conversation back towards their recovery and learning of the incident.

“I have some salves that should help with the pain. Apply as needed." said Solomon. If healing magic coulndt nullify pain, then hopefully the salves Solomon carried could. "Once I remove the last of these splinters, you can probably cast some healing magic to fully close the wounds, Cedar. An archer’s hands are her most important tools.” Solomon had finished removing the last splinter, covering the wound with another clean bandage to keep it from infection. He didn't push the idea of Cedar's magic, though he felt it would be beneficial, but given Jazdia's disposition on it, he respected her wishes.

Solomon turned in his chair towards the others. The unnamed girl was quiet, almost sleeping even, unmoving. She was in the worst condition of them all. As for the other new comers, they seemed mostly fine, if otherwise battered. And then there was the samurai, who had some bruising, but was stabbed in the arm. Low priority, time would be of best benefit save for the samurai who appeared more distant.

“What say you, Chounan? Does your arm need treatment? I can see you were involved in whatever conflict was brought to the others, what would you require. As I’ve said. I have a salve here for pain, and other such medications to help ease your recovery. As for news to help sooth the mind, we have a lead towards the location of the kidnappers. Those three hunters the next table over was going to lead us there. With us reunited, it should only be a short time for recovery before we are ready to depart.” Solomon also gazed towards Kaito, unnamed to Solomon, and also to the guard. Though they seemed less injured, they appeared to have been in combat recently.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Hdur, Kindeance

---

“I see we are making friends.” said Solomon as he followed Cedar into the cabin. Though there was doubt Cedar would be able to enter the cabin, he managed to do so just fine. True to the sound of the voice, it was Matilda that called them in. It seems the lead she was following had lead her to the same place as them. And furthermore, they were the people Birk had mentioned.

“I’m going to agree with Cedar here. Guard Matilda, from what we’ve learned, I think it would be best to put down the man. By the looks of it, I think these men are willing to answer your questions.” Solomon shimmied around Cedar so that he was better within the room. All three men were introduced, though through a shaky voice. It was understandable given the presence of an orcish woman, a bear shaped druid, and cloaked shadow of a man. Though, that last one probably didn’t really have anything to do with it.

“Speaking of questions, to answer yours. We’ve yet to discover any new information. In fact, we were hoping to by speaking with these gentlemen. Needless to say, you have gotten here before us.” With the names Solomon had gathered, and the faces provided to Cedar by the crows, now was a good time to see if the faces matched the names. Cedar asked his questions about physical descriptions. That must mean the faces the crows saw were not these hunters. That was a little disappointing, since now who the kidnappers were are still not identified. Then again, the hunters didn’t seem like they were capable of such a caper.

“Given that you’ve had sufficient time to jostle our suspects, I do not suppose you found anything, Matilda? Maybe that with the answers they give us now might help further our lead.”

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Hdur, Kindeance

---

As the houses belonging to the hunters grew closer, so did the forest they were near. It seemed dense enough to supply Hdur with enough game for decades to comes. Though it was clear some of the forest was cleared away, probably for lumber, it didn’t seem to leave any sore of dent in the size of the forest itself. The sky was clear today, with slight breeze.

“I’m sorry to have cut your meal short. I was not expecting you to make a stew. I hope you were able to get some satisfaction from the bacon and vegetables you were snacking on.” Solomon addressed Cedar as they took another turn on the dirt road that lead more directly to the hunter cottages. “On the bright side, with the farmer offering to make your stew, you’ll have a hot meal waiting for your return.”

Not long after, they approached the hunter’s houses. Solomon stopped. The house appeared occupied, but through the window, it looked like some kind of struggle. People looked to be backing away from someone, as thought they were trying to create distance. It didn’t seem to work as their assailant blurred past with arms outstretched moving out of sight. “Take care here, Cedar. It looks as though there might be some trouble in that house.”

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Hdur, Kindeance

---

“Of course.” Solomon reached his hand into his cloak as he fished around his belongings, feeling for a small pouch he carried that held the coin. After a bit, he pulled out the pouch. Soft metal disks clinked against each other as the pouch shifted. Solomon opened the pouch with both hands, before reaching into it with one. The coins jingled more as Solomon palmed one coin at a time. He placed the collected coins onto the stall next to the pile of food the farmer had collected. Two gold coins.

“That should more than cover it. Thank you for your hospitality. We should go visit the hunters soon.” Solomon stashed the pouch back under his cloak. He wandered back towards the road, pausing in wait as Cedar finshed eating and/or packing. So the houses in the distance did belong to those Birk named. If one of them was angry, maybe it had something to do with either the events in the royal forest, or the demise of Birk. So far the lead was promising, but hopefully it lead down the mystery of the prince. Once Cedar was done, it wouldn’t be long before they’d come across the hunter’s cabins and perhaps some answers. At least he’d hope they could match the faces to the names.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Hdur, Kindeance

---

The farmer offered plenty of stock for Cedar to consume. Being one of the farms along the outer reaches of the village, it had more access to the fertile lands, and as a result, was able to grow a plethora of crop in such abundance. A testament to the prosperity of Hdur.

“I should have enough coin to cover whatever my friend fancies at the moment. I see you’re familiar with the hunters, what can you tell me about them? Has their pattern of behavior changed in recent memory?”
Asked Solomon. “I’m not sure how privy you are to their schedule, but anything you can share would be appreciated.” Solomon wandered nearby as the farmer collected various stock for Cedar. It was good for Cedar to finally have a proper meal. He seemed ecstatic about it, anyway. While he ate, might as well see what the farmer knew, if anything.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Hdur, Kindeance

---

Hdur, settled within the lowlands between a bog and a forest. The lands were fertile and easy for crop and livestock. It had access to plenty of resources through metal, wood, agriculture, and game. It was a shame that despite how prosperous it was, its location within the low lands made it easy for criminals to hide out and for some to take advantage of their position for exploitation. Hdur was like a coin with success on one surface, and nefarious notoriety on the other. A calm place, but not a private one.

Solomon dismounted the horse by the stables as they got into town. Anderson was left back at the royal forest, either to pack up or continue whatever their investigation, thought the likelihood of them finding anything else was dismal at best. At the center of the village, Matilda thought it best to split up. She walked down one way, leaving Cedar and Solomon alone. With a few glances, it was not hard to see that more than a few people were glancing back. The people were probably not prepared to see a dressed bear leaning on a staff today.

“Well then. I suppose we should try to find out what we can.” said Solomon paying no more mind to the spectators. Solomon turned to face Cedar. “We appear to be getting close to uncovering suspects. I have names and you, faces. Birk mentioned his colleagues lived on the eastern side of the village, close to Aldebert’s farm. Let us see if those of Birk match the descriptions the crows provided you. It is a deals walk’s away from the village. If I can recall, Aldebert raises livestock as well as standard crop, perhaps he can spare some of his stock for you, as well. I do not imagine us being on the move so often has been good on your appetite.”

The farther the from the village they walked, the more scarce the buildings became. The roads devolved form placed stones, to gravel to dirt and for large distances would be fields for cattle, or rows of grain and vegetables. Clusters of farm building would be seen in the distance. The road forked several times, the main path rarely being the one that was straight. At one such fork, the narrower path led to a two story farm building, with a barn, and a smaller unassuming building closer to the main road. Off in the distance were several other houses, all within a short walking distance of each other, at the horizon was the canopy of the forest. Those distant houses probably belonged to the hunters of the Hdur, where they had easy access to the forest and its inhabitants. Some of them were likely the ones Birk mentioned.

Solomon walked up towards the farm house. Near the barn was a wooden stall with a bar of hanging dried meat. Atop the table were a wooden boxes, some nailed shut, and one open half empty of produce. Just inside the barn was a man tossing a cup of salt from a barrel into a crate. Perhaps a farm hand or a relative of Aldebert, he seemed focus on his work. The man then unhooked the flesh of a butchered animal off another bar, placed it into the crate and started tossing it and rubbing in salt. When he was done he placed it into another barrel. He stopped what he was doing as Solomon and Cedar approached.

“Good morning, I was wondering if you would have any fresh meat or produce for sale to which my friend here can eat? I also ask if you know where I can find some of the hunters, whether they are in still in town. They would be Reinhold, Ingmar, and Bertolf. I have some business to discuss with them, and I would rather not have to go door to door to find them.” The way Birk spoke of them, these were the three Solomon suspected Birk worked with most out in the fields. Gerrard sounded like another farmer, however, by specifying his age, perhaps not one he speaks with often. At least if it was not for Hilda, probably another resident of his house, who caught Birk’s interest. She was either the man’s daughter or wife, but more likely the former. Given the potential they had as conspirators to the prince’s capture, it didn’t seem likely they were involved. However, they were not out of the question, yet. First these three, and hopefully the farmer here could help.

The Fairies Adventure

Location: Mrs. Greypetal Residence, Lumina

Interaction: @Crimson Flame, @Tangy

---

Vyvien had never been in a carriage as nice as this one. Most of the time, the carriages didn’t even fly, but rolled along the ground. It was decorated so beautifully, and the unicorns were as lovely as ever. It looked like it would be such a luxurious ride. If Vyvien wasn’t flying on her own, she was using hot air balloons or ornithopters, so being able to ride in a roal carriage pulled by unicorns seemed like such a grand privilege, despite the circumstances.

However, despite how gorgeous the carriage was, the ride was anything but smooth. Several times as she was trying to put the finishing touches on her newly invented magic detector slash identifier, the carriage would jostle and she would lose a screw or push a crystal out of place. In the mean time, she asked the others if they could imbue the small marble sized crystals with some of their magic energy. With that the device would know what to compare the residue magic energy with. Of course she already had her own. Prince Sky and Juniper were up front, and her father was holding on for dear life. Her father. Vyvien wasn’t sure if she caught his name. At the same time she asked for the crystals to be imbued, she asked for his name, as well as the others she might have missed the introductions for.

Despite Sky trying his best to make the ride as uncomfortable as possible, Vyvien was able to finally finish the device, and all it needed now was a test run. But before that, it needed more calibration. And before that she needed more imbued crystals. Well, it will be done soon enough. The device was circular in shape with a small window exposing a wheel that was free to spin inside. Several socks on the wheel were just big enough to put the tiny crystals in. Vyvien placed a rune onto it and it began to glow blue before fading out of her hands and into her wheel of runes. All packed up, Vyvien exited the carriage, fixing her hair before she finally looked up at the tree before her. It was strange, the trees always looked so small from up in Feydale.

“So so. It was your teacher? Or was it your principal? Who lives up there.” she asked as she joined Sky and Juniper at the front of the carriage. “I hope she can help us. Oh, one thing. Can can I ask if you could imbue some of your magic into this crystal? And you as well, Prince Sky? I need it for the identifier. Please and thank you.”

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Watch Tower Ruins, Kindeance

---

Technically, Solomon could spend as much time as he wanted listening to the entirety of Birk’s day. Unfortunately for the mission and the sanity of the others, time was not a luxury they could waste. While it’s wasn’t as conclusive as Solomon would have liked, there was a lead to Hdur. And as a bonus the group was already headed there. And there were some names to go on. The last confirmation was the man was at the royal forest on the day, but any specifics were lost to his ramblings.

Solomon continued to listen to the man as Cedar returned to the room with a new bird friend that was not a crow. Solomon could tell Cedar was a little discomforted by the zombie’s presence, keeping his distance as he presented Matilda a note. The pigeon was a carrier pigeon. Perhaps from the king, or even Jazdia. Solomon turned his attention to the still rambling zombie. At least for the next quarter hour as Cedar worked on the leather and Anderson returning with news of Henri’s disappearance.

“That is enough.” Said Solomon, the zombie ending its play by play. Matilda was ready to move out. Solomon rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. He followed Matilda out of the ruins, having Birk follow them out. Cedar was apprehensive about the idea of the zombie joining them, but Solomon reassured him that he was simply going to put him to rest. As the sun lay low in the sky and long shadows reached towards the horizon, Solomon had Birk dig his own grave, lay in it, and Solomon ended his hold on him, letting Birk once again return to the eternal slumber of death. With a few mounds of dirt, Solomon finished the grave.

Solomon could see Matilda was eager to keep going, but by the looks of Anderson and the others, it was perhaps time to make a camp for the night. It would be well after dark by the time they reached Hdur, and there was no guarantee of shelter. At least with Anderson and his men, they had camping gear and tents.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Watch Tower Ruins, Kindeance

---

Hdur. The elf woman, Jazdia, had already made plans for them to regroup in Hdur. What a strange coincidence. However, given the town’s reputation, perhaps not all that strange. Solomon stood listening to the words coming from the newly awoken corpse. He called himself Birk, and he was a hunter of sorts. Whether he was a part of the group of assassins had yet to be determined though. He knew where they holed up in, but did not see the prince. Solomon looked towards Matilda and then back at Birk. Something might have gone lost in translation.

“You say you hunt in the royal grounds in secret. Were you at the royal forest five days ago? Were you a part of a plot involving the royal prince? Tell us of what you might have seen that day.”

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Watch Tower Ruins, Kindeance

---

As Solomon turned to proceed towards the next floor, Henri walked out of the stairwell. He was noticeably less bulky, but as to why that is was answered when he told Cedar his belongings were left on the next floor. Solomon noticed Cedar’s lack of dress, but since he was a bear, he didn’t bother to question it. Now that he realized that Henri was wearing them instead, Solomon was curious as to what the two of them were doing before he, Anderson, and Matilda arrived. He thought it better to ask, it was probably related to the surprise he had planned for any ne’er-do-wells who might have still been here. For now, Cedar hurried to reclaim his property.

Solomon followed after him and presumably Anderson and Matilda would have gone as well to explore the next floor. At least after she reclaimed her heirloom from Henri. As it was, there were hardly any clues on this level. At the very least, the group discovered that the ruins were inhabited recently. Solomon wasn’t sure what Henri was going to find below the water, it was unlikely the abductors would have used that area. In any case, Solomon left him with a good luck as Henri walked down into the depths.

Up on the second floor above water it became much more obvious in just what state the inhabitants were camping in. Bed rolls, supplies, sacks of food, and ash. For some reason a quarter of the room was covered with ash. Regardless, there was another item that caught Solomon’s attention. There lay face down a corpse. Bathed n a pool of blood, the poor man seemed to have been stabbed. Solomon crouched near the body, not minding the blood that was now brushed up against the base of his attire. The blood had dried, but the corpse was stiff. He had died recently, within the last few days. There was evidence of scavengers picking at him, but they had only scratched the surface.

“Tell me your secrets, my friend.” he said softly as he turned the body onto its side. His arm hinged on the shoulder, with his hand brushing against the ground. The entire front end of his body was red, and his face, surprisingly calm. He either passed willingly, or he was killed in his sleep. In either case, no one was around willing to lend him aid. Solomon lifted his eyes up from the corpse, holding it on its side. He gazed over the items that Henri left behind, presumably once belonging to his new dead friend. There was the unstrung bow and the standard mess kit for wilderness survival. But then there was the roll of specialized tools. They were not for survival, these were for more nefarious purposes. Solomon looked back down at the face of the corpse. His eyes are half closed, his jaw slack, and nose pushed towards the side from the pressure of the ground. “Were you one of the prince’s abductors? Were you left behind? A liability, perhaps?”

Solomon dropped the body, it falling back face down into the dried blood pool. He stood back up from his crouch, his bones cracking as he stretched. He looked over to see the concerned faces of his colleagues. It usually doesn’t cross the mind of those who come across a body to speak with it, or even mess with it. However, dealing with the dead was Solomon’s forte. This was probably the clue that Matilda had been hoping for.

“Matilda, Anderson, Cedar. I believe we have come across our first witness from the attack on the Prince.” Solomon turned to face the corpse once again. He stayed silent as Anderson and the others had questions. Solomon closed his eyes and muttered something under his breathe. He held out his hands over the body before him and his palms began to glow. Silver and black energy also began to emanate from the large tome he had strapped to his back. The flies that buzzed around were stirred and zipped in any which way. The few crows that watched from the ruined rafters cawed. The energy surrounding Solomon’s tome and hands flowed like a stream down into the body. After the twenty or so seconds it took for his incantation to hold, the energy faded.

“Now come and stand for me. Please tell them what you told me. The truth if you please.” At first the body lay motionless, then suddenly one of his legs jerked. Then an arm, and eventually the whole body was writhing as though the person was trying to remember how to stand up again. Disgruntled sounds escape the lips of the once still corpse. He brought in his knees and pushed off the ground with his hands. One of his hands slipped against the blood, falling onto its shoulder. Eventually, it was kneeling on the ground, his head flopping from side to side as it brought himself to its feet. Now standing, it looked at Solomon with its eyes and then towards the others. Finally snapping his head up right, he groaned like he had just been rudely woken up from the most pleasant of dreams.

Solomon turned to his colleagues as well, with a hint of pride. “Go ahead and ask him anything you wish to know. He should answer with much of the truth as he is aware.”