Thursday 10th, March 1001 AC
(destiny token: 1)
It was the middle of the night and the camp was silent but for the rain and echoes of thunder in the distance. All around were traces of the earthquake with tents broken and trees uprooted.
After an hour of resting, bandaging and searching the camp, the companions were gathered near one of the campfire, discussing what should happen now. Everyone was pretty tired and the now free prisoners needed some rest before being able to travel through the wilds of the Lorelei region.
Arranging makeshift protection from the rain using the furs and tent parts available, the party finally decided to spend the night in the camp, and head out in the morning.
When morning came, the storm had abated and the sun was piercing through the few clouds remaining in the sky. While Vigfus, Hurbim and Reighobelle gathered whatever gear they could carry for the journey, Urist remained convinced that they should take the carts, loaded with crates of irons and silver, with them. The companions discussed the matter for some time but without horses, with civilians in need of protection and the threat of more goblins in the area, it was finally decided to take only what they could carry and the Mine's accounts, then head out to Pflenzen as fast as possible.
Backtracking south toward the Reaching Fingers, then pushing South East toward the trail, the party passed the forester cabin by mid-day and finally the trail as the sun was setting in the west. The dwarves miners prepared the camp and dinner while the others organized for the night. Vigfus, the Heldaner, having rested and recovered thanks to Urist's medical treatment, offered his services during the watch, to let Danik rest. A short discussion ensued between Danik, Serrin and Vigfus, the Heldaner wondering who the companions were.
After a short discussion on wether to try and follow Vigfus or escort the miners to Pflenzen, the party decided to focus on their current mission and resumed their march south along the trail.
It was the middle of the night and the camp was silent but for the rain and echoes of thunder in the distance. All around were traces of the earthquake with tents broken and trees uprooted.
After an hour of resting, bandaging and searching the camp, the companions were gathered near one of the campfire, discussing what should happen now. Everyone was pretty tired and the now free prisoners needed some rest before being able to travel through the wilds of the Lorelei region.
Arranging makeshift protection from the rain using the furs and tent parts available, the party finally decided to spend the night in the camp, and head out in the morning.
When morning came, the storm had abated and the sun was piercing through the few clouds remaining in the sky. While Vigfus, Hurbim and Reighobelle gathered whatever gear they could carry for the journey, Urist remained convinced that they should take the carts, loaded with crates of irons and silver, with them. The companions discussed the matter for some time but without horses, with civilians in need of protection and the threat of more goblins in the area, it was finally decided to take only what they could carry and the Mine's accounts, then head out to Pflenzen as fast as possible.
Backtracking south toward the Reaching Fingers, then pushing South East toward the trail, the party passed the forester cabin by mid-day and finally the trail as the sun was setting in the west. The dwarves miners prepared the camp and dinner while the others organized for the night. Vigfus, the Heldaner, having rested and recovered thanks to Urist's medical treatment, offered his services during the watch, to let Danik rest. A short discussion ensued between Danik, Serrin and Vigfus, the Heldaner wondering who the companions were.
- Vigfus wondered if the group was working directly for the Order or as mercenaries. Noticing Danik's Order robes, he especially asked what the mage was doing here.
- Danik confirmed that he was only working under assignment, not as a core member of the Order.
- Serrin confirmed that he was doing mercenary work
- Questioned, Vigfus denied working for the Dwarves and mentioned that he was just staying at the mines a couple days before leaving with the Caravan that was attacked.
After a short discussion on wether to try and follow Vigfus or escort the miners to Pflenzen, the party decided to focus on their current mission and resumed their march south along the trail.
The journey was quite pleasant, the area apparently a lot safer as spring finally bloomed. The sun was high and warming the land, snow melting in the vast tundra of the region. Many times during the day, Grom stepped apart of the group, looking worried, and let a few toned howls, as if calling to something. Passing without delay Hrodrik's farm around Mid-day, they pushed on, turn west toward Pflenzen. As night arrived, the companions once again set up camp, hoping to reach Pflenzen the following day.
While everyone was preparing for their night's watch, Grom left the camp for a time. Upon his return, he mentioned that he had meet the lone wolf again and that it spoke of "Earth that breaks". With the confidence of habit, the companions kept their usual watch for the night.
Morning arrived, with the sun clear in the sky once again though there was now a cold wind blowing from the North. After two hours on the muddy trail, Serrin noticed odd smoke coming from the Pflenzen in the distance, darker than the norm of such a village.
Slightly concerned, they reached the gate of the village just before mid-day and, for the first time, the outside was empty of commoners. The guards at the gate recognized the companions and let them through without problem:
At Randers, the old dwarf was extatic at seeing the miners and the accounts safe and thanked Urist and Grom. While Hurbim and Reighobelle left to the backroom to settle down (they'll be staying with Randers for a time), Urist offered Randers his reward. Randers welcomed it, almost speechless in front of the cleric's generosity. Any monetary reward he could have given felt low and silly after this and so he only offered what he could: access to his skills and workshop, as well as gratitude to Urist and his companions. He also offered to meet again in the evening for dinner at the Odin's Beard Inn, on his coin. That sorted out, Grom and Urist headed to the barracks to find Serrin and Danik.
Meanwhile, at the barracks, Serrin and Danik met with Mandred Kriburg. After a short discussion about last night's goblin attack on the village, Danik reported all that had happened up until Vigfus disappearance. The two confirmed that both the miners and the accounts were safe and secure, which seemed to please Mandred greatly.
Danik however did not want to let that go so easily and faced with the Knight's reluctance, went so far as to threaten to ignore his status and go directly to Mandred's superior. He was convinced something was wrong with all this though he could not put a finger on it just yet. That did not too well with Mandred and the tension between the mage and the knight was high....as Grom and Urist arrived.
Some time was then spent sorting out the rewards and all the companions asked for hard coin rather than bank notes. That sorted, Urist and Mandred discussed the matter of the Silver Deep Mine for a moment, but once it was confirmed that the mines were under Heldaner contracts and no dwarven, Urist seemed shaken and left the room without a word.
As a polite silence settled in after the dwarf's sudden departure, Danik asked Mandred about Asnia, the governor's daugther. After a short discussion about Asnia, Vigfus, the mines, Mandred finally seemed to put some dots together:
Outside, Urist was lost in contemplation. He had performed his pilgrimage to this region and helped his brothers to the best of his abilities. What was he to do now? What did Kagyar required of him? He barely noticed as Mandred asked him to follow toward the keep. He didn't flinch when Danik shouted to have him follow...
While everyone was preparing for their night's watch, Grom left the camp for a time. Upon his return, he mentioned that he had meet the lone wolf again and that it spoke of "Earth that breaks". With the confidence of habit, the companions kept their usual watch for the night.
Morning arrived, with the sun clear in the sky once again though there was now a cold wind blowing from the North. After two hours on the muddy trail, Serrin noticed odd smoke coming from the Pflenzen in the distance, darker than the norm of such a village.
Slightly concerned, they reached the gate of the village just before mid-day and, for the first time, the outside was empty of commoners. The guards at the gate recognized the companions and let them through without problem:
- Apparently, the village was attacked by goblins during the night.
- The goblins used cover of darkness to sneak into the warehouse near the docks and stole some of the supplies, mainly food before the alarm was raised.
- The goblins seemed very organized and did not linger long once discovered, retreating with whatever they had stole using some fishermen boats.
At Randers, the old dwarf was extatic at seeing the miners and the accounts safe and thanked Urist and Grom. While Hurbim and Reighobelle left to the backroom to settle down (they'll be staying with Randers for a time), Urist offered Randers his reward. Randers welcomed it, almost speechless in front of the cleric's generosity. Any monetary reward he could have given felt low and silly after this and so he only offered what he could: access to his skills and workshop, as well as gratitude to Urist and his companions. He also offered to meet again in the evening for dinner at the Odin's Beard Inn, on his coin. That sorted out, Grom and Urist headed to the barracks to find Serrin and Danik.
Meanwhile, at the barracks, Serrin and Danik met with Mandred Kriburg. After a short discussion about last night's goblin attack on the village, Danik reported all that had happened up until Vigfus disappearance. The two confirmed that both the miners and the accounts were safe and secure, which seemed to please Mandred greatly.
- Mandred also mentioned that he had dispatched a messenger to Freiburg in the morning, asking for the Order's help in dealing with the recent goblin incursions. He hopes that a detachment of the Order's troops will arrive within a week or two.
Danik however did not want to let that go so easily and faced with the Knight's reluctance, went so far as to threaten to ignore his status and go directly to Mandred's superior. He was convinced something was wrong with all this though he could not put a finger on it just yet. That did not too well with Mandred and the tension between the mage and the knight was high....as Grom and Urist arrived.
Some time was then spent sorting out the rewards and all the companions asked for hard coin rather than bank notes. That sorted, Urist and Mandred discussed the matter of the Silver Deep Mine for a moment, but once it was confirmed that the mines were under Heldaner contracts and no dwarven, Urist seemed shaken and left the room without a word.
As a polite silence settled in after the dwarf's sudden departure, Danik asked Mandred about Asnia, the governor's daugther. After a short discussion about Asnia, Vigfus, the mines, Mandred finally seemed to put some dots together:
- According to Mandred, Asnia (governor Ott Longreach's daughter) is about 25 and a fervent follower of Vanya.
- Asnia is rumored to be a prophet of some kind, having visions and dreams. The Order doesn't officially give credance to this claim but doesn't squash it either because it has so far helped convert many Heldaners to Vanya's faith.
- Asnia spent a long time in the church's library after his father became Governor.
- About 3 weeks ago, Asnia left Pflenzen with a dozen trusted men and Sigur (the militia commander of Pflenzen).
- Mandred made a connection between Vigfus being at the mines and Asnia's expedition who was supposed to also stop there. According to him, Vigfus might have been following the girl's trail, under order from Njall (the wanted son of the late governor).
Outside, Urist was lost in contemplation. He had performed his pilgrimage to this region and helped his brothers to the best of his abilities. What was he to do now? What did Kagyar required of him? He barely noticed as Mandred asked him to follow toward the keep. He didn't flinch when Danik shouted to have him follow...
In the large main-room of the keep, Mandred and Ott Longreach left the party to have a private discussion. Quickly the governor seemed to become enraged, probably at the news that his daughter might be hunted down by Njall's men. Both men started shouting but Mandred Kriburg quickly had the upper hand, his symbol of Vanya glowing a cold blue glow as he threatened the old Heldaner to bring the full force of the Order's might to keep the Lorelei region stable and under control. Ott Longreach seemed deeply affected and lowered his head in submission as Mandred left him and returned to the companions.
He informed them that the Order needed their services once again. While he agreed that there was a clear lack of information and facts, he could not just ignore any lead nor let the daughter of the current governor be at risk. Therefore, he asked the companions to:
This would be an assignment and Mandred, not willing to deal with paperwork at the moment, asked the companions to return in the morning.
Grabbing Urist on the way, the party returned to the Odin's Beard Inn and booked a meal and lodging for the night. The dwarf cleric seemed have lost all his motivation, all his guidance. Danik spent the afternoon trying to reason with him but nothing seemed to shake the dwarf out of his depression and he locked himself into prayer, looking for guidance from his god.
During dinner with Randers and the miners, the mood was light but the minds of everyone was on something else, Danik excusing himself later on to do some research in the Church's library before bed time.
And so the night passed with tension and uncertainties in the air, making rest uneasy...
He informed them that the Order needed their services once again. While he agreed that there was a clear lack of information and facts, he could not just ignore any lead nor let the daughter of the current governor be at risk. Therefore, he asked the companions to:
- Find Asnia and her expedition and inform her of what the party knew and potential threat.
- Return with her if possible. If not, have her write a note to her father to re-assure him.
- Keep eyes and ears open for information regarding Vigfus and Njall while on assignment.
This would be an assignment and Mandred, not willing to deal with paperwork at the moment, asked the companions to return in the morning.
Grabbing Urist on the way, the party returned to the Odin's Beard Inn and booked a meal and lodging for the night. The dwarf cleric seemed have lost all his motivation, all his guidance. Danik spent the afternoon trying to reason with him but nothing seemed to shake the dwarf out of his depression and he locked himself into prayer, looking for guidance from his god.
During dinner with Randers and the miners, the mood was light but the minds of everyone was on something else, Danik excusing himself later on to do some research in the Church's library before bed time.
And so the night passed with tension and uncertainties in the air, making rest uneasy...
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