Watchfort Reclamation, Summer 668

[roobeastie]

Morwen

Still slightly stunned by everything that occurred, Morwen turned to Ji-ho and Verdugo, thinking for a moment. "Thank you, friend Ji-ho. I will admit, I'm not ready to give up on adventuring just yet, especially since I dislike leaving things partially finished. As for the Tower, it has a number of magical defenses in place, so I am not concerned about its' safety. Anyone who dares to attempt to enter the tower would be foolish at worst, and a masochist at best."

[Leitz]

Jing Jiho

"Then rest today, friend Morwen, and we will continue our adventure tomorrow. I will let Sir Tylar know we are heading his way," Jiho replied. He paused, and then added, "Is there anything you wish to say, or to send him?"

Jiho used the sword to let Sir Tylar know that he and a small band were in Raven's Well, and would be leaving on the morrow to support him.

IIUC, the bird carries the message and turns into a sword afterwards. Jiho likes the sword, it's sharp and useful.

[scarik]

IIUC, the bird carries the message and turns into a sword afterwards. Jiho likes the sword, it's sharp and useful.

It delivers the message and can either beomce a sword or return with a reply. I assume you want it back so it returns. It can fly 6 hexes and return that day.

[scarik]

The reply from Sir Tylar comes later in the afternoon. The enchanted sword mimics the knight perfectly, including his surprised laugh, "You are full of surprises and most welcome, Jing Ji-ho."

The day passes easily inside the shelter of the tower. The sound of chattering Ravenfolk is still missing, but the oppressive feeling from before is gone. Morwen has time to take stock of what Corbin left her while she rests in what is now her chamber at the top of the tower. She is glad to find that her master left detailed notes on his magical wards so that she can take full command of them. With time she will be able to work out the spells as well and add them to her own spellbooks.

Jing Ji-ho gets to assess the mundane defenses and finds that the tower was built by military minds and he is surprised to learn that it was Corbin himself who designed it. The eponymous well sits under a sturdy roof beside a simple stable ten yards from the tower itself but there is a small well within the structure as well.

As evening begins to fall Macnav raises the alarm from his perch above the tower as he spies a band of a dozen fast moving footmen approaching from the west across the grassland. The party readies and is then relieved (and surprised) to find that the strangers are Elves. None present has ever seen so many of the Eldar in one place before and while they hail as friends it is hard not to be intimidated by their bearing.

One of them comes forward and whistles in the language of the Ravenfolk, "Hail to the Binder of Spirits, I hope we find him well and ask that we might drink of his cup."

Morwen remembers one of Corbin's tales about a Banshee he encountered to the west and surmises these must be Sylvan Elves from that forest realm.

Ravenswell Encounter [1d6]=6 Yes
Ravenswell Encounter [1d100]=10 Elves
Ravenswell Encounter Number [2d10]=15 Interesting!
Elf reaction [2d6]=5 Not immediately helpful (ie they have their own business at the present)

[Leitz]

Jing Jiho

Given Macnav's alarm, Jiho was front and center as the incoming party approached. He waited, and then smiled as they came close. Bowing in greeting, once they announced themselves (although he did not understand the language), Jiho spoke to whichever elf seemed to be most aware of him. "I do not wish to intrude on your journey, but there are orcs and brigands raiding this area in the daylight. My friends and I are going to help deal with the problem. If you have any questions, please let me know."

Unless they speak to him, Jiho will return to his camp and join in whatever preparations are being worked on.

[roobeastie]

Morwen

Coming out of the tower to check and see how things are going thanks to the change in ownership, Morwen was just as bemused as the others when the Eldar arrived, allowing Ji-ho to speak first. Once he was finished, Morwen took the opportunity to address them as well. "Welcome to Ravenswell, I regret to inform you that Corbin is no longer in charge, as he has returned to the Conclave. I am his apprentice, Morwen, and on behalf of my mentor and the history you share, I extend our hospitality to you."

Gesturing towards the small stable, she meets the gaze of the one who seems in charge. "May I inquire as to what brings you to Ravenswell?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Bofur in jest "Haven't ya heard? I'm tha new king of tha dwarves."

[scarik]

The Elves murmur amongst themselves a bit at Morwen's statement and then accept her hospitality. Their spokesman explains that Corbin had reached out via his scrying stone to them and they came as swift as the could to assist. It is no secret that what they had heard was dire and they had feared they would arrive to find the old master dead. They express their sorrow that he has departed, but are joyful that he has survived.

Most of them ignore Bofur as their kin are want to do in the presence of Dwarves, but a few of the younger ones laugh and wish to drink with him. They bring several skeins of elven wine and a horn of decent spirits as well as word from back home, for they have recently passed through the village Bofur and company call home.

The full-blooded Elves keep their own company, but the Halfelven are quite friendly and enjoy the company of the party: Man, Raven and Dwarf alike. They express dismay about the Orcs, but they seem conflicted as to whether they should intervene or return west.

Elf reaction [2d6]=6 Indifferent. They are empathetic but not yet willing to help.

[Leitz]

Jing Jiho

Jiho shared his pipeweed, if anyone wanted to indulge. When the elves expressed uncertainty, he nodded. "Caution is important, as is action. Knowing when to choose the right path is often beyond me, but I find contentment in doing the right thing. We cleared one of the old watchforts; killing almost a dozen ogres and rescuing several dwarves. While clearing the land around the fort we fought ghouls and ghasts, I am still recovering from their poisonous touch."

He took a gentle puff, and continued. "I'm told only a strong evil will could make the orcs hunt during the day, and I fear they will isolate the well here, Spring Keep, and Borderton, allowing each to be defeated in turn. Corbin treated me well, as has Morwen. Thus I will help them as best I can, and that means fighting the orcs and brigands that are putting everyone at risk."

He looked at the elf closest to him. "What would it mean to you if Spring Keep, the well here, and Borderton were destroyed? What would keep the orcs and brigands from ravaging the plains and burning all in their path? How sure are you that your home is safe?"

[scarik]

"Andutawar is hardly safe," the youngest of them laughs. His name is Aedaen and he has a lynx that follows him like a hound. "Great Muskravax is fickle and demanding but she would never suffer disruption to her tribute!" Some of the others chuckle and agree while others seem uncomfortable just speaking the name of the ancient wyrm who claims the wild forests near their home.

Aedean nods to that fear, and concedes "Many worry that this conflict will awaken other dragons, or draw their greedy eyes upon us. These brigands of yours may even be fool enough to think they can harness draconic power for themselves. But make no mistake, no man has ever profited from a dragon's interest." Their conversation continues for some time and the young elf eventually admits that many of his people would be content to see Springkeep fall as they distrust the Lawgiver's faithful.

In the morning the Elves decide that they will honor Corbin's request for aid and keep Ravenswell safe for one turn of the moon as is customary. Since the wood lies a mere handful of miles away they will focus patrols in that direction and ensure that any Orc which dares to move into the open will feel the sting of elven steel.

[scarik]

The party sets out once more. They take the road awhile while the mists are clear and the sun is high. With miles of visibility from each rise and keen Ravenfolk eyes they are confident in taking the swifter route. Whenever a decent tree is near Macnav takes advantage and effortlessly alights into its boughs to check the way. And so it is he who first spots an approaching troupe of horsemen coming from the east.

It is a band of a dozen of the Margrave's riders lead by one of the older squires. They approach and salute.

"Sir Jing," the leader addresses Jing Ji-ho not quite correctly for he is not properly a knight and Jing is his surname besides. "Sir Tylar said we might encounter you and so we have brought additional mounts for you and your party."

It is getting late in the day but there are hours of light still left if they wish to push on.

Relief Party Encounter Hex 1 [1d6]=3 Clear
Relief Party Encounter Hex 2 [1d6]=2 Clear
Relief Party Encounter Hex 3 [1d6]=5 Yes
Relief Party Encounter Patrol Chance [1d4]=3 Its a cavalry patrol.

[Leitz]

Jing Jiho

Jiho listened to the elves speak, and nodded at their concerns. He was surprised that they had a name, and a tithe, for the dragon that they feared. But they also had a name for their home, and they came from the west. That was good to know. During their normal conversation Jiho asked a lot about geography, what they could tell him of the lands west.

Later on he sought to speak to Aedaen alone. "Please, forgive me, but I would seek your counsel."

Assuming the elf joined him, Jiho said, "As you can see, I am not from here, and I do not have the same cultural views as many. I am not one to let what has been remain, if it causes threat or harm to my friends. I have shared food with Azgar Lawseeker of the plains nomads, and I view him as a friend. I have agreed to aide Thane Gurav Graka, and also call him friend. We journey west."

"I have been travelling west for more than two years, and perhaps it is time to find a place to call home. To bring peace and friendship to those around me. I have friends here, and you say there is a dragon that threatens Andutawar. You, your people, I do not know well." Jiho shrugged. "Nor do you know me. Would you wish to remedy that? Is there one of your people who would seek to join our circle of friends? One day I will fulfil my oath to Thane Graka, and then I will speak to my friends about what needs to be done. Perhaps there will be someone to speak of dragons?"


- - -


Jiho smiled at the horses Sir Tylar's troops had brought, and then laughed. "Even one as dense as I can see that if Sir Tylar sends such good mounts then he deserves our speedy response."

He made sure everyone else found a suitable mount, and then lifted himself into the saddle of the best that remained. Looking at the leader, he nodded. "I am eager to return Sir Tylar's horses to him. Please, lead on!"

[GreyWolfVT]

Bofur "I'm just happy ta not be travelling by foot." he comments.

[scarik]

Bofur "I'm just happy ta not be travelling by foot." he comments.

Squire Antal laughs, "It is an honor to assist you, Master Dwarf, take my steed, this pony is a sturdy beast."

[Leitz]

Jing Jiho

During a short break, Jiho approached Gurav and spoke quietly. "Thank you for joining us on this quest. It takes time and resources away from our agreement, but it keeps us more secure in the long run. We will spend a few days in Borderton, to recover and recruit. Think of what we'd need to make our watchfort the base of operations, so that coming back and forth to Borderton is less frequent. I will ensure Si-woo gets the supplies we need, and he will prioritize any material or workers you recommend."

"I still want to scout the next watchfort before winter, and arrange for workers to be clearing the land near ours. Food will be an issue, as well as cold weather clothing, livestock like chickens and goats, medicines, fodder for the animals, and arrows and bolts. It will take most of our funds, I think, but give us a time advantage."

[scarik]

Jing Jiho

During a short break, Jiho approached Gurav and spoke quietly.

Thane Graka is terse as always and the idea of a delay in his quest clearly annoys him he gives a wicked grin, "The Grobi will wish they had stayed in their warrens when they feel Dawi-steel."

Jing Jiho

Jiho listened to the elves speak, and nodded at their concerns. He was surprised that they had a name, and a tithe, for the dragon that they feared. But they also had a name for their home, and they came from the west. That was good to know. During their normal conversation Jiho asked a lot about geography, what they could tell him of the lands west.

Later on he sought to speak to Aedaen alone. "Please, forgive me, but I would seek your counsel."

"We will be here when you return from your battle with the Orc, if Corellon gives us victory in the Sun then let us speak then."

[scarik]

You arrive at Borderton late that evening and now join the brigand hunt: viewtopic.php?t=13573. We will continue this adventure there.