Day 58-64 – Going On Ahead

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(Centaurs and Cats and Orcs oh my!)
(Date: 18th April)
The Centaurs are the first to fully break camp, any they head out East, apparently heading off towards Larkstone. The party is ready next, and bidding farewell to Talaris and his fellows you head off up the road and soon leave the wagons far behind.
The next few days are really just a faster repetition of your time with the caravan, occasional patrols and other traders are encountered on the road but conversation with these tend to reveal nothing new in the way of gossip and rumour.
You are about a day away from the ferry to Far Haven when the next group of centaurs are spotted – approaching from the East. Your paths are converging and you would guess that they are also heading for the ferry. The party hails the group and they canter over.
== Meeting the Hawk Clan==
These Centaurs are very different from those met a week back, the Badger clan were all relatively stocky centaurs – think Cob and larger. These Centaurs are more easily compared to racehorses, relatively slight in build and much more active/energetic. They introduce themselves as:
Johat : A warrior of the Hawk Clan
Ironspear: A female warrior of the Hawk Clan
Whitemane: A female scout of the Hawk Clan
As usual the centaurs are friendly and open, and for a few hours at least accompany the party before galloping off on ahead.
Johat: “Yes, we have some business in Far Haven, apologies but cannot stay too long since we want to make the evening ferry.”
Johat: “Ah, you were with Talaris, hopefully our trader will have met up with him as well, we have a need for arrowheads and spearblades. In the last few days things have got a little more ‘interesting’ out there. We have seen fairly large group of what we initially thought were simply large Orcs, all heading north. These have all been hostile and certainly ourselves and the Owl clan have had a number of engagements with these creatures.”
Whitemane: “They certainly weren’t Orcs though, our Speaker named them Hobgoblins…. Creatures from fanciful tales become real.”
Ironspear: “Whatever, they die like Orcs.”
Johat: “But where are they going? To the North is just the swamps, we feared they might be allied with Trollheim but there have been no reports of them heading East at all. Anyhow, I would suggest that for the moment the road is the safest place to be, we Clans look to keep the plains safe – but these creatures appear from nowhere.”
Johat: “Far Haven, well you certainly wouldn’t find me inside the city walls, but I would guess that as a city it isn’t too bad. At least the city does not look down it’s nose at the clans simply because we have no love for staying in one place for long. Saratak has long been a friend of the clans and makes sure that we get treated fairly by the merchants.”
Ironspear: “Yeah the Warlord does seem to have strange ideas sometimes, like his latest project….. you will see it when you get to the city. I would hate to spoil the surprise.”
Johat: “He has had strange ideas ever since the Shanah – Wyldwood spat a few years back, he headed off South saying he had to ‘check something out’ and came back changed, a fair lump of hair missing from his mane you might say.”
Whitemane: “He seems a lot calmer nowadays mind you, although the latest project is a little strange.”
Johat: “If you want a decent place to stable your mules, I would suggest heading off to the meeting place first. There are a number of ostlers there, and the constant presence of the clans ensures that they treat their charges well.”
Johat: “Anyhow, have to make a move now, I think we will be at Far Haven for a few days, if you are around the meeting place pop in to see us. Just ask for the Hawk Clan and any nomad should be able to direct you.”
==The Ferry==
Just before noon the next day you arrive at the ferry crossing over to Far Haven, there is a small fort off to one side flying the colours of Far Haven and the ferryport itself has a number of guards loitering around. The ‘ferry’ itself consists of two large flat bottomed barges that are pulled across the river by ropes, there are a number of oxen here that provide the necessary musclepower. One of the guards saunters over to the party as you approach.
Guard: “Hi folks, I assume you are looking to take a ferry over, just wondering if you had seen any strange critters on your way here? We have had some reports from Centaurs of various beasties being spotted and whilst it sounds like a bit too much to drink, those guys are normally reliable so we are looking for some verification.”
The party responds that nothing has been seen on the journey, but that they had also heard the reports. Given the guards somewhat incredulous dismissal of the Centaurs reports, you decide that mentioning the Ogres and Kobolds might leave him somewhat dismissive of your mental faculties….so opt to remain quiet on that.
Guard: “Yeah, didn’t think so, still Saratak says we need to step up security here – and he’s the boss. Have a good time in Far Haven.”
…and the guard moves away to chat with a colleague.
You pay your fare, and board one of the large barges, by the time you reach the other side an disembark it is early afternoon. Taking Johats’ advice you immediately set off for the area on your map known as the Meeting Place.
==At the Meeting Place==
The Meeting Place spreads out to the south-west of the city and visible are a number of banners which you would surmise represent clan gathering points. There are a number of stockades for herd animals and you approach the nearest and by far the largest one. It is with a bit of a shock that you realise that the two humanoids manning what is a covered area by the entrance to the stockade are just over 5’ tall, stocky, very ugly….and can only be Orcs. They get up from their stools as you approach, obviously noticing your hesitancy.
Leading Orc: “G’day folks, please do not be alarmed, my name is Stlan Warskull and my colleague here is Juggar. We are both members of the Warskull tribe, on duty here are Far Haven for the season, from the look of you I would guess just arrived in the city and looking for somewhere reliable to stable your animals?”
Juggar: “What he means to say is that we are Orcs, you ain’t – get over it. My clan owes no allegiance to Trollheim or Ghoulagabba, and have just spent a season working with the Centaurs to help keep the dead lovers in check. So unless you have reason to cause trouble with us, and hence the clans, you wont find us makin’ trouble neither.”
A third Orc is wandering over in deep conversation with what you take to be a Maratasen (about 5’11” leonine features, very solidly built), the Orc seems a bit scrawnier than Juggar and Stlan and is dwarfed by the Maratasen.
Stlan: “We offer stabling for mules at 30 copper per beast per day, payable a week in advance. Fees include feed, general grooming and basic animal care. Oh hiya Virk, Carrun.”
The approaching Orc: “Hi Stlan, we need our mounts as soon as possible please.”
The Orc acknowledges the presence of the party “ Sorry folks, you are gonna have to wait a couple of minutes.”
Stlan: “Will do Virk.”
Virk says something to the Maratasen obviously named Carrun in what you assume is the ‘Tasen language, Carruns reply is brief and annoyed.
Stlan: “Juggar, can you go a get the shamans mounts please.”
Juggar nods and then heads off into the enclosure at a trot, towards a set of makeshift stalls.
Both the Orc and the Maratasen are wearing the Wyldwood sigil as a brooch and moving away from the party resume their conversation in ‘Tasen.
Stlan: “…anyhow, as I was saying, 30 copper per beast per day. Take it or leave it, you wont find a better price in the rockpile over there, and believe me – if you care about your mounts you wont find better care in there either.”
Querius confirms that the animals in the stockage that are nearby are obviously well taken care of and seem healthy, and so after a half hearted attempt to haggle, the party pays over a weeks stabling.
In the meantime, Juggar has returned with two very large horses, both fully tacked up and looking to be in excellent condition. These are handed off to Virk and Carrun.
Virk: “We should be back tomorrow, so keep the stalls open.”
The Orc and Maratasen then ride off, heading west.
Stlan: “The Hawk clan? Well normally the whiz kids keep their banner down at the south side of the meeting place – so I would look down there if I were you.”
Juggar: “Yeah, a few of them prancing preeners came in yesterday – Saratak himself came out to talk to them.”
Stlan: “Well, they wont have been talking about the weather I guess, they may be effete but the Hawks have good eyes and usually bring Saratak news of import.”
Stlan: “Right you lot, I will need a couple of hours warning ‘fore you can have your beasts back. If your funds run out then I have the right to sell the animals, and the city is that way – have fun.”
(This is what obviously passes for top grade Orcish customer relations)
The party then heads into Far Haven….
==Into Far Haven==
Your first proper view of the city is not impressive, the city walls are fairly basic in form, and in some places in need of maintenance. Buildings abut on to both the interior and exterior of the walls and if there was once a moat, it has long ago been filled in. What is impressive though are a number of large stone towers, these extend up around 60’ and atop each of them are what appear to be ballistae. At present you can see four such towers, with a two more still under construction.
There is a perfunctory entrance check, asking you to state your business – but frankly it is obvious that you could tell the guard anything and he would probably not pay any attention. Inside the city, apart from the main thoroughfares, the streets are narrow and crowded, the air is hot and humid and in general you have to be careful where you put your feet. Within minutes you have spotted humans, giants, halflings, dwarves, maratasen, ariel and orcs all busily going about whatever is their business. You do notice that many people, particularly the humans and giants, are wearing white armbands, these seem to have some significance as the wearers radiate an air of privilege and authority, seeming to expect others to make way for them even in the crowds, even when the armband wearer is nothing short of being a beggar.
……….WHAT INN ETC. ETC. ………..
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