Days 11 - 13

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Day 11 (cont)
Whatever magic Rohl’dal has used, it is soon obvious that the party is making extremely good progress along the highway, without any strain at all you would estimate that you are making around 5 miles per hour.
Todd: “Good effect isn’t it? Rohl’dal always claims that his avatar is the dogs bollocks.”
About an hour into the march, Fannor moves around the party members handing over a document to each.
Fannor: “So this paperwork officially makes you auxiliary members of the Pearlstone Pathfinders, they have been signed by Gohde and will see you safe from conscription squads and the like. Don’t start waving them in front of any very senior officers mind you because they wont hold up. Keep their use to a minimum is what I would suggest.”
When questioned a little..
Fannor: “Well Gohde doesn’t really have the authority to engage auxiliaries, but he and Cagrun have concocted some overly complex set of excuses that should keep them out of hot water. Anyhow, as I say – just use these when really needed.”
Todd: “Nah, pretty much all of us are from Pearlstone, though Fannor comes from Hightower originally. I certainly haven’t ever been up to Northlake, though I suspect others might have.”
It turns out that Kvasir, the Ariel has family on Northlake and has visited a couple of times. Unfortunately, his accent is such that understanding more than a tenth of what he says is extremely difficult. Kinogel comes over after a while to translate.
Kinogel: “So the best market in Northlake for curios and the like is over in the west near the Dust Gate, but obviously it doesn’t open when the dust it blowing.”
Kinogel: “The Dust Gate…. That is the city gate to the West.”
Kinogel: “Well Kvasir and his family never really got involved with the College, don’t know of any collectors either – although if I know Nobles – there will be one or two private collections to be found.”
Kinogel: “Cracks of Doom, well most historians seem to agree that the place turned into a shithole about the time that the Elves left. But most people seem to disagree on what caused what… or even if there is a connection.”
Kinogel: ”Offerings at the defiance shrine are normally fruit or foodstuffs, meat only once a week. During the holy season, Spring as you should know, it is also traditional to leave some seeds along with a single coin. Golderod is a nice guy, but sometimes seems to act more like a Shanah priest than a Wyldwood, he certainly gets involved with the military aspects of the city defence.”
Kinogel: “…and that seems to be about all that Kvasir knows I am afraid, hope my interpretation was up to it!”
It is past noon when the group reaches the turn off to Krafort, on the highway here a gate has been set up, manned by a small group of Elves and Dark Elves.
Rohl’dal: “If any of you can speak Elvish – don’t let on.”
One of the Elves walks into the middle of the highway and holds up his hand indicating for the group to halt.
Elf (in good, but not fluent common): “State your business.”
Rohl’dal: “We are on official Alveran business, under the terms of the peace treaty. Most of us will be travelling on to Northlake, whilst two of our number wish to visit the Church of Wyldwood in Stormhaven. These papers also confirm other arrangements made between King Alvera and your ambassador.”
Rohl’dal hands over some paperwork, which the Elf inspects, an obviously more senior Elf comes forward and the two begin conferring in Elvish. Rohl’dal is obviously on guard, and the pathfinders have spread out slightly and staying vigilant.
(Extracts later from what Bazin managed to catch)
Elf: “Do we really have to let this rabble through? What the f is Oranzer up to?”
Elf Officer: “Orders are orders, the whole thing will fall apart in a few months anyhow – unless those fairy stories about the wild wood are true.”
Elf: “Well if we can break the veil….”
Elf Officer: “We had help remember.”
Elf Officer: “Look anyhow, give these peasants a pass each. Looking through this notice we are now permitted to move our checkpoints down to the old Soarbridge – deep joy.”
The Elf Officer returns the paperwork minus one sheet that he keeps, and then calls out to the Dark Elves waiting by the gate. Two of the Dark Elves move to open the gate, whilst another reaches into a large satchel and pulls out a sheaf of small pieces of paper that he takes up to the Elf Officer. The Offices makes a mark on each of the pieces of paper, which he then hands to Rohl’dal, the last two pieces get some additional marks.
Elf: “You are clear to proceed, show your passes at any checkpoints, and note that any troublemaking within the Empire’s territory will be punished.”
…and with a wave the party is motioned through.
The next checkpoint is at another large bridge, this one is manned by a larger group of about 20 Elves and Dark Elves, but on seeing the passes everyone is waved through without comment.
Conversation in the group is minimal, and Rohl’dal is obviously slightly troubled as you pass through and once clear of the bridge makes a sign to his companions. The party has no idea what the sign is meant to be, but it soon becomes obvious as from this point forward none of the pathfinders talk about the goals of the visit to Northlake and the conversation becomes distinctly light.
About 10 miles further up the road, a halt is called, there is a well defined clearing about 50 yards off the road with a nearby stream. Obviously a well established stopping point. Once in the clearing everyone helps with making camp, though it is a somewhat strained evening since the pathfinders obviously believe themselves under observation and so conversation is stilted – there is only so much weather to talk about after all.
Day 12
The next day is unfortunately more of the same, and the effect of Rohl’dals spell no longer applies which makes progress slower and more tiring. Around noon sees the group approaching yet another checkpoint at a major junction, the signpost at the junction indicates that Northlake is 80 miles to the North, Stormhaven 30 miles to the East.
The junction has a more permanent checkpoint in place, a small, well made stockade to the side of the road looks to be able to hold around 50-70 soldiers and there are sentries posted up in a watchtower within the stockade. On the road itself are 5 Elves, who are obviously awaiting the groups arrival. Wordlessly one of the Elves holds out his hands and Rohl’dal hands over the papers and dockets. These are handed back.
Elf (in common tongue): “Who are the priests making pilgrimage to Stormhaven.”
Rohl’dal indicates Kinogel and Kvasir who step forward.
Elf (in common tongue): “You are all free to proceed, but I would strongly advice the Wyldwood priests to restrict themselves from any attempts to proselytizing – the Lady will not look well upon such activities.”
Kinogel: “Apologies, by the Lady you mean….”
Elf (in common tongue): “Hahsandra.”
….and the party is motioned to proceed.
Kvasir and Kinogel bid goodbye to rest of the group and follow the road East, whilst the rest of you continue North. You make probably another 15 miles that day before stopping for camp. The weather has turned slightly warmer but a lot wetter, so camp that night is an altogether dispiriting affair.
In the morning, Rohl’dal gets people moving early, he seems a lot more relaxed as you set off, and lets Fannor take point while he falls back to talk with the party.
Rohl’dal: “As you probably surmised, we have been under some form of observation from just before the bridge up until last night. I have no idea what form of magic was being used and what could be seen/heard – so thought it best to assume the worst.”
Rohl’dal: “Not a good feeling for us Pathfinders, since we do pride ourselves on being able to stay quietly unobtrusive – but anyway that seems to have ended for the moment.”
Rohl’dal: “Anyhow, thought I would quickly compare notes with you on our Elven friends conversation at the first checkpoint. I suspect that the first guardpost was not manned by the better disciplined troops given how verbose they were. Also, note that there is obviously concerns about Wyldwood religion being spread amongst Elves, or maybe Dark Elves.”
Rohl’dal calls over Flaumosa – who apparently also can understand Elvish to a degree and suggests that he and Bazin compare notes on what they understood.
Early afternoon sees the group reach the large town of Northglum, originally a Human settlement it has now been occupied by the Elves. Passing by on the outskirts you see Human labourers working in the fields preparing for the Spring planting, they are being supervised by Dark Elven overseers who are very obviously very happy to use the whip to ensure obedience.
Rohl’dal: “Do not get involved.”
Passing Northglum the party makes another 10 miles before having to make another camp. Once shelter is up and everyone has eaten, Rohl’dal calls everyone together except for Fannor who is on sentry duty.
Rohl’dal: “OK, we have about 40 miles to go, and personally I would not like to spend another night out in Elf controlled territory. Thankfully Shanah allows me to invoke March again tomorrow – so assuming no trouble this should be achievable if we set off early. Once we get to the city I suspect that the squad will be extremely busy, so think we should confer now. Bazin, Flaumosa, what have you come up with?”
Flaumosa: “Well, the Dwarf actually understood a bit more that I managed to pick up but we agree on a few interesting points. Firstly, the Elves had help in breaking the veil and returning to the North Island – though no indications as to what; Secondly, there is an implication that something/someone else is also behind the veil, possibly the beasts like those Kobolds; Thirdly, the Elves referred to the wild wood and fairy stories, is this a place, being or what but is obviously a factor in why they have entered into negociations with the King. I also picked up some phrase about the Empress and her five stars but the Dwarf missed this so we are unsure what that refers to.”
Rohl’dal: “Interesting, Flaumosa, when we get to Northlake get this all written up, I promised to keep Gohde up to date.”
Following this, there is much conversation, but nothing of any deep import.
Rohl’dal: “Right, remember and early start tomorrow. Before I forget, I think you folks will need to draw down on your ‘pay’ in advance since who knows when you will next be able to do so.”
…and Rodl’dal hands each party member 30 gold, apparently representing 6 months ‘pay’ in advance.
Rohl’dal: “I will go an relieve Fannor”
Todd: “Anyone for a few hands of cards”
…and a card game gets underway with Todd and the returning Fannor, but soon everyone settles down for the evening, which is probably a good thing since Fannor and Todd are both extremely skilled card players…. Neither of them seem to recognise the name Vinmira.
Day 13
Everyone is up before dawn and after a hasty breakfast, camp is broken and the group forms up on the highway. As before, Rohl’dal invokes march and the walking begins.
After about 4 hours marching you come across the first sign that there was significant conflict in the area last autumn. Off to the left there a large cairn has been raised and at the top of the cairn, three spears have been set, their points now rusting. From that point onwards, these cairns become a reasonably frequent sight, along with other mounds where the grass is only just beginning to grow.
With about 15 miles to go, the group notices a mounted force approaching from the North. You all move to the side of the highway, but maintain your pace. The force turns out to be 20 Elven lancers, who wheel to a halt in front of the group. One of their number, though obviously not the commander calls out in common.
Elf Lancer: “What business do you have in Empire lands?”
Rohl’dal: “Under the terms of the peace treaty between Alvera and you Elves, we are travelling to Northlake.”
Elf Lancer: “Your papers”
Rohl’dal hands over the papers and the Elf quickly flicks through them, and then returns them.
(again extracts based on what party understands)
Elf Lancer (in Elven): “Papers in order Sir”
Elf Commander (in Elven): “Military eyes I would suspect.” (to another Lancer) “Ride on ahead, let force commanders know that natives are on the way North.”
…one of the Elven lancers wheels his mount and heads up the highway…
Elf Lancer (in Elven): “So, do we simply let them pass then?”
Elf Commander (in Elven): “Unfortunately the directions from Oranzer are quite clear. Did you know that these rabble are trying to raise one of the stars.”
Elf Lancer (in Elven): “But….”
Another Elf Lancer (in Elven): “Sir, I think some of these rabble can understand us.”
Elf Commander (in Elven): “Fuck, ok.”
Elf Commander (in Common): “You may pass, we will accompany you. Just to minimise any chance of incident.”
….and for the next 5 or so miles the party is accompanied by a military guard.
The border with the lands still held by Northlake is marked by earthworks stretching off to the left and right and a gated barricade across the highway. Manning the barricades are a large number of Dark Elves, with a fair scattering of Elves amongst them. Regular stockades have been built along the earthworks, and there are several parties of humans being made to work on reinforcing the fortifications.
The group is passed through the gate in haste, not given any time to inspect the work that is underway, although a couple of you believe you saw siege engines in the distance.
No mans land stretches for a few hundred yards and then another checkpoint, this time manned by Humans and Ariel. It is noticeable that the defenders have made no effort to erect even light fortifications this far out from the city.
Rohl’dal hails the border guard.
Rohl’dal: “Hail, detachment from the Pearlstone Pathfinders with orders to report to Sir Garth upon arrival.”
Papers are inspected, and although the border guards are obviously keen to get news, they are very disciplined and refrain from questioning anyone. One of the guards is detailed to accompany you to the City, although he has to take a horse in order to maintain your pace over the final 10 miles.
….and the party arrives in Northlake…. Rohl’dal and his companions immediately set off with the border guard to report to Sir Garth.
Rohl’dal (to border guard): “These folks are auxiliaries, got caught up in events. They have their own orders but will not required billeting.”
The border guard looks a little puzzled, but says nothing.
Rohl’dal (to party): “Well this is where we part for now, good luck with your endeavours – who knows maybe we will see each other at some point.”
The party enters the city proper, their papers easily passing inspection. Making their way to the “Falling Star”, they are able to secure rooms and lodgings.
…………..
PARTY: +526xp EACH
SO I WOULD LIKE EACH CHARACTER TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF WHAT THEY WANT TO INVESTIGATE etc.
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