Day 216: The Hawk's Roost

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The Hawks Roost
Day 216 (16th September)
The party has stopped at the Hawks Roost, an inn on the main highway between Northlake and Stormhaven. The inn acts as a stopping off point for many of the caravans plying their trade between the two cities, plus also a watering hole for local smallholders. Prices are very reasonable and whilst food and ale quality is not the best, it is perfectly adequate.
During the Elven invasion the inn fell on hard times as trade dried up, but over the past few months as relations between Alvera and the Empire have reached the new norm things are picking up significantly. Travellers are returning as well as the trade caravans and many of the locals have returned to the area. At any time, visitors to the inn are likely to encounter a wide variety of visitors from across the North Island.
Gonthirn
The Native Orc introduces himself as Gonthirn, from near the City of Tradeport. Until recently he was part of the security detail for the Solaran Embassy in Stormhaven, however due to the collapse in relations between Solara and the Empire he finds himself out of a job and so has started making his way home. He is planning on fund his travels by acting as a caravan guard, wagon driver or general labourer.
He was interested in chatting to Brokev simply to find out more with regards to what is happening up North.
Gonthirn: “There are tales that Solara has developed links with Ghoulagabba, and if that is the case then I am wanting no more to do with the Kingdom. No time for our dark brethren and their foul practices.”
Brokev: “So why seek me out?”
Gonthirn: “Well our kind are rarely seen in this area, and you nomads always seem so reluctant to leave your territories. So obviously I was somewhat intrigued, and just wanting to make sure that the clans were not on the retreat from Ghoulagabba.”
(there follows a fairly long recounting of the parties adventures up in the North and North West)
Gonthirn: “So, sounds to me like the Dark Orcs are going to be licking their wounds for a long time. Maybe someone should persuade this Rasten chappie to go raze their capital to the ground.”
Brokev: “Slightly above our pay grade!”
Brokev: “So why is a Native Orc working for Solara?”
Gonthirn: “How do you mean, Gemihadist persecution and all that?”
Brokev: “Yes, exactly.”
Gonthirn: “Well Gemihadist is only really strong around the capital, and admittedly my life would not be worth a copper bit if I stepped into Bristol. Up North, the human supremacists are a lot weaker, though sometimes louder. Solara cant risk alienating his Northern Barons, and so things are a lot less fanatical up there. Think things will get even more sensitive now that the Lizards have taken Dalzon.”
Gonthirn: “Look, would you be amenable to earning some money, working with me?”
Broken: “How do you mean, working with you?”
Gonthirn: “There is a character staying here at the inn, human sized but I have no idea as to actual race, gender or anything. He or she approached me when I first arrived and announced I was looking for some work, it is possibly straying into dubious legality but apparently he wants a parcel delivered near to Cardyd. When he realised I was on my own he said to come back if I found any assistance. I don’t know any more details, but am sure that he would tell us more…. He did say it paid well and would likely have decent opportunities for loot.”
Francis: “Why would there be loot in a hellhole like Cardyd, it is just a hardship mining town?”
Gonthirn: “Oh, you know of the place. Well even if you aren’t wanting to come along, I would welcome any information you can give me. Just in case I am getting in a little deep.”
(Francis passes on the information he does have on Cardyd)
A Group Of Giants
Umar approaches the small group of Giants who are sitting around a table, when they see him approaching they make room and signal for him to pull up a chair. Introductions are made….the group consists of:
Quiglan: A male giant, middle aged, once obviously a fighter type but now going to seed a little. He is a minor official in the trade ministry of Torgan and has been down in Stormhaven looking to support Torgan merchant houses establish trading posts there.
Thorvalk: Male giant, quite young, lean and economical in his movement. Quiglans bodyguard.
Tarivalia: Female giant, priestess of Shanah based in Stormhaven, is just returning from a visit to Northlake to see some family.
Xung Rockbreaker: Male giant, Tarivalia’s clerk, bodyguard and all round assistant.
{most of the early conversation focusses on Umars journeys and experiences. Tarivalia in particular is impressed by Umar receiving Shanahs blessing and meeting with the famed Bez Drock.)
Umar: “So what happened at Torgan, are the outlying clans safe?”
Thorvalk: “You mean when the Cloud Castles collided?”
Umar: “Yeah…”
Thorvalk: “Well thankfully casualties amongst the local settlements were light. The blast did cause quite a bit of property damage and the crops were flattened. Obviously there were a lot of bones to set but by and large we escaped quite lightly.”
Quiglan: “Yes, we were lucky in that aspect. What is going to happen with the mana storm is what concerns me, rumours are that Alvera is still alive in there.”
Tarivalia: “Apparently the Empire has sent some of its best mages to see if they can calm the storm down.”
Quiglan: “More likely try to tap into it…..”
Xung: “I don’t think anybody, even the Elves, wants another Cracks of Doom”
Quiglan: “I don’t think it will come to that, certainly the powers that be in Torgan aren’t making plans to evacuate.”
Quiglan: “But anyway young Umar, I think it fair to say that your clan is almost certainly fine.”
Umar: “That’s a relief”
(conversation returns to Umars journeys, focus now on the Willston siege……and then returns to Torgan)
Umar: “So whatever happened to the old madman? Is he still prattling on about Dragons?”
Quiglan: “Ah, that was unfortunate, as you know there was a bit of trouble with some local Dekatur cultists a few months back. With Alveras assistance we soon resolved all of that but it turned out that they had sprung him from his cave – we actually have no idea if he is still alive or what.”
Umar: “I guess it was a pretty chaotic time….also there was a distance cousin of mine based in the city, he had done well for himself. Morac was his name – is he still ok do you know?”
Quiglan looks at Umar somewhat pointedly…
Quiglan: “Strange, Morac is my bosses boss, and as far as I know he has no family outside of the city.”
Umar: “May be a different Morac I guess? Anyone want another beer?”
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