New Frontiers #2 - Validar
It is the afternoon of the day after Validar was teleported home by Padraig. At first glance things seemed normal, but that notion was quickly discarded. Baron Relon had been magically struck down under suspicious circumstances. The culprit in this case was a case of wine delivered from a Lord Cavius far to the north and west. A magical potion was added to the wine at some point. A foul concoction that was believed to be attempting to change the Baron in some manner.
The Baroness quickly contacted her niece, the Lady Jallarzi Sallavarian of Elcadan. Jallarzi quickly arrived along with her acquaintance the priestess Elspeth. Elspeth served the human Goddess of Life and was eventually able to halt the potion's affect on the baron and reverse the process. In turn Jallarzi contacted her distant cousin Sherwood to look into the matter while she assumed the baron's identity in an attempt to ferret out the poisoner.
Upon returning home, Validar found a great deal of court intrigue awaiting his arrival. His childhood friend Lord Corley was present and was assisting in protecting the baron. Also present was the Lady Vera Ardel. The Ardel's once ruled the Barony of Stone Ridge, but it fell under humanoid onslaught.
Validar is interrupted from his afternoon's activities. The messenger whispers that the lord’s presence is requested in the Baron's private chambers. Excusing himself, Validar makes his way to the private chambers.
Inside the chambers, Validar finds his mother, the Baroness Lysandra, Lady Sallavarian, and a man he has never met before. This must be the mysterious Sherwood that Validar has heard about.
Sherwood does not bear the typical appearance of a mage. Of course, neither did the Archmage Sharadin. There is a slight resemblance between the two men, suggesting that they are related. Sherwood is not quite six feet tall with a lean and muscular body. He has brown hair with a full beard and matching eyes. He has average looks. He favors dark greens and browns, giving him more the appearance of a woodsman than anything.
"Validar," Sherwood nods in greeting. "We didn't expect your presence in this particular venture, but it is welcomed nonetheless. According to my sources, Lothar will be arriving in the village of Twin Forks in the next day or two. It is my intention to meet him there to question his involvement in the attack upon the baron. Prepare yourself, for we ride at first light. The journey will take three days and it will be late afternoon when we reach Twin Forks."
From there Sherwood will field whatever questions that may come his way. Then he'll excuse himself saying that he needs to make contact with the adventuring band he had assembled. They should all have arrived at the Greet Forest Inn by now.
New Frontiers #2 - Validar
New Frontiers #2 - Validar
Try it and find out!
GM Notes:
GM Notes:
I’m going to leave the #1 posts open to cover everything that occurs up until Sherwood appears. Use the #2 posts to deal with events after Sherwood appears and whatever questions you may have for him.
I’m going to leave the #1 posts open to cover everything that occurs up until Sherwood appears. Use the #2 posts to deal with events after Sherwood appears and whatever questions you may have for him.
Try it and find out!
VALIDAR -
Validar is interrupted from his afternoon's activities. The messenger whispers that the lord’s presence is requested in the Baron's private chambers. Excusing himself, Validar makes his way to the private chambers.
Inside the chambers, Validar finds his mother, the Baroness Lysandra, Lady Sallavarian, and a man he has never met before. This must be the mysterious Sherwood that Validar has heard about.
"Validar," Sherwood nods in greeting.
"Greetings, Sherwood, it is very good to finally meet you," Validar returns.
"We didn't expect your presence in this particular venture, but it is welcomed nonetheless. According to my sources, Lothar will be arriving in the village of Twin Forks in the next day or two. It is my intention to meet him there to question his involvement in the attack upon the baron. Prepare yourself, for we ride at first light. The journey will take three days and it will be late afternoon when we reach Twin Forks."
"My good man, this attack against the Barony is an attack on my family and my realm. Nothing could have kept me from returning the moment I received the Baroness' summons. This base attack will be avenged. That I swear. " Validar balls his fist and shakes it at no one in particular.
"Your presence will also be welcomed, Sherwood. As it appears you have some direct information about our enemy, that is even more helpful to our cause. I will be awaiting your arrival at dawn. We will meet at the city's main western gate."
Validar is interrupted from his afternoon's activities. The messenger whispers that the lord’s presence is requested in the Baron's private chambers. Excusing himself, Validar makes his way to the private chambers.
Inside the chambers, Validar finds his mother, the Baroness Lysandra, Lady Sallavarian, and a man he has never met before. This must be the mysterious Sherwood that Validar has heard about.
"Validar," Sherwood nods in greeting.
"Greetings, Sherwood, it is very good to finally meet you," Validar returns.
"We didn't expect your presence in this particular venture, but it is welcomed nonetheless. According to my sources, Lothar will be arriving in the village of Twin Forks in the next day or two. It is my intention to meet him there to question his involvement in the attack upon the baron. Prepare yourself, for we ride at first light. The journey will take three days and it will be late afternoon when we reach Twin Forks."
"My good man, this attack against the Barony is an attack on my family and my realm. Nothing could have kept me from returning the moment I received the Baroness' summons. This base attack will be avenged. That I swear. " Validar balls his fist and shakes it at no one in particular.
"Your presence will also be welcomed, Sherwood. As it appears you have some direct information about our enemy, that is even more helpful to our cause. I will be awaiting your arrival at dawn. We will meet at the city's main western gate."
Last edited by Validar on Tue Aug 05, 2003 12:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
Conquer or Die!
Sherwood
Sherwood:
“You and your adventuring band were away on a mission when I delivered your mother’s message,” Sherwood explains. “Thus, it seemed reasonable that you would not be present for this investigation. Regardless, you are here and another strong sword arm is most welcome.”
“At any rate, my associates and I will meet you at the Western Gate at first light.”
Assuming there are no other questions, Sherwood will depart for the Green Forest Inn.
“You and your adventuring band were away on a mission when I delivered your mother’s message,” Sherwood explains. “Thus, it seemed reasonable that you would not be present for this investigation. Regardless, you are here and another strong sword arm is most welcome.”
“At any rate, my associates and I will meet you at the Western Gate at first light.”
Assuming there are no other questions, Sherwood will depart for the Green Forest Inn.
VALIDAR -
"Perhaps for most people it would be reasonable. But I am not most people. I am pleased to be able to add my sword to the endeavor."
"Do you have any idea of numbers that this Lothar commands? Are there any other important associates of Lothar's that we should be aware of? Does he rely much upon arcane abilities, powers or items?"
"What can we expect of this Twin Forks? Is this a location that is important to his organization or simply the place where we will find him currently?"
"Rest well, Lord Sherwood."
"Perhaps for most people it would be reasonable. But I am not most people. I am pleased to be able to add my sword to the endeavor."
"Do you have any idea of numbers that this Lothar commands? Are there any other important associates of Lothar's that we should be aware of? Does he rely much upon arcane abilities, powers or items?"
"What can we expect of this Twin Forks? Is this a location that is important to his organization or simply the place where we will find him currently?"
"Rest well, Lord Sherwood."
Conquer or Die!
Sherwood:
Sherwood:
Sherwood answers Validar's questions:
Sherwood answers Validar's questions:
"Several dozen at the very least. The bandits operate in independent cells that vary in number. This hides their exact number and also isolates each other should one cell fall.""Do you have any idea of numbers that this Lothar commands?"
"None of any note as of yet. That doesn't mean that there are not any such persons in his service.""Are there any other important associates of Lothar's that we should be aware of?"
"Lothar is not a spellcaster, which leads me to believe that he either had the potion created that afflicted your father or it was given to him by someone else. I suspect the latter because if Lothar were the mastermind behind this scheme, he never would have delivered the poisoned wine here personally. No, he is acting on the behalf of others. That is why he must be taken alive so that we can find out on whose orders he has been acting. We must dig to find out just how deep the roots of this plot go. Lothar presumably has magical equipment at his disposal.""Does he rely much upon arcane abilities, powers or items?"
"Twin Forks is a small rural village situated where the Helleck and Grayhare rivers merge. It is primarily a village of loggers and farmers. I suspect that Twin Forks is just one of many villages where Lothar and his organization have safe houses and bandit cells. I would also suspect that such situations exist in many of the towns and villages in this area. The village is fairly isolated by land. Most travel is done by river.""What can we expect of this Twin Forks? Is this a location that is important to his organization or simply the place where we will find him currently?"
VALIDAR -
"It sounds as if you suspect there is much more to learn than just the whereabouts and forces of this Lothar and much more to do than simply exact revenge from them," Validar will respond. "Do you have a plan for our initial actions involving the town and apprehending this Lothar the bandit?" Validar will have a hard time saying the word 'apprehending' as it is obvious that he would prefer a more permanent revenge on the man.
"I trust you have assembled an adequate and resourceful party able to deal with any unforseen difficulties. I look forward to meeting this group and also in adventuring alongside you, Lord Sherwood," Validar continues. "And I would also propose to add Lord Corley to our assemblage. He had sworn a vow to protect the Baron in my absence and it would be poor manners to exclude him from this endeavor now that the Baron is nicely recovering. Is there any objection to his addition?"
"It sounds as if you suspect there is much more to learn than just the whereabouts and forces of this Lothar and much more to do than simply exact revenge from them," Validar will respond. "Do you have a plan for our initial actions involving the town and apprehending this Lothar the bandit?" Validar will have a hard time saying the word 'apprehending' as it is obvious that he would prefer a more permanent revenge on the man.
"I trust you have assembled an adequate and resourceful party able to deal with any unforseen difficulties. I look forward to meeting this group and also in adventuring alongside you, Lord Sherwood," Validar continues. "And I would also propose to add Lord Corley to our assemblage. He had sworn a vow to protect the Baron in my absence and it would be poor manners to exclude him from this endeavor now that the Baron is nicely recovering. Is there any objection to his addition?"
Conquer or Die!
Sherwood
Sherwood:
“I do suspect that there is far more to this situation than there seems, but I have no proof that there is. This whole plot seems far too clumsy for my tastes. I really cannot fully describe my misgivings. Call it a gut hunch.”
“I have no solid plans. Much of it depends on the situation we find and just how well organized Lothar’s forces are. Playing it by ear, of you will.”
“Lord Corley is welcomed to come along. Another sword never hurts. The adventurers I have assembled are all experienced, but this is the first time they have been assembled as a group. As previously stated, it was my original intent to lead this mission in your absence. As such, some of the adventurers I have gathered are here so that I can see them in action. Gauge their skills and see how useful they could be for future missions. Admittedly, some are a bit rough around the edges and will need some work, but I am confident everything will go smoothly.”
“At any rate, I need to check in with them at the Green Forest Inn. We shall meet you in the morning, Validar. Good night.”
“I do suspect that there is far more to this situation than there seems, but I have no proof that there is. This whole plot seems far too clumsy for my tastes. I really cannot fully describe my misgivings. Call it a gut hunch.”
“I have no solid plans. Much of it depends on the situation we find and just how well organized Lothar’s forces are. Playing it by ear, of you will.”
“Lord Corley is welcomed to come along. Another sword never hurts. The adventurers I have assembled are all experienced, but this is the first time they have been assembled as a group. As previously stated, it was my original intent to lead this mission in your absence. As such, some of the adventurers I have gathered are here so that I can see them in action. Gauge their skills and see how useful they could be for future missions. Admittedly, some are a bit rough around the edges and will need some work, but I am confident everything will go smoothly.”
“At any rate, I need to check in with them at the Green Forest Inn. We shall meet you in the morning, Validar. Good night.”
That's the plan?
VALIDAR -
"A pleasant evening to you as well, Lord Sherwood." Validar watches the Woodsman/Mage depart the Baron's private chambers with an exchange of pleasantries for the Baroness and the Lady Jallarzi.
"I must bid you both good evening, as well, miladies," Validar says with a slight bow. "There is much to prepare this evening."
The ladies say their good-byes and Validar heads back towards the private dining hall where Lord Corley and the others are presumably still waiting for him.
He has enough class not to present his misgivings in front of the ladies and enough patience to see if there is more that Sherwood is not yet telling. "Still," Validar thinks to himself, "I would have expected more plans from one of Sherwood's reputation. It seems that part of this expedition will still be information gathering. And the contradiction of there perhaps being more behind the scenes and yet too clumsy at the same time. I wish he would have explained more. I do not like having information withheld."
"And this talk of auditioning these adventurers. I hope Sherwood realizes that this is my father, the Baron of Pyris, whose life has been threatened by this vile attack. This affront must be paid for in blood. Perhaps he feels that the bandits will not be much of a threat. 'Playing it by ear', indeed."
Validar finally makes his way back to the dining hall and enters.
"Ah, you have returned," Lord Corley states upon seeing his friend appear.
"Are you well, milord?", Lady Vera asks upon seeing the serious look upon Validar's face.
"I am fine, Lady Vera. I was just having counsel regarding some matters of state," Validar states as he approaches the table. "It seems that there has been some progression with these matters that we have been awaiting. Lord Corley and I are leaving at first light."
Corley brightens noticeably at the comment. "I shall be ready, my friend," he says with a wide smile upon his face. "The cur will rue the day he sees us ride into sight."
"Indeed, Corley. Retribution is at hand."
"I will go with you!" Rachel says rising out of her seat. "We will teach these dogs a lesson they'll never forget!"
Validar steps over to her and puts his hand on her shoulder. "Dear sister, I appreciate your youthful exhuberance as well as your desire for dealing with official Pyris business. However, your assistance will not be required at this time."
"You don't think I'm good enough to go with you," Rachel states dejectedly. "I'll show you."
"All in good time, Rachel. All in good time." Validar pauses for a moment then continues. "Now, Lady Vera, and you too, dear sister, must excuse Lord Corley and myself. We have preparations to complete this evening. Corley, please meet me at the Baron's armory when you are able."
"I will be there momentarily, Validar."
"Where are you heading, milord? What has been going on?", Lady Vera asks.
"All in good time, Lady Vera," Validar responds. "I am sure Lord Corley will have many rousing stories to tell about our adventures when we return to Pyris Castle. Won't you, my friend?"
"Indeed I shall!" Corley answers resoundingly. "This shall be the first tale of Lord Corley and Lord Validar's exploits together. The kingdom may not be ready for such greatness."
"I'll be sure to have a bard awaiting our return," Validar says with a smirk. "Be well, Lady Vera."
"I shall. And I shall be anxiously awaiting your return. Both of you."
"I still think you should let me ride with you," Rachel intones as Validar and Corley exit the hall.
"Another time, perhaps, Rachel," Validar says with a wave.
"A pleasant evening to you as well, Lord Sherwood." Validar watches the Woodsman/Mage depart the Baron's private chambers with an exchange of pleasantries for the Baroness and the Lady Jallarzi.
"I must bid you both good evening, as well, miladies," Validar says with a slight bow. "There is much to prepare this evening."
The ladies say their good-byes and Validar heads back towards the private dining hall where Lord Corley and the others are presumably still waiting for him.
He has enough class not to present his misgivings in front of the ladies and enough patience to see if there is more that Sherwood is not yet telling. "Still," Validar thinks to himself, "I would have expected more plans from one of Sherwood's reputation. It seems that part of this expedition will still be information gathering. And the contradiction of there perhaps being more behind the scenes and yet too clumsy at the same time. I wish he would have explained more. I do not like having information withheld."
"And this talk of auditioning these adventurers. I hope Sherwood realizes that this is my father, the Baron of Pyris, whose life has been threatened by this vile attack. This affront must be paid for in blood. Perhaps he feels that the bandits will not be much of a threat. 'Playing it by ear', indeed."
Validar finally makes his way back to the dining hall and enters.
"Ah, you have returned," Lord Corley states upon seeing his friend appear.
"Are you well, milord?", Lady Vera asks upon seeing the serious look upon Validar's face.
"I am fine, Lady Vera. I was just having counsel regarding some matters of state," Validar states as he approaches the table. "It seems that there has been some progression with these matters that we have been awaiting. Lord Corley and I are leaving at first light."
Corley brightens noticeably at the comment. "I shall be ready, my friend," he says with a wide smile upon his face. "The cur will rue the day he sees us ride into sight."
"Indeed, Corley. Retribution is at hand."
"I will go with you!" Rachel says rising out of her seat. "We will teach these dogs a lesson they'll never forget!"
Validar steps over to her and puts his hand on her shoulder. "Dear sister, I appreciate your youthful exhuberance as well as your desire for dealing with official Pyris business. However, your assistance will not be required at this time."
"You don't think I'm good enough to go with you," Rachel states dejectedly. "I'll show you."
"All in good time, Rachel. All in good time." Validar pauses for a moment then continues. "Now, Lady Vera, and you too, dear sister, must excuse Lord Corley and myself. We have preparations to complete this evening. Corley, please meet me at the Baron's armory when you are able."
"I will be there momentarily, Validar."
"Where are you heading, milord? What has been going on?", Lady Vera asks.
"All in good time, Lady Vera," Validar responds. "I am sure Lord Corley will have many rousing stories to tell about our adventures when we return to Pyris Castle. Won't you, my friend?"
"Indeed I shall!" Corley answers resoundingly. "This shall be the first tale of Lord Corley and Lord Validar's exploits together. The kingdom may not be ready for such greatness."
"I'll be sure to have a bard awaiting our return," Validar says with a smirk. "Be well, Lady Vera."
"I shall. And I shall be anxiously awaiting your return. Both of you."
"I still think you should let me ride with you," Rachel intones as Validar and Corley exit the hall.
"Another time, perhaps, Rachel," Validar says with a wave.
Conquer or Die!
Corley
Corley:
After learning that they are going to be riding come first light, Lord Corley will excuse himself for the evening. After his meeting with Validar, he'll have his traveling gear gathered up and prepared for the mission to come. Corley will personally examine his weapons and armor, bringing them to a fresh shine as necessary.
The armor he'll have stored on his warhorse for the time being. Since we will be traveling overland for several days, no need to don it just yet.
Once satisfied with all his preparations, Corley will retire for the night. But sleep does not come easily to the young lord. Between his excitement for the adventure to come, his desire to avenge this affront against his best friend Validar’s family, and his conflicting desires for the Ladies Vera and Rachel sleep does not come easily.
Morning comes way too soon as he is awakened by one of the Castle’s staff. Running mostly on adrenalin, Corley dresses and hits the mess hall for a warm breakfast. Then he is off to the stables. Once there assistants help him into his armor and on to his medium warhorse, Charger. Riding after Lord Validar, Corley follows his friend into the city and the awaiting adventuring party.
After learning that they are going to be riding come first light, Lord Corley will excuse himself for the evening. After his meeting with Validar, he'll have his traveling gear gathered up and prepared for the mission to come. Corley will personally examine his weapons and armor, bringing them to a fresh shine as necessary.
The armor he'll have stored on his warhorse for the time being. Since we will be traveling overland for several days, no need to don it just yet.
Once satisfied with all his preparations, Corley will retire for the night. But sleep does not come easily to the young lord. Between his excitement for the adventure to come, his desire to avenge this affront against his best friend Validar’s family, and his conflicting desires for the Ladies Vera and Rachel sleep does not come easily.
Morning comes way too soon as he is awakened by one of the Castle’s staff. Running mostly on adrenalin, Corley dresses and hits the mess hall for a warm breakfast. Then he is off to the stables. Once there assistants help him into his armor and on to his medium warhorse, Charger. Riding after Lord Validar, Corley follows his friend into the city and the awaiting adventuring party.
We fight for King and Country!
GM Notes:
GM Notes:
Quick note about Validar's messages. It will take 4 days for his message to reach Rennydale. Corunglain is about a day more past Rennydale.
Going the other way, Gateway is just under a week away. It should be a minimum of 10 days before any replies are heard.
Quick note about Validar's messages. It will take 4 days for his message to reach Rennydale. Corunglain is about a day more past Rennydale.
Going the other way, Gateway is just under a week away. It should be a minimum of 10 days before any replies are heard.
Try it and find out!
VALIDAR -
Validar is in the armory when Lord Corley Arrives, tending to his weapons and checking to see what might need to be repaired or altered before this newest mission.
"Tomorrow will be the beginning of legends, my friend," Corley states as he surveys the room.
"If there is any extra equipment or extra weapons you require, please help yourself," Validar states.
Corley pulls a hand axe from the wall and examines it. "I am a little concerned about some of the adventurers which Lord Sherwood has assembled for this mission. Especially considering that he didn't expect either of us to be included in this task."
"Is that true, Validar?", Corley asks.
"He seems to be treating this as an audition for some of them, hoping to gauge their skills and using this mission as a proving ground."
"What if they aren't up to the task?", Corley askes and he exchanges the hand axe for a horseman's mace.
"That is one of my biggest concerns," Validar replies. "I spoke with Jallarzi about who Sherwood had contacted. There are ten of them. Some may not come or simply arrive too late. They each seem to have some skill, but most also have some flaw. There are pacifists and rogues in their midst and I wonder how seriously Sherwood is taking this. He doesn't seem to be close enough to anyone in the Barony to treat this as other than some business deal. He was horrifically vague in our meeting, speaking of conjecture and unknowns. Sherwood has some respect gained around the kingdom, so he must know what he is doing, but it is fortunate for the Barony's interests that we are here."
Corley looks back at Validar, a little unsure what to say. He had never had much interest in politics or court intrigue. "I cannot say that I have ever heard of this Lord Sherwood before. But I will do my best to assist you, my friend."
"I am pleased that I have you with me, Lord Corley. I know that I can count on you. I am certain that some of these adventurers will be skilled comrades at arms. Try to keep your eyes open as too which ones are competent and which ones we can trust. The very success or failure of the mission may depend on it."
"You can count on me, Lord Validar," Corley states. The rest of the evening preparing their equipment is spent sharing small talk and reminiscing about past exploits and their time as youngsters.
Validar is in the armory when Lord Corley Arrives, tending to his weapons and checking to see what might need to be repaired or altered before this newest mission.
"Tomorrow will be the beginning of legends, my friend," Corley states as he surveys the room.
"If there is any extra equipment or extra weapons you require, please help yourself," Validar states.
Corley pulls a hand axe from the wall and examines it. "I am a little concerned about some of the adventurers which Lord Sherwood has assembled for this mission. Especially considering that he didn't expect either of us to be included in this task."
"Is that true, Validar?", Corley asks.
"He seems to be treating this as an audition for some of them, hoping to gauge their skills and using this mission as a proving ground."
"What if they aren't up to the task?", Corley askes and he exchanges the hand axe for a horseman's mace.
"That is one of my biggest concerns," Validar replies. "I spoke with Jallarzi about who Sherwood had contacted. There are ten of them. Some may not come or simply arrive too late. They each seem to have some skill, but most also have some flaw. There are pacifists and rogues in their midst and I wonder how seriously Sherwood is taking this. He doesn't seem to be close enough to anyone in the Barony to treat this as other than some business deal. He was horrifically vague in our meeting, speaking of conjecture and unknowns. Sherwood has some respect gained around the kingdom, so he must know what he is doing, but it is fortunate for the Barony's interests that we are here."
Corley looks back at Validar, a little unsure what to say. He had never had much interest in politics or court intrigue. "I cannot say that I have ever heard of this Lord Sherwood before. But I will do my best to assist you, my friend."
"I am pleased that I have you with me, Lord Corley. I know that I can count on you. I am certain that some of these adventurers will be skilled comrades at arms. Try to keep your eyes open as too which ones are competent and which ones we can trust. The very success or failure of the mission may depend on it."
"You can count on me, Lord Validar," Corley states. The rest of the evening preparing their equipment is spent sharing small talk and reminiscing about past exploits and their time as youngsters.
Conquer or Die!