Savor 2, 730 - Arrival at Tashal

The Public Area for the PBF

Savor 2, 730 - Arrival at Tashal

Postby Matt » Mon Jun 19, 2006 9:35 am

The following morning, the crew of the 'Lady Lesel' got about their business after a cold breakfast. Sir Maldan Harabor did not appear from the cabin until well after the craft was underway down the river again. The day itself was overcast with a light rain, and those not needed for working the ship huddled under cloaks to stay as dry as possible. The lands to the right of the Kald were open fields and meadows, but uncultivated, overgrown, wild. Similar were the woods to the left, but it was not long before the talbar passed a few manors on that side. Through midday was another long stretch of uninhabited woodland, and at one point, the river snaked north, compelling the crew to row for a time until they rounded and returned to a southeasterly course.

But one more manor was passed before the Kald was joined to the left by another large tributary, this one the Shem. From here, it was a short time until, in the distance, the gray roofs and walls of Tashal could be seen. Here, the crew unstepped the mast, and rowed the rest of the way. The city was enormous - dwarfing Geldeheim and Olokand, bigger, it seemed, than Golotha as well. The 'Lady Lesel' oared serenely under an impressive three-span stone bridge, and made for a small wharf just beyond the more impressive caer. As at Olokand, the river traffic made way for the Sheriff's boat, and the man himself was at the bow, peering intently at the city. With practiced ease, the oarsmen pulled in the sweeps at just the right moment for the talbar's momentum to carry her the rest of the way to the dock. Made fast, Sir Maldan debarked first, and soon, the warband, the escort, and the gear were ashore. A few longshoremen were quickly hired to carry the gear, and the group set off.

Tashal was a very gray city: buildings, walls, and streets in cedar, stone, or cobblestones. One building looked much like another as the group walked due east, the locals staring - some at Sir Maldan, but more at the sight of a viking warband. The city had a smell too - a malodorous combination of bodily waste, bodily odor, and decaying refuse. None of these smells were unfamiliar, but to all save Vagnar and Laenvan they were unfamiliar in this concentration. Vagnar hardly notices ...

It is late in the day, and the sun is setting. The group reaches a large square, which Laenvan recalls is the main market of the city. There are still vendors hawking goods, but many are beginning to close up for the day, and customers are few. Several impressive stone buildings ring this square, the commercial heart of the city. It is here that Sir Maldan and two of the guards split off from the group and head north. Sir Hearn, the rest of the escort, and the longshoremen with the gear continue through the square.

The group walks through the endless city, the tenor of the locals changing slightly, and it's clear that they've entered a rougher section. Though it's unlikely the warband would have any trouble with the local toughs - even without their weapons - a weaker group might have been in some difficulty.

Eventually, the group emerges from the long lane, and beholds a large gate, yet rather than go through it, they turn left onto another endless-looking street. Along the right hand side of this one, however, are a couple of walled compounds. The first appears to be an inn or a tavern, but the second has a door painted half yellow and half brown and bearing a sundered claw - the sign of Ilvir. None of the vikings are pleased to see a temple to the craven lord. Even more surprising is but a few doors up they arrive at another walled compound. This one has a proper gate, above which are a pair of crossed axes - the sign of the gray slayer!

Sir Hearn pulls the bellrope, and before long a young man, tall and blonde comes out and opens the gate.

"Greetings, sir knight," he says.

"And to you," replies Sir Hearn politely. "I have with me a group of Ambassadors from the King of Orbaal. Will your father house them as they seek an audience with the King's Grace?"

"Gladly," says the young man. "They shall be most welcome to share our hall."

With that, the longshoremen deposit the warband's goods - including the weapons chest - inside the gate.

Sir Hearn turns to Igon. "Lord Seld, you and your men should be comfortable here. I do not know how long it will take for an audience to be granted, but I'm sure the Sheriff will send word as soon as he knows. In the meantime, if you wish to explore the city, you are free to do so. However, while I know how you and your men feel about being unarmed, I would still advise you not to go about the city with conspicuous weapons. The watch may detain you, and it could cause trouble for you and your mission."

He holds out his hand. "Good luck."
User avatar
Matt
The GM
 
Posts: 2556
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:38 pm
Location: Weymouth, MA

Postby Igon Seld » Mon Jun 19, 2006 11:26 am

Igon gladly takes Sir Hearn's hand. "Thank you Sir Hearn. You strike me as man I would willingly draw swords with against a common foe. Till we meet again."
"We must drive the evil from our lands!"
Igon Seld
User avatar
Igon Seld
Knight
Knight
 
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 1:48 pm
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada

Postby Jorst Seld » Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:13 pm

Jorst too offers his hand to Sir Hearn.

"I too hope that one day we might stand side by side before battle against a common foe as friends. Till that day may your god watch over you. Thank you for your assisting us with our endeavours, it has been my pleasure to travel with you."
User avatar
Jorst Seld
Squire
Squire
 
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:30 pm
Location: Wellington, NZ (Sydney, AU)

Postby Ulauf Seld » Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:22 pm

Ulauf too takes the hand of Sir Hearn.

"I agree with my brother and cousin, Sir Hearn. Should our gods decide we meet again may your journey's be safe and may you keep yourself out of harms way."

With a smile Ulauf turns and begins to gather his gear...
May Sarajin guide my arrow....
User avatar
Ulauf Seld
Bailiff
Bailiff
 
Posts: 427
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:45 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Postby Matt » Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:56 pm

[GM: Just to let everyone know this is a busy week for me, and I probably won't be able to post the next action until the weekend.]
User avatar
Matt
The GM
 
Posts: 2556
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:38 pm
Location: Weymouth, MA

Postby Laenvan Hawkeye » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:38 am

"May Halea always smile upon you, good sir." With a bow as it is befitting his standing Laenvan takes his leave from Sir Hearn.
User avatar
Laenvan Hawkeye
Knight
Knight
 
Posts: 252
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:29 pm
Location: Bern, Switzerland

Postby Vagnar Granier » Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:32 pm

Gladly takes Sir Hearn's hand.

It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Hearn, and more so to arrive in such a magnificent city. If you should have need of my skills, please, do not hesitate to call on them.
They say I am mad...they make a good case.
User avatar
Vagnar Granier
Squire
Squire
 
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:37 pm
Location: New Jersey

Postby Matt » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:38 am

[GM: I'm back - apologies for the delay. This entry will be a little different as now that you're in Tashal there will be some opportunity to branch out a bit and let each character act more independently. Accordingly, you should all feel free to post such actions either here in the GA or in your private areas. It will likely be several days at least before any audience will occur.

Also, I see no need to play out the 'hail fellow, well met' aspect of the temple. Rather, I will describe it and the people there, and we'll assume that the greetings, settling, and eating went well.]

The young man, who turns out to be Knarl Endjan, the priest's middle son, leads the group towards the larger of the two buildings. Entering through a heavy oaken door, the warband follows along a long passageway, with eleven statues lining the left hand wall - each representing one of the Elkyrie. At the end, a door leads into a large hall, open to the second floor, which is well appointed with tables, chairs, and braziers. Hung on the walls are shields, axes, swords, and spears, and on the far end, a taprestry depicts the hall of Talagaad and is flanked on one hand by a large statue of Idjar One-Eye and on the other by Bjarri Threehand. The hall is occupied as the evening meal is underway. Soon, the warband is introduced to Horveal Endjan, high priest of the temple, his wife Olgadith, his other two sons Krev and Fahd, and his two daughters Gledith and Belga. There are also many servants. The warband joins in the raucous feast gladly, and feels quite at home.

The temple itself is primarily the hall - the tables are removed to behind the tapestry and only the benches left for services. There is a small side chapel, which Horveal uses for smaller gatherings. He and his family occupy chambers on the second level. The servants sleep in a chamber off the kitchen and storage room on the first floor.

The warband is lodged in the smaller outbuilding which turns out to be a guesthouse. There are three chambers on the first floor, two of which are made available for the group and a large, open dormitory on the second floor which is also made available. There are no other guests at the moment.
User avatar
Matt
The GM
 
Posts: 2556
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:38 pm
Location: Weymouth, MA

Postby Igon Seld » Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:22 pm

Until the day of the audience, Igon will remain in the temple, purifying, meditating, and getting a general heads up on the political situation from Horveal Endjan when he has time to spare.
"We must drive the evil from our lands!"
Igon Seld
User avatar
Igon Seld
Knight
Knight
 
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 1:48 pm
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada

Postby Laenvan Hawkeye » Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:20 am

Being finally back in his hometown, Laenvan uses the time to show interested brothers-in-arms around and to pay a visit to his old friends...

[OOC - I'm quit busy this week but will try to write the visits down, at least in Laenvans private area. For my brothers-in-arms, tell me who is interested in a little 'city tour'. GM - I like to know the changes Tashal has made as to not mention things that no longer exist. Till now I don't have the new 'City of Tasha'l supplement in my collection so my picture of Tashal is what were older publications or what could be found on the net]
User avatar
Laenvan Hawkeye
Knight
Knight
 
Posts: 252
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:29 pm
Location: Bern, Switzerland

Postby Ulauf Seld » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:58 pm

As this is Ulauf's first time in a big city he would be interested in a tour of the city.

Perhaps pick up a longbow for myself so that Laenvan can have his one back.
May Sarajin guide my arrow....
User avatar
Ulauf Seld
Bailiff
Bailiff
 
Posts: 427
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:45 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Postby Jorst Seld » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:02 pm

In the days prior to our audience with the King of Kaldor Jorst will talk with Horveal about the current political climate in Kaldor and try to gather some background information about what has been happening both abroad and within Kaldor asking Horveal to use any contacts he may have within Kaldor if he can.

After retelling him the battle of Fjaga, explain to him that the very fate of Orbaal depends on our mission.

There is some urgency in our request as we only have until our meeting with the King to gather any information.

Jorst will then join the rest of the warband in searching out Tashal and buying a suitable wardrobe to meet the King of Kaldor.
User avatar
Jorst Seld
Squire
Squire
 
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:30 pm
Location: Wellington, NZ (Sydney, AU)

Postby Matt » Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:35 pm

[GM: Naturally, I am using much of the new material, however, nothing will have changed from the old beyond additions and expansions. It is CGI policy never to change something that's already written, so all that's in the old Tashal is still there. Of course, that doesn't mean any of you know it. Laenvan - you should check your PA for some additional explanation on this from me.]
User avatar
Matt
The GM
 
Posts: 2556
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:38 pm
Location: Weymouth, MA

Postby Matt » Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:49 pm

Igon Seld wrote:Until the day of the audience, Igon will remain in the temple, purifying, meditating, and getting a general heads up on the political situation from Horveal Endjan when he has time to spare.

Easy enough.

Horveal is not a student of Kaldoric politics, preferring to maintain a lower profile. Ivinians are not all that popular in Kaldor, and he tries to keep this temple as a place of refuge in the city. It gets very busy when the Fur Caravan comes in.

That having been said, he does know a few things. The kingdom is at peace, and there are no serious challenges to King Haldan's rule. He plans to install his oldest son as Constable of Olokand next Larane at the annual Queen Chelebin tournament as the prince will be 21 by then. Some wonder what this means for Maldan Harabor, who has held this office for many years. The birth of the King's first grandson - named Troda after his paternal grandfather the Earl of Balim - was greeted with celebrations and a holiday. The newest prince is heir to the Earldom of Balim in his turn. There are persistent rumors that the King plans to put away his wife Queen Hesena and marry Thilisa, the Countess of Osel, though Horveal admits that rumor has been swirling about for several years. Most of the great nobles of the kingdom have residences in Tashal, although only a few live in the city on a regular basis: the Earl of Balim and the Baroness of Kolorn being the most constant. Horveal also knows that Tharda keeps a permanent 'embassy' in the city, though he does not know if there is an ambassador present or who he might be.

He is less informed about goings on in other towns and manors of the kingdom, as he and his family rarely leave Tashal except to travel to Orbaal from time to time.
User avatar
Matt
The GM
 
Posts: 2556
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:38 pm
Location: Weymouth, MA

Postby Vagnar Granier » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:36 pm

Vagnar is curious as to the local markets, the guilds(especially his own) and any sources of cultured entertainment in the city. Perhaps a stroll will be of interest...
They say I am mad...they make a good case.
User avatar
Vagnar Granier
Squire
Squire
 
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:37 pm
Location: New Jersey


Return to The Game's Afoot

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests

cron