Chapter 1, Day 5: The Council at Drellin's Ferry

"There's the old ruins of Rhest, and far to the north of Elsir Vale, via the Rhest trail, one can reach the northern kingdoms. Not as well travelled by merchants as the dawn way, it's still an important trade route that connects the Vale to the wider world. There's also the Tiri Kitor, woodelves that live in the mashland along the trail." As breakfast is served she curses, and starts quickly shoving it into her face, "A hoard. I can't stay then, this information needs to reach Brindol. I guess I'll need a fresh horse.." she mutters between mouthfuls of meat and bread.

Mar 27, 2016 5:41 pm

"Good and good," says Pawetha with a nod. "This town is evacuating towards Terrelton, but we've advised them to continue all the way to Brindol. This horde has a name; the Red Hand. Hobgoblins, bugbears, worgs, and dragons; ask the dragonborn for numbers. If you're bringing word of this to Brindol, that's one more soldier that can guard the citizens as they travel."

As her breakfast is served, Pawetha digs into her meal with her hands. "By the way," she says with her mouth full, "what's your name?"

Mar 27, 2016 6:49 pm

Zaris sits down next to Pawetha and sips a cough of strong, black coffee. "This horde is murderous, plain and simple." he says in between sips. "Even with an evacuation, I'll admit I'm not certain of anyone's safety. Do you have any way to gather some troops to escort the people to the next town?"

Mar 27, 2016 10:48 pm

The woman nods at Pawetha, "Teyani Sura. Lion of Brindol." she stuffs another chunk of bread and meat into her mouth, now eating with great haste, as Zaris sits down. She shakes her head as she swallows, "I'm afraid I travelled alone. I was sent to warn bring news here about the blockade on the Rhest Trail. I plan to make haste back to Brindol and warn them of the impending hoard. Maybe then we can spare a few soldiers to evacuate the surrounding towns, but I would hope by then most of the people from here will be safe behind the city walls."

Mar 28, 2016 12:30 am

"Is Brindol the only option for security along the way?" he asks.

Mar 28, 2016 12:53 am

"Brindol is the only city in the vale with both walls, and a a large enough force of trained soldiers to defend them", her tone betrays a bit of pride in her city, although you also sense that she is not boasting or exaggerating.

Mar 28, 2016 1:31 am

Zaris sighs deeply. "Then Brindol is the only hope these people have."

Mar 28, 2016 4:53 am

"You remember the map," Pawetha says in a tone that expects Zaris to have known this. "Brindol's their final target."

Xara Nemetsk

Moofsalot

Mar 28, 2016 10:59 am

I continue eating breakfast. Whatever needs to happen, I'll be ready!

Mar 28, 2016 11:58 am

"I remember the map all too well Pawetha!" Zaris blurts out, voice raised. "But if we don't get these people behind some walls they will be cut down! It's the lesser of two evils!" The wizard takes a deep breath to calm himself and then slumps back in his chair. "This is a disgusting situation no matter what we try." He frowns and takes another sip of coffee staring out into space.

Mar 28, 2016 12:44 pm

JoHoover Inactive for 10 months

Teyani stops eating, "A map? What does it say? Is that how you know about this hoard....?"

Ghunril

Mar 28, 2016 3:35 pm

"I have seen the horde first hand and it is nothing short of terrifying how someone has managed to bring such a force together. They number in the thousands with siege weapons, giants and at least 1 dragon remaining in their service. Lets hope the walls of Brindol are tall and stout enough to protect these people and everyone else in the vale." I continue eating, ready to answer any questions that Teyani might have.

Last edited March 28, 2016 3:37 pm

Xara Nemetsk

Moofsalot

Mar 28, 2016 3:56 pm

My mouth is full of food and I'm trying to listen in but it's all bad. These guys need to cheer up! I turn to the new guy. "They have got to have a leader. Someone or something organizing them. We killed the green dragon, so it wasn't him. I say we go after the other dragon next chance we get and then see who's the next biggest target after him. One by one."

Mar 28, 2016 4:00 pm

Pawetha momentarily forgets that Teyani asked about the map. "It's what I was trying to tell them," she spits, referring to the town council. "Make way for Brindol without stopping. You'd think the mere fact of having walls would make them move faster."

Mar 28, 2016 4:07 pm

Teyani presses again, "The map, you said something about a map. Listen, fleeing to Brindol is all well and good but the walls will only stand so long as we can defend them. If they've dragons, giants and a plan of attack then we're in trouble. The more information I can return with, the better prepared we'll be to fight off this Red Hand hoard. Do you have the map? Can I see it?"

Xara Nemetsk

Moofsalot

Mar 28, 2016 4:07 pm

"Councils are all talk and politics. If it were up to me I'd round everyone up in the night and we'd be on our way with what's on our backs and what can fit in a sack. But these people haven't had it all that rough. They don't know the danger like we do, and we don't want 'em to panic either. Panic makes people do stupid things."

Mar 28, 2016 4:10 pm

Pawetha pulls out the Red Hand battle plan and unfurls it on the table, going so far as to move her own plate of breakfast onto her lap to make room.

Mar 28, 2016 4:11 pm

Teyani's frown deepens, "Can I take this... or at least, make a copy?"

Mar 28, 2016 4:12 pm

"I've got it memorized," says Pawetha. "You read goblin, yes?"

Mar 28, 2016 4:15 pm