Episode 1 Scene 1 : The Arrival

The trip to Far Reach was long and fraught with peril. On more than one occasion those being employed to protect the caravan definitely earned their keep be it wages at journeys end or safer passage to Boareskyr Bridge. However the last leg of the journey proved to be the worst. For upon the constantly wind swept fields of the Sky Plateau the group was set upon by a large contingency of raiders. It took a massive effort upon the protectors behalf to finally repel them leaving many badly wounded and a few dead. Still the caravan was able to make the safety of Titan's Cleave. It was rumored that a Titan's Great Sword had created the break in the Sky Plateau and it appeared that the rumor may have well been true for it resembled a jagged gaping wound. Still from there forward the most dangerous element was just the occasional falling rock as the caravan descended down through Titan's Cleave into the valley of Far Reach.

As the caravan begins moving out of the Cleave and into the valley proper one could see the fabled Boareskyr Bridge in the distance and next it the rather ramshackle town that rests at its southern end. The warmth of the valley was quite noticeable compared to the colder air of the Sky Plateau and one could imagine that at times it might actually get to be uncomfortably warm. Still the weather in the valley seemed to be pleasant enough right now and the grassy hills the caravan travels through seems peaceful enough. One could easily tell when one was getting close to the village as even a few farmhouses had already sprung up indicating that some protection was being given to the region immediately south of the village.

Upon arrival just short of the town but in sight of the large wooden sign labeled "Southbridge Village", for those who can read, the caravan pauses for inspection. A small contingency of archers flank the caravan on either side while four seasoned looking veterans walk the length of the caravan two to a side and a fifth with a writing board speaks with the caravan master up front. Their surcoats over their chain mail denote them as followers of different deities. The one up front who is obviously a well-groomed Tiefling wears an equally fine surcoat of Kelemvor while one of the walkers who is obviously a Dragonborn wears the surcoat of Bahamut, next to him is a Human wearing the surcoat of Torm, on the other side is an Elf wearing the surcoat of Correllon and along side him a fFolk wearing the surcoat of Lathander. While a mixed group of deities even the most unknowledgeable in religion would easily note that they are all deities associated with law and order. Perhaps these were some of the actual seven Paladins that are rumored to be the anchor of government and safety here.

It does not take the group long to enter through the ramshackle looking gate. Although, up close one can obviously see that the gates and the wall are actually quite sturdy they just appear to be shoddy due to their non-uniform lengths. Still the gates are not the first thing one notices as they get near as an odor wafts out to greet them first. The strong scent of animals, manure, cooking, campfire smoke, and earth all mix together creating a none civilized smell that while pungent is not necessarily unpleasant, especially for those who prefer outdoor living versus city living. The dirt packed streets are lined with make-shift board walks making it obvious that when the streets get wet they might not be easily navigable. The semi-sea of kaleidoscopic tents seem to make up the bulk of the interior accompanied by the din of the marketplace that they represent. Off in the distance rising above these tents like majestic wooden towers stand five wooden structures the signs hanging from them, due to their shape as they are too far away to make out clearly, indicating that they were Inns. The fact that these flat roofed structures actually stand taller than the walls lends to the sense that perhaps they are even used as towers when needed. The road stretches out in front of them as well as going off to the right and there is a well worn path off to the left that seems to lead to one of the Inns. There is an Inn to their left and one to their right, another further down and to their left, and yet another even further down and to their left, the last appears to be directly across the near center of the central marketplace. Several guards stand just inside the gate holding halberds and then of course the various vendors and customers of the marketplace are milling about near by. However, there is no obvious sign that says this way to the garrison.

The guards watch and tense a bit as Corwyn approaches as if perhaps anticipating violence. At his question though the guards relax a bit and the one guard replies, "Take the road to the right it will take you straight there."

The group continues down the dirt packed road towards the Fort drawing curious looks from time to time and it becomes fairly obvious that the village is veritable mixing pot of races and nations. Further the market place mostly off to their left is a bustling maze of commerce in constant action. Meanwhile, travel via the main streets within the village seems pretty easy as there appears to be only three. One that goes from the south gate to the north gate, one that comes off that road near the south gate and heads almost straight to the Fort and then another that goes from the Fort back to that road connecting with it near the north gate. However once you get off a main road the tents appear to be a haphazard maze of narrow walkways interspersed with small open areas where a tent once stood.

The group eventually arrives at a bridge that separates the village from the fort. The bridge itself which looks rather crude turns out to be very stable and probably capable of handling a pretty heavy load before even complaining. Upon reaching the guard post located on the village side of the bridge the group is stopped as one of the guards steps forward, "Please state the nature of you business here?"

"Ah okay well you will need to check all your weapons with him," he points off to his right where a man sits at a small table with book. "Then we search you to make sure you are not holding out. Then we check you and if everything checks out we escort you in. Fairly routine procedure."

The man at the table takes the character's name makes a few notes then records the items being surrendered which are then carefully gathered by another guard and placed in a box or in a tall urn. Once all the weapons are turned over and each person is respectfully checked for any hidden weapons another guard steps up and says, "Left hand please," he demonstrates by holding out his left hand palm up. Upon compliance he places a small orb into the palm of your hand. Corwyn being first the orb glows a soft blue and the guards says, "Divine caster." Then while another guard approaches Corwyn holding out a dark metal short bracer saying, "Left wrist please." the guard with the orb moves to Quincy and repeats his statement but this time the orb glows a soft yellow. The guard pauses a moment then says, "Okay hold off the bracer we have a Chi user, you three will have to wait for one of the Paladins to return. Please step back over there." He points to a spot a few feet away and a five guards surround the group.

When Quincy completes the oath the orb and his hand briefly glow blue and he feels a tingling sensation within his hand that seems to then travel up his arm and then resonate throughout his entire being then finally settle back into his left arm from his hand to his heart.

For Magnus and Corwyn the orb and their hand briefly glow blue and nothing more.

The group makes there way out of the garrison fort passing by the old gnome still smoking his unusual pipe and back across the bridge where are able to collect all of their gear without incident. One of the guards asks, "So are you all staying or are you leaving with the next caravan out of here?"

The guard nods to Corwyn then brings his left fist up to his chest and says, "For the Village." and a blue glowing sigil appears on the back of his hand. Then he lowers his hand.

When Quincy gives it a try nothing seems to happen. The guard nods and says, "Ah you have not learned yet, it is not the gesture that triggers the sigil it is your thoughts and your heart that you put into it. The more it means to you then the brighter it glows. The dwarves even have a contest of whom can make theirs shine the brightest. So when doing it think about protecting the village and its citizens."

The sigil glows brightly the guard seems rather surprised, "Well that is the first time I have seen a new recruit make it glow that brightly. You have family here or something?"

After gathering their weapons and the short exchange with the guard the group was faced with a choice go left or go right. However, since the right path seemed to be the more direct path it was a fairly easy choice and the group headed down road to their right. This road passes the central market place on its left and one the other Inns off to their right before arriving very close to the north gate where it joins the road that runs north-south through the village. Across this road past an entertainers wagon which is currently closed up, and then down a path banked by merchant tents they come to the door to Mamz Inn. Upon entering the place they are immediately struck by its more rustic appearance and atmosphere. Animal heads adorn the walls higher up and an open hearth off to their right sports some animal carcass roasting upon a spit. Off to their left are several targets used for throwing knives, axes, spears and such. The clientele are also very rustic and predominately Yrocs with a handful of Uriaks as well as Humans and a few other more barbaric oriented individuals. The place is fairly loud and boisterous.

Corwyn sees a lot of Yrocs, Uriak, and Humans but no one wearing a label that denotes them as being Hathaqua. However, he does hear comments like "Thank you mam," and "Mam may I please have a refill." and considering the atmosphere that is exceedingly strange or perhaps its some kind of insider joke.

The Yroc looks at Quincy and then throws back his head and bellows out, "Hathaqua a midget's lookin' fer ya." The sound of his voice resounds through out the room. Then he looks back down at Quincy, "Puny little man, why you in this place, this place for tough folks, strong folks? You look like... little girl."

The Yroc Quincy approached is not deterred my his response and instead cuffs Quincy on the shoulder which would have probably slightly staggered someone not so centered. "Oi boy dat is not 'ow ya respond, dat get ya killed. Speak up fer yaself, stand ya ground unless ya really be a girl dat is, and fer a Human ya'd be a mighty ugly one if ya were. So tell me lad, can ya fight, or yee be as yella as ya sound?"

The Yroc grumphs but does not let up, "You need stick to fight, that not true fighting, you bare fight?"

When Quincy turns to the floor to begin to take his place he sees that Mukitz is completely naked apparently a bare fight is one you do the ole style way, with no clothes. Perhaps an old tradition to prevent someone from hiding any weapons.

AC : 18
Saves : (Dex +6)
Total Damage Taken : 0 / 24

As the Yroc spins around and ?? strikes him he is able to land a glancing blow with one of his hands.

AC : 16
Saves : (Dex +2)
Total Damage Taken : 20

The Mukitz was actually staggered by that kick but the following punch stood him back up and he was able to swat the next two attacks aside. He then followed that up by swinging mightily at the little guy with the impressive fighting ability and, even though he was able to use his dazed stagger to allow him to launch a pair of attacks before the little guy could respond, he was unable to land anything effectively.

AC : 16
Saves : (Dex +2)
Total Damage Taken : 31

The burning sensation of the ale is nothing Quincy has ever experienced before and perhaps naming it fire ale would be appropriate but there seems to be nothing in it that at least Mukitz himself is not willing to consume for upon handing it back he takes a solid drink from the tankard as well then sets it down in easy reach of Quincy should he care for more.