Act 1, Scene 2: “The Edge and Back” (Group B: Main Game thre

[Sol Mazer]

"Ah! Good! Altogether then. Let's carry on... I have delayed us long enough."

Van will assemble himself for travel and march near Gar's litter. Talking to the unconscious minotaur. "Gar, you should have seen it! I made the knight look like he was fresh from battle. That really made the difference, I think. Seeing a clean knight in a forest? Not likely!"

OOC: Sorry for the delay-> busy weekend!

[TristenC]

Boyd rides on a little ahead of the group as the others distribute and circulate the loads among them. The dwarf is first to see the cleared area ahead, nearly a half mile surrounding the massive stone walls that must belong to Bordertown. The walls themselves rise some fifty feet above the earth, which has been sloped downward on the approach to the outer wall. An earthen bulwark interrupts the slope just before the wall, bristling with wooden spikes that seem never to have seen action; the only opening on this face of the wall by the narrow road. A secondary curtain-style wall, only thirty feet high or so, runs out from the east and west of the city until it merges with the forest. Metal spikes and highly polished stone adorn the steeply peaked top of the run, discouraging trespass. Crenelations dot the battlements, alternating bastions and brief sections of taller wall for cover; with shielded areas to fire down. A pair of small towers flank the single gate visible from this side.


The open area is full of corn and what looks to be roots and tubers farmland separated from penned hogs grazing goats. Mounted men scan and patrol the area diligently, spotting the lone Dwarf quickly and waiting for him to reach the edge of the clearing before a trio of them advance. Daylight has begun to fail as the sun dips below the treetops in the approaching dusk, and Boyd can see that the herders and farmers are making their way towards the narrow open gates. Movement atop the battlements suggests this is a closely watched and heavily guarded process.

The lead rider, a blondish man likely in his mid thirties pulls up short of him and raises a hand in greeting. He spots the group coming behind and motions for the other two to check it out. Ahead lies Bordertown. I am Ethan. May I know your name and business here? he asks politely. Boyd spots a shortbow and longsword at the saddle, though the horse and rider are only lightly geared for speed. The guardsman’s tunic covers what must be a chain shirt, and bears a quartered square symbol of alternating purple and silver. Before long one of the other two riders comes barreling back past the pair towards the gates. Ethan tenses only slightly at the sight until the other pauses hardly long enough to say Sargent Ala’irian has returned with wounded! before galloping off towards the city. Ethan nods and waits with Boyd until the others soon catch up; seeing that the other rider has made a makeshift tie to the Minotaur’s litter and is pulling it carefully along the fairly flat road.

Ethan and the other rider salute Eariel formally, When you didn’t return in time we feared the worst. A messenger was sent to Thel Jeers and verified that your group never made it. We sent a patrol but they turned up nothing by that time. We were about to enlist the aid of Quel Salas, but it seems someone else got involved. He nods at the newcomers in thanks, An… interesting group you have here. We are thankful for your help. he says. As they near the wall he leads them down the sloped ground and past the spiked bulwark. The ground turns sharply uphill again as it passes through the gate, a thick oaken affair set wide against the walls and made to fit snugly against a stone foundation. Just beyond the gate a pair of portcullises loom overhead, currently raised to allow entry. Trap doors and murder-holes can be easily seen in the ceiling area between the two.

From here everyone can see that the road inside is flanked by 40 foot high walls, dotted with their own fortifications, that run over 100 yards in length until apparently dead-ending. Along the way, two gate-like bridges span the area between the walls, sporting more sets of portcullises. The road itself lies wide enough for perhaps three wagons, or more likely a wagon to either side and faster traffic like horses and people to pass through the center. The road has been cleared save for the returning flocks, several mounted riders, and a pair of low-bed carts coming to greet the travelers. It eventually becomes apparent that the ‘dead-end’ actually turns to additional gates to either side of the alley-like span; as the locals file in.

The riders approaching are all marked as soldiers, bearing the Bordertown crest. They take special care in loading the unconscious Minotaur and Drow up on the low carts to transport them, allowing the weary civilians to ride the final distance on the other. The failing light and the relatively narrow space between the high walls casts a dim light along the road. The sounds of closing gates and portcullis can be heard behind as the final stragglers enter the city. The final reach leads to a flat wall with scores of arrow slits and defensive shutters. A wide banner hangs in the center, boasting the Bordertown crest from a much higher wall, that appears to be part of a centralized Keep. To the East and West are gates and portcullises similar to the main on the outer wall of the city.

A young, pretty brunette woman in blue-trimmed white robes arrives along with another man having the look of an aide. She nods kindly to the others before moving towards the unconscious Drow and Minotaur. She draws out a small silver amulet and after a few quietly whispered words a golden glow envelops her hand. She touches the Drow gently on the forehead and the light washes over him. She repeats the process for the larger ranger as well. After a moment, their eyelids flutter slightly as they open their eyes to the new surroundings.

The aide, a thin brown-haired man, approaches Eariel, Sargent Ala’irian, if it please you ma’am, Lieutenant Caddigan would like to see you and your men as soon as you’ve a moment to collect yourselves. Eariel nods and turns to the rescuers, I have to go make report now, but I’ll catch up to you all tonight. Cedric here will see that you have accommodations and answer any questions you may have. she gestures to the aide, who bows respectfully to them.
Tag bears a wide grin, clapping Hew hard on the shoulder as the pair follow Eariel West gate.

Sargent Ala’irian told us that you were responsible for her freedom, and the safe return of everyone. We are deeply grateful. Lieutenant Caddigan has set rooms set aside for you if it please you to follow me.


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Sorry for the long post/description. I’ll pause a bit here for reactions before going on. Eariel is back to NPC mode for now, thanks Chris.

Garroth and Linar are now awake and at 1 hp, but extremely exhausted. Further cures will do no good until they have had a full day of rest. [rules for recovering from ”death’s door” apply. All spells and spell-like powers are treated as having been used today.]

[Chris1234]

Linar sits or lays as appropriate, smiling weakly at any that look.
He makes an effort to ensure that his Crescent Moon (Holy Symbol to Corellon Larethian) is visible before drifting off into reverie.

As reverie creeps up on him, Linaer thinks, 'Plenty of time to rebuke Garroth with phrases like "bull in a china shop" when we're both more able.'
He smiles before tuning out of the mortal world.

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@Tristen - good town description, although not sure I fully got the layout. Probably not important if no one has tested its defenses.
It was fun running Eariel. Thanks for the opportunity. I hope it was reasonably in line with how you'd have done her.

[Stik]

Boyd shifts in the saddle and scratches the back of his neck. A human town. A big human town. Not what he is used to at all. But it's a market, and he is looking to trade.

[Sol Mazer]

As Garroth stirs, "Hey buddy! Close scrape there... Even I had to resort to blows with my staff! We drove off the orcs in the end! Let's find you a bed at an inn. Er, maybe two large beds pushed together."

Van will give a hearty smile at the town. "My kind of setting! Surely enough here to keep us occupied andr epovisioned. A few days will dous good, no doubt." The elf will walk tall and with confidence. If appropriate, and discreet, he will provide a little entertainment for any kids that look at him with a "Is that a magician?!" kind of look. Magic coin/ what's that behind your ear?/ nothing up my sleeve (or is there) kind of stuff.

[ausie]

Garrotte raises his head.. “Aieee... Van, buddy, am I alive or are you my enternal tormentor? Ha ha.. What the hell happened? My first combat spell and my haste to cast it almost killed me.. anyone dead? No? That’s a miracle... like we all got a case of the whoopsies and forget how to fight. You can forget the inn, I heard something about Accomodation.. I need a good solid rest..”

[TristenC]

Linar draws out his holy symbol with shaky hands, letting himself fall into restful repose. Cedric seems to note Boyd's slight uneasiness. Bordertown is largely militarized, having been established by the Crown of course; but we are fairly welcoming to visitiors. He glances at the unconscious Drow and Minotaur. And we are no strangers to unique visitors, though the town is largely human and half-elven; we actually have a Half-ogre member of the guard, and some half-orcs as well. There are even some surface-Dwarves among our citizenry; including a blacksmith in the First Ward.

He leads them on through the gate to the East. The layout of this section of the city is basically square, with one corner jutting into it from the centralized keep. Another large set of gates stands in the wall there. The bustle of a small city mills about in the dusky evening as tavern, shop and home lights bare their warm glows. The sounds of stock animals can be heard as well, pens of goats and hogs and other livestock This is the Third Ward, better known as the Stable Ward. Most of the livestock of Bordertown is kept here or held between the curtain walls at night sometimes. Each section of the city is basically self-sufficient, having everything it needs to survive for a while should an enemy take any other portion of the city. Cedric explains.

Van spots a few children running errands or playing and performs some simple tricks for them. In general they enjoy the show very much. As they go, and the cart carries the Drow and Minotaur, the group spots butchers, cheese makers, chandlers, leatherworkers, provisioners, saddle and tack supplies, general supply, farriers and a variety of other shops. There are also many residences and a few flophouses, inns and taverns. Cedric leads them up to one particular inn. This is the "Horse and Plow", where rooms are taken care of for you. We have a stable, and a small hog and goat pen of our own; wherever you think your steed will feel more at home. he offers to Boyd.

Catching the attention of one of the young boys around, he bids them to fetch some help from inside. I'll speak with the innkeeper. I'm sure we can find some way to accommodate friend Minotaur here. Most of the shops close not long after dark. Are there any supplies or things you will need before morning that I can send for? he asks. If not, he leads them inside, some strong men coming to help the Minotaur rise and negotiate the stairs.


===
Population of Bordertown: appx 7,400. Each ward is sized to house slightly over 20% of that, if that helps with the scale.
Lunaflon (Van's hometown and a place Garroth knows well enough) by comparison is about 9,600.

Sorry for any map confusion. maybe this will help.
The portcullises are set in pairs all have stone headers above them into which a portion of the gate rises. Arrow slits and murder holes abound on the approach. The main gate and secondary portcullises have all been closed now, but the ward gates remain open at the moment.

The outer wall has sections set forward so people can fire down at anyone attacking the wall itself. It also has sections of cover for troops defending it. The ground slopes down towards the earthen bulwark, and then up after so troops charging will have trouble stopping before crashing into the pikes, and then have to climb the steep and heavily defended approach.

Eariel and the soldiers went into the 4th Ward, the group is being led into the 3rd ward.

[Stik]

"As long as there is a place I can spread a blanket out and sell my wares, and a place to wet my whistle, I will be happy. Oh, and a place out of the weather where Salem and I can bed down would be a treat as well."

[Chris1234]

Linar ignores the world for a while and concentrates on recovery.

When he comes back to reality and feels strong enough he will try to regain some spells.

[Sol Mazer]

If light allows, Van will check out the merchant areas. If there is anything akin to a "magic store," he'll pop in there and look about. Perhaps get a look at the vial in the shape of a hearing horn.

[ausie]

Ooc: being unconscious and resting is a bit of a drag. I could put up a few dream sequence posts with Garroth getting advice from his dead parents...and I might at that. Otherwise I’ll just keep checking in until Garroth has finished his full day’s bed rest.

Sol- can you give me a heads up if I’m slow getting back here ? Thanks..

[TristenC]

[Sorry for the delays, and for the longer resting/downtime Aus and Chris. We'll remedy that here. Bit of a skip ahead to get the everyone back involved. let me know if there is anything small the others want to accomplish in the mean time. I'd like to give the chance for everyone to talk a bit at least once before morning.]


You would be welcome to trade in the market area just down the street, master dwarf, Cedric says, once the sun comes up. No outdoor trade is allowed after nightfall.

[presuming Van mentions the desire for a magic shop] Magic is actually fairly uncommon here, though there are some mages that serve in the keep. I will ask about getting you access to their supplier in the 2nd ward.

After Garroth and Linar get the chance to rest for a couple of hours, they feel strong enough to rejoin the group and hold a little conversation. Salem is provided an area in the stableyard. The inn is cozy and the staff attentive. Several of the locals seem interested in the newcomers.

After a couple of hours, Eariel and Tag return, both freshened up and in civilian clothes rather than their uniforms. Well, the half-elven woman says with a grin, I think I owe you guys some drinks! She gestures for the servers to bring some ale and brandy about, or anything else the others might want. The Lieutenant is grateful for your involvement in wiping out the goblins. He'll come by tomorrow to show his gratitude, and offer aid if you need it.


[Aside from a bit of conversation, does anyone have anything else they'd like to accomplish tonight? Otherwise I can move us on to the morning.

[Stik]

[OOC] I'm good until morning, although Boyd is going to have to find a place in the stableyard to sleep as well. His needs are simple, though, just someplace out of the weather - under an eave or balcony will do. Better would be a stable where he could lay out a blanket.[/OOC]

[ausie]

Rest and healing is first on Garroth’s agenda, but he won’t knock back an ale.. growing up with elves, he is like to swap stories, and enjoy a little celebration.

Garroth’s only want is to maybe find some leather armour, and a small shield. On top of his natural protection, it will only improve his AC by a little but that might make th difference.

[Chris1234]

Linar asks about how his presence, appearance really, would be accepted (or otherwise) around the town. "Don't want to cause a panic."
Assuming that a panic would ensue, Linar will quietly enquire if the silver coins they'd found could discreetly be converted to higher coinage, gps for example, for easier carrying. (He would then sort out equal shares for those involved. OOC - Not sure how much that equates to.)
If anyone is going shopping, the elf asks for them to enquire about arcane spell scroll availability and cost.

To Garroth, "Hey Beefy! I know I said I had your back and I did my best for you. Nearly got both of us buried. Not your first close shave either. Could you please try and do both of us a favour and try to dial down your impulsiveness? Just a bit? Please."

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Done.