CH 4: Solanthus

[HorizonsDream]

"The gnomes in Mt. Nevermind are probably your allies, Erastin," Galenye says. "We are in the middle of no where right now, so it is possible that those gnomes were outcasts," she explains. "From the very beginning, their behavior was odd. Mistakes happen and then you learn from them."

[Jerrard]

"That is very true, yet another mistake i need to learn from." he mutters as he walks the horse along, there had been too many distractions on the road so far.

[Breila]

Karathos walks on stubbornly, trying to ignore the pain in his stomach. He knew he had to find help soon, these wounds could become nasty and kind of eat someone from the inside out.

[JadedDM]

After Targin loads up the loot on his pony, the party continues the rest of the way to the city.

It is not until Evening Watch that the party arrives in Solanthus. The fortified city presents a forbidding exterior to those who approach it. In addition to its newer and stronger walls, the city is surrounded by a shallow moat. The moat is well-maintained and free from algae and dangerous creatures. Ringing the moat is a decrepit old wall, half-crumbled and weakened, a remnant of earlier ages.

There are only three entrances to the town, each of them well-guarded by sentries. They inspect each wagon coming into and leaving the city, ensuring that no one is engaging in activities detrimental to the well-being of the town.

The city is only just regaining its former status as a trade center, for it suffered mightily during the War of the Lance. The dragonarmies and various raiders destroyed the surrounding area, depriving the honest farmers of their livelihood. The raiders slaughtered the cattle and burned the fields that provided sustenance for the city dwellers.

Granted to the Solamnics for their aid to the dwarves in a time of need, Solanthus is situated on an old dwarven mine site. The tunnels carved by the dwarves provide an ideal method for smugglers and thieves to transport their goods to and from the city. The guards and the Lord Mayor are aware of most of the shafts, but there are a few in the twisted maze of which they remain oblivious.

The most obvious gift the dwarves left for the humans was the cleft spire, a shimmering tower of rock which graces the night sky in the center of the town. With a pure spring bubbling at its base, the spire is the only known source of the Solanthian light-gems. Within the town, a soft glow constantly keeps the streets lit and fairly free from crime. Light-gems mounted atop tall poles and protected with powerful magic shed their stored brilliance during the night, keeping even the darker streets aglow with a lesser imitation of the sun’s light. At night the glow from the spires may be seen at a distance of over one mile.

The party comes from the northwest, and are stopped when they reach the first guard post. "Halt," one of the sentries demands. "Submit yourself to search before entering and state your business in the city of Solanthus."

================

It is now Evening Watch (7:00 PM).

[Jerrard]

"Greetings, and well met." Erastin says, leading Galen as he walks towards the guard, trying to ignore the pain in his side. "I am Erastin Rivenguard, Knight Aspirant, we ride from The High Clerists Tower."

Keeping Galenye and Targin at his side he raises his arms, allowing the guard to see what he carries, (wondering if Ereks blade will be noticed).

[JadedDM]

The sentries seem at ill-ease upon noticing the minotaur. One sends for some backup, just in case.

One guard searches Erastin, another his horse. They don't seem to find anything objectionable. They don't give Erek's sword a second look, but then there's nothing special about it in appearance that would make it stand out against any other.

"All right, you can pass," the sentry says to Erastin.

Selowen submits herself next. Again, the guards don't find anything objectionable, and let her pass, as well.

This leaves Targin (and Ash), Jinali, Karathos and Galenye.

[Jerrard]

"Thank you." Erastin bows, waiting for the others before he moves on. "Could you suggest a good inn?"

(I'm thinking he doesn't know that much of the city)

[HorizonsDream]

Galenye steps forward so that she can be searched. "And perhaps a place where we can get some healing," she added.

[JadedDM]

"There are two decent inns in town," says a sentry. "The Gleaming Gem and the Boisterous Bull. As for healing, we have three temples here. One to Paladine, one to Mishakal, and one to Shinare. All three have a full staff of clerics."

"Hello, what's this?" asks the guard who is searching Galenye. He finds her thieves' picks, and opens them up, revealing a number of lockpicking tools. "You some kind of burglar, missy?"

[Jerrard]

"Thanks for the advice." Erastin smiles, "Oh you still have those? Something we found on some bandits we were attacked by on the road." He grins, "We were going to tell the Knights, some of them got away."

[HorizonsDream]

"Would I be traveling with a Knight Aspirant if I was?" Galenye asks playfully.

[JadedDM]

"Bandits, huh?" asks the sentry. "Hmm." He seems to consider this. "Yeah, we've had reports of those lately. Usually, they attack caravans and merchants, though. Not folks as armed as you all." He confiscates the thieves' tools. "All right, you can pass."

[HorizonsDream]

Galenye shoots Erastin a rather nasty look that states she could have handled the situation herself. ~Great, now I have to get my hands on a bow and lock-picking tools,~ she thinks to herself.

[Jerrard]

Raising his palms in silent confusion Erastin shrugs, he couldn't have her arrested as a thief, it pained him to think of her locked up. He'd buy her new ones if he had to.

[Nuke]

Targin submits as well, only a little miffed by the guards behavior, and the most recent confiscation.

He gives only a little warning, just to give the guards a pause. "Careful, he bites."