Sardis Turn 1

[14:24] <SpaceThorWork> A cool mist clouds the skies above Magyobris, in eastern Sardis. A pall has felt like it's shrouded the kingdom in recent months, between rumors of regicide, monstrous hordes infesting the Hercynia Arden, that great black wood that separates the kingdom, and territorial losses in war with Haivoron and Braganca. Right now, a lonely tavern sits in Magyobris, warm orange light doing its level best to fight off the shroud the gods have placed over the kingdom.
[14:24] <SpaceThorWork> Inside the Black Boar Tavern, military leaders camped in this land drink, eat, and play, determined to stave off the feelings that doom has come for them.
[14:24] * Viola_Gray is now known as Fiona_Janrnefeldt
[14:25] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "Another drink!" Bhaltair Talmhach, Champion of the Black Wood, demands boisterously, cheeks rosy and drops of alcohol and grease hanging from his braided beard. Despite his act, his eyes are sharp, watching all his fellow leaders as they enjoy a luxury no base soldier has for months.
[14:27] * Fiona_Janrnefeldt eats quietly, draped in black from head to toe, the rough edges of her clothing blending into the shadows.
[14:27] <SpaceThorWork> A tavern girl brings another wooden mug full to the brim to you and those surrounding you. Carved bone dominos lay on the table as some of them play and gamble, while others gamble on the results.
[14:28] <SpaceThorWork> Sitting near Fiona is another Doomseeker, Luthais Brun. "Fiona, what do you think of the rumors coming from the other side of the Black Wood?"
[14:31] * Fiona_Janrnefeldt picks up one of the dominos, turning it around in her hand as she thinks. "Usually they feel like just that, rumors. But..." She makes a fist, trapping the domino inside. "This is different. Less like tall tales."
[14:31] <SpaceThorWork> He shakes his head. "Damnation. Maybe the gods have abandoned us after all>"
[14:31] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "Two silver pieces on Gillebeart sweeping this round!" Bhaltair shouts, squeezing said underlings' shoulder, before swigging down half a mug of mead.
[14:32] <SpaceThorWork> "He's in a good mood." Luthais nudges Fiona.
[14:33] * Fiona_Janrnefeldt puts her domino down. "He shouldn't be. He's going to lose money."
[14:34] <SpaceThorWork> The hands go in...and Gillebeart ends up giving it all to Fiona.
[14:35] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "It least you're reliable with a spear, Gillebeart!"  Bhaltair laughs and slaps the man on his back.  The other Champion's golden eyes, not a rare sight in Sardis, sweep along the rest of the players before coming to rest on Luthais and Fiona. "Now, what are you planning to do with your winnings, lass?"
[14:35] <SpaceThorWork> Gillebeart grumbles and takes a drink.
[14:38] * Fiona_Janrnefeldt smiles. "The same thing I always do. Send most of it back to the keep where it can do some good." She sits back. "And use a little of the rest for another round for everyone. Some of the players can't afford their own drinks now, after all."
[14:39] <SpaceThorWork> They cheer for that, as the serving girl goes back for another round.
[14:39] <SpaceThorWork> The reverie is interrupted by the door to the tavern slamming open, and a hooded man coming in. "Champions of Sardis, I bear a message from the King!"
[14:40] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> A broad smile splits Bhaltair's bushy face. "Well said, lass! Good fortune should-" He turns to the messenger frowning, already walking over to him.
[14:40] <SpaceThorWork> He stands there with the parchment, waiting for the noise to die down.
[14:42] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "Quiet down, lads! The King has words for us!"
[14:43] <SpaceThorWork> They calm down, and the messenger clears his throat. "By order of the King, you are to report immediately to the Capital, Coum, for new orders. You are also to leave your men here to safeguard the area from Haivorian aggression against our lands."
[14:47] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "I see." Fiona looks back at her men. "You heard him. Something must be coming if they need to brief us but can't afford to move you. I expect you all to maintain discipline while I'm gone. If there's fighting, no one comes back with a clean blade. Understood?"
[14:47] <SpaceThorWork> They nod grimly.
[14:48] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "You came straight from the capital, lad?" Bhaltair asks the messenger, swinging an thickly muscled arm around his shoulders.
[14:49] <SpaceThorWork> He nods. "A week in the Black Wood isn't something I would wish on anyone, but duty is duty."
[14:49] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "I'm surprised you got here alone."
[14:49] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "The roads aren't safe."
[14:49] <SpaceThorWork> "They aren't, but I know my own way."
[14:50] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "Do you now?" Bhaltair exchanges a look with Fiona.
[14:50] * Fiona_Janrnefeldt is hard to read, but she isn't a fool.
[14:50] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "Safe passage is a luxury in these parts. Perhaps you can share with us your route?"
[14:50] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> He starts to guide the man to a seat.
[14:51] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> Forcefully, given the strength of the arm round his shoulders.
[14:51] <SpaceThorWork> He sits. "I take the northern route, around the Bog Chapel Ruins. Monsters avoid those ruins."
[14:52] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "Why don't you put that piece of parchment down? A drink for the messenger from the king!"
[14:52] <SpaceThorWork> He sets it down, leaving you to see it clearly, taking a mug from the servant girl.
[14:53] * Fiona_Janrnefeldt takes it from the table. She frowns as she looks it over.
[14:53] <SpaceThorWork> "Hey, what are you-"
[14:53] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "The Bog Chapel Ruins, aye?" Bhaltair keeps a hand firmly pressed on the man's shoulder, keeping him in his seat.
[14:53] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "Why don't you keep telling me about your route while the lass looks over your message, lad."
[14:55] * Fiona_Janrnefeldt produces a silver knife and presses it to his throat. "In detail, please. And the truth."
[14:55] <SpaceThorWork> "W-what are you doing? I was ordered at the castle to bring you this letter. I took the northern route, around the Bog Chapel Ruins!"
[14:56] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "It doesn't do to lie to a soldier, lad.  We have more brains than many believe." Bhaltair's grip on the man's shoulder becomes painful.
[14:57] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "The seal is right-handed. The king wears his signet ring on his left land."
[14:58] <SpaceThorWork> "Ah...alright, alright! I did come through the black woods, but I was given the letter by the King's nephew, Angaidh Baran. That's all I know, I swear!"
[14:58] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "That explains it. Enough money to get a copy made, but not enough sense to do it properly."
[15:00] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "You'd expect a nephew to know how many fingers his uncle has. Sloppy work."
[15:00] <SpaceThorWork> The messenger is quiet, aside from some whimpering. It seems he doesn't know what's going to come next.
[15:01] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "How long does your route take through the Black Wood, lad?"
[15:01] <SpaceThorWork> "Eight days, but I can do it in six."
[15:02] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "Mm. Where is Angaidh now?"
[15:02] <SpaceThorWork> "Still in the capital. The king's family are running most things since the Castle closed its gates last month."
[15:02] <SpaceThorWork> "His brother and sister most of all."
[15:02] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "I see."
[15:02] * Fiona_Janrnefeldt puts her blade away.
[15:03] <SpaceThorWork> He exhales.
[15:03] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "I will go to the capital and see the truth of this myself. My men will hold you until I return."
[15:04] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "No, Fiona," Bhaltair says, the use of her name a signal that this is important, "we won't be going to the capital."
[15:04] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "I doubt very much we'd be welcomed warmly there, if you understand my meaning."
[15:05] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "I do."
[15:05] <Fiona_Janrnefeldt> "But we have to know the fate of the king."
[15:07] <SpaceThorWork> Gillebeart speaks up. "We can't take the capital with what we have, even if we took all our forces."
[15:07] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "We may find out from other messengers like this lad here.  We are either being called to be courted or called to be slain.  Either way, I believe we'd both live longer if we let the family of the king whittle themselves down."
[15:07] <SpaceThorWork> "And if the messenger don't come back, they'll be waiting on us."
[15:08] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> He nods at Gillebeart. "Good point, lad. It is best we stay as far away as we can from the capital, while the...succession works its bloody course."
[15:10] <SpaceThorWork> Luthais steps forward. "Do we wait here then?"
[15:10] * Fiona_Janrnefeldt frowns. "I don't like sitting around and keeping my hands clean."
[15:10] <SpaceThorWork> "Me neither."
[15:12] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "And we won't.  We'll be doing something that will win the favor of whoever ends up sitting on the throne, something that will keep our throats unslit and swords in our hands." Bhaltair grins at all assembled.
[15:15] <SpaceThorWork> They look to you, at rapt attention.
[15:17] <Bhaltair_Talmhach> "Lads, lasses," he strikes a tankard of mead into the air, "we're going to war!"
[15:17] <SpaceThorWork> Tankards follow it into the air, ale spilling, as a raucous cheer goes up from the warriors in attendance.