Deathworld D&D 4

	Staffen	It's raining -- softly, but steadily; Ngoze is long-gone, leaving you on the northern trail with the smouldering ruins of Stirov an hour behind you, and a sleeping child in your company. Kein, the holding of Count Sender, is half a day's ride from where you now stand on the forest road.
	Edric_Haart	occasionally looks down at young Alhaym -now Alan- as they ride for Count Sender's Keep.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	is dozing in his saddle, his horse, Croaker, keeps up with the group as his master naps.
	Sanjai_Geben	follows behind the rest of the group on his horse, Zabi.
	Samael	whistles a quiet tune and enjoys the rain pattering against his face
	Staffen	The pass is uneventful for the first few hours. But as the storm abates and the sky clears and the sun lowers, you come upon a halted wagon with its goods scattered in a mess across the road.
	Staffen	Neither the owner nor the animal drawing it are anywhere to be seen.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Well this isn't totally foreboding."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	starts, somewhat awake. He reins his horse over to the wagon and dismounts. He has a look around.
	Edric_Haart	slows his horse's pace, and instinctively puts an arm in front of the boy.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Maybe a bandit attack?"
	Edric_Haart	"What do you make of this, Mister Gelihad?"
	Rafiq_Gelihad	grunts after finishing his inspection. "Bandits would be the obvious guess, but then why are the goods still here? The driver died in his seat, going by the blood, and the tracks imply the horse was taken, but kept alive. Strange though, the guards seemed to have dropped dead then gotten back up and stalked off into the woods. I can see three sets of prints from the attackers, so we have...
	Rafiq_Gelihad	...three assailants we'll want to look out for, they're old though, but just in case be on your guards. Anyhow...Undead more than likely, could be rebels and cannibals, but I'm leaning towards Undead.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Speaking of, I wonder what our dead friend was hauling." He has a quick look at the scattered goods.
	Edric_Haart	"Take what provisions you can. Quickly; we will not idle in the area."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	The ranger nods idly as he sorts through the items in the carriage and on the road.
	Staffen	Rafiq's inspection shows a few bags of grain, a few barrels of imported Ahngrin whiskey... a coinpurse, tucked away quietly under the grain. Probably most peculiar of all, however, is a shattered strongbox, the bits of which spill out from a bag of wheat -- its contents, gone.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Must have come for whatever was in the strong box." He pockets the coinpurse for later divvying.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Seems that Gold wasn't their target...strange."
	Sanjai_Geben	"Why don't we take the carriage?"
	Sanjai_Geben	"It seems like the previous owner won't be needing it."
	Edric_Haart	"No beast of burden for the task."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Could use Croaker and Sanjai's horse."
	Sanjai_Geben	"A sound plan."
	Edric_Haart	"A knight without his horse," Edric teases.
	Mizzo_Arbor	clears his throat and wiggles his eyebrows at Sanjai
	Sanjai_Geben	"Yes, Elf?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Need a...Horse?" he says with a laugh
	Edric_Haart	has his horse approach the wagon. "Alan. You'll have to protect this wagon for me. Do you think you can do that?" he says to the boy, as he lifts him from the saddle and places him on the wagon.
	Sanjai_Geben	attaches his horse to the carriage along with Rafiq's house.
	Mizzo_Arbor	"I'll help too!" he says, jumping into the wagon
	Mizzo_Arbor	stands inside the wagon, holding his staff like a spear and barking commands jokingly to "Alan"
	Sanjai_Geben	whistles for his squire and servants and says "Get in the wagon, Gentlemen."
	Staffen	Wordlessly, the child sits down in the carriage among the grainsacks -- as if to conceal himself. Ser Geben's servants hop up into the wagon as well -- and so the party can now continue at a faster trot.
	Sanjai_Geben	whistles for his squire and servants and says "Get in the wagon, Gentlemen."
	Sanjai_Geben	will take the bloodied driver's seat.
	Edric_Haart	"Ser Geben, champion of Haartfort, protector of the wagon," Edric jests as his horse passes the wagon to take the lead.
	Sanjai_Geben	rolls his eyes at the comment.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	takes a seat behind Sanjai, and relaxes himself. "Atta boy, Croaker." He samples the whiskey as he makes himself comfortablee.
	Staffen	Your train moves much faster now that you have everyone off of their feet. And sure enough, you make it to Kein as the sun sets. The smoke from cooking dinners billows from the local homes. Sender's keep stands atop of a hill in the center of the town.
	Staffen	A patrol greets you on the outskirts of town. "Halt," says the sergeant, as he approaches your wagon. "Quite a late hour for you lot to be rolling in. Where you riding from?"
	Edric_Haart	"The ruins of Stirov" Edric makes sure to drive the point home.
	Staffen	The guard notices Alan -- who remains in his chalky-white form.
	Staffen	The guard, however, does not seem to see anything more than a child, and so pays him no mind.
	Edric_Haart	"I demand an audience with Count Sender."
	Mizzo_Arbor	entertains himself by given Alan a full description of every creature he has ever seen
	Staffen	"Ruins of Stirov?" the sergeant rests a hand on his scabbard. "What's this about, then? Who asks after Count Batton Sender?"
	Edric_Haart	"Lord Edric Haart. Stand aside, sergeant. Count Sender must be informed of the attack at once."
	Staffen	"Lord Haart--" the sergeant sputters, scratches his head, and then lifts himself up onto the wagon. "Fine, let's move on ahead. I'll clear you through the gate."
	Edric_Haart	nods to Ser Geben
	Staffen	"Wait," says another guard, following alongside as you start into town. "What did you say about Stirov? Ruins? I've got folks in Stirov -- what's happened to Stirov?"
	Edric_Haart	"The news will no doubt reach the common folk soon enough. But that is a decision the Count will make for himself."
	Mizzo_Arbor	"Horrifying molten furnace monster." he says matter of factly
	Rafiq_Gelihad	shoots the Miz a disapproving frown.
	Edric_Haart	"Do not alarm yourself, soldier. My companion has had too much to drink."
	Staffen	"Molten-- what?!" the guard stammers. "Furnace monster... Dreadforged attacked Stirov?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	"What? I don't drink."
	Sanjai_Geben	reach to the back of the Wagon and tries to whisper "Shut your face, knife ear."
	Rafiq_Gelihad	shakes his head with a sigh.
	Edric_Haart	"Your duties, soldier, are to keep the peace. Mind your tongue, until your Liege informs otherwise," Edric's tone, serious and commanding.
	Mizzo_Arbor	shurgs and continues his hour long definition of tree squirrels and their stupidity
	Rafiq_Gelihad	[Elvish] "Miz learn to shut your yapper when the Lord is talking. I'd rather not die due to your failing to read the situation."
	Staffen	The guard makes like he's about to shout back at Edric -- yet he doesn't. He lowers his head, bows. "Yes, m'Lord..."
	Staffen	The rest of the ride into town is uneventful. A dog barks at the wagon as it passes. A new problem now emerges: the hanging lanterns are putting light onto Alan, who remains blissfully unaware of his own skin. The guard sergeant has yet to notice, but...
	Rafiq_Gelihad	Noticing that it might be a problem for Alan to stay in his natural form, Rafiq scooches over to the child and whispers gently to him. "Alan, shape yourself to what you looked like when you were with Captain Oda."
	Staffen	Alan looks at Rafiq confusedly. "Samuii korney vvourd?"
	Rafiq_Gelihad	feels nauseous, unnaturally so. What the hell is with this boy?
	Staffen	The boy, suddenly aware of what he's just done, slaps his hands over his mouth. "Sooorr-yy!" he whispers to Rafiq. "What did... you say?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	shakes his head back and forth before raising his eyebrow at the boy
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"Eugh, I hate the taste of bile." He gives the kid a weary look before repeating himself about Alan's appearance.
	Staffen	Alan nods, seeming to understand. His skin changes back to a healthier tone in splotches of color -- and then his hair follows suit, turning brown. The black rings around his eyes disappear. He now looks like an ordinary human child.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	Rafiq nods in approval. He then takes long gulps from his water skin.
	Staffen	The sergeant waves your through the gates to Sender's keep. "Visitors for the Lord!" he calls, stepping down from the wagon. "Noble guests for Lord Sender!"
	Staffen	The sergeant passes back through the gate before it closes, back onto his watch. A set of guards emerge from the keep.
	Staffen	The lead guardsman steps forward to greet you with his helmet rested under his arm. "I'm Styger -- Captain of the Watch. To whom do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"
	Edric_Haart	"Lord Edric Haart, and my nephew Alan. My retinue and I have ridden without rest, from Stirov. I must urgently speak to Count Sender," Edric says as he dismounts.
	Staffen	"Lord Haart the younger, I presume," said Captain Styger. "I'll inform the Count of your presence at once. We were about to sup, so please bear with us while we have more prepared."
	Mizzo_Arbor	makes a dramatic yawning motion
	Staffen	He motions for you to follow him inside.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	hops off the wagon and pats Croaker down, "we'll be back soon enough, old buddy." He mutters to the horse.
	Edric_Haart	"Ser Geben, have Jacob, and the servants stay back with our effects. They and the Count's servants can sort out the matter of accomodations."
	Sanjai_Geben	"Of course, my lord."
	Sanjai_Geben	orders his Squire to watch the cart and report anything out of the ordinary.
	Staffen	Count Sender is hurriedly sitting down in the keep hall when you enter. He's a larger, older man, dressed in his nightgown. Captain Styger closes the hall doors behind you.
	Staffen	Captain Styger hurries forwards, and kneels. "Presenting the scion of Duke Haart -- His Lordship Edric and his nephew Alan, and their company."
	Staffen	"You grace us with your presence, Lord Haart, but," Count Sender leans forward, "pardon my asking -- since when have you had a nephew?"
	Edric_Haart	"For some five years, Count Sender. My sister Leara's youngest. But I'm afraid this isn't a social call," Edric purposedly pushes the matter along.
	Staffen	"Pray, is it such pressing business you must tell me before you've had something to eat?" Count Sender seems to almost fidget as he says this. "I can't imagine you've come off the road without an appetite."
	Edric_Haart	"Count Sender, we and our men can wait to sate our hunger," Edric frowns.
	Edric_Haart	approaches
	Staffen	The Count dabs some sweat from his brow. "Of course, yes... what is it which troubles you, Lord Haart?"
	Edric_Haart	"Stirov," Edric sternly says, taking in the pathetic man's visage.
	Edric_Haart	"You are now Liege over its ruins."
	Mizzo_Arbor	fidgets uncomfortably in the regal setting
	Staffen	Sender raises an eyebrow at this. "What do you mean? What has become of Stirov?"
	Edric_Haart	"There was an attack. It has been burned to the ground, its populace massacred."
	Edric_Haart	"I have brought with me not only my own testimony, but the expertise of my retinue... this was no ordinary raid."
	Edric_Haart	Edric looks back to his men, and nods them forth.
	Staffen	"Gods." Sender taps his armrest. "My father assumed patronage of Stirov when Agara's rebellion was cut down by our late Prince. What happened there?"
	Mizzo_Arbor	remains silent
	Rafiq_Gelihad	steps forward, wearily. He crosses his arms before saying, "I am Rafiq, a ranger in the employ of Lord Edric Haart. What he says is not false, a man in what appeared as full-boedied armor, commanding a beast of metal, and another figure that burned with the heat of a forge sacked your town of Stirov. We tried to save what we could, but we were too late. We were only able to slay the...
	Rafiq_Gelihad	...forge-soldier, one of us almost died in the attempt. There is not but ash and corpses in Stirov now."
	Staffen	The Count's seneschal listens closely as well, hastily jotting notes.
	Rafiq_Gelihad	"I saw also, the armored man slay a Giant among a small mercenary company, and even it's own Captain, almost flawlessly. Whoever this person is, is very dangerous."
	Staffen	"A Dreadforged," the seneschal remarks. "But, it's unheard of for the Dreadforged to be under someone's influence."
	Staffen	"Just what sort of attack was this?" asks the Count. "Who is responsible for this?"
	Edric_Haart	"My men and I slayed the hellish beast. The man, however, got away. There's little else we know, but it is a matter which requires your immediate attention."
	Edric_Haart	"You will find the remains of this dreadforged at the center of the village, should you wish to send experts to examine it."
	Staffen	Count Sender shifts in his seat. "Lord Haart, I'll take your word for this, but... please, be honest with me. If there's something you know about the attackers, tell me now. This is a very serious matter."
	Edric_Haart	"Count Sender, my men and I fought, and suffered injuries trying to save Stirov. We lost friends... brave mercenaries who fought to the last. We had no obligation to do so, riding towards the smoke, and the screams of Stirov's people. I would ask that you be mindful of that."
	Staffen	Count Sender sighs. "So be it, Lord Haart. I'll ask again once you've had time to rest yourselves. Please understand where I am coming from when I press the question. For now, we'll look into this and redouble our patrols..."
	Staffen	"But, Lord Haart," he says, "there is a matter of concern with regards to that. Could we discuss it over dinner?"
	Edric_Haart	"Very well," Edric nods.
	Mizzo_Arbor	makes his way to Edric's side "I'd rather not my lord, might I scout around?"
	Staffen	"He will do no such thing on the grounds," exclaims Captain Styger. But then he quickly adds, "Unless, of course, His Lordship Edric commands it."
	Edric_Haart	"If you wish, you may return to Yakov and Alfred; you know where to find me."
	Mizzo_Arbor	nods and returns to the cart
	Staffen	Count Sender brings you along to his dining room, and has you seated before he himself rests at the head of the table; dinner is a thick soup with bread and venison.
	Edric_Haart	"Tastes like ass."
	Edric_Haart	[redacted]
	Staffen	"From the word at court, Lord Haart," says Count Sender. "You've become something of an adventurer, have you not?"
	Rafiq_Gelihad	eats his dinner quietly, enjoying what of it he can. He takes heartily of the ale however.
	Edric_Haart	"One might say that," Edric nods as his cup is filled.
	Staffen	"Your father was not particularly pleased either, I take it. But if you've managed to kill a Dreadforge, something tells me any fears he had were misguided." Count Sender takes a sip from his cups.
	Staffen	"While travelling, Lord Haart -- did you by chance take notice of a surge of Principal Guards moving through the area?" asks Count Sender.
	Sanjai_Geben	enjoying a warm meal that didn't have an odd taste or odor.
	Edric_Haart	"Aye. They parted a day before the attack."
	Staffen	"They've been sent eastwards," says the Count. "Our relations with the Ahngrin Pact have apparently obliged us to provide them with a good deal of our forces; the Stumerish Empire has apparently renewed its attacks against northern Ahngrin -- and the Mountain Clans want our soldiers to protect their southern borders from orcish incursions."
	Edric_Haart	"They are a strong people. Worthy allies."
	Staffen	"Certainly," Sender dips his bread in the soup. "This alliance has been good for the country, but this latest call to arms has put a strain on our reserves. The Principal Guard took with them several local levies from every county they passed through. It's left our garrisons undermanned and our roads badly-protected."
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	Edric_Haart	"Such are the obligations we must all meet for the good of the realm. Now, where is it your line of inquiry is taking us?"
	Staffen	"We've come to a point now where we have a very serious situation which I cannot leave up to my men. The Principal Guard is absent as well, and so I'm left in a bind. Lord Haart, if you will hear me out, I wish to ask you to lend me your strength."
	Staffen	He puts down his silverware, locks his hands together, and leans forwards. "Lord Haart... will you kill a dragon for us?"
	Edric_Haart	"No."
	Edric_Haart	[redacted]