A Fox and Huntsmen
| Current Campaign: 01 | |
| Episode 01: "StrangeIsle Forever" | |
| Year: 1782 (Sycamore Reckoning), 6353 (ante Silwaris) | |
| Location: Loth, The Citadel, The Temple of Moloth | |
| PCs: Annisele, Antagur il-Anyatim, Captain Fred, Vartis Telwin | |
| NPCs: Template:Data | |
Synopsis
Sister Calla and Brother Antagur spend the morning in discussion; Fred and Vartis are summoned to The Citadel by Duke Owen; Annisele has her first private encounter with young Tev of Garland Brook manor.
Story
Act One
It is dawn in Loth and the early rays of dawn light the ridge where Brother Antagur and Sister Calla pick herbs for their abbey's apothecary. Antagur is an eminently talented pupil but some of his teachers express concern that his passion for learning spell-craft distract his efforts toward spiritual growth and that his personal fixation on his own past clouds his ability to focus. He has of late been drawn to the sights and sounds of the city of Loth.
A stoic young Malkostian woman, Calla has been Antagur's staunchest ally at the abbey and has of late noticed a restlessness in her Ashakre friend. They briefly discuss Antagur's growing desire to continue his travels throughout the world; he proclaims he will walk whatever path Moloth sets for him. During preparation for breakfast, Calla instructs Antagur he is to report to visit Father Alnon after their morning meal.
Act Two
Three years have passed since the last great campaign against Yrda, and there is a surplus of young warriors in Loth. One among these seasoned aristocracy is Lord Vartis, who bids his loyal sergeant, Jesswick, to rouse his soldiers from their sleep after generously hosting a night of brothel revelry for them. Vartis tips the brothel madame and purchases food and bath for his crew before collecting them in the brothel courtyard and delivering one of the greatest speeches of his career. He commands them to drill and then pays and dismisses them.
Fred returns from the courtyard and his early morning practice and is met by Jesswick who tells him about the previous evening's debauchery sponsored by Vartis. Jesswick, who is running errands, conveys Duke Owen's desire to meet at mid-day. Fred wanders to the barracks and courtyard with Jesswick to watch the men run drills.
Vartis stands atop a box and surveys the courtyard, where his men are vigorously hollering. Fred approaches Vartis and laughs, "It's Saturday morning, don't kill them." Vartis calls the men in, pays them a bonus from his own purse and cuts them loose. Jesswick returns and reports to Vartis that Duke Owen wishes to meet at mid-day.
Act Three
Anniselle has been in country for about seven months, picking up the language and familiarizing herself with the strange customs of the Avandellans. She has so far financed her journey by selling her oracular talents to the local communities, but this raised the ire of the local churches and Anniselle moved on whenever her visions warned her of impending harm. Two months ago she took on work at the ramshackle Garland Brook manor and has become acquainted with its staff and its sole master, the young Tev.
Anniselle has noticed late night meetings to the manor by shadowy figures, of which Tev seems largely unaware. One of these figures is absent in Anniselle's dreams and one of them is certainly tied to darkness and one morning she feels an overwhelming sense of dread; she looks up and notices him staring at her and for a second they share a moment.
Later she finds Tev seeking a poisonous spider in a wood pile and they discuss it briefly. He asks her to privately deliver a parchment to Sasha, one of the scullery maids in the kitchen. He strikes a bargain to teach Anniselle how to read if she continues delivering his messages to Sascha. Tev claims his nickname comes from the local word "fox" and he likes it, although he acknowledges that once a year the fox is torn apart by hounds. The two discuss spirits and death and Tev admits that perhaps one day he will restore Garland Brook or build something new. He dismantles the wood pile.
Meta
Game notes
- played Jun 26 08
Points Awarded
- 1 point for all
Season Pool
- 1 point