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Post by missmilkmaid on Oct 15, 2014 9:52:11 GMT
With black and silver banners flapping in the brisk winter winds, a riverboat from the kingdom Elon throws anchor at the port of Thundercrown. The captain goes about the usual business of a merchant, but a letter is delivered up to Thunder keep. It bares a seal with the emblem of a tree upon it and the motto “Ago per virtus. Intereo per veneratio.” It is from the Kingdom of Elon, a land of little renown in recant times, but noble history.
Breaking the seal, the parchment reveals this message:
To Chief Garlog Whiteshot and the esteemed clan elders, in the year 817 of the prophet, with full regards and all courtly grace from the Lady Queen Chello Christallo on behalf of her noble husband King Azlyn of Elon,
Greetings and Aed’s blessing upon you and all your people. May God’s face shine upon you and your lands, amen.
Noble Chief, I write to you on the King’s behalf in the interest of both Elon and the Firetooth Clans. Times are changing and with the times the kingdoms also. To move into the future with all prosperity, it is the hope of my lord the King of Elon to enter into discussion with you regarding trade and the exchange of valuable resources. If such a prospect interests you in the slightest, return word to Elon and we shall happily meet with you, or one of your representatives, at your own convenience.
Most sincere regards and all due respect,
Queen Chello Christallo of Elon.
The handwriting is neat and elegant, the signature even more so.
The messenger stands by.
“Shall I tell the captain to stand by for a return message, Sir?” she asks, her eyes are bright and curious and she has a coastal accent. She’s young for a river maid and looks about the mountains and city with great interest.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Oct 18, 2014 9:16:17 GMT
The horseman came up the road from the south along the river. He'd made good time and the sun shone off the sweat on his black hose and the glinted on the flecks of silver grey in the rider's dark hair.
Over the years, Jordan Delaney had served as a messenger, a squire, an advisor, a steward and now a diplomat. He was not of noble birth himself, but had spent his life serving the kings of Elon and gaining their trush. By his steady nerves, good since, fighting skill and calm sensible demeanor, he'd beam of of the most respected men in the kingdom. He been the first man Queen Chello had gone to, when she sought out a person to speak on her behalf to the elders of the Firetooth Clan.
He'd come without any entourage, preferring speed to the protection of numbers. A great sword in its sheath was bound to his saddle and a longbow and quiver of arrows was at his back. Queen Chellos letter of introduction was tucked under his cloak, with its official seal and he had on durable traveling gear of dark green and earth brown.
A first glade he appeared to be no more than another human traveler, well armed against the dangerous times, but with no formal dress or flashing gold to mark him with significance. It was how he preferred to travel. Jordan was a reserved man by nature and preferred to avoid all unnecessary attention.
Upon reaching Thundercrown, he hailed one of the orc captains by the trade port wharfs.
"Good Morrow, Captain! I am Jordan Delaney, send on behalf of the king and queen of Elon to deliver a message and take council with the Chief and Elders concerning the security of our two realms. Would you do me the favor of sending word of my arrival to Thunder Keep and directing me to whomever can best receive me at the moment?"
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Post by talis on Oct 21, 2014 22:41:33 GMT
"Chief Garlog is surveying the Clan Retinues on the grounds up at the keep." The dockmaster, a grizzled old orc with rough whiskers and sealskin boots, replied. "And I believe several of the Elders are holding session now. He looked over the knight with a stern frown. "You're not from Juturna are you? Seen any of them on the river? I'm missing a case of wine that was supposed to have come up the river a couple days ago."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Oct 21, 2014 22:56:13 GMT
"I'm not from Juturna, no," Jordan answered, "But I saw plenty of river boats on my way up. The heavy spring currants have slowed the up traffic quite a bit this season."
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Post by talis on Oct 21, 2014 23:02:26 GMT
"I told the fools to set out early." The harbor master grumbled. "Well thanks and good day to you."
"Thunder Keep" was little more than an enormous longhouse of solid wooden construction, thatched with clean straw and supported by entire tree trunks carved in orcish images. The recent addition of a large bunkhouse for mustered retainers still smelled of the fields the roofing had been gathered from. A great number of retainers were drilling outside the longhall in heavy chain and plate armor, wielding sword and roundshield against one another. Chief Garlog watched them with a keen and impatient eye, stalking back and forth along their lines.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Oct 22, 2014 5:19:13 GMT
Jordan road briskly up the hill. He mount, sensing the end of the journey, gathered a fresh wind and he they gained the top of the hill at a good speed. Seeing Chief Garlog overlooking the retainers, Jordan hailed him.
"Chief Garlog! Good day and Aed's strength be upon you." Turning his mount Jordan rode parallel to the training square and approached the Chief at a slower more respectful pace, "My name is Jordan Delaney of Elon and have come to meet with you and the clan elders on behalf of Queen and King Christallo."
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Post by talis on Oct 22, 2014 21:00:55 GMT
Garlog pivoted, his entire attention shifting from the orcs in front of him to this new arrival. He scanned the human with a critical glare that was known to make both men and horses step back. He had an eager energy about him these days. The tension and preparations for battle put him on edge, but he was eager to face the wastelanders. Bloodshed was part of his nature, and at least in war he was a good chief.
"Well at least they sent a warrior." He finally broke his glare, glancing back at the soldiers. "What brings you to Thundercrown?"
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Post by missmilkmaid on Oct 22, 2014 23:13:03 GMT
Jordan had halted his horse under the orc's stern glare, but his face and seat still seemed relaxed and alert. At the chief's question, he dismounted.
"Queen Chello is concerned about the news of the mustering Waistelanders," Jordan said, "It is known that no one knows more about the wild tribes, or how to fight them than the Firetooth Clan. It is the queen's hope that our kingdoms, sharing a common border with this threat, may work together against the wiastelanders, exchanging what intel we may have and coordinating our defenses and countermeasures."
Jordan spoke in a straight forward and efficient manner. He clearly had skill and practice in rhetoric and speaking, but seemed accustomed to use it in order to explain his meaning as clearly and efficiently as possible, rather than to inlay his words with eloquence, or any kind of flattery. It gave him the air of an honest and sensible man.
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Post by talis on Oct 25, 2014 23:34:33 GMT
"Your queen is right to be worried. The wastelanders can be a formidable enemy." He gave a curt word to one of his attendants to watch the drills, then gestured to Jordan to follow him. As they walked he spoke. "When my people 'joined' the Survaek Empire we were granted the title of Guardians of the West and our traditional role officiated. The wastelanders are our traditional enemies, and it is our duty to defend the west against them. We are gathering our strength and will march to meet them whether it be in Juturna, Elon, or here."
"A single tribe or Clan of wastelanders is little threat. They are simple raiders - always fighting for land and loot. It was when some leader charismatic enough to gather them into a horde appears that they become dangerous - or worse, if their leader is cunning enough to command them in battle. If the horde marches south, avoid fighting them in the open field. Hold them off in defensive positions until we arrive to help you smash them."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Oct 26, 2014 1:25:43 GMT
"It is reassuring to know the Firetooth Clan takes their roll as guardians so siriously," Jordan said, as he walked along side the chief. "Our intelligence agents reported that at least ten tribes have been on the move and they expect that there is a larger transitory city as well, but they brought back no news of a unifying leader."
Jordan slapped the ends of his reins into his palm thoughtfully. "If such a leader exists, it seems vital that we should identify him. Once you can follow the head of a snake, it become easier to predict where it will strike. Have your people heard news of any such leader rallying the weastelanders?"
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Post by talis on Oct 26, 2014 23:44:42 GMT
"Not so far. We will warn you if we find any information relevant to Elon." Garlog grumbled darkly - all his efforts and those of his new spymaster had so far been in vain. It irked him greatly not knowing his enemy's movements. The Firetooth were best as defenders - if they could learn where their enemy would strike and dig in before they got there victory was almost assured. Marching with haste to meet an enemy after they struck was a much more dicey affair.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Oct 27, 2014 0:35:14 GMT
"I'm sure Elon will be willing to do the same," Jordan said, "Gaining information is the first step to success."
"It might do well to set up coordinated watches and a message rely along the river. It's an important vain of both information and supplies, especially for the Firetooth. It would not bode well if the tribes managed to take control of the waters between Thundercrown and Elon. Your people are most assuredly the biggest threat to the tribes and they may try to cut you off from the rest of the borderlands in this way."
"I took the way north by horse, rather than boat for the purpose of surveying the country as I went. I was wary of places that may offer suitable footholds from which a force may hold control over the river, or ambush the traffic upon it. I also noted which way-stations could be improved upon to include a watch point and where the trail could be improved upon for the sake of rider speed and safety."
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Post by talis on Oct 29, 2014 0:23:33 GMT
"Hahahaha!" Garlog laughed, patting the man on the back with a rough, orcish slap. "A good plan. Our resources are stretched recruiting and equipping our army at the moment, but I will see if I can allocated something to it next season." Not only would such a road be advantageous for sending soldiers and messages up and down the river, it would also be an excellent asset during trade. Perhaps it would be the first step to a merchant road across the south?
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Post by missmilkmaid on Oct 29, 2014 0:30:20 GMT
Jordan smiled slightly as the chief slapped him on the back. He was a rather reserved and quite man and the boisterous energy of the orc made him a little nervous, but he did a good job concealing it. "Elon will be glad to hear it. We too have found are resources stretched thin by war, but if we combine efforts, I sure progress can be made."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Nov 3, 2014 20:07:53 GMT
"Speaking of which," Jordan continued, "Elon is still interested in opening a river trade rout with the Firetooth Clan. We do not have the gold fiance the venture at the moment, but our troops have recently returned and we are expecting a full harvest next spring. If your people are willing to front 10 gold to start the venture, Elon will pay you back 7 gold before the next autumn comes."
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