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Post by Master on Jan 15, 2015 11:30:06 GMT -8
The captain ignores your outburst, and begins issuing orders to the crew. You confront the captain. An argument ensues. For nearly ten minutes you argue with the captain, in front of his crew. You try every command, ploy, twist of logic, plead, or entreaty you can think of. The captain is unmoved. He still believes that continuing in an area infested with Sargassum Fiends is too dangerous. He reminds you, that no matter what you discover out here, nobody back home will hear about it if the ship is destroyed. Furthermore, with 6 extra passengers, the food and water supplies won't last as long. He feels the only sensible action, is to return to port. Knowing about the Sargassum Fiends, perhaps you could return better prepared to face them, in a season or two.
Once it becomes clear that you cannot convince him otherwise, you walk away. Dejected, crushed by the realization that the mission will end in failure. All the time and money you spent planning and preparing for the voyage, is gone. Wasted. Dropped into the sea. The voyage home is mostly a shadow to you. You rarely leave your cabin. Only Ravna seems compelled to check on you. During her visits, she tries to console you, reminding you that more expeditions can follow, more research can be made. You barely hear it. Lost in your own thoughts. Thoughts of failure, of loss. You regain some of your composure by the time the ship returns to Sofiholm. Over the journey, Ravna seems to have made friends with the fox woman, Kitsune her people are called, or Tessa Rothaldi. Ravna says that she will return to Alitaan, to her family plantation, but insists, that when you organize a new expedition you include her. You agree, and part ways. Using the Arcanum Society's teleportation device, you return to Caer Uthis, with the meager proceeds of the expedition. They amount to some water analysis and eyewitness reports of the gargantuan Sargassum Fiend.
A few days later, a panel is convened to look over your research and decide if further inquiry is needed. They seem intrigued by your findings, and they are worried by the reports of the Sargassum Fiend. If it were to move to busier shipping lanes, it might make shipping impossible. If the creature is not an aberration, but a new subspecies, it might make long distance travel completely impractical. Your conjecture that the Confluence is to blame for the creature's size, is rejected. You don't have firm evidence that the Confluence even exists, and therefore cannot prove that it has any effect on local wildlife. In the end and without much surprise from you, the panel agrees that more study is needed, but sending ships to the Confluence would be too expensive and dangerous.
After so much hard work, you are left where you started, on your own. To continue your research, you need gold. To continue to live, you need gold. The expedition has left you broke. The only option left to you, is to sell your services to whomever will pay. Finding a noble house, willing to take you on as house mage, would be ideal. Unfortunately, those positions are rare. Mercenary companies always hire mages, but often the pay is poor, especially in peacetime. After doing a bit of research, you find out that the Cold Lake Company will be holding an open recruitment in six months. The Cold Lake Company, a mercenary company based in Cold Lake, is the premier free company in the known world. They hire the best and pay accordingly. A few years as a company mage, you would be able to recoup the losses on this expedition. A few decades, and you wouldn't need the Arcanum Society for any further research.
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Post by Master on Jan 21, 2015 22:29:48 GMT -8
Seeing no other option, you decide to pursue the Cold Lake Company. You send a message to Ravna, inviting her to join you in the endeavor. While the CLC doesn't generally do much alchemical research, they would probably be very interesting in some of the strange extracts and mutagens she has developed. The two of you developed a good working relationship, a rarity for you, and it would be a shame for either of you to give up. Her return letter is hopeful. She seems excited by the prospect of travelling to Forlinde, and potentially to the innumerable places the Company has contracts. Indeed, as the date draws closer, you too find yourself getting more and more excited at the prospect. It isn't the ascension that is your birthright, but it promises to be more exciting that a life of research in Caer Uthis. A few weeks before the recruitment season, you meet Ravna at a roadhouse a few days travel from Caer Uthis. You are somewhat surprised that Ravna seems to be traveling with the young Kitsune woman, Tessa. Ravna's last letter indicated that she had remained close to the young woman pulled from the wreckage of a ship, but it also indicated that same Kitsune would be remaining in Alitaan, hopeful to return home someday. Tessa is evasive as to why she is coming along, and you see little reason to push the issue. Travelling with the two women is a most pleasant experience. Ravna's robust intellect proves more than match for you when it comes to discussing, Spellcraft or Planar Theory. Tessa has an amazing talent for music, and her lute never seems far from her hands. It is amazing to you, a few months in Alainta, and she has mastered many local songs and styles, and even learned a number of elven tunes. The dark clouds of failure seem to lift, moving closer to your goal is certainly a help. You arrive at Cold Lake a few days before the recruitment deadline. The journey was safe, and largely uneventful, especially once you started down the major road: the Stonehallow Highway, a immense road built by the dwarves nearly a millennia ago. You are glad to be at the end of your journey, but somewhat crestfallen to see the vast crowds of people. Most of the inns of the city are full, as well as the stables. You find impromptu campsites lining the roads leading into town. You inquire among the locals to find the reason for the crowds, only to have your fears confirmed. The multitudes are here to apply to the Cold Lake Company. The Company, it seems, has only a few positions to fill, and with such crowds, they can afford to be choosey. As members of the Arcanum Society, you and Ravna are able to get a room at one of the inns, but that seems to be the end of your preferential treatment. Your first night in town is largely sleepless (for the women, as an elf, you have never had a sleep ful night. You do find it difficult to concentrate or meditate). In the Merchant Quarter, where most of the inns are located, has been turned by the crowds into a raucous, neverending party. Fights are common and sobriety seems like a rate commodity. You are not sure whether this crowds were attracted by the word of recruitment, or whether they swarmed over this city in order to enjoy the party. The next morning, you make an attempt to find the office of the Company, or some other post where you can sign up. You discover that the offices are in the district of Frostglen, the original halfling settlement on the lake. Unfortunately, the town guard refuses entry to all non-citizens during the recruitment season, in order to preserve the lives and property of residents. At first it is irritating, but seeing what the mobs have done in the Merchant Quarter, you are not surprised the residents would want to keep them out. In your search for an official post, you face down a number of thugs trying to start fights, as well as charlatans offering to see all manner of dubious products or services. Whores can be found in abundance, as well as narcotics. The entire atmosphere of the city (or what little you have seen) seems permeated by lawlessness and sin. It is Tessa who ends up finding what you seek. Company recruiters have set up a kiosk in a warehouse, far from the main market square (and the heart of the party). After waiting several interminable hours in line, you finally make it to recruiter. We have limited positions. We are looking for skilled archers, evokers, and trackers. The Intelligence Branch has a few opening, but they only recruit by referral. If you have impressive skills in other fields, we might be able to make some room in the roster for you. What is it you can do?You try to explain your skills, as well as those of Ravna and Tessa. The recruiter seems unimpressed. Fresh outta school eh? Well I am happy to say, we ain't so hard up we need to beg for rookies. I'm not gonna waste the ink signing you up, maybe you can find someone else willing to pay for veal or lamb chops. hehe. Now get outta here before you bother me.His dismissive attitude enrages you, but you are able to contain your rage, knowing that you wouldn't likely survive a melee in a city full of cutthroats and bandits. You turn to leave, when you are stopped. A hand grabs your shoulder. You turn to confront what you presume is another drunken brawler, but a surprised to see a sober woman. She has a long sword sheathed at her hip. She is wearing a long black coat over a black shirt and black pants. While you can't see it, you are certain she has chainmail on under her clothes. You have difficulty in making out any details, beyond the pin on the lapel of her duster. The pin is the emblem of the Oprichniki. The Oprichniki are a special martial force that serves the Arcanum Society, or more accurately they serve the Circle, the leadership of the Society. The purpose of the Oprichniki is to investigate, hunt down and destroy rogue mages. Many see them as a necessary check against magi who pose a threat to the rest of world. Others see the Oprichniki as cruel violent oppressors of magi. They are specialists in fighting magic users. The full extent of their abilities is a close secret, most rogue magi who are caught by them don't live to tell about them. Oprichniki operate with a great deal of discretion when it comes to who and what they investigate. While all are ultimately answerable to the Circle, there are numerous stories of individual Oprichniki acting overzealously in the execution of their duties. An Oprichnik typically dresses all in black, giving rise to their ominous nickname, Black Riders. Their garb is generally intended to make them recognizable, to their enemies, as well as local authorities. As part of their mission, Oprichniki are exempt from all laws and commandments from local nobility when pursuing rogue magi, another reason many magi fear them. Only an edict from a King can legally bind an Oprichnik, an action taken rarely as even Kings seek to avoid conflict with the Arcanum Society.
Mr. Sol? Ms. Reiersgaard? I am Captain Tane, head of the Oprichniki in Cold Lake and the surrounding area. Do not worry. I am not here to investigate either of you. If you are looking for work, I believe I may have a job for you. I cannot pay what the Company pays, but it sounds like that isn't really an option for you. If you are interested, please come to my office this afternoon.She turns, and walks back a position near the recruiter kiosk, looking over papers on his stall. This is the end of this prologue story. The opening of the main story will be the group meeting with Capt. Tane. If there are any other questions or comments, post them.
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Post by Surallel Sol on Feb 17, 2015 13:09:00 GMT -8
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Post by Master on Feb 17, 2015 17:14:27 GMT -8
The Formula for embedding a link in text is: [ a href="web address"] Visible Text [/a]
If you go to edit profile, you can have the link to your sheet in your signature.
You can also, just copy/paste this line, with the bracket on the front.
a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApG8KSm_tMYydEo5MjFiVXNaUmJGRTNXOGJ3TFdsdGc&usp=docslist_api#gid=0"] Surallel's Character sheet [/a]
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Post by Master on May 28, 2015 19:49:49 GMT -8
Recent family history of Surallel's family.
Surallel Sol- Academic, member of the Arcana Society. Squandered inheritance on expedition to 'expand the bounds of worldly knowledge'. Currently seeking work with mercenary groups.
Celenwe- younger sister to Surallel. Huntress-captain. Celenwe serves Elf-King Andufalla as a Huntress. The Huntresses are an elite combat unit, specializing in infiltration and reconnaissance. Celenwe commands a squad of these elite warriors. Celenwe is currently deployed, her whereabouts are considered a state secret.
Feallan Starsinger- Father to Surallel. A very well known composer, poet and musician. Feallan was a prolific artist. His compositions and poems were extremely popular throughout his own lands and to all points beyond. He wrote and performed for over 2 centuries, travelling far and wide in that time. He was even invited to perform for a collection of dwarven elders, the leaders of their people. His work was not as well received by the dwarves, as the general theme to his work was stargazing, the dance of the celestial bodies, and the changing of the seasons, none of which held much appeal to the stonebound dwarves. His talent, however, transcended cultures and personal experiences. Those dwarves took to his work often spoke as if listening to his music allowed them to gaze at the stars, even underground, and to experience the change of seasons from a their deep holds. While Feallan's first passion was music, he was also an avid historian. He would spend much of his life on the road, and would take every opportunity to learn about the history of the places he would visit. After his historic performance with the dwarves, for example, he spent over a year with the elders of the clans, learning all he could of their people and their history. He took extensive notes everywhere he went. For reasons that still are not explained, Feallan stopped all public performances. Initially, he told others that he wanted to focus on compiling a history of all the lands he travelled (virtually the entire known world). Within a few years however, the celebrated performer turned to a reclusive historian to a missing person. It has been about 10 years since Feallan was last seen. In that decade, there has been a great deal of speculation regarding his disappearance. Most suspect that, knowning his time was nearing its end, he simply fled deep into the woods to die, returning his body to forest as the Old Elves once did. His work still lives on however. There are few places in the world where his music goes unheard. His work continues to inspire musicians and composers.
Daerethir Father of Feallan. Daerethir was a mage. He worked for many years as an Archeologist with the Arcana Society. He was considered an expert on the Draconians, and ancient and largely unknown race that inhabited the land before any written history. Daerethir worked for years investigating draconian ruins, trying to unlock their secrets. His work was well respected. However, the last few years of his life, he became obsessed with the disappearance of the draconians. He was convinced that the draconians were simply too advanced, culturally, scientifically, magically, to just die out. As his obession grew, he started showing signs of instability. He became separeted from his team, and from his family. Leaving his wife and children behind on his family vineyard and homestead, he disappeared for over a year. Finally resurfacing with a trove of powerful artifacts. Many of the artifacts were stolen, either from vaults in Caer Uthis or from draconian dig sites. Daerethir was challenged by the Oprichniki, his only response was that he had made 'the greatest discovery in magic since Anduimun's time'. What that discovery was, remains unknown. Daerethir took his stolen artifacts and fled deep into the Badlands. There, on a moutainside he began a ritual. Using the artifacts, Daerethir created some form of rift or tear in reality. From the rift, poured a strange energy, which destroyed the land around it, killing several of the Oprichniki sent to retrieve the stolen artifacts. Working quickly, the Oprichniki were able to seal the rift, but were forced to slay Daerethir when he tried to stop them. Further investigation into the ritual proved fruitless, some of the artifacts used were unknown, others were unique, many were consumed or destroyed by the ritual. Despite his years of service, Daerethir is ill regarded in the Society, as a mad mage, a danger to himself and the world at large.
Inalan the Vinter- Eldest son of Daerethir, uncle to Surallel. Owner of a small, but well loved vineyard. After the death of his father, Inalan took over the management of the family vineyard. Vinters are well regarded by the elves, who have a deep love for wine. Elven wines are prized all over the world, and those produced by Inalan are cherished. Inalan has often been considered the most level-headed of his brothers. Not prone to the obessive genius of many of his ancestors, he works for his family, and never strays far from home. Inalan is possessed of a contentedness that seems utterly lacking in much of his family. Inalan lives at the family homestead with his wife and 4 girls. He is well regarded in his community, but is often seen a touch dull.
Cirdore- Youngest son of Daerethir, uncle to Surallel. Astronmer and Philosopher. Cirdore, like his father and brother, loves travel. His theories about the constellations and the movement of stars across the skies lead him around the world. Little is currently known about him. He writes home infrequently. It is believed that he is married, and has 2 children. Their names are not known, and all invitations to return home are dismissed. His location is similarly left vague.
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