2008-02-08 - Caravans, Slavers, & River Barges Oh My!

2008-02-08 - Caravans, Slavers, & River Barges Oh My!

The caravan roads leading from the Pillars of Heaven take us north west into Caithness and to the River Smoke. There we find a Citadel of the Knights of the Order of Saint George.straddles the River Smoke and is the first line of defense against Megalosian Invasions.from Raphael.

There the Kingmakers wait and watch as the Goblin Caravan loads onto River Barges and heads up river to Baronies of Denton and from there to Simpton. Then they will have the chance to load on returning barges. The Warden of the Citadel, Sir William meets with Master Ismael and they exchange information and gossip over a meal.

Rumor has it that the Civil War in Megalos is proving profitable for Caithness raids into the Duchy of Craine and specifically the Citadel of Raphael. By the number of troops within the walls it looks like life will be difficult for the Duke Bran while he is away fighting the Civil War.

Within a few days the river barges return and they onload their Caravan and head up river. As they leave they see a the slaver caravan has more than doubled in size in stock and guards. The journey up river is uneventful, travelling by river barge is peaceful amf relaxing save for Master Dain and Sir Ismael who are ill at ease on the water.

Finally they arrive in Denton. Here they are recognized by the Captain of the Watch who send a message to Baron Cabble.They off load and set up there camp inside the walls of Denton. The city is alive with merchants, caravans, and people from all over yrth.

Chavaleir Rene is unsuccessful in floating a Suhudese Underground Boxing Ring however. He does recognize some notable Tredroian Wrestlers among the Caravans headed for the Djinn Lands.

Lady Arteasian does some shopping and finds a few artifacts worthy as gifts for her companions. While Sir Ismael, Master Dain, and Baronet Kraypike are invited to feast as guests of Baron Cabble.

Which leaves Seeoff's the Reptile Man alone to guard the Caravan. Unfortunately he is attacked and overwhelmed by thieves who steal from Master Ismael's wagon and escape. The Kingmakers return to find Seeoff's badly hurt and the bodies of three would be thieves.

They quickly cast some spells and track the thieves to a necropolis. They are stopped by the caretaker who warns these trouble makers about disturbing the tombs. They find the spot where their spells indicated the thieves were last seen. There are a few people in the necropolis, visiting loved ones, paying respects, and Chavaleir Rene uses his Psionic abilities and detects the distinctive sound of someone running away.

Sir Ismael quickly scales one of the tombs and sees a figure running away. Readies his Double Hand Crossbow, aims, and fires. Both bolts strike home sending the figure flopping to the ground like a rag doll.

Cirmi (Baron Imric in disguise) teleports to the figure and find a young human boy, mortally wounded, and dying. He quickly rips the bolts from the boys back and magically heals him. Eventually they manage to awaken the boy and interrogate him.

His name is Dugald, he is a Thief-wannabe. He was hired to provide a distraction while his employers escaped. They drain him of information and decide to let him go. Then they set about tracking down the Thieves. It is Chavaleir Rene's Psionic abilities that lets them track them to a mausoleum. The first thing they find is it is situated in a no-mana zone, secondly the door is sealed, and finally its ancient black marble dates back to the earliest days of the Banestorms.

Again Chavaleir Rene's Psionic abilities allow them to find the secret to opening the door. Inside they find the surprised thieves and sir Ismael's goods. They try to flee down into the mausoleum, but are brought down by bolts and knives. Baronet Kraypikes Lightning Bolt fizzles in the no-mana zone.

One of the thieves are the bottom of the stair screams in terror at something coming from deeper inside. A powerful, ghostly hand grabs one body and snatches away one body. The second thief panics and freezes. Looking from the darkness below and the Kingmakers above. His sudden scream of terror is silenced when a Vampire attacks him and drains him dry on the spot.

He turns and stares malevolently up at the Kingmakers. Chavaleir Rene flippantly asks for his Knife back and the Vampire obliges. Cirmi (Baron Imric) tries to talk to the Vampire, but it disdains to answer and turns its back on them and walks back into darkness and out of sight.

The Kingmakers debate entering the mausoleum in pursuit and killing the Vampire, but after listening to the Caretaker decide to leave it be... for now.

Master Dain finds an Alchemist/Enchanter in town. When Master Timothy learns who he is with he invited the Kingmakers over for a feast in their honour. His tower is based in the only normal-mana zone for hundreds of leagues Baronet.

When the Kingmakers return to camp they Sir Elendil (Cat) watching with Seeoff's the Slaver's Caravan arriving a short distance away. He greets them warmly and gives Sir Ismael the shards of Mornblade. His reaction is somewhat dismayed.

He introduces the newest members of the Kingmaker's Cirmi and Seeoffs. Sir Cat shakes their hands and seems to know who Cirmi truely is by scent, but he does not give much more away. He seems distracted and when asked he smiles and shows them small illusions of his four children and tells them of the rebuilding of the Barony of Redhall and the Kings Gift of Land and Title in the south west of the Barony, inside the forest of Telperion (Sterling Wood).

He asks Master Dain if he can reforge the sword? He looked at it and said he could if he had a week and a forge. Baronet Kraypike suggests Master Timothy might be willing for the chance to examine the strange metal and witness Master Dain's Crafting. Sir Ismael agrees.

They exchange stories and catch up on events. After they broke the Orc Invasion at Redhall and helped bring down the traitor Baron. He lead a Wing of the Knights of the Order of the Stone in pursuit of the retreating hordes. When the Caithnessians stopped at the Great Desert he tracked them into the desert and all the way back into the Orc Lands. Where he finally turned back and headed home.

The Kingmakers recognize the look in Sir Cat's eyes as he stares at the Slaver's Caravan. He requests they identify the Wizards among the Caravan Guards for him and then relaxes for the rest of the night.

The next morning they see Sir Cat confronted by the Captain of the Caravan Guards and twenty of him Men-at-Arms. When they arrive they learn that the Caravan Master, two of his Wizards, and bodyguards were murdered in the night. They obviously blame him and seemed ready to attack until he points out how badly they are out numbered and who he is, but he never admits to the crime.

Finally the Marshal of Denton arrives with a number of Knights of the Order of the Stone and sends the Slavers back to their camp. Sir Cat thanks them for preventing a bloodbath. The Marshal asks for his word, not to interfere with them again. He reluctantly gives his word and reacquaints himself with one of his brother Knights and begs a favour.

Sir Cat is expecting a Caravan of his own. Former Slaves who found sanctuary in the Barony of Lorian are settling in his lands as freemen. The Knight agrees and moves on.

The next couple of days are relaxing.even for Master Dain who sweats away reforging Sir Ismael's sword. Sir Cat stays with the Kingmakers most of the time and seems to enjoy making the Slaver Caravan nervous.