Into The Demonweb IC/ Narration thread (See OOC, Openish)

[Underdark Drow]

The Village of Darkwall is a farming community nestled in the foothills of the Sword mountains. The village is comprised of huts and fields, a smithy, a small church of Lathander, a walled keep, a tavern and a mill house. The scene is reminiscent of a dream you had a tenday ago, compelling you to come here. A dream of fire and death, savage raiders killing and plundering. You are ready for the ever present threat of battle that looms over you.

The Lord of Darkwall paced upon the parapets of his manor keep. He watched the peasantry that looked to him for protection and sighed. His dreams had troubled him of late. Dreams of darkness and demons, and the terrible chaos and evil of the Abyss.He was well comforted by the fact that he had men like Baeldryn at his side. And likely more from what the Knight at Arms had told him. An influx of skilled greenhorn adventurers had been noticed by the Lord of Darkwall's trusted Paladin friend.

Something was brewing, the call of adventure and the drums of war sounded within the hearts of many these past tendays.

" Sir Baeldryn," the Lord said to the honorable half elf at his right. "what do you make of the character of these greenhorns?"

" They are seemingly typical adventurers my Lord, there is to note a Paladin in their ranks," the half elf said beaming. "Indeed blessed with sainted and divine lineage from what I have seen."

"And what of the others?"

"There is a dwarf, a priest I believe, who bears the symbol of Tyr." said the Half-elf cheerfully.

"Go on"

"Two ladies of elven lineage one a full blooded and the other half blooded. And a half-orc as well." He said the last part with some disdain.
"Are they prepared for what lies ahead?" Asked Gareth, with a sigh.

"Only the Gods know that my lord." The knight answered grimly. "Only the Gods know."

[Constant Spring]

Like every other Constant Spring native, she went by only one name: Asia. Any more was unnecessary, and if there was confusion caused by it, well, it was your fault for picking a common name. Life had consequences. If you couldn't deal with them, then roll over and let someone else have a go at it.

The half-elf strode over the hills to whatever lay beyond. Her dreams had told her that there was a farming community in need of assistance nearby. Whether said community would still be standing when she got there she could only guess.

Fortunately, Death had not made a scene of the village by the time she reached it. She headed toward the manor, where the lord or leader of this place would most likely be found.

She was, of course, stopped at the gate by guards. "I must speak to your lord immediately," she insisted. "Please. It is a matter of the utmost importance."

[Underdark Drow]

"Please. It is a matter of the utmost importance."

The guard at the manor gates was shocked that she was so forward. This seemingly unassuming half-elf was bold to presume on being able to barge in like this. Well, maybe she was expected by the lord, the soldier thought.

"I cannot let you in to see the Lord of Darkwall," the guard decided. " I can perhaps send a message to him on your behalf, in my report at the end of my watch. Of course it will have to go through Sir Baeldryn first. In the meantime I suggest you find lodging at the Drunken Dwarf and stay out of trouble."

[Songri]

Seratil Menari finally reached his destination, well not that he had set off for here. He just knew that here was where he needed to be. It had been a long, but mostly uneventful journey here. He had paused often, sometimes to do something as simple as helping a farmed tend their crops, providing an escort for travellers through some dangerous areas and, at one point, being called on to judge a crime and determine guilt. He had done it all willingly, for aiding others who needed aid was the way of Bahamut, his lord and guide.

Seratil had sent out nearly a month ago, the first stages of his training complete. He could have, and by many of his mentors opinions should have, stayed longer. But something had called to him, he could not describe it to anyone else, but Seratil simply knew he had to leave. His god wanted him elsewhere, and so elsewhere he would go. Apparently that elsewhere was here, wherever here was.

Seratil made his way into the small village, and looking around immediately made his way to the church. While he would no doubt travel to the tavern soon he had need of a shelter, and he guessed that he would be a far more welcome guest at the church than at the tavern. As he approached it he noticed the various hints and signs that told him this was a church to Lathander.

He smiled as he entered and his hand touched against the pouch he used to carry the various coins people had used to pay him during his travel. He had wanted no payment, and had refused where he could. But he was very good at seeing 'into' another's heart through their words, and for some refusing to accept payment would be a great insult. For them he accepted it, and thanked them for their generosity. But this did leave him with a pouch of coins he did not want. The church provided a solution, the cleric would have a use for the coins.

Pushing open the door he walked inside, and as he approached the alter he looked around to see if he could get a 'feel' for just how used this church was.

[Underdark Drow]

Pushing open the door he walked inside, and as he approached the alter he looked around to see if he could get a 'feel' for just how used this church was.

The Cleric of Lathander who called the church home looked up as the door creaked open. He was sitting at a wooden table near the pulpit and was talking to a stout dwarf in clerical garb.

"Greetings my son, what brings you to the halls of the Morninglord this fine day?" the human priest asked beaming.

[Songri]

"Greetings father, Master Dwarf." At each greeting Seratil offered a half bow to the intended recipient. "One month ago, following the guidance of my lord, The Platinum Dragon Bahamut, I set out from my home and mentors. During that time I have always felt drawn to somewhere, and as I saw this village I realise that it is the place I have been drawn to. I seek permission to shelter in this most holy of places until the fates, or my lord, require me elsewhere. I will of course be happy to work for my keep and have knowledge in both healing, although I must admit Bahamut has not yet seen me worthy of using his magic to heal, and the religious ceremonies to all the gods allied with Bahamut. Which obviously includes the Morninglord Lathander."

Seratil did not mention the coins or the donation he planned to make. Although he could sense the priests aura and could tell the man was of good heart even good men could be moved by coin. Seratil wanted to ensure he did not pay for his lodging with coin, but rather work. Once that had been established than, and only than, would he pass the pouch of coins on.

[Constant Spring]

In the meantime I suggest you find lodging at the Drunken Dwarf and stay out of trouble.

Asia tossed her hair. "Fine, I shall, but when your lord fires or hangs you for not alerting him of my presence, don't blame me." And, with a huff, she flounced off in the direction from which she had come.

Instead of heading directly to the lodgings, Asia explored the village first. It looked exactly as it had in her dream, except that in her dream there had been far less cheer and far more destruction. But she was able to navigate the place easily. Every hut, every field, and every stone was just where she remembered them being. It gave her a strange feeling, to be here. Here, in the middle of what would soon become a battlefield.

Having had her fill of déjà vu, Asia finally sought out the Drunken Dwarf and obtained a room. Here she opened her sack and went over its contents one, two, three more times. She had brought everything she thought she would need based on her dreams.

She set a chair near a window and sat there, her chin in her hands, waiting to be called on, or for something to happen.

[Underdark Drow]

The Church Father looked squarely at the traveling paladin. He considered a moment the words the Aasimar spoke and nodded after a short consideration. " Are you good with farming implements my son? This man here, Rothgir Hammersteel has offered his assistance with the needs of my congregation, but I am afraid that we are in a time of plowshares, and not a time of swords. Perhaps, Sir Braelyn would take you on as a member of the constabulary in service to Lord Darkwall. Rothgir has already been enlisted himself. He can take you to the Manor, for he has official documents to confirm that he is in the Lord's service. "

"So what'll it be laddy?" The dwarven priest said with a slight grin.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The lithe dancer spotted the woman as she had purchased the rooms from Brondar the Barkeep. She smiled, for she could sense this woman had been pulled her by the fates, much as had been Annalisa herself. This half-elf would be worth talking to.

Annalisa ran her fingers through her dark brown hair. She stood up from the bar stool she sat upon and walked toward the staircase leading to the guest rooms. She walked to the room that she knew her potential friend had chosen and knocked on the door.

[Vedrenheim]

Thokk Jawrip stood at the top of a tall peak overlooking a small village. He could see the smoke rising from the center of it, indicating that it had a smithy. He could also see numerous other buildings indicating that the village had civilized folk in it, which produced a sigh of relief from the 6'4 Half-Orc covered in dirty leather that reeked of blood. The blood of course, was that of small wolves and mangy, stray dogs that had tried to get the better of Thokk as he had traveled across the Sword Mountains from his homeland in the north, where the Humans there were just as savage and barbaric as the Orcs.

After stopping to gaze at the sight below him, Thokk began the long and dangerous trek down the mountain and into the town. He had been alone in the wilderness for days on end, feeding off of maggoty bread that had gone stale long ago. The thought of a nice, warm cup of mead and some fresh bread and meat filled his mind and drove his worn-out body to climb down the peak faster. . .

* * *

After about an hour or two of climbing, Thokk finally stood at the gates of the village, which was named "Darkwall", so he found out from the town's sign that clearly illustrated what it was.

He grunted and spat on the grass before he walked through the gates into the town with his back straightened, his shoulders broadened, and his head held high with a serious look. Whenever he walked into a Human town, he had to stand and walk differently to avoid the bullies and racists that would seek to kill him for his ancestry. It slightly annoyed Thokk, in truth, but at the end of the day, it was just etiquette that he had long learned to deal with. Some day, he would become powerful enough to own his own village, and there, the only people that needed to fear intimidation would be those who could not earn glory on the battlefield. But this was only a wild dream of Thokk's. He had gone out into the world to search for his fortune, and he was sure he would find it. One day.

It was not hard to find Darkwall's tavern, and upon achieving his goal, he opened the door and stepped inside.. . .

[Underdark Drow]

It was not hard to find Darkwall's tavern, and upon achieving his goal, he opened the door and stepped inside.. . .

The dwarven barkeep was startled at the sight of an orc blooded warrior entering his establishment. He was suppressing the rage he felt from a heritage of hostile feelings regarding the orcs and their kin. But the man seemed likely to be carrying good coin and good battle stories, as well as strong arms. As long as the half-orc could hold his ale, there would be no trouble from Brondar and his human bouncer, Olev.

"So Laddy what can I do for ye?" asked the owner of the Drunken Dwarf Inn and Tavern.

[Vedrenheim]

Thokk nodded at the Dwarf, though he was not fond of their kind, he had learned (growing up in a multi-racial land) not to judge people by their race, but rather, by their character. Unless, of course, they were Elves. Pansy little Elves.

Thokk smirked at his own joke and stepped inside, sitting down at the bar.

So Laddy what can I do for ye?

"Some mead...and some meat, if you have any." Thokk produced a bag of coins and sat it down in front of him. As he let it lay there, he got out his wooden pipe and lit with a match after stuffing some tobacco in it, setting his backpack of belongings down beside him. He nearly had the urge to take off his dirty leather armor as well, but he had no desire to be naked in a public place, no matter how much he wanted to relax.

[Allbeama]

"Some mead...and some meat, if you have any."

"Will do lad. The coin here looks enough for a room as well. Mind yer manners and hold yer drink, and don't make trouble." the Barkeep said to the large warrior.

The Dwarf sauntered into the kitchen to bring the cook his patron's order. He returned to the bar and drew a glass of mead for the man, and handed it to him.

" So what brings a warrior of your stature here?" Brondar asked, eager for tales of battle and bloodshed.

[Vedrenheim]

" So what brings a warrior of your stature here?"

Thokk put the pipe down and took a gulp of mead, then puffed out another cloud of smoke from his pipe before speaking in his coarse voice,

"I came here from the lands to the North, where the wind blows when there are storms, where men are men and where the weak are left to the fate of frozen death. I had my fill of that land and its scarce promises long ago, and decided to leave to win fame and glory for myself. I traveled over many different seas, crossed countless plains, and saw many cities until I arrived at the Sword Mountains. Though I regret that I shed no foeblood until I came to that wretched range of overgrown molehills. But it was there that I became lost in its countless peaks and summits, and I was beset on all sides by the foul beasts that inhabit that place..."

Thokk pulled off his leather armor that sat on his chest and showed the Dwarf the claw marks from ravenous grizzly bears and bites from dire mountain wolves, displaying his scars proudly,

"...but I managed to slay them. When I went to harvest the meat for consumption, or skin their furs for use against the cold nights up there, I found that their meat was tainted by disease and cancer, and that their skins were filled with lice and ticks. And so I discarded their trophies and continued on. Eventually, the food I had brought with me became infested with vermin, and horrid dreams haunted me in the night. Dreams of odd things that I would rather not speak of..."

He took another sip from his mead cup and another puff from his pipe, then continued with his grim tales,

"...but luckily enough, after dreary, miserable night after dreary, miserable night, I was able to find this place. And now I think I will stay here for a bit. If only to rest before I continue on. Speaking of which, what is there to DO here in Darkwall? Surely there most be some sort of point of interest here."

[Allbeama]

"...but luckily enough, after dreary, miserable night after dreary, miserable night, I was able to find this place. And now I think I will stay here for a bit. If only to rest before I continue on. Speaking of which, what is there to DO here in Darkwall? Surely there most be some sort of point of interest here."

"Well, there be caves and tunnels in them molehills you were in, filled with kobolds and goblins they be." The dwarf said. "That ye traveled from the North, perhaps as far as Icewind Dale, traveled the Sword Coast and the Sea of Swords without incident is surprising indeed. The gods must have protected ye, until you drew nigh to here. Perhaps accursed days have come to the village.

The dwarf thought long and hard on this news, that the beasts of the mountains were in ill health was ill tidings indeed.

" I suggest if ye be the sort to seek battle ye petition Sir Baeldryn and enlist yerself as a soldier of the keep. Unless ye wish to work for me as a peacekeeper of sorts in the tavern, Olev can show ye the ropes."

[Vedrenheim]

"I suggest if ye be the sort to seek battle ye petition Sir Baeldryn and enlist yerself as a soldier of the keep. Unless ye wish to work for me as a peacekeeper of sorts in the tavern, Olev can show ye the ropes."

Thokk nodded, draining the last of the mead from its cup and slamming it down on the table, but not before letting out a loud, barbarian belch,

"I thank you for the offer, but I see you've already got a strong arm here that'll do you just fine." He said, motioning with his head to the Human bouncer, "Besides, I came here to seek glory and fortune, and I'm afraid I won't find it in a tavern. No matter how good their mead is." He laughed, getting up and putting his leather armor on, "I'll be back later to get my room accommodations. By the by, Dwarf, what is your name? Mine is Thokk Jawrip, in case you were wondering."

[Underdark Drow]

"By the by, Dwarf, what is your name? Mine is Thokk Jawrip, in case you were wondering."

"Me name is Brondar, and ye can tell the guards I sent ye if they give you trouble." the Dwarf replied. "Well I wouldn't be going out to them tunnels alone if I were you, lad. I think there are other folks of your sort about, adventurers and such, by the looks of 'em. Elves and stranger sorts been visiting this town here lately. Seek them out if ye like."

[Songri]

"So what'll it be laddy?"

Seratil's face flashed the father an easy smile and he let out a short laugh when asked if he was any good at farming. His reply was light and jesting "Unfortunately I am hopeless at farming, no doubt if I tried to offer help I would simply slow everything down and somehow make it worse." Seratil's smile fades and his eyes glance around the room, letting a short silence build up as he looked for anyone else being present. As he continues his tone is suddenly serious . "Bahamut has guided me here for a reason, and I doubt it would be to farm. I pray that my fears are unfounded, but something in my heart, and my blood, tells me that it may very well become a time of blades here. But enough talk of such dark things, if Master Hammersteel agrees to accompany me to meet with Sir Braelyn than it would probably be best if I had the chance to talk with him sooner rather than later."

One of Seratil's hands suddenly reached for his belt and pulled a pouch off it which he offered to the Church Father. "Before I forget this is what I was gifted with on my travels here that refusing would have insulted the giver. I have no interest in it and even less use for it, whereas you no doubt have knowledge of people who need such help. In the name of The Platinum Dragon Bahamut and the Morninglord Lathander I entrust these to your care and judgement." Inside the pouch contained most of Seratil's coins, mostly copper but it also contained several silver pieces. Seratil still had a few coins that he intended to keep for himself, one never knew when a silver coin would come in handy.

[Constant Spring]

Asia jumped at the knock. Slowly, she turned and looked at the door. There had been nothing offensive about the knock, so she stood up and approached the door unarmed.

Opening the door carefully, Asia beheld a little brunette standing on the other side. "Hello," Asia said. "How may I help you?"

[Underdark Drow]

"How may I help you?"


"Actually I am here to see how you might help me." Annalisa said in a wry tone. " I represent certain interests in this world. But I cannot disclose who it is I am associated with at present. "

Annalisa looked into the other woman's eyes, considering the character she saw therein.

"You strike me as one who can appreciate the goals of my organization. How would you like to aid me in the trials that are to come? I too was drawn here by strange dreams," Annalisa said with a hint of mystery and sadness in her voice.

[Underdark Drow]

"if Master Hammersteel agrees to accompany me to meet with Sir Baeldryn than it would probably be best if I had the chance to talk with him sooner rather than later."

Rothgir saw the measure of the planetouched man and was glad of it. He sauntered up to the holy warrior and smiled a dwarven smile. The priest had also had dreams of what was to come, and new that the peace was merely the calm before the storm.

"Lad in the name of Tyr, I shall bring ye before Sir Baeldryn, and he would be glad to take ye into his service." Rothgir said.

The Church Father thanked Seratil many times for the donation that would help his flock of six hundred souls greatly.

[Constant Spring]

Asia frowned. How had this woman known about her dreams? Clearly all was not as it appeared.

"I would have to know more about your organization," she answered carefully. "You may enter and have a seat if you like," she added, opening the door wider and gesturing at the furnishings inside.

"What do you know of the 'trials that are to come'?" Asia asked as an afterthought.

[Vedrenheim]

"Well I wouldn't be going out to them tunnels alone if I were you, lad. I think there are other folks of your sort about, adventurers and such, by the looks of 'em. Elves and stranger sorts been visiting this town here lately. Seek them out if ye like."

Thokk nodded, "Aye. Thank you for your help, Brondar, and the mead. I'll come back for the meat and my room later."

And with a pound to his chest to salute Brondar's hospitality, Thokk wandered out of the inn and into the town once more. This time, he had a better grip of things, or maybe it was just the alcohol playing tricks on him?

Anyway, he began to walk toward the mighty bastion that was Darkwall Keep, and while he walked, Thokk began to think more and more about the caves and the beasts he had fought.

That Dwarf was right, I barely survived those encounters with the beasts as it was. I'm going to need help if I am to find out what's going on here.

He passed a few shops, some guards that looked at him warily, and some townsfolk that tried to avoid his path, but then he was finally at the gates of Darkwall Keep. He looked up and saw the guards at their posts, and shouted,

"Hail! I am here to see Sir Baeldryn! I have come looking for work! Brondar the Dwarf sent me!"

[Underdark Drow]

"Hail! I am here to see Sir Baeldryn! I have come looking for work! Brondar the Dwarf sent me!"

The guards at the gates of Darkwall knew that if Brondar had sent this man here it was for good reason.

"Well, then, Grethmar, escort this half-blood to Sir Baeldryn!" the senior guardsman said to a younger man in the guard house.

Grethmar warily did as he told. "Come this way, and we shall see if Baeldryn will speak with you."

[Vedrenheim]

Thokk noted the tone in their voices. Grunting to himself before the guard came down, so he would not hear. It was amazing to think that in lands so secluded, and yet still in so much danger, there was still prejudice over who would help them or not.

The young Half-Orc could only hope that Sir Baeldryn was more focused on the true dangers.

As soon as the guard reached the bottom of his post, Thokk walked over and followed him into the keep. Excited to see what the fortification was like from the inside.

[Underdark Drow]

Behind the walls, soldiers were milling about, at assigned tasks. Really an unremarkable small barracks and manor that any petty lord could be expected to erect. Made of stone and mortar, the walls around were erected of local lumber.

The guard and the Northerner walked into the stone halls of the keep, toward the Lord's Grand Chamber. Grethmar stopped at the door. Ingwald and Odoryth were an guard here.

"Is Baeldryn in the Chamber, or is he in his quarters?" asked Grethmar.

Ingwald answered, "He is with the Lord. Do you have business with him or is this your business? " he asked pointing to the half-orc.

Grethmar stammered at this. "W-well, Brondar has spoken for his character, that should be enough for you. And besides, Baeldryn will know the measure of this man far better than you Ingwald. Trust his judgment, if this man were up to no good Baeldryn would have acted by now."