A1 – The team’s start
Fourty-five years ago, the Duchy of Urnst decided to help protect the East-West roads connecting Central Urnst to Western Urnst. The land was wild and untamed with things crawling out of the Mistmarsh to attack merchants and travelers. The Southern road traveled close to the marsh and a young, eager knight named Ustacious took up the baton and established a keep on the Southwest of the marsh. His outriders patrolled the Southern road and kept it relatively free of danger. The Northern road, however, was fairly far from the marsh and proved too inhospitable for a similar arrangement. Instead of outriders, two young sorcerers took a commission to establish a stronghold and send forays into the swamp.
Gyles and Gilbert grew up in Central Urnst and were apprenticed to the School of Black Chaos – a school dedicated to investigations into the darker realms of Astral Space. Shadow magic, earth elementals, chaos magic, and arcane forms of transformation were their daily faire. They moved to a hill overlooking the marsh and build Blackwell Keep and a small town to support them. Not much more is known about the pair or their actions. The Duchy was happy, however, with the decreasing attacks experienced on the Northern road and the Baron Leukish soon forgot about these areas and left them to their own devices.
However, not all went as planned. Although the Keep has always been remote, merchants would travel there from time to time and people would leave for Diamond Lake, or Hardride. About 15 years ago that stopped. At first no one noticed, but after about five years, the two mayors realized that the town simply seemed to have vanished. Concerned that something may be making its way from the Marsh to their towns, they wrote to the Baron Leukish, who ignored the plea to investigate. They decided to take matters into their own hands and they each sent investigation parties to the Keep. Neither returned. After another larger, single group was sent, they decided to waste no more of their warriors. Instead, they walled their towns and prepared for the worst.
Relationship Forming [29 Jun 1219]
Date: 29 Jun 1219Sunrise: 0350
Sunset: 2020
- No Greyhawk Events today
The 23rd arrives with a cold wind blowing out of the north and both men are out of their beds by 6 bells in order to find the warmth of the common room. Over breakfast they decide that Talisian will head to the gaol to talk to Luciano, while Altan will talk to the locals about the situation. He finds the gaol outside of the Mayor’s house—a small two-celled affair directly behind the main city barracks. As he heads toward the gaol, a guard stops him and asks him his business. “I’m here to talk to Luciano, the swordsman,” answers Talisian. He’s brought into that barracks house by the guard, who Talisian suspects is simply trying to get out of the cold and shown to the Constable. The guard explains the situation and the Constables, leans back in his chair and looks Talisian up and down. With a frown, he asks Talesian what his business is with Luciano.
Talesien:
I’d like to hear his side of the story. I’m hear in town to negoaite with him and Arney.
The Constable:
What’s your interest in him?
Talesien:
I believe I’ve just said. I would like to hear Luciano’s side of the story. Why he is being charged, does he think himself guilty. That sort of thing.
The Constable:
Why do you care?
Talesien:
I don’t care, but it’s my job to.
The Constable:
So, who’s your employer and why do they care?
Talesien:
You know, I’ve heard that the Twisted Heron Tavern has the best Bitters around. Have you heard the same thing?
The Constable:
Huh?
Talesien:
I’m new in town and I’ve been looking around for some good food and drink. Any place you’d recomend?
The Constable:
Look I’ve got a job to do. You want directions, go ask the locals? I thought you wanted to see Luciano?
Talesien:
Oh I do. Believe me sir I do. You just seem to be having a bad day is all. Always nice to have someone lend an ear ain’t it? I’ve had days when I’ve wanted someone to do the same. Just thought I’d offer it to you is all.
Talesian talks the man’s ear off and eventually is allowed in to see Luciano. Luciano is about 6’ tall, 150 perhaps. Italian looking with an eyepatch. Currently, he’s seated on the floor of the chilly cell, huddling to keep warm.
Talesien:
Luciano…how wonderful it is to meet you. I’ve heard you’ve had some trouble with a smith around here eh? Well I’ve come offering a way out and possibly a job. I’ve heard you’ve been on and off of work? That true? Are you interested?
Luciano:
Interested? In a job? Mate, I’d be a Red-Bellied woodpecker in the middle fo the fuckin’ desert if I coul’ do tha’. Can’ you see I’m up to in arse in a shitload of trouble? How can I take thi’ here job?
Talesien:
Oh great job it is. You’ll love it. A man like you. Looks like you’re always one for adventure, travel and all. Yes all that. In any event, I need for you to tell me something. Now remember, everything you tell me has to be true or I just can’t help you at all and then my job is on the line. I’m assuming that you don’t want me as a cell mate there do ya?
Luciano:
Look I don’t know you from a hole in the wall. Why do I care if you’re in here? What do you want from me?
Talesien:
Your side of the story mate. That’s all I want from you. I’ll do the rest. You’ll have steady income if you help me out and just tell me the truth.
Luciano:
My side of the story. Ain’t nothin to tell. A friend bought a sword from him. Worse piece of shit I ever saw. Broke early on. Anyways I tole him he should git his godl back. Well, he goes back and the cuss of a man tells him to go fuck hisself. So’s what could I do. I made sure tha’ all th’ guards knew tha’ they shouldna trust his work. His boys mebbe, but no him. Well’s next thing I know I’m in here and he says I owe 12 gold for some sword that I asked him to make! Now, why’d I be so friggin’ dumb as to do that. I’ll tell you what. I ever git out of here and th’ man’s a dead one, he is.
Talesien:
Come on now. Cut the bullshit and give me something to help you out with. Did ya ask him to make the sword for ya or not.
Luciano (getitng angry):
Why ‘ould I do tha? Th’ man couldn’t make a decent sword if his life depended on it. I know my life depends on my accursed sword and woul’ never get it from him!
Talesien:
I need to be sure you’re telling me the truth. Don’t take this personal alright mate. If I can’t be sure I can’t help you and you don’t get a job. You’re sure you didn’t ask him to build you a sword? It’s your word against his and right now you’re on the losing end of this deal.
Luciano:
Hell yeah, I’m on th’ loosin’ side an all. He’s a Master, I’m an wanderin’ swordsman. No one gives a lick for me. (sarcastically) Him? He’s got a family? He’s got kids. He’s roight up-fucking-standing person of the community, he is! Who cares about Luciano the One Eyed anyway. Never mind the he’s put his gods-be damned life on the line for them fightin’ swamp monsters!
Talesien:
I really need to hear you tell me that you’ve never ask him for a sword.
Luciano:
Fine. You’re dense. I get that. I DIDN“T ASK FOR A FUCKIN’ SWORD FROM HIM!
Talesien:
Got some fight in you. Good. You’ll need it for the job. Do you have anything that was made by him? I know you don’t like him and you don’t trust his work…just answer if you have anything made by him.
Luciano shakes his head and walks away from Talesian.
Talesien:
I’ll take that as a no then. Listen mate, don’t take it personal. I should be back sometime today.
Luciano:
you do that. The conversation is just so entertaining!
Talesien:
Oh ah…just one more thing. Where do you work? I’ll need to ask your guard friends some questions too.
Luciano:
Where do I work? Whereever someone’ll hire me. ‘at aint’ happenin’ in this town anymore, is it?!
Talesien:
Heh…how about this. Where can I find the guys you’ve been telling not have swords made by Arney the Smith
Luciaco (looking at Talesian as if he’s dense):
Ummm…. the guard barracks, mebbe? That’s where I’d go looking for guards! The front gates? There jes’ might be some there. How about outside my fuckin’ cell! I’m sure there’s one or two wanderin’ around the fuckin’ gaol an’ all!
Talesien:
Whats the name of the guy with the broken sword?
Luciano:
O’Malley. ‘though’s he’s not a regular, he’s not. He’s a swordsmen like me. Last I saw him he’s in Hardride. Gettin’ a new sword—least trying ta git a new job to git the money fer a new sword. Hard to be a swordsman wifout a sword innit?
Talesien:
I’d imagine. Thanks. I’ll see what I can do for ya.
Luciano mumble ssomething incoherent and sits down again, while Talisien heads back toward the market to find Altan—and maybe some warmth.
