Sunset: 1735
- No Greyhawk Events today
The Road to Greyhawk
17 September
The next morning all are up early, eager to leave Ciraline, some because of bad associations due to Morven’s death, others because they are, for the first time in nearly a year, on the road home. With a last flurry of thanks and good wishes by Ostri, who accompanies them to the main city gate, the Company leaves Ciraline. Tar wonders if he will ever be back to this city. He is sure he’ll be back to the Valley at some point. After all, he now owns significant tracts of land in the North Riding. He suddenly realizes that several other Company members also own land here, and makes the spontaneous decision to spend a day or two visiting their various estates before leaving. They’ve been gone from Greyhawk for almost a year. Another few days won’t make much difference.
Suiting action to words, Tar calls Shasivin over, and Tar pulls out the map upon which Ostri’s Chief Surveyor marked their various holdings. He shows Shasivin the locations of the lands, and tells him to guide them thence. Fortunately, their holdings are not very far off their original path, so their extra time on the road will be minimal.
25 September
When they do arrive in the lands owned by the company members, they are very glad they came. The land is beautiful, some of the most prized in the valley. Tar knows that most of their newly acquired holdings used to belong to various members of Uriel’s dispossessed inner circle. They chose well, and now the new owners feel the same sense of pride of ownership that the Lords Haggen and Burchfield must have felt the first time they laid eyes on these very lands.
27 September
The new owners have spent two days making various arrangements to ensure their properties will be properly protected and managed until they can return, though no one can say for sure how long that might be. That time has now passed, and once again the Company saddles up and prepares to depart. At least one of the new ownders, Vanith, is very loathe to leave. She has never before owned any land or property, and has no prospects to do so in Greyhawk in the foreseeable future. The possibility of living as a respected landowner is very attractive to her. In fact, she does not make a solid decision about whether to stay or to go with the others until the actual morning of departure. Finally, when the rest of the Company is saddling up, she makes her decision, and leaps into the saddle with the rest.
30 September
By the 30th of September, the company has once again reached the Dim Forest. For the longest-tenured Company members, this is their fourth trip through the forest, which Tar is surprised to see doesn’t make it any easier. It’s still a very spooky place, even with the path before them cleared by Nyra’s intervention with the Lady of the forest. It has always been hard to keep morale up during trips through the wood, and it is no different this time, which is especially difficult due to the steady rain that falls for almost exactly as long as they are beneath the trees, as if the forces that rule over these parts have deemed it wise to unnecessarily complicate the Company’s travels. As it is, they do manage to slow Tar’s Company’s progress by two days, irking all who have to ride all day, every day for a solid week without the comfort of a dry pair of boots. Only the thought that ever mud-slogged equine step takes them closer to real civilization keeps morale from breaking down entirely.
07 October
Late fall is truly underway as the Company cross the border into Bissel. The rain finally stopped, just hours after they departed the Dim Forest, replace by a glorious reprise of summer – cloudless skies, light breezes, beautiful warm days, and fresh, cool nights. Morale has gone up proportionally with the temperature, and everyone seems to be in a good mood. Well, almost everyone. Tar is well aware that Firena is not herself. True, she is never happy-go-lucky; you’d have to know her well to know that she is less communicative than usual, but after 18 months of daily interaction, Tar does know her well, well enough to know when to leave her alone. She will speak when she is ready. Pushing for more earlier will only delay the inevitable. She is wrestling with something—that much Tar knows. He is only uncertain of exactly what thoughts are giving her the most difficulty. His initial analysis is that it is Morven’s death. Perhaps the fact that she died by fire or the fact that Firena never had the chance to save her. Certainly it is true that of all the Company, with the possible exception of Tar himself, Firena was closest to Morven. Many’s the time Tar would see them sitting for a long time exchanging thoughts, opinions, analyses. He desperately wants to do something for her, but contents himself with the thought that he will get his chance soon enough. She will open up to him before they enter the Tidbury Gate, of that he is certain.
16 October
In Thornward, Tar again receives a message from Lord Aphic at the hands of a Knight of the Ram—this time Dame Parsinia, one of the newest members of the Order. She is plain to look at, but great company, with a ready laugh, a sharp, intellectual sense of humor, and a seeming incapacity to harbor an ill thought about anyone. She passes on a message, which Tar decides not to open until he and Firena are once again alone, several hours later.
When they do open the letter, they find a note of congratulations from Lord Aphic on a job well done. He also sends condolences on the loss of Morven. Above all else, however, is a sense of urgency that Tar should make all haste to return to Greyhawk as soon as possible. He has news of great import that he must deliver in person, news that will have extreme repercussions for both Tar and his Company. The message is certainly intriguing, but also frustrating as it offers not a single hint about what the big news might be; just the constant repetition of the need to return as speedily as possible.
Tar and Firena discuss what could possibly be behind the note, but without any actual facts to back up any of their suppositions, the conversation is necessarily short-lived.
21 October-29 November
Fall becomes well established over the next few weeks. By the time the Company cross into Veluna on 21 Oct, the days are becoming noticeably shorter, the days less warm, and the nights are verging on chilly. Tar has an odd feeling until 04 November, which is to say, the entire time he is in Veluna. Always there is the thought in the back of his mind that somewhere in this country is the man who is responsible for Morven’s death. He wishes he could pause the Company’s progress for a few days to track down the mage known as Dilinar, the man who arranged for Mitesh to go to Ciraline. Of course, because of the sense of urgency conveyed by Lord Aphic, he knows that he cannot. Not now anyway; however, he vows that he will. One day, he will return and make the man pay with his life for what he did to Morven.
On 26 October, the Company leaves Veluna behind and experiences their first truly cold night of the season. Although there is no snow coming, it easily cold enough to support snow, were the conditions otherwise right for it. However, the next day is just as warm as others have been lately, and the cold night is soon forgotten.
And so the trip goes, with the temperature gradually dropping as the days pass by. By the time they enter Dyvers on 23 November, most days have difficulty reaching above the “cool” level, and the nights are consistently low enough to make the breath visible.
With Greyhawk now only a few days away, Tar is unsurprised when Firena finds him at a familiar Dyvers watering hole and asks to speak to him. Her attitude and his empathy tell him instantly that this is the conversation he has been expecting since they left Ciraline. He treats her to her favorite drink, a Dwarven whiskey, which she downs in one gulp before she speaks. When she does, her first words stun him:
Firena:
Tar, I don’t know how to say this well, so I’m just going to say it. I’m finished. I’m done with this life. I need something different. Please understand that I wouldn’t have traded our time together for anything, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life on the back of a horse lurching from crisis to crisis in one far off-land or another. I just can’t do it. I need to get back to the Guild. I need to concentrate on my healing. I need to let Lord Aphic know that I have no intention of permanently becoming a Knight or an ambassador or whatever else he has in mind for me. I wanted you to know first. I need you to know that it’s nothing personal. You’re a great leader Tar—the kind of leader these people need. The kind I’ll never be. You and the Company will go on to do great things, of that I’m sure. But not with me. This isn’t my life.
Tar considers for along moment, weighing his words and his thoughts. Finally, he speaks:
I understand. I have a feeling that the Company will be drastically changed in the next couple of weeks. The time on the road has been hard and we will stay in Greyhawk for months before we leave—but leave we must. We’ve lost two dear comrades—Juvi and Morven. Both dear to me—and that weighs heavily. Marky is gone now and Vanith will be as well. I have already talked to her about it. She will settle down on a farm somewhere. I am hoping to employ her myself, but I don’t know that I will have the estate to support her. Shasivin has been moody, but I don’t think he will leave. I am sure that Plynsen will look toward the Mage Guild and Korkyn, to Nyra’s Grove. I’m not certain if you are aware of it or not, but Nyra won’t be re-joining us either. [He sighs.] The Golden Era of Tar’s Company is over. [He raises his glass in salute and stands.] I, Sir Tar of Maven and Captain of Tar’s Company do salute the finest Lieutenant that I could have had in this time. You, Firena, I count as a great friend and a great leader. I will be sad to lose you, your advice, and your comfort. Still, life moves on. Know this: I will always have you back and support you in your endeavors if you choose not to return. As the bankers say: L’chaim, To life!
Firena downs a second Dwarven ale in response to his toast before responding:
We’ve come a long way, haven’t we? We didn’t shake the world, but we did make some very powerful people sit up and take notice. I’m proud to have been a part of it. [She shakes her head.] Tar the animal handler. Tar the Master. Tar the Knight. I don’t doubt that you are going to continue to rise, and I will always to follow your career with interest. Then, one day I will tell people that I once traveled with Lord Tar, and they will not believe me. But no matter. No one can ever take away what I had. I know not where I may end up or what my situation may be, but know that I will always stand ready to assist you in any way I may. ... [She offers him one of her very rare smiles.] Well, within reason anyway. I know you far too well to leave any offer that wide open… [She pauses, but sensing that she isn’t finished, Tar does not respond.] I am proud to call you my friend, Tar.
They drink companionably for a while, engaging in something neither generally does – reminisce. They talk about the places they have seen and the people they met. They talk about the things they have accomplished and things they have left undone. They talk about successes they have had and mistakes they made. They talk about Juvy, and they talk about Morven. They talk for a long time, and when they are done talking, they simply sit quietly for another round, neither speaking, each engrossed in their own thoughts. Finally, they pay the bill and head back to the inn where the Company is spending the night. Neither needs to say another word, and neither does.
29 Nov
As they crest the last rise that brings the Greyhawk city wall and the Tidbury Gate into view, a huge crowd erupts into cheers. People line the city wall and road, and if Tar is not mistaken, that is Lord Aphic himself standing before the gate to welcome them. This is a far cry from what Tar expected given the fact that when they left those many months ago, it was because they were practically driven from the city by the force of public opinion against them. It seems Lord Aphic’s propaganda machine has been working overtime.
The crowd continues to cheer as Alonso reaches Lord Aphic and officially requests permission for the armed party to enter the city, permission which Lord Aphic gives with a smile. … After sitting through a nearly endless series of unavoidable official ceremonies, Tar finally walks through the front door of his own house as the sun is setting. He has an awards ceremony at noon tomorrow, and afterward—an appointment to meet with Lord Aphic, but this evening is all for him.
His first task is to ensure that all the new Company members have adequate housing. Yalinari readily agrees to put up a few of the newcomers at his house—though Tar doubts they will actually get much sleep. The rest are found rooms at an inn that Tar knows well—the Silver Spoon.
With that seen to, Tar heads home to spend a quiet evening with his mother and father. Fortunately, Lord Aphic saw to it that Tar’s parents were present at the official telling of the Company’s tale (courtesy of Sir Yalinari, of course), so he is not required to spend more time than necessary in idle chatter. Grateful to be in his own environment again, he retires early, and even the ceaseless thoughts about what tomorrow’s meeting might have in store are not sufficient to keep him awake for long.
30 Nov
At noon, a public ceremony is conducted in the Low Market. It begins with Sir Yalinari again telling the Company’s tale, with extra details added since yesterdays telling, Tar notices. This is followed by Lord Aphic making the following presentations:
- For valor in the face the enemy, the Greyhawk Medal for Valor, 3rd Class is awarded to: Drathon (DG), Miles, Alonso, and Marky (in absentia)
- For services rendered to the Independent City of Greyhawk, the following medals are awarded:
- The Meritorious Service Award with Crown and Swords to Sir Tar, Dame Firena, and Sir Yalinari
- The Exemplary Service Award with Crown and Swords (posthumously) to Lady Morven
- The Lord Mayor’s Commendation Medal with Crown and Swords to Drathon (DG) and Dreune
- The Superior Service Award with Crown and Swords to Miles
- The Significant Contribution Citation with Crown and Swords to Hanar (DG), Shasivin (DG), Edmund, and Nyra
- The Meritorious Service Award with Swords to Vanith
- The Exemplary Service Award with Swords to Cust (DG), Alonso, Benito, Gustuv, Ladbrooke, Orvin, William, Korkyn, Plynsen, Marky (in absentia), and Juvy (posthumously)
- The Exemplary Service Award to Parnalam and Tovish
- Finally, for services in direct support of the Lord Mayor of the Independent City of Greyhawk, the Superior Service Award with Crown is awarded to Dame Firena and Nyra
An hour after the ceremony has been concluded, Tar sits in Lord Aphic’s private office while the Lord Mayor outlines his plans to expand Greyhawk into a County, and what that means for the Company. He explains that the treaty Dame Amian negotiated with the Duchy of Urnst includes a year-long transition of territory to the new County. In order to best prepare them to execute their official duties, the County’s most senior people will be put in place up to a year early. In practice this means that those who will be granted titles and hold Aphic’s Court positions will be needed this coming January (1212). Sheriffs will be placed in April. By July, the Masters of Arms need to be in place. Finally, Ambassadors will be appointed in September. The actual stand-up of the County will happen in January of 1213.
This schedule has very severe immediate repercussions for the Company.
- He wants Tar to fill a Court position and accept appointment as the sole 1st Class holder of the new Order of the Lion. As the County’s Lord High Chancellor, he will be responsible for keeping order in the County.
- He will tap Sir Yalinari as the first Baronet of Halverine Province. It won’t be a demanding job. As the Baronetcy nearest the capital, the most important duty of the Baronet will be to entertain and generally keep people happy. Sir Yalinari should be able to do that well.
- Several times over the past 24 hours Aphic has managed to have extended conversations with Miles, and has been very impressed. Tar can’t have missed noticing a certain regality in the man, and he has an iron hard center that make him perfect to be the first baronet of Omlarr Province. The province is immediately next to the new border between the County and the Duchy of Urnst, so Aphic can see a real potential for trouble in that area, and Miles, he feels, has the fortitude to deal with it.
Assuming all these people accept these roles, that gives Tar a month to transition the Company to new leadership, but there is more he intends to do, so Tar’s Company will have to be flexible. In April, they will lose two more senior positions, as Aphic has nominated Drathon and Edmund to be two of his four new Sheriffs—the Sheriffs of Halverine and Olmarr Provinces. Three monts later, in July, two more Company members will be picked to serve as Masters of Arms of the same two Provinces—Hanar and Shasivin. Finally, in October Dreune will be asked to be Aphic’s Ambassador to the Mage Guild.
If Tar has been playing close attention, he will have noticed that that means Company members will fill all the most senior positions in Halverine and Olmarr Provinces. The only position that will not be filled by a Company member in the north half of the County will be the new Baron of Selintan. Who will move into that seat? Animal Handler Guild King Keoren. Aphic’s goal is to have very loyal, trustworthy people under him.
When he leaves Aphic’s office, Tar finds Firena waiting for him. When she sees him, oddly for her, she begins talking a mile a minute, to the point that he wouldn’t be able to get a word in edgewise, even had he wanted to interrupt her (which he doesn’t). He learns that she’s spent her time since the ceremony ended at the Healers’ Guild building. She promised herself while she was on the road that she would take her Craftsman test as soon as she could after returning to Greyhawk. She did, and she passed. Not spectacularly, but she did pass. Well, in a way she barely passed, but in another way, she did incredibly well. She barely achieved the level of expertise required in her primary skill (magical healing), but actually did better at her secondary skill demonstration (first aid) than she did at her primary, and did almost as well with her tertiary skill (infection removal). The Masters said that her breadth of skill was impressive, but she definitely needs much more depth in any one of her skills before she could be considered for Master. She has taken this to heart and has decided to put all her efforts into developing her magical healing skill. She thought about going back to the clinic, but the people she turned it over to are doing such an excellent job there, and she does want to diversify. She really doesn’t know yet what she is going to do, but she’s keeping her options open. She is sure something will turn up. She finally winds down, still more excited than Tar has ever seen her before (though oddly, still only barely smiling!).
Tar:
Congratulations, I knew you could do it. This calls for a celebration. I know, you’re not much into celebrating, but we really must … and I know just the person to throw it too!
Firena:
Thank you. I know who you’re thinking of. And normally I’d say, “Not a chance,” but maybe just this once, I’ll give in. We can make it a farewell party, too. Hell, he’ll probably be happy to see me go anyway.
Tar:
Great! I will set it up for you. Have you thought of what you will do? If you haven’t I have some ideas that may fit in well with the Company’s future. What are you going to specialize in?
Firena:
Well, yes and no. That is, I’ve thought much in recent months about what I’d do if I passed, but now that it’s actually happened, I just don’t know. The thought I keep coming back to is opening a family clinic for Greyhawk’s poorer citizens. The rich are already well looked after. Most of the healers that cater to the less well off are mundane practitioners. Now there’s nothing wrong with those who practice the non-magical arts, of course, but why should only the rich have access to magical healing? ... But I haven’t really decided. ... Why? What did you have in mind?
Tar:
Well, Aphic’s got some plans for some of us. OK, to be honest a lot of us. [He fills her in on the promotions.] Tar’s Company as we know it is done. Oh, the Company will live on, I will see to that and continue to be its sponsor. However, it, as well as those under me, will continue to need help. I like your idea for a clinic in the Dregs. It suits you and your temperament. I also have a more ulterior motive. The Company and my folks will need you from time to time. I plan on having Tovish work some things out of Greyhawk. Dame Permas will also work out of Greyhawk, but also Castle Greyhawk as it will be. I’d love to be able to continue seeing you on a regular basis and this will ensure that that happens. Much, much better than you as an ambassador in the Vale, if you ask me. I’m glad that you chose to come back and enhance your healing arts.
Firena:
It seems congratulations are in order all around … your Lordship. [She shakes her head.] ... Wow. I did say you’d be “Lord Tar” eventually; I just didn’t think it would happen so soon. It looks as if you were right about the Golden Age of the Company being over. At least for now. Who knows what the future may hold for it? ... As for you, I will be deeply disappointed if you don’t drop in once in a while, for I would love to see you. And I think it bodes well for you to consider my healing services at your people’s disposal. If I know anything about you at all, they’ll need it. And if I’m going to be catering to the poor, it will be nice to have someone I can overcharge for services rendered on a regular basis.
Tar laughs heartily:
Overcharge, huh? Count me down as a benefactor. I’ll send you 20% of the operating expenses. My gift to you. I expect that I will not be seeing you anywhere near as much and that saddens me. I will truly regret not having our nightly chats or your face when you’re chastising me. But for, now? We have a party to plan. Let’s be off to see our irrepressible friend!
Firena:
As much as I’m looking forward to this, bittersweet as it will be, I believe I’ll leave the planning to you and our Bakluni friend. You’re much better at that than I am, and I have some properties to look at. I need to find a location, hire an architect, talk to Lord Aphic and the Healers’ Guild about financing, and lots of other things. For now, you can contact me at the Silver Spoon. I’m back in my same old room. ... You do realize that this may well be the last time we are all able to get together, don’t you?