Arriving at the Keep, Chapter 1, Book I

Keoland,
Coldeven (March), 590 CY

The Game Begins:

You have travelled for several days in a small caravan from the city of Cryllor, leaving the Realm and entering into the wilder area of the Borderlands. Farms and villages have become less frequent and travelers few. The road has climbed higher as you enter the forested and mountainous country.

You now move up a narrow, rocky track. A sheer wall of natural stone is on your left, the path falling away to a steep cliff on the right. There is a small widening ahead, where the main gate to the Keep is. The blue-clad men-at-arms who guard the entrance shout at your caravan to give your names and state your business. All along the wall you see curious faces peering down at you - eager to welcome new champions of law, but ready with crossbow and pole arm to give another sort of welcome to enemies.

The caravan master quickly answers for himself, his muleteers, and his guards. Then he motions for you, as fellow travels to shout up your names and business.

A robed figure mutters “meow!!!!” as a feline tail floats out from underneath its robe.

One of your fellow travelers steps forward. He's of average height, and wears a large, dark green cloak. Throughout most of the journey from Cryllor he's kept the hood up over his head - but then the weather has been poor. Today, however, it is partially cloudy. He sweeps his hood back, revealing a middle-aged, sub-beaten face with a large, blonde mustache frame by shoulder length, unkempt hair. He's still wearing the chainmail, stained tunic, and leggings beneath the cloak he's been in the entire journey, and carries his unstrung bow lightly. A long sword is long on his hip. In a firm, but not overly loud voice he calls up to the men-at-arms, "I am Gyr, a hunter, who is answering the King's call."

A man in a fine red and gold coat steps forward, his hand on his sheathed sword, "Greetings, I am Corvus, follower of Pholtus. I come on a mission from the Pale to spread Pholtus's good word in any way shape or form."

The robed figure announces ambiguously, "I am Ambiguity."

A tall gaunt figure wearing plain robes with a black cloak thrown over his shoulders steps forward. the figure's face heavily obscured by an extremely long purple scarf wrapped around their head and a massive black leather sunhat pulled low. the figure waves with heavily bandaged hands and says "Zaskarialium Enchromator but please call me Zask, I'm answering the call of a certain king... something about adventurers and mighty wizards. thought I'd take my chances"

Yet another tall figure cloaked in black steps forward, begrudgingly, and slightly peeved he couldn’t be passed over and thereby escape introducing himself. He stretches himself up to his full height and bellows, (in a rich tenor voice): “I am Evryhss, finder of lost things. I come to perform my trade for the people of...” his voice drops to a low and slightly raspy mutter as he turns to a nearby muleteer, “...what was this dump called again?” Evryhss doesn’t wait for the muleteer to answer, “Oh right!” he exclaims to himself, before returning to his fuller, tenor tone.“...the people of Borderlands Keep!” Immediately upon completing his introduction, a disinterested look washes over his face, his shoulders droop, and he slouches off, slipping out of sight behind a mule.

Introduced by the Caravan Master as Blacktoof one of the muleteers he simply nods and makes an unintelligible mumble. His appearance is rather displeasing covered in dirt and filthy brown peasant garb. He seams more at easy with the beasts of burden than with other humans. Most people would just rather not look at him maybe it’s the smell?

Making his way from the back of the caravan a short but built Dwarven male makes his way forward pushing any he needs to the side. His fire red hair and beard are both braided with the runic beads of his people. He lays his warhammer's head on the ground, “You may call me Ragmek Emrak Dulnyl Dalamr Son of Hjalbek Emrak Dulnyl Dalamr of the Clan Sure Masons. Follower of Moradin and Journeyman Paladin of his temples.” he bows his head slightly “I am on a quest to find a relic of my people lost many years ago”. He picks his warhammer back up and steps back to the back of the caravan.

On the walls above, brave banners emblazoned with the coat of arms of Keoland, Gules, a lion rampant sable, snap in the wind. 

Two towers with battlements flank the gatehouse. All have holes for bow and crossbow fire. A deep crevice in front of the place is spanned by a drawbridge that is lowered after all in the caravan have given their names and business. There is a portcullis’ at the entry, raised in its own turn, and large gates at the far end of the passage which are opened as well. 

Soon the caravan - mules, guards, muleteers, and fellow travelers all - are passing through into the Keep. The passage is about 10’ wide and high, the ceiling above pierced with murder holes, and walls to either side slitted for archery. It is obvious that the building is constructed of great blocks of the hardest granite, undoubtedly common throughout the entire fortress.

The entry yard is long but narrow, only 20 feet wide. A warehouse and stable face the gate, connected to each other they are  about 15’ high, with a 3’ parapet atop their flat roof, so that it can be used in defense of the gate. The gate side walls of the stables and warehouse are pierced for archery. 

Several guardsmen and a scribe talk to the caravan master as the muleteers unsaddle the mules and the guards care for their horses. Over the next busy hour horses and mules are safely stabled and the loaded pack saddles carefully stowed in the warehouse. The muleteers prepare beds for themselves in the stables, but those of the travelers with coins to spend are directed to the inn. 

Soon, everyone finds themselves at the Keep's tavern, where the tap room has filled with citizens of the keep, guardsmen, and members of the caravan, all calling loudly for drinks and food...

Blacktoof stares longingly in the window of the Tavern and then goes back to straw in the stable.

Corvus puts what is required for a small meal on the table and looks around the tavern.

A pretty blond serving maid comes up to Corvus, she smiles and asks, "A large roast joint and honey mead, milord? Just 3 gold lions." Corvus nods at his coins on the table. She smiles broadly, grabs the coins and rushes off to bring back the meal.

Evryhss finds a table in a shadowy corner of the tavern and sits with his back to the crowds. 

During the trip, the older hands on the caravan said the Keep tavern's food was excellent, the drinks generous and good. Tonight the place is filled with perhaps two dozen patrons, while the taverner, three serving women and a potboy move about serving drinks and food. Painted on a sign above the bar the bill of fare reads:

ALE 1 e.p.                      SOUP 1 s.p.

SMALL BEER 1 s.p.     STEW 1 e.p.

WINE 1 e.p.                   ROAST FOWL 1 g.p.

HONEY MEAD 1 g.p.   BARK TEA 1 s.p.

ROAST JOINT 2 g.p. / 1 e.p.

BREAD 1 c.p./slice       CHEESE 1 s.p./wedge

PUDDING 1 s.p./bowl   FRUIT 1 s.p. 

Most of the talk that can heard concerns the King's recent proclamation and worries about giant attacks. All seem to say that somewhere nearby, amidst the rocky crags, dark forests and tangled fens at the feet of the Joten mountains to the east, are the Caves of Chaos, where fell creatures lie in wait. It seems a universally agreed opinion that the fell creatures of the caves are in league with the Giants.

The Keep's tavern is bustling tonight. After a few hours of eating and drinking in the crowded space, listening to rumors and so forth, Corvus, Ambiguity , Zask, Redd the dwarf, and Gyr all end up at the same table sharing drinks.  Evryhss is still sitting nearby in a shadowy corner, but he can hear the others talking.  

Blacktooth has found the stables very boring and can return to the tavern for a drink if he wishes. 

Gyr takes a drink of ale, then says, "So, you all wish to take up the King's offer to investigate the Giant raids? How will you start? Not something that one should attempt without strong swordmates, I'm thinking."

Ambiguity silently stares at Gyr.

Corvus replies, "So there’s some disgusting giant abominations in the hills, nothing holy light won’t solve."

Meanwhile, Blacktoof has changed his mind and returned to the tavern. He grabs a drink from the bartender and drags a chair slowly across floor with a long scraping noise to Evryhess' table and sits. 

Evryhss makes no visible reaction though he seems relaxed and receptive to his company.

Blacktoof sits quietly reflecting on life away from his tribe and dreams of buying a battle axe. 

Blacktoof nods at the hooded man (Evryhess), it’s understood that he is looking for new work.

Then Blacktoof gulps his ale, stands and walks towards Zask, Gyr, Corvus,and Ambiguity. He stands before them grunts .. and says “you have job? Blacktoof ready in morning. “ then walks out.

Evrhyss awkwardly rises from his seat, approaching aforementioned group on Blacktoofs heels. He gives a graceful bow and a bashful smile before speaking: “Pardon my friends brevity, however if you are indeed accepting partners for an adventure, we would both like to join you. Shall I sit and discuss the details with you?”

Ambiguity shrugs shoulders and stares ambiguously at drunken giant man grunting at everyone

Redd "One dose not just walk in to the land of Giants." downs the rest of his ale and looks slowly to each of the others "but if you are lucky and find one alone we may be able to kill it before half of you are dead"

Gyr nods at the dwarf, "True. I've not heard of giants at the Caves, but I have heard the creatures there work with the giants. It is a place to start, perhaps. What have you heard of the Caves?"

Zask says, ““Well if there’s monsters there we at least know that” 

Zask gets up and waves his hand a faint purple light glows from his hand as he cast prestidigitation making all the drinks taste like salt water “It’s the only lead we have so might as well take it enjoy the drinks fellas” and Zask follows after Blacktoof

Ambiguity says, "I'm not really one to get involved in the troubles of society unless it’s detrimental to nature and honestly it would probably be better off to let the giants and the locals kill each other off and let nature takes its course."

Gyr replies, "I've never seen a wilderness thrive when it was filled with large numbers of giants."

Ambiguity snarls, "Either way the wilderness is doomed as long as we have populations that abuse and pervert the nature they’re surrounded by."

Gyr nods, "But for now, perhaps we focus on the giants?"

Ambiguity replies grudgingly, "I suppose but I’m still not entirely convinced that I would be more opposed to the humans or the giants."

Gyr nods, "Each of us must make our own decisions."

Ehrhyss orders a bowl of soup and eats while the others talk, listening carefully.

Tired from the long day's ride, most head to bed early.

In the morning, a small band stands at the gate from the Keep with Gyr, ready to search for the Caves of Chaos...

Disclaimer: This blog recounts the fictional events of a game of Dungeons & Dragons. Views expressed by characters within the blog are those of the characters, not the players, dungeon master, nor the blog's author. All other views in this blog are my own and represent the views of no other person, organization, or institution.