Board Thread:Midian Play-by-Post/@comment-24302820-20150120030555/@comment-24302820-20150923072223

The Western Legion encountered a band of pirates attacking a small fishing village. The pirates were wiped out, saving the village. The ship was sank in the process, but in shallow water, allowing it to be looted. This added a much needed war chest, as Runic's wealth was greatly stressed in funding the expedition already.

The spoils were to be split, but Runic's Affinity collectively decided to accept vouchers for their shares, in the interests of better funding the rest of the campaign. It's worth noting here that wages were paid for four months in advance before departing Citadel.

Runic's war chest: 6 tons of rations, 2 dozen swords, two rowboats, 16,000 guilder (or equivalent in various currencies), 18 tons of high-value cargo worth about 3000 guilder each, 4 tuns of good wine (local), 1200 feet of rope, a bunch of canvas sailcloth (slightly damaged), wood can also be salvaged from the wreckage of the ship if need be.

1000 guilder is given to Adrik for expenses for his church. This is more than sufficient to set them up for at least the first month, plus miscellaneous expenses.

Leaving a small contingent behind in Westport working for the Conveyors Guild, The remainder of Runic's forces met up in the Brass Woods. The missionaries for the Church of Amelioration are now safely embedded in the twin cities.

The group encountered a young Roam girl in the woods. As Gunna's daughter Grae was about the same age, mother, daughter, and aunt took the girl home. Runic made alliances with the Roam tribe, and through the Doyenne, the Uncann.

The Uncann loyal to the Doyenne warned her about an impending attack by an unknown army. This force has been trying to push the gypsy tribes out of the Brass Woods. Gunna's plan was used to counter the offensive. Half of the vardos would be left by the Roam, with the fires left burning. The other half of the wagons--and all of the people--escaped to the encampment of Runic's Affinity. Gunna spent the night laying traps in the woods, on the assumption that the attack would happen at dawn.

Kritot's commando led the assault on the enemy before dawn. The forces of Infernus struck hard, decimating the enemy. The enemy forces, revealed to be a branch of the Ordained, tried to escape, only to be struck by the traps. The Aerenidae warriors then mopped up. There were no survivors among the would-be assailants, and casualties were light for Runic's forces. Their arms, armour, and horses were added to Runic's arsenal. Runic then offered to share some of the spoils (including some from the war chest) with the Roam, but they declined the offer. Runic also extended an offer to the Doyenne for the Roam and Uncann to live within the safety of Castle Thorn, Runic's next planned stop on the campaign.

Using the established relationship with the Conveyors Guild, the troops were shipped back down the Bauer River and back up the Bistre, up to the Ripper Rapids. Runic's Affinity then continued onwards to Castle Thorn.

Enchanted roses and thorny vines covered every inch of the castle; no stone could be seen through it. No portals were visible. What could be seen, however, were the occasional bones of would-be assailants who had died trying to climb up. Some unseen protective force covered the top of the castle, as a bird discovered to its detriment.

Using the mystical key, Runic successfully got past the enchanted roses and thorny vines into the castle. It was dusty and disused for the past eighty years. Furnishings and accessory items (buckets, linens, etc.) were still there, but no evidence of people, such as personal belongings. No valuables were found, though there was also no evidence of looting. It seems as though the Thistle Sage kicked everyone out when he left. The collected forces wasted no time in cleaning up and setting up shop. Investigating outside the walls, evidence of old roads and earlier agriculture could be found.

Young Grae immediately decided that she was a princess, and that this was HER castle. Even the magical protection on the walls would seem to agree with her, and nothing will ever change her mind.

Items and areas of interest in the castle: The highest tower contains the personal quarters of the former lords of the castle. It also contains the library of the Thistle Sage, within which was some form of magic circle. At the very top of the tower was the war room. This has many large windows overlooking the entire Verdant Valley. In the center of the room is a table formed into a 3D relief map of Tataramoa Island. A large standing oval mirror is in one corner. Runic turned it towards the wall, whether this was from suspicion of foul magic or a refusal to see how she looks after so many miles of travel is unknown.