Heroica RPG - Quest#111: No Fear of the Setting Sun

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"They seem like honest men. As a warriors I think we respect eachother. Even so, if he is in peril we need to find him and rescue him so at least we are being led to him. We'd have to fight either way. "

[Khorne]

Lynne whispers to Leofwin.

"Is this... The best idea? For what reason would our missionay remain in their settlement for so long, unless he's in peril? Who's to say they're not baiting us into a trap?"

"They seem like honest men. As a warriors I think we respect eachother. Even so, if he is in peril we need to find him and rescue him so at least we are being led to him. We'd have to fight either way. "

"We have very little basis to trust these folk, these...pagans. I very much doubt their backward culture has any notion of keeping word to people like us, whom they deem low. However, they have done little to antagonize us so far, so as of now I give them the benefit of the doubt."

The party agreed to follow the Polkung to their camp. Cold winds battered the party and made the long walk hard, but they managed. The steppes continued without end, vast plains. The Polkung were much like the Vikings, except that the Polkung "sailed" and trekked across vast seas of grass instead of water and instead of dreaded sailors they were expert horsemen.

The Polkung camp was a large collection of yurts. Children were chasing each other between the tents, playing games. In the grass next to the camp, warriors were practicing their archery skills while on horseback. Other Polkung were doing all manner of chores. They hardly looked up as the party arrived. They were greeted by a single warrior only, greeting his kin, but keeping a strong gaze upon the foreigners.

Their Polkung companions, Dimeter and Boleslav, led the heroes to a yurt that was somewhat bigger and more decorated than others. They gestured that the heroes should enter.

Inside it was warm and cozy. The floor was draped with all manner of furs and a small fire was burning. In the back of the yurt an older man was sitting with a finely groomed mustache. Upon his head sat a fur hat topped with the feathers of an eagle, symbol of leadership and sign of expert markmanship among the Polkung tribes. In his hand he held a scepter, a ceremonial mace symbolising strength. No doubt this man was in charge of the camp. He was the chieftain. A hetmann.

"What brings you to my camp?"

[Waterbrick Down]

Polly scooted close to the fire and warmed her hands over it.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Greetings. We are looking for a priest of Ennoc. We saved one of your kind from a band of cyclops and some of your companions found us and informed us he is here. We want to make sure the priest is in good health."

[Khorne]

"Greetings. We are looking for a priest of Ennoc. We saved one of your kind from a band of cyclops and some of your companions found us and informed us he is here. We want to make sure the priest is in good health."

"I thank you for saving one of ours from the paws of the Cyclopses. After all these years, the silent struggle is not over and still they prey upon us."

The chieftain softly chuckled, his eyes glistening in the fire.

"Nor will it ever be over. The Northern March is a place were violence lurks around every corner. Protecting the Empire is our sole reason of existence. The land grant was a poisoned gift to our people if you ask me."

"But enough of that, I do know this priest you speak of. Jeremiah, a priest of Ennoc. A missionary that came from Uland if I'm not mistaken. He told me he was sent by his order to spread the word and faith of his god here in the North, in Farrech and among our people."

Another chuckle, followed by a cough.

"Needless to say, his message didn't spread very well here. We have little need for a god of warmth and light. We do not fear the setting sun. Our own gods take care of our kind. Torrun in the sky and Ursem of the plains."

"Your priest was intrigued by what he learned in Farrech. So much that he chose to spent time with us here in the steppes to learn of our ways."

The chieftain paused and looked at Orel, first glancing at the eagle on his shield and then looking him in the eyes.

"The priest has left the path of your god, Eagle Warrior. He no longer saw Ennoc's justice nor felt his warm touch in the cold and brutal wilderness that is the Northern March.

"He is eager to learn much more of our gods. Of other gods deemed pagan by your order. He wants to learn more than can be learned here. I'm afraid you will no longer find your Jeremiah here, travellers. He left for Nygrad together with our shaman. Perhaps you can still catch up, but whatever you need him for, I believe his mind is set."

"I think the priest said he wanted to go even further North, into Värtland, the land of chill and dread. Rumors have reached the Northern March about some powerful Shaman King there. It is said this Shaman King can communicate with the gods through his dreams, so strong is his connection with the spirits. The gods grant him great power which gives him ever-increasing dominion over others."

"I do not know how much of these tales the Northern travellers tell us are true, but priest seemed interested. He wants to learn under the tutelage of this Shaman King."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Many thanks for your words. Orel, what do you think of all this?"

[Waterbrick Down]

"I think we've done our job, no? We were supposed to find out what happened to the missionary man and we have."

"Our first successful quest, Mr. Sanders."

[Khorne]

Orel visibly had a hard time accepting the choice of a fellow member of his order. As soon as the chieftain was done telling the story, the Paladin furiously stood up and stormed outside. There he paced around, walking in circles.

"Many thanks for your words. Orel, what do you think of all this?"

"Outrageous, how dare he quit the Order like that? How dare he not brings us up to date? We are all brethren in Ennoc's care. What he is doing is treason, he's turning his back on family!"

"I, I, ..."

The Paladin was so angry and disappointed he couldn't even find words to express what he felt.

"We need to bring him back to us."

What will the party do? Will they travel to Nygrad to intercept the priest and stop him from traveling to Värtland or will they except the fate he has chosen?

[Waterbrick Down]

"And what will you do with him then?"

[Endgame]

"Orel, he... He has made his choice. What other reason do we have for bringing him back? Unless you're planning revenge?"

Edited December 4, 2014 by Endgame

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"We might as well go. If Orel wants to try to convince him to go back, he should be able to try. "

[Khorne]

"And what will you do with him then?"

"I don't know, really", the Paladin sighed, "Try to take him back with us, I guess... Bring him home and put him on trial for treason of our Order."

"Orel, he... He has made his choice. What other reason do we have for bringing him back? Unless you're planning revenge?"

"How much as I want that, revenge isn't mine to take. He betrayed us all. Punishment should be exacted by the proper instances within the Order."

"We might as well go. If Orel wants to try to convince him to go back, he should be able to try. "

"Maybe I might convince him, but according to most stories we've heard, he did have his mind pretty much set. It's up to you, though. Like the girl stated, we know what happened to him, so you'll get your reward as promised already."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"Lynne, Polly, it's been good questing with you all. If you two would like to go home let me know. However I am fine with continuing the search."

If anyone would like to return to Eubric, we will leave. But if we all want to keep searching we will.

[Waterbrick Down]

"I don't know, really", the Paladin sighed, "Try to take him back with us, I guess... Bring him home and put him on trial for treason of our Order."

"How much as I want that, revenge isn't mine to take. He betrayed us all. Punishment should be exacted by the proper instances within the Order."

"Treason? Just because he no longer follows your eagle god? Is that what happens to all followers of your god?"

"I don't like this Ennoc, Mr. Sanders, he's mean."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Leofwein whispers to Polly, "Hey, thou habst a good point. I'm unsure of what will happen to the priest if we bring him back. Perhaps it's best we don't help this man."

[Endgame]

Lynne's look towards Orel begins to turn venomous.

"Treason? He's made his own choice, Orel, and he has that right.Faith isn't contractual. It's a thing that may change."

The woman crosses her arms.

"What's the punishment for treason, exactly?"

[Khorne]

QM Note: Phew, finally some time to post. I had a super busy weekend so far.

"Very well then, heroes. You have done your part. You have aided me in finding out what happened to the priest and for that you will be recompensed. Thank you for coming along. This is where we part ways, I believe. I won't be going back to Eubric just yet. I feel it is my duty to try and retrieve the priest."

"Farewell. Perhaps our paths will cross again, who knows? May Ennoc watch over you. Always."

The group made their choice clear to the leader of the camp, who then ordered some tribesmen to lead the party back to Farrech. Orel, on the other hand was taken to Nygrad.

From Farrech, the heroes began the long way back to Eubric. In stark contrast to the journey to the Northern March, the way back was remarkably quiet and uneventful ( ) . Perhaps no one dared oppose the party now they had some experience.

The Quest is successful!

Each party member receives 75 Gold as reward (plus reputation with the Hinckwells for helping defend the trade ship)!

The Party:

Leofwein Twynam (Capt.JohnPaul) *Party Leader*

18 Year Old Human Barbarian

Level 4

Power

: 7

(4 + 3)

Defense

: 0

Health:

11/11

(8 + 3)

Gold:

98

Equipment:

War Axe (WP:3)

Inventory:

Mead (2x), Remedy, Venom (2x), War Axe (WP:5)

Lynne (Endgame)

(20)24 Year Old Human Cleric

Level 4

Power:

7

(4 + 3)

Health:

10/12

(9 + 3)

Ether:

4/8

(5 + 3)

Gold:

90

Equipment:

Oak Staff (WP: 3)

Inventory:

Potion (2x), Phoenix Essence, Tonic, Bone, Bedroll, Feather of White

Polly & Mr. Sanders (Waterbrick Down)

9 year old female human Mage

Level 4

Power:

7

(4 + 3)

Health:

4/8

(5 + 3)

Ether:

5/8

(5 + 3)

Gold:

96

Equipment:

Letter Opener (WP: 3, dagger)

Inventory:

Amethyst, Tonic (2x), Fire Bomb, Potion

Thanks you all for playing! I know it didn't really go all that well in terms of pacing, but I'm glad you stuck with me . Feel free to leave your comments in the QM Lounge. I'm eager to hear what you thought of it. I'll try and post my thoughts on the quest there, too.