Elendor
Breakfast in Forthunn
Stag Fian Shadrack lays on a lavish breakfast in the Keep to impress his new friends.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Clanhall -- Stag Keep
Game Date: 24 of August in the year 3045
IC Time: Morning
Description: Clanhall -- Stag Keep <>
Walled by ancient gray stone, the Stag Clan's great hall is a large, rectangular room easily large enough to house a full complement of warriors. Thick oak beams support not only the high roof but an array of weathered shields and richly woven banners from their stout limbs. At either end of the hall, two large hearths filled with heated coals and stacks of peat for ready fuel warm the hall year round. The middle of the hall is filled with several trestle tables, their scarred surfaces used for food, merriment, or rough deliberation as the occasion warrants. Rushes strewn with scented herbs keep the rough stone floor relatively clean of mud, grease, dirt and other debris that finds its way inside.
Signs of wealth abound here in the display of tapestries hung on the walls, the skillfully crafted iron cups and wooden bowls left near the hearth for warm drink and food, the lavish display of trophies and captured banners from the clan's past conquests cascading over one wall in a sheen of polished metal and fading cloth. At the room's far end, the Chieftain's High Seat, ornately carved with a leaping stag on its back, sits atop a raised dais draped in deep blue cloth.
Obvious exits:
Ornate Door leads to Chieftain's Quarters -- Stag Keep <>.
Double Doors leads to Entrance Hall -- Stag Keep <>.
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Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
===============================================================================
Real Time is: Tue Dec 09 15:21:40 2008
IC weather is: Wind: calm - Clouds: clear
IC Moon is: Waning crescent
IC time is: Early Morning
IC date is: Mersday, Day 24 of August in the year 3045.
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[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Late last night, Carac, Brev, and Tet'Nak were each asked to join Shadrack for breakfast in the Stag Keep. Others were invited as well, or, at the very least told they may attend if they wish. Though, not all the refugees are give such allowances. The large table in the middle of the room is covered by pots, bowls, and tankards. This is quite a feast, and none has seen anything like it in some time, at least those amongst the invited.
Shadrack is sitting at one seat, waiting for the others to arrive as the food is brought out and placed on the table. The smell of roasted chicken even drowns out that of the scented herbs that might make one gag.
[Carac(#32384)] Slips into the room with a curious eye going to the lavish feast being spread upon the table before them. His gaze travels the numerous dishes and comes to rest upon their host. "Fian," he says with a nod of his head. "Quite the welcome you've prepared," he says turning back to the table.
Brev walks uneasily amidst this exalted company, his hand never far from his knife. He has placed himself behind Carac, and maintains a watchful eye on both guards and the servants' comings and goings, his gaze flicking every now and then to the tapestries that line the walls in ripple after ripple of faded blue. "They eat well," he murmurs to himself, and then he too stands before the host. His head ducks in a nod. "The Stag is generous," he offers, trying hard to keep the irony from his voice.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Sit down, come now," Shadrack says, patting the table next to him. "We do not always eat this well, I will admit. I wished it was as good as that." Tet'Nak walks in behind the other two, Brev and Carac, immediately sitting down and grabbing a plate.
"Just take what you want. The rest we will divy up for the others." By others, it is likely he means the 'other refugees'. "So, I have heard you are making war with the Bear. Kedhern is already dead, what about this Brodie?"
[Carac(#32384)] Carac watches as Tet'Nak sits and then follows suit, motioning for Brev to take the seat close by. "Brodie has been abandoned by his men and clan from what we've heard," he says joining in the conversation.
He motions towards younger the man near him. "Brev managed to stir up trouble between Wulf and Bear as we'd hoped, and one of our foraging groups caught Brodie in Redvyrne and loosed a few arrows into him."
He gives Shadrack a glance. "What I'm most interested in is where you hope to fit into all of this."
Brev scowls at the mention of Brodie. "With any luck he's rotting somewhere between Redvyrne and Caerdh," is his own comment. "News from Creatrach is that Bear is ceannless now. Long may that continue, eh?" He winks, then rubs at his cheek.
"Does Stag war with Bear, then?" The tone is carefully bland.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Shadrack shakes his head, "Stag at war?" He laughs at that. Just at the moment, a servant places a roasted pig on the table with a thud. "You see that pig?" he asks, "That's the Stag right there. Fat and complacent. Not sure we taste nearly as good." He chews a piece of chicken, shaking his head, "Look, I have long served the people. Those that live in Forthunn have good lives in comparison to the rest of Dunland. That is what I believe in, as I hear that is what you believe in. I follow the teachings of Asher, former Ceann de Stag. What the Ceann, doing whatever he does, decides Stag will do, I have no inclination of what it will be."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac nods his head slowly in reply to the words of the Fian. "I believe that the people of Dunland should be able to live as they see fit, not as some uncaring Ceann in some far off keep tells them," he says flatly.
"This Feent you mentioned before," he says then. "You said he lives in Bree? How much support does he have in Laeg?"
"A noble aim," Brev comments in response to Shadrack's words. "I am sure a man such as yourself serves the people well." This time his features remain smooth, his voice calm and even. He glances past Carac to the Stag Fian as he awaits the man's answer.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Feent," Shadrack starts, "Holds just enough sway as his money allows." He frowns, "The man was givent he most support by the other Fian's because he paid well." Sighing, he takes another bite, "The people, they only know their Fians, and their lives can be tolerable, such as here, or, quite terrible, like in the north and east."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a grunt. "If the man has command of the wealth you suggest, it is strange that he has been unable to purchase Forthunn." He looks over the tapestries, the lavish displays and the other signs of wealth through the hall.
"Holding the town would be important if he were to maintain some semblance of control in Dunland. Even if he has been unable to buy your support, Fian, I'd think he'd of sent those he has purchased against you."
Brev shakes his head and remarks, "I'd have thought folk would flock to those leaders who made their lives a little easier. Makes sense ..." When Carac has finished, he has a question of his own. "Does Feent come down from Bree each year to pay the Fianni, then?" His brows creased as though genuinely puzzled by such behaviour.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Either he returns, or sends emissaries," Shadrack says. "I take the money," he admits freely, "It helps me invest in Forthunn, feed the people, arm ourselves." He looks over the others at the table, "But I am not bought. When Feent hears of this, he will have two assumptions, either that I have betrayed him, or that I am aiding him in siding with Carac and Tet'Nak." He pauses, "I think he will believe the latter, at least for a while. I do not fear Feent, I fear what Iron Jaw will do."
"Iron Jaw?" asks Tet'Nak. "That old bastard? He never has had much care in Dunlending politics before? He has always kept to himself. I have passed through Eastern Laeg, and his lands, many times. It is not a pretty sight."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac looks from Tet'Nak to Shadrack and back again. "I am not familiar with this Iron Jaw," he says. "Perhaps you could fill me in on who he is, and why we should fear his retaliation?"
He furrows his brow in thought for a moment. "As for Feent if he gets too concerned about what is occuring here, you could always send him the head of the rebel Carac."
He chuckles. "I am sure there will be some beheadings before all this ends, and I have never met this Feent. He would not be able to say who's head it was."
'Breakfast' in the Stag Keep is clearly a lavish affair, for roast chickens and even a fat pig adorn the table that Shadrack has laid out for Carac, Tet'nak and those companions lucky enough to have been invited to join them this fine morn. Servants move in and out with trays and jugs.
Brev nods at Shadrack's answer, and as Carac questions Shadrack he looks to Tet'nak. "An old friend of yours?" Though at Carac's final suggestion he snorts. "Kiern! There's enough ghosts round here."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Feent does not want you dead, he wants to own you," Shadrack says, giving Tet'Nak a look across the table.
"Iron Jaw" is about my age, he's had various names over the years, and allegences." He has been eating, and is mostly stuffed. "He has a small hamlet, everyone that lives their are slaves. More or less. He has never tried to expand. Those people are crazy," Tet'Nak explains, "Damn crazy. There are all sorts of stories about them, at least that I have heard. Good thing most of Dunland do not get out much. They say he captures those that come to close, and well, it is not pretty." He pauses, taking a drink from a tankard of goat's milk, "They say he can raise an army, though, if he wants, not sure where or how, though."
To this Shadrack nods, "Iron Jaw does not like the other Fians, or Feent for that matter. He nearly killed him the last time he was in Dunland. But, he has been a bit more aggressive lately, I know he attacked another Fian's lands only two weeks ago. Everyone was killed or captured."
Brev, in contrast to Tet'nak, has not been eating - yet. "Armies don't raise themselves," he points out. "Any reports from the land he attacked?" This time the scowl writ plain on his brow has the look of concentration. Then he shrugs, and reaches out to spear a piece of meat. "Ach. It can wait."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Nothing," Shadrack says, "The hamlet is burned, and no one remains, save the dead." He looks over everyone, "There is more fighting to be done, in the future, I fear."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac ponders this for a few moments. "I'd like to have a look at this land," he says. "We'll have to deal with him sooner or later it sounds like. I'd rather we decide the time though." He sits back in his chair and considers things a few more moments.
"There's someone with us who's just itching to go on the attack, maybe we can set him on this Iron Jaw."
Brev looks up from the piece of meat he's attacking and raises an eyebrow. "There is? ... Oh." He chews in silence, then under pretext of reaching across the table for a chicken leg murmurs very quietly to the man beside him, "I've heard men say one should keep friends close and enemies closer. Carac, just ... watch your back when Halen's around." Warning delivered, he returns to the apparently serious business of eating.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac turns to Brev and gives him a wink. "I intend to keep Halen at a good distance," he replies still eyeing the food warily. "There's bound to be more fighting before we can settle these people into some lands of their own," he continues. "Since Halen and his lads are so desperate to die as patriots, I'll let them do the most of it."
Brev snorts. "Don't think he intends to die at all," he murmurs when opportunity next allows. "I heard what he said. I twist words, I can see the trait well enough in others."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a nod and forks a slab of meat from a platter, lifting it to his nose and sniffing at it before dropping it onto his plate. "He's said a lot of things," he says then. "Other times he sputters and drools on himself. He's more than half mad I'd say, whoever, he is."
He then critically eyes a loaf of bread. "Just try and keep clear of him as much as you can."
"That shouldn't be too hard," Brev responds with a shrug. "He only talks to his precious Hawks - besides, I'm nothing to him. It's your position he covets." He hesitates less than a heartbeat before qualifying the statement: "Definitely mad." And, before he is diverted by some query from one of Shadrack's folk, he winks.
Walled by ancient gray stone, the Stag Clan's great hall is a large, rectangular room easily large enough to house a full complement of warriors. Thick oak beams support not only the high roof but an array of weathered shields and richly woven banners from their stout limbs. At either end of the hall, two large hearths filled with heated coals and stacks of peat for ready fuel warm the hall year round. The middle of the hall is filled with several trestle tables, their scarred surfaces used for food, merriment, or rough deliberation as the occasion warrants. Rushes strewn with scented herbs keep the rough stone floor relatively clean of mud, grease, dirt and other debris that finds its way inside.
Signs of wealth abound here in the display of tapestries hung on the walls, the skillfully crafted iron cups and wooden bowls left near the hearth for warm drink and food, the lavish display of trophies and captured banners from the clan's past conquests cascading over one wall in a sheen of polished metal and fading cloth. At the room's far end, the Chieftain's High Seat, ornately carved with a leaping stag on its back, sits atop a raised dais draped in deep blue cloth.
Obvious exits:
Ornate Door leads to Chieftain's Quarters -- Stag Keep <
Double Doors leads to Entrance Hall -- Stag Keep <
===============================================================================
Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
===============================================================================
Real Time is: Tue Dec 09 15:21:40 2008
IC weather is: Wind: calm - Clouds: clear
IC Moon is: Waning crescent
IC time is: Early Morning
IC date is: Mersday, Day 24 of August in the year 3045.
===============================================================================
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Late last night, Carac, Brev, and Tet'Nak were each asked to join Shadrack for breakfast in the Stag Keep. Others were invited as well, or, at the very least told they may attend if they wish. Though, not all the refugees are give such allowances. The large table in the middle of the room is covered by pots, bowls, and tankards. This is quite a feast, and none has seen anything like it in some time, at least those amongst the invited.
Shadrack is sitting at one seat, waiting for the others to arrive as the food is brought out and placed on the table. The smell of roasted chicken even drowns out that of the scented herbs that might make one gag.
[Carac(#32384)] Slips into the room with a curious eye going to the lavish feast being spread upon the table before them. His gaze travels the numerous dishes and comes to rest upon their host. "Fian," he says with a nod of his head. "Quite the welcome you've prepared," he says turning back to the table.
Brev walks uneasily amidst this exalted company, his hand never far from his knife. He has placed himself behind Carac, and maintains a watchful eye on both guards and the servants' comings and goings, his gaze flicking every now and then to the tapestries that line the walls in ripple after ripple of faded blue. "They eat well," he murmurs to himself, and then he too stands before the host. His head ducks in a nod. "The Stag is generous," he offers, trying hard to keep the irony from his voice.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Sit down, come now," Shadrack says, patting the table next to him. "We do not always eat this well, I will admit. I wished it was as good as that." Tet'Nak walks in behind the other two, Brev and Carac, immediately sitting down and grabbing a plate.
"Just take what you want. The rest we will divy up for the others." By others, it is likely he means the 'other refugees'. "So, I have heard you are making war with the Bear. Kedhern is already dead, what about this Brodie?"
[Carac(#32384)] Carac watches as Tet'Nak sits and then follows suit, motioning for Brev to take the seat close by. "Brodie has been abandoned by his men and clan from what we've heard," he says joining in the conversation.
He motions towards younger the man near him. "Brev managed to stir up trouble between Wulf and Bear as we'd hoped, and one of our foraging groups caught Brodie in Redvyrne and loosed a few arrows into him."
He gives Shadrack a glance. "What I'm most interested in is where you hope to fit into all of this."
Brev scowls at the mention of Brodie. "With any luck he's rotting somewhere between Redvyrne and Caerdh," is his own comment. "News from Creatrach is that Bear is ceannless now. Long may that continue, eh?" He winks, then rubs at his cheek.
"Does Stag war with Bear, then?" The tone is carefully bland.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Shadrack shakes his head, "Stag at war?" He laughs at that. Just at the moment, a servant places a roasted pig on the table with a thud. "You see that pig?" he asks, "That's the Stag right there. Fat and complacent. Not sure we taste nearly as good." He chews a piece of chicken, shaking his head, "Look, I have long served the people. Those that live in Forthunn have good lives in comparison to the rest of Dunland. That is what I believe in, as I hear that is what you believe in. I follow the teachings of Asher, former Ceann de Stag. What the Ceann, doing whatever he does, decides Stag will do, I have no inclination of what it will be."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac nods his head slowly in reply to the words of the Fian. "I believe that the people of Dunland should be able to live as they see fit, not as some uncaring Ceann in some far off keep tells them," he says flatly.
"This Feent you mentioned before," he says then. "You said he lives in Bree? How much support does he have in Laeg?"
"A noble aim," Brev comments in response to Shadrack's words. "I am sure a man such as yourself serves the people well." This time his features remain smooth, his voice calm and even. He glances past Carac to the Stag Fian as he awaits the man's answer.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Feent," Shadrack starts, "Holds just enough sway as his money allows." He frowns, "The man was givent he most support by the other Fian's because he paid well." Sighing, he takes another bite, "The people, they only know their Fians, and their lives can be tolerable, such as here, or, quite terrible, like in the north and east."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a grunt. "If the man has command of the wealth you suggest, it is strange that he has been unable to purchase Forthunn." He looks over the tapestries, the lavish displays and the other signs of wealth through the hall.
"Holding the town would be important if he were to maintain some semblance of control in Dunland. Even if he has been unable to buy your support, Fian, I'd think he'd of sent those he has purchased against you."
Brev shakes his head and remarks, "I'd have thought folk would flock to those leaders who made their lives a little easier. Makes sense ..." When Carac has finished, he has a question of his own. "Does Feent come down from Bree each year to pay the Fianni, then?" His brows creased as though genuinely puzzled by such behaviour.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Either he returns, or sends emissaries," Shadrack says. "I take the money," he admits freely, "It helps me invest in Forthunn, feed the people, arm ourselves." He looks over the others at the table, "But I am not bought. When Feent hears of this, he will have two assumptions, either that I have betrayed him, or that I am aiding him in siding with Carac and Tet'Nak." He pauses, "I think he will believe the latter, at least for a while. I do not fear Feent, I fear what Iron Jaw will do."
"Iron Jaw?" asks Tet'Nak. "That old bastard? He never has had much care in Dunlending politics before? He has always kept to himself. I have passed through Eastern Laeg, and his lands, many times. It is not a pretty sight."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac looks from Tet'Nak to Shadrack and back again. "I am not familiar with this Iron Jaw," he says. "Perhaps you could fill me in on who he is, and why we should fear his retaliation?"
He furrows his brow in thought for a moment. "As for Feent if he gets too concerned about what is occuring here, you could always send him the head of the rebel Carac."
He chuckles. "I am sure there will be some beheadings before all this ends, and I have never met this Feent. He would not be able to say who's head it was."
'Breakfast' in the Stag Keep is clearly a lavish affair, for roast chickens and even a fat pig adorn the table that Shadrack has laid out for Carac, Tet'nak and those companions lucky enough to have been invited to join them this fine morn. Servants move in and out with trays and jugs.
Brev nods at Shadrack's answer, and as Carac questions Shadrack he looks to Tet'nak. "An old friend of yours?" Though at Carac's final suggestion he snorts. "Kiern! There's enough ghosts round here."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Feent does not want you dead, he wants to own you," Shadrack says, giving Tet'Nak a look across the table.
"Iron Jaw" is about my age, he's had various names over the years, and allegences." He has been eating, and is mostly stuffed. "He has a small hamlet, everyone that lives their are slaves. More or less. He has never tried to expand. Those people are crazy," Tet'Nak explains, "Damn crazy. There are all sorts of stories about them, at least that I have heard. Good thing most of Dunland do not get out much. They say he captures those that come to close, and well, it is not pretty." He pauses, taking a drink from a tankard of goat's milk, "They say he can raise an army, though, if he wants, not sure where or how, though."
To this Shadrack nods, "Iron Jaw does not like the other Fians, or Feent for that matter. He nearly killed him the last time he was in Dunland. But, he has been a bit more aggressive lately, I know he attacked another Fian's lands only two weeks ago. Everyone was killed or captured."
Brev, in contrast to Tet'nak, has not been eating - yet. "Armies don't raise themselves," he points out. "Any reports from the land he attacked?" This time the scowl writ plain on his brow has the look of concentration. Then he shrugs, and reaches out to spear a piece of meat. "Ach. It can wait."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Nothing," Shadrack says, "The hamlet is burned, and no one remains, save the dead." He looks over everyone, "There is more fighting to be done, in the future, I fear."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac ponders this for a few moments. "I'd like to have a look at this land," he says. "We'll have to deal with him sooner or later it sounds like. I'd rather we decide the time though." He sits back in his chair and considers things a few more moments.
"There's someone with us who's just itching to go on the attack, maybe we can set him on this Iron Jaw."
Brev looks up from the piece of meat he's attacking and raises an eyebrow. "There is? ... Oh." He chews in silence, then under pretext of reaching across the table for a chicken leg murmurs very quietly to the man beside him, "I've heard men say one should keep friends close and enemies closer. Carac, just ... watch your back when Halen's around." Warning delivered, he returns to the apparently serious business of eating.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac turns to Brev and gives him a wink. "I intend to keep Halen at a good distance," he replies still eyeing the food warily. "There's bound to be more fighting before we can settle these people into some lands of their own," he continues. "Since Halen and his lads are so desperate to die as patriots, I'll let them do the most of it."
Brev snorts. "Don't think he intends to die at all," he murmurs when opportunity next allows. "I heard what he said. I twist words, I can see the trait well enough in others."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a nod and forks a slab of meat from a platter, lifting it to his nose and sniffing at it before dropping it onto his plate. "He's said a lot of things," he says then. "Other times he sputters and drools on himself. He's more than half mad I'd say, whoever, he is."
He then critically eyes a loaf of bread. "Just try and keep clear of him as much as you can."
"That shouldn't be too hard," Brev responds with a shrug. "He only talks to his precious Hawks - besides, I'm nothing to him. It's your position he covets." He hesitates less than a heartbeat before qualifying the statement: "Definitely mad." And, before he is diverted by some query from one of Shadrack's folk, he winks.
Players: Shadrack, Tet'nak, Carac. Brev
Located in: Dunlending
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