Legendary Exploits of Three Not Viking Brothers

"Keep the bowmen stationed in the castle and have half a squad of footmen bolstering defenses every day till I return. Should circumstances prove dire mobilize the entirety of our forces to defend the castle and townspeople as best you can. In all likelihood our mountainous and barren land will not catch the eye of a major crusading force. It is a struggle to maintain an army this far out from the agricultural cradle of Acren."

Ritter and Ohly nod in compliance before the Steward speaks "What is the nature of these celebrations? One time the crown of Acren was taken the second sons of every house was required to participate in a grand melee. I recall the battle went for a week and only one survived the entire ordeal."

Von Kretch smiles in response and says in an obviously fake happy tone "Our new sovereign has deigned a grand tournament be held. Such a celebration of this size hasn't been held for seventy years and preparations have been underway for a weeks already."

At the mention of a tournament, Gwain instantly rouses from his drunken stupor. "Will there be an archery contest!? Gwain Griswald, Arrowsplitter and Brandford's Bane will bring glory to our house!"

Robillard also breaks off from his silent prayers. "It would be good to prove the valor of house Griswald to our peers. I make no claim to skill in jousting, but place me in the melee and I will bring glory to our house."

"Then it is settled. Robillard will bring glory to our house and Gwain will placate our would be rivals among the other nobles. I will judge the new king and see about our house' oath of fealty."

Von Kretch nods and says "Then I will send word that you will arrive with the other nobles in a months time. The Kimg will be happy to know you will come in person Lord Griswald. Unless you have any other questions for me I'll be on my way to deliver the news to others."

"No questions. We will make arrangements."

(I still don't believe this dude)

[If there are no further things to discuss Von Kretch will take his leave and you'll have a week to arrange things. I suggest discussing who will do what and what you intend to accomplish]

Leewan broods on balcony.
(And oversees the swimming test with Edlass)

Robillard goes to the duel with two of Gwain's men, and spends his time praying and preparing his weapon.

[Robillard sounds more and more like a space marine]

Heaven and Sloth confront Robillard on the dueling grounds. Before Robillard can even raise his blade, the two drop their arms in unison and surrender, as per Gwain's instructions to them from the other day. Gwain readily accepts whatever punishment Leewan has for him or his men, considering what Robillard did to Treachary in the last duel.

Robillard accepts their surrender without question. He even goes so far as to ask for some [light] mercy from Leewan.

"There is no shame in recognizing you are outmatched by your foe. While their comrades fought like snakes and rats, these men have vowed before the truth of Themis. Go easily on them, brother."

Leewan orders each of the men to receive 50 lashings and to be locked in the stockades for four days. With his remaining time Leewan consults the old texts and scrolls in Heretic's end and consults his own memory for clues about the "fox" of Robillard's curse.

15 cunning result

The rest of Gwain's Guard attempt to prove themselves worthy in combat through whatever means Leewan decides.

[Fighting tests for the 6 that haven't fought yet: 11, 9, 12, 9, 16, 8]

As celebration on the last day of Heaven and Sloth's punishment, Gwain sponsers the whole group to go wild in the taverns and whore houses to raise morale before setting out on the road.

Ritter doesn't even give the two who fought Robillard first the chance to prove themselves saying those who cheat in duels have no place with a blade in their hand. The two who are in the stockade are unable to try and prove themselves to Ritter and so only the six who haven't fought step up to the challenge. In short order, Ritter takes measure of the remaining members of Gwains Guard and finds only two worthy in his opinion (the 12 and 16) and for their trouble they receive access to the castles funds to acquire a new weapon. Pleased with Robillards performance, Leewan allows Robillard to use the houses newly acquired wealth to purchase a custom suit of full plate armor. Realizing that the amount of time for the armor to be created would exceed the week they have remaining at the castle before departing Robillard has the measurements taken by a smith in town and a messenger raven is sent with word of the order ahead of the family to the capital of Acren, Hanstorf.

During the time after the tests, familial matters are attended to and Leewan is pleasantly surprised to find out that Ohly has taught his son to be a capable swimmer. While he would certainly struggle in rough waters due to his age he nonetheless is capable of swimming on his own and the decision of whether he can begin learning to sail is up to Leewan. During the remaining time available to him Leewan takes the time to read through what literature has survived the ages on his family in an attempt to understand the nature of Robillards curse. He muddles through much of the past starting from more recent times and reads of things he was taught as a child himself. Things from territorial gains and losses to past raids but nothing stands out in recent memory as relating to Robillards misfortune. As you dig and dig through tome after tome eventually Leewan finds one that details events of early Acrens founding; back when the barbarians had been conquered and the old Empire had begun to crumble. The book details the rise of the Themisian church and how the provinces of the old Empire began to rebel against an ever more corrupt government began to suffer under stagnation. Most strangely of all within the tomb a section within begins describing the election of the third Arch Cardinal in the Themisian church, Arch Cardinal Averardo, only to suddenly change the topic to the founding of the first ruling family in Acren.

With all matters attended to the family and important offices have one last chance to speak before the week long journey to Hanstorf. A carriage for the brothers to ride in should they desire has been arranged to take them there and any other individuals you wish to bring. Matters such as how many men you're brining, what you're bringing, and any other important things should be laid out before proceeding. Leewan does recall that Robillard never reported back to him about speaking with Cardinal Schiller.

Robillard will bring his armor and greatsword. He will ride on his horse rather than using the carriage, to help looking out for bandits.

As for reporting back about Cardinal Schiller, what exactly was Robillard supposed to say? He's not going to hide anything; he has no secrets to keep from either Schiller or Leewan.

Leewan goes to the church to speak with Schiller privately.

Leewan heads off to the church on the eve of his departure. Taking two bodyguards to ensure nobody from the town or anyone from outside the town gets any bright ideas he takes a quick pace and as he walks along he can see people whispering to each other while looking in his direction. Soon enough Leewan arrives at the place of worship in his domain and upon entrance is asked by one of the priests what business you may need help with. Upon requesting audience with Schiller you are told he is up towards the bell tower and that you can be taken there for a private audience (going to assume you accept). Leaving behind the two bodyguards Leewan ascends a flight of stairs past a door behind the altar and finds the Cardinal peering through one of the bell towers windows looking onwards at Heretics End with a quill in one hand and parchment in the other. A cup of ink rests on the windowsill and upon your arrival the priest speaks "Holy Cardinal, Lord Griswald has requested audience with you." Schiller waves a hand and the priest bows and leaves the way you came and a moment passes before either of you speak.

When at last the door below is heard being closed the Cardinal speaks with a smile "My good Lord Griswald, how nice of you to visit me. Here you catch me looking on at your home and I've oft' wondered whether you have looked on at mine from your own balcony. Tell me, do you look down on your citizens with pride and hope for the future or disgust and ill thoughts?"

"When I look from my home I see the ordinary. Humans doing their daily work. And work is the purpose that has driven me to your holy abode. What do you understand of his condition?"

Leewan glances at the parchment in Schiller's hand.

Glancing at the parchment you can see at the top it is addressed to Cardinal Mathias Dorr but as to the exact contents you cannot tell from a simple glance as much of it isn't in your view and what you can see is upside down from your perspective. Schiller responds to your inquiry as he makes to put the quill into the ink pot "Your brother? I'm afraid that I am no expert in curses like some of my other colleagues, but what I do understand is that it's undoubtedly referring to some aspect of your families nature. I fear that the man who put this curse on Robillard may know something about your family that you do not and is using it against you to their own ends. I've been writing to some of my fellow clergymen in an attempt to learn more about it but they haven't gotten back to me."

"We live in an era of crusades. War against heresy fills and takes the lives of many devout soldiers. Who then has a scholarly devotion to combating these dark forces the nation sends armies against?"

"Many of the clergy spend their lives learning ways to bring about Themis' miracles. Some are gifted with means to lift curses while others are granted forms of limited divination. Those who are the best and brightest among them are often formed into groups known as Talons of Themis where three lesser members work under one senior, and often more wise, member. Each Talon of Themis is unique in their operation though most often act as common clergy like myself. These appointments withing these gatherings of miracle workers aren't always long lived however."

"Is their short tenure the result of visiting battlefields? Or only because the wisdom required for such a position demands a steep price in years of study? Regardless, Robillard cannot jeopardize the heir of Griswald and his curse needs dissolving. Where is the nearest talon?"

"That, I have to admit, I don't know the answer to. I've never had a reason to seek any before this myself and as such I'm afraid I'm of no help in that regard. My correspondents will hopefully get back to me with pertinent information about your question though I am trying to be discreet about my reasoning. If you or I are not careful some of the more... zealous members of the clergy could catch wind and decide it best just to be off with Robillards head."

"If he brings any harm to my son be certain I will personally see his head offed. Do the goddesses work and keep the spirits of the common folk high in our absence. Always remember serving the land of Griswald is as much your duty as your workings with the church. Farewell, cardinal Schiller."

"My duties are wherever Themis takes me. Have now fear, however, as I have my own reasons for being concerned over Robillards and House Griswalds success and its failures. I will let you know if I hear anything significant." Schiller says with a smile

As you make to leave down the stairs you hear him shout after you "Try to keep the knowledge of the Talons from everyday conversations. Such cabals of priests tend to disapprove of common folk knowing of their works"

Leewan returns to his kin, ready to set out for the capital.

With arrangements made and everyone ready to head to the capital of Atten the last moments home go by and soon enough the Griswald family is mounting up on carriage and horseback for the journey ahead. With goodbyes from significant others and the heads of house Robillard, Gwain (and his men), and Leewan take their leave from the mountains they call home. The descent is frigid and the sun blocked by the clouds above but the smell of the sea is in the air and you all can't help but wonder if you'll ever see Heretic's End whole again. After a day's travel, you all make your way from the mountains of home into the frigid plains of Atten. Due to the mountains that range across much of the ocean borders the warmer air from the water can't make it onto the plains causing them to be colder than other similar latitudes. These are not your lands, however, as those that you ride on now belong to House Dittrich and though they have always been jealous of your families defenses and port they have nonetheless always been neutral with your house; not above trading with you but not bellow helping you (or you them) beyond what duty requires. The land here is dry and covered in the same pine woods as those of the barbarian lands you had raided though a fair portion has been deforested for structures and farming land. Three villages fall under ownership of the Dittrich family with one being large and the other two small (one recently acquired from a destitute house that had barely held onto the lands for fifty years). The citizens of the land wave hello to you as you pass but for the most part keep their distance.

Eight days pass travelling across these lands and though you stop on occasion to get a hot meal from where you can it is fairly uneventful. House Dittrich's lands give way to the great red oak forest known as the Hollow Woodland for the faces with hollow eyes that legend has appear on the trees during times of great bloodshed. The trees in the woods average a height of one hundred and fifty feet and due to its size, and the forests lands are split between three houses, Emerich, Behm, and Imhoff. Your journey takes you through the Emerich portion of the forest and the sheer size of the trees makes you fell insignificant due to their size and everyone keep a watchful eye around them due to the numerous Great Brown Bears and Great Boars that have been hunted and killed in these woods over the centuries. In total, the journey through the woods takes two days (would take a week to go around) and though no attacks occur many complain of restless nights because of the strange noises that occur around you all from the forest. After exiting you still ride on the Emerich's land for another two days but everyone is happy to be out of the woods (no pun intended).

After these twelve days, you find yourself travelling along a similar chilly and dry landscape as that near your home but along the border between House Emerich's lands and those of House Brandis is the small city of Panzinger (owned by Brandis) and along the paths many merchants and travelers can be seen going both the opposite and same direction you are. The city is well renown for the trade bazaar it hosts where items from across the lands can be found along with a myriad of more exotic foods and spices.

[You have a week extra time in your journey so if you wish to stop anywhere you can or you can get to the capital early. You all decide]

As the party nears Panzinger, Gwain nudges Robillard to get his attention. "I've heard this city has quite the Bazaar. Do you think I could convince Leewan to let me shop here for a new bow? This weapon has served me well for a while, but It'd be nice to have something new to show off at the upcoming tournament, don't you think?"

"Normally I would chide you for your vanity, but I must admit, I am quite excited to don my new armor. I will be a shining pillar of faith to push out the darkness in my soul."

Robillard pauses for a moment, his eyes looking far off into his future of dress up, then continues.

"If you wish I will accompany you to the market. I wouldn't want you getting into any trouble on your own."

"Me? trouble? Pffft, it's like you don't even know me! We might as well notfiy Leewan. I'll have to beg for funds from him anyway."

"Perhaps he would like to join us to find a gift for our new king. Come, let us find him."

Robillard will join Gwain in hunting for Leewan.

Robillard and Gwain find Leewan brooding in the carriage. He asks them "What is the matter?"

"Brother, we were hoping to go to the bazaar. Gwain wishes a new bow to prove himself in the king's tourney, and I was thinking we should find a mighty gift for our new liege. Would you care to join us in our search?"

"Your suggestion is not unwise. Yes. Let us curate a gift for the soon to be king. Have you nurtured thoughts on the particulars of this gift?"

"Perhaps a symbol of our devotion will prove more valuable to the king than simple jewels and golden baubles. However, I know little of the intricacies of court. I will defer to Gwain, who has a much greater understanding of the proper proprieties than I."

"The family's fealty will be demanded regardless. You make a valid observation noting Gwain's penchant for spirited celebration and the art of appeasing. Let him be the judge of what could be a valuable gift to the king. We will review his suggestion as a council."

Gwain glances nervously between his two brothers. "Uhh, I'm flattered and all, but I hope you realize my experience with royalty outside our family is limited to being held captive by them and deposing them. I don't exactly have a great track record as of late. That being said... I do know how to please a lady, and if the king is blessed with a queen then I will have no trouble choosing a gift for her."

[You have no idea whether there's a queen at this time or not. I'll post about the journey to the bazaar later today. In orientation right now so I can't do much]

Leewan elects not to go to the bazaar with his brothers though he does realize this is a good opportunity to get out of the crampt carriage and decides he might as well head towards the city with them instead of waiting on the roadside. As you all approach you can see Panziner was likely originally built around a small castle that hosts House Brandis as the castle itself resides atop a sizable hill that would provide obvious defensive advantages. The city itself becomes more densely packed the further it goes in with the innermost buildings being constructed of long lasting granite from a quarry nearby no doubt and the buildings towards the outer edges being much more temporary wooden structures. Leewan recalls from his early studies as a child on the houses of Atten that the city's original citizens were nothing more than refuges of invasions from the West. As the invasions were pushed back beyond the mountains those who lived in the small town at the time remained and it's loation along a prime trde route allowed it to quickly fluorish. The descendents of those original refuges are now some of the wealthiest people within Panzinger and their distrust of foreigners has nearly seen an end to the trade in the city on several occasions.

Nevertheless as you all continue on your way you find yourselves approaching a guard checkpoint for those entering. The going is slow as the guards check with their hounds for anything within the carriages that shouldn't be in them such as illigally poached game or stowaways and thieves. Soon enough the guards get to your carriage and upon determining your position in this world you are quickly waved through the process and the guards apologize for any inconvenience the wrest of the traders may have caused you. As you pass through the outer limits of the city you can see children playing in the mud with the occasional farm or house animal roaming the streets. Due to the obviousness of your carriage many children come running up to you all and ask for food, money, or anything of value. Your small retinue of guards and the carriage driver shoe them away and they go running off just as fast as they came. Soon after Leewan seperates from Rabillard and Gwain as he goes to wherever his heart desires while his brothers shop.

On their way to the bazaar Robillard leaves his horse with a stablemaster for the time as horses aren't allowed into the bazaar, except for transporting goods, and despite having no idea where to go to find the bazaar the large crowds streaming in a single direction to and fro gives them a solid hunch of where to head. As you two make your way through the crowds you realize that the inner portion of the city did not have street built originally for crowds of this size and on many occasions you both find yoursdelves shoulder to shoulder with men and women with the feeling of claustrophobia that comes with it. As you continue on you see numerous alehouses that people dip in and out of with roaring chears from within alongside normal houses which, on the stairs of many, guards in helmets that refect the bright sun above off them stand watch over the crowds kepping an eye out for pickpockets. Emblazoned upon the shoulder of their armor is the symbol of House Brandis: a white horse reared up upon a red shield and as you both look you can feal the glare of the guard staring back at you.

Fortunately you finally come to the bazaar after fourty minutes of travelling with the crowds. The crampt streets give way to an area that obviously used to belong to many houses but have since been cleared for room for the market with tents of all sizes and colors littering the entire football field sized space (not that you know what a football field is). Merchants all skin color and accents can be heard shouting for people to come and browse their wares while some areas are left open for entertainers playing music and others offering food and spices for sale. The whole thing can only be described as beutiful chaos.

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Leewan makes his way out of the way of the crowds and leaves the carriage with a stablemaster and the carriage driver stays to keep an eye on it (and probably catch some sleep) as he approaches a different area of the inner city. Your guards keep close to you making sure no person strays to close to their lord with one hand on the hilt of their swords at all times. Away from the crowds Leewan finds himself in a more residential area though there is the occasional bakery or tailor there isn't much of note here aside from the pragmatic architecture of the buildings. What Leewan does with his time here while his brothers spend his money is up to him.

"Look around you brother! Listen to the merchants yelling. Smell the street food sizzling. Feel the bodies wash around you like a sea. This is the big city! And just think, the capital will be even more grand! This is just a taste of what you've missed while you were gone."

"First thing's first, we need something to munch on while we peruse these wears. Then we start in that corner over there and work our way one shop at a time around the bazaar. It's important to browse each store, because you never know which ones might be hidden gems! Come brother, we've a long day ahead of us!"

As Gwain begins his circuit around the market, he quickly looses sight of his original goal of procuring a kingly gift and worthy bow. Most likely it is all Robillard can do to keep Gwain from buying every little bauble or fancy hat they encounter. Of course Gwain isn't distracted enough not to be on the look out for an attractive shopkeep.

"Guards, I make for the castle. An audience whilst we are here might yield information of use." With that Leewan begins stomping on towards the castle gates.

Struggling along in his brigandine armor, Robillard can barely keep up with his excitable brother. He does his best to shuffle him along through the crowd, pushing him past unscrupulous vendors. Finally, he spies a vendor of bows and arrows [im assuming there's at least one somewhere in the market].

"Gwain, look! There is your reason for coming. Let us go there so we can soon depart this unseemly crush of people."

Gwain goes running off in the whatever direction his stomach takes him with Robillard chasing him from behind. Moving through the crowds Gwain quickly finds a food stand and purchases some mutton for negligable cost. As the still sizzling meat cools off before you bite into it and burn your mouths you take a second to look around at what's in your immediate vicinity. Around are numerous merchants selling furs and clothes of spectacular qualities which Gwain can't help but admire while others sell jars containing pickled foods, spices, or roots of various kinds. Gwain drags his poor brother along to some of the clothing merchants where Gwain is shown numerous extravagant cloaks and cloth outfits. Unfortunately none of the items the merchants sell are capable of lasting any appreciable amount of time in the wilderness and on such events and so Gwain decides to save some of the money and possibly come back later after seeing what else is available.

As Robillard and Gwain continue on (more Robillard trying to keep up with Gwain really) they pass by a huge variety of shops (I'll just list the total variety here): horse stables, exotic animals, blacksmiths, fletchers, tailors, pottery, books and tomes, baubles, jewlery, food, carpentry, perfumes, taxidermy, leatherworking, and childrens items. In addition one of the most prominant parts of the bazaar (and only one of its kind here) is a sizable area settup where Themisian priests offer forgiveness of sins and salvation to those of great enough purity. Coming near the end of the quick survey of what's available Gwains hears Robillard shout to him about one of the fletchery shops which consists of a tent draped over a wooden shop stand allowing cover from the weather for the shopkeeper and an area where items can be displayed safely. Within the shelves are many bows of various types of wood alongside arrows with arrowheads made in shapes ranging from classical points to barbes meant to stick into horses. The shopkeeper who is somewhat preocupied with three others browsing his wares hears Robillard and looks over at Gwain while tugging at his greying brown beard,

"Looking for a weapon of finesse as opposed to a weapon belonging to brutes my friend? Well if you're looking to replace that worne out hunk of wood you call a weapon there I can guarentee there's something here for you." The man pulls from a rack to his side a black curved bow with engravings of vines along its frame and a metal fixture to make notching an arrow easier. "Take a look here at this one and tell me it doesn't feel like you could put down a griffon in one shot."

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Leewan continues on to the castle which takes him no less than twenty minutes to reach mostly due to the confusing nature of some of the streets more than shear distance. Upon arrival to the main gate Leewan can see numerous flags waving in the wind on top of the pallisades and finds numerous merchants waiting in a line to approach the guards undoubtedly looking to make some form of offer to the houses lord on trade or a simple purchase. There are eight guards in total standing at the gate with two speaking to those waiting in line. Leewan is left with sevaral options on how to seek his audience with the houses lord.

"Hunk of wood? Why it was with this very 'hunk of wood' that I, Gwain Griswald, split an arrow down the middle in Baron Bradford's famous archery tournament. But yes, as a matter of fact, I am looking for an upgrade. I've heard tales of legendary bows crafted from a material as strong as steel but as flexible as yew. Do you know where I could acquire such a weapon?"

The shopkeeper puts the bow back on the rack and gives you a questioning look "You looking for ironbark? You sure don't dress like someone who can pay for that. Never heard of some Gwain but I hear your Baron has taken his politics out of Adroysia."

Robillard chimes in, his voice low and polite, velvet hiding the steel beneath. "You speak to Gwain, third son of House Griswald. I would be more aware of myself if I were you, shopkeep."

Gwain seems personally offended. "You've heard of the Baron but not the brave archer who rid the land of this tyranny? I'll have you know it was Gwain's Guard, my band of merry men, who saw Lord Henry back onto his rightful throne. How did you come to hear of Bradford but not the man responsible for his demise?"

Leewan saunters forwards and waits for his presence to be acknowledged. He would not stoop to whimpering out an "Excuse me." to standard guardsmen.