Valkrun strides down the road, the cloak of the Silver Shield flapping behind him as he makes his way towards his gathered men after hearing of these red masked bandits targeting one of his own. This changed things, this was no longer a matter of safety for the roads and preservation of commerce alone, now it was a personal matter to the Shield. Once he came up to the assemblage of the band he met each on of their gazes, waiting for silence and attention.
"With an attack on our own the rules of engagement have changed lads. We will show these ruffians no quarter, we will not allow them to attack our own without retaliation!"
Waiting for the air to calm a bit his tone changes from one of fervor to one of calculated tact.
"I want you to patrol in pairs, preferably in groups of three if it can be managed. Next time these, Red Hoods, are found I want you to bring one of them back alive. It's about time that I had a chat with one of them and find out exactly who and what we are dealing with."
He dismisses them to their patrols with his usual grin on his face. These bandits were about to find that the lawless void near Beregost was coming to an end.
Messengers are sent out to members of the Silver Shield and many have heard whispers and rumors that they are looking for someone in possession of a dark ring.
"Shields, keep an eye out for a man named Victor who is in possession of a dangerous artifact. The fellow likely does not even realize the trouble this item has been causing and we need to claim this ring so it can be studied and possibly destroyed for the safety of the coast."
As fires raged and warning bells struck on the cool autumn afternoon in the northern farmlands adventurers assembled to aid the Fist as they could. The Fist officer on the scene was dumbstruck from the sheer magnitude of the dragon that set the settlement ablaze that day. This left the adventurers who numbered perhaps a dozen to take the lead and spread out to subdue the flames and search for survivors. Unfortunately by this time there were none left alive in the smoking wastes.
Once the situation was calmed, talk of hunting down the dragon began at first as murmurs between those present and later as a unanimous cry by all assembled. A runner was sent and the adventurers were sent to speak with General Scar of the Flaming Fist personally. It seems the dragon is an ancient creature responsible for many attacks in the Western Heartlands in the past and that a group known as the Hellriders from the north had agreed to hunt the ancient scourge for the Fist.
Of coarse, should that effort fail and further attacks be made someone will have to deal with this mysterious dragon before the lands surrounding the Gate are left in naught but ash and cinders.
"That's a good story lad, now keep moving." The voice came from a tall, heavily built man as he prodded his two captives along the road. His weathered face carried his years well despite the streaks of grey in his hair and beard. His left hand held a rope that ran forward, stringing the two prisoners together with their hands tied behind their back.
"I said 'that's the finest cloak I've seen in my life,' the Halfling Leaf protested, his Elven companion Agalow nodding in agreement. Their captor, whose name was Duncan barked a laugh. The laughter shook his whole frame for a moment, causing his Silver Shield cloak to ripple behind him.
"Funny that. I'm fairly sure I heard 'your cloak or your life', lad. And I had warned you already you were headed for all manner of trouble." The Friendly Arm Inn came up ahead, and they approached it at a slow, if steady pace. Duncan Thorne ignored the continued grumblings from the two and kept them moving along. As he approached the entrance to the Inn, one of the guards stepped out with a nasty expression on his face.
"Halt! Since you can't seem to take my warnings, some time in the jail might teach you your lesson." Duncan stopped short, giving the man a puzzled glance.
"What's this about?" he asked the guard, who glared at him before pointing at the longbow Duncan carried loosely in his left hand.
"No weapons about the Inn. Put it away and come peacefully or there'll be trouble."
Duncan looked at the man incredulously, then saw two more of the guards move to back their comrade up. Duncan's hand itched for the large warhammer hanging from his belt, but he kept stone still.
"I'm just bringing these two prisoners in is all," Duncan began before the guard roughly shoved himself between Duncan, the Hin and the Elf, forcing Duncan to drop the rope.
"You're going to jail is all." The guard's breath smelled of rotting meat, and Duncan gave a resigned sigh. He peeked over the guard's shoulder to see the two would-be bandits running off into the woods, still tied together.
"So be it, lad," he said quietly. "So be it."
<Note while the two character's names are mentioned in the story, they are never spoken by anyone. Duncan has taken descriptions back with him to the Silver Shield upon his release, but Leaf and Agalow's names are not known ICly>
James Merlin - Traveling, Treasure Hunting Troubadour of Tymora
Garet Sunder - Monk of the Fallen Star Duncan Thorne - Sellsword and follower of the Red Knight Vivian Blake - Wheeler and Dealer (Merchant) Bran Emberfist - Monk of the Order of the Four Ways
Lucy has been seen in various places asking people about an acid-spewing, nigh-indestructible frog, and for information related to it since its appearance in Nashkel.
She has requested the aid of Kraak Helzak to discover its nature, though she insists the request is a personal one and the aid of the Dwarves does not obligate them to any kind of alliance with the Shield.
**This was a player driven event, in which SS members ,
friends of Maxwell, a Dwarven journey man enchanter,
and smith, had requested some fire essence to be acquired for
A project. We couldn't get DM assistance, for the last few days so we did it on our own, in RP and would ask staff to simply take note of Helping Max in gathering what is needed***
Valiant, Alezka, Lucy, Kehl, James, Kestriel pared up. The Knight, Valiant welcomed as a friend and experienced soldier, the Dwarf as a clan mate to Maxwell, and friend to them all. Kestriel, a green recruit, needing some experience. Alezka, project lead, James and Lucy senior officers.
The group was assembled at FAI, and everyone prepared for the journey during the night, and by day break, they headed out.
They successfully, though after nearly an hour of hard battle, managed to slay the Balor, and secure its remains.
What is left now, is to give the remains to an alchemist, powerful and knowledgeable enough, to distill the required essence itself.
A long journey and much responsibility left to the senior members of the band had left Valkrun with much on his mind. He trusted that his men and fellow council members would see to business in the Gate while he was tending to matters in Waterdeep. Still, standing on the deck of a ship with the wind on his face as he sailed for Baldur's Gate left him with a sense of anticipation for what awaited him once the ship reached the harbor in two days time, and what tidings had befallen the Shield in his absence. His trust in those he left in charge was absolute and he hoped it was only the ominous clouds on the horizon that left him with a feeling of unease about his impending return.
A notice is posted at the Friendly Arms Inn and runners sent out to all members and recruits of the Silver Shield.
"Please attend a meeting at the Friendly Arms Inn on the roof in five days time. I wish all Shields to attend to we can discuss the current problems of the band and create more cohesion with our ever growing band! With my absence in Waterdeep and Arcon and Lucy having many things to attend to as of late I have heard that there is a general wish for direction amongst the Shields which this meeting will provide. Please attend if you are able!
~Valkrun Anatox - Council member of the Silver Shield"
Members of the Silver Shield can be overheard discussing recent events involving Herbert North. Rumblings of avoiding the Fields of the Dead and a plan being put into place to deal with a dark being that resides there can be heard through out the conversation. Valkrun seems to be the loudest and most concerned when speaking of the threat and anyone that observed him in the presence of Lucy in the last few days would notice that his usual smiling demeanor was hardened and grim, his eyes would linger on Lucy with concern when discussing the topic often.
Who was the strange girl that showed up in North's wake, that claimed North was the servant? What was the true nature of the heirloom that had fallen from her bag?
These questions plagued Lucy over the coming days.
Rumor has it the Silver Shield has been contracted to look into the recent kidnapping of a Lethandrite priest from Beregost. Members are looking for both the kidnappers and those involved in the failed rescue attempt and seem little concerned with anything but the safe return of the priest or the apprehension and punishment of any guilty parties.
*Arcon quickly starts informing all recruits of this matter, not caring who overhears.*
"Be advised, Candle Keep has fallen on dark times. It would seem us finally ridding the lands of that foul Lich was not in Candle Keep's interest. So lustful is there knowledge of Necromancy and the foul experiments Herbert North committed that they have sanctioned the death of any and all Silver Shield within their wall. Far be it for us to prevent more bloodshed and needless deaths Candlekeep refused to aid in.
I would recommend avoiding entering within their keep or hire someone to enter in your stead. Any banditry taking place on the Kings road, far enough away from the Trade Route, is acceptable and should not be prevented. It is now deemed a lawless zone by the Silver Shield unless we are required otherwise in a future contract."
Arcon Anatox - Councilor of the Silver Shield
Lilly Underburrow - Not much other then scared
A large squad of Silver Shield can be noticed heading north along the Tradeway with several days worth of food, water and other supplies in tow. Anyone witnessing them far enough north would see them head west toward Boareskyer bridge.
