The Ebon Blade Public Rp Thread

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - Training, meeting and patrol - Part One

The Ebon Blade headquarters came to life with mercs showing up for a scheduled meeting and training session. The company members and recruits discussed politics and situation on the Coast while waiting for everyone to arrive.


Lieutenant had quite a training session in mind. Well aware of the fact that military training should be varied for the participants to be truly challenged she ordered the new, warlock recruit to use his gifts against company members.


Mercs were bid against not only hellfire powers but Xelious' contracted help.

(((OOC: More screens in spoilers.

Hidden: show

Using succubi as a proper distraction against male opponents seemed to be quite efficient.


Moral of the story: Do not let a few unusually flirtatious girls distract you from your real target!

Ebon Blade met with a visitor, Lord Cold Circle Ae'bel, a high-ranking aurilite priest, who had the pleasure observing some of the training. After the guest had left mercs discussed some of their open contracts and a route of the incoming patrol was chosen.


Fully geared mercs met outside Soubar ready to roll.


Ebon Blade spent some time patrolling the Northern Tradeway before turning towards the border of Forest of Wyrms.


Not far from the Forest, the company encountered an elven mage. Whatever transpired caused a part of the group, consisting of Lieutenant, Blackwolf, and Xelious, to split from the rest and head for the line of trees.

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - Training, meeting and patrol - Part Two

Captain, Drogo, and Frigo joined Lieutenant, Blackwolf and Xelious. In full squad they debated the details of today's patrol route.


For some reason, mercs paid especially close attention to the west border of the forest. Almost as if they were trying to see if a perimeter could be established. Why and what for, remains to be seen.


As usual a combat training in the field took place. Mercs fought against various creatures native to the Forest of Wyrms.

(((OOC: More screens in spoilers.

Hidden: show

The company made contact with undead and the threat was swiftly eliminated.

To raise the challenge level, Captain led the company to the hideout of an Earth Elemental.

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This encounter took longer and required not only brutal strength but also forced the mercs to utilize a tactical approach.

Good teamwork and proper coordination was worth it. The elemental was slain.


The capstone of this training session was the battle with a local green wyrm.

Hidden: show

This time not only force and tactics were used but also a familiar "whatever means necessary" approach was needed.

The skirmish with the wyrm was long but successful. Mercs took some time collecting scales and other components from the carcass.


Worn but in good spirits, the company reached Corm Orp where they were lucky enough to find some room in Bert's wagon. Upon arrival in Soubar, Lieutenant handsomely tipped the wagon-man.

(((OOC Disclaimer: All the information here can be considered IC-obtainable.

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - Training, meeting and patrol - Part Three

After arriving back at Soubar, and generously tipping Bert, Lieutenant took a moment to check on the archers and Militia atop of the Ebon Blade tower.


Next on the agenda was Blackwolf's promotion to raid captain. The man did not expect such but welcomed it gratefully nonetheless.


The company shared drinks at the Winging Way Inn later. Lieutenant and recruit Xelious left shortly after to tend to another business.

══════════════ ⚔ ⚔ ⚔ ══════════════

Ebon Blade Daily - Visiting Darkhold

El and Xelious could have been seen hopping off a wagon at Darkhold's courtyard. They were processed by the guards rather quickly given that it wasn't Mercs first visit regarding the negotiations of Guard Contract which had started two tendays ago. The two continued onwards to meet with Herald of Darkhold, Captain Wren Di'Corvi.


Lieutenant and Recruit were politely received by Captain Di'Corvi and negotiations commenced in a pleasant atmosphere over coffee. Fortunately, this time there was nothing more that needed to be reworded in the contract and both parties signed it.

GENERAL SERVICE AGREEMENT

THIS GENERAL SERVICE AGREEMENT (“The Agreement”) dated this 29 of Hammer, 1353

BETWEEN:

Herald of Darkhold, Captain Wren Di’Corvi (“The Client”)

AND:

Ebon Blade Mercenary Company (“The Contractor”)

BACKGROUNG

A: The Client is of the opinion that the Contractor has the necessary qualifications, experience, and abilities to provide services to the Client.
B: The Contractor is agreeable to providing such services to the Client on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

IN CONSIDERATION OF the matters described above and of the mutual benefits and obligations set forth in this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Client and the Contractor agree as follow:


Service provided

1. The Contractor hereby agrees to provide the Client’s with the services of a Personal Guard, consisting of:
A. Accompany the Client whenever required by the Client, under the condition that no priorities related to the Contractor’s business would take precedence.
B. Should the chosen representative of the Contractor party be unavailable, the Client may choose, under the Captain’s supervision, another agent to fulfill the duty.
C. Attend meetings with the Client as needed.
D. Provide the Client with an escort.

*The position of Personal Guard entitles the Contractor to take any actions required to ensure the protection and well-being of the Client's "Life and Goods". The Contractor may bear arms to prevent any form of threats to the Client, including and not limited to putting the life of the Client before his, and must do so, as per the terms of the Agreement.*


Terms of agreement

2. It has been the common understanding that a chosen representative of the Contractor party is to act as the Prime Agent for the agreement. In the present case, El, Lieutenant of the Ebon Blade, is appointed as such representative.
3. The terms of this Agreement (“The Terms”) will begin on the date of this Agreement and will remain in full force and effect until it is requested otherwise, either by the Client’s will, or the Contractor’s request, following understanding.
4. In the event that either Party wishes to terminate this Agreement, that Party will be required to provide 10 days’ written notice to the other Party.


Compensation

For the services rendered by the Contractor as required by this Agreement, the Client will provide compensation (“The Compensation”) to the Contractor of a fixed amount of one thousand five hundred (1,500) gold coins, per request of services. Of this sum, thirty (30) percent (450 gold coins) belongs to the Ebon Blade company, while seventy (70) percent (1050 gold coins) belongs to the dispatched representative. Additional fees will be applied according to overtime and extra duties.


Confidentiality

5. The Contractor agrees that they will not disclose, divulge, reveal, report or use, for any purpose, any Information which the Contractor has obtained, except otherwise authorized by the Client.


Modification of Agreement

6. Any Amendments or modifications of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either Party in connection with this Agreement will be notified and agreed upon by both Party.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly affixed their signatures under hand and seal on this 29 of Hammer, 1353

____________Wren Di'Corvi____________
(Client)

____________Lieutenant El____________
(Contractor)

(((OOC Disclaimer: All the information here can be considered IC-obtainable except for word-for-word contents of the contract (unless you think your PC would have access to such). I just wanted to show off Litoff's dedication to this RP. Wax seal provided by Herisheft.

[Bad Omens]

A battle could be felt upon nearby Boareskyr Bridge. The ground would quake and air ripple with the sounds of arcane and elemental power. Some looking on would see a dark skinned Orc battling a Tiefling mage and Human warrior. In the end, the Tiefling and Human were laid low, the Orc roaring to the sky in it's native tongue, before grabbing the Tiefling by the ankle and dragging his body toward the High Moor. Those of keen eye, would have seen the Tiefling and Human wore the symbol of the Ebon Blade Mercenary Company.

Anyone attempting to track the Orc would find no trace of his footsteps, but those tracking the dragging body would find it impaled upon a spike in the High Moor. The body burnt crisp but not seemingly from fire.

[Sputnik]

Pairs of dark armored warriors can be seen all over the Coast searching message boards and anywhere else posters might be found. For those paying attention, they seem to be taking down old bounty posters.

Hidden: show

The men all wear black cloaks clasped with Ebon Blade brooches.

[Sputnik]

Rumors quickly spread of an execution in Soubar.

During the evening hours of the 24th of Tarsakh, Everett Blackwolf was seen dragging a prisoner from within the Ebon Blade fort. The captive was a drow woman, clothed in a strange restrictive leather garment with her wrists bound by manacles.

A small crowd gathered as the mercenary Lieutenant dragged her through the muddy thoroughfare. He was accompanied by his fellow company man Shekels, a powerful arcanist and reknowned merchant.
They stopped at a large elm on the North side of town, hereafter dubbed 'The Gallow-Tree'...

The crowd began to grow restless as Everett silently slung the length of rope he'd brought around a large limb of the newly-named elm tree. He then passed the rope to Shekels to place around the drowess' neck as murmurs demanded answers from the spectators. Shekels was forced to use weakening magics on the captive to ease her compliance. The drow's pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears as Everett turned to address those gathered..

"This drow has been sentenced to hang by the neck until dead." The veteran warrior glanced about the crowd with a look that brooked no disagreement.
"She is guilty of Attempted Bribery of an Ebon Blade officer and Assault on Ebon Blade members. Such is the price for those who would attack us!" he bellowed, rousing a few cheers from the Soubarians and adventurers.

He recruited a stout volunteeer from among the spectators to help him hoist the drow into the air, and unceremoniously began. The drowess was soon dancing the hempen jig, and before very long was still, swinging from side to side....

The crowd soon dispersed and her body was brought back to the Ebon Blade fort by Shekels and the stout volunteer, a tall armored blonde woman.

The rumors would later name the executed criminal as a 'Mitheera' from S'shamath.

[Sputnik]

Increased acitivty might be noticed at the Ebon Blade fort in Soubar as a call for quarrymen, woodcutters, carpenters, masons and laborers is put out by the Mercenary Company.

Scaffolding goes up around the edifice, and work crews can be seen busily coming and going. Among the din of cosntant work, rumors begin to spread of the excellent pay offered by the mercenaries; twice what Baldurians are known to make for such work.

//DM approved

[Planehopper]

10 shells of the white-carapace carrion beetle, a good amount of petals from local black swamp iris, and a mild acid derived from the stomach contents of a giant ant. Simple as it were, communicating his needs to the illithid without allowing it access to his mind (try as it may) was more frustrating than he had anticipated. Nevertheless, needs were needs, and he walked away with just what he sought.

As he made his way back to the fortress he avoided a small pack of sniveling were-rats, who seemed to be scoping the area for their next victim. He nodded a greeting to a man dressed in Calimshani (to avoid the filter) silks, who appeared to stride confidently, an obvious arcane staff in hand. Near the communal fire he heard a rollicking song sung in a language that could only be dwarven, though he knew not how to speak it. As darkness began to settle, the faces of beasts and men grew harder to make out in the flickering torch light, but he was certain he’d seen the shadow of a gnoll behind a nearby tent, just as he’d heard what he thought were muffled screams.

It was a rough place, but it didn’t bother him. Under the façade of lawlessness there was order. An order derived in power, and one secured by mutual respect.

As he approached the mighty fortress the guards called out, and he to them, before the doors were opened and he stepped inside. They would come to know his face better with time, he thought, and time was on his side.

Deep into the night, visible in the upper windows of the Ebon Blade fort, there flashed and crackled an amber light. Zahven had finally found a new home on the coast.

[Sputnik]

Rumors quickly spread of a tense scene in front of the Ebon Blade fort.
Representatives of Baldur's Gate had apparently come to Soubar to negotiate for the handing over of a prisoner.

This prisoner was none other than the notorious 'Golden Wolf', apprehended by members of the Ebon Blade with the aid of a few others in Ulgoth's Beard.

Lieutenant Blackwolf, Sergeant Drogo and Recruit Zhaven met with the dignitaries, who demanded the return of 'their' prisoner. The response was perhaps less than diplomatic, as they were plainly told that the prisoner was never theirs to begin with. Tense moments passed as both sides wondered what repercussions this might have....

The diplomats then offered a substantial sum for turning over the prisoner, which the Lieutenant agreed to... after the Blades had done their questioning, of course.

The tensions dissipated as the prisoner was brought forth and sold to Baldur's Gate, and things quickly returned to what is considered normal in Soubar.

[Sputnik]

The Ebon Blade fort in Soubar had been undergoing renovations, during which most of the mercenaries stayed near to protect and oversee the workforce. Their task complete, the workers have now been paid and sent home, with the promise of more work in Soubar to come.

As a result, Ebon Blade Mercenaries can once again be seen patrolling the roads and hinterlands around Soubar. The fifteen or so warriors march as far South as the ruins of Triel, to the Boareskyr Bridge in the North and Tempus' Tears to the South-West.

Those that remain in Soubar may be spotted manning the walls or patrolling within the village.
Observant folk familiar with the area would notice tighter security in general.

[TheTwiste11491]

Word spreads around Soubar of a discovery made, All the while the Fortress of the Ebon Blade is busy with activity this increased activity is speculated to be due to this discovery

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - Preparations

Following the mysterious discovery, the hustle and bustle inside and outside of the Ebon Blade Fort continues. Wagons of food and barrels of liquor can be seen parked outside. Men hurry to unload and carry the goods into the Keep. With the doors open wide, the passersby can notice that the Mercenary Headquarters are undergoing a thorough cleaning regimen.

However, it is the new, clean banners hanging from the walls that draw the most attention. Black cotton with edging in golden silk and the Ebon Blade symbol embroidered upon its face with silver thread.
In the courtyard, the mercenaries run through parade ground drills. New standards, in a similar design to the banners, are given to the standard-bearers who are dispatched to stand atop of the Fort's tower.

The air of preparation and anticipation hangs over the busy Keep. If asked by anyone, mercenaries and workers alike remain tight-lipped, claiming they are under orders to not disclose any information.

There is a change on the horizon. Something is coming.

(((OOC Credits:
Soundtrack: Hans Zimmer, duh.

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - Riders have been dispatched

The increased activity around the Mercenary Fort does not cease. Workers come and go, bustling about feverishly like ants, hands filled with various tools. A faint scent of smoked boar, coming from the smokehouse placed at the back of the courtyard, persists in the air. Mercs still are being relentlessly run through the parade ground drills routine; there is no room for error.



Shortly after sundown, black armored riders - bearing Ebon Blade banners in black, gold and silver - can be seen galloping in all directions through the gates of Soubar with missives and posters tucked in the leather tubes.
Soon it would be known that at the end of this tenday The Ebon Blade Mercenary Company is hosting another of their Martial Combat Tournaments followed by a Feast to celebrate the recent, mysterious discovery.

The Riders spread their message in Baldur's Gate, hamlets, and villages along the Coast.

(((OOC Credits:
Soundtrack: Metallica, duh.
Please Note: The posters with more details are coming! The date for this event is: Saturday, 19th of August.
Presumably at about 22-24 GMT.

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - The posters fill notice boards

Since the moment the Riders left Soubar they have managed to reach various locations along the Coast. In each of the designated places, they made sure the nail and secure posters to the local notice boards, inside taverns and on the road signs.



The Riders do not tarry after their work has been done, they mount their steed and head home.

Heed the Horseman's message, the reveal is near.

(((OOC Credits:
Artwork: Kagger
Date and Time: Saturday, 19th of August, at 22-24 GMT
Place: Soubar, The Ebon Blade Fort

[Tsidkenu]

A raven-haired woman with highly polished and filigreed armour clearly bearing the religious symbol of Helm was invited into the Ebon Blades Fortress in Soubar by Lieutenant Everett Blackwolf and Company Treasurer Amabiro Shyste. They had a polite and professional discussion about a variety of important topics and the woman seemed keen to observe the Tournament of Arms the next day. She departed after about an hour to her lodgings in the Winding Way Inn, presumably to prepare an array of clerical magic in anticipation for the tournament.



((Unfortunately I cannot make the tournament time. I might pop in for 1/2 hr before it starts but that's all I can manage. Sorry!))