Rumors of the Northern Sword Coast

[Kagger911]

Rumors say of Shekels roaming around Baldur's gates Dock talking to individuals about building a ship. Word says he is willing to spend twenty bars on it.

[Necrotic Shadows]

Shekels might hear some advice from one or two that the owner and Captain of the Twilight Rose, is also a Shipwright of some merit. Those who've seen the repairs, remodeling and upgrades made to the Twilight Rose since the time she was called the Dragonwing, could confirm as much.

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - Merc Training, Meeting & Patrol

The day of a big company training came and Lieutenant gathered mercs in the underground arena for combat and tactics sessions. A potential recruit brought by one of the members was allowed to observe.

(((OOC: More screens in spoilers.

Hidden: show

After the exercises had been over, Captain led a meeting where incoming Militia training was discussed. As usual, other matters such as bounties, patrols, and contracts were mentioned.


At the end of the meeting, Everett suggested to Lt and Captain a possible, new destination for an extended patrol. Nightgale dismissed the mercs ordering them to gear up and meet in front of the village.


Ebon Blade's patrol started at Northern Trade Way. Collected hides and pelts were later sold, as always, to the Soubar-based fur trader. One of few things EB has been trying to do as a way to improve Soubar's trade situation.


Mercs' patrol continued through Triel...


...Towards the Reaching Woods where EB fought with gnolls and flinds. Another combat training took place, this time in a less controlled environment.

Hidden: show

After dealing with random gnoll scouts, mercenaries reached a higher ground. Captain dispatched scouts to perform reconnaissance and search for a potential, next target.


Scouts returned with intel about a nearby den. A search and destroy order was given, and soon mercs were on the move.


The skirmish at gnolls' den was short and brutal. None dog-like vicious creature survived the raid. The lair was searched and ransacked. What was found was later sold in Soubar.


The hour grew late and Lieutenant ordered the group to make camp among the old ruins. Watch shifts were arranged, meal was cooked and some stories were told.


Having rested, EB packed their camp and visited a well maintained shrine on their way back to Soubar.

(((OOC: Post backdated 3 days. This happened 7.1.2016.

[kleomenes]

A shaggy barbarian warrior and a bald man in robes are seen buying a plethora of supplies in Soubar. While they do so, they have a bizzare conversation about heading to some strange, vastly dangerous place with two objectives: to better understand the nature of evil and to sample Hell Beer. It seems these goals were not shared, rather each one an individual goal of one of the men. An unusual feature of the conversation was that both agreed not to kill any foes they encountered, instead subduing them only. For some reason the barbarian seemed to find this highly amusing.

Some time later the barbarian is seen drinking in the Winding Way, and telling those will listen how his name was Cynric, walker on the North Wind, or Cynric of the Greyfox, and how he had drunk the beer of the fiend spirits in their own home.

He talks of fighting many of the fiend spirits alongside the Bald Man, and shows his large warmace proudly. This, he says, he used to beat down several fiend spirits, "leaving them alive because the Bald Man asked", and so they would "remember being beaten by Cynric son of Rigo, who knows no walls".

Heedless of any danger that the fiendish brew might pose, he says the Hell Beer was tasty, but dwarven is better.

It must be said that once the drinking is done, the barbarian is seen visiting the privy for quite some time. Perhaps the Hell Beer did not agree with him as well as he led others to believe.

//// Bottoms up! Cheers!

[Arn]

Hidden: show

A shaggy barbarian warrior and a bald man in robes are seen buying a plethora of supplies in Soubar. While they do so, they have a bizzare conversation about heading to some strange, vastly dangerous place with two objectives: to better understand the nature of evil and to sample Hell Beer. It seems these goals were not shared, rather each one an individual goal of one of the men. An unusual feature of the conversation was that both agreed not to kill any foes they encountered, instead subduing them only. For some reason the barbarian seemed to find this highly amusing.

Some time later the barbarian is seen drinking in the Winding Way, and telling those will listen how his name was Cynric, walker on the North Wind, or Cynric of the Greyfox, and how he had drunk the beer of the fiend spirits in their own home.

He talks of fighting many of the fiend spirits alongside the Bald Man, and shows his large warmace proudly. This, he says, he used to beat down several fiend spirits, "leaving them alive because the Bald Man asked", and so they would "remember being beaten by Cynric son of Rigo, who knows no walls".

Heedless of any danger that the fiendish brew might pose, he says the Hell Beer was tasty, but dwarven is better.

It must be said that once the drinking is done, the barbarian is seen visiting the privy for quite some time. Perhaps the Hell Beer did not agree with him as well as he led others to believe.

//// Bottoms up! Cheers!

Although the bald man in robes was seen leaving Soubar with the barbarian warrior, he does not return to Soubar with the barbarian. He is not drinking with the barbarian later in the Winding Way, either.

Instead, the bald man returns to Soubar alone, simply passing through on his return trip south. His robes are slightly burned and singed, but his face shows no emotion. He makes no stops and speaks with no one. Once or twice, people might see him contemplate the gauntlets he wears. Curiously enough, he was not seen wearing those gauntlets when he was in Soubar earlier.

He leaves Soubar, continuing south.

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - The melting pot of races means good business

A few days ago a pair of dark elves, male and female, could be seen entering the Ebon Blade headquarters late in the evening. The man spent some time discussing something with Lieutenant and a bag of coin changed hands. The drow guests could be seen leaving the fort unharmed some time later.

(((OOC: This is backdated 4 days - 8.1.2016

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - Mercs' and Soubar Militia's Joint Training

The state of Militia and EB's mercs was something that has been on El's mind more often lately. The training process, since Dunn's and Ashan's separation from Company and her south-bound contracts, has become more irregular. It lowered the effectiveness in some regard, but fortunately it has not stopped the progress entirely.
In Lieutenant's memory, the first impression from meeting a ragtag group that was supposed to be the voluntary Militia was still clear. No proper training, no gear, no idea of what this was really about, the words discipline and obedience did not exist in their vocabulary.
She had trained them with Dunn's and Ashan's help, and when these two left, she continued on her own. These ill-repute riff raffs have been slowly turning into something better. Sure, they were still a long way from a small defense task force she envisioned, but the progress was starting to show now. It was high time for the Militia to have a co-op training with the Mercs. With that in mind, Lieutenant sent out the order for everyone to report for a session in the underground arena.

***

The newly bought equipment had been distributed before the groups formed and were ordered to stand at attention. Everett was put in charge of Militia while Captain addressed volunteers and mercenaries together.


After the opening speech and instructions, Captain retreated from the floor to conduct business with a newly arrived guest putting El in charge of Mercs. Blackwolf and Lieutenant led a coordinated formation and battle training. Obviously, Mercs were doing considerably better than volunteers but even they managed to show their strengths and performed good depending on what formation or commands they had to follow.


Arcanists among EB were not let off the hook either. They were drilled alongside the others, offering support or protection to units in front of them.


The last exercise for spellcasters was focused on providing an effective cover fire. The results were satisfactory.


Later that day the remaining members met upstairs to discuss the results of the training but also to sort some internal conflicts between some of them. Rumor has it that the roots of disagreements within EB's ranks were race and coin.

(((OOC: This is backdated 5 days - 8/9.1.2016

[Darradarljod]

At the foot of Boareskyr Bridge a large man has been stripped naked and brutally impaled on his own spear for all to see. Some may recognise him as Msciwoj, a Rashemite Berserker with a reputation for harassing Red Wizards. It was likely no coincidence that Boris Vyacheslav, Knight-Commander of the Crimson Guard, was rumoured to have been seen in the region of Soubar at this time.

Battle described herein

[Pimple]

After the following night at Boareskyr bridge, the body of the Rashemi berserker was gone, but a trail could be seen leading to the riverside. Some passersby could speak of a Rashemi in winged white armor bringing the large berserker back from the dead in a ritual far removed from the blessings of a priest.

[aaron22]

Scene One

*Lt meets with Lunu to discuss the archery training for Militia. It becomes apparent, after the elf presented her version of the training, that she is not aware of the difference between company men and the Militia.
At that point, El switches from common to elven to make sure Lunu understands the difference. Lt takes a longer moment to explain the difference and a reason responsible for its existence. Having noticed Lunulata's reaction to this revelation, Lieutenant offers some guidelines for the elf to follow. Even being as understanding, as she is, El would still expect the job to be done and the training to be performed in common and therefore she is quite content when Lunu presents the second plan. It appears to be some sort of a crash course including not only archery.*


Week 1:

Examples of what Lunulata would be teaching in this first week:
-making sure to be on time every time according to instructions
-to be prepared ahead of time
-to be accountable and reliable

-maintain a clean and healthy body with the proper cleanliness of hair, skin, and clothes. To make sure eating is done at the correct amount. Sleep is done in also the right amount

-maintain clean and functional equipment. To keep armor and weapons in the absolute perfect condition and how to do this.

-maintain a healthy mind.
-to instill a feeling of setting lofty goals and pushing toward making those
-to prioritize things of more important from less important
-to be able to focus on a single task while maintaining awareness of everything around them
-to follow instructions in whole without adding or withdrawing elements on their own, but also knowing how and when to fill in the expected steps not detailed in the instruction.

Physical training would include holding a bow in the fully drawn state for extended periods of time while balancing an arrow perpendicular on the tip of the arrow being drawn. Running long distances. Holding a static squat posture. Push ups. Sit ups. Picking cherries. 6-inch foot raise. Sprints. Teamwork and/or competitive versions of all of the above.


SCENE TWO

*El ponders these suggestions then goes over some of the points. She points out the elf that trying to expect the volunteers to maintain proper hygiene is most likely pointless and any pressure towards that may turn out badly. Lt suggests to Lunu to abandon the lesson about lofty goals as well or wait for it till she gets to know the group and their limitations.

Lieutenant reminds Lunu that the training cannot happen more often than up to three times per tenday and that at the end of each tenday the men, as well as the instructor, need to be paid if they attended all the sessions. She instructs the elf not to be too strict or too demanding of the volunteers and that Lunu should adjust her methods, expectations and attitude once she gets to know the Militia she is going to work with.*

Lunulata would focus on maintaining the equipment, body and mind during this period. Actual archery would not be done during this time. She would be strict and fairly unapproachable. She would not be very accepting of questions, giving instruction instead and expecting the trainees to follow to the tee. Her focus would be to install an aspect of discipline into the trainees without the harsh punishments that she was instructed not to utilize by El. She would though try to show some correlation between the physical training and the lack of meeting her high expectations.

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - Deals in the making

Vice Khazark could have been seen entering Ebon Blade's fort a few days ago. Red Wizard and Lieutenant spent some time discussing matters of trade and cooperation between the Enclave and Mercs.


Yet again the fort welcomed black skinned elf looking for a safe passage and a way to amend an old conflict. Lieutenant listened to what drowess had to say and offered her input before scheduling a meeting between the elf and Captain.


A lengthy discussion took place between old enemies, a peaceful resolution was reached, and a deal was made. The dark elf could be seen more often at the fort and in Soubar performing guard duties. It is being said that her employ with the Mercs is a way to repay for the trouble she had caused the Company in the past.


A day later Lieutenant meets with both the drowess and one of the recruits to talk about their assignments in detail.

(((OOC: This is backdated a few days.

[aaron22]

Troll Claws, West
Bridge near the gates of Kraak Helzak

Large armored gloves, saturated in green blood, drag the disemboweled remains of a giant troll over the uneven surface of a long wooden bridge. The ropes that hold together the long bridge strain and stretch under the weight. Wearing the blackened plate armor the huge orc lifts the giant troll above her head and throws it onto a pile of trolls in the middle of the bridge, all showing the ravages of this orc's huge axes and great might. Turning from the pile, easily twenty feet in height, Khar inspects the many troll heads woven into the rope hand rail. Satisfied with the display, Khar turns and walks away from the scene. Many dwarven tracks were identified to funnel across this bridge. A sinister smile curls the fringes of her large tusked mouth behind the heavy blackened helmet. "See our might. Know the Damwun is here." Khar growls upon looking back at her gruesome present.

The wind blows hard through the cavern pushing hard on the savage blockade. The over burdened rope bridge sways gently side to side further enhancing this morbid swing.

[Steve]

Rumor has it that recently, the Winding Way was host to a number of "bandits, bastards and beasts." At least as described in the telling...though one may be hard tell the difference between them, and the other inhabitants of the town.

[MedalOfValor]

Ebon Blade Daily - Archery Training and recruit's evaluation

Archery training for Militia continues as planned. Lieutenant could have been seen inspecting Lunulata's methods and progress.


Contract specialist by the name Xelious had a chance to show his other talents in combat when Lieutenant took him to High Moors for evaluation.


The pair could later be seen heading towards Serpent Hills.


Recruit faired well against yuan-ti and thus El led him deeper into snakepeople's teritory.


Xelious was bid against various snakes, nagas and other foul creatures...


...Only to have his limits pushed even further when Lieutenant chose to have the recruit battle a black wyrm.

[Halo Deity]

A less than sober human falls out of the The Minstrels Muse in the Docks District laughing. snorting and slurring his words. Several drunken statements can be heard from him on his journey home to the East Gate.

"Bunlord! Bahahaha!"

"Those singer people things! Hahaha!"

"What'd'theh call'em? Daisy and Finger?"

"Ale dug a hole in my poc-hic"

"Bewaaare! Bewaaare!" Between hiccups and burps.


For any passing the Minstrel Muse, you would hear segments of lively song, laughter and chatter followed after. To the untrained eye, they either have an open stage or they are rehearshing.