The Reconstruction of Beregost

[Darkshard]

The convoy of stacked wagons rolls into Beregost from the south, flanked by columns of lightly armed Amnian troops. They split up, individual wagons being pulled to specific unload points throughout the town. Once there, the soldiers get to work unloading and dividing the reconstruction materials. Their efforts are soon augmented by volunteers from among the local populace, as well as adventurers and passers-by. More wagons arrived, and the town is alive throughout the night with the buzz of activity. In the morning, the carpenters can begin properly assessing each structure.

This turn of events is met with cautious optimism by the homeless locals, who had felt largely forgotten until now. There is still a great deal of work to be done, however, as many structures will need to be demolished and new ones built in their place.

The Lathanderites assist where they can. They make it known that Baelather Konian, Juez Calvo and especially Delphinn Veil have contributed to the makeshift housing of the war displaced, allowing the people of Beregost to endure this upheaval. They also make it known that the people are still in need; though they will soon have homes once again, they still require coin to replace possessions and assets, and to kickstart basic livelihood activities by purchasing wares and seed. The Temple continues to accept donations.

Similarly, Legionnaire Miraz Castilla emphasises that anyone fit, strong and able to lend a hand to the demolition and reconstruction is welcome to do so: "This is not about politics, this is about basic humanity and repairing the cost of war."

//Anyone who wishes to contribute to the reconstruction RP in any way may do so in this thread. Contact a DM in game if your character wishes to donate.

[Krisaga]

Krisaga makes her way to Beregost, for once dressed appropriately for hard and dirty work.

"I have not forgotten the kindness that the people of Beregost have shown me and my loved ones. I am here to assist. If you need things torn down, or assistance in keeping the builders safe from accidents, I can help."

Though not the strongest woman, she eagerly helps in clearing the way for the new buildings. She takes a special interest in the Feldepost inn's reconstruction, as it used to be her home at one point. Any time a builder or volunteer injures themselves, as is the case with burnt out ruins, she quickly patches them up and gets them back on their feet with her knowledge of conventional healing.

[Maverick 40]

Rumors of an Elven delegation arriving in Beregost begin to swirl. A meeting between high ranking Amnian Officials and the delegation seems imminent.

[VinnytheSquid]

Wagons arrive from the south bringing gold and goods from the Nashkel Trade Emporium. Half of the caravan stops in Beregost. The other half continues towards Gullykin. A messenger is sent to the head of the reconstruction efforts.

[ragnarok1983]

Paws happily lends a hand when asked and goes about carrying larger crates than any halfling has any business of ever muscling around. He works for the caravan a good 6 hours, nearly exhausting himself as he has the physical endurance of a sprinter... and not that of a marathon runner.

The entire time he entertains himself with his own illusions of grandeur. He speaks at length about his desire to have a dragon as a steed. In perpetual one-upsmanship, he imagines riding a dragon, that is riding a larger dragon. This idea keeps him occupied for quite some time while he and many others help get the crates to their destination. Occasionally, he would shake one of the containers in hopes of identifying a greatsword that could "fall" off the caravan. Naturally his imagination takes over once again as he imagines a giant dragon emerging from a tiny crate, and slaying it, barehanded with one hand behind his back.

Thankfully his imagination and helpfulness are in near equal proportion. Perhaps this is the only reason his presence was tolerated by those around him who were forced to listen to his inane and wild tales.

The mighty hin rewards himself that night with a bottle of elven wine... which he later uses as a pillow for unknown reasons.

[Solarina]

A wandering priestess can be seen in Bergost attending to the medical needs of its citizens making a makeshift clinic from a tent. Everything from old wounds not fully healed to sickness that comes with poor living conditions, even the occasional hypochondriac. All are treated with the utmost care and respect. When any of them try to offer a donation to her she directs them to instead give their alms to the city's reconstruction instead, merely saying " Tis my duty to help ".

[Hoihe]

Riappi's entry:

Travelling betwen both Gullykin and Beregost, Riappi Sappho the priestess of Yondalla helps both settlements to regain their old glory, for the Nurturing Matriach teaches that the true wealth is a life lived with peace, comfort and home. She heals those who get injured using the blessings she is provided with, and empowers those who have trouble lifting heavy items. She avoided the physical tasks save conventional healing... Since her visit to her parents in Highcliff, her sickness weakened her constitution and strength. Should anyone wish to reward her, she will turn them down, saying that she is spreading the blessings of Yondalla, and is rewarded to see her kin, and the neighbours of her kin's settlement propsering again.

//Adventurer's life may conflict with Yondalla's dogma, but Riappi acts as a martyr to allow others to be able to follow it, even if she can't.

Hoihe's entry:

Considering Hoihe needed some netherese pigs for his newest batch of Instant Feast, and the fact that he had many a great feasts in the Burning Wizard tavern, he himself lended his hand. Unlike what people might beleived him to be able, for he arrived in robes of an arcanist, he managed to lift and carry a lot of weigth, and his stamina barely ran out even after hours. When he got tired, he began destroying the dangerous rubble with his arcane might, ward the workers that went into basement and risk having the building fall on them. When a man got hungry, he handed him a bread that he secretly dripped in his newest potion... and unlike his preivous batches, this one didn't cause the unprepared man to puke. After a hour, that man had no relation to the word "hunger". Hoihe asks for any pieces of copper wires laying about if possible as a repayment... If anyone asks why he needs it he will say he is experimenting.

Kwang's entry:

Since Kwang was hanging around Beregost since his arrival in the swordcoast to hide from the assasins chasing him, the man who provided him with food asked him to help with rebuilding his home, which the drunken man did gladly, for more alcohol. He was clearly drunk, yet his balance was that of a gymnast, he removed many of the more dangerous rubbish. He only accepts drinks as reward

[gimchi]

On another contract job from Maltz, the weapon shop owner in Baldur's Gate, Shialla arrives by chance in Beregost on the very night that the construction supply wagons roll in. She thinks about picking up Maltz's goods from Thunderhammer as quickly as possible, and leaving all the hubbub behind.

She considers the prospect for a minute more and then makes her way to an area where tents have been set up. She pitches her own, crawls inside and laces the tent flaps tightly closed with double knots. She removes her armor, unrolls her bedroll and lies down with a sigh of relief. As she closes her eyes and tries to ignore the sounds of activity echoing around the town, she reviews her decision.

This is a perfect opportunity to make new contacts, to curry favor with authorities and residents, and to have people who may speak up for me in the future should the time come that I need that. It is also a good, kind and unselfish thing to do.

She savors the last thought, turning it over and over in her mind and chuckles softly.

I am re-making myself as I had wished. Step by step, day by day I am being reborn.

Despite the noise she slides into a deep and dreamless sleep, and in the morning as she wakes she is surprised to discover that during her sleep she has decided to contribute some coin as well as her labor to aid the common folk of Beregost.

"One tenth of my savings," she says out loud just to hear how the words sound and to confirm her decision. Satisfied with her vow she turns to her pack and begins to select the things she will need for a day of hard, honest work.


///time for work now, but more to be continued

[Darkshard]

Wrecked foundations crack and crumble beneath demolition hammers. For once, the percussion of destruction is a harbinger of hope in this once sleepy little town. Dangerous ruins are slowly but surely cleared away to make room for new construction. A few buildings, including the Temple of Lathander, retain enough solid foundation that the new structures are planned to utilise and build onto them. The empty supply wagons begin their journey back to Nashkel while makeshift cranes are erected where they stood. Soon, timber is being hoisted to form new house frames, while elsewhere laid brickwork begins to take shape.

Offers of labour are greeted staunchly, but are nevertheless welcomed by the soldiers. The eccentric hin Paws is at first considered a ranting nuisance by many, but the soldiers are soon very impressed with his strength, determination and effort. One squad adopts him as a kind of mascot, and buy him as many wine bottles as he can rest his head on.

The soldiers are also receptive to the offers of healing, mundane and divine. Their need is often questionable however, and one might speculate they are more interested in the attentions of the female healers themselves. Nevertheless, their commanding officer keeps them in line and ensures they are soon back at work.

The reactions of the locals are more mixed to offers of assistance. These hardy folk, having endured more in the past months than many adventurers could imagine, are no hypochondriacs. Some scoff at the efforts to help and dismiss those who "suddenly care" after months of alleged apathy and neglect. However, the general tone is of resilient and progressive acceptance.

[gimchi]

Early in that day Beregost is already crackling with activity. As the noise of demolition outside intensifies, Shialla takes out her hunting clothes; a pair of fine leather pants, deerskin moccasins, and a soft, chamois shirt. She puts them on without fuss, but as always enjoys their perfect fit and the freedom of movement they provide. She sees that she has lost some of the decorative beading from the shirt and she clucks with mild annoyance and makes a note to replace them soon.

Next she holds up her black beret, the one item she is never without when not wearing her battle helmet. She decides that it is too risky to wear for an entire day of work on a construction site, and instead she removes the longest strip of calico bandage that she has stored in one of the side pouches on her pack. She folds one end over by a hand-span, then presses it firmly to her forehead and makes a tight loop around her head until she has covered the beginning of the bandage and can remove the fingers that held it there. She continues to wrap, using both hands now to position and snug each loop in place. She uses an intricate pattern that criss-crosses from low on the back of her skull to high on her forehead, and gradually covers her entire head with the cloth winding design in some places known as a turban. When she has finished she can barely work a fingertip under the edges, and pleased with the security it affords, she unties the tent flaps and steps out into the early morning light. She hesitates a moment, feeling inexplicably naked, and then with a wry smile she ducks back into the tent and straps to her waist a thin leather belt holding a scabbard and her best skinning knife. "You never know when you might have to slice an apple," she justifies to herself.

In a grassy area close by Shialla sees a small girl playing with a fat, white puppy. She calls the girl over and offers her some coin if she will keep an eye on her tent for the day, and tell her immediately if someone tries to enter it.

"A silver now, and three more silvers at the end of the day if you guard my tent. Run along now and ask your mother if that is alright."

The girl looks up at her. "I ain't got no Ma, or Pa. I live with me Granny now."

Shialla squats down and taking the little girl's hand, she places another silver coin there. "Two silvers now, and five more at the end of the day. Hurry along to your grandmother, then back here as fast as you can."

The girl reaches out with a grubby finger and traces one of the markings on Shialla's face. "Pretty," she says and then scurries away as quickly as she can go. The puppy yaps excitedly and follows on her heels.

Shialla chews on a hard biscuit as she wanders around town observing the increasing activity; towns women preparing food and chastising children, soldiers cursing mildly and complaining more by habit than any real reason as they finish their breakfasts and file off to work, local men with earnest faces, and a surprising number of obvious adventurers - far more worldly looking and often sporting unusual hair or clothing styles - all lining up to take instructions from the carpenters who are overseeing the project. She finally settles on a crew of all locals that have begun work on a small house with foundations still intact, and after watching for a short while she simply joins in and begins hauling pieces of timber to where they are needed.

When the wall frames are being prepared she commandeers one of the hammers, and starts driving home nails with a steady hand and a three hit technique. One to position the nail, the second to sink it halfway, the third to drive it home. Soon one of the men begins to assist her, passing nails and holding timber steady. Nothing much is said, but she is accepted, and the day's work proceeds smoothly.

They take a break at mid-morning, and as Shialla sips hot, honey-sweetened tea with the men, she realizes that for the first time ever in her life she is engaged in employment with strangers where the possibility of someone's death is not a serious consideration. She laughs in surprise as the thought occurs, and a couple of the men smile at her and raise their tea mugs as thought toasting in a tavern.

All around them, and just as Shialla is doing, the town of Beregost is emerging from it's damaged past and is being reborn.

[TaminaLightstep]

Tamina enters the town with some fellow members of the Crew who carry a few crates. She has them dropped by Sam Feldepost and when he asks what they are she simply Replies.

"A Gift for your new inn when it's ready. Some nice quality rum I'm sure tha Future patrons will enjoy." She says simply. From there the Crew Members she brought breaks up and mingle throughout the Town.

Tamina herself walks the streets looking over the Reconstruction effort and nodding approvingly at the work being done. 'In no time this 'ere place will be up an' runnin' practically like nothin' happened.' she thinks to herself.

Not being particularly strong herself and feeling she would hinder efforts more than help them she grabs a table, Some dice, and offers anyone not standing around or taking a break to join her. Those that do find her very agreeable to sit with as she converses with them and tells tales of the Sea or Stories to make people laugh. The Dice games are more for Fun than Coin as the bets are of meager copper values. The times Tamina wins she refuses to accept the payment of even the low copper amounts from some of the villagers. When she loses however, She pays out her debts without a second thought.

The crew members she brought with her talk and share drinks with the Amnian guards. They also seem to be watching things going on around them as if keeping some form of 'Watch.'

As she lightens the moods of those around her she also keeps an eye on the rebuilding going on around her and also casually watches those who Pass through town.

[Solarina]

Vanya after being fed by the gaurds offers them some of her " treasures ". Much to the guards dismay.

[CrazyHorse]

Her father Panfire being a carpenter helping out in the rebuilding of Beregost, Mila joins in to help in the rebuilding efforts as she visits her newly-found father often. Of course, being a bit of a dainty sort, Mila doesn't really do much actual physical work, mostly she would stand around talking to the men, especially if it was a handsome fellow. Other times she would be near her father, talking away while he tries to get the work done.

[Lampir]

Quite possibly overlooked by all those focusing on reconstructing the city are the farmer's fields and local forests devastated by warfare. Ever since the end of the war, Balder Gate's one and only permitted orc and employee of the Nashkel Trade Emporium, Kaltyra GreyFang, has stopped in on various occasions to clear out debris and facilitate regrowth through carefully controlled burns and other fertilizing/planting efforts.

She is quite likely joined by another bulky robed figure, Grubnar, renowned farming assistant. (Though I need to double check Nezzer on this I'm 99.9% sure Grubnar would be involved too)

Both the Druid of Grumbar and the Monk of Chauntea (Kaltyra and Grubnar respectively) continue to petition local druids and other nature-folk to assist in healing the land.

[Eifer]

Elycia Innovius can be seen on the 30th day of Tarsakh, arriving in the town of Beregost with a basket of flower blossoms. She hands out the blossoms to the impoverished citizens, as per the custom of the traditional festival of Greengrass. She does not appear to discriminate and spreads cheer equally to the new Amnian presence in the area. In addition to flower distribution, Elycia sings several songs throughout the day to help brighten the spirits of the townsfolk.


((CHA 28, Diplomacy 45, Perform 48.))