Building up the security of the city - Light Cavalry

[sweetlikesplenda]

The ink had just dried on the parchment as it was rolled up and placed in to a scroll case.

The Grand Knight soon left the Palace with a copy of the writ to form a new cavalry unit in hand. Captain Novack of the Flaming Fist had requested a meeting with him and those who could gather that also had volunteered to aid in the endeavor. Quick steps took the Knight towards the harbor and the Flaming Fist compound there. At the gates to the Flaming Fist castle Vanira, Nigel, Jonah, Lady Ezra, Enielli, and Oth gathered. Beluarion, Captain Norton and other officers of the Flaming Fist had also gathered in the courtyard, when Captain Novack appeared from within the castle. The Fist Captains had an obvious rivalry between each other. Captain Norton teased and berated Captain Novack throughout the meeting. It seemed that many within the Flaming Fist were tradition bound of being a mostly foot soldier fighting force. The other officers knew of Captain Novack's love of horses and desire to form such a cavalry, and chose to tease him over it mercilessly. Though, it was this love and desire that had made Duke Eltan select Novack for this task. And the young Captain wore this honor of leading a new cavalry unit as a badge.

The meeting went smoothly, aside from the interjections of snide remarks from Captain Norton, to which most found softly amusing, except for the blushing and at times fuming Captain Novack. The initial steps were established and work was set before those volunteering in this effort. The city seemed to have proper stabling for the new horses already in place. Though, Aaron was concerned. Introducing a small herd of new horses in to pens with already established horses could pose an issue. Some may fight each other, even to blood or death. These horse not only had to be fit and fast, but be of the temperament to be turned in to weapons themselves. If they engaged in close combat, these horses would need to be trained to bite, kick, and ram enemies.

Captain Novack would take the initial steps of finding, from among the volunteers in the Flaming Fist, who would join this new unit. More then enough had submitted their names to join the program. Those aiding in this from the city would begin researching known merchants that could provide not only enough horse, but the right horses for this unit. After, they would need to make contact and then begin sourcing the horses to be selected, then begin the haggling of price. Aaron had spent his life around horses, during his tutelage he been trained in horseback combat. His own Charger, "Rook", had been his companion since he was fourteen. A birthday present to him, a favor owed to his father for a service performed for the Second Son of House Korianthil. The Elven bred horse was built for light cavalry, similar to what they were intending to establish. While he had an understanding of the horses needed, he would be of little help with bargaining the price...

The attendants of the meeting left at its conclusion, the search would soon begin.

[sweetlikesplenda]

A meeting was held in Hammer Hall in Greenest. The Order of the Radiant Heart met with members of the merchant company to discuss the next steps in the preparation and planning of this new Cavalry unit. After some time both sides seemed to be feeling good about the next steps and had come to an agreement. For the time, the Radiant Heart would wait while the Rocky Creek connected with their network of sources.

[sweetlikesplenda]

// PM RP copied over to forums//

After leaving Greenest and Hammer Hall, Jackard and Solomon would travel along their known trade route. They would make quick work of it by use of Solomon's Teleportation. They would ask those along the route if any horse breeders were known that raised horses that fit the bill that Lord Lyonaler was looking for. Strong, quick and sturdy.

They would try to weed out the "Big talk" and rumors with their knowledge of local lore. Leaving only the breeders that would be able to fill such a tall order.

Bouncing from Burdusk to Irieabor, from there to Elturel and beyond to Scornubel. They would blanket the market looking for the perfect match for the client.

If one is located, the two traders would attempt to hash out a deal that served all parties interests. Sol and Jack would go above and beyond in their salesmanship due to the close ties they have with The Radiant Heart and Solomon's connection with Duke Eltan. (Having ran his war hospitals during the Devil War.)

((Once the DM responds to our success or failure, I will make a forum post.))

Given his tendency toward wearing bold blue clothing and extra planar nature, Malakai would not be hard for Solomon and Jackard (or anyone) to spot when they arrive in Berdusk, especially given they'd be well aware of where their caravans would stop off, finding Malakai with his guards unloading cargo by sheer fluke.

After a brief conversation with his bosses and the nature of their business, Malakai would show that he knows small bits of knowledge on horse breeds (mainly the sturdy kromlors, quick chionthar and Cormyrean destriers - warhorses bred in the Forest Country) given his experiences of working on caravans.

He'd make a point of mentioning his own recently acquired horse, Dreamer.

Dreamer would be a fine example of a cormyte riding horse whom the genasi caravan leader claims to have won seven months prior playing dice against a 'fat Calishite merchant that smelled of bad perfume in a tavern on the road to Asbravn.'

Malakai would claim that according to the Calishite, Dreamer's line isn't completely thoroughbred and was interbred with a calimite two or three generations prior resulting in a quick horse with decent stamina.

"Quickest and smartest horse I've ever rode" He would proudly claim and given Malakai's fondness for his new steed he'd spend a leisurely couple of days traveling outside of Berdusk to find the tavern with questions on the Calishite's wherabouts and his horse's breeder (if known) for it's owners and patrons.

- Malakai's biased view that horses like his own would be most certainly fit the bill of what Sol and Jack want.

Skills / Rolls to reflect Malakai's ability to remember / find the tavern he mentioned, potentially learn / sense what might have become of the Calishite / or more information on his horse, finally a spot roll to pick out individuals or details that might be of aid.[/font]

* Jackard and Solomonm Meet up with Malakai at the Caravans near the market center in Berdusk, Malaki reflects on where he himself got his new horse, and can remember what the merchant he had bought the horse from had told him of the Tavern that was on the road to Asbravn

Given the somewhat capricious nature of air genasi folk, Malakai's insistence that finding Dreamer's former owner being a great course of action would subside swiftly enough - especially given his respect for Solomon's wisdom and Jackard's intelligence. He'd ultimately be content to do what they wanted in this instance.

"He's probably long gone to be fair..." He'd remark breezily, adding:
"I doubt there'd be stables nearby breeding Calishite horses this far north, let alone any like Dreamer... But who knows?"

Malakai would add the Calishite merchant was rather drunk when he played dice against him and 'didn't like his face' - apparently those like Rocky Creek's caravan leader are more common in the southern lands the merchant came from due to the legacy of genies with many being slaves.


// Malakai is essentially happy to go with what Jackard / Solomon decide, so I guess the rolls would only apply if they went with his lead - happy to provide new ones if required.

After speaking with their Master of Caravans, Malakai, Solomon and Jackard ponder over the choices to be made.

Solomon asks Malakai to let his men deliver his wares to the destination, while he takes to the wind on his steed to find the Calishite. Solomon would ask Malakai to secure as many of the horses as he can, up to 10 head.

"We can offer those steeds to the officers. Even if they aren't wanted, they are beautiful horses. They would do well as fast runners for Rocky Creek. Should you be only able to secure one other, we will gift it to Duke Eltan. Ride like the wind, my friend. Luck be with you!"

Solomon and Jackard would pursue the breeder from outside of Berdusk. If found, they would explain what they need. (100 horses) and ask if a few samples of his best could be taken to Baldur's Gate to show the Flaming Fist and should they be to their liking, finalize a deal that would benefit all involved.

Jackard and Soloman travel to the small village near Berdusk to follow up on the rummer's of the local horse breeder, they arrive in the small village the sun still high in the sky, if they ask around they will gather that the ranch they heard a lot about is just outside the village and that it is just not a one person operation but the entire village has banded together in the operation of the ranch raising horses and trading/ selling them to any in the local area who is in need of a trusted horse with good stamina and strength, The Elder of the Village offers to take Jackard and Solomon on a Tour of the Ranch to see all the beautiful horses they have, horses of various colours, perhaps not as beautiful as Malaki's fine steed Dreamer but these horses do fit what they have been looking for, the ranch itself is a large plot of land able enough to provide for more than the amount of horses they are looking to aquire.

If Jakard and Soloman decide they like the horses they see and attempt to broker a deal with the Elder they would be able to get each horse for 85gp each and for 100 horses for 8,500gp, shipping costs will depend on on how they choose to get them from here to Baldur's gate.


Mean while Malaki is riding his trusted steed Dreamer to the Tavern on the road that he remembered being told about, when he arrives after a day and half of hard riding, as he presses the patrons and the tavern keeper for information about the Calishmite Horse trader he was told about, he will hear a story about a Calishite Merchant who had some of the most beautiful horses he had ever seen, the man unfortunately was a perpetual gambler and Gambled all his money away and that he lost almost everything, he soon went out of business and found himself in debt with all the wrong people, it was long before they caught up with him and he dissappeared.

The Tavern keep go's on to tell Malaki that the man had left several horses with his Niece a few days before he disapeared, she lives not far from here and he often stayed at her and her husbands farm on his visits to this area (he provides Malaki with its location). If Malaki follows up on this information to go speak with her and her husband he will discover that only three of the horses remain, (and with your rolls) If Malakie presses to procure one or more of the horses he will find she is more than willing to sell them so they can go to a good home and have a good purpose in their lives, she will want 200gp per horse and for all 3 she will want 600gp, shipping costs will depend on how Malaki chooses to get them from there to Baldur's gate.

Solomon and Jackard would stay on the ranch for a few days, speaking with the family and getting to know the horse breeders. They would offer their services to those that stayed on the ranch. Healing and advice on local wares and what deals could be had for the family that lived here. Sol and Jack would pay the 8500gp in full, extremely happy with the breed of horse and the care they are raised with.

Sol and Jack would ask that the family have the horses shipped to the Flaming Fist stables outside of Baldur's Gate. They would offer the family an additional 1500gp to have the horses barged down the Chionthar, then herded to the stables.

"I hope Malakai is having some luck." Solomon would say offhandedly to Jackard as they get ready to depart the ranch and head back to Greenest.

Solomon would send to Lord Aaron Lyonaler, "The horses are beautiful. Strong, sturdy and quick. I've made payment to the family and I'm trying to arrange them to be barged down the Chionthar."

Malakai would grin enthusiastically at Solomon's instructions and set off north and eastwards from the Jewel of the Vale to find the tavern, enjoying the natural scenery of the Heartlands despite the hard riding.

The tavern owner and some of the patrons would gawk slightly upon seeing the strange looking genasi get off his proud looking white horse outside the old thatch-roofed building and many would appear to remember him.

Malakai would greet them with a smile and over a glass of maiden's kiss brandy and some offered pipeweed he'd share a few tales of his travels around the Sword Coast and news from the major cities before telling them of the business that brought him back their way.

"Aye, I remember how you gambled yer horse off old Hazem that night, that was the straw that broke his camels back I reckon. He were royally annoyed after that didn't linger about too long afterwards" the grizzled old tavern owner would say.

"I saw the daft sod in Asbravn a tenday after that..." another would chime in drunkenly "Easy to spot with that turban o' his and he were gambling again!"

"Why are you after him, Blue?" Another would ask.

After telling them of his intentions to purchase more horses like Dreamer, they'd direct him to the farm and upon arriving, Dreamer would whinny happily to see the niece of the missing Calishite.

Initially staring at Malakai in the same manner as the tavern owner and his patrons upon his arrival, the niece would eventually reveal that she had helped look after Dreamer as a colt and glad to see him in good hands and well cared for. She would express her concern for her missing uncle but wouldn't wish to speak too much on the matter and prefer to attend to the business at hand.

Malakai would employ a bit of light flirting when her husband was tending to to the rest of the farm to agree upon the purchase of the remaining three horses.

The genasi would be insistent on paying 300gp for each horses, being convinced of their higher quality and additionally would be happy to spend however much the niece was asking for her to procure whatever resources she'd need to get the horses moved to / stabled near Berdusk. Malakai would then arrange for his best guards and caravans to escort the horses back to Greenest.

"Please let me know in future if you wish to sell any more of this breed. My employers will be eager to deal with you I reckon.
Malakai would say in his breathy sounding voice.

He would then say farewell using his somewhat rusty command of Alzhedo before departing atop Dreamer.

The family living on the ranch seem grateful for the Advice and healing aid that Soloman and Jackard provide them during their stay on the ranch getting to know the horse breeders, they are able to build a good relationship with the family and workers on the ranch. A deal is than struck,100 horses for 8500gp.


They also happily agree to have the horses shipped to the Flaming fist in Baldurs Gate for the extra 1500gp and, they also provide Solomon an Jackard a couple of the Horses to take with them if they so wish to show their client a sample of the fine strong steeds that will be the future mount of the fine men and women of the Flaming fist Calvary.

(will collect gold IG when we do the Captains inspection of the horses)

Solomon and Jackard would say their farewells and take to saddle. They would ride on to Greenest, stabling the two horses that the family had given them to show to the clients. Once back and getting settled, Solomon would send to Lord Lyonaler.

"We've struck the deal. One hundred head of horse being delivered to the stables of the Flaming Fist in short order. Rocky Creek has two samples of the herd. We should meet show you can see the steeds and we can settle up."

After arriving Malakai spends a little time on the Calishite farm talking briefly about Dreamers past and The nieces Missing Uncle she expresses her concerns about not having heard from him , the conversation is short lives when the Niece seems less enthusiastic about speaking more of her missing uncle.

As Malakai decides it is better to get down to business after little light flirting on the side when her husband was out tending the farm.

He offers 300gp for each horse, she is more than willing to sell them so they can go to a good home and have a good purpose in their lives, she will agree to have them taken to Berdusk for 100gp, she also agrees to send word should she be able to find more Horses like these ones.

After concluding the business she waves Malakai off as he saddles his faithful steed Dreamer and sets off.

(900 gold coins for 3 Calishite like horses and 100gp for getting them moved and stabled in Berdusk to be collected in game)

[sweetlikesplenda]

The sample horses had been brought back to Greenest, stabled at Hammer Hall. Captain Novack of the Flaming Fist seemed pleased with the results of the Rocky Creek's expedition to find them. The merchant company had certainly found some quality and beautiful horses. Only a few of a unique breed were available at the moment. Due to their nature and breeding they were set aside for officers of the new cavalry company. The larger bulk of the horses were fit for the need. Light, but strong. Able to carry their mount along with a small array of light weaponry. These horses would prove to be capable of flanking enemies with quick attack, followed by speedy retreats.

The few that were brought in for sampling were a good indicator of the entirety of the herd that would arrive soon. Aaron had spent a good part of his life riding, and his knowledge, while not perfect, was apt on horse breeding and care. He knew that you did not simply introduce a group of horses in to an old stock. The current horse stables of the Flaming Fist may need to be expanded to allow for additional stables for these horses. Without the room for the new horses to be stabled next to, but not with the other horses, fights would break out. This could lead to a lot of kicking and biting. It could lead to a number of them dying.

The Knight found his way to the outlining of the city, the smellier parts of cities often held tanners and other of the more pungent shops and occupations would all be forced to do business in the same area. The stables, for obvious reasons were also in these parts of town. This put them far enough away from the inhabited areas. making his way about the area, he observed the stables, their size and current occupants, and if more stock of food would be needed for the new arrivals.

The training pens seemed sturdy and well maintained. This area would soon be used to train the new horses. They would need to bond with their rider. Know how to take orders through the reigns, as well as without, during combat. The ability to sense commands through knee movements and where the reigns rested on their necks. While obedient and able to endure the duress of battle, they would also themselves become weapons. Trained to kick and bite the enemy in front of them, they would be their own weapons when charging enemy flanks.

Leaving word with the Flaming Fist soldiers at the stable yard, the Knight would like to meet with Captain Novack and the soldiers selected for this new cavalry, once the horses arrive. Not only would the horses need to be trained, so would the soldiers riding them.

[sweetlikesplenda]

With the new stock of horses having arrived in the city, and introduced to the old stock, training of the horses begins.

The soldiers selected for the new unit are introduced to their new mounts. The familiarizing helps to bond the soldiers with their new horse. The soldiers shown how to groundwork with the horse. Exercising the horse while out of the saddle. Familiarizing them to sounds of clatter and battle so they do not spook easily. The horses are introduced to saddles, accustoming them to the size and weight of it, before attempting to mount. Training the horse to respond to the bridle, as well as hands free, resting the bridle on a side of the horse to indicate direction, while using the knees to move and steer the horses. The horse, weapons in their own right, are trained to kick and bite enemies. Animal blood is brought in to help the horse grow accustomed to the smell, so they do not take freight during battle.

The work continues in training the horse and soldiers as a unit. Once complete, mounted combat training will begin for the soldiers.