AoA.Epilogue: Downtime Activity
Demelza, Human Scribe
Turning the corner with a stack of freshly acquired tomes tucked underneath his chin, Vorothruun enters the private reading chamber of his study. Seated at the nearest end of the long wooden table sits a human woman, hardy and stout with a web of dark curled hair pulled back into a bun. Her black, ink-stained fingers tap against the table absent-mindedly. "You shouldn't be in here." "You should lock your doors, then." "Most know better than to wander into my tower, yet alone my personal study. Give me a reason not to banish you to a living nightmare." "Caltha let me in. I'm the scribe she met in Bryn Shander. Said she'd put in a good word for me with her boss. Reckon that's you." "So, what? You want to follow me around and record my achievements?" "Don't mistake me for a historian." "I don't mistake you for anything." "I'm not here to keep track of you. Any fool who knows his letters can handle note keeping." "You haven't given me a reason not to banish you." "I am a master of my craft and my artistry is making the types of scrolls that'll hold up to wear and tear. You'll find it more than suitable for that arcane research Caltha wouldn't shut up about. My tannery's almost completed and I'll get started in a tenday or so, boss." "I don't believe I hired you." "You will. Name's Demelza, by the way."Oru, Orc Warfire
As he finishes off an ale as part of a well earned respite following another day of training, Parathrax notices a silhouetted figure approach his table. Pulling back a hood from overhead, a female orc looks down to the seated dragonborn, nodding respectfully. As the orc steps into the light, traces of war paint in the shape of flickering flames outline a strong jawline and trails of rising smoke encircle her unwavering gaze. "Chosen of Bahamut, I am Oru, Warfire of the Kingdom of White Tusks." "You can call me Parathrax. So, Oru, King Waruk I assume sent you?" "I am capable of serving as liaison to the King as needed, but I am here of my own volition." "Might I ask why?" "You say a war is coming. I seek to serve on the frontline. In doing so, I can keep the frontline from my people." "Admirable. Do you have any particular experience or expertise?" "I served as a Warfire of my tribe before we became part of the Kingdom of White Tusks." "And what does that mean, if you don't mind me asking? If I'm going to fight alongside someone, I need to have a better idea of what they are capable of." "My ancestors have imbued me with the ability to manipulate fire to burn away those who would bring harm to my tribe." "Well, that certainly sounds like an impressive skillset. We'll be happy to have you." "I am honored to become part of your tribe."Marston Thundersong, Half-Elf Troubadour Warrior
With the day's training complete, Parathrax finds himself handling the simple, ritualistic work of reseting the training field and organizing the armory for the next morning's session. With the last training dummies stowed away, a melodic voice carries through the air. Turning to meet the source, Parathrax observes a wiry half-elf with coifed light hair clad in worn, but well maintained leather armor with a harp in one arm and a blade sheathed at his hip. "Word's spreading about you, the so called Chosen of Bahamut. People saying you're raising a banner and taking a stand against some coming war. I'm not a particularly religious man, per say, but I must admit, I'm intrigued by the kind of person who puts a target on themselves like that. Asking for trouble. I can respect that. Have a knack for trouble myself." "I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?" "Name's Marston. Marston Thundersong. Friends just call me Mars, though. Thing is, if you're really gonna build up an army, really gonna be this bright light shining against the looming darkness, you can't have people just talking. You need them singing. That's where I come in." "You want to write songs about me?" "I'm as good with a sword as I am a song, if I do say so myself. Spent a few years working with the Lord's Alliance out in Goldenfields." "We can always use more men willing to train our green troops. More are joining rank by the tenday." "What I'm saying is I can hold my own. Whatever you're up against. Let me go into battle with you and then I'll turn my firsthand account of the great Chosen of Bahamut into songs. They''ll be sung from the Stoneway Inn down to Baldur's Gate. Trust me, you think numbers are swelling now? Just wait until they start humming your anthems, soldiers will be lining up by the dozens."Parathrax Builds His Armies
"They're awfully inexperienced." "They just need training. Important thing is they are committed. Can't train a sense of duty." "We don't even have a master of arms. Those shields you ordered from Waterdeep are nice, but there's not near enough to go 'round. We need to get organized if this is gonna be anything more than a flash of grease in a frying pan." "You worry too much. We have time. Maybe not a lot, but enough. They'll be ready." "How can you be sure? We don't even know what we're fighting." "Have faith, old friend." "It's not the faith that's lacking, it's the resources, the time frame, the certainty, the -" "The Platinum Dragon will guide us. And we'll follow his lead, come what may.""Those archers are coming along well, especially for how green they were just a few tenday ago. You and the rest of your order must be quite proud." "It's certainly encouraging. We have a long way to go, though." "Of course, but I've got no doubt you'll lead 'em right." "Thanks, Grey. I appreciate that. I must admit, I still feel like I'm figuring this out as I go. Being a Chosen, building this keep, preparing for some looming storm. It's a lot." "You'll figure it out. I mean, if Pup can captain the city watch, I'm sure you can lead this new army just fine. We've come along way since fae mushrooms and blood mages, hmm?" "Yes. Thank the gods."
Inventory Management
Sold Revne gold at 1:1 ratio to a traveling antique caravan for 6400g
Split the 1500p and 8500g among Parathrax, Vorothruun, Endriel for 8000g each
Sold all but 5 charged ruby and 5 charged emerald platinum gems for 1700g
Strongholds & Followers
Parathrax spent 15000g to build a level 2 Keep
Vorothruun spent 7000g to upgrade his library to a level 2 Tower
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