Fantasy Realms of Aldaan ~Jormun Maritime Thallassy~

[Kloudy]

GM: Kloudy
Mods: @Idea @SentinelSeven @Voril ​

 

[Kloudy]

Getting Back To Business
(Jormun Maritime Thallassy - City of Idola Port's Gatehouse)​

The Jormun Maritime Thallassy was always a busy place of commerce and trade no matter the time of day. The fresh sea breeze of Idola Port filled you with a sense of new beginnings as the merchant stalls rolled up their tent curtains to open once more for business. The hustle and bustle of the seaside city was brewing up again into a background clamour of bartering and haggling over purchase value and supplies.

Speaking of supplies, your attention returns to the wealthy merchant who had hired you for your next job. As a mercenary adventurer looking for an honest day’s coin, you and several others had agreed to escort the fat and extravagantly dressed trader to The Grand Market in the Hend Baronlands. If the Thallassy was known for its highly profitable trade routes, the Baronlands were certainly its main contributor to said profit. The economic wealth of the Hend merchants to the South was one that supplied many nations with many of the essential agricultural and construction materials a civilisation needed to maintain and expand the urban sprawl throughout its borders.

Or so the presumptuous merchant continued to explain to you. You had tuned in long enough to remember that your journey would consist of two days to Fivia Hold, where the caravan would spend a day to trade and resupply. Another two days and you would reach The Grand Market where your contract would end with an ideally pleasing pay. You idly watch as servants load crates and covered boxes filled with what you guess to be expensive trade goods.

You were promised that the job was “relatively risk-free” and that you were hired “just in case” something were to happen, which you assumed to be at least a little likely given the number of armed individuals gathered by merchant’s wagons thus far. By your count, you identify around four fighters, two of which seemingly using bows and small swords instead of traditional melee equipment. While you aren’t entirely impressed, you do notice that they at least look like they’ve taken jobs like these before.

More interesting than the other caravan guards, you notice a silent man dressed in decent if not somewhat foreign armour. As far as you can tell, he hadn’t spoken a word to anyone but it appears he will also be accompanying the caravan in the merchant’s employ. You can’t quite get a read on him, but you do know that he wields a finely-crafted spear. If nothing else, his professional air fills you with a little more confidence in your safety.

Your caravan will be leaving soon, so you think it would be a good idea to talk to your group before you go. As you will all be spending somewhat under a week in each other’s company, perhaps it was wise to use this opportunity to get to know them better.

( Mechking Iamthemanfish Huntertabbysandshark3 Ashwalker EccentricFantasy Xcelgamer )​

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Gozoth​

One of the stranger presences within this group of guards was a Drannid a rare sight outside of there hives to be sure and now one of these exiled wanders ended up so far was another question all together. The insectoid beings four arms and hugely lengthy segmented tails was unusual to say the least however they seemed to be carrying a rather large pack of mostly what seemed to be cooking supplies a bizarre combination that left one question why where they working as a caravan guard of all places? One set of there limbs seemed to writing in a large leather bond book as they stood there humming finally closing it the drannid strided towards its other companion for the week long job. “hello there I do think best if we make some introductions before our job proceeds yes? I shall start in this endeavour. i am Gozoth and how may you be then?” Despite the drannids elegant usage of vocabulary’s it’s clicking and hissing still came through as a sort of harsh accent. Gozoth‘s question directed at no one in particular just the general group.

 

[Iamthemanfish]

Fetch​

A short figure looked up from his spot on the back of one of the merchants wagons where it had been huddled over a short sword of odd design as the drannid spoke and bright yellow eyes scanned the large creature head to claw. The small creature was a goblin of the green variety and the only non typical thing about him was the abnormally large hammer that hung from his pack with the symbol of the Forge Masters guild etched into its side, denoting him as a Journey Brother of the order. The goblin eyed the large insect for a long second before finally speaking in a voice that sounded like the mixture of a creaky door hinge and a hard leather boot crunching gravel "My name is Fetch, and I've never seen a drannid before, didn't think you'd be that tall" Fetch grumbled in answer revealing a set of sharp teeth. There was another long second of starring before the goblin grunted and returned to inspecting his sword.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Otrygg had a bad feeling about the journey ahead. The money was to good for a job that was supposedly so easy. If he were a betting dwarf, he'd bet against them showing up to the Grand Market in one piece and short a few members, probably even a few wagons. But he wasn't a betting dwarf, and he hoped he was wrong. But as the ages old saying went, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. And so that leads to what he is doing now, making sure the mechanism of his crossbow worked correctly, the axels of his wagon were in good repair, Daisy was well fed, and his tools strapped down and ready for a speedy getaway. It never hurt to be prepared for these sorts of things.

He was brought out of his preparations briefly by a big bug introducing himself followed shortly after by a goblin. 'It won't hurt, Otrygg, to at least introduce yourself to your hunting mates' he thought to himself as he gave a leather strap one more reaffirming tug before turning around. "I am Otrygg Brassknuckle, former huntsman and smithy of the Dracon's clan. And considering nothing's been broken yet, at least not bad enough to need me to fix it, I'd say I'm in a pretty good mood."

 

[Mechking]

Grorg​

Grorg hadn't been around for a long time around these parts and was looking forward to the beasts that he may encounter. Overseeing the guards, he deemed it likely that they will at least need to fight once during their time. And, well, bandits are also a high possibility.


Grorg approached the rest of the group at a slight distance, not wanting to appear threateningly with his huge build. His weapons and bags all strapped to his back, he introduced himself while pointing at his chest.

"Grorg will be your shield for this task. Feel free to use Grorg as cover, Grorg does not mind even if you accidentally injure Grorg. Could you please tell Grorg about the beasts that we are most likely to encounter as Grorg is most interested in hunting them?"

 

[nh1]

Michael Bartram
​

Michael finished tightening his plate armor as he stepped forward towards the group. He couldn't help but think that this quest must be the most diverse group of people he had ever seen. Thus far, he had spent all of his time working in the Hend Baronlands. For his first expedition outside of the Hend Baronlands, he was blessed to see so many different types of people. He could only imagine the kinds of stories each of them would have to tell.

"Hello all. My name is Michael Bartram. I'm just a hired sword for this. I imagine you all are much more experienced in this kind of thing than I am. I'm just a former soldier of the Baronlands, so if anyone knows anything about what comes next I would appreciate it. In any case, I apologize, Grorg that I don't know what we may be hunting. But I'm sure wherever this journey takes us you will get your fill of adventure my friend."

Mechking , Soviet Panda , Iamthemanfish , Huntertabbysandshark3 , Hairy_Cube

 

[Hairy_Cube]

Hawrase Tranaboradan Thailcran "HawThail"​

The hulking 6 foot 4 slouching creature that was HawThail was standing off to the side, listening to the introductions at hand. He had not been around other sentients particularly often as his spiky rigid four legged form usually made people either run in terror or run to attack. Thankfully the other drannid which he knew to be Gozoth had convinced the merchants to let him be a part of the group, they must have been desperate to allow two drannids into the guards of this convoy. He stayed off to the side, using a whetstone he had borrowed from a guard to sharpen the blade like bones that served as the lower halves of his four legs.

Once he was finished sharpening his legs he threw the whetstone back to the man he had borrowed from, it hitting them in the chest with a small thud as they caught it. He figured that if he were to make it so he could do this job effectively he needed the group to at least semi trust him. So he sent a telepathic message to the rest of the group, it being altered in their minds to sound like he spoke from where he was, keeping his distance. In a baritone warbling voice the group hears "Hawrase Tranaboradan Thailcran, at the service of this group. I am aware it is a mouthful, HawThail will do well enough. All you have said is duly noted. In the undoubted event of combat my goal will be a swift end to said combat." Even with his borderline featureless face he seemed to look at them with what looked like some form of contempt.

 

[Kloudy]

Getting Back To Business
(Jormun Maritime Thallassy - City of Idola Port's West Gatehouse)​

"If could have the attention of the dirt-clad militia before me..."

The fat and undeniably gold-covered merchant that spoke up raised his nose up as he surveyed the muscle he'd managed to gather as if inspecting entirely mediocre cuts at a butcher. He tutted and scoffed as he eyed them, casting a dubious glance in the direction of the drannid duo. The man's demeanour was decidedly belligerent and dismissive, but many merchants of his stature seemed to uphold that sort of persona. You had seen it several times at any market or along the road. While he may not have been the easiest company to keep, it was certainly time that paid well.

"As I have said, my name is Baritus Eline Darphue of the House Darphue and I am your generous benefactor for this mission." He gestured towards the two wagons behind him, their drivers gazing off into the distance idly awaiting the signal to drive.

The wagons themselves were nothing out of the ordinary, wooden constructs on wheels and indeed with the House of Darphue's insignia, pulled by a beast of burden each. You aren't exactly sure what type of animal it is, but you do wonder how they taste. You suddenly remember that you should probably be paying attention to your employer.

"...days to Fivia Hold, where we stop for a day. If I catch any one of you stealing or causing trouble for the guards there, it'll be your coin paying for the inconvience. After that we shall spend another two days to reach The Grand Market."

Baritus climbed aboard the front wagon and waved a hand for the drivers to prepare to depart, "Once I get to the market, you all may go."

He sniffed haughtily and the wagon started. Thankfully, the wagons had small foot-ledges to hang from the sides, which the other hired hands proceeded to mount. As the group ambled their way towards the dock's large entrance, the gates clanged and opened before them on a large winch-operated chain. The busy clamouring of the tradesplace receded as the fresh plains breeze drifted on by and the sound of nature overtook their surroundings.

Hairy_Cube nh1 Mechking Iamthemanfish Soviet Panda Huntertabbysandshark3

 

[nh1]

Michael Bartram
​

Ah! Honestly. He gave a quick run before hopping onto one of the wagons grabbing onto one of the handholds. That certainly was surprising. Never even got a chance to meet the team....

He took care though to look around at the scenery as he settled into his spot. He hadn't travelled much to the Thallasy and seeing the different land was very interesting. But he couldn't help but wonder....

How many days to Fivia Hold?

A couple of the nearby drivers looked at him then, as he turned a bit red and glanced outward. Guess he said that out loud. Honestly. He may be a bit older but that doesn't mean he's all knowing. He thought back to the map though. The travel would take them through the middle of the Thallasy before heading back into the Baronlands. He could only grin wistfully. For decades now, the Baronlands had been home and hearth even if he no longer had permanent lodging.

Of course, this trip was bound to be interesting for a number of reasons. First, the makeup of the mercenaries spelled like a joke.....two drannids, a dwarf, a goblin, an ork, and a human walk into a bar......ha...in any case, it should be interesting to see how the group dynamics played out overtime.

Time would also tell what he would learn on the journey. It was always interesting to meet new people and gain new perspectives and knowledge. The Baronlands rarely had any non-humans in it, so meeting these new people should give him new perspectives on Aldaan. He could only hope though.

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Gozoth
interaction: Mechking Soviet Panda Kloudy Iamthemanfish​

The others that had made their employ here with this merchant slowly but surely made themselves known first was a goblin whom had either purchased a fine blade or made it themselves judging by how intently they inspected the weapon Gozoth surmised that they had most Likely made the weapon. “Well you would certainly be surprised by the difference one can observe between individual drannids” gozoth commented to the goblin know as fletch. next was a jolly-looking dwarven fellow by the name of Otrygg Brassknuckle, gozoth bowed slightly towards the stout fellow. “good to see we have an experienced craftsman then one can never be too careful“ he’d comment chittering slightly. he couldn’t forget one of his current traveling companions one Hawrase Tranaboradan Thailcran a fitting title for a form overseer. then there was a titanic ork by the name of Grorg that Gozoth quickly took a liking to when a sparkle in the drannids wispy blue photoreceptors. “Oh well I was most certainly hoping to encounter the famed devil's vulture not had a chance to acquire the meat of any just yet, there also the…” gozoth would continue to ramble on listing verious creatures of the Hend-lands obviously rather invested in such… mostly for culinary pursuits. Until their employer finally made his appearance despite how Baritus Eline acted and spoke about the current party Gozoth held little to no resentment for the merchant's dismissiveness gozoth would again give a shallow bow to the merchant only slightly distracted by the prospects of cooking the creatures hauling the wagons. but overall he’d caught their travelling plans for this expedition. Jumping upon the side one of the wagon gozoths tail serving to anchor the drannid to the side “to adventure” gozoth said quietly.

 

[Kloudy]

Getting Back To Business
(Jormun Maritime Thallassy - Road To Fivia Hold)

​

"Mister Darphue must be huffing too much gold dust, eh? This caravan's a joke, heh."

A few hours had passed amidst the idyllic view of the golden rolling plains that spanned the Jormun Maritime Thallassy. The central regions of Aldaan for the majority had always been blessed with fertile and bountiful lands. You could see for miles and smell a faint sweetness in the air, reminding you of honeycomb. You remember that many travellers agree it to be a beautiful and peaceful place.

The voice that had pricked Michael's attention was that of a young guard, a leather-clad man who was steadily riding his horse next to the foremost caravan. You could see a small handaxe at his belt, a bow with a quiver of arrows on his back and the light leather armour he wore. You guess him to be in his early or mid twenties. He turned to the older man with a knowing smile and nodded slowly as if the two were sharing an old joke. Above the clouds had gathered into a majestic coalesced visage, basking in the golden rays of the early-afternoon sun. A light breeze tousled Michael's clothes gently.

"Aye, fine weather these days," He turned his gaze to the horizon and sighed, "Fine enough to share with even the strangest of folk, I suppose."

He dubiously eyed the Drannid wanderer perched behind Michael with apologetic uncertainty, "Uh, no offense..."

A chunk of rock rolled under the wheel of the wagon, jarring it slightly as they continued on down the empty dirt road. The guard grunted and took some time to glance about their surroundings, scanning for anything unusual. Once he was done with his sweep, he turned back to Michael and rode closer with an oustretched hand. It looked like he meant to shake Michael's.

"Name's Wier, pleasure riding with you today mister."

nh1 Huntertabbysandshark3 ​

 

[nh1]

Michael Bartram
​

Smiling, he took the mans hand, shaking firmly. "Michael, good to meet you." He glanced around as they were moving.

"It's certainly very beautiful around here. The land is certainly very prosperous. I haven't travelled much outside of the baronlands, born and raised there. In all honesty, this is my first time traveling outside of the baronlands so Im glad to be heading to familiar territory. I've crisscrossed the baronlands quite a bit over the years but it'll be something to see it again. Never gets old. How about you? I would imagine you would have seen quite a lot of Aldaan traveling with caravans?"

Kloudy

 

[Kloudy]

Getting Back To Business
(Jormun Maritime Thallassy - Road To Fivia Hold)

​

Wier nodded to himself and placed a strand of straw in his mouth, absently chewing it.

"The Baronlands share its bountiful fields and landscapes with the Thallassy. They both lie in the same gee... jee... geo...graphical topography." He smiled and winked at Michael roguishly.

"A travelling cartographer told me that."

A large cloud slowly drifted over the sun, blocking it from the caravan's view for what was likely to be a brief moment. One of the other guards grumbled about wanting a sun tan. Over the ridge of the hill the round trailed along a forest slowly came into view some few hundred feet away. You briefly recall the map your employer had barely shown you, a small forest did indeed stand in the way of the path but luckily a well-travelled road extended through its middle. You don't know exactly how safe its supposed to be, but you assume that if its well-travelled then it couldn't be that perilous.

The guard, Wier, gestured ahead with dismissive blasé, "I've been up and down here a couple times, the worst I've seen is a couple of fools masquerading as flamecasters. Told us to hand over our goods or be burnt to a crisp!"

He laughed heartily, slapping his knee, "I said, 'Oh mighty magisters of fire, show us your arcane power and we shall yield!' The boys could barely conjure a candle! Hah!" He continued to chuckle to himself, whimsically reminiscing on more entertaining times.

"I grew up in a village not too far from the Hold. Merchant-keeping ain't that hard and it pays nicely, so I wouldn't worry your boots on it any." The guard patted Michael on the shoulder before grabbing hold of the reigns of his horse again.

nh1

 

[Huntertabbysandshark3]

Gozoth
interaction: Kloudy nh1​

Gozoth in his own Drannid way cheerfully enjoyed the sighs and smell around him mostly concocting how he'd prepare a meal from the creatures pulling the carts, horses were of no interest to him he'd already explored all feasible avenues with them and hadn't noticed the other mercenary until they had made a joke and small talk. "tis a rather nice day good for ruminating on the fire points of a dish, and no offence taken sir, one would be hard-pressed to see a drannied that isn't attempting to make a meal out of them" Gozoth chuckled just a little bit and gave a little smile though it was impossible to see the smile since there mouth couldn't form one still the sentiment was there. "Tis nice to meet you as well sir wier I am Gozoth pleasure to make your aquatiance" he'd add nodding a little.

"Oh bandits hmm never any good meat on them dreadful really... though I do hope we run into some of those devil vultures say wier would we be likly to encounter any per-chance"

 

[nh1]

Michael Batram
​

He glanced over to the Drannid as it spoke. Now that was something intimidating. "Indeed! hehehe. Though I must say, if it is large monsters you are after. The Baronlands are mainly farmland so not much in terms of wild untamed lands or death defying monsters. Hehe if there were much monsters about the farmers wouldn't have much time for farming at all! To busy hunting I'd say. hehe. But never fear! I'd imagine most monsters seeking their prey would flock to these sorts of traveled roads. Lots of meat coming right into ones arms you see?" Farms are a bit scattered I'd imagine. Though thats what we are here for. Especially with all these great folks guarding us I'm sure we'll be alright."

He nodded a bit as he took another look around. Situational awareness never hurt anyone. Turning back to Drannid, he couldn't help but pause a bit.

"I must say I've never met a drannid in my life. Would you mind if I asked a few questions of ya? I don't mean to pry of course, but well, I'm a war veteran of the Baronlands. Quite a few years of my life I put into it. I survived quite a few things a lot of my friends didn't. Happened to see a lot others haven't as well." he glanced down at that. "I'm an old man now. Never really know when my last ride will be you know? But You, I'd imagine you've seen a whole lot more than I have. Would you mind satisfying an old man's curiosity? I'd hate to go to my grave knowing I never took this chance when I could?"

He looked hopefully at the Drannid as he waited. It was something he hated doing on most days. Playing the age card. But he knew it. He knew it in his bones. He wasn't getting any older. Some would say his best years were behind him. He had once thought he could change the world. but after years of being thrown into the meatgrinder of the Baronlands army and being turned into a minor publicity stunt, he had left his idealism at his farm door long ago. Instead, if there was one thing he hoped to find, it was good friends and knowledge. Maybe this trip and maybe even this conversation could be another good step in that direction.

Huntertabbysandshark3 , Kloudy