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Post by The Storyteller on Feb 12, 2015 0:03:37 GMT
The Third Expedition, or the Second Solus Expedition as it was being called by some, consisted of a hundred elves, men, women, and a few children. Mordinian Solus was not the oldest, but Harkon was an admitted mercenary, and no one else was confident enough to to contradict a younger elf who had already been to the surface. The frontier spirit had inspired so many, it had been a nightmare acquiring food and traveling resources without the aid of Lady Mar'samah. Harkon's men, it was rumoured, cost even more. The sellsword certainly didn't seem as excited about the surface as anyone else. He made his way to Lord Solus's tent and, with the slightest nod of respect, said, "The Zephyren lad is still missing, but the rabble are getting keen to start the glorious exodus. What do you want to do?"
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Post by Mordinian Solus on Feb 12, 2015 0:30:28 GMT
Mordinian Solus stood over a collection of maps scattered across the table in the center of his tent, where he'd debated which path would be most sensible for a party their size without taking half a year. Looking up at Harkon as he entered, Mordinian gave a slight frown at the lacking presence of Adaan. "We'll gather for a final explanation of the plan with my cousin, yourself, and the Zephyren when he decides to grace us with his presence. A nice speech or something along the lines to really kick it off and we'll start for the surface."
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Post by Ashultas Solus on Feb 12, 2015 1:19:10 GMT
Alushtas sat in a crude chair off to the corner of the tent looking forlornly at the entrance to the tent. He had signed on to join his cousin to the surface, he did not on the other hand sign on to be a key member of the expedition team and thrusting even more attention to him was making him itch.
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Post by The Storyteller on Feb 12, 2015 8:28:44 GMT
"What, like 'Have no fear, I know a secret rune that'll keep the dragons and bugs and surface demons from eating your little 'uns?'" Harkon had no faith in politicians, despite serving them most of his long life. He had been from one end of the Hollow Earth to the other, and had supposedly seen the surface itself in his younger days. If he had, it wasn't nearly as fortuitous as the Solus Expedition had been, and he refused to discuss it. The Firstborn had sought to reclaim their homeland for centuries, but the region was still poison to most life. Apparently, if these bold, young explorers were to be believed, it was not so throughout all the human lands.
"Where do you want my men...?" Harkon had only a dozen men, but every one of them was a veteran of the Hollow Earth, and had done everything from caravan protection to bodyguarding Assembly members. Harkon himself had reportedly served as one of the Silent Guard, sealing the Whispering Catacombs from public access, but as before, refused to even acknowledge it.
Mordinian INT:14 Alushtas INT: 10
Both Soluses recognize Harkon is lightly testing their leadership prowess.
OOC: Note that you have...
*12 Guards + Harkon *80 civilians, with a relatively even split of the genders (Yes, most know rune magic, but can be assumed to lack any sort of martial training) *8 small children (Up to 12 years or so. Elves physically and psychologically mature as fast as humans, it just takes forever to master those first few runes.) *Due to rune magic, you don't need really need to worry about most essential resources, but people are carrying personal effects with them to to the surface, anything from carvings and books to entire wardrobes and personal distilleries. *Two weeks worth of fresh vegetables. If you don't keep an eye on these, I will start handing out hunger penalties. Fortunately, the trip should only take a week if all goes according to plan. *PCs are considered 'officers' of the expedition. If someone makes a new drow character, I will assume they are either catching up to the expedition or are one of the civilian NPCs suddenly stepping up.
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Post by Mordinian Solus on Feb 12, 2015 16:35:54 GMT
"It will be something less of that nature and more along the lines of 'It's our lands anyways, let's go show them who's boss,'" Mordinian said with a chuckle. Looking over to Ashultas, Mordinian gestured for him to join them. "Harkon, two men of your choosing will travel a bit ahead of the expedition as our scouting force. Three others and yourself if you choose not to scout will be at the front of the expedition with myself, while the rest, Adaan, and Ashultas will cover the rear." Mordinian gave a slow nod, thinking over his own plan as he said it. "Should give us enough time to coordinate our defense on an attack from either side."
"Cousin, during the journey, I'd like you to train some of the willing men and women in combat. If it comes down to it, every able body counts. Any assistance you would be willing to offer, Harkon, will also be appreciated."
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Post by The Storyteller on Feb 12, 2015 17:07:38 GMT
"That sounds appropriate." Harkon seemed mildly impressed, though not keen to show it. "I'll see about setting up training camps when we rest. Not sure how many iron deposits will be in our path, but we can always fashion stone clubs to those without runes."
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Post by Ashultas Solus on Feb 12, 2015 19:27:57 GMT
"I can do that." Alushtas speaks up, "If any are willing to learn how to defend themselves and the group. Then I will find them and get them into shape."
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Post by Mordinian Solus on Feb 12, 2015 20:35:27 GMT
Mordinian nodded at the two, then glanced back down at the maps strewn about the table. "Final preparations and goodbyes, we leave in two hours. Adaan can catch up if he's still not here."
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Feb 13, 2015 8:08:51 GMT
"That won't be a problem." Came a voice from behind the group, as Adaan, dressed in his appropriate attire for this occasion, a traveling bag strapped to his back, with the butt end of a crossbow sticking out the top of the bag. He stood with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face, a smirk which fell quickly as he approached the group, walking a bit carefully as he closed the distance.
"Apologies for the delay. There were some preparations the Lady Mar'samah required my services for. They went longer than expected..." He said, not looking any of the men in the eyes as he said so and instead looking around to the group, "I take it we will have a plan for defending those here without runes? Things will not be easy for any company upon the surface, much less one of this size."
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Post by Mordinian Solus on Feb 13, 2015 17:49:55 GMT
"You're at the back of the group with Ashultas and some of Harkon's men. We'll be training the civilians in how to fight along the way, but other than we can't do much else. Either they learn or they don't." Mordinian seemed to have an afterthought as he stared at the maps on the table, and with a quick shuffle, grabbed one of the blank parchment they had intended to use to make new maps. "Here, make a list of the civilians with runes, and what their runes are."
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Feb 13, 2015 20:21:49 GMT
"Got it. I'll be getting back there." Adaan said before he shoke his head at the news. Training them on the road sounded like it'd be a lot of work, and he wasn't sure how skilled they'd get to face what was on the surface.
He accepted the paper in his hand, reaching into his bag for one of his books and held it like a clipboard, a pencil in his hand as he gave a grin, "Will do, hopefully we have a few expert levels to help keep the others guarded." he said as he made his way towards the back, stopping whoever came in his path and asking them for their name and runes. He worked quickly, writing down the info as quickly as the people could give it as he made his way through the group.
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Post by The Storyteller on Feb 13, 2015 21:30:11 GMT
Adaan LEA: 19 Adaan INT: 19
Adaan has little difficulty performing his task. He knows how to organize survey groups without offending, and knows how to ask the right questions.
In only an hour, he has learned the Expedition's rune arsenal consists of...
68 trained in Runes
15 Air (8 Adepts, 5 Experts, 2 Masters) 19 Water (11 Adepts, 4 Experts, 4 Masters) 12 Earth (6 Adepts, 3 Experts, 3 Masters) 15 Fire (7 Adepts, 5 Experts, 3 Masters) 7 Life (All Adepts)
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Feb 13, 2015 22:40:47 GMT
"Alright...that should be the last of em..." Adaan said as he finished writing the last name on the list. Close to half of the group could use runes, that was good. But not enough of them, in his opinion, were experts of masters. It could get dicey for the Adepts if they ran into something really nasty.
These thoughts in mind, he set off to find where Mordinian was to hand him off the list. He'd make his way back to the rear then, not really minding the run around too much.
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Post by The Storyteller on Feb 18, 2015 22:06:46 GMT
Harkon passes Adaan as he approaches the Solus tent. "Just wanted to remind you of your debts... my lord." Harkon winks, before returning to his own preparations.
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Feb 20, 2015 20:00:41 GMT
Adaan kept walking, even as he frowns at Harkons words, entering Solus's tent as he held the reports in hand, "Took a while, but I got our rune users listed and accounted for."
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