D&D 3.5 Campaign Thread: Adventures' Race

[Norade]

The walls of the Griffonclaw, built of well hewn stone worn smooth by blowing sands and howling winds, stand tall above the dunes and the collection of buildings that seem to shelter close as if for protection from the desert and its harsh moods. Those approaching from the Talenta Plains will see the town's buildings decorated with small colorful banners declaring support for a chosen team or champion entering the race. Though not as excited or loud about it as human's might be, it is clear that the city is in a state of excitement on the eve of the race's start.

[Hawkwings]

Cassie passed through the gates and looked around, appraising the town and the people who inhabited it. It looked stocky and strong, well used to the harshness of life exposed to nature's whims. She nodded, approving. It didn't seem like the people of Griffonclaw were careless or naive. The banners were a nice touch though. Even out in the toughest landscapes, people still wanted to express themselves.

A brightly colored sign indicating that adventurers were to check in led Cassie to an area where a stereotypically diverse set of people were gathered. Some looked to be wandering, while others stood in well-defined groups, daring outsiders to even approach them. Cassie looked around, searching for either someone who looked like an organizer, or one of the people she was told she might meet here.

[Kheitain]

After being pointed in the direction of the signup area by the Blacksmith whose smithy Dol Dorn had rented Dol Dorn made his way through the crowd to find the freelancers signup. After he makes his mark he will pick up his tower shield and put his back to a wall and lean on his tower shield. The shield itself is carved into a black, raised escarbuncle against a red background. Surveying the crowd he can tell that he's come to the right place, a dizzying array of warriors from all cultures have convened in one place for one purpose.

The Blacksmith told him that all the freelancers must collect into teams of four to ensure competition. He unravels his Kusari-Gama incase there is trouble. Assuming that his shield will make it obvious to everyone assembled what his millitary role is, he scans the crowd for others that will best compliment him.

[Stormin]

William had arrived in town a few days earlier having taken hire to help protect a small wagon train carrying mostly delicacies for the tables of the wealthy and noble.
The race itself had piqued his interest and Will paid more attention to it as the start grew closer. Originally the idea of such a commitment was offsetting but he ran it through his mind as they days passed and finally he made his choice to take a chance at signing up.
His dark colored armor, the greatsword on his back and lack of ornamentation allowed him to pass through crowds without notice with most considering him just another hired blade here to enter the race itself or get one of the many other jobs that came with such a gathering. The crowd was thick though and William cursed his procrastination, if he had done this earlier it would have been much easier. Spotting a woman with a longbow who did not look to have a specific immediate destination Will decided to ask for directions.
Walking up to her he saw she noticed him right away. Nodding his head politely he spoke. "Excuse me, friend. I am here to enter the race. Would you happen to know who I am to speak with?"

[Serafina]

A young elf was sitting at a remote area of the settlement. She only had a few possessions - her light robe, a few pieces of leather armor and a small pile of simple weapons, along with a slim backpack - as well as a Hawk. Right now, she was feeding it with pieces of small game, relaxing for the journey ahead.

Fianan had arrived in Griffonclaw three weeks ago. She had been looking for a way to cross the desert, but no caravans had been moving in the right direction. She had sent her Hawk Heliana to scout ahead and see if there were sources of water that would allow her to do the journey on her own, but she had found nothing. Thus, she decided to deviate from her patient journey and join the great race in order to safely cross the dessert - hopefully.

[Hawkwings]

Cassie nodded politely to the man who approached her, and said "Hello, friend. I, eh... just arrived recently so I really don't know many specifics." Then, gesturing over to a collection of people milling near a brightly colored pavilion tent, she said "I gather that's a good place to start looking though. What have you heard about this race?"

[Stormin]

"My name is William." Will bowed slightly in introduction. "And unfortunately I have had as much difficulty as you in getting details it seems. Beyond a vague description of a desert march and a general final destination, I would imagine that would be intentional to prevent competitors from teleporting and ruining everyone's enjoyment."

[Hawkwings]

"William. Well met. My name is Cassandra. Are you here with friends, or on your own? I was- ah! Excuse me for a moment."

Spying a back and red shield with a familiar device on it, Cassie strode over to the person next to it, and said "Hello there! I was told to look for you, you have had recent dealings with a Lord Kyron, correct? He told me that you're quite a capable fighter, good to have next to you in a scuffle."

[lance]

After spending part of the early morning doing his morning ritual, making a pact with Savnok, http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2621430/, Thoctar heads to the sign up location, looking for anybody that he knows.

[Kheitain]

Dol Dorn nods in recognition of Cassandra, "Yes we did, I served as a guard for some time. You are his cartographer." He says matter of factly. While speaking he keeps his eyes on the crowd, letting the ball end of his weapon swing slowly back and forth.

Taking his hand off his shield to point in the direction of the man in the dark armour, "Would he be another of Kyron's mercenaries then?"

[Hawkwings]

Cassandra was surprised at this man's keen memory and manner of speech. She responded, "No, I don't believe so. I just met him here, he is here to sign up as a freelance adventurer, as I suspect we both are."

Looking around for a moment, Cassie said "Are you alone here? I am looking for companions for this trip, and it would be good to travel with you."

[Agent Sorchus]

Pallas Kallisto slide through the crowd, They said they'd get the message out, but no one has approached me yet. There shouldn't be any problem recognizing me. I seriously hope someone responds to the ad.

Tail twitching the Faun continued her way through the crowds followed by a faithful mule.

[Kheitain]

"Yes we are." He pauses for a moment to take another look at a strange creature he has never seen before sliding through the crowd. "A Surveyor is always of use to plan and direct us in battle. I already made our mark, we should withdraw it then and enter as a unit. I believe it is random otherwise and not the tactful means of creating a company, many of these civillians look as though they've never actually seen true and glorius battle."

With that he slides his arm through the straps of his tower shield again and approaches the freelance signup to cross his mark off the list. He won't sheath his weapon while doing so, he'll only hang it across his shoulder to write. Once finished he'll hold on to the Kama end and keep a few wraps of chain in his fist so the ball bounces at about knee height.

[Stormin]

"I would have to place myself in that category, friend. I have seen some battle but have yet to find the glorious spoken of by the singers.
"As the direction I sought has been revealed I will take my leave and give you both my well wishes in return." William gestured politely and turned towards the line of soloers who were signing up.

[Kheitain]

Spying the greatsword strapped to the mans back the warforged has an idea, calling out to William he says, "Wait! Join this unit, judging by your armour and choice of arms you will complement this company well enough. Potentially a much better match than if we were to gain another overseer, or if you were to land in a company of other hammers!"

Dol Dorn turns to Cassandra, "If we can find a skirmisher or an artillerist we will have this company complete."

[Solauren]

Sol Bladestar looked around the area. The advertisement clearly said...

Ah, perhaps that was him?

Sol walked up to the man he'd spotted. With his most hopeful expression, he tapped the man on his shoulder.

"Pallas Kallisto? I'd liked to speak to you about the advertisment you put up...."

[lance]

Thoctar goes to one of the more remote areas of the settlements. Upon spotting Fianan he says "Hey, elf its been a while. Not since I was working for those wizards. You here for the quest?"

[Stormin]

"Well friend, that seems a better prospect than leaving everything to chance. My name is William and I would be honored to join the pair of you." In the book he wrote William Henry Cothe in the appropriate area.

[Hawkwings]

Cassie smiled and nodded. These two looked like they could handle themselves, and would definitely be more of a help then a drag in this race. And it was a race, Cassie reminded herself.

Walking over to the sign-in, she put her name down as a member of the party as well, bringing to total up to three. Turning to the members of her new group, she said "I suppose we should look for a fourth now? What sort of person would be of the most value to this group?"

[Agent Sorchus]

Much to Sol's private embarrassment Pallas Kallisto was female, or at least looked it. At least she was cheerful enough.

"Welcome. So you remember the basics of the ad right? I'm looking for first place, and first place only. If we win First, no when we win first, I have first dibs on the land but anyone who helps me gets preferential cut of the money. If we lose don't win first the gold will be split near evenly, I get a 5% preference. We work this hard and play as rough as necessary to win." It was a little stunning how quickly her mood changed from cheery to outraged. "I'm still waiting to see if any one else shows up or if we are going to have to shanghai someone into helping."

[Dark Hellion]

Vaeri would follow the Song. It had always sung in his heart. It was a song of power, of fire and ice and lightning and acid. Of Copper and Steel and Silver and Gold. It was the Song of Dragons. He could look to the stars and hear the tinkling harmonies of Siberys. He walked on the land and felt the melody of Eberron. He reached beneath the soil and touched the dissonance of Khyber. The Song was with him and in him and flowed through him without pause or respite. It told him to go and he went.

It had led him to this strange city, full of little beings of impure power and failed grace. Scurrying humans always in a rush to die. And the Elves of Aerenal, rushing towards undeath in their own way. And the warforged, the poor bastard copies of true creation. All bustling and jostling as if they had some meaning or purpose that actually mattered. But none of it did. They existed at the complicity of his draconic brethren and the largess of their betters. Vaeri wondered why the Song had brought him here, to some pitiful little race to a continent of pretenders. But the Song led and he would follow. He knew he was to meet the rest who would journey with him. He closed his eyes, listening to the music of his soul and feeling a harmony from the crowd. He looked over and found his party.

He approached them, examining who the Great Dragons had chosen to be his companions. A human with a greatsword, a devotee of some usurper god. Another human, this one a female with all the mammalian baggage that came with that, armed with a bow. Finally a hulking warforged, a sentient automaton clad in dull adamantite. Vaeri scurried over to them and introduced himself with all his draconic and bardly charm.

"You already have a vicar, a damsel, and a big metal tower. Seems like you need a dragon to round out this fairy tale."

[Hawkwings]

Cassandra looked over the new arrival with not a small amount of amusement. "And who might you be, oh bold one?" she asked.

[Kheitain]

This puny puny creature, a bipedal lizard, is the "dragon" humans have been speaking of with such reverence? It's funny how stories get exaggerated...

"I supposed Dame Cassandra that we could use a harrier, it may be capable?" Dol Dorn says quietly. He is clearly unsure of the idea, but knows that some things are not as they seem.

Turning to this dragon, "You might call me Garyx, the humans prefer Dol Dorn, what would we call you?"

[Dark Hellion]

"I am Vaeri Arcaniss Vaeri," replied the small creature, talking rapidly and motioning towards himself with beaming pride, "draconic bard extraordinaire! My considerable power is at your service. You can call me Vaeri for short, most of you races lack the anatomy to handle the intricacies of the dragon tongue; though for some odd reason the village of Labyrinth where I last stayed referred to me as Bowie. Its a strange world I guess. Best to laugh it off. Probably a joke of the Dragon Gods anyway. Any how, seems you need a fourth for this race and my arcane power is just the thing you are looking for. So, pleasure you meet you Gary and Cas, but who's the Padre you got with you?"

[Stormin]

"Padre, Friend? I am William and am a wanderer nothing more. It seems fortune has brought me into the presence of high company indeed." William wanted to direct the conversation back away from himself.