voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2019-09-21 06:31 am

Day 11: Purple and Orange

Purple: A Very Foggy Morning.

The night before the fifth day since the goblin ambush brings heavy and relentless rain. When the children and their helpers wake they will find the air damp and misty. If the treckers look at their SCA maps they are close to Um’i’les, very close.

However the mist thickens and by mid morning it is fog, thick and heavy. It’s practically impossible to see their hands if they stretch them out in front of them. Goblin activity has lessened considerably this far North but there are still dangers. Most notably the treacherous landscape. Paths turn sharply, hills give way to steep drops over jagged rock.

The children call out for each other and hold hands to stick together but the days of marching are taking their toll. They are tired, hungry and cold. This is much further than they usually go and now they can’t see. The older ones are irritable, some of the little ones burst into tears. Some whisper about getting lost forever in the blanket of fog.

Orange: Tumble Down.

Approaching Um’i’les from a different direction mean the farmers, merchants and their companions avoid the worst of the fog, mist rolls in but rolls out again leaving the hills hazy but still visable.

Just before noon it happens, one of the cattle dislodges a rock on the path. A small, unassuming rock but apparently vital to the structure of the hill side.

Everything crumbles, the section of path that the cow was walking becomes mud, parts of the path ahead and behind collapse or warp. People and livestock go tumbling. It’s not a sharp drop, luckily the slope here is one of the gentler ones but a mud slide is still dangerous. Merchants shout, chickens squawk. Hopefully the Voidtreckers bring some calm to this chaos…

If they look around they will see a path lower down the hill, if they could just get everyone out of the mud, hope no one is too badly hurt and get them on the other path this adventure might be salvageable...

Purple: Safe Haven

It might be the group splits, or perhaps they stick together. Maybe they stumble upon the city, find a section of wall and follow it round. Perhaps they wander lost for hours, so close yet so far. Or perhaps they decide to stay still until the fog lifts.

But eventually they find it. Um’i’les. A city, much larger than Culin’e’ai. Much better fortified. Guards challenge them at the gate but once they see the children will let them in and runners are sent to inform those that need to know.

Things happen quickly and soon there is one of the lesser halls of the keep prepared for their use. It is simple but there is a fire at one end and servants bring in tubs of water and also blankets. Soon there is pottage on the fire and enough bowls for everyone. A woman with a face that invites no nonsense can be seen around, clearly giving orders and instructions. If she sees any of the adults looking remotely competent she will watch them, though only approach if they seem open to the idea.

Orange: Help Comes

It might be that Orange Team are well on their way again. It might be that some have gone with the bulk of the citizens whilst others hang back to help those stuck or injured. Um’i’les has sent out riders, a huge group of children with a few adults arriving in from the fog was enough for them to search the hills for any other people who may be lost.

So it may be they find the city on their own, it may be they are found by riders, who will lead them to the city. If there are people stuck the riders will help with rescue efforts.

But unless anyone has gotten themselves well and truly lost they will arrive at the city a few hours after the children.

Purple and Orange: Reunited

Animals are stabled or put in paddocks, given food and water. The citizens are led to the same hall the children were taken to. Children are reunited with parents, or much more commonly grandparents. Stories are swapped and talk soon turns anxiously to those who are still out there somewhere.

In amongst all the clamour Orange Team are reunited with Purple Team, their charges safe for now.

((OOC: A reminder that if you want an NPC to show up in your thread just let me know here. Likewise if your character wants to do something outside of this framework that's absolutely fine! If it's something that you feel mods should be aware of let me know here or on the event ooc post!))
thebiggestguy: (Default)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2019-09-24 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[Safe Haven]

Well, that had been unpleasant.

Dread didn't begrudge the effort for a moment, mind. The kids needed to be protected, and that's exactly what they'd done. But he couldn't pretend that the whole trip had been anywhere near as enjoyable as punching a primal into the ground or kicking a vengeful Garlean across the room.

Still... worth it. As the children settled in for their food or got comfortable in blankets, Dread visibly relaxed and let himself lean against the wall. Given his size and bulk, the tension draining out of him really did make him seem to lose a couple inches in breadth.

"I wonder," he said, quietly, "if we arrived here by good timing, or if the timing never mattered."

Reunited

As soon as they stepped in, Dread looked around for signs of the others. Which was a pretty easy matter at his height. As soon as he saw someone from the other team, he moved that way, slowly easing his way through the crowd.

"Is everyone on your side all right?"
voidtreckernpcs: (mistress Vera)

Safe Haven

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-09-24 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"Timing always matters." A voice from close by spoke. There were some in the groups of refugees who were clearly not from Culin’e’ai. This was one of them. Vera hasn't seen anyone so large, though she has heard of peoples from over the sea who could grow larger than those here.

She approached him confidently though, she was interested in the ones who didn't fit in. How they had come to find the children and lead them here. "I'd say it is fortuitous that you arrived when you did."
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249165)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2019-09-24 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Oops. Well, he couldn't explain exactly what he meant, so Dread simply lifted his shoulders in as mild a shrug as someone his size could make. He thought for a second, then said, "Unless it was fate. If destiny exists, who knows?"
voidtreckernpcs: (mistress Vera)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-09-25 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Indeed who knows." She smiled at him. It seemed that fate really had smiled on them, from what she had heard from the children these saviours had shown up in very good time indeed.

"Are you comfortable? If you require anything we shall do our best to accommodate. I know some of the children will be too shy to ask or complain."
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249164)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2019-09-25 12:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm fine, I'm more worried about them." He motioned slightly to the kids. They were in good hands now, but long-term that journey was likely to have effects.
voidtreckernpcs: (mistress Vera)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-09-26 05:04 am (UTC)(link)
"We will do anything in our power to help them settle here." She nodded, it was a worrying thing, a long journey for children to take alone.

Even with help. "You are not from Culin’e’ai." A statement, not a question. "To hear the children talk you appeared out of no where to save them."
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249158)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2019-09-26 01:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's touching that they think we're some sort of magical savior," Dread said with a smile. That sounded like a decent dodge to him. Though he quickly frowned, then -- "It's lucky we DID happen on them when we did."
voidtreckernpcs: (mistress Vera)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-09-26 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Indeed. Very lucky. Children are no match for those monsters."

People were no match, though it seemed these people were. "Where were you headed before you found them? We can assist in you getting back on the road as well if you wish."
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249158)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2019-09-27 01:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"You've never heard of itinerant adventurers before? We look for where we're needed and then go there. Once we're done, we move on. It's a good life." That technically described the train and definitely described his time back home.
voidtreckernpcs: (mistress Vera)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-09-27 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah I have heard of such people. A... career choice more popular in the east I believe, where the cities are more affluent, the climate kinder and the monsters bigger and meaner."

She smiled at him. "Well you and your fellows have the hospitality of the city until you feel it is time to move on. If the talk I have been hearing is correct they will be wanting to celebrate you, for your help."
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249161)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2019-09-28 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
"We appreciate it a lot. We're all a little low on supplies ourselves after that trip." Dread smiled, nodding to acknowledge his thanks.
voidtreckernpcs: (mistress Vera)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-10-01 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
"Well if there is anything you need please let me know. I am the seneschal here. My name is Vera. If you ask anyone they will be able to direct you to me."

She knew adventurers may be used to grander things than Um'i'les could provide, but she was also determined that their hospitality would not be found lacking.
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249164)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2019-10-01 12:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"Dread." He tapped his chest to indicate that yes, that was his name. "What's going to happen to them all from here?"
voidtreckernpcs: (mistress Vera)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-10-03 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
"That very much depends on what is happening back in their home. If the goblin threat is able to be driven back we will be able to send them home."

If no news came in a few days they would send riders further, to see what was happening in the south. If the goblins has staged such an ambush it meant they had gotten bold.

"If not... Then we shall see."
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249160)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2019-10-03 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmm. If only they had a chance to go back and deal with those goblins permanently... "Then I'll hope the threat is abated."
voidtreckernpcs: (mistress Vera)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-10-04 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
"We all hope that." She nodded. "I shall leave them in your hands for now, please let me know if you need anything at all."

She should go and check if the outriders were back yet and if they believed a wider search was necessary.