Re: LFG: [4M] Kaer-a-Lot (2021-03-05 23:59 GMT)
Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:33 am
Orlam Rolfsom, Journal Entry # 9: Kaer-a-lot
Of late I have been looking at the maps we have of the regions surrounding Throal. We know much of many places, but oddly one area quite close to Throal is almost completely blank. I speak of the great valley between the Throal and Caucavic Mountains; we know a few settlements along the Serpent, but almost nothing of the Caucavic River or any of the regions surrounding either of them. The Almarra Windlings escaped the predation of a vile horror from the northern portion of the valley, but even they know little (most of what they knew were other windling kaers, it seems, most of which have been absorbed into the Almarra or have been destroyed by the horror assault).
I resolved to put together a team to mount an expedition to the region. R'edtarian, Vallone, Rendar (an Ork Cavalryman I had not previously met), and Truck would join me; as we would be exploring into wild lands, I felt physical security would be quite valuable. Having put together a team, we were granted admittance to the Syrtis ambassador to Throal, and we proposed an expedition in search of kaers, sealed or destroyed, in the southern regions along the Caucavic (they would provide the funding, we would provide the expertise). She was most interested, and even volunteered a riverboat to take us to the area. We would need to be in Sosanopa in a week's time to meet up with the boat, the Scale Runner, and R'edtarian took some time to research in Throal's great library. What he found was almost nothing; few records of any sort, almost no names, no locations. This matched with the ambassador had indicated they knew was in the region as well.
We set sail for Jurong, a niall recently established in the region, past what was formerly the furthest-along nial known to be along the Caucavic (a recently unsealed kaer). We made good time and arrived much to the surprise of the locals, who had not expected anything nearly so grand as the riverboat to show up any time soon. We set out to gather information, and heard of strange animals in the region, the excellent quality of the wood that was sure to see the village expand, the presence of many ruins, and signs of Namegivers camped towards the north of the village who the locals assumed were trying to find something valuable.
We decided there was enough to at least spend a day in the woods surrounding town, although our initial efforts were a bit slow getting started. While following a promising lead, we ran across four strange bears; strange because they were working together, and also because they could project magical beams from their chest, with effects ranging from lethargy to ecstatic outbursts. They were no match for us (and a small troupe of monkeys watching from the trees seemed to decide we were too dangerous to make a good meal), but on examining them astrally out of pure curiosity I was able to spot that their patterns had portions somewhat reminiscent of kaer wards. Perhaps the wards were leaking into their patterns somehow and giving them these strange abilities?
We took a quick rest and a warm meal to recover our energy and then headed back to investigate further, finding that a nearby stream was also full of strange energies from small pieces of worked stone that seemed to have been rolled downstream by the current, leading us to follow the stream. The forest grew quite unusual as we went; great towering mushrooms, strange new plants the likes of which I had not seen (we gathered some samples and returned them later), and eventually, a clearing with sounds up ahead indicating the presence of some creatures. Vallone scouted ahead and reported the presence of strange bipedal creatures that had the look of altered Dwarf, Human, and Ork that seemed to be trying to track us by sound.
Rendar bravely volunteered to lure them away, on his great granlain steed, and led them on a merry chase through the jungle. Two of them were oddly fast, but in the end his skill allowed him to outpace them. While they were gone, we quickly found enough evidence to suggest the area had contained some variety of fortification for a kaer. We explored inward and found a great glowing gate intact, a good sign I think. The badly crumbled walls that we had barely been able to find and what I believe were the twisted ancestors of the original guards that Rendar had distracted was less promising, of course.
Still, we were able to make contact with someone inside who asked about the scourge. We reassured him that although the elemental clocks had not signalled it, the scourge was largely over; Namegivers were coming out of their kaers and spreading across the land. We were eventually admitted entry, and after a brief demonstration that we were not tainted we were able to enjoy the festivities and experience their customs. The locals seemed to have a governing council with representatives from various communities, and already had a copy of the council compact. They were pleased to hear that Thera had not returned in force, and seemed excited to have a chance to visit Cliff City and establish some degree of relations with Syrtis (they expressed a desire to remain fully independent; I suspect that their location will dictate that if they do not exactly become a part of the aropagoi, they shall become quite dependent on them).
Of most interest to me is the fact that the wife of the First Speaker (the head of the ruling council) expressed interest in contacting some other nearby kaers, indicating that there definitely was something unusual in the lack of information on the region, as well as locating a large city relevant to her ancestors. As she requested discretion, I shall not disclose too many details here; suffice to say I expect to return to Kaer Voklar and find it, although as nobody has any truly high quality maps or information about the area it would seem prudent to narrow down the location first.
Of late I have been looking at the maps we have of the regions surrounding Throal. We know much of many places, but oddly one area quite close to Throal is almost completely blank. I speak of the great valley between the Throal and Caucavic Mountains; we know a few settlements along the Serpent, but almost nothing of the Caucavic River or any of the regions surrounding either of them. The Almarra Windlings escaped the predation of a vile horror from the northern portion of the valley, but even they know little (most of what they knew were other windling kaers, it seems, most of which have been absorbed into the Almarra or have been destroyed by the horror assault).
I resolved to put together a team to mount an expedition to the region. R'edtarian, Vallone, Rendar (an Ork Cavalryman I had not previously met), and Truck would join me; as we would be exploring into wild lands, I felt physical security would be quite valuable. Having put together a team, we were granted admittance to the Syrtis ambassador to Throal, and we proposed an expedition in search of kaers, sealed or destroyed, in the southern regions along the Caucavic (they would provide the funding, we would provide the expertise). She was most interested, and even volunteered a riverboat to take us to the area. We would need to be in Sosanopa in a week's time to meet up with the boat, the Scale Runner, and R'edtarian took some time to research in Throal's great library. What he found was almost nothing; few records of any sort, almost no names, no locations. This matched with the ambassador had indicated they knew was in the region as well.
We set sail for Jurong, a niall recently established in the region, past what was formerly the furthest-along nial known to be along the Caucavic (a recently unsealed kaer). We made good time and arrived much to the surprise of the locals, who had not expected anything nearly so grand as the riverboat to show up any time soon. We set out to gather information, and heard of strange animals in the region, the excellent quality of the wood that was sure to see the village expand, the presence of many ruins, and signs of Namegivers camped towards the north of the village who the locals assumed were trying to find something valuable.
We decided there was enough to at least spend a day in the woods surrounding town, although our initial efforts were a bit slow getting started. While following a promising lead, we ran across four strange bears; strange because they were working together, and also because they could project magical beams from their chest, with effects ranging from lethargy to ecstatic outbursts. They were no match for us (and a small troupe of monkeys watching from the trees seemed to decide we were too dangerous to make a good meal), but on examining them astrally out of pure curiosity I was able to spot that their patterns had portions somewhat reminiscent of kaer wards. Perhaps the wards were leaking into their patterns somehow and giving them these strange abilities?
We took a quick rest and a warm meal to recover our energy and then headed back to investigate further, finding that a nearby stream was also full of strange energies from small pieces of worked stone that seemed to have been rolled downstream by the current, leading us to follow the stream. The forest grew quite unusual as we went; great towering mushrooms, strange new plants the likes of which I had not seen (we gathered some samples and returned them later), and eventually, a clearing with sounds up ahead indicating the presence of some creatures. Vallone scouted ahead and reported the presence of strange bipedal creatures that had the look of altered Dwarf, Human, and Ork that seemed to be trying to track us by sound.
Rendar bravely volunteered to lure them away, on his great granlain steed, and led them on a merry chase through the jungle. Two of them were oddly fast, but in the end his skill allowed him to outpace them. While they were gone, we quickly found enough evidence to suggest the area had contained some variety of fortification for a kaer. We explored inward and found a great glowing gate intact, a good sign I think. The badly crumbled walls that we had barely been able to find and what I believe were the twisted ancestors of the original guards that Rendar had distracted was less promising, of course.
Still, we were able to make contact with someone inside who asked about the scourge. We reassured him that although the elemental clocks had not signalled it, the scourge was largely over; Namegivers were coming out of their kaers and spreading across the land. We were eventually admitted entry, and after a brief demonstration that we were not tainted we were able to enjoy the festivities and experience their customs. The locals seemed to have a governing council with representatives from various communities, and already had a copy of the council compact. They were pleased to hear that Thera had not returned in force, and seemed excited to have a chance to visit Cliff City and establish some degree of relations with Syrtis (they expressed a desire to remain fully independent; I suspect that their location will dictate that if they do not exactly become a part of the aropagoi, they shall become quite dependent on them).
Of most interest to me is the fact that the wife of the First Speaker (the head of the ruling council) expressed interest in contacting some other nearby kaers, indicating that there definitely was something unusual in the lack of information on the region, as well as locating a large city relevant to her ancestors. As she requested discretion, I shall not disclose too many details here; suffice to say I expect to return to Kaer Voklar and find it, although as nobody has any truly high quality maps or information about the area it would seem prudent to narrow down the location first.