On the distant edge of Jastrey the sky grows dark and the clouds begin to form ominous shapes. A deafening crash of thunder rolls through town and the shard quakes briefly. Loose shutters on buildings rattle for a moment, and then calm returns to the town. The clattering of hooves and the squeaking of old axles can be heard off in the direction of what remains of the old Baumgarten farmstead.
"Shave me beard! What is goin' on around here?" Taklinn says as he comes around the corner. He walks over to the monk and says "I will go see what I may. Form a defense here. If i come in contact with enemy, I will flee back to your line. If I am not back in a short time, march the line out to meet me!" He heads off in the direction of the screeching wheels.
Wandering from the snow fight in time to hear the rumblings overhead, the fae glances toward the darkening sky, then smirks as she pushes back her hood and slides off the protective goggles. Well at least if it was something bad...it had given her a slight advantage. She slides the sword and shield from her back, tapping them together to shed ice and snow and then wanders nearer the others.
"I don't suppose one of you was recently occupied in a rain dance? Not a terribly wise action if so."
A black panther sprints into town. Bounding from side to side it stops on top of the tavern shifting into the recognizable form of Illiasia.
"EXPENDABLES" Illiasia shouts as the remainder of the group runs into the center of town, followed by the heavily armored Ferfren and Stiers.
"A dark age, an iron age, when Fenria the Wolf ate the sun and brother killed brother."
Rasiri walks out from the tavern still flabbergasted from Ripper's lack of interest in finding Wreynn when the sounds clash and clatter around the town. Ras ran over to Drux and Taklinn and upon hearing Taklinn say he'd go Ras offered his assistance and ran off into the woods behind him, and kept a good distance back and tried his best (which is considerabe) To blend in with the trees.
Glimmer follos the rest of her friends to the farm. Upon seeing Taklinn and Ras run off, she looks to Drux and says "By and by he aggrivates me so. They need a third and I'm the only with enough range to protect them short of a mage. I'll go with them. Dearest Drux, separate everyone else here into new scouting parties. Everyone goes in threes. A group needs to stay here or at the tavern. One person needs to continuously stay behind to keep up with what information each party brings back. Ask Astrum to do me that favor. I know he has much to do, so let him stay behind." At that she turns to face her friends and says "Everyone please stay in groups until we know more of this situation. We shall report back as soon as possible." Glimmer runs off into the woods following Taklinn and Rasiri closely.
Mig arrives at the farm just as Glimmer disapears into the forest. Unsure of the seriousness of the situation, he begins to walk the perimeter of the treeline. Every now and then he stops and listens for movement beyond the trees. He scans to the ground for unfamiliar tracks as he patrols.
At the edge of the farm, the floating chunks of land that broke off in the Scorch attack begin to sway and churn rapidly, and tell tale signs of spans phasing into existence are evident. Sounds echo from the distant shard, the hustle and bustle of a blooming city, hammer on anvil, bazaar barkers, and the faint laughter of children.
The dark brooding clouds overhead begin to let loose a light drizzle and a dwarf dressed in ceremonial black garb can be seen driving a cart across the span. Two mules hitched to a massive wagon hauling large stone slabs, and a retinue of four men carrying a variety of tools, instruments, and other random things that were either too delicate or too personal to leave to chance on the rickety cart.
No sooner than the last man set foot onto solid land, lightning strikes the span causing it to vanish behind them, the sounds of vibrant civilization fading with it, being replaced only with the patter of the falling raindrops and the creaking of the over burdened cart slowly making its way down the road toward the former goblin settlement.
The dwarf looks down from the wagon and looks at Drux unphased by the severity of the questioning. In an old, somber voice he replies, "I'm the old man. I'm the grave digger. I'm the peace-bringer, the builder, the dreamer, and the fool. I've been called to your shard on an errand of piety and mercy. The goblin Grishal requested my services, and one called Wreynn paid my fees. I come to build memorials for those who are no longer with us and see them to their proper rest. You may call me 'Mort'. Mort Stoneshaper. Is there anything you need? Or may I be on my way? "
Hearing all the commotion, Glimmer shouts to Taklinn and Ras "We better get back to the farm, post haste." At that Glimmer turns and runs back to the farm. Upon arriving and seeing the other dwarf, Glimmer's face turns three shades of red and her wings flit rapidly. No one looking at her, except for Ripper would see that she elated and not angry. She then yells overly loud "Taki Love, you must hurry dear. There's another of your kind here. Oh what fun!" At that, Glimmer approaches the other dwarf and curtsies low and proudly and says "Hello kind Bearded dear. I am Glimmer. What wonderful stone. Have you come to assist us then Mr. Mort? Grishal was a good friend and Wreynn as well. The last we heard was he was injured. Did he appear well? Shall he be coming along as well? Do wait a moment here with us. Another of your kind, my companion, should be bumbling out of the woods here at any moment. Pleasure to make your acquaintance dear!" Glimmer then stands, takes a deep breath and jumps up and down clapping, seeming to forget herself and her manners for a moment.
Taklinn turns toward the sounds of the cart and begins walking towards Glimmer's voice. As he begins to walk back that way he stops. He looks around skeptically, as if he is trying to locate something. "Coulda swore I saw somethin' move by that tree." he states as he continues to walk out of the woods. Upon coming to the cart, Taklinn begins to study the stone, tapping on it with his smithy hammer while placing his ear to the stone. He whispers something under his breath and rounds the cart to see Mort. Immediately recognizing the clothing, Taklinn speaks "Tis strong stone that ye bring to our shard, it rings clear an' pure. I would speak with ye in private once ye get settled in." Sticking to protocol, he pulls out his flask and takes a strong pullbefore offering it to the new dwarf in town. "Me name is Taklinn Forgesplitter, and it is an honor to have yer presence." he says to the venerable dwarf.
Drux replys to the lad, "so your a mason then I take it. We could have great use for you in this dark time. Your arrival is most timely." Drux then turns to Garith and says, " Ah Garith my lad come out of the tower I see. I most have a word with you most urgently Taklinn and I have been plotting. Come let's go back to the tower and let this fine dwarf get to his work."
Rasiri slides fluidly out of the trees on the side of the forest and stands there quietly, he sits and listens to the dwarves talk. A small frown blooms on his face (not that anyone could notice). He moves up toward the rest of the group. "Does none of them find this in the least bit suspicious?" He muses out loud to himself. "Talk about Ex Machina..."
"Let it be to a human ta be so bold and blunt to make labels and stake claims before even exchanging pleasantries. Aye lad, you could call me a mason of some skill, and my lads the finest sculptors, carvers, and stone shapers yer race has ever seen. Or ye can call me by my true title, Grandmaster Stonesmith, but in a rush from someone who hasn't taken the time to grow a proper beard, mason at least conveys some form of my skill."
Mort acknowledges Taklinn's hospitality and takes a swig from his flask, grinning politely. "Is this the best ye lot got in this tatter of a town? Seems yer a long ways from home Master Forgesplitter. Here, blood of Forgeholme itself, savor it, lest you cry for weeks from homesickness." Mort cringes briefly as he takes a small sip from a small keg besides him, and hands the rest to Taklinn. "I have the will of Istensia to attend to, you may join me if you wish."
Mort cracks the whip and the mules continue their march forward, the cart moans under the weight of the stone as it slowly lumbers forward again to the site of the former goblin encampment.
Taklinn bows low and makes way for the wagon to continue. "I will be with ye presently Master Stonesmith!" Taklinn says as a gentle tap on his shoulder turns his attention to Rasiri. "I knew I saw ye out in the woods sneakster! What is it ye want, I have matters to attend to." (OOP Ras begin of PM convo)
As Mort pulls his wagon into town, Talles leans over and whispers something to Frefren.
The Dwarf makes a beeline for the wagon and hops onboard next to the Mort.
“Glad to see ya friend”
“Please allow me ta escort ya to the tavern.”
“The ale leaves much to be desired, but the food is passable”
“Me name is Frefren Iron Arse, and I think we have much to discuss.”
“I woke up this morning, and I got myself a beer.” Jim Morrison
As Taklinn concludes his private conversation with Ras, he turns to see the Expendables, Fenfren especially, approach the wagon. He turns back to the urdek with a look of hatred and says "So ye were to keep me occupied so as yer new friends could have a crack at im. I'll not forget this ye ebon-skinned devil! Stay well clear of me, for I believe that ye two have grown a bit too close that group!" Finishing his tirade towards Ras and Stiers, Taklinn tries to make up ground on the wagon.
Garith, seeing the intriguing newcomer, walks out of the tower toward the tavern to meet him. Garith helps to stop the mules as the wagon pulls into the tavern. Then holds out a welcoming hand to shake the dwarfs, "Greetings friend. I have been told that you are a master in the craft of stone. By your firm grip I do say that this is true. It seems that you have come to our town just in time. I have very much to discuss with you." Garith turns Mort from the tavern, "Trust me friend you don't want to drink the watered down stuff in there. I have a keg of the fines firewater in my room in that tower. It was given to me by my old friend Gecel before the stone called him home. Would you like to come up and have a pint?"
Astrum walks back towards the tower with Grall. Rasiri intercepts the two and has a heated discussion before Astrum utters a few final words and dissappears. As he reappears directly beside Garith, he begins.
"Well hello there friend. That bothersome rogue seems quite unhappy with me for some reason, seems to be becoming quite violent in fact."
Astrum seems to see the dwarf for the first time.
"Oh hallo there! I'm not overly-fond of rouges you see. That one over there just threatened to stab me in my sleep for no apparent reason. It's a shame that the world has come to this. I prefer the intelligent type myself. So from the looks of those tools I'd guess you are a mason? Well if you're anything like the dwarves we have here then I'm sure you're quite the honourable fellow."
Astrum pauses to give a severe look towards the rogue turning his head back and forth to find Astrum.
When Rasiri hears Taklinn yell at him he stands there gaping open mouthed at him. "I... i didn't mean to do that...! What I meant was sincere! Please don't think that way..." Rasiri stands there flabbergasted and then tears up slightly. "All i wanted was to help the town... I guess i should stop trying..." Rasiri raises his mask and bows his head and slinks off into the shadows slowly dissapearing into the trees. But the group can still feel his eyes.
Garith quickly decends down the stairs of the tower and comes outside. He stands in the doorway of the tower ready for what comes off the forest trail.