Chapter #1137
previous chapter (#1136)
next chapter (#1138)
+
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ THE ADVENTURERS +
+ +
+ Epic VI +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Many of the locations, non-player characters, spells, and other +
+ terms used in these stories are the property of Wizards of the Coast +
+ which has in no way endorsed or authorized their use. Any such +
+ property contained within these stories are not representative of +
+ Wizards of the Coast in any fashion. +
+ The player characters depicted in these stories are copyright +
+ 1991-2024 by Thomas A. Miller. Any resemblance to any persons +
+ or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental. +
+ Copying and/or distribution of these stories is permissible under +
+ the sole condition that no money is made in the process. In that +
+ case, I hope you enjoy them! +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Dexitheseus 17th level human wizard, jack of all trades +
+ Lord Marcus 19th level human warrior and general +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Date: 6/9/586 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: midday +
+ Place: the village of Kalundi, within the Bright Desert +
+ Climate: hot and dry +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ "So you’re working with governments? The military?" +
+ "No, we’re actually efficient." +
+ - from _Sharknado 5_ +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MCXXXVII. Domino Effect
As the members of the alliance of wizards undertake various necessary
endeavors, the aged Dexitheseus focuses on his charge: determining the
best and fastest means of recruiting and assembling a standing military
force to patrol and protect the Bright Desert region. Fortunately for
the old archmage, he has the help of his friend and past adventuring
companion, the mercenary leader (and sometimes general) Lord Marcus.
Lord Marcus: (sits atop his warhorse, his thickly-muscled arms crossed
as he surveys the village before him, and the deep valley beyond with
its farmland) Excellent.
Dexitheseus: More good, quick work to be sure.
They had arrived at the small village of Kalundi early this morning,
at the head of Marcus' force of a hundred warriors, with the singular
goal of taking over the role of the token garrison left there by Rary.
As it turned out, that had been much easier than anyone had expected;
the soldiers hadn't been paid since just before Rary's fall, nor had
they gotten any sort of update aside from the rumors of major battles
and a shift in the rulership of the area. When confronted with larger
and better-armed numbers, they had quickly parleyed and then laid down
their weapons. Even now, they were being assimilated into the ranks of
Lord Marcus' group.
Lord Marcus: Some will remain here, along with an equal number of my
soldiers, and a lieutenant to run things. Our troops will learn the
particulars of this village and area from the men who formerly served
Rary. The more experienced of those, for the most part, will be folded
into my larger force and will join us as me march onward.
Dexitheseus: They have a word for that..."impressment." Absorb people
you find into your ranks. Although it's usually applied to those who
row or fight on ships.
Lord Marcus: (shrugs) Like most soldiers in the world - I don't care
what land or what army - these men have no greater loyalty to a ruler
who is no longer among the living. They are trained to fight, and it
must be obvious to them that there is now only a single option to use
their skills and experience in this land. As always, I offered any
who desired to depart the opportunity to do so.
Dexitheseus: (frowns) Even if any of them wanted to, it would be more
than a little dangerous. It's a long trek through the desert, across
the hills, and out of this wasteland. And they have no idea what foes
they might encounter between here and any neighboring kingdoms.
Lord Marcus: Exactly. For whatever past reasons, each of these men
chose to venture to the Bright Desert in search of work. It stands to
reason that they would remain here, whoever is in charge, as long as
the coin flows as promised. (he sighs) Of course, all new members of
any of my forces are carefully watched by those more loyal to me, and
by my officers. Sometimes, recruits prove to have problematic behavior
or intentions, and have to be...expelled. (he glances at the finely-
wrought bastard sword at this side)
This highly-magical weapon bore several enchantments, among which was
the ability to detect both lies and ill intent from any nearby individual.
When Lord Marcus accepted the offered fealty of others (such as brand-new
recruits) he was instantly able to know whether they were sincere or not.
In the latter cases, they would either be watched closely or (more often
than not) simply denied membership in the force. In a few more extreme
cases, in which someone had strong malevolent intentions, Lord Marcus had
offered them a weapon and settled the problem then and there.
Lord Marcus: Anyhow, there is little at this village to concern us. The
people here simply wish to be left alone to farm, and our force will
now assume the same role, protecting the farmers from bandits. We'll
also be taking measures to get the word out, here and everywhere else:
bandits will be executed when caught. (grimly) Emphasis on when, not
if. It will take some time and effort, but we will bring law and order
to this region.
Dexitheseus: Excellent. (he gazes at the extensive valley beyond the
village and the brick-and-dried-mud wall that protects it) And seeing
this farmland makes me realize that, while we're a long way from having
vast swatches of fertile land teeming with crops...some farming here IS
possible.
Lord Marcus: It would seem so.
Dexitheseus: So now we can remove Kalundi from the list of things that
need taking care of.
Lord Marcus: Aye. And it cost me the twenty troops and an officer who
we're leaving here. And then there are the thirty I left at Griffon's
Nest. (he shakes his head) We need to find more soldiers if we're to
adequately man all of the locations that need manning.
Dexitheseus: How many of those are critical?
Lord Marcus: At this time, there seem to be only three forts in this
entire region: Kalki's Leap to the south of the hills in the desert's
approximate center, Fort Whiterock to the north and east, and then
Griffon's Nest further to the north, on the way to the Duchy of Urnst
beyond the hills. Kalki's Leap currently has about a hundred fifty
cavalry, and a few others - none of which are mine, or were recruited
by me. But at least they and their leader, Chukai, have pledged their
allegiance to us, and the pay we provided them. Their mission for now
is simply to hold the fort and pass the word to others: a new power
reigns in this land, and recruits are welcome.
Dexitheseus: And Griffon's Nest is under our control, if undermanned.
That leaves Fort Whiterock.
Lord Marcus: It's just under a day's ride from here. I say we pay them
a visit...if we leave now, we can cover most of the distance by dusk,
camp for the night, resume the journey in the morning, and be at the
fort by midday, fairly well-rested. To the best of our knowledge, it
holds perhaps a hundred troops.
Dexitheseus: Against potentially only fifty of your soldiers...plus my
magic. (he nods) I'll take those odds. Let's get moving.
It didn't take long to get the soldiers packed and underway; while they
were mercenaries, they were also professionals and were used to life on
the road as well as on the battlefield. The small force, just over fifty
strong, made good time riding north and east, stopping only as nightfall
approached. Their camp was secured by not only conventional guards but
also magical measures and protections courtesy of Dexitheseus. Whether
due to their numbers, or the enchantments, or perhaps (as some liked to
think) spreading word of a new, well-funded and -organized power in the
region...there were no incidents over the course of the night.
Morning saw the warriors have a quick and simple breakfast before they
resumed their journey. A gentle breeze blew more often than not, pushing
fine sand across the landscape and sometimes through the air; the desert
day gradually grew hotter, the air drier. And then, in the distance, a
vague shape became visible to the sharpest of the mens' eyes, its most
prominent feature being its pale white color, which from this far away
made it stand out like a shining white dot on the horizon.
Lord Marcus: I'd venture a guess that we're gazing upon the aptly-named
Fort Whiterock.
Dexitheseus: Word is, it's built atop the ruins of an ancient Sulmish
fort, from white granite which has bleached even further under the sun
for decades...and then recently it was bolstered and strengthened by
Rary's magic.
Lord Marcus: And manned by Rary's troops since before his downfall. One
of my sergeants was talking to a soldier back in Kalundi yesterday, and
was told that the nomads avoid this place. It seems that one time they
launched an attack on the fort, only to learn to their dismay that Rary
happened to be there at the time.
Dexitheseus: Understandable. That sort of surprise could ruin one's day
in a hurry. However...
Lord Marcus: (nods) Rary won't be there today. (he spurs his horse
onward) This is the last major fortification put in place by Rary,
that we haven't yet dealt with. Let's get this done.
next: the fate of Fort Whiterock
map: http://www.peldor.com/world/atlas/bright_desert.jpg
www: http://www.peldor.com/download.html
homepage: http://www.peldor.com/
email: tmiller@peldor.com
released: 2/16/2024
notes: As I've often been saying in recent episodes, you need to
check the Bright Desert map (linked right above) to understand where
all of the locations mentioned in this arc are, in relation to each
other. I sure am using that map constantly as I write these!
Also, it's somewhat amazing that I found a way to apply a quote from
_Sharknado 5_ in the top section of a story.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
previous chapter (#1136)
next chapter (#1138)