Base Camp, Rosinder [Open]

[Arden]

1 : 1

He stepped out of the door and into the sun only to turn and face the man sitting on a stump. Deep wilderness, mountains and forests stood all about him. "Dyew! Give this dwarf a hug! It has been long since I have laid eyes on you!"

He stood and walked to the dwarf, embracing him."It has indeed been long Brandr." His face took a solemn look. "Has there been any word from Alana?"

Brandr frowned. "No word yet." He turned to face the door and found himself looking at a hovel. Through the door one could see polished wood and hear the whispers of those inside. "A fine base camp you have chosen for us."

He chuckled. "The Guild will make it work. They always do. How long do you think it will take you to gather enough men and material to start?"

He put one hand on his hip and stroked his beard with the other. "A day at most. Dragan should be along shortly."

[Arden]

Dragan stepped out into the clearing. He addressed Dyew first and performed a gesture, touching three fingers to his forehead and then inverting them. "Sir." He then turned to the dwarf. "First Sergeant."

Dyew nodded and then smiled. "How is your boy Dragan?"

The young man smiled. "Well sir."

"Go see if one of the druids is close at hand and fetch Scarlet or Aniva." The dwarf mumbled something under his beard. "I believe Aniva is on duty in the ruins at the moment." Dragan quickly walked back through the door and was gone.

[Arden]

The bugbear towered over both Brandr and Dyew. He slowly walked out of the portal and into the long grass bent under heavy leather robes and assisted by a gnarled hickory cane. His voice was gruff when he greeted the First Sergeant and the officer, if it could be called a greeting. “Good soil, clean air, and no demon stink. Good place.“ Back to the door he turned, sneezing and shaking his head. The druid’s ears moved independently of each other.

Thick fingers dug into the ground and in turn the ground around the shack came to life. Living wood coiled out of the dirt and went about wrapping the structure. The hovel quivered but did not fall for skill of the artisan working on it. Dyew and the dwarf sat easy and watched the druid’s magic labor.

The wielder stepped through the door and like those before her, joined her comrades. The strange gesture was made again. On loan from the Varden, Scarlet was here to assist the Adventurers’ Guild when the knight, Aniva was not able or not present. “You want me to secure the portal?” Dyew nodded.

[Arden]

“I must get going. I have many miles to cover before nightfall.” He grimaced.

The dwarf frowned and shook his head. He didn’t agree with Dyew but he was in no position to argue. “It must be important.”

”It is a matter of life and death.” He paused and then laughed hardily. “It is always a matter of life and death.” He laughed again and the dwarf joined him. “Aniva will be able to update me on the goings on.” Dyew said his farewells to everyone and then hurriedly vanished into the woods, gone.

The dwarf’s frown grew more intense as he watched the warden leave. “Good luck my friend.“ More people started to pour through the portal as the structure transformed into a grand inn and tavern formed of living, breathing oak. It more closely matched what appeared to be the interior that could be seen though the door. “Nice work Boogey.” The bugbear nodded, ears flapping.

Work started to take on a furious pace as more and more people joined those already on location.

[Arden]

4 : 11

Aniva stood upon the highest tower of Guild Keep. Brandr stood at her left side. "This is too much Brandr. You and your company should be commended." The stone under her feet still hummed with magic but despite the use of magic, constructing something of the Keep’s magnitude in four days was extremely difficult and arduous work.

The dwarf huffed and rubbed his weary eyes. He had not slept since he arrived in Rosinder. “It is still not complete.” Most of the major projects were completed but they had yet to handle all the little details. The stone was strong here. He had enjoyed working with it. “I am happy with the work we have done thus far. There is still much to do.”

”Yes.” She gave a long pause. “There is indeed much to do.” She let her words hang in the air. “Are you too weary to show me about the Keep?”

He tapped the haft of his axe on the stone floor. ”No, not at all.”

[Arden]

4 : 13

Aniva never stopped asking questions as they toured through The Keep. Two hours quickly passed and found them in one of the only courtyards that contained a garden. A number of members meditated nearby, mostly elves. The dwarf still followed her. "Brandr.” The dwarf turned his head to look at her. “Your company will receive awards for this. You have all done an excellent job.”

The dwarf nodded. “Thank you. They will appreciate it. I have it in my head to organize a party for them. Will you do us the honor of attending?”

”Yes.” She gave a long pause. “I will do my very best.” She smiled and they both turned to watch one of the elves rise from her meditative trance. It was Penelope.

The dwarf huffed. “May I have leave? I am exhausted.” Aniva nodded and motioned for the elf to approach. Brandr touched his forehead with three fingers and inverted them before leaving through an archway.

[Arden]

She touched her fingers to her brow and bowed slightly. Her melodic voice filled the air as she spoke. “Yes Lady Aniva?"

“I have a mission for you Penelope. You are to travel North to Nu Jeruxalim where you shall attempt to barter with local merchants and politicians, if they will hear you. With your charm and skill in speaking, I think they will listen.” She started to walk through the garden, the elf moved with her. “Use those sharp senses and learn what you can about the city and her people.”

She turned, to walk backwards beside Aniva. “Will I be going alone?”

Aniva thought for a moment. “No. Take Dragan with you. It will be good for him to get some more field experience.” The elf nodded. “Leave as soon as you are prepared.” Penelope touched three fingers to her brow and moved away, leaving the garden.