Open Chronicles Tidings Of War

[Lia]

Allir Reach - Eastern Edge

Lieutenant Lia Kahl sat on her haunches atop a small hilltop, the mountains of the Spine to the East, the scenic forests and plains of the Allir Reaches to the west. Behind her was a small fort, it's decrepit stone walls and single leaning tower denoting it's disuse.

Two dozen Rangers were arrayed in a camp inside, smoke rising from the small fires that had already been lit.

They were waiting for a messenger from the East. Several days ago a pigeon had arrived in Ared'hol. The message had been short, in fact barely a scribble. Panic had dubbed every letter, and in terse words it had demanded a meeting with the Rangers, telling of a great danger.

The Majors had been...hesitant, but ultimately Lia had taken to the task.

She was not entirely sure what to expect, contact with the dwarves of Belgrath were rare, but the idea that something was happening made her...nervous.

A frown touched the Lieutenants face, her mind running with half a dozen different possibilities. She'd heard stories of what lurked beneath The Spine, the creatures and monsters that the Dwarves supposedly held at bay. Lia had no idea of the truth of the stories, but...well she didn't want to take a chance.

The message had arrived, and Lia would answer it. She just hoped others would too.

OOC:

This thread runs concurrently with The Siege of Belgrath. The intent is to have a little fun with the idea that there is a threat beneath the Mountains that the Dwarves currently can't take care of due to being attacked, thus this party will have to handle it!

Please feel free to join.​

 

[Addis Vrummal]

Addis had taken a liking to the Lieutenant, if only because things never seemed to be boring around her. When she accepted the task to help the Belgrath dwarves, he had handed over any training to another and opted for some field experience. It wasn't often that the elf got out with fellow rangers after all.

He was still getting acquainted with the shortbow in his hands as he accompanied Lia. He was used to much longer and farther reaching bows, but considering the area they were going to visit, a longer bow might catch on something. Which was why each hand in turn was weighing the smaller and lighter bow. Addis had handled them before, but each bow was slightly different than the last. At least he swore they were. It may have just been an elf thing.

He did not seemed as worried as the Lieutenant, rather, a bit excited when it came down to it.

 

[Lia]

Lia glanced up at Addis with a slight frown, though she said nothing.

Instead she simply remained where she had been, apparently quite content to simply stay there. Eventually her patience paid off, and in the distance upon the road she spotted a figure. Her lips thinned for a moment, hand coming to rest upon the hilt of her sword.

As the silhoutte drew closer the outline of a large...goat like creature became more clear, and atop it rode a dwarf dressed in intricate black armor. "The Messenger is here."

She commented quietly to the Elf at her side.

Another few moments passed, and then finally the Dwarf road into camp. The man wasted no time, dropping from his mount and falling onto the ground with a great clatter of his armor. Lia stood from her place and waved to the man, smiling and opening her mouth to greet him only to suddenly be cut off.

"This is all ye brought? Oh...this does not bode well."
​

Lia couldn't help but frown.

 

[Addis Vrummal]

When the figure appeared, Addis could not resist from watching the shape come into view. Eyes squinted in confusion at first, unable to see the separation between mount and rider. Then the outlines became clear, the armor of the dwarf made it clear that it was not just a grotesque goat.

"I am surprised, does not seem like they had too much trouble getting to us." Addis admitted before the dwarf hopped off of the mount only to be a bit curt.

Addis didn't have all the details, but the corporal was certain that they hadn't been offered an army by any means. They were short on numbers as it was, and the elf doubted very much that the higher ups wanted them getting tangled up with the siege.

 

[Lia]

"The Rangers are not an army, Master Dwarf." Lia countered to the stubby humanoid, frowning slightly and resisting the urge to sound a bit more grumpy.

They had requested aid but had been incredibly vague. She might have been able to scare up a few more if she'd known what was going on, but an army?

No.

"I brought what I could on my own authority." Plus she had fielded calls for mercenaries, though none had yet to appear. "What is the problem?"

The Dwarf looked around for a moment, sizing her and Addis up and then glancing at the camp behind them. A grunt escaped him as he knuckled his mustache, frowning for a brief moment before he finally let out a loud huff of a sigh and began to shake his head in disappointment.

"Belgrath is under siege. Blight Orcs from the east."

Lia's face tightened. "We ca-"

"We don't need your help, lass. Not with that lot, there's another problem closer to your side of the Spine. A hold was taken from us, gone dark. It wouldn't be a problem normally but...well they manufacture a good deal of our weapons of war and with the siege we can't afford to send anyone."