Chronicles of Vieliria

[VAN]

Boiros nods.

"Exactly, we all seem t come from different lands and we have two outlanders as well apparently. We need to figure out why us, why here and how we can get back."

Turning to G he says:

"There is some soup and pie leftovers if you want and we can get you water as well since you seem dehydrated. If you don't feel that good I think you shouldn't get a watch this night, but I suggest the rest of us do in order to make sure nobody comes closer to the main house and in here."

[alhoon]

Roddek and everyone else looking in the parting thin mists and the night for hidden enemies, didn't manage to see anything dangerous. For the outlanders though, there seemed to be something out of place in the darkness.
Every time Roddek checks a low noise or slight movement in the distance, it turns up to be a mouse, a light breeze through the trees, leaves disturbed by the wind, an accorn and other completely innocent things. However, whenever Roddek turns his head back to the others his senses and survival instict tell him there was something there that he has just missed; something he didn't manage to see. Something that was at the corner of his eye. Something hidden somewhere, something that watches him through the darkness, waiting. Although not as strong a feeling as similar feelings of danger Roddek has experienced in the war of his land, he still feels as if he's walking into a possible ambush or trap.

G at his present weakened state feels vulnerable. There's something wrong here, not with the folks tending his wounds, probably not with the farmers in the house. But he feels similar to Roddek even if both the human and the dwarf do not realize it.

"You said you have been at this land before Arneu, can you tell us how you arrived here, how is this land called and how we can go back to Darkon or whereever the others are coming from?"

Arneu like most showmen seems to have no problem talking about himself and his travels. He explains to them, in not the shortest possible way, that two years ago he arrived here with a band of the mist wandering and mysterius nomadic gypsies, the vistani, who are said to be the most reliable way to travel the Mists. His female companion and himself were wandering the world to see places and seek new experiences. Their travels happened to bring them there a couple of years ago, when they heard the vistani would travel to a rarely-visited land in the mists, a few years after the disappearance of the witch Zevarzia from this land.
Arneu details a few of his experiences in what seems to be a land wary of magic and divided by a 40 years old civil war between the duke of Fauldom, controling the western part of Veiliria and his distant nephew, the count of Amerland, controlling the eastern part of Veiliria. A civil war that flares and subsides but never seems to end as both lay claim to the crown of the kingdom of Veiliria.
To particular interest to both Boiros and Garret, seems to be Arneu's mention about the growing influence of the tyrranical and cruel church of Bane the Lawgiver in the sparsely populated north that vies for dominance with the church of Ezra. One of the main reasons Arneu says he decided to leave, was the talk between the Anchorites of taking more direct action to root out the Banites and their hordes of unholy, inhuman servants. When they found another band of the mist-navigating Vistani, Arneu decided to leave, while his companion decided to stay.

[VAN]

Boiros listens carefully Arneu but more the bard is speaking more questions come to the cleric's mind. Boiros waits patiently Arneu to finish and then ask his questions:

"Is there any big city nearby where we can probably seek help or a temple of Ezra that you know of? And at where are we now at the western side or the eastern part of Vieliria? And do you where we can find your companion maybe she can help us since he lives here."

[alhoon]

Arneu again displays his knowledge of this land, proudly naming a list of nobles, fiefs and places.
"Unless borders have changed, which is unlikely but not impossible, we are near the village of Hapton tended by the Matheron family, which is vassal of the liege of Misheril which should reside in the town of Mierana, the largest settlement in the small fiefdom of Misheril. The Lord of Misheril ows fealty to the baron of Higelvent who traditionally rules the barony from the town of Echevelle. The barony of Higelvent is part of the Duchy of Fauldom.

There was a shrine of Ezra in the town of Misheril and one in the Hapton last time I was there, tended by some mild anchorites that spent their time protecting the people. They seemed more in tune with the Mordentish sect of Ezra in temperament. This didn't sit well with the Bishop of Higelvent, which was residing in the temple of Ezra in Echevelle. She was a hard woman to put it politely. She believed a more harsh approach was needed. She has tolerated the presence of Banites in the war with Zevarzia in Higelvent. To give you some pointers, in her shermons she praised the "Darkonese sect of Nevuchar springs" as the most pure of the Ezran sects. I believe that should make you glad since you're from Darkon. There were all kind of strange rumors about the Bishop; that Zevarzists ambushed her only to find their blades turned away from her flesh by the grace of Ezra, that she could enter the mists and exit in another place instantly, that she could call down the fires of Ezra to scorch enemies, rivals and heretics... all kinds of strange stories. In any case, her detractors considered extreme some of the actions she approved to root out Zevarzian heretics and Zevarzia-spawn.
Of course, I don't even presume I can pass judgement to a bishop of Ezra to one of her fellow anchorites, don't get me wrong! I just repeat what was word around the taverns of Echevelle and offer a warning that you may not get the welcome Anchorites are used to while we are in Higelvent. Other dominions are more mild in the South, and less tolerant in the North.

As for where we could start looking for help... Luckily for us, last time I passed through here, the aristocrat tending the land around Hapton was Lord Louis Matheron, a noble of scholarly pursuits."

[VAN]

Boiros lowers his head and exhales heavily, so many names and places he has never heard gave him a headache and a huge confusion.

"Ok, I suggest we start from the closer to us shrine of Ezra. Hope we can find Anchorites there that can help us. I don't plan to get in middle of the war between the Anchorites and the Banites. I don't like Bane and his clerics but I'm from Dementlieu not from Darkon, I do know that neither all Anchorites are good... "

[Naliamegod]

*shrugs his shoulder at the names mentioned* Sorry, I am not the religious type but I don't remember any type goddess named Ezra. I heard of Bane, but I generally avoid their kind.

Now.. can sometime tell me exactly where in the realm are we? I sorta have pressing issues to attend.

[VAN]

Boiros looks at G and shakes his head as no.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you my friend but I'm afraid you are far away from your home, all of us are taken by what we call here "the mists". I don't know exactly what it is, but think about it is like an entity that rules this land, maybe is a god of some sort even if not in the pantheon. Anyway these mists brought us all here from different places, who knows why and apparently we are trapped here unless we find a band of vistani as Arneu did before that can guide us outside this land or if the mists themselves decide to let us go...So I suggest we get some rest and tomorrow morning ask Tyrem about this place because no offense to you Arneu, but I would like to have current information of the situation in this land and not of two years ago, many things can change in two years. Then I suggest we go to this village that is nearby, where the Ezra shrine is and talk to the Anchorites, maybe they can help us."

[alhoon]

"No offence taken! I also want to know the current news! Yet, I don't know how well informed Tyrem will be. In my experience, such farmers rarely travel more than a day away from the place they were born."
Then, Arneu turns to G.
"Bane and his clergy are rarely loved, even in places they worship the Lawgiver. As of Ezra, she's a divine entity, often 'Our Guardian in the Mists'. She was supposed to have been once a mortal woman who surrendered her mortality to the Mists to become a guardian of mankind. Clerics of Ezra are called anchorites, and each sect has different goals for their anchorites to achieve, but they usually revolve around protection. For some sects, this protection is extended to pretty much everyone. For other sects, the protection covers the followers of Ezra. Different sects would go to different sects to protect those they believe should be protected."
Arneu makes a pause and looks at Roddek.
"The Ezran sect of Darkon for example believed that non-humans, like dwarves, were unworthy of Ezra's protection since she was human. They were not above leaving dwarves exposed to die in order to save humans. When a plague called the Crimson Death spread through Darkon, it was whispered that some followers of the Darkonese sect were performing experiments, horrid, lethal experiments on dwarves and elves to find how the disease works. Of course, I have no way of verifying these rumors.
The vast majority of anchorites are loyal, good people protecting communities, not monsters. As I said, the rumors about the experiments of Nevuchar Springs may well be fabrications of the enemies of Ezra."

[Varrus the Ethical]

"Yeah, well, can't say I'm a fan of the sort of thinking that says someone is less worthy of protection just because they're short or have pointy ears," says Wil.

[Roddek]

The dwarf nods in agreement with Wil. "I appreciate that." He gave Boiros a suspicious look before moving back to the entrance of the barn. "We should all get some sleep. I'll take first watch tonight. I see better in the dark than any of you, and I'm not convinced nothing's out there yet. Who's got second?"

[VAN]

Boiros nods few times agreeing with Arneu then adds:

"What Arneu said is unfortunately true, the Darcon sect is more cruel than others sects. I don't know if they did experiments in demi-humans but alas I cannot exclude it either. For your information I'm from the Dementleu sect and as anchorite I have sworn to protect all those that worship the Lady of Mists but I would also help the weak and those in need. My goal is to find the true nature of my goddess because many things have been said but only few are confirmed. As about the watch I can take the last one if it is ok with you."

[Naliamegod]

*stretches and rubs his head* Well, as long as you're not going to screw us over for not following your religion or being a bit short I don't mind. I'll just rest to kill off the migraines I'm having, but let me know if you guys need anything or something trouble comes. *walks off to find a place to rest his head*

[alhoon]

The rooster announced the new day as the first rays of the sun reached them above the mountains to the east, feeble from trying to pierce the ever-present mist that hugged the ground. The day promised to be better than the last one, with visibility reaching a couple of miles into the mist already.
Tyrem, Fried and their wives brought some milk and bread to the adventurers sleeping in the small storage they have built and crispy cold water to wash the sleep out of their eyes. Boiros made his morning prayers as the rest prepared for the day. It seemed the farmers have been informed about the arrival of the newcomer by Tyrem.

Frid and Tyrem start the coals for the small anvil and initially, they tried to give the dwarf a helping hand. Very soon they realized it was less than needed. Roddek seemed to know what he's doing not so much out of practice of experience, but as if of... kinship with the metal. Without checking the heat of the coals he knew when the metal was hot enough; without sparing a second glance actually. A few practiced hits by the hammer he chose and most things were back to shape, good as new. What the farmers expected would take an hour or two, turned up to be less than half an hour.
Frid and Tyrem were standing there, watching with interest and appreciation the dwarf work methodically, fixing tool after tool with ease.

Tyrem made small talk with the Anchorite while the dwarf worked and the rest of the adventures were offered the chance to give a hand here and there with the farm. Few things seem to have changed since the five years that Arneu had to visit Vieliria according to Tyrem's knowledge.
The most important being that the tensions between the church of Ezra, once the state religion for the whole land and the church of Bane have blown to a religious war. The church of Ezra has asked their followers to take up arms to resist the Banite advances in the north. The "Crusade" as it is called doesn't seem to be going very well for the Anchorites. Already the church of Bane is officially tolerated by several settlements and fiefs in the North, as some Lords recognize the help of the church of the Lawgiver against Zevarzia and her spawn. Tyrem tells Boiros that they thought Boiros was leading a group of crusaders to the North, to fight the Banites.
Another important change that Tyrem is aware of, is that the "Bishop of razors", the authoritarian intolerant woman that Arneu spoke of, has disappeared a couple of years ago and is presumed dead. The new bishop appointed by the Bastion is a man of more mild temperament but a few Wardens seem to keep the old, intolerant ways.
The view on anchorites is not uniform according to Tyrem. Many respect them for the good they've done and the services and protection they provide. Others remember cruelty or vice visited upon them or their friends and since things are now more tolerant, they're not afraid to speak their mind against the Ezran faithful.
Tyrem has little other knowledge about religious happenings aside of proclaiming that he and his family are devoted to Ezra and what he has already told Boiros.

At the mention of politics, Tyrem mentions he knows little; they are thankfully far from the front. A few people are levied for a couple of months every once a while to bolster the border towers so the war is still going on it seems. The leaders still are the duke on the west and the count on the east.
When Boiros asks for a map, Tyrem chuckles and Frid asks "what is a map?" before Arneu explains.

[VAN]

Boiros listens carefully Tyrem and nods here and there when the farmer explains the religious war and the situation with the Ezran church. When Tyrem is done the cleric thanks him for the information and promises that he will keep him and his family to his prayers and will hope to meet them again.

Preparing his backpack to leave for the village Boiros finds among his stuff a letter. His surprise gets bigger when he reads it and finds out that is from Isolde! Unable to figure out how is possible to get a letter from the Carnival leader when he is in another land he just reads it one more time and then says to his companions:

"The most unexpected thing happened, as I told you yesterday for few months I was part of the Carnival, it's really difficult to explain what this is. Take it as a bunch of people that travel around the Core, is quite similar the vistani but not exactly. Anyway, the Carnival's leader is called Isolde, a really skilled in battle woman. I don't know how, she managed to send me a letter saying that she knows where I am and that I need to protect and help you guys in case of need. She mentioned that she is afraid that the witch Zevarzia will be back to Vieliria and she will try to find a way to stop her."

Boiros left out on purpose that Isolde said that he should protect especially Wil because he doesn't want the others to think they are less important than the Falkovian.

[alhoon]

Boiros turns to the Anchorite suprised; it's the first time the group seems him uneasy. Making sure that the farmers are out of earshot, he approaches the cleric, ignoring everything he said after that Zevarzia may be back.
"This Isolde you talk about, head of a Carnival, does she really know what she speaks about? There was no worse calamity in this land as far as I know than the arrival of the witch Zevarzia. While things have been improving, as far as I know there are still a few of the monsters Zevarzia created around and there are still nihilists, anarchists and criminals inspired by the atrocities she commited that band together to inflict suffering on others.
Ever since she disappeared, People were claiming she's not dead but she will return. I believe you shouldn't indulge simple people's fears unless you learn more. Share this theory about the witch's return with whomever you like, but I advise caution."

With that note, the group gathered their few things, said their farewells to Tyrem's family and set towards Harpton. As they look to the horizon, their vision able to strech a couple of miles before the mist blocked it, they gaze upon a deceptively peaceful, alluring, inviting and beautiful land. The grass is green, the sky overhead is blue and the brown leaves of autumn create a carpet where mushrooms grow. Birds chirp without any care and ants go about gathering resources for the coming winter.
The clear view though seems to diminish after a few minutes. Mists begin to thicken, eventually blocking vision to less than a mile giving them the feeling that they're slowly being closed in by the unseen Powers that trapped them in this foreign land.

The group uses the relative privacy to discus with themselves, learning a few things about the land from Arneu and discussing whatever else comes to mind.
Wilfred seems to be easily able to keep the group towards the right direction till the outlines of Harpton village can be seen in the distance. They pass the first outlying farms where people go about their morning activities tending Lord Matheron's lands. A group of armed men, including a heavily armored dwarf obviously draws attention. People seem somewhat tense when the party passes near their fields or herds, but nobody seems to overly mind.

The Village of Harpton has a 8-9' tall wooden wall around it, made by thick tree logs. The gates are open and farmers and women come and go freely under the watchful eye of a couple of gate guards carrying wooden shields and spears and wearing leather armor. When the group is about 100' from the gates a heavily armored man comes out of the village and calls them to stop. The man seems to be in his mid thirties, sports a mustache and wears a stern expression. He's equiped in chain mail with a shield on his back and a sword on his hip.
"Stop there travelers! You're in the village of Harpton, protected by Lord Matheron. I'm one of his Men at Arms. What is your business here?" he asks them.