Vesper (Business As Usual)

Steve · May 5, 2008, 12:30 AM

The village of Vesper after the Narim War was neglected and nearly abandoned by the youth that were the life blood and future of the village. Only the elders and those too poor to go anywhere else stayed behind. The close proximity to the orc forces at Narim made Vesper a desolate place. Little trade, no entertainment, no solid structures except one remained. The Legions took anything that might have been useful to the orcs nevermind what the residents were going to do after they took everything of value.

The village was still nothing more than a fishing village as anyone could see along the coast. The only solid structure was a large one-story building that was a large single room meeting hall used by the whole village for communal gatherings. Out front of the meeting hall was a well and beside that was a run-down watch tower. The stairs leading up onto the raised platform were worn and the whole tower shook when people climbed on it. At the top of the tower was an alarm bell. It had been rung just recently last era to warn the residents of the Narim attack.

There were no walls, no fortifications, and no garrison left to defend the village. From the top of the watch tower, the approaches to the village were easily seen. Fields surrounded the village on all sides and the dirt road that led away from the village center was the only link to the outside world.

The homes that are scattered around the village were all thatched roof single room hovels. The life of the village were the four boat docks that were at the edge of the coast a short walk from the village center. Old boats lying along the path to the docks were proof of the glory days of the fishing history this village was well known for. Old hooks and torn nets still hide in the grasses as well.

These people pretty well stuck their village and saw little need for travel. As a result they knew little about went on in other parts of the Province and they really did not care.

Gauls · May 5, 2008, 12:56 AM

Brgthng 4, Cycle 1, Month of Kalendryas, in the Season of Winter,

Era I of the Celestine Mandate,

Era XV Post Fractum

Old Joe was sitting on the back porch of his home repairing an old fishing net that used to be his favorite. He held the needle and net so close to his face that several times it looked like he was going to put his own eye out with the dang thing. He didn't though and that needle had already been through that net so many times that saying he was in a rhythm and incapable of injuring himself was an understatement. He was really good at what he does.

The sun had just went down below the tree line but was still a good half a candlemark before the sun would set. This made the light really faded and did not help Old Joe in finishing his net repairs. Looking to his left then right, he look bewildered.

"Now where did I put that darn lantern?" he said laying his net and needle down. "Can't see worth a spit anymore."

He looked around until he saw the lantern sitting along side a pile of wood he had stacked beside his house. "There you are. Now come here..."

Picking up the old lantern and patting his pockets for a flint, he finally produced some and in no time got the lantern lit. Holding it up to about eye level, Old Joe turned around to face back where he was sitting with his net when something caught his attention out of his right peripheral sight. Looking over in that direction, he had to lower the lantern a bit to see more clearly. About 50 yards away across a field and just in front of the tree line, he spotted something. Several shadows. It seemed like 20 or so but they were too far away for him to make out who or what they were exactly.

"Oh shoot. Not those darn Paisely boys playin' in my field again? I'll teach them!"

Old Joe went into his house and came out onto his porch. The figures had moved closer and were now in the middle of his field. He was still counting about 20 of them. Surely this wasn't the Paisley boys Old Joe was thinking. Joe had picked up his shortsword from inside the house. It was a pathetic old rusted thing that Joe wasn't even sure if it was sharp or not.

"Hey you kids! Is that the Paisley boys with you?" he shouted toward the figures still advancing on his house. There was no response.

As they got closer, the old man was finally able to see some details. They were not boys and some looked to be injured. "Now what the....?"

Old Joe was at a loss for words. The people began to arrive at his house. They were bloody, dirty, and tired. Some fell to their knees crying while others just fell to the ground flat and did not move after that. Some were leaning on others in support.

What had happened didn't look good. Old Joe turned and ran not to the people but toward town center to tell everyone what he had just witnessed.

Gauls · May 6, 2008, 12:29 AM

The towns people came running to where Old Joe had said there were people falling all over the place. He wasn't kidding. At least 20 people were sitting exhausted upon the ground. Women, children, and a couple old men.

"Who are you people?" one man asked.

The villagers moved in closer and began to give the tired souls some comfort. "It will be alright. Just tell us what happened." a lady said to one of the tattered boys that she was tending.

"From Peda..." was all that the shaking boy could utter.

"Hey! This one says that they are from Peda!" the woman cried. Others looked toward her in disbelief. What happen to them to get them into the state that they were in? "Listen boy," the woman continued. "Did you get attacked on the road? Did you walk here from somewhere?"

"From Peda..." was all the the boy replied.

"He is terrified." the woman said then looked around to the others. They all had a frightened look upon their faces. "Don't worry boy. You are safe here."

The boy immediately jumped up startling the woman. "No! You're not safe! They came in a great horde!"

"Who? Who came in a great horde?" a voice in the group of villagers asked.

The boy looked around with terrified eyes. "Where are your troops? Where are the troops? The orcs! They must be coming already!"

A sudden glance around the group of gathered villagers told what they were thinking. They just realized what had happened to these people. Peda had been attacked and the horde would no doubt send orcs here to close the trap!