Keeping up with the Kestrels
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Background
Dennet Kestrel, with permission from Earl Jovery of Hendor and the Royal Magister of the Hall of Mages, has been assigned to the Outpost to help provide assistance during the re-stabilization of the stronghold. The Outpost suffered countless structural damage, both above and below ground during its extraplanar jaunt to the Ithzir valence, and Dennet is a master in earthen magic and will be assisting in providing new wards, magical defenses, and expansion of the Outpost. His assignment may also include other projects that have not yet been made public at this time.
Traveling with Dennet Kestrel, will be his family. His wife Reannah, his daughter Naimorai, and his son, Cyph. In addition, Drandea, his wife's mother, will also be accompanying them. It is not known how long the Kestrels will remain in the region, but it's speculated it could be months, or even a year or more. Sir Michol, the acting Commander of the Outpost after Thadston's leave, is said to already be preparing living quarters for the Kestrels.
OOC NOTE:
Over the next several months or so I will be out and about doing some NPC/Roleplay with the Kestrels after they arrive in Wehnimer's Landing. So I would definitely highlight those NPC names. (Dennet, Reannah, Naimorai, Cyph and Drandea.) My focus here is going to be an emphasis on intrigue, some mystery, and lots of role playing. I have details and history drawn up for each of these NPC's, as well as other interesting facets of their lives, past and present. I look forward to revealing those over time, exploring additional developments, and watching how it all unfolds with you, the players in the mix. Much of this is also open-ended, so let's see where our mutual storytelling takes us as we enjoy "Keeping up with the Kestrels!"
NPCs
The Story of Us - Dennet and Reannah
On 3/10/17, Lady Reannah met with many adventurers in her bedroom inside the Hendoran Outpost, and when asked, she recounted the tale of her and Dennet's initial romance.
Deannet was born in the Swale, in Chastonia, and immediately surrounded by wealth and power as a Kestrel.
Reannah was born to a soldier, a city guard, member of the Silver Shields in Immuron, Honneland, and a woman of a questionable reputation.
Neither would have been under normal circumstances within the Empire, had it not been for the hand of fate guiding them together.
Reannah lived on a farm about half an hour travel from Immuron. Her parents barely made ends meet, and she often spent days at her uncles house spending time with his horses he was breeding. Her father, Derrick, was a guard in Immuron, a member of the infamous Silver Shields. Her mother, Drandea, spent years as a wash woman in a tavern in town, and because of her birth and rumors from Brisker's Cove, many had unsavory things to say about her, but Reannah's father cared little for that and defended her honor.
Reannah was the first born, and her parents had two sons after her, but both died shortly after birth due to unknown reasons. She was old enough to understand it slightly, and since then has always cared for others, sought to help and protect, and make people right.
This is what led Reannah to do a lot of volunteer work in the city of Immuron. She spent hours a week lending her time and kindness to an orphanage in the city, many of the boys and girls the lonely children of imperial soldiers lost in battles. That is when she met Dennet Kestrel.
Dennet, a young Archiver of the Hall of Mages at the time, was on assignment with some other Archivers, who had been sent to Immuron to assess a collection of relics supposedly brought in from the remnants of Toullaire, also known as the Wizardwaste. One morning, a young orphan boy was caught by Dennet trying to steal his waterskin. Dennet asked why the boy felt the need to steal water, and the child explained that they could not afford anything, and often went to bed hungry and thirsty.
That day, Dennet visited the orphanage, and used his earth magic to create a well outside of the orphanage, as well as a series of small earthen aquaducts to help provide a more frequent source of water for the children, as Immuron was known for frequent rain.
It just so happened, Reannah had been there that day (despite it not being one of her normal volunteer days, her mother had to work extra, so Reannah went and did more volunteer work) and she saw Dennet, and what he did for the children, and her heart melted for him and the way he was with the children. Furthermore, seeing what he did with magic helped create the first spark in her about discovering ways magic could improve the way of lives for others.
It just so happened, that Dennet also fell quickly for Reannah. He loved her smile, her face, her composure, her heart. She did not care that he was a Kestrel, and she was honest with him, often too honest, and he found it refreshing. When Dennet was not doing his work for the Hall, he was spending every waking moment with Reannah during that long summer in Immuron. They fell fast in love. When Dennet's assignment had come to an end, he had no choice but to return to the Swale as he was seeking a promotion within the Hall. At the time, Reannah's parents banned her from following him, and so their relationship remained, but was strained by distance. Letters were frequent at first, then sometimes silence for several weeks.
Back in the Swale, Dennet soon became a Magister, and took some time and traveled back to Immuron. He and Reannah caught back up on their passions and love, and Dennet then proposed to her. He had asked her father's permission, and the father had obliged, despite the resistance put forth by Drandea. She did not trust Kestrels. But Derrick, Reannah's father, knew that Dennet could provide a better life and more comfortable life for Reannah than he could. Within the month, Reannah moved to the Swale with Dennet.
For several months back in the Swale, Dennet and Reannah saw their marriage suffer heavy setbacks. Dennet was consumed with the Hall and his work and working on being promoted to a Grand Magister. Reannah was new to the area, and not of noble blood, and lonely with no friends or family. There would be stretches of days where the two of them did not even see each other or talk to each other, primarily because of Dennets work.
Dennet achieved the status of Grand Magister, and for awhile his workload lessened and he had begun to devote more time to his wife. She was pleased to tell him she was pregnant.
Dennet's life changed when Naimorai was born, she had her mothers hair and her mother's fair skin. Dennet would then come to love and adore Naimorai, making her his entire world, and even giving more attention again to Reannah. Life was good for them, for a very long time. A year later, Reannah would be pregnant with Dennet's son, Cyph.
Their life in the Swale continued to be one of challenges, but equally fond memories, as their children grew. Reannah would eventually travel back to Immuron for a year and a half, with her son Cyph, when she learned her father Derrick died. She helped mourn with her mother, and then eventually helped move Drandea from Immuron to the Swale.
Almost three months after returning from Immuron with Drandea, Reannah became deathly sick, and now treated plinite is the only thing currently found to bring her ease.
Timeline of Events
The timeline includes events that occurred that could be considered "public knowledge" to those not present, as rumors and gossip can spread as townspeople talk, etc. However, there have been some more secretive events involving the Kestrels over the course of this time, and I have omitted those from the timeline. I leave it up to the PC's involved in those situations to decide what and when they wish to reveal.
January 2017
- 1/10 - The Kestrel family arrives in Wehnimer's Landing. Grand Magister Dennet introduces himself, and spoke with many adventurers for over an hour. Glimpses provided of his family, wife Reannah, who appears ill, his children Naimorai and Cyph, and his mother-in-law Lady Drandea. Many appear curious at the items and locked crates escorted from the Kestrel wagons into the Outpost, including some rhimar-edged chests with silvery wards.
- 1/11 - Dennet met with more people outside of town, and Raelee led them all to two locations where the adventurers had used plinite-fueled pylons to battle the Ithzir invasion. Dennet collected some dirt from the areas into some vials and tucked them away. Raelee and Hapenlok gave Dennet a piece of charged plinite to research, and later another piece of plinite was stolen from Hapenlok by an unknown thief.
- 1/13 - Cyph, the son, was found in town at Helga's where he chatted with many present. He had Sareyna buy him some wine. He kept referring to his grandmother, Drandea, as Nonna. He was slightly insulting to both Magisters Bekke and Raelee, and grew nervous at the sight of some guards in the corner of the tavern. He was escorted back to the Outpost later by Sir Bristenn and Sir Cryheart. Rowmi used his mental abilities to touch Cyph's mind and was met with cerulean flames and the sound of a whip cracking along with screaming.
- 1/14 - Naimorai, the daughter, was seen in town with some Hendoran knight escorts. Adventurers watched as she eventually ditched her guards, and they found her searching for the music shop. Iowen suggested the lady buy a harp, which she did. Goblyn later arrived in the small park peddling poisons, and Iowen and Naimorai and Goblyn seemed to be whispering an awful lot with each other. Naimorai announced that she'd call upun Iowen in the future to help teach her harp lessons, and then she was escorted back to the Outpost when the guards caught back up with her. Kayse blended into the shadows when she noticed Iowen and Naimorai whispering. She moved closer to the two and overheard a few things, but is still piecing together what was said. Kayse asked Rowmi to "swim" the mind of Naimorai. Later that evening, Kayse inquired to Goblyn if there were antidotes for her poisons.
- 1/16 -Telare and Severine are met by a dark hooded figure in an Icemule bar. He called himself Scar, his skin was pale, and covered with pink and white scars. He inquired about the Kestrels in the Landing, they confirmed Dennet was there, but were withholding further details on others. Scar then cut Severine's throat and fled. Later that night in Helga's Tavern in Wehnimer's, Scar arrived to see Ephya, Stormyrain, Altheorn and Melvin. Scar addressed Altheorn and the imperial outlaw brand on his neck, inquired about the Kestrels in town. Altheorn and Ephya confirmed the Kestrels were in town and whom. Scar left, no one injured.
- 1/17 - Dennet, through Raelee, contacted Rowmi asking him to meet. Rowmi insisted Kayse be present during the conversation. Dennet wanted to restore Rowmi's "collar" which stifled his mentalism. Because Rodnay had removed it to help invade Chaston's mind, Rowmi refused, claiming he had followed his word with his agreement with Brieson. Dennet then compromised with Rowmi, who agreed to cease using his mental magics on the Kestrel family's minds or anyone who worked in the Outpost. In exchange, Dennet promised to grant him access to some Hall resources, a trainer from the hall to work on his abilities, and freedom to remain without a collar. Kayse tried to warn Dennet about his children but was dismissed.
- 1/20 - Cyph showed up with his grandmother, Lady Drandea. She told stories of her life, growing up in Brisker's Cove, how she used to steal things, met the original Lord Eldurn Winter, hated her son-in-law, and was trying to find women to date her grandson. She soon retired for the night, and Cyph did shortly after. Once Cyph and Drandea left, Scar was seen by adventurers leaving after they did, but moving off in a different direction.
- 1/21 - Lady Drandea met with some adventurers in the Stone Baths, where she offered up a vial of blood to some present to have it researched. She provided no details. It was later learned through rumors and gossip that the blood was suspected to be Lady Reannah's, and contained traces of plinite within it. Those involved in the initial experiment were Cruxophim, Leafiara, Raelee, Rhayveign, Lisbethany, Areigh and Maylan.
- 1/22 - Drandea returned and others informed her about the plinite in the blood. She seemed angry, then hid it her angry, then asked others to research if the plinite was infused on purpose or could have been exposed by accident. Later, Scar was seen running around, and many adventurers followed him into the woods, where his traps were set off and cut of lots of peoples' legs. When he was almost surrounded, he rushed through and pushed Maylan out of his way so he could escape. A locket around his neck got caught on Maylan's sleeve and it was torn free and fell to the ground. Luxelle provided a loresong for the locket, which showed two girls being burned alive in cerulean flames, while a man rushed into the fires to try to save them.
- 1/27 - Dennet comes into town, claims he is disappointed in the adventurers and reveals to them all that the blood Drandea provided was his wife's, and if they have questions, to come to him and not deal with that crazy old woman who is his mother in law. He says the plinite is on purpose, and it helps to ease her illness that is afflicted her, to which there exists no known cure, or even cause he claims. He tells people to respect him and his family.
- 1/28 - Blue flames are seen in the woods and a fiery blue figure is chased down by adventurers, but then vanishes, and shortly after tons of blue fires spark up in the Lower Dragonsclaw forest where many have to rush to put them out with water buckets. Many suspect it could be Reannah, or Cyph as the mysterious fiery figure. Later, Scar, whose real name is Carenos, abducts Maylan into the trees where he demands his locket back, and she returns it. When others show up, Carenos/Scar flees. Dennet is later told of the blue flames and says he will investigate.
- 1/31 - Naimorai has the adventurers take her to the Elven Village, where she looks around. She admits she admires elven culture and items. One of the elven village folks says he sees through her and recognizes her guilt. She then requests to leave immediately and return home. Sir Michol, of the Outpost, informs the Militia Captains, Stormyrain, Shirkon, Khristal and now Shinann that they will have access to the Outpost, including the current mayor, Puptilian. Later, Dennet shows up, and with Bekke's help, activates some magical wards he had setup to trace the blue fiery figure in the woods. They follow the blue motes of light and it leads them to the Alabaster Spire, the home of the Faendryl Enclave. Dennet claims they must be involved, and then says he will assist further if needed.
Feb 2017
- 2/4 - Another night while Goblyn was around, Naimorai arrived again and was having a whispered conversation with the merchant. She left rather early that night, as if she had business elsewhere.
- 2/7 - Hendoran knights came into town and announced that Sir Michol had gone missing, and was last seen on the night of the 4th, just days before. They had found no clues or evidence, as if he vanished altogether. Dennet came around, met with some of the adventurers and revealed he had tried to help the soldiers find him, but he had no luck either. He did however send word to Earl Jovery.
- 2/8 - A Hendoran knight showed up in town and informed adventurers that at the suggestion of Archmagister Nayor, an Imperial Magister of the Hall of Mages, that Earl Jovery had appointed Dennet as the interim commander of the Outpost until Sir Michol was found, or in the event Sir Thadston returned. The knight said he'd bring an item of Michol's clothing after some requested he provided it so the bloodhound Winston could perhaps track his scent. Later, Rysus, leader of the Brotherhood of Rooks showed up and informed many that his "urchins" had witnessed Sir Michol arguing with a woman early in the morning on the 5th, before he had supposedly vanished.
- 2/11 - The same Hendoran knight returned nights later, with a pair of Sir Michol's old boots. The adventurers used the bloodhound to track Michol's scent back to the Outpost, and to the cellar below the kitchen before the trail ended cold. The adventurers found a grate leading rom the cellar to outside Lake Eonak, where they saw Naimorai bathing nude in the cold waters. She swam to the shore, got dressed, and was asked dozens of questions about Michol. She did admit to having seen him, and arguing with him about the time she ditched his guards in town. Naimorai claimed Sir Michol was extremely rude to her, and even grabbed her arm. She claims she left the argument angry, and stormed off to bed.
- 2/17 - Cyph was around in Helga's Tavern, getting drunk. He claimed his father kept saying he was too dangerous. He also was informed his Grandmother was trying to get him to marry Ysharra, and he did not object. He did accidently, or perhaps on purpose, let it slip his father had been secretly planning to utilize some of the Hendoran soldiers in raids against the Rooks beneath the town, and some suspected due to the stolen plinite they had. When Cyph left, the ghosts of two dead girls briefly appeared in the corner of the bar, then disappeared.
- 2/18 - At the opening of her Pie Shop, Goblyn tells Kayse she has constructed a list of ingredients needed for an antidote and she would give it to her at another time.
- 2/19 - A fiery blue figure was yet again seen in the forest outside of town, as blue fires sparked up, but were also accompanied by huge blue fire elementals that devastated many people. Carenos (Scar) was seen pursuing the figure through the woods, taking a few crossbow shots at the flaming humanoid, once striking it in the side. A streak of fire hit Carenos, burning him and wounding him, so he ran to town to get healed. He was questioned by many adventurers present, and he informed them that the fiery figure was Cyph, and he was hunting him for the torture and murder of his daughters. Carenos informed the adventurers that he'd get his revenge, and so long as they stayed out of his way, he would not have an issue with them, then he stormed off into the night.
- 2/28 - Drandea came about and met with some adventurers in the Stone Baths. She accused Dennet of poisoning Reannah, and informed those present that despite the rumors, Cyph was not a murderer, and the man with the scars is a liar. She then went on to inform others that Cyph, while in Immuron with her and his mother, was abducted and tortured one night by unruly guards. Drandea was again promised a good story from Kayse, and she said she would come for it soon.
March 2017
- Dennet was about on the amulet, and asked the three mayoral candidates (Cruxophim, Leafiara, Hapenlok) some questions about their past.
- Lady Reannah hosted many adventurers in her room in the Outpost and told the story of her and Dennet meeting and falling in love. But before the heard her story, the adventurers saw six wagons full of rune-etched shadow black golems arrive to the Outpost and march into the tower. Many recognized them as re-purposed golems from the War of Shadows once used by Elithain Cross.
- A ship from Brisker's Cove arrives, carrying spices, silks, etc. A Tehiri man disembarks from the ship as a traveler. His name is Quinshon. He is rather creepy, and dark, and he says he has come on the request of Dennet, and his services have been required, and he is also supposed to help a student.
- Rysus comes around, hangs out in the Mayor's office, and explains some intel on Quinshon. Tells he's been called the Dissembler, but unraveling and reshaping peoples minds. He's a bit of a mentalist and sorcerer, and once a Magister in the Hall of Mages in Phannus, but since removed, but is still sometimes in their employ. Later, a wanted poster is put up on town, for the missing Lana Orpharion, the niece of Lute, the music shop owner in town. She was last seen days ago.
- Carenos comes into town, asks if anyone has seen Cyph recently. Carenos explains that his bolt had poison on it, and Cyph will likely die soon, or take his own life due to the pain. Carenos will stay in town long enough to ensure he's dead. That same night, Lana is found out by Lake Eonak, and she talks about someone in a bone white mask having experimented on and hurt her, but she cannot remember much else, and then Myasarie helps sooth her with some plinite shards, but it only works for awhile, then she melts away.
- Dennet comes into town, people ask him questions, and he admits Cyph is the blue fire creature, has struggled with his powers, and he has been wounded and missing for weeks. Dennet asks the adventurers to help find him, alive, and Dennet will use a bane coffin to capture him and subdue him. The adventurers break into groups, and he's found near some dead trees in Trollfang, and Cyph unleashes tons of blue fires and elementals, telling people to stay away. He flies towards town, burns a tower, and he eventually flies off disappearing into the night. Dennet says he'll need those with mastery of air elements to help adjust a bane coffin to perhaps lure Cyph with magic and trap him inside.
- Quinshon finds Rowmi, tells him he will be his tutor. Tells him to come prepared with his objective. Quinshon is asked a bunch of questions by the adventurers, about Lana's death, he tells them he knows nothing.
- Dennet comes around, and Drakehealius, Yakushi, Aleid, Leafiara, Dergoatean, Arshwikk, and Kayse help make air wards on a bane coffin, and Dennet adds a blood sigil of Cyph's blood, to change a bane coffin to target Cyph and try to capture him inside of it. Some say they'll use air magic to help try to suffocate Cyph's fire, and help trap him, Many others do not like the plan, or the coffin.