Gorge of the Twilight

Val looked at the construction plans of the unbuilt house, then to the ground that served as a plot. Anton, John and himself had been left alone to begin the foundation and outer frame. Previously Jerald, the foreman, liked to keep a close eye on the start of each new site. But his attention was called to other sites, and a particular issue found on the North side of the wooden wall being constructed. Val began to study the length of timber the men would need before John put a large hand over the plans, “Tell us Val.” John furrowed his brow, big black eyebrows cast a shadow over his eyes in the morning sun.
“What?” Val looked up from the plan
“Come on.” Anton slapped Val on the shoulder, “We’ve heard about your army.”
Val laughed aloud, for the first time in a long time. He looked at the honest faces of Anton and John, as his laughed died down.
“Is it not true? My wife heard a half-elf talking about it at the Ettin the other night, saying you’re leading a force to take out some horrors from the North.” Anton had only just turned 20, and could have passed for a teenager with his smooth-skinned face, was it not for his large muscular frame.
This time Val didn’t laugh. “Why, you want in?”


They sat at a large round table in Jerald’s warehouse on the east side of town. Jerald rarely came here, and even less so these past few weeks. Val had locked the door for good measure nonetheless.

Val looked around the table, at the force he had managed to collect thus far. Six others sat around the table. The two Tieflings in town, one a stranger, the other the greatest magic user he’d ever seen; a dwarf with whom he’d gained the allegiance of the Boli’s and Grungs with; the Half-Elf who Val had seen ride a hydra, if momentarily; another Cleric who knew little about; and the Half-Orc he had seen die at the hand of the Twilight. Each had a history and a reason for sitting at this table. Val recalled Anton’s words. This was no force.

Val looked to Dorian before starting. Seeing the sorcerer nod, Val patted the wooden table before rising from his chair, “It’s going to take more than us if we’re serious about this.” The eyes of the group were on him, of those he knew and those he didn’t. He looked to Dran on his left, “We have the word of the Boli’s and Grungs in this fight. That’s not enough. We plan to find the Erina and persuade them to join us.” Val’s eyes fell to Moth on his right hand side, “There is word of a gnome in town who has begun making siege weapons, we aim to pay him a visit also. But they’re nothing without a team to work these weapons.”

He looked from Moth, to Nowhere, one of the few he didn’t know, “You - Nowhere - we need the Firbolg on our side.” He saw what he thought was worry in from the horned man, “If you need help look around this table, but I believe you’ve met their kind before.” <Nowhere>

“Galen,” Val knew the rogue as a confident figure, “You put that lip to good use mate. Use whatever contacts you have in Daring Heights to get us some men. Be it the town guard or bar security, we need muscle who can fight.” <Jett Jones>

“Dorian, find out what you can about the Twilight. What do we need? Fire, Holy Water, Silver Weapons? Find out and source it.”

Val looked to the Dwarven cleric, “Dran, if we get a hold of men they will need weapons. Spears, bows, axes. And armour. Make it, steal it or pray for it. We need whatever we can get.” He didn’t expect the devout dwarf to steal, but hoped to make a point at the urgency of each task <mikep>

“Nuno (Rholor), you mentioned the Merchant Prince so get to it. Whatever he can offer. And if he can’t, try the mayor. It’s his damn town that’s under threat.”

Val looked to Moth once again. The Half-Orc met eyes with Val, “You take a beating like no one I know. I need you to help me teach others to fight. Men have heard what we want to do, and want to help they town and save their families. They aren’t fighters, these are builders. But I’m guessing there are farmers, and masons and stable hands across the town we can inspire - or pay - into joining us.” Val feels the weight of a coin purse that dangles from his belt in his hand, “I didn’t come her to die a rich man. Moth you start spreading the word, any man or woman willing fight for coin join us. Rholor if you speak to the mayor ask him to do the same, spread the word. And if they don’t know how to fight, we’ll train them.” Still the eyes looked at Val. For a moment he was reminded of his days commanding men through the slums and alleys of his hometown. He brushed off the thought. “We can’t do this alone. You hear of any others who can help us, peasant or adventurer, recruit them”