#4: My City, My Home, My Parapette- Colostle
Day 4 Chapter 4
Missing In Action!?
Before I dive into day 4, I just want to call out that i’ve been very late getting this published. Between work life, dad life and summer there has just been little time for me to line this up! I fully intend to complete this campaign in every possible way.
Hello and welcome! If you have not read the first chapter of my Colostle adventure then I highly encourage you to do so. Please click the link below.
Exploration Phase & Recap
Raynuh was captured by bandits briefly before a medium sized rook came crashing in to her rescue. She was able to defeat the rook, loot its severed arm and gained +1 permanent bonus to her combat value. This puts Raynuh’s overall exploration and combat values to 4,5 with combat capped out.
I am pulling only 2 exploration cards this go around since we are so close to Parapette and it makes sense for the narrative.
9 of clubs - something you were looking for.
King of Clubs - massive rook
Day 4
I continued the last leg of my journey and came upon a massive rook. It was a shell, a husk and at the same time was brimming with life. It was the city of Parapette, my home.
At the center of the city towering above the four district towers was the royal palace. Bright white columns of stone and marble shone against the sun. Majestic in all of its glory, statues of King Linnard and Queen Bumble-toe offered sanctuary to those entering the city gates. The king and queen ruled over all of Parapette and Mid Room. They loved addressing their subjects and they maintained a positive reputation. Generally, they were liked by all.
I entered the main gate, “Raynuh, you must stay on task,” I said to myself. Focusing, I found the nearest street sign and read out loud. “Guild Town and The Lanes”. An arrow pointed left for Guild Town and right for The Lanes. I shuttered, at the thought of tramping through the muck and filth of the lanes. I’d probably get pick pocketed.
“I suppose i’ll go ahead and check in with the Captain. I’m sure he’s not too pleased since I lost communication with him.”
An hour passed when I finally made my way to Guild Town. The courtyard was bustling with merchants dragging carts and mules over to the market square. The sounds of iron and steal rang in the air from black smiths and their apprentices. Explosions and clouds of smoke carpeted the ground as artisans created alchemic concoctions. It felt like… home, like time had stopped while I was gone and unfroze the moment I stepped foot into the city.
CreeeeaKKK… I entered through the Order’s main door. Per usual, two guards stood at attention. "Good evening, Thomas. Howdy, Fred! How’s it been lately?” I asked with a hint of humor.
“Ughhh, hi Raynuh! Geez, you’re back late. The Captain’s been really worried about you. What happened out there?” Thomas asked.
Before Fred could even get a word or even notice me I answered. “Ah, you know. Rooks and bandits, just a normal day in Mid Room.” I laughed waving my hands goodbye.
I collected my thoughts and took a deep breath. The Order of the Knights was my only true family and true home. I owe everything to the Order, what it represents and who I am.
The main hall was clean and expansive. On display were guild crests, suits of armor, weapons and artifacts taken from fallen rooks and ex-Order members… heroes. The hall was designated as the main head quarters. A place for the brass to issue guild orders, conduct budgeting meetings and make strategic decisions that align with the broader Orders directive.
At the center of the hall stood a closed door. It was made of pure gold and outlined with embedded gems in various sizes and colors. This was General Stonebreaker’s office. She was the highest ranking member in the Order and reported to none other than the King and Queen themselves, though it was more of a formality rather than a requirement.
I left the hall and made my way towards the division II barracks. There I would find Captain Razar’s office. The man I envied, looked up too, like a father.
Knock.. Knock… creeeakk
I opened the door not allowing Captain Razar a moment to object. I knew he wouldn’t care. “Hello Captain,” I said. “Is now a bad time?”
“Raynuh! Not at all come in, come in, please come in. Where have you been? Are you alright?”
I’m not really sure why the captain cares so much about me. Perhaps, it’s because he was best friends with my father back before the accident. I feel like a Captain should be hard as steal, direct, chiseled and aggressive. Instead, Captain Razar is caring, understanding and compassionate. All the qualities that are important almost like a father? Certainly not what I would expect for a Captain over one of the Order’s primary slayer divisions. Maybe it’s just me, maybe i’m the broken one though.
“I was ambushed captain. I guess my transmission didn’t come through. My Arm, it’s broken. I think i’ve got the right parts to repair it but I need to take it over to the technician. I wanted to report in before I headed in that direction.”
“Well i’m glad you’re okay. Go get your arm fixed up right quick and rest. Have you made any progress on the mission?” He asked.
“No Sir”, I stated. "After the ambush I went completely off track. Once repaired i’ll be resting for a night and heading out first thing in the morning after a stroll through the market.”
“Well just be sure to resupply and rest like you said. I’m just glad you’re alright, but know that this mission is incredibly important. If you feel you need support let me know. I can always put in a favor and involve the first division’s Lieutenant.”
“Hell no!” I spat on floor in agitation. "That won’t be necessary Captain. No support is needed from him.” Captain Razar rolled his eyes and sighed, “as you wish Raynuh. Just please be sure to take care of yourself this time, ok?”
“Thank you Captain”, I said as I left through same door I came in.
Before heading over to the technicians forge, I stopped at the quartermasters. I resupplied myself with rations, water, bandages, medicine, whetstones and various standard guild items and equipment. As a Lieutenant I’m eligible for an extra bag of coins. This will certainly come in handy, I thought.
1d6 Treasure = 3
Narratively i’ll be using these for repairs & conversations.
“Robert!” I said, as I walked into his dusty shop filled with gears, trinkets and equipment. “How have you been? Hey, look i’ll cut right to the chase cause well, i’m in a bit of a hurry.” I starred into his dark weathered eyes. “How about you give me a great price on fixing my arm again on account of the fact i’m one of your best customers.”
“Oh, hello Raynuh, it’s only you.” Robert sighed wearily. “I don’t have time for your bothersome antics right now. Why not go down the street and check in with the local blacksmiths instead. I’m sure they can patch up your arm. I am very very busy.”
“What are you working on?” I stood there cold faced and annoyed.
“Well, i’m working on this trinket for the General. She say’s is a gift for the Queen.”
Raynuh paused and reached into her pocket pulling out the pearl she had found from the sand castle earlier in the week. “That sounds rather boring to me.” she said. "I’ve got something more exciting and rewarding for you! You may even be able to incorporate it into your little ticket thing for the General. I need my tracker arm fixed and this is yours if you do it quickly!”
Robert, sighed and finally made eye contact with Raynuh. “Is…. is, that a pearl? Well now, where did you get your hands on that? He dropped his work and started approaching Raynuh. “Alright” he said. “Give it hear. If it's as voluble as I think I’ll have the arm finished for you by sunset.”
Raynuh, handed over the pearl, a few coins and the miniature gear. “This will more than cover any associated parts that are needed.” She unclasped the arm from behind her back and placed it on a table nearby. “Don’t lose it or else,” she said glaring at him and waving goodbye as she left the forge.
Later that evening Raynuh picked up her arm, now fully fixed and operational. Robert had left her a letter…
Raynuh,
Thank you for the pearl, it’s exactly what I needed to complete my masterpeice. Try to keep your rook arm in better condition next time.
Yours,
Robert
P.S. - I upgraded your logging and communication features with the latest software and used that gear you provided. There was enough room to expand the range capability on the device. You could likely go beyond Mid Room and still have it functional with the improvement.
Smiling under her breath she said, “that bastard I knew he would come through.” She called it a night and walked towards none other than the Rooks Rest Tavern.
Queen of Clubs drawn for the Rooks Rest Encounter Table
I sat drinking my final glass of wine and finished my pork dumplings. Over in the corner of the tavern sat a woman wearing a white dress with a brown hood. She looked like a Sheppards girl but there was something more stern and tough about her. I watched as she sipped her drink and ate. She was crying.
I stood up and approached her. She was friendly and I think happy to have someone checking in on her. She told me about her family, living in the woods to the far east of Parapette. She was raised there, not in the traditional sense either. She came from a family of cultists that praised the forest rooks as gods. The day before yesterday she ran nonstop to the city of Parapette asking for help anywhere she could.
Her family was having a feast when giant flying creatures came from the sky and kidnapped her brothers and sisters. They killed both her parents and she was lucky enough to hide in the barn. I told her that those flying creatures were likely gargoyles, they lived high in the rafters and rarely ever came out unless provoked. It sounded like their sightings have been more common of late.
I felt bad for her so I left her some coin to help pay for a good nights rest and strode off to the barracks where i’d finally call it a night.
Note:
Art in this post was generated using sub stack built in AI generation. My intention is to bring life and inspiration to my actual plays (AP) for my own consumption and enjoyment. I support the use of independent artists and their creative work.