Debrief

JP between Bandorchu and Winteroak

Timestamp: Stoneshade Keep

Not one to put off the unpleasant things in life Alexis decided to just get it over with right away.
Sir Zane would most likely not be pleased about the meagre pickings, but honestly, she couldn’t care less. Building town walls really didn’t sound so bad right about now.
So she marched to the keep and went to find the knight’s office.

Once in his office, Sir Zane told Alexis to sit. Bruised and battered she seemed like she needed to rest. The Captain of the ship had sent them a message yesterday. He knew there had been losses. "What have we found?" He asked getting straight to the point.

Alexis decided to work through what they had in an halfway chronological order and took out the map they had been working on to point out what was where.

“A shipwreck under Allos flag. Much more recent than it should be. We found something that the Arbiter assumed was an active protective spell. She wanted to destroy that thing before we went back but we didn’t get to that.

No natives in this area. It was under the we control of a magical being. Didn’t attack us when we started, but sure as hell did when we tried to leave. Tarmen and Hunter found a settlement here.”

She pointed to horse bay, where her scouts had located the village.
“Hunter got caught in a hunting trap around here. We decided to retreat a bit and find camp. Till got picked off while we did.”

Her finger traced the approximate route.

“Tried to find him and send the others ahead. The Arbiter helped me. We found blood and followed to what I think was some sort of altar here. There was a native. And that one did use magik, alright, so that we can confirm. Some sort of blinding spell and summoning one of those overgrown cats as far as I can tell. The Arbiter killed him. But at that point we had a hunting party upon us. Got separated from the Arbiter on the run.”

She followed her own route to the beach.

“Natives didn’t like it here, probably because of that magik creature. Tried to appease it by smearing blood on some carved stones. I got back to the first camp and Tarmen and the others were already fighting that thing. We couldn’t do chac to it. Thankfully the Arbiter arrived and managed to get that dead, too, while we drove away some straggler natives attacking the longboat.”
She concluded.

Looking at the map he was happy with the further information Alexis and her party got. It would complement what they had already from previous missions. Although Alexis did not have to know that right now. He was shocked they had found a shipwreck with the banner of Allos.

"What about this village? He pointed at the horse shaped cove. Any other details you can share?" He was actually impressed so many of them had survived although the state of the Arbiter was a worry.

“Not much, we didn’t get to observe them. The scouts said it looked like a simple fishing village. The natives that were after us utilized simple weapons. Nothing advanced, at least on those we went up against.”

He nodded again. "What about this shipwreck? Are you sure it was from Allos?" He asked in genuine curiosity and dread. Allos had been destroyed back in the days of the Noctua Inquisition.

“May I have something to sketch with?” She drew the symbol they found on the edge of the map.
“The Arbiter was sure about it. And she would know.”

He looked at the antlers. Therw was no doubt it was the banner of Allos. He decided to keep that to consider later.

"What about the team? How did they perform?" He asked sitting back looking at Alexis wondering if she was going to be happy with what was coming next.

“Very good, given circumstances.”
Alexis said and meant every word.
“Both Tarmen and Hunter have proven to be very good scouts. Hunter clearly lacks experience working in a team, but he did his job and did it well. Tarmen, as second in command, got his group to the beach without further losses. Nicolaus clearly has more talents than just healing. And I don’t think I need to speak any more of the Arbiter.”

"And why didn't Blackwolf join your team?" He continued.
“He fell very ill on the ship. Probably wouldn’t have gotten better on the island.”

Sir Zane considered her explanation. "Interesting." Blackwolf was currently being questioned about the murder aboard The Hogue.

"You did well." He told her truthfully." Five days deep in enemy territory. Minimal casualties. Good intel for future missions..." He left it hang a little

"We have need of more people like you Alexis Greyriver."

Alexis looked somewhat skeptical about that praise. She wasn’t sure she agreed. “Thank you, Sir.” She left the wary ‘I think’ on her tongue unsaid.

He pulled a paper from his desk. It was covered in spidery handwriting. The symbol of Salos on the top and a red wax symbol of Stoneshade at the bottom of the page. He turned the sheet to Alexis and pushed in front of her.

"That is a newer commission to the Ostiarium Territorial Army." He told her she scanned the page."It carries the rank of Sergeant."

Alexis was speechless for a moment as she confirmed the knight’s claim by reading over the document.
That… was about the opposite outcome of what she had expected.
When she found her voice again she couldn’t help but ask.
“… for a scouting mission, Sir?”

"Not just a scouting mission." He started. " A successful one with more intel than the previous expedition. Only 1 casualty when the last party boasted 1 survivor."
He let the words sink in. "We can tell you have the skills and the experience for the role. You are more than just a sword basher. We need people like you. And we want people like you to protect the peoples of this city."

He paused once again for effect.
"You don't have to give me an answer now. Take a week. Rest. Heal up." He told her as she stood up considering his offer. As Alexis was about to leave SirZane said.

"One last thing Greyriver."

"Yes, sir?"

"Your friend Hendrik. He's gone missing." He told her...