Vanguard

Background

Fifty years have passed since Under The Dome, and, after numerous smaller explorations have resulted in tragedy and near-total loss, an enormous expedition to clear the wilderness of threats is about to be undertaken. A thousand soldiers and four massive war-wagons are being sent out, along with representatives of various houses and factions.

The party rides beneath the Castle Banner, one of several banners associated with one of the war wagons. Leaders of the Castle Banner group are:

• Serreyan, an elven woman with a bow.
• Hinnineah, a quiet goblin woman priestess.
• Chekra, a Gerund spearwoman from a rich military family.

Characters

• Lord Geoffrey Cromwell, nobleman played by John
• Archon Brachus - Brad
• Ergos Bracher, grandson of Arcadius, played by Dio

What Happened

Departure

Excerpted from the journal of Lord Geoffrey Cromwell:

Verily, when I received documentation of my proper and appropriate duties from House Tashenda, I quivered with anticipation. An adventure! Leaving our fair though morbid city to capture new territory, stake a claim to riches in the wilderness, to further cement the name Tashenda in the epic history of our time! I could scarcely wait to depart, and arrived at the site at which our forces coalesced promptly, loyal retainers and talented (and ample-bosomed) assistants in tow.

Sadly, we did not depart forthwith, but rather, were expected to commence our great and honorable journey at first light. I naturally inquired as to whether I might retire to my mansion, where the brandy is strong and the featherbed simply heavenly. Alas, no, and so I spent my first night out-of-doors at the gates of the city amid the rough and tumble soldiers and their kind.

In the morning, as final preparations were made in the shadow of our majestic war wagons, all manner of merchants and buskers and hawkers approached, selling their various shabby wares. Knowing our journey to be long, and with the promise of weeks of turnips and oats, I immediately thought of bacon, and pork chops, and sausages, and ham, but especially bacon, and so, acquired a pig.

Thus followed a week of slow progress astride my dull-eyed horse as the towering war wagons lurched across the plains to the north with great difficulty. There was some talk among lesser nobles about the logistics of meal times, but it mattered not to me. While the food was of low quality, there was plenty of it.

Eventually we reached a place where an unfathomable quantity of construction materials was unloaded, and I overheard talk that a watchman's keep was to be built on the spot. We'd reached the horizon. The horizon! Beyond, our city would no longer be visible in the distant south. I was leading men into parts unknown! The thought of it quickened my pulse.

I became sick shortly thereafter, but, serendipitously, because of the space created by the transfer of construction materials and laborers, a modest cabin aboard one of the wagons became available, and, naturally, it was offered to me. I allowed two of my pikemen to ride my horses, and retired to the cabin with my lovely attendant. My mute and horrid bodyguard, recently bequeathed by the masters of the House, insisted on accompanying as well. So be it.

The sickness was unpleasant, and many were stricken ill. In fact, the entire convoy stopped for days, and medical tents were set up to treat the victims of the foul plague. Of course, my royal blood prevailed, and a single ministration by a Sister of Mercy cured me.

Eventually, the expedition pressed forward, and some days later, in sight of mighty mountains to the north, we reached a place in the low foothills and stopped at mid-day. Myself and some lesser nobles of other houses and factions were assembled and informed that the time of our glory was nigh -- we were to launch our own expedition under the Castle Banner (one of several cohorts associated with our war wagon).

Strangely, flying beasts fluttered in the sky -- very high above and difficult to see, though disconcerting nonetheless.

Scouts reported that there were three areas of potential interest ahead, each just a few miles away: two small villages, one with evidence of a fire, and some sort of hole in the earth, perhaps a cave or mine.

I was naturally inclined to forge a commercial relationship or trade agreement with the intact village, and/or bring men and resources to bear to develop the mine, for who knows what it may hold? Gold? Iron? Precious gems? I immediately offered to lead a group to the village to begin negotiations.

However, the lesser (and less bold) nobles insisted that yet more scouting was first required. While they argued logistics, I repaired to my cabin for a bottle of wine and warm meal with my attendant, whose singing voice pleases me to no end.

After dark, warm with wine and victuals, I returned to the group of lesser nobles to inquire what they'd discovered and decided. The scouts were just returning and submitted their reports in crisp and dutiful manner, which gave me confidence in their talents. Good servants are indeed invaluable!

Alas, what I'd hoped was a mine appeared to the scouts to be no more than a burrow or den of some unknown and dangerous digging beasts. Of little interest, but something that would have to be exterminated in the due course of conquering this territory.

Both villages sounded small and shabby, a small collection of huts. Though no men were spotted, one scout reported strange footprints, and hypothesized they were made by beasts with claws wearing simple sandals! Perhaps the flying beasts? I should not like to countenance such a monstrosity!

The lesser nobles began their debate about which site to visit first. I still posit that the intact village, primitive as it may be, holds the best chance for developing a trading partner (and hence profits and resources for House Tashenda), though I am somewhat sympathetic to the need to exterminate the burrowing beasts beforehand. I'll allow military thinkers to debate the minutia for now, and lead my men to valorous conquest in the morning.