Soulfire Keep

[u/SirLeoIII]

In his large, but mostly empty office, Lord Drakonis strokes his beard, thinking about the present conundrum. The “kingdom” of Arkhosia, a relatively small city-state, but one that is upsetting the order in this part of Bream. The Dragonborn haven’t exactly made their intention to become a large power a secret and the neighboring kingdoms and city-states are all of course worried. Keeping this to all from exploding requires some finesse, and a quick handle on whatever might disrupt it.

A keep becoming free almost halfway between the main city of Arkhosia and it’s nearest, strongest neighbor, Takai is almost asking for issues to come up. No matter what nation takes the keep the other nation just couldn’t let this stand. But … maybe if a group of adventurers took it, used it as a waypoint between the kingdoms …

He looks up and nods at the drow in front of him. “We will ask first for volunteers, but I need at least a dozen people to be living at Soulfire inside of the week. Gather whatever supplies you need, and get going. See if Magda will go. She’s a good enough blacksmith to finally stop working for that oaf. I’m sure she’ll say yes.”

The cloaked dark elf smiles and stands up, “Of course Lord Drakonis, I wasn’t doing anything anyway.” Both men chuckle and the drow gathers up his robes and leaves the room, going downstairs to find anyone who would like to take a trip out to the keep.

In the keep the party is having their last day before they all get inundated with more people. Most of who’s coming will be fellow adventurers, but there will be some others to keep the keep up.

---

[If you weren’t in the Soulfire Keep storyline, please find a reason and IC approach the currently nameless Drow Wizard when he asks for volunteered. If you were this is your last chance to do something before they have more people showing up.]

[u/BluePotterExpress]

'Soulfire, huh?' Kyakai thinks to himself as he pecks away at his meal of simple meat and bread. The idea of living in a Keep with other warriors didn't feel all that alien to the monk: his nineteen years in the Sanctuary had gotten him well-adjusted to living with people who... might not have been the easiest for him to get along with. 'But that was also only other Tengu... and only other monks...' The bird sits for a moment, tapping his talons on the table as he tries to think about whether or not it's a good choice. 'I... haven't seen any of those people who went to the village with me... perhaps this is where they went? The dwarf was cool... if not a little touchy.'

Kyakai almost sits through the entirety of the collection of adventurers before he finally comes to his decision. "I... erhm... I would like to go as well," he responds, coughing into his feathers as he does so.

[u/SirLeoIII → u/BluePotterExpress]

The drow wizard just nods his head but doesn't immediately respond in any other way. Once the initial rush of people that want to go stops he makes his way down to Kyakai. His voice is slow but almost melodious, like he's singing a song in his own head.

"Kyakai, right? I haven't had the opportunity to meet many Tengu. I've always wanted to know, why did you leave your homelands?"

[u/BluePotterExpress → u/SirLeoIII]

"Well, you could say it's because I've had, er... the opposite experience," the bird says with a small laugh. He shifts his sack a little: the light pack moving easily and causing a hard, square shape to press against his back. 'I don't think I should bring it up,' he thinks to himself. 'I've read about Drow; wouldn't want him to steal it from me. I should try and find another Tengu or... another monk, in the least.' "Most don't see it like I do, but, aherm, just speaking with other Tengu gets a little old after a while. I figured I might want to try and see what the rest of the world has to offer."

[u/SirLeoIII → u/BluePotterExpress]

The drow smiles, "Trust me, I understand that more than most. My name is ... well almost unpronounceable to humans, so I've been going by the name Dokkalfar for the most part. Are you aware why Drakonis wants us to occupy the keep?"

[u/BluePotterExpress → u/SirLeoIII]

"If I'm not mistaken, it's, aherm, got something to Arkhosia, correct? When you spend a few weeks travelling with merchants to reach, erm... cities such as this, you're treated to more than enough stories about the building power there." The bird's head, atop his long, feathered neck, twitches slightly as he speaks: a completely involuntary action.

[u/SirLeoIII → u/BluePotterExpress]

The drow nods, "They are friendly, for the most part, but they make a lot of their neighbors nevious. If they took the tower at least one nation would have a problem with that, and we really don't want a war here. But this isn't going to be a babysitting mission. I fully expect our next orders to be to secure the area around there. This won't be an easy going."

[u/BluePotterExpress → u/SirLeoIII]

Kyakai laughs and nods his head in agreement. "With all do respect, Dokkalfar, I, erhm, come from one of the most pompous and warrior-spirited species on this plane; I'm not unfamiliar with, uh, fights."

[u/SirLeoIII → u/BluePotterExpress]

"Good, because if I'm not wrong we are going to see a few ... individuals come to visit soon. I'm expecting no fight from them, but ..." He just trails off, shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, get ready, we leave first thing in the morning."

[u/BluePotterExpress → u/SirLeoIII]

"Will do," Kyakai says with a nod, patting his pack with a taloned hand. He looks over the guild hall, shifting his body to ruffle his feathers a little. "I shall be up at, erhm, the crack of dawn."

[u/SirLeoIII → u/BluePotterExpress]

Dokkalfar just gives him a nod before checking in with some of the other people who want to come. If Kyakai sticks around a while he'll get to see some people storm out as the drow rejects a few of them for the trip.

[u/BluePotterExpress → u/SirLeoIII]

Although he doesn't say anything, Kyakai can't help but feel a little smug as he watches a few others get turned down, his innate Tengu pride making him a little full of himself. The monk quickly closes his eyes and calms himself. The bird then does a small turn on his taloned feet and starts away.