With the magical appearance of winter in the Southern Counties the newly usurped Commander has set his sights on the settlement. The once constant patrols have dwindled down and withdrawn from the forest entirely. They now stick to the eastern side of the bridge, mainly around the gaol, stables, and the manx's home.
The King's Sun still rides on their chests with mixed reviews. Of note are the maroon and silver bands of fabric that mark them in various places. Those with knowledge of heraldry, or even an attentive furre with a good memory, would recognize the colors as House Balsamud's. Their faces would be familiar as they have been constant fixtures in the town for the better part of a year now and it isn't a surprise to see this particular group of twenty remained loyal to the manx.
The past day or so the paths and roads have been cleared by shovels and as snow continues to drift onto the ground they do their best to keep up. The stables have been cleaned and readied for the weather. Those without coin for rooms are free to come and stay within and a few soldiers remain in the building to assist with mounts.
Most of Rex's forces reside in the gaol in a makeshift camp. It is guarded round the clock and there doesn't seem to be a dull moment within its walls. Much the same could be said of the stables as the location is secured. Occasionally soldiers will frequent the tavern now that their shifts are shorter and many seem eager to help with various tasks (perhaps out of boredum).
As usual the men travel in pairs at a minimum, more typically in a trio. Weapons vary but they seem to balance ranged soldiers with pike or spear wielding men and vice versa. They are appear on the defensive and keep a close watch at all times.
The enforcement of curfew is currently lax. The sight of a herbivore is noted and all are referred to the blockade, now under new management, to report to the camp. Grass eaters are not being escorted there anymore, only to the opening of the road to be picked up. It appears they are meant to make the 45 minute walk ( far longer in the snow) to the fort themselves.
The King's Sun still rides on their chests with mixed reviews. Of note are the maroon and silver bands of fabric that mark them in various places. Those with knowledge of heraldry, or even an attentive furre with a good memory, would recognize the colors as House Balsamud's. Their faces would be familiar as they have been constant fixtures in the town for the better part of a year now and it isn't a surprise to see this particular group of twenty remained loyal to the manx.
The past day or so the paths and roads have been cleared by shovels and as snow continues to drift onto the ground they do their best to keep up. The stables have been cleaned and readied for the weather. Those without coin for rooms are free to come and stay within and a few soldiers remain in the building to assist with mounts.
Most of Rex's forces reside in the gaol in a makeshift camp. It is guarded round the clock and there doesn't seem to be a dull moment within its walls. Much the same could be said of the stables as the location is secured. Occasionally soldiers will frequent the tavern now that their shifts are shorter and many seem eager to help with various tasks (perhaps out of boredum).
As usual the men travel in pairs at a minimum, more typically in a trio. Weapons vary but they seem to balance ranged soldiers with pike or spear wielding men and vice versa. They are appear on the defensive and keep a close watch at all times.
The enforcement of curfew is currently lax. The sight of a herbivore is noted and all are referred to the blockade, now under new management, to report to the camp. Grass eaters are not being escorted there anymore, only to the opening of the road to be picked up. It appears they are meant to make the 45 minute walk ( far longer in the snow) to the fort themselves.
It seems that with the withdrawal of King's soldiers from the woods and far side of the river, forest dwellers have crept closer to the settlement. Near the stables and apartments, strange straight tracks can be found, along with the occasional paw-print. Oddly, the tracks only appear just before or during the frequent winter snow squalls, making tracking them difficult.
On the far side of the river, if visited by a furre, the tracks can be found more clearly. Crisscrossing the woods in a tangled mess of lines that lead deep into the forest.
On the far side of the river, if visited by a furre, the tracks can be found more clearly. Crisscrossing the woods in a tangled mess of lines that lead deep into the forest.
As the winter rages on snow removal continues when able. Soldiers can be seen using ladders to remove the heavy and sometimes frozen powder from rooftops to keep buildings from caving under the pressure. If it is too icey picks were used to break it all up.
The stables have been fully readied to receive those in need of a warm place to stay. The top half has makeshift cots and an area sectioned off for those in need of cold-related care such as hypothermia or frostbite. 'Pottage' is often served from what little veggies and herbs are around. Spare uniforms with the insignias cut off are given to those in need to keep warm, some even tear them apart to make gloves, hats, and scarves.
The lower level often acts as a common room with what little space there is. It is where the food is served if any at night, clothes are made, supplies handed out. Those who wish to question or chat with these soldiers from the north are free to come in and get tips on how to survive winter. Often the men smile and tell the locals they've seen much worse asfar as weather goes. It is warm and the conversation merry!
Livestock such as ostrix, kiwi, and scarhawks are carefully monitored. Recently use of such creatures has been restricted as food becomes more scarce. People have whispered that they might have to eat their own work-birds to stay alive. Any creatures that prove angsty are fitted with elements to limit their attack. In particular those birds that belong to known 'rebels' are held in their pens and not let out.
With Greystone's roads and trails cleared enough for the upkeep to be minimal some men have started on the Northern road out of the area. Progress is slow to conserve energy and to make sure it is safely done. Some of the soldiers watch the trees with weary eyes and atleast a few of them stand watch and help with menial tasks. Those in need of snow removal are free to ask and most of the men will assist in some capacity, usually off duty.
And finally in response to the shortage of food what supplies, if any, that had been given out by the soldiers has been limited and outright rationed. They can be seen entering the forest as of late to gather various food supplies, most are from the North and know what to look for. Acorns and other nuts have been rounded up, plants and various roots too. A few have taken to the local river to harvest watercress, clams, and fish. Attempts to limit themselves to keep from taking from the locals are in place. All of these things are stored within the gaol where they are also treated for the long term.
Patrols still happen business as usual. Soldiers are often concentrated around the gaol and stables but do rounds around the settlement to make sure the peace is kept. A few men have taken to guarding the store and tavern on occasion to discourage looters that might take advantage of low security. Such stern, northern men are not the best conversational partners. Ser Rexington spends most of the morning straight through the afternoon at work right alongside his soldiers, the evening in the gaol, and at night within his home.
All in all in this time of wintery need the source of much contention, the soldiers and the Knight that leads them, have buckled down to make sure the area survives.
The stables have been fully readied to receive those in need of a warm place to stay. The top half has makeshift cots and an area sectioned off for those in need of cold-related care such as hypothermia or frostbite. 'Pottage' is often served from what little veggies and herbs are around. Spare uniforms with the insignias cut off are given to those in need to keep warm, some even tear them apart to make gloves, hats, and scarves.
The lower level often acts as a common room with what little space there is. It is where the food is served if any at night, clothes are made, supplies handed out. Those who wish to question or chat with these soldiers from the north are free to come in and get tips on how to survive winter. Often the men smile and tell the locals they've seen much worse asfar as weather goes. It is warm and the conversation merry!
Livestock such as ostrix, kiwi, and scarhawks are carefully monitored. Recently use of such creatures has been restricted as food becomes more scarce. People have whispered that they might have to eat their own work-birds to stay alive. Any creatures that prove angsty are fitted with elements to limit their attack. In particular those birds that belong to known 'rebels' are held in their pens and not let out.
With Greystone's roads and trails cleared enough for the upkeep to be minimal some men have started on the Northern road out of the area. Progress is slow to conserve energy and to make sure it is safely done. Some of the soldiers watch the trees with weary eyes and atleast a few of them stand watch and help with menial tasks. Those in need of snow removal are free to ask and most of the men will assist in some capacity, usually off duty.
And finally in response to the shortage of food what supplies, if any, that had been given out by the soldiers has been limited and outright rationed. They can be seen entering the forest as of late to gather various food supplies, most are from the North and know what to look for. Acorns and other nuts have been rounded up, plants and various roots too. A few have taken to the local river to harvest watercress, clams, and fish. Attempts to limit themselves to keep from taking from the locals are in place. All of these things are stored within the gaol where they are also treated for the long term.
Patrols still happen business as usual. Soldiers are often concentrated around the gaol and stables but do rounds around the settlement to make sure the peace is kept. A few men have taken to guarding the store and tavern on occasion to discourage looters that might take advantage of low security. Such stern, northern men are not the best conversational partners. Ser Rexington spends most of the morning straight through the afternoon at work right alongside his soldiers, the evening in the gaol, and at night within his home.
All in all in this time of wintery need the source of much contention, the soldiers and the Knight that leads them, have buckled down to make sure the area survives.
A great deal of progress has been made over the past week to get the northern road cleared. Travel through it is possible though not easy. In the coming days touch ups will be made now that the snow has started to slow. This will fully open the trail for passage!
Just before curfew this very day soldiers could be seen escorting herbivores to the stables for the night instead of to the mouth of the road south to the blockade. Those stuck within town, unless freed, would be stuck in the settlement and unable to escape with the rebel Narsuun and his men. Same as before the upper room has been prepared for folks to rest and receive supplies. As usual the herbivores are let out during the day but no wagon would take them the forty-five minute walk to the fort.
Just before curfew this very day soldiers could be seen escorting herbivores to the stables for the night instead of to the mouth of the road south to the blockade. Those stuck within town, unless freed, would be stuck in the settlement and unable to escape with the rebel Narsuun and his men. Same as before the upper room has been prepared for folks to rest and receive supplies. As usual the herbivores are let out during the day but no wagon would take them the forty-five minute walk to the fort.
As of mid-week the northern route out of the area has been cleared. The progress had been slow at first and hindered by constant snowfall but when the climate began to even out things were much easier. Care was taken to make sure the roads were wide and clear enough to facilitate easy travel.
When the blockade was cleared out the soldiers move some of their numbers back within its borders. Herbivores are kept either at the stables or the pens, whichever is easiest at the time. Most seem to concentrate on the former due to its proximity.
When the blockade was cleared out the soldiers move some of their numbers back within its borders. Herbivores are kept either at the stables or the pens, whichever is easiest at the time. Most seem to concentrate on the former due to its proximity.
Moderators: Calliste Ahmose (played by FishyFi) Mikhael Solberg (played by minizeries)