Author’s Note: This piece was shaped with a little help from AI. It provided assistance on things like the structuring, some names, shortening some verbose language/ideas as I'd written, and gave me the odd turn of phrase here and there. The heart and shape of the story are my own (though adapted in live session by others naturally), but I realise it is important to be transparent about my use of AI support in producing it ultimately.
| The following presents a summary of an RP session which took place as part of a series by the Company of the East Road, which can be read in their Chronicle here. |
Short Outline of Major Story Beats:
- Gathering the Fellowship – Naridalis, Alairif, Raspi, Tarnon and Ulysior regroup in renewed fellowship to complete the kin’s mission to acquire high quality lumbar to complete the Kin House; this time via Trestlebridge and the Wildwood itself.
- Visit to the Brotherhood of the Axe – They appeal to Aran Greenwith (NPC), leader of the Brotherhood for lumber to complete their kin house.
- Retaking Cotfast – Aran requires help clearing Cotfast before any deal can proceed.
- A Disappointment – Cotfast is reclaimed, but Aran cannot honour their request due to recent setbacks ultimately.
- The League of the Axe – The fellowship then approaches the League for aid, meeting its leader, Enid Nettlesting (NPC). More flexible and willing to grant the request, there are soon complications...
- The Return of Tornimrad – A stern Ranger reappears, pressuring the group over unfinished business with Deorla.
- A Grisly Discovery – A work crew from the League is found slain, and the lumber stolen.
- An Unlikely Option – The fellowship discusses turning to a shady contact as a final resort, someone Naridalis has heard of, but has had no dealings with. Naridalis pushes the group to at least make contact and then decide their course.
- A Grey Contract – The group are presented with a contract for the lumbar, allegedly sourced legitimately, and ‘verified’ as such by Captain Trotter (NPC) of Trestlebridge. However, the path here has been laced with half-truths, confrontation and lies, and the fellowship is naturally split in their views on whether or not this is a contract for goods that can be accepted.
Characters Involved:
- Naridalis – Elf hunter and lead speaker for the fellowship, given contacts in the Wildwood; emotionally steady but burdened increasingly by the moral dilemmas presenting.
- Raspi – A pragmatic and cheeky Dwarf, wary of the politics & frustrations of the task.
- Alairif – Honour-bound and articulate, juggling loyalty to his word, to justice and his past.
- Tarnon – Quietly capable, offering stealth and combat support.
- Ulysior – Perceptive and mystical, often picking up on things others miss. Ally & friend to Alairif and Guirwen et al.
- Aran Greenwith (NPC) – Leader of the Brotherhood of the Axe | voiced by Naridalis.
- Enid Nettlesting (NPC) – Head of the League of the Axe | voiced by Naridalis.
- Tornimrad (controlled by Guriwen) – A confrontational Ranger with royal authority, pressing the fellowship to deliver Deorla.
- Mattas (controlled by Naridalis) – A potentially shady figure in the Wildwood.
- Linnet Redholm (NPC) – A contact who may be able to reach Mattas | voiced by Naridalis.
- Captain Trotter (NPC) – The burdened leader of the Trestlebridge guard | voiced by Naridalis.
Summary of the Plot:
A fellowship of the Company of the East Road (and allies) had come to Trestlebridge with a clear enough goal: to secure quality lumber for the kin house.
Despite, other larger factors presented to them back in Esteldín, by the Rangers, and the consequences which would undoubtedly flow from that faithful meeting, their trip to Trestlebridge by comparison was intended to be a relatively simple errand... resource gathering. It would however spiral quickly into something much more complex.
Given her prior knowledge of the Wildwood, and having established firm reputation with its inhabitants, Naridalis led the fellowship onward, hoping her old ties with the Brotherhood of the Axe might secure them what they needed.
Things started promisingly; Aran Greenwith greeted them warmly at first, and recognised both her and Raspi from past dealings, but not the others. His mood shifted fast however. He told them Cotfast had fallen again and he couldn’t consider trade until it was reclaimed. Despite some misgivings, the fellowship agreed.
They scouted Cotfast, found brigands holding it, and launched a surprise assault. It wasn’t a long fight. The place was cleared, and they returned to Aran expecting good faith. Instead, they were met with more disappointment, he refused to honour the deal. Apparently a shipment had gone missing, operations were strained, and the fellowship were left with empty hands once more.
This led them to the League of the Axe and to Enid Nettlesting, another old contact of Naridalis. Enid seemed more open to talk, and was even ready to help... except her lumber crew were late coming back to Trader’s Wharf. So again, the Company pressed deeper into the Wildwood to find them. What they found instead were brigands posing as “guards,” and the corpses of the League’s workers. It was grim. The wood had clearly been stolen, and the crew slaughtered.
Tensions were already high when Tornimrad reappeared; Ranger, agent of the King, and the one who’d originally levelled accusations against Deorla in Esteldín. Her presence sparked more doubt and pressure on the fellowship. Alairif especially seemed caught between his loyalty to the Company and his duty to justice, though he reminded the Ranger that he had given his word. Raspi, usually cheeky, was downright bitter. Ulysior grew quieter, more watchful. Naridalis stayed focused on the task, though even she seemed shaken by the Ranger’s reappearance, and the clear sign that they were being ‘watched’.
With official sources exhausted, Naridalis led the fellowship to a final lead... a man named Mattas, someone she'd only heard of through hushed whispers. Through Linnet Redholm, they arranged a meeting.
Mattas was as slippery as expected: he had wood, yes, but claimed it was legally obtained.... only after being threatened to speak true and end his charade… but he demanded double the coin and total discretion. He admitted, almost proudly, that the Brotherhood and League labourers had sold him surplus stock under the table, suggesting the deal was legitimate, even if not entirely noble. He made the case that the labourers had filled their quotas to both the factions, and they preferred to sell their extra to Mattas, as he had promised better prices than what either faction would pay them.
Captain Trotter of Trestlebridge, a soldier and leader of the defence of Trestlebridge, was dragged into things by Mattas. The Captain revealed that indeed Mattas had lumber but urged him to sell it to the Brotherhood instead. He vouched for the workers’ and begrudgingly allowed the deal to go through, clearly frustrated but unwilling to stop it. His presence seemed to validate Mattas’ story, at least in part.
Still, the fellowship was divided.
- Alairif remains resolute in his refusal. He views the transaction as morally compromised and opposes rewarding deceit or questionable enterprise. He refuses to have anything to do with it, walking away.
- Ulysior, too, distanced herself, making her feelings plain that she did not trust these men. They stand firm, declaring the situation “all wrong.” They question the entire premise and choose not to be involved.
- Raspi, having initially entertained the offer, appears torn or weary, leaning out of the debate with muted frustration. He becomes wary and doesn’t say much either way; his usual sarcasm had cooled.
- Tarnon had stayed back at the Wharf, perhaps to assist the league further…. ((AFK))
- and Naridalis… while cautious, believes Mattas may be telling the truth… after many lies… but doesn’t see why the Captain would lie. Trotter’s endorsement weighs heavily in her reasoning.
A contract for sale is offered, and Naridalis it seems is the one now left with the possibility of the entire mission collapsing or to accept on behalf of the Company and suffer any consequences.
Outcomes & Conclusion:
The events end on a tense note. The deal is not confirmed, but the option remains on the table.
The debate is no longer just about wood, but about trust, moral compromise, and responsibility. Whether to honour the Company’s needs at the risk of its integrity, or to uphold principles even at the cost of its stability, is the heart of the dilemma.
As the events come to a close, no definitive decision has been made. The fellowship is deeply divided and fractures...
Despite noble intentions, the fellowship was forced to confront the grey areas between duty and honour. The loss of life, the failure of trusted allies, and the looming shadow of Deorla’s past all weigh heavily on them.
Whether the decision to reach out to Mattas will damn or deliver them remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the path ahead is no longer straight; it hasn’t been for some time.
Continues with “The Weight of Grey”
