Shadowdale defenders

*The towering barbarian is seen walking the streets after the battle. He then attends the meeting in the Inn after the town is taken and is seen later at the site of Bane's temple, watching the sanctification proecess. He then vanishes for a few hours and when he returns he gathers the armed men in Shadowdale - the Purple Dragons , Militia, Knights...

He starts a daily drill - a training session with the gathered men, evaluating their prowess and combat styles. He even spars a few of the men, just to see how good they are and where their strengths are.

When the training is over, he goes over the gear the men have, inspecting their weapons and armor. The towering man is even seen making notes.

Afterwards, he takes a few militia men, who used to be farmers in Shadowdale and walks around the town with them, discussing something, making more notes.
A Crimson Red Figure can be seen by his side at all times.

Taeron doesn't interfere with Cruven's mercenaries, their patrols or their duties in any way.*


Blue's donations:
Full Plate
Towershield
Falchion +1
Heavy Crossbow
Heavy Shield
Dwarven Axe
Throwing axes x50
Chainmail
Half-plate
Banded mail
Shortbow
+ trinkets

Excellent Commander,

make sure they will be ready to take charge as soon as Mr. Cruven's Mercenaries leave.

I still need those maps to organize defenses properly. And I might need to invest a bit into their gear. It's not bad, but we if we can get better weapons and armor, it will increase our overall defense capabilities.
If there were any weapons or equipment salvaged from the Zhents, I'd like to take a look.

Also... I will walk among the farmers, asking them if they wish to join the militia and defend their homes. A pair of extra hands if always helpful.

Valtore lets it be known to the new commander that he will craft armor as needed. He has enough mithral to make 15 sets of breastplate. Iron would be easy to make as would swords. He can be found at the forge if needed.

The crimson figure doesn't leave his side. She helps him in day to day routines. She seems happier than she has in weeks.

Look for our Quartermaster Aerandir, he has some equipment for your troops Commander, looted from the Zhents,

and thank you for this Valtore, and please look for Mylanis, she has some reconstruction plans to discuss with you old friend.

We divided the scavenged goods into three piles, magic goods for Blue to look over in detail, worthless "scrap" that's easier to reforge and reasonable grade equipment that wasn't completely destroyed, the latter being filled into crates for the militia. Most of the equipment was damaged and therefore going to be reforged, which is to expect from such an attack.

Myself and five others went on patroles around the now Zhentarim free Shadowdale, mining every vein we could come across, and with a decent amount of ore as result.
I intent to empty my own bank for mithral and other materials and make a few mithral breastplates for the coming mage guild, aswell as some darksteel armors and other equipment the militia might be able to put to use. This is of course as long as there's still enough iron left for the many nails, tools and other carpentry things needed to be made.

Meanwhile, while the various people divide and conquer the newly liberated Shadowdale, Arjay can be seen, finally out of armor, seeing to the townspeople, his songs helping heal wounds as well as calm nerves, making careful note of where supplies were needed and sending word to Vincent or Julia whenever he had a moment.

Welcome back Arjay, and thanks for what you've done,

What are the news from Myth Drannor?

"There is no news yet. Runners however, can get the news here more quickly when it is given than I, and there is too much to be done here for me to sit idle."

Could you please take care of it Arjay?

recruit the runners, organize them and keep us in close contact with Drannor.

And shaking his head, Arjay is once again sent out of Shadowdale.

*Taeron splits the men into units, assigning leaders. He focuses their training on improving their defenses - being a defense specialist himself.

He goes through the maps with Mara, coming up with choke points and defensive strategies for specific places. He makes notes of suggested changes to the terrain which could help them, should the Zhents try to attack.

Posters are being posted around Shadowdale and Taeron even walks among the farmers himself, offering them a chance to join the Shadowdale militia - to get the training and the gear needed to defend their own homes.

Later that evening, he assembles his men and holds a short speech.*

The battle for Shadowdale is over.
But the war is not over. They might return. And when they do, you'll be ready. And if your defenses are strong enough, they will realize it's not worth it. They will back off before the attack starts. That is how a true victory looks like.

*he looks over the men, taking his time before continuing. This part seems to be directed at the militia, more than the rest of the men, or any newcomers who might have joined his ranks*

We didn't chase the Zhents away to conquer Shadowdale for ourselves. The town belongs to the people. That is why you need to learn how to defend it on your own.

*After that, he lets the newly assigned leaders take over the rest of the evening drill and heads to find the quartermaster and Valtore. He orders new armor and weapons, giving them the specifics for breastplates and chain shirts, shields, warhammers, longswords and spears - offering material and coin (iron, darksteel).*

Sedrin would walk up to Taeron.

Hey. . I had a talk with Garren, and was told to seek you out.

First and for most, i was thinking of joining the force you are creating here. I know a thing or two about soldiering and fighting, and figured these peasants could benefit from some of that experience. Under these circumstances we were talking about getting some rank.

Secondly, i have weapons and other equipment to improve the armed forces. Where is the current armory?

When Rwolf finds the defender Commander: Sir, I am Rwolf Sterling. As directed by the Harvestmisstress Navarre I place myself under your command. What are your orders, Sir?

*a dark armored man comes before the commander* I am Gerrek Ogderlson former "Quartermaster" Of the barracks in Shadow Dale, I've begun forging weapons and armor with the Dwarf in the General store from direct order from a man named Garren, I am here too always tell you directly that I am at your very service if I can be of assistants.

We need to construct a new barracks for the town. In the meanwhile, every man will carry his own equipment to his home, and will take full responsibility for it.

That way, if we are attacked, every man will emerge from his home fully armed.

We also need a place where we can build a base camp for the Purple Dragons and Knights. They don't have homes to return to.

*Taeron then turns to Sedrin*

Just to be sure we understand each other - any position you will take is a temporary one. The city belongs to the people of Shadowdale and we are here only to smoothen the transmission from tyranny to whatever form of government they will see fit.

As for your rank, I have yet to see your capabilities as a military leader. For that reason, I will assign you to the temporary battle camp. For the next few days, you will be the camp supervisor. You will make sure the men maintain order and that there won't by any problems between the citizens of Shadowdale and the soldiers. Should the soldiers have any specific requests, you will seek me out and we will figure out a solution.

You will walk with me and we will pick a spot.

*Taeron then looks over Rwolf - from head to toe*

I will need to see your prowess, on the battlefield and otherwise before I assign you to one of the groups. What is your profession, soldier?

*When approached by Gerrek, the barbarian arches a brow*

Are you telling me, you were the quartermaster of the Zhents? Or are you talking about the barracks before the Zhents came?

Rwolf stands a little over middle height with a very solid build. Amongst his equipment are a Katana and a dagger at his waist for easy draw, he also wears full plate with sturdy soft leather boots to mid-calf. The weight of his equipment seems to fatigue him not at all.

When you are ready sir I am ready for or your evaluation on my use of arms.

Meet me in the northern dales then. We will see how good you are. I could use a good swordsman...

*Taeron would inspect several places suited for the temporary camp*

((It would be awesome if we could get a DM help with this. Otherwise the tent camp near the Twisted Tower could be used + the space in Central SD near the Elminsters tower))

*gerrek Nods* That is correct I was once the Zhentarims Quarter-master, but I had been in contact with Celovar about leaving them but saw little way with out being killed and no where to flee to, I am now here to help unless you wish other wise.

As long as Celovar can vouch for you, perhaps we might have some work. Unless the people of Shadowdale see you as a representative of the tyranny.

Though any position you'll take will be temporary - until the town elects it's own leadership and takes over on it's own.

*Taeron would advise his men to keep an eye out for a man by the name "Naldur" - he would give them a description and add that the man is a dangerous psychopath - a slaver, necromancer and a torturer.*

I heard he "visited" town recently, beat a man to a pulp in the middle of Central Shadowdale, then tossed him into fire. This will not be tolerated. If he tries it again, use excessive force.

*Taeron would then talk about the half-drow Bel, giving her description as well*

The girl claims that one of the Zhents is her friend. Whatever her motives are, if the people of Shadowdale see a Zhent-lover walk the streets, it might mean trouble. And we don't want that. Be extra careful about her. She claims to be a pacifist, yet she would protect a Zhent with her own body. Something ain't right there... Though she's probably either naive, or a skilled manipulator.

*Finally, he would talk about the Zhent woman seen east of Shadowdale recently*

If there are any provocations by the Zhents, don't engage. We fight them on our terms, if we have to.
She was chased away, but she might return. If it happens, seek me out - or one of the higher ranking officers, if we have those assigned by then.

The woman might claim she's a "good" Zhent, but we know there are no such things. I saw her in action east of Shadowdale, and she's far from a saint.
Be careful though, she wields powerful magic.