Having bidden farewell to Karric of the Snow Wolves, the treasure-laden Raven Company...or at least what was left of them, headed south from the Land of the Linnorm Kings. The trip home took longer than expected, but, with the assistance of a few Viking sailors, they arrived safely back in Thane's Bridge at the end of Rova.
Tonus and Karison were thrilled that they had returned, though their joy was tempered by word of Ulco and Claire's deaths. Tonus cornered Isa and Lariss, questioning them for hours on end, writing down each syllable in Kassuth's books. Though they didn't make public what they had been up to during their month-and-a-half in the north, the wealth of the Raven Company led many mercenaries and adventurers to their door, seeking employ, and the Raven Company grew quickly. Using their spoils, they bought up the surrounding buildings, expanding their base of operations and building a squad, then platoon, then a company of adventurers, all operating under their banner.
The city of Thane's Bridge has made great strides since the Startree fell last (though, with the destruction of the bridge itself, not many people call it Thane's Bridge any more, simply referring to it by the more common Augustana). The combined might of the city militia and the golden legionnaires, reinforced with several hundred mercenaries, was enough to roust the stubborn sahuagin out of the bay before autumn was half-passed; the turned their sight to the outskirts of Augustana, clearing the area of goblins, undead, and other monsters, as well as the human monsters – brigands and bandits that were preying on the survivors of the disaster.
Sarenrae seemed to grant her blessing; a mild winter allowed reconstruction to continue unabated and, though the occasional individual building may be marked as unsafe, by spring, the city itself was once again filled with bustling crowds. The Golden Legionnaires withdrew (heading north to reinforce the borders with Cheliax and Isger) and Sheriff Hass Tofur is once again in charge of the city's streets, though with a much larger police force, for reasons that rapidly become obvious.
Beyond the thousands that died during the initial disaster, somewhere between a quarter and half of the remaining populace left during the 'Summer of Troubles' (as they've taken to calling last summer) and many of them did not return. However, a sizable number of the mercenaries who arrived in the city to assist with the riots and the incursions of goblins, undead, sahuagin, and pirates set down roots – however tenuous those roots may be. This caused a drastic change in the character of Augustana. From legitimate businesses (such as armorers, weaponsmiths, and mapmakers) to the seedier (such as moneychangers, fences, and “companions”) to the blatantly illegal such as (smugglers, fences, and press gangs), an entire new culture flowed into the city to support the mercenaries.
Between the destruction of almost all of the shipyards and the influx of these new residents, the city of Augustana has transformed from the shipbuilding hub of the Andoran navy to one of the largest mercenary crossroads on the Inner Sea. As tales of marauding giant armies and orc warbands on the move, work for mercenaries and adventurers has grown, and adventuring companies are springing up all over the city.
At the forefront of these adventuring companies is the Raven Company.
Today is the 8th of Erastus. It is almost 10 months since you returned to Augustana and is the one year anniversary of the day Daoine'Nyr'Shana took flight. The one year anniversary of the day you saved Augustana. The leaders of the Raven Company are being honored in a ceremony this evening, a combination celebration and remembrance of those who died in the Summer of Trouble.
As you head downstairs, Tonus comes down the steps behind you, his ever-present book clutched in his hand. Karison is already downstairs, if the smell of breakfast is any indication. As you reach the bottom of the steps, you hear the front door creak open. Stepping into the foyer, you catch a glimpse of a gray cloak as the door clicks shut.
Lucretia, the half-elven bookkeeper you hired to handle the day-to-day operations of the Company, smiles as you step into the main hall.
“Good morning,” she says. There is a large, leather-bound book on her desk. “This was just delivered.”
Giving the book a half-look, you mutter, “Must be for Tonus.”
You are heading towards the kitchen but stop when you hear a heavy CLUNK behind you. Turning, you see that Tonus has dropped the book he was carrying and is staring at the new book on the desk.
Staring at Lucretia, he whispers, “Who delivered this?”
Shaking her head, the bookkeeper blinks. “She didn't give her name. Tall, blonde, very attractive. Uh, she had silver eyes and a really big sword...“
Tonus takes off towards the door, wresting it open and lunging outside. Even with the door swinging shut, you can hear him yell.
“CLAIRE!!”
Stepping over to the desk, you pick up the book. On the cover is an inscription, a grouping of symbols that seem vaguely familiar. Then you recognize them: it is the holy symbol of Curchanus, overlaying the sign of the Pathfinder Society. Opening the book, you see that there is a dedication on the first page.
“To the Raven Company, and their many adventures, and to Tonus, may your quill never run dry. – C”
Only the first few pages are written in; the rest of the book is blank. They are filled with careful, feminine script...