The Siege of Thais: A Tibian Tale

Chapter 3: Gathering the Party

After the group finished their discussion, they all went their separate ways. Arin and Faelwen decided to visit the local druid, Mirelle, to see if she had any information about the enemy's movements. Mirelle was a wise and respected druid in Thais, known for her knowledge of the forest and her ability to communicate with animals.

As they approached Mirelle's hut on the outskirts of the city, they saw a young girl sitting outside. She had a book open in her lap and was intently studying its contents.

"Hello there," said Arin. "What are you reading?"

The girl looked up, a little startled. "Oh, hello," she said. "I'm studying magic. I want to become a mage."

Arin and Faelwen looked at each other, intrigued. "What's your name?" asked Faelwen.

"I'm Elara," said the girl. "I'm a mage in training."

Arin nodded. "That's impressive," he said. "What kind of spells can you cast?"

Elara smiled shyly. "I specialize in ice spells," she said. "Currently, I am best at making runes called 'Avalanche'. It's not the most powerful rune, but it can attack multiple foes at once and be used by any vocation with practice.

Arin and Faelwen exchanged a knowing look. They knew that Elara's spell could be a great help during battles.

"Would you like to join us?" asked Faelwen. "We're preparing for the enemy's attack."

Elara's eyes widened. "Of course," she said eagerly. "I want to help however I can."

The three of them continued to Mirelle's hut. When they arrived, Mirelle was waiting for them outside. She looked up as they approached and gave them a warm smile.

"Arin, Faelwen," she said. "What brings you to my humble abode?"

"We're here to see if you have any information about the enemy's movements," said Arin.

Mirelle's expression grew serious. "Yes, I do," she said. "I've heard reports that the enemy has been spotted in the forest to the east. They seem to be gathering their forces there."

Arin nodded. "Thank you for the information," he said. "We'll be sure to investigate further."

Mirelle turned to Elara. "And who is this?" she asked, noticing the young mage in training.

"This is Elara," said Faelwen. "She specializes in ice magic. We thought she might be able to help us in battle."

Mirelle smiled. "That's excellent news," she said. "We can always use more help in times of war."

The group continued to discuss their plan of action, taking into account the information that Mirelle had provided. With Elara's runes, they felt more confident in their ability to fight the enemy and protect the city.

As they made their way back to Thais, the sound of horns echoed across the land once again. This time, the sound was louder and more urgent than before. The group quickened their pace, knowing that the enemy was getting closer. The storm was gathering strength, and it was only a matter of time before it broke over Thais.

Arin, Faelwen, and Elara arrived at the Depot, a bustling center of activity in the heart of Thais. The trio had come to aid in the city's defense, but before they joined the fight, they decided to take a moment to rest and talk to the locals.

As they entered the Depot, they were greeted by the sight of merchants selling their wares, adventurers lounging on benches, and bankers and postal workers tending to their businesses. The Depot was not just a hub for adventurers and travelers; it was also a vital part of Thais's economy.

Arin headed to the bank to store some of his gear, while Faelwen and Elara went to the post office to send letters to their loved ones. As they went about their business, they overheard conversations between other adventurers and locals.

One group of adventurers was discussing the Horse Station outside the east gate, where travelers could rent horses to ride to other cities and towns. Arin made a mental note of this, as he knew that fast transportation could be crucial in a battle.

Another group of adventurers was talking about the Cyclopes of Mount Sternum, a nearby mountain range infested with brutish creatures. Arin knew that some adventurers sought out the Cyclopes for their loot and experience, but he also knew that they could be dangerous foes.

Faelwen and Elara overheard a group of locals talking about the village of Greenshore to the north, a peaceful fishing village known for its abundance of seafood. But they also heard about the hoard of Orcs just east of Greenshore, who had been raiding the village and causing chaos.

As they chatted with the locals, Arin, Faelwen, and Elara learned more about the city of Thais and its surroundings. They heard about the forest and fields to the south of the city, which were teeming with wildlife, including cyclops and banshees. They learned about the local tavern, where adventurers could gather to share stories and plan their next adventures.

As they listened to the conversations around them, Arin, Faelwen, and Elara realized that Thais were not just a city but a thriving community. The people of Thais were strong and resilient, and they were determined to defend their homes at all costs.

As the trio made their way back outside, they looked out over the city walls and saw the sprawling landscape beyond. They knew that the battle ahead would be difficult, but they were ready to fight for Thais and all that it stood for.

As Arin, Faelwen, and Elara settled into their room at the inn, they took stock of their supplies and made plans for the next day. They knew that they would need to be well-rested and well-prepared if they were to survive the siege.

Elara sat down at a table and began studying her spellbook, memorizing the incantations for her spells. Faelwen sharpened her arrows and checked her bowstring, making sure that everything was in working order. Arin checked his weapons and armor, making sure that everything was in good condition.

After their preparations were done, they decided to head down to the inn's common room to grab a meal and see if they could gather any more information about the siege.

As they entered the common room, they saw that it was filled with adventurers and locals, all talking in hushed tones about the siege. They found a table in a corner and ordered some food and drink.

As they ate, they listened to the conversations around them. They heard rumors that the Orc hoard was being led by a powerful warlord, and that he had with him an army of goblins and trolls.

They also heard that the city was running low on supplies and that the defenders would need to be careful with their resources if they were to hold out for long.

As they finished their meal, a druid approached their table. He introduced himself as Jorick Stonebloom and offered his services to the defenders of Thais.

"I specialize in healing and earth magic, much like Elara here," he said, gesturing to the young mage. "But I can also provide support with my animal companions and with my knowledge of the local flora and fauna."

Arin nodded, impressed by the druid's offer. "We could certainly use someone with your skills," he said. "We'll be glad to have you on our side."

Jorick smiled, "Excellent. I'll be ready to fight when the time comes."

As the night wore on, the adventurers and locals began to disperse, each one heading off to their own quarters to rest and prepare for the battle ahead. Arin, Faelwen, Elara, and Jorick headed back up to their room at the inn, where they would rest for the night.

As they settled into their beds, they knew that the next day would be a tough one. They would need to meet with the others and be ready for anything. They would need to fight with everything they had if they were to survive the siege of Thais.