Ronald
**Rian Koern - Marmot's Cradle (The Rustlands)**

The rider was surpised by the stanger's arrival. They were big men in a big boat, and their leader could be arguably considered a giant. He had seen lots of things in Northwind, but so far nothing like these newcomers.

"I'm not an armsman from this village, but I'm well known around these parts. What can I help you with?"
Vincent
Dagstygg Jarl

They spoke with a strange accent, these men, and plastered around their ships and even their bodies were strange symbols foreign to these lands, not just to northwind, but the whole of Marin. The Jarl removed his helmet and held it under his arm.

"Hail, I am Dagstygg Elirson, chieftan of the Berserksgangr, I have come in the company of my men in search of trade. We are new to these lands, and along the way have noticed many sites of battle. We require information on what sort of place we are in, and what wars may be in our midst, as to avoid them."
Ronald
**Selene de Lysse - The Keep Sempiternal (The Grey Hills)**

"The Kolgrim woman is a noblewoman from Sol, and I believe you know of the estate her family owns in Sol. That would be a good place to start.
Raegan Koern never leaves a ruined castle in Northwind's shores that she calls 'The Lighthouse', but I'd advice against collecting information directly, her scout network is quite problematic. She has eyes and ears all over the Rustlands and beyond.
With John de Burgh you will have no shortage of information: the man is shrouded in myth and legend. With him, your task will be to separate the made up stories from the truth by any means necessary."

Selene returned to the waters of her pool. Like a white serpent coiling back into it's lair.

"I wish you best of luck in your hunt."

Jeanne was outside, waiting to lead Cornellius to his room. As Selene had promised, he would be able to rest surrounded by the finest comforts. The bed that had been laid out for him was comparable to that of a minor noble.

"If you need anything, be sure to ask. And... Be *Daring* When doing so," She whispered.

On the table, she left a silver coin with a viper engraved on it.

**Rian Koern - Marmot's Cradle (The Rustlands)**

The ranger burst out laughing.

"Well you have chosen a fine place to land! I regret you to inform you that these lands we call the Rustlands are part of Northwind, and as out popular songs so brilliantly put it..."

The ranger began to sing:

"_ 🎶 There's a hole in the world like a great black pit
And the vermin of the world inhabit it 🎶 
🎶 and its morals aren't worth what a pig could spit
And it goes by the name of North-wind._ 🎶 "

He cleared his throat.

"That being said, if what you are looking for is trade, then that we can offer. Lots of goods, all bought with our own sweat and blood."
Vincent
Dagstygg Jarl
Marmots cradle

The Jarl would turn around and face his men, lifting an arm and waving them to come. The crew begins lifting anything tradeable that they do not need off the ships and into the harbour

"Sounds like the very place we came from. Cold. Unruly. Wild and full of blood."
Ronald
Rian Koern


"The Rustlands are not always cold, but they're always bitter. This settlement here is an exeption around these parts, you will soon see that most of the land is desolate, or filled with vicious predators, animal and otherwise. Caravans try to cross the wilderness as fast as they can, but they can't always avoid stepping into the vermin that plagues the region. That's why they need towns like these, and also rangers like myself: we keep the vermin at bay."

The man pointed at a group of rangers, dressed in a similar fashion as him, waiting by one of the forges. Like Rian, they had brought horses with them, but they'd left them outside while they warmed near the fires.

"Those are my men, the knight-rangers of House Koern. And I am Rian, their captain. We're here replenishing supplies for our next patrol, so we sadly won't be able to spend much time here. But you can always speak with the Mayrrif, leader of this town: it stands for mayor & sherrif, in case you were wondering. Must've sounded better in his head, I tell you."
Vincent
Dagstygg Jarl
Marmots Cradle

"Aye. My homeland, Ísmoðir, is a far northern land. Far colder than this. I have heard men in these lands call the island chain it belongs to "The Witherlands". No man would dare travel by foot for trade, and if he did, he would hire men to defend oneself, employing what you call "Warriors", Drengr, in our tongue. Those who were lucky would travel by the whale road on ship."
Carol
Levi Cortez
Northwind

She was his daughter. He could see himself in her. Even though they had only known each other for a short period of time, he knew there was no denying it. 

"It's beautiful." He said, thanking Frincilla. He knew she would ask for something in return, but for now it didn't matter. He smiled as the young girl admired her new hair before turning. 

"Once you tire of staring in that mirror all day, join me on the practice field. I'm going to have a few bows ready for you to test when you arrive." He said, leaving and walking out of the tent. He frowned when a piece of snow fell into his eyes, and pulled his cloak tighter. 

*I hate the cold.* He thought, walking towards the field. 

"Mikael, do you have what I asked you for?" He asked a man nearby who was stringing a small bow.

"Here. Just finished up the last one." Mikael said, handing Levi three different sized bows. Levi nodded and gestured towards a barrel of arrows. 

"Bring that as well. Follow me." He said, before walking to the field and marking a line. Targets lined the edge of the clearing, and small notches marked different distances. When Loralie arrived Levi laid the three bows on a nearby table. 

"Take your pick." He said, before backing up and giving her space.
Ronald
Rian Koern
The Marmot's Cradle

"The Witherlands? That is sure far from here. And strange. Why come here of all places when you are fortunate enough to have a seaworthy ship? You could've sailed to the Grey Hills, northern products are always in high demand for..."

He stopped mid-sentence as he saw the first wounded come ashore.

"I'll call my men, believe it or not we're good physicians. We get wounded often."
Vincent
Dagstygg Jarl
Marmots cradle

"Right. Thats just it. If the demand is so high for products in these grey hills you speak of, it will be crawling with merchants. Better to go where competition is low and make many small deals quickly, as opposed to spending all day looking to make one large sale, wouldn't you say?"