At the end of this post I'll add the entire storyline, so you can get the overall idea. I'll also stick some mp3s on SC in private links so you can get an idea of some of the completed bits.
Part 1 and oddly, part 6 need no work at all. I've made a few minor tweaks to part 2.
Part three was the one that was holding me up. It's now done
Part 4 I'd barely scratched, and now I've got the introductory bit of it done, and have a fair idea where to take it. Part 5 is the only one I've not touched at all yet.
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Part One - In Search Of The Lost Tribes
The travellers return to find their homes empty, with not a sign of their families and friends visible in the ruins of their village, nor the neighbouring villages. Indeed, even the great city is deserted and starting to decay, but there they find a clue.
A city scribe has left a tantalising ledger entry that says all must leave. There are details of when and how, but no explanation of why, nor where the tribes will go.
The travellers rest for a few days while they consider their options, then with heavy hearts begin their search, having no idea of when or whether they will be reunited with their loved ones.
Part Two - The Long Years (of the tribes search)
Sixty people started this search for the tribes. Over the long years a dozen have been lost, victim to accident, illness or bandits. Near to exhaustion, with what meagre supplies remain, the travellers set up camp in a sheltered valley far from their old country. After so many false leads and dashed hopes, they must decide: Do they continue, or accept defeat?
That evening the decision is made. A handful of the fittest set out for the last time with the village calling horn. It will be no more than a three day onward search, while the remainder consider the best location should they need to build new homes.
Part Three - Taming The Stones
Three generations ago the tribes were forced to leave their country when a fireball fell from the sky scattering shining stones that killed. All know the epic tale of the band of travellers left behind, who then searched for many years before, at last, finding the tribes' new homeland.
The tribes council quickly realised the hard won survival skills of the 'seekers' (as they became known) were valuable for surveying their new lands. They encouraged a loose cadre with a small but growing number of youngsters joining.
Quietly, while the tribes thrived, the elder seekers and those of a naturally curious mind, made trips to the old country to study the shining stones, knowing this would probably kill them. A chance discovery of an insect very sensitive to the emanations dramatically reduced this risk. Much later, it was discovered that a soft grey metal could safely contain the stones. All were taken by the new 'curators' to a remote village and placed in a great vault lined with the 'veiling' metal. This was then sealed.
The effect of even limited exposure to the stones, along with the deep pain of seeing their once lovely city, towns and villages in ruins took it's toll on those undertaking this heroic task, both young and old. They regarded themselves as the stone's curators although to the greater community became known as the 'quiet ones'.
Part Four - The Gathering Storm
For many years, apart from occasional minor tribal squabbles, it had been a time of peace. A prosperous city hub was now surrounded by townlets, and further outlying villages. Over time, the seekers became renowned as peacekeepers. They also became defenders as they developed the ability to deal with occasional bandit raids on outlying villages. However this idyll was shattered when a young seeker came hard riding into the city, telling of a horde of barbarians heading this way. A scouting party was sent out to covertly watch the barbarians to try to find any weaknesses they may have.
Part Five - Curators Of The Stones
As the barbarians slowly came ever closer, study revealed that all command was from just three chieftains, and that the horde, in fear of these, did whatever they were ordered to without question. Any spoils from ransacked communities were immediately claimed by these three, who then doled out lesser trinkets as favours.
By sheer chance, the almost deserted curator's village was right in the path the barbarians must take if they were to come across the tribes. The tribes council and the seekers formed a plan to use this as a first line of defense. Volunteers were sought to build up the numbers and create a believable community that could create some resistance, allowing the greater communities time to prepare. However, the reclusive curators quietly made further plans they hoped would stop the barbarians completely.
Part Six - Bring Them Home (Restitution)
The curators' plan had worked. Pretending the vault contained religious artifacts, and sacrificing themselves trying to defend it, ensured the barbarians would break in seeking treasure. The greed of the three chieftains ensured they were the first to succumb to the deadly effects of close proximity to many shining stones. The barbarians, weakened by the loss and by fear of the stones had little thirst for fighting. The short battle left just one junior captain with the intelligence and capability of some form of regroup and onward march to the greater towns that must exist. However, looking from the barbarians to the people who had given their lives for their brethren made the captain pause for thought. Sitting, alongside a dying defender a promise was made.
Several days later people of the nearby townlet were astonished at the arrival of a small ragged band of injured, following a cart. Its sad cargo led by a strange female warrior.
