Imiria
Imiria's Cave...
Seeing Torod emerge from the cave, Eadric waves in greeting before calling out, I'm glad to see you two are all right. Everything is under control at Oleg's. I told you we would be back shortly. Have you found anything interesting while we have been gone?
First it is to highlight Torod's total lack of interest in the cave. He understands it's potential value, but he doesn't want to become a miner. He is ok with Imiria getting credit for finding the mine. Also, Imiria mentioned that the cave would be a better place to live than the spider hole by the berry bush. Once we've cleared the mine, she can use it as her home. I figure it would be good to have a guardian for the mine.
Imiria looks at Eadric harder than she usually does as is deep in thought....
Then she blurts out
"Now I know why you want me at Oleg's you figure anything you find is yours and anything you find that belongs tah somethin else yah kill it an take it....."
"I think you are a legal bandit!"
perception
DC 10
(use roll already made!)
Imiria is really mad at Eadric
Eadric
I am RPing Imiria the way I see her, she might hit you with a hex in the near future....
Obi lights Bellis' holy symbol(covering it in a beautiful white fire) as he goes as far back into the cave as he thinks is safe, then sits down to stare out at the storm, blinking with each flash lightning. He occasionally shivers.
Spoken to Obi at some quiet time along the ride: One day you and I are going to sit, drink and talk little one. I am very interested to hear about that scarf of yours...
"I lost my mother and father recently, then I lost my hand to the bandits of the woods. Still my mother had taught me some songs without words, all that spilt out on the night they cut my hand off."
"The magic came out suddenly and unpredictable I could not stop it, I ran from the camp....Into the darkness giant lightening bugs lit my way and I sang the comfort song as my mother taught me and the bleeding stopped"
"Now it seems like everyone is here fighter's at Oleg's a cleric also and then you Greenbelt wardens....If everyone had been here sooner they would likely be alive and I would not have to sing the comfort song to myself."
Everyone can share a story and earn XP for the tale told around the fire while the storm blows outside
After leading his horse inside the cave, Eadric stands and watches the furious storm outside alongside the others.
Eadric responds to Imiria's clutch in a soothing tone, "Don't worry Imiria, you are quite safe from the storm in here with us." Eadric pauses ever so slightly before adding, "Thank you."
Noticing Obi shivering in the back of the cave, Eadric offers, "My friend, why don't we make a fire to warm ourselves up? We might as well settle in, make something to eat, while we wait out the storm."
Eadric scans the cave looking for a suitable place to build the fire and to look for fuel. Eadric ventures outside, if need be, to collect some firewood, confident in Obi's abilities to light even wet wood. After making a pile for Obi to light, Eadric fetches some rations and a bottle of wine from his saddlebags.
Eadric listens to Ellaria and Imira talk as he lays out the rations and pulls the cork from the bottle of wine before filling his tankard. He bows his head and offers thanks before holding the wine out for Obi and the others to share, while they eat.
Eadric smiles and murmurs,
Eadric sits down for a fireside chat, hoping to learn a little more about his companions...
Ellaria looks at Imiria and speaks quietly: "It's probably very hard for you, to lose both your parents so quickly and violently, then lose your arm and after all that to wander around alone in this wilderness. I wish there was something we could do to help you, something that you would accept. You deserve a loving family and a warm bed, not the wild animals around here and this awful storm".
He shudders hard enough he sets the wine down to avoid spilling and tightens his scarf.
Eadric listens intently as Obi speaks, shifting uncomfortably when Obi mentions the screams. Eadric's expression shifts to one of remorse as he seemingly gets lost in his own thoughts. There is a long awkward pause as Eadric continues to stare at the fire.
Without lifting his eyes and obviously struggling to keep his emotions in check, he murmurs,
Eadric picks up the tankard and takes a long drink of wine, before reaching over to grab the bottle, refilling the mug.
"What became of you after that? How did your life's path bring you to a cave out here in the Greenbelt?"
"Excuse me. I must go pay respects to the power of the world." Torod exits the cave.
Torod goes out into the driving rain and stands for a few moments. He's feeling the rhythms of the world. Much like a fire, a storm destroys as well as rejuvenates. Storm's fury is not all consuming like fire’s, but it is more ostentatious. The storm puts on a show with flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder, and the wind whipping things about.
Suddenly Torod begins to move, to dance. His dance is not a work of artistic skill and ability, but a series of jerky and frenzied seizures and convulsions synchronized with the thunder and lightning and wind. His hands flash out with every stroke of lightning like they come at his command. The thunder is the sound of Torod’s feet stomping or his fists striking at the air. He performs spins and leaps that allow the strong winds to carry him further than he could go on his own. It flows naturally from him, happens organically in tune with the forces active within the storm. His dance lasts abut 10 minutes. The storm continues on long after he's finished. Amazingly, when he is done paying homage to the power of the storm, Torod is at the mouth of the cave. He turns around and walks back into the darkness to join his companions.
"It seems only victims of trauma or out for vengeance take up the adventuring mantle, fighting who knows what in these dangerous woods. A sane person wouldn't risk their life in such a manner, going into dark caves, strolling in ruins or dungeons... I guess there's something a little off with all of us. That's all I have to say." Garric stares into the rain, trying not to remember.
"It seems only victims of trauma or out for vengeance take up the adventuring mantle, fighting who knows what in these dangerous woods. A sane person wouldn't risk their life in such a manner, going into dark caves, strolling in ruins or dungeons... I guess there's something a little off with all of us. That's all I have to say." Garric stares into the rain, trying not to remember.
"That's not entirely accurate, Garric. I'm not victim of any trauma nor do I seek vengence." Says Torod. "I'm here because the land called to me. I was raised by the Hermit far to the south of here. I suspect he was my grandfather but I don't know that for sure. All I know of either of my parents is that my mother left me with him when I was very very young. The Hermit taught me all that I know. It was as good a life as any could want. When he died I felt it was also time for me to move on. I came here to make my home. I was drawn here, lead here by the Power of the world. The Force of all creation has chosen me to watch over this land. That is why I am here."
Eadric listens to Obi and looks grimly at the white ring hidden beneath his scarf. "I should think that a worthy scar of honor Obi! You have thrown off the yoke of oppression! You need not hide your mark! You should let it serve as a warning to all those that would see others under their heel! That the oppressed shall rise up and sweep them away!"
Eadric gives Obi a gentle clap on the back before adding, "I shall stand with you, friend Obi, through all trials and troubles... for as long as I draw breath!"
Eadric sits staring at the fire for a long while after Obi has finished and the others have spoken. He picks up a stick and pokes at the fire for a bit, collecting his thoughts, before speaking.
"I too have witnessed horrible, unspeakable acts, like that which took your parents from you Obi. It is to my eternal shame, however, that I was involved, not on the side of the victims, but rather on the side of those that committed such a heinous act."
"All I ever wanted in life was to serve as a knight in the service of my country, and for a while I did just that. It all came to an end at a little outpost much like Oleg's. The citizens of the outpost had refused to pay taxes to a distant noble and our company of soldiers was sent to deal with the situation."
"When we arrived and were unable to reach a diplomatic solution, my superiors ordered us to raze the fort. I begged for mercy. There were innocents inside the fort. Women. Children. My superiors would not listen. I tried to sway them, but I was not convincing enough! When the order came to set fire to the fort, I disobeyed and attempted to stop them! I was beaten down and made to watch with horror as it unfolded..."
"I can still hear the screams of those who suffered and died..."
"The next day I was flogged, discharged from my company and left in the wilderness. I am sure they assumed I would die out there. I would have welcomed it in those first few days...."
"...Anything to make the screams go away..."
"But I didn't. I survived and found my way back. At first I wandered from place to place, not knowing what to do. Haunted by my failure to protect the lives of innocents, I found solace in the bottle. I'm sure I was destined to end up a beggar and a drunk, dieing in a ditch somewhere. That is until I was visited by Cayden Cailean! He spoke to me and gave me a new purpose in life! He told me good, strong, honorable men were still needed on the frontiers of the world and that I should seek out such a place and make a difference!"
"I have dedicated my life to those virtues and give thanks to Cayden Cailean for putting me back on the path of righteousness! That is how I came to be out here with all of you!"
"I have pledged my life to see that justice, law and order are served and that the innocent are protected! From those threats obvious and those not so obvious!"
"I will never be able to right the wrongs of that day, but I will give my life to stop it from happening again! This I swear!"
Eadric takes another long drink from his tankard...