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Shepherd Veirax murmurs yet another prayer while tightly clutching his holy symbol. "Benevolent Fharlanghn, grant me the ability to be fleet of foot, as I enter the fray to do thine bidding by fighting alongside those who would continue their journey through this life, and who now sacrifice their own lives so that the journeys of other peaceful folk may go on, uninterrupted..."
It takes a moment for Veirax to shake off the fear which has settled into his limbs and weighs them down like lead. "How can we overcome such odds? Please, Distant Dweller, let this not be our end... show us the way..." whispers the priest to himself. He looks over his shoulder at Lady Janas, lowers his crossbow and grasps his holy symbol once again. Eyes downcast, he murmurs a prayer: "Protect us from this unholy evil, great Fharlanghn... shield the Lady from this evil..." Veirax raises his head again, strands of hair that have come free from his pony tail now hanging before his eyes. He steps towards Lady Janas, right palm held up and glowing feintly. "Come closer to me, Lady... the Far Walker shall grant thee an extra boon..."
Veirax lets his crossbow hang from its shoulder strap, firmly grasps the wooden symbol of Fharlanghn that hangs from his neck, and raises it in the air. At the top of his lungs, he utters a rousing prayer: "O watchful Far Walker, let thine guidance enable those who would fight alongside thine faithful servant, in order to journey further along life's dangerous road, to strike true against those that would end their journey prematurely! FHARLANGHN BLESSES THEE, DEFENDERS OF ERIAN'S GLEN!!!" He then raises his crossbow again, and loads it with another bolt. Suddenly, Veirax's allies -- including those not of the Far Walker's faith -- feel a burst of spiritual fire in their hearts and limbs.
"I am sorry to hear of your family's fortune, and grateful for your willingness to share of your past with me." The shepherd mumbles an afterthought: "Perhaps... the Far Walker... might help you find comfort and a new path? You have a special destiny, I can sense it... And you... uh... I..." Veirax seems to lose his train of thought. After a brief pause, he regains his composure and chuckles. "If there is anything I don't doubt, it's that your charms and illusions will cause havoc... and, for what it's worth, I agree with your analysis of the situation, Lady."
"You know, of course, Lady, that I too have elven blood. From my youth and into early adulthood, I followed in my human family's footsteps and led the life of a shepherd, wandering the lofty meadows of Mord Mottal with my goats. I was a natural. One day, the village elders introduced me to Gwydion Halden, Esteemed Pathfinder of the Far Walker. After asking me a few questions and conferring with the village elders, the Esteemed Pathfinder determined that I demonstrated the potential to become a great servant of Fharlanghn, the Far Walker. Since my 25th birthday, I have become not only a shepherd of goats, but a shepherd of people as well. "Also, Gwydion taught me that I have the skills and attributes required to become an ambassador not only among men and elves, but among the other peoples of Rutania as well. This helped me understand my exact place among the peoples of the realm, for I must confess that up to that point, I felt a little bit lost and unsure of myself; and to that end, Gwydion and his brethren in the order of the Far Walker further broadened my mind by instructing me in the tongues of dwarves and the 'walking devils' that we may face tonight. "I am proud to have been selected by Gwydion and my village elders to walk the path of the Dweller on the Horizon. I believe it to be the path truest to Kagen Ru's intentions. It is the Far Walker who reveals the path out from the darkness and towards the light of Pelor, at sunrise. All roads, and all faiths, lead to Kagen Ru... and the Far Walker maketh the roads that all faiths follow to their source. In his wisdom and with his open mind, the Far Walker maketh few enemies among peoples far and near, human and other... for all folk, good and evil, walk their own paths, and he walketh with them. He protects noblemen, commoners and poor folk alike along their journeys, and provides an escort and spiritual nourishment to those who would travel great distances, through territories both peaceful and hostile. He is humble, as are his shepherds. The Far Walker judgeth not, but seeks to understand, to build bridges between peoples and cultures. And thus, his servants are often called upon to mediate between parties to a dispute. "I'm sorry... can this be anything but boring to you, Lady? Will you tell me of your own upbringing in the city? I have never lived in a city, and am surprised to learn that some elves would spend most of their lives there rather than in the great forest... Although I prefer to maintain my optimism and to believe that my earthly journey will not end on this night, I do take comfort that, if I should pass away, that I will have left a piece of me with you, and that my story will be known to you..."
Veirax smiles ruefully at the charming lady at his side. "Had the Far Walker granted me a bit more wisdom, I should have known that you would have a few tricks up your sleeve, especially since I forget that your youthful eyes do not betray your years. Hail you from Hrafn Hrani Isleif, by any chance? Please forgive me if I seem to make light of our present circumstances... I find this an easier to prepare for the dreadful and the inevitable..."
"Friends," calls Veirax to the party, "if you remember to stand within 50 feet of my position, I can promise you that you shall benefit from the Far Walker's tangible blessings. I can also illuminate the battlefield with his light... I mean this literally!" The young cleric then kneels behind his cover and murmurs a few prayers to himself, glancing up at Lady Janas as he dips his crossbow bolts in oil. "Lady, will you be able to help me by lighting and passing these bolts to me steadily as our foe enters the courtyard? If you wish, I could even show you how to wield this weapon... that way, if I should be needed in the fray (whether to assist a wounded companion or to join the melee), you could still fire upon the enemy from a distance. I am grateful that you will be by my side at the beginning of this fight... I could definitely use another pair of eyes to help me keep tabs on our many companions..." The Shepherd smiles warmly at the lady, winding a loose mesh of hair that is dangling before his eyes back into the single long braid that hangs down his back, then ensuring that the latter is tucked beneath his cloak. He sighs profoundly, and his breath sounds shaky as he exhales. "Lady, I know that it is not gentlemanly for one to do so... but may I ask how old you are? This will be your first battle, will it not? Forgive me for saying so... but however much I value your presence here, this hardly seems like the place for one so fair as you to be... and I mean no offence by saying so... but I cannot bear the thought of harm befalling you... I shall pray fervently to the Far Walker, that he may keep you safe..." The Shepherd's gaze goes from the lady's eyes, and back to the courtyard...
Veirax sighs with discouragement and thumps his staff on the ground absent-mindedly. "I would have much preferred a diplomatic approach to solving this conflict, but it seems that all chance of that has already been abandoned. I'm sorry, Dinpel, but I have no wish to participate in a contest that is based on the slaughter of living beings, no matter how evil they may seem to us. We have no idea what drives these goblins against us -- perhaps they themeselves are being threatened by a greater evil? I pray to the Far Walker that I shall have no need to use any of these crossbow bolts, but fear that the decision may already have been made for me, by darker gods that would oppose my Lord... "Sergeant, Eirean, what kind of scouting might we be able to do, if any?" Then, upon deeper reflection, "I guess nightfall has already negated that option for those who can't see in the dark without magic or lantern light, hasn't it?" The cleric sighs again and shakes his head in frustration. "If any wish for the blessings of the Far Walker, that he may see you through the dark night ahead, then I shall be glad to bestow them..." Veirax looks at his companions expectantly, the scars above his brows making him seem that much more dour.
"Master Eurus, I can only speak for myself... But you can most certainly count on me. The Far Walker has arranged for our paths to cross at this critical time, and I believe that this was purposeful. I will go with Erian and will assist in the town's defence as per your instructions, to the best of my ability..."
“This goblin is an important and discouraging sign. See, we have several goblin tribes in the area. His tribe is not one of them. We have heard of his tribe before, but their territory is here in the east.” He takes a large finger and circles an area on the map hundreds of miles east of Erian’s Glen, southeast of Isen’s Barrier. He then looks down at you, “As you can see, they are far away from home. From what we gathered from the goblin, they are here in force and planning an attack. Now you hampered this assault by stopping a preplanned sabotage and sneak attack. Good job! You all have proven yourselves capable and Erian’s Glen will need your help tonight. Can I count on you?” Shepherd Veirax can't help but smile at Dardin's comical remarks to the goliath. "Master Eurus, we are grateful for your trust. But as my companion suggests, it might be wise to find a place to sit down and exchange further information, so that we may make a carefully considered plan together and reach mutual understanding on how we might assist one another most effectively. Did the goblin give any hint as to why his tribe has moved west, so far from their customary territory, and why they would plan an assault on Erian's Glen?"
The half-elf strains his neck to look at the face of the towering goliath. "Of course, Commander. We would be glad to share what little knowledge we have... anything to save Erian's Glen and its residents from potential harm..."
"We have saved Estra and must bring her back to her father without delay. She may need the longer term attention of a healer, as well. I therefore agree that we should return to town, share our observations with the authorities, and weigh our options. And if such is the will of the party, then I, too, would be honoured to have a Knight of the Far Walker as leader... but that leader would do well to heal his wounds, before we go hunting goblins in the dark."
His focus momentarily taken away from Estra, Veirax looks back at Dardin over his shoulder. "What is that you are reading, Dardin?" Then, pointing his head toward the girl while still staring at the halfling: "Be discrete, please..." He returns his attention to Estra, but not before throwing a quick glance at Memnon and his arrow wound. "How bad is it, Memnon? I'll be with you in a moment..."
After one spell, the young woman's eyes flutter open. She looks around startled but too weak to move. She looks up at Shepherd and takes a deep breath before speaking, "What happened? Where am I?" "She's alright," sighs Veirax with much relief. "It is good to have you back, Estra. Your father was worried about your absence and sent us to find you. Do not fear, you are safe with us now, and you will soon be be home and well protected behind the city walls again. Are you well? Nothing broken? You had a nasty misadventure... what is the last thing you remember?" Veirax looks at the young lady with genuine concern.
Veirax tries to gently turn the girl over, still attempting to assess her wounds. The evening gloom and flickering fire light makes it a bit harder to see, but the half-elf's acute vision gives him a bit of an advantage. "I don't know, yet," answers the cleric as he takes a quick glance at the wounded knight and shakes his head. "Those wounds look bad, Memnon. Stay near, I'll tend to that as soon as I've treated Estra. What you did for her was very brave, and most becoming of a knight of the Far Walker."
Seeing that all of the goblins seem to have been defeated, Veirax runs to the fire to tend to the girl. He lays a hand on her shoulder, and, without moving her (in case she has suffered a neck wound), attempts to determine whether she is breathing, . "Estra?", he calls softly...
Veirax reloads his crossbow, picks up his staff and starts jogging towards the copse. As he does so, he yells out in a harsh, guttural tongue that only a few of his companions can comprehend:
Spoiler:
Goblins!!! Why do you seek to steal this woman from Erian's Glen? We demand answers from you!!! If you drop your weapons and surrender now, your lives will be spared. You have the word of a Shepherd of the Far Walker -- Fharlanghn listens to all impartially, and judges none on the basis of their race! Now be wise and surrender with no further bloodshed, for you are outnumbered! The clinking of his mail shirt ceases as he slows his pace and approaches the outskirts of the copse, slightly to the left of the path. As he sees the goblin strike Memnon with an arrow, he raises his crossbow again and prepares to fire, though the thought of killing a living being evidently is distasteful to him...
Shepherd spies the goblin that loosed his arrow against Memnon. The cleric trembles with excitement, not quite used to the rush of combat. He does his best to maintain a steady hand, gets the goblin in his sights despite the failing light, and pulls the trigger. "Please, Fharlanghn, guide this bolt to its target..."
Leaving Lady Janas to alert the watch to the needs of the wounded goblin, Veirax stalks across the clearing with loaded crossbow in one hand and his staff in the other. "Fharlanghn guide us well" he whispers as he nears the position taken by Dardin and Memnon. Surprised to see the knight charge so abruptly, the cleric kneels, drops his staff, and trains his crossbow on the copse where he can see an immobile figure standing by another sprawled on the ground. "Decoys?" he wonders aloud, while looking for any sign of movement in the copse...
"Perhaps we should send word back to Erian's Glen right now, if only to alert the watch to bring some healers and capture this wounded goblin for interrogation. It could still die, if left abandoned and untreated..."
"Hmmm... five more? Fortune may yet turn against us. This one's bleeding has been staunched, but I think he will remain unconscious for some time. Aradove, I suggest that we wait to use our healing powers on this goblin until we see the outcome of any action involving its allies. We should guard this one to make sure that no further harm comes to it and that its companions do not take it back. Let us prepare for the immediate threat first. If we fare well, then we will be in a better position to expend some of our divine powers to aid this wretched creature... what say you, Lady Janas, Aradove?"
Noting the urgency with which Erian is calling for a healer, Veirax reluctantly leaves Lady Janas to catch her breath on her own. He reaches the ranger and the goblin before Aradove can close the distance. "Who would have thought that my first opportunity to heal nurse someone on this trip would be for the benefit of a wretched goblin?" mutters the shepherd. He lowers his crossbow and drops the staff he was carrying in the other hand, wraps his hands around the wooden holy symbol that hangs from his neck, closes his eyes and looks down as he whispers a quick prayer to Fharlanghn. "Fharlanghn, may ye show this goblin's spirit a way back to the mortal world, for our paths have become inexorably intertwined and may lead us to lost Estra..." He kneels by the goblin's side as he prays, and spends a few moments binding the wound more securely... "That should stop the bleeding, for now... but I am reluctant to remove the arrow at this time..." Veirax begins to whisper some words in a strange, guttural tongue, his face coming close to the goblin's.
Spoiler:
Wake, wild one... Great Fharlanghn shall spare your life... Come back to us... Fear us not... you shall live... wake... speak... With a profound sigh, Veirax reverts to speaking in the Common tongue: "If he fails to come to, I could invoke the gifts that the Far Walker has bestowed upon me in order to provide this creature with stronger healing and a quicker recovery... what say you, my friends?"[/ooc]
Seeing Aradove approach, Erian looks to her and says hopefully, "Do you have healing magic sufficient to staunch this wound? If we can get this one stabilized, then conscious, we could question him about the goblin's activities and the missing girl. I've got the wound closed as best I can, but I'm definitely no healer." The ranger has left the arrow in place, knowing that pulling it from the wound would likely further injure (and possibly even kill) the goblin. Noting the urgency with which Erian is calling for a healer, Veirax reluctantly leaves Lady Janas to catch her breath on her own. He reaches the ranger and the goblin just before Aradove can close the distance. "Who would have thought that my first opportunity to heal nurse someone on this trip would be for the benefit of a wretched goblin?" mutters the shepherd. He lowers his crossbow and drops the staff he was carrying in the other hand, wraps his hands around the wooden holy symbol that hangs from his neck, closes his eyes and looks down as he whispers a quick prayer to Fharlanghn. "Fharlanghn, may ye show this goblin's spirit a way back to the mortal world, for our paths have become inexorably intertwined and may lead us to lost Estra..." He kneels by the goblin's side as he prays, and spends a few moments binding the wound more securely... "That should stop the bleeding, for now... but I am reluctant to remove the arrow at this time..."
"Ummm, yes, ma'am," stammers the shepherd, blushing through his tan at the lady's smile. He raises his crossbow, keeping the bolt pointed at the sky, and follows her into the clearing where the others have gathered around the goblin. Seeing her gasping as they approach the group, he jogs up beside her, concern evident in his eyes: "lady, what ails you?"
The shepherd looks at Lady Janas out of the corner of his eye as he continues to scan the field. "I have had very few dealings with halflings... perhaps a short attention span, overwhelming curiosity and a constant need to move are cultural traits?" He then turns to face Lady Janas and, with a shy smile creeping across his tanned face, adds: "I saw you with the caravan, but I don't think we've ever been introduced. My name is Veirax Kelten, Errant Shepherd of the Far Walker. What is so fair a lady as yourself doing out here, helping a motley crew of nomadic strangers hunt down goblins?"
The shepherd dons the chain shirt that Erian retrieved for him. "Fharlanghn, keep your people out of harm's way as they venture beyond the safety of these walls and confront the goblin menace," he whispers while eyeing his companions. He loads a bolt into his crossbow, takes cover by the gate, and scans the area beyond it for further signs of goblin activity.
"Forgive me, master Jannipack, but stealth is far from one of my talents. If others would like to try their luck, that is fine by me. But I am not convinced that having dinner and waiting 'til it gets dark is a wise choice... did someone not say that goblins have better sight in the dark? How would waiting 'til dusk be an advantage to us, when our vision would be reduced? I think best to let Erian and Ethelwulf circle around and try to "herd" them in our direction, as soon as possible... We should try to capture a few of them, in order to pry answers from their filthy mouths... The more stealthy and diminutive among us can attempt to sneak closer to them (if that is possible), so that they are ready to act once Erian and Ethelwulf begin the round-up, while the rest maintain a distraction..."
As the workers disperse, Veirax draws Abeodan aside. "I would not be doing my duty as a shepherd if I did not inform you that something unwholesome stalks the lands about the mill. Yet I do not think it wise to throw your workers into a panic, either. Thus, I shall merely inform you, good Abeodan, that my companions have identified signs of hostile non-human activity in the fields beyond the mill. The creatures they presently are tracking probably were responsible for pouring that foul liquid that ate away at some of your lumber. I pray that you keep an eye on the surrounding lands at all times, that you instruct your labourers to always work or travel in groups of three or more, and that they leave the mill well before nightfall. Make sure you keep some weapons handy, too. Do you think this will be possible? Again, caution and discretion are both of the essence, though they may be at odds with one another... The Far Walker can only do so much to protect us if we do not take steps to protect ourselves..."
Veirax takes a look at the damaged lumber, but can make nothing of it "Odd indeed," he says while scratching the stubble on his chin. "I'll show my companions, some of them may have a better idea what caused that than I do."
Veirax addresses the gathered mill workers: "Good labourers, pillars of Erian's Rest. My name is Veirax Kelten, Errant Shepherd of the Far Walker. I have walked many weeks from northern Rutania to set eyes upon your fair city, and am glad to have an opportunity to witness the fine work that some of its residents do. Good Abeodan has requested that I bless the ground you work on, for it is well known that labourers encounter hazards every day. I ask that you join me in a quick prayer, that the Dweller on the Horizon may guide you safely every day." Veirax closes his eyes and raises a wooden holy symbol of Fharlanghn in his right hand while clutching his staff with the left, allowing a veil of silence to drape the noisy mill. Then, inhaling deeply, he begins to recite one of the Far Walker's prayers: "O glorious Fharlanghn! Who concealed your incomparable and regal dignity as custodian of Kagan Ru under the humble appearance of a worker who, having walked the lengths of the earth in pursuit of prophetic visions, erected the Holy City of Cein and provided the people of Rutania with the work that granteth them their pride -- protect with loving power your sons and daughters, especially entrusted to you. "You know their anxieties and sufferings, because you yourself experienced them at the side of Kagen Ru. Do not allow them, oppressed by so many worries, to forget the purpose for which they were created by the divine. Do not allow the seeds of distrust to take hold of their immortal souls. Remind all the workers that in the fields, in mines, and in mills, they are not working, rejoicing, or suffering alone, but at their side is Kagen Ru, with you great Fharlanghn, his shepherd and ours, to sustain them, to dry the sweat from their brow, giving value to their toil. Teach them to turn work into a very high instrument of sanctification as you did. Let them tread safely beyond harm's way, and allow them to return safe and sound to their loved ones every evening. Blessed be..." Veirax exhales profoundly and opens his eyes once more, letting his hand fall while appraising his flock...
Earm then stands up strong and looks at Shepherd. "I will take Ormod home. I believe that your presence here is more important. This is the least I can do. Please find her." With this Earm starts to lead Ormod west over Lumberjack Way. "Thank you, Earm... Stay strong, Ormod... I promise that we shall leave no stone unturned in our search, and shall not give up until we have definitive answers... The Dweller on the Horizon keep you both safe..." Veirax watches the two men go with a heavy heart, but also with renewed resolve to find and bring back Estra alive. After a few moments lost in silent thought, he returns to the mill to speak with Abeodan. "Good Abeodan, have you or your men witnessed anything unusual in these parts of late?"
"Thank you for your assistance. If the time is convenient for you and your workers, I can spare a moment now to bestow the blessings of the Far Walker upon ye, as promised earlier..."
"We'd better move quickly--if they took her in the night there's already nearly 24 hours between us and them. Aradove, if you could have Ethelwulf begin searching for the goblins' scent along the river channel from here southward, I can ride back to the tavern quickly to see if there are any that might help us and meet you all back here. If any of you left gear you'd need in your rooms, I can retrieve it for you as well."
"Erian, here is the key to my room. I left my chain shirt and backpack there, and would be grateful if you could bring it back for me. It might be wise to be discrete about this -- there's no point in creating a panic among the general populace. That having been said, it would be advisable to inform the town guard of our findings, so that they can keep a closer watch on the area. "Someone should also escort Ormod home... I would be happy to do this... As well, I should like to share a few more words with Abeodan, and to bless the mill and its labourers, should he wish it. Under the circumstances, I think they will need all the protection they can get."
Watching Erian, Aradove and Ethelwulf at work, and learning from Dinpel of the blood stains and hair strands they have found, Veirax's bronze-hued, scar-crossed forehead becomes knotted in concern. As he turns toward Ormod and Earm, his lone, thick honeyed braid dangling freely down the back of his brown cloak, the young cleric attempts to regain a lighter-hearted expression. Veirax gently steers the baker and the labourer away from the investigation scene. "We must remain strong and refrain from assuming the worst at this time, my friends," he says with optimism. Still leaning on his staff, he places one arm around Ormod's shoulders as they walk, and quietly speaks with the baker. "Ormod, please describe Estra to me. What does she look like? Is there anything in particular that would help us recognize her, whether in terms of her physical appearance, or likes, dislikes and habits? Has she spoken of anything other than Earm in recent days that might seem out of the ordinairy, in retrospect?" Then, to Earm: "Lad, worry not too much. Have you or your fellow workers noticed any unusual activity around the mill of late? Any strange sounds, sightings or smells, bizarre tracks, or even odd behaviour or whispers by some of the other labourers? Did Estra herself share any concerns with you lately? Has she been behaving differently prior to last night, or has she made any remarks that you might now think noteworthy? Please, do your best to remember, no matter how unlikely or irrelevant you think the information might be... "Gentlemen," Veirax iterates assertively, "the Far Walker frequently places clues around mortals that help them find the correct path to that which they seek... we must identify those clues, both mundane and unusual, if we are to locate Estra... I beg you to think deeply, and to stay strong in your faith... for the gods reward those who not only demonstrate that faith, but act upon it..."
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