"Wow," Jessamy breathes. "We can help rebuild Sandpoint with all this! And still have enough leftover that none of us will ever have to work again![b]
[b]"Let's collect it and then can you take us home, Siolad?" she asks the elf who has been so quiet it's almost as if he's not even here, not truly expecting a response.
”...sure.”
Loaded to the gills with glittering treasure, the party joins hands once again. One powerful arcane verse later, the heroes are whisked from the fallen Runelord's citadel and back to Sandpoint.
***
With Karzoug truly defeated, his machinations across Varisia and the Late Unpleasantness within Sandpoint finally come to an end. Some hold their breath expecting another siege or other catastrophe but one never arrives. The residents of the once sleepy coastal city are able to rebuild and a sense of normalcy slowly returns.
Aided by the Runelord's looted coffers, bulk materials and talented artisans are brought in from neighboring Magnimar. The additional resources are an enormous boon and the construction moves quickly. Within a year it's almost impossible to tell that Dragonfire once scorched the roofs of several of Sandpoint's city blocks.
For the heroes, the recovery efforts are an effective distraction, as long days of hard work are a good way to keep idle thoughts at bay, but as life within Sandpoint settles down again one by one they become keenly aware of how much their adventures have changed them. No new threat rises to threaten Sandpoint. No new dungeon is uncovered to explore.
To the notoriously restless Jessamy Pierce it becomes too much to bear and after much soul-searching, the heroic rogue resolves to find adventure on her own terms. With a pack full of treasure and the beginnings of a plan in his mind, she meets her friends in the Rusty Dragon one last time...
"So ... now that we're Big Damn Heroes, what do we do next. We have all this shiny gold, but ... I'm bored!" Katria explains. "I think I want to go check out this island where there are hero gods and everything. I feel like that's maybe the next step?"
"...for you, perhaps." The elf mage mumbles.
"And what exactly about this island attracts you so, friend Jessamy? The lure of godhood?"
Pirknok's eyes widen as he processes Jess' words and the implication behind them. "Nak karah..." he whispers, glancing over at Krojun to gauge the Thundercaller's reaction. "You don't mean... you would rival Nanuk, and the Others?"
Turning to Krojun, the dwarf shakes his head. "We've done things that make for stories; you've said so, Uncle. But to attempt that..."
He trails off, frowning at the fire, his concern for Jess evident on his bearded face.
"I don't know if rival, but they say the cyclops there can foretell the greatness of true heroes -- and I mean, we've kind of already proven that -- and grant us power beyond normal people. Then we can help even more! Plus, even if we don't get more power, there's lots of things there that try to eat people and cause problems that we can help stop!"
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Eventually, the hour grows late and the friends are forced to say their goodbyes. The party had parted ways before but something was different this time. Within each of their hearts, the heroes knew this time was for good.
The following morning Jessamy Pierce departs Sandpoint for the ancient island nation of Iblydos.
***
Jessamy's Epilogue
Communications from the heroic rogue become sparse but word eventually reaches Sandpoint that Jessamy has founded some kind of academy for would-be heroic adventurers. Bolstered by her reputation within Varisia, the academy is a booming success and soon all manner of warriors, thieves, and spellcasters are applying for admittance or a seat teaching within the academy's halls. Deanship is lucrative and rewarding for a time but Jessamy Pierce still finds herself thirsting for adventure. A handful of years later she leaves her academy behind to join an expedition headed for the Silver Mount in distant Numeria. Mysteriously, her expedition never reaches the Land of Fallen Stars and is never heard from again. Many assume the group waylaid and slain by the sinister Technic League but anyone that has met her personally can attest that Jessamy Pierce would never allow something silly like death stop her when there's an adventure to be had!
***
A month later, two missives arrive prompting the remaining heroes to convene a second time.
One is an invitation for Siolad Andosana to lead a lecture at Riddleport's Cypher Lodge. It seems some of the senior mages there believe Sin Magic may be the key to unlocking the Cyphergate's hidden secrets and, having spent considerable time in the mythic Runeforge, Siolad has become a leading mind in the field.
The other message is addressed to Krojun. Compared to the mage's letter, the words are sparse but dire. It seems some of the more warlike Quah have begun encroaching on lands held by their neighbours after generations of peace. Many believe war is on the horizon unless something is done. There is hope that Sandpoint's Thundercaller can avert this disaster.
Pirknok listens to the messengers deliver their news, his expression tired, but thoughtful.
"This is it, then, isn't it. You—" he tilts his head slightly toward Siolad "are gonna go talk to magickers about Karzoug, and just hope you don't make another one of him. And you, Uncle... will you answer the call of the tribes?"
Krojun nods slowly. "I will, of course. If my words can sway, then I will do my best to promote peace among the Quah. It is the least I can do for those who supported me to this point. I have heard the saying among the People that with great power comes great responsibility. It is always thus."
Pirknok nods, then lets out a sigh. "I'm gonna miss you, Uncle. I will miss your words, your stories, your songs, and your... inspiration. But the tribes need you, and their needs are... more important."
Standing, the dwarf reaches up and embraces the taller Shoanti, gripping Krojun's forearms and staring into the Thundercaller's eyes as if to burn the sight onto his vision. "Go with the spirits, Kashvek."
Siolad reads the letter he received, his eyes glazing over for a moment as he remembers his firsthand exposure to the sin magics of the ancient world...
"...indeed." He wraps it up and puts it away with the rest of his things.
When Pirknok and Krojun prepare to depart, the elven mage nods once. "You were fine companions, gentlemen. I'll miss you both."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
With hopeful but heavy hearts, the remaining heroes go their separate ways. Not one to waste time, Siolad immediately departs - vanishing with a powerful arcane verse and a final parting glance. Krojun stays a few days longer. Eventually, a caravan bound for Varisia's heartland offers the mighty Thundercaller company on his sacred task to deliver the words in his heart that might avert a war.
***
Siolad's Epilogue:
Siolad quickly finds that the mages of the Cypher Lodge are talented but often misguided in their attempts to master the secrets of the mysterious Cyphergate. They are eager to expand their knowledge, sometimes dangerously so, in a way that reminds the elven mage of the dark corners of the Runeforge. Perhaps a bit frightened by the raw ambition of the lodge’s leadership, Siolad fulfills his contract quickly and prepares to leave Riddleport only to be intercepted by a shadowy agent from Kyonin’s capital.
On behalf of Kyonin’s elite, the agent warns Siolad of another, potentially more dire, conflict to come. He begs the Andosana brother to remain in the City of Cyphers among the lodge’s mages as eyes and ears against the danger. Despite his misgivings, Siolad agrees and over the course of long years builds a life for himself among Riddleport’s scum and villainy. The elven agent maintains close communication during this time and eventually swears Siolad into his order – the Shin'Rakorath - elves sworn to guard the world against the drow and a Second Darkness.
Krojun's Epilogue:
For many, there is no bond stronger than blood. For the seven Quah, their shared ancestry seems all but forgotten as the moot proves fruitless and increasingly it appears that open war is inevitable. Some worry that this will spell the end of the Shoanti. Others compare it to the challenges they faced in the Age of Darkness after Ancient Thasillon’s fall.
All seems lost until Krojun Speaks-With-Thunder arrives. He weaves a series of stories and songs that capture the imagination of even the most hot-blooded braves. Through his words, Krojun warns the seven Quahs of the dangers of hubris, the price of power, and the importance of unity in the face of hardship. The Thundercaller’s timely warning hits the mark and negotiations resume in good faith. Weeks later the moot ends with peace secured and the representatives from the seven Quahs return to their homes across Varisia.
But man's memory is short and none understand that better than the keepers of history. Recognizing this, Krojun remains with his people on the Storval Plateau. Between handling the challenges that come with maintaining the peace, Krojun works to train the next generation of heroes should the likes of Karzoug ever return to Varisia.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
After Ensu leaves for Magnimar on a new errand for his uncaring god, of Varisia's heroes, only mighty Pirknok remains in Sandpoint.
Pirknok's Epilogue
In the interest of protecting the hard-fought peace he and his friends earned and content with the familial bonds he's made among the people of Sandpoint, Pirknok remains in the coastal city long after the others have moved on. The dwarf becomes a fixture within Sandpoint and time begins to pass him as a blur. Never truly forgetting his late wife, Jonathan Lowell does not remarry but with Uncle Pirknok there to help raise them, Sarah and Rodrick grow up happy and healthy.
Several years later, he helps her father with planning for little Sarah's wedding when she falls in love with a humble blacksmith from Magnimar. Several more after that, he almost carries Jonathan home following a raucous night at the man's retirement celebration. And, decades later, he speaks a somber eulogy for Rodrick in front of his assembled children and grandchildren after he has passed peacefully in the night.
With many of his friends and family gone, Pirknok considers his long years. As he mourns, he prays to all the spirits and gods that he knows. Most do not answer the middle-aged warrior. One does in a deep familiar voice.
Pirknok is not satisfied with the wisdom Nanuk shares. Age has not tempered his boldness.
Confident in what he must do, Pirknok grabs his sword and prepares to leave Sandpoint.