Unable to reach the elf and deliver more substantial aid, Tove takes up a closer position and does the best she can with another surge of energy.
Azen continues to sing as she shoots at the Troll facing Garethane.
(bullseye, inspire courage)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
With Celebeth finishing off her and Kalaman's opponent, Rhiannon breaks into a run, hurdling the troll's body as she races across the distance, to drive her blade deep into the remaining troll's back.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Gritting his teeth against the assault of the troll and thankful for the healing grace of Erastil, the timely help from Rhiannon, and the confidence of a bard song well sung, the elf continues to trade blows with the creature.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Tove does her best to keeo the party alive, channeling more healing energies and Celebeth finishes off the downed troll while the others swarm the remaining troll with arrows and blades. Rhiannon's burning blade finishing off the fight.
Azen stops singing and climbs down from her perch in the tree. She checks the trolls for loot and then heals Garethane a little more.
Cleaning her blade as the fire dies down, Rhianon sheathes her weapon, checking on her companions before helping to inspect the bodies.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The party gathers back after a successful ambush of the troll scouting party. Searching the burning bodies of the trolls reveals little beyond greasy loin cloths and bags of food stuffs of dubious origin.
With the immediate troll threat neutralized, you begin your journey back to Elkmark. The trip will take you until mid-evening to make it home, but it will be nice to sleep in your own beds again tonight.
Tove grimaces and closes the bag. "We should bury these, whoever they were, they deserve better than this."
With the remains of those unfortunate enough to cross the troll's path previously laid to rest, the party sets off for Elkmark.
When you arrive in Elkmark, a good number of the ruling council are not in city - out seeing to reports of a troll menace to the west as you are told. A few days pass by with no word of the councilors return, when on the evening of the fourth day, the young boy you had contracted for the hefty sum of five silver pieces comes rushing into what passes for an inn in the small town. "Sir Wulfric!" the boy exclaims. "They're home! I just saw them heading into the keep."
The journey back to Elkmark is uneventful, though Kalaman seems more distant than usual. It is early evening of the second day of your journey home when you see the welcome sight of the Fort Redemption on the horizon.
You ride into town, the townsfolk happy to see that you have all returned safely. Most are eager to hear how the expedition went and see your safe return as a good sign. As you ride up to the gates of the keep, Kalaman suddenly speaks up. "I think my time with all has come to an end." he begins. "I find myself struggling to control the blade and its urges are becoming stronger and more difficult to control. Rather than risk your safety I shall be departing Elkmark in the morning."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Garathane claps a hand on the shoulder of the uneasy warrior. "Best of luck on wherever your travels take you, Kalaman. Know your work here had value and we appreciate the time you spent with us."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Tove’s face falls slightly as she hears the finality in Kalaman’s words. She watches him intently as a reluctant understanding sinks in. Finally she gives the tiefling a solemn nod.
"I can see you’ve given this much thought," she says, stepping forward to mirror Garethane’s gesture. "If this is truly your path, then I won’t stand in your way. Just know that Elkmark will always be here, and the gates of Fort Redemption will always be open to you."
"Not 'Sir', at least not yet. But thank you," Wulfric replies to the boy. He heads out of the inn and either walks or rides to the keep .
Catching the party after Kalaman departs but before they go inside, he calls out. "Baroness Tove! It is Wulfric Tilernos from Rostland. Might I have a word?"
Wulfric wears a mithral breastplate, clearly of exceptional value, and has a cutlass at his side.
"I am pleased to see you have made it back from dealing with trolls. Word has spread of your successes, and I wish to offer my services to your enterprise. I have training as a scout and mage, if that could be of any use."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Celebeth gives Kalaman a hug before the tiefling can escape.
"It was good to have you with us," she says. "Good luck in figuring things out. I'm sure we'll cross paths again."
~~~~~~~~~~
The half-elf watches curiously as the stranger introduces himself to Tove. She blinks a few times and keeps her thoughts to herself as she tries to get a bead on this new arrival. It's inevitable that as the team's star rises, supplicants will come with various agendas, for good or for ill. If only she were a better judge of character...
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
As Tove hears her name called, she turns, squinting slightly at the man approaching them. His face is familiar, but it takes her a moment to place it. When he introduces himself as Wulfric Tilernos, her memory clicks. She remembers visiting Tilernos farm, administering treatment to the man’s ailing father, she remembers his face in the crowd as she held services in the village nearby.
"Wulfric… yes, from Rostland," she replies, her tone warm but measured. She raises a hand to her companions, signalling that she knows the man before stepping forward to greet him properly.
"Welcome to Elkmark! Folks ‘round here tend not to use the word 'Baroness'. I’m go by the title of Stag Lord, but you friend are welcome to call me Tove. I’m glad to see you here." She takes in the sight of his mithral breastplate and the cutlass at his side as she takes him by the hand, and she listens thoughtfully as he explains himself.
"Well Wulfric, we can use all the help we can get here, especially from someone with your skills. As you may have overheard, our Magister just now let us know that he will be leaving us come morning. And the threat of the trolls to the south has not yet been entirely extinguished, she furrows her brow.
"The Stolen Lands have been unforgiving, you might notice none of my original cosignatories from Restov remain at my side. But I promise you the work here remains rewarding for those sturdy enough of heart and mind. You’re welcome to join us if you’re willing to put in the work."
With an encouraging smile, she adds, "Come, we are road-weary and could use a good meal. You can get acquainted with the others over dinner. I do hope you’ll put down roots here. Elkmark could certainly use a man of your quality."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"It was an honor to fight alongside you, Klaman!" Rhiannon says, clasping the tiefling's forearm firmly before stepping back.
-----------------
When the armored man calls out to Tove, approaching her, the warrior stands quietly behind the Baroness, although an astute observer would note that she stands within easy striking distance, her posture only relaxing slightly with Tove's acknowledgement ad welcoming tone.
"I would be happy to join you for a meal and tell you my story."
--
"My family has connections to Lastwall, and I was fortunate enough to be sent there as a squire. It was reassuring to be in a more forthright nation. Great devotion to their goddess and the cause of justice, even if a bit more urban than I would like. Their cavalry training is unmatched, and I did the best I could to pick up some useful skills. As it happens, I also displayed some skill at wizardry, and even there Lastwall can offer some training.
I returned home to Rostland last year, when my father took ill. Tove was passing through, and she tended to him as well as spoke in the village. My family follows the way of Erastil, as does she. He is doing well, by the way. Has regained some of his strength, and the neighbors help with the harder tasks on the farm. It is the way of small villages that decent folk help one another.
I confess, I have always had some distrust of Brevoyan politics. Virtue is not held in such high esteem in the big cities, and 'honor' often seems to only go so far as avenging insults. So when the call came for explorers to venture into the Stolen Lands under the auspices of Restov and the Dragonscale Throne, I feared being used as a pawn in their politics. I was too cynical, it seems. You have been able to do some good for the people here, and uphold the faith of Erastil.
My focus is scouting. I am fairly skilled at moving unseen, I react quickly to danger, and I can use magic to see around corners or beyond doors. Should you have particular needs, I can work to learn such magic, although I struggle with illusions and with magic that bends the mind."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Well, a goud scout is always a bonus, and the more magic the better." Rhiannon says, smiling at the irony, that she, among her companions was the only one without some semblance of magical talent.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
During the meal, Kesten remains quiet, observing the newcomer. The young settlement's General, Celeste cozies up to Tove and listens to the conversation.
Jhod is not in the keep at the present time, apparently back at the Temple of the Elk at the time being.
Azen sits beside her sister at dinner, letting her sound out the newcomer before getting too attached.