After finishing up his breakfast Wulf moves over to see what Garfaulk has been doing with his hammer. "Thanks, Garfaulk, I appreciate you looking after my hammer. With Zeke looking after me and you looking after my hammer I don't see us getting into any trouble we can't deal with." He looks at his hammer, checking over the head as he spins it around. It's never looked any better.
"I owe you. I'll make sure smash a few things down there." He smiles.
---
"I was interested to see if I could make it down there without any spells..." He holds on to that a moment. "But I guess better safe than sorry." He turns around to look for Varrad. "I just thought he was following."
Once outside, Ton takes Garfaulk to one side where there conversation can't easily be overheard.
"What's the problem?" he asks. "If we're not worried about Varrad then why cover up what he is?"
He leans and favours his good leg as he talks.
"If he hangs around town long enough people will figure it out anyway, he looks pretty human, but we're not the only perceptive ones around."
"Thank ye all. Unless ye have more questions, I'm sure ye want to be on yer way.
Standing in the clean solemn space he feels almost frozen as he stares at the paintings. In his own mind he can see the overlaying images of the dream from last night. The woman who called to him and the dragon he'd gotten only the briefest glimpse of. All he can do is slip the hat from his head and stand like a statue for what feels like him forever.
But the words of the halfling makes him glance down at the noise as he considered the diminutive man. In his mind he registers that it is a halfling, but the information comes without much context, much like everything else he'd experienced since waking up in that room yesterday. Knowledge without experience. And only now does he understand the idea of memory and relived experience.
With a small tilt of his head he gives the smaller man a nod, "I was... drawn here. I cannot explain it." With a wave of his hat towards the image of the eagle winged woman he glances at her, seeing both the depicted image and memory of her face from the dream in his mind at once, "I had a dream of this woman. Who is she?"
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Garfaulk chuckled "Aye, no problem-was good to work on sumthin where an explosion wasnt a high probiliteh. Just be careful with it-and use it to smash sumthin tryin teh smash me"
---
Outside, Garfaulk sighs, rubbing his furrowed brow. "Because androids aren't exactly like us. Someone or sumthin makes em. Which means they may be considered technology. Which means the Technic League may try ter claim him, where they'll probably pick him apart- and I know that cause when I first heard Val had a robit with a soul, taking him apart was my first thought too. Well, third, after 'can he get drunk', and 'wonder if they make lasses'- but that's not the point."
He pulls Ton further into the alley, whispering even quieter "Do yeh no her opinion or affiliation with them? Cause I sure don't. Fer his sake, we should keep him quiet as long as we can. And sure, a few folk may notice he's different, or suspect-but it'll take a lot longer fer them to catch on if we don't go around announcin his presence. Just a precaution, aright?"
"You stand in a chapel to Iomedae, my son. She is the goddess of righteous valor, and I am one of her followers. A cleric. Drawn here, you say? What happened?"
"Do yeh no her opinion or affiliation with them? Cause I sure don't. Fer his sake, we should keep him quiet as long as we can. And sure, a few folk may notice he's different, or suspect-but it'll take a lot longer fer them to catch on if we don't go around announcin his presence. Just a precaution, aright?"
"Listen, I've had a run in with the Technic League, and they don't give a drek for anything. Living or not, if they want somethin' then nothing stands against them."
"They used me an' Wulf an' left us half dead afterward, and they weren't even that involved. I owe that 'droid no allegiance. Now I'm not saying I'd be happy for them to have him and take him to pieces, an' if I ever get the chance to get some payback on those bastards then it'll be too long in coming. But I believe in fighting battles I can win and if it ever comes down to him or me, it's not a choice I'll fret over."
"I won't say anything of him, but he'd do better than wandering off on his own if we need to be as careful as you think."
Ton rubs his forehead with his thumb and his jaw muscles work reflexively as if he is deciding what to say next.
"You seem a good guy, Garfaulk, and truth be known exactly the sort I'd want down there watching me and Wulf's back. Let's just make sure we're not hitching our cart to the wrong horse, that's all I"m saying."
Oddly then, and in truth he doesn't know why he does it himself, he puts out his hand for the Dwarf to shake. Maybe it's because he's been used to being on his own so long he's forgotten what it's like to need anyone else. Even he and Wulf hadn't been together that long but already he felt reliant on the big dope.
He remembered the last words his son said to him that day but before he indulges that thought any more he shakes his head and reaffirms his desire to shake hands with Garfaulk.
"Last night I had a dream. I dreamt of her." He makes a gesture towards the image. "Then a few minutes ago my sword twitched. Tugging me in this direction until I arrived." Frowning he looks at the smaller man with a cocked head, "She said You can save them, if you are of valor and honor. Find me. Is this a common thing?"
"Amazing... amazing! Praise Iomedae!"
"I mean, yes, I have heard stories. Heard stories of how Iomedae guides folk through a longsword. She prefers that weapon, of course, above all others. You are blessed! Touched by the hand of Iomedae! You have seen her, seen her in a dream? You must be of great power and wisdom! Have you followed her for a long time? I am but a lowly follower of her, assigned to this lowly chapel. Most people in town worship Brigh, of course."
He starts to ramble a bit, not really answering Varrad's questions directly.
"Honestly, the longer we can hold off the arrival of the League, the better. I don't want em to take my beauts, you two probably could use a chance to train up so when they do come round, maybe they don't beat ya half to dead this time. Like, I get where yer comin from. Gotta look out fer yerselves, and I can respect that. But I think we'll all be better off with him on our side. Plus who knows how useful that droid'll be. Speaking of which, we should maybe go find him before we end up in real trouble."
He takes not the hand that was being offered, but the whole forearm for one of those firmer than firm handshakes, which pulls Ton down a little bit, more towards the dwarf's height. He grinned, looking him straight in the eye. "Glad to hear it-And I look forward to workin with the two of ye as well-may be a bit rough around the edges, but yeh seem like lads whose back I wouldn't mind coverin. Just make sure to duck when I fire" He laughs, then lets Ton's arm go with a firm nod. Turning and heading back down the alley to join up with the rest of them, his grin widened even further. He wasn't sure, but he was thinking he'd just made his first elven friend.
"Oh, and while we're lookin for him, we gotta drop by the Copper Coin again-might do us well to stock up on some daggers, in case we run into sumthin under th water. Don't think my mace'll get the job done. Any gold left Charles?"
"Ten."
Shaking his head he lets the halfling ramble just a bit, "I do not think I was clear. I know nothing of this woman. Except that you say her name is Iomedae." Reaching down he draws his sword and brings it around before laying it across his hands, holding it as if an offer, "When I woke this was near me. I have no idea why it brings me such... comfort. It simply does. I had hoped you had answers."
"I'm sorry... I need to focus. It is just so exciting to meet someone who has been touched by the goddess herself!"
"Listen- Iomedae... she is the goddess of righteous valor, justice, and honor. She values warriors who fight the darkness in her name. Perhaps, somewhere in your past, Iomedae herself has blest this sword. Or perhaps not, and she simply sees you as having the potential to right some wrong in this world. Your dream you mentioned... was there anything else to it? You can save them... Who was she speaking of?"
Looking down at the blade he furrows his brow as he tries to remember the images from the dream. After a moment he speaks slowly, "Some type of in-closed space. Then it dissolves into people, like me, falling from the sky. Chained to the ground. All of them me, but not." Looking up he nudges his chin towards the images of the small church, "Then a fiery wheel. A dragon. And then her. Flying through the sky and coming to me with a blade in her hand."
Releasing his grip he twirls the blade once and puts it back in it's sheath as he looks at the image of the woman, "She spoke to me. I had thought it simply an odd dream caused by the Dwarf's drink. Until seeing her here."
"Dreams often do not make sense until time passes. Perhaps the people you are meant to save, are people like you? I'm not sure what that means, truly."
"But I do know this. Iomedae does not flitter from dream to dream without a purpose. She is calling you. She wants you to accomplish something. And are you willing to follow her?"
"I..." his mouth hangs open for a moment as he tries to find the words before continuing, "I believe so. But I had promise Val that I would help the others find her father. I do not wish to break that promise."
Ton watches the dwarf go from the mouth of the alleyway. Silhouetted against the morning light he ignites a cigarette and draws on it until the hot, acrid smoke fills his lungs.
"Wasn't them who done this to me. Not really anyway." he mutters to himself. The face of the one who blasted a hole in him the size of an apple rises once again to the surface of his mind, as if etched in exquisite detail on fine glass.
After a few moments he drops the cigarette and brings his boot down on it, grinding it until it is extinguished. The way he has imagined doing so to the one who left him this way countless times before but knowing that he will never get the chance to exact his vengeance.
He limps off to meet the others.
"Iomedae would not want you to break your promise to anyone, if that promise was in good faith and for good purpose. Perhaps you will began the path of accomplishing her will by helping this Val you mention. And who can say what will come after that? If you wish- I will pray with you. We will pray together for the blessings and guidance of Iomedae."
Wulf had been keeping to himself while Ton and Garfulk spoke moving over to them as they finished talking.
"Ok, we'll head to Copper Coin. But where do you think someone... someone like him would go? Maybe we can go up high and look for him? How about we go to Black Hill and we can check out the torch too." He says wondering just what they have planned now.
"How does one pray? I understand the term, but not the action. Is it like singing? I was told not to sing anymore. I believe my voice was not made to oscillate at such aesthetically pleasing frequencies."
"Heh, maybe he's still over there-and if not, then we go to the top o the hill,see what's what-maybe we'll see him or people gathered round him. Again, just wanna grab a dagger since my beauties ain't gonna work under water."
The strange phrasing of the sentence, and completely ignorant questions, give Father Will pause. He looks more closely at Varrad.
"But you are an ANDROID! That is most peculiar, most peculiar indeed, that Iomedae would appear to one of you..." He pauses.
"But don't you understand! Now this makes total sense. You and your people, my son.... you are slaves of the Technic League. If the Technic League knew you were here, they would certainly be sending representatives to reclaim you. I am told they have hundreds... thousands of android slaves in Starfall. Has Iomedae called you to free them? "
From his pocket, Father Will pulls out a dogeared book. He gives it to you. "My son, take the holy text of Iomedae. The Acts of Iomedae . Find her in it. Seek her will. This is my copy, but I am honored for you to take it. Listen to one of her tenets, 'I will guard the honor of my fellows, both thought and deed, and I will have faith in them.'"
"Your fellows- your people- are enslaved. Iomedae is calling you to save them. I don't think she meant for you to simply be a cleric or paladin. Those folk come through the church, raised in the church, trained in the church, in an orthodox way. No... She wants you to be a Inquisitor. She calls you through an unusual way, and destines you to take an unusual path. Her blazing hand on Golarian; one who is to take extreme measures against those who would rule through cruelty."
"This is how you pray, child." He bows his head, he raises his hands.
"Hear our prayer, Iomedae. We believe you have called this android to do your will. To save his brothers and sisters. To cleanse Numeria of evil in this time of trouble. Be with him, Iomedae! Touch him, channel your strength through him!"
Verrad feels a touch upon his shoulder. His internal circuitry glows with a bright light! His longsword glows bright and pulses in time with his nanites. His body is filled with the strength of Iomedae!
The rest of the group- poked and prodded by Garfaulk, make another stop at the Copper Coin for a few daggers, and then walk about town in search of Varrad. Eventually they find themselves on the path up to the top of the Black Hill. Abandoned carts and smelting equipment litter the trail as they wind up and around. With the torch out, the workers left their gear in place, probably not expecting it would still be sitting there 8 days later.
At the top of the Hill, where the torch should be burning bright, there is a hole in the ground, about five feet wide and five foot deep. The hole is partially collapsed, and filled with a bubbling, foul-smelling sludge.
As the group takes in the sight, a rasping voice from behind them takes them by surprise.
"Another group of outsiders, come to see the end of our town. The Technic League did this, no doubt. Ah, one of these days our blessed Black Sovereign will run those interlopers out of our County, and Numeria will belong to the Kellids again! "
I'm not a visitor! Well, hm. That's fine. That's good. Don't need this dope who thinks a drunk figurehead is gonna save anyone but himself. Charles remains silent and looks at the hole.
Charles takes in the bubbling sludge and the collapsing hole. It looks like when waves slowly wash away a hole dug in the sand. Charles surmises that in a few days, there won't be any hole left at all.
If there was a way down to the torch's source from up here, it certainly has collapsed at this point. It would probably take years of digging.
Garfaulk looks down at the black sludge with a sad sigh, a single rolling down the side of his face-was truly a sad sight to see one of the world's 'natural' forges in such a state, even if he wasn't fully dedicated to forging like most dwarves. He'd seen this place only once before, when passing through a while back, when he'd made his bauble. If only he'd stayed here instead of continuing to chase his desire to find a way to craft more guns-especially since his search brought him back here. Reaching into his pocket to thumb his die, he took a deep breath. "There's nothin fer us here-we need to grab Varrad and get down there, find Baine, and get this place relit. Tha's fer sure."
Wulf looks around not really impressed after what he had heard, he hopes they can get it started again as he looks to Garfaulk a truly devastated face. Stepping up and patting him on the back.
"I agree, let's go back to the tavern maybe he wandered back there? When we find him I'm going to make sure he doesn't go missing again. I don't want to mess about I want to get down there."
Zeke has been trailing behind the others, seeming a bit dazed. At Wulf's suggestion to go back to the tavern, he adds, "Beggin' your pardon Mr. Torstein, but perhaps I could go ahead to the temple and meet the rest of you there when you find our lost companion? I want to talk to Father Joram."
Upon arriving at the temple, Zeke explains his intention to go after Khonnir Baine, and mentions the headaches that have been plaguing the town. Now that he is suffering from the malady himself, he hopes that as two men knowledgeable in medicine he and the priest can put their heads together and figure out something more about what is happening.
Not used to being ignored, an old lady pushes to the front of the party. "Blessed be the Black Sovereign, who united the clans under his banner and brought this country out of the dark ages. That was back when the Kellid name was strong. Today's generation is weak. Weak!" She pokes a finger at Wulf. " Weak! Using metal to make yourself strong. If you think yourself a strong Kellid, drink from the Numerian fluids! Our Black Sovereign drinks these magic fluids everyday, honor be to him. "
She indicates the sludge, which is mixed with an oily substance leaking from the ground. Apparently, quaffing this stuff is actually a thing in this place.
Ton looks at the woman as if she were utterly out of her mind.
But he's seen what happens when someone challenges Wulf, especially given the fact she drew attention to hos metallic skin.
Garfaulk,who had been in a bit of a trance, notices the old woman for the first time hearing her ramble about their king drinking the sludge. "Wut-drink that? That sludge coming from where the Torch should? Are ya out of yer" He stops short, suddenly rememberin something he'd heard the night before, about a few dwarven lads who had drank from the sludge. "Actually, I think I heard about a few lads from town who'd dared to drink that slag-one got nice and strong, the other... he didn't fare too well. Waddya say big guy-challenge ya to a drink off, see who wretches first?" He laughed, but it was a bit half hearted. Still, the challenge was a nice distraction. "How bout you Ton? Or you Charles-want in on the action too?"
"No. Busy." Charles starts to walk.
"Not a chance in Hell." the elf replies with a shake of the head. "Be my guest though."
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After the prayer he feels... something. Mostly the tingling sensations along the once-faint blue lines of his body. Now they were more prominent and he could see the glow more prominent along the exposed skin of his cheeks making it reflect off coat. He could think of nothing else to do but tuck the book into his coat pocket and stand.
The ringing of the words in his head dulled his hearing. You and your people, my son.... you are slaves of the Technic League. Lifting his hat he set it back on his head, feeling something strange in his stomach. An ache, perhaps? But it tingled much more than the hurt. Like the warm feeling of the drink he'd been given the previous day.
He could only nod in a kind of daze at the shorter priest. He turned, only hearing the previous words. If the Technic League knew you were here, they would certainly be sending representatives to reclaim you. I am told they have hundreds... thousands of android slaves in Starfall.
Walking for the door as fast as he could without running, he made to push himself through and head back to the only place he knew as home. It was the burning in his chest that bothered him most. Detached from himself, but there. Has Iomedae called you to free them?
Was this anger?
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Charlie considered just leaving. If that big idiot human wanted to kill himself, let it be before I'm relying on him. But that might compromise the elf ...godsdammit. He turns abruptly.
"Drink when the job's done. We're on the string. Professionalism."
He'd had to talk more these past two days than the past two years. It was annoying.
Wulf had ignored the woman's crazy ramblings happy to let her scream her self-mute. But when she calls him weak and points out his metal skin his face changes showing his anger handing off his hammer to Ton.
"Crazy woman, we had one just like you in our village. Talk of fire and doom. But you challenge me? Call me weak?" Wulf slams his chest, stepping forward. "If you want to join me Garfaulk, go right ahead." He bends down scooping up as much as he can in both hands and drinking the sludge.
Charles' jaw drops open. Of all the idiotic, unprofessional, suicidal adventurers in the world, I have to work with this one?! How can I trust someone so incompetent?
"Ton. Control your heavy. He wants suicide, that's his business. Not on the job!"
"He's his own man, Charles. We work together but I can't control him, nor would I ever try to." the Elf replies as he waits for the sludge to affect the big man.
Charles was right of course, but what Ton knew is that he could sooner tell the rain to stop making him wet than to tell Wulf not to accept a challenge.
Garfaulk chuckled as he stooped low, scooping up a small handful as well
Wulf quaffs the Numerian fluids, and starts to feel... remorse. Remorse for all the times he has insulted his good buddy Ton'iel, and all these other great people here. Actually, these folk here are his good buddies. They are so swell and keen! Wulf has an irrepressible desire to just hug them all.
Garfaulk begins to glow. The light pours out of his skin and his comrades are forced to look away. Eventually, your light fades away, but you feel something inside you, like you could do that again if you wanted.
The old Kellid woman claps her hands. "Oh! Oh my! Looks like this dwarf is made of strong stuff! The magic fluids have changed you, just like they have changed our beloved Black Sovereign, honor to his name. And you, barbarian, how do you feel?"