"Nice to formally meet your acquaintance Marcus, I understand it can be an awkward tongue to get around, luckily for myself I have a knack for languages." As Marcus offers me the food I shake my head, "Please take no offence, but I prefer fish to meat and as with you, I am not too keen on spicy food. Thank-you for the offer though." Arirai gives the food a smell and a lick but eats no more, "Don't mind him, he has just eaten a whole fish."
I turn my head quickly towards the roaring, where I see the burned man. I hear his concern and the cold reply from the fight instigator. I stand up and look to the man, "You can relax Ser, you hurt no-one, would you care to join us for a bite to eat? You look like you could do with some company." I smile at him, and wave my hand towards an empty seat. I look down at Marcus and whisper, "I hope you do not mind that I have invited him, he seems worried and a little scared."
The Burned Man shakes his head. "Thank you for the offer, but I fear I'll be poor company at best."
After a few moments, however, he slowly comes over and sits down with River and Marcus. He looks uncomfortable and doesn't say anything.
Vironus turns to Lou and speaks quietly.
With that, he leaves without saying a single word to the others.
As Rogar sits, Marcus notices the discomfort on the beardless dwarf. Smiling, Marcus tries to make him feel better.
"Have a good evening, good sir. Nice to meet you."
"My name is Marcus, and this young lady here is River. Please feel among friends and tell us, if you don't mind, what brings you here."
"I understand, but know you will be welcome here." I sit down and place my hand over my mug, where the water starts to fill slowly. I then take a drink and shudder slightly as the cold water hits the back of my throat. Seeing the burned man head over, I move to give him room enough to sit down, "Glad you decided to join us ser"
I listen to what Marcus says and join in. I gesture towards the otter
I watch the man who started the fight leave and release a sigh,
The Burned Man looks shocked by Marcus and River's friendly words. "You speak Dwarven? Offer me food and drink? Look at my face but not laugh or shudder? You have given me much more than I deserve, and I thank you both for your kindness." He smiles when he sees the otter and gently pets it on the head. After a minute, he speaks again.
"I am called Rogar. The Beardless. The Burned Man. The Scarred One. I came to this town some years ago to start a new life. To put away the past. To forget. It didn't work, but I have nowhere else to go. Ameiko and Lou put up with me, but most everyone else has as little to do with me as possible."
He gestures at the chaos the barroom brawl has left. "Sometimes the past catches me again and I forget myself. Did I cause this?"
"It is an honour to meet you Rogar, we all have things in our past that we are trying to overcome and sometimes it just takes someone else's kindness to help us persevere. Just like when Marcus came to my aid in this brawl, he had no reason to, but I am glad he did for now I feel that I can trust him and who knows maybe the 3 of us will become friends?"
I stroke Arirai as he snuggles up in my lap, sleeping. "Would you like Water or Ale, the water is free but I don't mind buying you an ale. As for this mayhem it was not your fault, nor did you contribute to any of the damages or injuries. It was the man who just left, he said something that the others didn't like and all of a sudden there was a ruckus."
Desnold walks over to the small gathering, looking after Vironius as he leaves "I take it you are finished with your small fight? I'm glad it ended before escalating, because that one", he slightly twists his head to signal the hooded man, "looked like trouble. Should he cause any other problems beyond starting a harmless brawl, please call on me and I'll try to help. My name is Desnold by the way."
I look up at the man who had entered the tavern just before the brawl broke out, "Welcome Desnold, do please have a seat. I noticed you also took no fun in the brawl. Would you like some water or Ale? My name is River, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too. I already have my ale though." He holds up his cup "And you noticed right, I'm no fan of drunken brawls. The chance for accidents and escalation is too damn high if half the combatants can't even stand anymore. Oh, and I also like my taverns in one piece. "
Marcus gives a glance at the man River is talking to. After deciding he won't be a menace, he stands and offer his hand.
"Well met, Desnold, my name is Marcus. Your friend over there almost causes more trouble than is healthy for a fighter..."
Rogar smiles hesitantly. "I've caused problems here before, so it's good to know that I had nothing to do with this latest altercation. And thank you for talking to me. As I said, most people avoid me."
He looks again at the sleeping otter for a moment. "Your animal is quite beautiful, and I feel relaxed when I look at her. I don't know why, but I would not willingly permit harm to come to it."
Rogar cringes slightly as Desnold walks over, but upon being apparently passed over, he relaxes and signals the barkeep for an ale.
as soon as Various leaves Lou knows where and why he is going.
Lou heads to the kitchen best get the steak for that black eye he will most assuridly come back with
Lou then takes the food orders of the rest. I am sorry you did not like my familiy recipe it is and old Tien favorite in my house. anyway I will see if I can find more accomodating fare for you if you would like
As Vironus walks towards the docks, a thought comes to him.
Lou, the bartender....he said not to go near the Sczarni family, for fear of what they may do to he and his family. Perhaps I should go with a different approach...
Vironus walks back to the Rusty Dragon, pushes the door open and stands in the doorway, where he asks Lou loudly; Your sister! Where does your sister live? I don't wish to cause you trouble, but I must speak with her.
Without much warning, the sounds of the fight suddenly cease. Looking up you see many in a state of falling, or swinging, but none of them moving. You notice this before the lights go out, leaving you in total darkness. You can see a lone glowing figure standing to one side in the blackness. He waves his arm to one side.
The creature's arm lights up some of the darkness and you begin to see an image taking shape. You see yourself, as you used to be. Youthful, strong, with a flowing, braided beard the envy of half the clan, and all of those your age. You catch a brief glimpse of the destruction of your town, before it changes to after and you see the orcs charging off into the north.
You see a Mountainhome you have not seen before, in a place surrounded by snow. There are orcs and other small shapes sneaking up into it, and they stop taken aback. You stand there, blocking their way, your armour shining and waraxe ready. They come from a burning city close by. You get the idea, that these events have not happened yet, but that they will soon.
The images fade from your sight and you hear inside your head, "You have forsaken your heritage in your grief. Would you pass up another opportunity to help those of the light? Or will you stand against the dark, to regain your pride, and help those in need?" The figure holds out his hand to you, waiting on your response.
The creature's arm lights up the darkness, and you begin seeing images. Yourself standing in a bar, not unlike the Rusty Dragon. Yourself serving, cooking, drinking as you please. You know a small chest rests in the back room has enough money, that you don't have to worry about sharing drinks with friends. You glibly telling of some of your adventures in a place far away, that you know won't likely be believed.
Another image of you sitting in a bar, and the drinks sometimes causing people to breathe fire, and the food spicier than even you know how to cook. You see a castle in the distance, and know that the money you saw before came from here. The images begin to fade, and the creature holds out his arm to you and you hear words in your mind, "You, who learned discipline and the culinary arts, will you tempt danger to learn of new ways to cook food, to save a village, and collect enough to live however you want? Or do you think you can impress the people here with no adventurous, glorious tale to tell of your own?" He seems to be awaiting your response.
Arirai sits up, unafraid, and you get the feeling they might know one another. Lights flow from the creature's arm and images begin to form in the black. Books, ruins, relics all flow in the images. "Lore forgotten, best forgotten, is coming to light. Unspoken lore is fulfilled. Unspeakable evil has returned. Loreseeker, you are to see this knowledge, to hope for a way to seal it again," You hear in your mind, similarly to when Arirai speaks to you.
You begin to see images of a group of people who resonate like yourself, surrounded by forest. Each with a small creature on their shoulder. They seem to be focusing on an eye in the center. Off to the side you see a slender man standing impatiently, glaring at them, but not moving towards them, either. The image grows darker around the eye, and spreads, seemingly shattering the light. "Loreseeker, will you seek old knowledge, perhaps gain mastery over that which seems out of reach? Or will you sit and wait for this tsunami of darkness to come cover the land, saving nobodies family?" He holds out his hand to you, awaiting a response.
Sounds of battle can be heard, on a wide scale, from far away. Light flows from the creature's arm and images spin out of it. You see a younger, brasher version of yourself. Leading a charge into an ambush, in attempt to force a victory. These quickly fade to be replaced by other images. Images of a new group of people. Looking around, you realize that you are surrounded by the orcs attempting to ransack the town behind you. You look to the militia surrounding your core group, and see the fear in your eyes. You give a quick speech and the militia are cheering, and then the attack. While perhaps a pyrrhic victory, the orcs fared worse, and most of the militia are alive, if not well.
Suddenly you hear a strong voice in your mind. "Leader of men. You possess qualities needed to avert utter ruin. Would you see a weaker commander fail at rescuing the land, a land where no more would the songs be sung? Or will you take arms with the help you find, to learn what it means to truly lead, to regain your dignity and honor?" You see yourself looking over the battle. Realizing that while you lost some troops, the town itself is without blemish, and your name will not be soon forgotten by the orcish, or townfolk. As the images fade away into the black, the creature holds out his arm, seemingly waiting for an answer.
Light flows from the creature's arm, and surrounds you. Looking around, it begins to take the shape of a cathedral. You can hear song in the back, which harkens to your younger days. The flaming blade on the mantle cinches the memory, as you realize you look upon the Sarenite temple you were brought to as a mercenary. You see your younger self laying there, just waking up. The images flow in no seeming pattern showing you both the past, of the holy knight of Iomedae, to seeing you sitting upon a cliff-face raining arrows down upon the hordes.
You are shown another place, surrounded in snow, showing a bustling city. You begin to see evil suddenly steep from the inside of the city, going to fill the entirety of it, then flowing out to the reaches beyond. A lone figure stands in front of the flowing evil. As it rushes up to him, you can't help but reach out to him, but the evil stops where he is at, and does not touch him. He holds up a single hand, and light explodes out from him, causing the dark to recede to almost nothingness, and the images fade.
A small voice in your head, "Valorous Knight, you may not understand, but you will. Will you fight to save a city you know not from the evil seeking to enslave it from the shadows, repay your debt to the gods? Or will you wait until the darkness has spread to a point that nobody can be sent to save it?" He holds out his arm to you, waiting.
From the creature's arm, light flows, creating moving pictures, showing many of the fights you've been in. Savory victories, and distracting loses. Then it shows other pictures, not from your memory. Standing surrounded by Orcs and their lackeys, attacking with near reckless abandon, and not a little glee on your face.
The creature looks on you, and you hear a small voice. "Gladiator, a rather dangerous choice of fun. Will you test your mettle in combat for greater stakes, than gold? Or will you decline and watch the world burn in their rush for conquest, knowing you could have saved the innocent?" He holds out his arm, expectantly.
You and your caravan arrives at the Ecland, a fairly lawful border town, mostly filled with dwarfs and humans, in the center of the frozen wastes. The caravan talks to the captain of the guard, Captain Yangrit. She may not be tall, but holds herself and her hammer with consummate skill. They talk about where they can buy/sell their goods, have a good night of sleep, any news.
She happily tells them of the Burning Tavern, with the joyous Dangrio. Sumak the halfling, she tells them, would probably be the best person to sell most stock goods to. But warns them to be careful of the light in there, that he seems to have some deficiency that makes bright light painful.
Her face darkens at the mention of news, but tells them that there is some news of the snowelves beginning to venture out for trade soon, and tries to lighten the mood telling of some of the foolhardy adventurers traveling without protection in the cold.
She looks at you with not quite a glare, "Boyo, you look like you can wield that poker, considering ya got here. But I tell ya, keep it clean in town. The locals don' much care for that kinda excitement. Ya' got me?"
"No worries. The blade will only ever be drawn as a last resort."He then clutches the Cestus on his Right Hand."I might be a follower of Gorum but I am far from a mindless savage."He then stops and thinks on the fact that he forgot to get a Sap.
He hesitates for a moment.
[b]"I do not know you nor your allegiance, but if it is as you say then my duty alone would already command me to disrupt my travel to the worldwound. It does not matter on which field of battle I defend Golarion, as there are more than one man could ever hope to walk. Yet know that justice'll find you should this be a trick to keep me from joining the crusades ranks."
He gives his hand to the figure.
She raises an eyebrow at your alternate choice.
"Aye, the Lord in Iron be a good enough sort. Mebbe I pay homage a time or two to him, meself. So how long ye staying over? I dun expect ye be wantin' to stay as long as your companions, so got ye any plans?"
"He is beautiful and even more intelligent, than he is beautiful. He can be a little funny around certain people, but he seems to like you 3, so I know I can trust you. As for talking to you, Rogar, it is not difficult in fact you seem like a very nice person."
I watch Lou heading around taking orders, "Would it be possible to grab a small portion of boiled fish and some ..." I stop what I am saying as the hooded man re-enters the tavern and calls out. Arirai wakes up, eyes glaring at him and makes a very quiet growling noise. I seem uneasy with his presence too and try to shift away from him.
Then it goes black; I let out a gasp of shock and fear, which is strange as I can usually see in the dark, wait ... who is that?
I cook because I like the satisfaction of a good meal, of good company among friends. money will come when it is needed, but to save a town or a village, If destiny calls me for that than that is what I will do. I do not regale tales to impress others, if that is what is needed for friendship than those are not friends. I go for one driving reason... to save a village, the rest will come in its own due course and as it sees fit
I am sorry you did not like my familiy recipe it is and old Tien favorite in my house. anyway I will see if I can find more accomodating fare for you if you would like
"Ah, don't worry about that. I appreciate your generosity and there is no need to...
Then, suddenly, all fades to black.
"Even if my failure cannot be undone, it's my duty to protect the weak. Maybe I don't deserve to be called 'knight' anymore, but the oaths I swore are burned in my soul. And by my life, if no honor is left in me, I'll face and vanquish evil wherever it is!"
Then Marcus firmly grabs the hand offered to him.
Sense Motive (untrained):
What sorcery is this?
Vironus walks over to this unknown being, before stopping in front of it.
"What is it that I am seeing? Is this my past, present and future that you show to me? Do you work for the Gods? Who....or what are you?"
Thinking on what he has just seen, Vironus speaks; "I did not have any say in the life I had been thrown into. That life chose me. My years in the arena were not fun, but through my skills in combat, I learned to laugh in the face of death as a God of the arena!
Tell me, what is of worth more so than gold? I would place women and fame on equal ground to wealth, but naught else surpasses this.
I do not know who you are, but if you are here for my help, I will grant you aid on this quest.
If you can answer that which concerns me, we shall have an agreement."
*Vironus readies his arm, awaiting response to his questions/concerns.*
The creature looks back to the images, and the scene changes. The orcish pride, unstopped by the might of your blades charges on to the town, unhindered. They begin cutting down all they see. Unarmed men, women, the elderly, children. The set fires to the town delighting shortly in the destruction. After having lit the fires, they run on, but not in the direction from which they came. They stop for neither wounded, nor treasure, seeming to flee from something behind.
Gladiator, you do not think stopping a horde such as this would you to gain fame?
It seems that tongue may not be necessary to show all that may lay ahead in this life. Very well."
Vironus grabs the top of the beings forearm, in the true fashion of a warrior.
"This is how we shake."
"Strange creature, I am not worthy of the task you charge me with. But I cannot let destruction come upon the innocent. I've failed once before, but I will not do so again. What must I do?"
The creature again holds out his arm to you, probably expecting you to clasp it. Take mine hand, and do what must be done.
The bargain is made.
The creature begins to glow, and with a flash vanishes. You notice a slight change in the temperature as the blackness vanishes as well. You are nearly blinded for another reason, as surrounding you is naught but snow. You have arrived safely, wherever you are, with all of your possessions, but where here is, is another mystery.
Looking around, you can see in different directions: a castle upon a hill, a mountainside with a small forest at the base, a small villa, and a sizeable town in the distance. You are glad of the protections you have.
You see a rather different individual jog up to your gathering, carrying a very large hammer. The dwarf squints a second, then brightens up. "Ahh, Guardian Urtar. How are..." She stops a second, noticing him in a hurry, something the rather solid fellow seems to not do. Seeing him in a state, she hefts her axe, looking around carefully. "Urtar! Wha' is tha problem? You running like an avalanche is after ye. Has another..."
"No. Not this time. Help, if they don't freeze. A vision the Mountain sends me. This one too." He points at you with a rather large finger. "Come, your help they need." After saying what few words he apparently has, he waves his arm past you, mumbling and you start to feel a little warmer. He then starts running off again, towards the entrance you just came in.
Vironus pulls his backpack down from his shoulder, opens it and takes out his furs, attaching them to his armour.
That Castle is a good place to seek shelter, but for now I feel it's wise if we visit the small Villa, to find out where exactly we may be.
As Vironus stands tall, he claims proudly:
"The gods must have something planned for us, for I know of no other power that could transport us to such an obscure and unfamiliar location."
Vironus heads toward the bartender, ignoring the people he saw at the table earlier.
"What do you make of this?"
After clearing his vision, Marcus take a glance around him.
"What!? What's just happened? Where am I?"
Upon feeling the freezing breeze, he tries to wrap himself with his cloak. Then, looking at the others who stand with him at that odd place, walks towards River.
"River, how do we got here? Do you know where are we?"
Looking to Marcus, Vironus speaks.
"Fear not. We've arrived safely and safety is all that should be of concern for everyone right now.
Let us head for that Town in the distance. Once we reach civilisation, we can find out where it is exactly that we are."
Rogar looks around in confusion. Where am I?
Perception
Seeing his tablemates, he announces, "I don't know what just happened or if you experienced what I did, but I have a job to do. I'm heading for that city over there and then heading for the mountain. I will be needed there. You can follow or not - it doesn't matter to me. My task is clear."
With that, Rogar begins walking toward the city, his eyes shining, head held high, and confidence in his stride.
Lou looks at Vironus (AKA Various) you mean besides being frikin cold? I make it we need to find shelter as soon as we can. When I woke up this morning getting whisked off to the north pole was not on my agenda.
Lou looks over his meager belongings. pulls out his waterskin and takes a swig
AHHHH good water he says with a smile as he hands it to Vironus.
I say we head to the town and find some warmth and get our bearings at least then by a warm fire we can relate why each of us is here and how we each ended up here.
"Fear not. We've arrived safely and safety is all that should be of concern for everyone right now.
Let us head for that Town in the distance. Once we reach civilisation, we can find out where it is exactly that we are."
Still a little dumbfounded, Marcus turns around to see Vironus.
"You're right. If we stay like this any longer, this cold could get much worse."
And then takes off his cloak, wrapping River with it.
And then looks at Vironus:
"Then I assume you know this region at least? If not, then we must try to find a safe route."
Vironus takes the water skin from Lou and drinks from it.
"A drink unfamiliar to me. Sadly one I don't care to try again, but I thank you for offering such an exotic drink to me.
To the City, then!"
Vironus looks at both the Knight and bar tender, nodding his head to the side, signalling to follow as he takes lead.
As he walks forward, Vironus turns to look at the Knight, and then shrugs.
"I do not, but I have good enough survival skills. I come from a far hotter climate. Katapesh."
From where you are there does not seem to be any real path. It seems you are a little out of the way a well traveled path.
Vironus marches fourth towards the City, treading carefully in case of any buried holes.
Marcus then marches towards the town with River and (if the dwarf is in the same direction) Rogar.
It seems that this man is more valuable than I thought...
As the world is lit up again I quickly wipe my eyes, to hide the tears that were once there. I look around scared ... until I see the forests and remember the stream of images the creature showed me. My eyes remain glued to the forest, until Marcus speaks to me and places his cloak around my shoulders.
I pick up an now shivering otter and place him in my chest furs, where he snuggles up and keeps us both warm, with his head poking out of my furs. Seeing Rogar leave and Marcus start to follow I quickly follow too, keeping Marcus between the hooded man and I. I look around for Desnold too and if I see him, I beckon him to follow. Once we have caught up with Rogar, I hold tightly onto Marcus' arm as I am obviously scared about what is happening.
"Thank-you Ser, you are most kind. Are you sure that you do not needs it? I am unsure where we are, but that glowing figure must have had something to do with it. Someone so powerful, powerful enough to do this ... I wonder why it came to us for help?"
"Glowing figure? So you saw it too?"
After noticing River's distrust, Marcus tries to calm her.
"And don't worry about the cloak. I can handle this cold while we arrive to the town. I don't know the extent of your... abilities, but it's better if you take your time to clear your mind."
I look up at Marcus, "You also saw it? It asked me to take its hand and then, I was here. It also said something about a lost knowledge that shouldn't be found, an unspeakable evil rising once again and that it is within my own interests to find this knowledge to find a way to seal the evil. Is that what you were told? Arirai seemed to trust it."
I nod at the mention of the cloak and pull it tightly around my chest.
"Very little throws me, but that figure certainly has my curiosity."
"Anyway, whether we can trust its words or not is yet to be determined, but we have little need to worry about such concerns right now."
"The world is full of uncertainty, but it's that uncertainty that has made me into the Warrior I am today. Always expect the unexpected. It'll keep you on your toes..."
Vironus continues to march forward, determined to reach his destination.
Rogar continues to march toward the city, apparently ignoring the chatter going on behind him. His heart is light for the first time in years. At last! He has an opportunity to redeem himself.