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Chapter 1: The Worldwound Incursion
It is an universal truth that life at any frontier bred a hardy, serious stock of people. Even more so if the frontier in question is that to the Worldwound, where people live in constant fear of attacks by demonic forces. They wake up, not knowing if this day might be their last and they go to bed, unsure if they'll ever see the light of day again. It's no wonder, then, that joy is such a rare resource in Kenabres, bulwark of the Worldwound frontier, and that the inhabitants of this city often seem to have forgotten how to smile.
But even in Kenabres, you can find joy if you know where to look at. There's the children of course, with their strange power to ignore possible dangers around them, that sometimes succeed in casting a smile on the face of even the sternest crusader. There's those moments of beauty, when the fog creeping up from Sellen river and spreading along the arteries eventually dissipates and give way to dawn's first sunbeams coloring the clouds over Kenabris in hues of red and blue and gold.
And naturally there's Armasse, the festival once held in honor of the dead god Aroden, but still celebrated by the followers of the Inheritor and the Everbloom, where everyone is eager to show that he is fully prepared to defend the civilized world against everything the demons of the Worldwound might throw at them; where knights chose their new squires and where new clerics are ordained to bolster the forces of good against those of chaos and evil.
So in Kenabres, this is how you know that it might be one of those special days you will probably never forget for the rest of your life: when the heavens are colored with red, gold and blue, when children's laughter make their parents' heart fill with joy and when the preparations for Armasse are complete and the festivities are about to begin.
It's on such a day that our story starts to unfold. For hours, Clydwell Plaza has been slowly filling with people eagerly waiting for Armasse to begin with the blessings of Kenabres' ruler, old Prelate Hulrun Shappok. The doors to Saint Clydwell's Cathedral have already opened and it can't be more than minutes before the Prelate steps out in the open, climbs unto the stage and begins his speech. But for now, the crowd is humming with excitement, children run laughing through the legs of their elders, embellishing once stern faces with a sudden smile.
Alfred watches the beginning of the festivities with mixed feelings. There is the ever present tug of the tang of alcohol, but almost overcoming that desire is the beauty of seeing people having fun, and relaxing. People finding pleasure in simply being alive, and seeing another sunrise or sunset.
Strange it is. Usually I was too medicated to notice how festivities can change people. Take people who normally trudge through every day and turn them into smiling fools.
Kendren maneuvered his way through the crowd to get to a good vantage point, a smile on his face. Armasse was always a good time in Kenabres, all the more so since the end of the Fourth Crusade. His smile widened as a group of children ran past, playing. Even they have found a way to experience joy in this bleak city. Some of the paladins could take a lesson from them.
Finding a place where he could see and wasn't being jostled too much, he leaned slightly on his walking stick and looked to the stage, awaiting the beginning of the festivities.
One of the revelers cramming the square is a young half-elven woman, attractive even for a half-elf with dark brown hair pulled into a braid and bound with a festive yellow ribbon and green eyes avidly watching the crowd. She is dressed in simple but well made clothing, made to endure the road. She has after all only recently arrived in Kenabres from Eastern Mendev and all the clothing she brought was intended for the road. Still, the clothing is well-cared for and clean and the white shirt has traces of yellow embroidery around the sleeves and collar.
You don't get crowds this big in Egede, even for Armasse, she thinks. She finds it fascinating to see so many different kinds of people coming together for the celebration. Everyone likes a party, especially here, where people stare the Worldwound in the teeth every day.
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Having been a resident of the city, and its surrounding areas,for most of her life, this was not Arianna's first Armasse celebration. That said, it was always a treat to see the city practically glowing with positivity after long months of near constant gloom. Most even seemed inclined to ignore the young woman in their midst, which was actually something of an improvement all things considered. For her part, Arianna was not doing much to draw attention to herself, wandering about the city to see the celebrations going on. Like with every Armasse she was amazed at how bright the city could appear when it wasn't in the midst of gloom and doom and how happy the stoic defenders could appear when not under the imminent threat of demon assault.
Those who observed the woman would notice the obvious half-elven features from the slightly pointed ears to the leaner frame similar to that of her mothers. Reddish-brown hair was pulled back and out of the way as she made no effort to disguise herself. At her waist was a single long, thin blade in its black leather sheath with a much shorter, but thicker blade opposite it. She'd decided against leaving her backpack in the inn, instead carrying it on her back over the dark green cloak.
She found old habits around crowds had not died and caught herself several times eyeing a tempting looking coin purse or a juicy piece of fruit perched precariously on a distracted vendor's stall. Her fingers twitched in their gloves instinctively wanting to try their luck at pocketing a few gains. Leave it be. she ordered her subconscious.
Urdil stands by the fountain at the center of the square, a favorite spot of his since his arrival in the city nearly two months ago. He finds that simply sitting and quietly observing the hustle and bustle of Kenebres' citizens eases his grief, and today is not exception. His work is far more demanding in a city of this size, and he is grateful to have been given the day off.
He frowns in distaste at a pair of local inquisitors strolling casually through the growing crowds, but the anger that roils behind his eyes is not entirely his own. Give them one day for pity's sake, we all stand upon the very precipice of the Abyss. Leave these folk alone.
Forcing his gaze elsewhere, the black-bearded dwarf adjusts his chain shirt, still uncomfortable after his long convalescence, and occupies himself with watching the workers assembling stages and kiosks for the festival.
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Iolaire can't help but smile. Armasse is one of her favourite moments of the year, the only time that the entire city throws off it's ever present burden and actually has fun for once. This year, as usual, she's volunteered to lead the acolytes and orphans housed at the temple to come and watch the festivities in a "quiet and orderly fashion". Also as usual she can't resist the entreaties of the children to go and explore. What harm could it possibly do? Of course the moment she says yes the entire group disperses in twenty directions of noise and chaos, with only a couple of the youngest children staying close to their guardian. One of them, a small boy by the name of Stevarn wanders right behind her, small hand grasping her tail while his big sister, Elise holds Iolaire's hand, gaping at the sights around them.
"Sister Io, why does no-one have hair like yours? Sister Io, why are those men so grumpy? Sister Io, why is the black man so short?" Wincing slightly at Elise's directness Iolaire explains. "He's a dwarf, sweetling. Remember, like Brother Gorn, the one who makes the statues and used to chase you with a glue pot?"
Turning from the children for a moment she bows slightly to Urdil. "Armasse greetings to you brother. My apologies for the little ones, Shelyn teaches us awe and wonder in all things - politeness, alas comes a little later with children." Behind her Stevarn peeps out, using one of Iolaire's gossamer thin wings as a shield.
Urdil gives a small start in surprise and turns to address the striking white-haired woman attempting to shepherd a gaggle of small children, and within him Jyurdolkur stirs like an ember in the breeze. This one is touched by another realm, not unlike ourselves.
With a kindly smile, the dwarf rises to his feet. "My greetings to you as well, and to your wards. The curiosity of the little ones does no harm, although, he gives a faux-stern look and raised eyebrow at the girl staring wide-eyed at him. where I come from it is preferable to ask one's questions directly. Who better to tell you of dwarves than one himself!"
Fishing through his pockets he fishes out a small pouch, clinking with coins, and proffers it to the woman. "I'm but recently arrived in Kenebres, but it has been my tradition to offer regular donations to worthy causes. Torag teaches us that creation is a sacred act that makes our lives worth living and defending--and here you are building futures. I know 'tis not much but please accept this. Buy them sweets, new clothes, whatever you wish."
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Arianna allowed herself to become absorbed in the festivities. Everywhere one looked there was a sight to behold or something to grab the attention of an average passerby. Soon she found herself standing in the midst of the town square. She was familiar with it, having come by it numerous times a week over the past few years. Usually she didn't linger but today she felt at ease, it was Armasse after all.
A child bumped into her legs in his hurry to explore the festivities. "Easy there, little one, you'll only hurt yourself rushing around without watching where you are going." She told him before helping the child back to his feet and sending him on his merry way.
She made her way towards the fountain in the center of the square wanting to get to a better vantage point where she could see the entire square and perhaps determine her next direction.
Pausing for a moment by the fountain, Rianne's thoughts are disturbed by a youngster attempting to climb on the edge of the fountain, she moves to grab the child's hands and pull her back.
"Careful now, you might fall in and get wet, and walking around in wet clothes isn't any fun at all even on a fine warm day like today. Now, who are you supposed to be with..." She glances around and notices a striking white haired woman with several similarly dressed children. She gently tugs the child in that direction.
Excuse me, but is this little one with you?", Notably, she does not have a local accent, if one is familiar with accents, hers is a mix of Brevic and East Mendev.
Pleased he found such a good place, his smile briefly faded as a rather tall man slipped through the crowd, placing himself directly in his line of sight. I wish I knew a spell to make myself fly so I wouldn't have to deal with this. Then again, if I did that, the guards might pincushion me full of arrows for fear I was a demon. Sighing, Kendren turned from his place to begin searching for another. Suddenly, he remembered a nice, high-walled fountain that was easy for him to stand on the edge of, and headed in that direction. That should give me sufficient height to see over the crowd, although I won't be as close. Hopefully Hulrun accepts magic to amplify his voice this year.
Iolaire whistles a falling tone, not unlike a songbird and is rapidly surrounded by a crowd of excited children. As a few kind-hearted strangers shepherd more of her charges back to her Iolaire begins distributing Uldir's gift to the children. Soon the children have dispersed again, clutching silver coins and even more excited than they were before. Iolaire watches them for a few seconds, a fond smile on her face before turning back to their dwarven benefactor.
"Thank you Brother, for your generosity. You have truly made the children's Armasse. My name is Iolaire, member of Shelyn's temple and part-time babysitter."
"Excuse me, but is this little one with you?", Notably, she does not have a local accent, if one is familiar with acccents, hers is a mix of Brevic and East Mendev.
"Why yes she is. Elise, you silly thing! You know better than that - besides you missed the gift giving." Io holds her stern face just long enough for Elise's lip to start quivering, before grinning again. "Don't worry, I saved one for you!" and handing the child a silver coin she pushes her gently towards the vendor, bellowing his candied treats for the crowd to hear.
"My thanks to you as well friend. I was just saying to our brother here that children are a wonder and joy in the gods eyes - if only we could temper their enthusiasm!" Her smile is open and warm-natured, despite her tail and the strange cloak-like garment on her back Iolaire seems completely at home in the square. "I'm Iolaire. May I have the pleasure of your name?"
She smiles at one of the children, avidly devouring some sticky confection, "It's good to have some reminders of the joys of life, especially here, where the horrors of the Abyss loom so close. Easy to forget you're fighting for something rather than just against something, otherwise. All the mightiest weapons in the world are worse than useless if those that wield them fall to despair."
"As for my name, it's Rianne, Rianne Arniska. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Uldir gives a solemn bow to Iolaire and Rianne in turn, his left hand pressed over his heart--and not incidentally preventing his ruddy beard from brushing the ground. He his dark-skinned with glittering green eyes and half a dozen iron rings stamped with runes festoon his beard. He wears a plain but well-made tunic and breeches, and beneath a chain shirt that he doesn't quite fill out.
"Do not thank me, Lady Iolaire, it my sincere pleasure to contribute. As the Lady Arniska says, they are a boon to the spirit in this grim, endless conflict. But let us not speak of unpleasant matters, I must find a worse view. I should not wish to spoil my mood by looking upon Prelate Shappok if I needn't." So saying, Uldir glances about for a moment then places himself square behind of cluster of tall humans a few feet away, neatly blocking his view of the cathedral doors.
Slipping through the crowd, Kendren heads towards the fountain, dodging a couple children who run by on their way to a vendor. Shaking his head, he notes a somewhat odd group of people near the fountain - a dwarf, a slightly pointed-eared woman, another with...gossamer wings and a tail? I've heard of her. Isn't she with the temple of Shelyn?
As he approaches, he notes the group of tall men in front of the Dwarf. Hopping up on the rim of the fountain, he walks over and says, "My friend, you may have a better view over here."
Alfred watches the children playing and the odd group gathering around them. He feels a slight tugging at his heart, but then quickly dispenses it and continues to stare at any pretty girls with inappropriately exposed flesh...
"I guess having children can be rewarding in some way... but they break so easily...
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Uldir turns to the man upon the fountain and shakes his head. "I thank you for your concern, friend, but if I must look upon asses today these suit me far better", the dwarf gestures to the behinds of his human shields, then slaps a hand over his mouth while his eyes dart over to the children still standing by Iolaire.
"Pray forgive my language miss! I haven't even been drinking!"
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Arianna finally made it up to the side of the fountain and stepped up onto the lip of it rising up to take a look around the square itself. She saw the small gathering of individuals nearby but instead was more focused on taking a look around the square for something interesting to catch her attention.
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Suddenly, a murmur goes through the crowd, then the spectators go silent with anticipation. All heads are turned to the cathedral's doors, where Prelate Hulrun now is standing in gleaming armor, his hands held high greeting the people before him. On his left side, there is Nestrin Alodae, high priest of Iomedae, and to his right, the famous demon hunter Etterius Sunnestier, who is said to be the actual leader of the cathedral through his work if not by title.
When he has made sure that he has got everyone's attention, Huldrun marches to the stage befor the cathedral, climbs the stairs up to the speakers desk standing at the front side and turns to the waiting masses again. He raises his arms as if to bless the congregation, when suddenly his face is bathed in an unearthly bright light, which…
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Darkness. Searing pain burning your body. Your head feels like it will explode any moment. It's this pain that awakes you and it takes you some breaths – why has breathing suddenly become so hard? - before the pain lessens and allows you to focus on your environment. There is no light around you, but your hearing returns and let you recognize the sound of falling stones and sand. A rasping breath breaking into coughs. A soft moaning suddenly stopping.
And then there's the smell. The smell of dust, mixing with the smell of blood and excrements. The smell of death.
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Arianna coughed and groaned struggling to remember what had happened as she manages to force her eyes open to the darkness around her. The terrible stench of the air reached her Elven senses and she gagged on it cringing in pain as the revulsion sent another stroke of pain through her.
The first question wormed its way through her clouded and confused mind. Where am I? She looked in every direction and saw only the blackness which meant she was either blinded by whatever had caused her to be here or that she was in total darkness.
H..hello? She choked out with her broken voice as she struggled to push herself up to a seated position coughing several times before she finally managed the feat.
"AWAKEN, MY SON. WE ARE NEEDED."
Jyurdolkur's heat spreads through Uldir's limbs as his mind rejoins the waking world. With a groan of effort he pries his eyes open, blinking away the dust as he stares dumbly about himself. The air is thick with dust, and he finds himself wracked with coughs as the grit caking his beard strives to choke him. Levering himself to his feet, he stumbles with through the dust towards the sound of agonized groaning.
"Lady Iolaire! *cough* Lady Arniska! Can you *cough* hear me? Oh Torag, lend me strength..."
"H..hello?" She choked out with her broken voice as she struggled to push herself up to a seated position coughing several times before she finally managed the feat.
At the sound of another voice, Uldir turns and stumbles over the shattered stone, straining to find the source--there! A young woman struggling to sit upright, casting about with unseeing eyes in the darkness. "Stay still miss, I'm coming to help. Are you injured?"
Rianne moans softly and opens one eye and starts to panic a little when she finds herself in total darkness, before catching herself and doing her best to take deep breaths, hindered by the dust in the air.
Hearing the voices she coughs several times before responding "I'm here, give me a moment to make a light.
So saying, she feels for a palm-sized stone nearby, and casts a cantrip on it, causing it to glow with a gentle light, before sitting up, with protests from her aching limbs, to hold the light in the direction of the unfamiliar female voice.
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. "Stay still miss, I'm coming to help. Are you injured?"
"No, I don't think so." She replied. Sore, absolutely but injured? She wasn't sure but she didn't feel like she was seriously bleeding or otherwise hampered. Everything still seemed to be in its proper place.
The the light flickered to life and she breathed a sigh of relief, she wasn't blinded although she naturally squinted for a few seconds adjusting to light where there had been none before. Coughing from the dust again she reached back and pulled her waterskin around and drank a mouthful of water to clear her throat of the dust. "Thank you." She added finally to the woman with the glowing rock in her hand.
Uldir turns to the man upon the fountain and shakes his head. "I thank you for your concern, friend, but if I must look upon asses today these suit me far better", the dwarf gestures to the behinds of his human shields, then slaps a hand over his mouth while his eyes dart over to the children still standing by Iolaire.
"Pray forgive my language miss! I haven't even been drinking!"
Iolaire lets out a full throated laugh just as Prelate Hulrun steps up to the podium. Then a mighty flash of light blanks out the world.
She regains her sight just as her feet slam into the hard floor. The overwhelming shock to her senses causes her to stumble forward, catching herself on her hands and knees she looks around, fey-honed eyes peering through the darkness. Her wings are still beating, sending up small clouds of dust all around her. Spying the dwarf picking himself up and at least three other figures in the gloom Iolaire hurries towards the generous man.
"Brother Dwarf, are you hurt? You, over there, stay put. We are coming to you!" Her voice soars an octave as a sudden, panic stricken thought strikes her. "The children! Elise! Stevarn? Has anyone seen the children?"
. "Stay still miss, I'm coming to help. Are you injured?"The the light flickered to life and she breathed a sigh of relief, she wasn't blinded although she naturally squinted for a few seconds adjusting to light where there had been none before. Coughing from the dust again she reached back and pulled her waterskin around and drank a mouthful of water to clear her throat of the dust. "Thank you." She added finally to the woman with the glowing rock in her hand.
"You're entirely welcome." She looks around at the people gathering nearby, "I don't think I have any real injuries either. Nothing needing immediate attention at any rate. Does anyone remember what happened? The last thing I remember is a great flash of light...
With a groan, Kendren briefly wonders whether his eyes are actually open or not before deciding he is, in fact, conscious in the dark. He hears voices, and then a light appears, providing enough illumination for him to see where his staff is - and the piece of fountain mere inches from his head. That could have been my head. Sarenrae smiles on me - I hope.
Grabbing his staff, he mutters a cantrip before one end begins giving off a warm, soothing light. Standing and making his way to the group, he says, "It appears, good Dwarf, neither of us had a particularly good view. I should introduce myself. Kendren Nollt."
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Now with several sources of light, you can see what Iolaire and Uldir already could see before. You're standing in a vast cavern, probably deep under Kenabres, which opens in one direction farther than you can see from where you're standing. But if the cavern extended in the other direction as well you don't know because directly behind you - and seeing this, you get an impression how narrowly you escaped death - a huge pile of rubble rises, blocking your sight to what may lie behind it.
Still, it's enough to see the signs and remains of those less lucky than you. Arms protruding from the rubble, shattered limbs buried under the debris, signs of a great catastrophe that must have befallen the city just as the celebrations where about to start.
Iolaire, seeing others up and moving about, heads to the rubble pile and starts trying to dig away at the pile to the people who seem to be trapped inside. She's nearly frantic with worry.
"Elise? Stevarn? Olin?"
Alfred awoke his head pounding, and darkness overwhelming his senses. He hadn't slipped and drank... this was no hangover. Where was he what had happened. Then he heard voices... I must not be dead, it's not hot enough for that... then what in blazes is happening.
He then saw light from the corner of his grit filled eyes. He started to sit up, but there seemed to be a great weight on his chest. He struggled rolling to the side and pounds of rubble and stone rolled off his massive chest. He rolled to his feet lurching and stumbling his weapon out.
"What? Where are we? Show yourself coward"?
Rianne doesn't think there's any chance that a child could have survived the fall, much less being buried under rubble. It's a miracle anyone survived at all, she thinks, giving a silent prayer of thanks to the Inheritor and the Lady Desna. She doesn't have the heart to say it though, and just watches Iolaire, feeling somewhat helpless.
When Kendren introduces himself she smiles wanly, "I'm Rianne Arniska, would that we had met under better circumstances.".
"Likewise. I don't suppose anyone remembers what happened?"
As another man stands, lurching, drawing his weapon and threatening, he says, "Easy, friend. We seem to be underground. As to any threats in the area, I have yet to see signs of any danger. Please, put up your blade."
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Arianna slowly stood staggering to her feet as she finally began to got a fix on her bearings as well as the locations of everyone around her. She stowed her waterskin and looked around the area she could make out.
"Now is not the time for violence sir. We mean you no harm but we must find out where we are and more importantly.." she nodded in the direction of Iolaire. "If the children she's looking for are anywhere nearby us..might I borrow that stone? I'll take a look around our immediate area and return shortly if I find anything?"
Grabbing another stone off the ground, Kendren mutters his cantrip again and hands it to Arianna. "Here. No harm in lighting a few more. I'll help look about for any other survivors."
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Arianna bowed her head gratefully as Kendren lit another stone and passed it to her. "Thank you..I'll take a look around us and see what or who I can find.." She said as she turned to walk away from the small gathering into the surrounding darkness holding up the in her left hand while her right rested on the hilt of her rapier in case of danger. She was not eager to wander too far from the group as a whole but scanning the local area for any others that might be unconscious or within the rubble seemed to be a good idea.
Uldir gives a grunt of acknowledgement to Kendren Nollt, then sets off into the darkness, searching for anyone else still alive. A dazed human warrior staggers into the dim lighting with blade bared, but Uldir's search is for those unable to walk under their own power... but his eyes are wet from the dust and grief, spoiling his vision. The sight of crushed and mangled limbs, partially visible under the pile of rubble, breaks his heart and he mumbles a heartfelt prayer beseeching Torag to guard their souls.
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Then, looking at the rubble again and having finished his prayer to Torag, he sees something glittering between the stones, like a shard of silver hidden between.
Abandoning her futile tugging Iolaire follows Arianna towards the sound the elven woman heard.
Alfred stands and looks about, still alert for danger, as small lights begin to appear revealing more of the situation. He looks at the flail in his right hand to make sure it is intact, and feels for his trusty "lucky" shield strapped to his back, realizing that it probably kept him from much worse injury.
He begins to speak, then has to hack and spoit some dust from his throat before he is able to do more than croak.
"With all respect, I was having a nice pleasant day then wake up covered in debris in some dark place with a bunch of strangers, so I believe I'll keep my weapon in hand for now. I've no reason to use it unless a arises. And for all your information, you'll realize as the dust clears that this flail has no blade".
At the cry for help, Alfred groans a bit, and shuffles to assist, realizing that his strong back will be of use.
"Hold on a minute. I'm coming.
"Fair enough, although I think you'll see we're all a bit dirty and in a dark place with a bunch of strangers. I can't speak for anyone else, but I was also having a pleasant day before this. Tell me, sir, by what name should I call you?"
As Arianna calls for help with a trapped person, he turns and goes over towards her, knowing that although he isn't strong, he may be able to help in some way.
Uldir kneels and retrieves the bauble ( to recognize whatever it is), pocketing it to examine later, before resuming his hunt for survivors. Deciding that four was probably sufficient for the half-elf's discovery he picks over a different section of the pile, though the bulk of his time was spent blinking motes of dust from his eyes and struggling not to cough.