[D&D 5e] Wrath of the Righteous ala Fabian (take 2) (Inactive)

Game Master Fabian Benavente

"Well done!" cried Damon to the others, saying, "Now we have a chance!"

The demon's claws scraped against his shield and armor with the screech of metal, several just barely avoiding his vitals. Buoyed by the Wardstone's holiness, Damon swung Radiance in a brilliant arc at the foul creature's torso in front of him!

Radiance Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 5 = 23
Radiance Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 5 = 18

While continuing to focus on the the conjured moonlight, Stella spared a moment to fire off a blast of cold at the creature nearest Damon, hoping to slow down it's assault on the paladin.

Action: Frostbite: DC17 CON Save or it takes 1d6 ⇒ 4 + 50% = 6 Cold Damage & has disadvantage on it's next weapon attack.

Since Moonbeam has a 5ft radius, would it not hit two of the fiends each turn as they're currently organized?

Just remember to rotate out if you're not feeling fresh Damon- call when you need someone to stand in your place! You do not stand alone!

We should rotate out of that square if your hit points suffer, like how romans would rotate their lines

1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 5 = 27 or disadvantage 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 5 = 13 for 1d8 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 5 = 17

The door frame hampered his attack and his blade tasted only door frame.

Bonus Action: Bardic Inspiration Damon

Since Moonbeam has a 5ft radius, would it not hit two of the fiends each turn as they're currently organized?

OOC: your moonbeam held action triggered when the first babau approached the door and not when they were all lined up like you see them now.

Don't forget that you all see snapshots of the beginning and end of the rounds but I have to move things as they actually happen.

Questions?

Game on!

OOC: your moonbeam held action triggered when the first babau approached the door and not when they were all lined up like you see them now.

Don't forget that you all see snapshots of the beginning and end of the rounds but I have to move things as they actually happen.

Questions?

Game on!

Gotcha makes sense. Mechanically, would Stella have to move it this round to have it in front of the doorway? I believe it's an action to move it so I'd have to adjust her last post slightly.

Fabian wrote:

OOC: your moonbeam held action triggered when the first babau approached the door and not when they were all lined up like you see them now.

Don't forget that you all see snapshots of the beginning and end of the rounds but I have to move things as they actually happen.

Questions?

Game on!

Gotcha makes sense. Mechanically, would Stella have to move it this round to have it in front of the doorway? I believe it's an action to move it so I'd have to adjust her last post slightly.

OOC: No need; I'll position the moonbeam so it gets two of the babaus.

Questions?

Game on!

As the demons assail Damon, Kokam sees and opening and strikes forward with her spear...

Using Sentinel Feat

Attack, spear, two-handed, reaction: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 5 = 20
Attack, spear, two-handed, reaction, disadvantage: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 5 = 11

...scoring a hit on the menacing demon!

A few moments later, she leans in as Damon's swing opens a small area for her to attack...

Attack, spear, two-handed: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 5 = 25
Attack, spear, two-handed, disadvantage: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 5 = 16

Attack, open-hand, bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 5 = 30
Attack, open-hand, bonus, disadvantage: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 5 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 5 = 10

..once again her spear scores a angry hole in the demon's tough skin. Then using the door frame for leverage, she delivered a vicious kick to its scabrous chin!

Daaaaaaaaaaaamn! Amazing!

Turn 195 - A Fighting Chance

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

With one demon past him, Damon knew he needed to strike a decisive blow against the one in the doorway. Calling upon Hallvardr’s inspiration and Iomedae’s power, the young paladin stabbed at the foul demon’s center of mass with his glowing sword!

Radiance Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 5 = 23
Radiance Damage plus smite and inspiration: 1d8 + 6 + 5 + 3d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 5 + (7, 5, 4) + (6) = 39

Yesssssss!

Round 2
Roscoe called down fire again one of the demons.

One not turned.

Sacred Flame DC 16 DEX: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Round 3
Seeing one of the demons that squeezed through Roscoe moved to where he could attack the demon protecting his allies flanks.

Rapier: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 5 = 23
Rapier Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 5 = 16

”Never alone, Hallvardr, Never alone!” replies Damon as Radiance ripped deeply into the demon’s innards and rays of holy light burst outward from its scaled hide.

"Watch out!" Stella called out to Kokam as the fiend lunged at the monk. Though she managed to avoid it's strikes this time around, she instinctively released another blast of frost at the fiend that managed to slip past Damon's wall, hoping to slow it down.

Frostbite: DC17 CON Save or it takes 1d6 ⇒ 2 + 50% = 3 Cold Damage & has disadvantage on it's next weapon attack.

Using 1 ki for extra bonus attack

The quickness of the demon surprises Kokam and it manages to get by her, but not before once again a fortuitous opening presents itself, allowing Kokam to thrust her spear at the demon in the doorway!

Attack, spear, two-handed, Sentinel reaction attack: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 5 = 15
Attack, spear, two-handed, Sentinel reaction attack, disadvantage: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 5 = 17

Unfortunately, this time , Kokam's timing was just off and her spear rattled off of the door frame.

Turning as the demon passed her, she fended off it's attack, muttering "You'll rue the day you came here!"

Drawing on her inner strength, she leapt to the attack, spear a blur and her legs kicking out at improbably angles...

Attack, spear, two-handed: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 5 = 11

...the point of her spear plunged deep into it's chest, purplish ichor spraying out. A vicious kick to the creature's exposed knee did considerable damage, but her next kick to it's head was pushed away.
Attack, openhand, bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 5 = 13

Attack, openhand, bonus bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 5 = 14

The only think to do was to hold his position and trust his allies could hold in turn. He focused again on the demon in the doorway.

1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 5 = 16 or 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 5 = 11 for 1d8 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 5 = 10

His chosen position seemed to be as much of the problem, with his swings being hindered, as the demon that seemed smart enough to use the door way to protect itself from Hallvardr's blows. No matter... sooner or later he'd strike true and for the moment he formed a baulwark.

Bonus action- Divine Favor on self

He prayed to Gorum for power against the dark foe and his blade burst into bright light.

Turn 196 - Babaus

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Trading blows with the demon before him in the doorway, Damon knew he had to hold his position, as there was nowhere for him to fall back to. In any case, he had his allies with him, and the power of the Wardstone welled up in him.

Pulling his glowing blade out of the creature after such a powerful blow had left him off-balance, and the demon had managed to slash him with both its sharp claws. "Time to finish the job" thought the young paladin as he feinted a low slash and instead struck at the babau's neck!

Radiance Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 5 = 16
Radiance Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 5 = 16

Move... change places with me now!

Assuming that we can exchange squares?

1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 5 = 28 for 1d8 + 4 + 5 + 1d4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 5 + (4) = 20
If can't rotate the line? Disadvantage on attack 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 5 = 13 swing... and a miss.

Bonus action, level 2 Word of Healing Damon 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 = 10

Encouraged by the events of the last few minutes Roscoe sent his rapier in again. The blow he thought would do little but he felt the holy power of the wardstone and it hit the demon with fury.

Rapier: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 5 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 5 = 9

Seeing the wound on Damon. Roscoe whispered a prayer of healing over the paladin.

Healing Word: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Move... change places with me now!

Assuming that we can exchange squares?

1d20 + 5 + 5 for 1d8 + 4 + 5 + 1d4
If can't rotate the line? Disadvantage on attack 1d20 + 5 + 5 swing... and a miss.

Bonus action, level 2 Word of Healing Damon 2d4 + 3

...assuming that was directed at Damon, he will move out of the way if he can do so without provoking an AOO.

Stella's Moonbeam should still be active, not sure if it was counted last round.
Continuing to concentrate on the Moonlight in the other room, Stella fired off a blast of cold at the fiend in their midst while she did her best to avoid any strikes coming her way

Frostbite: DC17 CON Save or it takes 1d6 ⇒ 1 + 50% = 2? Cold Damage & has disadvantage on it's next weapon attack.
Moonbeam: 3d10 ⇒ (7, 7, 10) = 24 to any creature starting its turn or entering it's radius during their turn.

Kokam heard Stormbrow bellowing behind her, but her concentration on the demon before her was so absolute, that she could not discern the import of his words.

Striking out, she sought to end this demons sojourn upon her plane....

Attack, spear , two-handed: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 5 = 10

Attack, openhand, bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 5 = 10

...but her concentration falters, both of her strikes glancing off of the demon's hard skin.

Turn 197 - Change Places

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Attack, spear , two-handed: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 5 = 11

Attack, openhand, bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 5 = 10

Kokam catches the last fighting demon under the chin with her spear, driving the point up , up into it's brain. She levers the demonic head against the nearby wall, dragging it down to the ground, where she kicks the dead head off of her spear with a stiff kick.

Breathing hard, she looked to her friends, glad to see all were standing, I am glad for the Wardstone's help, otherwise...."

"Well-struck, Kokam!" exclaimed Damon, moving back into the main room and keeping the holy power of Iomedae going strong against the remaining two demons.

"Take a breath and get in position, then let's assault the one on the left all at once, following suit with the one on the right once the first one is dead," suggested Damon, holding Radiance at the ready to engage the turned demons one at a time.

Assuming that goes well, when all is quiet, Damon plunged Radiance into the heart of each of the demons one last time to be sure, then said, "Indeed, the Wardstone's help and good tactics to find the defensible position carried the day, my friends. I am still a bit astonished we survived."

Looking around, Damon felt the holy power of the wardstone fade as the battle ended, but he hoped some of it would remain--even if only as a memory--in his heart and mind given the great victory this day.

Concentrating on her spell was proving a little more difficult then she originally imagined. Not hearing Damon's suggestion, as soon as Kokam took out the Demon in front of her, she put the entirety of her focus into moving the searing moonlight to the fiend on the right, feeling it scorch the ground as it slowly moved. When it's beam reached the creature, it's intense light instantly set the Babau ablaze; making it writhe in agony before disintegrating into a medium-sized pile of ashes. Then no longer able to maintain the spell, the light faded from the chamber as she slumped to the ground and a small migraine began to form in her head. "Yes...the Wardstone was indeed a literal lifesaver. I still have no idea how we absorbed some of it's power though...but I'm glad we did."

Taking a moment to nurse her aching head, she then asked, "So what now? Do we go head straight to the others to share what've we've learned...and done?"

"I'm not sure if the Wardstone got all the demons nearby or not, but there are probably plenty of humanoid cultists around, Stella," responded Damon.

"I'd never forgive myself if we walked out of here without checking the other rooms and there were prisoners we might have saved or vital intelligence on the demons' next scheme we might have recovered," he added, though he understood the sentiment of wanting to leave this place.

I'm pretty sure we still have to kill the remaining two...

Hallvardr moved into the room to the demon scratching at the wall to the north, circling behind it...

Get in here... we have to strike it all at the same time! They aren't just going to politely leave!

Action: Blade Ward

I'm pretty sure we still have to kill the remaining two...

Hallvardr moved into the room to the demon scratching at the wall to the north, circling behind it...

Get in here... we have to strike it all at the same time! They aren't just going to politely leave!

Action: Blade Ward

Or maybe I missed the memo?

"If there are cultists around, they heard the horn. That the mintaur blew."

Or maybe I missed the memo?

We're essentially doing a coup de grace on the remaining fiends. Kokam took one down and Stella another so there's one Babau left that needs to be "defeated"

"I'd never forgive myself if we walked out of here without checking the other rooms and there were prisoners we might have saved or vital intelligence on the demons' next scheme we might have recovered," he added, though he understood the sentiment of wanting to leave this place.

"I know we need to check the other rooms. But now that the main threat has been averted, there's no reason why we can't work with the rest of the crusaders to check the other spaces this place; there's no more need for secrecy." she replied a bit wearily as she continued to try and rub at her temples.

I'm fine checking the rest of the rooms ourselves, I'm just RP how I think Stella would be feeling at the moment.

Hallvardr, here is the note from the DM: "@Everyone: this is obviously a one-sided battle so the next person to hit the ‘fighting babau’ will kill it (make it a good kill scene) and the others please RP what you will do with the two ‘turned’ babaus."

"You have the right of it, Roscoe. The option of leaving without defeating the cultists may not be given to us with the sounding of that horn. Let's find what we can of use here and move back toward the entry cautiously, though I would prefer to check the rooms as we go for the reasons I have already stated," replied Damon, starting to look around a bit for anything of use--or even a memento.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

(Anyone else have a preference? Beat feet out of here, search rooms thoroughly, or some middle ground?)

"Let's keep eyes and guard up. We are upstairs. If their are any more foes looking for us we won't make the front door without finding them. . . .if we don't run into anyone may as well look around on our way out."

Turn 198 - Destroyed Wardstone

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Actions 1:

With the chaos of battle and the many surges of holy power around him, Damon registered the fading of the Wardstone's power with sadness, but some of it seemed to linger and mingle with his soul in a way he did not yet understand.

Actions 2
Celebrating with the others and basking in the warmth of Irabeth's congratulations, Damon finds Onyx and thanks him for his bravery, looking into the eyes of the man alive because of the power of Iomedae's spell. "Some things should remain a mystery," thought the young paladin, and moved on to other activities.

It wasn't until that evening, when Damon prepared to finally rest, that he realized Terendelev's scale was gone! Frantically searching for it, he happened upon a mirror set up in the lavatory.

There it was, fragments of Terendelev's scale transfigured by the fading wardstone into a gleaming set of tiny scales forming the sunburst sword sacred to Iomedae on his chest. Stunned into silent wonder, he fell to his knees and thanked his goddess yet again for the victory that day, imploring her for the strength and determination to continue the fight tomorrow.

Damon will, unsurprisingly, advance to 5th level as a Paladin. This grants him a +3 proficiency bonus and a second attack when he makes the attack action. He also gains some hit points and access to second level spells. Of note, the ones he has prepared are Zone of Truth, Lesser Restoration, and Find Steed.

I have added a Warhorse to Damon's character sheet to keep track of the steed and named it "Magnus". I will RP his arrival at some point, but it would be nice if the celestial warhorse had some interesting coloration and such--maybe an overall rich gold color with a silver patch of hair on its forward chest area in the shape of a sunburst sword?

It doesn't say in the spell details, but I assume the horse shows up with the requisite items needed to ride it. Having matching livery would be a bonus, and it would be nice to know if purchased barding would stay with the horse or drop to the ground (and have to be carried) should Magnus be dismissed.

Roscoe was happy to be out of danger. Better to be with more allies. He was happy to get into a hot bath and clean the blood from himself. He noted a patch, no a line of silver skin around his calf. It trailed wrapping twice around his leg over his hip. He moved to where he could see his reflection the silver line was the tail of a dragon. Across his back was the body of a dragon the ridge of the great wyrm's back running up his spine and the wings out stretched reaching his shoulders. The dragon's thin neck traced over his right shoulder with the dragon's head on the side of Roscoe's neck just behind the jawline. It was some sort of silver tattoo. "Well that's . . . AWESOME."

Need a day or two... apologies

HP: 5+1=6 Total HP now 33
2 level 3 Spell Slots
+1 to Prof Bonus

Action 1

As the fight with the demons came to an end and the power of the Wardstone slowly faded, Kokam noticed a curious sensation. A cool, icy burning , beginning where Terendelev’s scale lay against her skin, under her tunic. The feeling spread up to her neck , spread out to her shoulders and then up to her scalp and face. Pulling her tunic to the side she could see traceries of the silvery material of the scale on her shoulders. Narrowing her eyes, she could , she thought, make out that they seemed to make up a stylized representation of a dragon's body. She touched the silvery metal with awe, wondering what such a thing meant.

Though she cannot see it, the scale has transformed into image of a dragon rampant on each side of her head, neck and shoulder. The silvery metal gleams through her short hair, shining in the light. Those that knew Terendelev would see it as an almost exact profile of the mighty dragon!

Action 2

Kokam was heartened to see that their other friends were safe, nodding at the explanation of the demon's flight from Kenabrae. During the reunion, her hand continued to stray to the filigree of silvery metal that graced her face and neck.

At Irabeth's urging she recounted her account of all of the visions that she experienced , her face and voice filled with awe , not quite believing that the tale she told happened to her.

Later at the Inn, she greeted her students, somewhat discomfited by the outpouring of adoration she received, not really feeling she deserved it. Despite her misgivings, she took the time to lead them through some exercises. During the lesson, she had to concentrate on slowing things down, noticing that her own prowess had grown.

+6 HP, +3 Prof bonus to skills, 1 extra attack, stunning blow ability

Then, still sweating from the exertions with her student, she spied a blank wall nearby...and in a fit of inspiration, gathered her painting supplies and began to paint...

Perform: 1d20 ⇒ 14

...when she was finished, a tableau depicting the explosion of the Wardstone, her friends, and the visions she'd experienced was staring back at her from the wall.

She stared at her work for a few moments, then wordlessly packed up her painting supplies and walked away. Smiling at hearty greetings and the occasional inappropriate hug, she made her way to her chamber and fell into bed, senseless until the next morning.

Woo Level 5!!

For Level 5, Stella gets the following:
-HP: 5+2; New HP total = 38
-(2) Level 3 Spell Slots

Revivify is very cool, but pricey—need 300 gp worth of diamonds... maybe only prepare it if we have the diamonds to spare...

Did not know it was that pricy... Dispel Magic it is then!

Was there any notable loot from the Grey Garrison that the group might've picked up

Action #1
"Kokam!" Stella exclaimed as she saw the silvery tendrils form around her neck and face. Stepping towards her and lightly touching her face Using Detect Magic for RP purpoes, she said, "It's...beautiful, though I have no idea what it maybe. Whatever just happened to you, it seems to have been magical in some form. Do you feel any different?"

As she was examining Kokam, Stella felt a surge of power come from the monk's mark followed immediately by a searing pain on her hand left hand. Rapidly pulling off her glove, she found it steaming and... something else? As if branded by a red-hot poker - where once was her unadorned hand - was now replaced with a peculiar mark of a spiraling dragon encircling a star. Touching the back of her hand lightly as the steam faded away, Stella added lightly before smiling, "Still have no idea what's happening. But your mark looks cooler."

Action #2
Exhausted as she was from their most recent ordeal - though oddly only mentally as truth be told, physically, she felt better than she's ever had - Stella retired to her room shortly after returning to the inn for the night.

Opening the window to her room to let the cool night air in, she sat herself on the ledge and removed her glove again to examine the brand once more. Turning her hand in the air as she looked at it, she noticed it flicker with a faint silvery glow, seemingly interacting with the surrounding starlight. Habitually reaching to her starstone as contemplated the mark's meaning, she inadvertently activated her Star Map; watching in amazement once again as the small stone projected an uncountable amount stars all around her. Sighing in contentment, she spent the rest of the evening peacefully stargazing; eventually falling asleep, curled up like a cat on the windowsill, dreaming of a warm sunny day soaring though the sky with a host of butterflies and Terendelev by her side.

Need a day or two... apologies

5+2 HP = 38

Level 2 spell: Blindness/Deafness
Level 3 spell: Enemies Abound, Slow

Removes: Crown of Madness, Bane

Silvered toothed maw forehead tattoo/marking

Roscoe emerges from the bath wrapped in a towel looking for the others. "Hey check this out. I ended up with a dragon mark, tatoo thing. Its like a big silver dragon. Wraps around my leg and all over my back. Its even here on my neck." He keeps mostly covered in the human sized towel about his waist he reveles the coiling dragon around his leg, wings stretched across his back and the head along his neck. He seems charmingly happy with it.

Roscoe emerges from the bath wrapped in a towel looking for the others. "Hey check this out. I ended up with a dragon mark, tatoo thing. Its like a big silver dragon. Wraps around my leg and all over my back. Its even here on my neck." He keeps mostly covered in the human sized towel about his waist he reveles the coiling dragon around his leg, wings stretched across his back and the head along his neck. He seems charmingly happy with it.

At the sound of the disturbance outside, Stella paused her meditation for a beat and quietly poked her head into the hallway. Seeing the gnome's new intricate tattoo streaking across his back, she jested lightly in a deadpan manner, "Hmmm yours too? I guess my mark hasn't reached puberty just yet." She lingered for a moment, keeping a straight face for a couple of long seconds before she laughed and winked at the gnome. Then closing the door, she returned to her meditation, staring at her hand and wondering she too would receive some sort of intricate mark in the future.

Roscoe chuckled, "Some are late bloomers. So they say." He looked around but took a few steps toward Stella's door, "Perhaps we should-" the door interrupted whatever he was about to say. Though his swagger and approach gave a flirtatious vibe.

Turn 199 - Terendelev’s Chosen

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

The news that the Queen wished to meet them thrilled the young Skald. The more seasoned and older warriors always seemed unimpressed with rank, in his experience with the greybeards at any rate, but he was still delighted with the notion.

He took the time to beat out his clothes and give them a wash with some soap he was able to scrounge, took the time to comb out his beard (which had lengthened more than he expected) and rebraid his hair. Both armour and weapons were diligently cleaned. It would not do to embarrass himself or his people. He decided that the tattoo-like silver lined fanged maw that took up much of his forehead wouldn't hurt to show openly instead of trying to conceal with either hair or helmet.

While he worked on his grooming he contemplated on what he would say in the meeting. How would he frame his role? In the end he decided that, while the Queen was expecting a tale, he was happy to let his Iomedaen friends receive the brunt of honours. He was just happy for the opportunity to meet an actual Queen. That would add lustre to his own saga... now THAT? That was important. Possessions came and went, titles could be given and taken away (and if taken away in the right circumstances? So much the better), and family, important as it was, passed.

But a man's saga? If truly great? Why that lived long after a mans bones turned to dust... and Gorum would receive such a hero with high honour. What more could a man want?

He took time to visit with Leif Longarm and ask for pointers on etiquette as well as bounce a song off him. One that honoured his old fallen friends as well as elevated his new ones. While bragging on ones own achievements was rarely acceptable, it never hurt to brag on ones friends.