The spear man knocks The Orc back a step, giving the others a chance to back away, securing the boy's safety.
The Orc pulls out a potion from his belt and consumes it, glass and all, crunching down on the bottle. His body starts to shake.
Andras takes a few steps closer to the shield wall, but making sure to keep the spearmen in front of him.
He takes a few deep breaths, calming himself for what lies ahead.
The fact the orc drank a potion is a good thing. Means he's actually taking us seriously as a threat.
Awful steels himself to move across the open area to get behind the other hut. Closer to the Orc, closer to death, but still hidden... He hoped.
He knew how to move to stay quiet, it was one of the only things he was good at. He just hoped the fighters in front of him were enough to keep his attention.
Hokey can barely see anyone ahead of her. She falls into silence as the noise from the forest fills in the absence of the usual boisterous companionship.
I just hope I can get there in time to make some difference.
Seeing the Orc dispatch one of their strongest warriors with supreme ease completely unsettles the unworldly Shaman. He blanches as he quickly orders a retreat to the spear men.
"You there! Get back over here and line up with the rest of the warriors. We have a better chance together!! "
"Everyone hold on! We can rally against this monstrosity! Archers don't let up!"
He looks over at the idiot who got them into this mess.
"If you don't get up here and do something about this right now, we'll let this monster have its prize. This is your problem, and my village won't suffer the consequences. DO SOMETHING!" he rages at Andras.
Jimmy stands with his arms still extended, still smiling in a diplomatic fashion as the encounter moves on without him. His smile cracks, and his facade peels away. His countenance drops, but his arms remain extended. Energy begins to crackle out from between his fingers and builds until it's arcing between his arms and between his hands and the ground. He shifts his stance to something more aggressive as he says,"How... ."
Jimmy the Aubergine Wizard of the Tower Arcane briefly floats inches above the ground as he gathers more power to himself than he imagined any of these folks had seen in their lives. He lets it wash over him and returns to the ground.
"Alright, brute, I shall take every pleasure in dismantling you."
As he says the words, he approaches the Orc on the north side of the defensive spear line, staff coming to hand from seemingly nowhere.
Hydrand continues to rush ahead as he peers through the trees, trying to glean whatever tactical input he can before inserting himself into whatever is happening at the village. He can hear the sounds of combat as he approaches.
Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Everyone moves into position and prepares for the charge they believe will come from the orc.
Geraldd moves closer towards the orc. He had to wanted to try to use one of those incantations he found, but Hokey had taken most of the useful ones and didn't give him any in return. Likewise, he didn't have a weapon to attack from range. What am I doing here? he asked himself. Why am I helping these people who have taken almost everything from me?
Several of the unarmed villagers step back, hoping to get away now that they have help.
The Orc continues to shake from the effects of the potion.
Hokey: 144 yards
Hydrand: 0 yards
Erik: 60 yards
Gerraldd: 0 yards
Hyacinth: 72 yards
"Get back, Flint!" Tor shouts to the remaining spearman closest to the orc. Tor raises his heavy spear, takes a step to build momentum, and hurls it with all his might at the orc's chest. The spearman next to him follows suit with a heavy grunt.
The two men retrieve another spear from their backs after the volley. Tor glances furiously back at Andras and sees his hesitance.
"What are you doing, Noble Boy? A good man died for your b%~*!$~%! GET IN HERE!" Tor roars angrily to Andras. "Or are you the coward he says you are?!"
Andras shrugs his shoulders.
I’m not stupid. You are all more accomplished fighters than I am. I enlisted the help of the wizard. I will pay for my sins in time. Plus, I’m already injured from my little trip up the mountain.
He closes his eyes, and feels the presence of Flint, the spearman.
May your spear strike true.
Standing his ground, Flint thrusts his spear directly at the orc, magically empowered by The Dwarf Lord. He looks back at the other spearmen, and shakes his head sadly.
He waits for the orc to do something, watching Awful out of the corner of his eye, trying not to give him away.
Two of the spearmen throw their spears, both slicing into the orc as the third spearman stands face to face against the orc. He also strikes true. The spear slices into something important, and an active wound forms on The Orc.
The Orc, still shaking like a meth addict, strikes back at the spearman.
He kills the spearman and then looks to the wizard as if to say, "you're next."
The Shaman scoffs at the absurdity overflowing from Andras's mouth.
he hatefully murmurs as he turns his back on Andras for good.
Useless nobles. We'll see how stupid you feel after this. The wizard is our only hope.
The Shaman racks his brain to figure out how to keep as many people safe, and the Orc kills yet another precious warrior of the villager. The Shaman stops thinking and desperately tries to rally his villagers.
"The burnt beast bleeds! Rally around the master Wizard! He's the best chance we have at survival! Spear men, flank his sides and cover him from the Orc's blows!"
"Thank you, master Wizard. We will aid you as best we can. We shall never forget this courageous and righteous act!"
----------
He bleeds. That means he can die...
Incensed by the shaman’s words, Andras takes an opportunity to run up to the orc as he engages Flint, careful to stay out of his reach. Spotting an opening, he swings out with his sword, feeling bolstered by the strength of the Dwarven Lord.
Holding his shield up, he retreats back into the shield wall and glowers at the Shaman.
The wizard was always our only chance at survival. Should I die, he won’t help you. He has no love for your village, and will leave you to your fate. I’m doing you a favour by staying alive.
He loosens the muscles in his shoulders, preparing for more action.
Regardless, my friends are not yet here. We just need to wait for them to arrive, and for the wizard to do his work. Defense is the play.
"Silence, Child! Ingrate! Wretch!" Tor bellows in fury, his spear shakes in anger. Despite his rage, Tor is not foolish enough to take his eyes off the Orc.
"You brought this evil to us! You begged to be protected! Then you snivel about cuts and bruises behind children while two men die in your stead! We aid you because this monster has taken our own! Hide behind your wizard, boy! Another excuse for your cowardice and we will simply let this creature have you, you craven swine! I should let him butcher your corpse while I lead these people to safety! You should pray the wizard can finish the monster without us!"
His eyes are cold and furious. It is clear the man is not bluffing.
Erik continues rushing as fast as his feet can take him, moving as fast and as hard as he can. His steps hammer against the dirt as he hears the sound of fighting and the cries of men being snuffed out before their time.
The archer, moving behind the shield wall, gives the outsider a look of scorn before readying their bow once more. The arrow fired true, sprouting out of the Orc's chest.
I fully expected him to leave your villagers alone and come straight for me, giving your men and women a chance to strike him. That was my plan. I did not mean for any of this to come to pass. Flint died bravely. You saw the look in his eyes. He was buying us all time. For that I am grateful, truly.
Andras locks his shield into the shield wall, reassured that he is not the immediate target.
Just so you know. The Wizard did offer to teleport me to safety. I'm still here, am I not? The orc would have destroyed your village regardless.
Jimmy continued to stalk forward, meeting the Orc stare for stare. His disgruntled grimace becoming a fierce grin as the last yards between them disappeared.
He pauses for a moment, a respectful gesture, letting the Orc know that battle was joined, that Jimmy didn't intend anything like a sucker punch.
"Alright, cur, let's be about it."
Jimmy flashes to action, he circles right, an open hand flashing out over the Orc's left shoulder. The Orc puts a guard up on reflex, clearly the mage's martial better, prepared for anything physical Jimmy could throw. Instead, Jimmy misses entirely, by design; with a dull, otherworldly roar, a portal opens up on the opposite side of the Orc from the remaining villager combatants who are now side-by-side with Andras. As soon as that was done, Jimmy circles back, imposing himself between the Orc and his own allies.
He flashes a smile, and then he turns on his heel and walks casually back towards the line of village defenders, moving to take up position behind them once again.
I'm betting he has no idea what a hit now would do to him. Strike my exposed posterior? Hah! Let him try!
Hydrand clears the brush and comes into view of the village, and the only thing he sees is Awful posturing around the back of a hut. It's obvious that he's sneaking, but Hydrand is clearly out of view from whatever Awful is sneaking up on.
I suppose that's the usual for him. Glad he's alive, now to find out what we're doing.
Hydrand rushes over to where Awful is creeping, doing nothing to hide him from Awful's sight, but also not vocalizing so as to give Awful's position away. Once he's sure his presence isn't a surprise to his some-time employer, he approaches close. Hydrand will continue not to say anything so as not to spook whoever is on the inside or other side of this hut, but he'll give Awful a quizzical look that Awful has come to understand as, "What are my orders?"
As Jimmy tries his ruse, The Orc takes a swing at him.
Arcane Retribution cannot control which direction The Orc will be blasted. An intellect challenge roll with two Banes will allow Jimmy to deflect The Orc directly at the Portal.
His intuition was right, and Jimmy feels the attack coming. With a smirk, he feels it land on the layers of potent energy encasing his body, and he feels it gather against the blow as it lands.
The Orc connects directly with Jimmy's spine, or within an inch of it, and that same arcane energy that arced off of him as he gathered himself moments earlier begins to arc between him and the orc.
vrrrpvrrpVRRPOOMoomoom
In the space of a second, the energy arcs to the Orc, waves of it lifting the Orc inches from the ground before something akin to an actual bolt of lightning detonates against the Orc's chest, the sound of it loud enough to echo across the local geography more than once. The force of it is profound, pitching the Orc end over end, directly away from Jimmy and through the yawning portal behind.
Jimmy gets front row seats to everyone's reactions as the village is suddenly freed of the orc.
"What's left of him will arrive back here approximately nine and one-half seconds after he left, barring anything more interesting happening. I've been surprised before" he says as he walks toward Andras. He stops in front of the man and, punctuating that last sentence with a shrug, claps him on the shoulder before looking skyward expectantly.
The Orc gets teleported hundreds of yards into the air. His face envelopes a shocked expression as he starts falling. He flails in a vain attempt to grab something, anything. But it's no use.
Everyone stops what they're doing to look up in shock. Half amazed, half frightened of such wizardly power, they all stand still as they witness the death of such a monstrous beast of an orc. Finally, the terror will be over.
As he falls, he keeps his wit about him and looks around. There's the village. He flattens his body as the wind provides a cushion of air, allowing him to control the directionality of his fall. There's he is. Time to dive.
The orc, knowing he is going to die, aims for the one directly responsible for his predicament. He hits Jimmy at full impact; blood splatters out in an explosive force, covering Andras and anyone else nearby.
Just as it seemed that everything was over, you could hear a groan from inside the pile of splattered guts and whatever else remained of Jimmy. The Orc is still alive.
Distance to village:
Hokey: 108 yards
Erik: 30 yards
Hyacinth: 48 yards
With that, fast turns are up!
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Hydrand was standing by with Awful when he heard the massive detonation. Dust was shaken from the hut he and Awful were standing under, and he stepped out to see Jimmy walking towards Andras, evidently not a care in the world.
He must have done it, he must have taken care of the Orc! Damn, a match for the Orc... Incredible. What luck, that he joined us here!
Most were dropping their guard, relief painted many faces. Hydrand looks about in wonder, still several yards off between huts, apparently unnoticed. He sees Jimmy look to the sky expectantly.
What is he looking for?
He glances up and, for some miracle of his mechanical brain, his eyes land on a round object that is either very small or very far away. Near that, he sees the orc tumbling. "Hah!" He couldn't help but exclaim.
His eyes followed the Orc's progress, surely there was nothing pressing here on the ground that might demand his attention, now everyone'd dropped their guard, so he saw when it happened. He saw when the Orc re-oriented, he saw him flare his limbs and begin to control his descent, and he saw it when that control lined him up with the villager militia.
Hey, move quickly! Or at least that's what he meant to say, but panic was gripping him and time was short, so all that came out was, "Haa, AAAHHHH!"
He began sprinting forward, unsure if he would make it in time, eyes scanning to try and see where the Orc might hit.
If Andras perishes, the Orc might leave, but if he hits Jimmy, we're all doomed... I'm so sorry, Andras.
He lines up his shield with Jimmy's torso, no time to spare even a single thought for hurting him or any magical blowback that might come as a result. His footing lines up perfectly, he leaps. As he flies through the remaining yards and puts his legs out to catch himself, he has time enough to register the shock on Jimmy's upturned face, frozen in terror and awaiting his own demise. Hydrand lands with both feet planted in a forward stance just short of the mage, drives his shield into Jimmy with all of his might, and follows through with a forward leap. Or at least, that's how he saw it going in his head.
The Orc strikes at a speed unattainable by anything in the natural world, and Hydrand's whole existence is briefly nothing but the sound of his arrival.
The mechanical man moves a limb, and then another, he lifts his head to see that he's alive and whole.
And that must mean!!
"Hydrand, my friend, whatever gods there might be, may they bless you this day. That said, you're quite heavy, in case you weren't aware.
"JIMMY!" Hydrand exclaims. He rolls off of Jimmy and helps him to his feet, brushing the mage off and generally doting on him for a moment.
Jimmy stands and glances to where the Orc landed. He then grabs Hydrand by a shoulder, looks into his eyes, and states,"That was exceedingly close. I'd likely have been fine, but still, thank you for your intervention. It was at personal risk for my sake, don't think I'll soon forget."
Hydrand stepped out to see what happened, and Awful looked to him expectantly. Moments passed, and the Clockwork said nothing.
"Well...?" Awful said, the impatience in his voice was palpable, but he still got no response.
Hydrand vocalized a smart "Haa, AAAHHHH!" and began sprinting, leaving Awful confused and frustrated.
That tin can better be malfunctioning, or so help me...
Awful turned and headed around the backside of the hut. He wanted to see what was happening but did not want to be seen. Then Awful saw it... Saw him. Death incarnate was flying through the air; towards the mass of fighters, Andras, and the wizard.
In a mere moment, everything changed... Hydrand crashed into the scene and forced Jimmy to safety, Andras continued to flail wildly and argue his fabricated importance, the orc...
"Ooooh, S%%%!" Awful exclaimed, shocked by the sheer brutality of someone hitting the ground at a speed he'd never had the pleasure of witnessing before.
His eyes glaze over, the Savage Ornament is suddenly in his hand again. His knuckles are white as he grips the hilt painfully tight. His sweat dripping profusely from his face. He couldn't even remember the last time he actually sweat this much. It was even more uncomfortable as the wind caused it to cool him. Why is it suddenly so windy? he asks himself. Then he notices he's sprinting, surprisingly, towards the downed orc. He watches everything around him pass by so slowly. As his arms and legs move by their own volition. As he kneels down next to the behemoth, still so large even while he lay helpless on the ground.
His mind and body reunite as he looks down at the orc with renewed clarity, he can feel the weight of the blade in his grasp once again, suspended above him. Filled with a primal euphoria, Awful plunges his fist down onto the orc, puncturing his heart, killing death.
Tor sneers at Andras as he joins the ranks of the shield wall.
"Finally, maybe there's some courage in yo-" He's cut off by the crackling KTHOOM as Jimmy's shield explodes. He can only stare in awe as the chaos unfolds before him. The orc appears in the sky, plummeting directly toward the wizard, then the metal man knocking Jimmy clear off his feet, and the immediate wet THUD of the Orc's impact. There's a spray of blood at the impact site, and a strange man leaps onto the corpse, driving a knife into the pathetic mass off flesh twitching on the ground.
Tor's anger is drained away by his confusion. It's several seconds before he closes his jaw. In all his years, this was the strangest conflict he had ever been involved in.
"I... The wizard... what?" He stammers, words failing him. "Is it, dead?"
Even now he can't shake the disbelief. The Orc fails to move in spite of it all. The hunter gives a shocked look to the Shaman for any kind of explanation.
As Awful plunges the dragon tooth blade into The Orc's heart, he finally exhales his final breath and collapses onto the ground.
Outside of town, Hokey was still running as fast as she could to catch up to her allies. She was exhausted, but she still pushed through. She watched as the orc was suddenly teleported to up high in the sky, and she watched as he started to control his descent and aim for the center of the village. Fear that someone would be hurt, she pushed on even harder.
She could see Hydrand and Awful hiding behind the hut. She watched as Hydrand rushed towards the center of town and knock Jimmy out of the way, saving his life just in the nick of time. She watched Awful rush up and stab the orc, finally ending the nightmare that had been hunting them for weeks, that had caused so much death and misery in Erik's and Awful's home town.
Then, she could feel the hair on her skin start to prick up. The wind kicked up inside the village center, swirling around causing loose clothing and hair to fly wildly around their owners. Activating her arcane sight, she could see magic in the vortex, centering on The Orc. Six tendrils of magic started to grow out of The Orc - tendrils that only she could see thanks to her arcane sight. The tendrils wormed their way upwards as if in search of something, like plant vines circling around for something to purchase. They grew and grew, one, two, three meters into the air as the winds still races in circles around the village square.
Suddenly, they all stopped and looked directly at Awful, as if they were snakes ready to strike. And then they struck.
Awful was lifted into the air nearly a dozen feet up and the magical vortex started to shift, like a tornado moving across the ground until it was centered on Awful. It held him aloft for several moments and then everything suddenly stopped leaving Awful hanging in the air until gravity kicked back in and plummeted him back to the hard dirt ground.
Hokey sees something suddenly appear in the sky. She slows and squints as she lets her eyes focus on what it is, and realizes what it is as she recalls Hyacinth's basic descriptions of the new-and-improved Smiley. She smiles as she runs towards the village, while tracking the orc as it disappears below the canopy.
Moments later, the air unnaturally shifts around Hokey. Her magical nature screams at her that there is magic, old magic, at play. Fearing the worst, she casts Arcane Sight and looks back at the town to see a vortex of magic squirming around.
Beautiful.
Hokey stops and holds her breath as she beholds the mesmerizing magic displayed in front of her. She devotes her entire being on gleaning any information she can from the phenomenon occurring just before her. She sees Awful being abruptly lifted off the ground and then dropped like a puppet in a child's hands.
Oh no. He's the only one who knows what happened.
Fear strikes Hokey's heart for a moment, and she resumes her mad sprint through the forest. 2 motes, a pale moon that strongly bursts and crackles, and a dim sun that barely fizzles in and out, trail behind her, revealing her excitement.
They better catch him. He better be alive when I get there. This could be the start of my brand new life.
This brings us to the end of Chapter 3 - The Savage Ornament.
Everyone may now level up to your Expert Path!
But before you do so, there are several logistical issues that must be addressed this level:
1) Since your flight from Last Hope, you have not had any time to get fresh clothing or repair any equipment. Your equipment has taken quite a beating. Between the forest fires, the trek to the mountains, the climb to the dragon's cave, surviving the dragon itself, the climb back down, and fighting The Orc, nearly everything you have has been ruined or damaged in some way. You must pay the price for any non-magical equipment to be repaired or purchase anew.
2) You will have some time to take a break. The next adventure will take place in several months time. During that time, you must choose a Lifestyle and pay the upkeep. Payment is made only once.
3) You must choose an Expert Path! Please choose a path that is thematically appropriate to your experiences thus far. This may include events that take place during the upcoming Downtime (events will be listed below). If there's a specific path that doesn't fit your character's experiences, please speak with me about it and we can find a way to write that story in. Most likely, this will result in rolling on the Story Development table for your expert path.
3a) There is a table for Character Objectives for Expert Path characters. Do not worry about this for now. I already have plans for bringing everyone together for next level. We will consider this table for level 4 if needed.
4) You have several NPCs with you. What do you do with them?
5) Downtime! Please write a story explaining your downtime event, as well as your expert path choice.
6) Where are you going to be during your downtime? The only person who doesn't have a choice in this is Andras, who will be staying with Jimmy.
7) Treasure! Don't forget to account for all treasure and spread it out as you choose. Does everyone keep what they have, or you do spread it out evenly? You decide!
8) You gain a new Interesting Thing! I will give you two options. Please select the one you want.
This work will be a part of your service to Jimmy. You may choose to use one of your existing professions to explain your service, or you may gain the Servant profession for free as a part of this service.
Additionally, you now have a young child that is in your care. Your sister's son is about five years old. He can be found crying over his mother's body at the end of the adventure.
Lastly, you have a choice on whether to keep or drop the Hunted complication.
Interesting Thing:
1) Art and Heirlooms: An engagement ring that sometimes predicts the future (this is something you could have pulled off your sister's finger). While wearing this ring, you can apply 1 boon to any roll once per level.
2) A new quality: Stained fingers or lips.
You are now cursed by the Eight Torments. You cannot die. Whenever you die, you wake up one hour later and heal 1 damage. You gain 1d3-1 insanity and your maximum insanity cap is reduced by 1 (to a minimum of 1). This counts as a Rank 8 Curse for the purpose of removing curses.
You are now cursed by the Savage Ornament. While cursed in this way, you make weapon attacks with 3 banes when you use a weapon other than the Savage Ornament. You make weapon attacks with 2 boons when using the Savage Ornament, and your attacks with the Savage Ornament deal 2d6 extra damage.
Whenever you kill someone with the Savage Ornament, roll a d6. On an even number, you gain 1 corruption. (Please make this roll now for the killing of The Orc). Each time the Full Moon rises, you must make a strength challenge roll with one boon per point of corruption you have. On a failure, you take a permanent -1d6 reduction to your health score. When your health becomes 0, your body withers and dies and your soul is sucked into the Savage Ornament.
Interesting Thing:
1) A special ingredient: An eyelash and a dollop of gum arabic.
2) A new quality: A wandering eye.
"You furthered your education. You can either add a language to the list of languages you can speak, become able to read and write a language you can speak, or gain a random area of scholarship." This can be tied in to your connection with the specific NPC with whom you are working for.
Also, please speak to me about the Letter.
Interesting Thing:
1) Art and Heirlooms: A mirror that casts a reflection which appears
to be five minutes behind the present.
2) Consumables: A foul-smelling brick of soap that can cut through
any grease. Also, if you chip away a third of it and drop it into acid (no more than a bucket full), the soap neutralizes the acid.
"You furthered your education. You can either add a language to the list of languages you can speak, become able to read and write a language you can speak, or gain a random area of scholarship."
Also, don't forget about your twin or your son when writing up stories for your downtime and your expert path.
Interesting Thing:
1) A new quality: A rash that never clears up.
2) Personal Stuff: …the certainty of leading a useless existence in a
world devoid of hope, meaning, or joy.
"You made the acquaintance of someone important. This character becomes a contact who is defined by the GM." Let's discuss this in relation to your level up. It'll likely have heavy influence with your connection to Jimmy; as such, staying with Jimmy during your downtime may make the most sense, as well as keeping a good connection with Andras.
Interesting Thing:
1) Personal Stuff: …a penchant for buggery.
2) Clothing and Accessories: A toupee that sometimes shifts position on its own when worn.
"You fought to protect a community from an outside danger. You received a shiny medal worth 1 ss for your efforts."
Optionally, you can forgo the shiny medal and we can turn this story into Hokey saving a fey community, and in exchange you gain knowledge.
Interesting Thing:
1) A new quality: Scars on your wrists.
2) Clothing and Accessories: A pair of heavy, fire-proof gloves.
Pointedly ignoring the villagers, Andras runs to Jimmy.
I had heard tales of the power of the Tower Arcane, but that was quite something. Are you alright?
As he rushes to Jimmy’s side, he hears Awful run towards the orc. He barely registers the strange boy stabbing with unshackled glee, and almost completely misses him being launched into the air. The sound of him hitting the dirt with a loud thump, makes him turn around.
What the hell just happened?
After making sure that Jimmy and Awful are both alright, he heads to the body of his sister. Her just lying there like that makes him feel cold. The strange child next to her even more so.
Why didn’t she tell me anything? Who was the father of that kid?
He sits down in the dirt next to her, looking rather dejected. He looks at her, beautiful and serene, and thinks of what could have been. He takes her hand, noticing her ring. He almost absent-mindedly slips it off, weighing it in his hand.
Her life was never easy. What is my father’s role in this? Did we get revenge, or is the path of vengeance just beginning...
He stands up, looking at the crying kid, not knowing what to say.
Uh. I’m your uncle. Who are you? Do you have a father?
... A few months later ...
Andras wakes up, wondering what Jimmy has in store for him today. It had been nearly six months of catering to the Aubergine Wizard’s bizarre requests.
Yesterday, he had to fetch a leaf upon which exactly thirteen drops of dew had fallen. Andras had long given up trying to trick Jimmy, as he always seemed to know when he was lying, even if there could be no rational explanation for how he knew. At least he had plenty of free time which he used to keep up his swordplay, and talk to Hydrand. He was glad of the strange clockwork’s presence, despite his odd new hair accessory.
Andras, where are you? I have something for you.
Hearing Jimmy call out to him, he groans, and pulls on his breeches, walking down the stairs to Jimmy’s laboratory. A terrible cacophony emerges from the open door, worse than usual. Tentatively stepping through, he sees Jimmy looking at him with a huge grin, holding an axe that was spinning on its own.
Andras my boy! Isn’t it marvellous! Come and have a look.
Strewn across the workbench is an assortment of strange looking weapons, and Jimmy gestures to Andras to come closer, almost oblivious to the terrifying whirling axe just inches from his head.
Look, with just the slightest of motions, I can...
He presses a button on the side of the saw, and it stops moving, becoming something akin to a war-hammer.
Jimmy claps his hands in glee.
Isn't it just marvellous. Now, I was thinking, I'm not really the fighting type. But I've been watching you practicing with that sorry excuse of a sword you insist on carrying around. Why don't you try this out? Give it a field test as it were.
He looks as if to hand Andras the whirling-saw-contraption, and Andras takes a step back.
Thank you kindly Sir Wizard, but that one looks rather dangerous...
He quickly scans the workbench for something that doesn't look like it would immediately kill him if he made a mistake.
Too big, too heavy, too sharp... what the hell is that? Actually, I'm not entirely sure I want to find out. Ah, that one doesn't look too bad.
He points to a pair of swords on the bench.
Perhaps something like that would suit my skill-set?
Jimmy puts the saw down, and strokes his chin.
Hmm. I have to say, I'm a little disappointed with you, my boy. Where's your sense of adventure?! Your entrepreneurial spirit? But that one does have a certain... elegance. Very well!
Andras takes a step forward towards the swords.
Whoah there Andras! I can't just give you these things. They're very dangerous.
And the saw wasn't?
Jimmy pulls out a dusty chalkboard, and begins to explain the intricate mechanism, drawing diagrams and mathematical equations to illustrate his point.
... and therefore, you can see that this is the very pinnacle of weapon design. I expect you to be able to take them apart and reassemble them in half a second by the time the year is over.
Jimmy concludes his lesson and hands the swords to Andras.
Off you go. Practice. I'll still need my ingredients, but from here on out I am officially sanctioning your sword training.
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With Awful's body hitting the dirt, the battle came to an end before Erik even had a chance to partake within it. Bodies littered the ground and the air positively hummed with energy. The Orc was dead, vengeance was had, and his oath was meekly fulfilled.
In the days that followed, a melancholy hung about the young warrior as he considered his next steps. It was during a cold evening amidst a fire that Erik spoke up, his voice penetrating the still air even as Cap giggled playing with the horse's mane.
"I think I am done here. I...I'm done." A sadness had clung to his heart so heavily and with the latest events, Erik could not find an answer to the most poignant question; Why? Why them? Why these people? Why all this unnecessary death? Even for as young as he was, Erik felt terribly old already. The voice murmured in his head and despite its offer of power, of strength, he just craved...simplicity. Erik tried to explain how he felt to the best of his ability, words were not his forte and the emotional load he bore on his shoulders was difficult to shift.
A few days later, Erik would venture onwards with Cap by his side, looking for someplace to quiet his mind and soul.
The Fate of Cap
During the escapades with the Dragon, Cap became the victim of a disease called Blood Lung. He would start hacking and coughing at regular intervals throughout the day.
Erik and Geraldd would move on to seek healing for Cap, in hopes of getting him cured before the disease finally overtook him.
While everyone else departed from th mountain village, Erik and Geraldd stayed to allow the Shaman to heal Cap. The shaman did not have high hopes, for surviving such an illness required physical endurance, and pixies were not known to possess such. Still, the special blend of herbs would give the little man a chance.
Luck was with the Pixie. After two days, he had recovered.
The Fate of Geraldd
Geraldd was able to survive the night. The next day, you inquired with the local Shaman to remove the egg. The Shaman worked tirelessly for hours, but was unable to extract the egg without breaking it. The toxic juices spilled into Geraldd, severely hurting him. But ultimately he survived the ordeal.
Afterwards, Geraldd decided he had enough trauma to last a lifetime. He departed the group, moving on with Erik to hopefully find a more peaceful existence.
The Fate of Hyacinth
Hyacinth, having stayed back from the dragon caves and having not participated directly in the bBattle with The Orc, does not have any negative feelings towards the group. Her Loyalty has not been tested, and she will continue to travel with the group.
Additionally, thanks to Hokey spending some extra money towards Hyacinth's living style, her Loyalty rating will increase!
Hydrand is standing guard one evening on Jimmy The Aubergine Wizard's grounds. The indefatigable nature of his iron body suited him for long nights on watch for a master of the Tower of Arcana. Tonight, rain pelts the thick red robes and he pulls them tightly about him. Hydrand could not feel the cold of course, but the action was practiced, nearly unconscious.
He does not see the figure approach from the storm soaked darkness. Instead the hooded human seems to simply appear next to him, hurriedly pressing something into the startled Hydrand's iron hand. The sound of rustling paper indicates a letter.
"A delivery for Master Andras Cousland." A ragged voice rasps from behind a featureless porcelain mask. The heavy hood obscures any hair. Two black eyeholes peer at Hydrand. "I trust you to deliver it, guardsman."
The man turns and swiftly slinks away before Hydrand can probe for answers, ignoring the clockwork's confused questions about the sender. Hydrand watches him disappear into the darkness with apprehension. In the brief moment of flickering torchlight across the mask, Hydrand swears he had seen worms writhing in the eyes of the mask instead of a face. He looks down at the letter in his hand. Neatly written across the envelope is "Andras Cousland".
Dear Andras,
I know this letter must come as a shock after the events of Vanderhallow. I heard stories of an orc attacking the town and killing many people before being slain by a powerful wizard. I can only assume this was you, Jimmy, and the others from the Standing Stones. I hope this reaches you safely at the tower, alive and well.
I am sorry I could not stand with you in the battle. I am not entirely certain what occurred within the caves, but I do know that I died there. When I awoke, something called upon my debt. I could not deny their claim.
I risked my life to help you in obtaining the Savage Ornament. I gave my life in the quest to secure your family against the orc. Now I must ask for your help in return to aid my own family. My cousin, Thibad Romden, and several of his companions have uncovered secrets at the Tower Of Catamenia in Hymen Caul. Those with him have disappeared and something torments his mind. I fear he may be in grave danger.
Please, I beg you, come to Hymen Caul. Bring the others and help me save my cousin. I will give you what I can and consider our books balanced. I will wait for you at the Shaded Tap tavern in Hymen Caul. Please help me.
Sincerely,
Bertram Romden
Uncle Andras! Uncle Andras! the young Jethrow called out. The boy was named after his father, the man Isabella was supposed to marry before he was brutally murdered. By the White Orc, as it turned out. The same orc that was working for the head of the family, trying to make Andras “into a man worthy of the Cousland name.” Whatever that meant. Did Andras’ father send the Orc after Isabella’s fiance? Perhaps to test him. Or perhaps to kill him after he learned that Isabella was pregnant before their marriage. Her pregnancy is definitely why she was sent away, and the shame to the family is likely why Andras was sent to Hartwig’s to begin with.
The timing certainly adds up. Young Jethrow, Jr. is right around five years old, almost exactly the same amount of time it has been since Andras was sent to Last Hope. The boy was probably born a few months after Andras had started his apprenticeship.
Uncle Andras! You got a letter! Jethrow was a jubilant boy, despite everything that happened. A father he never knew. A frightful and scary beast of an orc kidnapped him before murdering his mother before his very eyes. But he seemed to mask his sorrow with laughter. At the very least, living at the Tower Arcana was a safe place for him. Plenty of friends around to help - Hokey and Hydrand were around quite often, and even Awful would begrudgingly help. Although Awful only seemed to take an interest in the boy when he was planning some prank against Andras.
Life was good, despite everything. Despite the horrors of everything that happened after Last Hope. The fleeing. The spiders. The fires. The Dragon. The Creatures. The other end of the dragon. All leading up to a culmination against The Orc. And he was dead now.
The nightmares lasted for several weeks, but for most they seemed to fade away with time. Only Hokey had never fully recovered from them. But her studies with healing magic seemed to help in that regard. She was able to put everyone’s mind at rest, except her own.
Andras looked up with a smile at Jethrow. Hydrand was not far behind him. The clockwork must have given it to the boy so he could deliver it himself.
Reading the letter was a shock. Bertram! He’s alive! And he’s calling for our help!
That night, Andras called for everyone to come to dinner. It was time to discuss what to do next.
The year had been kind to Andras. Not looking over his shoulder all the time, fearing the orc, had done wonders for the boy. He was filling out a little - the food Jimmy provided was surprisingly good, and plenty of it.
His training had had visible impact on his physique, and he was growing pretty skilful with his blades, devising a more defensive style and using the flourishes when combining and separating the blades to improve his parries. He had sent a letter to Finbar, his erstwhile sword-master, detailing his progress and his new swords. Finbar had seemed interested and suggested that Andras visit him whenever he was near Qif next.
With his black leather armor, he looked every inch the warrior, stubble starting to grow on his chin, with shoulder length hair. He still had the oversized bottom teeth, giving him the appearance of having subtle tusks.
The tusks were the only outward sign of his bestial secret, but internally he kept worrying about that one night where he wasn't as careful as he could have been, and woke up in the woods covered in blood. But no time to dwell on the past...
Andras puts the letter down on the table.
Right. I've looked at the script, and it is almost certainly Bertram. If it isn't Bertram, then it's a very clever forgery. Even if it's a trap, it's something we should investigate. It has to be someone with knowledge of Bertram, our quest for the Ornament, and our relationship to him.
He pauses, to let his words sink in.
My geography is somewhat dated, but I would suggest we head east, to the Confederacy of Nine Cities, and try to get a boat up the coast. That would be quickest. If we pass by Qif, I'd like to visit my old sword-master as well, show him Jimmy's handiwork. I think that Jimmy would appreciate the eye of a professional, and I can pass it off as a proper field test.
Looking at Jethrow, he purses his lips. He still wasn't entirely sure what to do with the boy, but Jethrow was nice enough, and he was something to remind Andras of his sister.
As much as I like Jimmy, I don't think this is a place for an unsupervised child. I have no idea what he'd get up to. I think we have to bring Jethrow with us. Hyacinth can look after him if there's any danger.
Hokey looks up from her work to focus on the number of bells tolling. Hearing it ring one more time than she meant for it to be, she wraps up her work for the day late, as usual. She hurriedly cleans up her desk while struggling to put on a well-tailored cloak. She puts on her treasured gloves while trying to lock the door.
This would be easier one-at-a-time, you know. Hokey sarcastically chided herself.
Hokey walked on with a rare smile on her face as she hurried along, stopping to buy some sweets for Jet along the way. His naive and innocent kindness made her quickly grow fond of him, despite herself. As she lets herself in through the servant's door of Jimmy's house, she is greeted by a series of light stomps.
"Miss Hokey!" Jethrow says as he runs up to her and hugs her.
"Now, now. Manners, Jet. Hello, how are you doing tonight?" Hokey says with a smile on her face while extricating herself. She tousles the boy's hair as he parrots the question back to her, before taking some sweets out of her pocket. "If you want some of the freshest jam cakes from the Towering Cakes, be a good boy and go play in the backyard for a bit. It sounds like your uncle has some boring adult things to talk about."
Sending Jet off to play in the backyard, Hokey moves to the kitchen dining room, her face adopting the usual scowl. She's greeted first by Awful's sarcastic scoff, and then by Hydrand and Andras. She nods as she sits down in a free chair and listens to what Andras has to share. Hokey looks dumbfounded by the end of his report.
"...So that matted, worm- A quick "hello" or something before I sent that stupid letter to his estate would've been nice! Gods, I swear this is the last time I do any last will favors for any of you! Hokey huffs out. "Not you, Hydrand." she adds.
Hydrand gives Hokey some water and she calms down a bit more before continuing.
"My two bits are that it's safer to have Jet stay with Hyacinth around here. The only safe place nearby the Tower of Catamenia is a small fishing village, which probably isn't going to bring up the best memories for Jet. Work out the details however you'd like: just let me know when we leave and I'll get packing. I'd like some answers from dear Bertram before his father comes looking for them from me." Hokey says as she drains another cup of water and gets up. She impatiently listens to the others' suggestions before getting distracted by Jet playing outside and excusing herself to go play with him.
Hydrand was feeling particularly chronologically stable today as his guard duty came to a close. His practice and careful tutelage under Jimmy had been paying off, it seemed. The chronological instability would still creep up on him sometimes, when he was asleep or when he was working magic were when it was most obvious, though; it could cause him to appear to shudder when he was at the edge of your vision or become semi-transparent as he travelled through time at a subtly different rate than his surroundings.
Aside from this new magical nuance, he wore a well-fitted suit of scale armor, colored a vivid, deep indigo, it complimented his copper-colored exterior excellently. He had always been fond of the color blue. It layered excellently on points that had been the frequent local of injuries sustained in combat, and he felt much more defensible for it. Less naked, too, not that it ever bothered him, but he could see that it bothered others from time to time. It also gave him some more effective holsters for some of his belongings, like his trademarked mace and large shield.
The last difference was the odd toupee he had been given by Jimmy, who insisted it "looked great". Hydrand didn't care for it, particularly, but Jimmy would get what he wanted out of the metal man for as long as he was offering such great tutelage. It gave him a laid-back pompadour most days, though it was also known to become a fauxhawk or a number of other looks. It was always well-kept however. Not due to to Hydrand's care, but because whatever enchantment was upon it kept it wonderfully coiffed at all times.
Speaking of time, look at the time, it's time!
His time off today was surrounding the meeting Andras had called. Jimmy had approved the meeting, seeming to have a nebulous, ominous air about the request for time off.
If he's acting like that, he must know something of Andras's reason for calling the meeting in the first place. Hopefully it's nothing bad.
Hydrand took solace in the fact that Andras had some months remaining on his contract to Jimmy. The Aubergine Wizard had made it clear he had no designs upon breaking his promised servitude until it had been fulfilled, so that was at least one person Hydrand could count on in his life, at least for a short while longer.
Though, Jimmy did seem rather sober about this meeting...
He eased himself into the chair, thrilled to see his compatriots, but not unworried about Andras's news. Andras had a severe air about him as they waited for Awful and Hokey to arrive. Sympathizing with the pensive air about the table, Hydrand didn't speak. He did practice his good manners and collected a glass of water for Andras, who nearly hadn't noticed it in front of him. His sister's child was about the house as well, but he seemed somehow cognizant of the tension and kept his play mostly to other rooms.
"I don't know what the news is, but you know we're all here with you."
The tension in his shoulders didn't disappear, but he took a deep breath and a long draw from his glass.
Awful arrived shortly, and Hokey not long after.
Hydrand had just finished delivering another glass to Awful when Hokey sat down at the table, and Hydrand sat as well as Andras began to speak.
Hydrand said nothing. He was perfectly happy watching Hokey evoke all the emotions he was feeling; he was vicariously upset at the turn of events. His emotions had become a tool for him in recent months, so he schooled himself to emotional stillness, though he also allowed himself to mask what he was feeling with a curiosity. That and some small giddiness at being excluded from her ire so specifically. He got her a glass of water as well.
Why, though? ...it's hard to develop a more specific question than "why" at this point, so it will have to do, I suppose. Maybe a nice "how" is in order, too, thinking about it.
He briefly reflected on the nature of his last moments with Bertram.
"I'm with Hokey on this one: First, Jethrow will be better served without the trials of such travel, and second... "when do we leave". I'm certainly eager for some answers, sure, and it seems like there's a clear direction to getting some."
He glanced at Hokey, and then at Awful. "I'm also glad we get to search for these answers together. Meant what I said earlier."
Little did Andras know, Jimmy had appeared behind him as the party's talks rambled near their conclusion.
Not "appeared through a door" or anything like that, just simply appeared. Something about that appeased Jimmy greatly. It was his house, after all.
"I hate to put a damper on any points of interest you hoped to see along the way, but... Well, if only you could secure the blessing of someone who could take you straight there?"
Andras didn't start at Jimmy's sudden presence because Jimmy had a penchant for as much and he'd grown accustomed to it. After a brief pause, Jimmy added:
"If only someone you knew had learned instead of being so... weird about everything, eh?"
He glanced poignantly at Hydrand, but there was no harm in the statement. He frequently poked fun at the chronologically challenged metal man after he'd found his own way to beat a challenge intended for someone who knew basic teleportation.
He leaned forward and put his hands on Andras' shoulders, gripping firmly.
"It occurs to me that there's some very serious particulars we should speak about if you intend to act on this missive."
After standing straight again, he taps his finger on his chin and looks around the room.
"Oh, don't you all look at me like that, I know you fully intend to go, and I won't stop you. We just need to settle some things before you go off and die horribly or something... Cough SOoo, Andras, my indentured servant with months left on his contract, how do you intend to pay that off? I'm not sure, 'I'm going to come back' is enough for me, in case that thought had passed through your extremely noble head."
As if on cue, from the next room, Jethrow shouted something about vanquishing a terrible monster, a game he was fond of playing at. Whether that was from deep-seated trauma or because he was just a young boy being a young boy remained to be seen.
"Ahhhh, and the boy. What was that you said about me making a terrible baby sitter? Well, I never. You're already indebted so don't expect to acquire my services through anything so cheap as good faith, but I assure you that rearing a child isn't likely to supercede the difficulty of discovering great cosmic mysteries."
He said it more in defiance of the challenge to his abilities than as an offering of assistance, but he found he did have some fondness for the child.
"And with that, I think I've covered the minutes of your exciting little meeting, so... What say you?"
Hokey comes back in after spending half a tick playing with Jet and calming down. Seeing Jimmy had joined them, she looks quizzically looks over at Hydrand, who fills her in. The wheels in her head start churning, as she knows Jimmy had been suckered by Jet, too.
But he'll need a good excuse for his pride's sake, here.
Hokey puts on an incredibly professional business smile, likely practiced for moments when she needed to secure more funding for her department.
"You're right, Jimmy; we couldn't ask for the best protection and education the Tower could offer for free."
Hokey takes out a gold coin from an inner pocket of her coat.
"We'd need to show a token of our appreciation, wouldn't we? How's this, for a start? You can work out any additional details with Andras. And we'll try to put in a good word to Hyacinth to maybe swing by and cover meals, and some household chores, for a fee in Andras's absence. Oh, and could you help me establish a magical connection between Jet and his uncle, so they don't fret?"
Hokey looks over at Andras, her business smile unwavering.
"You'll owe me for this, of course."
The coin disappeared before it made it to the surface of the table. Jimmy simply apported the coin into his hand, flicked it through his fingers once, and then without so much as a gesture, it was gone.
"I suppose this begins negotiations for my services. I'll accept a full debrief upon your return and..."
He taps his chin once more.
"... And bring back something interesting when you're through with your business there. I think that shall cover, for me, the cost of transporting you hither and yon. Andras, I'll expect more from you, could you draft up a contract of some sort with your suggested offerings? I do so adore that handwriting of yours.
"Please count Hokey's coin against the value of losing your servitude and seeing to little Jethrow in your absence. As she has done you a very shrewd favor, I would be happy to see that offering to repay her in kind when she requires makes it into the contract.
Assuming we can come to an agreement, I'll be ready to whisk you away to wherever it is you decide whenever you've made ample preparations."
He looks at Hokey, and then in a direction that would give him vision of Jethrow were there less walls in the way. He thinks for a moment, and then looks down at Andras. He glances back to Hokey and says, "I should be able to work something up for the connection you're asking for... It will take some small research on my part, but I'm feeling charitable and won't ask a cost for accomplishing this working; you're asking me to broaden my skills in a way I'd not thought of, and that has merits of its own. His care in your absence will still have a price, but the magic... That will be exciting enough for its own merit."
He begins to walk towards the door everyone came through before turning and saying, "Hydrand, I'm placing you in charge of the debriefing, and the interesting thing, as well. I'll leave the particulars up to you, but... Do not disappoint me, adept."
After having repeatedly been called a novice as a form of diminution, Hydrand perked at the change. In a single word, Jimmy had painted a picture of Hydrand as a mage the Tower Arcane Wizard approved of, but also of the responsibilities he now bore to his master and tutor. Hydrand nodded in both pride and deference, feeling the metaphorical mantle of Jimmy's new title for him fall about his shoulders.
With that, and without further ceremony, the space Jimmy was occupying was empty.
Awful rasped on the door where he knew Andras was staying and took a step back. He was pleasantly surprised when Hydrand answered, his face taking a mischievous tone. The young man looked weary and gaunt though he still grinned at the Clockwork.
"Hey Tin-man, hoooowwwwws ttttthhhhhhaaaaaaa..." As he spoke he his voice began to pitch lower and his words became elongated until they were unintelligible. His stride became more exaggerated to emphasize the fact that he was slowing down until, finally, froze seemingly mid-stride.
Hydrand looked about, briefly concerned that he'd been chronologically displaced or had some atemporal effect on Awful... It wasn't more than a moment later that he realized what Awful was playing at. Hydrand wasn't able to say two words before he was cut off as Awful rudely dismissed whatever the metal man was going to say.
"Ha ha, Just kidding, bud. Good times am I right? Any idea where Mr. Eggplant is? I got a question for him, right quick."
He fast-talks as he shuffles past Hydrand, squeezing himself around the clockwork without giving him the chance to move out of the way.
Awful looks terribly bored while the group discusses their next course of action. He leans his chair back and fiddles with the hilt of his beloved dragon tooth blade, however, he makes comments when appropriate:
...I would suggest we head east, to the Confederacy of Nine Cities, and try to get a boat up the coast. That would be quickest.
"Booooo... That's a s@!$ plan."
I don't think this is a place for an unsupervised child.
"Damn, rude of you to say that about Jimmy after he helped me kill Smiley."
I swear this is the last time I do any last will favors for any of you! Not you, Hydrand.
"*Tsk* Wooow, okay, I see how it is."
instead of being so... weird about everything, eh?
"It's true, he's a real freak."
...in case that thought had passed through your extremely noble head.
"I agree! Andras is not to be trusted. He used to ask me for my pocket knife and then stick it to the top of a tree! He's a real dick."
Well, I never.
"Toldja, Andras. Rude."
I'll be ready to whisk you away to wherever it is you decide whenever you've made ample preparations.
"That idea is way better than Andras' s&## idea! I'm all for it."
adept.
"Ha!"
When Jimmy leaves suddenly, Awful sighs in regretful annoyance and calls out to him "Wait, Jimmy, I have a question for you..." without raising his voice or getting up from his seat. Awful's chair topples over as he vanishes, having been ported out of the room by the wizard. He returns through the door a few moments later and sits back down.
"I should be able to work something up for the connection you're asking for..."
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Andras barely bats an eyelid when Jimmy ports in, used to his sudden appearances by now. After hearing what he has to say, and watching him disappear almost as quickly as he appeared, he begs his leave of the others, and goes to find the Aubergine Wizard in his study.
Hello Jimmy. Four months is a long time, I admit, but you did want to see your weapons in action.
Andras points to the sheathed blade.
There's only so much you can learn knocking the stuffing out of that sorry old training dummy you set up for me in the yard. Surely you're interested in how they fare in real combat. The thrill of the fight, the rush of adrenaline, the spurt of blood as your blade strikes true...
He pauses for a second.
Whenever I go on an adventure with these folk, I always seem to end up fighting for my life one way or another. First it was beastmen, then a crazy orc, then weird underground monsters... I'm sure that I'll have ample opportunity to test out your invention against something most dark and vile. I can even write it down in my journal, like observation notes for an experiment. How it cuts through sinew, bone, muscle... things like that! Perhaps this will help you refine the design even more. I'm rather excited myself to tell you the truth.
He smiles at Jimmy.
I can put that down in a contract for you if you'd like. As well as paying Hokey's gold coin back, and that interesting thing you wanted. I'll begin working on it at once.
He pauses slightly as he leaves the room, and looks back apologetically.
I did not mean to disparage your abilities as a babysitter. This connection that Hokey noticed between myself and Jethrow, I do not want to know what happens if it is broken. For now, I shall bring him with me. I will try to take good care of him, myself, and most importantly your swords.
"It's true" Jimmy stated halfway through heavily sighing through his nose. "The journal must be detailed, brutally, and I expect your best handwriting. Naturally, it shall belong to me when you're through, and I'll consider that... Just enough compensation for your remaining time." He added the last sentence with a hint of melancholy. He wasn't going to admit to anything, but he knew he would miss the company.
"So, needless to say, I look forward to your return. I'm happy to touch up the design with the data you provide; certainly some refinement is possible, even if only to suit you, in particular, that much better..."
He trailed off as he realized his slip. He hadn't intended to say that he would be giving the weapon away to Andras permanently, but he opted to leave the implication in the air instead of correcting himself.
"Then yes, I'll expect you keep your word with the irascible faun, too, but I shall accept these terms. On paper, still, don't forget. As for the boy, I won't tamper. I may still do some research, maybe I find something, maybe I don't, you'll have to ask me upon your return."
Jimmy was briefly pensive and waxed wistful before saying, "Well, with that, you should be set to prepare. Return once you and the others are well in line to arrive at your chosen destination, whether that be Qif or Caul is up to you."
Everyone gets a good night's sleep and prepares to leave in the morning. Jimmy is there, waiting for you and ready to teleport you to your destination. With his staff, he focuses the power And touches each of you: Andras, Jethrow, Hydrand, Awful, and Hokey.
With a flash of ️ ght you find yourself tumbling through a blue tunnel full of shadows and light, like flying down an uncontrollable slide, always just barely missing the walls as you feel you're about to slam into them.
Suddenly, it ends and you find yourself in a small village. The weather is cold - much colder than mid spring day of Caercras. The salty sea air slams into your nostrils (except for Hydrand, who can instead feel it rusting his joints). You knew you were going to a fishing village, but the sudden olfactory change assaults your senses.
Taking a look around, you seem to be in a small village. There's perhaps a dozen or two buildings, most of which are right along the waters edge. It's not an ocean, despite the salty sea air. You can almost make out the land on the other side of the water.
The locals all wear single-colored, bright clothing with an embroidered fringe design. They each are acting in a strange manner. That one there is waving a small braided chain of straw about with every step. The one over there stands with arms akimbo, palms flat and humming a single note. Another heavily sways from side to side as he walks; it looks more deliberate than drunken, as if he's trying to sway, stops himself, and then sways the other direction as he takes his next step.
As you stare at the locals and the strange scene all about you, a loud Caw! rings out from a raven. And then another. You look up, and ravens are perched on almost every single building in town. At least a handful on each, often times more.
But a strange thing happened as you waited for night fall - it never came. The sun didn't set. Instead, it just got really low to the ground, rolled along the ground like an hours-long sunset, and them rose back up a few hands into the sky.
At some point during th "night" you finally fell asleep. When you awoke, it was to rumors of five strange people just appearing in the middle of town out of nowhere.
Hokey immediately beings to make arrangements for travel when everyone breaks and goes to their respective abodes.
"That dwarf better have answers. Oh, I have to submit the paperwork for a leave of absence to the office before it closes! Oh, and I need to talk to Hyacinthabout Jimmy. I should keep a list..."
Hokey furiously begins preparing for this next adventure, which was sure to be as harrowing as the past few. She shows up the next day on-time, for once, with a very well-tailored set of gear.
"Good morning, everyone. Hydrand, Jet, come over here. Just a quick precaution; who knows what stupidity we'll find waiting for us with Bertram at the helm?"
Hokey quickly wraps up her morning ritual and casts some protective magic on herself, Hydrand and Jet. She almost fails in casting a basic Arcane Armor spell, earning herself a raised eyebrow from Jimmy, but manages to cast the spell just fine in the end. She lets go of her new necklace and checks her shield is securely strapped onto her arm.
"Sorry for the wait. Ready to get some answers whenever you guys, are. Thanks, Jimmy. Bye Hyacinth, take care of Jimmy for me!"
Hokey gets a nasty look on her face as she sees nothing, but a bunch of unfamiliar faces. She politely asks the gawkers if they could point her to the Shaded Tap Tavern. As they just point towards the local tavern in bewilderment, Hokey storms off in that direction.
she yells as soon as she gets to the Tavern and finds out he's staying in one of the rooms.
Hydrand watched as the others made their way to prepare for the journey, querying if anyone needed assistance. Once he was by himself, he sat and meditated. Jimmy happened by, or at least pretended to; Hydrand knew better than to believe Jimmy was accidentally anywhere.
"That bad, eh?" Jimmy opened the conversation.
Hydrand walked his mind out of meditation and responded, "I... knew Bertram better than the others. Knew things about him that may have driven the others away. I kept faith in him because, by the time I learned these things, his actions had already spoken volumes about his character. I trust him, but I'm gravely concerned at the events that have brought us to this point. I watched him die. Dead. Not a question in anyone's mind that he could have survived. I-"
Jimmy interrupted, as he often did when he felt you were only going to reiterate things he already knew well.
"Yes, yes, the letter said things only he could have known. Are you still sure this isn't some elaborate ruse perpetuated by Awful?"
"Yes, that's sure. It must be him, sir, or else-"
"Someone who divined so many minutia, yadda yadda"
"...yes. But that's not all. I'm worried that whatever it is he is summoning us to assist with, it may reveal aspects of his character to the others that they aren't ready to know... That they may never be ready to know. If one of them takes a side against him, I do not know how I will keep my head. He was just as much our comrade as anyone else, I don't want to see a schism driven through us, I care about each of us too greatly... I would be torn. Truly."
Jimmy nodded in understanding. "So you meditate."
"So I meditate."
They were quiet a while, then.
"Hydrand, I want you to think of me as these events unfold. Don't you forget."
"You? Why would I...?" He glanced over to where Jimmy had been standing beside him to find the space empty. Without giving it a second irritated thought, he returned to meditation.
He was the first one to arrive at Jimmy's christened teleporter pad, but not by much. Everyone arrived in short order, and Hokey called Hydrand over for her morning ritual. He was familiar with this part of her regimen as they had grown their magics together for so long. The gladness he felt at her friendship was only reinforced as she reinforced him with life magic in preparation for their journey. Jethrow also received the blessing, which seemed appropriate given the potential dangers involved with arriving at a foreign place. He placed a hand on her shoulder in thanks before turning with them to return to the group.
Jimmy lined them up just so and with a flash of light and a terrifying journey through somewhere in-between, they arrived. The change in air quality and pressure was not lost on Hydrand, but judging by some brief reactions by his compatriots, he was once again thankful for a lack of olfactory capabilities.
First that rancid dragon and now this... I guess having a nose is probably terrible and I shouldn't think a single thought more on it. Hah!
He watches the party survey the surroundings and does some looking himself.
He notes the lack of threats first.
"No danger..."
Then notes the geography.
"No challenges..."
Lastly, he takes stock of the locals. As he marks each one, he notes that there are no children present. He remembered that even in the cursed hollow, children were at play.
"No... children? Hm."
He notes this for later, but says no more now. Hokey had already acquired directions from the locals and was headed off with a full head of steam. He formed up on her right to watch the periphery. With him and the others at her back, she wouldn't have to worry about being exposed to any surprises, and he was confident she could face down anything unwise or imperceptive enough to get in her way.
He chuckled at the thought.
A few moments pass before the door of the Shaded Tap opens and a familiar head pokes out from within.
"Hokey? Is that you?"
Bertram emerges from the dingy tavern with a careful glance up and down the street. There are rings around the Dwarf's eyes, and he clearly hasn't been sleeping well.
"You actually came." Bertram says half to himself as he takes in the new faces of his companions. "I was thought you might ignore me entirely."
Eight months has had a significant effect on the Dwarf. He is clad in leather armor and a bow and quiver now hang from his back. The finish on the bow's wood is still clean, it appears to be quite new. At his hip are a couple of simple daggers. He is wrapped against the cold in a simple brown cloak.
Bertram himself has a haggard appearance that offsets the new armor and weapons. His face is paler than when they had last seen him in Vanderhallow. He shows signs of losing weight despite the tendency of Dwarves to be stout folk. There is a lightness to his physicality and footsteps. His beard retains its careful grooming, but the roots are beginning to show signs of whitening. An earthy smell wafts to Hokey's nose as Bertram approaches, like dust carried in the wind.
"It's good to see that you haven't changed, Hokey. Lets get inside, off the streets. There's no telling who's watching here in Mory. Try to stay quiet. The villagers are on edge and strange. They don't appreciate disruptions."
Bertram glares up at a cawing crow. He beckons the others to join him inside the Shaded Tap. The interior is not impressive. Salty air has left scum on the windows and the firelight inside is muffled by encroaching shadows even during the day. A stained bar stretches along one wall, presided over by an imposing barkeep. Bertram leads the group to a shoddy table. His chair creaks as he sits and leans forward onto the table, carefully avoiding the splinters.
"Thank you for coming. I... I can't believe you're actually here if I'm honest." Bertram looks around the table and cold pit settles in his stomach. "Wait, not all of you. Where is Erik? Was he felled by the orc?"
The first thing Andras noticed was the smell. The small part of him that remained bestial had keener senses than the boy Andras had ever had, and the smell of saltwater and rotting fish assaulted his senses, almost overwhelming him.
The town is odd. Looking around, the fact that there seemed to be no children seemed even odder. Even Last Hope, small as it was, had sustained a healthy population of youngsters. The ravens did nothing to allay his discomfort.
As they enter the tavern, and listen to Bertram mention Erik, Andras smiles.
Erik fulfilled his oath to protect me from the Orc. He left for greener pastures, wanting to live a simple life. He has lost much, suffered much. I do not blame him. I am glad he has not joined the ranks of people who have died for me...
The smile disappears almost as quickly as it came. He looks at the dwarf with the slightest hint of annoyance crossing his noble features.
I do blame you for your decisions. You have much to answer for. Why did you let us mourn you? We have been through much together. Whatever it is, we would have understood. How did you survive, for one?
He sighs.
Anyway. The past is behind us. Why did you gather us here? What lies ahead?
Bertram opens his mouth, but closes it again after a moment of silence. He struggles to find the right words.
"I'm sorry I did not reach out to you sooner. Things have become complicated. I know, I know that's no excuse." He replies guiltily.
"You deserve an explanation, and I'll give what I can. I'm not welcome in the Romden clan these days. Rightfully so. I tarnished the name and shamed my mother in the process. Old habits that refused to die. My father cast me out until I could prove that I was fit to carry on the family name. I've been roaming ever since, trying to earn my name back."
Bertram reflects gloomily, his beard shifting very slightly in a breeze that isn't there.
"Not long after Last Hope, I came across a creature that offered me my place in the clan again. She told me that all I had to do was help you kill the Orc with the Savage Ornament. Rid the world of evil and get my home back. I didn't think my father could possibly refuse, so... I agreed. She took something from me when I did."
Bertram shudders uncomfortably and rubs a spot in his chest. The flesh aches as if a thorn were buried deep within. He could still feel the bony hands ripping a piece of him away, replacing it with something else.
"I think she was a witch. The Wormwood Witch, like the song. When the mountain buried me, she brought me back from death to pay off my debt. I failed to kill Smiley and broke the contract. I woke up to her calling me down the mountain and into the forest. After all that's happened, I realized there is no home for me with my family any longer. I can't go back while I pay off this debt. It seemed better to let them believe I was dead."
The Dwarf glances around the table, fearing the judgment of his peers. He cannot quite meet their eyes.
"So... now you know. That brings us to now. My cousin must not have heard the news of my passing because I received a letter from him begging me for help." Bertram produces a piece of paper from his back. The sheet is folded many times already, as if being read again and again. He lays it out in front of them.
"He's gone missing after sending it. I've been trying to search for him in town, but people are tight lipped. They don't trust me. I think something has happened to him."
Bertram addresses Andras directly now.
"I know I'm not welcome in my family, but I have to help him. He would not have written if he weren't desperate. I have to do right by my family and leave them something good of myself. You would be one to understand that, Andras."
Again he returns his focus to the group as a whole.
"My cousin, Thibad, came here with several mercenaries to investigate the Tower of Catamenia. Supposedly it contains records of our heritage. Thibad discovered something inside. Then his men began disappearing, and now he has too. I can't offer all of you much, but I'll give you all what I can. Thibad is a true Romden. He'll have money to pay the mercenaries, as well as his own funds. You can have it. Whatever is left of the men he hired, it's yours as well. I doubt Thibad will argue in the slightest."
Bertram looks pleadingly to the group.
"In Vanderhallow I told that girl that family matters ought to be solved by family. Fate saw fit to teach me a little humility. I don't believe I can do this on my own. Please, help me."
Dear Bertram,
I write to you in most urgent need. I have come to Hymen Caul with companions in search of further clues to our heritage and have made an interesting discovery in the Tower of Catamenia. Something is not right here and I dare not write about my findings for fear you may think me mad. My companions are vanishing and the townsfolk do not understand me. The rose is shining brightly and it burns me. I ache. Come. I will show you how to float.
Sincerely,
Thibad Anvilhood Romden
A common child's song is said to be a reference to the Wormwood Witch.
"Young Man, Young Man, speaking to a shrew.
Wheeling, dealing, what's she promised you?
Old Man, Old Man, lying in a bed.
Payment waits for when you're dead.
Old Man, Old Man, choking till you're blue.
Writhing worms eat your pine box through.
Dead Man, Dead Man, a deal you'd make.
The worms will eat while you're awake!
Hokey's only reaction is to scoff and roll her eyes at the end of Bertram's plea. Then you see the familiar vein pop on Hokey's neck as she struggles to keep her rising anger in check.
"So after all this time, and favors, your next move is to ask for more favors by making more promises you don't know you can keep. What is it with you nobles? Adelmar, Andras, and now you? You don't know how to avoid problems you can't solve, so the first thing you do is to cry to others to help, even though you don't have anything to offer?"
Hokey gets up from the table, clearly disgusted.
"You guys talk and catch up. I'm getting a room. Bertram, come see me when you're done. I have more pressing family matters to discuss with you."