Aodhán is not very tall, but is compact with wiry muscles. He is a human of Chelish heritage, possessed of angular features, striking high cheekbones, and prominent sideburns. Though clean-shaven, Aodhán always seems to need a shave. He dresses simply, wearing a plain short green robe of cheap, worn cloth with a black pair of trousers, and split-toed boots. A pair of caesti, weapons built for striking with the fists, made of tough blackened leather inlaid with silver metal rivets hangs from his waist.
As he fights to resist the malign influence resulting from the Raggedy Man's lingering psychic presence, Aodhàn can feel the onslaught of memories (both his and the other's) vying to secure a foothold within.
Within his own mental plane, the Chelish bouncer finds himself all alone. All at once, lying on the ground before him is a length of rope. Across from him, two individuals take their positions, with a smiling Gorewillow as anchor and the Raggedy Man taking the point.
Looking around and finding no one coming to his aid, Aodhàn sighs as he hesitantly takes his place across from the two. Once he is in position, the three take up the rope and, after a lengthy staredown, begin pulling.
Aodhàn's Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19; +1 against spells or effects with the fear or emotion descriptors due to Indomitable, +2 morale bonus on saves against charm and fear, +8 from the aid another checks
As the pull begins in earnest, both teams struggle to move the other toward the center line. The bouncer's hands nearly slip off the rope, his arms burning from the exertion of the pull. And as toils in an effort to compensate for the sudden and momentary slack, the Raggedy Man and Gorewillow try to take advantage.
The half-orc's sadistic smile grows at the sight. He calls to the point of his team. He's got no heart.
The Raggedy Man immediately barks back at Gorewillow. Don't slack off now!
But that initial surge doesn't last. For though he seems uncoordinated in his efforts at first, Aodhàn has a surprise in store for his opponents. The smug look on Gorewillow's face changes to one of shock as the bouncer drops his elbows below his knees to add to his own stability and prevent himself from being moved toward the center line.
The temporary stalemate comes to an end as he now takes advantage of the other side's disarray. Aodhán heaves and pulls, finding a rhythm that suits himself and puts his opponents at a disadvantage.
Despite the duo's best efforts, the Raggedy Man and Gorewillow find themselves being slowly dragged toward the center line, their feet digging furrows into the dirt as they go.
Aodhàn works to continue the momentum he has gained. Groans could be heard from both sides, each pulling with all the might that they could muster.
And then it happens.
Just when it looks as if he will drag the two closer to the center line, the Raggedy Man gives Aodhàn a sly wink that completely catches him off guard, so much so that the stores of energy that are fueling him nearly dwindle. He almost didn't notice the rope sliding roughly through his fingers. With a low growl, he readjusts his grip on the line and begins to pull with renewed vigor.
The feeling is in the air. The toll of the pull is beginning to show on the participants. It is only a matter of time before one side will make that one misstep which will allow the other to capitalize and achieve victory.
And it comes from Aodhàn, as something within him seems to shatter. Gorewillow and the Raggedy Man take advantage of the human's obvious distraction. As one they pull, and though Aodhàn struggles to maintain his place on the field, he can slowly but surely feel himself being drawn closer to the center line. Five feet becomes ten, and the bouncer teeters on the brink. His resolve unbroken, he maintains his grip on the rope and digs his feet into the soil as his torso hovers above the line. Aodhàn then leans back, throwing all of his remaining might into the pull.
Even as he does this, Aodhán finds himself no longer alone as from out of the darkness around him, Aiko moves toward his side and grabs a piece of the rope so that she too can pull. One by one, others appear, adding their strength to Aodhàn. First Liesel-Marie, then Nyym, followed by Rocnork and Kytynna. Last, but not least, Tsadok joins in, siding with the Chelish bouncer as well.
Faced with such an outpouring of support for Aodhán, Gorewillow and the Raggedy Man find themselves quickly dragged across the center line....
Back in the main room of Ramblehouse, tears stream down the dark-haired man's face as he silently slumps, finally regaining control of himself once again.
Finding himself between Kytynna and Liesel-Marie, with both holding onto him in form or another, Aodhàn tries his best to regain himself once more.
Aodhàn's Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8, DC 13; -2 due to shaken condition, +1 against spells or effects with the fear or emotion descriptors due to Indomitable
Despite his efforts to do otherwise, the Chelish bouncer finds himself unable to effectively shake off the hostile influence seeking to fully assert itself upon him. However, his will is such that even in the face of Raggedy Man's attempted domination of him, Aodhàn is able to recite to himself the words of a now familiar song performed by Mesa last night at the ceremony, though he does so with visible effort:
Love is a distant aroma at best
A withering smile that's
Stuck deep in your vest
The night air it wraps
Its fingers around
Your body it shakes from
A now distant sound
Oh, the sound of her voice
A sweet symphony
Played over and over
Until you are free
Immediate action: use of Heroic Defiance to delay the shaken condition until the end of his next turn (after which time the condition takes its normal effect). Standard action: Inspiring Performer to receive a +2 morale bonus on saves against charm and fear on his next turn.
DM Blayde MacRonan: Aodhàn cannot willingly fail this Will save, as he is actively trying to suppress the Raggedy Man's control. Think of it as a type of psychosis. However, with that said, the PCs can help him achieve success by making either an Influence check (if you have the skill) or a Charisma check (if you do not) in a cooperative effort. If you roll a 10 or higher on your check, Aodhàn gets a +2 bonus on his next saving throw. (You can't take 10 on a skill check to Aid Another.)
Aodhàn just stands there, seemingly transfixed by the calm words of the samurai. Up until she says one word.
FIGHT!
Upon hearing that word, something seems to register with the bouncer. Like a shaft of golden light piercing through the darkness, the Chelish man is hit with a sudden realization.
This is not his enemy.
A look of confliction appears on Aodhàn's face as he seems to struggle with himself.
DM Blayde MacRonan: As the bouncer stands there, the members of Team Ruby (once again, only the members of Team Ruby) can still hear the whispering, but now it seems intermittent, as though it is breaking apart.
DM Blayde MacRonan: If anyone is going to do something, such as attempt to restrain (CMB roll to hit his CMD of 19) or talk to him (Influence check DC 19 to make a request), this is the time to do it. This isn't limited to Team Ruby. And the -2 from him being shaken has already been accounted for.
The Chelish bouncer is at a loss when it comes to a response. At first, there is a sense of unease and awkwardness, but those feelings soon give way to anger. One that Aodhàn gives a voice. Just tell the whole bloody world, why don't ye. You don't think I know what's happening to me? Well, you're wrong! "I know not what horrors have been visited upon you". The last is done as a bitter mocking of Aiko's words. You're right. You can't possibly know. No one does!
Aodhàn moves past Kytynna to loom over the Minkan, not caring in the slightest that he's drawing the gaze of everybody else in the room to him. The Chelish man continues his tirade. I wish that what happened to me in that bloody tomb had never happened. But wishing doesn't make it so! It did happen. And if I had to make the choice all over again to do what I did, I'd do it. Because doing what I did means that none of them (at this, he gestures absently at the other members of Team Ruby) have to deal with this. They're my family and I will do what I must to protect them. Even if that means walking away from them.
DM Blayde MacRonan: As the bouncer speaks, the members of Team Ruby (and only the members of Team Ruby) can just make out the faintest of whispers that seems to be intermingled with his words:
And then – if we all won't cry, fer shore –
The Raggedy Man he'll come and "splore
The Castle-halls," and steal the "gold"—
And steal us, too, and grab and hold
And pack us off to his old "Cave"!—And
Haymow's the "cave" of The Raggedy Man!—
Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!
Here comes the raggedy man! Raggedy man! Raggedy man! Hey, raggedy man! Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!
Aodhàn stands over Aiko, his right hand gripping the top of his cane so tightly and in such a way that it looks as though at any given moment he is going to take a swing at her with it.
Aodhàn looked around at the rest of Team Ruby, noting that Liesel-Marie and Nyym were discussing something (probably what their expectations were regarding the mission given them by Halgra), as were Mesa and Nogusta. Leaving him free to talk with Kytynna.
This was not the way I wanted you to find out what I had been planning, he began, a look of consternation on his face as he watched Kyt push some stray hair behind one of her long ears to join the rest of the mass in her braided deep black bun. With a sigh, the Chelish bouncer continued. My mind is filled with thoughts and images not entirely my own. And I have no way to sort through them properly. I think they may hold some sort of clue to my, no - all of our pasts.
I'm thinking maybe the best place to start would be in Ustalav. But that's not a trip I can make alone. You've got more than just me to look after. This entire town is your responsibility now. And I won't keep you from it. So I'm taking Mesa, Nogusta, and Vegazi with me.
Kyt crossed her arms, the pale skin brushing against the fabric of the light blue midriff top, which sat above light blue baggy ankle-cuffed style pants, her new hopeknife proudly displayed at the waist, and black leather tie up sandals. She stared at him with those large unblinking aqua-hued orbs of hers, her expression unreadable, her silence sending a shiver of doubt across his being.
His frustration was beginning to mount. Yell at me. Hit me. Say you hate me. Do anything other than just stand there staring at me like that.
Aodhàn let out a resigned sigh. I'd love to accompany you and see this through, but I'm still not fully recovered enough for that kind of outing. That said, there are some things we learned concerning ourselves that need looking into. And since fact-finding has its own risks, I'm thinking myself, Mesa, Nogusta, and Vegazi should go about doing that while the rest of you handle this business at Redlake Fort with the orcs.
The Chelish bouncer paused, his expression thoughtful. The two what stopped the attacker..., this is the second time they've helped us. Maybe they can be recruited for the fort mission. Might take some convincing, yeah?
There is another I know that can go with you. Used to spar with me. Comes from Tian Xia, a place called Jinin, I think. Name's Aiko. Elf-trained, lives by a strict code of honor, and a damned good fighter. Might be just what you need, given where you're going.
Aodhàn smiled as he watched Chief Defender Halgra work the citizens of Trunau, only to have it fade as she turned to look at the members of Team Ruby. That, along with the actions of Patrol Sergeant Frum and Patrol Leader Jagrin Grath, told him what he needed to know: something had happened.
She's got a mission for us.
The bouncer sighed. More likely for the others. He still was in no condition to handle anything that Halgra might have Team Ruby do. Which meant he'd have to stay behind while Kyt and the others take on the job.
But just because Aodhàn couldn't help them directly didn't mean he couldn't help at all. And with that thought in mind, the Chelish bouncer turned his attention to Mesa.
It was time for the two to have a talk.
Aodhàn accepted the hopeknife from Ruby, his expression solemn. He stood there, staring down at the weapon but not fully seeing it. Instead, he was reliving a particular moment from over ten days ago....
Aodhàn breathed a sigh of relief, inwardly cheering at the sight of the Raggedy Man falling before the teamwork displayed by both Liesel-Marie and Nyym. He smiled with satisfaction at the sound made when the body hit the floor.
At long last, it was over. The nightmare, it seemed, had come to an end.
He made his way over to the still unmoving form of Kytynna, her face locked in that look of fierce determination that he had come to admire so much in the short time they had known one another.
The Chelish man was about to turn toward the champion of Sarenrae when he heard Rohan speak, his voice touched by more than just a little fear.
Acid, we need a vial of acid, or fire, to burn him to bits and insure that he doesn't come back ever again.
The words snapped Aodhàn back to full awareness of his surroundings, just in time to witness Liesel-Marie hacking at... something, with her blade of flame. He stepped away from the elf, hoping to catch sight of whatever it was being attacked.
And immediately regretted doing so as he saw the amorphous mass of flesh moving to land its tendrils on the Erutaki warrior.
Here comes the raggedy man! Raggedy man! Raggedy man! Hey, raggedy man! Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!
Rohan, after frantically searching his gear, looked up and said I don't have one, does anyone else?
This caused the bald Mwangi to rifle through his own things, hoping also to find something, anything, that could be of use.
Aodhàn looked on in horror, not sure what he could do to assist his companion. Then something seemed to occur to him. With a backward glance at Kytynna, the bouncer charged forth and grasped the haft of the greataxe. Almost immediately, the fleshly tendrils grabbed onto him, clinging to the Chelish bouncer with inhuman strength.
Upon doing so, a cascade of images flashed through his Aodhàn's mind...
The Chelish bouncer tightly gripped the handle of the hopeknife as he fought to suppress a shudder. He had been enduring this since the ordeal with the Raggedy Man, memories, both his and not, running rampant in his mind as he struggled to process it all. He knew what was coming next and the knowledge did him no favors.
Aodhàn found himself wandering in an endless cloud of yellow vapor. Other shapes formed and vanished in the mist, fleeting, unsettling things that refused to be focused upon. After what seems like a lifetime, an exhausted-looking man with a ponytail of straight, white hair stumbled through the fog. Insane with desperation, he tried to pass the Chelish bouncer, who reached out in an attempt to stop the man. The ponytail man gaped in alarm and shouted, We’re all lost here! We’ll never escape! before he rushed away. His ranting, What have I done? What have I done? followed him as the memory flowed into the next.
Now he was in a grimy cell in a dungeon that, even after his many nightly visitations, Aodhàn still did not recognize.
Bars separated both himself and the other members of Team Ruby from a tall, thin figure in the garb of a doctor. This doppelganger in human form dragged and pulled one of the survivors onto a nearby splintery worktable and strapped him down. Trapped as they were, the members of Team Ruby were helpless to intervene as this occurred, but he could overhear the doppelganger speak. The Raggedy Man says you all must die. No survivors. All must die! The witch, she commands it! The victim woke up and screamed as the horrific creature begins its ghastly vivisection. The doppelganger muttered softly to its victim, They didn’t tell me which ones were the important ones, though. So we start with you.
The victim, a struggling human now with split lips and skin covered in a mapwork of fresh red lines, turned in the direction of Aodhàn. Wake up, damn it! the man on the table screamed, his panic cutting through the claustrophobic near dark.
The bouncer's mind snapped back into focus as the crowd took up the cry of Trunau forever!, the chant causing the white-haired man to cringe. He looked again at Kytynna, glad that he had not told her any details of what he had gone through and, more importantly, was still experiencing. This was his burden. His to bear, and his alone.
The Chelish bouncer looked at Kytynna, appreciating her gesture.
I won't lie. This was a lot harder than I thought it would be. As he spoke, Aodhàn unwrapped his left hand from hers and placed it on top of the cane, over his right. With a sigh, he continued. So much loss, on both sides. And for what? Land? Treasure? I don't want to think about how much worse it could've been had we - had you and the others not been here.
He turned his gaze back to the Flame of the Fallen, where High Priestess Varvatos was stepping aside to allow High Defender Halgra the opportunity to speak. Knowing what was about to transpire next, Aodhàn spoke once again, Under different circumstances, this would be totally awesome.
Aodhàn stood beside Kytynna, his left hand in her right even as he gripped the top of a cane with the other. The Chelish bouncer still had not fully recovered from the trials and tribulations of that night in Uskroth's Tomb, but he was rapidly on the mend, thanks in large part to the efforts of High Priestess Varvatos and the priests of Sanctuary. His motivation to recover had also been strengthened by the visitations of the other members of Team Ruby, but in particular by a certain elven monk. His cheeks turning a bright red, Aodhàn's mind began to wander while watching the events of the memorial ceremony, taking him back to the night of the tug-o-war. He remembered something that Liesel-Marie said to young Ruby afterward...
I'm honored to have been selected to be one of your champions today, but I hope you noticed that you had, and will always have, far more people watching your back when you need them. Team Ruby is far larger than those of us that started on the rope today.
Those words had proven to be more true than the Varki warrior could have possibly realized at the time she had spoke them. The bouncer looked to Mesa as she and another musician were setting up to perform a song. Her joining them for the fighting had been most unexpected, given how the Minkai minstrel generally kept to herself when not on stage at the Killin' Ground. And there was also the Mwangi champion of Sarenrae, Nogusta. From what Kyt had told him, he literally appeared on the field of battle in a shaft of light to aid them against the horde of Twisted Heart orcs. Had he not been there... His thought was interrupted by the start of the song.
Bardic Performance Insert Song: Jon Licht and Daniel Licht - Honor For All (Bass Boosted)
Oh well, honor for all
Of the big and the small
Well, the taller they stand
Well, the harder they fall
We live for today
But we die for the next
With blood in our veins
And the air in our chests
So we step into war
With our hearts on the line
The dirt on our boots
It shakes free over time
As Aodhàn listened to the words of Mesa's song*, he couldn't help but feel his spirit surge. In comparison to the others, his contribution that night had been small, but like them, he had given his all. He looked to Kyt and as he did so, the following lyrics seemed to call out at him.
Love is a distant aroma at best
A withering smile that's
Stuck deep in your vest
The night air it wraps
Its fingers around
Your body it shakes from
A now distant sound
Oh, the sound of her voice
A sweet symphony
Played over and over
Until you are free
A tear slipped down the bouncer's cheek as he recalled in vivid detail what happened to him that night.
Aodhán looked on in horror, not sure what he could do to assist his companion. Then something seemed to occur to him. With a backward glance at Kytynna, the bouncer charged forth and grasped the haft of the greataxe. Almost immediately, the fleshly tendrils grabbed onto him, clinging to the Chelaxian with inhuman strength.
You can’t have him!
Kyt shouted as she ran over to him, hoping that there was time to save him. She took his face into her hands and looked at him in his struggle.
I have faith in you... like you have faith in us. All I can do is hope you come back to me.
Kyt leaned in and kissed the bouncer.
Aodhàn looked from the elf to Mesa and for a brief moment, thought he saw the musician wink at him. His cheeks burning even more, the bouncer focused on the rest of the song, trying to discern what else was hidden within it.
Well, we shall not stumble
No, we shall not fall
We shall not crumble
No, we shall stand tall
Well, death it will come
As sure as the night
But we will not run
No, we live but to fight
Oh, with blood on our hands
And dirt on our knees
We tear at the ones
Who brought the disease.
The music it fades
The violin slows
The darkness it rises
As the sun goes
And then it hit him. Aodhàn wasn't entirely sure, but to him, it was as though he got the sense that Mesa was saying goodbye, at least for now. The bouncer hoped it wasn't the case, but if it was, then he hoped that whatever it was that was pulling her away from Team Ruby wouldn't keep her from them forever.
Can you feel the
New day rising
Climbing up the
East horizon
They can't hold us
Down we'll fight through
Each and every
One will start new
* Artist: Jon Licht and Daniel Licht
Song: Honor For All
Game soundtrack: Dishonored
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