Drun nods his head to the mayor, but otherwise keeps his features hidden under his mask and armor.
The guards are already a bit edgy...no sense giving them more reason to distrust us! he thinks as Psalm speaks to the mayor.
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During the entire exchange with Ithrelas in the temple, Drun cannot look away from her beauty. He finds himself rooted to the spot and unable to look away for the half-elf. With his mask on the others cannot see his expression, but if they did it would be one of adoration. Seeing her cry almost breaks the half-orc's heart, and he almost moves towards her, but he looks down at his huge, gnarly hand with it's broken nails and green-tinge and quickly drops it. He would not dare to sully such a beauty with his grotesque touch.
He is startled out of his own thoughts by Lindaer's query. "Ummm...yes? What was that you said?"
At Psalm's announcement of being willing to walk at his side, Drun stands a little straighter and, behind his mask, a big goofy grin is spread across his face. When they arrive at the temple, he lets Lindaer do the talking. He finds the shrine to Saxwyn and gives his thanks to his god for his new friends and the strength to help this town in its hour of need.
Seeing Lindaer and Psalm talking on the docks, Drun goes over and joins them. He decides to travel with the two to the temple, mostly to give his devotions to Saxwyn.
Drun stays on the docks, knowing that the sight of his orcish heritage might be enough to panic the people of this place. He helps where he can, but generally keeps out of the way and stays covered up...including having his mask on.
Drun had kept mostly to himself for the rest of the trip. He had once attempted to talk to Lindaer, but as he approached he could see the half-elf was deep in concentration, so did not want to bother him.
Drun smiles a toothy grin at the praise he receives from Cenfa. "Couldn't have them fish eat our captain now, could we!" As he moves away from the others, he gives a little prayer of thanks to Saxwyn, and also allows his healing touch to repair some of the most grievous wounds he had received.
Rushing to the netted Cenfa, Drun grabs the rope and heaves back against the two fishmen, while calling for someone to cut the net and free Cenfa.
Feeling some life surge back into him, Drun roars and slashes at the fish-man before him (blue). Attack:
Drun readies his weapon and shield and advances on the aquatic foe. Realizing that he will not be able to engage the enemy right away, he stops on the stern deck and prepares himself to repel any on comers while allowing his teammates' space to join him in the battle.
Drun moves in and starts to carry the various crates and boxes onto the ship. It is much sturdier than he first thought, and over time he becomes a little more accustomed to its shifting and bobbing. His strength makes short work of the loading and unloading of the cargo.
ready to roll...sorry Christmas work schedule is a bit chaotic at the moment.
Drun looks a little concerned at the thought of travel by ship. He has never been on the water and is quite unsteady even on the dock. "Well this will be a new adventure...umm..so you know all about these ship-thingies...right??"
I too am fine with hand-waving this part.
Drun nods his head. "The small creatures run from me. I suppose the skink of my past life still surrounds me, or so I believe. They are very....tranquil."
Drun looks mesmerized at Boddynuck's ability to speak with his "friends". "Is that magic you us to make them listen?", he asks in awe.
I thought that was where Lindaer and I were heading. I assume that we are both there now.
Rising early, Drun says a quick prayer to Saxwyn (more like talking to a fellow warrior, actually) and then splashes some cold water on his face before hurrying out to meet Lindaer. He spends a long time the previous night thinking about his fellow paladin, and had come to the conclusion that they were to be friends and allies...and Saxwyn seemed to agree..or at least he did not say anything against this. Seeing his new friend, Drun calls out to him. Hail Lindaer of Amren! I hope you slept well. I have spoken to Saxwyn and he agrees that we should travel together and be comrades against the darkness." It easy to see the big, toothy smile on the half-orc's face, for he has forgotten to wear his mask. Others in the atrium move away from the loud halfbreed, many visibly cringing or wincing as he speaks.
Lindaer cannot see the grin that spreads across the half-orc's face as he tells his story. "I too was given a second chance. My people had captured a paladin of Saxwyn and were torturing him. Between these sessions, I was to care for him and make sure he did not die before they wanted. During these moments he spoke to me of Saxwyn and told me I had a flame of goodness within me and that I needed to escape and serve Saxwyn to allow that flame to grow and become a beacon to other. So I escaped and came here. I too know the darkness of evil, and I think it makes me...us, stronger for we know what lies in the dark and how to combat it! Or so I think..."
Drun heads back towards the compound of the Order of Faith. He looks sidelong at his companion before clearing his throat and speaking. "So..your a paladin too. Umm, how did you come about to serve Amren?"
"I will accompany you, brother, as that is where I am staying",the big orc says, trailing out behind the half-elf.
After the speech by the Senator, Drun watcher the others and how they react. Seeing the paladin of Amren, he smiles, and straightening his mask, moves over to the woman...careful of those smaller than himself as he goes.
"I too offer my sword to this quest, in the name of Saxwyn, the Warrior"
Drun smiles behind his mask hearing the little folk talk. He had learned the language from those same gnomes who found him all those years ago. While rather rusty in the tongue, he none the less goes to the little party and introduces himself in their native language. "ahiat 'asdaqa'a. 'ana duruna, bialaadiyn sakisuian. wayarjaa li 'an 'ashtari lak kla sharab takrimaan lawahid min nawe kunt 'ukhidhat li fi bed alsanawat almadiat waeamilni ealaa qadam almusawati." Translation:
Greetings friends. I am Drun, paladin of Saxwyn. It would please me to buy you all a drink in honor of one of your kind you took me in some years ago and treated me as an equal. He reaches into his belt pouch and takes out enough money to buy the three gnomes a mug of ale each, and one for himself as well.
Drun examines himself in the tiny silvered mirror placed above the wash-basin within his cell. The daily ritual of shaving, not only his face but head as well, was once again almost complete. He stared at his reflection and was suddenly taken back to the years after his escape from the orc dens of Thgol’d’rak...his 'home'. Had it truly been almost 5 years since he had wandered from those rough highland hills into the Republic lands? The whole thing seemed like it was only yesterday..and a bit like a dream. He was too young at the time to understand what had driven him from his home, but the human who had told him of his goddess and had forgiven him and his people their barbaric ways...well it was because of him that Drun left. It was sheer luck that he was not killed at the first village he stopped at. Tired, hungry and looking like some wild Orc straight out of the villager's nightmares, he more or less collapsed at the first doorway he encountered. He still remembered waking on the tiny cot in the small, but cosy cottage. The owner, a family of gnomes who worked and lived in the village, had found him almost frozen on their door-step and without hesitation took him in. Maybe it was the holy symbol he clutched to his chest...the one he had stolen before he left...but whatever it was, they had saved his life. The trip to Rydwyrna and his presentation to the church all seemed a blur to him now. The arguments for and against his admission to their holy orders, and the difficulty adjusting to 'civilized' society flashed through Drun's mind as he stood looking at himself in that tiny mirror. It was hard, but always he felt that warm hand on his shoulder...almost guiding him forward. Whether it was a memory of that doomed Paladin from his homeland, or maybe a higher power, Drun neither knew nor cared. It was enough to know he was doing the right thing! His daily ablutions complete, the half-orc finished dressing in the leather tunic and great cape depicting the symbol of his order. Lastly, he affixed the featureless cuir-bouilli mask to his face. While he did not hide his face from shame, he did feel that the mask helped ease over any misunderstandings others might have seen him for the first time. When all was ready, the half-orc paladin of Saxwyn left his cell in the great temple and made his way into the city. He tried to go to a different part of the great metropolis every week or so, looking for anything he could do to spread the word of his goddess or help the people of his adopted land. After an hour or so of wandering the roads and streets, he wanders into a random tavern for a quick drink to warm and fortify. He moves to a stool at the far end of the bar and orders mead from the keeper. From here he can study those who, most likely, was studying him.
Nervous as both a paladin and a half-orc...will be fun!! Cannot wait to get started! Was hoping I would get on the team with the other paladin and gnomes!! Demi-Humans Unite!!!!
Well, other than the gnome+paladin idea from above, I think the following would make a good group. Drun - Paladin
just my 2cp
Love the picture of him on my sheet too...I like the addition of the face-mask...might have to add that into his story...
Originally so was I...until I began to think about it...then D-run seemed appropriate for a 'half-breed' who most of the tribe ignored, if not out-right hated!
3 gnomes and Drun!! lol That would be a lot of fun!!!
Character's Name: Drun of Saxwyn
And just FYI his name is pronounced D-run. Whatever his first name was, it was shortened to "D" and he was always ordered to run about completing the most menial tasks. "D-run over to the stores and get us some ale!'
and the like...
Two groups I think would be much more manageable and reduce DM fatigue. As others have said, player attrition will also play a role and perhaps at some point further in the game the two groups could merge into one...if the numbers dropped.
The breaking of the "traditional" adventuring party consisting of the thief, fighter mage and cleric is a breath of fresh air. I have a monk who can heal with the Healer Feat, so he can give a wounded companion a good boost without needing magic...oh and he also can pick locks as his background was criminal!! This allows a group to be more dynamic as we have seen here with the "thief/paladin" creation Lindaer. So having a thief/healer, or a warrior with limited spell casting is possible without having to 'dip' into other classes. I for one would enjoy having your barbarian in my group Shenkt!!!
Ok, well this history is becoming a bit long, so I have created a Part One and soon a Part Two.
Thanks The History of Drun of Saxwyn - Part One: Part One The mountains of Thgol’d’rak is an inhospitable land of cold peaks, deep crevasses and silent forests. Also known as Orc Hold, the land is the perfect homeland for the savage and barbaric clans of Orcs who inhabit the many vales, caves and peaks. Into this land the half-breed Drun was born.
Submission by Daniel Stewart. Still need to add history, which I am working on now. Thanks
Ok, Arbin is updated with a history and everything...lol Best of luck everyone!!
Ok, here is my submission (Daniel Stewart) Days in Captivity:
I will fill out the alias more and add the background soon. |