Round 1, Init 13
"Zombie ahead! Halvar shouts to those behind him as he moves up to stand beside his brother and also readies a strike for the zombie once he's in range.
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"Well, the rubble might explain why no one returned. Anyone have a guess what might have caused it? Just old age and neglect?" Halvar puts his bow away figuring he'll more likely need his sword in these cramped quarters. He taps his symbol of Uller to give himself resistance for a minute before beginning to climb over the rubble with sword in hand (if feasible) to the stairs. He'll let someone else go first if they would like, but Halvar does have the hands-free light source in the ioun torch.
Halvar wonders at the conditions. What emergency caused everyone to rush to leave? Why did no one ever come back? His imaginations spins. Maybe some monster came in, ate everyone, and the authorities just sealed it off? That would make a good start to a book. He takes up a position where he can see the door as Olf opens it.
Halvar breathes a sigh of relief that the mini genie didn't explode. "I guess he won't be forging us anything." As soon as the others are ready, he'll head to the next room.
Round 3 Halvar takes a 5' step back and tries another arrow, but realizes he might have to switch to his longsword. I really need a composite bow.
Round 2 Halvar is pleased to see his arrow was effective, so he lets fly another, unaware that it will take another perfect shot to cause any damage.
Halvar
Surprise Round Halvar moves into the room to see what's going on. He then looks to his siblings to see if any of them know anything about the mini genie. "Anyone speak mechanical genie?" Round 1 Though not confident about its effectiveness, Halvar takes aim with his bow ready to shoot it if it comes within 15'.
”You know, if it is all just as well, I can try opening doors with a bit more finesse, should you want to rest your shoulders from banging them into doors.” Halvar makes room for his big sister and her more subtle ways. "Picked up some new skills, sis? You never did like things being kept from you."
What a waste, Halvar thinks as he proceeds to the next door. "These things should have been repurposed or the place better maintained."
"Has anyone ever been to Coventry Grove? Might be interesting tov visit if it isn’t completely overrun by civilization by now.” He takes a sip of his spiced wine. ”Or maybe even if it is completely overrun by civilization by now.” "You know I spent a few years living in Coventry Grove before our pair of years as citizens-in-training. It's not the largest of forests on the continent but still wild. The tale of the Ravenguard's exploit was a popular one amongst the few people I encountered, but I never came across an eyewitness to the event."
Halvar rises early with anticipation for the day's activity. He prays for his usual spells and packs his backpack with everything except for the sleeping and cooking gear. He arrives at the cafe a few minutes early--because on time is late. He stands almost as if on guard until someone else arrives before grabbing a table. Over the first cup of coffee, Halvar inquires of Olf about his lamellar armor and how he acquired it. However, his calm composure begins to crack as the party lingers, and he gives Olf a sideways look for ordering a second coffee. When they finally reach the secret passageway, Halvar pulls out a dull gray spherical stone and tosses it up. It doesn't drop but instead begins to orbit above his head and emanate light like a torch (20'). When his senses are attacked by the odor from within, he touches his medal for Uller and gives himself resistance--Uller protect me. He chides himself for being out of the habit and not having done it prior to opening the door. He will need to reinforce his old good habits. Halvar takes notes of how far they descend and at the bottom of the stairs checks his compass against his estimate of which direction they now face. At the stuck door, Halvar again taps on his medal for Uller and assists Olf with the stuck door if needed.
"Fine by me." Halvar resumes his search for a waiter, now for Kalendra's order of spiced wine.
"Afraid of the dark Olf? You've got the better eyesight." He points at Olf's holy symbol of Odur. "Or, is there some regulation about only being out in the sun? You can bring a torch for the fire. That should balance things out."
Halvar picks up his mug and takes a loooong drink before putting down the empty mug. "I"m ready. Anyone need assistance with their drink?"
"Isn't that where you learnt S.W.A.T. tactics? You know combining Swords, Wands, Archery, Theft? I bet you're glad to have that training behind you," Olf shows interest in Halvar's training. "Sorry, but the first rule of the Crim Operatives is: you do not talk about the Crim Operatives." Halvar tries to keep a straight face but gives up with a chuckle. "I'll admit that I miss the action. Beating someone at the archery range isn't quite the same as landing a perfect strike as some swordsman charges at you. Of course, it is a lot safer at the range."
I’m going to go and check it out, and I was hoping many or all of you would be interested in joining me. We all have different talents, I need all the help I can get.”[/b] "You? Lurking around? Good thing I was sitting down for that surprise," Halvar grins. "Sure, I was only at the Cypress Academy for a couple years, but I remember that small part occupied by the Educator's Guild. I'd be up for a return trip."
Halvar's curiosity is sated knowing who is celebrating, but he has no desire to crash a party. His five siblings are more than enough company. He finishes his ale and looks around for a server while debating if going to the bar is worth the effort and weaving through the crowds.
He takes a swig of his beverage. ”Hells, I’d be up for it if it got me out in the open air for a bit.” "The open air is wonderful. Desk work drudgery has been a bit soul crushing these last couple years, but we're free as the birds now." Halvar takes a long drink of his ale. "And, with the war over, we could travel even further. Of course, just because there aren't armies out there trying to kill us doesn't mean it's always safe. It's been two years since I've been on the road, so maybe it's better. If not, we can make it better."
"Us? An adventuring troop?" Halvar chuckles. "Sure, we're family, but you should have seen the results of our 'group' project last year. At least no one was too badly injured. However, I still think the arrow messenger system is viable if there were better archers delivering the mail."
What did you see in your time there? Would you take me in, sometime? The two of us ought be safe enough."[/b] "It's serene deeper in the forest. Without a major river or trading route cutting through it, it's rare to see another mortal walking about. I'd be honored to show you some of my favorite spots. There's a rock outcropping that rises just above the trees. You can see the Bellmiota Peaks to the north and even the towers of Crim on a clear day." -- "You honor us with your visit, Dasho. It seems we're not the only ones celebrating. Who is the lucky couple?"
Halvar doesn't change his clothes but does grab his bow and arrows and ensure they are properly covered from the rain before leaving the house. He pulls up his hood and joins the others for more refreshments. Once the drinks arrive, Halvar raises his mug of ale. "I never was able to brew or distill anything descent those two years I spent in the Coltry Grove. Admittedly, it's one of the things that brought me back to civilization. If I had known Dad was going to talk me into doing the civil service, I might have tried harder and reached out to Kallie for advice first." "I hope to get called to my next guard trek, it was nice for me to get this time away," "Agreed, I love you all, but my feet need to walk on some new ground." Halvar raises his mug. "It seems a few years in any one place is about my limit."
“I wouldn’t want to spoil anything for you,” Halvar responds to Gertrude. “Suffice it to say it even brought tears to my eyes.” Halvar then follows his older brother’s suggestion. He stands tall but this time looks a bit less like a grizzly bear as he smiles and raises his glass first to the eldest sibling and then the rest of the family. “To family. To freedom. To safeguarding those in need. May the uncharted paths of our lives lead us home from time to time.” With that said, it hits him that after two years of living and working together that they will likely now go their separate ways, which surprisingly leaves the onetime forest hermit a bit choked up as he sits back down.
Halvar wrestles with the same old arguments in his head and does his best to not let them ruin the dinner. He agrees with Gertrude, understands Dad's views, but finds the system is far from perfect or fair. He takes another sip of wine and raises his glass to Kallie, "You have really created something special here." Then he changes topics with his older sister. "Don't give me that face, Trudy. You'll always be my big sister with whom I'm more likely to share a good book with than a sermon. Speaking of which, do you have anything new to share? I recently read "My Friends" by an author from the north and would be happy to lend it to you."
Halvar pauses in devouring Mom’s home cooking to give his full attention to his father. He wipes a few crumbs from his beard which is returning to a wilder state after a couple years of regulation trimmings. His long dirty blond hair is safe from the food in a single braid that ends halfway down his back. He sits up straight, his muscular body almost stiffly at attention, or more like a standing brown bear assessing the situation. His genuine smile for his mother’s dinner is replaced with a subdued and respectful countenance peppered with a polite nod here and there. We’ve already done our duty; we don’t need to be sold on it, Halvar thinks to himself. Once he’s sure the sermon has ended, Halvar returns to finishing his first plate of food before joining in the conversation. “Two years of service definitely kept us protected, and sheltered, but I for one am ready to stretch my legs again…and arms,” he says as he ‘gently’ shoves whichever siblings are to his left and right. He pauses before sharing, “I’ve been talking to a priest of Uller I met during the war. There might be a role for me in this world that’s more suited to my skills and need for independence. They understand that an arrow is often needed to make a point but also appreciate everything I learned from Mom about healing for those in need. Now if I could just learn to cook as well as she does.” With a genuine nod of appreciation to his mother, he helps himself to another plate of food. |