Quarterling Trench Fighter 3| 28/28 HP| 18 AC (16FF, 12T)| F +8 R +1 W +1| CMB: +2 CMD: 14| Init: +2| Perc: +9| Speed 20 ft.|
Vargas spends the next few days doting over his sister, who remains in bed, weak, feverish, sober. Every part of him wants to run to Titus for comfort and support, but he knows that if he were to tell the boy what he knew, the relationship with his sister, who he had literally killed for, would never be the same.
The two of them are awoken early as the soldiers on their land buzz about, preparing for battle.
Viatrix wriggles up in the hay loft, struggling to speak.
"Don't worry, V, I'll, I'll see what's happening. I'll do my best not to disappoint you."
He presses her pistol into her hands, swearing to her that he would be safe and fine, but she needed to protect their land.
He takes off walking to town, arriving slightly late to meet at the bar.
Quarterling Trench Fighter 3| 28/28 HP| 18 AC (16FF, 12T)| F +8 R +1 W +1| CMB: +2 CMD: 14| Init: +2| Perc: +9| Speed 20 ft.|
Viatrix shoots upright, suddenly alive. She locks eyes with the night hag and screams, reaching for her pistol, only for Vargas to tackle her.
"It's okay sis," he cries, holding her. "We saved you."
"I can't remember a gods-damned thing, and, goodness I've never been so hung over. Where am I? Who's that? Why are we here?"
Viatrix stubbornly rises to her feet, eyes dead set on the night hag.
"Do you really not remember?" asks Vargas, worried for his sister. "V, you died. Sylvia sent us here to save you."
Viatrix stands still for a moment before nodding. "That tracks. I remember that. Dyin. After, too. You okay, kid?"
Vargas stands tall, proud. "I shot a woman to death," he half smiles.
"Why do I feel so terrible? Bitter, cold, empty, f+%* me. Is Vic alright?"
"He's waiting for you outside."
Viatrix glances at everyone in attendance, awkwardly nodding to each in turn, and claps Vargas's shoulder. "I don't like that you're here, kid, but I'm glad I'm not dead. Thank you. Now I got to see a man about a horse." She stiffly moves through the room and exits.
Quarterling Trench Fighter 3| 28/28 HP| 18 AC (16FF, 12T)| F +8 R +1 W +1| CMB: +2 CMD: 14| Init: +2| Perc: +9| Speed 20 ft.|
I am a big fan of 5e, I like it differently and for different reasons, but those two things, as well as Inspiration and Advantage/Disadvantage are things I try to incorporate to any live tabletop, regardless of the system.
Vargas gains Deadly Aim, levels his Intelligence by 1. If possible, retrains his pistol focus (level 3 trench fighter class feature) to be focused on muskets.
Viatrix increases her Strength to 14 (because what didn't kill her made her stronger) and gains Expert Trainer (meaning she can soon multiclass, tho Vic will be vulnerable until level 7)
Vic gains 1 hit die, 1 skill rank in Survival, +2 STR, +2 CON, and +1 to INT. He a good boy.
Quarterling Trench Fighter 3| 28/28 HP| 18 AC (16FF, 12T)| F +8 R +1 W +1| CMB: +2 CMD: 14| Init: +2| Perc: +9| Speed 20 ft.|
I know that we would likely die if we have to face a Night Hag, but I also am secretly hoping Vargas's first adventure doesn't end here and we must head north to Southport
Quarterling Trench Fighter 3| 28/28 HP| 18 AC (16FF, 12T)| F +8 R +1 W +1| CMB: +2 CMD: 14| Init: +2| Perc: +9| Speed 20 ft.|
Playing Catch Up, Journey Here, Musketeer Funeral, Night Hag, Everyone May Read:
Vargas doesn't talk much on the way here, acutely aware that the rest of the party seems to not welcome his presence. He walks beside or astride Victor the whole way.
During the first night, Vargas stays awake late, sitting beside the dead body of his sister. "Why'd you hafta go off and die, V?" He grabs her hand, cold to the touch, and strokes it with his thumb. "I'm sorry I punched you." He takes her armor, trying it on and seeing how it feels on him, and her pistol. Broken, battered, never properly greased or cleaned.
"Gods above, V, who's gonna take care of you when I'm gone?" That night he repairs and restores her weapon, lovingly taking care of it the way his sister had taught him, and the way that their parents had taught her. The way she had stopped doing since her habits overtook her.
He fiddles with some of the ammunition the group gathered from the musketeers, taking one of their muskets as well, disassembling it, cleaning it, studying it.
The march the next day nearly kills him, and that night he sleeps entirely through Karak's scare with the vines.
He stays by the horse and cart while the rest of the party goes in to treat with the witch. He doesn't want to know any of the grimmer details. Wants nothing to do with the reality of the situation. They are here to get Viatrix back, and anything was worth that cost.
When the group pulls over to bury the dead musketeers, he finally speaks up.
"Who were they? These soldiers what killed my sister. Was the mission worth her life? Do you think she would agree with you?"
There is no malice or resentment in these words, simply sadness, and a desperation for a deeper understanding.
Vargas stands stock still for the first few moments of combat, in shock as the bird rushes the door. He hears the screams and rush of battle inside the hut, and his fear roots him to the spot. Eventually, he feels the weight of his sister's pistol at his side, utterly aware that she would not have hesitated as such, that she was a brave and fearless woman.
He takes the gun and rushes the door, ducking beside it. Holding his breath, he readies his weapon, aims and fires, shooting perfectly through the thick of combat.
Quarterling Trench Fighter 3| 28/28 HP| 18 AC (16FF, 12T)| F +8 R +1 W +1| CMB: +2 CMD: 14| Init: +2| Perc: +9| Speed 20 ft.|
Good news, y'all! I am still here
The bad news, is that I lost my cell phone on the airplane on the way to my grandfather's funeral, and have been unable to log into any of my accounts until now. But I am back! I am very sorry to all that I missed the ENTIRE month of March. I am still ready and willing to return if you will still have me; thank you AGAIN for your patience and understanding.
Quarterling Trench Fighter 3| 28/28 HP| 18 AC (16FF, 12T)| F +8 R +1 W +1| CMB: +2 CMD: 14| Init: +2| Perc: +9| Speed 20 ft.|
Howdy, y'all, hell week is over, but today another of my grandparents died which makes three in six months. Will be catching up in these next few days. Thank you for your patience
Quarterling Trench Fighter 3| 28/28 HP| 18 AC (16FF, 12T)| F +8 R +1 W +1| CMB: +2 CMD: 14| Init: +2| Perc: +9| Speed 20 ft.|
Hey all, posting will be slow for a while; I work in the tourism and hospitality industry in a city where St. Pat's is 1000% everything, apologies as we go into this next week
Quarterling Trench Fighter 3| 28/28 HP| 18 AC (16FF, 12T)| F +8 R +1 W +1| CMB: +2 CMD: 14| Init: +2| Perc: +9| Speed 20 ft.|
At first, the kid's face is bright and interested, eager to hear whatever Malik had to say. Maybe some old lady in town had a rat infestation eating all her pillows and him and V were too busy for it or something. But the news comes immediately, and the mood changes.
For a time, Vargas sits unresponsive, staring forward blank faced.
First their parents, and now V.
He breathes deep, still not meeting the bard's eyes and asks, "How did she die." The words have no emotion behind them, the youth not sure how to feel. He is simultaneously angrier than ever before in his life, hit with a deeper sadness than any other he can recall, and entirely lost within himself.
What if they can't bring her back? What does he do then? Take over, drive caravans, pasture cattle? Run off with Titus, join the army?
When Malik opens his mouth to respond, he finds himself interrupted. "I know about the cannons. I saw them in the stables weeks ago when I picked up our new oxen. And I know y'all are planning something. I'm not an idiot."
He leers at Malik, filled with pubescent rage, "You and V finally gonna put your money where your mouths is, huh, finally gonna liberate us from these oppressors? But what now, barman. What now that y'all's idealism went and got my sister killed. How is that worth anything!"
Punch:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
He lunges at Malik, missing wildly and collapsing in a heap in front of him. Vargas sobs, crying hot, weighty tears, his back quaking as he weeps.
Gasping for air, the boy pulls back on his emotions and rises to his feet. He gazes up at Malik, clearly desperate. "I'm, I'm coming with you. Viatrix taught me how to shoot, and-and I don't drink, so I'm, I'm a much better shot than she is. And I went to school, so I know all sorts of things, like, I can tell you what part of a bear you can't eat, and the names of all the Kingdoms in the Fair Lands, and I'm pretty good at a bunch of languages and-" He stops, looking down, unsure. "I, I need to go with you. I need to make sure she's safe."
