Its providence is what made for such the enticing trap.
The refugees were no match for the horrors within the swirling fog. Even the Champion was at a loss. Soon, their numbers were less than a dozen and Apfelßodt's own faith had begun to falter. Enter, the Wormwalkers. Three men, each horrifying by their own right -- a knight cast in shadow, enwreathed in unnatural energy, a faceless clergy with wicked intent... and a strange little gnome, with yellow eyes and stained teeth. Each offered his own deal, each with malicious conditions.
At first, the Champion refused. His concern was for his people, but his own life was also a factor. The price seemed too great, so long as its guarantees were so few. However, as more died and fewer remained, the desperation eventually took its toll. So it is that Apfelßodt became the fourth Wormwalker.
When He returned to His people, it was as a giant, decorated in golden scales and crowned with bloody horns, His eyes reflecting nothing but contempt for those He had sworn to protect. With a single swing of His mighty axe, He cleaved a hole into the very fabric of the realm. And to His people, He offered this hole. All He asked was for their service. Desperation won out and the people agreed, eager for an end to their suffering. How fitting that they've suffered ever since.
As the elder finishes, he relays to Quartz one more thing:"Thou hath likely noticed our progeny differ from thy bronzed friend?"
He nods as the Firbolg affirms this.
"'Tis been generations... We are no longer the same as he. No doubt you've seen our Champion's warriors?"
Suddenly, in the Firbolg's mind, it clicks. Their size, their stature, the coloring of their scales. Impossible as it should be, the people of this village are hybrids. Kobolds and Dragonborn, in one.
Serescal's eyes grow dark.
"Every 13th year, a maiden is taken from our village. She is 'chosen' unto His grace and made Mother to His brood. When she returns, it is oft bloodied and at the fringe of death. The female children are returned, and become the mothers to potentially bear the next made Mother. Those who thou hast likely fought are our children, given pure form by His grace. They are, in part, our sin as well."
He continues, a sparkle of regret in his eyes.
"Alas, the Mother chosen unto us this time was born far too late. She will not be ready. 'Tis why thou found us cowering in the brush upon our first meet. Sceilie had planned to offer herself unto His emissaries...
[He's been tracking down everyone involved in his gifts.]
After thanking the last of his friends and wiping the last tear from his eye, Lelantus finds himself free to locate the others. Last he'd heard, Korbiña was staying with Sceilie and the hunters next door. Asher has locked himself away in the archives, and Quartz is supposed to be staying in the woods.
Quartz eyes widen in astonishment as the elder waves his take of woe. His complexion pales as he hears the story recounted and takes a moment to collect himself before speaking
"... I had no idea. I am deeply indebted to you for yiur generosity. You're village's secret is safe with me. But, I have to ask: when the emissary does arrive, Sceilie plans to sacrifice herself even yet? You say you allow her. I understand, but - and with all due respect, for I do not wish to imply anything, merely to know - was this ... her idea?"
Lelantus goes to find korbina remembering how kind she's been visiting him during his recovery. He decides that she might be near sceilie and he also wishes to ask her if anyone has seen the ugly bastards that stole thaux.
Quartz eyes widen in astonishment as the elder waves his take of woe. His complexion pales as he hears the story recounted and takes a moment to collect himself before speaking
"... I had no idea. I am deeply indebted to you for yiur generosity. You're village's secret is safe with me. But, I have to ask: when the emissary does arrive, Sceilie plans to sacrifice herself even yet? You say you allow her. I understand, but - and with all due respect, for I do not wish to imply anything, merely to know - was this ... her idea?"
The old man's brow bones furrow, then relax.
"...When tired and broken they return to us, they do not pass on the hour. They linger, suffer... Sceilie was herself born unto a made Mother, her and her elder sister, Nisshya. When the time came, so too did the emissaries. Alas, they came for Sceilie. Nisshya, of course, volunteered herself. When at last she returned, there was naught but the Visage of Death unto her. Hers was a hard passing."
He wipes tears from his eyes. Shortly after, he answers.
"I know not why that girl would present herself, having lost her sister by that very calling. Have thou seen the children thy small friend hath befriended? The largest of those girls is Nanya."
He draws a shallow sigh, his voice rattling with emotion.
"...She was the selected. Alas, she is born late, too young. Nevertheless, they would take her and she wouldst most assuredly suffer. Methinks Sceilie wished to spare the child the fate of her sister and so offered herself, perhaps as penance for her sister's fate as well."
Lelantus goes to find korbina remembering how kind she's been visiting him during his recovery. He decides that she might be near sceilie and he also wishes to ask her if anyone has seen the ugly bastards that stole thaux.
Entering the hunter's lodgings, the halfling finds only a few men about. Asking to the tiefling's whereabouts, he is shortly sent to a specific hunter by the name Kreas, who himself greets Lelantus with a slightly uncomfortable zeal. After several attempts by the hunter to court Lelantus' favor, all unreturned, he is told flatly that Korbiña was last seen having made off into the woods with the smith girl, Sceilie, whom appeared to have been blushing significantly.
Its a new movie on Netflix. A kingdom sacrifices a maiden to a dragon on a regular basis. It's a cycle of trauma thing I guess. I only saw like ten minutes of it. It's the girl from Stranger Things. But it just came out this week so the timing is serendipitous.
"I see." anawers Quartz, "Perhaps Sceilie knows something more than the rest of us. Something, maybe, her mother learned while away. Something she told no one else. Or perhaps it's simply as you say, a sort if survivor's guilt. If only there were some way to know for sure what the girl knows."
Suddenly, the chapel bell begins to ring. In the torchlight, every villager seems to elicit a look of shock. Even Sceilie, who moments ago had a warm smile and a look of longing for the girl beside her, now eyes the main gate with a mix of anxiety and fear. Chescha snaps her book shut, turning to see Asher ready to confront her on what he'd found. Instead, she swiftly moves past him. Inside Serescal's house, Lelantus and Quartz hear the bell as well. Lelantus wonders what the commotion is as two of the children run past him. One is whimpering. Inside the study, Serescal's begins to stand, urgency clear in his actions.
"For whom the bell tolls..." Quartz begins, musing, his expression suddenly dour.
" Dammit, we can't let that girl wander off with whatever grim courier that degenerate champion of yours has sent." the furbolg's blue-grey four stands on end, his rage barely suppressed as he confronts the elder. "How can you just let this happen? There must be a way we can end this perpetual torment! How can you resign your children to such a fate just to preserve your own lives?"
Quartz has a sudden realization, through the fog of overpowering emotions: "If you're restored here, and we're raised here too, what set the trap, and west dues if want with us? It makes all the difference. A furrier won't let his quarry's pelt be sundered, but a trapper won't let the animal live long: struggling makes the meat tough and gamey. The question is, which are we? If we know what our captors want with us, we can use it against them."
<Quartz wants to follow the emissary, he's willing to let the girl go with him, as bait, so long as she consents to it. Seems she already has.>
"For whom the bell tolls..." Quartz begins, musing, his expression suddenly dour.
" Dammit, we can't let that girl wander off with whatever grim courier that degenerate champion of yours has sent." the furbolg's blue-grey four stands on end, his rage barely suppressed as he confronts the elder. "How can you just let this happen? There must be a way we can end this perpetual torment! How can you resign your children to such a fate just to preserve your own lives?"
Quartz has a sudden realization, through the fog of overpowering emotions: "If you're restored here, and we're raised here too, what set the trap, and west dues if want with us? It makes all the difference. A furrier won't let his quarry's pelt be sundered, but a trapper won't let the animal live long: struggling makes the meat tough and gamey. The question is, which are we? If we know what our captors want with us, we can use it against them."
<Quartz wants to follow the emissary, he's willing to let the girl go with him, as bait, so long as she consents to it. Seems she already has.>
In haste, Serescal responds:"I know not, what He seeks of thee, child. I am but born unto this fate. It is not mine to question. But if thy own question is what those chosen maidens are used for, the answer's quite clear..."
He opens the study door and peers back at the giant.
"...our ancestors were as thy friend in the archives. Yet here we are, so vastly different. Need I truly explain what an army might need of a woman to sustain itself?"
With that, he hurries to the village square, leaving the giant to grapple with what he's learned, as well as the secret he's been sworn to keep.
<so, I'm thinking we're trapped in this miat, like a domain of dread, and so too the village. So, the thing I'm after is the intent if the shadowy forces holding us here. Or did I misunderstand and thus entire village is just free to pick up and leave anytime, barring possible interception by the dark quartet? In either case, stopping said quartet seems like the thing to do, so still in favor of following the emissary.>
Quartz plans to find the others and ask them if they will all attempt to surreptitiously follow the emissary. He leaves the elders study and hurries to the gate, where he expects the others will be looking in to see what happens next.
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[Continuing...]
Its providence is what made for such the enticing trap.
The refugees were no match for the horrors within the swirling fog. Even the Champion was at a loss. Soon, their numbers were less than a dozen and Apfelßodt's own faith had begun to falter. Enter, the Wormwalkers. Three men, each horrifying by their own right -- a knight cast in shadow, enwreathed in unnatural energy, a faceless clergy with wicked intent... and a strange little gnome, with yellow eyes and stained teeth. Each offered his own deal, each with malicious conditions.
At first, the Champion refused. His concern was for his people, but his own life was also a factor. The price seemed too great, so long as its guarantees were so few. However, as more died and fewer remained, the desperation eventually took its toll. So it is that Apfelßodt became the fourth Wormwalker.
When He returned to His people, it was as a giant, decorated in golden scales and crowned with bloody horns, His eyes reflecting nothing but contempt for those He had sworn to protect. With a single swing of His mighty axe, He cleaved a hole into the very fabric of the realm. And to His people, He offered this hole. All He asked was for their service. Desperation won out and the people agreed, eager for an end to their suffering. How fitting that they've suffered ever since.
As the elder finishes, he relays to Quartz one more thing: "Thou hath likely noticed our progeny differ from thy bronzed friend?"
He nods as the Firbolg affirms this.
"'Tis been generations... We are no longer the same as he. No doubt you've seen our Champion's warriors?"
Suddenly, in the Firbolg's mind, it clicks. Their size, their stature, the coloring of their scales. Impossible as it should be, the people of this village are hybrids. Kobolds and Dragonborn, in one.
Serescal's eyes grow dark.
"Every 13th year, a maiden is taken from our village. She is 'chosen' unto His grace and made Mother to His brood. When she returns, it is oft bloodied and at the fringe of death. The female children are returned, and become the mothers to potentially bear the next made Mother. Those who thou hast likely fought are our children, given pure form by His grace. They are, in part, our sin as well."
He continues, a sparkle of regret in his eyes.
"Alas, the Mother chosen unto us this time was born far too late. She will not be ready. 'Tis why thou found us cowering in the brush upon our first meet. Sceilie had planned to offer herself unto His emissaries...
...and we allowed her."
Where is lelantus currently?
[He's been tracking down everyone involved in his gifts.]
After thanking the last of his friends and wiping the last tear from his eye, Lelantus finds himself free to locate the others. Last he'd heard, Korbiña was staying with Sceilie and the hunters next door. Asher has locked himself away in the archives, and Quartz is supposed to be staying in the woods.
Somebody watched Damsel on Netflix.
Quartz eyes widen in astonishment as the elder waves his take of woe. His complexion pales as he hears the story recounted and takes a moment to collect himself before speaking
"... I had no idea. I am deeply indebted to you for yiur generosity. You're village's secret is safe with me. But, I have to ask: when the emissary does arrive, Sceilie plans to sacrifice herself even yet? You say you allow her. I understand, but - and with all due respect, for I do not wish to imply anything, merely to know - was this ... her idea?"
Lelantus goes to find korbina remembering how kind she's been visiting him during his recovery. He decides that she might be near sceilie and he also wishes to ask her if anyone has seen the ugly bastards that stole thaux.
The old man's brow bones furrow, then relax.
"...When tired and broken they return to us, they do not pass on the hour. They linger, suffer... Sceilie was herself born unto a made Mother, her and her elder sister, Nisshya. When the time came, so too did the emissaries. Alas, they came for Sceilie. Nisshya, of course, volunteered herself. When at last she returned, there was naught but the Visage of Death unto her. Hers was a hard passing."
He wipes tears from his eyes. Shortly after, he answers.
"I know not why that girl would present herself, having lost her sister by that very calling. Have thou seen the children thy small friend hath befriended? The largest of those girls is Nanya."
He draws a shallow sigh, his voice rattling with emotion.
"...She was the selected. Alas, she is born late, too young. Nevertheless, they would take her and she wouldst most assuredly suffer. Methinks Sceilie wished to spare the child the fate of her sister and so offered herself, perhaps as penance for her sister's fate as well."
[What's Damsel?]
Entering the hunter's lodgings, the halfling finds only a few men about. Asking to the tiefling's whereabouts, he is shortly sent to a specific hunter by the name Kreas, who himself greets Lelantus with a slightly uncomfortable zeal. After several attempts by the hunter to court Lelantus' favor, all unreturned, he is told flatly that Korbiña was last seen having made off into the woods with the smith girl, Sceilie, whom appeared to have been blushing significantly.
Its a new movie on Netflix. A kingdom sacrifices a maiden to a dragon on a regular basis. It's a cycle of trauma thing I guess. I only saw like ten minutes of it. It's the girl from Stranger Things. But it just came out this week so the timing is serendipitous.
"I see." anawers Quartz, "Perhaps Sceilie knows something more than the rest of us. Something, maybe, her mother learned while away. Something she told no one else. Or perhaps it's simply as you say, a sort if survivor's guilt. If only there were some way to know for sure what the girl knows."
Lelantus realizes this might not be the best time to talk to them. He decides instead to try to find the highest point in the village.
The chapel would be his best bet, clearly. He needs Serescal to unlock it, however.
Lelantus searches for a way to climb to the top.
[Does he have climbing equipment?]
I was thinking he would freeclimb it but if he needs equipment I guess he'll go find serascal
Not long after, Korbiña and Sceilie return, holding hands and Korbiña with a very determined look in her eyes looking around for her companions...
Suddenly, the chapel bell begins to ring. In the torchlight, every villager seems to elicit a look of shock. Even Sceilie, who moments ago had a warm smile and a look of longing for the girl beside her, now eyes the main gate with a mix of anxiety and fear. Chescha snaps her book shut, turning to see Asher ready to confront her on what he'd found. Instead, she swiftly moves past him. Inside Serescal's house, Lelantus and Quartz hear the bell as well. Lelantus wonders what the commotion is as two of the children run past him. One is whimpering. Inside the study, Serescal's begins to stand, urgency clear in his actions.
"It is them. They hath come."
Lelantus draws his blades and keeps his eyes peeled for the ones who stole thaux
"For whom the bell tolls..." Quartz begins, musing, his expression suddenly dour.
" Dammit, we can't let that girl wander off with whatever grim courier that degenerate champion of yours has sent." the furbolg's blue-grey four stands on end, his rage barely suppressed as he confronts the elder. "How can you just let this happen? There must be a way we can end this perpetual torment! How can you resign your children to such a fate just to preserve your own lives?"
Quartz has a sudden realization, through the fog of overpowering emotions: "If you're restored here, and we're raised here too, what set the trap, and west dues if want with us? It makes all the difference. A furrier won't let his quarry's pelt be sundered, but a trapper won't let the animal live long: struggling makes the meat tough and gamey. The question is, which are we? If we know what our captors want with us, we can use it against them."
<Quartz wants to follow the emissary, he's willing to let the girl go with him, as bait, so long as she consents to it. Seems she already has.>
In haste, Serescal responds: "I know not, what He seeks of thee, child. I am but born unto this fate. It is not mine to question. But if thy own question is what those chosen maidens are used for, the answer's quite clear..."
He opens the study door and peers back at the giant.
"...our ancestors were as thy friend in the archives. Yet here we are, so vastly different. Need I truly explain what an army might need of a woman to sustain itself?"
With that, he hurries to the village square, leaving the giant to grapple with what he's learned, as well as the secret he's been sworn to keep.
<so, I'm thinking we're trapped in this miat, like a domain of dread, and so too the village. So, the thing I'm after is the intent if the shadowy forces holding us here. Or did I misunderstand and thus entire village is just free to pick up and leave anytime, barring possible interception by the dark quartet? In either case, stopping said quartet seems like the thing to do, so still in favor of following the emissary.>
Quartz plans to find the others and ask them if they will all attempt to surreptitiously follow the emissary. He leaves the elders study and hurries to the gate, where he expects the others will be looking in to see what happens next.