Jex bursts out laughing despite the nasty bruise welling up on his back. He rolls onto his front and pushes himself to his feet. "I am sure nobody else here has the courage to do that". He picks up his belongings from around Vals feet slowly, casually and pointedly keeping his back exposed to her. "Thurston, shall we go before Valaith changes her mind and asks me to stay?" He walks from the door, putting his gear back on as he goes.
Reflexively Val shifts a step back as Jex comes closer again, she looks around at the others confused and unsure what to do. She blinks several times before sitting back down with a huff, crossing her arms over her torso and staring at the ground. She glances up with a frown as Jex prepares to leave with Thurston. "You're a bastard." Although he cannot be sure, Jex feels like the glare softens a bit and there might've been a slight note of confused respect in her voice...
Seid clears his throat a little, his mouth hanging open as he glances about. "...So, anyone up for something to drink?" He slips a bottle of mead from a nearby table, which is suddenly yanked from his hands by Valaith and before he could say anything she was chugging the sweet alcoholic beverage straight from the bottle. "Ah, yes, Valaith I think..." he reaches for the bottle and her massive paws easily push his smaller hands aside. "Okay." He presses his mouth into a line and raises his eyebrows as he glances sidelong at Vark, Brundir, and Hurrig.
Vark gives a half smile to Seid, comforted by the man’s words but still shaken from the prospect of Matthew using him as a puppet. The resolution of Val and Jex’s spat seems to relax him further, and as their goliath friend down’s the bottle of mead, Vark sheepishly goes to order a round for himself and the other remaining companions.
Hurrig sits curiously watching Val and Jex go about their feud ending with a kiss. “Now that’s out of the way, I’ll take some fresh air with ya to get the cart. That’s where ya still got that mead from Hyarantar right?” Hurrig gets up and makes his way across the tavern, “well ya comin?!”
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Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
It's a good couple of hour's trek back down the pass to Erik's runestone, and by the time Hurrig, Jex and Thurston have found the spot on the High Road where they hid the wagon, the moon has crept high in the sky and the sun is setting behind it.
Jex is seeing to Tomasz and getting everything ready to move, when the distinct clip-clop of hoofs on stone comes echoing down the pass from the west. When the trio look up, they see the promised elven outriders cantering up the road towards Sheercleft.
Looking down the pass Jex takes the reins of his mule and clicks at him to get him moving as he leads him away from the tree line. "Well, it appears our allies are here as promised. Half a day after they would have been useful. I suppose we should meet them and ride in together. Would hate for them to feel offended at an inadequate reception." He strolls out into the middle of the pass, still holding the reins in his left hand he raises his right in greeting. Calling out in elvish he greets the group on the road. "Warmest greetings friends. We were warned to expect you soon. I trust your journey has been comfortable?"
As Jex comes walking out into the road, the lead elf holds up a hand, and the ranks of horsemen draw to a halt. Closer now, Jex can see that it is indeed Gadron leading.the riders.
"Well met," the elf replies with a wary frown, peering over Jex into the distance.
"You walk with little care for a man who reported an occupying army on his doorstep. Tell me, how fares Sheercleft?"
Hurrig looks Godron up and down, “Well a little bit of haste would ‘ave been appreciated. We’ve reclaimed the town from the goblins. We ‘ave some tidying up if ya’d like to stay and help.”
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Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
“We had no choice, there was no response when we wrote to you. We had to move or risk our family and loved ones be slaves or worse slaughtered.” Hurrig steps closer to the elf. We needed to act. We devised a plan to remove the warlord and once that was accomplished the rest scattered. We may have some stragglers in the mountain and foothills for some months. But the leadership is gone so they may be easier to handle.”
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Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
The look of astonished surprise doesn't leave Gadron's face. In spite of himself, he seems impressed.
"I meant no offense, Master Hurrig, but we are here now. I will instruct my men to patrol Sheercleft's borders and the surrounding passes. Leaderless or not, goblins roving the mountains are good for neither of our peoples."
He pauses, as though waiting to see if there is anything else to be said.
“Thank you, Gadron. We appreciate all the help you can offer. I apologize for tha yer bit of angst. It’s been a long day. We can patrol the mountain passes for outliers in the morning. Come drink with us, you’ve had a long day too.” Hurrig extends a hand to clasp with Gadron.
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Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Gadron reaches down and graps Hurrig's forearm in return, smiling for the first time as they shake.
"Thank you Hurrig. You're a credit to Sheercleft. You lead, we'll follow. Do you have somewhere I can quarter my men and their horses..."
By the time the wagon and its new escort arrive back at the village, the sun has well and truly disappeared behind the moon. Much was achieved today, but much also still remains to be done, and as Sheercleft's new heroes think back on the events of the day, they cannot help but reflect on how much they have learned and how far they have come.
Back at the inn, Hurrig brings a round of drinks for everyone. “So Gadron, what do ya think the intentions of that force heading towards Hyarantar was? Surely they knew that you lot would wipe them out?” Hurrig takes a long sip of his honey wine. “Ya know, this compares nothing to a nice dwarvish stout! But it’s damn good.
"They definitely weren't expecting us!" Gadron laughs, sipping from his own drink. The normally stiff captain seems a lot more relaxed with a drink in his hand at Ringrut's.
"No, we caught them off guard. I think they were hunting smaller game." He eyes Hurrig and any other present members of Acharnost meaningfully.
“Well good! They never saw it coming then!” Hurrig finishes his honey wine and slams the cup on the table. “If it’s alright wit ya, I need to find a bed. The longest days are behind us for now, but rebuilding this town ain’t going to be easy. We can discuss plans to hunt the rest of the goblins down in tha mornin.” With that Hurrig clasps arms with Gadron again. And says good night to his friends, whoever is still lingering around.
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Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
While the others were gone, Val spends much of the time in sullen silence and drinking to excess, casting glances over towards Seid now and again.
Meanwhile Seid enjoys his time with Brundir and Vark, joking with the two men and speaking of arcane lore with Vark. Listening to the stories they tell about their adventures. As the night wears on, Seid watches Valaith carefully and makes mental notes. Before they retire for the night, he approaches her and sits next to her. "Valaith, it seemed you needed a little time to yourself so I wanted to give you some space to think before approaching."
She doesn't look at the wizard as she takes another drink of mead. "Yup."
Seid sighs and continues. "Listen, I do not know you, but I know the valorous woman you appear. I saw the interaction you had with Jex and I could see that you were projecting your frustrations in yourself on someone else."
The temperatures around Val and Seid drop rapidly as Val lowers the mug from her face and slowly turns to glare at Seid. "What?"
"I'm saying that you appear to be torn whether or not to follow your friends into the tunnels belowor remain here to recoup. You feel that is cowardice. 'slinking about the shadows'? 'Hiding with a chest full of gold'? Come now, Valaith, it is really too easy to spot." Seid doesn't seem to notice the narrowed eyes directed at him. "While I do feel that Jex has some very deep seated morality issues, that aside, he did make a very valid point that you likely missed in your anger. We cannot always rush off into the fray. Sometimes you do have to sit back to think and fight smartly to keep up the good work. You are beyond valorous, Valaith. I watched you battle despite the terrible wound that is still pestering you even now. Your eyes are keener than mine, but I still see things and my mind is just as keen as your blades, Lady Rimehand. I can see it in your eyes that you want to pursue my former comrades, but what happens if they return with a small contingent of hobgoblins while we are all down below? Who will lead them in that fight? Captain Anders is dead. Ringrut for all his fury, is a tavern keeper. He's no warrior. Brundir's mother? While quite the capable warrior... again she's not a hero of Sheercleft. You are. They will follow you, fight with you. You could potentially lead them to a victory. And if it doesn't happen, then so much the better. Your wound will not heal ever if you keep pushing yourself the way you have. It will fester eventually, become infected, then kill you slowly. I do think you wish to die in a bed, screaming in pain as your body quite literally rots away while you lie in a cesspool of your own piss and shit."
Valaith recoils slightly at the vulgarity of Seid's conversation; she had not expected such words to come from the wizard. He had always seemed so...proper."No, I wish a glorious death in battle. I do not wish that at all. Gods... is that, really, what happens, Seid?"
He nods sagely and points towards her stomach. "It can happen with any wound that is not afforded the opportunity to heal properly, Valaith, but especially so with stomach wounds because of the very nature of what moves through that area. It is nothing I would ever want to experience. I have smelt gangrene before... that's rotten flesh still attached to someone, and it was beyond awful. I can only imagine what that would smell like accompanied by poisoned blood and offal." He shudders a bit in disgust. "I have great respect for you and your comrades, Valaith. I truly hate that any of you have suffered at the hands of the Mabinogi. I wish to see you healed. I will accompany them in your stead if you would grant me that honor. I would go regardless, but to take the journey with your good graces would mean much to me. You have been in this fight since the moment you stepped foot in Sheercleft from what I have gathered. I think I always knew something about the Mabinogi was off, but I was blind to it. You have never turned a blind eye to the suffering around from what I can tell." He shrugs and takes the mug of mead from Val's hand, grinning as the large goliath woman laughs at his audacity. He begins to chug down the contents and sputters a bit, which causes Valaith to begin roaring in laughter as she pounds her hand on the table.
As the laughter rises into a fit, she suddenly gasps in pain and doubles over, once hand grasping at her wounded stomach and feeling as if she wanted to vomit. "Valaith!" Seid drops the mug and rushes to her side.
Val easily pushes him back and forces herself to sit upright, despite the pain. "Quiet, fool! I'm fine."
Seid glares at her. "No, you're not! Quit being so gods-be-damned stubborn! What would happen to you and your friends if that had happened in a fight with the Mabinogi? Look at you! You're bleeding." He gestures angrily at the dark blood seeping down her stomach. "Not only will you put yourself at risk, but everyone else. You barely made it through the battle. You cannot even laugh without pain. You need to heal. There is no shame in healing so that you can take the fight to them later. This is far from over. There are more of them than what was in Sheercleft. And even when that's done, there are more threats it would seem you wish to tackle. You cannot do so if you're dead. Now, I have said my fill. I can say no more. Decide what you will, but know this... If you allow stubbornness to win the day over practicality, you will lose much of my respect for you." He takes another drink from the mug of mead. "I bid you a good eve, Lady Rimehand." He slams the mug down onto the table, wipes his lips, and walks away.
Valaith watches the little wizard man. Arrogant little fool. Who did he think he was? Telling her what to do! No one told Valaith Kalukavi what to do! 'Except me.' she could almost hear his voice, her brother. 'You were always too proud to listen, Rimehand.' Valaith looked down at the hammer near her feet... the black metal. 'I miss you. And father. And mother. I miss you all so much. Why did you have to leave me?' Silence. Valaith sighs, glances around at her companions, and then gets to her feet as she proceeds to her room. Once there she gingerly removes her armor and clothing, replaces the dirty bandage around her torso with a clean poultice that Dorno had given her, and she lays down on the bed. She stares at the ceiling for what feels like hours before a wave of raw, agonizing emotion rushes over her. She does not fight as the tears stream and the cries drift from her throat. Sometime later when she could cry no more, she picks up her hammer and lays it across her thighs. She stares at it for a time. "You need a name. What should we call you?"
As Valaith stares at the head of the hammer she can make out two distinct symbols in a script that she cannot read. They're chaotic and wild, full of swinging curves and sudden scratches. It makes them difficult for the eye to pin down, and the longer she stares at them, the more they twist and shift. However, as Val poses her question, she feels like the runes come into focus, taking a form she can understand.
Jex spends the first hour or so after returning to Sheercleft moving his bounty rescued from Kung's tent to the wagon, carefully and avoiding notice as much as possible. Though it was perfectly well protected he would prefer to avoid the complications of explaining why a curious townsman had been eaten by his giant cobra. As he finishes loading the wagon he sits with his vipers coiling around his shoulders, looking over the treasure and trying to work out precisely how much his surroundings were now worth. In a previous lifetime he would have driven off in the cover of night, sold the goods and lived happily on the profits for several years, but now things were different. As the young vipers slither over his muscles he realises how much he aches. The activities of the previous few days had taken a toll, but he felt good. Sharper from the practice and constant conflict. But also more fulfilled. He realises also with some measure of concern that he cared for the people around him and was enjoying their company. Two of the items stick out to him as being particularly unfamiliar, he places them aside to ask for a second opinion in the morning, but all in all things looked to be worth a serious sum and he returns to the idea of setting up a business here. This could be a long term base of operations, a place being rebuilt was easier to place roots in deeply and to have a chance to shape the systems around his needs was very appealing. Jex sits hatching plans and feeding, and drawing venom from his snakes for a few hours longer before eventually taking his sleep in the familiar surroundings of his wagon.
Exhausted was an understatement for how Vark felt at the end of the day. He’d nearly fell to his death in the ravine, fled and fought scores of hobgoblins, and he’d allowed some mysterious entity into his mind. Eventually this stress disturbs his desperate sleep, and he wakes in the wee hours of the morning. After a few moments staring up at the ceiling, he slips out of the tavern and into the chill twilight. With a quick look to make sure no one is out and about, he starts strolling slowly down the street. His hand fishes the blood stone out of his pocket and he gives it a hard look. “What do you want? I mean... what do you really want? I- I want to trust you a-and you helped me a lot today but then you asked to stretch my legs and how do I know you’d give them back I mean give me back I- What was that dream about? Before you looked like a king you looked... different and and then even when I first found you Thurston seemed to sense something I... p-please just tell me the truth. If... if I can’t trust you then I can’t help you.”
Jex bursts out laughing despite the nasty bruise welling up on his back. He rolls onto his front and pushes himself to his feet. "I am sure nobody else here has the courage to do that". He picks up his belongings from around Vals feet slowly, casually and pointedly keeping his back exposed to her. "Thurston, shall we go before Valaith changes her mind and asks me to stay?" He walks from the door, putting his gear back on as he goes.
Reflexively Val shifts a step back as Jex comes closer again, she looks around at the others confused and unsure what to do. She blinks several times before sitting back down with a huff, crossing her arms over her torso and staring at the ground. She glances up with a frown as Jex prepares to leave with Thurston. "You're a bastard." Although he cannot be sure, Jex feels like the glare softens a bit and there might've been a slight note of confused respect in her voice...
Seid clears his throat a little, his mouth hanging open as he glances about. "...So, anyone up for something to drink?" He slips a bottle of mead from a nearby table, which is suddenly yanked from his hands by Valaith and before he could say anything she was chugging the sweet alcoholic beverage straight from the bottle. "Ah, yes, Valaith I think..." he reaches for the bottle and her massive paws easily push his smaller hands aside. "Okay." He presses his mouth into a line and raises his eyebrows as he glances sidelong at Vark, Brundir, and Hurrig.
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Vark gives a half smile to Seid, comforted by the man’s words but still shaken from the prospect of Matthew using him as a puppet. The resolution of Val and Jex’s spat seems to relax him further, and as their goliath friend down’s the bottle of mead, Vark sheepishly goes to order a round for himself and the other remaining companions.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
Hurrig sits curiously watching Val and Jex go about their feud ending with a kiss. “Now that’s out of the way, I’ll take some fresh air with ya to get the cart. That’s where ya still got that mead from Hyarantar right?” Hurrig gets up and makes his way across the tavern, “well ya comin?!”
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
It's a good couple of hour's trek back down the pass to Erik's runestone, and by the time Hurrig, Jex and Thurston have found the spot on the High Road where they hid the wagon, the moon has crept high in the sky and the sun is setting behind it.
Jex is seeing to Tomasz and getting everything ready to move, when the distinct clip-clop of hoofs on stone comes echoing down the pass from the west. When the trio look up, they see the promised elven outriders cantering up the road towards Sheercleft.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Looking down the pass Jex takes the reins of his mule and clicks at him to get him moving as he leads him away from the tree line. "Well, it appears our allies are here as promised. Half a day after they would have been useful. I suppose we should meet them and ride in together. Would hate for them to feel offended at an inadequate reception." He strolls out into the middle of the pass, still holding the reins in his left hand he raises his right in greeting. Calling out in elvish he greets the group on the road. "Warmest greetings friends. We were warned to expect you soon. I trust your journey has been comfortable?"
As Jex comes walking out into the road, the lead elf holds up a hand, and the ranks of horsemen draw to a halt. Closer now, Jex can see that it is indeed Gadron leading.the riders.
"Well met," the elf replies with a wary frown, peering over Jex into the distance.
"You walk with little care for a man who reported an occupying army on his doorstep. Tell me, how fares Sheercleft?"
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Hurrig looks Godron up and down, “Well a little bit of haste would ‘ave been appreciated. We’ve reclaimed the town from the goblins. We ‘ave some tidying up if ya’d like to stay and help.”
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
Gadron's raises his eyebrows so far they almost get lost in his helmet.
"You defeated a hobgoblin battalion... by yourselves? Hyarantar is more than a full day's ride from Sheercleft, at a normal pace. We made all haste."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
“We had no choice, there was no response when we wrote to you. We had to move or risk our family and loved ones be slaves or worse slaughtered.” Hurrig steps closer to the elf. We needed to act. We devised a plan to remove the warlord and once that was accomplished the rest scattered. We may have some stragglers in the mountain and foothills for some months. But the leadership is gone so they may be easier to handle.”
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
The look of astonished surprise doesn't leave Gadron's face. In spite of himself, he seems impressed.
"I meant no offense, Master Hurrig, but we are here now. I will instruct my men to patrol Sheercleft's borders and the surrounding passes. Leaderless or not, goblins roving the mountains are good for neither of our peoples."
He pauses, as though waiting to see if there is anything else to be said.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
“Thank you, Gadron. We appreciate all the help you can offer. I apologize for tha yer bit of angst. It’s been a long day. We can patrol the mountain passes for outliers in the morning. Come drink with us, you’ve had a long day too.” Hurrig extends a hand to clasp with Gadron.
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
Gadron reaches down and graps Hurrig's forearm in return, smiling for the first time as they shake.
"Thank you Hurrig. You're a credit to Sheercleft. You lead, we'll follow. Do you have somewhere I can quarter my men and their horses..."
By the time the wagon and its new escort arrive back at the village, the sun has well and truly disappeared behind the moon. Much was achieved today, but much also still remains to be done, and as Sheercleft's new heroes think back on the events of the day, they cannot help but reflect on how much they have learned and how far they have come.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Back at the inn, Hurrig brings a round of drinks for everyone. “So Gadron, what do ya think the intentions of that force heading towards Hyarantar was? Surely they knew that you lot would wipe them out?” Hurrig takes a long sip of his honey wine. “Ya know, this compares nothing to a nice dwarvish stout! But it’s damn good.
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
"They definitely weren't expecting us!" Gadron laughs, sipping from his own drink. The normally stiff captain seems a lot more relaxed with a drink in his hand at Ringrut's.
"No, we caught them off guard. I think they were hunting smaller game." He eyes Hurrig and any other present members of Acharnost meaningfully.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
“Well good! They never saw it coming then!” Hurrig finishes his honey wine and slams the cup on the table. “If it’s alright wit ya, I need to find a bed. The longest days are behind us for now, but rebuilding this town ain’t going to be easy. We can discuss plans to hunt the rest of the goblins down in tha mornin.” With that Hurrig clasps arms with Gadron again. And says good night to his friends, whoever is still lingering around.
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
While the others were gone, Val spends much of the time in sullen silence and drinking to excess, casting glances over towards Seid now and again.
Meanwhile Seid enjoys his time with Brundir and Vark, joking with the two men and speaking of arcane lore with Vark. Listening to the stories they tell about their adventures. As the night wears on, Seid watches Valaith carefully and makes mental notes. Before they retire for the night, he approaches her and sits next to her. "Valaith, it seemed you needed a little time to yourself so I wanted to give you some space to think before approaching."
She doesn't look at the wizard as she takes another drink of mead. "Yup."
Seid sighs and continues. "Listen, I do not know you, but I know the valorous woman you appear. I saw the interaction you had with Jex and I could see that you were projecting your frustrations in yourself on someone else."
The temperatures around Val and Seid drop rapidly as Val lowers the mug from her face and slowly turns to glare at Seid. "What?"
"I'm saying that you appear to be torn whether or not to follow your friends into the tunnels below or remain here to recoup. You feel that is cowardice. 'slinking about the shadows'? 'Hiding with a chest full of gold'? Come now, Valaith, it is really too easy to spot." Seid doesn't seem to notice the narrowed eyes directed at him. "While I do feel that Jex has some very deep seated morality issues, that aside, he did make a very valid point that you likely missed in your anger. We cannot always rush off into the fray. Sometimes you do have to sit back to think and fight smartly to keep up the good work. You are beyond valorous, Valaith. I watched you battle despite the terrible wound that is still pestering you even now. Your eyes are keener than mine, but I still see things and my mind is just as keen as your blades, Lady Rimehand. I can see it in your eyes that you want to pursue my former comrades, but what happens if they return with a small contingent of hobgoblins while we are all down below? Who will lead them in that fight? Captain Anders is dead. Ringrut for all his fury, is a tavern keeper. He's no warrior. Brundir's mother? While quite the capable warrior... again she's not a hero of Sheercleft. You are. They will follow you, fight with you. You could potentially lead them to a victory. And if it doesn't happen, then so much the better. Your wound will not heal ever if you keep pushing yourself the way you have. It will fester eventually, become infected, then kill you slowly. I do think you wish to die in a bed, screaming in pain as your body quite literally rots away while you lie in a cesspool of your own piss and shit."
Valaith recoils slightly at the vulgarity of Seid's conversation; she had not expected such words to come from the wizard. He had always seemed so...proper. "No, I wish a glorious death in battle. I do not wish that at all. Gods... is that, really, what happens, Seid?"
He nods sagely and points towards her stomach. "It can happen with any wound that is not afforded the opportunity to heal properly, Valaith, but especially so with stomach wounds because of the very nature of what moves through that area. It is nothing I would ever want to experience. I have smelt gangrene before... that's rotten flesh still attached to someone, and it was beyond awful. I can only imagine what that would smell like accompanied by poisoned blood and offal." He shudders a bit in disgust. "I have great respect for you and your comrades, Valaith. I truly hate that any of you have suffered at the hands of the Mabinogi. I wish to see you healed. I will accompany them in your stead if you would grant me that honor. I would go regardless, but to take the journey with your good graces would mean much to me. You have been in this fight since the moment you stepped foot in Sheercleft from what I have gathered. I think I always knew something about the Mabinogi was off, but I was blind to it. You have never turned a blind eye to the suffering around from what I can tell." He shrugs and takes the mug of mead from Val's hand, grinning as the large goliath woman laughs at his audacity. He begins to chug down the contents and sputters a bit, which causes Valaith to begin roaring in laughter as she pounds her hand on the table.
As the laughter rises into a fit, she suddenly gasps in pain and doubles over, once hand grasping at her wounded stomach and feeling as if she wanted to vomit. "Valaith!" Seid drops the mug and rushes to her side.
Val easily pushes him back and forces herself to sit upright, despite the pain. "Quiet, fool! I'm fine."
Seid glares at her. "No, you're not! Quit being so gods-be-damned stubborn! What would happen to you and your friends if that had happened in a fight with the Mabinogi? Look at you! You're bleeding." He gestures angrily at the dark blood seeping down her stomach. "Not only will you put yourself at risk, but everyone else. You barely made it through the battle. You cannot even laugh without pain. You need to heal. There is no shame in healing so that you can take the fight to them later. This is far from over. There are more of them than what was in Sheercleft. And even when that's done, there are more threats it would seem you wish to tackle. You cannot do so if you're dead. Now, I have said my fill. I can say no more. Decide what you will, but know this... If you allow stubbornness to win the day over practicality, you will lose much of my respect for you." He takes another drink from the mug of mead. "I bid you a good eve, Lady Rimehand." He slams the mug down onto the table, wipes his lips, and walks away.
Valaith watches the little wizard man. Arrogant little fool. Who did he think he was? Telling her what to do! No one told Valaith Kalukavi what to do! 'Except me.' she could almost hear his voice, her brother. 'You were always too proud to listen, Rimehand.' Valaith looked down at the hammer near her feet... the black metal. 'I miss you. And father. And mother. I miss you all so much. Why did you have to leave me?' Silence. Valaith sighs, glances around at her companions, and then gets to her feet as she proceeds to her room. Once there she gingerly removes her armor and clothing, replaces the dirty bandage around her torso with a clean poultice that Dorno had given her, and she lays down on the bed. She stares at the ceiling for what feels like hours before a wave of raw, agonizing emotion rushes over her. She does not fight as the tears stream and the cries drift from her throat. Sometime later when she could cry no more, she picks up her hammer and lays it across her thighs. She stares at it for a time. "You need a name. What should we call you?"
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
As Valaith stares at the head of the hammer she can make out two distinct symbols in a script that she cannot read. They're chaotic and wild, full of swinging curves and sudden scratches. It makes them difficult for the eye to pin down, and the longer she stares at them, the more they twist and shift. However, as Val poses her question, she feels like the runes come into focus, taking a form she can understand.
Rook
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Jex spends the first hour or so after returning to Sheercleft moving his bounty rescued from Kung's tent to the wagon, carefully and avoiding notice as much as possible. Though it was perfectly well protected he would prefer to avoid the complications of explaining why a curious townsman had been eaten by his giant cobra. As he finishes loading the wagon he sits with his vipers coiling around his shoulders, looking over the treasure and trying to work out precisely how much his surroundings were now worth. In a previous lifetime he would have driven off in the cover of night, sold the goods and lived happily on the profits for several years, but now things were different. As the young vipers slither over his muscles he realises how much he aches. The activities of the previous few days had taken a toll, but he felt good. Sharper from the practice and constant conflict. But also more fulfilled. He realises also with some measure of concern that he cared for the people around him and was enjoying their company. Two of the items stick out to him as being particularly unfamiliar, he places them aside to ask for a second opinion in the morning, but all in all things looked to be worth a serious sum and he returns to the idea of setting up a business here. This could be a long term base of operations, a place being rebuilt was easier to place roots in deeply and to have a chance to shape the systems around his needs was very appealing. Jex sits hatching plans and feeding, and drawing venom from his snakes for a few hours longer before eventually taking his sleep in the familiar surroundings of his wagon.
Exhausted was an understatement for how Vark felt at the end of the day. He’d nearly fell to his death in the ravine, fled and fought scores of hobgoblins, and he’d allowed some mysterious entity into his mind. Eventually this stress disturbs his desperate sleep, and he wakes in the wee hours of the morning. After a few moments staring up at the ceiling, he slips out of the tavern and into the chill twilight. With a quick look to make sure no one is out and about, he starts strolling slowly down the street. His hand fishes the blood stone out of his pocket and he gives it a hard look. “What do you want? I mean... what do you really want? I- I want to trust you a-and you helped me a lot today but then you asked to stretch my legs and how do I know you’d give them back I mean give me back I- What was that dream about? Before you looked like a king you looked... different and and then even when I first found you Thurston seemed to sense something I... p-please just tell me the truth. If... if I can’t trust you then I can’t help you.”
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger