Garret turns to Wilfred and rubs the back of his neck, "Names? Well, they never shared their names with us.. just the butt end of the their weapons." He then reaches out a hand to Wilfred to help him up and also assist him on walking back to the community hall.
Bree looks over at Roo when Reed points him out, "Wow, that's an interesting headdress he is sporting there. Do they um, all appear so war ready?" She tries to ask Reed, unsure how else to describe him. She smiles when he starts puffing himself out, "I am not a sir, Mr. Gallus, you can call me Bree."
As Virro talks about getting Archie to the community hall and on to Candlekeep, Susie starts nodding vehemently, "Yes yes, there is no one here that can help you out I'm afraid."
Walking toward the Community Hall Garret calls back to Archie, "You can all stay in the Community Hall and of course our stocks are full!" a smile cracks his face for the first time as he looks forward to sharing his brew with Reed's friends.
Back in the hall the halflings all run to greet one another and you see that the ones you sent on earlier are all here. Fisk stays in his corner though seems to raise a glass towards you all amicably. Reya runs over and hugs those that will allow it, "Reed, Archie, Wilfred..oh man, what all did you run into in the mines?" Her face becomes quite grim, "I shouldn't have stayed back, I should have been there with you. Are you alright? What can I do to help?"
Reed happily joins in the celebration, the beer helping numb the pain of the big bad guy's last blows.
"Nothing we couldn't handle," Reed tells Reya. "Knowing you were here with the village made it easier to concentrate. I think we mostly just need rest."
Corlith takes a seat in the community hall, declining any alcoholic beverages but happy to accept the offer of any fruit juices or hot drinks, and particularly some food. He is quiet as he sits there, ruminating on what had just happened.
He looks about at the now jovial halfling villagers, feeling satisfied that they did what had to be done, but at the same time concerned at how regular an occurrence such violence was now in his life.
A thought occurs to him that Reed and Roo might wish to stay now they are here.
"Are we all still set on heading to Candlekeep? We would all understand if you wanted to stay here Reed, and if you wanted to go and get your people Roo. I won't lie though, you will be a big loss to us if you do, the way trouble seems to find us, and us it", he says breaking his silence.
Archie gives Reya's shoulder a firm grasp before pulling the woman into a hug, "we're gonna drink and rest, then we'll be fine yeah?"
Archie joins the festivities hard trying to distract herself, toward the end of the night when people are beginning to retire for the night she stays up, spilling slow sips of the ale into her visor and keeping to herself.
Reya smiles at Reed but then whips her head around to Corlith, "Well of course we are still heading on to Candlekeep! Archie needs help and we have to save Elturel!"She pleads with Reed and Roo, "Yes, this is a beautiful place, but we need to figure out what happened to Elturel and save it.. what if it might happen to other cities? And well, villages, like this one?"
She hugs Archie back tightly and has some drink herself, but doesn't go overboard. She looks upon her boys, seeing them in the shape they returned, she finds herself surprisingly closer to them then she had thought.
The halflings celebrate late into the night. Some of the more extroverted and exuberant ones bring bedrolls and join the party as they rest there for the night. Nib sticks with Reed, never letting him leave her sight.
"If something is gobbling up villages, better to find out what before it gobbles up one I'd miss," Reed says. "And besides I still have to get Archie back and I can't do that if that IronMaiden things takes over."
Reed does spend some time showing Nib how to be quiet on her feet and how to whip a dagger out quickly and send it flying across the room before eventually falling asleep.
Reya's eyes go wide, "Is that what is wrong with Archie's voice? I noticed it a little before, but now..." she turns to her friend, "Are you feeling alright?"
"Glad to hear you are still with us, Reed", Corlith replies with a smile, noting Reya's response to his question. "I suggest an early start, and that we set watches for the night. Just in case", he says thinking back to the encounter on the road and the recent encounter with bandits.
Virro tries his best to be social with the group of halflings, raising a drink and enjoying the merriment that evening. He is pleased to see Reed so happy, glad to have helped his village. As the evening wears on, he sits on the periphery, shield on his lap and a vague smile on his face as he goes into his trance. In four hours he is up, watching through the middle of the night, occasionally walking quietly at the edges and looking up at the stars, thinking about their next steps from here, excited to begin. He is awake and watching everyone as they rise, happy to be a part of this crew, he assists in any morning time procedures, the brewing of the coffee, even humming a small tune under his breath.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Wilfred let's the others lead him back. He's getting to old for this stuff! Did his back just crack standing up?
He smiles at Reya's worrying. "Don't worry! We're fine. And you're where you need to be."
Wilfred is about to say something when Archie grabs a drink, then remembers she's not Sophia, and she's a capable adult.
He grabs a drink and heads over to Garrett. "This is a mighty fine brew, sir! Are you part of the Brewers Guild? There's some good folk there." He'll sit and drink with Garrett for a bit, making some small talk. He gets a refill, he'll come back and say to Garrett. "You have a good boy, there, Garrett. In the short time I've known him, he's already done a lot of good. I think I'm going to be with these kids for a good while. I'll make sure to keep him safe for you." He will clink glasses with Garrett. Then finishes his second drink before returning to the others.
Wilfred says "I can take a watch. Just let me sleep first. Here, let me show you a trick for when you get older. After a tough day, chew on some willow bark before bed. It will help with the the soreness the next day." He does just that before passing out. He snores a bit throughout the night.
Archie sleeps through the night wherever she passes out, no sign from the IronMaiden apart from the odd flicker of blue here and there. The magnet on the back of her head seems to be working for now, whatever the price she might have to pay for it later.
In the morning she groggily keeps things short, nods and grunts as she takes any coffee offered and the horses are prepared for departure.
Reya volunteers to be first on watch and sleeps a bit when Virro takes over.
Garret enjoys the talk with Wilfred very much so, "Why yes we are part of the Brewers Guild! So glad to hear you like it, I'll have to send a jug with you all before you leave. Don't let me forget." And he clinks his glass back, big smile on his face.
Bree looks a bit fretful as the party happens around her, finally she heads over to Reed, "I don't mean to add worry, but you mentioned we would need to figure out what to do with the mines. Whether we should bury them or find a way to protect ourselves, like with your friend here." She makes a hand gesture towards Roo. "As you know, we have plenty of space if the Gallus want to relocate, um how many of them are there? And if they don't well, we have never made a whole lot of use out of that mine..." she looks over at the rest of the band and sighs, "I know you want to get a move on in the morning, do you think its safe to wait till you come back to figure all this out? How long do you think you'll be gone?"
Reed smiles at his mum and then waves at Roo to come over.
”I honestly have no idea how many of them there are or how many fight as well as Roo does. But maybe it would be a good idea to hide the mine for now. Cover up the entrance with branches and leaves and things like that. Maybe transplant a few trees.”
He looks over at Archie and then at Reya.
”I think there are some pretty bad things happening out there. And if we don’t do something about them they might come here next. I might be gone awhile.”
Roo's head cocks from side to side as Bree introduces herself and corrects him that she is, in fact, not a sir. He squints, as much as his avian eyes will let him, and looks suspicious.
"If you are not a sir, then what are you?" He says, confused. He takes a moment, listening back and forth at the banter going on, and slowly looking more and more confused. "What? Not go with you? I think not! It is my sacred duty to Gallus himself to see these false idols completely and utterly destroyed! And Fog' Horn will be avenged! And the bloodlust of Stryx the Nightstalker will be sated! Let us go forth and do violence!"
He draws the Owl's Talon and thrusts it into the air like he's crazy...pausing only when Reed approaches him.
"How many? There's uh..."
Roo begins to count, using his feathered fingers, taking his time to go from one feather to the next, thinking, taking long pauses...
"Well no one fights as well as I, Roo' Stor! But uh...there are uhm...others who can fight, yes? But I will not be able to go get them if I am to go on to Candlekeep."
Nib watches Roo get all pumped up and ending with a flourish of his sword in the air, leaning into Reed, "He's a funny one, isn't he? Clearly not exactly sane, you all are safe with him, right?" She smirks at this, but Reed knows she is actually a concerned a bit.
"What am I? Why a ma'am if you will." she does a little curtsy for Roo and smiles, figuring he is showing off for her. As he slowly stops counting his feathers, Bree pats him on top of his now bearded head, "Of course no one fights as well as you. But yes, you must finish your quest, sir."
Garret joins in the conversation, "Yes, we will hide the mine till you return and then get all that figured out. I can't thank you enough for your help and your friends, son." He pulls out a small pouch and hands it to his son, Reed feels that it is heavy with coin. "No, I will not take that back, use that on your quest, food, shelter, what have you, I'm sure you'll need it more than we do. Hey! We apparently have gold in our hills!" he chuckles slightly at his own joke.
Reya and Fisk start getting the horses ready to go and wait for the others to say their goodbyes.
"Absolutely not safe, not in the slightest." Reed says then laughs. "But we all kind of balance out into a decent group."
Reed looks at Roo for a few moments, wondering whether to go down the hen vs rooster path. It's quite possibly Roo hasn't had the birds and the bees talk. He's about to ask his dad to give Roo the same awkward and terrible talk he gave Reed when he pushes the coins on him.
He takes them with a smile and then hugs his dad, sister and mom good bye (slipping the coin pouch into one of his mom's pockets as he does - Sleight of Hand (7+7=14)).
"I'll be back before you know it," Reed says. He looks over at Roo. "Probably be more than just me."
He hikes up his pack, and climbs up on the pony, ready to go.
Just before they all set off Archie approaches Reed and leans on the side of his horse. "Hey there, I'm glad you brought us here Reed. Helping people out like this, it means a lot to me, it's what I set out to do when I first put on the suit, this helped me remember that. You have a beautiful home and an amazing community here, I hope to see it again one day"
After that moment of sincerity, Archie gets up on her horse, this time attempting to ride alone instead of with Reya, it is wobbly but it works for now as she goes slow and sticks close by Reya just in case as they all set off.
Corlith watches Reed say goodbye to his folks, feeling a little sad that his parents hadn't been in when he stopped by their house before leaving Baldur's Gate. They are on a dangerous path, and it would have been good to speak to them before setting out on it, just in case.
At least Archie and Reed had had that opportunity.
He mounts up on his horse and calls over to the Underboughs, "Many thanks for the hospitality".
After a delicious breakfast provided by the halflings, the group heads out of Thornvalley and towards the road that will lead them to Candlekeep. Wilfred has a quick conversation with Garret before they leave and is granted with a very large jug of their brew, it is a wonder the halfling can carry it. It is a beautiful morning as the sun rises in the East, warming you all with it’s gentle touch. All spirits are high as you move on.. other than the worry of what is going on with Archie that none of you, other than Fisk who hasn’t noticed, can shake.
Pushing those thoughts down, as you all are certain that someone at Candlekeep will be able to help, even if Fisk’s employer Sylvira Savikas cannot, you’ve all heard of the great place of Candlekeep… well, maybe not Roo. Keeping an eye on the road and the surrounding area, you all enjoy each other's company, trading some stories and razing Fisk for not offering to help in any shape or form. He just shrugs.
You travel for the last couple of days that it takes to get to the fortified city with nothing in your way other than the weather on the Coast Way as it has gradually worsened. Dark clouds release heavy rain until the road runs thick with mud, yet you trudge on, passing by friendly merchant caravans heading north. You settle for camp the last night, the rain having subsided but the dark clouds remain, before hitting the gates in the morning. As you all gather around the campfire, Reya opens up a bit and shares a tale, her eyes seeming distant as she gazes into the fire…
“It was over a century past that the great troubles began. Fiends roamed the lands to the north and west of Elturel. Fields were despoiled, livestock slaughtered, homes razed, and people dragged off to a terrible and unknowable fate. Terror gripped the hearts of all.
“The city’s cavalry rode across the land, striking down fiends wherever they found them and suffering fearful losses. But it was never enough. For every fiend they destroyed, it seemed as though two more appeared elsewhere. The ruler of Elturel, the High Rider, asked his people to pray to the gods for aid. To everyone’s astonishment, a mighty angel entered the city the next day. Her name was Zariel, which means Companion of Light. The prayers of Elturel had been heard, and help had come.
“Zariel located the gate through which the fiends were entering the natural world, on the Fields of the Dead west of the city. Zariel declared that she would lead the cavalry into Avernus, destroying the infernal host that was amassing there, and striking a great blow against the forces of darkness.
“The High Rider sent out the riders of Elturel, now numbering many thousands, with Zariel at their head, riding a golden mastodon. With a great cry, Zariel and her army charged through the gate. The legions of Avernus trembled and buckled, but did not crumble. Zariel was defeated, and the remnants of her army returned to Elturel, overcome with grief at the loss of their glorious general but confident that the lords of the Nine Hells would think twice about threatening Elturel again.
“There were great celebrations to honor the valiant knights of the cavalry, who became known as Hellriders from that day on.”
She takes a long drink from her waterskin then drags her hand down her face like she is trying to wipe the story from it. She then looks to the rest of you, almost a dare in her eyes, “I’m proud to be a Hellrider.”
Throughout the multiple day journey, Archie confides to Corlith and Virro her uncertainty on removing the magnetic stone, at some points wondering if it will be ok, and others spiralling anxiously into the extremes of the worst that could possibly happen.
Around the campfire she listens, seating herself close to Reya "This was a century ago?" Archie asks genuinely interested in the goings on of the world unknown outside of her small scope that has up until now been just Balder's Gate and the outer city. "I bet you learned a great many things from your mentors, did you hear stories of what it was like on theother side of the gate to Avernus?" She absent mindedly pokes the fire, mesmerized by the flames as she sits near Reya waiting for a respons and hoping that her interest will cool the defensiveness in Reya.
Garret turns to Wilfred and rubs the back of his neck, "Names? Well, they never shared their names with us.. just the butt end of the their weapons." He then reaches out a hand to Wilfred to help him up and also assist him on walking back to the community hall.
Bree looks over at Roo when Reed points him out, "Wow, that's an interesting headdress he is sporting there. Do they um, all appear so war ready?" She tries to ask Reed, unsure how else to describe him. She smiles when he starts puffing himself out, "I am not a sir, Mr. Gallus, you can call me Bree."
As Virro talks about getting Archie to the community hall and on to Candlekeep, Susie starts nodding vehemently, "Yes yes, there is no one here that can help you out I'm afraid."
Walking toward the Community Hall Garret calls back to Archie, "You can all stay in the Community Hall and of course our stocks are full!" a smile cracks his face for the first time as he looks forward to sharing his brew with Reed's friends.
Back in the hall the halflings all run to greet one another and you see that the ones you sent on earlier are all here. Fisk stays in his corner though seems to raise a glass towards you all amicably. Reya runs over and hugs those that will allow it, "Reed, Archie, Wilfred..oh man, what all did you run into in the mines?" Her face becomes quite grim, "I shouldn't have stayed back, I should have been there with you. Are you alright? What can I do to help?"
Reed happily joins in the celebration, the beer helping numb the pain of the big bad guy's last blows.
"Nothing we couldn't handle," Reed tells Reya. "Knowing you were here with the village made it easier to concentrate. I think we mostly just need rest."
Corlith takes a seat in the community hall, declining any alcoholic beverages but happy to accept the offer of any fruit juices or hot drinks, and particularly some food. He is quiet as he sits there, ruminating on what had just happened.
He looks about at the now jovial halfling villagers, feeling satisfied that they did what had to be done, but at the same time concerned at how regular an occurrence such violence was now in his life.
A thought occurs to him that Reed and Roo might wish to stay now they are here.
"Are we all still set on heading to Candlekeep? We would all understand if you wanted to stay here Reed, and if you wanted to go and get your people Roo. I won't lie though, you will be a big loss to us if you do, the way trouble seems to find us, and us it", he says breaking his silence.
Archie gives Reya's shoulder a firm grasp before pulling the woman into a hug, "we're gonna drink and rest, then we'll be fine yeah?"
Archie joins the festivities hard trying to distract herself, toward the end of the night when people are beginning to retire for the night she stays up, spilling slow sips of the ale into her visor and keeping to herself.
Reya smiles at Reed but then whips her head around to Corlith, "Well of course we are still heading on to Candlekeep! Archie needs help and we have to save Elturel!" She pleads with Reed and Roo, "Yes, this is a beautiful place, but we need to figure out what happened to Elturel and save it.. what if it might happen to other cities? And well, villages, like this one?"
She hugs Archie back tightly and has some drink herself, but doesn't go overboard. She looks upon her boys, seeing them in the shape they returned, she finds herself surprisingly closer to them then she had thought.
The halflings celebrate late into the night. Some of the more extroverted and exuberant ones bring bedrolls and join the party as they rest there for the night. Nib sticks with Reed, never letting him leave her sight.
Reed nods at Reya's logic.
"If something is gobbling up villages, better to find out what before it gobbles up one I'd miss," Reed says. "And besides I still have to get Archie back and I can't do that if that IronMaiden things takes over."
Reed does spend some time showing Nib how to be quiet on her feet and how to whip a dagger out quickly and send it flying across the room before eventually falling asleep.
Reya's eyes go wide, "Is that what is wrong with Archie's voice? I noticed it a little before, but now..." she turns to her friend, "Are you feeling alright?"
"Glad to hear you are still with us, Reed", Corlith replies with a smile, noting Reya's response to his question. "I suggest an early start, and that we set watches for the night. Just in case", he says thinking back to the encounter on the road and the recent encounter with bandits.
Virro tries his best to be social with the group of halflings, raising a drink and enjoying the merriment that evening. He is pleased to see Reed so happy, glad to have helped his village. As the evening wears on, he sits on the periphery, shield on his lap and a vague smile on his face as he goes into his trance. In four hours he is up, watching through the middle of the night, occasionally walking quietly at the edges and looking up at the stars, thinking about their next steps from here, excited to begin. He is awake and watching everyone as they rise, happy to be a part of this crew, he assists in any morning time procedures, the brewing of the coffee, even humming a small tune under his breath.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Wilfred let's the others lead him back. He's getting to old for this stuff! Did his back just crack standing up?
He smiles at Reya's worrying. "Don't worry! We're fine. And you're where you need to be."
Wilfred is about to say something when Archie grabs a drink, then remembers she's not Sophia, and she's a capable adult.
He grabs a drink and heads over to Garrett. "This is a mighty fine brew, sir! Are you part of the Brewers Guild? There's some good folk there." He'll sit and drink with Garrett for a bit, making some small talk. He gets a refill, he'll come back and say to Garrett. "You have a good boy, there, Garrett. In the short time I've known him, he's already done a lot of good. I think I'm going to be with these kids for a good while. I'll make sure to keep him safe for you." He will clink glasses with Garrett. Then finishes his second drink before returning to the others.
Wilfred says "I can take a watch. Just let me sleep first. Here, let me show you a trick for when you get older. After a tough day, chew on some willow bark before bed. It will help with the the soreness the next day." He does just that before passing out. He snores a bit throughout the night.
Archie sleeps through the night wherever she passes out, no sign from the IronMaiden apart from the odd flicker of blue here and there. The magnet on the back of her head seems to be working for now, whatever the price she might have to pay for it later.
In the morning she groggily keeps things short, nods and grunts as she takes any coffee offered and the horses are prepared for departure.
Reya volunteers to be first on watch and sleeps a bit when Virro takes over.
Garret enjoys the talk with Wilfred very much so, "Why yes we are part of the Brewers Guild! So glad to hear you like it, I'll have to send a jug with you all before you leave. Don't let me forget." And he clinks his glass back, big smile on his face.
Bree looks a bit fretful as the party happens around her, finally she heads over to Reed, "I don't mean to add worry, but you mentioned we would need to figure out what to do with the mines. Whether we should bury them or find a way to protect ourselves, like with your friend here." She makes a hand gesture towards Roo. "As you know, we have plenty of space if the Gallus want to relocate, um how many of them are there? And if they don't well, we have never made a whole lot of use out of that mine..." she looks over at the rest of the band and sighs, "I know you want to get a move on in the morning, do you think its safe to wait till you come back to figure all this out? How long do you think you'll be gone?"
Reed smiles at his mum and then waves at Roo to come over.
”I honestly have no idea how many of them there are or how many fight as well as Roo does. But maybe it would be a good idea to hide the mine for now. Cover up the entrance with branches and leaves and things like that. Maybe transplant a few trees.”
He looks over at Archie and then at Reya.
”I think there are some pretty bad things happening out there. And if we don’t do something about them they might come here next. I might be gone awhile.”
Roo's head cocks from side to side as Bree introduces herself and corrects him that she is, in fact, not a sir. He squints, as much as his avian eyes will let him, and looks suspicious.
"If you are not a sir, then what are you?" He says, confused. He takes a moment, listening back and forth at the banter going on, and slowly looking more and more confused. "What? Not go with you? I think not! It is my sacred duty to Gallus himself to see these false idols completely and utterly destroyed! And Fog' Horn will be avenged! And the bloodlust of Stryx the Nightstalker will be sated! Let us go forth and do violence!"
He draws the Owl's Talon and thrusts it into the air like he's crazy...pausing only when Reed approaches him.
"How many? There's uh..."
Roo begins to count, using his feathered fingers, taking his time to go from one feather to the next, thinking, taking long pauses...
"Well no one fights as well as I, Roo' Stor! But uh...there are uhm...others who can fight, yes? But I will not be able to go get them if I am to go on to Candlekeep."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Nib watches Roo get all pumped up and ending with a flourish of his sword in the air, leaning into Reed, "He's a funny one, isn't he? Clearly not exactly sane, you all are safe with him, right?" She smirks at this, but Reed knows she is actually a concerned a bit.
"What am I? Why a ma'am if you will." she does a little curtsy for Roo and smiles, figuring he is showing off for her. As he slowly stops counting his feathers, Bree pats him on top of his now bearded head, "Of course no one fights as well as you. But yes, you must finish your quest, sir."
Garret joins in the conversation, "Yes, we will hide the mine till you return and then get all that figured out. I can't thank you enough for your help and your friends, son." He pulls out a small pouch and hands it to his son, Reed feels that it is heavy with coin. "No, I will not take that back, use that on your quest, food, shelter, what have you, I'm sure you'll need it more than we do. Hey! We apparently have gold in our hills!" he chuckles slightly at his own joke.
Reya and Fisk start getting the horses ready to go and wait for the others to say their goodbyes.
Reed smiles at Nib.
"Absolutely not safe, not in the slightest." Reed says then laughs. "But we all kind of balance out into a decent group."
Reed looks at Roo for a few moments, wondering whether to go down the hen vs rooster path. It's quite possibly Roo hasn't had the birds and the bees talk. He's about to ask his dad to give Roo the same awkward and terrible talk he gave Reed when he pushes the coins on him.
He takes them with a smile and then hugs his dad, sister and mom good bye (slipping the coin pouch into one of his mom's pockets as he does - Sleight of Hand (7+7=14)).
"I'll be back before you know it," Reed says. He looks over at Roo. "Probably be more than just me."
He hikes up his pack, and climbs up on the pony, ready to go.
Just before they all set off Archie approaches Reed and leans on the side of his horse. "Hey there, I'm glad you brought us here Reed. Helping people out like this, it means a lot to me, it's what I set out to do when I first put on the suit, this helped me remember that. You have a beautiful home and an amazing community here, I hope to see it again one day"
After that moment of sincerity, Archie gets up on her horse, this time attempting to ride alone instead of with Reya, it is wobbly but it works for now as she goes slow and sticks close by Reya just in case as they all set off.
Corlith watches Reed say goodbye to his folks, feeling a little sad that his parents hadn't been in when he stopped by their house before leaving Baldur's Gate. They are on a dangerous path, and it would have been good to speak to them before setting out on it, just in case.
At least Archie and Reed had had that opportunity.
He mounts up on his horse and calls over to the Underboughs, "Many thanks for the hospitality".
After a delicious breakfast provided by the halflings, the group heads out of Thornvalley and towards the road that will lead them to Candlekeep. Wilfred has a quick conversation with Garret before they leave and is granted with a very large jug of their brew, it is a wonder the halfling can carry it. It is a beautiful morning as the sun rises in the East, warming you all with it’s gentle touch. All spirits are high as you move on.. other than the worry of what is going on with Archie that none of you, other than Fisk who hasn’t noticed, can shake.
Pushing those thoughts down, as you all are certain that someone at Candlekeep will be able to help, even if Fisk’s employer Sylvira Savikas cannot, you’ve all heard of the great place of Candlekeep… well, maybe not Roo. Keeping an eye on the road and the surrounding area, you all enjoy each other's company, trading some stories and razing Fisk for not offering to help in any shape or form. He just shrugs.
You travel for the last couple of days that it takes to get to the fortified city with nothing in your way other than the weather on the Coast Way as it has gradually worsened. Dark clouds release heavy rain until the road runs thick with mud, yet you trudge on, passing by friendly merchant caravans heading north. You settle for camp the last night, the rain having subsided but the dark clouds remain, before hitting the gates in the morning. As you all gather around the campfire, Reya opens up a bit and shares a tale, her eyes seeming distant as she gazes into the fire…
“It was over a century past that the great troubles began. Fiends roamed the lands to the north and west of Elturel. Fields were despoiled, livestock slaughtered, homes razed, and people dragged off to a terrible and unknowable fate. Terror gripped the hearts of all.
“The city’s cavalry rode across the land, striking down fiends wherever they found them and suffering fearful losses. But it was never enough. For every fiend they destroyed, it seemed as though two more appeared elsewhere. The ruler of Elturel, the High Rider, asked his people to pray to the gods for aid. To everyone’s astonishment, a mighty angel entered the city the next day. Her name was Zariel, which means Companion of Light. The prayers of Elturel had been heard, and help had come.
“Zariel located the gate through which the fiends were entering the natural world, on the Fields of the Dead west of the city. Zariel declared that she would lead the cavalry into Avernus, destroying the infernal host that was amassing there, and striking a great blow against the forces of darkness.
“The High Rider sent out the riders of Elturel, now numbering many thousands, with Zariel at their head, riding a golden mastodon. With a great cry, Zariel and her army charged through the gate. The legions of Avernus trembled and buckled, but did not crumble. Zariel was defeated, and the remnants of her army returned to Elturel, overcome with grief at the loss of their glorious general but confident that the lords of the Nine Hells would think twice about threatening Elturel again.
“There were great celebrations to honor the valiant knights of the cavalry, who became known as Hellriders from that day on.”
She takes a long drink from her waterskin then drags her hand down her face like she is trying to wipe the story from it. She then looks to the rest of you, almost a dare in her eyes, “I’m proud to be a Hellrider.”
Throughout the multiple day journey, Archie confides to Corlith and Virro her uncertainty on removing the magnetic stone, at some points wondering if it will be ok, and others spiralling anxiously into the extremes of the worst that could possibly happen.
Around the campfire she listens, seating herself close to Reya "This was a century ago?" Archie asks genuinely interested in the goings on of the world unknown outside of her small scope that has up until now been just Balder's Gate and the outer city. "I bet you learned a great many things from your mentors, did you hear stories of what it was like on the other side of the gate to Avernus?" She absent mindedly pokes the fire, mesmerized by the flames as she sits near Reya waiting for a respons and hoping that her interest will cool the defensiveness in Reya.