"Baron Reventlow is marching on Sheercleft with a force made primarily of gnolls," Aiden says, filing "Jex is no more" away for later. "His general, Sir Marcellus, is some sort of otherworldly creature. They are due here soon. Within a week or so."
Matteo ponders this a moment. "They are both with this army? The general and the baron?"
He chews his lip. "And presumably you have sent someone after them?" He looks at Nakia who shakes her head.
"My best 'killer' dragged me to this tiny town, away from my network, abandoned me to do his work and then declared he no longer exists" She eyes him up meaningfully.
The half-elf looks back at her sorrowfully. "I do apologise if I've caused you hurt, it was never my intention, or Jex's" The usual sarcasm that would accompany such an apology is undetectable in his voice. "I think that is for the best though, the town must defend itself with a show of strength, but it must be left for those who have the stomach for it I'm afraid. I can no longer trust my own judgement on who should no longer be allowed to live. "
Self-pity was never a trigger for sympathy in Bründir. Even as a new miner with barely a calous or stain, the senior diggers took no pity unless someone genuinely needed rescuing from below. Do all you can to help each other, but never make someone work for you that doesn't have to. It was a hypocrisy that bred a hard, apathetic brotherhood.
"Thinkin' this is a time ye can feel right in it," Bründir waves a hand, trying to decide what name to use before giving up on it. "We've got a town stood up t'fight, friends come fer help, an' walls gettin' bigger ev'ry day. What we can't count on, is a damned cabal in th' middle of an army, led by somethin' Vark thinks is big as those Morrigan witches in one. Whatever happened t'ye, we'll have a talk, have some drinks, then get back at it t'morrow. Hell, we might's well have Khaz Kadrin an' a damn Norscan horde an' I'd still need ye in this."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Matteo takes in everything Brundir says about the enemy that faces them, contemplating quietly but the final words echo around his skull taking him instantly back to the road
They never needed you, how could they?
"You never needed me Brundir, though you all still pretend. Or perhaps you believe it. Nonetheless, I will not abandon you, I am not for hiding behind the walls whilst others die for them." He lifts his stick. "But my path is no longer that of death."
Val's large form walks up behind Jex and punches him in the shoulder. "Welcome back, Jex! I knew you would return in our time of need!" She grins down at him before plopping down into a chair, making the wood creak and groan beneath her weight. "Come, tell us where you have been and what you have been doing!"
The half-elf looks around wearily, he smiles, clearly glad to see his friend again but getting weary of explaining. "It is good to see you again..."
As he draws breath to explain Nakia jumps in.
"Valaith, Jex has decided that he is no longer Jex, he developed a conscience or some such nonsense and thinks that refering to himself as Matteo and becoming a pacifist will somehow make for a better life. Perhaps you can get through to him, we are all somewhat..." She mimes bumping her head against the table.
Matteo observes the outburst quietly, "I am sorry if this needs some adjusting to. But I can no longer be that lying murderer." He offers apologetically.
Val stares at Jex, then turns to frown at Nakia, then turns back to Jex with a confused expression. She turns to look at the others, specifically Thurston for a long moment, then turns back to Jex... she refused to think of him as Matteo... she couldn't even wrap her head around what this even meant... then abruptly slaps Jex across the face as hard as she can!
The half-elf formerly known as Jex makes no attempt to move aside as the giantesses palm connects with his jaw. He falls straight from the back of his stool across Thurston's lap.
He sits up, flexing his jaw.
"Thank you Val, for sharing your feelings. I missed you too." He grins. "I understand this is hard for you all, but you will all be better for this change, without my poor judgement bringing you trouble."
Bründir levels a skeptical stare at Matteo. Then, the stare continues through Nakia's plea. Then, it continues still after Val sent the smaller man reeling. Eyelids slacked, mouth curled as though hearing about a twelve foot tall goat juggling flaming swords while singing in perfect Norscan with a Dwarvish accent. Once not-Jex righted himself, and Bründir had another few sips of his drink, he finally broke his stare.
"A'right, let's hear it, then. Horse's mouth an' all. What happened? Army's not at our gates yet, so there's time fer a story 'r two. Yer with friends, so let's hear why Jex is now Matteo."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Matteo's eyes full with tears again, but he holds them back. "It is not my story to tell, I would not shame Jex when he has taken such extreme measures to hide from this."
The mountain air once again whistles around the half-elf in his mind as he is taken back to the night, tears running down his face as he refuses to look back as the wagon rolls away from the mounds. Never again.
Val sighs, literally at a loss of what to do. She looks to the others in her group with a pleading look in her eyes. Then she stops and thinks about what Larkin would have done with a sharp pang of loss. 'He was the smartest of us, he would have been the best chief.'"I don't know what happened to you out there, but we cannot help you unless you talk to us. No more word game, speak plainly." 'Do not talk at them, talk to them.' "Please."
Matteo shrugs, "I don't know that I can be plainer. I have helped myself, I don't need you to do anything for me. I can perhaps help here though. We need to plan for this battle."
Thurston almost crack the mug for he is clutching it with strength as the others crash against this Matteo wall on Jex's mind. He takes a couple of deep breaths and the look he shares with Val indicates her that he has been whishing to do the same since he understood that it wasn't another Jex's joke.
"Well.. " he says putting down the mug. "If Jex no longer whishes to kill, despite the fact that we all are killers but we only do in order to prevent the life of those who cannot defend for themselves, like the orphans he care so much about... we cannot force him to do it. I only pray to the Aesir that you do not have to choose between kill again or let others kill those you care about. I will not force you to kill Jex " he says stubborn calling him by his old name " But at least you want to participate in the defense of the city. Come we will show you what we have been doing so far. "
Matteo smiles at his friend. Gripping his staff tightly he stands. "Thank you Thurston. I will always defend the weak, and would never allow harm to come to those I care about, but too often Jex was quick to draw the dagger and end a life before questions could be asked and proper judgement passed. We are not above mistakes, and death is a very final thing to deliver to a person you do not know or understand."
He nods to the others around the table. "Please, do show me what has been done here, I would love to see the orphanage and the temple too, I would present myself to my goddess there."
"Couldn'a said it better m'self. First thing t'know is this lot comes fer heads, not walls. They've got gnolls with'em. We thought Goblins were bad? I hear gnolls're worse." The dwarf leans in over the table and speaks in a hush, "They eat the slain....sometimes even their own...like or not, we need to hit'em hard an' quick. Mountain passes'll give us plenty o' places t'pick at'em. We just need th' who n' where of it."
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
"Jex was very complicated in his relationships with the divine. Nakia knew him as a servant of death, you knew him as a priest of Thor, though I am afraid, as I mentioned before, Jex was a liar. He saw your symbol and took it on to be accepted. Perhaps it would comfort you to know that by the end, his following was sincere, though he still did worship at the altars of death. Much as the people may pray to a god for a good harvest, another for their safety on the road, Jex was able to reconcile his respect of both. I though, never knew my mother, and in her absence, I must seek the forgiveness of another. Jex had thought on this before, he often felt the lack of his parents and would secretly look to Sehanine for guidance too."
Thuston's idea had merit, though flying was a tough bit. Still, there were opportunities to ambush everywhere in mountain passes with high-walled ridges. Bründir thought on this for a long moment, trying to recall maps of the roads out of Sheercleft for initial thoughts. He'd have to look over a proper map when he got back to Seid's study...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Noise can be heard outside moments before the door to the inn opens and a unit of Sheerscale kobolds march inside officiously. The kobold called Ix, well known to Jex and now Nakia as well, leads the troupe, though another known as Sniksnak announces them in shrill Breannian. "Esteemed Acharnost, Saviors of Sheercleft, please grace us with your ears! Ix the Cunning and his scouts have returned successfully with news of our enemies!" Sniksnak bows and steps back as Ix steps forward proudly. As the kobold catches sight of his half-elven idol he can not help but smile wide and puff out his chest even further, but for now he sticks to business. "I, Ix the Cunning, was tasked by Sagely Nakia to observe and take note of the forces accompanying the nasty, vicious, cretin Sir Marcellus," he removes a rolled piece of parchment from one of his many belt pouches and makes a show of unfurling it before himself. "I can confidently report that his forces consist of one unit of the despicable, mangy, repulsive gnolls, one unit of human infantry bearing medium arms and armor, one unit of lightly armored human conscripts, one unit of lightly armored cavalry, one unit of archers, and one unit of catapults." He gives a slight bow as he finishes before looking back to the Acharnost, specifically making eye contact with 'Jex'. "The Sheerscales eagerly await our next orders!"
"Baron Reventlow is marching on Sheercleft with a force made primarily of gnolls," Aiden says, filing "Jex is no more" away for later. "His general, Sir Marcellus, is some sort of otherworldly creature. They are due here soon. Within a week or so."
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Aiden Olrikson | Human | Tempest Domain Cleric of Thor
Matteo ponders this a moment. "They are both with this army? The general and the baron?"
He chews his lip. "And presumably you have sent someone after them?" He looks at Nakia who shakes her head.
"My best 'killer' dragged me to this tiny town, away from my network, abandoned me to do his work and then declared he no longer exists" She eyes him up meaningfully.
The half-elf looks back at her sorrowfully. "I do apologise if I've caused you hurt, it was never my intention, or Jex's" The usual sarcasm that would accompany such an apology is undetectable in his voice. "I think that is for the best though, the town must defend itself with a show of strength, but it must be left for those who have the stomach for it I'm afraid. I can no longer trust my own judgement on who should no longer be allowed to live. "
Self-pity was never a trigger for sympathy in Bründir. Even as a new miner with barely a calous or stain, the senior diggers took no pity unless someone genuinely needed rescuing from below. Do all you can to help each other, but never make someone work for you that doesn't have to. It was a hypocrisy that bred a hard, apathetic brotherhood.
"Thinkin' this is a time ye can feel right in it," Bründir waves a hand, trying to decide what name to use before giving up on it. "We've got a town stood up t'fight, friends come fer help, an' walls gettin' bigger ev'ry day. What we can't count on, is a damned cabal in th' middle of an army, led by somethin' Vark thinks is big as those Morrigan witches in one. Whatever happened t'ye, we'll have a talk, have some drinks, then get back at it t'morrow. Hell, we might's well have Khaz Kadrin an' a damn Norscan horde an' I'd still need ye in this."
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Matteo takes in everything Brundir says about the enemy that faces them, contemplating quietly but the final words echo around his skull taking him instantly back to the road
They never needed you, how could they?
"You never needed me Brundir, though you all still pretend. Or perhaps you believe it. Nonetheless, I will not abandon you, I am not for hiding behind the walls whilst others die for them." He lifts his stick. "But my path is no longer that of death."
Val's large form walks up behind Jex and punches him in the shoulder. "Welcome back, Jex! I knew you would return in our time of need!" She grins down at him before plopping down into a chair, making the wood creak and groan beneath her weight. "Come, tell us where you have been and what you have been doing!"
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
The half-elf looks around wearily, he smiles, clearly glad to see his friend again but getting weary of explaining. "It is good to see you again..."
As he draws breath to explain Nakia jumps in.
"Valaith, Jex has decided that he is no longer Jex, he developed a conscience or some such nonsense and thinks that refering to himself as Matteo and becoming a pacifist will somehow make for a better life. Perhaps you can get through to him, we are all somewhat..." She mimes bumping her head against the table.
Matteo observes the outburst quietly, "I am sorry if this needs some adjusting to. But I can no longer be that lying murderer." He offers apologetically.
Val stares at Jex, then turns to frown at Nakia, then turns back to Jex with a confused expression. She turns to look at the others, specifically Thurston for a long moment, then turns back to Jex... she refused to think of him as Matteo... she couldn't even wrap her head around what this even meant... then abruptly slaps Jex across the face as hard as she can!
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
The half-elf formerly known as Jex makes no attempt to move aside as the giantesses palm connects with his jaw. He falls straight from the back of his stool across Thurston's lap.
He sits up, flexing his jaw.
"Thank you Val, for sharing your feelings. I missed you too." He grins. "I understand this is hard for you all, but you will all be better for this change, without my poor judgement bringing you trouble."
Bründir levels a skeptical stare at Matteo. Then, the stare continues through Nakia's plea. Then, it continues still after Val sent the smaller man reeling. Eyelids slacked, mouth curled as though hearing about a twelve foot tall goat juggling flaming swords while singing in perfect Norscan with a Dwarvish accent. Once not-Jex righted himself, and Bründir had another few sips of his drink, he finally broke his stare.
"A'right, let's hear it, then. Horse's mouth an' all. What happened? Army's not at our gates yet, so there's time fer a story 'r two. Yer with friends, so let's hear why Jex is now Matteo."
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Matteo's eyes full with tears again, but he holds them back. "It is not my story to tell, I would not shame Jex when he has taken such extreme measures to hide from this."
_------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The mountain air once again whistles around the half-elf in his mind as he is taken back to the night, tears running down his face as he refuses to look back as the wagon rolls away from the mounds. Never again.
Val sighs, literally at a loss of what to do. She looks to the others in her group with a pleading look in her eyes. Then she stops and thinks about what Larkin would have done with a sharp pang of loss. 'He was the smartest of us, he would have been the best chief.' "I don't know what happened to you out there, but we cannot help you unless you talk to us. No more word game, speak plainly." 'Do not talk at them, talk to them.' "Please."
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Matteo shrugs, "I don't know that I can be plainer. I have helped myself, I don't need you to do anything for me. I can perhaps help here though. We need to plan for this battle."
Thurston almost crack the mug for he is clutching it with strength as the others crash against this Matteo wall on Jex's mind. He takes a couple of deep breaths and the look he shares with Val indicates her that he has been whishing to do the same since he understood that it wasn't another Jex's joke.
"Well.. " he says putting down the mug. "If Jex no longer whishes to kill, despite the fact that we all are killers but we only do in order to prevent the life of those who cannot defend for themselves, like the orphans he care so much about... we cannot force him to do it. I only pray to the Aesir that you do not have to choose between kill again or let others kill those you care about. I will not force you to kill Jex " he says stubborn calling him by his old name " But at least you want to participate in the defense of the city. Come we will show you what we have been doing so far. "
PbP Character: A few ;)
Matteo smiles at his friend. Gripping his staff tightly he stands. "Thank you Thurston. I will always defend the weak, and would never allow harm to come to those I care about, but too often Jex was quick to draw the dagger and end a life before questions could be asked and proper judgement passed. We are not above mistakes, and death is a very final thing to deliver to a person you do not know or understand."
He nods to the others around the table. "Please, do show me what has been done here, I would love to see the orphanage and the temple too, I would present myself to my goddess there."
"Couldn'a said it better m'self. First thing t'know is this lot comes fer heads, not walls. They've got gnolls with'em. We thought Goblins were bad? I hear gnolls're worse." The dwarf leans in over the table and speaks in a hush, "They eat the slain....sometimes even their own...like or not, we need to hit'em hard an' quick. Mountain passes'll give us plenty o' places t'pick at'em. We just need th' who n' where of it."
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
"Your goddess...?" Aiden asks. "But I was entirely convinced you were a disciple of Thor."
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Aiden Olrikson | Human | Tempest Domain Cleric of Thor
"We could try to go flying and perhaps destroy their siege machines? That would be a hit to their morale too.... " Thurston replies to Bründir.
When Matteo, formerly known as Jex, stands he stops him grabbing his forearm and says
"Wait... Godness?? what are you talking about? You were devoted to Thor weren't you?"
His words came just after Aiden's almost at the same time, he looks back to Thor's cleric and nods to him, sharing his concern.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Nakia let's out an audible scoff.
"Please"
Matteo looks at her pointedly,
"Jex was very complicated in his relationships with the divine. Nakia knew him as a servant of death, you knew him as a priest of Thor, though I am afraid, as I mentioned before, Jex was a liar. He saw your symbol and took it on to be accepted. Perhaps it would comfort you to know that by the end, his following was sincere, though he still did worship at the altars of death. Much as the people may pray to a god for a good harvest, another for their safety on the road, Jex was able to reconcile his respect of both. I though, never knew my mother, and in her absence, I must seek the forgiveness of another. Jex had thought on this before, he often felt the lack of his parents and would secretly look to Sehanine for guidance too."
Thuston's idea had merit, though flying was a tough bit. Still, there were opportunities to ambush everywhere in mountain passes with high-walled ridges. Bründir thought on this for a long moment, trying to recall maps of the roads out of Sheercleft for initial thoughts. He'd have to look over a proper map when he got back to Seid's study...
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Noise can be heard outside moments before the door to the inn opens and a unit of Sheerscale kobolds march inside officiously. The kobold called Ix, well known to Jex and now Nakia as well, leads the troupe, though another known as Sniksnak announces them in shrill Breannian. "Esteemed Acharnost, Saviors of Sheercleft, please grace us with your ears! Ix the Cunning and his scouts have returned successfully with news of our enemies!" Sniksnak bows and steps back as Ix steps forward proudly. As the kobold catches sight of his half-elven idol he can not help but smile wide and puff out his chest even further, but for now he sticks to business. "I, Ix the Cunning, was tasked by Sagely Nakia to observe and take note of the forces accompanying the nasty, vicious, cretin Sir Marcellus," he removes a rolled piece of parchment from one of his many belt pouches and makes a show of unfurling it before himself. "I can confidently report that his forces consist of one unit of the despicable, mangy, repulsive gnolls, one unit of human infantry bearing medium arms and armor, one unit of lightly armored human conscripts, one unit of lightly armored cavalry, one unit of archers, and one unit of catapults." He gives a slight bow as he finishes before looking back to the Acharnost, specifically making eye contact with 'Jex'. "The Sheerscales eagerly await our next orders!"
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger