"I am glad to see the years have put drivel on your tongue. Oh I have business to do with you. You know the rules. You leave, you die, but ya see I can't kill you quickly. No no no no no. You-- YOU-----" he takes a deep breath and looks up at the sky "you have to be something special. See people leave the riders every once and a while, and let's just say I don't like people leaving. Not from me." Falter turns around and says to the men behind. "GO- GO get them all. Everyone! It is time for a show."
Hunding fades back unconscious and some unknown time passes. Suddenly Hunding is awoken by a sudden blast of cold water and see himself on top of a stone pillar near where he was with Falter. Down below he sees about 30 dark riders assembled. Falter begins to speak.
"Men.... Men.... We have a story, yes a simple story to tell you today. You see this man.... Handing as he is known. Served the riders for years and years. Bashing all with his hammer. But ya see, one day... Yes yes, one day, Hander didn't come home." the riders begin to boo. "Yes... yes... We are home and Hander abanonded home. And what do we do to those that abandon us?" A man in the crowd yells "KILL THEM" Falter points and says "YES YES. And so we do what we must but we do it slowly, so they are reminded with every painful second what we feel when we are lost." Falter slices Hunding across the leg. Then the other leg. Hunding grits his teeth as the cuts continue until he finally fades out.
Hot..... so hot..... Thirsty so thirsty.... How long has it been....
Daknar looks at Hunding and says "After you left that morning, I packed my wagon for a two day trip to Southalia. I came back four days later, expecting to meet the caravan here and what I came to was this." He motions in front of him about 50 feet, you see the burnt ruins of what used to be the caravan. "I didn't know what to do with the bodies, but I didn't want the vultures to get them so I put them in the ruins for now. I found you up there on that hill. Sprawled up on that wooden X. They did a number to ya. I didn't think you were still alive when I found ya but you seem to be fairing up okay now."
Then my daughter is cursed with a fate worse than death. Excuse me good Daknar, I need a moment to mourn my lost loved ones.
(Hunding constructs a small memorial by laying stones together in a small pyramid and utters a short prayer) Goodbye my loving wife and son I have failed you and those scars will burden me for the rest of my days
(muttering) Look at what you have become without me. A blubbering fool that sobs like an old widow. You can't even protect those foolish enough to put their faith in you.
You are wrong. Learning to trust others has made me stronger, but you are right that I have gone soft. It is time for righteous vengeance to lead me forward and I will not be afraid to use you when necessary.
(muttering) You will not be able to control me. I will consume you like a raging inferno consumes dry tinder.
(Later addressing Daknar after going to the ruins to retrieve my pack) Daknar my friend. I owe you a debt that I can never repay, but I will give you this zircon and this tablet and hopefully that will assuage a portion of the debt between us.
Do you have any information on where the black riders might be taking my daughter? Also I am in need of a better weapon and I stumbled across this old greataxe in the ruins. Might you know of any blacksmiths with the skill to repair it?
Daknar says "Slavery is illegal in the country of Comstalia, so if they did take your daughter as a slave, they are looking to ship her off to the a different country. The only port with deep enough harbors to make those journeys are found in the very north in the city of Northalia. With regards to a weapon, I do know a blacksmith that I do trade with in Southalia. He is a bit of a drunkard, but when he has his wits about him, he is a good smith."
Hunding begins his two day journey to Southalia. The desert sun is as hot and grueling as ever, but through sheer will he is able to make it to the town of Southalia.
The city of Southalia was built at the edge of a desert atop an oasis and is seemingly misplaced along the sand dunes that surround it. Its uniqueness is matched by the backdrop of the mountains to the east which have helped shape the city to what it is today. The climate of these lands influenced the architectural style of the city as the vast majority of buildings were designed to take full advantage of the always present desert winds through large windows.
The skyline is packed with elegant sandstone buildings and each is more impressive than the next. Trade is at an all time high in Southalia and it has attracted a lot of attention. A few new cultures have left their mark not just on international relations, but also upon the city's identity. What historically was a city of little contrast has grown into a new multicultural masterpiece. This multicultural identity that has truly left its mark. Many bakeries, diners and concession stands offer a plethora of culinary choices and those who feel hungry for something else can enjoy one of the many fountains or taverns that scatter the city.
(muttering) Ugh the writhing see of humanity. Disgusting...
I agree let's get this errand over with so we can be on our way. (Venturing into town and consulting a local guardsmen) Good sir. I am in need of a weaponsmith. Is there anyone is Southalia that has expertise in the crafting and repair of large weapons?
The fellow citizen says "The blacksmith is on the west side of town. Although you should early, he normally heads to the tavern around this time."
Hunding hurries over to the western district of Southalia and can see the telling smoke of from a blacksmith's furnance. As he enters the place, he sees a short stocky man. Brown, dreadlocks hangs over a chiseled, charming face. Darting gray eyes, set high within their sockets. Skin covered in soot compliments his mouth and leaves a tale-tale sign of his profession.
Goodday sir. I have heard you are a blacksmith of some skill. I am in possession of damaged weapon that with the necessary repair could become quite formidable indeed. (Presenting the axe along with the two gems) Is this something you can repair?
"Do you know what bloody time it is?" Flaskgrip asks. Hunding remembering the time from earlier knows that it can not be any later than 2pm. "If ye have something ye wanta fixin' come when we are open. Now if ye excuse me, I'll be heading to the Sandy Saloon."
"I am glad to see the years have put drivel on your tongue. Oh I have business to do with you. You know the rules. You leave, you die, but ya see I can't kill you quickly. No no no no no. You-- YOU-----" he takes a deep breath and looks up at the sky "you have to be something special. See people leave the riders every once and a while, and let's just say I don't like people leaving. Not from me." Falter turns around and says to the men behind. "GO- GO get them all. Everyone! It is time for a show."
Hunding fades back unconscious and some unknown time passes. Suddenly Hunding is awoken by a sudden blast of cold water and see himself on top of a stone pillar near where he was with Falter. Down below he sees about 30 dark riders assembled. Falter begins to speak.
"Men.... Men.... We have a story, yes a simple story to tell you today. You see this man.... Handing as he is known. Served the riders for years and years. Bashing all with his hammer. But ya see, one day... Yes yes, one day, Hander didn't come home." the riders begin to boo. "Yes... yes... We are home and Hander abanonded home. And what do we do to those that abandon us?" A man in the crowd yells "KILL THEM" Falter points and says "YES YES. And so we do what we must but we do it slowly, so they are reminded with every painful second what we feel when we are lost." Falter slices Hunding across the leg. Then the other leg. Hunding grits his teeth as the cuts continue until he finally fades out.
Hot..... so hot..... Thirsty so thirsty.... How long has it been....
Hunding unconscious finds himself waking to a tent around him. He sits up to see bandages on his body. "How am I alive?" he thinks to himself.
Combat is over. Please award yourself 50xp.
(Muttering) The god of death will be most displeased with his faithful servant today
Where am I? where is my family and how did I survive?
(Hunding ventures outside of the tent to explore wincing from his many wounds).
As he gets outside he turns and notices Daknar tending to his wagon.
Daknar my goodman. How did you survive this ordeal?
Daknar looks at Hunding and says "After you left that morning, I packed my wagon for a two day trip to Southalia. I came back four days later, expecting to meet the caravan here and what I came to was this." He motions in front of him about 50 feet, you see the burnt ruins of what used to be the caravan. "I didn't know what to do with the bodies, but I didn't want the vultures to get them so I put them in the ruins for now. I found you up there on that hill. Sprawled up on that wooden X. They did a number to ya. I didn't think you were still alive when I found ya but you seem to be fairing up okay now."
Thank you for saving me Daknar. Did you by chance see the body of my wife and daughter with the others?
"Your son and wife, yes. Your daughter no." Daknar says with a frown.
Then my daughter is cursed with a fate worse than death. Excuse me good Daknar, I need a moment to mourn my lost loved ones.
(Hunding constructs a small memorial by laying stones together in a small pyramid and utters a short prayer) Goodbye my loving wife and son I have failed you and those scars will burden me for the rest of my days
(muttering) Look at what you have become without me. A blubbering fool that sobs like an old widow. You can't even protect those foolish enough to put their faith in you.
You are wrong. Learning to trust others has made me stronger, but you are right that I have gone soft. It is time for righteous vengeance to lead me forward and I will not be afraid to use you when necessary.
(muttering) You will not be able to control me. I will consume you like a raging inferno consumes dry tinder.
We shall see...
(Later addressing Daknar after going to the ruins to retrieve my pack) Daknar my friend. I owe you a debt that I can never repay, but I will give you this zircon and this tablet and hopefully that will assuage a portion of the debt between us.
Do you have any information on where the black riders might be taking my daughter? Also I am in need of a better weapon and I stumbled across this old greataxe in the ruins. Might you know of any blacksmiths with the skill to repair it?
Daknar says "Slavery is illegal in the country of Comstalia, so if they did take your daughter as a slave, they are looking to ship her off to the a different country. The only port with deep enough harbors to make those journeys are found in the very north in the city of Northalia. With regards to a weapon, I do know a blacksmith that I do trade with in Southalia. He is a bit of a drunkard, but when he has his wits about him, he is a good smith."
Thank for the information good Daknar. Fair thee well. I must undertake a journey to see this blacksmith of yours.
Hunding begins his two day journey to Southalia. The desert sun is as hot and grueling as ever, but through sheer will he is able to make it to the town of Southalia.
The city of Southalia was built at the edge of a desert atop an oasis and is seemingly misplaced along the sand dunes that surround it. Its uniqueness is matched by the backdrop of the mountains to the east which have helped shape the city to what it is today. The climate of these lands influenced the architectural style of the city as the vast majority of buildings were designed to take full advantage of the always present desert winds through large windows.
The skyline is packed with elegant sandstone buildings and each is more impressive than the next. Trade is at an all time high in Southalia and it has attracted a lot of attention. A few new cultures have left their mark not just on international relations, but also upon the city's identity. What historically was a city of little contrast has grown into a new multicultural masterpiece. This multicultural identity that has truly left its mark. Many bakeries, diners and concession stands offer a plethora of culinary choices and those who feel hungry for something else can enjoy one of the many fountains or taverns that scatter the city.
(muttering) Ugh the writhing see of humanity. Disgusting...
I agree let's get this errand over with so we can be on our way. (Venturing into town and consulting a local guardsmen) Good sir. I am in need of a weaponsmith. Is there anyone is Southalia that has expertise in the crafting and repair of large weapons?
The fellow citizen says "The blacksmith is on the west side of town. Although you should early, he normally heads to the tavern around this time."
Hunding hurries over to the western district of Southalia and can see the telling smoke of from a blacksmith's furnance. As he enters the place, he sees a short stocky man. Brown, dreadlocks hangs over a chiseled, charming face. Darting gray eyes, set high within their sockets. Skin covered in soot compliments his mouth and leaves a tale-tale sign of his profession.
This is the face of Forbur Flaskgrip.
Goodday sir. I have heard you are a blacksmith of some skill. I am in possession of damaged weapon that with the necessary repair could become quite formidable indeed. (Presenting the axe along with the two gems) Is this something you can repair?
"Do you know what bloody time it is?" Flaskgrip asks. Hunding remembering the time from earlier knows that it can not be any later than 2pm. "If ye have something ye wanta fixin' come when we are open. Now if ye excuse me, I'll be heading to the Sandy Saloon."
This is a matter of some great importance to me sir. Make an exception for me and I will buy you a drink of your choice at the tavern.
Flaskgrip looks and says with a chuckle "Well if ye are buyin' I be listenin, but I only be listenin' whilst I be a drinkin'"