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12:23, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep.

Posted by DM PawnFor group archive 0
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 724 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 33/33
Fri 29 Mar 2019
at 05:21
  • msg #36

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Valthur painstakingly counts out equal shares of gold for each of the party members. "Six equal shares, right? We don't need to cut in any worthless hirelings or dead people this time, do we?"

OOC: 20 platinum and 130 gold (if you can carry it) each.
Eoni Daflin
Player, 840 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 4/28
Fri 29 Mar 2019
at 18:31
  • msg #37

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"It's just us this time," Eoni replied to the dwarf as she climbed back up into the keep to examine the trunk's contents.  If the staff did indeed have healing properties, now would not be a bad time to examine it.

Taking up the finely carved length of oak, she called upon Avandra for her guidance.  "Blessed Avandra, as we grow nearer the danger before us, please guide us and allow us insight on how best we may serve.  If you will, grant me the ability to wield this staff in your name so I may heal the ills of others and further your name.  Most merciful Avandra."
Marklin
NPC, 31 posts
Fighter
AC: 2 | HP: 21/21
Wed 3 Apr 2019
at 06:09
  • msg #38

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Marklin's demeanor turns quite grim as the party gathers the treasure within the vault beneath Vraath Keep. It is obvious to even the least perceptive members of the party some great conflict wells within his soul. Finally, unable to withhold his feelings any longer, the fighter breaks his silence.

"I aint going back to Brindol," the mercenary says bruskly. "There's nothing but memories of bad times and dirty deals for me in that city. Make no mistake, I am sure the feeling's mutual. Let's just say there's no great love between me and the city guard, and leave it at that!"

The fighter pauses a few moments and adds, "Besides, we got enough to set ourselves up right with this little haul...and we're just going to throw it away and rush back into death arms on some crazy little notion of stopping an army?!"


Turning now to Eoni, "No offense, Captain, but, this is where I get off..." Marklin's face is quite conflicted over this point, but he seems to have steeled his resolve to his decision.

"I wish nothing but the best for the lot of you, but, I'm out. If any of you had any sense, you'd be thinking the same right about now." He then turns his gaze briefly to each party member in turn.

"This aint our war. Let the Lords of Brindol sort this out. They sit there on their gilded thrones born of the blood of folk like you and me. And what do we get for our troubles?"

"A life spent renting flee-ridden rooms in second-rate inns, third-rate fare, and a pauper's grave at the end of it all?"

"No thanks!"

Having said his bit he adds, "Old Man Jorr, hell, even them elves got the right of it..."
Aldara
NPC, 456 posts
Human Enchanter (M-U 5)
AC: 8 | HP 6/15
Wed 3 Apr 2019
at 06:17
  • msg #39

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Aldara is the first to speak after Marklin's rant. Speaking with a heavy heart, "I understand all too well." The wizard seems to be taking great care to guard her words, but finally adds, "Likewise. I vowed never to return to, there, and have no great desire to do so now."

"But, I understand if others feel otherwise," she says.

"Marklin, if you would have a wizard as a travel companion, I offer my services."

She sighs deeply and then says in a low voice, "We don't have to do this. None of us."
Sarah
Player, 603 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Wed 3 Apr 2019
at 12:28
  • msg #40

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Maintaining a rather blank expression (i.e., a normal expression for her) Sarah watches the others go.

Once they are gone the girl looks at Valthur and Eoni as if expecting them to say something. When they don't, she looks at the ground and shifts uncomfortably.  Then, as if addressing the ground, she haltingly mutters:


"They're right, y'know?  We . . . we can take what we got an' go far away.  Someplace that 'asn't heard of Ghostlords, or greenspawns, or any of this stuff.  'Sides, it's jus' four of us now . . ."


Then, with tears, welling in her eyes, she says to the ground: "I don' wanna die."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Wed 03 Apr 2019.
Eoni Daflin
Player, 845 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 4/28
Wed 3 Apr 2019
at 14:25
  • msg #41

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"You could go with them," Eoni said gently to Sarah, "or you can come with us."  She opened her arm to include Valthur and Taerix in the gesture.

She did not begrudge Marklin and Aldara their departure and had hugged them both goodbye.  It was their decision and she let the sorceress pick what she would from their magical spoils to keep them safe.  May Avandra look over them as well.

"We don't plan on dying," she explained to the girl, "but someone has to stand and fight.  We play our roles in this life, whether it's tanning hides as Yhus' family does or hammer iron as Darna's.  Someone has to fight for them, keep them safe in Brindol.

"We haven't turned out to be cobblers and farmers.  We have strength, resilience, and the Blessings of Avandra that set us apart.  Enable us to do more than others, stand up to evil.

"Sarah,"
she said, gently raising the girl's chin in her hand.  "I think you'd be a horrible barmaid."
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 729 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 33/33
Thu 4 Apr 2019
at 00:59
  • msg #42

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Valthur soaks in everyone's words in silence before speaking. "I feared this would happen, Marklin. As soon as I saw things was turning toward Brindol. No secret that you and it aren't exactly on speaking terms. Didn't know it was the same way for Aldara, but it stands to reason. You two've been a welcome sword and dagger by our side, and welcome friends. I looked forward to fighting with you both one last time in Brindol, but if the gods have another plan for you, I won't stand in their way... or yours."

He shakes the fighter's hand and grins. "Sorry about trying to kill you when we were in that rotten tree trunk."


Having spoken his piece, he turns to Sarah. "The Sister's right, Missy. Ain't nobody here gonna' die in Brindol. Not you. Not me. Not Taerix or Eoni."
Kane Taerix
Player, 269 posts
Halfling Myrmidon
AC 1 (0) HP 10/24
Thu 4 Apr 2019
at 01:10
  • msg #43

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"I told myself that I wouldn't go home until I made a name for myself. This is a good start. Becoming a hero at the Battle for Brindol or whatever the history books will call it sounds good to me. Best of luck to the two of you," he finishes, nodding to Aldara and Marklin.
Sarah
Player, 605 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Thu 4 Apr 2019
at 13:30
  • msg #44

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Eoni Daflin:
"Sarah,"</Rose> she said, gently raising the girl's chin in her hand.  "I think you'd be a horrible barmaid."


Sarah looks at Eoni as she speaks her words of encouragement, but the faraway look in her eyes makes it hard to tell whether she's actually processing what Eoni says.

When Eoni finishes, Sarah sniffles a bit and walks away, sits down on the ground, and wraps her arms around her knees as if she is hugging herself.  Rocking gently, she maintains that faraway look and thinks her unshared thoughts.
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 731 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 33/33
Fri 5 Apr 2019
at 00:16
  • msg #45

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"Hmmmmf," Valthur mumbles quietly to Eoni as he watches Sarah walk away. "Poor Missy is at her limit, I'm afraid. This isn't exactly how I pictured things going. Sure, the halfling's brave-hearted and not bad with a bow and a blade, but with Marklin and Aldara leaving and the girl where she's at, we'll be lucky to even make it to Brindol, let alone save it."
Eoni Daflin
Player, 847 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 4/28
Fri 5 Apr 2019
at 00:46
  • msg #46

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"The Tiri Kitor will get us to Brindol, I'm sure of that," the Sister assured the dwarf.  "After that, Avandra will watch over us.

"Gather up what we're taking and get ready to go."

Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 733 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 33/33
Sat 6 Apr 2019
at 00:28
  • msg #47

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Valthur silently packs their belongings, alone with his thoughts. Great, the Tiri Kitor. I'd rather walk to Brindol than fly with with those stupid elves and their stupid owls.

But with teeth clenched, he concedes that time is of the essence, and getting to Brindol quickly will require sacrifice. Even the significant sacrifice of accepting the help of the Tiri Kitor.
Kane Taerix
Player, 271 posts
Halfling Myrmidon
AC 1 (0) HP 10/24
Sat 6 Apr 2019
at 02:54
  • msg #48

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Taerix slides the Blur Potion into his pack, and tries on the mithril shirt.
Eoni Daflin
Player, 848 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 4/28
Sat 6 Apr 2019
at 22:51
  • msg #49

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Blessed by Avandra to understand the workings of the divine staff, Eoni determined it was indeed, a Staff of Healing.  The only item recorded with the map that actually lived up to it's description.  She demonstrated the staff's power on each before their departure.

Along with the new staff, the Sister was now wearing the haversack of magical items Aldara had been safekeeping.  She made sure the gauntlets Lord Vraath had died wearing were added to the pack.  She would see if they too were magical on the morn.

OOC:
Eoni Daflin rolled 4 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Valthur.
Eoni Daflin rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Taerix.
Eoni Daflin rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Sarah.
Eoni Daflin rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Eoni.

Eoni Daflin rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Marklin.
Eoni Daflin rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Aldara.

Eoni also leaves 100 silver in the crypt to save weight.
Everyone has the same 100 silver from the iron coffer of the phylactery.

Kane Taerix
Player, 272 posts
Halfling Myrmidon
AC 1 (-1) HP 16/24
Sun 7 Apr 2019
at 01:35
  • msg #50

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"Thank you, Eoni."

Taerix ditches his used chain mail in the corner of the vault to save some weight.
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 735 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 33/33
Mon 8 Apr 2019
at 06:11
  • msg #51

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"Many thanks, Sister. That'll make the flight to Brindol a bit easier."

To say Valthur was uneasy about riding the owls of the Tiri Kitor was a gross understatement. The prospect of hopping on one of those winged giants again scared Valthur to such an extent that he forgot about the flaming sword he had recently uncovered.
Vaxfar
Player, 4 posts
Mon 8 Apr 2019
at 22:08
  • msg #52

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

“Are you ready to return to Brindol? I was sent by Sellyria Starsinger to escort you back.  I have been given blessings to join your group if you could use another hand.”  he said hopefully.  He wasn’t sure what to say as he was excited  to join a group that had proved successful although he knew little about them.  He had made peace with human relationships and was more likely than most elves to keep an open mind, but he was instinctively distrustful of the dwarf, giving Valthur a sidelong glance as he spoke to Eoni.
Eoni Daflin
Player, 849 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 7/28
Mon 8 Apr 2019
at 23:52
  • msg #53

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Eoni wasn't sure how good Vaxfar's common was and guessed the Speaker of the Tiri Kitor had recently sent him some time after their departure.  He was lucky to have spotted their escort circling above the keep.

"We're ready to go now,"
the Sister said.  "My name is Eoni, Sister of Avandra.  A few of us are leaving on foot, but the rest fly for Brindol."

She looked over to see if Sarah had made her decision.  Whatever her decision, she would go with Avandra's Blessing.  She turned back to Vaxfar to continue.

"You do know Brindol will soon be under siege by the Red Hand," she clarified, hoping the wild elf knew what he was getting into. "It will likely be the Vale's last stand."
Vaxfar
Player, 5 posts
Tue 9 Apr 2019
at 00:31
  • msg #54

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

“I am Vaxfar Leaf.  I am pleased to meet you, Eoni.  I am aware of the trouble but fear not the red hand nor death.  Many of my people would rather ignore the world about them.  Although I love my elven kin, they miss out on the opportunity around them and are ignorant of the dangers that might inevitably find them.”  He answered.
Eoni Daflin
Player, 850 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 7/28
Tue 9 Apr 2019
at 00:45
  • msg #55

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"What are you good at?" she asked as they made their way back out to the main gate.

They were lucky they'd finished concealing the entrance to the vault before he'd arrived.  He likely wouldn't have the chance to divulge it's location, but if they didn't survive, she wanted Marklin and Aldara to have what was left.
Sarah
Player, 607 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Tue 9 Apr 2019
at 00:53
  • msg #56

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

Sensing that the time to depart -- by one means or the other -- had arrived, Sarah got up and silently shuffled her way toward Eoni, Valthur, Kane, and the newcomer.
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 736 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 33/33
Tue 9 Apr 2019
at 04:09
  • msg #57

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"Great," Valthur mumbles to nobody in particular. "We lose Marklin's trusty sword and Aldara's magic and get an elf with a face of a chopping block in return."

He decides that complaining is not nearly as satisfying as it used to be when Marklin was there. The fighter was always a good listener, especially when Valthur had a complaint, which it turns out was quite frequently.

He misses Marklin.
Vaxfar
Player, 6 posts
Tue 9 Apr 2019
at 23:59
  • msg #58

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

In reply to Eoni Daflin (msg # 55):

"I can handle myself in battle with magic and just about any weapon.  How about you and the others?"
Vaxfar
Player, 7 posts
Wed 10 Apr 2019
at 00:03
  • msg #59

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

In reply to Valthur Ironhelm (msg # 57):

"You have not known me long, dwarf, so I will let such ignorant comments go - this time - as they remind me of my close-minded kin.  I cannot speak to the skill of those who have left but I have both magic and fighting skill that may prove useful for this group."
Eoni Daflin
Player, 854 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 7/28
Wed 10 Apr 2019
at 22:44
  • msg #60

Re: Chapter 14: Return to Vraath Keep

"Be nice," Eoni said, scrutinizing both the elf and dwarf.  "Save it for the Red Hand.

"As to how we've handled them in the past,"
she continued, circling around to Vaxfar's question about their own fighting styles, "Valthur takes it to them with his ax.  Taerix is our scout and also capable of taking the battle head on or with his bow.  Marklin also...

"I use the wisdom and Blessings of Avandra to guide our hearts, and Sarah takes care of the rest."

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