Pelor, thank you.
When I look back on what I might have done in that keep, it makes me cringe. The very thought of being stuck in that battle, of having to heal innocent boys who just needed the money, only so they can get up and go get hurt again, it just... I don't think I could have taken it.
Pelor would never ask of me what I cannot give, and this is no exception. Pelor didn't ask me to heal idiots fighting stupid wars, didn't ask me to encourage the bastards. He asked me here, to help this bloody irritating group of bastards and keep them alive long enough to do whatever it is they think they need to do.
At least that's what I'd thought. When I joined these lads, I thought I understood. I thought that Pelor had sent me here as a healer, to keep the lads alive while they did whatever it was they knew they needed to do. And that was what I did, or at least tried to do: to stay out of their way, let them make the decisions Pelor asked them to make and stay out of their way.
But I'm beginning to think that, perhaps, Pelor put me here for a different reason than I'd thought. I'm not just here to keep them alive, to point out where they ought to make a decision and sit back.
These poor bastards haven't the slightest idea what they're doing. Paladins are fine lads, but there's a reason why they don't run things. They don't have much sense of the big picture. You point a Paladin towards a fight, and he can't say no.
And it's admirable, aye. It makes them noble, and damn good at a lot of things. But when we've got a world to save, they're just as apt to forget saving the world because one puppy needs saved.
That's not to say they're not good lads. They're great lads, and good people.
It's just that they lose sight of what we're after, here. They cannot see the cave for the rocks, and that's a problem.
Or it would be, if they had to figure all this out of their own.
And that, I think, is why I'm here. It's to heal them, aye. But, more than that, these lads need guidance, somebody thinking about more than the next fight. Perhaps, even, somebody who'd rather not have the fight at all, if he can help it.
So here I am. Perhaps right where I need to be. Where Pelor needs me to be. Where these lads need to me to be.
And where I suppose I'll stay, until Pelor tells me otherwise.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sztuczka: Day 210
I have been so busy that I have not had time to write yet again! I have been requested all over the city due to my musical prowess and my stature! I adore being in the spotlight! But out of nowhere, I suddenly missed the adventuring. I could not do much for them but sing, yet, I feel the Paladins got more out of my singing than any courtier in any palace. I mean, yes. The Paladins did greater in battle with my tunes to carry them through, but they seemed more genuinely appreciative of my abilities.
I am starting to feel like an oddity here. Plenty of other Bards, but no gnomes! Traveling did not place me in the company of gnomes, but there were at least dwarfs! No dwarfs around here either.
If I were a human and not a gnome from the east, would I be as popular as I am?
Sometimes I can feel the stares. Especially when I am climbing a human-sized bar stool to get a drink. There are two people at the top of my list to punch. First one is the next person who says, “Need any help getting up there, little girl?” As if I am a child playing in her parent's tavern and not the amazingly awesome Bard who just had them in tears with the Ballad of Tupper and Mona! The second on the list is the next guy who tells me what I can do while I am “down there”. Just because you pay me, does not make me your whore. I earn my money with my violin, not because my head is at a good height! Next guy who says something like that will get punched in the marriage tackle!
As humanity crushes my faith, I almost... ALMOST... wish I were back with the Paladins, seeing the good fight fought!
I am starting to feel like an oddity here. Plenty of other Bards, but no gnomes! Traveling did not place me in the company of gnomes, but there were at least dwarfs! No dwarfs around here either.
If I were a human and not a gnome from the east, would I be as popular as I am?
Sometimes I can feel the stares. Especially when I am climbing a human-sized bar stool to get a drink. There are two people at the top of my list to punch. First one is the next person who says, “Need any help getting up there, little girl?” As if I am a child playing in her parent's tavern and not the amazingly awesome Bard who just had them in tears with the Ballad of Tupper and Mona! The second on the list is the next guy who tells me what I can do while I am “down there”. Just because you pay me, does not make me your whore. I earn my money with my violin, not because my head is at a good height! Next guy who says something like that will get punched in the marriage tackle!
As humanity crushes my faith, I almost... ALMOST... wish I were back with the Paladins, seeing the good fight fought!
Journal of Fflam
Day 218:
Many interesting happenings over the past few days. Arcadius suddenlly called away, Jacob fleeing this kingdom after some unexplained run in with the authorities, the return of Hrogar (with a new account of the happenings at Stone Keep). Tupper and Ragnarr captured by gnolls, only to miraculously escape minutes later (albeit in different directions).
And perhaps just as miraculously, we did not commit suicide by gnoll in an attempt to break a siege on a city we've never even heard of before. No, instead Ragnarr found himself on the inside and was politely told that we should "shove off".
Having done so, we encountered a group of the gnolls, perhaps scouts. That's fine, we can handle a few gnolls, but then the armored Hellhounds appeared among them, and oddly enough, first attacked the gnolls themselves! The rest scattered, leaving us to deal with the hounds, which we eventually did, but not before they got a hold of Tupper and killed him.
Now, Tupper hasn't always been as handy as he says he is in a lot of situation, but that's not really the point. The point is, he's a good souled person aiding us in the fight against the Great Evil (which we shall have to come up with a name for...). So we found ourselves returning to the sieged city in hopes that they could resurrect the poor guy. Fortunately they could, even given the valuable materials required.
Now we're resting and recovering, helping out as we can in the city. Which is just as well, since it never seemed right to leave them here with a far larger, much better organized and equipped gnoll attack than they have ever seen. They say there are reinforcements coming up from the south, and when those arrive they shouldn't have any problems with the gnolls. Perhaps we are only a few blades and arrows in a large and well stocked keep, but this feels like the same evil we have seen all across these lands, and so it seems right that we are here, whatever may happen.
Many interesting happenings over the past few days. Arcadius suddenlly called away, Jacob fleeing this kingdom after some unexplained run in with the authorities, the return of Hrogar (with a new account of the happenings at Stone Keep). Tupper and Ragnarr captured by gnolls, only to miraculously escape minutes later (albeit in different directions).
And perhaps just as miraculously, we did not commit suicide by gnoll in an attempt to break a siege on a city we've never even heard of before. No, instead Ragnarr found himself on the inside and was politely told that we should "shove off".
Having done so, we encountered a group of the gnolls, perhaps scouts. That's fine, we can handle a few gnolls, but then the armored Hellhounds appeared among them, and oddly enough, first attacked the gnolls themselves! The rest scattered, leaving us to deal with the hounds, which we eventually did, but not before they got a hold of Tupper and killed him.
Now, Tupper hasn't always been as handy as he says he is in a lot of situation, but that's not really the point. The point is, he's a good souled person aiding us in the fight against the Great Evil (which we shall have to come up with a name for...). So we found ourselves returning to the sieged city in hopes that they could resurrect the poor guy. Fortunately they could, even given the valuable materials required.
Now we're resting and recovering, helping out as we can in the city. Which is just as well, since it never seemed right to leave them here with a far larger, much better organized and equipped gnoll attack than they have ever seen. They say there are reinforcements coming up from the south, and when those arrive they shouldn't have any problems with the gnolls. Perhaps we are only a few blades and arrows in a large and well stocked keep, but this feels like the same evil we have seen all across these lands, and so it seems right that we are here, whatever may happen.
Giornale di Aurelia
We are going in search of the soul of a follower of Hercules. If we rescue his soul and return him to life, will he be rejoining the group? If he does, will Hercules require my services any more or will I be able to return to my lovely Turino?
The only sure thing I can say is I will have to wait and see.
Traveling through this land saddens me. As a follower of Diana, I am not only trained in the hunt, but I am also expected to honor the ways of Faunus and do no harm to nature. Being in a place where magic destroys the lands makes me think that Faunus has given up on the world. The wilderness I am from has slowly shown signs of neglect as well. The deer are not as numerous and the birds do not sing as much.
Man has left such marks on the Earth, that it may never recover. That is why I adore ruins. The Earth taking back what once was its.
I hope we reach a more hospitable land soon.
I hope the siege breaks soon so we may be on our way.
The only sure thing I can say is I will have to wait and see.
Traveling through this land saddens me. As a follower of Diana, I am not only trained in the hunt, but I am also expected to honor the ways of Faunus and do no harm to nature. Being in a place where magic destroys the lands makes me think that Faunus has given up on the world. The wilderness I am from has slowly shown signs of neglect as well. The deer are not as numerous and the birds do not sing as much.
Man has left such marks on the Earth, that it may never recover. That is why I adore ruins. The Earth taking back what once was its.
I hope we reach a more hospitable land soon.
I hope the siege breaks soon so we may be on our way.
Giornale di Aurelia
What in the name of Pluto are Hell Hounds doing here?!
It started as a nice little fight with a random group of gnolls. We were outnumbered, of course. We set in to fight and the hell hounds came out of nowhere! They took down a few gnolls. The rest ran away. We were left with two very ugly Hell Hounds to face. Difficult as... well, the underworld to defeat. Somehow we managed. Most of us survived. Although we did lose Tupper. We also looted some very nice armour.
Combine the price we got paid for the armour with a donation from Ragnarr and one from me, we were able to get Tupper brought back.
Ah yes, and to bring Tupper back, we had to go back into the seiged city. It would seem the Gods want us here for some unknown reason.
There is not a lot to do in the town but wait. I am too tired to write any of my thoughts now. That will have to wait for next time.
It started as a nice little fight with a random group of gnolls. We were outnumbered, of course. We set in to fight and the hell hounds came out of nowhere! They took down a few gnolls. The rest ran away. We were left with two very ugly Hell Hounds to face. Difficult as... well, the underworld to defeat. Somehow we managed. Most of us survived. Although we did lose Tupper. We also looted some very nice armour.
Combine the price we got paid for the armour with a donation from Ragnarr and one from me, we were able to get Tupper brought back.
Ah yes, and to bring Tupper back, we had to go back into the seiged city. It would seem the Gods want us here for some unknown reason.
There is not a lot to do in the town but wait. I am too tired to write any of my thoughts now. That will have to wait for next time.
Journal of Lt. Tupper, Day 218
Day 218
I have seen the end. I have seen the life that awaits me after this, and it is a Hell more foul than any that I could conjure. It is very clearly apparent that I have not redeemed myself for my previous actions, although is it comforting to know that I no longer need to censor my opinion about the god Herakles (may he rot in an alley).
So we went forth to meet Ragnar as he left the city via a secret tunnel, and found that Hrogar has returned from his… thing. And then there were these gnolls. They wanted to know the secret way into the city, we refused to give them a straight answer, and that's about when the giant flesh-eating mastiff tore into me. Now I must confess that this was the first time I've died, and it's a lot less pleasant than I thought it would be; nevermind that a greasy half-naked backwoods hillbilly of a god that was waiting for me on the other side.
Fortunately, the others pooled their funds together and paid for my resurrection back in the city. I am now severely in debt (moreso than before, that is) but I am alive and very, very, exceedingly grateful about it. Once we're out of the area, I'll have to make an inventory of items I can hock to pay them back. In the meantime, I'm going to find a quiet place to curl up and whimper.
I have seen the end. I have seen the life that awaits me after this, and it is a Hell more foul than any that I could conjure. It is very clearly apparent that I have not redeemed myself for my previous actions, although is it comforting to know that I no longer need to censor my opinion about the god Herakles (may he rot in an alley).
So we went forth to meet Ragnar as he left the city via a secret tunnel, and found that Hrogar has returned from his… thing. And then there were these gnolls. They wanted to know the secret way into the city, we refused to give them a straight answer, and that's about when the giant flesh-eating mastiff tore into me. Now I must confess that this was the first time I've died, and it's a lot less pleasant than I thought it would be; nevermind that a greasy half-naked backwoods hillbilly of a god that was waiting for me on the other side.
Fortunately, the others pooled their funds together and paid for my resurrection back in the city. I am now severely in debt (moreso than before, that is) but I am alive and very, very, exceedingly grateful about it. Once we're out of the area, I'll have to make an inventory of items I can hock to pay them back. In the meantime, I'm going to find a quiet place to curl up and whimper.
Monday, February 22, 2010
From the Journal of Hrogar
Having had time to think about it, I'm wondering now why a pair of well armored Hell-Hounds attacked the gnolls like they did. Hell-Hounds aren't exactly "natural predators" for this area.
I never did quite find out why the gnolls were attacking the city in the first place, and as my earlier mentors and my recent sensi taught me, rarely is a conflict one sided. While there is certainly evil in the world, one shouldn't automatically assume that the opposing side is serving the foces of darkness, and even if they are, more often than not, they are doing so through careful manipulation of those forces to believe that their cause is in fact Just. Some of the greatest tragedies in war have been the fault of those who felt they were serving the greater good (a lesson I must always examine my own actions by).
That being the case, I must return to the question at hand: why are the gnolls attacking? Could they believe themselves to be defending their people against a malevolent threat? Could they be blaming the townspeople for the actions of Hell-Hounds such as these? I wouldn't put it past our "enemies from the deeps" to foster war and chaos by such tactics. I believe the one called Ragnarr has spoken to the gnolls. Perhaps he knows why they attack. I shall have to seek him out on this matter.
I never did quite find out why the gnolls were attacking the city in the first place, and as my earlier mentors and my recent sensi taught me, rarely is a conflict one sided. While there is certainly evil in the world, one shouldn't automatically assume that the opposing side is serving the foces of darkness, and even if they are, more often than not, they are doing so through careful manipulation of those forces to believe that their cause is in fact Just. Some of the greatest tragedies in war have been the fault of those who felt they were serving the greater good (a lesson I must always examine my own actions by).
That being the case, I must return to the question at hand: why are the gnolls attacking? Could they believe themselves to be defending their people against a malevolent threat? Could they be blaming the townspeople for the actions of Hell-Hounds such as these? I wouldn't put it past our "enemies from the deeps" to foster war and chaos by such tactics. I believe the one called Ragnarr has spoken to the gnolls. Perhaps he knows why they attack. I shall have to seek him out on this matter.
From the Journal of Hrogar
So, things have already gotten more exciting. After having joined with my old group, we had a little bit of time to catch up (they've apparently been busy, and Fflam was most curious to hear what had happened at Stone Keep, as they had arrived there late). But soon we were met with a scouting party of gnolls, and not very friendly ones. And then a pair of Hell-Hounds showed up, which we initially guessed were summoned there by the gnolls. We guessed wrong apparently, as the Hell-Hounds quickly started attacking the gnolls! Once they finished with the gnolls, the Hell-Hounds turned on us, and a fierce battle ensued. I was able to put my lance to good use, and eventually, the Hell-Hounds were defeated, but alas, not without sacrifice. Before the end of the Battle, Tupper had been slain!
However, luckily, we were able to salvage some valuable armor from the Hell-Hounds and sell it for most of the price of Tupper's resurrection (we had to go back to the town under siege for that).
All things considered, I suppose we're no worse off than we were when we started (well, not much worse off). And now I'll hopefully be able to see what happens when the reinforcements come to the city. I know they don't want me interfering, but I'd like to make sure the townspeople get out of this fine.
However, luckily, we were able to salvage some valuable armor from the Hell-Hounds and sell it for most of the price of Tupper's resurrection (we had to go back to the town under siege for that).
All things considered, I suppose we're no worse off than we were when we started (well, not much worse off). And now I'll hopefully be able to see what happens when the reinforcements come to the city. I know they don't want me interfering, but I'd like to make sure the townspeople get out of this fine.
From the Journal of Hrogar
Curious how the fates work. I've been following some signs and portents about where to go in order to help fight this cursed evil that is spreading across the world. I'd ended up in a town shortly before it came under siege, and was able to help out by guarding an escape tunnel. The people of the town didn't seem to want a Paladin near where the tension was greatest. Probably afraid I'd go off on some "damn fool idealistic crusade" to save the town single-handedly and end up getting everyone killed. Can't say I can blame them too much, I've known Paladins who would do just that. But the lessons of my new-found religion teach me to be follow common sense, and be balanced in my approach.
So there I was, keeping guard and staying informed about the situation in the town and the nearby area, when a fellow came out through the tunnel from the town and was looking for his band of fellow travelers. Having received reports on just such a group, I tied a blindfold over his eyes and took him to meet up with them. And what surprise should I find when catching up with them? Why his group included none other than Fflam and Tupper, two of my old traveling companions!
It seems the old group has changed membership a couple times, Arcadius seems to have been called off recently by his gods on some mission, and Alcander is apparently dead! However, Alcander does not rest well it seems, for the group is trying to release his spirit from the control of some Dark Elves!
Upon hearing this, it seems that this is the obvious reason I have been sent to this realm at this time: to aid my old companions in releasing the spirit of Alcander! After making sure the other guards can do without my presence (and the city leadership seems happy enough to have the "unpredictable Paladin" away from where he can cause trouble) I have joined my old group on their current quest.
So there I was, keeping guard and staying informed about the situation in the town and the nearby area, when a fellow came out through the tunnel from the town and was looking for his band of fellow travelers. Having received reports on just such a group, I tied a blindfold over his eyes and took him to meet up with them. And what surprise should I find when catching up with them? Why his group included none other than Fflam and Tupper, two of my old traveling companions!
It seems the old group has changed membership a couple times, Arcadius seems to have been called off recently by his gods on some mission, and Alcander is apparently dead! However, Alcander does not rest well it seems, for the group is trying to release his spirit from the control of some Dark Elves!
Upon hearing this, it seems that this is the obvious reason I have been sent to this realm at this time: to aid my old companions in releasing the spirit of Alcander! After making sure the other guards can do without my presence (and the city leadership seems happy enough to have the "unpredictable Paladin" away from where he can cause trouble) I have joined my old group on their current quest.
We almost lost Tupper
It is amazing to see how creatures we fight really do not like Tupper. I do not know what it is about him about thing like to try and kill him. Today we came across what is basically a hell hound I mean two hell hounds. Wait I am getting ahead of myself. We where traveling a long with this new guy that people in our group knew from before. I think his name is Rogar or something anyways we were traveling and a group of noles caught up to us. Apparently they had some means to track us. So Ragnarr tried to talk them down but it was not going to work, but before they could do much some hell hounds were summoned. At first we though they were with the Noles but when it ate one of them that ruled that out. So we starting fighting these creatures and let me say this it sucks not being able to cast spells. I hate this place. Anyways the creatures were determined to kill Tupper and they did. Fortunately we were able to get some nice armor off the creatures which gave us enough money. The ceremony is going on right now so hopefully we can get moving soon. We need to get out of this area. Lets just hope we do not have to do this again.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Ragnarr: /dev/gnoll
Pelor, if you're listening, I could really use your help about now.
I can't sleep. I don't know how long before the attack comes. I don't know if it will be tomorrow, the next day, or the day after that.
But I know it's going to, don't I? And I know that, when it does, a whole lot of lads are going to die. Maybe more humans, maybe more gnolls, if that matters. The gnolls may be ugly bastards, but on the whole, most of them don't seem evil. And a dead bastard is a dead bastard, and I don't care what they look like.
It could be I could prevent it.
One man's life is all it would take. One man who sure as hell won't be on the front lines when the attack comes. No, he'll be comfortable in his command post, sending orders for young men to go out and die for him. Of course he wouldn't give his own life to save anyone else's. Not women, not children, certainly not guardsmen who likely signed up thinking they wouldn't have to do anything more challenging than track down lost sheep and catch the occasional burglar.
The question is whether the gnolls would even keep their word. I don't know enough about them. If they had the commander, would they really let everyone else leave? If they kept their word, would the civilians here trust the gnolls enough to walk through them, or would they just sit and wait until they're attacked anyway?
Gods, if only I had the answers.
And if I did, could I do it? I've spent so much of my life as a healer, could I land the blow myself, kill a man in cold blood?
Never mind getting the corpse to the walls. That I think I could do, if only I could bring myself to land the blow.
But who else could I trust? The paladins won't help. It goes too much against their code, even if it is for the greater good. Tupper hasn't the stones for such a job. I don't know Aurelia enough to know if I trust her, but I certainly don't trust her discretion. And Chris...
By Pelor's beard, I'll not bring him into this. I don't want to have to explain this one to his mother, not ever.
Gods, I wish Jacob were here. For all that Arcadius might not have thought much of him, there were things that Jacob understood better than any of the paladins. That sometimes it's better to do something unsavory. That it may save lives in the end. That the awful choice right now may be a far greater good in the grand scheme of things.
Without him here, I am on my own. It must be only my decision. If I ask Pelor, I fear that he will only tell me I should know the answer to this one, and not to bother him.
But I don't know the answer. By the gods, I have no bloody clue.
One man's life to save hundreds. One man's life, and I'll be a pariah in this land and among these lads I've come to think of as my friends. All for something that may not even work.
But even if it doesn't, will I be able to live with myself if I didn't even try?
I can't sleep. I don't know how long before the attack comes. I don't know if it will be tomorrow, the next day, or the day after that.
But I know it's going to, don't I? And I know that, when it does, a whole lot of lads are going to die. Maybe more humans, maybe more gnolls, if that matters. The gnolls may be ugly bastards, but on the whole, most of them don't seem evil. And a dead bastard is a dead bastard, and I don't care what they look like.
It could be I could prevent it.
One man's life is all it would take. One man who sure as hell won't be on the front lines when the attack comes. No, he'll be comfortable in his command post, sending orders for young men to go out and die for him. Of course he wouldn't give his own life to save anyone else's. Not women, not children, certainly not guardsmen who likely signed up thinking they wouldn't have to do anything more challenging than track down lost sheep and catch the occasional burglar.
The question is whether the gnolls would even keep their word. I don't know enough about them. If they had the commander, would they really let everyone else leave? If they kept their word, would the civilians here trust the gnolls enough to walk through them, or would they just sit and wait until they're attacked anyway?
Gods, if only I had the answers.
And if I did, could I do it? I've spent so much of my life as a healer, could I land the blow myself, kill a man in cold blood?
Never mind getting the corpse to the walls. That I think I could do, if only I could bring myself to land the blow.
But who else could I trust? The paladins won't help. It goes too much against their code, even if it is for the greater good. Tupper hasn't the stones for such a job. I don't know Aurelia enough to know if I trust her, but I certainly don't trust her discretion. And Chris...
By Pelor's beard, I'll not bring him into this. I don't want to have to explain this one to his mother, not ever.
Gods, I wish Jacob were here. For all that Arcadius might not have thought much of him, there were things that Jacob understood better than any of the paladins. That sometimes it's better to do something unsavory. That it may save lives in the end. That the awful choice right now may be a far greater good in the grand scheme of things.
Without him here, I am on my own. It must be only my decision. If I ask Pelor, I fear that he will only tell me I should know the answer to this one, and not to bother him.
But I don't know the answer. By the gods, I have no bloody clue.
One man's life to save hundreds. One man's life, and I'll be a pariah in this land and among these lads I've come to think of as my friends. All for something that may not even work.
But even if it doesn't, will I be able to live with myself if I didn't even try?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Paladins: Still in Gnoll Space
The biggest trouble with waiting for an attack is that I feel bad about drinking. Everybody on duty's not allowed to. And even if I know I'm fine, people start worrying I'll forget spells or something if I start drinking. Like I've never cast hung over before.
So instead I can't sleep for shit, sitting in bed wishing I had a drink and thinking about other battles.
Here's the trick: they're all stupid. All of them. Not most, not many, bloody all.
I've known that since I was eleven, living as a runaway at the Pelor monastery. Just old enough to be in charge of taking care of some of the younger kids, but not old enough yet to have taken up a trade.
There weren't that many options for what I might do. Pelor had obviously brought me there, and one way or another I was devoting my life to him. It was a question of how: would I stay a monk right where I was, and take care of children the way they had me? Would I become a priest and go about healing folks? Or would I become a paladin, put on the shiny armor and go fight evil?
At the time I thought I might like to be a paladin, and when those soldiers came through and stayed the night with us, it only helped me think it was a bloody great idea. The armor! The swords! The shields! It was all so bloody shiny, and better than looking at a naked lady for a boy that age.
I don't even remember what battle they were headed for. Probably some idiotic war that got started over the daughter of some tanner running off and eloping or something. Hardly matters. The soldiers would damn sure they would win, that they would hardly have to fight. Just show up and the other guys will run away.
It did not quite work out that way. Two days later they were back at the monastery. Their healer was dead. The armor was broken, scattered about. And all that shiny bloody armor was caked in blood and dirt, and the men looked worse. The confident bastards who'd gone to war were gone, half of them for good. The other half we healed, though we didn't have the money to try to resurrect any of their dead friends.
The joking, the laughter, the confidence, all bloody gone. Replaced by some haunted motherfuckers who never wanted to see another fight as long as they lived.
Three months later, I was on my way to be a healer, glad that I'd managed to avoid ever being near a bloody battlefield again.
Shows what I know, I suppose.
I should try to sleep, I suppose. I'll have work to do in the morning.
So instead I can't sleep for shit, sitting in bed wishing I had a drink and thinking about other battles.
Here's the trick: they're all stupid. All of them. Not most, not many, bloody all.
I've known that since I was eleven, living as a runaway at the Pelor monastery. Just old enough to be in charge of taking care of some of the younger kids, but not old enough yet to have taken up a trade.
There weren't that many options for what I might do. Pelor had obviously brought me there, and one way or another I was devoting my life to him. It was a question of how: would I stay a monk right where I was, and take care of children the way they had me? Would I become a priest and go about healing folks? Or would I become a paladin, put on the shiny armor and go fight evil?
At the time I thought I might like to be a paladin, and when those soldiers came through and stayed the night with us, it only helped me think it was a bloody great idea. The armor! The swords! The shields! It was all so bloody shiny, and better than looking at a naked lady for a boy that age.
I don't even remember what battle they were headed for. Probably some idiotic war that got started over the daughter of some tanner running off and eloping or something. Hardly matters. The soldiers would damn sure they would win, that they would hardly have to fight. Just show up and the other guys will run away.
It did not quite work out that way. Two days later they were back at the monastery. Their healer was dead. The armor was broken, scattered about. And all that shiny bloody armor was caked in blood and dirt, and the men looked worse. The confident bastards who'd gone to war were gone, half of them for good. The other half we healed, though we didn't have the money to try to resurrect any of their dead friends.
The joking, the laughter, the confidence, all bloody gone. Replaced by some haunted motherfuckers who never wanted to see another fight as long as they lived.
Three months later, I was on my way to be a healer, glad that I'd managed to avoid ever being near a bloody battlefield again.
Shows what I know, I suppose.
I should try to sleep, I suppose. I'll have work to do in the morning.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ragnarr: Back in the Besieged Town
By Pelor's beard, I thought we weren't going to have to do this.
The gods work in mysterious ways. They touch people who have no idea that they've been touched, and make sure that their will is done in ways we may not like very much.
Take Jacob, for instance, I don't know if he wanted to be a tool of the gods, but he was. They'd chosen him, and that was that.
Tupper's the same way. The gods have touched him in a way that I've never seen before. He doesn't seem to accept it, though. Hercules keeps talking to him, trying to get him to see the path he needs to be on, but he just keeps fighting it.
Which could be why the gods speak through him as they do. Some lads get visions. Tupper gets captured by gnolls and eaten by hell hounds.
Apparently the gods really, really want us to be in this town when the right happens. When the gods start killing your friends to make sure that you go back to town, it's time to stop ignoring them. So we're back here.
Tupper's fine. We brought him back, but he owes Hercules and Pelor both a rather large debt at this point, on behalf of me and that damn woman. I can only hope that if this is where Hercules wants him to be, he can have a wee bit better luck for a while.
Oh, and we met another friendly paladin. He seems trustworthy, and Flam knows him from somewhere, too. The gods at work again, I'd wager.
Bah, I need a drink. But tomorrow could be war, and I'll have to heal a bunch of bastards so they can go get themselves killed again.
I bloody hate wars.
The gods work in mysterious ways. They touch people who have no idea that they've been touched, and make sure that their will is done in ways we may not like very much.
Take Jacob, for instance, I don't know if he wanted to be a tool of the gods, but he was. They'd chosen him, and that was that.
Tupper's the same way. The gods have touched him in a way that I've never seen before. He doesn't seem to accept it, though. Hercules keeps talking to him, trying to get him to see the path he needs to be on, but he just keeps fighting it.
Which could be why the gods speak through him as they do. Some lads get visions. Tupper gets captured by gnolls and eaten by hell hounds.
Apparently the gods really, really want us to be in this town when the right happens. When the gods start killing your friends to make sure that you go back to town, it's time to stop ignoring them. So we're back here.
Tupper's fine. We brought him back, but he owes Hercules and Pelor both a rather large debt at this point, on behalf of me and that damn woman. I can only hope that if this is where Hercules wants him to be, he can have a wee bit better luck for a while.
Oh, and we met another friendly paladin. He seems trustworthy, and Flam knows him from somewhere, too. The gods at work again, I'd wager.
Bah, I need a drink. But tomorrow could be war, and I'll have to heal a bunch of bastards so they can go get themselves killed again.
I bloody hate wars.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Journal of Lt. Tupper, Day 214-217
Day 214 - Jacob is missing & we've been summoned by local auth., reason unknown. If found, return this journal to Brigadier-General A. Stuart of the Sable Lions, P.o.O.
Jacob has been marked for death by the Empire of Chanukolay for the crime of casting arcane magic. Apparently, doing so will wilt nearby plants. Even opening my haversack will tick it off, and so I have discretely fetched out a few vital supplies before leaving it closed for the duration. As for the warlock, we have spent the better part of today searching the surrounding areas for him. As I write, Fflam is out in the desert tonight searching for the goofy bastard. Hopefully we find him before he causes more harm.
Day 215
Jacob is still missing. Fflam returned this evening and then left with most everyone else to search for him in the ruins of the keep that was eaten by tentacles, with no success. Ragnar's sent him a message through a spell and we are moving out, heading east along the mountains.
Day 216
Came across the ruins of a campsite, with gnoll tracks heading off to the south. We have resolved to track them down and keep them from marauding across the countryside.
Day 217
Oy.
So we found where the gnolls were heading: a fortified town, with nearly a thousand other gnolls laying siege to it. Gnolls that are using powerful teleportation spells to move in siege equipment and goods. While I am not knowledgeable about gnoll society, this seems a bit out of place. Various plans were discussed on how to tackle the situation.
My attempt to scout the gnoll forces and discern their general intentions led to my disappointingly swift capture. Ragnar was kind enough to let himself get captured as well, and managed to negotiate my release (damned if I know how). That's another one I owe him. After shaking off the gnolls' attempts at trailing me, I returned to the others to find that he is now safe inside the city. Now we just have to deal with the army of gnolls to get him back.
Jacob has been marked for death by the Empire of Chanukolay for the crime of casting arcane magic. Apparently, doing so will wilt nearby plants. Even opening my haversack will tick it off, and so I have discretely fetched out a few vital supplies before leaving it closed for the duration. As for the warlock, we have spent the better part of today searching the surrounding areas for him. As I write, Fflam is out in the desert tonight searching for the goofy bastard. Hopefully we find him before he causes more harm.
Day 215
Jacob is still missing. Fflam returned this evening and then left with most everyone else to search for him in the ruins of the keep that was eaten by tentacles, with no success. Ragnar's sent him a message through a spell and we are moving out, heading east along the mountains.
Day 216
Came across the ruins of a campsite, with gnoll tracks heading off to the south. We have resolved to track them down and keep them from marauding across the countryside.
Day 217
Oy.
So we found where the gnolls were heading: a fortified town, with nearly a thousand other gnolls laying siege to it. Gnolls that are using powerful teleportation spells to move in siege equipment and goods. While I am not knowledgeable about gnoll society, this seems a bit out of place. Various plans were discussed on how to tackle the situation.
My attempt to scout the gnoll forces and discern their general intentions led to my disappointingly swift capture. Ragnar was kind enough to let himself get captured as well, and managed to negotiate my release (damned if I know how). That's another one I owe him. After shaking off the gnolls' attempts at trailing me, I returned to the others to find that he is now safe inside the city. Now we just have to deal with the army of gnolls to get him back.
Monday, February 1, 2010
From the Journal of Jacob Cayle
So, things haven't gone quite to plan...
I'd intended to meet up with the others, to at least let them know what my plan was (and after some time to cool down, I'd been reconsidering leaving them without my help).
However, the local guards have been looking for me. And damned if it's not a hell of a lot harder to keep ahead of them without the use of magic! Suffice it to say, I haven't gotten in touch with the others, and it looks like I won't be seeing them anytime soon. I've gotten a few magical (holy magic, that is) messages from Ragnarr explaining where the group is going, and I have reason to believe the group (or at least he) was looking for me, but they are moving on. While I could try to lose the guards and circle the long way around to meet up with them farther down their journey, I'm afraid doing so will bring unnecessary legal attention to Chris and the others. And while they're in these cursed lands, I'm just not going to be any use.
Also, I have reason to believe Pelor has been interfering with Ragnarr's attempts to communicate with me. Probably something to do with those threats I made against Pelor to usurp his power and conquer the universe just to spite him. Gods can be so touchy.
Anyway, I think it's best I stick with my earlier plan and get rid of this gies. Hopefully I can meet up with the group later, ideally after they're no longer in lands that burn from the touch of magic. Who knows, perhaps I'll learn some information that normal Paladin techniques wouldn't allow. Hopefully I'll learn something useful one way or another.
Either way, I think I've at least found a successful method of getting word to my former companions of my plans. I met a fellow as I was heading back toward the Monk Keep (I'm hoping they can remove the gies or at least point me in the direction of who can) who was heading in the same direction Ragnarr said the group was heading in. This fellow seemed quite trustworthy (rather familiar too); some kind of traveling merchant it seems. I was able to buy some used goods off of him at a reasonable price and he said he'd deliver my message to the group if he found them.
I'd intended to meet up with the others, to at least let them know what my plan was (and after some time to cool down, I'd been reconsidering leaving them without my help).
However, the local guards have been looking for me. And damned if it's not a hell of a lot harder to keep ahead of them without the use of magic! Suffice it to say, I haven't gotten in touch with the others, and it looks like I won't be seeing them anytime soon. I've gotten a few magical (holy magic, that is) messages from Ragnarr explaining where the group is going, and I have reason to believe the group (or at least he) was looking for me, but they are moving on. While I could try to lose the guards and circle the long way around to meet up with them farther down their journey, I'm afraid doing so will bring unnecessary legal attention to Chris and the others. And while they're in these cursed lands, I'm just not going to be any use.
Also, I have reason to believe Pelor has been interfering with Ragnarr's attempts to communicate with me. Probably something to do with those threats I made against Pelor to usurp his power and conquer the universe just to spite him. Gods can be so touchy.
Anyway, I think it's best I stick with my earlier plan and get rid of this gies. Hopefully I can meet up with the group later, ideally after they're no longer in lands that burn from the touch of magic. Who knows, perhaps I'll learn some information that normal Paladin techniques wouldn't allow. Hopefully I'll learn something useful one way or another.
Either way, I think I've at least found a successful method of getting word to my former companions of my plans. I met a fellow as I was heading back toward the Monk Keep (I'm hoping they can remove the gies or at least point me in the direction of who can) who was heading in the same direction Ragnarr said the group was heading in. This fellow seemed quite trustworthy (rather familiar too); some kind of traveling merchant it seems. I was able to buy some used goods off of him at a reasonable price and he said he'd deliver my message to the group if he found them.
Ragnarr has done it again…
If I have said it once I have said it a thousand times; Ragnarr can talk his way out of anything. Let me explain. We were traveling on the northern border of the empire there by reducing our chances of meeting some radical people that would shot us on sight for having magical gear. We then came across a large number of Nole tracks, which lead south. We decide we should go check it out, the paladins were concern some town might get attacked. I figured if the town was anything like the town we just left they should be able to handle a few Noles. After some time of traveling we found them. There were just a few more then expected. Hmm. There was an army worth.
We decided to have Tupper go gather some info on the Noles. We were hoping to find out some information that would help us fight this large group. I am not sure what happened but some time past and Tupper found himself trapped. So what happens next you ask, well I will tell you. Ragnarr heads straight into the camp. Thinking this might be it, I might have to start casting fireballs piss off the locals we see a dwarf being lifted into the human fort. After some time Ragnarr was able to send us a message saying he was ok. I will say it again Ragnarr sure knows how to get himself of trouble.
We decided to have Tupper go gather some info on the Noles. We were hoping to find out some information that would help us fight this large group. I am not sure what happened but some time past and Tupper found himself trapped. So what happens next you ask, well I will tell you. Ragnarr heads straight into the camp. Thinking this might be it, I might have to start casting fireballs piss off the locals we see a dwarf being lifted into the human fort. After some time Ragnarr was able to send us a message saying he was ok. I will say it again Ragnarr sure knows how to get himself of trouble.
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