Into the Wild, Session Eight: Lamentation

General Summary

When Errato and Qemuel stumbled into the inn, the soldier’s leg bleeding from its wound, it took Caldwell and Rúna a long while to notice that the vagrant had not returned with them. The hours that followed were chaos stabilizing Qemuel’s wound and processing the lingering shock that Kalistra had died. We pick up our story the morning after.

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Rúna wakes Caldwell at sunrise, with the noise waking Qemuel by the hearth as well. The soldier swings his legs over the side of the bed and tries to stand, losing his balance when he puts weight on his missing leg. The Valkyrie is quick though and able to catch him. Kira and Darrius are still out and about serving townsfolk who have begun to start a search party to find Kalistra’s body. Along with that there is a murmuring among the crowd as the tavernkeeps try and find someone who knows how to woodwork. When morning starts in full swing Kira brings some stew over to the party, along with a bottle of Vargan National gin. Caldwell pours himself a cup of coffee, throwing a dash of gin in it. “Drink this, and then have some stew” Caldwell says as he hands the cup to Qemuel. He takes a sip, grimacing “Boy gin doesn’t really mix well does it” “No, it doesn’t”, Caldwell replies. “I’d put sugar in but I think that would just make it worse.” He takes another sip “So finish that up and then have some stew” Caldwell adds. “I want you to have an entire bowl.” Qemuel looks down at his cup before speaking up. “I don’t like it” he says to the wizard. “Do you want just gin or just coffee” Caldwell responds. “I think just coffee is probably the smartest” Qemuel admits. Caldwell shrugs as he takes the cup from the soldier “Fair enough”, he says pouring a fresh cup. After serving the party Kira slumps down at the table looking across to the two adventurers. “Did you all sleep well?” she asks. “I did,” Rúna responds. “Not used to sleeping next to a fire. It was nice.” Kira yaws before continuing. “I’ve got some info for you all. The orc hideout has been searched thoroughly. It looks like they left in a hurry, leaving some valuables behind.” “Oh.” Caldwell exclaims. “Like what.” “Some weapons, swords, axes. Bits of crates and leftover food. Did find the people that had been taken though, they left them behind.” “In what sort of condition” asks Caldwell. “They were actually quite well, much better than we had feared.” “Did you find Kalistra?” Caldwell asks. “Yes” “Where is she” Caldwell responds instantly. “We left her there in the woods, it is not our business to deal with it” Kira says. “I can take you there once your friend wakes.” “It would be good” Rúna states. “It might be better we go now” Caldwell says. “It will give them time to rest.” Kira stands, “If you need to rest Qemuel I can stay here with you”. “I…..I’ll see it.” Qemuel says. “It’s not like I’ve never seen it before. Do any of us know where she’s from?” “Akroma I believe” Caldwell says. “The Cormerant Empire. It would be best for you to stay here Qemuel and eat up. I will go with Rúna and bring her back.” Qemuel fishes around in his coin purse, handing Caldwell two gold pieces. “There’s a toll that has to be paid” the soldier says, handing the gold to Caldwell. “You can do it yourself”, says Caldwell as he closes Qemuel’s hand. “We will bury her here. I’ll leave you here with some books to read. This is the ledger of a whaling vessel that I stole, there’s some fascinating stuff in here.” “I did not know you took that” Rúna states. “Well I didn’t tell you” Caldwell responds. “Also here is that Batarum holy text, I haven’t been able to read it since it’s written in infernal. If you get bored of that swap to the whaling one.” “And you think reading the whaling book will make me less bored?” Qemuel remarks. “I mean, I can read the whaling one” Caldwell says. On the way out Rúna unwraps Qemuel’s leg, checking to make sure it hasn’t gotten infected. The wound looks clean, a good sign. The two follow Kira out of the inn, bundling up before heading out into the blizzard. She approaches a guard waiting with three horses, and after whispering something in his ear makes her way back to the inn. Rúna and Caldwell saddle up, following the guard off into the white. The wind howls through the trees as they trot single file through the deep snow. After a while they ride into a clearing where the snow is obviously packed down by many footsteps. Off in the center of the clearing there is a raised mound of snow, still smooth from the winter wind. The guard dismounts, staying at his horse as Rúna dismounts and approaches the body. Caldwell takes a long time before dismounting and following as well. Rúna turns the body over, her neck sitting at an unnatural angle. The Valkyrie bundles the body up in a bedroll, taking care as she does so. Right as she finishes the guard, a bit back from the two, calls out into the white. “Who goes there?” Rúna drops what she is doing, drawing her shield and summoning her spear as she gets into a ready position over Kalistra’s body. With the flick of his wrist Caldwell summons the Ostaiel to his hand, a crack of lighting filling the air right after Rúna’s spear. Caldwell has tears flowing down his face, streaks of ice frozen on his face. Off into the white the silhouette of the guard can be seen looking off into the distance. One more time he calls out. “I said who goes there? Make yourself known.” Off in the white another silhouette comes into view, coming toward the guard slowly. A voice comes out through the white. “Just a traveler” “You’re in the middle of the woods” the guard says. “There is little chance you found us by accident. I’ll ask again please state your name.” “My name…Nirka” “Aye, and what brings you here” the guard says, slowly backing away towards Rúna and Caldwell. “Just….just please let me in” Nirka says. The guard looks over his shoulder to the two behind him. “Etu skeit who are you!” Rúna demands. “Just trust me I need to see” Nirka responds. “What are you looking for?” Rúna’s voice echoes through the clearing “A creature traveled through here” Nirka states. “A lot of things travel through here” “An orc. A big one” Nirka says to the two silhouette figures. “Listen, are you going to let me freeze or can I just see.” “I am used to the cold” Rúna says. “I can wait.” “There’s a body there right?” “Yea” Caldwell says. “For now” Nirka takes a small step forward. “I just have to see it ok, please let me in” “I am going to assume you have a good reason” Caldwell responds. “I need to see it, and I need to figure out where this orc went.” “The storm has ruined the tracks” Rúna says “On the ground yes, it is kinda hard to yell can I…?” Nirka says trailing off. “You may approach, but turn around” Caldwell says. Nirka’s shape turns around, and with hands above head she makes her way toward the group. As she closes the distance her clothes come into view. It looks like she is wearing a chest plate with leather armor everywhere else. On her back is a large sword in it’s scabbard and a quiver and bow strung over her shoulder. On her heard not even reaching her shoulders is red hair. As she approaches Caldwell speaks again. “What do you hope to learn?” the wizard asks. “Where it went” Nirka responds. “Based on a corpse?” he continues. “Is the person here really dead?” Nirka asks. “Certainly looks like it” Caldwell responds. “Unfortunately” Rúna continues. A long pause fills the clearing as Nirka stops approaching. “You knew her” Nirka remarks. “Yes” Caldwell responds Nirka puts her head in her hands, stammering out an apology. Rúna curses under her breath. “You put down your sword and I’ll put away my spear” the barbarian calls out. At this Nirka unclasps her sword from her back and it falls silently to the ground. On her belt she unsheathes two hatchets, also tossing them away. The spear in Rúna’s hand fades away and she relaxes her shoulders, approaching Nirka’s back. A few paces away she calls out. “Who are you?” Nirka slowly turns around, revealing a radiant pale face with solid amber eyes. “Why are you searching for this orc?” Rúna asks. Nirka doesn’t respond, instead staring at the barbarian intently. “You…you’re Into the Wild.” Rúna smirks, turning around to look at Caldwell. He shrugs back comically Ostaiel still crackling in his hand. “Oh well that actually explains a lot.” Nirka says in relief. “And again, sorry I didn’t know you were in mourning.” “It was a bad day. It is not your fault.” Rúna turns to make her way back to the body. As Nirka follows she whistles out and a riding horse comes into the clearing.The guard, looking to help, goes and scoops up Kalistra’s weapons. The Valkyrie finishes wrapping up Kalistra’s body, and Nirka gets a good look at her before turning to point to an exit in the clearing. Caldwell allows it with a nod and she makes her way to the edge of the clearing. She looks intently at the woods, noticing that the orcs seemed to make their way back towards the village. “You both come from that direction, did you see about 25 orcs?” Nirka calls out. Rúna gestures towards the body. She stitches up the last bit of rope before picking it up and walking towards the horses. Nirka stammers before and following. The guard comes up behind, approaching Caldwell and Rúna. “Masters, are we going back to town?” he asks. “Caldwell?” Rúna says looking over at the wizard. “Yes.” He responds. The scholar turns to Nirka. “Good Luck.” The guard looks around to the blizzard before turning to Nirka. “Young miss if you want to come back to town the inn is open.” He offers. “Yea, probably not” Nirka responds. The guard gestures to the white out blizzard. “It isn’t smart to be out when it is like this.” “I’ll probably live but…you’re right I’m smarter than that” Nirka says back. “I would like my stuff back though.” The guard looks over to the other two for confirmation. Caldwell and Rúna both nod and he reaches out as Nirka grabs her weapons. The group mounts up and heads off back to Norwich. As they enter the South End, Qemuel is seated by the hearth with an old dwarven man. By the dwarf is a stack of different sized wooden rods cut from what looks like broom handles. As he compares them to Qemuel’s leg the soldier sighs. “You don’t have anythin more…study than that?” Qemuel asks the dwarf. “Master Qemuel it will do fine, it’s just hitching it up to your leg that will be the problem” the dwarf says as he tries another handle. “But you’ll be able to walk with a cane.” “Yea but I need like an all terrain broom handle and I’m not seeing that here” Qemuel says as he looks down at the dwarf. At this he stops trying handles and looks back up into Qemuel’s eyes. “Master I’m a farmer. I’m doing what I can.” “I know, I know” Qemuel says trailing off. “Honestly how ‘bout I just take the crutch.” “Well I say you with your weapon sir” the dwarf says going back to his task. “You’ll be able to stand stationary with the crutch and the leg, enough to use your bow.” “Fine” Qemuel says defeated. Caldwell makes his way over to the two of them flustered as Nirka seats herself away from the group watching.” “Are you putting a peg leg on him?” he calls out at the dwarf. “What else can we do?” he says back. Caldwell pauses. “Fair enough” he says back. “It will not hold for long” Rúna remarks making her way over. “You’re in the village of Norwich good lady, you’re not gonna find much better here.” He responds. “Do you want to see Kali, Qemuel?” Rúna asks. “Sure” he responds. The Valkyrie caries in the bundle from out side, only unwrapping her face. The tavern folk gather around, Nirka included. Her face is in good condition but her neck is snapped. Rúna looks to have closed her eyes. “What time is it Caldwell?” Rúna asks. “About 10 in the morning” he responds. As they speak Kira walks over with a couple shovels. “Should be bury her or send her back to her home?” Rúna asks the group. “We don’t know where to send her.” Caldwell remarks. When he says this Nirka pulls out from her bag a rolled up piece of paper. She hands it to Caldwell. “I found this” Nirka says. “It might help figure out where she needs to go.” Caldwell takes it opens it without looking. It is a wanted poster for Kalistra Olaryn of the Cormerant Empire. Contract issued by the Moonguard Journeymen. Qemuel walks over and reads the contract. “Right, and I feel like the people looking her will do great, great things with the body.” Qemuel says. “I think we should cremate her.” Caldwell offers to the group. “That’s how we usually do it” Qemuel agrees. “I don’t want anybody to find her.” Caldwell says. Qemuel takes his two gold and tucks it in the bed roll. “This isn’t really an option, but whenever someone died back home we would send them off to the sea in the North. Instead of burying them or burning them. We didn’t have wood fires back home.” “It is not a pl easant thought, but we can’t have any of what she has go to waste.” Caldwell says to the group. “Her money, her affects, she would want us to keep it.” “Caldwell makes a good point” Rúna agrees. “We can burn what is left of her or we can take part of her memory with us and she can continue to help us.” “I think it is a little insulting that you think I’d forget about her if I didn’t have her stuff with me.” Qemuel says. “Not that we might forget. But we can carry her with us” Rúna responds. “It is nice to be reminded” Caldwell agrees. “Thinking logically here we are at the absence of a will. She did not specify who she would like her affects to be given to. So we will assume it would be given to her closest companions of late, which is us. I will not touch her coin though…that’s…….she needs that.” “Does she need all 60?” Caldwell asks. “Yea” Qemuel responds. “Someone has to pay the people who have taken care of us. It would make our lives a lot easier. We would transport a lot easier. Her sacrificed means more than her life. It means taking care of all of us.” Caldwell explains. “That is an acceptable use” Qemuel agrees. “However, I feel like you should have her cloak, and I feel like Errato should have that ring” Caldwell says. “Speaking of which where is Errato? Kira can you go get him please?" The barkeep nods, walking towards the stairs. Caldwell starts to undo the bedroll and at this point all the dwarves return top their tables. Nirka and Darrius stay with the party and Caldwell covers his face with a handkerchief. As Kalistra is revealed Rúna beings to silently cry. Errato at this moment comes down the stairs and on sight of Kali immediately begins to cry. The scholar starts by unclasping the cloak from the shoulder, going deep within to an almost emotionless state to keep steady and calm. Errato makes his way over with a quivering lip, cupping her cheek in his hand and brushing her hair off her face. Nirka calls out from behind. “It’s never easy.” Rúna looks up to her. “It never is” the barbarian agrees. Caldwell pulls off her ring slowly. The body is silver inlayed in dark blue stone around the whole band. He detaches her coin purse, and pulls her pack off her back. Rúna takes the shield and Qemuel makes his way over, swapping his sword for her fine rapier. Errato place a hand on Qemuel’s shoulder. “A warrior deserves to be buried with their blade” he says to the soldier. “I can hear Yerden yelling at me now but it is a practice I cannot bring myself to break.” “We are not burying her Errato” Rúna says to the bard. “And as a warrior I can tell ya a blade is a blade. The only thing you have is what you give to it” Qemuel rebuts sharply. “She won’t need her’s where she is going” Caldwell agrees. “If I recall” Rúna says. “She wanted to use her blade to save lives. Even if she can’t do it her blade still can.” “Then with this blade I’m gonna earn it” Qemuel says. He takes his short sword off, placing it on the table. Caldwell then wraps her back up in the bedroll. He puts her coin purse on his belt in view of the party and takes a step back.

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A few hours later Kalistra is cremated, with the full moon rising over the horizon. A crowd stands silently around the pyre and the party stands together. After members of the village offer gifts to the party, but most of the party deny. As the fire burns down into nothing, the mason approaches the party with an urn. It seems to be wood carved into the shape of an urn and then petrified into stone. The mason hands it to Caldwell. “Thank you” the scholar says. “What is your name?” “Orlov Blackstone” the mason says back. “This is the least we could do.” Caldwell takes it and holds it, thanking the mason before collecting the ashes. At this point the fire has burned out and only Nirka and the party remain. Qemuel walks up. “Stay gold Kalistra” he says. “Don’t give the god’s too hard a time” Caldwell says as he makes his way up. Errato says nothing as he steps up and stares into the fire deeply. From off in the corner Nirka speaks up. “I didn’t know her, but all life is precious and it is a shame when we lose one” Nirka says. “Especially this young.” Rúna walks up and silently pays her respects. As everyone walks away Caldwell gestures broadly and the remains of the pyre are lost to the wind. As the party returned to the South End Errato lead song and dance in memory of Kalistra. As the night transitions to morning party discusses where to go from here. “I imagine the plan proceeds as outlined” Caldwell says. “ We have work to do.” “And when it is all over, the orcs will pay” Errato adds. “Yes” Caldwell responds. “When it’s all over the orcs will pay.” “I don’t know about paying” Nirka says. “But that big orc is still dangerous and if you guys need some cheering up we can deal with the bastard.” “Well that didn’t go so well the first time” Caldwell remarks. “I’m not going to sit here and let him keep doing what he is doing. I have to stop him and I would be very grateful if I had some help” Nirka says. Rúna looks over. “Do you think you alone can do that?” Rúna asks. “It’s not a matter a can” Nirka says. “I don’t know what you mean by that” Rúna responds. Errato gives Qemuel a look, and then looks back to Nirka. “As unfortunate as it seems, we seem to need a little more help” Errato says. “Oh,” Nirka exclaims, “I didn’t introduce myself. I know who you all are cause of the stories. You all saved Athvan you didn’t think people would talk. And you apparently saved Norwich too.” “We made things go away for a little bit” Qemuel responds. “But it always comes back again. So who are you. What’s your story.” “My name is Nirka.” “Nirka what?” Errato asks. “Of Lovak. And I need to deal with this orc.” “Why are you so concerned about this orc in particular?” Rúna asks. “I’m going to ask you why you aren’t more concerned about this orc in particular” Qemuel responds. “He’s strong. He’s smart. He’s a leader. I know one person couldn’t deal with twenty five orcs but if we can get this one it will make life around here a hell of a lot easier. And now that we know that it can do maybe we can even come up with a plan. I’m not making you do this. I have to, you don’t.” “Well then perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement then” Errato says. “If you come with us and perhaps help us with our business then when we are finished perhaps we will help you with yours.” “Whey you’re finished?” Nirka asks. “Yes” Errato says. “Unfortunately it is time sensitive. We have already stayed here too long.” “Finished with what?” Nirka asks again. “Qemuel can we tell her?” Caldwell says looking over to the soldier. Just as he says this the doors to the inn open up and a large group of Drasser guards make their way into the tavern. The dwarves are covered in pristine armor and weapons. These are not the local guards. Behind them the sounds of horses out front fill the air. The soldiers file in and take up seats around the bar. Caldwell leans in. “Play it cool, don’t look at them” he says in a conversational volume. Around the inn the tension in the air is palpable. “Ok” Caldwell says, “Here’s the plan. But first a question. Nirka do you trust us.” Errato looks over at the wizard. “That is a very serious thing to ask” the bard says quietly. “This may seem strange,” Nirka says, “But yea.” Caldwell leans in a bit more. “One at a time. Once every sixty seconds. One of us gets up and walks out the back door. We all move at once they will notice. We will meet back there and leave immediately. Is that clear?” No one objects. Caldwell gets up and walks out the door. A minute later Sidrai. As the vampire walks out the back door an officer walks into the tavern, wearing a winter coat over plate armor emblazon with the sigil of House Murdus. He walks up to Kira at the bar and begins to speak to them. A minute later Rúna, taking a bowl of stew with her ash she walks by on the bar are five pieces of paper. They are wanted posters but the drawings are quite poor in accuracy. Errato listens in on the conversation at the bar, and it seems that they are conversing about looking for someone, and he catches the words border, wanted. As Rúna comes out she takes another spoonful of stew and swallowing. “They have posters of us and are searching for us” Rúna says before taking another bite of stew. “Did you catch what they said?” Caldwell asks. “Nothing other that they are searching for us. I believe I heard the word fu…ga…ti….v.” She says. “Blast” Caldwell remarks. Inside Errato makes his way to the back door. Kira at this pulls the captain’s attention away from the inn and towards them. Errato glaces at the bounties as he walks out, catching a three digit number but is unable to make out the exact value. At this point the rest of the locals realize what is happening and begin to get up and mingle with the soldiers to pull away their attention. Qemuel then clacks away to the back door. Nirka just walks out as she adjusts her weapons. Caldwell beings again as they convene outside. “So here is the plan, we are going to sneak back around to the stable and get the carriage. Nirka I need you to drive they won’t be looking for you. Can you operate a carriage.” “Not well” she responds. “We are all going to hide in the carriage” Caldwell continues. “I’ll make an illusion that the carriage is empty or full of carrots. We are going to leave and stop by the stone mason and tell him that he never met us. They will ask him about us and he has to lie. Then we go north and hopefully outrun the wanted notification posters so we can get to the northern border before we become outlaws there.” “Well if we are doing any outrunning one of you is going to have to carry me” Qemuel remarks. “We will be in the carriage we will be fine” Caldwell responds. Rúna comes over clapping Qemuel on the shoulder. “I can do that” she says to him. “If worse comes to worse we could always ride the horses” Errato adds. “Hopefully it won’t get to that” Caldwell says. As the talk starts to wrap up the voices from in the tavern fall silent all at once. Nirka makes her way over and peaks through the door. One of the older locals sitting at the bar is conversing with a guard. “You mean those folk from the raid?” he says to the captain. Nirka turns on her heels. “You guys should run” she tells them. Rúna turns to Qemuel. “Time to carry you” she says scooping him up in her arms and throwing him over her shoulder. Nirka reaches into her bag and takes out a piece of what looks like charcoal. She begins to rub it into her hands, blowing onto the piece every now and then until sparks begin to start flying out of her fingers. Slowly smoke spreads around the party obscuring them into the darkness. They slowly sneak their way into the back of the stables. Once at the door Caldwell continues describing his plan. “ Everybody but Nirka is going to climb into the back of the carriage and then Nirka I want you to go into the stable casually like nothing is wrong and it is just time to go.” “What should I do with Delilah?” Nirka asks. “Who is that?” Caldwell responds. “My horse.” “How attached are you to the horse?” Caldwell says back. Qemuel looks at him angrily. “Caldwell we are taking the horse” He says to the wizard. “I’ll just tie her up on the carriage” Nirka adds. They nod in agreement and the party begins to go in. Nirka pauses, looking back at Caldwell “I’m not really the best liar” she says. Errato walks over to her, telling her a short story to inspire her and his bardic magic seems to fill Nirka. As they enter the carriage they pull the flap down over. Caldwell prepares an illusion but the stable boy sees him. The boy walks up to the two guards on duty and talks them up to pull their attention away. Nirka mounts up and the rest of the group hunker down into the carriage. The boy in a last bit of effort pulls the sword from one of the guard’s scabbards and runs off into the snow. Both guards take off after him and Nirka pulls the carriage off into the square. Caldwell pulls out his wang and begins to punch at things in the air. Slowly the image of carrots appears over the group. They find Orlov on the porch of his house bundled up thick with a warhammer on the floor next to his chair. As he sees a stranger driving that carriage he reaches for the hammer. “Who the hell are you?” the mason calls out. Nirka holds up her hands in protest. “Woah” she calls out and Orlov reaches away from his hammer. “They,” Nirka says gesturing to the wagon, “Wanted me to let you know that you never saw them, and that they’ll be back.” Orlov leans in looking Nirka in the eyes. “No one will say a thing” he says leaning back as Nirka begins riding off. As they approach the exit the soldiers seem to have barricaded the exit with two waking into a makeshift checkpoint. Caldwell then throws up a major image to make the carrots seem rotted and give off a real rotten smell. Caldwell apologizes to the rest of the group as in front the two wagons ride forward to block the road. The guard there puts up a hand for Nirka to stop and she pulls back on the reins. Three guards come out of the carriage, one joins the soldier who stopped them and the other two swing around the back. The dwarf who stopped them walks up to Nirka. “Where you off to young miss?” he asks “Alba Regia. I came here to visit my friend who had carrots but both the friend and the carrots did not survive the ordeal.” At the back of the carriage the two guards pull back the flap and are met with nothing but rotten carrots. “What do you see back there?” The first guard calls out. One of the doors sticks his head around the carriage. “She’s telling the truth,” the guard responds, “nothing but rotten carrots”. “You have a letter of passage?” The first guard asks. “Letter of…passage?” Nirka asks. “I came in here earlier and I didn’t need a letter of passage.” The guard looks to his companions and then looks back to Nirka. “Well you need a letter now or you pay up.” The first guard says. Errato mutters under his breath. “Pay up…are you…keeping me prisoner here?” Nirka says. “Well now,” the guard continues, “you’re going to give us five gold and we are going to send you on your way.” Nirka looks bitterly into her coin purse pulling out five gold. “What the hell is your problem, exploiting these poor people like this” she says as she hands over the money. “Be on your way, if you see any of these people let the authorities know” the guard says handing over five wanted posters. Nirka takes them and throws them over into the carriage and they phase through the illusion. The guards pull the carriages back and beckon the group on their way. They ride off into the night, riding hard to beat the wanted notices north. After getting far enough away from Norwich Caldwell dispels his illusion and calls out a vote to ride through the night. All agree and they predict to arrive in Alba Regia at the next dawn. To avoid Tregaron they decide to bushwhack through the woods by the merge. Caldwell and Nirka are decided to take the first shift, and at this point Nirka decides to ask Caldwell about Sidrai. “Who…is this guy? she asks the wizard. “Oh this is Sidrai he’s a vampire” Caldwell says matter of fact. “You can’t just say that” Qemuel exclaims. Sidrai smiles at Nirka jokingly with his pointed higher vampire teeth. “He saved our lives” Rúna says. “And they saved me” Sidrai adds. “Thats fair” Nirka responds. The rest of the group pair up, with Rúna going with Sidrai and Errato going with Qemuel. Caldwell on his shift uses ray of frost to help obscure the path behind the cart so they can’t be followed. As he does this Nirka keeps her eye on the trail for danger while she drives. Their shift goes through without major issues as they talk the time away. Nirka calls out. “You know..” A bang as a ray of frost hits the road. “…it is not often that you see a…” Bang. “…friend and then immediately come up with a plan to escape a village.” Caldwell stops casting and turns forward. “Well,” the wizard says, “I pride myself on a quick wit. My mind has kept me alive for long enough and I guess there was no reason for that to change today.” “Well then, if you ever feel like hurting then no one will blame you” Nirka says. At this Caldwell climbs back up next to the ranger. “What do you mean?” he asks. “We will be traveling for almost a day, you could be a little upset.” She says back. Caldwell looks back at the rising sun. “We got about…..19 hours” he says looking at her. “You could afford to be a little upset if it would help” she responds. “I don’t think I can” Caldwell says with a slight shrug. “They’ll get by fine without you” she insists. “I don’t think they will” he says back. “At least not for long.” Nirka looks up. “Like I said we only have…less than a day. Speaking of which we never finished talking about what your plan is and why I am tagged along with it.” “Well,” Caldwell says, “if you go after that orc alone you will die. If we go after that orc we will all die. So I thought that it might be for the best if we tackled something a bit easier to accomplish and then, if there is time and all in the party are willing, we will tackle your problem next.” “That orc needs to be stopped” Nirka says back. “I’m sure he does” Caldwell responds. “But I am meant to be here as well” Nirka states. “Meant to be here?” the mage asks. “It is just a feeling” Nirka says looking out into the night. “Do you believe in fate? Nirka of Lovak.” Caldwell asks. “Very much so. And please, it’s just Nirka.” A long pause fills the winter night. “Believing in fate,” Caldwell continues, “that…that’s a nice thought. Poetic. I wish I had that luxury. I don’t judge you for it. I am jealous. But I fear that I am burdened with knowledge.” “I don’t know what that would be like,” she responds, “but I don’t think it is mutually exclusive. Being bound by fate.” “I just don’t like the feeling that I’m not in control” he remarks. “Honestly,” she says “neither do I.” Another long pause.Caldwell again breaks the silence. “Before I asked you to trust us and I am afraid that I was lying. You don’t need to trust us. I won’t even ask you to. Not again, at least.” Pause. “I fear for their lives, Nirka. With one of us wounded and one gone. I feel that we have taken our first steps in a spiral and it will continue until we are all dead. Because we do not yet know how to take care of each other. And if you can contribute anything to these…children…then I hope it’s at least that.” “I think you are over thinking it a bit” Nirka points out. “Well, that’s what they pay me for” he responds jokingly. “Just do what you can to protect them. That’s all you got to do” she says. Pause. “This is getting old, thats all” the wizard says. “I have things I need to do.” “We all do I suppose” Nirka says back. Pause. “And I suppose that…preventing a war might be of a slightly higher priority.” “What” Nirka exclaims looking over at Caldwell. “That’s what you’re doing here” Caldwell says. “We are preventing war. And now you are too. Welcome to the team.” “I don’t…I don’t know about that I still need to do…what I’m doing” Nirka says in slight shock. “I’m sure killing an orc is important,” Caldwell says, “But we all got stuff we have to do. I’d put war over the top of murdering an orc.” “I know we just want to let them rest” Nirka says looking into the carriage. “It’s time” Caldwell agrees. When they go to wake Rúna and Sidrai the vampire sits up without a word. The two shifts swap, and Sidrai and Rúna sit their time in silence. Once every few hours they check up on each other with a quick word. As the sun comes up Sidrai’s skin begins to turn red, fighting the pain of the burning sunlight. After a while Rúna notices and points it out to him. “Oh, Sidrai, I’m sorry I forgot sit under the carriage and watch out the back.” “I’m fine” he says back. “Although when can I eat?” “Oh that is a good question” Rúna says looking back to make sure everyone is asleep. “I don’t know much about your…condition as Caldwell put it. How do you feel about eating animals?” He nods in response. She pulls the carriage over and Rúna makes her way off into the woods to find a deer. She isn’t able to find any, and Sidrai returns to the carriage. They continue the remainder of the shift in silence. Rúna wakes Qemuel and Errato and they begin their shift. Sidrai sits on the back of the wagon after giving up pretending to sleep. Qemuel picks up the pace, but the snow is not helping with the new speed. Errato notices one of the wheels coming lose and mends it with a bit of magic. As the sun begins to set the blood red moon of the New Year rises into the sky. They soak it in without a word before Errato speaks up. “Sidrai, is it?” “Yea” he says back. “How long have you been of this world?” the bard asks. Sidrai pauses. “Well..nineteen years previously…then a long break…then about two weeks.” “As in?” Errato asks? Sidrai looks over at Caldwell nervously. “Apparently Caldwell said they made me a vampire” he responds. “So you have been a vampire for long?” Errato continues. “About two weeks, and the vampire thing is new but you look quite tasty.” He says smiling. Errato smirks nervously looking the vampire over and Sidrai laughs. “Where were you from? Before…here?” Errato continues. “To be honest it’s a bit hazy. I don’t remember a lot. Maybe it will come to me over time” Sidrai trails off. “Was it a cold place? A warm place?” he continues. “Well,” Sidrai says, “I remember it being cold, but its not clear. I’d recognize it if I went there. Where you from?” “Ah,” the bard exclaims, “I am from Akivana, it is many leagues away from here.” “Well, I’ll leave you two and get some sleep” Sidrai says lying down in the carriage. Not a word was said for the rest of the shift but Errato still filled the air with singing. He sings the comedy of ‘One Legged Joe the Cobbler’ as a jab at Qemuel but the soldier still thinks it’s pretty funny. They navigate the woods at the merge with no issue and then reach the border by before sunrise. Before the crossing Qemuel puts on his dress uniform, even though it hurts him to do it just for the recognition. When they get close to the border crossing the foot traffic of soldiers increases significantly. With Errato and Qemuel up front the rest of the party lies down in the wagon. Rúna pulls her hood up and Caldwell sends Phoebe up to the roof. The wizard pretends to sleep as he looks through the owl’s eyes. Nirka sits on the bench. Errato whispers over to Qemuel. “What is a name of a noble house?” “Able, Moore, Lennox I don’t know!” he whispers back They approach the crossing and Drasser lets them through with no issue. Soon they are up to the crossing and a soldier in the House Moore walks up Qemuel in his uniform. He looks up to the tiefling as other soldiers begin to inspect the wagon. “Evening. What can I do for ya.” he asks. “Just passing through,” Qemuel responds. “Aye,” the soldier looks Qemuel up and down. “When did you serve?” “Same time we all served. I was there from the beginning since ‘74. Worked in reconnaissance” Qemuel responds. The soldier looks him up and down just waiting for the inspection to finish. The rest of the soldiers report in and the leader looks up to Qemuel “Best keep your head down” he says as he reaches into his jacket and pulls out the five wanted posters. He hands them to Qemuel and waves them through. He hands the wanted posters back to the group and they pass them around. They are each wanted for two hundred gold pieces for Illegal Crossing of a Border. They cross into Varga’s mountainous trails and make it to the river by sunrise, with the Alba Regia docks visible off in the distance. The town is situated on a hill with three roads leading up the lords manor at the peak. The town seems to flow down the hill and into the docks by the river. They seek out an adventurer inn where they won’t look out of place. They decide on the Rekindling Phoenix, an inn on the main square. The inn is dressed to fit it’s name, with a wrought iron fence and walls painted to look like a Phoenix spreading it’s wings. The group enters and are greeting with a busy inn full of all kinds of people. The taproom is painted the same crimson as the gate and building and a large great staircase leads up to the second floor that surrounds the bar. Caldwell approaches one of the barkeeps. “Are there any antique shops around. Or jewelers or the such” “Well, Old Dain has been collecting nik naks his whole life” the barkeep says. “A lot of traders who come through stop at his place” Caldwell thanks him and makes his way to the party and they begin to discuss where to go from here.

Campaign

The Asteria Tales

Protagonists