“Brave citizens of Bastion! Do you want to serve your city and earn fame and riches for yourself at the same time? If so join our new phalanx of Freelancers, going bravely out in the wastelands to find ancient artifacts and treasures for the glory of Bastion!”
Today has so far been odder than most. Finding myself within the Skirmishers’ Keep had not been something I’d ever imagined, certainly not in one piece anyway. Yet I was there, waiting with others who’d responded to the advertisement.
A young boy who was clearly a low rank and inexperienced almost made me just as nervous as him as he fumbled and tensed at every moment. I longed to reassure him somehow but instead, I simply shifted my glaive, using it to hold my weight as I slouched. I’d braided my hair too quickly due to the early start and now it barely served its purpose of holding the dark thick locks from my face. My armor felt familiar at least, despite my surroundings, yet it was hardly as subtle as I knew it should be. I’d already had some glares at both my ears and silver eyes on the way up here. One man I’d winked at in response and he’d quickly hurried away.
Speaking of looks, at first glance the rest of the room’s occupants were quite diverse. The woman with the blue streak in her hair I picked out to have been a Skirmisher in the past, she looked at home here, comfortable yet somehow overly prepared in her equipment and conduct. Without her name, I decided on Blue. By far the prettiest here was an elven woman, her blonde straight hair making her green eyes stand out. I tried to make out her figure under her tunic and coat and would have gone over to her if Liv hadn’t been next to me. I looked again over Liv's smaller frame. Her tattoos were clear in the well-lit Keep and she didn’t seem as nervous as I’d have thought. I knew she wanted to prove her worth and I was glad to help if I could. She’d bought her rapier and it caused a small smile that I didn’t bother to hide. Though I’d avoided staring, I finally measured the Warforged with his/her/it’s huge hammer. Had it crushed many with that weapon? I didn’t want to know.
Almost as soon as I’d finished measuring the others up, there was an odd exchange with a high ranking woman, a Major called Alora. She seemed light in spirits considering everything, even entering the Commander’s office backward and Blue, I noticed, found the situation quite amusing. She’d definitely been here before or knew these people. There were several minutes of heated but indistinguishable comments before the Major exited again and we were ushered in in her place.
The boy, a Private the Major had called him, requested we left our weapons here. I rested my glaive carefully against the wall as asked, the only person disregarding the request was Blue. I once again felt sorry for the poor recruit.
As we filed in I sat directly in front of the Dwarfen Commander, greeting him in Dwarfish that he didn’t bother to appreciate or reciprocate. No one joined me, the rest remaining standing; the Warforged even saluted as if he was in the army himself. Liv stayed back but held her head high even if her stance was a little defensive. The Commander introduced himself as Osian Shatterstar as I took in the immaculate desk, uniform and lack of home comforts. It matched his snobbish attitude. The large map between us was of the most interest and I glanced many places I recognized immediately. He gave us an overview of what being a Freelancer entailed and the mission itself in the most unfriendly way possible. He was making it very clear he didn’t agree with the idea. He confirmed we were to deliver supplies to a new outpost being constructed overlooking the Deep and the Dead City. Dangerous, but I was very keen to prove him wrong and told him such. We also gleaned that the Freelancers were sponsored by the Council member Owain Stoneshield and there already seemed to be some wagering in place as to whether the idea would succeed. Since we wouldn’t fall underneath the authority of the Skirmishers directly the Commander clearly didn’t care for the pet project.
As we returned to the waiting area, I wasn’t sure if we’d gain an enemy for life. Despite that, I checked that the Private was ok, but I possibly just made him more panicky. Blue stayed back to check on him as we headed to the Major’s office. I hope she helped him.
Major Alora Alejundar way far more accommodating to us, in her quite pleasant office. She asked us all our names and roles. The beautiful blonde elf was a sorcerer which made sense as I’d seen no obvious weaponry. Her name was Elirith and she mentioned she’d been born with magic which raised an eyebrow from the Major. Saman was the Warforged’s name and he continued to be very formal which again made me wonder his history. Livanya seemed confident in her healing as always. Blue introduced herself as Robyn indicating the longbow as her preferred weapon. I informed the Major that I was a warrior with vast skill and went by the name Ero'narehl, though everyone was welcome to call me Rell. I looked to Elirith and considered instructing her to use my full name, but we’d be working together and I didn’t want to seem rude. I foolishly wondered if she cared that I was a half-elf.
The Major confirmed our mission was to bring materials to attempt to construct an outpost to guard the Skirmishers obsession with rebuilding the bridge across the Deep. Every time they’d previously tried, it was always destroyed or knocked down before completion. I realized we’d be very close to the Dead City yet I was still keen to complete the job even without the comfort of my usual company.
We exited the Keep by navigating corridors and spiral staircases. Saman had to pause often to left Skirmishers pass much to my delight. Those that see me gave me the usual looks of scorn or disdain when they notice my half-elf features, but I’m so used to it that I simply smile back. There were new recruits training in the courtyard and as I watched one kept being knocked to the ground over and over. I wondered how many would lose their lives to a stupid cause or to stupid leaders.
A stable hand by the name of Corporal Egwynn bought out the cart we were to escort and introduced himself. He looked like he lived with his equine charges and I could hardly tell hair from hay. The cart ponies were stocky, graceless beasts, but I knew just how much they were worth. I laughed at their names, Katherine and Catherine and at having to call their names twice as if the beasts responded separately. I knew I’d not remember which was which, but would certainly protect these rare creatures. Liv and Elirith decide to ride in the cart with Robyn leading the ponies through the huge gates. I followed alongside a little quicker than needed, eager to be back in the Wastelands.
It was thrilling to exit the city in this way for once; the correct way. The gates and chains were impressive to say the least plus it was certainly more timely than my usual route. Soon after we set out I make out the Gnomish/Halfling camp propped up against the City’s wall. The usual pang of shame filled me that they lived there, and I ensured to point it out to the others. They seemed to feel the same way, which was extremely pleasing to hear. Maybe they wouldn’t be any trouble between us in that regard.
Saman was guarding the rear of the cart while Robyn moved out ahead. She seemed to like scouting or certainly felt it necessary and I was happy to let them be our lookouts. Be vigilant! An accustomed tone sprang to my mind and I grinned once again. I decided to heed the words that had been drilled into me from a young age as Robyn called that she’d found a body. I took the lead in investigating which she might have found surprising, but the corpse had been there years, likely recently uncovered. Habit meant I couldn’t help but try to uncover the body fully to check for valuables. An attempt with my glaive only succeeded in dislodging its head, so we decide to leave it to the wilds. As we start up again, Liv almost fell trying to get back into the cart. I was about to rush to help but Saman beat me to it. Perhaps this Warforged is not so bad.
We continue on, Robyn still scouting. She’s clearly very experienced and attentive in observing her surroundings. Our pace is slow and boring, but I see both Elirith and Liv taking in the unusual landscape as the road turns from dirt to rock. I overheard them talking about Liv’s tattoos and Elirith’s surprise at being offered the option of having one herself.
We finally reach the Broken Span with its familiar eastern and western plateaus towering above us. The eastern one is as tantalizing as it’s ever been, but I’d looted enough corpses at its base to avoid its dangers. The other plateau holds a fond memory of my Diplomat initiation test and I almost mentioned it to Liv who knows the story well, but at the last moment, I think better of it. We are amongst strangers after all.
Robyn warns of danger as we pass under the old destroyed bridge and although I know she means well, her military training is becoming clearer and more frustrating to me. We don’t need to be planning and watching our every step. I all but tell her as such but eat my own words as I pass her and notice a horrifying creature. It’s humanoid in some respects but has degraded into a gelatinous fleshy blob, as if it had lost its true skeletal form. It looked to be in pain, it’s visage twisted in agony. I’ve already called out as I hear Saman stomp heavily forwards as I attack the closest, slicing a piece right off it with my glaive before it can get too close.
We battle the strange creatures between us. Robyn is impressive with her bow, using my engagement with the enemies to launch deadly unsuspecting arrows. It seems odd that she is so proficient with the weapon and a get a twinge of jealousy that I wasn’t expecting.
Saman’s also a proficient fighter it seems, using his Warhammer to crush one of the horrific beings with ease. He has clearly used the weapon before and I dread to think what for.
Liv wields her spells well, I recognize her sacred flames surrounding a foe, though I worried when she missed with her rapier. I’d have to see if she wanted more lessons with the blade.
Elirith stayed far back, simply standing in the cart as she flung ice spells forward. Was she guarding the escort or was she afraid? The ice didn’t seem to damage the creatures much and I hoped she could defend herself well enough to be out here. As I think of others, I should be defending myself as one of the awful monsters attacks me. Luckily it does little damage other than bruise my thigh.
As we cleared the last one, Elirith cried out and turning I can see she’s collapsed. Above her, atop the cart is a winged creature.
I think we all collectively gasped as we rushed back towards her but once we’re within reach, Saman even managing to get onto the cart; the winged fiend vanishes. Before it did, I recognized it as a hateful imp. Saman gives the impression he’s able to detect them and directs Robyn to fire close to Liv. It’s too close for my liking but her arrow flies true and although we can’t see the hit, the imp lets out a cry of pain.
Not knowing what else to do, I rush to quieten the ponies a little. I hope they don’t hold it against me for not remembering the difference between them as I let them scoff a small portion of oats from my palm.
I gratefully see that Liv is at Elirith’s side and I hear her working the spell to bring the elf back to consciousness.
Saman is lifting his hammer as if tracking the Imp for us but the indication is that it’s flown far upwards, way beyond even Robyn’s reach. I quickly stride to the woman in question just in case a retaliation is in order, but after a few moments we deem the Imp to have given up.
I draw on my honed skills as a fighter to renew my strength but just as I do we decide to rest anyway. Elirith uses the opportunity to question Saman a little as to his nature. The elf seems quite intrigued and interested in Warforged. Some of the queries raised ones for myself as to why an elven sorcerer wouldn’t be aware of what these constructs were.
Then to my vast amusement, Elirith uses a spell to change into Saman. I’d seen the talent many times before, but she was very skilled. She next changed into the Commander to engage with Robyn and then into Robyn herself. I was so impressed that I almost enacted a favoured game of mine, but again I had to remind myself of my current circumstances. I was not amongst friends.
Instead, I asked to see Robyn’s bow and she hesitated but let me study it. I desperately wanted to request she allow me to try it but for once I didn’t want to overstep myself more than I already had.
Liv seemed okay when I asked, glad to be out in the real world I hoped. I worry about her even though I know she more than likely will be saving my life than the other way around.
Robyn asks how I have been into Wastelands before, but I’m certainly not ready to answer that question. So I brushed her off with a knowing chuckle and she glared at me like she already knew the answer. I confirmed nothing as of yet.
We pack up and continue onwards towards the Deep. It’s as unsettling as I remember it, a chasm slicing through the ground, rendering the landscape in two. I know it has varying depths so you can climb down and across but more risk than it’s worth.
We were now close to the southern part of the Dead City and I suddenly, stupidly missed the one who’d always guided me when I’d had previous cause to visit that sombre place.
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