Character Reflection
For years, Roderic has been haunted by reoccurring nightmares, dreams snarled by dark reflections and an overriding sense of impending doom. They subsided for awhile, as the team focused on the goodness of defending the town of
Summershaw from
Balcoth's oncoming army. But more recently, a terrible sense of uncertainty returned, a closeness with some shadow that darkens his thoughts and weighs on his mind.
Ghostly Vision
As with the other heroes, Roderic performed the ritual of Lemuralia, spitting beans about
Smaug's Tavern in an effort consecrate the grounds. However, while the other members seemed to have summed a ghost from their past, Roderic's ghost was in fact himself and massive version of his faithful companion, the hound
Tir.
The apparition seemed unfit though, and after verbal sparring, Roderic dismissed the vision of himself, revealing it for what it was, a temptation of the shadow, and he was left, however strangely, speaking to the ghostly version of his dog. It instructed him to keep doing what was right, defend the people of
Anghor, but be sure to stay just and good, for the darkness invading Roderic's thoughts has a terrible truth behind it, and that truth means Roderic cannot, and should not, trust the people of the north.
Shaken, the words at the time meant little, for Roderic had spent much time in the north, making friends and allies amongst its people. Suppressing his fear, Roderick would go on to fight and be successful with the other Minstrels at the
Siege of Summershaw. After that fight though, he would journey with
Araphant and
Ho-Gun to help Saewen and the remaining Smiling Hawks and there, at the
Banks of the White River Battle, Tir's ghost would return, and instruct him to find the place of his tomb, descend into the underworld and save his soul from the darkness' embrace.
Benefits of the Dead
After his first encounter with the ghost of Tir and his doppelganger Roderic was left with a warm feeling of comfort that bestows upon him the following long term benefit:
A Soul's Solace:
First damage after a long rest deals 50% less damage
Roderic lost 1 Darkness point & once per long rest, any party member can grant or take a roll w/advantage
"Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not.”
— Gandalf
