Talisman of Protection
Trade between the Northern and Southern Continents is why the city of Letheradim existed. Within its walls, caravans full of trade goods and natural resources could safely spend the night and replenish their supplies before striking out again to their destinations. Though cities like Letheradim made trade safer, it could not eradicate the dangers completely. Caravans still had to deal with barbarian raids and simple bandits who haunted the roads between the cities and were quite adept at dodging the military patrols that moved up and down the roads between towns.
Bandits were by far the biggest problem. Barbarian raids were almost seasonal, and Krai-Jan military presence on the boarders of their tribal lands usually kept them at bay. Bandits however were an internal problem and were wont to show up anywhere at anytime.
The year 551 was different though. Barbarians had poured out of their tribal lands that year, overwhelming the military at the border. Instead of raiding in large groups they split into many small groups. The Krai-Jan spent most of the year chasing down these small bands, and just when they thought they had eradicated them another report would reach their ears hailing another attack.
The towers of Letheradim were on high alert, keeping a lookout both night and day for any movement or signs of the raiders. The warning horns of the city blew constantly throughout the spring and summer as roving bands of barbarians pillaged at will across the countryside until they were caught and defeated by the military.
One such attack took place just outside of Letheradim's gates, a risky attack even for the barbarians. A trade caravan coming out of Letheradim moved into the woods north of town but was not seen leaving them again and crossing the Pachai River. The city horns sounded, but the small garrison was off chasing another report of the raiders.
Achshad Nezzek was newly appointed to Letheradim then, temporarily administering the city after the Raznam had been killed in an earlier raid. Achshad, eager to prove himself, called his personal guard and rode out to investigate personally. Entering the woods he could hear the clash of battle. The caravan had been attacked and was almost decimated. The barbarians, sparsely clothed in hides and covered with tatoos of animals, had overrun the caravan guard and had begun plundering the wagons even as the last of the caravans tenders were killed.
Achshad ordered his guard after those barbarians who were looting the wagons while he assaulted those that were threatening the caravan drivers that were still alive. A few words from Achshad's lips and a mighty tremor knocked his adversaries and their victims to the ground. Next, Achshad brought up rocks from the earth around the survivors, encasing them and protecting them from further attack, before sending a spray of jagged rocks raining down on the attacking barbarians. The remaining barbarian stood his ground but to no avail. Achshad crashed into him, knocking him to the ground and bringing a rock covered fist crashing down onto his foe.
Achshad looked back to see his guard finishing up with the last of the raiders. The rock wall that had erupted from the ground to protect the caravan drivers slid back into the earth just as easily, freeing the survivors.
The caravan leader was so grateful for their rescue that he gifted Achshad's men a handsome gold reward for their work. When they refused he insisted, claiming that it was the coin he was going to use to pay the guards that were killed in the attack. Achshad allowed them to take the reward, adding bravery and skill should be rewarded, and that it was the caravan leader's to do with as he saw fit. To Achshad was given a necklace with a precious jewel in it. The green jewel pulsated with color, shimmering across the surface in different hues. The caravan leader insisted that it offered the Ga'al's protection. Like his men, Achshad refused the silver amulet at first, but goading from his guard about his previous statements caused him to rethink his position and gratefully accepted the gift as the survivors were escorted back to Letheradim.
Achshad wore the necklace every day until the early morning that he sortied out to make his final stand. On that morning Achshad gave the necklace to Nirik Geemir, a retired military Fire Wizard who lived in Letheradim and offered his magical services about town to any that needed. Having become close friends with Achshad Nirik was inspired to take a stand against the rebels with him. Nirik took the gift and went on to fight ferociously beside Achshad until he was killed by the rebels.
Nirik was buried in Achshad's tomb, having fallen just a few steps from where Achshad was felled.
The effects of the Amulet of Protection can be accessed by a subscriber with Loremaster access!
