Posts From a Long Winded Gamer

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Starting in the city of Vortessa on the eastern border of the empire.
PC: Kaelen NPC’s:City Leaders, Guards, Merchants, Beggars, Citizens, The Thief
Threads (I ask Chat GPT about some starting threads):
Kovari scout vanished beyond the North Gate
Alnari smuggler offers a bodyguard job
Old legionnaire recognizes me and flees
Someone has robbed the city treasury

E: Negative for City Leaders: the Usurpation of Riches

Scene #1:
I am walking through the market of three tongues. I overhear a man pleading with a guard for help searching for his missing brother. Then there is a crash, as a man drops his fruit cart, and runs away unexpectedly. As I help clean up the mess, an Alnari helping me asks if we could talk for a bit.

-ChatGPT generates the Alnari-The Alnari smuggler is a lean woman in her forties, sun-darkened and sea-scarred, with a silver ring through one brow and tattooed knotwork trailing down both forearms. She speaks in a low, measured tone, each word deliberate, her accent thick with Alnari coastal inflection. Despite her guarded demeanor, there’s a sharp glint of humor and calculation in her sea-green eyes—she’s survived this long by knowing exactly when to bluff, and when to vanish. Selka Marrin-Known on the docks as “Selka of the Tides”, she’s got a reputation for quiet jobs that never make the watch reports, and always pays in coin, not questions. Her name carries weight among the harbor’s murkier circles, especially among those who’ve had to disappear.-

As I pick up the fallen fruit, I notice an Alnari woman helping me, about my mother’s age. “That man ran away when he saw you.”

“Did he?” I ask, not having realized it.

She nods. “Looked like he saw a ghost. Why is that? Are you supposed to be dead?”

I smirk, “No. But perhaps he thought so.”

“Old soldiers don’t run easy. Are you a dangerous man?” She pries, studying me.

I hesitate, finishing putting the undamaged fruit in the old man’s cart, then I look her in the eyes, “What is it you want?”

Her eyes flick up and down, checking me out, “A sturdy young man who’s willing to do me a favor. You seem like the kind of man who does people favors.”

“I’m not going to kill your husband, or murder his lover, if that’s the sort of favor you are asking.”

She laughs, “No, nothing so dire, but if you are good with that spear and bow…I have to meet someone tonight. And I don’t want to go alone. The man I usually ask is at sea, and not due back for a fortnight. I can’t wait that long. Will you lend a woman a hand?”

“What’s in it for me?”

“Fifty shillings to watch my back, help me load a boat with goods and bring them back into town. No questions asked.” She whispers, dead serious.

“Back into town? Where are we going?”

“No questions. I’ll lead the way, you keep your eyes sharp and keep your bow ready in case there is trouble.”

“Seventy-five.” I counter.
-I roll 12 vs my Merchant 9 to haggle, failing by 3, she rolls 7 vs her Merchant 13, passing by 6

She scoffs, “Fifty is twice what I think you are worth. Take it.”

I chuckle, “Alright, tonight. Where do we meet?”

“Find me on the Sea Gate just before sunset. My boat is docked across from the Broken Lantern.”

I nod. “Alright. I’ll see you tonight.”

She smiles, “Don’t disappoint me.”

I shake my head and walk away, pocketing an orange from the salvaged fruit cart.

Scene 2:
Scene #2 (Negative Alteration):
I wander through the city, going about my business until it is time to meet my new employer.
-The ex-legionnaire seems a likely complication so I ask Chat to tell me more: Varn Kelros-Once a centurion in the Vaylan frontier legions, Varn Kelros vanished from duty after the fall of Hold Varek. Rumor says he was reassigned quietly, others claim he deserted and was covered for. He now works under a false name in Vortessa’s lower markets, selling dried goods and spices—but one look at Kaelen was enough to shake him. There’s something he knows, and it’s tied to Kaelen’s past—or his father’s.-

“Him! That man! He’s a traitor! Arrest him!” Shouts the old man who fled the fruit cart. He’s a heavyset man, missing a thumb. He has a brutal facial scar…Varn Kelros! The deserter!

I walk swiftly towards him, rage in my eyes. His face is ashen.

-I roll an 11-1 penalty or 12, failing my intimidation of 9 by 3. The guard rolls a 7, passing his intimidation of 9 by 2-

“Back down, half-breed!” The soldier sneers as I approach. “Who the hell are you?”

Q: Does the guard know me? NO E: Negative for The Thief: a Truce about a Plot

“Kaelen Dravari, Darius Varen’s son,” I reply, coldly, staring into Varn’s eyes.

Q: Does he recognize the name? YES Q: Friendly? YES

“He was a good man,” The soldier replies.

Varn stammers, “He was a traitor! A deserter! Both of them!”

“Why weren’t you at your post, Varn! When the orcs attacked, where were you! When we came to help, you weren’t there for the fight!” I accuse him.

-I roll an 8-1=9 for diplomacy, I guess? Varn rolls a 9. I figure we both have about equal diplomacy scores, though the argument isn’t very diplomatic-
-Q: Did the guard catch that I used a different name for Varn than whatever he is going by? NO-

“Take your quarrel somewhere else!” the guards sneers in disgust, “I have better things to do than listen to a fat old man and a half breed.”

The guard returns to his duties.

Q: Does Varn flee? NO Q: Cause a further scene? YES E: Setback to ‘Someone has robbed the city treasury’: Adversity amid Animals

As the guard walks away, Varn continues to yell at me, drawing the attention of passers by.

-I roll a 7 for his public speaking skill, and a 13 on his skill test-

Aside from some initial curiosity, others in the market ignore him.

“There’s your cart, Varn”, I sneer, gesturing at his hand truck full of oranges. “Lucky I salvaged them for you. Not the first mess of yours I helped clean up. Coward.”

He stammers, frustrated that he cannot rally anyone against me. “People will know the truth about you, pariah! I’ll see to it! Get out of my city!”

I roll my eyes and leave the screaming man behind.

Encounter Check-Barbarian, One, Scout, Looking for new land-“Very Good” on Reaction table-

-ChatGPT says:
Fjallandr Scout in the Market of Three Tongues Name: Arvund Hrolfsson
Age: Mid-30s Profession: Pathfinder and Voice-for-the-Clan
Arvund Hrolfsson wears the weariness of long travel like a cloak—his furs are faded, his boots cracked by sea and stone, but his eyes are sharp and restless, always scanning the horizon. He speaks with the measured weight of someone who has seen too many hard roads, yet there’s a quiet hope smoldering beneath his gruff manner.
He’s been sent ahead by the elders of Clan Hroldyr, a sea-weary Fjallandr band seeking land to settle before winter bites deeper. The clan’s current holdings are crumbling—caught between poor soil, rising raids, and Vaylan tax collectors with long memories. Arvund believes they’ll die out if they don’t find a new place to stand—preferably somewhere the empire can’t reach and the goblins won’t swarm.–NPC Emulator says, his focus is on friends–

“You there,” A Fjallandr addresses me in thickly accented Vaylan, “That man’s no friend of yours is he?”

I chuckle and shake my head, replying in my own accented Fjallandr “No, he is not. He’s a damned deserter though. Truthfully, I thought he was dead until today.”

Q: Is he surprised I know his tongue? YES Q: Does he switch to it as well? YES

The foreigner is taken aback, then smiles and replies in his native tongue, “The people here do not welcome you. Call you half breed?” He studies my features. “I am a foreigner here as well.”

I shrug my shoulders, “You have a homeland where you are welcome.”

“Not a good one. Our land is growing barren. We seek better soil. But perhaps not under Vaylan rule. Do you know any good ship captains who might know of unsettled lands we might claim as our own?”

I shake my head, “I don’t speak much with the Alnari, but there are many here who trade up and down the coast, and even with the Akaari or farther afield”

The Fjallandr and I talk for a bit, trading stories of our travels. He is from the north near Ulthold, a good two weeks march in good weather if one is lucky. I ask if he knows Alric Thoraddson, but he shakes his head. I bid him farewell as the sun begins to set, and head over to the Broken Lantern.

Scene #3:
I head over to the Broken Lantern to find my Alnari employer
-Immersion-Environment, Skin, Dense-

I quickly find the tavern, and start looking at the various fishing boats docked nearby. As I walk down to the pier, my boots sink into thick mud as I misstep in the dim light. I pull my foot free and start walking on the half buried planks leading to the pier.

“Wipe your feet, half-breed,” the Alnari woman says as I approach her boat.

I stop short, glaring at her.

“You did not tell me your name. Call me Selka.”

“Call me Kaelen. Where are we going?” I ask again, looking over the craft. I see to Alnari men loading nets onto the boat. They glare at me

-Poor Reaction Check vs the crew. My observation roll fails by 5, I don’t notice what is beneath the fishing nets-

“Climb aboard Kaelen. Keep a sharp watch with that bow of yours.” Selka insists, ignoring my question. I do as she says. The money is good.

Q: Are the men armed? YES

I settle in near the boat’s prow as the crew casts off. I notice the men have spears and bows stashed within easy reach. They row us clear of the breakwater, then raise their sail and begin tacking north while other boats begin casting nets beyond the break.

I sit in silence as the small boat travels north for nearly an hour, until we come ashore at a small inlet where I can see a fire burning off the beach.

“Eyes sharp,” Selka says as the men stow the sail and begin rowing.

I spot several burly figures on the shore, silhouetted by the fire. At least eight!
-Observation-pass by 0-

“Why are we approaching a group of orcs on the shore?” I ask coldly, realizing that the odds against us are very high, given that we are outnumbered two to one.

“Shut up and keep watch,” Selka hisses as the boat reaches the sand, and two of the orcs join her men pulling it onto shore.

Q: Do they speak in Orcish? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Do the orcs get close? NO Q: Are there tents up? NO Q: Only males? YES

Selka begins speaking to the largest of the orcs, who stands with two of his fellows who helped pull the boat ashore. The remaining orcs stand near the fire

-Selka passes Merchant by 3, Orc passes by 2-Q: Does the trade go smoothly? YES-

The orcs by the fire begin carrying down satchels of goods they had piled near their fire, while the two men pull a large trunk out from under the fishing nets. I see one of the men inspecting the contents of the sacks, while a couple of orcs pull weapons from the trunk. Words are exchanged in Alnari and Orc, as the two groups discuss what is fair. There seems to be some minor disagreement with the orc wanting more than he is being offered, but it seems the trade is going smoothly. The half empty trunk is brought back aboard the boat, along with the orc satchels. The orcs don’t help push to boat back off the shore.

-D6 check-No encounter on the return trip either-Q: Is the crew in a good mood? NO-

I sit in silence on the boat we tack back south to port. Selka and her men are similarly quiet.

Q: Is there an inspector on the dock? YES Q: Selka’s contact? NO

Pulling into the harbor, I see a customs official inspecting each boat’s catch. I notice Selka’s breath catch in her throat. “Distract him, Kaelen,” she whispers. I look at her, then fall off the edge of the boat, splashing into the harbor.

“Help!” I yell out

-Q: Do others come to my aid? EXCEPTIONAL YES-

Several fishers already on the pier jump in the water to help save me while the tax official watches on in astonishment.

-Q: Is the officer distracted enough that Selka gets past? NO- Q: Is he corrupt? NO-

While two men help get me to shore, I notice the customs officer talking to Selka.

-Officer’s Perception fails by 4. In the dark, he fails to notice the satchels beneath the nets, Selka’s fast talk passes by 1, Officer fails IQ by 2-

I hear her pleading that they caught nothing in their night of hard work, and seeing no fish in the nets, the officer walks away without fully inspecting the boat, or noticing the nets weren’t even wet.

I thank the men for saving my life while they tease me for my clumsiness, telling me I should stick to riding horses and stay away from boats! I take their jibes in good stride.

Q: Does she keep her deal? NO

After the others leave, I collect my spear and bow from the boat, and look to Selka.

“What?” She asks, irritated.

“Fifty shillings,” I hold out my hand.

She laughs, “Leave boy. Now if you know what’s good for you.”

Her two crewmen pick up their spears. I glance down the dock.

Q: Is the customs officer in earshot? YES

“Don’t even think about it. They’ll hang you as a smuggler too!” she smirks.

I spit at her feet. She laughs, as do her men, as I walk away.

-I had diced out the battle. I could have taken them barring a single critical hit, but it really isn’t this character’s style to kill a couple of men over something like this, so they live-

E: New NPC: a Truce about Lies
(Does this pertain to Varn Kelros or Selka Marrin? d6 check=Varn. I ask ChatGPT who it is, but prefer a different storyline) Q: Is it his daughter? NO Q: Wife? YES E: Progress on ‘Someone has robbed the city treasury’: the Neglect of a World -Immersion, see something disgusting in the distance-

Scene #4:
I return to my lodging cold, wet and angry at being double-crossed, and at having been duped into helping a smuggler.

I disrobe in the common room, and set my armor and equipment by the fire to dry after cleaning things up as best I can. Then I put on my tunic and lay down to sleep.

In the morning, after breakfast, I collect my things and head to the north gate to look for work.

On my way, a Vaylan woman stops me. “Kaelen Dravari?” She asks tentatively. I nod, cautiously. “I come on my husband’s behalf. I have to beg you, please don’t call Varn Kelros by name. He leads a new life now. But is mind his broken, please forgive him for shouting at you yesterday. Just…stay away, go in peace and let him be at peace.”

“He called me a traitor. He deserted his post,” I reply.

“I know,” she whispers softly. “It was a long time ago. Please let it go.”

I nod. “For your sake. And only for your sake, I will” I agree.
-Charitable nature-

-Encounter-Local Personage-Arfund Hrolfsson-

As I head towards the north watch gate, I run into Arfun Hrolfsson. I hail the man in Fjarlandr. “Good morning friend. If you run across a boat captain named Selka Marrin, don’t trust her. She’s a swindler.” I warn.

He nods in appreciation, “Aye, there seem to be more than enough like that around here. Best keep one’s eyes sharp around these…savages.” We laugh, as that’s what the Vaylan call both of our peoples.

Scene #5:
At the North Watch Gate, I ask around seeking work and overhear a Kovari pleading with the guards to look for his brother. It is the same man I saw in the market yesterday.

-Immersion-Barking-

Amidst the bustling crowd of merchants, travelers, farmers and guards, I hear a dog barking furiously. It is tied behind one of the farming carts. Suddenly, there is a yelp as the a man kicks the poor beast, shutting it up as it now cows under the wagon.

“Hey! Let the beast alone!” I yell sharply at the man.
-Intimidation check passes-

He looks at me, then backs away, not wanting trouble.

Some bystanders nod approvingly (Good Reaction roll, in spite mixed race penalty). Soon I am talking among them, looking for work. I approach the man asking for help finding his brother.

“I overheard you in the market yesterday. What’s going on?” I ask the man.
-Roll location, Hold Varek? Oh, that’s nice!-

“My brother, disappeared delivering supplies to Hold Varek two weeks ago. Nobody has seen any trace of what happened to him, and the garrison here isn’t willing to mount a search. Nor is the one there. He disappeared somewhere between Zarethil and the Hold. I need help!” The man pleads.

“Do you have a horse to lend me?” I ask.

Q: Does he have an extra horse? YES Q: Money to pay me? YES

“Yes! Yes!” His eyes light up, “And money too! I can pay you to come with me! To help me search for him. I can’t comb the wilderness alone, but with a couple of good men, maybe we can find him?”

I look around for Arfun, and call him over. I quickly ask in Fjarlandr if he would be willing to help.

Q: Is Arfun game? EXCEPTIONAL NO

He shakes his head. “Wander around the wastes looking for a dead man? There are better ways to die, friend.”

I roll my eyes, “You may be right, but there may be some clue to tell us his fate.”

I turn back to the Kovari man, “If we set out now, we can reach the hold by nightfall. The trail is already cold, but show me the coin and the horse, and then we set off.”

He smiles and grips my hand, “Serek” I give him my name in return, and we walk to the stables to inspect his horses. Then he pulls four silver crowns from the purse concealed inside his shirt, “For a week’s help. There will be more if takes longer, but I won’t be carrying it with me. When we return.” I nod and take the coins. We agree to meet in an hour at the gate, and we each go back to fetch our travelling gear.

-Encounter, 3 barbarians arguing with each other-

As I return to my boarding house, I see a trio of Fjarlandr arguing about something. It’s none of my business so I carry on, collecting my gear and returning to the gate to meet Serek.

At the gate, we mount up and head out.

Scene #6 (Negative Alteration):
Serek and I ride north towards Hold Varek in search of Serek’s missing brother. The weather is pleasant

Immersion-Enemy shouts at me offering a bargain (generate the bandits)-

As we ride, we are approached by half a dozen Kovari on horse. “Hail kinsmen!” I notice that half of them have spears in hand, and one has his bow in hand, though the two in the lead are riding at ease. I move so that Serek is close to them than I. Better he speak with our cousins.

Q: Is Serek nervous? NO

“Fair winds, friend,” Serek calls back, seemingly unconcerned about their approach. “Have you seen a lone rider these past two weeks, perhaps north of here between Zarethil and Varek. Wearing a lion head pendant like this one” He holds up the painted amulet from around his neck.

The two men in the lead ride close while their companions keep their distance, forming a half circle around us.

Q: Have they seen it? YES Q: Will they admit it? EXCEPTIONAL YES : Was Serek’s brother alive? YES Q: After the disappearance? YES Q: North of Zarethil? YES Q: Captured? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Escaped from them? YES

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I have,” the leader admits. “What is the news worth to you?” He smiles a toothy grin.

“When did you see it? Is my brother alive?” Serek demands

“Your brother, you say? Yes, very much so. But…I don’t remember exactly when or where, perhaps if my purse weren’t so light, I might not be so forgetful from hunger?” The Kovari rider muses.

Serek reaches for his purse and pulls out several coins, handing them to the man.

Q: Is it enough? EXCEPTIONAL YES

The man smiles, “You are much friendlier than he was. Two days ago, north of Zarethil, as you say, but off the trail. He was riding fast…I might be able to tell you where?”

Serek offers more coins. I notice the men ringing us smirking in delight as their captain grows richer by the moment.

Q: Does he continue his story? YES

The Kovari eyes us closer, glancing between Serek and I, taking our measure. Appraising our horses. Perhaps wondering how much more wealth the two of us carry between us. “He rode hard to the west, towards the Salt Drift Caves. Orcs often shelter there.”

Q: Do they demand more? NO

Serek gives a deep sigh of relief at the news, and the Kovari smiles. “Fair Winds”, he remarks as he and his men ride away. I finally relax, as the tension drains from me, relieved we don’t have a fight on our hands. It is hard to outride and outfight six men.

Scene #7:
Serek and I ride north to the Salt Drift Caves, looking for signs of his brother.
Immersion Smell-Blood
No Encounters en route

We arrive at the Salt Drift caves, a desolate place where scraggly trees and wiry grasses are all that seems to grow. Small crabs skitter away as we approach, ducking into holes near briny puddles of water.

I see black streak staining the white sand here. Blood…

I dismount.

Q: Is it a bloodtrail? NO Q: Look like someone died here? YES
Q: Corpse present? YES E: Positive for Kaelen Dravari: a Failure of Fears Q: The brother? YES Q: Half eaten? YES First Aid failed by 1, cannot tell cause of death

A few feet, I notice a corpse concealed in a large clump of scrub brush. As I walk over to it, crabs scamper away from the corpse, having ravaged the dead Kovari’s body.

“Serek, I think I found him,” I call over to my employer when I spot the painted lion’s head medallion around the corpse’s neck. Serek dismounts and joins me. On seeing his brother’s remains, his face turns ashen.

“What happened? Why was he out here?” He stammers in disbelief.

I start looking around.

Q: Are there signs of his horse? YES Q: Alive? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Signs of a struggle? NO Animal handling-fail by 1, but circumstances are good.

I look around while Serek tends to his brother’s remains. I spot some hoofprints in the sand, and find a saddled, thirsty looking horse wandering some distance away. I carefully approach it, fill my cap with water and let it drink. The wary animal discards its caution (failure of fears) in favor of sating its thirst.

I inspect the animal’s saddlebags.

Q: Is there contraband in the saddlebags? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Stolen treasure? YES
9 gold imperials, 62 silver crowns, 75 shillings

I am shocked by what I find. Gold coins! No wonder Serek can pay off a bandit with ease.

I close up the bag and lead the horse back to Serek. “Found his horse”

Q: Does Serek immediately rush to the saddlebags? NO E: Negative for Kaelen Dravari: Carelessness and Misfortune

I hear the tink of coins hitting the stone behind me, and notice the saddlebag is torn in the back. Serek’s eyes look down at the trail of coins.

(Generate Motivations for Serek using UNE: Learn Law, Conquer Strength, Join Modesty. ChatGPT already defined him as a man who respects strength, honesty and action)

“Were you stealing from his saddlebags?” Serek asks, coldly.

“No. But I looked through them. Gold coins. How did your brother come by gold coins?” I ask coldly.

Q: Is he the thief? YES Q: did Serek know? YES Q: Partners? NO

“He stole them,” Serek replies. “Risked bringing shame to our family if he were caught.”

I nod. “Is that why you were looking for him? Why you risked his arrest if he were found?”

“I had hoped to save him,” Serek replies.

“Why did your brother come here?” I ask confused, “Instead of going to Balzammar or Zarathen?”

Q: Does Serek know? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Coconspiritors? YES Q: Are they here? YES

Serek looks around, “Because he has friends here, I would guess.”

“Not good friends if they left him for dead here,”I reply, looking down on the corpse.

Serek shakes his head, “No. Revolutionaries. They used him.”

I start collecting the fallen coins and transfer them into the saddlebag without a tear in it.

Scene #8 (Negative Alteration):
At the Salt Caves, Serek and I have found his brother’s corpse, horse and stolen wealth, as we decide what to do, our presence is discovered
Immersion: I see something broken, it worries me

(I generate an encounter table on ChatGPT, and then some details of the Kovori faith)

After securing the saddlebag, and then hoisting the dead man onto his horse and tying down the corpse, I notice a shrine carved into the nearby hillside. The familiar sign of a burning hearth and a cluster of small offerings beneath it. But then, it has been defaced by orcish runes. I sneer in disgust as I walk over to the shrine. Then I notice the large pool of brackish water nearby…and it ripples.

Suddenly, a huge crab, bigger than I am, bursts from pool and scampers towards me, claws snapping in the air! I leap back, and pull my spear from over my shoulder
(-Crab hits by 1, I dodge by 6 leaping backwards). I ready a weapon. Ready O,-

Seren quickly readies his bow and steps forward. (Ready 0)

-The Crab presses forward, all out attacking again-Hit! I leap back-dodging successfully again-) I thrust my spear, miss

Serren nocks an arrow and steps forward (Ready 1 of 2)

-Crab all out attacks again, I leap out of the way again, looking for an opening, and stab at its main claw (hit by 2, and 2 was the penalty, so it’s a hit!. Crab all out attacked, so no active defense. 8 points of impaling damage-2 DR for claw=6 pts of damage vs 18 health total-no 2X multiplier limbs, so Crab has 18 health or 3 health in the main claw)

Seren Draws his arrow (Ready 2 of 2, can fire next round)

Crab all out attacks -6+4=-2 to hit=hits! I dodge away again, then spear at his claw again, missing

Seren Aims +3 to hit next round

Crab grabs me, its claws crushing my chest! 9 crushing-2 DR=7 pts I struggle to break free, but cannot!

Seren Aims, all out attack at the creatures claw (+7-2 hits! Does 6 pts of impaling with a bodkin arrow, so -1 DR=5 pts, crippling the claw, causing it to drop me.

the Crab flees to the water once more, its main claw injured.

I get back to my feet
Serren knocks an arrow (Ready 1 of 2)
Crab reaches water’s edge, I watch it retreat
Serren draws (Ready 2 of 2)
Crab disappears into the water. )

As I inspect the desecrated shrine a giant crab bursts from the nearby pool and lunges at me. It’s massive claw snapping as I stagger back, thrusting my spear at it. With luck, I strike its arm deep, but the creature keeps coming. It grabs me in its vicelike grip and I struggle in vain to free myself, until a well placed arrow strikes that same arm, causing the creature to release me as its claw drops useless. Badly wounded, the creature retreats back to the pool as I get back up on my feet. I retreat towards Seren.

(First Aid Roll fails)

We try to tend my wounds, but there is nothing really to bandage. Just widespread abrasions along my chest.

“Let’s get out of here,” I wheeze.

Q: Is Seren ready to leave? YES

Seren nods, and we mount up, leading his brother’s horse, laden with his corpse, out towards the nearby village of Zarethil.

-Encounter check-none-
-Chat GPT generates details of the Village of Zarethil for me-

Scene #9:
It is well after dark when we reach the palisades around Zarethil. There is a lone guard in the watchtower, eyeing us as we approach, and a man with a pair of dogs at the village gate.
-Immersion-Something fuzzy in the environment-

As we ride into the community, I shoo away one of the red striped honeybees common to the region, careful not to strike it…both to avoid bad luck and its nasty sting!

“Hail now!” the Vaylan guard calls to us. “What’s happened?” He eyes the corpse on the horse behind us.

“My brother, Drennik. We found his body on the trail” Serek replies, half truthfully. “We need to set his spirit free, but did not want to set a fire so far from safety…there are wicked eyes and worse spirits in the hills.”

Q: Is he respectful? EXCEPTIONAL NO Q: Does Serek hold his temper? YES

The Vaylan sneers as he opens the gate, “Should have left his body to rot if you aren’t going to bury him properly.”

Serek doesn’t take the bait, and I follow him inside. We seek out the village elder, Ylena Treehand.

Q: Are her windows shuttered? NO Q: Is she expecting us? EXCEPTIONAL YES E: Resolution of ‘Recovered part of the stolen treasury’: the Antagonizing of Benefits

In spite of the late hour, the windows of her hut are still open, and a warm fire glows within.

-Immersion Sense-Being Watched-

The hair on the back of my neck stands on end as I get the strange feeling we are being watched. As Seren and I approach the door, it opens. “Welcome children”, the old woman behind the door greets us. “The fire burning in your heart calls to me, do not let it be quenched.”

Serek and I nod our heads, “Thank you grandmother.”

We enter her hut, and I offer her some bread and dried meat from my pack, as is a custom among our people. In return, she pours us each cups of warm milk from the morning’s pitcher, and breaks the loaf to share between the three of us.

“Your brother died,” the old woman says solemnly, facing Serek. “He did a wicked thing, and for people who did not protect him, or even seek him when he was lost.”

Q: Does Serek want revenge? EXCEPTIONAL YES

“Tell me who they are!” demands Serek, “He risked everything for them, and they left his corpse to be eaten by scavengers!”

Q: Will she help? (Very Unlikely, yet) YES

She snorts derisively, “You are like them. A short sighted child full of rage and no wisdom. Kelvan and Rastan if you must know. Hunters and scouts, like the two of you. Angry about Vaylan rule, as you are.” she looks at Serek,”as was your brother. Now, give what was stolen to me!” she demands, in the way a grandmother has the right to.

Q: Will he surrender the coins? EXCEPTIONAL YES

“Get the saddlebag” Serek tells me. I bring it in from the horse, and we hand it to Ylena Treehand. She doesn’t open it or inspect its contents. “Perhaps the Vaylan will search less and trust more if our children stop stealing from them.” She scowls.

“There are gold coins in the bag” I offer. She nods, unimpressed.

“It matters not. You may sleep on the floor by my hearth. We’ll release your brother’s spirit in the morning.” She commands.

I nod and unload the horses, then Serek and I construct a makeshift burial platform so dogs cannot reach Drennik’s body in the night. We will construct the pyre in the morning.

Then we return to the mystic’s home, roll out our blankets and rest.

Scene #10:
In the morning, we get ready to bury Serek’s brother
-Immersion-Pounding-

I wake the next morning to a pain in my side and a pain in my ears. The village blacksmith is already hard at work!

I dress and am soon helping Serek split firewood, harvest scrub and ready a pyre for his brother. By late morning, we have it lit. Ylanna whispers, “May the fire of your soul spark new life” as the flames claim Drennik’s corpse. I stand in silent witness as the smell of charred flesh fills the air. Others of the village join us and bear witness, while the Vaylan guards shake their heads in disgust.

As the last embers fade, Ylanna gathers ashes from the lost man into a pouch and gives them to Serek,”He travels with you until it is time to part”.

He nods in gratitude.

“Come on Kaelen,” he commands, “There is blood to spill.”

Ylanna snorts in derision and I shake my head. “I helped you find your brother. I’ve no desire to avenge him against those who did not even murder him.” Serek reaches for his coins. But I hold up my hand. “No. I return to the city. I have done what I agreed to do.”

“I paid you for a week’s help!” he insists. I pull three of the silver coins from my purse, “Then here is the rest of it. Were we attacked, I would have killed them. But I will not seek them out for blood.”

Q: Is he angry? YES

“You said you would help!” He demands.

“I swore no oath,” I reply, “Just agreed to a wage for a task. The task is done. The wage is owed, but I surrender my claim to it.”

He spits on the ground in front of me.

Ylanna snaps, “Children! Your paths split here!”

He snorts derisively and walks away to gather his three mounts. I take my pack from the one I had been riding.

“Grandmother? May I rest by your hearth until my wounds heal?” I ask, respectfully.

Q: Does she allow it? NO

“No. Go back to your city, half blood. You stink of Vaylan law. A Korovi would not break his word, even if an oath was not sworn.”

Her words sting and my face flushes in shame. I turn and walk away.

Then I stop, and face her, “You and Serek each insist I take sides in a war between my parent’s peoples. A war where both sides disown me. A war where I will never be welcome by the victor regardless of who wins.” I spit on the ground at her feet. “I reject both sides.”