What Flies Beneath – Velania Kalugina – 06/04/2021
Apr 9, 2021 21:59:17 GMT
Jamie J, Henry (Felix/Sterling), and 3 more like this
Post by Velania Kalugina on Apr 9, 2021 21:59:17 GMT
Seyen,
As my guardian angel, no doubt you were watching over me all day on behalf of Selûne, Our Lady of Silver, and saw all this as it played out. I have survived months at sea to reach the brave land of Kantas. Here, I see a people in desperate need of the wisdom, guidance and bravery of one such as I. Just as you are a guardian angel for me, I know that I, as an Aasimar, am destined in turn to watch over the many weak people of this land. They deserve this shining example of strength and humility, after all.
On to my first assignment. I marched straight into Fort Ettin – and into a large banqueting hall served by a hundred invisible servants. Already an impressive place. And so I presented myself there, not without some trepidation. Fortunately, Coll, who seems to be a leader here, immediately saw my worth and enlisted me, alongside a diverse group of hirelings. They were a likeable lot, despite a lack of table manners and a penchant for drinking so early in the day. Two dwarves, a rambunctious bard named Felix and the outspoken half-dwarf Amanita (the warrior I travelled to Kantas with, who decided to stuff her pockets with every scrap of food she could lay her hands on). Two Tieflings, quite opposite in temperament: Celina, a vivacious shopkeeper and with an insistence on the finest liquor, and Faust, a gentle and introspective soul who charmed us with his kind, grandfatherly nature. I was curious also to meet Oziah, a fellow Aasimar, and despite us both having divine blood, she seemed reserved in the presence of my greatness. No matter – once she had seen me in combat, I felt certain we would get along like a house on fire.
Coll asked us to report to Commander Cordelia Jadefist at Fort Daring for further instructions. We walked from Fort Ettin to Daring Heights, and over the journey, I regaled everyone with tales of Selûne’s wisdom and greatness. I don’t like to brag, but I have prepared a great many fascinating lectures on the subject, after all. Behold, we passed a temple to Selûne, and naturally everyone was enthralled by my words. And by the speed and vigour with which Oziah suddenly walked on ahead of us, I could tell how inspirational I had been!
We met Commander Jadefist, a mighty dwarf clad in silver and gold, with a light green gauntlet, who was putting some recruits through their paces. She commissioned us to enter a mysterious chasm and investigate the murder of a poor dwarf, whose head was missing, bizarrely. We saw Celina’s business expertise come into play, as she successfully negotiated a bonus payment – we would receive extra if we recovered the head and ascertained the cause of this murder. Others expressed skepticism that Celina, a humble shopkeeper, would be here marching into danger. I for one was convinced that Celina was all she said she was. Nothing escapes my attention, after all. I’m an excellent judge of character.
After generously paying for our passage into the chasm, the elderly Faust led the way down into the depths… and by the gods, he was not the fastest of us on a rope ladder. But I should be grateful. His ancient ditties were so touching, after all. Felix lit the way for us to find the scene of the murder… and we soon came across a hideous sight: the head of the murdered dwarf had grown wings and become a vargouille, and it flew at us in attack! Felix hit it critically with a crossbow bolt – a truly impressive shot – and then Oziah struck the thing down with an immense surge of divine power. The foul creature was obliterated before I had a chance to leap in, but I just nodded, reassuring my friends that I could keep them safe.
Unfortunately, the damage done to the head was catastrophic. Celina and Felix panicked about our bonus payment, and started trying to patch up the remains into some semblance of a head. The results were… unsuccessful. Unfortunately, that dwarf’s family would not get the open coffin ceremony they wanted. Who knows – perhaps a pair of crushed vargouille wings would suffice.
But who had perpetrated this foul monstrosity? Amanita and I determined a way forward through the warren of passageways, but despite Felix’s inspirational dwarven reels keeping us company, we soon found ourselves hopelessly lost. All our skills were tested as we wandered for hours, looking for tracks, studying the tunnels, scrambling over rocks, with the dwarves grumbling over their knowledge of tunnel systems, and Oziah chivvying us all along in a most intimidating manner. It began to look utterly hopeless, but by hook or by crook, Celina suddenly stumbled upon a faint breeze and coaxed us that way, and we soon heard Elven voices up ahead.
The voices belonged to another vargouille called Chalissa (who was once a drow) and another demonic-looking floating head, with four eye sockets. This creature was a gazer called Xanxi, and they had made their base in these caverns. They spoke Elvish, so Felix and I ascertained the motives of these creatures, that Xanxi the gazer sought to assemble an adventuring party, to venture forth and obtain gold, and transform their enemies into more vargouilles. A fiendish goal, which endangered the weak and vulnerable of Daring Heights. They had to be stopped, so we continued to parley with the creatures, all the while knowing that Oziah was carefully positioning herself to strike…
Combat was swift and deadly. Oziah exploded into a terrifying and mighty warrior with wings of shadow, and we all lit them up with missiles and magical assaults. Although I missed the enemies with my magic attack, I truly believe it was my moment of distraction that provided pivotal in the battle. I was promptly dazed by an explosion of sound from Felix’s magic, and then with my ears still ringing, I was hit by Chalissa’s fearsome demonic scream, which froze me in my tracks. The others did not notice. I think I hid it well. They must have been impressed at my composure as I did not bat an eyelid.
When I came to my senses, the creatures were dead, and Celina was wiping off her rapier with a suspiciously fierce glint in her eye. We promptly looted their cavern and made our way back to the surface to report to Commander Jadefist. She trusted our account but unfortunately, her face fell at the suggestion that the mangled wings be offered to the family of the deceased.
We did not receive our bonus.
But, I have made new friends and discovered there are good people here in Kantas. Here, I can offer my strength and support in the coming weeks, protect the weak from themselves, and spread the word about Selûne.
Seyen, I shall take a moment here to commemorate the fallen. Paluk the dwarf, transformed into a vargouille. Chalissa the Incredible Hero of Majesty, a drow also cursed to become a vargouille, and Xanxi the Unstoppable Hero of Wonder, a gazer born from the dream of a beholder. I do not know what kind of lives they lived, and I place no judgement on them for what they were. But their adventuring names were mighty and their brief lives were worth living, and I shall recall them to Selûne in my prayers. Whether they knew of her or not, perhaps she will aid their souls in finding their rest. They were our foe, but they were also people who strove to live, just as we all do.
The group kindly allotted me a breastplate that belonged to Chalissa when she lived as a drow. Now, drow artistry is impressive, but the spider-web design is simply not my style. As soon as I can afford it, I intend to have it repainted with silver and glitter, then buffed and polished, as befits a champion of Our Lady of Silver.
From my share of the loot recovered from Xanxi’s lair, I have a gem, small but pretty. I intend to give it to Coll. He seems too busy in his duties at Fort Ettin to venture forth as a hero himself, but he seems to delight in trinkets from the adventures of others. It shall be but a small token of my appreciation for him finding me my first employment in this new land.
Another act of generosity still resonates for me. After we had slain our foe, and I was just about coming to, Oziah promptly approached me and offered healing. For all her tough exterior, I was deeply touched by this kindness, and wondered how I would be able to show my gratitude.
Fortunately, the answer soon came to me. I plan to tell her all about Selûne: how caring and accepting she is, how much joy she brings to me, and how much I plan to protect the weak in her name… basically, I’ll tell Oziah as much as she cares to know. It’s a solid four-hour walk back to Fort Ettin. I can’t wait to tell her everything!
As my guardian angel, no doubt you were watching over me all day on behalf of Selûne, Our Lady of Silver, and saw all this as it played out. I have survived months at sea to reach the brave land of Kantas. Here, I see a people in desperate need of the wisdom, guidance and bravery of one such as I. Just as you are a guardian angel for me, I know that I, as an Aasimar, am destined in turn to watch over the many weak people of this land. They deserve this shining example of strength and humility, after all.
On to my first assignment. I marched straight into Fort Ettin – and into a large banqueting hall served by a hundred invisible servants. Already an impressive place. And so I presented myself there, not without some trepidation. Fortunately, Coll, who seems to be a leader here, immediately saw my worth and enlisted me, alongside a diverse group of hirelings. They were a likeable lot, despite a lack of table manners and a penchant for drinking so early in the day. Two dwarves, a rambunctious bard named Felix and the outspoken half-dwarf Amanita (the warrior I travelled to Kantas with, who decided to stuff her pockets with every scrap of food she could lay her hands on). Two Tieflings, quite opposite in temperament: Celina, a vivacious shopkeeper and with an insistence on the finest liquor, and Faust, a gentle and introspective soul who charmed us with his kind, grandfatherly nature. I was curious also to meet Oziah, a fellow Aasimar, and despite us both having divine blood, she seemed reserved in the presence of my greatness. No matter – once she had seen me in combat, I felt certain we would get along like a house on fire.
Coll asked us to report to Commander Cordelia Jadefist at Fort Daring for further instructions. We walked from Fort Ettin to Daring Heights, and over the journey, I regaled everyone with tales of Selûne’s wisdom and greatness. I don’t like to brag, but I have prepared a great many fascinating lectures on the subject, after all. Behold, we passed a temple to Selûne, and naturally everyone was enthralled by my words. And by the speed and vigour with which Oziah suddenly walked on ahead of us, I could tell how inspirational I had been!
We met Commander Jadefist, a mighty dwarf clad in silver and gold, with a light green gauntlet, who was putting some recruits through their paces. She commissioned us to enter a mysterious chasm and investigate the murder of a poor dwarf, whose head was missing, bizarrely. We saw Celina’s business expertise come into play, as she successfully negotiated a bonus payment – we would receive extra if we recovered the head and ascertained the cause of this murder. Others expressed skepticism that Celina, a humble shopkeeper, would be here marching into danger. I for one was convinced that Celina was all she said she was. Nothing escapes my attention, after all. I’m an excellent judge of character.
After generously paying for our passage into the chasm, the elderly Faust led the way down into the depths… and by the gods, he was not the fastest of us on a rope ladder. But I should be grateful. His ancient ditties were so touching, after all. Felix lit the way for us to find the scene of the murder… and we soon came across a hideous sight: the head of the murdered dwarf had grown wings and become a vargouille, and it flew at us in attack! Felix hit it critically with a crossbow bolt – a truly impressive shot – and then Oziah struck the thing down with an immense surge of divine power. The foul creature was obliterated before I had a chance to leap in, but I just nodded, reassuring my friends that I could keep them safe.
Unfortunately, the damage done to the head was catastrophic. Celina and Felix panicked about our bonus payment, and started trying to patch up the remains into some semblance of a head. The results were… unsuccessful. Unfortunately, that dwarf’s family would not get the open coffin ceremony they wanted. Who knows – perhaps a pair of crushed vargouille wings would suffice.
But who had perpetrated this foul monstrosity? Amanita and I determined a way forward through the warren of passageways, but despite Felix’s inspirational dwarven reels keeping us company, we soon found ourselves hopelessly lost. All our skills were tested as we wandered for hours, looking for tracks, studying the tunnels, scrambling over rocks, with the dwarves grumbling over their knowledge of tunnel systems, and Oziah chivvying us all along in a most intimidating manner. It began to look utterly hopeless, but by hook or by crook, Celina suddenly stumbled upon a faint breeze and coaxed us that way, and we soon heard Elven voices up ahead.
The voices belonged to another vargouille called Chalissa (who was once a drow) and another demonic-looking floating head, with four eye sockets. This creature was a gazer called Xanxi, and they had made their base in these caverns. They spoke Elvish, so Felix and I ascertained the motives of these creatures, that Xanxi the gazer sought to assemble an adventuring party, to venture forth and obtain gold, and transform their enemies into more vargouilles. A fiendish goal, which endangered the weak and vulnerable of Daring Heights. They had to be stopped, so we continued to parley with the creatures, all the while knowing that Oziah was carefully positioning herself to strike…
Combat was swift and deadly. Oziah exploded into a terrifying and mighty warrior with wings of shadow, and we all lit them up with missiles and magical assaults. Although I missed the enemies with my magic attack, I truly believe it was my moment of distraction that provided pivotal in the battle. I was promptly dazed by an explosion of sound from Felix’s magic, and then with my ears still ringing, I was hit by Chalissa’s fearsome demonic scream, which froze me in my tracks. The others did not notice. I think I hid it well. They must have been impressed at my composure as I did not bat an eyelid.
When I came to my senses, the creatures were dead, and Celina was wiping off her rapier with a suspiciously fierce glint in her eye. We promptly looted their cavern and made our way back to the surface to report to Commander Jadefist. She trusted our account but unfortunately, her face fell at the suggestion that the mangled wings be offered to the family of the deceased.
We did not receive our bonus.
But, I have made new friends and discovered there are good people here in Kantas. Here, I can offer my strength and support in the coming weeks, protect the weak from themselves, and spread the word about Selûne.
Seyen, I shall take a moment here to commemorate the fallen. Paluk the dwarf, transformed into a vargouille. Chalissa the Incredible Hero of Majesty, a drow also cursed to become a vargouille, and Xanxi the Unstoppable Hero of Wonder, a gazer born from the dream of a beholder. I do not know what kind of lives they lived, and I place no judgement on them for what they were. But their adventuring names were mighty and their brief lives were worth living, and I shall recall them to Selûne in my prayers. Whether they knew of her or not, perhaps she will aid their souls in finding their rest. They were our foe, but they were also people who strove to live, just as we all do.
The group kindly allotted me a breastplate that belonged to Chalissa when she lived as a drow. Now, drow artistry is impressive, but the spider-web design is simply not my style. As soon as I can afford it, I intend to have it repainted with silver and glitter, then buffed and polished, as befits a champion of Our Lady of Silver.
From my share of the loot recovered from Xanxi’s lair, I have a gem, small but pretty. I intend to give it to Coll. He seems too busy in his duties at Fort Ettin to venture forth as a hero himself, but he seems to delight in trinkets from the adventures of others. It shall be but a small token of my appreciation for him finding me my first employment in this new land.
Another act of generosity still resonates for me. After we had slain our foe, and I was just about coming to, Oziah promptly approached me and offered healing. For all her tough exterior, I was deeply touched by this kindness, and wondered how I would be able to show my gratitude.
Fortunately, the answer soon came to me. I plan to tell her all about Selûne: how caring and accepting she is, how much joy she brings to me, and how much I plan to protect the weak in her name… basically, I’ll tell Oziah as much as she cares to know. It’s a solid four-hour walk back to Fort Ettin. I can’t wait to tell her everything!
