Heroica RPG - Quest#88: Fathers and Sons

[Chromeknight]

For your viewing pleasure, Nerwen's paladinizing.

The heroes file out, leaving Prince David Lynch and the Warrior Priest alone with Nerwen. There is silence for a short while. The Warrior Priest turns to Nerwen."M'lady, forgive my curt manner. The men that you entered with... Heweyrt is a stranger to this land. I know that King Valentino thought highly of him, but I know him little. He is a champion for the Nords, for the Four Boulders, and for the Orcs. If your allegiance lies everywhere, it also, in my own humble opinion, lies no where.""As for King Speros... he may seem a noble man, but he is an Orc sympathizer, and I know that he has no love for the Righteous Light. His allegiance is to himself and to his Kingdom, not to the Light. Not to the greater good.""Now, Lady Nerwen Calmcacil, I must ask you the first of many questions. I know that my organization and your's are allies on Eubric. I know that your Copper Fox trains Paladins, and I know our High Priestess in turn recognizes them. I hold no ill will towards them, but they serve two masters - both the gold and honor that is your organization's god, and the Righteous Light. So, I must ask you, Nerwen, what is it that you serve?"

I realise you know little of me also.

Let me tell you a little of my history.

I was Captain of the guards at Harnram, further south in Primovia. The city was attacked by an elf, Belril, looking to gain revenge on the city's council for a slight he felt he had suffered. To break the walls he resorted to fell allies and dark magics, raising the dead to serve his twisted aims.

I opposed him, but our forces were overcome. The council, including my father, were slain. I am a hero of heroica not for gold or honour but to stand against such atrocities.

I have seen piles of gold, held honourable positions. They are but means to ends, not ends in themselves. The only thing of lasting value is the commendation of God and the rest granted after doing good.

"I fear for the world, Lady Calmcacil. Once the elves were a noble race. But now..." he shakes his head, "the darkness has begun to plague them as well. Even the Paladin Order is not safe. They too have become polluted as they spread their influence. There are too few of us." He shakes his head. "Only Ennoc remains pure forever. Such is the way of the Gods. So we Paladins now must find mortals who are willing to spread the light. Mortals such as David.""If I am to lead my people, it must be towards the Light.""It is hard to see the light when so many want to lead us into the darkness. King Speros associates with Nords and Orcs, though they robbed him of his eye. Heweyrt lurks in shadows. The Prince Speros sees the evil in the Orcs, but a different demon lurks behind his eyes as well.""So it falls to myself and my father to return the Red Lizard Kingdom to a beacon of light in the darkness.""As I said, Lady Nerwen, I hold no ill will towards the Paladins of Heroica, but they are not a true representation of our order, only a pale shadow. Are you ready, Lady Nerwen, to devote your life to fighting the darkness, and bringing forth the Light in each creature that has it lurking? Are you willing to strike down those who have only darkness within them? You wish to honor the Gods, but are you ready to be an instrument of the Light here on Olegia?"

Much that we as elves once knew has been forgotten.But I have learnt some from my masters.As you know elves live for a greater span than men. When you speak of a lifetime serving, such service from you is but a season, a brief span in the life of an elf. Because we live so long elves do not devote themselves to only one path forever. That way lies madness and a self absorption that ends only in pain and ruin. But for a season? To walk a light blessed path while it is granted to me to serve? That is not a question, not an optional extra, it is what is before me and it would be blasphemy to refuse.I will bend my path to fighting darknesses, bringing forth light in each that I meet, as they are able to bear. Striking down only those that have only darkness within them. Honouring the gods and being instrumental to the dawning of light. This I am willing to do.As it says in the book of Ennoc. "I heard a voice calling, 'Whom shall we send?' And I said, 'Here I am.'"

Wasnt sure if I should post here or in thread re the Grogmas letters.For the record,-Mulled Wine(2), dragon scale(2), mead, Barbarian’s Boots (Restoration; footwear), Grogmas Handcannon (WP:12 + the number of the round of battle),+ ether core, grand tonic, copy of Eubric herald (inspired and transcended, one battle), grand potion, Phoenix essence, venomI wonder if Barty knows Nerwen is paladinizing. And if he's told Boomers....

OoC: It's a good question. Barty isn't omnipresent, but this is an Ennoc based event... hm. Intriguing. And thank you for the stats update! I'll post your updates when this is all over. You didn't need to go down this road, by the way, but I'm glad you did!"A human's life may be short in your eyes, but a life of service is a life of service no matter how long the life. I would be pleased if you began your journey towards the Light - I understand that you think elves serve many paths, but perhaps that it simply because few find the right one. I have known elves, old now, who served in our order before the war and still do afterwards. They have heard the Light call time and time again.""We live to serve the Light. We live to serve the people.""Lady Nerwen Calmcacil, I am pleased to welcome you into the Service of the Light, the Paladin Order. The ath to Light is sometimes bathed in dark shadows. We all must have a guide. We all must have a Guardian Angel. Just as we are beacons to men, so they are beacons to us."Nerwen sees a glimmer of blinding light for a second, hovering behind Raguel. Then a second one appears behind David. Finally, a third one shines above her own head. Her vision disappears - not darkness, but so much light that she can see nothing."Welcome," an impossibly melodious voice rings out, a chorus in one. Then the light is gone and her vision stings. A glimmer remains, almost shrouding her. "I am your angel, Nerwen. You have served the Gods kindly in the past, but now you are in the Light. Welcome, child."

Nerwen simply bows her head.When the light clears, she is transformed in more ways than one. The serene set of her features is accented by her blonde hair, previously covered by a brown dye few, if any, knew she used.The songs say'He makes the winds his messengers and flames of fire his servants'.Welcome Seraphiel. The presence above Nerwen raises hand in benediction and greeting.As Nerwen focuses again on Raguel and David her features harden in determination.If I am to serve as a shield of men, I will need a shield of my own. I have no doubt a King of any sort keeps a well provisioned armoury and a shield would be small recompense for the service of the light to you.And Raguel. Now that I serve beside you it is not meet for you to keep any secrets from me, aside from those mysteries that are granted to you alone. Disclose to me all that I need know regarding the disappearance of David's father and all that has been done to secure the throne free of darkness.

"How dare you accuse Raguel of having a hand in my father's disappearance! He would-" Raguel holds up a peaceful hand to silence the young Prince."She is right in asking. It is worth exploring, and she wishes to know if there are any shadows within my own light." Raguel turns to Nerwen. "I have never met or seen King Valentino. I was on Uland, blissfully unaware of the events up North until the King was kidnapped and his son, a devote follower of Ennoc, came into power. He felt he needed guidance - David had come into a job too big for him quite unexpectedly. I was never in the Kingdom at the same time as Valentino. I cannot say that I love the man. He has made his sympathy for Orcs well known, though it seems he is being taught a lesson right now as they are the ones who captured him." Raguel glances at the stone faced and pale David. "But I do pray for his return. He was, from what I have gathered, a kindly King, and I know that he has raised a good son.""We do not have the resources to go after him right now, though both myself and Prince Speros would like to." David grinds his teeth. "To attack the Orcs and recapture my father would be fool hardy while the bridge is under construction. I don't believe that he would want it done, and so, to honor his wishes, I do not. But as soon as the bridge is done..." he takes a steadying breath. "I will reclaim my father. Peacefully if I can.""Lady Nerwen, do you know what the bridge is named after? King Augustus, the final King of Ennon. There is a tale that we Paladins tell about him."

---

"When the Orcish War was just starting, and the Orcs were pouring into the northern Kingdoms, Augustus took up arms and prepared to lead his men north. His High Priest at the time, a man who later disappeared and was found a coward, confronted him. He asked him why he was leaving his own kingdom. 'Ennon needs you,' he said, 'your people need you.'"

"Augustus looked the man up and down and said this is response: 'You are correct. My people need me. My people are everywhere. They are in the north and they are in the south and they are here. But now, my children near Baltarok need me. So I will go to them.' He never returned. Tarok killed him in the North. But it was the right thing to do. It was the path of the Light."

"The Light is not always easy, and not always kind. It demands much of it's people. But it is always the one Light, and we are all beacons if we choose to be."

---

"King David, will you get our friend a shield?"

"When the kobold comes for her, I will make sure that she is equipped properly."

Raguel hands Nerwen the Seal of the Warrior Priestess.

"You are ready to serve the Light, I hope. Everything from here on is a personal journey. I can no longer help you."

Thank you for your candour, as befits a servant of the light. A final question if you will allow me. Should darkness rise and fell deeds pass, who stands to sit on the throne after David?You understand I ask this not from any desire to see such happen. Quite the opposite. I want to be aware of every threat to his majesty and anything that would imperil his service of the light.

"My mother died in child birth, and I have no other siblings. My father also is an only child. I believe the blood line can be traced to someone in the country, a noble house with some land. I would, of course, like to leave my rule to Ennoc and his people, but Raguel believes this would be unwise.""General Hamilton would also be able to make a bid, I'm sure, but I know he is exceedingly loyal to Valentino, and I do not think he would attempt anything against the man's son."There is a shuffling at the door and Gocklo comes in, grinning widely."Time to go, lady. The Nords are done handing your buddies their megablocks, hehehe.""Creature. Make sure that the Lady stops at the armory. She is to collect a shield there."

Thank you for your answers. David, for the good of the realm, you ought find a lass who does not mind you and whose voice you can stand and sire children on her at your first opportunity. I have seen many kingdoms destroyed for lack of a clear heir when misfortune befalls their sovereign.Does not the Songs say thatSons are indeed a heritage from God, children, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them.Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate. She smiles at the hunched Kobold and winks Have you been amusing yourself? What trouble have the others got into without me to guard them?

"I will take wife when I can, Lady Nerwen. For now, the Light calls me, and I must finish my father's work."The kobold begins to lead Nerwen out of the temple."Hehehe. The lizard and the woman with a mop on her head tried to fight the Fire Nords. Thought it'd be easy, but it wasn't." The two pause as they hear hurried foot steps approaching from behind. They turn to see a red-faced and out of breath David. He glances nervously at the kobold, but addresses Nerwen all the same."Lady Nerwen, I know that all that happens is because the Light wills it to be so... but even so, I miss my father greatly. I am concerned for him. I want him home. I know that you are here on Heweyrt's request, and I know that you have greater and grander work to do... but if you do happen to cross paths with my father in your journeys up north, please, please bring him home. For the good of my people and for my own good as well. Thank you." He bows awkwardly before turning and walking back the way he came."Jittery kid, hehe."The two continue on their way, navigating the city until they find the armory. Inside Gocklo explains the situation and the two are led to a rack of shields. An Orc, most likely a slave, works the bellows nearby, but he keeps his head down and there is no way to talk to him without the head of the armory asking questions. Nerwen examines the shields... she can pick one.ShieldsShield of the Four Boulders - SP: 4, Immunity to Earth-ElementalShield of the Red Lizard - SP: 2, Immunity to BlindedShield of the Warrior Priest(ess) - SP: 3, Immunity to Darkness-Elemental

Nerwen examines the shield of the Red Lizard.This is fine work. It is quite difficult to work such immunity into a shield that will be constantly beaten. Though it is the weakest, I will take it. Nerwen selects the Shield of the Red Lizard - SP: 2, Immunity to BlindedShall we rejoin the others?