Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[The Legonater]

I fear that's only the start of our troubles. You know, we may have done away with most of the deadly chaos worshipers out there, but why do I feel like that's only caused it to spread? I mean, recently we've had heroes called to Abra, Dastan, Xu, even my homeland Duplovia has asked for assistance, and they are one of the proudest nations I know of. Something dark is stirring Olegia.

[Endgame]

"Not something dark. Dark itself has been climbing out of his putrid little abyss as of late... and he is going to drag Olegaia back down with him if he can get away with it. All we can do is do what we think is right as heroes and try to suppress it... unfortunately, broken souls are also easily tainted. Too many times have I seen someone's beliefs twisted, perverted into something horrible."

[The Legonater]

Indeed. I nearly lost one of my dearest friends to the taint. I know not where he is now, but he doubtless is questioning many of the things around him. I pity the man deeply. Perhaps he is right to question, though. I fear this Dark will strike soon, something more powerful than Wren or anything perceived thus far in Olegaia. I fear we will not be ready.

[Zepher]

"No, no slaying required Larry. It's all... it's just a load of silliness, really. You know I've always been a slave to my emotions." she looks at him again, trying to keep the teardrops at bay, ashamed to explain. She turns to accept her drink, closing her eyes and drawing on the ridiculous straw. She looks up at him again, controlling herself.

"Where have you been? What great and noble deeds have you been accomplishing this time, old man?" she tries a laugh at the end, some of which is actually genuine.

"It's all silliness," Boomingham repeats to himself once or twice thoughtfully. "Isn't that the way of it. You're quite a poet, my dear."

"As for my deeds since last we met... hm, I've helped return a cloak, and helped track down a frog. Don't mean to brag or anything," he says laughing hardily. "What about you? Burning down evil?"

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen was about to reply to Nyx when the old warrrior, Lawrence bustled up. They seemed be catching up, whilst Barty hovered behind the helmet of the paladin, out of his eyeline. Nerwen left them to their conversation, reminding herself to speak to Nyx later.

Turning to the Nord, Nerwen continued.

The camp was not so much rough as sad. After the madness that drove the orcs toward Ennon abated they were lost and leaderless, hounded and persecuted. Many, especially the young, did not understand what had happened. And they were hunted by darker things too, things eager to reignite the red curse and drive the orcs to more destruction.

The sacking of Harnram was a different matter. One of our own, an elf had delved into the magics of life. But used what he found there for his own twisted ends, raising an army of unalive things to do his will. His greatest grievance was against the masters at Harnram who had turned him away, denying him access to the city. My father fell there. It is a memory I do not need to meditate to recall.

Nerwen paused, her face calm, but a sadness was visible in her eyes.

As for the rest of my family, my mother is likely still at the White Towers, we have not spoken for a long time. My daughter is there too, last I heard. Her father, Lenwë is in Pantana, a waywatcher, guarding those on the roads from Goblonia and Baltarok. The other elf I was once partnered with, Elladan, is in Mistaria where he trades in gems.

I understand leaving somewhere with unfinished words between people. But there are always new people to care for. And you have been invited to the theater? By whom?

[Sandy]

CURRENT SIGN-UPS TO QUEST#66:

1. Jon “Sarge” Mcency, Level 13 Rogue (Skyrimguy)

2. Hoke Ablesword, Level 22 1/3 Mystic Knight (Username MDM)

3. Alexis Fenral, Level 28 2/3 Assassin (Masked Builder)

4. Kiray Nastayo, Level 1 Knight (KingoftheZempk)

5. Nerwen Calmcacil, Level 18 1/2 Shaman (Chromeknight)

6. Grimwald Gjinko, Level 1 Cleric (LordoftheNoobs)

7. Sir Brickington, Level 6 Knight (Brickington)

8. Nyx, Level 25 2/3 Battle Mage (Pandora)

9. Arthur Justus Regulus VII, Level 21 1/3 Sorcerer (Flipz)

10. Arnulf Bishop, Level 6 Rogue (Shoker86)

11. Thalion Dwinlas, Level 14 1/2 Mage (-obelix-)

12. Skrall, Level 25 1/3 Hunter (Waterbrick Down)

[Pyrovisionary]

Gosh! 12 applicants for this next quest thought sarge. I have to make a hit on three (Assassinate not flirt) or get in by luck. I hate you luck... I Hope I get onto one of the quests. Though I doubt I'll be going to duplovia any time soon.

[UsernameMDM]

Boomingham turns when Hoke arrives and greets him happily. He indicates a stool hoping the warrior would sit.

"Hoke! How are you? Has great big Olegia been treating you right?"

Hoke takes a seat next to Boomingham.

"I've fared well! We finally took care of that Wren business. Well, some of us took care of it."

Hoke fishes out the plaything orb from its pouch and hold it out for Boomingham to inspect.

"What do you think of this?"

[Endgame]

"Well, let us see how much of that darkness we can blot out."

Standing up from my chair and drawing my skeletal frame to full height, I walk over to the quest board. I write my name under Quest 66. With my signature scrawled under the notice, I head toward's the halls' grand doors. I open them with a flourish, stepping into the windy Eubric night. I had to gather my thoughts, and the cold always proved comforting... Should I do it? I had the Z-mail, I could contact him... but if he was dead... If father was dead, I'm unsure what I'd do. Would I be invalid at that point, my entire journey a fool's errand? Was I ready for the now foreign feeling of joy... was I prepared for the devestation of losing the last person who truly mattered? Too many questions. Too many questions, and simply not enough answers. Fact of the matter was... I was scared. I was as afraid of a small child to simply contact my father... Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.

I pace circles around Eubric, taking in the chaotic nature of the city. There was good in the city, but it was covered in layer after layer of evil and deceit. Either Heroica would peel the layers away, or be tainted by them, just like the rest of this blasted place. It was as I said earlier - broken souls are so easily tainted. My stroll takes me to the Town Watch headquarters. Knowing a confrontation with one of Wolfgang's heads may be before me, I needed to prepare accordingly...

As I walk in to recieve a bit of advice, I spot a strangely familiar figure walking inside, escorted by a pair of guards, but they pass inside I can quite see him. I try to follow, but I'm stopped by a guard.

"Halt! You there, undead, what business does your kind have here?" The guard brandishes his halberd threateningly toward me, nostrils flaring.

I try to look past the guard, but can only see the faintest silhouettes. From what I can see and what I witnessed a few minutes earlier, the man appeared to be a prisoner rather than a ward. A swing of the guardsman's halberd drives me back.

"Hey! I asked you a question! You one of the smart kind, or one of them minions we keep havin' to mop up? Bloody hope it's the former, 'bin a busy week already without addin' undead to the mix..."

I momentarily freeze up, cursing myself in my head. Obliviousness leads nowhere.

"Ack, apologies. I've just been doing a lot of thinking, a bit out of it as of late... No, the spark of life may be gone, but fortunately the spark of intelligence is not."

I give a friendly shrug and hold out my hand.

"I'm Sorrow. And you?"

"Private Andrew. Town Watch. And you still haven't told me what brings you to our headquarters."

A second Guard approaches Andrew from behind.

"Andrew? I've finished securing the prisoner. Do you need backup, or can we proceed to questioning?"

"That remains to be seen, Bert." Andrew gives me a suspicious glare.

"I believe your Captain posted a notice in Heroica Hall, correct? I've signed up, and decided to do some nighttime wandering -clear my head a bit after some questing. Eventually decided to come here, perhaps learn a little bit more about Steerpike and prepare myself better."

From the glimpses I got from behind Private Andrews, the prisoner seemed to be familiar... So close to placing his face, yet so far.

"...Hm. I think I've seen that man lingering around Eubric before. Do you mind if I get a better look at him, perhaps place him for you?"

"Heroica? Oh. That lot's letting in even worse riffraff than usual, I see."

"They saved our lives over Grogmas, Andrew. Gotta respect that."

"Bah. And one of 'em killed Gnash and Bennetton the same day, if this one's to be believed."

"Andrew..." the second Guard says warningly. "I'm sorry, Hero. We can't discuss ongoing cases. Truth be told, the situation's bad enough as it is. We can't risk involving your organization any further, not so close to the Foundation Day operation..."

"Now who's blabbing? And that's contraband," the first Guard grumbles, swiping a bottle of Jinxy Juice that had fallen out of my cloak. He points his halberd at the Assassin, forcing me to remove the remaining bottles. Though my hood conceals it, I give the belligernet guard a withering glance.

"Andrew, that's not--"

"It is long as it's nosing about our headquarters."

"Andrew, I really don't think--"

"Ahem..." A small cough drifts down the corridor.

Both guards turn to each other in surprise. The first turns to I.

"Wait here."

The guards retreat down the corridor, still holding the confiscated consumables. In a moment Bert is back, carrying with him a small pouch.

"The prisoner asked us to give this to you," he says, revealing a bag of 130 Gold. "He also said something about a pair of Ether Cores? I told him whatever you gave him would just end up in the Watch repository, but he insisted." The Guard proffers the bag. "I'd take it if I were you, Andrew gets touchy whenever Gnash or Bennetton are brought up."

"Wait, what? You're giving "contraband" to a prisoner?"

"No, you don't understand, now that he's in custody, the prisoner's belongings will be transferred to the Watch repository, including anything you give him. I don't think he understands it, either, to be honest. Contraband has to go through there, too, while it's being processed, though truth be told Jinxy Juice isn't on our list..." he shrugs apologetically. "He's not normally this bad. And I hear he was pretty tight with Private Gnash, after all." He shrugs again, at a loss for words. "If you don't want the Gold, I guess it goes back to the repository as well...I just don't feel right confiscating your things and leaving you with nothing."

I run through a mental list of all alternate scenarios. Most of them either ended with me arrested, or running away from the premises.

"Come on. Lets live on the lam!"

"No."

"...Very well then."

I hand over the goods, and accept the puch of gold.

"Fair warning. Only ether users have use for ether cores. Be careful with him, watch your back. Perhaps we'll meet again if I go after Steerpike - farewell til' then, I suppose."

My cloak lightened, I begin my walk back through Eubric... I return to Heroica Hall, about an hour past.

"Poor sap..." I mumble.

[The Legonater]

A knight from a distant country steps into the hall. It soon becomes clear he is from Duplovia.

Greetings, heroes. Here is the list of those chosen to cross the Crystalline Sea with me to Duplovia.

Chosen Heroes for Quest 64: Discord in Duplovia:

-Sarge (Skyrimguy)

-Sir Brickington (Brickington)

-Alexander (Wedge 09)

-Thalion (-obelix) (Party Leader)

You will be given one day to prepare yourselves, meet me at the docks. I look forward to the journey. Farewell for now, heroes!

Edited April 17, 2013 by The Legonater

[Wedge09]

When Thalion presents him to the other heroes "The pleasure is all mine masters. I'm Alexander Vandangant ranger, heroe and explorer in this big world."

"My name is Arnulf Bishop, triple fast beer drinking champion, lord protector of wenches, nice to meet you you mister Alexander" Arnul bowed to the elf. "Tell me, how did you get in this noble land?"

"I come in this land in search for new challenges and for knowing new lands and people."

A knight from a distant country steps into the hall. It soon becomes clear he is from Duplovia.

Greetings, heroes. Here is the list of those chosen to cross the Crystalline Sea with me to Duplovia.

Chosen Heroes for Quest 64: Discord in Duplovia:

-Sarge (Skyrimguy)

-Sir Brickington (Brickington)

-Alexander (Wedge 09)

-Thalion (-obelix) (Party Leader)

You will be given one day to prepare yourselves, meet me at the docks. I look forward to the journey. Farewell for now, heroes!

After the knight enters in the Hall, approaches in the Hall and named the chosen heroes, Alexander says smiling "We haven't a free moment, Thalion, with all this quest. Goodbye fellow heroes, I see two of you are in the same quest then we will know each other better in the continuing of this new mission. I will make a stop in the market to equip myself better and then we will see at the docks." The Alexander finishes his drinks and exit the Hall heading to the Marketplace.

[Pyrovisionary]

Sarge attempts to jump up and down in excitement but he has a pegleg. So he just stands in excitement.

[Pandora]

"It's all silliness," Boomingham repeats to himself once or twice thoughtfully. "Isn't that the way of it. You're quite a poet, my dear."

"I am?" Nyx's eyes brighten a little as she twists her mouth into a thoughtful aspect "I.. didn't ever think I was, but thank you."

"As for my deeds since last we met... hm, I've helped return a cloak, and helped track down a frog. Don't mean to brag or anything," he says laughing hardily. "What about you? Burning down evil?"

"Me? Oh, just.. saving the world.. " she looks serious for a moment before breaking into a smile and winking "I'm not sure about the world-saving actually, and there were a lot of us. Just a madwoman with an appetite for power. It was a salutary lesson, really. I was actually allowed to blow stuff up, which was fun..." Nyx trails off a bit as her memories swim back to the fore "and I got to pretend to be a goddess, and I saw so much, so incredibly much. I passed through a void and spoke with the old gods, and I think... ..I think.. I met my soulmate..." once more the sadness wells up inside her, and she breathes deeply to hold the tears at bay. This is ridiculous! About a man! She looks away, shrugging and drinking deeply from her drink again.

"It's good to have you back, Larry. Will you sign up for a quest? There's one that offers you a title; you could add it to your collection?"

[-obelix-]

Thalion turned to Alexander and nodded in agreement, "You are right. Not a moment of free time, just the way I like it!"

He then turned to his new companions Sarge and Brickington, "Well, gentlemen, hurry up and prepare yourselves for our adventure. We'll meet at the docks." With that he checks his equipment and seeing that everything is ready, goes directly to the docks.

[Pyrovisionary]

Thalion turned to Alexander and nodded in agreement, "You are right. Not a moment of free time, just the way I like it!"

He then turned to his new companions Sarge and Brickington, "Well, gentlemen, hurry up and prepare yourselves for our adventure. We'll meet at the docks." With that he checks his equipment and seeing that everything is ready, goes directly to the docks.

Sarge chuckles, he wasn't used to taking orders from elves; More of stabbing them. "Sir!" Sarge performs a rough salute, and pins on his Sergeant's stripes.

[Professor Flitwick]

After returning from a short browse of the Market, the two Metasimians return to the hall, when Thothwick see's Skrall, and turns to Hoptet.

"Must act quickly. Strike whilst the irons hot."

Biding his partner farewell, he rushed over to the Quest Board.

Skrall left the the sage and made his way down the stairs and signed his name up for Quest 66. "Probably could use a good heavy like myself, 'sides I'm sure Patricia'd be glad to see my ugly mug again."

"I'm sure the town watch would find your services invaluable, Mr. Skrall. Hopefully they can find a use for us myself." said Thothwick, signing his name up for Quest 66. "How have you been, since our last Quest?"

[Sandy]

CURRENT SIGN-UPS TO QUEST#66:

1. Hoke Ablesword, Level 22 1/3 Mystic Knight (Username MDM)

2. Alexis Fenral, Level 28 2/3 Assassin (Masked Builder)

3. Kiray Nastayo, Level 1 Knight (KingoftheZempk)

4. Nerwen Calmcacil, Level 18 1/2 Shaman (Chromeknight)

5. Grimwald Gjinko, Level 1 Cleric (LordoftheNoobs)

6. Nyx, Level 25 2/3 Battle Mage (Pandora)

7. Arthur Justus Regulus VII, Level 21 1/3 Sorcerer (Flipz)

8. Arnulf Bishop, Level 6 Rogue (Shoker86)

9. Skrall, Level 25 1/3 Hunter (Waterbrick Down)

10. Sorrow, Level 19 1/2 Assassin (Endgame)

11. Thothwick, Level 23 Black Knight (Professor Flitwick)

12. Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 22 1/2 Paladin (Zepher)

Edit: Sorry Zeph.

[Zepher]

Boomingham plops off his stool waddles over to the Quest Board. He quickly peruses the quests. With a grin, he signs up for Quest 66.

OoC: Sandy

Hoke takes a seat next to Boomingham.

"I've fared well! We finally took care of that Wren business. Well, some of us took care of it."

Hoke fishes out the plaything orb from its pouch and hold it out for Boomingham to inspect.

"What do you think of this?"

Boomingham is happy to see that Hoke followed him to visit Nyx. He accepts the Plaything reluctantly, holding it in his hands. "Not much of anything, is it? Just some squishy darkness. I'd be careful with it if I were you." He returns the plaything to Hoke. A quiet echo whispers in Boomingham's ear. He swats at Barty.

"That wasn't me!" cries the Angel unhappily, staring down the plaything. "Don't trust that thing, Hoke. Those who use evil to do good are still evil."

"Me? Oh, just.. saving the world.. " she looks serious for a moment before breaking into a smile and winking "I'm not sure about the world-saving actually, and there were a lot of us. Just a madwoman with an appetite for power. It was a salutary lesson, really. I was actually allowed to blow stuff up, which was fun..." Nyx trails off a bit as her memories swim back to the fore "and I got to pretend to be a goddess, and I saw so much, so incredibly much. I passed through a void and spoke with the old gods, and I think... ..I think.. I met my soulmate..." once more the sadness wells up inside her, and she breathes deeply to hold the tears at bay. This is ridiculous! About a man! She looks away, shrugging and drinking deeply from her drink again.

"It's good to have you back, Larry. Will you sign up for a quest? There's one that offers you a title; you could add it to your collection?"

Boomingham pats Nyx on the back kindly. "Ah, you got yourself bit by the love bug, huh? It's a little itchy, isn't it? Bit uncomfortable, bit fiery? My wife- she's a fiery one too, very willful. Bit tough to handle at times, but that's part of the fun, isn't it." Boomingham looks Nyx in the eyes carefully. His words stop slurring and his gaze is intensive. "You'll handle yourself, Nyx. Life is fleeting, so is time. Love is tangible. You have to seize it, and you have to do it now. Feel how you feel, do what you do."

Boomingham then downs his Flaming Gumball and his eyes glaze over a little. "I've already signed up for the Quest. I've got to see that lovely Patricia again."

[Scorpiox]

Nerwen was about to reply to Nyx when the old warrrior, Lawrence bustled up. They seemed be catching up, whilst Barty hovered behind the helmet of the paladin, out of his eyeline. Nerwen left them to their conversation, reminding herself to speak to Nyx later.

Turning to the Nord, Nerwen continued.

The camp was not so much rough as sad. After the madness that drove the orcs toward Ennon abated they were lost and leaderless, hounded and persecuted. Many, especially the young, did not understand what had happened. And they were hunted by darker things too, things eager to reignite the red curse and drive the orcs to more destruction.

The sacking of Harnram was a different matter. One of our own, an elf had delved into the magics of life. But used what he found there for his own twisted ends, raising an army of unalive things to do his will. His greatest grievance was against the masters at Harnram who had turned him away, denying him access to the city. My father fell there. It is a memory I do not need to meditate to recall.

Nerwen paused, her face calm, but a sadness was visible in her eyes.

As for the rest of my family, my mother is likely still at the White Towers, we have not spoken for a long time. My daughter is there too, last I heard. Her father, Lenwë is in Pantana, a waywatcher, guarding those on the roads from Goblonia and Baltarok. The other elf I was once partnered with, Elladan, is in Mistaria where he trades in gems.

I understand leaving somewhere with unfinished words between people. But there are always new people to care for. And you have been invited to the theater? By whom?

"Sounds like you've seen a lot, far more than I ever have or would hope to. Can't say I know much about the orcish invasions, long before my time; but tell me, what was it that hunted the orcs after the fall of the attack? And this 'red curse', what was that? It's difficult for me to make up my mind about things of which I know little."

The nord stopped for a moment.

"That's a long way to stay from your family, do you ever plan on going back? Being so apart from your daughter, must be hard for you, for her also. How old is she? And these two men you have, do elves not marry? Is love pretty much free where you come from? Me, I'm far past returning. I left in anger, not really thinking much beyond getting away and going south, if I turned up; well that'd be an even greater insult. Besides, it isn't so bad here, and the village will go on lookin' after itself for hundreds of years to come. Sure, the city is a rat-infested crime-pit, but it could be worse. And Heroica, there's kinship here for me. Ah yes, this theater. The girl in question is a novice at a convent of Ennoc, which I visited on a quest a little while ago. We fell out quite a bit, apparently I was scaring the children; but it seems not enough for her to avoid my ars.e instead of takin' me out to see a play. Gods, I could use a break."

[Pyrovisionary]

Sarge shuffles over to Sir Brickington, and whispers conspiritively: "Listen, mate. These elves... They're inhuman. Ye can't trust em. Just a word of advice." He then recognises Boomingham from accross the room. "Hey? Don't I know you? Ah yea; Boomingham. We met... While ago." Sarge turns to Nyx "Ma'am. You better than earlier? That wee hangover worn off yet?"

Edited April 17, 2013 by Skyrimguy

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen laughed lightly at Haldor's words.

I have seen much, but there is much I have not. I am still young for my people.

As for what hunted the orcs, I do not know. Nor can I say the source of the red curse. I can only speak of it's effects. The afflicted are filled with rage and violence, they lose their self control and restaint. But they are also granted great strength and endurance, and some abiity to regenerate thier body, healing from wounds. The shaman I worked with toward the end of my stay sought to retain the benefits of the curse without the overwhelming anger. He was not successful.

As to my family. Time is not so long to us, five decades is not a great seperation. My daughter is grown and is her own person. She has her studies and her people around her. Eldani is her name and she will reach her hundredth summer soon. I will likely return and see her then. As for Lenwë and Elladan, it is not so much that I have them, but had them for a time. Elves do not marry in the sense that you are likely thinking, one 'soul mate' bonded for life. Elves live much too long for that. Our custom is to arrange a contracts between people to achieve goals that could not be met alone. Sometimes it is for the raising of a child, like Eldani, other times it is for companionship or to explore the firey passion of mutual attraction. For us love is not free, it must be guarded and nurtured, given a context through which to flow. This prevents people taking what is not theirs and spoiling what is intended for another.

A novice in a convent? Is she uncertain about taking orders and wants to taste the wider world before turning her back on it? Be careful with her then, young human females can be very impressionable and form adoring attachments quickly. I heard tell of one hero who dallied with the young daughter of a man he was working for and got her pregnant. It would be a shame if something like that happened to you.

Nerwen's face was earnest and concerned while speaking about the wiles of pubescent girls.

[Pyrovisionary]

Before they set off, sarge reminds all of his Quest-mates to stock up on phoenix essences, potions and remedies.

[UsernameMDM]

Boomingham is happy to see that Hoke followed him to visit Nyx. He accepts the Plaything reluctantly, holding it in his hands. "Not much of anything, is it? Just some squishy darkness. I'd be careful with it if I were you." He returns the plaything to Hoke. A quiet echo whispers in Boomingham's ear. He swats at Barty.

"That wasn't me!" cries the Angel unhappily, staring down the plaything. "Don't trust that thing, Hoke. Those who use evil to do good are still evil."

Hoke holds the Plaything in his hand as Barty speaks. He tilts his hand back and forth and watches the orb roll around a few times before returning it to the neck pouch.

"We will see Barty. We will see."

[Scorpiox]

Nerwen laughed lightly at Haldor's words.

I have seen much, but there is much I have not. I am still young for my people.

As for what hunted the orcs, I do not know. Nor can I say the source of the red curse. I can only speak of it's effects. The afflicted are filled with rage and violence, they lose their self control and restaint. But they are also granted great strength and endurance, and some abiity to regenerate thier body, healing from wounds. The shaman I worked with toward the end of my stay sought to retain the benefits of the curse without the overwhelming anger. He was not successful.

As to my family. Time is not so long to us, five decades is not a great seperation. My daughter is grown and is her own person. She has her studies and her people around her. Eldani is her name and she will reach her hundredth summer soon. I will likely return and see her then. As for Lenwë and Elladan, it is not so much that I have them, but had them for a time. Elves do not marry in the sense that you are likely thinking, one 'soul mate' bonded for life. Elves live much too long for that. Our custom is to arrange a contracts between people to achieve goals that could not be met alone. Sometimes it is for the raising of a child, like Eldani, other times it is for companionship or to explore the firey passion of mutual attraction. For us love is not free, it must be guarded and nurtured, given a context through which to flow. This prevents people taking what is not theirs and spoiling what is intended for another.

A novice in a convent? Is she uncertain about taking orders and wants to taste the wider world before turning her back on it? Be careful with her then, young human females can be very impressionable and form adoring attachments quickly. I heard tell of one hero who dallied with the young daughter of a man he was working for and got her pregnant. It would be a shame if something like that happened to you.

Nerwen's face was earnest and concerned while speaking about the wiles of pubescent girls.

"Sounds a terrible thing to inflict, I know all too well of things like this. Back home, we called it the berzerker blood; something handed down from father to son. A great, yet terrible thing to witness. During battle, when the warriors get themselves whipped into a frenzy, you can see it in their eyes. You should see them, they lose control of their own bodies in an inhuman rage. It's what gives us nords their reputation of ferocity in combat. I'm fortunate to only possess a little, but it's enough to make me terrified of myself in a fight. It is like... I don't know my own strength. We used to hear rumours about Hrodvar the Red, a violent nordic hero from times of old. People say he used to drink the blood of dragons he had slain in battle, and all we who are descended from his line are 'blessed' with this ancient power. Many consider it a gift, but I will never forget the face of my father as he set into those peasant farmers as they fumbled for broken pitchforks..."

Haldor breathed in deeply.

"Marriage is always something the norse have been serious about. You probably have heard about the inevitable fooling around of young men the we always seem to be recognised for, but it's important to know that this stops as soon as a boy chooses his wife and the vows are set. The bond is not a mortal one, it is a pact made with the gods themselves, and any of this feloundering that seems to take commonplace down south is an insult to Wartan's honour. But in war time, well, raiders will be pillagers, and pillagers will be raiders. Shame that war time seems to happen be every other week. I was near to making my choice before I left, that girl Gerdur I told you about. She was nice, we were in love; but after a while it became clear that I couldn't stay, and it would take the fires of hell to rain down for her to be allowed to follow me."

The nord's face saddened, it troubled him to think of home. But soon he perked up again, as Nerwen pursued with her questions. Haldor adopted a joking offendedness.

"Yeah, she's a novice. But I'd like to hope that I'm a little greater than just 'tasting the wilder world' in her and every other's eyes. I don't know much about the Order's inner workings, or the girl's also, but perhaps with time, I will learn. I assure you, however, that she's more than strong enough to look after herself and be more than a match for me. Anyhow, it's only a theater trip, we're not engaged or any of that, yet."

At the elf's last statement Haldor looks around nervously.

"Oh, yes. I heard about that too... sounds like a right bastard, getting a girl pregnant then just pissing off. Wonder what happened to him, and her."

[Pandora]

"You'll handle yourself, Nyx. Life is fleeting, so is time. Love is tangible. You have to seize it, and you have to do it now. Feel how you feel, do what you do."

"I would seize it, if only the bastard were actually here. That's.. the problem."

Nyx sighs. She can't form her thoughts into sentences. This is too difficult to put into words, too big.

"It's.. ...to know that somewhere out there is someone who... ...and we connected, I mean really connected... ...and we could be, have been, so incredible..." she looks away wistfully "...but he left, and I would run to him... ...but I don't know where, and if he'd even want me to.. " She trails off, annoyed at the words for failing her, and just gesticulates ineffectively. "Gah!"

She tries to turn her thoughts to Patricia, not wishing to embarrass herself further.

"Patricia? I'm sure she'd be absolutely delighted to see us both again." at least she'd moved on to sarcasm; better than moping at least.