Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Maybe not intentionally. It's hard to say whether evil or madness would cause her to do so, but something about her disappearance disturbed me from the start.

"There is no absolute evidence, only a clue in a journal. Of course, I am taking Ankari at his word. It wouldn't hurt to have others look it over as well, though I am not volunteering myself for that.

"What I would like to do is get Burnbright down here. If the symbol of Gefjon and its voices are, in fact, harmful, we shouldn't leave her alone.

"I believe we are in agreement that Burnbright remains under our protection, and an overwhelming majority believes she should not be shielded from the truth. I will go to her now. If anyone objects to her entry, I will wait with her."

I leave the room calmly but move hastily to Burnbright.




Nissa, I am so useless outside of battle! I hope they leave me with the girl. All I did was try to stifle what needed to be said. What was I thinking?

You have a kind heart. The others know that about you.

But they didn't know I was weak until now.

To be perfectly honest, half of them have seen you cry more than once.

Nissa!

Just trying to cheer you up.

Try harder!




I manage a smile for Nissa, and also for…

"Burnbright?"

 

[Ankari]

Daft. These companions, some new, would hear words that were not spoken. For all the respect I show the druid, she does not reciprocate. I must remember she is of kindred spirit, if not of blood. We should share the same goal, for when nature is left to its own course, it is pristine and beautiful. Only when man encroaches on what they do not understand, does it wilt and decay.

The medallion against my chest is cool. Perhaps because the pressure building within has boiled my blood. I pinch the crown of my nose in an attempt to relieve what I can. Then I laugh.

"You think I speak out of selfishness? That the motive fueling my words is to convice you to all me to be her mentor? That somehow I stand to gain something by imparting on her the use of a bow! A piece of wood and string!" I can't help but to chuckle. What causes this group to snap at Burnbright as if she were a chunk of meat and they rabid wolves.

"I did not think I travel with oathbreakers." I look at Rydh, Matthew, Baldhart, and Cadell. "Or have you forgotten the promise you made to Father Harold? Would you allow these new members to do so? And here I thought I was godless."

I turn to the druid. "You will not make demands of me, as I will not of you. You are new to the group, and yet I handed you something that seems to be of considerable value. To Rydh, I handed him a valuable symbol of Gefjon, leaving it to him to decide what he should do with it. To me, I kept the journal. It will remain as such until the time has come that I must divulge what is contained within it. Know that I have shared with you everything that concerns Burnbright and Aslaug. Leave it at that. I agree with you that none present can train her to wield her innate powers. We will find someone that can help her discover what they are and reveal to her the different fates that await her should she choose to go down either path. She is human. We will provide the opportunity, and leave it to her to make the decision."

I address everyone. "I am not asking you to decide who mentors Burnbright. We will continue to do as we have been doing. Train her in general knowledge of our respective expertise. I am not asking you to share with her the potential that courses through her veins. None have the right to reveal what her own blood chose to withhold. I am asking what should we do with her. Take her with us or immediately find a place that will keep her safe. I vote we take her with us."

 

[Philip Overby]

Are we going down there or not, Nod?

I shrug. I look around at the others. It's best to keep my mouth shut for real this time. They're talking about stuff I have no clue about.

"Would a song jostle everyone out of their foul moods? I think I feel rested well enough now thanks to Rydh." I stare up at him admiringly. "Yes, I think a song will do just the trick."

I look for my flute. It's not there. "Oh, damn. Goblins must've took it. They wouldn't know how to play it anyway. Probably use it as a straw to suck blood out of people's skulls or some such."

Dial it back, Nod.

I smile, waiting for any response.

 

[Nihal]

"Ooh, someone is being a little cocky, isn't he?" I talk in a teasing tone while I walk towards the ranger, hands folded behind my back and a smile on my lips - probably more childish and playful than I intended.

Take the bait.

"I truly don't care if you hate me, you don't need to keep reminding everyone of this. But they care, because they care about you. They really care, can't you see it?"

I sigh.

"Wake up. It's not about you or about who is going to teach who. No one here wants to attack you, no one wants to compete with you. You talked about a main goal, and you're right in this point." I get more serious at each word. "If you want to "act as one" you must get out of this state. Calm down, now. Trust at least in your old companions, before it's too late."

 

[Steerpike]

((We'll assume Baldhart heard Ankari's words as she was headed up the stairs)).

Baldhart finds Burnbright sitting in the window that Aliron occupied during the battle against the wargs and goblins. She is half sitting in the window sill, looking out over the snow. She turns her heard as Baldhart approaches. "Oh, hi Baldhart. Are the adults finished talking already?" She smirks, then lets out a breath of air. "I'm bored."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I give Burnbright a pat on the head.

"The adults will never finish talking. Too many want to get the last word in." Maybe that was a bit too honest for her ears. "Well, it's good for them to have this talk, I suppose, but you came to me before we were interrupted. I don't recall whether I fully addressed your concern. I only remember promising you that I would give you my time as soon as I had a chance.

"Well, now's my chance. What interests you most: swords, voices or valkyries?"


((I assume Burnbright will choose one of the three. Unless she comes up with an "option D," here is Baldhart's response…))


I knew it!

Bullsh-cough!

((if voices/valkyries) "First, Burnbright, tell me what you know about them.")

((if swords) "First, Burnbright, tell me why you wish to learn to use a sword.")

 

[Steerpike]

Burnbright's eyes light up and she jumps to her feet. "Valkyries! They're all beautiful and fierce, and they come down after battles and only pick the bravest warriors to come with them. I bet they took Veborg right away! That's why I want to be a shieldmaiden and learn to fight! And when I die I want to kill hundreds of orcs or whatever at the same time, and while I'm lying there with everyone still fighting all around me a beautiful valkyrie will come out of the sky and give me her hand. Wouldn't that be wonderful, Baldhart? People would sing songs about it afterward, and they'd paint pictures and tell stories, and I'd get to be with all the best shieldmaidens that ever lived!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Come with me. We will talk by the fire."

I take the flint and steel and…

…oh, are you kidding me?

((10 turns = time required to run across a football field))

What are you doing, Baldy?

Teaching Burnbright about valkyries.

Why would you do that?

Because… she is interested in becoming one. And I don't want her to cut her life short.

You do realize that I wasn't much older than her when I died, don't you? I was younger than you.

I don't fear death. I just don't want a little girl to die for nothing.

Then I will help you sort out misconceptions.

Finally! The fire is here, and so is Nissa. Only in my eyes, but… it is enough.

"Burnbright, I want you to picture a tiny valkyrie in the fire. I know you will not be able to see her, but will you believe me if I tell you that I do? Her name is Nissa van Donk. She is beautiful and strong, though not in the way you may think a valkyrie is strong. You can ask her questions, and I will hear her answers and tell them to you in her words. But first, do you believe me or think this is just a game I am playing because you are young? I will not be saddened if you think she is not really there. I just need you to be honest with me."

((Need to cut this short—got my own little girls to tell stories to!))

 

[Ravana]

Daft. These companions, some new, would hear words that were not spoken. For all the respect I show the druid, she does not reciprocate. I must remember she is of kindred spirit, if not of blood. We should share the same goal, for when nature is left to its own course, it is pristine and beautiful. Only when man encroaches on what they do not understand, does it wilt and decay.

"You think I speak out of selfishness? That the motive fueling my words is to convice you to all me to be her mentor? That somehow I stand to gain something by imparting on her the use of a bow! A piece of wood and string!" I can't help but to chuckle. What causes this group to snap at Burnbright as if she were a chunk of meat and they rabid wolves.

"It is you, I think, who are hearing words that have not been spoken." (An interesting statement to say the least, since you didn't speak those particular words.…) "I responded only to your assertion that I was trying to 'force upon her knowledge that has corrupted her mother.' I have not forced anything upon her. Nor had I any knowledge of her mother at the time, to influence my decisions.

I turn to the druid. "You will not make demands of me, as I will not of you.…

"I kept the journal. It will remain as such until the time has come that I must divulge what is contained within it. Know that I have shared with you everything that concerns Burnbright and Aslaug."

"Nor have I made any demands. I offered a suggestion concerning something which might be of benefit to Burnbright: a different perspective on what lies within the journal you are holding. Something which, indeed, might be of benefit to us all, if we are to proceed in an attempt to end this corruption. Are you so familiar with magical practices that you can detect all that might pertain to them? Perhaps you are correct, and there is nothing else in there which would bear on our situation, but I cannot make such a judgment regarding that which I am not made aware of. And I wonder at what qualifications you claim, that you might make it yourself.

"You say it is Aslaug's journal: I hardly think that you have revealed everything that concerns Aslaug, at the very least, since you have not read us its entire contents… whether or not you have revealed everything that concerns Burnbright.

"I accept at face value your statement that you have revealed everything you believe concerns the girl: I do not call you a liar.

"I do question whether this is how you view teamwork as functioning. Because if it is, I think you may have spent too much time alone in the wilderness.

"You have claimed for yourself something which impacts all, and have refused to share it, even at the risk of hazard to Burnbright. And it was a danger of your own making, you may be certain of it: I would not have invited her to participate in my journeying had I been aware that there might be a malevolent power watching her… my invitation was based on a sense that a benevolent one had associated itself with her, most likely Gefjon, since the amulet seemed to have been a part of it.

"Certainly, I would have prepared her, at the very least… which, since the need was urgent, would have meant she would not have been a part of that ritual that time. If anything ill befalls her as a result, it shall be on your head.

"Just as if anything ill befalls us all for remaining in this place where such dark powers have gathered, it shall be upon you for not giving timely warning. I suggested that information within that book might prove useful at the time you found it… and pocketed it. If you acted at the time out of a desire to conceal from strangers things you felt were not their business to know, you have long since had opportunity to change that decision. Instead, you may have endangered us all.

"You might object that you did not know I was going to include Burnbright until I had already begun; you can hardly claim that you were unaware I was preparing a magical attempt of considerable difficulty, as those preparations involved several hours and they, and their goals, were shared with all present. So you have endangered me, ranger: you placed my spirit at hazard.

"Do not imagine I take that lightly."

"I agree with you that none present can train her to wield her innate powers."

"I did not say that. I said that I could only do so much, and that a more experienced mentor would be preferable, and probably will ultimately be necessary."

"We will find someone that can help her discover what they are and reveal to her the different fates that await her should she choose to go down either path. She is human. We will provide the opportunity, and leave it to her to make the decision."

"By which you mean that you wish to choose which opportunities are provided to her, and thereby control her decision. Or else what is your objection to what has gone before?"

"I am not asking you to decide who mentors Burnbright. We will continue to do as we have been doing. Train her in general knowledge of our respective expertise. I am not asking you to share with her the potential that courses through her veins. None have the right to reveal what her own blood chose to withhold."

"Yet you claim the right to withhold what her blood—or her spirit—has now chosen to reveal? What it will continue to reveal, whether you would have it or no? Or even in spite of your efforts to conceal it?

"Tell me this: what will she make of you then, of your intentions, your goals, your ideals, when she finally does learn?

"You need to make up your mind, ranger. Which is it to be: that she be trained, as you say, in the 'general knowledge of our expertises'—all of them, or at least all for which she expresses an interest—or that she be trained only in those you approve of?

"I do not seek any claim upon Burnbright… nor upon any other in this group. I merely offer my 'expertise'—your word: it might be well if you acknowledge its scope—regarding untrained talents. As well, I might add, as my experience… which is that they are more dangerous than trained ones, especially to the one in possession of such talents. Whether she wishes to be taught more of them or not is, as you say in one sentence yet retract in another, her choice. For my part, I would encourage her to learn at least as much of them as is needed to be able to deal with them effectively; but that is the advice I would offer her, not a decision I would impose upon her.

"So choose: are you part of a group, or do you walk your own path—whether you keep others around for company or not? Are you guardian and protector? Then act like one. Not like one of those ignorant, terrified villagers who would burn Burnbright as they did her granddame. Who would no doubt burn me, as well.

"If you wish to burn me: I am here. Do it now, so I will not need to wonder when you are going to do it later."

(Can eyes be daggers and sledgehammers at the same time?)

"Or else stop trying to decide for everyone what is best for them, or what is needful.

"You asked earlier whether we thought you spoke out of selfishness. My answer: you tell me."

She pauses. "I misspoke a moment ago. I said I seek no claim upon anyone in this group. That is not entirely correct. I seek one.

"It is simple, and it is this: that it be a group.

"For if it is not to be a group, if it is to be merely a collection—or, worse, a mob—I will feel safer walking apart from it."

Then, quietly, almost as if to herself: "It is not as though it would be the first time."

 

[Steerpike]

Burnbright squints into the fire and wrinkles her nose. "OK, I believe you." She stares into the flames a bit longer. "You can kind of see one in this part of the fire right here." She points. "When those flames come up. Ask her what its like. Does she get to meet all kinds of brave warriors? Did it hurt when she died? Did her people sing songs about her? How many bad guys did she kill? I bet she chopped up a bunch of them, and they kept hitting her and hitting her, and she kept killing them until she finally fell. I bet it was a glorious fight!"

 

[Sparkie]

Use words to achieve victory, but know that there comes a point when words are useless. True Soldiers are people of action, who back up their claims and pronouncements with befitting deeds. When the time comes to act do not hesitate.

Engagements - Codex 1:112

*****​

Pointless.

No, not pointless. Any discussion regarding Burnbright's welfare has merit, but this has devolved from that.

Baldhart is caring for the child right now because Burnbright is her priority. Well, my priority is ending this Taint. And this chamber may hold answers as to how it will come to its end.

As the others argue perpetually, I dig into my pack and pull out the rope I bought in Stoneport. I tie it off, throw the other end down into the hole, and grab my already lit lantern. I hand the lantern to Nodrick, who's suddenly very friendly to me. I walk back to the edge of the hole, Nodrick in tow, and I slide down the hole to the floor ten feet below.

Once I reach the bottom, I call to Nodrick, who lightly drops the lantern into my outstreched hands. The room above goes quiet, seeing as the only source of light in the room just disappeared. I hold the lantern aloft and look around...

 

[Philip Overby]

"You OK, Rydh?" I say, smiling down at him. Hell, he can't see me smiling. Why am I smiling? "Wait for me, I'm coming!"

 

[Ravana]

"For if it is not to be a group, if it is to be merely a collection.…"

The room above goes quiet, seeing as the only source of light in the room just disappeared.

"Case in point." You don't need light to hear disgust.

"I'm going back to sleep, so that I can complete my task for Darin. Call me if anyone almost, but not quite, gets killed. I'm quite certain I will be able to be of some assistance in such a situation."

The change in her voice makes it clear that she has managed to find the stairs by her own devices, and utters her last without bothering to turn her head:

"If they succeed, don't bother disturbing me. There's nothing I can do about that."

 

[Ireth]

I hang back as Rydh enters the hole, then take a deep breath to steel myself as I approach it as well. If I am to follow him and do something more useful than arguing, I must do it now, before I lose my nerve.

But... I look at my stump, as much as can be seen in the darkened room, and grind my teeth. Thrice-blasted inconvenience this is. Oh, well. I look toward Nodrick, who seems eager to go down next. Fine by me; that way I can keep an eye on him.

 

[Nihal]

"You've gotta be kidding me."

I can't believe in this! They're all mad!

"DON'T." I point to Cadell and Nodrick as I rush to the opening. I leave my backpack on the floor so I'll be even slimmer, hold the rope and drop right after the cleric. I try to grab him by his clothes and pin him against the wall before he notices what is going on.

[1d20+2] = 16+2 = 18 #DEX check

[1d20] = 14 #STR check
((Primes. Yeah, yeah, my physical feats checks are all good, I think it's a message. ¬¬
She would proceed this way even if he resists the checks.))

"Are you so eager to taste the corruption or you just want to get your friends killed?" My voice sounds thick with anger even to my ears.

"Because two of them are considering to follow you in your madness! If you want to die so badly just jump off a cliff when no one is looking, this way you're going to have the meaningless death you're seeking right now and without dragging anyone else to it!" I release my grasp.

"You'll achieve nothing by running to the Taint like this. Nothing! Fool!" I turn to the rope to climb back to the room.

 

[SeverinR]

Behind on posts;
Here is my thoughts on Burnbright:
"I am a simple man, what I know of magic powers, seems only to bring pain and failure.[tries not to glance at Mauve] Dis taint may be the cause of magic failure or I believe magic is unpredictable and dangerous. I will help the child with bow and in veiwing this corrupt little world in whcih we find ourselves. Tell her what you know, tell her of her potential power or don't. Let her learn what she needs to survive, then let her discover the curse or blessing others think she has."

[Edited since my original post didn't apply to the hole as we know it know.]
I watch the ones entering the hole, then look into the hole to see what they see. Looking quickly in all directions, looking for any danger. If no danger I will climb down after Mauve comes up.
"I believe we need to know if the immediate area is safe, but I don't believe we should go to far without having everyone ready to cover our retreat if there is trouble ahead. I wish the wizard was better at magic, I really like having a light source that won't accidently start fires if we toss it in the wrong place. I for one don't want to deal with a burning building again."

 

[Steerpike]

As Rydh ties off the rope and tosses the loose end into the hole, Darin claps his hands together once and says "You and I are of one mind." Darin prepares to go down after Rydh, but is surprised to find Mauve on the rope before he can get down it. When she reaches the bottom, she pushes Rydh up against the wall, giving him a stern lecture on Corruption and the Taint.

Darin raises an eyebrow. He waits as Nod, Cadell, and Cadell follow Rydh into the hole, helping Cadell get down the rope if necessary. Aliron waits at the top, and everyone is looking at Mauve and Rydh, waiting to see what will happen next.

The passage is narrow, and the others have to move past Mauve and Rydh to make room for each person who follows. The walls, ceiling, and floor are all of cut stone, and it stretches out ahead of the group thirty feet or so before disappearing into darkness, there being no light available apart from Rydh's lantern.

When Darin finally comes down, he runs his hands along the wall. "It's dwarven work," he announces. "Old." In fact, many of the stones are worn along the edges where they join one another. There is a dampness to the air, and the stones are also slick in places, where a thin layer of dark mold grows.

The slightest of breezes comes from the darkness ahead - the air is moving from somewhere. It carries along with it the smell of dampness and mold, and every so often you catch a hint of something rotten. There is nothing more to be seen without venturing further.

Darin looks at Mauve and Rydh and says "So what's it going to be? See what my fathers built down here, or scramble back up the rope?" His eyes are glittering.

 

[Ireth]

((I never said Cadell actually followed Rydh yet -- I was waiting for Nod to go first -- but for the sake of ease I'll go along with those who say he did.))

I shudder and unthinkingly hold my breath as I inch down through the opening, aided by Darin. I sigh as my feet touch the floor, looking around, and move back to the edge of the light to let Aliron follow me. This is not quite as bad as I expected... at least I can move freely, there is light, and there is some airflow suggesting an opening on the other side, not to mention I am not alone. But the stink of mold is even stronger down here, enough to make me pull my tunic up over my mouth and nose.

I watch as Darin comes down last of all, and tilt my head slightly at his words. This place does intrigue me, thankfully now more than it frightens me. For the moment. I look ahead down the passage, but there is nothing to see without leaving the light.

 

[Nihal]

((Mauve's actions disappeared. D: ))

 

[Steerpike]

((Mauve's actions disappeared. D: ))

((Fixed. Don't know how I missed that post, except I was reading the forums on my phone ))