Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[SeverinR]

Bressel
"I'll take a dozen bolts and 2 dozen arrows." and gives him 6 gp.
{which crossbow is the one Bressel got off the Drow? so I can add damage roll to macro.}

Aliron
Remains to the rear of the wagons, hiding in the tree line.

 

[Steerpike]

Weapons are limited. Steig's customers are townsfolk, farmers, hunters, and the like. Bows and arrows he has, as well as spears, axes, and knives. Not much in the way of armor apart from leathers.

When talk turns to horses, Steig says: "You'll find horses to be had in Ballara, though they'll be for riding or work. You won't find a trained warhorse anywhere in that town. What they have are good stock, though. Strong animals."

There is a wide assortment of clothing in the wagon, though it is all practical - no dress clothes of any sort. Baggy pants, tunics, shirts, boots, cloaks, coats, hoods, gloves...just about anything the average northerner might wear.

Dalla is watching the children play when Nissa approaches. She considers the valkyrie's words. "I'd like to have the kids along a bit further. They're good kids. Sad what has happened to them. I hope they'll find a place, find families. After that...I'll go with you if you want. I'd still like to see that witch paid back for...for what happened." Her eyes flick toward Baldhart, who is talking to Steig, then back to Nissa. "But I'm not as angry as I was at first. Not after seeing the farm where those kids lived. I'm more sad than anything. I never wanted to be a fighter. We were going south, me and Tommen, and I was going to be a mother and work a household. But I guess someone has to do something when bad things happen, right? I'll go with you, but I need someone to teach me how to fight better. I'm not use if I have to hide every time there is trouble."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I look back toward Baldy. I see she found two pairs of baggy pants her size; one ochre yellow, the other red as dried blood. She has four tops that sort of match, and they're different styles. Maybe she can go for a layered look.

I tell Dalla, "Baldhart vowed not to fight with a weapon, but she can train you to use one. Let's get you a spear. But first, let me tell Brechtel of our decision. I also want to bring the kids to Ballara, and maybe you can help us find good families for them."

I approach Brechtel, and tell him, "Dalla and I discussed the situation with the children. We did want to take them to Ballara and see them well fed. After that, we'll see if there are childless couples or women like Miss Liv. If we are unable to find homes, we will speak to someone at the temple, and I will mention your offer to bring the children to Alfoss." I think it's best we let these people on their way, so we can get to town.

I tell Brechtel, "It's fortunate we ran into you, Inquisitor Brechtel. I'm glad we met. I will heed your advice and keep my backpack on in town. I will also pass on your warning of how evil, magical artifacts have tempted others. I don't wish to delay you, but I do have a question. Suppose we were to find an evil, magical artifact. We would destroy it, of course. My question is this: has anyone in the Inquisition, to your knowledge, ever come across an artifact imbued with magic so powerful that it is unsafe to destroy? …or unsafe to destroy by conventional means."

"Like smashing it with a hammer?" Baldhart asks.

"Or," I add, "dousing it with oil and letting fire consume it… depending on what it is made of."

 

[Steerpike]

Dalla looks toward Baldhart again. "Does she have to be the one to train me?"

Brecht nods to Nissa when she speaks of the plan for the children. "I defer to your judgment in this. Those in the temple of Ballara are good people. However, do keep your wings hidden as you suggest. The people of the north are superstitious, and Ballara is no different."

"As for destroying a magical artifact - from what records survive of the time before the Great War, we know this must be done carefully, and through the use of spells of unmaking. Sadly, I know of none who possess such skills, for much of the lore of magic has been lost. Some such items can be destroyed physically, if enough force it brought to bear, but we believe that such an act would instantly release all of the magic that went into the making of the item, with potentially disastrous consequences. My order takes such items and locks them away in a vault, and none but the highest of our order know where that vault lies."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I reply to Dalla, "Yes."

I leave it at that until I've had a chance to converse with Brechtel. I thank him for his advice, and tell him, "When you're on the road, know that I'm praying to Brynhild and my Sisters that you find safe travel." And I mean it. If he's the good man I believe him to be, he's our best chance of keeping the witch-hunters off our trail, and maybe they'll go after the dark elves or Aslaug. It may not help our group, but if the Inquisition can keep our shores safe…

I turn to Dalla again and take her aside where Baldy won't hear.

"Dalla, if you're going to learn the spear, go to Baldhart. She's already training Burnbright with the spear so you wouldn't be alone with her. And time alone with her wouldn't be so bad, would it? I spend seven years with my soul in her body… well, I thank Brynhild that's done with—but I mean because of those years, I know how she thinks.

"Do you know why she insisted on telling you about Tommen herself? She wanted you to hate her. Not us. She could have told you that our two sides fought and he died, and claimed not to know who struck the fatal blow. Or she could have told you a beautiful lie about how Tommen fought bravely at our side but didn't make it. She could have told the whole truth, about the tears she shed over killing him, but she didn't dare appear to seek your pity. She probably also didn't tell you how Tommen spoke to her, a woman he was trying to kill, because she didn't dare justify herself before you.

"I'm not saying your feelings are wrong. I was nineteen when a single battle changed my life. Ended it, in fact. I never got the chance to find out if a man would desire me, so I haven't experienced the kind of loss you have. But I did experience the same loss as Tommen. I was killed in battle.

"I was never bitter. I mean, Brynhild gave me the wings, so how could I be? But there really is consolation when the soul leaves the body—knowing death isn't the end, the lack of pain. I got to meet my mother who died giving birth. There was only one thing that was hard about being dead. Watching my father torture that orc—the one who struck me down. He learned how to make a big, strong orc beg for death. He became an assassin, a monster hunter. A merciless one, at that."

Surprisingly, I feel energized as I speak of my father. He and Dalla do have something in common. Perhaps my emotional strength will make me more persuasive. I take Dalla's hands (if she lets me).

"Dalla, my father lost me and became consumed by revenge. He tortured that orc, killed him, and delivered painful deaths to others like him. But no amount of screams or bodies could fill that hole in my father. His misery lasted until death. You say you're no good if you're hiding from the enemy, but Baldhart's not your enemy and you've been hiding from her. That woman would shield you from arrows with her body, she'd train you well with the spear, she'd discuss spiritual matters.

"But those aren't the reasons I want you to go to her. You need to move past this bitterness so you don't end up like my dad. So do it for yourself. Go to her. Say something. Say you forgive her, tell her to ---- herself, or say whatever pops into your head to break the ice."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I ask Brechtel, "Is there any chance you know a man by the name of Conrat Eberlein?"

A letter to Gisla's past lover would make its way to Gisla. Whether getting the two of them together is a good idea or not, I don't know. But the way she spoke of him, I suppose they parted on good terms.

 

[Steerpike]

Dalla seems torn as she listens to Nissa speak. Her face is sympathetic when Nissa speaks of what happened to her when she was nineteen, and Dalla has already shown herself to have empathy for the children, including Branwen, who would likely be shunned by many northlanders. But when the conversation turns to Tommen and Baldhart, her face starts to close off. This time, however, Nissa may have gotten through a little bit. At least, Dalla doesn't reject Nissa's advice outright. She looks at Baldhart quickly, when the big woman is turned away, then opens her mouth to say something, then closes it again, taking a moment to think. Finally, she says: "I'll think about what you said Nissa. I...it's just that everything was taken away from me when he died. Or not everything, not like you, but the future I planned, the kids I dreamed of....

I'm sorry - some days are better for me than others. Thank you for telling me about your life. If you can go through that and things can still be OK, maybe they can be OK for me again, too. I just...I need to think. Let me see to the children." She smiles regretfully at Nissa and moves over to where the children are playing and kneels down, talking softly to them. Steig's boy holds out a large rock, polished on one side, for her to look at and she takes it, rolling it around in her palm.

Steig, meanwhile, completes any transactions the party wishes to engage in and then has his men secure his remaining goods back in the wagons and start rounding up the sheep, some of whom have wandered off - through not too far before the dogs nip at them.

Brecht shakes his head at Baldhart's question. "Eberlein, you say? A southern name, but I don't know a Conrat Eberlein. Another former companion of yours?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"A friend of a friend," I tell Brechtel. "I was going to ask you to relay a message if you knew him, but don't worry about it. I'll write a letter after I've had a chance to settle in town."

When it's time for everyone to move on, I give the Inquisitor a bow and following Nissa's lead, tell him and his companions I'll pray for safe travel.

 

[Keitsumah]

Batos and Keit

We keep our distance from the caravan: just enough to be in plain sight, but enough that Batos's presence wont make the travelers wary. The man they speak to may be good, but I prefer to be safe than sorry when it comes to my companion.

Suddenly Batos stands and begins to pad slowly over to where Baldhart and Brecht stand. I wave a hand in his direction, about to stop him with words as well, but something holds me back. I know he won't do anything stupid, but this strange behavior he's developed over the last few days has only worried me more and more.

He keeps one ear in the direction of the dogs, but does not seem wary. My eyes narrow as he draws closer to the pair. He seems... bigger than before. Stronger. I do not understand why, but his movements seem to hold even more power than I have ever seen him walk. But it is not with the predatory grace of an animal, but the loping, sloped gait of a man.

* * *

I stop next to them, then rise to my hind legs, bracing my weight carefully so I can rise to my full height -bringing me level to Baldhart even. I don't remember being that tall the last time I stood... I don't know why, but after everything our group has been through, I feel i must thank this man. He has given us information and tools so that we may help others, when we may have had to go farther on our own with what little we have.

My hind legs tremble from standing longer than I should, but I keep my gaze locked on the human's. I want him to understand that even though some of us are different than others, our goals are all the same.

Slowly, carefully, I dip my head toward him in what little of a bow i can manage, then sink to all fours again and pad back toward Keit.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

As Batos stands on his hind legs, Baldhart gently strokes his fur. She smiles calmly, likely a silent assurance to Brechtel that Batos is not a threat.

I'll assure him with words. "Brechtel, I'm not entirely surprised Batos is mimicking Baldy's bow. In my near-eight hundred years in Brynhild's service, I haven't seen another like him. He understands people—our ways, our words and even our morality. I dare say I'm certain of it. He would sacrifice his life to protect people, and proved that in Arendal. He almost died protecting the children—leaping onto a magic-using fish demon who controlled a giant sea creature.

"Ask anyone—any who's been to Arendal—of the collapsed docks; it was the work of a single creature. I'm not sure how many would have died trying to fight that thing, and Batos singlehandedly killed the one controlling the beast. The beast simply remained in place, bewildered. None of us provoked it, so it went back to the sea."

Baldhart joins in, making sure to address the merchant and children as well.

"Batos was ravaged by fish demons, and had little blood in him. It was that moment, as I stood useless, separated from my sword, that I prayed to Brynhild for strength. I had a rope and a volunteer…" She motions to Liadan. "…who I suppose trusted me not to drop her into the sea. I barely had a hold of that rope—sorry, Liadan, I never did tell you that—so I prayed and promised to serve my goddess as a nun. I felt her touch, and suddenly, Liadan was weightless to me. She saved Batos, Batos saved us, and I made my vow that I would serve Brynhild without relying on a weapon again.

"But it was Batos and Nissa who set that example. Both fought naked and unarmed. Me? I was caught by surprise bathing, and wasted precious seconds scrambling for clothing and my sword." Baldy blushes. "Well, I do prefer to fight with my clothes on. I think these pants are perfect for kicking and grappling." She takes out her purse.


((BALDY:
2 baggy pants; yellow, red
2 matching shirts
2 matching light fabric cloaks/shawls
If available, 1 leather pouch with compartments for all three gems - durable, but not too fancy

NISSA:
4 children's shirts, both of which are Branwen's size - her intent is to have Dalla work on outfits for her and Branwen.
4 full outfits for the four orphans, including boots
1 new outfit in Burnbright's size, not including boots))


After I'm done picking out outfits, I point to Baldhart. "She's buying." I ask Stieg, "How much for all the clothes together?"

 

[Steerpike]

Steig goes over all of Baldhart's requests, including a suitable pouch for the gems, then rubs at his jaw. "Hmmm, let me see here, now...that's two, plus another eight, then you carry the one...," he mumbles a bit more, looking over the items. "I make it out to be ten gold, right enough. How's that sound?"

Brecht, meanwhile, looks astounded at Batos, looking initially like he may take a step back, although he doesn't. When Nissa tells the story of Arendal, Brecht just shakes his head. "An astounding beast. You certainly do have an unusual group of allies, Miss van Donk. I know you mean to go quietly, but given the makeup of your party I'll be surprised if there are stories of you across the northlands inside of a month."

He smiles, then says "We should be on our way again. Master Steig!" Before turning to get back in his carriage he offers to shake hands with any in the party who are willing, and says "I will remember you all in my prayers."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

When Brecht bids us farewell, I offer my right hand for him to shake. Better that than letting him shake a cold and empty gauntlet. "Thank you for your kindness, sir."

Liadan

I offer Brecht my hand as well. "May your gods watch over you."

 

[Philster401]

Zoran held his hand out for Bretch to shake and said, "I believe we have already said our good byes but I'll say again good bye, and good fortune to you."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I give Stieg the ten gold, but answer him, "Too generous." I pay the man eleven and say, "Travel safe." I then accept Brechtel's handshake.

Nissa takes his hand as well, responding, "As long as the stories don't stop me from fighting the good fight, let them be told. Let's just hope we win; otherwise, the stories will always end with people asking why Brynhild didn't send a bigger valkyrie."

How can she look so adorable while joking about the death of us all?

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
When the good bye's start Aliron walks silently up the road behind the wagons, Arrow noched but not drawn back.
As he passes each person he will watch them with peripheral vision until they are passed.
He walks on past the wagons and finds a tree behind the group and leans against it, nods towards Bressel, when he holds up the new arrows.

 

[Steerpike]

Brecht shakes hands with Cadell and Liadan, nodding at their tanks and kind words. "I know little of the gods of elves, but may yours watch over you and see you through these dark times to safety and happiness." He takes Zoran's hand as well, nodding. "I am sorry our order lost you. Fare well in your journeys."

To Nissa, he says "We will win. Have faith in that. It seems to me Brynhild sent just the right valkyrie for the job." He shakes Baldhart's hand as well and waves to others in the group.

Steig finishes his transactions with the party, thanking Baldhart for the generous payment. His men have finished re-packing the wagon, and all of the sheep seem accounting for. Steig's men quickly water the dogs and horses, the former lapping up their water noisily and then dashing back toward the gathered sheep. Steig helps his lad up into the wagon beside him, doffs in imaginary cap at the group, and spurs his oxen forward. A moment later, the carriage driver does the same with his horses and soon Steig's wagon and Brecht's carriage are disappearing down the road, moving slowly so as to not out-pace their sheep.

The sun is on its way down, but there are a few hours of light yet.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"Now that he's gone, I need to say something. I made a promise to Brechtel, so I'd rather say it and be done with it. Just this… he said those who turned to darkness within his order were tempted to use evil artifacts for good. It might be that using that knife will be as dangerous as casting a spell, or maybe more dangerous." I turn to Baldhart. "Even destroying it is dangerous, and we certainly can't lose it to our enemies."

I look down the road that eventually leads to Ballara.

"I didn't tell Brechtel we had such a thing. He said that when I asked of the corruption. Anyway, just think about his words."

I hand Baldhart my backpack. "Of course he also agreed that this backpack is a necessity in town. I'm going to enjoy my wings while I can. I'll look for a place to set up camp, then keep hidden along the road. I'll wait a few miles outside of Ballara, or fly back if there's something to report."

With that, I lift off high in the air and follow the road toward Ballara.

 

[Philster401]

"Baldhart would it be ok if I continued to guard the knife? " Zoran said.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Please do." I pat the pouch with the three gems. "Now that I know the value of what I'm guarding, I don't want anything else."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

​Nissa (outside of Ballara)

I find myself a treetop—one close enough to the road that I can call out to Baldy, but far enough from the road and town that passersby won't discover me. I'm pretty sure the others can get here by sundown.

While I wait, I recite some prayers to Brynhild. For Brecht's safe travel, for starters…