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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 814
(1/16/03 6:17 pm)
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Back In The Village
It is a slow and painful march back to Werthyn. There are many open wounds and no one is without a heavy burden. Yimris bobs along between the dwarves, groaning. Tagra and the pig remain silent. Although Meneloss tries to gather up the dozen or so broo weapons they are simply too heavy to carry all the way back to the village. Instead, he stashes the implements a few feet off the road in the tall wheat stalks.
It is mid-afternoon before a weary, limping band comes within sight of Werthyn. The doors of the place swing wide before disgorging a throng of gawking peasants. Nrulias, Kashan and Bulh ride out to meet the group. The Olmani tribesmen take the place of Sangraal and Ruig (both badly injured) in carrying the pig and Yimris, respectively.
Nrulias exclaims, "oh friends! It is good to see you alive again." Then peering down at the lifeless form of Tagra, the young watchman falls silent.
Edited by: Jubilex at: 1/16/03 3:43:43 pm
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 211
(1/16/03 8:57 pm)
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Preparing for burial
Sangraal moves off with the tribesman who has taken the wieght of the pig.
"Take this to the main lodge, see if the women are agreeable to preparing it to share among the people."
With great solemnity Sangraal moves back to the group and mentally prepares himself for performing burial rites for the second time less then a week ( with is 2 times mores then has ever before)
Removing his helm, Sangraal murmurs to himself.
"To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet, to lead us to ..." He sinks back into silence, his lips absently moving, silently uttering the final words of the prayer. With his unencumbered left arm, the right one holding his blood covered helm, he makes the sign Lumina.
Edited by: yucatanyeti at: 1/16/03 6:13:02 pm
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 241
(1/16/03 9:12 pm)
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Re: Preparing for burial
Once Draxim sees that Yimris is being cared for, he heads straight for the keg. He sits musing over his beverage resting his feet and recalling the great battle at the farmhouse. He sees Meneloss wandering by, and he gets a far away look on his face. Then it begins. Born of relief, exhaustion, grief and elation, it starts as a low rumble and ascends to a full throated guffaw until Draxim is rocking back and forth with laughter. He claps Meneloss on the shoulder, "You said: Grab your berries," more laughter ," and follow me." His cheeks begin to cramp and the tears flow freely.
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 816
(1/16/03 9:25 pm)
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Re: Preparing for burial
As the group approaches the gates a gang of young farmhands rush out to meet them. One older farmer makes a bee-line for the pig, smiling as he takes the spit toward the longhouse. Sangraal suspects it was his pig in the first place. The pack of youths fall into line with the bloodied companions, hoping to share just a small piece of their glory. One chirps "are they dead," and is obviously embarassed by the question as soon as it was uttered.
"Aye," grumbles Ruig, his bloodied ruin of an arm hanging at his side. "All are dead save two, though maybe only the one... that accursed elk headed beast." Ruig walks for a few paces, nearly to the gates, before hissing under his breath "would that I meet it again someday."
The march ends at the gates of Werthyn, where Hegi is there to meet them. "You may, Master Ruig," intones the aged priestess. "He even has a name, though we will not speak of it here."
Hegi rises tremulously from her litter and motions for Yimris to be brought before her. There, standing in the mud of the village gates, the priestess lays a hand on the archer's breast and closes her eyes. It is a subtle and soothing light that passes from Hegi into Yimris, her lips moving in a silent prayer. Slowly the glow passes through the elf's entire body and just as slowly Yimris awakens and rises. He even rubs his eyes as if coming out of a deep slumber. His wounds have vanished.
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 817
(1/16/03 9:28 pm)
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Re: Preparing for burial
One by one, Hegi attends to every wounded man in the band. "Your wounds were suffered for our sakes and we thank you. Come to the lodge and eat, quench your thirst, and tell us what happened at the farmhouse.
[Now, Draxim, you can hit the keg.]
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Meneloss
Meneloss Erednim
Posts: 252
(1/16/03 9:47 pm)
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Re: Preparing for burial
Meneloss is always shocked by the Moagaran nonchalnce regarding the dead. In the haven where he spent his entire youth, the passing of a loved one or comrade was treated with great respect. He will not eat until he see that Tagra is being washed and prepared for burial. To the group of children who crowd around he points at Tagra. "See him? His name was Tagra. He fell in battle against a terrible and fell beast. He stood with few against many to defend your people. He was a great man."
When Meneloss hears Draxim's guffaws his eyes shoot daggers at the crass Dwarf. "Bite your tongue Draxim! It is disrespectful for the dead to hear laughter!"
Meneloss looks for Atan, Sangraal, or Ruig for support in seeing Tagra properly laid out for burial.
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Halle Dunn
Atan Finith Ring
Posts: 206
(1/16/03 9:55 pm)
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Re: Preparing for burial
Atan still clad in his blood soaked, disshelved, grain stalk camoflague approaches the now fully healed Merek Lek. Grasping Yimris' arm he smiles a joyful smile, happy to find his friend alive and well. Suddenly his smile vanishes and he turns deadly serious. Head swiveling side to side ensuring no prying eyes are witness, he holds up two fingers. He then clearly mouths the words, "You owe me." His smile returns quickly after that.
"When ready, join the others in the long house. I am first off to wash and mend my cloths. Give me your cloak and I will wash it for you."
[Atan looks for that handy cold rainwater barrel to wash out the blood and gore on his clothing as well as clean himself. Fortunately he has the extra pair of clothes Hegi had given them before to wear after washing himself. Once done he will hang his clothes out to dry and then go to the long house.]
Edited by: Halle Dunn at: 1/16/03 7:09:13 pm
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 243
(1/16/03 10:08 pm)
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Re: Preparing for burial
Draxim drops his eyes embarassed, and then mumbles to Meneloss, "not all these tears are from laughter my freind." He goes to pay his last respects to Urox, and mumbles a prayer that he heard in his youth. The harsh dwarven words sound out of place, except to Ruig who knows that it is a prayer of mourning. Draxim finally dries his young eyes and returns to the keg to drown his emotions.
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 818
(1/16/03 10:11 pm)
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Re: Preparing for burial
Meneloss' observations are correct. The Moagari are a people accustomed to hardship and loss. Their history is clouded with mystery, the only motes of knowledge illuminating dark episodes of warfare and a constant struggle on the knife edge of survival.
Tagra is taken by Hegi's disciples Shala and Khras to a seperate house in a far corner of the village. It is a simple place where the body is cleaned, doused in a special herbal mixture and wrapped in wide strips of brown linen. In the solitary hut the body will remain until the dawn when Tagra will be laid to rest.
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Meneloss
Meneloss Erednim
Posts: 254
(1/17/03 1:10 am)
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Re: Preparing for burial
As soon as Tagra is taken care of, Meneloss begins to relax. To him, the traditions and customs of burial hold strong significance. He is glad to see the disciples of Hegi treating Tagra properly.
Once in the hall he seeks out Draxim. "I am sorry my friend. My words were over harsh. The dead cannot speak for themselves, so I will speak for them. Sometimes too zealous are my words on their behalf. Let us now drink to the living." He fills his Dwarven friend's mug and raises his own mug to his companions: "My friends, we yet live! Praise Yelm."
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 179
(1/17/03 2:26 am)
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Re: Preparing for burial
"We must all observe death in our own way," observes Madragar, neither teary nor ebullient, but reserved and perhaps even a little shaken.
After he is relieved of Tagra's weight, he retreats quietly to a corner. The young mage has seen death come and go, as has any Moagari, but this is the first combat death he has witnessed, and the reality and finality of what he is a part of unsettles him in a way that threatens to shake his customary mantle of calm control.
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 820
(1/17/03 8:22 am)
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Re: Preparing for burial
Vala is jubilant and relieved when Madragar enters the longhouse unharmed. She clings to his neck for a long minute then wipes a single tear from her shining eyes. Soon though, Madragar's dark mood infects her as well and she somberly collects a mug of wine and some bread for the young wizard. For a time they sit together in silence.
Nrulias, Bulh and Kashan sit down with the others and help themselves to some ale as well. Each is obviously eager to hear the tale of the encounter, but wait patiently. There are also not a few farmers standing around inside the longhouse, probably hoping for news that will allow them to return to their homes.
Edited by: Jubilex at: 1/17/03 5:31:52 am
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Halle Dunn
Atan Finith Ring
Posts: 208
(1/17/03 8:51 am)
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Wake
When Atan returns he appears to be a little cold from the rainwater bath, but refreshed. Grabbing a mug of ale he looks about the longhouse. The slightly sullen mood in the community hut is inescapable. Speaking aloud to his companions of five days, "Do not overly mourn Tagra's death. He would not want that. He would want you to remember him as an oathkeeper. He chose this life and knew the sacrifice he may have to make. Yet he never hesitated to do his duty." Atan's voice begins to rise and that intensity witnessed earlier after the ambush returns, "Even after fighting a running battle the day before he never paused! Not once, even when we decided upon attack! No, do not grieve! Remember him for the key part he played in todays fight. Remember what he did for these people. That is what he would want. So revel in the victory, for he was part of it and do not forget that." Atans voice trails off and an uncomfortable look overcomes him, like maybe he has spoken out of place and is now embarassed. Quickly he covers his face with his mug as he downs the cup of ale in one pull.
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 212
(1/17/03 9:42 am)
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Kill the party while they sleep
[*Note to GM*]
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doggius
Kezib Ahitub
Posts: 161
(1/17/03 10:23 am)
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Re: Kill the party while they sleep
Looking over at the body of Tagra, Kezib moves closer to watch the preperation.
Muttering to himself "The ways are harsh and uncertain. Thank Yelm, I came out unscathed but its unfortunate for him".
Still reeling from the fight and killing the broo with his bare hands, Kezib slinks away to a corner to reflect and say a quiet prayer.
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 245
(1/17/03 10:57 am)
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Battle stories
Earlier, as Hegi healed his still hurting arm, Draxim made sure to tell her of the effectiveness of the venom, and how it drove the broo to run insensibly amongst the gauntlet of warriors where it was easily slain.
Draxim accepts the mug from Meneloss and drinks gratefully. Suddenly he gets excited, "what was that thing with the colors that was amazing! I've never seen colors that bright before."
Later to Atan, he says, " If I can, I will help avenge Tagra. He is one of the most noble people I ever met. As are all the Merek Lek."
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Halle Dunn
Atan Finith Ring
Posts: 209
(1/17/03 11:27 am)
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Re: Battle stories
Atan takes a seat near the young dwarf, "With luck Draxim, we will have many years with which to avenge all those taken by chaos. So tell me what happened inside the house. I have not yet heard how it came to be that a broo was sent flying out a window near the end there. All I saw was the shutters suddenly part and the beastmans mutilated body flopping doll-like onto the ground."
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 823
(1/17/03 11:33 am)
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Re: Battle stories
Ruig has a few words with Nrulias. "Only two escaped of fourteen, and one badly wounded. The farmhouse is intact but will need repairs. I believe it is safe for the farmers to return to their homes. The broo would never attack with so few."
Nrulias nods and rises. Moving to a group of farmers he explains the situation. The common folk spare a few glances for the bloodied warriors in their longhouse, eyes wide with astonishment and awe. Fourteen broo... larger than any raiding party Werthyn had seen in years, and they were crushed handily. The circle of men break up and the farmers scatter throughout the village to gather their families and belongings. It isn't long before a mass exodus begins to empty the village.
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Meneloss
Meneloss Erednim
Posts: 257
(1/17/03 11:33 am)
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Re: Battle stories
Meneloss joins his drinking companion with his typical gusto. Soon Meneloss has drank three mugs of ale and is feeling warm and beery. He says to Draxim in low tones "These simple folk..." he begins, gesturing to the farmers in the hall. "They do not understand what Madragar and I can do. They become offended if thier beliefs are confronted. It is not through Yelm that I channel my powers. Yet, it is all part of the creators plan and I am barely understanding it. At any rate, it is called 'Garilein Fieren'. The colors you saw were already there, they are always there, I merely allowed them to be shown for but a brief moment. I could go on, but I'm sure I'd bore you. Tell me though about your box of tools and your smithcraft. I too know the ways of making."
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 246
(1/17/03 11:58 am)
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Re: Battle stories
" Ah Atan, but I think I know how it came to pass that when the beast man flew out the window he had two of his companions to fall on!" he nods at the bow of Atan. "You Merek Lek are uncanny with those things. They are too big for me though, I prefer the crossbow. Easier to aim. As for the window broo, he was already reeling from a massive blow from Sangraal. I just put him out of his misery. I need to apologize to you for missing that shot on the broo up the hill. If Meneloss hadn't given him the flashy thingy" this last he says a bit lower after Meneloss explanation of local superstition," it could have gone worse for you and it would have been my fault."
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 213
(1/17/03 11:59 am)
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Cleaning the clothes
Sangraal will take a cue from Atan and go wash his clothes out in the rain barrel to get the blood off.
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