We rejoin our heroes
locked in mortal combat with the foul Broo. New energy coursed through them as
the favour of the gods seemed to shine forth, and they dispatched the remaining
chaos spawn. However, with the exception of the learned Bofrost, all of the
companions were thoroughly covered in blood and ichor from their enemies.
Realising the danger, they ran towards the stream and washed the polluting
liquids from their skin. However, Terrastal became unwell; he had managed to
swallow some of the Broo blood, and disease spirits were beginning to form
within his body. As he sank to the ground, he luckily remembered his find of a
healing phial at Idrima’s Shrine. Thankfully, he took a mouthful of the bitter
brew; although it was disgusting, it served to drive the spirits of disease
away before any lasting damage could be done.
At that moment, the
farmer rode down from where he had observed the fight and congratulated the
warrriors, promising to spread news of their deeds. As the heroes headed back
to Clearwine, they shared stories of the fabulous heirlooms that had been
handed down through their families.
As evening drew in,
the companions spent the eve of the Feast of Beasts as suited their differing
natures; most chose to spend it with their families. Terrastal, however, got
royally drunk with a close companion of their Clan Chief named Drenyan.
As Feast Day dawned,
the heroes joined the procession heading towards the Earth Temple, filled with
the general sense of celebration. The Lunar occupiers were nowhere to be seen,
still fearful of the power of Ernalda in her place of power. They were wise to
stay away, as the power of the Storm Gods was fully revealed in all their
glory, joining their Orlanthi worshippers in the Middle World for a brief
moment.
After the successful
ceremony, the band of heroes enjoyed the hospitality of the Temple and their
Clan. A group of Grey Dogs led by a notorious Thane named Killer Branduan
mocked them, but the Peace of the ceremony ensured no violence resulted. In contrast to his clansfolk, one burly warrior name Thandren introduced himself to the band as the father of Ranulf, one of the Lunar slaves they had encountered in the Starfire Ridges. Ranulf and Avareena had reached the safety of Grey Dog lands, and were recovering well from their ordeal. Thandren swore friendship for Ranulf's rescuers, and invited them to attend Ranulf's handfasting when a time was decided upon.
Nearby, a band
of drunken durulz also made a nuisance of themselves, but their leader Polgo
showed particular interest when mention was made of the Humakti durulz (Jayvis Thunderthroat) the
heroes had encountered at Idrima’s Shrine.
However, all these
distractions were silenced when a rare beauty named Ernalsulva came near. Of
the Culbrea tribe, Ernalsulva’s father had been the great hero Hofstaring, who
had been cast into Hell by Lunar Sorcerors at the failure of Starbrow’s rebellion
and lost his hands in the process. None of this was of interest to Terrastal,
however; he found himself filled with the spirit of Orlanth, as Ernalsulva
embodied the spirit of Ernalda. Without conscious thought, they enacted an
ancient myth from the Godtime, where Ernalda had set three tasks for Orlanth to
complete before she would marry him.
As Orlanth’s spirit
left him, the band were dismayed to realise that Terrastal had sworn an oath to
retrieve the lost Red Hands of Hofstaring and win the hand of Ernalsulva in the
process! Killer Branduan screamed in rage, as he had harboured ambitions of
winning Ernalsulva himself. However, before violence could ensue his companions
dragged him away.
Heading back to
Clearwine, our heroes learned that Kangharl and his Lunar allies had sealed
themselves away in the Upper City. Fearing the Lunar reaction to the resurgence
of an enemy myth, Bofrost called on the power of Llankor Mhy to show him the
happenings in the enemy camp. As he concentrated on the room where they had
encountered Soshona, he found his Rune Magic being distorted by the power of
her Lunar soul. Instead of seeing Soshona’s dwelling, his vision followed
Soshona herself, seeing her steal silently into Kangharl’s throne room.
As he later relayed
to his companions, he saw Kangharl berating Baranthos angrily, blaming him for
the happenings at the Feast. As Baranthos retorted furiously, scorning the
King’s Lunar ways, Soshona stepped forward from the shadows and gripped
Baranthos’ suddenly nerveless arms. Kangharl looked down at the helpless Clan
Chief with contempt, Bofrost heard the King’s words: “My advisers tell me a
sacrifice is required……”
No comments:
Post a Comment