(Corvin/Mordred Adventure 2): Hole in the Thornwall

[archolewa]

Mordred is not breathing. When Corvin removes his blood-splattered helmet, sightless eyes stare up at the sky, a hint of a smile on his lips. He almost seems to be looking at Astrid.

Gasps and murmurs rise from the caravan, and the Outside halflings. The group can dimly hear Eleanor and Jandley respectively working to keep everyone in their respective groups calm.

"What do we do?" hisses Astrid as she kneels next to Corvin. Her face is drawn and haunted, but her voice is steady, if a bit dull. Her eyes are locked with Mordred's empty gaze.

"Bring him to the Church of course," murmurs Kasper. "He has already done great work for the Church, first in helping to excorcise--"

"Don't be stupid," snaps Astrid. She blinks. She removes a gauntlet and wipes a hand across her eyes. "What is your precious High Priest going to do when he sees Mordred's Mark?"

Kasper sighs in aggravation. "I don't know how many times I have to say it Astrid. The Weeping Eye is not the Clenched Fist. Mordred will be--"

"You're an idiot Kasper," snaps Astrid. "Do you really think your High Priest is stupid enough to raise from the dead someone whose been marked by the Enemy?"

"High Priest Derek is merciful, and hopeful. Not stupid. And neither am I," growls Kasper. "Do not--"

"Well, he'll definitely tell the Princess," says Astrid angrily her voice rising. "Dead or in a dungeon, does it really make a burning difference?"

The dice decided Mordred would die today. Random encounter with four robber flies. Corvin's Wisdom check to notice the flies in the bush failed. When I rolled some dice to see if the insects would target a caravan member or one of the group, they decided the group. A bit more dice rolling to decide where in the caravan and who decided it would be Mordred who disturbed them.

[Edeldhur]

4 flies on Mordred, each hitting for d8 damage vs a guy with 12 hp. Well…. No chance

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin looks blankly at Mordred's body until the argument snaps him out of it.

He looks at Kasper "Is High Priest Derek the only one who can bring him back? Is there not someone at the monastery? Could the mark be removed first?"

He checks Mordred's hand, hoping that the mark might have vanished on his death.

[archolewa]

The Mark remains where it is, seemingly unaffected.

Kasper shakes his head. "Not at the monastery. High Priest Derek is the only cleric I know of along the Thornwall with the power to resurrect. The Seer was very, very cautious about who could raise the dead. There are clerics just as powerful as the High Priest, but who nonetheless lack such power. There might be others deeper in the Refuge, but of course the last thing we want is to bring Mordred anywhere the Inquisition has free reign. I have no idea if the Mark could be removed or not. It would need to be studied."

"The High Druid might be able to," says Sebastian, pulling his eyes from Mordred's body. "But I honestly think he would refuse. He would say that it is better that Mordred passed away now, before his soul could be poisoned. Life and death. A circle that Druids are very hesitant to interfere in."

[shaidar]

Corvin

"That damned mark, why did he.." he growls and punches the ground.

[archolewa]

Sebastian puts a hand on Corvin's shoulder. "Honestly, I think the High Druid would be right. We should let him go now, before the Kinslayer corrupts him. You saw how he reacted to the powers Mamba gave him, and we don't even know that the Mark would have been reversible. I doubt he intended it, but the wily bastard's pulled one over on Mamba all the same."

"And I knew Mordred. I knew him very well. He would have never wanted to be a burden on any of us. Not in getting his body back to the City, not risking our own arrests or even executions when they spy the Mark." Sebastian holds up his hand to Kasper. "I know, I know. And I believe you Kasper. But word spreads. It would still be a great risk. And even if he were resurrected, there's still the corrupting influence of the Mark. Let him rest. I mean, look at his expression. That's clearly what he wants."

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin looks at Sebastian and Kasper and then sighs and nods.

"Let's wrap him and put him on the cart. Did he have any family? Where should he be buried, not this side of the wall, that's for sure."

[Edeldhur]

Corvin

Corvin looks at Sebastian and Kasper and then sighs and nods.

"Let's wrap him and put him on the cart. Did he have any family? Where should he be buried, not this side of the wall, that's for sure."

Remember Mordred has a magic sword, and a plate mail.

[shaidar]

No worries, he's also got a bow that's worth something, and he's got rations as well.

[Edeldhur]

No worries, he's also got a bow that's worth something, and he's got rations as well.

Yep!

[archolewa]

Astrid closes Mordred's eyes. She wipes the blood from his face and neck with shaking hands.

"I think he said he was a merchant's younger son at one point. His family is originally from Greenspan I think," says Sebastian. "He never really talked about his family much. He was always looking ahead, you know? I'm sure there are records on his family at the Barracks though."

Once Astrid has finished cleaning Mordred's face, Sebastian and Kasper help remove Mordred's armor, and clean him as best they can. But when Sebastian goes to cover Mordred's body with his bedroll, Astrid holds out her hand.

"Stop." Astrid picks up Mordred's sword, and holds it awkwardly in both hands. She looks at Corvin, her face cold and hard as stone. She speaks too softly for anyone else to hear. "Get the caravan out of sight, please."

[shaidar]

Corvin

Astrid closes Mordred's eyes. She wipes the blood from his face and neck with shaking hands.

"I think he said he was a merchant's younger son at one point. His family is originally from Greenspan I think," says Sebastian. "He never really talked about his family much. He was always looking ahead, you know? I'm sure there are records on his family at the Barracks though."

"We will have to report his death to the army anyway, being a magic-user. We can write a letter to his family and ask the army if they can pass it on, or give us the information." he drops his voice lower "Now Mordred is gone we will have to keep a closer eye on Grimm."

Once Astrid has finished cleaning Mordred's face, Sebastian and Kasper help remove Mordred's armor, and clean him as best they can. But when Sebastian goes to cover Mordred's body with his bedroll, Astrid holds out her hand.

"Stop." Astrid picks up Mordred's sword, and holds it awkwardly in both hands. She looks at Corvin, her face cold and hard as stone. She speaks too softly for anyone else to hear. "Get the caravan out of sight, please."

Corvin nods. He stands and goes to see Jandley, Leon and Eleanor, asking them if they can move the caravan a little further on to give them a few moments of privacy "We'll still be within earshot if you need us, we just need a few minutes."

[archolewa]

"We will have to report his death to the army anyway, being a magic-user. We can write a letter to his family and ask the army if they can pass it on, or give us the information." he drops his voice lower "Now Mordred is gone we will have to keep a closer eye on Grimm."

Sebastian's eyes widen, and he glances towards the Outside halflings. Grimm is standing off to the side, blinking and frowning in confusion. His eyes flick about warily, and he briefly scowls at Jandley's back. "I hadn't thought of that. Good point. Hopefully his survival instinct will keep him from doing anything stupid."

Corvin nods. He stands and goes to see Jandley, Leon and Eleanor, asking them if they can move the caravan a little further on to give them a few moments of privacy "We'll still be within earshot if you need us, we just need a few minutes."

The three halflings nod, their expressions soft and sad, but grim and determined too.

Leon pats Corvin on the arm. "I'm sorry. Mordred's name will long be honored in our family."

"In mine as well," says Jandley softly. Eleanor glances at Jandley, and the two share a look of mutual understanding.

The three halflings call out and start getting the caravan moving.

As soon as they are out of sight, Astrid whips Mordred's sword over her head, and brings it down on Mordred's hand, severing it from his arm. "Now, I think we can wrap him up. If anyone asks, he lost his hand in the fight."

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin looks on grimly as Astrid slices off Mordred's hand, but nods "Good thinking. Who know's what that twisted mark can do, Mordred deserves to rest in peace. As for Grimm, I'm hoping he might decide to slip away at some point, but he might just as easily decide he wants some revenge first."

He helps wrap Mordred's body and place it on the cart.

[archolewa]

Kasper and Corvin get Mordred's wrapped body onto the cart. Sebastian lays his armor out next to him. Astrid lays his sword across Mordred's chest.

One of the dogs whines and bumps Sebastian's thigh, while the other nuzzles Corvin's hand. Sebastian absently scratches the one bumping him.

The caravan continues on its way to the Wall. The people of the caravan, already cautious and tired are now downright terrified and weary. The people cluster together around the cart, fearfully dodging around the smallest of bushes. They shudder whenever they pass under an especially thick tree. Corvin leads the way as always. One of the dogs walks along beside Astrid now, occasionally bumping her hand. Anytime he does, she absently rubs his head, but her eyes remain fixed on the dim forest around them.

Still, they encounter no more incidents, and as the day reaches midafternoon, the Wall and the hole within it come into view. Cries of surprise and glee fill the air, and the kidnap victims rush through the hole, to find Kasper's caravan from the Church waiting for them.

Shouts of excitement and joy fill the air. Kasper steps away to help his people organize the kidnap victims. A few quick questions to figure out which village each victim is from, and getting them in the appropriate cart. The Outside halflings lurk in the shadows of the Wall.

Jandley stands at the edge of the hole, just Outside, holding her son's hand. She looks down at him, and runs a hand through his hair. She takes a deep breath, and slips through the hole. She pauses, and takes another deep breath. A small smile touches her lips, before she eases back into the shadows of the Wall. But this time, on the Inside.

The team managed to rescue two dozen kidnap victims. We'll say 10 XP each, so 24*10 = 240 XP/4 = 60 XP for Corvin, and 30 XP for the henchmen. Edeldhur's new character will also get 30 XP.

[shaidar]

Corvin

One of the dogs whines and bumps Sebastian's thigh, while the other nuzzles Corvin's hand. Sebastian absently scratches the one bumping him.

Corvin fusses the dog "I know, boy, I know." he mutters absently.

The caravan continues on its way to the Wall. The people of the caravan, already cautious and tired are now downright terrified and weary. The people cluster together around the cart, fearfully dodging around the smallest of bushes. They shudder whenever they pass under an especially thick tree. Corvin leads the way as always. One of the dogs walks along beside Astrid now, occasionally bumping her hand. Anytime he does, she absently rubs his head, but her eyes remain fixed on the dim forest around them.

When he moves to take point he speaks to Jandley privately, but tries to make it look casual "With Mordred...gone, so is his magic. Keep an eye on Grimm."

Still, they encounter no more incidents, and as the day reaches midafternoon, the Wall and the hole within it come into view. Cries of surprise and glee fill the air, and the kidnap victims rush through the hole, to find Kasper's caravan from the Church waiting for them.

Shouts of excitement and joy fill the air. Kasper steps away to help his people organize the kidnap victims. A few quick questions to figure out which village each victim is from, and getting them in the appropriate cart. The Outside halflings lurk in the shadows of the Wall.

Jandley stands at the edge of the hole, just Outside, holding her son's hand. She looks down at him, and runs a hand through his hair. She takes a deep breath, and slips through the hole. She pauses, and takes another deep breath. A small smile touches her lips, before she eases back into the shadows of the Wall. But this time, on the Inside.

The team managed to rescue two dozen kidnap victims. We'll say 10 XP each, so 24*10 = 240 XP/4 = 60 XP for Corvin, and 30 XP for the henchmen. Edeldhur's new character will also get 30 XP.

Corvin lets out a long sigh when the group arrives at the Wall. Seeing the reticence of the Outside halflings he will stay with them on the Outside and head through with them, and even once through he will stay nearby to help reassure them.

[Edeldhur]

During the trip, a halfling steps forward to Corvin, Astrid, Sebastian and Kasper, silent at first. His lean frame is taut with tension, weathered by hardship, his short black hair clinging to a brow furrowed by too many sleepless nights. His grey eyes scan the group - sharp, but heavy with something like grief. When he speaks, his voice is quiet, rough-edged - "Name’s Jalko. I was one of the folk you saved… one of the lucky ones. I... I saw what Mordred did. I didn’t know him well, but I saw enough. He kept us alive. He kept me alive. Whatever curse he carried, he carried it for someone else, or so I heard... That takes guts. That takes heart"

He glances at Astrid for a moment - just a flick of the eyes - then continues - "He died ugly, but not in vain. That’s what matters, yeah? That his end meant something" - his mouth sets into a hard line - "And all of you… what you did for us… I don’t have the words. But thank you. Truly"

He exhales sharply and pauses, then presses on - "I... I know steel. I know how to fight. My blade and gear are still back in my village… but if you’ll lend me something sharp, I’ll stand with you. You saved us. Now I owe you. And him"

He pauses, shaking his head, searching for words he doesn’t quite have. His jaw tightens. The muscles in his forearm twitch beneath the torn edge of his sleeve, fists clenching and unclenching as if holding something back - "Look, I ain’t a speaker. But I’m done waiting around. Done hiding, running, watching others fight and fall. If there’s something I can do, I’ll do it. I’ve had enough of feeling useless"

He doesn’t look up as he says it, but the words land hard, low and flat, like iron on stone - "Just give me a weapon. I can fight"

With that, he steps back, hands clenched, posture stiff - but ready.

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin looks at the halfling for a few seconds, sizing him up, then nods "I appreciate your words, I'm sure we all do. It's a brave offer, to actively decide to try and make a difference. The priests from the church are going to make sure people get safely home, while we escort the outside halflings to a safe place. It's a big ask in the circumstances, and I understand if it's not something you could do, but are you willing to come with us, to help them get there safely?"

[Edeldhur]

Jalko

Jalko looked at the gathered 'outside halflings' - "I had a chance to speak with some of them" - he nodded - "Turns out any of us could be in their place, had things gone differently. I know I would be where they are, if I felt I had been abandoned" - he added, turned to Corvin - "I will join you, if there is room for me"

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin starts to unbuckle a dagger from his belt.

"I think we have room..." he looks at the others "...unless you'd prefer we stick to ourselves for now, after Mordred...?" the question trails off.