Adventures in Everlund
Chapter 2 - Mercy Manifested
16th of Mirtul, 1492 DR
Corporal Thorne sits behind his desk, overwhelmed by the deposition taking place; his head rests in his hands and quiet sobs wrack his frame. Thorn waits in a patient crouch near the door. Yávië sits in a chair and watches the disgraced soldier closely. Nimly continues to pace back and forth in the small office.
Nimly pauses and looks at Thorne. “Sister Elara will have some comfort in knowing that you aren’t an ongoing threat to her or any other citizens. I think she deserves some resolution. What did you try to tell her before you grabbed her arm?”
The Corporal barks out a laugh. "You should ask her. I didn't try to tell her. I did tell her."
Nimly shakes his head. “Your unwillingness to give your account of the event will be noted and it won’t help you. Don’t play games here, Thorne.”
Thorne slams his fist down on the table. "I went to her for HELP. When she refused to give it, I admit I did lose my temper. I wasn't going to take it further."
Yávië stands angrily. “Lost your temper like you’re losing it now?!” She shouts, “Calm down and give us details or we won’t be helpful to you when reporting back to Captain Anara!”
The Corporal, with anger burning in his eyes, advances on Yávië. He manages to reign in his temper at the last moment and punches the wall.
Nimly continues to observe and to pace. “What did you go to the Hall of the Moon for? What help did you need from Sister Elara? This won’t be solved by breaking your hand on a wall or a face.”
Thorne groans, gags, and turns around to vomit in a chamber pot behind his desk. He wipes his mouth and takes a deep breath. "I've… I’ve been working with bandits who have infiltrated the city guard. They found out where my family lives and threatened to kill them if I didn't cooperate. At first… it was just small favors, turning a blind eye now and again. But then they started demanding more. I tried to resist, but they made it clear they weren't bluffing."
He pauses, his voice cracking with emotion. "I went to Sister Elara, hoping… hoping she could help. I begged her for assistance, told her everything. But she turned me away. She said it wasn't her problem to deal with, that I shouldn't have gotten wrapped up with them in the first place. I felt so hopeless and betrayed." He slumps back in his chair. "I don't know what to do. I can't protect my family and do the right thing at the same time. I'm trapped."
Yávië rolls her eyes. “You’ve simply not found the right person to help. Instead of charging at me in anger, maybe you should be asking US for help”
Thorne spits out at Yávië, "I went to a priestess asking for help. If she won't help, why would anyone else?"
Nimly pauses to consider the story thus far. Thorne’s telling seems candid, his actions irrational. He rubs the back of his neck. “I guess I’m confused about the next step. How did you expect Sister Elara to extract you from an extortion racket imposed upon you by agents … agents that she could have had no control over? You need a platoon, not a priestess.”
Thorne looks down, shame evident in his expression. "I know, you're right," he admits quietly. "I wasn't thinking clearly. I was desperate and didn't know where else to turn. Sister Elara was the only person I thought might help, even if it was a long shot." He lets out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. "You're right about a platoon. But I can't go to the authorities without risking my family's lives. The bandits are watching my every move." He looks at Nimly with a glint of hope in his eyes. "Do you happen to have a spare platoon?" He laughs at his own joke, a bit despairingly.
Nimly casts Silent Image to produce a deck of cards from thin air and fans them out. “No, but I can do card tricks. Pick a card, Thorne.”
Thorne looks at Nimly, unamused.
Yávië encourages Thorne, “Awe, c’mon… it might lighten the mood… just do it.”
Thorne looks at the pair skeptically. "I really don't see how this is going to help." The soldier reaches out and picks a card. He reads the card aloud: “One Platoon, Assembly Required.”
Yávië gives Thorne a stern look. “You’ve got two people… and a rat… standing in front of you, CLEARLY willing to help in the matter. You don’t know what resources we have access to… but the humor in the joke could help you take a deep breath and calm down a bit.”
Nimly puts the illusionary deck of cards on the desk. “Seriously, though. If we can get your family to a safe place, we can break the hold that these bandits have on you. What do you think?”
There is a moment of silence while Thorne considers. The quiet is shattered by a woman in full plate armor, falling from nowhere, to land with a metallic clatter on Thorne’s desk.
Nimly looks at the woman, and back at Thorne. “Is that your card?”
Yávië laughs, “Hey look, a platoon… who are you?”
Thorne scrambles back in alarm. “What the hell just happened! Did you summon her??”
Nimly shakes his head emphatically. “No, that wasn’t me.” Looking down with uncertainty, he raises both hands. “Lemme try to unsummon.”
Yávië looks toward Nimly with a raised brow. “Maybe your magic trick had more ‘umph’ than you thought.”
Thorne shakes his head, attempting to process what is happening. “If it wasn’t either of you…” He looks at the card in his hand. “Has a secret prayer been answered??” He looks toward the woman. “Who the hell are you?!”
The woman scoots off the desk and stands up tall. With a gentle rub to her ass and a quick magical word, her armor shines to brilliance. “Ah! I am Valeria of Colton, and you all must be the help I was told about! Excellent!”
Corporal Thorne looks at her bewildered. “You are here to help?”
Nimly once again looks toward his hands and mutters, “Grahl, what are you up to?”
Yávië looks toward Valeria hopefully. “Hmmm… you need help, we need help… maybe we can help each other? But seriously… how’d you get here?”
Valeria proudly announces, "I am here from 'Destiny!' You, my friend, are here to help!" She beams at the elf with shining white teeth.
Yávië eyes her. “What’s your destiny?
Valeria looks at Yávië and answers confidently, “Why… to be great, of course!”
Yávië rolls her eyes. “Oh my gawd… maybe she’s NOT helpful…”
Nimly pokes at Valeria’s metal boots with his staff. There is a sound of wood clunking against metal armor, which is somewhat helpful.
Nimly and Yávië begin talking at once. Nimly pipes up, “Okay. Hi! I’m Nimly. This gent needs a miracle. You’re here to … help?” Yávië adds, “…anywayyyyy… this man has himself in a bit of a pickle… his family is in danger, and he’s being watched.”
Valeria continues explaining her goals, “I'm here to protect the Silver Stag and free the poor trapped souls of my brethren and sistren... and restore the balance to the forest!"
The Corporal looks sternly at Nimly and Yávië. "We don't even know who she is, and you are sharing delicate information about MY family with her?!"
Nimly turns to the Corporal. “She’s Valeria of Colton. Pay attention, Thorne.”
Yávië raises an eyebrow. “Delicate information?! You act like I’ve given out their names and the location of your home. Again… take a few deep breaths and calm down. We are here to help you.”
Nimly looks at the ceiling. “I’m feeling uneasy as well. Are there any more falling knights on the way?”
Yávië’s attention snaps to Valeria. “Oh… hold up… the stag is definitely a topic of interest for me… we can discuss that later… I may be willing to help.”
Valeria’s eyes glint menacingly. “Well, where are these ruffians? Let us go remind them... roughly... that is not polite to peep on people."
Thorne gathers himself in an attempt to take control of the situation. "ENOUGH. I will accept your ... help, but only if we can find a way to keep my family safe. Woman… Valeria, is it? How did you come to be falling from the ceiling onto my desk?"
Valeria turns to Thorne. "That's easy; I drank from the Whispering Chalice that a magical talking stag gave me. It brought me to those who would help me to protect the Silver Stag. Simple."
Yave blinks a few times at Valeria. “Yep… soooooo simple.”
Nimly mutters, “The inn or the beast?”
Yávië nods. “Yeah, no kidding.”
Nimly turns to Valeria and continues, “Valeria, dear, what poor souls are trapped? That sounds like a noble calling, as well.”
Valeria brightens. “Why, the souls of those who failed, where I will succeed.”
Thorne rounds on the party and shouts, “Hello!?”
Valeria drools a bit and wipes her mouth. "An inn, you say? I could go for a mug or nine to wash away the dust of travel!"
Nimly glances between Thorn and Thorne. “Before we have another misunderstanding, this former ruffian is named Thorne. My rat is also named Thorn and has never been a ruffian. I don’t want any confusion there.”
Thorne looks from Nimly to the rat, as though noticing it for the first time. He sighs. "At least you are not adding to the commotion here." Thorne tosses Thorn a piece of cheese.
Yávië is now giggling so hard she’s having difficulty breathing.
Corporal Thorne sighs. "Perhaps you should all go to the inn, and come back when you have an actual plan to help me?"
Thorn nibbles the cheese happily. Nimly tosses the rat a half-eaten loaf of bread. The gnome gives the corporal a sidelong glance. “He’ll get the shits if he eats cheese without carbs. You don’t wanna see it…”
Thorne glares at Nimly. “Well, that will be entirely your problem… and not mine. Please leave.”
Yávië pats the Corporal on the back. “Sounds like a great plan, Thorne. It’s getting late. You should have a drink as well. We will return in the morning.”
Valeria moves to the doorway. "Are the ruffians on the way? Nothing like a good scrap to work up a thirst!"
“Let’s go.” Yávië makes a sweeping motion toward the door.
Nimly hesitates before leaving. “Thorne, before we can form a plan, we do need to know where to rescue your family from, along with names and descriptions. The map needs an X, so to speak.”
Wearily nodding, Thorne begins. "They are at our home on the outskirts of the city. There are always eyes on it. They are not allowed to leave. They are terrified. I can't make any moves without the bandits knowing. If they ever suspect...... they'll kill them, for sure."
Valeria shrugs, smiling happily. "So, we take out the bandits. Easy."
Yávië pauses at the door. “Thorne, secretly describe us to your family so that when we do arrive to save them, they trust us.”
Thorne nods to Yávië. “I will let them know your descriptions as soon as I feel it is safe to do so."
Nimly adds. “We will extract your family and escort them to a hidden location tomorrow. You have our word on it. They will be kept safe until we can retaliate against those extorting you. Please, give us descriptions of the bandits you are aware of.”
Thorne sighs. “These are the bandits that I know have infiltrated the city guard.” He begins making a list on a torn piece of parchment, writing down details as he talks. “Garek Stonefist is a burly man with a shaved head and a distinctive scar running across his left cheek. Garek is known for his brute strength and intimidating presence; he’ll be hefting around a large battleaxe. He’s recently been assigned to night patrols around the Dwarfbridge.”
“Lena Blackthorn is a tall wiry woman. She has piercing blue eyes, and her hair will be pulled back in a tight braid. She is cunning and ruthless. Watch out, she’s always carrying a pair of daggers. She’s currently posing as a guard in the Bell Market during the day.”
“Bran ‘The Snake’ Harlow is a slender man with slicked back dark hair. He is agile, cunning and quick on his feet. He’s been assigned to patrols around the Knightbridge in the evenings.”
“There are a few bandits I am required to let go unnoticed with smuggling activities inside the city. Mira Redclaw has fiery red hair and a multitude of scars on her arms. She is aggressive and hot tempered. She coordinates the smugglers to ensure smooth transportation in and out of the city. She frequently conducts her business near the Upriver Gate.”
“Joren ‘Blackjack’ Voss is a man of average build with a noticeable limp. Despite the limp, he’s quick with a blade, and even faster at gambling his money away. He manages logistics and keeps track of shipments and payments. He uses bribes to get guards to look the other way.”
Thorne, with a look of desperation, hands the note to Nimly. "My life is in your hands."
The group departs the East Barracks and makes their way to the Silver Stag Inn. Sadly for Valeria, they do not encounter ruffians along the way.
Intrepid adventurers and DMs, I hope you enjoyed this beginning of a party.
May your rolls be critically high or dramatically low, adding flavor and excitement to your campaigns!