Vengeance of Light - A Paladin's Mission

triptoy2002

Dalayan Adventurer
The goblin waited quietly in the bushes just off the path. It had seen movement headed this way, and was waiting at its customary spot to kill and rob whomever this was approaching. As the short figure strolled down the dark path, the goblin leapt out, sword in hand, and lunged at him, howling. Before it could land the blow it was struck by a white light that blinded it, and it lashed out in anger. The white light was quickly replaced with the everlasting darkness, the sleep without dreams...

Ghugran continued down the path, swearing quietly at the dead goblin that now lay across the road for spilling his ale. "Stupid gobbers, wastin' their lives tryin' to ruin a dwarf's day. What, you didn't see th' ale in me hand? Shoulda left me be, I'da done the same for ye..." Ghugran passed a few small buildings along the path, some with Silver Crown soldiers standing watch outside. As he passed, they nodded towards him, recognizing him as one who also performed the duties of the Silver Crown. Ghugran didn't even acknowledge them. He had far more important things on his mind.

He continued well past those guards, finally heading off into the woods to the south of the path. There was only a small moon this night, and it provided a silvery edge on the trees of the mountainside. "Dwarves are not bothered by the darkness," he muttered to himself, "why, my ancestors would have wished it darker still, in the blackness of the mines!" He knew however, that the uneasiness he felt was not due to the amount of light that his eyes could see. No, it was not this darkness that clouded his mood, but a far deeper one. He started a small fire, and made camp there in behind a rise in the land, a place that he felt he would be overlooked should someone... no, something... pass him by. After eating a few bites of the magical food he was carrying, he took a long pull from his ale flask before stowing it in his pack, and closed his eyes.

He awoke a while later to the sound of a roaming drake among the trees. It was maybe thirty paces away, and didn't seem to have noticed him. He had slept fitfully, his dreams haunted by... haunted... He decided not to try sleep again. He poked the coals of the fire, and added a bit of wood to help ward off the chill. "They are here." a voice behind him from the darkness softly said. Ghugran turned toward the east, the direction he expected them to come from. A group of four people moved through the trees, heading towards him. As they came closer, Ghugran made out the face of Relwoh, an elf with a talent for the arcane, whom Ghugran had worked with a few times. Along with him was Dagruz, the youthful ranger that typically accompanied Relwoh, and Jussuaco, an island man that had a serious way about him, and brought a summoned a creature purely of fire to do his bidding. Along with them was Raru, a dwarf, like Ghugran. Raru cared little about law and order, and often profit was the reason he did anything, but today might be an exception. Though Raru's motives may not have been entirely the same, Ghugran knew that he understood more than the others what had brought them to this place.

"Aye, they came all right, all o' them," Ghugran said toward the voice from the darkness, "Prepare yourself, the dawn's comin' soon." As the four approached the firelight, Ghugran extended greetings to each, and offered some ale. Raru drank, Ghugran knew he would, but the rest declined. A dwarf derives a form of strength from a good strong ale, Ghugran believed. A pity these lesser races hadn't learned that yet. He shrugged. A slight hum coming from a tree behind Ghugran drew the attention of the others, and the tree began to change shape, settling on the shape of an elf, Xankae. Ghugran wasn't fooled by these silly parlor tricks, he'd known the druid was nearby the entire trip through Goblinskull. Still, he couldn't deny the value of his longtime friend, in any combat situation.

The six of them spoke in hushed tones while gathered in the dim firelight, offering greetings at first and finally discussing strategy and method, while Xankae and Dagruz kept their ever watchful eyes on the surrounding darkness. Despite his watchfulness, Dagruz was very outgoing, always had a smile, and had much to say. Normally, Ghugran would have joined him, telling stories and laughing heartily. Tonight, he had little to say however, the approaching dawn reminding him of the seriousness of what they were to do. Finally, plans having been settled, Ghugran crushed out the fire with his platemail boot, and hoisted his shield, beginning the walk north, towards the edge of the trees. The others followed silently, anticipation stirring their hearts. At the edge of the wood, they stopped, and slunk low in the darkness.

Kaladim. The former home of the dwarves. The walls stood straight, covered in vines, a contrast to the mountainside around it. Long had it been since Ghugran's family had seen these walls. Ghugran himself had only ever heard stories of great feasts, lively markets, endless wealth, and the finest mead you could hope to taste. The stories also included the invasion of Kaezul's armies, the brutal slaughtering of men, women and children alike, and stories of how the dead still walk the halls, without any knowledge of their lives, families, or hopes. Vengeance consumed Ghugran for his fallen brethren. If not for Althuna, with her wisdom and mercy, Ghugran may have lost himself to his anger.

Three of the dead floated near the entrance, sightless eyes staring into the darkness of the early morning, the dew forming ice on the ground below where they stood due to how cold they had become. Ghugran nodded toward Xankae, and Xankae began chanting a quiet spell, calling for the healing magics of the earth to care for the wounds Ghugran would soon have. Ghugran drew his sword, flames engulfing the blade the moment it was drawn from its sheath, and raised himself up slightly, ready to move at a moment's notice. When he felt Xankae's magics pulse in his body, he bolted, running full speed toward the entrance of Kaladim.

"HERE I AM, SERVANTS OF KAEZUL! TODAY, YOUR TORMENT ENDS! FEEL THE FURY OF ALTHUNA!" Ghugran roared his hatred at the sentries, and blinded them with the purity of his magics. They screamed their deathly screams at him, and moved to strike down this fleshly foe. They tore into Ghugran, wracking his body with pain, their cold hands straining to meet the flesh and organs beneath the armor. He pressed the attack, shouting more taunts at them, and slicing at them with his sword. They were so concerned with this dwarf and his burning blade that they failed to notice the five figures approaching. Suddenly one of the sentries was struck by a steady stream of arrows as Dagruz let loose his bowstring, and a blade wielding Raru stabbed the sentry deeply from behind.

But AH! This paladin, with his taunts and and magics of light! How strongly the hauntings wanted to kill this paladin!

The elemental minion of Jussuaco brought fire against the sentries, and struck with madness, while Jussuaco and Relwoh chanted, bringing the fire and lightning of the arcane to bear. Ghugran bellowed at the sentries, bashing them with his shield, and striking ever harder at them. The voice of Xankae was added to that of the others as he, too, called upon destructive magics. Two sentries dropped to the earth, their damnation at an end, and Ghugran redoubled his efforts to cleanse the last. The sentry howled it's anger at Ghugran, and frantically tore at his armor, leaving icy scratches in the metal. Moments later, the third sentry lie on the earth, freed from eternal torture. Ghugran looked at the others, making sure all were well. Xankae nodded at Ghugran, indicating readiness to proceed inside.

They stepped into Kaladim, and as they did so, the shrieks and cries from within told them death had suddenly become aware of their presence...
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom