Careena 20 - Bewitchment Revealed

   At the end of the last post, we left Careena at Lady Mertree's dun, where the Lady had just offered Careena a reward for her 'heroic' defence of the village of Hillbarrow against an assault by the Broken. Rather surprisingly, Careena had asked for a dog given to the dun last year (as a ratter) called Talan.
   Lord Llane, Lady Mertree's noble-born steward, had taken Careena from the Lady's presence and toward the servants part of the dun. Picking up from there ...

---

"Ciethy!" Llane called to one of the serving women, "Please take Careena, find the dog-boy and tell him to give the dog Talan to her," and with a nod in Careena's direction, he went back to the honour table to wait upon Lady Mertree.

Ciethy was a nice lass - Careena remembered her as a child in the village - and she chattered away to Careena as she led her out and then around the dun to the kennels. There was no sign of the dog-boy, so Ciethy screamed his name,"Llantwell! Where are you?!" Thus summoned, Llantwell came running from behind the kennels.

"You're to give this lady the dog Talan - he came as a ratter last year, do you remember?"

"Aye, I do," he replied, "And good riddance to him, I say - I've not been able to do a thing with him." He whirled and went into the kennels before Careena could say anything. Ciethy bid her farewell and returned to her chores, just as Llantwell came out leading a reluctant Talan.

Talan the Terrier

Careena did not realise how much she had missed Talan she saw him again. Asking for him had been a spur of the moment choice, made more for a lack of other ideas than anything else. Now that Careena saw him again, the smile that spontaneously appeared on her face told her that she had done the right thing and the way that Talan started wagging his tail when he saw Careena told her that he thought so too!

Careena took the rope from Llantwell and led Talan out of the dun before kneeling next to him and making a fuss of him - for some reason, she hadn't wanted to do that in front of the dog-boy.

Walking back to the village with Talan, Careena felt happier that she had for a while and began to ponder what she should do now. She had sworn an iron vow to the shade of the Dwarf who's remains were back with her gear at home to return them to their kin. She had sworn other iron vows but they were to herself and the one to someone else took precedence in her mind.

So, she needed to go to Llangoed and see cousin Kone. But a few days wouldn't make any difference to a Dwarf who had been dead for decades, so she'd spend them with her parents before leaving for Llangoed ...

   I'm going to call this progress on her vow to return the Dwarf to his kin
   Reach a Milestone: I will return this Dwarf's bones to his kin, prog 3/20

---

As the few days that Careena had given herself in Hillbarrow passed, there was talk of rescuing the villagers taken by the Broken, but Cardy, the headman, said that Lady Mertree's warband would be doing that ... However, while Careena was at the village she heard nothing of it, not even whether a rescue attempt had been made ...

Nobody but Careena and Lagon seemed to care that the Broken had been far more organised and ... intelligent than before, despite Lagon speaking out about it. All the rest of the village seemed to care about was that the Broken had not returned and that the palisade be fixed as quickly as it could - something that Careena helped with.

But Careena had other things on her mind. She was trying to decide what - if anything - to tell her mother about Rhuddli. He was her friend and Careena knew that Tuage must be wondering why Careena was not with him and had not even mentioned him. Actually, Careena was surprised that Tuage had not asked about him, she had never been one to be backward about coming forward after all ...

Careena finally brought him up on the day before she planned to leave and discovered that Tuage knew all about what had happened as Gamana had told her - she'd just been waiting to see how, if at all, Careena brought the subject up. Careena hadn't even known that Gamana knew her mother! Tuage revealed that it had been the Thornbinders that had rescued her as a child and, while with them, Gamana had helped Tuage open her Sight and taught her the Rituals that she knew.

Careena found it difficult to accept that it was a coincidence that Gamana had taught both mother and daughter, and now understood why the Thornbinders had accepted her so quickly. Tuage adamantly denied that she or Gamana had 'arranged' any of the events of last autumn and was deeply hurt by Rhuddli's betrayal of Careena's trust. The fact that he had cursed Careena and attacked her with the Hound-Haunt had created a deep hate for him in Tuage. Careena pitied him if he ever came back to Hillbarrow - her mother's hostility meant he would never be welcomed there again.

At peace with herself and having no more secrets from her parents, Careena prepared herself to leave for Llangoed. She had not been there herself, but Lagon had given her detailed directions and told her how to find Kone - he was working as a blacksmith for the town and planning to move on at the start of summer, although Lagon did not know where to.

   Secure an Advantage: 5 +3 [wits] vs 5,1; strong hit, +1 to next move
   Undertake a Journey - Hillbarrow to Llangoed (troublesome) prog 0/10; 3 +3 [wits] +1 [SaA] vs 10,2; weak hit, -1 supply -> 4, prog ->3/10

A fine spring morning saw Careena taking a fond farewell from her parents and, with Talan gambolling around her feet like a pup, she set out from Hillbarrow. She expected to pass by Highmount, another of Lady Mertree's villages south of her dun, not long after mid-day and would be walking through farmland for most of the day.

It wasn't until she had almost reached Highmount, that Careena realised that there was something terribly wrong at Hillbarrow; how could the villagers - herself included - accept the abduction of so many of them so passively?! These were friends and family, taken in the middle of the night to the Gods alone knew what fate and no-one had cared a whit about it! How could Careena have forsaken them like that?! How could the entire village?!

Instinctively, Careena knew that whoever had organised the Broken so effectively must be behind the bewitchment of Hillbarrow - what else could it have been?

 I wrote and published this post in July '19.  Coming back to it now - March '20 - I realise that what I originally wrote about Careena forsaking her vow goes completely against the chronicle up to this point - i.e. that Dwarves never forsake their vows. I believe that it was an unconscious realisation of this that led to me being unable to continue the story at that time which was why I abandoned it. 

As a result I have decided to retconn the story and have used strike through to indicate what is now excised.

What should Careena do? That was the question. Taking off her pack, Careena sat on it and began to think through the situation. She had impulsively sworn an iron vow to return a dead Dwarf's remains to its kin with no idea who, or where, they might be. And she had to fulfil that vow. On the other hand the captives from Hillbarrow needed her - now. Her duty seemed clear to her though. She must abandon her vow to return the Dwarf's remains, find the captives and somehow find a way to free them - if they still lived ...

Careena forsook her iron vow to the dead Dwarf, "I cannot complete my vow to return your remains to your family. It was a foolish, prideful vow that I should never have sworn."

   Forsake Your Vow: I will return this Dwarf's bones to his kin : extreme; -4 spirit -> 1
   Endure Stress: 6 +2 [heart] vs 3,5; strong hit, Shake it off -1 mom -> 7, +1 spirit -> 2

Careena felt an almost physical pain as she forsook her vow and the coin of her father burned her where it lay against her chest on its thong. Accepting what she believed to be her just punishment wordlessly, Careena knelt to show the world her repentance. But she could not abandon the Dwarf's remains - she had taken them from where their owner had fallen and would see them underground where Careena believed a Dwarf would want to be. So as she knelt, she took out her father's coin and swore to the remains again. "Although I have forsworn my vow to you, I will swear a new one. As I hope to find my heritage, I swear upon this iron in my hand, as the iron in my soul has been found wanting, that I will lay your bones to rest underground."

   Swear an Iron Vow - I will lay these Dwarven bones to rest underground - troublesome; 4 +2 [heart] vs 1,8; weak hit, +1 mom -> 8

Careena carried on, "I also swear upon this coin that I will find the people of Hillbarrow taken by the Broken and learn their fate, may all the all the gods above and below the earth bear witness to my vow."

   Swear an Iron Vow - I will find the people of Hillbarrow taken by the Broken - dangerous; 5 +2 [heart] vs 6,1; strong hit, +2 mom -> 10

As she finished speaking three great knocks of thunder rang out across the clear spring sky and Careena knew that the gods had witnessed her vow.

As per the note before the struckthrough section I reached an impasse at this point, which as yet - April 20 - I've not been able to pass ... so there may be more of this story at some point, but if so I don't know when - or if - that will be.

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Careena 19 - A Night Attack

   Last time we left Careena standing the nightwatch with the inhabitants of her home village - Hillbarrow. A fire had erupted in the distance at Lady Mertree's dun, drawing the men of her warband away to defend her. So let's pick up again there ...

---

The warband rode off as fast as they could, leaving the people of the village to defend themselves ... As time passed, Careena noticed that the crowd of people had grown smaller - when the warband left that had been around 70 standing the nightwatch, now it would be generous to call it 30. Careena remarked on this to her father, who would only say that he expected nothing else from humans - they lack consistency and self-discipline ...

Careena passed the time by telling her father of her recent adventures and when she got to the creatures in The Demon's Crypt, Lagon was able to identify them as Trogs, monstrous degenerates, known to kill and eat - or eat and then kill - anything they encountered, but realising he was getting close to breaking his vow, Lagon would say no more.

Their moment of awkward silence was broken by a scream from close to the gap in the palisade, "They're coming!"

   At this point I realised that Careena's Keen ritual had failed at the end of her last fight. As she'd had plenty of time to conduct it, I went back and retconned it into post 18, considering it as being on both hers and Lagon's weapons

   I'm going to use the optional rule from Ironsworn, Scene Challenge to run this fight, calling this a Dangerous challenge; this means that each progress I make will mark 2 boxes of the 10 for the challenge, and it has a 4 box countdown as usual.
   For a negative outcome, I'm thinking of sacrificing Lagon as that would lead to an interesting vengeance vow for Careena, but then again, it is a bit cliched - hero reconciles with father and then loses them? Well, let's 'Play and find out' what happens

Shouts and screams became widespread as a wave of Broken erupted into the torches that had been placed around the area behind the gap in the palisade. Careena and Lagon sprinted toward the gap and threw themselves into the fight

   Face Danger: 4 +2 [heart] vs 6,3; weak hit, prog -> 2/10, countdown -> 1/4

The defenders were all very eager in their fighting, but the lack of organisation hurt them - it made it too easy for the broken to isolate and overwhelm the defenders singly. Shouting at the others, Careena and Lagon were able to form the defenders into a line.

   Face Danger: 4 +3 [wits] vs 2,4; strong hit, prog -> 4/10, countdown 1/4

The line helped the defence immensely and they now held the upper hand over the Broken, but they continued their assault ...

   Face Danger: 4 +3 [wits] vs 7,8; miss, prog 4/10, countdown -> 2/4, Pay the Price

   As I said above, I couldn't decide whether to use Lagon as a 'Price' or not, so I Asked the Oracle and got "You are separated from something or someone", so it seems to have been chosen by fate ...

They fought on slaying any of the Broken that came within their reach. It took Careena a while to realise, but when she did, she wondered how she could have missed that the Broken were using weapons! Granted they seemed to be primitive clubs and in some cases simple rocks, but the weapons of the fallen defenders were now being used against them. This was a worrying development for all who sought to stand against the Broken ...

However, this was driven from Careena's mind when her father was knocked down by a rush of Broken. Seeing Lagon brought low, terrified Careena and she leapt to stand astride him, a whirlwind of death for the Broken that scrabbled at his unmoving body ...

   Face Danger: 3 +3 [wits] vs 5,7; strong hit, prog -> 6/10, countdown 2/4

Careena's fury for the creatures that tried to kill her father and the people of her home was unleashed and heedless of the danger, she began to move forward, toward the palisade, her battleaxe sweeping away the Broken, like a broom with fallen leaves.

   Face Danger: 2 +3 [wits] vs 4,3; strong hit, prog -> 8/10, countdown 2/4

Seeing Careena's success, the other defenders followed her in the advance ...

   Face Danger: 5 +3 [wits] vs 7,4; strong hit, prog -> 10/10, countdown 2/4
   Resolve the Scene: prog 10 vs 3,9; strong hit -> 'achieve your goal unconditionally'

... which the Broken could not resist - they fled screaming into the night. The rage and fury drained out of Careena like water from a bucket, she felt like she was only standing through willpower alone, but then she remembered Lagon being knocked down, and rushed to find him ...

   Is Lagon alive? I will Ask the Oracle with a chance of likely as I think it should take more than a few Broken to kill the sour old Dwarf. If he is alive, I'll ask another question about his health.
   Ask the Oracle - is Lagon alive? (Likely); 93 - Yes
   Ask the Oracle - is Lagon dying? (Unlikely); 10 - No

It took Careena several minutes to find Lagon - while they had been fighting some of the other villagers had moved the wounded into the tavern where those who were learned in herbs were doing their best for them.

Careena was relieved to see Trynmanf attending to her father - he must be alive, or he would have been among the shrouded corpses outside - and she rushed over to be at his side. Lagon was obviously not badly wounded - he was his normal curmudgeonly self growling at Trynmanf as the healer was wrapping a linen bandage around the Dwarf's head. Wordlessly, Careena took her father's left hand, happy that he was alive and relatively unscathed. From Trymanf's words she gathered that he had been clubbed unconscious and now had a nasty lump on his head that Trymanf was securing a poultice to with the bandage.

A commotion came from outside and Careena took her leave from Lagon and Trymanf to see what was the cause and left the tavern to find that most of the warband had returned. It seemed that the fire at the dun had been lit to draw off the warband from the village. At most half-a-dozen Broken had climbed over the dun's walls and fired the stables before being cut down by the fortguard - by the time that Maestyn and the rest of the warband had reached the dun, the fire was well on the way to being extinguished. Maestyn had left a couple of men at the dun to help with the terrified horses and headed back for Hillbarrow, fearing exactly what had happened - an attack on the village while the warband wasn't there ...

But between the warband reaching the dun and then trying to return to Hillbarrow, someone had tied a rope across the road which two horses had hit and broken legs on, having to be put down as a result. The rope had achieved its obvious intended result - slowing the warband's return to Hillbarrow.

As she learned the story of the night's events, Careena became increasingly concerned - she had never heard of the Broken being so organised and ... competent was the only word she could think of. She wanted to talk to Lagon about it, but could not get of the crowd that had formed while she was listening to the warband tell their tale. Every way she turned it seemed people were trying to congratulate her and shake her hand. At first, she couldn't understand why, but it gradually dawned on her that she was being given the credit for the successful defence of the village! To hear the others, you would have thought that she stood in the palisade's gap and slew a hundred Broken all by herself!

Claiming that she had to see how her father fared, Careena was eventually able to get back inside the tavern and away from the crowd. She couldn't escape entirely - Captain Maestyn followed her inside and asked Careena to present herself at Lady Mertree's dun at mid-day as he was certain the Lady would want to thank Careena personally ...

Careena was shocked at the very thought of going to the dun ... and meeting nobility! What would she say to the Lady? and the Lady wouldn't want to speak with Careena surely? All these thoughts circled endlessly round her head as she and Lagon - who certainly did not need any help - went out the back to get home without being mobbed again.

When they got there, Tuage, who had Scried Lagon throughout the fight and thus knew they had survived relatively unscathed, fussed over both of them and made Careena sit, while she took care of the numerous small cuts she had taken in the fight. Long before Tuage had finished though, Careena had fallen into a deep sleep and thus missed the proud smiles that her parents exchanged over her snoring form ...

---

   I'm posting this as I write it and just looking at the post, there's a huge wall of text without any moves! I should get some more in ... and hopefully I'll get a couple of relationship ones in soon. First, withstanding the attack of the Broken counts as 'stand together to face hardship' (Forge a Bond) I think, so ...
   Forge a Bond - with 'The people of Hillbarrow'; 3 +2 [heart] vs 3,4; strong hit, bond made, +2 mom -> 7
   Back to Careena ...

---

Careena stood in the chilled dun close to the hearth with Cardy, Hillbarrow's headman, awaiting Lady Mertree's pleasure. The morning at the village had been another time of embarrassment for Careena. Although not mobbed, like the night before, it had seemed that everyone in the village had wanted to thank her for her 'heroism'. But Careena had endured it with the best grace that she could muster, before eventually breaking free with Cardy and walking through the still snow-covered fields to Lady Mertree's dun. Once there it had been 'hurry up and wait' - after the Lady's steward had instructed Careena how to behave and what to say when in the Lady's presence, they had moved to where they now were and waited for the Lady to appear ...

Eventually though, they were summoned to the honour table where the Lady sat with her advisers - the steward Lord Llane (he was a minor son of nobility) and her captain - Maetrys.

Careena bowed as she had been instructed and tried to compose herself correctly ...

   Secure an Advantage: 1 +2 [heart] vs 8,6; miss, Pay the Price: not a very dangerous situation, so I'm going with the obvious - for some reason Lady Mertree takes a dislike to Careena

The Lady questions Cardy about the village - its losses, what's needed for repairs, etc - before turning to Careena. She looks Careena up and down, and then turns to Maestyn with an arched eyebrow, as if saying, 'This is the hero? are you sure?'

Careena feels her cheeks begin to burn - although whether it is shame or anger, she really can't tell. Struggling to control herself she tries again to compose herself and ignore the Lady's obvious disdain.

   Careena is trying to change the Lady's initial impression of her, so I think that's a Compel with Heart. This is the first time I've used that move - perhaps I should get Careena to talk more ...
   Compel: 4 +2 [heart] vs 5,5; strong hit, +1 mom -> 8.
   That's more like it, a strong hit with a positive twist! Careena's inner charm has shone through! Where to go with the story though; I think it's likely that Lady Mertree will thank Careena with a gift, so I'll Ask the Oracle
   Ask the Oracle - does Lady Mertree give Careena a gift?; 76 - Yes

Maestyn spoke, "My Lady, the defenders of the village were without disagreement - they all said that had it not been for Careena's heroism they would have been overrun by the Broken. She saved the village through her brave example."

Careena did not now what to say to this praise, so bowed in the Captain's direction.

Perhaps it was the way that she accepted the praise, or at a second look she saw something she had missed the first time, but whatever it was, Lady Mertree seemed to revise her opinion of Careena, and spoke to her, "Careena, I thank you for helping to save the village and I would not have such bravery go unrewarded. Ask of me a gift and if it is in my power to give, you shall have it."

Careena did not know what to ask for, but then she thought of Talan. He was a puppy born to one of the village dogs last year that Careena had befriended, but his owner had brought him to the dun as part of his tax to be a ratter. "My Lady, if it not be impertinent, can I have Talan the dog who was brought here last spring? I travel alone and he would be a good nightguard for me."

Seemingly pleased (Careena guessed that she was happy it was a simple request), Lady Mertree turned to Lord Llane with a questioning look. "Easily done my Lady," he said and rose from his chair indicating that Careena should follow him. Her audience at an end, Careena bowed to the Lady and followed her steward.

Enough for this post; more soon!

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Careena 18 - A Happy Homecoming

   Last time, we finished with Careena, Gamana and Ditarni, the young Wyvern, enduring through the harsh winter of the Ironlands in their cave on Raven Ridge just on the edge of the Deep Wilds (hex 36.34 on Kurt's map - see the Map page). On with the story ...

---

As the winter passed, Careena learnt much about Dewomer. However none of it came to her easily ... by its very nature, Dweomer was a fluid thing that was constantly changing in its nature, requiring endless changes in the approach needed. Careena's mind just didn't work that way ... She needed certainties, logical results - if you do this, then that happens ... Also, opening her Sight should have enabled Careena to see the Wildfolk, the elemental spirits that lived beside, but invisible to people. Only children and Dweomer-workers could see them, but they remained stubbornly invisible to her ...

Even learning the Scry ritual did not help her to see the Wildfolk

   Advance: 2xp to gain the Scry asset (2 not 3 due to Ritualist 3rd ability)

Eventually Careena realised, and Gamana was forced to accept, that the Dweomer-road was not for her, despite Gamana's best efforts to lead her on to it.

Disheartened by her 'failure' as she saw it, Careean became increasingly restless. She could not determine why but she felt the need to be elsewhere. Eventually an exasperated Gamana sent her back to the Wyvern nest to collect as many bones as possible and meditate upon her restlessness as she did so.

The journey was like a panacea - as soon as she was alone, forging through the deep snow that still lay on the ground, she felt much better. The nagging doubt soon manifested into a certainty that her un-pursued vows were weighing heavily upon her. Swearing a vow was no small thing, and she had done nothing for months to fulfil her vows to learn what she should as a Child of Earth or to return the Dead Dwarf to its family. She could do nothing for this while she remained with Gamana trying to walk a road that she could not - the Dweomer-road.

By this point, Careena had reached the nest and spent an entire day collecting as many of the bones as she could, and then began her return to Gamana. As she did she decided that she would confront Gamana with her realisation and beg to be released from her vow.

   This is a significant realisation for Careena - that the Dewomer-road is not for her, so I'm going to mark it as progress on her vow - even though she may have to forsake it
   Reach a Milestone - I will serve Gamana for a year and a day; prog -> 8/10

Much to Careena's pleasure, Gamana was very understanding after Careena had explained the results of her meditation. Gamana declared that she would meditate upon this herself and set Careena to grinding the Wyvern bones to powder while she did. The repetitive nature of the task allowed Careena's mind to wander and she meditated upon her decision further - but the more she did so, looking at the problem from every angle that she could conceive of, the more certain she became that she was right.

The next morning Gamana prepared Careena to hear how she had decided to resolve the situation; there was one last task for Careena to do and then Gamana would hold her oath fulfilled. Gamana required Careena to swear a vow to return to her home, confront her father and learn why he had not told her what she should know as a Child of Earth, something that Careena happily agreed to.

   Swear an Iron Vow: I will return to Hillbarrow and learn from my father why he did not teach me what I should know as a Child of Earth Dangerous; 3 +2 [heart] +1 [bond w Gamana] vs 1,2; strong hit, +2 mom -> 4
   Fulfil My Vow: I will serve Gamana for a year and a day; prog 8 vs 7,5; strong hit, 2xp

Later that same day, her belongings gathered and packed, Careena bade Gamana farewell and set out to return to Hillbarrow.

   This departure begins Careena's path in progress towards 3 of her vows so lets have some milestone moves ...
   Reach a Milestone - I will learn what I should know as a Child of Earth; prog -> 4/10
   Reach a Milestone - I will return this Dwarf's bones to his kin; prog -> 2/20
   Reach a Milestone - I will return to Hillbarrow and learn from my father why he did not teach me what I should know as a Child of Earth; prog -> 2/10

   Undertake a Journey: Return to Hillbarrow, dangerous due to snow; 6 +3 [wits] vs 5,8; strong hit, prog -> 2/10

Careena mad good progress that day, walking as there was no rush now she had set out, but she carried on into the night - she had the fat to burn as a result of her forced idleness during the winter.

   Undertake a Journey: Return to Hillbarrow, dangerous; 1 +3 [wits] vs 1,2; strong hit, prog -> 4/10

As dawn came, Careena was still walking the snow-covered hills at the edge of the Havens. It seemed to her as if the rest of the world still slept the sleep of winter, it was so quiet

   Undertake a Journey: Return to Hillbarrow, dangerous; 4 +3 [wits] vs 2,9; weak hit, prog -> 6/10, -1 supply -> 4
   Reach a Milestone - I will return to Hillbarrow and learn from my father why he did not teach me what I should know as a Child of Earth; prog -> 4/10

Through the rest of that day, Careena continued walking through the snow. At least the warm day was thawing some of it.

   Undertake a Journey: Return to Hillbarrow, dangerous; 2 +3 [wits] vs 4,8; weak hit, prog -> 8/10, -1 supply -> 3

As evening drew on, she came into sight of the fields surrounding Hillbarrow.

   Reach Your Destination: Return to Hillbarrow, dangerous; prog 8 vs 6,9; weak hit, unforeseen hazard or complication
   Ask The Oracle: Ironsworn Chartopia Action & Theme Oracles gave several results, but the first I liked was Eliminate Enemy - I want to get the Broken into the game and this seems like a fine opportunity

Undamaged Hillbarrow

As Hillbarrow itself came into view, Careena saw that the settlement had been attacked recently - smoke still rose fitfully from a burnt part of the palisade and some homes inside it.

Men were picking up white-skinned bodies and throwing them onto a make-shift pyre, that even as she watched was lit by one of Lady Mertree's warriors.

Careena ran across the fields toward the gate ignoring the snow that flew upwards in great gouts as she ran. At the gate, Penca - another of Lady Mertree's warriors - waved her past, saying "This is fine timing Careena! Your axe will be useful should the thrice-cursed Broken return tonight!" Careena nodded and ran past him to her parents' home, hoping they were unharmed.

   Reach a Milestone - I will return to Hillbarrow and learn from my father why he did not teach me what I should know as a Child of Earth; prog -> 6/10

Careena paused to knock on their door, but opened and entered without waiting for an answer. Both her mother and father turned to look at her as she came into the kitchen that was the heart of their home. Tuage dropped the bandage she had been wrapping around the large slash on her father's arm and rushed over to hug her daughter, "Thanks the gods you are safe daughter!" Tuage exclaimed.

As she had expected her father hid his emotions, and it was only because she had known him so long that the slight tightening around his eyes told her he was happy. Despite his reticence, it was a happy homecoming for Careena, but the recent attack and her intention to confront her father spoiled it somewhat.

Tuage - the one who had always done all the talking for the couple - told Careena what had happened. Last night old Dignyl had had the watch - his last it was believed as he had not yet been found - and the Broken had assaulted the town. Dignyl had failed to alarm the village and the Broken had managed to abduct 3 families before the alarm had finally been raised. Once detected, they began firing homes and a large part of the palisade - Maestyn, the new captain of Lady Mertree's warband, and Cardy the village headman had told the assembly that morning that they thought the Broken would attack again that night; why else fire the palisade?

As she told Careena of the events, Tuage had finished bandaging Lagon's arm and he stood, saying, "So I will stand the nightwatch tonight with the other men of the village and the Lady's warband - those not back in the fortguard; will you stand it with us my daughter?"

Proud to be accepted as a warrior by her father, Careena replied, "I will father, but we must talk about other matters first. Mother will you excuse us?" Tuage looked from her husband to her daughter, and could sense the tension between them ... "Of course," she said, "I must go to old Cardee and help her - she lost all of her family last night," and she left her home, quietly closing the door behind her.

The silence between them stretched awkwardly until they both moved to sit at the table at the same time, bringing sheepish grins to both their faces. As they sat Careena found her courage and asked her father, "Father why did you never tell me that I am a Child of Earth?"

   Reach a Milestone - I will return to Hillbarrow and learn from my father why he did not teach me what I should know as a Child of Earth; prog -> 8/10

Lagon looked at Careena for a long time, right in her eyes and she could see the pain he was in, and the truth that would be in his words. He looked down at his hands where they lay upon the table and began to speak, "You know that I was cast out of my birthplace when I was young? Well, when that happened, I swore an Iron Vow that I would never speak of my life before that to another soul, so great was the secret in my soul. I was alone, an outcast, I never dreamed that I would one day have another home, a new family, a child! But even so, I hope that you believe me when I tell you that I cannot forswear an iron vow."

   Fulfil My Vow: I will return to Hillbarrow and learn from my father why he did not teach me what I should know as a Child of Earth; prog 6 vs 5,5; strong hit, 2xp, positive twist ...

"I would no more want you to break it, than I could break it myself father - I have learnt that we Dwarves never forget our vows, nor will the iron in our souls allow them to be broken." Careena replied.

At the words 'we Dwarves', Lagon had looked up suddenly at Careena, a look of hope coming to his face. "We Dwarves!" he said as Careena finished, "I had always hoped that you would find your heritage, learn what you are! It gladdens my heart so much to hear that from you." With a completely out of character display of emotion, Lagon leapt up from the bench he sat upon and rushed to Careena, gathering her in his arms as tears welled in his eyes.

For a long time they stood there, embracing, sharing a closeness that neither had felt before. It was only Tuage's return that caused their embrace to end - they broke apart with more sheepish grins. Tuage looked to one from the other and her face broke into a large smile, saying, "I don't know what was said, nor do I want to, but I've never seen the pair of you looking so happy at the same time," and she busied herself making food for them all.

"By the way," Lagon said looking meaningfully at Careena, "I went to Llangoed for Lady Mertree recently and found a cousin - Kone - living there. You should go and meet him when you can." With that, Careena knew that he would never speak of his vow again.

They were soon eating and then as the sun set, they heard the call for the nightwatch to assemble, so Careena and her father picked up their weapons and left the house. As they went to the assembly, Careena showed her father the ring, necklace and battleaxe that she had taken from the dead Dwarf at Zorkon's Stone and told him of her vow. He would only say that Kone would help her, but was very admiring of the battleaxe.

As they approached the gathering place, Careena stopped them and conducted the Keen ritual on both their weapons, making careful preparations first.

   Secure an Advantage: 5 +2 [heart] +1 [Ritualist] vs 6,2; strong hit, +1 mom [Ritualist] -> 5, +1 on next move
   Ritual - Keen: 5 +2 [heart] +1 [SaA] vs 2,7; strong hit - taking this for both weapons

The nightwatch passed slowly, until midnight arrived. As it did the assembled defenders of the village saw a large fire blossom into the night to the north-east the direction of Lady Mertree's dun and the leaping flames soon illuminated the dun.

A wave of alarm rippled through the assembled people, eventually quietened by the shouting of Captain Maestyn, "Listen! The warband will return to the dun - to your horses!"

The headman, Cardy, tried to talk to Maestyn, but it was no use even trying, the oathsworn warriors had no choice but to return and defend their Lady.

Enough for this post; more soon!

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Careena 17 - Hunting a Wyvern

   Thinking about Careena's vow to serve Gamana for a year-and-a-day, I've decided to make it Dangerous rather than Extreme. I originally cast it as Extreme due to its length of time, but I want to zoom out for most of it, zooming in for a few events. At this point progress is 2/20, which becomes 4/10 as a Dangerous vow.

   At the end of the last post, Careena had found Gamana and the cave that was to be their home for thew winter, and they had caught each up on recent events, so let's pick up there ...

---

Over the next week or so, Careena spent a lot of time improving their cave's residential capability during the day and learning from Gamana about the Marked and what it meant. After this week, Careena confirmed that she wished to be Marked and Gamana tattooed her with the Marks for the Sway and Keen Rituals

   Advance: 2xp to gain the third ability of the Ritualist asset

Then Careena began to learn the Augur ritual. Perhaps it was their location, it was Raven Ridge after all, but for some reason, whenever she conducted it, Ravens came at her call, not Crows. Gamana had no idea why this might be either ...

   Advance: 2xp to gain the Augur asset (2 not 3 due to Ritualist 3rd ability)

... but she did not believe it something to be concerned about, so Careena simply accepted it. Instead of the crow usually used for the Mark for the Augur ritual, Careena used a raven for her own Mark, a smoother head and wedge (rather than fan) shaped tail the only differences.

And then the first snow came, but by then the cave had become a home, so they were little discomfited by it, although they would need to forage for food soon.

---

   I want some events to occur during the winter, at the very least to get progress on her 'serve' vow, but I don't know what ... perhaps encounters with some other Firstborn? with Careena's asset combination, fights seem to have been ... 'easy' for Careena so far, so something tougher that Careena might have to flee from would be good. So I'll Ask the Oracle
   Ask the Oracle - instead of rolling, I looked through the Beasts in the rulebook and decided upon a Wyvern. I don't want a 'wandering monster' though, there should be some purpose behind it, so ... Gamana's 'Secure an Object' goal (revealed by the Oracle in post 16 Rhuddli's Revenge) is in fact that Gamana wants a young wyvern companion, so they need to capture one - and its mother is going to object ...

---

About six weeks into the winter, Gamana finally told Careena what it was that she needed - why she had chosen Raven Ridge for their winter home. She knew the ritual for binding an animal as a companion, but her last companion had died years ago, and the gap it had left in her heart had long wanted to be filled. The situation with her sister had focussed her mind on this and she had meditated upon it at length and finally the answer had come to her - she would bind a Wyvern as her companion. So she had come to Raven Ridge - just to its north lay the southern edge of the Hinterlands; Wyverns were known to migrate there from the Veiled Mountains during the winter.
It needed to be a young Wyvern for the binding to work, the younger the better and its mother - if present - would be likely to 'object' - violently. So Gamana asked, would Careena help her to bind a Wyvern?

Careena had gradually become infatuated with Gamana and by this time she thought Gamana capable of no wrong, so she readily agreed, even swearing an Iron Vow to do so.

   Swear an Iron Vow: I will help Gamana get a Wyvern Companion Dangerous; 1 +2 [heart] +1 [bond] vs 3,1; strong hit, +2 mom -> 8

They took a number of trips into the hills to the north of Raven Ridge looking for Wyverns, but it was several trips and a number of journeys before they identified a likely candidate and more trips before they found where it laired - with its mother - at the summit of a rocky hill.

   Reach a Milestone - I will help Gamana get a Wyvern Companion; prog -> 2/10

It was a sunny day, nearly mid-winter, when they set out to capture the young Wyvern. Both Gamana's, and Careena's, Auguries had revealed that it was an auspicious day for the attempt, and they were as prepared as they could be, even having some drugged meat to feed to the youngster after its mother had left. They set out early reaching the lair before dawn, as they knew that the mother normally left then to hunt.

Hiding carefully, they saw the mother Wyvern depart with great booms of noise from its flapping wings, and then they carefully crept toward the nest.

   Reach a Milestone - I will help Gamana get a Wyvern Companion; prog -> 4/10

The nest lay in a dell on the hill's summit and large boulders had been moved - obviously by the mother - into a rough circle within which the young Wyvern was seemingly dozing awaiting its mother's return.

Careena sneaked closer through a gap between two of the boulders the drugged meat ready to throw to the Wyvern.

   Secure an Advantage: 5 +3 [wits as they have a cunning plan] vs 2,3; strong hit, +1 to next move
   Face Danger: 4 +1 [shadow as Careena is sneaking] +1 [SaA] vs 3,2; strong hit, +2 mom -> 10

Careena reached the inside of the boulder circle and threw the meat, getting it in front of the Wyvern without it being disturbed. Withdrawing so she could hide in the gap between boulders, Careena considered the Wyvern. She had never been this close to a Wyvern and it seemed much bigger than she had thought - about the size of a small horse. As she watched, she saw the Wyvern's nostrils twitching before it opened it eyes and immediately gobbled down the meat. It did not take long for the Wyvern to fall into a deep sleep. Calling Gamana, Careena crept up to the Wyvern and gave it an experimental prod with the butt of her walking axe - it didn't twitch in the slightest and Careena let out the breath she hadn't know she was holding.

Wasting no time, Gamana immediately began her preparations for the ritual that would bind the Wyvern as her companion. Careena helped as best she could, while memorising what Gamana was doing.

   Reach a Milestone - I will help Gamana get a Wyvern Companion; prog -> 6/10

Gamana completed the ritual and turned to Careena - "It is done, he is bound to me!" she called happily. But they still had to deal with his mother - if they did not, then it would hunt for its child. As they had planned, they piled the green wood they brought and cleared an area away from the sleeping Wyvern, so they could light a fire without endangering. According to their plan, the mother would see the smoke - for it did not hunt far from the nest - return, and they would ambush it. So they lit the fire and waited ...

As they had hoped they soon heard the mother Wyvern coming back; hopefully their preparations would give them an advantage ...

   Secure an Advantage: 3 +3 [wits - plan] vs 5,3; strong hit, +1 to next move

The plan was working! The mother landed, flapping her wings to disperse the fire, and Careena crept out on top of a boulder behind, while Gamana raised her bow.

   Enter the Fray - Wyvern mother, Extreme: 6 +1 [shadow - ambushing] +1 [SaA] vs 3,9; weak hit, +INIT

Careena leapt from the boulder, sweeping the battleaxe down into the Wyvern

   Gamana's help against the Wyvern will be +1 harm for each Strike & Clash move that Careena makes
   Strike -1 mom -> 9, +1 harm [Sunderer]: 5 +2 [iron] vs 4,1; strong hit, +INIT, harm 2 [battleaxe] +1 [strong] +1 [keen] +1 [Sunderer] +1 [Gamana] = 6, prog -> 6/20

Careena's axe bit deep into the Wyvern's flank, and it turned screeching in pain, just as Gamana's arrow bit into its flank. Lunging its terrible jaw at Careena, the Dwarf sidestepped and ...

   Strike -1 mom -> 8, +1 harm [Sunderer]: 2 +2 [iron] vs 3,7; weak hit, -INIT, harm 2 [battleaxe] +1 [keen] +1 [Sunderer] +1 [Gamana] = 5, prog -> 11/20

... struck the top of its jaw a solid blow, but the Wyvern swept Careena back stumbling in return.

   Clash -1 mom -> 7, +1 harm [Sunderer]: 3 +2 [iron] vs 1,7; weak hit, -INIT, harm 2 [battleaxe] +1 [keen] +1 [Sunderer] +1 [Gamana] = 5, prog -> 16/20, Pay the Price: Careena takes 4 harm -> health 1
   Endure Harm: 5 +2 [iron] vs 7,6; weak hit, press on

The Wyvern's teeth scored deeply upon Careena's side even as she struck it yet again - surely it could not take much more punishment?

   Reach a Milestone - I will help Gamana get a Wyvern Companion; prog -> 8/10

Careena knew that she could not! She jumped backwards into a gap between boulders even as the Wyvern stamped where Careena had been, and then lunged its head into the gap where Careena stood awaiting it.

   Turn The Tide: +INIT, +1 on next move, +1 mom if hit    Strike -1 mom -> 6, +1 harm [Sunderer]: 1 +2 [iron] vs 3,4; miss BURN mom -> strong hit (mom reset -> 2), +INIT, harm 2 [battleaxe] +1 [keen magic spent as 1 on action die] +1 [Sunderer] +1 [Gamana] = 4, prog -> 20/20
   End The Fight: prog 10 vs 7,1; strong hit, Wyvern is dead

Her ploy worked and Careena's battleaxe bit deeply into the Wyvern's skull, killing it. The crash of its body to the ground was deafening and nearly woke its child, but then it rolled over and returned to its drugged sleep ...

   Reach a Milestone - I will help Gamana get a Wyvern Companion; prog -> 10/10
   Fulfil Your Vow: I will help Gamana get a Wyvern Companion; prog 10 vs 8,5; strong hit, 2xp

Careena had never been in such pain! Nothing she had ever known had prepared her for a hurt like this! Quickly Gamana came to her aid and they soon had her wound bound as best they were able. Declaring that they had best remove the youngster from the nest before it awoke and saw its mother - if it did, it would put a tremendous strain upon Gamana's magic - they managed, eventually, to get it out of the stones and partway down the hill. Careena remained with it while Gamana returned to the dead Wyvern - apparently its tongue could be used fir a ritual. Its bones too - if powdered they could be used for a Ward's circle in place of salt - but they could come back for them as would not rot the way the tongue would.

They managed to get into a small stand of trees, where they decided to camp for the night, Careena was soon asleep.

   Make Camp: 5 +4 [supply] vs 7,2; strong hit, Recuperate +1 health -> 2 & Partake -1 supply -> 3, +1 health -> 3

When Careena awoke, the young Wyvern, whom Gamana had named Ditarni, was awake and had been for a while apparently. It seemed to be treating Gamana as its mother now, constantly watching her and following her around. As Careena felt better, they packed their belongings and began to make their way home.

   Reach a Milestone - I will serve Gamana for a year and a day; prog -> 6/10

---

Life at the cave settled down, although fitting the Wyvern into the cave presented a problem! When Careena had recovered from her wound, she dug out a pit for it to nest in at the back of the cave. When she had finished the pit Careena realised how much she had enjoyed the simple labour - it relaxed her immensely and gave her a sense of peace ...

   With the narrative 'down-time' I'm going to reset Careena's Health & Supply to 5. Also, Careena has discovered another thing that means she is a Dwarf AND a Child of Earth - the simple joy to be found in digging, so it's time to ...
   Reach a Milestone - I will learn what it means to be a Dwarf; prog -> 9/20
   Reach a Milestone - I will learn what I should know as a Child of Earth; prog -> 2/10

As mid-winter passed the snows grew ever deeper and the air colder, but the 'killing-cold' did not last too long that year and, although still cold, the weather warmed noticeably ...

Enough for now; more soon!

 

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Careena 16 - Rhuddli's Revenge

   We left Careena emerging from The Demon's Crypt back into the sunlight of Zorkon's Stone at the end of the last post. I'm not sure whether to do an Escape The Depths move for her to leave Zorkon's Stone, or treat it as another Delve ...

   Having thought about it, I'm going to do an Escape move and if I miss, I'll do another Delve.

---

Careena retrieved her gear from the niche where she had hidden it, and set out for Thornfall to learn from Kenda where Gamana was.

   Escape the Depths: 1 +3 [wits] vs 3,2; strong hit, +1 mom -> 3

As she walked - Careena knew of no reason to hurry, the death of the adviser and Lord Akkan would neutralise the Varou threat - or so she hoped ... Careena resumed the lessons that Gamana had given her to open her Sight - not only for the practice, they were also a welcome method of pushing away the scenes from the Crypt.

   Reach a Milestone: I will learn to open my Sight, prog 6/10

Before long Careena reached the edge of the ruined area called Zorkon's Stone and entered the deep forest surrounding Thonrfall. Deciding it was better to reach the village in daylight, Careena made a small camp.

   Make Camp: 4 +4 [supply] vs 5,7; strong hit, choose Relax (+1 spirit -> 4) & Focus (+1 mom -> 4)

   As Careena has now left Zorkon's Stone, I'm going to mark progress on her vow to return the Dwarf's remains
   Reach a Milestone: I will return this Dwarf's bones to his kin, prog 1/20

An uneventful, relaxing night passed for the Careena, and, as usual, she was up with the dawn and on her way to Thornfall.

   I don't know if Gamana is at Thornfall, so I'll Ask the Oracle. I have a vague notion that her sister's request for Gamana to return is a trap, but am unsure if Gamana will have seen it for such and whether she'll have escaped it. So we'll start with the trap.
   Ask the Oracle: Is the requested return a trap? 50/50 low is Yes; 70 = No.
   Ask the Oracle: Is Gamana at Thornfall? Unlikely as I see a lot of hostility between the sisters; 01 = No.
   Ask the Oracle: Where is Gamana? Using the Ironsworn Chartopia Quick Settlement Name Generator gives me 'Raven Ridge'. This fits nicely with a Dwarf/Raven link from The Hobbit that I want to use in this game. I wonder why she is there? I'll leave that to the Oracle when Careena is closer ...

Careena reached Thornfall before much of the day had passed where Kenda soon told Careena that Gamana was at Raven Ridge, a feature easily found slightly to the north of east from the village. Careena told Kenda of the demise of Akkan, Lord of the Otaan, and Kenda gratefully passed the news to the Chief. Deciding to take the time to recover from recent events, Careena decided to spend the rest of that day and the night at Thornfall, following her lessons regarding the Sight whilst she was there

   Reach a Milestone: I will learn to open my Sight, prog 8/10
   Sojourn: 6 +2 [heart] +1 [bond] vs 3,7; strong hit, chose Consort (+2 spirit -> 5), Provision (+2 supply -> 5) & Plan (+2 mom -> 6)

Fully rested and the visions of Varou being eaten alive finally banished, Careena left Thornfall in the morning, heading to Raven Ridge.

   As this is a 3-hex journey (see the Map page), I'm going to treat it as a Journey, but first Careena will try to ...
   Secure an Advantage: 6 +3 [wits] vs 5,3; strong hit, take control +1 on next move
   Undertake a Journey - Travel to Raven Ridge (troublesome); 6 +3 [wits] +1 [SaA] vs 5,8; strong hit, prog -> 3/10

She made good progress that morning ...

   Undertake a Journey - Travel to Raven Ridge (troublesome); 4 +3 [wits] vs 6,2; strong hit, prog -> 6/10

... as she did in the afternoon, even though she was only walking. Untroubled by any need of haste, Careena made a small camp ...

   Make Camp: 2 +5 [supply] vs 9,10; miss, Pay the Price 44 A new danger or foe is revealed, Ironsworn Chartopia Random Foes - Wolf (dangerous)

   I've had an idea for this. I'm going to make this part of Rhuddli's revenge and a ghostly black hound instead ...

The Hound ...

As mid-night passed, Careena was awoken by a soul-shaking howl - it seemed to pierce her soul ...

Rapidly gaining her feet and shaking off her blankets, Careena saw an enormous black hound running toward her ...

   I'm going to (try and) use this as trigger for Careena to open her Sight - i.e. complete her vow and gain the Sighted asset
   Fulfil Your Vow - I will learn to open my Sight: prog 8 vs 7,1; strong hit, was dangerous so 2xp
   Advance: 3xp to gain the Sighted asset

Suddenly, she could see that the Hound was not real - it was a ghostly haunt, bound and sent to attack her by someone. This realisation gained from the Sight, Careena knew, left her time only to raise her battleaxe as the hound-shaped haunt leapt at her.

   Enter the Fray: Hound-Haunt, Dangerous; 1 +2 [heart] vs 1,9; choose +INIT
   Strike: 5 +2 [iron] vs 5,2; strong hit, +INIT, harm 2 [battleaxe] +1 [strong] +1 [keen] = 4, prog -> 8/10
   End the Fight: prog 8 vs 7,7; strong hit w twist = Careena finds evidence that Rhuddli sent it

As the Haunt leapt for her throat, Careena side-stepped deftly and used her battleaxe to cut the Haunt in two from throat to tail. The parts of the Haunt drifted slowly apart before dissolving into nothingness. As they vanished, something fell to ground landing on Careena's blankets. Bending over it, Careena saw that it was a cheap ring that she had 'lost' whilst with Rhuddli. He must have taken it and now used it as a focus for a ritual that bound the Haunt ... What else of the many things lost while walking the Havens had he taken?

Thinking about this, Careena suddenly realised that the shock of the Hound's appearance had given her the impetus to open her Sight. Using the instruction that Gamana had given her, she found that she could open and close the Sight at will. Using it showed Careena a whole new world of auras that she had known existed but never before seen!

   Reach a Milestone: I will serve Gamana for a year and a day; prog 2/20

Careena was entranced by the glowing brown auras of the trees and plants around her until well after the sun came up. But she eventually made herself ready and continued her journey to Raven Ridge.

   Undertake a Journey - Travel to Raven Ridge (troublesome); 5 +3 [wits] vs 10,4; weak hit, prog -> 9/10, -1 supply -> 4
   Reach Your Destination: prog 9 vs 10,2; weak hit, arrive but unforeseen hazard or complication. The complication is what's the deal with Gamana
   Ask the Oracle - using the Aspect and Focus Oracles from Delve: 66 Hidden & 20 Hideaway, Gamana is constructing a new home
   Ask the Oracle - Are there caves in the Ridge? likely: 80 - Yes

Reaching Raven Ridge without incident, Careena used the Sight in an effort to find Gamana.

   Gather Information: 1 +3 [wits] +1 [Sighted] vs 1,1; strong hit w twist = Gamana sees Careena & calls to her

She ascended the ridge looking for Gamana and before long Gamana spotted her and called to Careena.

   So why is Careena here. Ironsworn Chartopia Character Goal Oracle: Prove Worthiness and Secure an Object. Prove Worthiness refers to Careena as an apprentice, while Secure an Object is something that Gamana needs to find for an (as yet) unknown reason

Mask-less Gamana

Gamana welcomed Careena to what would be their home for the winter, a large dry cave in the side of Raven Ridge, which they went into, and as it was just the two of them, Gamana removed her mask

Gamana explained that she had returned to Thornfall, but some wounds went too deep and before long, she had begun arguing with Utamara. She expected that they could be reconciled, in fact Gamana hoped so, but it would take time. Realising this, and agreeing with Utamara that it was too soon for Gamana to stay at the village, Gamana had come to Raven Ridge and there was something here that she needed.

Before Careena could ask what Gamana needed or why, Gamana asked what had happened at Zorkon's Stone. The telling of that tale took some time and when it was finished, Gamana wanted to let the Varou twins know the events, so they built a fire which Gamana used to Scry the twins and tell them the news.

After that, Careena shared the news that she had opened her Sight, which led to the attack by the Haunt-Hound and Careena's belief that Rhuddli was behind it - which Gamana confirmed.

The reason that they were living there for the winter was for Careena to undertake serious training, and, if she wanted, Gamana would instruct her in the ways of the Marked - Ritualists who tattoo themselves to anchor their rituals with greater strength. Gamana's facial tattoos were part of her Marks.

They took the rest of the day getting Careena's belongings sorted out in the cave, and then completing various chores, before settling down for the night.

That's it for this post; more soon!

 

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Careena 15 - The Demon's Crypt

   We left Careena in the midst of 'Zorkon's Stone', an area of haunted ruins to the south of the Elven village of Thornfall, where she was trying to discover why the 'adviser' to the Lord of the Varou Otaan tribe had wanted to come here.

   She had watched a ghostly funeral procession, followed by the Varou Lord, his 'adviser' and guards, march along a road before turning into the biggest, still-standing building Careena had seen in the ruins ...

---

The Varou having all gone into the building, Careena vaulted the wall and carefully followed where they had gone. Reaching the doorway of the building, she carefully peered into the opening. Inside the building was a wide set of steps heading down - to where she could not see from the doorway. Creeping into the building, Careena could see down the steps and the Varou at the bottom who were lighting torches.

   I think that the risk of the Varou seeing Careena constitutes a danger ...
   Face Danger: 2 +1 [shadow] vs 1,5; weak hit, delayed -1 mom -> 8

Careena was very nearly seen - silhouetted at the top of the stairs as she was, but she managed to hide in time. By the time that she felt safe enough to look again, athe Varou had gone. Looking around the building, Careena saw a niche covered with dead ivy and decided to leave most of her gear there, in case there were some narrow passages in her near future.

Careena made her careful way down the stone steps underground ...

   Discover a Site: The Demon's Crypt, troublesome Corrupted Barrow

As the stone floor of the building above her passed over her head, Careena felt a strange feeling creep over her. She felt ... comfortable was the only way to describe it. The strange thing was that she had not known that she was uncomfortable until it went away. She realised that it was part of her Dwarven nature to be more comfortable underground than undersky and because she was a Child of Earth. She could not say how she knew these things, but knew in her soul that they were true. Cautiously she went followed the passage as it went downwards ...

   Reach a Milestone: I will learn what it means to be a Dwarf, 7/20
   Reach a Milestone: I will learn what I should know as a Child of Earth, 1/10

   Delve the Depths: Feature 73 Statuary or tapestries; roll 1 +3 [wits] vs 9,1; weak hit, roll 24, prog -> 3/10, Reveal a Danger: 34 Grave guardian

The stairs ended in a large room holding many statues and the remnants of tapestries on the walls. The passage directly opposite the stairs was blocked by fallen rocks and flickering light came from the passage to the right, while a faint glow was evident from the last passage, the one to her left.

Careena went to her right entering the passage which turned to her right after a short distance and she could now see the source of the flickering light. Just inside the entryway to a room which had 3 sarcophagi in, Careena could see 2 obviously dead Varou and a torch lying on the floor, as she stepped into the room, moaning voices beagn speaking in an unearthly chorus, "We will preserve our King, in life and forever ..."

   Face Danger: 6 +3 [wits] vs 7,6; strong hit, +1 mom -> 9
   Reach a Milestone: I will search Zorkon's Stone and find what the 'adviser' seeks, prog -> 4/10

Ghostly indistinct figures rose from each of the sarcophagi. An idea sprang into Careena's mind and just as quickly, she jumped backwards crossing the threshold of the room. Luckily, she was right - as soon as she crossed that threshold, the figures began to return to the sarcophagi. Realising that the Varou must have gone the other way after trying this way, Careena went back to the first room and took the other passage.

   Delve the Depths: Feature 10 Mystic runes or markings; roll 6 +3 [wits] vs 2,5; strong hit, prog -> 6/10, +1 mom -> 10

The light seemed to be always out of direct sight but she could still see its glow on the walls ahead. Reaching a short set of steps across the passage, Careena saw another pair of dead Varou at its foot. They lay sprawled, limbs at impossible angles across a sooty pentagram on the floor - a magical trap of some sort, Careena surmised.

She carefully edged around the corpses, following the way the other Varou's tracks in the dust went and continued along the corridor.

   Delve the Depths: Feature 28 Burial chambers; roll 1 +3 [wits] vs 5,6; miss, Reveal a Danger: 52 You encounter a hostile denizen
   Roll on denizens: 28 Varou, 5 left behind to loot tombs, Dangerous as a pack are Formidable

Varou Warrior

The light ahead grew stronger and stronger until Careena entered a room where a group of Varou were looting sarcophagi. Thinking quickly, Careena leapt on top of the nearest sarcophagus as the Varou turned to face her, drawing their weapons as they did.

   Face Danger: 5 +3 [wits] vs 8,1; weak hit, -1 mom -> 9
   Enter the Fray: 3 +2 [heart] vs 9,4; weak hit, +INIT
   Strike: -1 mom +1 harm [Sunderer], mom -> 9; 6 +2 [iron] vs 2,4; strong hit, +INIT, harm = 2 [battleaxe] +1 [strong] +1 [Keen] +1 [Sunderer], prog -> 5/10

The Varou charged toward Careena brandishing their weapons in a very enthusiastic manner, but it was a fatally un-coordinated manner. The first two that reached Carrena both fell to the strike-that-cleaves sweep, removing both their heads and wounding the third that was just too far away to lose its life.

   Strike: -1 mom +1 harm [Sunderer], mom -> 8; 4 +2 [iron] vs 6,7; miss BURN mom -> strong hit (reset mom -> +2), +INIT, harm = 2 [battleaxe] +1 [strong] +1 [Keen] +1 [Sunderer], prog -> 10/10
   End the Fight: prog 10 vs 2,5; strong hit
   Reach a Milestone: I will search Zorkon's Stone and find what the 'adviser' seeks, prog -> 5/10

The rest of the Varou reached Careena and they fell just as swiftly to the flurry-that-kills, her new axe flowing like water in her hands - it was a dream made reality.

Her attackers slain, Careena took the exit from the room that their compatriots must have followed.

   Delve the Depths: Feature 78 Remains of a grave robber; roll 3 +3 [wits] vs 7,5; weak hit, roll 42, prog -> 9/10
   Reach a Milestone: I will search Zorkon's Stone and find what the 'adviser' seeks, prog -> 6/10

From the strength of the light ahead of her, Careena could tell that she was gaining on the remaining Varou - either they had slowed, or reached what they were after. As she continued through the passages of the ancient crypt, she what looked like a body just ahead of her. As she reached it, she saw that it was, indeed, a body and one that was not so ancient as the others she had seen here. It was a young human - a warrior by his equipment, but a poor one. Careena felt a wave of sadness for him - to lie here forgotten, his dreams unrealised, his name forgotten ... As she had done for the Dwarf on the surface, she searched the body for identifying belongings, but finding none, she Careena continued onward, knowing not what else to do ...

   Locate Your Objective: Found the 'adviser'; prog 9 vs 5,10; weak hit, unforeseen hazard or complication (I know what this will be)
   Reach a Milestone: I will search Zorkon's Stone and find what the 'adviser' seeks, prog -> 7/10

As she approached what - judging by the light - was the last corner between her and the Varou, the sound of fighting erupted ahead of her and shadows began to dance wildly in the light.

Attackers

Reaching the corner, Careena carefully peered around it and saw that the Varou were fighting creatures that she had never seen the like of before. They were short - no more than four and a half feet tall - white-skinned humanoids with pointed ears and sharp pointed teeth that they used to tear apart fallen Varou - some of whom still lived ...

The Varou were fighting back though, led by Lord Akkan who cut wide swathes through the attackers with his greatsword. Then Careena spied the 'adviser' who, rather than helping the Varou, was sneaking around the fight heading toward the dais at the far end of the room, on which was an altar with the figure of a winged demon carved in stone atop.

At the demon's feet lay a silver and black rod, about the length of Careena's forearm - was that what had drawn the adviser into this terrible place? The fighting drew Careena's attention back, as with terrible whooping cries, another wave of attackers erupted into the room. Careena now saw that they came from holes in the walls and floor of the room, some crawling up the walls and across the roof to drop on the Varou. It was obvious that if the Varou stayed to fight they would soon be overrun and slain.

Even as she realised this, Careena saw from the corner of her eye that the adviser had reached the dais. She watched as a grey-scaled, webbed and clawed hand reached out from its cloak toward the rod. The arm the hand was at the end of, seemed to be impossibly long as it stretched toward the rod and finally reached it ...

   Fulfil Your Vow - I will search Zorkon's Stone and find what the 'adviser' seeks: prog 7 vs 2,6; strong hit, was formidable, so 3xp gained

There was a flash of brilliant light as a stroke of lightning erupted from the stone demon's mouth and struck the adviser, knocking it to the floor where it was swarmed by the creatures from the depths.

As Careena stood dumbfounded, the Lord Akkan was at last overwhelmed and dragged down by his attackers - his remaining warriors would soon join him, so Careena turned and began to flee before she was caught up in the massacre ...

   Escape The Depths: 2 +3 [wits] vs 8,4; weak hit, Endure Stress for witnessing the Varou being eaten alive seems appropriate ...
   Endure Stress: -2 stress -> 3; 2 +3 [spirit] vs 4,8; weak hit, press on

Visions of the Varou being eaten alive replayed themselves in Careena's vision as she ran headlong back the way she had come through the crypt. Heedless of what might have crept into the passages in front her, she ran as fast as she could, finally reaching the stairs she had earlier descended into this place of horror ... Finally able to stop there and regain her breath, Careena thought long and hard about what she had witnessed ... She realised that she had learnt another important truth about being a Dwarf - there are old and foul things in the deeps ...

   Reach a Milestone: I will learn what it means to be a Dwarf, prog -> 8/20

As she climbed the stairs into the sunlight that shone down through the cracked and broken roof, she felt the discomfort of the sky settle upon her like a familiar garment. Right now, after what she had seen below - she welcomed it.

Enough for this post; more soon!

 

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Careena 14 - Zorkon's Stone

   So, at the end of the last post, Gamana was talking with the Varou twins, Muku & Druku, about the strange adviser that had gained total control over the Lord of the Varou tribe, the Otaan. This adviser wanted access to the ruins known as "Zorkon's Stone" and had induced the Otaan to migrate to gain that access. The fact that the ruins were in the lands of the Thornbinder tribe and would probably lead to a war between the tribes did not seem to be of any significance ...

---

So now they knew what was happening, the question was, what would they do about it? Did they want the war between the Thornbinders and the Otaan, and if not what could or would they do to stop it? And what would they do if they couldn't?

None wanted to see the blood spilled that would be the result of a war. Careena suggested assassinating the adviser, but Muku & Druku were adamant that this adviser never left the Lord's side with all his attendant guards and they were too many for an attack.

The twins did know that the Varou had migrated from the edge of the Hinterlands south westwards towards the Thornbinders lands and had camped to the southeast of Zorkon's Stone. There had been a number of skirmishes between small parties of Elves and Varou, but no pitched battles - yet.

This talk of the Thornbinders brought to Careena's mind the message that she had carried to Gamana from their Chief - she had not said what it was, only that it was a 'surprise'. As its content was probably relevant to the current situation, Careena asked Gamana about it. Making no effort at concealment, Gamana happily said that her sister had asked her to return to the tribe, contrary to all Elven tradition - hence the surprise.

Gamana had not decided whether to do so or not as yet; so, it was relevant but not directly so - the Thornbinders would be strengthened by having Gamana amongst their number, but that was not settled yet.

It seemed to Careena that the obvious solution was to get to Zorkon's Stone, learn what the adviser was after and take it from there, but either the twins and Gamana had not realised this, or were avoiding mentioning it for some reason ...

So Careena suggested it. Muku and Druku looked embarrassed - although to be honest, Careena could easily have been wrong about that, as she was unused to Varou expressions ... and Gamana's mask never looked like anything - well except itself. Careena pressed the question and the twins admitted that they would not fight other Varou, which would be a certainty if they went into the ruins after the adviser. Gamana needed to resolve the situation with her sister and the Thornbinders as soon as she could.

So Careena volunteered to go, a suggestion gratefully accepted by the twins and, after some hesitation by Gamana.  As her gear was all packed, Careena saw no reason to delay her departure, arranging to return to Thornfall to find Gamana - if she wasn't at the village, Gamana would ensure that Kenda, the tribe's bard would know how to find her.

Just before she left though, Careena had one last question for the twins. The few other Varou that she had met, seemed much more  ... 'agitated' was the best word Careena could find, than the twins - why was that?

According to them, most Varou, being Children of Fire, felt their passions and emotions far more strongly than a human, elf or dwarf. The twins, through their Dweomer training were able to recognise this and control them, giving them a level of control and wisdom unknown to other Varou.

Her question answered, Careena set off toward Zorkon's Stone, swearing a vow to herself that she would find what the adviser sought there.

   Swear an Iron Vow: I will search Zorkon's Stone and find what the 'adviser' seeks (Formidable); 3 +2 [heart] vs 3,4; strong hit, +2 mom -> 10

   This is a short journey, so I'm not going to use moves for it. The migrating Varou will be denizens of the ruins, as per the Delve rules

It didn't take Careena long to arrive at the edge of the ruins called Zorkon's Stone.

Discover a Site: Zorkon's Stone, dangerous Haunted Ruin

With her goal firmly in mind, Careena climbed over the low remnants of a wall that marked the edge of the ruins, and cautiously began her exploration ...

   Delve the Depths: 3 +3 [wits] vs 8,10; miss, Reveal a Danger
   Reveal a Danger: 02, Theme card, Denizens guard this area; 14 - Varou

Careena had travelled barely 50 yards before she blundered into a pair of Varou ..

   Let's try a Battle move for a change ...
   Battle: 5 +3 [wits] vs 8,10; miss BURN mom reset to 2, -> strong hit, +2 mom -> 4

Careena dealt with them quickly and dragged the bodies off the path and into some bushes before continuing.

   Delve the Depths: Feature 54 collapsed architecture; roll 3 +3 [wits] vs 10,3; weak hit, wits roll 83, prog -> 2/10, Find an Opportunity: 01 The terrain favours you, or you find a hidden path
   Going to mark progress on the vow too
   Reach a Milestone: I will search Zorkon's Stone and find what the 'adviser' seeks, prog -> 1/10

All around Careena were collapsed buildings, buildings that could have served any purpose or none - they were far too old to tell what they might be ... but Careena found a path through the area and continued exploring the ruins as the sun slowly began to set.

   Delve the Depths: Feature 43 Crumbling corridors and chambers; roll 2 +3 [wits] vs 3,2; strong hit, prog -> 4/10, Find an Opportunity: 62 A clue offers insight into your quest

   Well now I'm stumped ... I don't have a definite notion of what the 'adviser' wants in the ruins, so a clue to it is hard to come up with ... I'll have to think about this for a while ...
   Nothing came up so I'm changing the result to 26-45 An aspect of the history or nature of this place is revealed

As she transversed a still-standing building Careena found that it was full of sarcophagi - the place was a necropolis ... Careena hurried on, leaving the tomb behind her. Looking more closely around her as she did, she recognised that the ruined rubble all around her was the remains of tombs and monuments ...

   Delve the Depths: Feature 67 Courtyard; roll 3 +3 [wits] vs 1,1; strong hit, prog -> 6/10, Find an Opportunity: 89 You locate an interesting or helpful object

As Careena passed through what had once been a courtyard, she found evidence of previous explorers of the ruins. In the centre of the area lay an armoured figure surrounded by skeletons of Elves. As she drew closer, Careena realised that the figure had once been a Dwarf! Kicking off the dead Elf that lay across it, Careena could see that while the Dwarf had been reduced to bones, the armour remained in good condition along with the double-headed axe that had been hidden under the Elf.

Picking up the axe, Careena gave it an experimental swing and finding the balance perfect, she struck one of the slabs at her feet to see if time had weakened the metal. She was vastly surprised to see the blade sink almost a hand's width into the stone.

   I'm going to mark progress on a vow here ...
   Reach a Milestone: I will search Zorkon's Stone and find what the 'adviser' seeks, prog -> 2/10

Feeling that the axe had almost been made for her, Careena resolved to take it with her and began to examine the armour. It also seemed to be in perfect condition - well the metal parts, anyway. However, all the leather straps and padding had rotted to nothingness. Careena took a sack from her backpack and placed the pieces of her armour into it hoping that it could be repaired. That left the bones. Although in a necropolis, Careena felt that this long dead benefactor should be returned home if she ever could. Searching for anything could be used to identify who this might have been, Careena found a silver ring and necklace. The silver was too tarnished to see any marks on them at present, so she put them in her pouch and gathered up the bones reverentially into another sack, before tying both sacks onto her backpack.

   Seems like a good point for a vow ...
   Swear an Iron Vow: I will return this Dwarf's bones to his kin - Extreme; 5 +2 [heart] vs 6,4; strong hit, +2 mom -> 6
   I've thought about applying the Encumbered condition to Careena for carrying the armour, but decided not to in the end, as I've already established that Careena sheds her pack at the start of fights - mainly to Secure an Advantage

As she was in a place of relative safety, Careena decided to conduct the Keen ritual upon her new axe

   Secure an Advantage - Preparing for Ritual: 5 +3 [wits] +1 [Ritualist] vs 5,9; weak hit, +1 mom -> 7
   Ritual - Keen: 6 +2 [heart] vs 4,3; strong hit, +1 harm with axe

Her ritual finished, Careena resumed her exploration.

   Delve the Depths: Feature 76, Preserved Vault; roll 3 +3 [wits] vs 1,5; strong hit, prog -> 8/10, Find an Opportunity: Having rolled Preserved Vault, I picked '46-57 You locate a secure area' as it seemed appropriate

Before long Careena came across an apparently intact building and she decided to rest there for a few hours - the idea of wandering around a necropolis at night becoming less appealing ...

   Make Camp: 2 +4 [supply] vs 3,7; weak hit, choose Focus +1 mom -> 8

With the dawn, Careena arose and resumed her exploration.

   Delve the Depths: Feature 19 Apparitions of a person or event; roll 1 +3 [wits] vs 3,1; strong hit, prog -> 10/10, Find an Opportunity: I have an idea for this one

As the morning wore on, Careena saw, or thought she did, movement ahead so she quickly hid as best she could behind a low wall that was in better condition than most she had seen.

Peering over the wall, she saw a ghostly funeral procession passing by on a road. There seemed to be a lot of figures in this procession as well as what resembled Gaunts, but their apparitions seemed to be nowhere near as 'Gaunt' as the ones she had seen. But the people in the procession were the most unsual - they looked like the Broken that she had seen once, but they were walking upright and some even seemed to be whispering to each other! No Broken she had seen, or even heard of, had been capable of speech. One of them looked straight at her, but it, and all of the others, seemed to be unaware of her existence ...

As she looked down the length of the procession, Careena saw some Varou following the procession. She couldn't see how many at the distance they were at, so hunkered down a bit more - just to be safe.

Eventually the end of the procession passed Careena's hiding place and then the Varou. She could clearly see the Lord and is 'adviser' beside him. Unfortunately there were around 20 other warriors with them, but none spotted her - thankfully.

Careena watched the procession and the Varou walking along the road away from her. It was a long road, and after about half-a-mile, the procession and Varou turned into the biggest building Careena had yet seen

   Locate Your Objective: Found the Adviser's destination; prog 10 vs 8,9; strong hit, chhose +1 mom -> 9
   Reach a Milestone: I will search Zorkon's Stone and find what the 'adviser' seeks, prog -> 3/10

That's enough for now; more soon!

 

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Careena 13 - New Friends

   I finished the last post with progress on Careena's 'I will become a Ritualist' vow, bringing it up to 8 of 10, so I'm going to try a move to complete it ...

   Fulfil Your Vow: prog 8 vs 3,4; strong hit, was formidable, so 3xp gained

   Per the vow, I'm going to buy the Ritualist asset with those xp

   Advance: 3xp to buy the Ritualist asset

   Now, back to the story; Careena and Gamana had arrived at the Dark Rapids, to await her 'visitors' ...

---

Careena felt that she had made an enormous leap forward, "Am I now a Ritualist, Gamana?"

"Well, do you know any rituals Careena?" she replied, and when Careena nodded, Gamana continued, "Then I believe that you are," she said with a smile and then replaced her mask. "I do not know when the visitors will arrive."

Looking around and seeing their surroundings for the first time, Careena realised that the Dark Rapids had got their name from being at the bottom of a deep ravine - where they now stood. The path that they had descended was obvious behind them - it looked like a long dry stream had cut through the ravine's side.

"Can you tell me anything about the visitors?" Careena asked.

"Of course," Gamana replied, "they are Muku and Druku - Varou twins, both of whom are, like us, students of the Dweomer," Careena must have looked shocked at this, as Gamana hurried on, "There is no need for alarm, they have no ties to the migrating Varou tribe - they have renounced all tribal ties and hold only to the Dweomer of Light, much as I have done."

To explain further, Gamana continued, "None of the peoples in the Ironlands are completely united. Just as the humans that you grew up amongst are divided and ruled by nobles with their petty jealousies and quarrels, so are the Elves and Varou splintered into Tribes that war upon each other."

Careena felt hugely naive - she had thought that all Varou would want to punish her for killing their kind and, in the same manner, that all Elves would be her friends ... But no, the world was bigger than she had thought and not as clear-cut ...

The mention of the migrating Varou brought the mysterious figure she had seen speaking to the Varou Lord to the front of her mind, so Careena told Gamana what she had seen as completely as she could. Gamana was deeply concerned by Careena's news, and they agreed to tell the Varou twins when they arrived - Gamana expected them early the next day.

"Actually," Gamana said, "Why don't you conduct the Sway ritual and see if you can learn anything about what the twins might want? I'll conduct the ritual first for Muku so that you can observe my method and then you for Druku and we can compare results."

Careena readily agreed to the suggestion and then watched Gamana's actions, taking careful note of how the Elf prepared beforehand and then, when Gamana had finished, Careena began her own working.

First, Careena took care to ensure that she stood in the breeze that came through the ravine, and then focused her mind upon the ritual and how the wind would whisper the answer into her ears.

   Secure an Advantage (per Ritualist asset): 5 +3 [wits] +1 [Ritualist] vs 9,7; weak hit, +1 mom -> 4, +1 mom [Ritualist] -> 5

And then she performed the ritual itself

   Ritual - Sway: 2 +3 [wits] vs 7,1; weak hit, person’s need creates a troubling dilemma or complication, Endure Stress, -1 spirit -> 4
   I was going to Ask the Oracle for the twins' need, but I've had an idea for that. But first Careena must ...
   Endure Stress: 3 +4 [spirit] vs 9,2; weak hit, press on

   My idea was to have the twins ask Careena to deliver a message to the ruler of Hillbarrow - Lady Mertree - but upon much reflection I decided that Careena has had enough delivery quests for now. So, instead I rolled on the Character Goal Oracle - well, I did roll but none of the answers seemed right, so I looked at the entries and saw 'Restore a relationship' which leapt out

The answer came whispered on the wind to Careena's ears - "Remake ... the ... broken ... bond ..."

As the Sway ritual gave its answers only to the ritual's performer, Careena told Gamana what she had heard who confirmed a similar response to hers regarding Muku.

With nothing further to do but await the twins' arrival, Careena and Gamana made camp for the night.

   Make Camp: 6 +4 [supply] vs 7,8; strong hit, choose Relax (+1 spirit -> 5) Focus (+11 mom -> 6)

A restful, undisturbed night passed, but with the rising of the sun came rain and a chill breeze down the ravine. As they would be leaving the Dark Rapids that day, Careena and Gamana packed all their belongings and as they worked, Careena mulled over a question until, finally, not knowing how best to ask it, she just blurted it out - "Gamana, why do Elves wear masks, and why did you take yours off yesterday?"

"I did wonder when you'd ask that second question," said Gamana, "and I thought that you knew the answer to the first already - my apologies."

She paused, as if gathering her thoughts, but then continued, "We Elves - as you know, or should, anyway - are Children of Air, just as your Dwarven blood marks you as a Child of Earth and the Varou are the Children of Fire. These heritages are shown in our natures. Most Elves are flighty and find it difficult to concentrate upon a single task for a long time, just as most Dwarves are grasping and find it hard to part with things - surely your father spoke to you of this?"

   So, this marks another fact in Careena's quest to complete her vow
   Reach a Milestone: I will learn what it means to be a Dwarf, -> 6/20

"No he didn't - he committed some great sacrilege and was cast out. He never spoke to me about my Dwarven heritage," Careena replied

Gamana's pose indicated shock, and it was a moment or two before she seemed able to continue.

"Had he been born an Elf, sending his child out in the world without that knowledge would be a crime - I do not know if it is such for the Dwarves," she said. "When you are able, you must go to him and make him tell you the secrets that as a Child of Earth it is your bloodright to know."

"But we were talking abut my people not yours," Gamana continued, "As I said,we Elves are flighty and lack self-discipline - what we feel shows on our faces before we can stop it - and most of us wouldn't want to stop it anyway. As you can imagine, instant emotional display, combined with little self-discipline among viewers, often means heated arguments escalating very quickly!"

"The masks are our way of living with each other without killing each other," Gamana laughed and then continued, "I took mine off to show you my face. It shows that I trust you. That I know that if I offend you, you will tell me and allow me to explain. That I do not want to hide how I feel from you. Also, were we different people, it could mark intimacy," she finished.

Careena thought about this for a while, and then did the only thing that she felt she could. She took both of Gamana's hands in hers and said, "Gamana, I thank you for the gift of your trust and want you to know that I treasure it and will never willingly do anything to harm it."

After a moment's awkward silence, they returned to packing and soon had it finished. As they worked, Careena swore to herself that she would learn what she should know as a Child of Earth.

   Swear an Iron Vow - I will learn what I should know as a Child of Earth (Dangerous): 5 +2 [heart] vs 3,6; strong hit, +2 mom -> 8

Now they waited.But it was not long before they heard voices coming down the ravine towards them and the two Varou were soon with them. From the short barking noises that the Varou & Gamana were making, Careena guessed that they were speaking the Varou language, but she couldn't understand a word of it. Noticing her look of incomprehension, Gamana interrupted the conversation to introduce Muku, Druku and Careena to each other, and then resumed speaking in the human language so that Careena would not be left out.

It seemed that although Muku and Druku were part of a particular tribe, they had been welcome at all the tribes until the Lord of the Otaan, Alekkan, had forbidden them to visit his tribe on pain of death and the Otaan tribe was the tribe migrating towards Thornfall. The twins knew that Alekkan had a mysterious new advisor, and had been toldt by friends in the Otaan, that Alekkan had ordered the tribe's move because his adviser wanted to get into the ruins to the south of Thornfall (known to the Elves as Zorkon's Stone), but no-one knew what he wanted ...

And time to pause once again; more soon!

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