Starting with a dice roll this time; as Radulf is at Health 4 and Spirit 4, he will:
Sojourn: +Heart; 5 +2 vs. 6 & 5 => strong hit => choose Heal & Hearten
Heal: +3 Health, now 5 (max)
Hearten: +3 Spirit, now 5 (max)
Radulf descended the stairs of the Citadel-Temple to visit the Vaults-of-Interment. As usual, Keeper-of-the-Vaults Oddvar was sat upon the stool behind his lectern. Keeper Oddvar confirmed for Radulf that the urns he had delivered had been interred and Radulf, all his duties completed, was left to his own devices. Well, he would have been, but the Lady's papers now had to be discharged.
So, as he slowly ascended from the vaults, he reviewed the papers Lady Sibila had given him. There were three: first to deliver would be the one for the Temple-Majordomo, instructing larger quarters for Radulf; second was for the Temple-Armourer authorising the permanent regalia (including armour, Hammer-of-Charun, Sword-of-Vanth, Mask-of-Charun) plus armour- and weapon-stand be delivered to the new quarters. Finally, there was the paper for the Temple-Houndmaster instructing him to allow Radulf to choose a Kadaverhund.
Anticipating no problems, both the Temple-Majordomo and Temple-Armourer were visited successfully and accepted the papers without issue. Radulf's meagre possessions would be moved and one of the temple servants would confirm his new quarters' location to him later in the day - the regalia would be delivered there too.
The Kadaverhund would not be so simple however. The Temple-Houndmaster, Gunnvor, told Radulf the process would last several days. Essentially, Radulf would meet the pack and then over those days, one of the pack would choose Radulf - this was the bonding the Lady had mentioned. If none of the pack chose him, then no matter the Lady's instructions, Radulf would have no hound. So Radulf began the process under Gunnvor's instruction.
I have no idea whether Gunnvor will be important in the story, but lets get some descriptors: Reserved, Intelligent, Humble - I like this guy! Let's give him a goal: 'Discover the truth of their past'; well that's interesting, I'll make use of that in the future, but not now
A week passed. Thankfully the thanksgiving service had been bearable and Radulf had settled into his new quarters in the Hall-of-the-Charuns where he now had a decent-sized room and not the cramped cell that he previously occupied in the Hall-of-Trainees.
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| Runbjorn |
Radulf started training (wearing the full armour of his regalia) with Runbjorn so that they could learn to co-ordinate their efforts effectively. His training in the Faith also resumed, but now at a level up to match his new position of Charun. That training was now mainly in doctrine and dogma - something that Radulf found it hard to be interested in, so he was soon looking forward to leaving for Woodwatch.
I think it's time to see what the menace 'Plots of the Villain' is doing:
Advance a Threat: roll d100 = > 93 => threat makes a dramatic and immediate move, or a major event reveals new complications. Mark menace twice; oh dear ... I'll reveal what form this takes in the story when Radulf gets to Woodwatch. In the same vein though, Radulf has been training for his Holy Task, so
Reach a Milestone: formidable vow "I will end the villain that created the Chimera", progress now 1/10
The Midwinter Festival came and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It was a celebration of life and the knowledge that the spring was now closer - half of winter had been endured. The worst of the winter may not have come yet, but the end was in sight. This year Radulf managed to become far more drunk than he had ever been before which delayed his departure for a day and earned him a penance from Priestess Ylva. As, very hungover, he mucked out his stall, Radulf was certain that Otaan was laughing at him behind his trunk.
His penance discharged, Radulf requisitioned a Bison for to carry the supplies provided for him and Runbjorn. Vrusk, a steer, was assigned to Radulf and the animal's quiet strength was immediately apparent to Radulf - he was a fitting substitute for Otaan.
His supplies loaded upon Vrusk and Runbjorn at his side, Radulf felt like he could take on the world as he left Templemount in the morning's bright sunshine for Woodwatch ...