Kicking off with some housekeeping; reaching Woodwatch constitutes
Reach a Milestone: formidable vow "I will end the villain that created the Chimera", progress now 2/10
I'm dissatisified with the Ironclad asset. Comparing it to the Starforged version Armored, it definitely seems underpowered and has the encumbered debility, which no other asset, IIRC, has. So I'm going to 'hand it back' and take Masked - Bloodwood instead (ignoring the Elf bond requirement) to represent Radulf's Mask-of-Charun. As the encumbered debility no longer applies, I'm putting his momentum to +10 as I've overflowed it twice
"I do not know - yet," replied Radulf to Lili's question. "But we will find out."
"If you will excuse us, Mayor, Captain. I need to stow my gear and will return directly. Priestess, if you would?" Radulf gestured in the direction of the temple; Lili nodded and led the way, Runbjorn sniffing at her, glad to make a new friend.
Once inside the temple, Radulf gave voice to his fear. "If it were an intelligent Restless behind this, I would fear that there was a Thrall in the village, Priestess, but I do not believe that a Varou mystic would be able to possess someone in that way. What do you think?"
"First, call me Lili, when we are alone," she replied with a radiant smile, then became serious. "I agree, I've not heard of Varou creating a Thrall, nor a Chimera for that matter. Do you think that they are related?" Lili asked in a low voice
"Lili," Radulf replied, liking the way her name sounded as he said it for the first time. "On the surface - no. That's not to say that there is not a conspiracy between the Varou and a mystic of some sort." As he had been speaking, Radulf had removed his pack and the other travelling gear he did not need. "I am ready, shall we return to the others?"
"Yes," replied Lili, and they left the temple.
This moment of intimacy seems perfect to connect with Lili; I see this as a complicated, important, relationship for Radulf, so I'm giving it the rank of formidable
Make a Connection: +Heart; 6 +2 vs. 7 & 6 => strong hit => Lili, Priestess-of-Vanth in Woodwatch, formidable, progress 0/10
As they walked to the council hut, there were no sounds of fighting and they found the rest of the council discussing the situation inside the hut. There seemed to be no agreement on what to do and Lili joined the discussion, while Radulf went to the fire and warmed his hands. That was a cover - a way of listening without contributing. Radulf believed that it was not his place to contribute - yet; it was for the Council-of-Five to decide upon a plan of action and for him as a Charun to help enact that plan.
Names, job and descriptors for the rest of the council
Chief-of-Crafts: Hemingr, wheelwright; Vindictive, Blunt, Tactless
First-Merchant: Piritta, carter; Intelligent, Pro-active, Fixated
Captain Erik was reticent, practically silent, which, given his role, Radulf found surprising. Mayor Birgitta, a large blonde goodwife, was trying to build consensus, hoping to get something decided. Hemingr, the wheelwright who had only recently become Chief-of-Crafts, seemed determined to get the wardens killed, demanding they launch an attack upon the Varou next time they appeared. However, Piritta, the carter and First-Merchant, seemed to have the best idea. She wanted to learn more about what was going on, and proposed that during the night, someone should slip over the wall and spy on the Varou camp.
Radulf noticed that Runbjorn was stock-still, watching the Warden-Captain, seeming to be fixated upon him. Glancing at Erik, Radulf saw he was just watching the other council members, still offering nothing to the discussion. This was very strange for a Warden, never mind the Warden-Captain. Perhaps it was just his way? He would ask Lili when they were alone.
Mayor Birgitta, it seemed had finally managed to get an agreement; they would follow Piritta's plan, although Hemingr gave way with bad grace.
"I will do it," Radulf offered before they could begin arguing about who would go. The Mayor turned to him.
"Thank-you Charun Radulf, we'll leave it to you to and meet again in the morning to discuss what you learn," she said.
The council went their seperate ways and Lili, Radulf and Runbjorn returned to the Temple-of-Vanth. Once there, Radulf began to prepare himself for the night's mission, prevailing upon Lili for what he was missing.
Resupply: +Heart; 6 +2 vs. 2 & 1 => strong hit => +2 supply, now 4
"Lili," Radulf began, "Is Erik always that quiet? I noticed that he said hardly anything at all."
"His wife died during the summer. Unfortunately, circumstances caused her to rise as a Restless," the beautiful priestess replied, scratching Runbjorn's ears as she knelt beside the hound in front of the fire. "He has not been the same since. He was always quiet, but over the last couple of months, he's been positively silent by comparison."
"Interesting," mused Radulf. "If you approve, I would like to swear before Vanth and Charun for what I must do tonight. Having their approval would be of great aid to me."
"Of course, Radulf, an excellent notion," and they went before the altar, where Radulf knelt to swear his vow upon Lili's holy sword.
"I swear upon the Iron of my Faith and the Iron of this Holy Sword, that I will investigate the Varou that attack Woodwatch."
Swear an Iron Vow: +Heart (Bannersworn gives re-roll any dice, if needed) : 4 +2 vs 10 & 4, re-roll 10, get 3 => strong hit => +2 momentum, now +10 (max); troublesome vow
The vow sworn, Radulf asked Lili, "Priestess, have you kept up your sword-training?"
Lili feigned indignance, "Of course Charun! Is it not one of the Duties? 'The sword is an extension of the Priestess and must become one with her'," she quoted the commandment at Radulf.
"Indeed," answered Radulf, "But, shall we say, some Priestesses are more one with their sword than others? As we are to train together, I wanted to know where we would begin." He paused and checked his equipment briefly. "Now, with your leave, Runbjorn and I must go." Lili nodded and Radulf, with Runbjorn following, left the temple intending to have a talk with Warden-Captain Erik.
Radulf has a suspect, so I'm calling this
Reach a Milestone: formidable vow "I will end the villain that created the Chimera", progress now 3/10
He found Erik atop the wall above the gate, staring blankly at the falling snow, the encroaching dusk decreasing the visibilty further.
"Warden-Captain," said Radulf. He had to say it again before Erik stirred and turned to him.
"Yes, Charun?" he replied, still sounding distracted.
"I intend to leave at midnight, if that has your approval? Do you have any notion where the Varou camp might be?"
"Midnight is fine. That way," the Warden-Captain gestured vaguely south-westwards, and turned back to his contemplation of the snow.
Feeling entirely dissatisfied with the Captain, Radulf returned to the temple to plot with Lili.