3. A tale for a cold night

A tale for a cold night


  • Around the fire in Norwick, in a particulalry calm evening, Salin weaves a tale for all who would listen…

    There was once a young lad named Peter Selwyn. He was just a farmer in Daggerford, but always dreamt of adventure, like the legendary heroes from his grandparents stories had. He had long, dark hair that he refused to have cut, kind green eyes and a goatee he trimmed every other day and kept perfectly groomed. His hands were hardened by the work on the fields, which also gave him a great deal of strength and endurance. One day, a few moths after he came of age, he decided he wouldn't remain a farmboy, that he'd pursue his dreams of adventure, no matter the cost. Except he had no idea of where to start. So he went to his grandfather, who had inspired him in the first place. After a few moments trying to convince the kid that adventuring was a fool's endeavor, he ended up confessing to Peter that he was a retired adventurer himself, and that if the young really was determined in following that life, he'd point him toward his old mentor: An elven mage by the name of Samael, whom was currently living in Neverwinter, that would probably accept to teach him if he mentioned his grandfather's name. Seeing the boy grow before his very eyes filled old man with both pride and concern, because he'd be out on his own. As such, he gave the lad two gifts: A sword, which he had forged himself and named "Dawn", symbol of hope, even in darkest of hours, and a full suit of armor, complete with a large shield, also crafted by his own hand, that he named respectively, armor, helm and shield "Power", "Wisdom", and "Courage", for those times when he had to endure adversities and overcome them, know when to live to fight another day, and stand tall in the face of obstacles. With those boons, and a backpack full with some food and survival supplies, Peter departed north to seek guidance under Samael and carry on what he thought was his grandfather's legacy, saving the world from evil and corruption, wherever they may lurk…

    His usually bright smile shows up, as if he was trying to will himself to forget the problems of the past days

    Now, who wants to tell us what happens next?


  • sigh Ok folks, I'll just tell the whole thing. Feel free to jump in at any time though.

    Peter's sword clashed against the metal of the bandit's front dagger, as the other went straight toward the boy's neck. In a split second reaction, Peter pulled himself backwards, something the bandit wasn't expecting, because he lost balance and went spiraling towards the sandy floor. From there, it would be easy for Peter to strike the killing blow, but instead, he observed the circle of men around them, their faces awaiting the outcome of the battle, and just waltzed past them, leaving them dumbstruck as he went along his merry way.

    "Get him!" - The leader said as he pulled himself up from the ground - "Do not let him get away with this!"

    As he saw the over twenty thieves rushing toward him, Peter ran as fast as he could, because he knew he couldn't defeat so many people at once. The bulk of his armor was taking its toll, but he kept going, never looking back as the bandits got closer and closer. After a few minutes of running, Peter was panting and gasping for air, his vision blurry and greyed out, so he unwittingly let himself tumble to the ground. Oddly enough, once his sight returned to him, it seemed that the bandits had given up on the chase and were retreating. Peter figured if they were running, either he was saved or doomed to an even worse fate. Looking to where he was going, he saw the walls and the archers already stringing their bows to help the poor man who had fallen close to the gates get rid of his pursuers.

    "Welcome to Waterdeep" - One of the watchmen told him. - "You seem like you could use some rest. Head for the Yawning Portal, and tell Durnan Ivo Goode sent you. He'll take good care of you."

    "Thank you sir" - Peter replied, and gave the guard five gold pieces for the information, which were immediately turned down.

    "Only doing my job Sir. Have a good day." - Ivo said with a smile as he sent Peter on his way.

    For those of you who don't know Waterdeep, The Yawning Portal Inn was the best in town with the owner, Durnan The Wanderer, being a former adventurer himself, known around the entire Sword Coast for being one of the few men to enter Undermountain, the dangerous, riddled with traps, monsters and wild magic portals, maze realm of the mad mage Halaster, and returning safely to tell the tale.

    So Peter went to the inn… yawns And I think I'll go too. I've really gotten tired suddenly. I'll continue the tale tomorrow. he says with a smile as he wanders back to the Grapevine


  • hmmm… No takers? C'mon, I can't finish the story on my own... Oh well, I suppose I can give you a few more details, but you guys got to help too, OK?

    Here goes then:

    Peter heads toward Neverwinter, going through Waterdeep. The road is well traveled and relatively safe, with the exception of a few bandit attacks on larger caravans. Or lone travelers. The bandits jumped from the treetops and quickly surrounded the boy. He hadn't even begun his training and already was being tested.

    Something about his equipment held the thieves back though, as they decided against attacking him all at once, but instead circled around him, and only one stepped in:

    "Where'd ya get that pretty armor lad? You di'n't steal it did ya?" - The man said, with an ovious tone of sarcasm, as his friends cracked up in laughter.

    "N... No, I didn't. Please let me go, no one has to get hurt." Peter replied, clearly struggling to keep calm and not to show fear.

    "Oh, I think someone does have to get hurt... And that's you. Hand over your gold and your equipment and we may leave you alive... Maybe."

    Clearly this man was trying to pick up a fight, and Peter surely would not just turn in his grandfather's gifts, so he unsheathed "Dawn", blade toward the bandit and shield held high, protecting the area around his torso.

    "If you're just going to kill me anyway, I may as well go down fighting. That being said, I'll make sure I leave at least one of you alive. Bring it on fiend!" - Peter said, determined

    With that, both men ran for each other, Peter with the shield held in front of him in a tackling stance, sword held behind him, facing down, ready to be swung as soon as it was in range, the thief with his right hand stretched forward, a dagger pointing right, and his left stretched back, another dagger pointing left. Both men ran at a steady but firm pace, as any mistake could be fatal. They connected within seconds.

    Salin suddenly freezes in place to let the mental image sink in OK, that's enough. What happens next?