Although it was already midday the sky was a dull grey, covered with clouds that grew heavy with the promise of rain. The streets of Kassen were also empty which gave the whole town an eerie feeling. It also struck Delde as odd as normally by now the streets would be filled with people going about their daily lives. But besides herself she could only see four other people standing in the town square.
Delde approached the group and realised that they were most likely her fellow ‘heroes of Kassen’. She hadn’t met them before, but Holgast had mentioned them in passing so she had an idea of what they looked like. There was an armoured dwarf, a serious looking halfling girl dressed like one of the local hunters, a male gnome with a mischievous look in his eye and a bright red pompadour, and the final member of the group. This one Delde did know, the mayor’s daughter and proverbial golden child of Kassen, Adriana Uptal. Even someone as socially isolated as Delde knew her on sight, Adriana was popular with almost all the townsfolk. But her curled golden hair, her classically beautiful looks, her air of self-assured confidence, and an attractive figure that Delde assumed was maintained with the aid of a corset, only served to aggravate her for some reason that escaped Delde. Though she did note the wooden holy symbol of… Sarenrae was it? A foreign goddess of the sun and redemption, that Adriana was wearing. She didn’t think that she would be especially religious, though Adriana may have just liked the design and wore it without any thought to the greater meaning of it Delde reasoned.
She reached the group and gave a curt nod to them, of which only the dwarf gave back, though the rest responded with smiles. Then there was a moment of awkward silence. It was with creeping dread that Delde realised in the growing silence that she didn’t know the names of anyone else other than Adriana Uptal. Holgast had mentioned them, but it was only in passing and as he was giving his usual lengthy and tangential filled explanation at the time, Delde hadn’t been paying much attention. She had been too busy reading ‘On the nature of the negative plane’s manifestations on ours’ by Hindel Yolmansir anyway, she hadn’t thought that it would be that important at the time. Now though she would have happily given up what she learnt from that dull, longwinded tome in exchange for being able to avoid an upcoming awkward conversation. Still, perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad, after all if none of them knew her name it wouldn’t seem bad for her to not know theirs.
‘So Delde’ the gnome gingerly started.
Damnit, thought Delde
‘Out of curiosity, and honestly I’m not one to judge, but are you a necromancer?’
She didn’t know how well she hid the annoyed expression on her face, but she knew that she noticeably rolled her eyes.
‘Ouch, that hurt! What was that for?! I wasn’t accusing her or anything, I just wanted to know. I’ve got two silvers against Jimes that says she isn’t that’s all’. He whined to the halfling who had just struck him in the ribs with her elbow.
‘I don’t care about how much you two bet on it. You can’t just go about askin’ people if they make a habit of turnin’ folk into zombies and the like!’
‘Why not?! It’s not like I’m going to ask to join in or off to get the Pharasman inquisitors.’
‘Because’ she hissed in a low tone ‘if she is one, she probably isn’t going to be happy about being called out. And if she isn’t she won’t be happy about being called one!’. Then in an even lower tone that Delde was only just able to pick up she whispered, ‘She’s still a bloody Vargidan either way!’
Delde had somewhat mixed feelings about her family’s reputation in town, but she couldn’t deny a small bit of pleasure at seeing how quickly the gnome paled at that explanation.
‘Yer bein daft anyway Dal, if ther were any necromancers in the area the toon guard woulda found out by noo. Naebodys been aboot the graveyard since auld man Banks passed onywey, an it’s no like thare’s a load a bodies onywhaur else’.
The dwarf seemed to at least have some sense to him, plus he had given her the gnomes name, so Delde felt a little more at ease.
‘What’d you know Igmar? She could summon the bodies in, and you’d never see anything! Me and Jimes have been goin back and forth about this for months now and I just want to settle it. If Baye’ll spare my ribs that is’.
And now she had three names, much better now. The gnome (Dal she reminded herself) was mistaken anyway, while undead could be summoned with the appropriate spells (as could most beings), corpses could not be. Although now she thought of it, she supposed it could be possible to use a teleportation spell to sneak corpses into the estate, but then again teleportation spells required the caster to see what they were teleporting, one couldn’t just reach out with your mind and grab whatever you wanted. In theory she could sneak out, find a corpse and then teleport it into the estate then return with no one the wiser. Or if she had an accomplice then they could teleport the corpses to her. Teleportation gates would be a possible option, but they were rare artifacts that she didn’t even know how to use. Still, teleportation magic in general was a more advanced magic that she was for the time being unable to use.
It occurred to Delde that she had gotten immersed in the theoretical problem in her mind and hadn’t noticed that Igmar and Del had been bickering back and forth the whole time. Adriana then stepped before the two holding out her hands.
‘In any case!’ She said loud enough to cut through what they were saying, forcing the two to quiet down and let her finish. ‘The art of necromancy is a foul and unnatural form of magic that forcibly binds and enslaves the souls of those it is used on. I am certain that Miss Vargidan is not the sort to deal with such dark magics’.
The two men seemed somewhat mollified by her (rather forceful and judgmental in her mind) statement, but at least the growing tension between the two was gone along with the awkward silence.
‘Perhaps we should all properly introduce ourselves so that we are all on the same page and can get a better understanding of what we can all do before we set out on our most hallowed journey?’.
Without waiting for them to respond Adriana carried on.
‘As it was my suggestion I will begin. My name is Adriana Uptal and while yes, I am the daughter of the mayor, I hope that you will all treat me as just another member of our group’. She said with a beaming smile.
‘As you may or may not have heard I have taken up the vows of the goddess Sarenrae and she has rewarded me for my faith by answering my prayers and granting me a fraction of her holy might. Although I’m only beginning my journey as a cleric, I assure you all that I am not some helpless little girl. Sarenrae is a goddess that encourages all her followers to take a stand against unrepentant evil and to that end I have trained myself well with her favoured weapon’. She gestured to the sword, a simitar Delde noted on closer examination.
‘I can also grant some small part of Sarenrae’s mercy upon others and use healing magics to sooth whatever pains any of us may suffer in our quest. Outside of that I am somewhat knowledgeable in religious matters, and I can perform some basic first aid that I have learnt from my studies of Sarenrae’s teachings.’ Adriana then finished her introduction with a brilliant smile and slight curtsy. The young woman practically glowed with confidence and excitement.
Delde though was slightly puzzled by what she had heard. Was she really a cleric of Sarenrae? Everyone worshiped the gods to some extent, even she acknowledged the gods and would sometimes pray to Nethys, the god of magic, but that was more a matter of acknowledging a great master of the art for her, not a way of life. Delde was not an especially religious person nor was she particularly knowledgeable in religious matters, but she had always assumed that being a cleric required a certain… focus or dedication that she found it difficult to associate with Adriana. They had only crossed paths a few times as children but when they had Adriana had always been just another pretty, spoiled, rich girl, always giggling with her friends about what boys they liked or showing off some new dress or bauble her parents had gotten her. It seemed utterly incongruous to Delde for that girl to now be granted magic from a goddess known for offering redemption and retribution in equal measure.
Perhaps Adriana had just heard of Sarenrae and was now playing at being a cleric. But if she was surely others would have called her out on her sacrilegious behaviour, mayors’ daughter or not. She knew the town priest, Father Prasst, was a cleric of Erastil and would not have allowed such foolishness to carry on. But none of the others in the group seemed either surprised or doubting of her claims. Looking at her more closely Delde noticed other details about Adriana’s appearance. At first glance she had thought that she was wearing a dress of bright blue with gold highlights underneath the suit of well-polished scale mail that she was wearing (something in and of itself she found unusual). But on closer inspection it was in fact a set of robes with the symbol of Sarenrae embossed on it along with other images like doves, the sun and other things which she belived were connected to the goddess. Delde also remembered reading that Sarenrae’s favoured weapon was indeed a simitar like the one Adriana wore on her belt. Then there was her manner, where she had once only ever seen her as an empty-headed rich girl, now Delde could sense a certain… intensity to her words that she had never heard before. She reasoned that it could be possible that Adriana had underwent a major religious conversion, but that only left more questions. Sarenrae was not a deity commonly worshiped in this area, the only reason that Delde knew as much about her was because of her thirst for knowledge had led her to read a book that had mentioned her in its examinations of other cultures.
Delde had never been interested in the comings and goings of the townspeople before, as far as she was concerned, she and they lived in almost different worlds. But now her lack of information on her temporary companions made her wish she had asked Holgast or even her siblings to tell her something about who she would be spending time with. Delde hadn’t been looking forward to spending time with a rich girl who would probably expect the rest of them to do all the hard work while she reaped all the praise, but she didn’t want to end up insulting Adriana and her new religion either. If she had converted, then Delde reasoned that the worship of Sarenrae must have recently grown in Kassen and if that was the case then insulting a popular woman who was also a cleric of Sarenrae would likely draw her into a situation she didn’t want to be mixed up in.
Whilst Delde had been ruminating over what Adriana had said and what it meant for her it seemed like everyone else had been waiting for someone to carry on the introductions. Delde was just about to start, not wanting to look like she was intimidated at the thought of talking about herself in front of a group of relative strangers. But Del the gnome started to speak just before she could.
‘Welp, I’ll go next if nobody’s going to jump in. The names Uoldallo Fradfobs, but you can all call me “Dal”, it’s what all my friends call me. Well, them and everyone else. I think people find my whole name a bit much to say all at once, which I don’t really get. I mean really? It’s not like you’re going to save yourself much time by shortening my name to Dal. What’d you think you’d save? Half a second?’. He gave a cocky smile and looked to see if anyone reacted to what Delde assumed was a joke? If he was disappointed that nobody gave much of a response, he didn’t let it show.
‘Anyways, I’m a gnome just in case any of you couldn’t tell. I mostly work down in the ‘Seven Silvers’ inn as a server, cook and all-around handy person. It doesn’t pay the most, but I get to meet plenty of interesting people and its honest work’. He said with a smirk directed towards Igmar, who responded by rolling his eyes. Was that how she looked when she did that?
‘Oh, and I’m also probably the best prankster this town has ever seen. If you ever need a bucket filled with water over a doorframe or a toad in somebodies’ boot, I’m your gnome!’. He announced to them all with pride clear on his face and tone.
‘In terms of what I can do on this fun little trip? Eh, probably not much in the way of fighting unless the odds are pretty unfairly on our side. I’m more a joker than a fighter. Now, if you want someone to sneak about for something, that I can do. And I’ve got to admit that all my experience with setting up pranks makes me fairly good at taking them apart. I’ve heard some people in town talk about some of the traps that get set up in the crypt for this thing and I’m not gonna lie, I’m really looking forward to going up against them’. He gleefully rubbed his hands together and looked to Delde like a hungry gourmand preparing himself for a five-course meal.
Uoldallo, or rather ‘Dal’ was dressed in what would be typical attire for a townsperson were it not for his clothes being of glaringly clashing colours. From what Delde had read on gnomish culture though this sort of behaviour was typical for some of them due to their lifespans being determined in part by their own personal joy and excitement for life. This tended to mean that if something made a gnome happy, they would go about it, regardless of how others felt. She could respect a person who lived on their own terms without worrying what others thought, though she felt that Dal might get a little grating on her nerves if this was how he always was.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
As opposed to his clothes, the dagger he wore on his belt (which due to his size was more like a short sword in his hands) and the light leather armour he had on were both normal looking. She reasoned that he had lacked either the time or ability to customise them to his own standards. The only other thing of note she could detect about Dal’s dress was his belt had an excessive number of pouches on it. Whether they were filled with things for his so-called pranks, empty in preparation for gathering things, or purely included as another bizarre fashion statement Delde could not tell.
‘I’ll go next then’ the halfling said with neither enthusiasm nor caution ‘I’m Baye Iggins. I’ve been learnin the ins and outs of being a ranger for the past few years. I’ve gotten good at it over that time. I can probably lead us all over to the crypt quick enough over the next couple o days. So long as everyone follows my lead and does as I say’. She gave a telling glance at Dal who pointedly pretended not to notice.
‘There’s not much more for me to say. I’m a damn good shot with my bow’ She gestured at the short bow on her back. ‘And I can handle myself in a fight just as good as someone twice my size. Like I said I’ve been learnin how to be a ranger and have gotten good enough at it that I’m makin some money through hunting. That means I’m quick, quiet, can live off the land and know it and almost everything in it better than I reckon any of you do’.
‘Sigh, Mums not here you know? You can drop the whole “I’m the most professional and dangerous ranger that you’ve ever met act”, this isn’t that big of a deal. You don’t need to act all serious and show off for anyone’. Del said in a slightly exasperated manner that made Delde think that this wasn’t the first time that they had this sort of discussion.
‘It’s NOT an act and I’m NOT showing off for anyone. Gods, how many times do I need to tell you all? This isn’t some phase I’m goin through; this is who I am and I’m good at it!’. Baye’s voice echoed through the empty town square and left everyone standing in the awkward silence that they had been trying to avoid.
‘This’ Baye gestured to Dal ‘is my adopted brother. Who, like the rest of my family thinks that my becoming a ranger is just a passing fancy. It’s not. Arnama Lastrid started learnin woodcraft when she was younger than I was, and she’s been teachin me everything she knows. She isn’t just humourin me. She’s not the type. She knows I’m serious and she respects me for it. Unlike some people’.
Adriana interposed herself between the two apparent siblings before their argument could continue.
‘Well then this will be a good opportunity for you to prove yourself in front of your brother who can tell the rest of your family how you handled yourself. And I’m sure that Dal is only looking out for you and has your best interests at heart’.
Neither Dal nor Baye looked especially happy or satisfied at how their argument had ended, but it seemed that both were willing to stand down for the time being. Delde just hoped that this wouldn’t be the beginning of something that would carry on for the entire time they were all on this journey. She hadn’t been enthusiastic about it in the beginning, but the thought of spending the whole time listening to two siblings bickering made an already tedious task even worse. If she wanted to listen to half-siblings bicker she could have stayed at home.
On a lighter note though Delde realised that she now knew the names of everyone who would be traveling with her. Thus, she was spared from having to negotiate social interactions trying to avoid calling them by name. While she wasn’t someone who put that much stock in what others thought of her, she still didn’t was to come across as rude. Just because she didn’t place a priority on social matters didn’t mean that she lacked manners.
Feeling emboldened, and not wanting to be the last person to introduce themselves leaving her (in her mind at least) looking like she was scared about speaking up, Delde proceeded to speak.
‘I am Delde Vargidan. I am a wizard with no specialisation in any specific type of magic, so I am not a necromancer as some people seem to believe. I have been studying the art of magic from Holgast for the past two years or so and I can confidently say that I am fully able to command spells of the first level along with the more rudimental cantrips beneath them. While I have only begun to harness magic, I am still knowledgeable in a wide range of subjects. Specifically, I have done extensive research in the fields of arcane theory and phenomenon, history, both local and of regions further afield, ancient philosophies and their modern interpretations, an assortment of obscure esoteric mysticisms, and I have read a smattering of more standard religious texts as well’.
Adriana seemed to perk up a bit at that last statement, but none of the others seemed especially interested in her academic ability, impressive though it was. Delde felt a stirring in her pack that let her know that Onyx was waking up. She decided to introduce him as well while she was at it, hoping that no body present suffered from allergies that would make his accompaniment a problem.
‘I should also wish to inform you all that I possess a familiar as well’. She opened her pack and let him jump out of it, stretching and rolling on his back in the dull midday light. ‘His name is Onyx. Although I have only recently made him my familiar, and his training is still an ongoing process I would very much appreciate it if you would all consent to his traveling with us’.
Delde had spoken with as much tact and manners as she could. She had fully intended on bringing Onyx along with her but accepted that if the rest of the group objected to his presence, then she would have no other recourse than to leave him behind. Thus, she mustered all her social ability to try and convince them to let him stay at her side.
‘Kitty!’
‘Aww, look at his little paws!’
‘His eyes are so green, their like little gems!’
‘Look he’s smiling!’
‘Look at his wee tail goin!’
‘Aww he wants a belly rub!’
‘His fur’s so soft!’
‘Listen, you can hear him purring!’
‘Who’s the cutest little kitty cat? Yes! You are!’
Delde got the distinct impression that Onyx’s place in the group was quite assured. That said she was a little annoyed that her introduction was completely overshadowed by her familiar. All her skill at magic and her vast intellect meant nothing when compared to a small, aesthetically pleasing animal. It seemed rather unfair to her, but she had learnt a long time ago that life was unfair. In any case, Onyx would get to travel with her on the journey, and now she could use him to distract people, helping her to avoid unwanted social interactions.
Once the clamour around Onyx dampened down all eyes turned to the remaining member who had yet to introduce himself. A not insignificant part of Delde was glad that it was him they were all looking at and not her.
‘Well, a guess it’s just me tae go now isntit? Most o you probably already ken me but seen as hoo everyone else said their part ah’ll go ahead an say mine. Ma names Igmar Ironhame, Braggar Ironhame’s ma uncle. Ma parents passed away workin in the mines up in Glimmerhold, Torag bless their souls, an so ah was sent doon here tae be rased by ma uncle. Ah help oot in the forge some o the time, but ah’ve been findin workin with the toon guard tae be more tae ma likin. Ah’m no some empty heeded thug a assure you all, and am no a blood thirsty brute either. Ah train an fight with discipline, an ah can follow orders. Oot side a fightin ah’ll admit ah’m no sure whit ah can offer. Ah’m strong though, an ah’m quicker on ma feet than most wid expect. Ah’ve also picked up a wee bit on medicine through workin with the toon guard. No as much as ah expect you wid know’ he gestured to Adriana. ‘But enough tae mebbie gee a hand if the situation call fir it’.
‘I would be grateful for any help that you could offer me when tending to wounds’ Adriana said, smiling benevolently. Delde couldn’t detect any trace of sarcasm or doubt in her tone leading her to take her statement as honest.
‘An ah suppose ah should mention that ah tend tae be the one that ends up bringin in Dal when he gets caught pullin off one of his pranks. Though ah promise not tae hold that against im while we’re doing this… commin of age ritual, ma uncle an the guard captain were both a wee bit vague on details on it’.
‘Alright, first of all, nobody has ever caught me when I’m setting up a prank. Its only in the aftermath where I take rightful credit for what I did that I get “caught”. And even then its less I get caught and more I don’t try to run off and lead everyone on a merry chase, because if I did nobody in all of Kassen could catch me!’.
The Dal and Igmar ended up getting caught up in one of their (Delde took to be) frequent bickering matches, though she did note that neither seemed to hold much if any ill will towards the other. She wondered if this was an odd form of friendship the two had forged, or if it was just how their mutual natures clashed.
She ran her analytical eye over Igmar to see if she could detect anything especially notable about him that he may have been holding back. She could not. He wore a suit of scale mail similar to what the rest of the town guard, and while it was not as polished as Adriana’s was it still seemed to be in good condition in her (admittedly untrained) eyes. He had a sheathed longsword and a club on his belt as well, along with a longbow on his back and a quiver full of arrows, again like the rest of the town guards. The only thing that set Igmar apart from the average town guard was his being a dwarf. His hair was dark brown and thick, with a well-groomed beard that while somewhat short for a dwarf would be seen as a respectable length for any townsman. Even the dull earthen colours of his clothes that he wore beneath his armour seemed to only make him blend more into the background. Was this an intentional choice on Igmar’s part, did he deliberately try to avoid standing out as one of the only dwarves in a town full of humans, or was it perhaps just a matter of Delde not seeing the intricacies of dwarven culture. She couldn’t say one way or the other.
The bells of the temple of Erastil began to toll at that point, quieting the bickering gnome and dwarf once more. Despite it being a daily occurrence, signalling the middle of the day, the bells seemed to take on a sombre tone in the cold and damp weather. As if even they mourned the passing of the seasons.
The townspeople also began to arrive on mass, heralded on by the bells. They were all dressed in black as if preparing to attend a funeral. The pageantry of the day only served to annoy Delde more; everyone took this so seriously, acted as though it was some dire task, and that its completion somehow would forge her into an adult, as if she wasn’t one already.
Only Dal seemed to be relaxed about the upcoming ‘quest’, appearing to take the whole thing in stride. She supposed that for somebody who apparently spent all their free time working on pranks it was difficult to take an overgrown treasure hunt like this seriously. The others all looked like they were playing along with the rest of the town, treating the ceremony with respect and formality it deserved (unjustly in Delde’s mind). Igmar seemed especially grim and reserved; he had mentioned that his uncle hadn’t told him much about what was going on, and if he was only a recent resident of Kassen then it was possible that he had no clue what was happening. She pitied him if that was the case. The way everyone was acting she imagined that he thought that everything that was happening was a serious matter. She would try to explain it to him once she had a moment to, it was only fair. She certainly wouldn’t want to feel like she had been tricked into going along with some childish game thinking it was real.
As the town square filled with the ‘mourning’ townspeople they began to give way to Mayor Uptil. A strong, thickset looking man with well-oiled blonde hair and moustache who born an undeniable family resemblance to Adriana. Dressed in his best clothes along with the dark bearskin cloak and silver chain that marked his office of mayor he approached the group carrying a tarnished antique silver lantern.
‘You would think that if this tradition was so important, they would keep the lantern in better condition’ Delde thought to herself. But she knew better than to voice this thought to others.
‘Once again, the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another fine harvest. But now there are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago to this day, when Kassen himself left these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture forth to the tomb of Kassen and retrieve the Everflame to keep our community safe for another winter?’
The mayor called out, the words heavy with importance. It was the same speech that was given every four or five years or so, but everyone in the town square acted like it was the first time they had heard it.
Adriana boldly stepped forward and accepted the lantern before any of the rest of the group could. Though in truth Delde didn’t think that any of them were particularly interested in making a big public statement.
‘We shall be the ones who go forth! We shall guard ourselves against the chill of winter, we shall fear not the howl of the wolf, and we shall cast back the shadows that hide threats! We shall be the ones to brave the challenges of the great Kassen’s tomb and return with the Everflame! And in doing so the town of Kassen will be protected from winters hardships until it feels the warm touch of summer again!’
Adriana declared proudly while holding the lantern high, leading to cheers and applause from the crowd of townspeople. Normally one of the group members would accept the lantern and either raise it up or give a couple of mumbled words of acceptance. It was rare for someone to make such a show of accepting the task, even more so for them to do it with such style and aplomb. Delde wondered if she and her father had been working on her response in private for some time, it wouldn’t have surprised her. Adriana was the proverbial golden child of Kassen whom her father probably expected great things from in the future, having the town see her taking charge and being successful in doing so would only help their future plans for her. Delde on the other hand would have no such support from her family, she would succeed or fail on her own merit, nothing else.
The crowd parted once again, this time bringing forth a small cart with several hefty looking backpacks. One for each of them in fact. She assumed that these contained all the survival equipment they would need for their journey, they could put their own packs with their clothes inside of them. Delde wondered if Adriana’s would have something extra inside it to help her from her father. She couldn’t imagine the pretty young woman as being especially suited to camping in the Fangwoods. But as the backpacks were all given to them seemingly at random it appeared that there would be no such help for Adriana. Unless she had snuck something in with her clothes pack.
Once they all had put their clothes in their backpacks and securely fastened them mayor Uptil called out again to the assembled town.
‘I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame! Some may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Go fourth brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire’.
He then pointed towards the southern gate for the town, as the townspeople parted ways to let them pass. She saw none of her own family in the crowd incidentally but that didn’t surprise the half-elf. As Delde walked along with the rest of her group the townsfolk gave solemn, sad farewells to them all, much to her annoyance. As if any of what they were doing was real.