From the ashes into the fire

The travels of Helenos – From the ashes into the fire

Earth season 1625 ST. Ten days after Dragonrise, the culmination of the hero quest by the Eleven Lights, awoke the Brown dragon. The dragon rose and killed the Crimson Bat, laid waste to the Lunar temple under construction in Boldhome and slew half of the troops stationed there.

For the past year I have been a part of small war band that has served as protectors of The Eleven Lights. With Dragonrise our duties quickly changed and we have spent the past days under Londra of Londros stern command, clearing the city Boldhome and dismantling what was left of the Lunar temple. Considerable treasures was found in the temple and shared among the Rune Masters of Boldhome.

Londra kept the treasures of Urrrggh the Ugly, a half-troll that had died, but used to be her friend a long time ago. Londra’s orders picked me and four others from the war band to transport the gold of Urrrggh to her cousin Leika Black Spear in Clearwine Fort. The other men were Jarolar a horseman of renown, Bruic a warrior from Prax, Korl Oris a fierce storm bull, Geiri a dark-skinned battlefield healer and I, a philosopher and a student in the art of the sword.

Boar rider

Early in the morning the following day we left Boldhome going westward towards Wilmskirk along the king’s road. It turned out to be a sizable treasure indeed, enough to load four mules. No one took much notice of a band of warriors and four mules and we melted into the stream of traders, peasants and warriors. Travel was easy and the road was busy after the great battle. As we took to the smaller roads north of Wilmskirk the number of travellers gradually thinned out to a trickle.

It was late afternoon, the fourth day on the road, and we were about to set camp for the night when we spotted a group of Tusk Riders ahead. The Lunars had frequently requited groups like these as mercenaries to drive in taxes and do their dirty work. Jarolar was taking lead and signalled us to stop. We watched them wearily from a distance; they lounged lazily on their massive beasts looking casually holding thick spears. With a hushed voice Jarolar urged us to be ready to fight.

Brioc scanned the surroundings for an ambush and saw a group of Lunars hiding in the bushes north of us. His eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared with anger as he threw a javelin towards the group with a roar. The javelin struck a beautiful bald Lunar woman in the leg. She barely let out a whimper as blood instantly soaked through her silken dress in a bright crimson spot. The men around her quickly moved into one cohesive line, shield and spear locked in place. At the same time the five Tusk Riders stirred into action charging towards us with spears lowered.

Even though her leg was bleeding the woman started chanting a sorcery spell and a shimmering pink light shone between her hands. Brioc’s second javelin pierced through her arm and the pink light flickered out of existence and she quietly slumped into the high grass.

A fierce battle on two fronts ensued. My shield was shattered and my arm badly hurt when the Tusk Riders changed into us. I managed to stay conscious and to heal myself. Geiri was about to be surrounded by the Lunar infantry moving in formation. They used a regimental specific magic; a translucent pink rope went between their shields. The glowing rope was about to trap Geiri, but he had previously cast Shield. When the shimmering rope struck him it was dispelled, and caused a moment of confusion and surprise among the Lunars, which gave Geiri an opening to escape their encirclement.

With much effort we eventually defeated the attackers and took their commander and the sorceress prisoners. The commander of the infantry unit was Andrega Silverflame a minor noble of Lunar descent and the sorceress was Anderida of Raibanth a member of high moon nobility. Anderida gave away very little but her bald head meant she had ties to the lunar emperor.

We reached Clearwine Fort two days later. The guards at the gate greeted us and took custody of the gold and our prisoners. The prisoners were tight-lipped said very little but we suspected they knew about the gold. Later the same day we met with Leika Black Spear and she thanked us for our service and gave each of us a reward for our service. I got a small statuette of Lankhor Mhy that would help me with my worship.

Leika nodded gravely when we mentioned the Lunars and that they appeared to know about the gold. She said this was food for thought and that we should take some time to ponder what this meant. We spent two weeks in Clearwine tending our wounds and relaxing.

Persons of Note

Jarolar (Aidin)

A horse man of renown and a follower of Yelm. An honourable and haughty man that does not appreciate nuances of irony or the play of words. Elmal favours the use of lance and javelin from horseback.

Few know that his hawk died, a shameful fact in his mind, and that he is trying to prove himself worthy of another hawk.

Bruic (Jonas)

A heavy foot soldier from the Hindari tribe. Raised in poor condition during the Lunar occupation he early learnt to fend for himself and joined an infantry regiment at a young age. Bruik favours the heavy double headed war axe he inherited from his grandfather. He also carries his grandfather’s helm.

At a young age Briuk was impressed by the Lunar oppressor’s prowess on the battlefield, but when his parents were killed at their hands marvel changed into a hot hatred for Lunars.

Korl Oris (Mattias)

A warrior from X and an initiate of Storm Bull. Has freed children from the neighbouring villages held by the Lunars. The children were transferred to the Chalana Arroy temple to be cared for.

During the campaign against the Lunars he got very drunk celebrating a victory, so drunk that he snuck into to Kallyr Starbrow’s tent. He was promptly sent out again.

Geiri (Magnus)

A brown-skinned battlefield medic and follower of Chalana Arroy. His parents were Rhino riders from the south. When they were killed in the battle of W he fled north to Sartar. Geiri often sings as he works his healing.

At one time Geiri amputated the wrong leg of Kirvelikur Eru Brightspears.

Helenos (Andreas)

A philosopher and Lhankor Mhy initiate. Has studied the use of sword and battles. He prefers to be in the field and gather knowledge rather than staying in the library. He is quite knowledgeable in the lore of Empire of the Wyrm Friends.

Even though Helenos like to gather knowledge is also very fond of the pleasantries of civilization and really loathes to sleep in the open air.

Anderida of Raibanth

Princess Anderida of Raibanth is a member of the high moon nobility, she turned her back to luxury and privilege to server in the occupied provinces. Famous for her beauty, tolerance and compassion she is a priestess of the Seven Mothers and a sorceress.

Captured on the road to Clearwine and delivered as a prisoner to Leika Black Spear in 1625 ST. Ransom 2000 L.

Andrega Silverflame

Daughter of a minor noble from Lunar heartlands. Commander of the Silvershields. The Silvershields are a private vexilla (mercenary company). Andrega worships Taral Kuvindas; even though she does not demand it most of her company worships as she.

Andrega was captured in 1625 ST after a failed ambush on the road between Wilmskirk and Clearwine Fort. She was delivered as a prisoner to Leika Black Spear in Clearwine Fort.

Kallyr Starbrow

Kallyr Starbrow from the Kheldon tribe has proclaimed herself Prince of Sartar after leading the Starbrow rebellion and freeing Boldhome from the Lunars. She was instrumental to Dragonrise. She is a powerful hero quester that carries a jewel that contains the force of a god she defeated in Sky World a decade ago.

Leika Black Spear

Queen of the Colymar tribe and cousin of Londra of Londros. She possesses a mighty black spear. She lost the Ivory Throne to Blackmoor in the disastrous tribe meeting in 1625 ST, and is rumoured to want to take it back.

Leika Black Spear is a Vinga warrior and one of the best archers in Sartar. To prove her worth to be a queen she and four followers raided the Chaos caves in Snakepipe Hollow. There she faced Darkness and Chaos but was victorious and returned with a magic harp Jewelled Notes.

Leika rewarded us for delivering the gold from her cousin Londra of Londros and for bringing Anderida of Raibanth and Andrega Silverflame as prisoners.