{"id":1119,"date":"2014-06-16T10:00:41","date_gmt":"2014-06-16T14:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jeezjosie.com\/blog\/?p=1119"},"modified":"2014-06-02T16:06:09","modified_gmt":"2014-06-02T20:06:09","slug":"rhiallis-hope-duty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jeezjosie.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/rhiallis-hope-duty\/","title":{"rendered":"Rhiallis: Hope & Duty"},"content":{"rendered":"

      Today\u2019s snippet, titled \u201cHope & Duty\u201d, is a piece I wrote about my PC in Mark’s new (Good) Pathfinder Campaign.
\n      Be forewarned, there are mature themes and naughty language below.
\n– \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 –
\n      \tThose bloody days felt as if they would never end.
\n      \tA moment of brightness, after the darkness of Lucien\u2019s death, had seen them return to Defender\u2019s Heart to find that Horgus had resupplied the improvised fortress and a tempered celebration was underway. A contingent of mongrel men had arrived, as promised, and the ranks of defenders was – for once – swelling, rather than dwindling.
\n      \t\u201cHope,\u201d rang in the ears of every soul in Defender\u2019s Heart that day and Rhiallis was gladdened by the lifted mood they found waiting for them. Certainly, their own hearts were not as bright.
\n      \tIrabeth was every ounce the consummate professional, listening with a fierce, brooding focus on their every detail. The chieftain from Neatholm, Sull, was present as well. So too was the wizened old scholar, Quednys, of the library. Rhiallis wished for Anevia\u2019s kind smile to dissipate some of the tension that filled the room, but the rogue was elsewhere, fulfilling other duties for her wife.
\n      \t\u201cThis was only the opening salvo of what looks to be an enormous gambit,\u201d Irabeth said softly. \u201cThe enemy has armies in almost unbelievable numbers and they will assail us mercilessly. Areelu Vorlesch is coming, but not alone. Using all her wiles to destroy the wardstones for good, she will be here imminently.
\n      \t\u201cFortune favors us, even in these dark days, for there is a glimmer of hope. Vorlesh needs the Naharian Crystal, and we can prevent her from reaching it. And though we cannot hope to evacuate the borders, for there are those amongst us so fervent in their dedications that they will never be dissuaded, no matter the odds. And Iomedae\u2019s Grace upon them, for they will need it to survive the coming tide.
\n      \t\u201cStill,\u201d she continued, \u201cOur path is clear – we must prevent Areelu from using the last chunk of the wardstone to destroy the rest. We will enter the Grey Garrison and we will either pull the last wisps of power from the crystal, or we will destroy it.\u201d
\n      \tQuednys cleared his throat. \u201cMore to the point\u2026\u201d
\n      \t\u201cYou will,\u201d Irabeth said, finishing his thought.
\n      \tRhiallis gasped audibly. The others hid their reactions better, whether they were surprised or glad for the proffered duty.
\n      \t\u201cWe will go, of course,\u201d Ema said, speaking up for the group. \u201cOf course.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cAnd I shall send an equal number of my warriors.\u201d
\n      \tThe chieftain had said little, thus far, but his chest swelled with pride as he offered the service of his finest men and women to the group. She and her friends exchanged a few meaningful expressions and at last Mickey stepped forward, patting the Chief on the shoulder.
\n      \t\u201cThat\u2019s a real damn generous offer, Chief, but we can\u2019t accept it.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cIt would be selfish of us – to take them from the Heart, when this place is so important.\u201d Mira pushed a lock of hair behind one ear. \u201cAnd they\u2019re so ferocious, your warriors, there\u2019s no better use for them than keeping the Heart safe!\u201d
\n      \tThe Chief\u2019s broad grin did little to improve his looks, but he seemed pleased by the praise. Rhiallis was proud of her comrades, having so diplomatically preserved the Mongrelman\u2019s dignity. I couldn\u2019t have done it better myself<\/em>, she smiled as further plans were discussed.
\n      \t\u201cWhen you have rested, we will go out in force and we will harry their defenses to create a distraction for you. We\u2019ll try to pull their men out, scatter and cull the numbers.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cEven still,\u201d Quednys frowned, \u201cThey are great in number, fueled with insanity and hate, and they will not stop until they are dead.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cSometimes, not even then.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cJust so, Chief Sull,\u201d the old wizard nodded. \u201cThis foray into the Grey Garrison, it will not be easy. You will bleed for the city and her people.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cIt may require more than one attempt – several, even,\u201d Irabeth, reached behind her. \u201cBut Aravashnial has graciously donated several powerful devices to provide some assistance. These chimes, this rod – which, if you can touch the wardstone with it, should neutralize the power. And of course, we will do our best with patrols, to keep the way back to Defender\u2019s Heart clear for any retreat you may-\u201d
\n      \t\u201cWe will not fail,\u201d Red said. \u201cWe can do this.\u201d
\n      \tRhiallis exchanged a look with Kumiko and both women nodded, bolstering Red\u2019s remark with their support.
\n      \t\u201cTake a hot meal, sleep if you can, prepare yourselves,\u201d Irabeth pushed a hand through her hair. \u201c…when you\u2019re ready, so too will we be.\u201d<\/p>\n

– \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 –
\n\"Signed,
\nNote: Image is “King Jagiello Statue Central” by (Mulligand) from SXC.hu; edited by me<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Today\u2019s snippet, titled \u201cHope & Duty\u201d, is a piece I wrote about my PC in Mark’s new (Good) Pathfinder Campaign.       Be forewarned, there are mature themes and naughty language below. – \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 –       Those bloody days felt as… <\/p>\n

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