My character's name is Valandra, a half-elf Paladin of Helm. She is a deeply faithful, if not dogmatic follower of the Great Guard. The story is told strictly through her own heavily armored perspective. Expect a narrative filtered through a lens of unyielding zealotry, rigid prayers, noble arrogance, and the quiet, desperate doubts of a protector wondering if her god has averted His gaze, with all the bigotry, prayers and doubts that implies.
Helm Counts What Is Owed
Clearing the last rooms should have been easy. But as they enter a long room split in two by a crevasse, the feeling of being spied upon creeps up. With it comes the smell of decay and rotting flesh.”It looks like someone tried to dig a latrine here. And it sure smells that way!’ Roux says to Valandra, who ignores his comment. “Stay behind me” she hisses to Mirna and her two children. With her other companions she exchanges some gestures, no words needed. The two elves move forward, scouting ahead, fading in the dim light. The tiefling occultist stays with her, guarding the family. She wonders if that’s his true motive.
Ash’tar crosses one of the two bridges that span the chasm in the floor of the room. The moment he takes another step, a figure leaps upon him! From where they stand, Valandra and the others can’t make out what has attacked him, just the glimpse and a hint of a serious claw striking at the monk!
Nox, still on their side of the crevasse, fires an arrow, perhaps his assassin sight is able to target the creature. Valandra only manages to see Ash’tar kneeling down, seemingly hurt, and rushes over the bridge to his aid. She still can’t make out the attacker as she reaches Ash’tar. Her blind swing with the warhammer fails to make contact. Just then the one eye of the creature becomes visible, their gazes meet through a haze of melancholy. Muddled Valandra takes a defensive stance, placing her body behind her shield.’In Helm's name, be loyal, be true, be a shield.’ she whispers under her breath.
Suddenly, the shrill voice of Roux fills the air. Running over the bridge, he fires off insults towards the creature. Though it’s not clear what impresses the monster more, the taunts and mockeries, the swaying of the bone hands magically attached to the occultist’s arms, or the tumble of the rogue into the chasm! Adding to the injury of the rogue, the creature lashes out and slashes him. A wave of mutilation rolls into Valandra’s head, overtakes reason and determination, almost making her sick to the stomach. She curls behind her shield, jaw clenched, praying to Helm: “Never betray your trust. Be ever vigilant.” Yet her body does not obey, filled by psychic anguish, and fails to stand.
An arrow fired by Nox buzzes by, misses both monster and companions. Still it makes Valandra snap out of her constraints, triggers her to jump up, and she charges towards the creature: “For the Watcher!” She bashes her shield against the arm of the creature, follows up with her warhammer, striking at it. A sensation of pain flashes through her mind, blinds her for a second. She looks up at the creature, into the large eye in the center of its head. Briefly their minds seem to meld, her thoughts flow into a pool of sadness.
Then all of that is gone. The creature's eye shatters, bursts open, as an arrow hits it straight in the center! The creature, roughly human sized, falls over, ends its life with a few convulsions. ‘The watch is kept. I did not falter.’
Together the companions look over the creature, a species Valandra has not seen before. Nox’s arrow had made it through its eye, through its brain, through the back of its skull, a masterful shot. The assassin does not seem interested in praise for his kill, heads out to the second bridge, scouting for more enemies.
Meanwhile Roux has made it out of the crevasse, pulling himself up, helped and hindered by the two skeleton appendages on his arms. “There are bodies lying there, in the deep. Goblins and possibly a human too.” Valandra looks the way he’s pointing, finds Ash’tar sitting near her. One glance at him makes Valandra shiver: “You’re hurt! The creature got you good!” The elf remains kneeled, and Valandra kneels next to him. “Allow me.” She closes her eyes and concentrates, lays a hand on the shoulder of Ash’tar. She feels divine power growing inside her, the warmth of the divine blessing granted to her. ‘Thank you, Watcher.’ She prays quietly, then directs a flow of healing energies towards her companion. “Thank you.” He says, as he pulls her up. Before she can respond or even assess their interaction, the elf moves out, heading in the direction Roux pointed out.
When he returns he shows them a wooden necklace shaped like a unicorn. “Found this on the human body, most of it eaten. There are some goblin skeletons as well, picked clean to the bone.” Ash’tar hands the necklace to Valandra, who holds it up to study it. “That’s my husband's necklace! Where did you find it?” Mirna has joined them, reaches out for the chain. An awkward silence is her answer, before Valandra responds: “Ash’tar found it, lying about. Here, please have it. It probably means he’s nearby.” She hands it to the woman, who shows it to her children. “For sure, this is his. He would never give it away freely. Where did you find it?” Ash’tar and Valandra exchange a fast look at each other, then the elf hints at a vague direction and walks away. “It was just lying here, he found it.” Stammers the paladin as the woman grabs her and starts crying. “We’ll find out what happened to him. I promise you that.”
She is saved from further unpleasantness by Roux, who walks over for help: “Can you get one of the healing potions out of my backpack? With these stupid bones attached to my arms, I can’t reach it!” He turns round, offering his back and pack to Valandra: ”Am I supposed to just put a hand in your pack and search for it?””Yes! How else do you think this would work? Do you seriously think I’m playing a prank on you? Here and now?” Mumbling an apology, Valandra opens the rucksack, puts her hand in and rummages around until she touches a glass vial. She gets it out and shows it to Roux. “Yes, that’s one! Now please, open it and pour it into my mouth! And yes, I mean that too!” She obliges, still not entirely sure if her companion is genuine to be trusted in this. She has to admit that Roux gestures and babbles pompously as ever before after swallowing the potion. She decides to trust this strange occultist on this one: ‘Watcher, give me strength and patience.’
The return of Ash’tar, who has been scouting around and found a chest under one of the bridges, makes the companions assemble to discuss how to find a way out. Getting back the way they came in, which would be quite hard for their protégés, or trying the last door on the other side of the room. They opt for the latter, but before they set out, Ash’tar shows them a beautiful longsword. With a hilt worked in the shape of a bird of prey it’s obvious that this is not the average goblin-sticks-it-in-your-back-blade. “Where did you find this?” Roux asks the monk. “It was stored in a chest under that bridge.” “Isn't that the sword sir Blackhawk used to wield?” ”Yes, this is Talon, its name is written on it. It was wielded by Aldith Tresendar. Commoners refer to him as the Blackhawk.” Valandra continues: “It was lost many years ago.”
When the sword is offered to her by Ash’tar, she accepts it courteously: “Thank you, dear companion. I will try to wield it with honor and in the way of the Watcher.” She dares not look into the eyes of the giver, instead concentrates on the sword. Takes it out of the scabbard carefully, holding it with two hands. Inspects its appearance. checks balance and weight, moves her fingers along the edges to test the sharpness. ‘It is magnificent’, she thinks. ‘Hopefully I’ll prove myself worthy to wield it. But I need to test and adjust it first.’ Valandra puts the sword back into the holder and stores it carefully in her backpack. “Thank you once again, Ash’tar.” She nods appreciatively towards the elf. And she can’t help wondering what his motives were behind the gift. And what hers were behind accepting.
They approach the door in normal order; the two elves upfront, Valandra and Roux a little behind. The family is positioned by Valandra at the other side of the bridge. That way the route to them is blocked by herself. Ash’tar closes in on the door, listens in to the loud noise coming from the other side of it. “There are at least three creatures there, orcs or so. They’re talking, but I can’t understand what they’re saying. Nox, can you give it a try?” The assassin takes his place, and tries to overhear the talks on the other side. “They’re talking Ghukliak for sure. It’s as if a goblin is commanding the likes of bugbears. “ Nox steps back, turns around and gestures: ‘What’s the plan?’
“Just knock on the door and see who opens!” Roux answers loudly and marches towards the door, keeping clear of Valandra, who tries in vain to prevent him from doing so. His loud knock on the door ends the turmoil inside abruptly. Two bugbears step out of the room, dropping an unconscious goblin on the floor. “Are you Redbrands?” The big one upfront barks in crude common, progressing towards Roux and Valandra. The creature throws a punch to the paladin, who thwarts this with her shield, slips out of a wrestling hold only to see her own attack dodged by her opponent. ‘Helm, these are veteran fighters.’
A strange brawl emerges, the two creatures dominating and damaging the companions, though on the other hand pulling their punches. All the time gnarling: “Are you Redbrands? Redbrands good! We too Redbrands!” “They’re thinking we’re on their side, because of the red tunics we’re wearing!” Roux yells. “Stop fighting them, let’s convince them we are!” The fighting comes to an end, but not for Valandra, who continues her struggle, hitting the big one. “Why are we weaseling out?” She asks, backpedaling slowly. “Because we’re losing, there are even more of them than you can see. And we have a better plan.” Roux hisses at her. “Not on my watch!” Only after Ash’tar taps her on the shoulder, hints and gestures, and finally shouts in her ear she lowers her weapon: “The hammer obeys, the shield remains. Only together we stand.”
Masquerading as a Redbrand is not something that feels right to Valandra. “Forgive me, my lord Helm.” She whispers inside herself. Steps away from the bugbears, while keeping her shield between them and herself, and herself between the vile creatures and the family. A brief look towards Ash’tar gives her the affirmation that she’s doing the right thing. Earlier the monk was signing towards her to stop attacking, end the fight. She could not believe it, and has to prevail upon herself to do so. ‘If we do not escape, I cannot protect the innocent. Helm’s first duty is to the weak. I am not wearing their colors, these are my family’s. I am no Redbrand and don’t pretend to be. But if they assume, that is their folly.’ Still it feels dishonorable. She tries to believe she made the correct decision. She still doesn't like the decision.
“We’re Redbrands too! Look at our tunics!” Roux assures the Bugbears. “We were scared, that’s why we attacked you! There are intruders in the hallway further on!” Even Nox gets involved, speaking to the creatures in the goblin language. And the bugbears fall for it, moving out to take care of the infiltrators that the companions have made-up. Leaving the goblin slave behind ‘to play with’ for the companions. Even helping Roux to get rid of the skeleton attachments that were stuck to his arms! “You're good, friend, you Redbrands! I’ll buy you all a drink when you return!” As a good friend Roux sees them out. Valandra makes sure they stay on their side of the crevasse, guarding the family, but the creatures are not even interested.
“That was too close for comfort. We need to be safe before they return!” Ash’tar states. “And how about you? Do you know the way out of here?” He lays his hand on the shoulder of the Goblin slave that was lying as if dead on the floor, but now stands again. “Are they gone? Droop was scared! They are bad!” With the help of Nox as translator, they manage to get some information out of Droop. Most importantly, that there are a few human Redbrands in the next rooms and that through this room there’s a way to the outside world. The four look each other in the eyes: “We can do it. And we have to do it fast and smart.””Helm, help us!” Valandra thinks quietly.
This time opening the door does not lead to chaos and clamor. There’s no one to be found, a few empty beds and the stench of the use of them by men. Ash’tar picks up a red cloak lying about and puts it on: “Now I’m a Redbrand too!” After the family and Droop are inside, they close and block the door through which they came in, in a makeshift way. Then prepare to enter the room. Once more Ash’tar is listening in: “They’re playing a game, rolling dice, probably knucklebones or another betting game.” “Then let me! I’ll distract and charm them!” Roux volunteers. “Like you did in the previous room?” Valandra snaps at him. “Yes, and that went well, eventually. Some of us were all too keen on fighting, but otherwise...” Before Valandra can react, Ash’tar cuts in: “Hush! We’re in this together. It’s a good plan, I think. All agree?” Nox nods almost imperceptibly, Ash’tar eyes Valandra, who nods reluctantly. Roux is already heading for the door. “Agree!” A small goblin voice adds.
In the time it takes to open the door, Roux transforms into another personality. Not like a shapeshifter, but almost as palpable as that, Valandra muses. Greeting the Redbrands inside the room as if they were long time lost friends, prompting their greed and eagerness to win his money in their stacked game. Three winks later they all are gathered around the table. Roux is at the center of attention, rolling dice, losing and grabbing coins, receiving and dealing insults. Nox and Ash’tar mix in as well between the Redbrand men, Droop is serving out beer. “Hey, you, red head. I’m not sure if I've seen these ugly fellows before, but I’m really sure I have not seen your pretty face around. Why don’t you come over and bring me luck? One of the Redbrands addresses Valandra. She replies with a faint smile and wanders over, her right hand caressing the pommel of her warhammer. ‘Helm will protect the weak. Helm will avenge the innocent.’
Once more Valandra witnesses Roux transforming; a generous player, willing to bet and lose serious amounts of money into a slayer, slashing throats of ruffians. She too is ruthless, striking a Redbrand’s forehead just as his right hand touches her hip. ‘Helm’s vengeance upon thee!’ The fight, if you can call it that, is over before it started. Four Redbrands sit with their heads laying on the table, Roux picking up the coins up from between them. “As Voice of the Elder Dead I also take care of their financials’ He sneers at Valandra noticing her frown.
‘A moment before he was rolling dice with them. And I presented an inviting smile, promising an interaction so opposed to what I gifted.’The paladin contemplates: ‘Nevertheless, what blocks the watch must be broken.’ “Don’t look, don’t look!” Valandra hears Mirna instruct her children as they too enter the room. The three of them shuffle by, finding a place on the far side of the room. ‘Am I the hammer, the shield or something much worse to them?’ Valandra ponders.
“So, what’s behind this door then?” The question is asked several times, in increasingly shorter and harsh terms, in common and goblin. The answers of Droop provide as much clarity as peeking and listening through the keyhole. Once more positions are taken, Ash’tar tries the handle. The door opens smoothly, revealing a wizard's room. Which it obviously is to Valandra, even though she has never seen or been in one. There are books, walls lined with books. There is a table filled with tubes, flasks, kettles, spheres and bowls. And more books. And there’s another closed door. 'Helm, help me.’ The Paladin sighs.
One thing the Paladin notices is that for the first time this day, the room she enters smells decent, despite the fumes coming from some bubbling fluids on the table. Holding up one of the flasks he picked up from the table, Ash’tar is reading its label out loud: “Apparently this wizard is searching for a potion to gain invisibility. Here look at this book, it’s a kind of diary or journal.” Valandra joins him, deciphering the symbols and schemas turns out quite hard. “It’s too heavy to carry with me.” “Let’s take the entry page, so we can let someone schooled in the arts of magic look at it.” Having said that, Valandra rips out the page carefully, almost reluctantly: ‘The Watcher breaks what the wicked build.’
“Is that an animal crawling over that bookshelf?” Ash’tar points, but none of his companions can make out anything. “There it goes!” A ripping sound is heard and a scratch appears on Valandra’s shield. “That’s poison!” Nox says softly, spotting the green liquid dripping from the kerf. All four start searching for the perpetrator, to no avail. “Argh” Roux yells, “It stung me! Let’s try to mark it!” Both he and Valandra throw bottles of ink found on the table in the direction of perceived movement, but no result other than stained walls. Flailing wildly, books and glassware fall victim, but the invisible creature is not caught.
All carnage ends when the door opens and a fashionably, opulently dressed human enters the room. After a first look, his face grows annoyed, and begins to lecture them as servants or less: “Well well, what do we have here? What are you doing in my quarters? Why are you wrecking things instead of cleaning up? Which moron is your captain? You know I’m Iarno Albrek, you may call me master Glassstaff.” Roux and Ash’tar immediately try to calm him down, making up excuses, stories and fabrications that would make a Blue Dragon turn crimson. “We were looking for you, to discuss our job, when we were attacked here.” “Oh yes, we know of your pet, we just were playing. Went a bit wild. Sorry for the damage caused.” “We are new here, the Spider sent us.””There are intruders, we send the bugbears to take them out.”
The wizard, since the glass staff he’s carrying makes it very clear that he’s one, is patient. Asks questions, in such a way that it feels to Valandra that he’s playing a game. And inevitably the house of cards falls apart: “You are all lying scum.” He turns his attention towards Valandra, who feels something hostile trying to take hold of her will. “Helm!” She blurts, focuses her mind, imagining rows of shields defeating arrows. Somehow she resists, blocks off the attempt and storms towards the headshaking, grinning man. Finds, or better, misses him, as he appears at the other side of the room. Somehow Ash’tar makes it there too, the wizard and the elf are entangled for a short moment in a cruel dance of arcane and physical strikes.
Seemingly without effort the wizard tears himself loose, points his hand at Ash’tar, releases a strike of lightning towards him. For the second time this day Ash'tar kneels down in pain. And for a second time this day Valandra rushes in to aid him; sees her attack parried by the wizard’s staff (‘How can a glass walking stick withstand my hammer?’). Nevertheless it shifts their opponent’s focus from Ash’tar. Meanwhile the invisible creature goes wild, running around the room gripping with teeth and claws. Its attacks don’t penetrate Valandra’s armour, but her companions suffer from its bites. All three of them are bleeding from wounds. Palpably the creature itself was hurt too, manifesting itself all of a sudden as a giant bat. Its screeches engulf the room as if a group of harpies has entered.
Despite being wounded, Ash’tar lands a fierce kick on the human, then falls backwards to the floor. With the wizard’s attention still focused on Valandra, Roux hurries over to Ash’tar, pours out a potion into the Elf’s mouth. With Ash’tar still coughing, Roux brings his crossbow from his back into shooting position and fires at point blank range, breaking through the magic defenses. The pain breaks concentration and spells of the wizard. And is superseded by a violent punch of Valandra! The wizard wobbles but stays up, somehow finding his balance. He is then bashed against the wall by the Paladin’s shield. “Helm’s sword will judge you!”
Looking around in panic, he has one option left; a fast movement of his hands and he vanishes on the spot. “He’s trying to get away!” Ash’tar, feeling himself again, is zealous to take revenge. He rushes out after the wizard through the door, followed by Roux, Nox and a shrieking bat. A secret door is opened and used by the fugitive, leading through a small passage to an exit. There the three men find themselves on a wooded hilltop. Looking for the wizard they find bloodstains, but nothing more than that. And a path leading out to the center of Phandalin, within walking distance. “Did you see where he went?” Roux queries Ash’tar on the top of his breath. “No, he must have used some magic tricks to hide his tracks.” “Did you see that bat?” “Yes, that probably was the creature we tried to catch, sort of shapeshifter. Damned wizards and their pets!”
Valandra, who has escorted the family through the rooms and corridor, joins her companions outside, bruised and panting. “Did you get him?” “Almost, somehow he managed to slip away.” Ash’tar answers. “My fault. Should have kept him close, instead of bashing him away.””Let’s set this place on fire, then head for the village!” Roux finds new vigor and spirit in revenge and reward. Nox and Ash’tar head back, torches in hand for a destructive farewell. The others follow Roux towards the Phandalin, followed by Mirna and her children, Valandra as rearguard. In solemn silence they make it to the Stonehill Inn.
There they are welcomed by Toblen, only to be informed that there are no rooms left for rent. A place in the stable is all he can offer. Mirna and her children receive a warmer reception, Sildar takes care of them after hearing of their return. “You will keep an eye out for Thel?" Mirna asks, almost begs. Valandra responds half-heartedly: "With the help of the Watcher... Get some rest for your family and yourself.” Before she leaves for her home, Mirna informs the companions discreetly that though she has no reward to offer, there’s jewelry to be found in the abandoned family house. Thanking them for a last time, she hugs Valandra: “Thank you for everything.” “May Helm protect you all!” Mutters the paladin in return, adding some prayers to Helm in silence.
They spend a quiet night between horses, two cows and some small livestock in the stable. Valandra insists on sleeping in a ‘private’ stall, a request that is granted by the men without argument. Next morning Toblen wakes them with the offer of a breakfast: “So sorry that all rooms were taken. Our breakfast will make up for it!” “Can we clean ourselves up a little, somewhere, preferably with warm water and some privateness?” “One of the guests has already left, you can use that room. Let me walk you over there, dear lady.” Eager as a fledgling hawk she is up in no time and tags after the inn keeper. “A guard is always on the alert. See you all at the table, gentlemen!"
A short while later the four of them have breakfast at the inn. Shaved and washed, looking, as Valandra puts it, tidy as a swan in a courtyard There they are joined by Sildar, who is delighted to hear of their adventures, not too happy finding out Iarno Albrek escaped. “Hopefully he’ll stay away, but chances are he’ll come back for more trouble. That Droop goblin, he probably went out to search for kinsmen. Speaking of which: There’s a bunch of goblins causing trouble. Apparently these ones look even more ugly than normal ones, with huge foreheads, not saying that all goblins look terrible, but you get the idea. Five hundred gold coins for the ones taking care of this.” “Where can we find these goblins of yours?” “They raid at night, and are gone before we can gather a force. Rumor is their homebase is at Cragmaw Castle.” “That’s a deal! Before we go we’ll check out the mansion on the hill first. Last night we left it burning. Small chance we’ll find clues to catch that wizard for you as well.” Roux sets out a new plan.
They find the mansion at the outskirts of the town abandoned, doors still open and the grounds around it trampled. The house is relatively intact, their attempts to set it on fire have not led to total devastation. No traces of the former inhabitants, but all the more trails, imprints and tracks leading towards the forest. “Nothing here to find. Let’s go and talk to the farmers Sildar mentioned.” It takes them back in the direction of the center, to a small farm where smallfolks are living. A halfling family has its residence here, friendly and talkative. They learn a lot about the village and the families living here. But not a lot of it is useful. Actually the only thing they learn is that to find the goblins and their castle, they should visit a certain druid: “He’s just set out to Thundertree, just two days away.” ‘Peasants!’ Valandra thinks: ‘Nobody knows a thing, but everybody knows someone who should know it, and that someone is always away!’
Chosen to find this druid, they pick up their horses at Barthen’s Provisions. The horses are rested and well fed, up to the job. Before leaving they buy provisions at the store and leave for Thundertree. In the shop they learned that this place is abandoned, but place and roads leading there are known to be safe, usually. The first day of the trip passes without incident. The four companions are all tired, preoccupied and lost in their own thoughts. Conversation is scarce and short.
Just before sunset the companions halt to set up camp. They dismount, secure their horses and drop their luggage on the ground. All without words being exchanged, around them a quiet has formed. All of a sudden this is driven off by the howling of four wolves that rush out from the trees and attack them. If it’s the frustration of letting the wizard escape or a growth in skills, the outcome of the fight is one-sided: four dead animals lay on the field. “Fresh meat for tonight's dinner?” Valandra jokes. “Probably not a good idea, these beasts look famished and sick.” Ash’tar reacts. “Don’t understand why they look that way, There’s plenty of wildlife around. We must make sure to be on our guard while we’re here.”
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| Valandra fights a wolf. (AI generated) |
As said it’s done: The nightshifts are divided amongst the companions, Ash’tar taking the first, Valandra comes next, then Nox. Roux takes the last part, the dead hour. “All quiet?” He quizzes Nox when they switch places. A short nod is his response. Roux shakes his head: ‘Luckily I have my dead friends, my living companions are stiffer than them!’. Sitting by the fire, boredom sets in. Up till the call of an owl fills the sky. And Roux can’t help himself and answers: “Uh huh haah!”
An Owlbear dives upon Roux, striking him hard. The roar and turbulence wakes the three sleepers. Without hesitation they assault the animal, that strikes bewildered around, taken aback by the attacks coming from all directions. It tries to take off and flee, takes a crossbow shot of Roux in the chest, collapses back to the ground. And stays lying there, not a feather moving. The four of them standing around it, sharing a sigh of relief.
“Fresh meat for breakfast?” Valandra jests. Once again Ash’tar comes with a reaction: “Owlbear meat? Well, I’ve heard that halflings make jelly out of them, but I won’t recommend it.” “Well, perhaps not for food then. But I’ve read a story about a gnome girl who found three cubs when her party had killed the mother Owlbear.” The Paladin replies. “Never thought I would see or even kill one myself.””Let’s hope the second day of our journey will be less eventful.” Roux joins their discussion. “Seen enough of the wildlife here. Fortunately our horses were not hurt by that beast.” “You’re right. Sun will rise soon, let’s have a fast and light breakfast then move on.” Ash’tar comments.
The first sunbeams find Valandra’s face where she’s sitting in the grass, feet resting on the corpse of the Owlbear. ‘Would make a nice rug at home’ She thinks: ‘My mother would have liked it. And it would have pestered my brothers, their little sister’s big prey.’ From images at home her mind wanders off to Mirna and the children: ‘Helm forgive me, I could not tell her straight in the eye. I hope I can someday make up for it. Helm counts what is owed, and so do I.” She takes a last sip, gargles, spits it out on the ground. “I’m ready. Let’s find that druid!”
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