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Rukh's Journal - 2
17 years ago
General
In which Rukh revels in the memory of battle and despairs for the strength or weakness of some of his companions...
I engaged the hobgoblins in glorious combat, taking on all three at once for a moment. Then I felt someone come up behind me, and Gaervesk was there. He is a strange one, and his magics are foreign to me, but he is a good sort in a fight. Al’Der’eth came up quickly behind, but he was struck with some wounds as he moved into position. I pushed in-between the hobgoblins in an effort to give him room and take their attention away, and I paid for it with many wounds, but Delana’s healing soon bolstered me, and it was well worth the ploy when Al’Der’eth cast some magic which caused the leader of the hobgoblins to plunge through a hole in the wall and fall to the ground below. I called a warning to Delana and Eisenheim…I was concerned that the gnomish child we’d seen captive below might be used as some kind of bargaining chip.
Down the stairs, I was able to see the hobgoblin leader charge in against Delana. I was then worried that Eisenheim might be already slain. I called to their leader, challenging him to battle with me. But he ignored my challenge to his folly. He struck at Delana, and Tuan punished him with His righteous wrath. The leader fell, as the rest of us made short work of his minions. I was surprised to see Eisenheim without a scratch. Perhaps Delana had healed him…I’m unsure. I was pleased to claim a halberd that one of the hobgoblins had carried. It will be a most useful weapon to me.
It was most distressing to see how the child reacted to myself and Gaervesk. I cannot blame him…he had been captive to monsters for who knows how long, and now two more monsters had come with axe and spell. I’m sure he did not think we came to rescue. While Delana calmed him, I mustered my anger and questioned the hobgoblin, who was now our prisoner. His strength failed him, then, and he poured out something of their plans. The hobgoblins had been manipulating the kobolds on behalf of one called Smokesnare. Gaervesk seemed startled at this, as if he knew the name. When I questioned him, he told me that all things related to dragons, even the little kobolds, were connected…he felt this name was a dragon’s name. This unnerved me…is Gaervesk a dragon? Perhaps they choose between two legs and four? When this quest is done, I wish to speak with him, if I can find a way to do so without offending him.
Our captive, I fear, got the better of me, calling me an orc. I felt a terrible anger, and I knew I must walk away then. When I returned, he was dead…apparently Eisenheim had let his anger overwhelm him. This bothers me…an unarmed, wounded, tied-up and helpless prisoner…there is no honor in his death…no show of strength in the slaying of him. I cannot deny that Eisenheim’s magics are most useful in battle, but I began to wonder at the mettle of his soul. It would not be the last time that day.
We learned that the boy’s name was Keane, and that his mother was imprisoned below. We located the trapdoor with his help, and we were able to open it. I am ashamed to say that we left the gnome prisoners down there a little longer than needed, as we were unwilling to continue until we’d rested a bit. Once Keane and his mother were reunited, we gave them some food and sent them on their way home. Tuan pray they make it safely.
We followed the trail of the kobolds to what seems to be their true lair…the caves near the Stone Table. I must tell you of this wonder, Master K’rrg! It is fully 300 feet high…I know of no titans that could have fashioned it even in their time of glory! But it seems to be natural in make…a wonder of our world.
At the caves, we ventured in, with myself taking point. When it was clear that we were expected, I did not wish the kobolds to be disappointed. I came forward and held the mouth of the cave with halberd and axe. At one point, I even hurled back a javelin that had been thrown at me. Delana kept my wounds at bay with the powers of her sun god, and the other blasted the kobolds with ice, force, and curse. It was a fine battle; five against over twice that, and yet we were still victorious.
We did see a hobgoblin peer in and then run off, as if to get help, and that concerned me. We moved on quickly, especially as one of the kobolds had run off to “Warn the King” according to Gaervesk. I cannot imagine how he sorts reason from their yapping, but he seems to understand it. Perhaps it is part of that draconic connection he spoke of earlier.
We soon found where the young and women gathered. We spoke with them a bit, and we were able to convince them that, if the hobgoblins were indeed behind the raiding, we could possibly help them. One of them – a mother called Kalrax – was especially bold and not very complimentary to the hobs. We asked her to lead us to their King.
Here, things were tense. I felt that she truly wished us and the hobgoblins gone, but I feared betrayal none the less. Still, she led us safely past kobold traps to their King’s hall. On our journeys, Eisenheim showed a great interest in an obsidian dragon altar. I saw the light of pillaging and greed in his eyes, and it made me sad. Again, I worried for him.
Their King, Meepo, is a smaller kobold than most of the rest, barely taller than Kalrax’s son, who had followed us. He keeps a large spider as a pet. While he seemed deceptive when questioned about the dragon, he seemed keen to let us take care of the hobgoblin problem, and he swore that the raids were something they were forced to do by the hobgoblins. From what he said, it seemed that the kobolds had been content to avoid the towns until such time as the hobgoblins and the dragon came. We made it clear that we would help but that the raids had to stop. Everyone seemed amenable to this. Almost…
Eisenheim’s strength failed him now for the third and perhaps saddest time. He wanted to leverage the king to talk more about the dragon, and he began to reach for the Kalrax’s son to threaten. Kalrax threw herself at him, clawing and spitting, and I feared a battle would ensue that would have been unnecessary to our goals. It seemed that none of my companions supported his move, however, and tempers were calmed…but not before I, myself, failed. In my anger that Eisenheim would show such weakness as to threaten a helpless child, I promised him that if he did not stop, we would fight. He did back down…I hope that, perhaps, he saw the folly of what he wished to do. Or maybe he simply did not feel he could defy the rest of us united. I do not know.
I apologized to Eisenheim, and I used a part of Vurt’s speech from the Saga of Kuhlg’har. I told him that I shared his anger but that to punish the kobolds would be like unto punishing the sword that had taken a man’s life. The hobgoblins were the true enemies. He seemed to take this idea to heart. I hope he saw that there was truly honorable battle in the offing and relished, as I did, the chance to show his mettle.
With things calmed between us and with the kobolds, we agreed to slay the hobgoblins and the dragon. The King showed us a secret tunnel to a hidden glade outside. We encamped and are taking our rest. I will pray to Tuan for the valor and courage to stand against a dragon. I always felt I would meet one someday, but I did not know it would be so soon. Tuan, Lord of the Valorous Axe, grant your servant the strength to overcome this terrible foe. If you will not, then grant that I might not dishonor myself in this battle…that none of my companions shall fall due to mine own failure. I commend my life to your service again.
Rukh's speech to Keane was one of my "I will now reveal character detail to you guys" moments. I feel that Rukh, who doesn't yet fully like or trust his companions, is going to be reticent to open up to them. But in his dealings with others, his facade may slip, from time to time. Rukh got down on eye level with the boy and spoke very gently to him. "I know I am a monster," he told the boy. "But I am a special monster...one that slays other monsters. You have nothing to fear from me." A good Diplomacy skill later, and Keane was, at least, nto crying around the big half-orc. No one has commented on it, but I think it reveals two important aspects about Rukh...
1. He has a kindly nature. So far, the PCs have only seen Rukh in business mode...he hasn't let his hair down around them, so to speak. With Keane, he let them see a little of his gentle side. Innocents have nothing to fear from the big guy.
2. He has a lot of self-loathing. He's a reminder to himself about the savagery of orcs, every time he looks in a mirror. That must be very difficult when you profess to think of yourself as a Man. It's one of the areas I hope to explore with the character as time goes on. This theme came up again when the hobgoblin we captured called me an orc. Rukh just sort of paled and walked away, to stop himself from killing the prisoner.
Rukh is furious that the party were forced to show devisiveness in front of the kobolds - he feels it made them look weak. Although he apologized to Eisenheim, he's watching the illusionist closely. If the wizard goes there again, we may have to have some strong words.
It's interesting...the party seems to be uniting, quietly. Most of us seem to have a strong moral streak...except our illusionist. Which is good! Conflict makes good RP. Eisenheim is sneaky, greedy, a braggart, and not above killing a helpless prisoner or threatening a kobold child to get information he wants. This is totally anathema to Rukh...it shows weakness instead of strength. He feels it is a greater show of power and confidence to show restraint. Only time will tell how this will all play out.
I engaged the hobgoblins in glorious combat, taking on all three at once for a moment. Then I felt someone come up behind me, and Gaervesk was there. He is a strange one, and his magics are foreign to me, but he is a good sort in a fight. Al’Der’eth came up quickly behind, but he was struck with some wounds as he moved into position. I pushed in-between the hobgoblins in an effort to give him room and take their attention away, and I paid for it with many wounds, but Delana’s healing soon bolstered me, and it was well worth the ploy when Al’Der’eth cast some magic which caused the leader of the hobgoblins to plunge through a hole in the wall and fall to the ground below. I called a warning to Delana and Eisenheim…I was concerned that the gnomish child we’d seen captive below might be used as some kind of bargaining chip.
Down the stairs, I was able to see the hobgoblin leader charge in against Delana. I was then worried that Eisenheim might be already slain. I called to their leader, challenging him to battle with me. But he ignored my challenge to his folly. He struck at Delana, and Tuan punished him with His righteous wrath. The leader fell, as the rest of us made short work of his minions. I was surprised to see Eisenheim without a scratch. Perhaps Delana had healed him…I’m unsure. I was pleased to claim a halberd that one of the hobgoblins had carried. It will be a most useful weapon to me.
It was most distressing to see how the child reacted to myself and Gaervesk. I cannot blame him…he had been captive to monsters for who knows how long, and now two more monsters had come with axe and spell. I’m sure he did not think we came to rescue. While Delana calmed him, I mustered my anger and questioned the hobgoblin, who was now our prisoner. His strength failed him, then, and he poured out something of their plans. The hobgoblins had been manipulating the kobolds on behalf of one called Smokesnare. Gaervesk seemed startled at this, as if he knew the name. When I questioned him, he told me that all things related to dragons, even the little kobolds, were connected…he felt this name was a dragon’s name. This unnerved me…is Gaervesk a dragon? Perhaps they choose between two legs and four? When this quest is done, I wish to speak with him, if I can find a way to do so without offending him.
Our captive, I fear, got the better of me, calling me an orc. I felt a terrible anger, and I knew I must walk away then. When I returned, he was dead…apparently Eisenheim had let his anger overwhelm him. This bothers me…an unarmed, wounded, tied-up and helpless prisoner…there is no honor in his death…no show of strength in the slaying of him. I cannot deny that Eisenheim’s magics are most useful in battle, but I began to wonder at the mettle of his soul. It would not be the last time that day.
We learned that the boy’s name was Keane, and that his mother was imprisoned below. We located the trapdoor with his help, and we were able to open it. I am ashamed to say that we left the gnome prisoners down there a little longer than needed, as we were unwilling to continue until we’d rested a bit. Once Keane and his mother were reunited, we gave them some food and sent them on their way home. Tuan pray they make it safely.
We followed the trail of the kobolds to what seems to be their true lair…the caves near the Stone Table. I must tell you of this wonder, Master K’rrg! It is fully 300 feet high…I know of no titans that could have fashioned it even in their time of glory! But it seems to be natural in make…a wonder of our world.
At the caves, we ventured in, with myself taking point. When it was clear that we were expected, I did not wish the kobolds to be disappointed. I came forward and held the mouth of the cave with halberd and axe. At one point, I even hurled back a javelin that had been thrown at me. Delana kept my wounds at bay with the powers of her sun god, and the other blasted the kobolds with ice, force, and curse. It was a fine battle; five against over twice that, and yet we were still victorious.
We did see a hobgoblin peer in and then run off, as if to get help, and that concerned me. We moved on quickly, especially as one of the kobolds had run off to “Warn the King” according to Gaervesk. I cannot imagine how he sorts reason from their yapping, but he seems to understand it. Perhaps it is part of that draconic connection he spoke of earlier.
We soon found where the young and women gathered. We spoke with them a bit, and we were able to convince them that, if the hobgoblins were indeed behind the raiding, we could possibly help them. One of them – a mother called Kalrax – was especially bold and not very complimentary to the hobs. We asked her to lead us to their King.
Here, things were tense. I felt that she truly wished us and the hobgoblins gone, but I feared betrayal none the less. Still, she led us safely past kobold traps to their King’s hall. On our journeys, Eisenheim showed a great interest in an obsidian dragon altar. I saw the light of pillaging and greed in his eyes, and it made me sad. Again, I worried for him.
Their King, Meepo, is a smaller kobold than most of the rest, barely taller than Kalrax’s son, who had followed us. He keeps a large spider as a pet. While he seemed deceptive when questioned about the dragon, he seemed keen to let us take care of the hobgoblin problem, and he swore that the raids were something they were forced to do by the hobgoblins. From what he said, it seemed that the kobolds had been content to avoid the towns until such time as the hobgoblins and the dragon came. We made it clear that we would help but that the raids had to stop. Everyone seemed amenable to this. Almost…
Eisenheim’s strength failed him now for the third and perhaps saddest time. He wanted to leverage the king to talk more about the dragon, and he began to reach for the Kalrax’s son to threaten. Kalrax threw herself at him, clawing and spitting, and I feared a battle would ensue that would have been unnecessary to our goals. It seemed that none of my companions supported his move, however, and tempers were calmed…but not before I, myself, failed. In my anger that Eisenheim would show such weakness as to threaten a helpless child, I promised him that if he did not stop, we would fight. He did back down…I hope that, perhaps, he saw the folly of what he wished to do. Or maybe he simply did not feel he could defy the rest of us united. I do not know.
I apologized to Eisenheim, and I used a part of Vurt’s speech from the Saga of Kuhlg’har. I told him that I shared his anger but that to punish the kobolds would be like unto punishing the sword that had taken a man’s life. The hobgoblins were the true enemies. He seemed to take this idea to heart. I hope he saw that there was truly honorable battle in the offing and relished, as I did, the chance to show his mettle.
With things calmed between us and with the kobolds, we agreed to slay the hobgoblins and the dragon. The King showed us a secret tunnel to a hidden glade outside. We encamped and are taking our rest. I will pray to Tuan for the valor and courage to stand against a dragon. I always felt I would meet one someday, but I did not know it would be so soon. Tuan, Lord of the Valorous Axe, grant your servant the strength to overcome this terrible foe. If you will not, then grant that I might not dishonor myself in this battle…that none of my companions shall fall due to mine own failure. I commend my life to your service again.
Rukh's speech to Keane was one of my "I will now reveal character detail to you guys" moments. I feel that Rukh, who doesn't yet fully like or trust his companions, is going to be reticent to open up to them. But in his dealings with others, his facade may slip, from time to time. Rukh got down on eye level with the boy and spoke very gently to him. "I know I am a monster," he told the boy. "But I am a special monster...one that slays other monsters. You have nothing to fear from me." A good Diplomacy skill later, and Keane was, at least, nto crying around the big half-orc. No one has commented on it, but I think it reveals two important aspects about Rukh...
1. He has a kindly nature. So far, the PCs have only seen Rukh in business mode...he hasn't let his hair down around them, so to speak. With Keane, he let them see a little of his gentle side. Innocents have nothing to fear from the big guy.
2. He has a lot of self-loathing. He's a reminder to himself about the savagery of orcs, every time he looks in a mirror. That must be very difficult when you profess to think of yourself as a Man. It's one of the areas I hope to explore with the character as time goes on. This theme came up again when the hobgoblin we captured called me an orc. Rukh just sort of paled and walked away, to stop himself from killing the prisoner.
Rukh is furious that the party were forced to show devisiveness in front of the kobolds - he feels it made them look weak. Although he apologized to Eisenheim, he's watching the illusionist closely. If the wizard goes there again, we may have to have some strong words.
It's interesting...the party seems to be uniting, quietly. Most of us seem to have a strong moral streak...except our illusionist. Which is good! Conflict makes good RP. Eisenheim is sneaky, greedy, a braggart, and not above killing a helpless prisoner or threatening a kobold child to get information he wants. This is totally anathema to Rukh...it shows weakness instead of strength. He feels it is a greater show of power and confidence to show restraint. Only time will tell how this will all play out.
