Etny and Oredion, you both head outdoors, determination and resolve filling your spirits. You aren't sure at all where Atriox might be so you try some of the likely places first.
The Fang seems a likely place, but Dahlia shakes her head when she's asked about the dragonborn. She rather coldly suggests he might be off with more intriguing company. You head to The Juniper but do not find him there. It seems The Blizzard is gone as well... you put two and two together.
Walking the parameter of town, you spot Tak and a large group of kobolds about ready to leave. It's surprising to see a small garrison stationed here so close to the humans. It is definitely causing a stir, that's for sure.
Tak sees you both and waves. He provides some sort of directions to one of the others and trots up. "Hunt lady. Beard man. You look well. Tak leaving now, go to Atriox at camp. Refresh patrol here... You leaving?" He tilts his head sideways, peering up at you.
Etny eyes the kobold that had started all of this...The one she had shot just a few days ago. She looks down at the kobold. "Tak...," Etny says in a quiet, determined voice, "ora, please, bring me to Atriox-Angakresh. I..." She pauses, choosing her words carefully. "I have words to exchange with him."
"Words? Ok." He glances at the other kobolds. "You uh, follow us. Tak get you to him. He seem better mood today."
The two of you march behind Tak and about a hundred kobolds, leaving some at the city. The ones remaining seem to be building trenches, digging holes, and causing some slight mayhem outside town.... But otherwise behaving harmlessly.
It's a long march. Those that you're following lead you through the forest, taking the shortest route possible. It's rather peaceful here now without all the previous threats causing trouble.
Etny begins to sing softly, uttering a prayer of devotion and oblation to the All-Mother. Her voice is quiet and melodious, like a faint breeze, wafting through the air like a distant whisper.
Her song-prayer grows, her voice becoming a wafting current that rustles the grass and arcs the living trees with grace.
"Ata-Morri...
Sara kahlektu
Endera mahgraseh inda
Herehs alagoro mahgretu
Shezarra hirintu masa'atu
Ata-Morri...
Krilaga mara
Sereht an orrishin
Adagremu awatrah
Imahan nagorri hadaraku
Soshirren mahgretu minori
Ata-Morri...
An Etny orinda mahn..."
Etny's voice fills the forest with a mystical air, her intonation strong, yet filled with peace.
She strides forward, her song ended, but her resolve unwavering. The presence of the All-Mother is with her. She goes now to win the honor of those in her entire tribe who've either passed, or are missing. She will reclaim. She will redeem.
Etny follows Tak, her steps measured, deliberate, and steady.
You feel a peace enter your heart. The forest resonates with the love and blessings of the All-Mother.
Oredion standing on the opposite side of the travel group as Etny listens her song. He does not know it's a prayer. To him it is a sweet Melody that brings bliss to his ears. He can't help but to look over at Etny once in awhile as they walk. He thinks back to her actions at the bar and freezes again accidentally bumping into a kobold behind him.
"Sorry à bout that lad had my mind in the clouds."
Oredion points up to the sky then continues walking now trying to walk in the back of the group away from everyone.
Etny's strides are full of calm and strength. She can feel the peace of her ancestors watching over her.
She can feel the eyes and spirits of the deceased members of her tribe watching over her.
With unshakable confidence and poise, Etny continues forward.
She turns to Oredion, and speaks. "Oredion-elenn, the All-Mother is with us."
"Aye that she is lass. That she is."
Oredion nods and continues following the rear of the group.
Etny and Oredion, you both continue with the kobolds for some time. Etny, you have a prayer in your heart and on your lips... in your mind and in your soul. You feel stronger every step you move toward your inevitable battle for honor. The All-Mother has heard your pleas for her grace, and has given you a boon for the next 3 hours. You feel faster and have more energy, able to keep up with the steady pace of the kobolds. Nothing is going to get in your way.
Close to the goblin--now kobold--camp, you see some scouts headed toward the front. Tak talks with some of them and lets out a little barking laugh. He sends the others ahead, giving some orders in draconic.
Approaching you both he says, "Looks like missed Atriox. He go to temple. Tak promise... bring you there? Let go." He tromps through a patch of fireblooms, heading off to another trail the kobolds have been making, leading you as quickly as he can.
"Oredion-elenn...," she speaks, her voice quiet, reserved, "I am grateful to have you along. You are a true friend--elenn to the very core--and I could not wish for anyone better. Harra," she looks at him now.
"Ava nala de, elenn."
"Good, I don't want to be in this cursed place any longer than need be."
Oredion having flashbacks to being enslaved grimaces. He starts to remember being prodded with Spears, lashed with whips with blades on the end of them, and being tied up above a fire to see how long it took him to scream in pain. He remembered fighting in the pits every hour on the hour against wild beasts or goblins unfortunate enough to fall in or be pushed in. Oredion's eyes start to glow a dark, dark green and his fists tighten. He barely hears Etny speak to him only catching the last part.
"Ava nala de? Sorry I didn't catch all that Et."
Etny looks concerned. She sees her dwarven friend falling into his wrath, his eyes glowing a deep green. I should not have laughed at him so...I should have had jerky with him, but...my damned ambition has gotten in the way...Shiza! Forgive me, All-Mother...
Her violet eyes rest softly and knowingly on the dwarf. "Oredion-Antrahtu...I do not think I need to tell you, for I think you know."
She comes over and rests a hand on his shoulder.
Etny sees that they are very close to the temple. Having been here once before, she sees dozens upon hundreds of Einhycacht, a tingle going down her spine. She does not like this, not at all. But Einhycacht are not the reason she is here.
She draws out the dragon bone horn recently crafted into a war horn of sorts.
BRAAAAAAAAWWWWWWMMMMMMMMMMMM!
BRAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWMMMMMMMMMMM!
BRAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWMMMMMMMMMMMM!
-------
Atriox, you and the entire camp--nay, the entire forest for a mile around--can hear that bellowing sound. It rumbles your ears like thunder.
Atriox is surprised by the blasts of the horn he gave. He looks over at the Blizzard "it's the human huntress named Etny. I wonder why she is blowing her horn ? I suppose we should not ignore it."
Etny strides forward, her steps full of purpose and an aura of confidence. In her heart, she utters one final prayer to the All-Mother.
"I come," her voice ringing across the temple grounds, "to request the presence of Atriox-Angakresh! Words I have to exchange with him...," she pauses, letting the silence sink in, "and a provocation!"
She looks about, her violet eyes fierce and blazing, eyeing the Einhycacht.
"In the name of the Andraya, my tribe, and by their spilt blood, I summon thee, Atriox, prince of Skyhold!"
The echoes of her voice across the temple grounds die down into silence.
Atriox senses a problem with how the human is talking to him. He merely looks at the Blizzard and unstraps his weapon. He heads torwards Etny. Once to her he looks her over. She appears calm but he senses something is off.
(Insight 13)
The Blizzard watches with mild interest, neither worried nor upset. It seems a curious turn of events.
Etny marks the approach of Atriox, and as he comes nearer, she draws out her javelin. She slams the bottom end of it into the earth at her feet three times in a row. When Atriox arrives, she notices him sizing her up, seeking out her intent.
"Atriox-Angakresh," she acknowledges him.
Atriox simply nods while holding his glaive a little casually but definitely ready.
"Human huntress. I suspect whatever your intent is today....its not peaceful."
"You are not wrong, Atriox-Angakresh. I have not come to mince fancy words, or spin flowery tales. I have come..."
She slowly, carefully approaches Atriox, and turning her javelin over slams the point down into the ground at an angle, at Atriox's feet.
"I issue a challenge of honor to you, prince Atriox of Skyhold."
Atriox just let's out a sad sigh
"Its a pitty you know? That half of this group is just so hell bent on letting there emotions guide them instead of there convictions. A challenge of honor you say ? Very well then I accept."
Atriox brings his glaive around quickly hitting the javelin away sending it spiraling. (Strength 16+4)
He then prepares his blade and faces the Huntress
Except that the javelin does not go flying or spinning away. In fact, she blocks Atriox's attempt to send it flying. (18+3). It is held firm by the huntress, unwavering in her intent.
"Honor IS my conviction, Angakresh, and you--" with a flourish she whips her own javelin around, crossing staves together, "--have NONE!"
Etny jukes to the left, side-stepping out of the reach of Atriox's glaive. (Opportunity attack from Atriox!)
She leaps into the air, performing a dive-and-tumble maneuver across the temple grounds. (30 feet, since she's got double speed from the boon from the All-Mother.)
(11 attack roll against Atriox's AC...bleh) Etny throws her javelin with her might.
Etny dives and tumbles again after her our attempt at throwing her javelin at the prince, covering a good distance very quickly. Unfortunately, his glaive reaches out and slices into her lower leg. She ignores the pain, and let's her hunter's instincts take control.
(So Aubrey, here's what happened: Etny didn't lose her javelin from your initial attempt to knock it out of her hands, but blocked, and then she dodged left 30 ft. This made you take what's called an attack of opportunity, and hit Etny, as she maneuvered out of your space. She then attempted to throw her javelin at you, but missed. Finally, she maneuvered the remainder of her movement away from you, which is another 30 ft.)
Atriox grunts in annoyance at his opponent moving away from him. He feels the dark energy well up inside and extends his hand. A single dark beam fires at Etny from his extended hand (Eldritch Blast)
Atriox runs at Etny while she deals with the his magic attack attempting to close the gap a little
The force blast pushes Etny back a ways. She notes Atriox's approach, and with the energy granted to her from her prayer to the All-Mother, she takes off at an incredible speed, putting distance between her and the prince.
(Bonus action to dash 120 ft. away. She is now 180 ft. away.)
Etny draws her bow, and notching a thunder arrow, fires it at a distant Atriox.
"Atriox-Angakresh," she says with a hiss through her teeth, "I name you 'Arach!'"
(My bow has an effective range of 320 ft.)
(27 against your AC, Aubrey)
Etny's thunder arrow pierces through your armor, and into your scaly flesh. A wave of thunder reverberates throughout the temple grounds, and the force of it pushes you back five feet.
(You do not take bleeding damage, but you are pushed back 5 ft. The regular damage from the arrow you take is 21 points with Hunter's Mark enabled.)
Etny, her violet eyes filled with an intensity not seen in them before, calls out to Atriox. "You are Arach, Atriox-Angakresh! You deceived me! I thought you were a prince, but you are no more a prince than I am Andraya! And the true profanity you made was to FORCE me to bow before you!"
She grits her teeth, and readies another thunder arrow. "You lied to me!"
Tak looks up at Oredion, a little taken aback. "W-what this? She want fight him? Why?" His concern for Atriox is mixed with questions. "What she want prove?"
Atriox puts his hand around the arrow grimacing from the pain. A look of raw, uncontrollable Draconic fury passes over his face.
(Intimidation 11)
"Liar ? Not a prince ? You humans. I am sick of humans thinking they know what they are meddling in. Sure I don't technically have a throne right now but it's just sitting there waiting for me ! Sure somebody could just walk up and take it. But they will never have the claim that I do ! You huntress could just walk up to my throne and sit in it right now. But.......it would never EVER be like if I was sitting in it. My claim goes back hundreds and thousands of years through blood. What do you have?! I am more a Prince than you will ever be ! You dare come here and insult me and call me a liar. Who's the liar ? You swore to be my huntress ! Even if you thought I lied you didn't even bother to talk about it with me ! On top of that your mad at me for making you bow ? Look around you ignorant fool !"
He motions with his glaive to all around him
"This is not your home ! These are not your people! We are NOT aware of your customs and when I did that you were an enemy who attacked my brother !! Yet here you are waiving accusations like a pouty child ! I wonder what your noble people would think of your actions now ?!"
(Persuasion 24.......god loves me. I swear on the D&D gods that was a natural roll 😂ðŸ˜ðŸ™Œ)
(Wisdom saving throw against intimidation: 17; she's basically stubborn enough to continue.)
"My 'noble people,' Atriox-Angakresh, would have spurned your overzealous arrogance! You call me a child, yet you have no HONOR! I am not interested in your pretty throne, Angakresh-arach. I have no desire for it. I only seek vengeance for my people, who were slaughtered mercilessly by Einhycacht like these," she gestures to all the kobolds in the vicinity. "For all your pride, royalty, and bloodline, you lack HONOR! Wholly. Completely. But find your kingdom! Gather your people! Sit on your throne! I care not! It is not the blood, the throne, or the birthright that a leader makes! It is his HONOR that makes him such!"
Etny notches her thunder arrow, and draws. "Let us finish this, Angakresh-arach, the Dishonored!"
Oredion shakes with fury at Etny being hurt. A dark look passes the dwarves face. His eyes glow such a bright green a small green fire glows in them. He grips his axe tightly making the handle creak under his force. For it not for is dwarven honor already been sworn to stay out of it, he would have already jumped in killing Atriox. Joey turns a shade of black resting undet the dwarves face. His tongue flickering Oredion's face gently afraid of what might happen. Oredion's head starts pounding his ears ringing and a booming voice speaks in his head "Unless your rage! You know you want to." Oredion responds by dropping to his knee and repeating his vow.
"I swear to not jump in! I am only hear to witness you take your honor back!"
Oredion sees Tak walk up to him. His vision now turning a green mist of sorts. He replies in a deep booming voice.
"Friend Tak she is not trying to kill him. She is only trying to recover what was taken from her. She is not of this land or culture and has different views then us. A prince by blood with no throne is the same to her as a sewer rat with a crown. She feels betrayed and lied to. It is simply a misunderstanding that must be worked out be it speech or violence. For now friend Tak I would advise standing away from me."
Oredion turns his head yo face Tak. His eyes now almost a lit flame ready to explode at any time be iy Ally or foe. He sets his sights back on the fight and makes a small prayer in a whisper to himself.
"All-mother or whoever you are? Please help your servant on this day! She does not need to win just survive this duel of honor. That's all I ask if you on your worshippers behalf."
Upon seeing the green flames practically exploding from Oredion's eyes, Tak stumbles back from the dwarf. He looks even more conflicted, turning to watch the fight continue. He clenches and unclenches his little claws as he thinks.
(You are both almost... borderline bloodied. Lol. It's a pretty close draw at this point)
Atriox feels a surge of anger but trys his best to reign it in. He thinks through all his options. With how far away she is theres nothing he can do but try to talk her down. But just in case he activates a back up plan.........
All of the sudden Atriox plants his glaive into the ground blade first. Keeping his hand on the shaft of the glaive as it begins to hum with energy and lightning crackles down the length.
He calls out "shoot me then. Go on. Your so far out of range I cant do anything to stop you. Your armed go ahead and do it. I find this duel faulty on some many levels I refuse to take part in it any longer. I will mo lower myself to take part In it anymore. So go on. Shoot !"
(Persuasion 18)
(19 insight to see if he's bluffing in any way.)
Tak turns, surprised at the balls this dwarf has. "Honor?!" He hisses, eyes turning red. "Huntress lady told Tak she had WORDS with him! Not SHOOTING him, and fleeing! What honor or sport that?! This would not be duel, this would be slaughter! If he by blood is sewer rat, like you say, then she even less! She not even flea on his backside! He is my DRAGON!"
The little kobold breathes heavily, not even realizing he'd drawn his blade. He shakes staring down the rage-filled dwarf, but something inside him snapped. He's almost acting without thinking at this point.
(As for the insight score, Etny realizes Atriox is planning something, but she's not sure exactly what. His is goading her, but at the same time shooting an unarmed opponent would be... possibly dishonorable? But backing down now would be as well. She's between a rock and a hard place)
Tak turns, surprised at the balls this dwarf has. "Honor?!" He hisses, eyes turning red. "Huntress lady told Tak she had WORDS with him! Not SHOOTING him, and fleeing! What honor or sport that?! This would not be duel, this would be slaughter! If he by blood is sewer rat, like you say, then she even less! She not even flea on his backside! He is my DRAGON!"
"Every warrior fights there own way Tak you should know this! If we had told you that she planned on challenging him would you have actually lead us here? This is for Honor Tak not strength. If it was your prince would have already won. Now calm yourself I do not wish to slay a friend on this day."
Oredion turns his eyes towards Tak, his face a picture of obscene rage.
(Intimidation 17+5)
(I love Tak I don't wanna fight him ðŸ˜)
(23 against AC, assuming for the kneecap.)
Etny changes her trajectory, a sudden idea coming to her mind. She aims, draws back, and releases the thunder arrow.
It flies through the air, whistling its song as it goes. Then, all at once, it strikes deep into the kneecap of Atriox.
(Make a con saving throw)
(15 opposed, you win)
Tak shakes more, but keeps his eyes locked on Oredion's. He looks like he wants to scream and cry at the same time. "She have twisted sense of honor! Atriox helping people! Sparing people! Helping kobolds help humans! He save you, he spare her! Even though she shoot Tak! Even though YOU hit her! You try kill her too! What happen? We heal her. She suggest he go fight dragon by self!! And you know what?! HE DID! For HONOR!"
(13 damage, and 4 ongoing bleeding damage)
(And pushed back 5 ft.)
(Omg this is hard my favorite character dislikes my character ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜)
Tak screeches and hisses at Oredion, turning away and stalking toward Atriox and Etny... hoping to go help his brother.
(This is ok guys. I promise. We'll survive.. Lol. It was some heavy drama. You did fantastic, I can't believe how... Intense and deep you each got. I wanted to cry. You are all fantastic. Player wise, we're all friends. We love each other, we're bros. It's ok. ❤️)
(Tak is still... actually rather terrified of you LOL you intimidated him well. He makes a dash action to get away from the dwarf and run the 50 or so feet to Atriox).
As the arrow sinks into his leg, Atriox can't help but lose his balance for a moment. He falls to one knee in intense pain. Tak practically tosses his sword aside as he skids to his brother, standing in front of him and hissing at the huntress. "The fight is done. This is my camp. TAK'S CAMP. I SAY IT DONE."
He butts his head against the dragonborn's chest, bracing against him as he twists out the arrows. He slices his own claws open with his teeth, pressing them to the wounds. He hums, a deep vibration in his throat. (heals 8 damage)
He cringes, mumbling so only Atriox can hear. "I made no promises to stay out of fight. I sorry. I brought them here. I made mistake. I make mistake again getting in your way. I take punishment if need be. Worth it. Not watch you fall. Not again."
"Now, Angakresh, you know what it's like to be forced to kneel against your will, to a being you hardly trust," she says under her breath.
With that, she shoulders her bow, and stalks away from the accursed temple, and its Einhycacht, and its prince.
Eventually finding her way to the Dragon's Lair Inn, she quickly climbs the stairs, enters her room, and slams the door shut without a word.
Shiza...what have I done?
The night... passes. The world keeps turning despite the pain and frustration. A new day will come.
Etny doesn't get back until very late, close to midnight. Her calf hurts terribly from the gash she received in the fight, and after walking on it for miles. The dragonborn's glaive was sharp... like his words. Gaare croons from the window outside all night.
Thayassa helps Atriox back to town on the horse. It's a long evening, but getting to the Fang seems the best course of action. A proper healing from Magnolia and a cleaning in the bath help greatly, but... the words from the fight sit like a moody fog. The Blizzard gives Atriox a long hug, thanking him for the lore and the tour. Although the mage guard is leaving, she indicates she will write when she can.
The kobolds all seemed confused at the fight, but did watch the human leave. Tak rallied them again, sending them to forage and continue operations as normal. Nothing would stop their progress.
Oredion, full of rage and irritation at what happened... You head back to Dragonshore. It's a long walk and you manage it eventually, but you can definitely tell it's worn you out. The conflicting voices in your head during the fight made you dizzy...
Alrik, you spend the evening discussing artifacts with Oxious. You can definitely tell he finds a pleasure in them. He offers you a deal: pay his fines from the mage guard, and his 10%.
Time passes. A week goes by. Then another. Injuries heal, but the stresses remain in the back of everyone's mind. The end of summer approaches.
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