Umeida
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST Introduction
Umeida
You are minding your own business when the Summoning takes you.....
The power of the spell overwhelms your resistance and are carried
across the Barriers of Existence in a swirl of confusion. Blinding
light, deepest dark, and the thunderous syllables of the Summoning.
Your reality is warped, your being stretched and twisted, until at
last, with a tremendous flash! You come to rest.
The air is thick with smoke and brimstone, the silence is startling
after the passage... But wait! All is not silent! The chant of the
spell goes on, but now it is not a voice of thunder, but that of a
mortal, a Conjurer who has summoned you to do his bidding!
As the smoke clears you are better able to see your surroundings....
You are in a structure, a round room of stone and timber. The walls
are of unworked stones, the floor of wide planks, the ceiling of
thick beams with more planks above. This is no Conjurer's chamber!
The flickering candle light shows a room cluttered with tools,
barrels, boxes and lumber. All is covered with dust, cobwebs and
scattered straw. There is an open window, narrow but passable....
there is darkness outside, the darkness of the night sky.
Something passes by the window, outside. Your eye is drawn. There!
It passes again and again and again... such is its form and
regularity that you realize after a moments thought, that they
are the sails of a windmill.
The chanting stops and you turn to see your summoner. There he
stands, a mere mortal. A human male... not bad looking it is true,
but his expression of self satisfaction and smugness annoy you.
"Greetings Dark One! I Loxarn have summoned you from the
netherworld to serve me this night!" He stares at you with a
growing look of puzzlement. "What has happened here?" He speaks
to himself. "This is not as expected. Something is amiss."
As he speaks you feel it too... The Summoning was wrong, you were
not meant to be brought here, you were not the one Named, he holds
no power over you!
Gathering your strength you rush the mortal who dare summon you
as his slave! Even as you hurl yourself forward you know the
barriers will hold. The invisible wall of the Pentagram that
encircles you are as strong as steel. It confines you and protects
him from your wrath.
<<
At this point, Umeida stops her futile attack, looks at Loxarn
with disappointed gaze and gives him the universal 'finger'-sign.
A look of fear crosses the mortals face. Loxarn has realized that
he has no control and his only safety lies with the Pentagram. He
begins a spell of Banishment, anxious to return you whence you came,
lest you free yourself and tear him to bits. Loxarn raises his
staff as he begins to intone the words of power. The head of his
staff glows with power as he raises it into the gloomy darkness
above him. Suddenly there is an explosion of angry squawking and
a pigeon bursts from its sleeping roost, circles the room and flies
out the open window. The spell is ruined! Loxarn stumbles over
the words, then his voice trails away as his face is washed with a
look of horror. There, floating in the air, drifting lazily down
from the ceiling, is one, two, three feathers!
You both stare at the drifting feathers, Loxarn if horrified dread,
you in gleeful anticipation. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back
and... YES! One of the feathers lands full across the line! The
Pentagram is broken! You are free!
Before the wizard can react, you have crossed the space, slamming
into him, slashing, biting, throwing him down to the floor. His
staff skitters away, he cries out in fear and pain. This is no
time for weapons, you must close and finish the job before he
recovers his wits. Suddenly he goes limp, dead or unconscious?
You aren't sure. You hear voices below, footsteps pounding up
stairs, crys of alarm. There is no time to waste!
In a flash you are out the window, dodge the sails, spread your
wings and are away!
Rising up into the night sky, you see that it is only a few hours
after sunset... To the west there is still a glow of twilight,
but the ground below is in deep gloom. Looking back, you see the
now distant windmill, set atop a hill, the sails turning slowly
in the breeze. There is a light there in the window, other lights
below, but it is of no concern to you. You are free! Free to go
where you will and do as you will!
You fly in a circle, taking in the view.... You can see several
smatterings of lights below. A village perhaps, some
farmsteads,,,, There, to the south. A vast array of lights...
A city!, Beyond the city a great smooth expanse of darkness.
Water, a lake perhaps? Hard to tell from here. You fly one more
circle, then pick a direction and set off.
(Note: Items like the waterskin, pack, etc you can pick up in
your first town. Everything else is with you.)
<<<
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 1
PC: Umeida
Umeida picks a random farmstead (or other source of light, as it may be) near the edges of her visual horizon (perhaps something like 10-20 miles away) and sets off towards it. Those mortals back at the windmill might guess what took place, and if/when they do organize a search it makes more sense for her to be as far as possible from her entry point - She has no desire to risk a fight with the servants of the Slayer. Also, entering the city or nearby village right away before finding out more about local customs would be downright stupid. Farmers in general are often reasonably friendly folks, as compared to city dwellers..
Before entering the proximity of the lightsource, she lands and changes into her human form, using her steel
shield as a mirror to verify that she got the change right (every change attempt takes 3 seconds, memorized
forms are at no penalty to the skill roll). Also, she spends some time making sure that she looks as presentable as possible, making sure that her armor is clean, that there are no blood droplets on her clothing and so on.
Then she walks confidently closer to her destination. She is thinking hard how to explain herself to the
farmers.. Perhaps she could claim that she hit her head in the woods or in a battle and now seems to have lost most of her memory, thus needing help with local customs and the like. Yes, that might work..
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 2
PC: Umeida
As you passed above, you noted that the farmstead is compased of two cottages, a small barn or large shed, several smaller sheds and outbuildings. A couple pens and corrals. The entire area is surrounded by a fence of interlaced logs and carefully cultivated thorn bushes. The fencing would only slow a determined attacker, but is adequate to keep most predators out. There are two gates, one that is clearly a stock gate and opens to the fields. The second has a path leading away in the direction of what passes for a road. The only lights are in the cottages. As you approach the compound, several large dogs begin barking.
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 3
PC: Umeida
Humming an ancient marching tune from some other mortal civilization long dead
and forgotten now, Freya follows the path towards the main gate, her metal plated
heavy boots and armor clinking slightly.
(Notes: She does not have the 'Frightens Animals' disad, like some other more
powerful varieties of demons. To clarify things, I will use the fake name of the
form Umeida is wearing at the time, when writing my replies.)
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 3
PC: Umeida
The dpg's barking continues as you approach the gate. You can hear a door and several
hushed voices. Spmeone snarls at the dogs and they fall silent. There is a moments
silence as the occupants listen to your approach. Finally a male voice calls out,
"Who's out there?"
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 3
PC: Umeida
Freya, answers with a friendly voice: "I am Freya, a lone adventurer. I am sorry to
bother you at this late hour, but I am tired and I havent eaten anything today, I would really appreciate if you could extend me some hospitability?"
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 4
PC: Umeida
The voices stop for a moment, then resume in a whisper. Then one voice calls, "Come on up to the gate, alone." You hear him say to someone else. "Get a light."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 4
PC: Umeida
Freya walks to the gate: "Well, here I am." She looks around; "And really, there is nobody else out here except me.. If you so wish, I shall go away."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 5
PC: Umeida
You can see a light approaching from the other side of the gate. There are three men, one carrying a lantern and a spear, a second with a loaded and cocked crossbow and the third with a large axe. The one with the lantern raises it to shine more on you. The man with the crossbow points it at you while the one with the axe tightens his grip and looks around a little fearfully.
The man with the lantern appears to be the oldest and seems to be in charge. You judge him to be in his fifties, and tho he appears cautious, he doesn't seem to be afraid. He looks you over for a long moment, then says, "Rhyss, don't point that damn thing at her. You might shoot her by mistake."
The youngest man, who is carrying the axe, giggles nervously. "Thats the only way Rhyss would hit her, by mistake."
"Shut up, Cal." Rhyss snarls, but he aims off over your shoulder.
The man with the lantern says, "What are you doing way out here at this time of night, Miss.?"
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 5
PC: Umeida
Freya answers with a friendly smile: "I was lost in the wilderness untill I saw your lights.
I dont know how I got out there in the first place, seems that I have lost most of my
memories - I just woke up amidst the woods couple of days ago with a headache.. I
am sorry, but I cannot even remember what my last name is, much less what exactly
I was doing alone out there."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 6
PC: Umeida
"Did someone attack you?" The one called Cal asks, a trifle eagerly "There are bandits about."
Rhyss makes a derisive noise, "Pahh! There's no bandits around here Cal, not in three years."
"You never know..."
"Quiet you two." The older man barks. He looks at you for a moment, then says, "Your welcome to spend the night, if you don't mind leaving your weapons outside."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 6
PC: Umeida
Freya, looks at Cal as she speaks: "I might have been attacked, I dont know how exactly I got unconscious. Fact is, I had no backpack and no wilderness survival equipment when I came to. Perhaps they were taken from me while I was unconscious.. I wandered for two days before I saw the lights of your farm tonight, so my accident occurred maybe about three or four dozen miles away, possibly more."
Playfully she winks an eye and says to the leader; "Er.. About leaving my weapons outside your gates - who knows, a stray dog might take a liking to my wooden sword and decide to bury it somewhere, or worse.. Why couldn't we just put my weapons wherever you keep yours?"
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 7
PC: Umeida
He regards you for a moment, then nods. "Alright." He opens the gate for you and steps back to let you in. As you enter he will extend his hand for your weapons.
The other two will step back as well, lowering their weapons.
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 7
PC: Umeida
Freya collects her weapons and ammunition neatly on her shield and unstrings her stonebow.
She then asks, showing her prince-grade large knife: "I use this knife just for woodwork and eating, but I am asking if this counts as a weapon in your eyes?"
She then hands over her weapons on her shield: "Here, take good care of them."
Freya then adds: "I would really appreciate if you could give me water and something to eat."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 8
PC: Umeida
The older man accepts the weapons and nods at the knife, "Keep it." He turns and leads the way to the larger (slightly) of the two cottages. Over his shoulder he says, "There is some stew and bread from supper, and either cider or water. You are welcome to as much as you wish."
As you approach the cottage you become aware of a problem, above the door is a carving of a ornate Sunburst, a common motiff (one of several) of the layity of the Slayer's religion. This IS a holy symbol.
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 8
PC: Umeida
Freya, with a rewarding smile: "Thats very kind of you."
As she approaches the doorway and forces herself to remain calm, Freya - as if by accident - trips on the porch and slides through the doorway, conveniently right below the symbols effective dread radius.
Freya apologizes as she gets back to her feet inside the cottage: "Oh, I am sorry, I am just a bit weak at the moment."
She is all smile and happiness as she gets her hands on the food and cider (it has been a while since she has had the chance to eat anything on the material plane, most succesfull summonings are so tightly controlled and short that there is no time for any fun, like eating);
"Yum.. This is very good.. Oh, how can I ever thank you enough, you just saved my life.."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 9
PC: Umeida
The men are concerned and move to help you to your feet and brush you off.
As you climb to your feet you see two astonished looking women staring at you, one is in her forties, the other in her early twenties. The older one stands up as you sprawl on the floor, "Mitra! What is all this fuss about?"
The man who seems to be in charge says, "Its allright Mother, this young lady has been injured and lost in the countryside for several days. She needs something to eat."
The woman will guide you to a seat at a home made table and, with much clucking and fussing, dish you out a bowl of stew from a still warm cook pot. As she is putting it in front of you she asks, "What is your name, dear?" To the men she says, "Don't just stand around, go fetch some water and a bit more wood for the fire."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 9
PC: Umeida
Before she sits down, Freya takes off her helmet and smiles, revealing
perfect white teeth.
Freya: "My name is Freya, pleased to meet you. Short story even shorter,
I awoke from unconsciousness two days of wandering away from here amidst wilderness and noticed I had a headache and that I could not remember anything of my past, save for my first name.."
After a while she adds; "Oh, if I by accident do or say anything which might offend you, please be so kind as to tell me.. I try my best to behave well, but I cannot remember anything about customs and the like - It is as if all my memories from the time before last two days are lost to me."
>The man who is carrying your weapons, you will learn that his name is Veron, stacks
> them safely in a corner, then takes a seat that is conveniently located midway between
> you and your sword.
Freya notices this, but is not overtly worried - Even if these people would all group up on her (which she seriously doubts) they would be no match for her unarmed combat skills, or so she thinks in her overconfidence.
Freya, after finishing eating her bowl of stew: "I feel much better now.." She looks at
Veron with her emerald eyes: "Look, I really dont know where I could go.. Could I stay for a while, I think I could build you a new wooden cabinet in return for your help or contribute something else of value?"
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 10
PC: Umeida
Rhyss, who is standing back by the door says, "You know woodworking?"
Veron frowns slightly at your request. "I think it best if tomorrow we take you to see the Priest in town. He is an expert Healer and I'm certain he can help you regain your memory."
Cal, who is sitting on a stool says brightly, "Yeah! Remeber how he helped old man Jordan after that cow kicked him in the head! He couldn't focus on nothin for two days, then the Priest fixed him right up in a matter of minutes."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 10
PC: Umeida
(Ok, I will not reply between text in the future.)
Freya, looks at Rhyss: "Sure, I can just feel it. Give me a piece of wood and I can make something out of it."
Then she looks at Cal and Veron: "There is a town nearby? And a priest of Mitra who would heal me for free?"
"I'd like to know where I am, what is this land called? What year is it now?"
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 11
PC: Umeida
Rhyss doesn't say anymore, he just has a puzzled look on his face.
Veron doesn't answer you, he just l watches you. Cal says, "The village of Sprigton is about six miles thattaway." He points past the fireplace. The Priest there is Father Wolhan, he's really nice. I'm sure he won't charge you are anything."
Veron stirrs himself, "No, he won't charge you. He's a good man, tho he can be a terrible scourge to the wicked." He takes out a pipe and a pouch of tobacco and begins filling the bowl. "You are near the village of Springton, in County Oesel, in the Duchy of Argentus, of the Kingdom of Velitrium. It is the year 899 from Founding."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 11
PC: Umeida
Freya, looks at Veron, meeting his eyes with her emerald green: "I see some distrust in your eyes, but I blame you not.. I cant really remember anything, but deep down I feel that I am by no means a wicked person, quite the opposite. I feel that I know the weapons of war well, but I also feel that I fight only for good causes."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 12
PC: Umeida
Veron grunts in acknowledgement, sucks on his pipe for a moment, then says. "Tomorrow we will take you to see the Priest. If any in Velitrium can restore your memory, it will be one of the Father's in the Church."
Veron's wife comes back carrying a bundle of blankets and quilts. "I will lay these out in front of the fire for you." She explains Rhyss and the young woman who hasn't spoken, but who seems to be Rhyss' wife, say their good nights and leave for the other cottage..
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 PC POST 12
PC: Umeida
Freya, looks at everyone around with a warm smile: "Thank you, and good night everyone."
She sits down on the blankets and starts to remove, maintenance and polish her armor piece by piece (starting with her boots) with practiced ease of an armourer, using a small piece of cloth and small amount of oil from her personal items (she does this quite silently, so that she does not bother anyone who might be trying to sleep).
After Freya is done with her armor, she takes care of her shield, making sure that no dirt or moisture remains on its metal surfaces.
Freya takes a short rest period, appearing to be asleep and rises up hours before sun-up (she needs only one night of sleep per week, so this is no problem for her). Silently she gathers all of her belongings and puts on her armor. Before moving silently out on to the porch (crouching to avoid the dread radius, of course) she picks up a piece of firewood suitable for sculpting. Then she sits on the porch and starts turning the piece of wood into a small work of sculpture art with her knife. She tries her best to catch the likeness of
a heroic Mitraic warrior cleric (her visualization is propably off by some hundred years into the past, though) within the following couple hours or so. When she is finished, she signs her work by carving the letter 'F' under its stand.. Freya intends to leave this work on her blankets as thanks to her hosts before slipping away into twilight - She has no intention of going into Mitra's temple, that would be just plain stupid, like putting ones head into hungry lions mouth.
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 3 GM POST 13
PC: Umeida
As you slouch through the door, out onto the porch, the still night is shattered by the barking of the guard dogs, whom you have forgotten about. From the back of the house you hear Veron grumbling and stumbling out of bed. You also are aware of movement in the other cottage.
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 PC POST 13
PC: Umeida
Freya sighs and sits down onto the porch, and starts to work the piece
of firewood. She did remember the dogs, sort of, but mistakenly thought
that she would not disturb them by just coming out onto the porch. She
says to Veron "Its okay, take it easy. It just seems that your dogs
dont like me much - I had barely put my nose out the door and they
already started a racket. I am sorry, I had no idea they would do so."
As Veron stumbles out, she thinks up an explanation.. She is going to
claim that she saw a horrible nightmare - because she couldnt sleep
anymore, she came out here onto the porch to do some woodwork.. Also,
she could add that now - after the nightmare - she does not want to
remember, as some things are best left forgotten.. Of course exactly
how she is going to say all this depends on the reactions of Veron and
others.
-
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 GM POST 14
PC: Umeida
The dogs continue to bark, bristle and snarl at you. (Thet do not fear
you but they seem to sense that there is something strange about you.)
Veron comes out the door, carrying his spear again. Cal is behind him
with his axe. Across at the other cottage you can see Rhyss with the
crossbow again.
Veron stares at you, listening to your explanation. "Do you always put
your armor on to carve wood?" He asks at last.
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 PC POST 14
PC: Umeida
Freya, innocently, continuing carving the wood: "Sure, why not? .. I
have
nothing else to wear, and my silk underwear is.. um.. a little bit too
light for outdoor wear. Besides, my armor is comfortable and light, I
dont mind wearing it.. Oh, do you think that it is my armor the dogs are
so excited about?"
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 GM POST 15
PC: Umeida
"Hmmph" Is all Veron replies to you. He snarls at the dogs to "Shut yer bloddy
mouths!" He has to speak several times before they finally stop their
barking. They slink away, growling, bristling and watching you as they go.
"Go to bed." Veron growls and goes back inside. You see that Rhyss has
already gone back in, and Cal smiles, shrugs and follows Veron into the
cottage.
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 PC POST 15
PC: Umeida
Freya smiles back at Cal and winks an eye at him (if nobody else is
watching at the moment).
She follows shortly after them (crouching at the doorway briefly, of
course), but at first cuts off largest parts of the wood piece, leaving
(only) fine details work to be done inside the cottage. Inside, she
finishes the sculpture with silent efficiency, carefully collecting all
resulting woodchips and putting them into the fireplace. She spares
no effort doing this sculpture and continues detailing and decorating
it tirelessly untill the dawn - She hopes it will be good enough to
compensate for the troubles her hosts have gone through for her.
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 GM POST 16
PC: Umeida
The night will pass quietly. You can hear the dogs snuffling at the door and
growling a couple times, but other than that all is still. You are able to finish
the carving as the sky begins to lighten. You could spend a lot more time on the
work, but it is satisfactory as is. You begin to hear some movement from the other
rooms in the cottage. The old woman is the first person to come out, she pauses
when she sees you. "Goodness! Haven't you slept at all?"
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 PC POST 16
PC: Umeida
Freya: "I did sleep for a few hours - Its just that after the nightmare I saw, I did
not feel like sleeping."
She stands up, smiles in a friendly way and hands over the small wooden statue;
"Say, do you think you could find a good place for this? .. It is only a small
token of appreciation from me to you and your family."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 GM POST 17
PC: Umeida
She takes the statue with much thanks and puts it on the mantle. "Hopefully the Priest
will be able to fix you up properly." She says, and sets about making breakfast
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 PC POST 17
PC: Umeida
Freya: "I am sorry, but I am not ready to see the priest today. I dont think I could take
the pain of remembering just yet, not after what I saw in my nightmare.. Some things
are best left forgotten."
After a brief pause she adds: "Is there anything I could help you with?"
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 GM POST 18
PC: Umeida
The old woman smiles a 'I know whats best for you smile' "Now don't you worry about the Priest, he won't do anything to hurt you. I will have Veronl send Cal to fetch him, so you won't even have to travel. And don't fret about doing things, you are a guest here. Just sit and relax."
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 PC POST 18
PC: Umeida
Freya, nods in response "Yes, you are right of course, I should not worry about the
Priest.." and continues: "But I feel that I do need some excercise before the breakfast -
I have been relaxing and sitting still here for most of the night already, I need to get
this numbness off my limbs."
She picks up her shield, with her weapons still ontop of it, heads for the door and says;
"I will be back after a while." On the pretense of fumbling with her shield and almost
dropping it 'accidentally' she crouches to catch it while passing the doorway.
Freya hopes that the dogs would have adjusted to her different smell or whatever
it is that sets her apart from others during the night, but is expecting them to start barking
at any moment after she clears the doorway. If they start it again, she shouts at them
annoyedly in very determined voice: "Dogs, shut up!"
She plans on leaving the farmstead right away before breakfast, as 'worrying
about the priest' is waste of time. Freya has no doubts about what the priest
would do to her after he finds what the close proximity of holy symbols does
to her - At best it would be an instant return-ticket to hell.
Velitrium Campaign
PBEM Series 2 GM POST 19
PC: Umeida
The old woman will smile and nod, "Ok, dear. I will call you when breakfast is ready. Don't wander off now. Don't mind the dogs! If they give you any gruff, Rhyss will tie them up for you."
When you get outside you can see Rhyss on the far side of the enclosure, apparently opening the hen house to allow the birds out to forage. There is no immediate sign of the dogs.
