The World of Layonara

Character Development => Development Journals and Discussion => Topic started by: Script Wrecked on June 08, 2011, 08:42:07 pm

Title: Naldin
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 08, 2011, 08:42:07 pm

[LORE]Naldin[/LORE]
[THREAD=283256]New Character Submission[/THREAD]

[LORE]Rofirein[/LORE]
Rofirein Forum (http://forums.layonara.com/rofirein/)

[LORE]Lawful Evil[/LORE]

Dwarven (http://www.tilansia.com/langconvert.php?language=Dwarf&lid=7)

Title: Chronology
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 08, 2011, 08:51:30 pm

[TABLE=head;SORT=1]Id|Lv|Pg|Date|Log|Calendar/Synopsis|GM/Links
1|1|1|1481-11-15|20110517_153658|Character creation; Naldin arrives on Mistone|
2.0|6|4|1482-01-02|20110520_162354|One Fine Bright Light (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=17921&day=2011-5-20&c=3)|Ro,Ae
2.1|||||Defend Hlint, Elohanna from Cult|
3|8|12|1482-03-28|20110525_235925|[NOPARSE]Death 1 (SM:58,DC:8)[/NOPARSE]|
4|8|16|1482-04-09|20110526_185450|Mr. Silver and Mr. Cove offer Naldin a "job"|??
5|8|17|1482-04-15|20110526_2328|Naldin begins his association with the temple at Fort Vehl|[THREAD=283364]a[/THREAD]
6|8||1482-06-19|20110530_230331|Maxamilian asks Naldin about being a knight|[POST=1724214]20*[/POST]
7|8||1482-07-01||Naldin ponders poison|[POST=1722175]3[/POST]
8|8||1482-08-19||Naldin begins his research into poison|[POST=1722677]4[/POST]
9|8||1482-09-08||Naldin changes tack|[POST=1722732]5[/POST]
10|8|35|1482-09-18|20110605_1231|Naldin seeks an appointment with Reus|[THREAD=283473]b[/THREAD],[POST=1723035]6[/POST]
11|8||1482-10-04|20110607_000851|Maxamillian broaches service as a knight|[POST=1724218]21*[/POST]
12|9|38|1482-10-11|20110606_194803|Naldin begins his poison craft|[POST=1723094]7[/POST]
13|9||1482-11-06||Naldin ponders Vehl|[POST=1723132]8[/POST]
14.0|9|43|1482-12-01|20110609_235442|Law makers and breakers (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=17938&day=2011-6-9&c=3)|St
14.1|||||Madasi Bruche clan of Dragon Isles seek justice|[POST=1723195]9[/POST]
15|9||1482-12-23||Naldin begins his poison meals|[POST=1723243]10[/POST]
16|9|47|1483-01-14|20110612_182254|Dantrag the imp seeks help for master|Ge
17|9|47|1483-01-18|20110612_225833|Death 2 (SM:5,DC:10) SS, GP1|[THREAD=283531]c[/THREAD]
18|9||1483-01-27||Naldin takes to the streets of Vehl|[POST=1723329]11[/POST]
19|9||1483-02-21|20110615_0203|Naldin submits a letter for an appointment with Reus|[POST=1722242]d[/POST],[POST=1723407]12[/POST]
20.0|9|55|1483-03-22|20110616_231449|Law makers and breakers (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=17940&day=2011-6-16&c=3)|St
20.1|||||Judge Tyfllo Wercom wants his bard|[POST=1723464]13[/POST]
21|9||1483-04-05||Naldin ponders Maxamilian's suggestion|[POST=1724304]22*[/POST]
22|9||1483-04-17||Naldin falls in with some beggars|[POST=1723708]14[/POST]
23|9|58|1483-05-10|20110619_223958|Dantrag the imp seeks help for master again|Ge,[POST=1723775]15[/POST]
24|9||1483-06-06||Naldin and the beggars chased out of the warehouse|[POST=1723886]16[/POST]
25|9||1483-06-12||Naldin ponders what being a knight could mean|[POST=1724356]23*[/POST]
26|9||1483-07-03||Naldin learns the beggars' fate|[POST=1724068]17[/POST]
27|9||1483-07-26||Naldin learns of the assailants|[POST=1724135]18[/POST]
28|9||1483-08-13||Naldin makes preparations|[POST=1724212]19[/POST]
29|9||1483-09-07||Naldin hunts his quarry|[POST=1724387]24[/POST]
30|9||1483-09-16||An unfortunate riding accident|[POST=1724465]25[/POST]
31|9||1483-10-01||Is this a knight?|[POST=1724565]26[/POST]
32|9||1483-10-25||Courses of action|[POST=1724663]27[/POST]
33|9||1483-11-14||Another situation to rectify|[POST=1724745]28[/POST]
34|9||1483-12-04||New poison|[POST=1724869]29[/POST]
35|9||1484-01-12||How to make lethal strikes|[POST=1724907]30[/POST]
36|9||1484-02-05||Marrent Aylomen|[POST=1724972]31[/POST]
37|9||1484-03-20|20110709_0612|Naldin gets a response from the Temple|[POST=1723937]e[/POST],[POST=1725000]32[/POST]
38|9||1484-04-15||Learning the lethal strikes|[POST=1725062]33[/POST]
39|10|87|1484-04-18|20110711_004043|Level 10|
40|10||1484-05-04||A companion moment|[POST=1725210]34[/POST]
41|10||1484-05-28||Lethal training|[POST=1725288]35[/POST]
42|10||1484-06-19||Naldin resolves to become a knight|[POST=1725400]36[/POST]
43|10||1484-07-02||Laneway punch-on|[POST=1725517]37[/POST]
44|10||1484-07-17||Head strikes|[POST=1725567]38[/POST]
45|10||1484-08-08||Alleyway moment|[POST=1725608]39[/POST]
46|10||1484-09-14||Heart strikes|[POST=1725675]40[/POST]
[/TABLE]

Ae:Aether, Ca:Canislupis, Ni:Nimrod, No:Nova, Re:Redeemer, Ro:Rowan, St:Stranger, Wi:Witchdoctor, ??
Ge:Geloooo

* out of chronological sequence

Title: 1482-07-01
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 13, 2011, 05:15:38 am

Naldin sat by the fire of his campsite at the edge of the Silkwood. He was recovering once more from the venomous bites of various denizens in his efforts to [POST=1720946]purvey[/POST] spider silk. This hadn't been a problem as a tunnel runner, when he had (mostly) sought to avoid engaging the various creatures. Now, during lucid moments between vomiting and sweating, he pondered whether there was any means to become inured to their toxic effects.

Title: 1482-08-19
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 20, 2011, 12:29:22 am

Naldin sat at the table in the library(1), the books and folios he had pulled from the shelves were all too slender, too arcane, or, in some cases, just misleading. It seemed there wasn't much information available on poisons, venom, or toxins; that, or people guarded their knowledge all too well. Some authors had gone to great lengths to illustrate the dissection of various venomous animals, or to list their medicinal cures, but no-one seemed to know why they worked, or what the antidote did. Not in this small collection, least ways.



(1) either a public library in Port Hempstead, or, if there isn't one, a private collection that Naldin has managed to persuade the owner to let him purvey, perhaps in exchange for commensurate efforts that Naldin could supply, or, maybe, that Naldin just drank the owner under the table one evening

Title: 1482-09-08
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 21, 2011, 12:59:10 am

Gah! Naldin felt as though he was chasing his own tail. Traipsing over Mistone in pursuit of information that just didn't seem to exist. Supposed libraries that were mere books, supposed experts that were just quacks, gaining the confidence of people to tease their secrets out only to be presented with old wives tales. Naldin had become more dour at the prospects of success.

Perhaps he was going about this the wrong way. Perhaps he would have to be the one that made the inroads, be the writer and not the reader. But how? How to go about this?

Naldin brooded over this for several weeks. Where to begin? Finally a thought occurred to him. The humans had an expression for it, "hair of the dog". Perhaps a little of the poison would strengthen you against the being poisoned.

Yes, that's right, poison yourself slowly and save someone else the trouble, he thought. And yet, no other options were available.

He rubbed at his head. For this, he would have to learn how to make poison. And to do that would likely entail exposure to poisonous creatures. He snorted at the irony.

Title: 1482-09-18
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 25, 2011, 10:49:59 pm

When Naldin had first discerned the nature of living in Fort Vehl, he had been quite taken aback. Whereas his home in Taur'en was a refuge of support and mutual assistance in a wilderness of potential predators, it seemed Vehl itself was an arena for that very predation to take place. And what was prey in one circumstance became predator in another. Naldin did not understand how a community could seek to prosper in an atmosphere of such vested self interest.

So, when he found there was a temple of the Lord Protector in the very town itself, he had been filled with hope. The great Gold Dragon was the very remedy to the sickness of the "me first" attitude that afflicted these people.

Naldin thought that extending the presence of the Lord Protector onto the mean streets with patrols of liveried temple guard would be enough to affect change. Establishing a zone of order would naturally draw people to the protection it afforded. Seeing the benefits, they would be inclined to adopt the teachings of the Great Gold. Slowly but surely, things would begin to change for the betterment of all.

With this in mind, Naldin [THREAD=283473]approached[/THREAD] the Temple with his idea.

Title: 1482-10-11
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 27, 2011, 08:04:33 am

Naldin wiped his hands on a cloth, looking at his handiwork with no small sense of accomplishment. The vial looked innocuous enough as it rested in the rack, despite holding the venom of the small spider.

He uncorked the vial, and tentatively dabbed his finger into its contents.

Nothing adverse so far.

He took a breath, then dabbed the finger onto.. the end.. of his.. tongue...

Argh. His tongue burnt, his mouth soured, and he started salivating great mouthfuls of spit.

Well, that was stupid, he thought as he reached for water to relieve his discomfort.

When he regained some level of composure, he eyed the vial suspiciously. Now, he was going to have to find some means of safely ingesting the stuff.

Title: 1482-11-06
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 27, 2011, 11:50:47 pm

Naldin stood at the quayside of Fort Vehl, watching the world go by. There had still been no response to his [POST=1723035]proposal[/POST] from the Temple. He pondered what it might be about the Vehlians that dissuaded the Temple from making progress into this society.

Sure, Naldin had walked amongst them, but he could sense he was treated as an outsider. From what he had observed, the Vehlians seemed quite.. tribal, even amongst the different groups. The place where this barrier seemed to come down somewhat was at the local taverns, the watering holes. They were a bit more accepting, or perhaps, relaxed, then.

Sure, brawls still erupted amongst the different groups, and, Naldin had noticed, were prone to be more spiteful than similar dwarven punch-ons. Whereas dwarves were content to pummel each other and break chairs across the odd back, all too often knives were drawn.

Somehow, a closer look would be required.

Title: 1482-12-01
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 29, 2011, 04:08:18 am

They had been engaged to collect some taxes on behalf of a tax agent from the Madasi Bruche clan of the Dragon Isles. En route, they were attacked by and had slain the clan's sacred bear.

The reactions by Maxamilian (http://lore.layonara.com/Maxamilian%20De%27Lourney) and Samantha (http://lore.layonara.com/Samantha%20Merritt) when the tribe had found them in breach of the clan law caught Naldin off guard. Perhaps they had been affronted by the suggestion that they could break any law, whether knowingly or not. Or perhaps that this was some sort of plot, by enemies of Rofirein, to trap two of his servants using the net of the very law itself. Whatever the case may have been, they both began arguing semantics with the clan, whether, as tax agents they had diplomatic immunity, whether as servants of Rofirein were subject to clan law rather than the Common Law, what the jurisdiction was, where any trial should be held.

It all seemed to make a mountain out of a molehill as far as Naldin was concerned. Surely the honourable thing was to offer the tribe some sort of recompense for the loss of their bear; it was an accident, but the tribe were entitled to some sort of material reimbursement, or render of services.

Of course, if the tribe had wanted death, or something out of all proportion, that would have been different.

In the end, the tribe had required trial by ordeal, which they all submitted to, and passed.

Title: 1482-12-23
Post by: Script Wrecked on June 30, 2011, 04:03:37 am

Of late, each time Naldin had been in a crafting hall he had availed himself of the alchemical workbench to find how to dilute the spider venom. Drawing on the skills he had learnt potion making, he had tried all sorts of liquids: water, various pressed oils, wine, beer, spirits, melted butter and lard, even sea water; searching for the one with which the venom would mix without altering it. After much effort, he had found the best one(1).

He added a drop of venom to a bottle of the liquid, and gave it a good shake. Mashing up some hardtack into a bowl with a few slurps from the bottle, he created a sort of gruel. Tentatively, he took a spoonful. The resultant slurry was hardly pleasant, but nonetheless palatable.

And so Naldin completed the first of many such meals which were to become a staple for the foreseeable future.


(1) whichever one that might be

Title: 1483-01-27
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 01, 2011, 09:49:57 am

Naldin had thought long and hard about what would be the best way to get amongst the people of Vehl to find out why they had been such a hard nut for the Temple to crack. As an adventurer marching around in armor he was marked as an outsider. Perhaps working among them would give him better access. He considered labouring as a dockworker, working in a tavern, perhaps even standing on a corner as a beggar. In the end, he settled for something a bit more useful; he could roam the streets as a tinker, going from door to door sharpening knives. All he needed was a grinding wheel and a barrow.

Title: 1483-02-21
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 02, 2011, 04:40:56 am

Wandering the streets of Vehl as a tinker had been quite an eye opener. It was one thing to observe the Vehlians go about their day-to-day lives, quite another to be chased down the street by someone's losed dog, be warned off by surly youths gathered at a street corner, be pelted by cabbages by adolescents, or be spat by an obnoxious child upon from the refuge of an upstairs window.

More surprisingly, Naldin found that he had actually made a few coppers from his trade. It had proved useful that he knew a thing or two about a good edge on a blade or hatchet. He had gained a few insights as he had stood at backdoors grinding at his wheel. It seemed they were very tribal, and quite territorial with it.

It was like a whole bunch of villages had been mashed together and left to sort out amongst themselves how things were divvied up. Unfortunately, it seemed resources were sparse, and the rule of "first in, best fed" applied. So if someone, not of your village wandered by, they were fair game for, well anything, pickpocketing, mugging, or someone to beat your frustrations out on.

So, he hoped that his written [POST=1722242]submission[/POST] for street patrols to give the inhabitants an umbrella of security might gain some traction within the Temple machinery.

Title: 1483-03-22
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 03, 2011, 12:24:59 am

A judge of the law courts had requested help from Maxamilian, Samantha and Naldin in tracking down and retrieving a bard whom had written a certain play which may or may not have incited an accused to rob the local Xeenite temple/shrine.

Och, Naldin had never heard such rubbish. It sounded like a feeble excuse to him.

Nonetheless, they travelled to the village were the bard was last known to be. En route, they came across a local gentry and villagers about to lynch a bandit for killing a shepherd. The Rofireinites could not allow that to happen, and offered to transport the bandit to Vehl for a fair trial. Given their current mission, Naldin volunteered to take the bandit back to Vehl. Samantha even gave him official papers deputising him in this matter.

So, when the bandit promised all sorts of largess in exchange for his freedom, Naldin was quite offended, and the return route may have been a bit more brusque for the bandit than it otherwise would have been. It was with no small pride that he discharged his duty when he arrived in Vehl.

Title: 1483-04-17
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 06, 2011, 02:23:54 am

Naldin had fallen in with a group of beggars. Wandering the streets, he would drop the proceeds of his tinkering efforts into the various begging bowls as he went about his business.

One particularly dirty night when it seemed Mist was intent on reminding the whole town how close to the sea they were, Naldin was pushing his cart along a dark street. Someone signalled him from the shadows. Cautiously he approached, only to find himself ushered into a sheltered alleyway by a particularly wiry old beggar.

Gratefully he took his place at a small fire around which were huddled several other vagrants. They didn't say much, and barely grunted in greeting. Whether they had ultimately intended to rob him cannot be said, but as fortunate had it, Naldin was able to proffer a bottle of Tower Malt liquor.

This seemed to win him immediate favour. The bottle had barely completed one circuit of the group before the beggars opened up and started talking. It almost seemed a shame when the bottle finally emptied and the beggars turned over to sleep. They had had quite a few tales to tell from years of living on the streets, of the Beggars' Guild, people seen where they weren't "supposed" to be, and various nefarious goings-on.

Title: 1483-05-10
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 07, 2011, 08:04:25 am

Bleedin' Imps! Naldin had thought when the imp Dantrag had showed his face again. Naldin had chased the imp off last time with a few well aimed shoots from his bow. Now the varmint had returned.

Save my master Dakkarnok, who is likely some pit fiend given its locale of Pit Three Hundred and Thirty Three, from some "evil" wizard called Nethrider. Like, what parts of that were likely to be true in any shape or form? And who would step into the snake pit of lies and deception to find out?

Not Naldin. He had made his view clear with a few more fine examples of his archery.

Title: 1483-06-06
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 08, 2011, 06:30:50 am

"Scarper!"

Naldin had been sitting at a meager fire in the company of the beggars in the darkness of small corner at the back of a derelict warehouse when suddenly there had been banging on the wooden door. Not knocking, but banging, building to a crescendo.

Before Naldin had realised what might have been happening, his esteemed company had scrambled in the other direction.

The door was kicked open and someone poked a torch inside, "Little pigs... little pigs... where are you?"

With that, a bevy of young men, notable for their finer dress, burst into the warehouse. It soon became apparent they were in pursuit of the vagrants. Naldin melded into the shadows as best he good, intent on catching up with his comrades.

Noise of various commotions came from about the warehouse. It became clear that there were multiple groups of men scouring the place, and the beggars were having to work hard to avoid them. Some were not so lucky.

Naldin came across one of the beggars cornered by a particularly surly man brandishing his torch as a club. He seemed to enjoy making feigned strikes at the unfortunate beggar, turning him this way and that.

"You know what we're going to do to you, don't you," he sneered. The beggar's response seemed to indicate he knew.

The lout called for two of his fellows, but kept a watchful eye on his cornered quarry. Which is probably why he didn't have any idea what hit him when Naldin cracked him across the back and the head with a nearby timber.

The beggar pulled Naldin with him as he made his speedy retreat, but ran off when Naldin stopped to look back at the warehouse from the safety of the street.

A short time later, the men departed the warehouse, supporting one of their fellows as they left. Naldin's eyes narrowed as he appraised what had just taken place.

Title: 1483-07-03
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 11, 2011, 06:58:54 am

After the incident at the warehouse, Naldin had found his beggar comrades scarce on the streets. Eventually they had returned to their usual haunts, and Naldin had learnt that one of them had been roughed up pretty badly that night.

So, when Naldin returned to Fort Vehl from a sojourn into the local wilds, it was with some concern that he found them gone again.

Eventually, Naldin tracked one of them down to the Beggar's Guild. The beggar was in pretty bad shape. It seemed the men had caught up with the beggars, and they had expressed their rancor at the beggars' escape and their leader being accosted. One of the other beggars had been killed outright, and another died later of his wounds. A quiet anger began to rise in Naldin.

The others beggars related how they were subject to predation by some of the young rakes of the town looking for 'sport'. It seemed there was no recourse available to the beggars' apart from the sanctuary of the guild. Too often the young nobles had be shown to be above the law and the beggars below it.

All this rankled Naldin no end, and seemed to exemplify everything that was wrong with Vehl. He gave the beggar one of his potions to drink, and passed the beggar master some coin to ensure the beggar was looked after while he recuperated.

He then set out with a mind to make some justice for the beggars.

Title: 1483-07-26
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 12, 2011, 07:31:13 am

With help from members of the Beggars' Guild, Naldin had been able to track down the assailants from the night at the warehouse. It seemed they were young men from various merchant families and perhaps the lower edge of Vehl's nobility.

Naldin couldn't believe it. The privileged few preying, preying, on the city's unfortunates. For sport! They'd failed to learn from a reprimanding cuff, and instead killed two beggars in retaliation. These young men had been seriously failed in their up bringing. Or maybe it was their intrinsic temperament. Or maybe they had inherited their outlook from their parents. Or perhaps their privileged environment skewed their sensibilities. In any case, innocents were baring the brunt of this travesty. This could not be allowed to stand.

The All-Seeing saw all, saw this injustice. The common people must be protected, and yet the judicial process would likely fail them. Another path must be taken. A more direct path.

Title: 1483-08-13
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 13, 2011, 07:17:40 am

Once Naldin had found out who the warehouse assailants were, it hadn't been too hard to observe them. He had been able to follow them about the streets of Vehl of a night time and saw what establishments they frequented. He had got a brief glimpse into their domestic lives as a temporary night porter and muckraker.

Everything he observed or learnt about them seemed only to confirm his original impression. It seemed the group's leader was at the center of determining how they amused themselves. Perhaps if he was removed, the others would show less inclination for beating upon the poor.

Naldin learnt they enjoyed hunting deer as well as chasing down beggars. This seemed too good an opportunity to miss. There were plenty of opportunities for accidents whilst out hunting, and the woods were familiar territory to Naldin. He would shoot the leader from the back of the group when they loosed their arrows at their prey, using one of their own arrows. It would look like one of them had accidentally shot him.

As an archer, Naldin was well aware of the propensity to watch the arrow until it struck the target. So, he took to the woods to practice releasing the arrow and immediately rolling back into the undergrowth. He intended to be out of sight before anyone thought to look around.

Title: 1482-06-19*
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 13, 2011, 08:23:59 am

Maxamilian: We make a good team, Naldin.
____Naldin: Och. Yoo foight wull, laddie.
Maxamilian: Naldin, have you ever considered your place in the faith?
____Naldin: Place?
Maxamilian: Yes... erm... What I mean to say is, where you fit in?  
____Naldin: Ay woold be a worshipp'r, aye.
Maxamilian: Are you content to be a layperson or do you want something more?
____Naldin: Wot sort o' more?
Maxamilian: Well, there are various organisations within the Faith.
____Naldin: Aye. Them knoights. An' tha temple guard, loike.
Maxamilian: Yes.
____Naldin: Ay be seein' ifn we can get patrols un tha streets o' Vehl.
Maxamilian: I know the knights take all sorts into their ranks as long as their Faith guides them.
____Naldin: Me? A knoight?
Maxamilian: I want to make a difference.
Maxamilian: Have you ever read the stories about the original leader of the Knights?
____Naldin: Sum Vais fellow? Oor uz he sum wun else?
Maxamilian: Sir Drais, that's right.
____Naldin: Och.
Maxamilian: He originally formed units made up of like hearted individuals all who served Rofirein.
Maxamilian: Mages, rogues, rangers, warriors and the like.
Maxamilian: It was important to have a group with varied skills for all sorts of situations.
Maxamilian: I've been reading up on them and I think the current knights have lost some of that idea.
____Naldin: Och. Tha's nay good.
Maxamilian: No... and... they lost a lot of good people over in Belinara.
Maxamilian: They are going to need more replacements.
____Naldin: Aye.
Maxamilian: I'm thinking about joining up.
____Naldin: Och-aye.
Maxamilian: I'd like you to consider coming with me.
____Naldin: *seems a little caught off guard*
Maxamilian: I believe you are just the sort of man... erm... dwarf the knights need.
____Naldin: *gets a little flustered* Me?
Maxamilian: *nods* Indeed, Master Naldin, I do.
Maxamilian: Remember, Knight is just a title, it wont really change who you are, unless you let it.
____Naldin: Ay moight be someone's squire, but ay'm nay sure ay'm a knoight type.
Maxamilian: But it does open certain doors for us within the Faith itself.
Maxamilian: *chuckles* A humble man is perfect for the job, Naldin.
____Naldin: Och. *blows air*
Maxamilian: Anyway, think about it.
____Naldin: Och. Ay'll do tha'.


* out of chronological sequence
+ edited for punctuation and response timing ('cos I type slow)

Title: 1482-10-04*
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 13, 2011, 09:06:37 am

__Samantha: *nods* Brother Max, are you intending to apply to the Knights of the Wyrm?
Maxamilian: *flexes his fingers over the fire then pulls on gloves and the armoured gauntlets over the top*
Maxamilian: I am giving it considerable thought.
__Samantha: Which options are you considering?
__Samantha: If... I may ask of course.
Maxamilian: I do not mind.
Maxamilian: I have considered where my place might be within the structure of the faith for some time now.
__Samantha: And you have not come to a conclusion yet, then?
__Samantha: *rubs her fingers as the warmth finally seems to reach them*
Maxamilian: I do not think I have the inclination for the priesthood.
Maxamilian: Nor do I wish to spend my life protecting a temple as a Guardian.
Maxamilian: I want to be actively in the field and part of something greater, thus I sense that the Knights are more to my liking.
____Naldin: Ay were thinkin' o' being a temple guard.
__Samantha: *smiles easily* There are many ways to serve, sir, each of us are called in different ways.
__Samantha: Sometimes even in ways we do not expect.
____Naldin: But ay dinna think they let yoo work part toime, loike.
__Samantha: *glances back at Naldin* I think you'd be a fine temple guard, sir.
Maxamilian: *smiles at Naldin* As do I, but I think you would make a finer knight.
____Naldin: *snorts and grins*
Maxamilian: But we each must follow our heart.
Maxamilian: That is where the truth lies.

* out of chronological sequence
+ edited for punctuation

Title: 1483-04-05*
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 14, 2011, 09:33:29 am

Naldin had travelled with Maxamillian and Samantha on an increasingly regular basis. They were easy to get along with, for humans. They shared similar views, all three being followers of the Lord Protector. Over time, a camaraderie had developed.

When Max had initially suggested becoming a Knight of the Wyrm, he had caught Naldin totally off guard. For Naldin, the knights were something from the tales of Rofirein, something held up as an example, as a paragon, an ideal. Now, having stepped out of his life in Taur'en, he was being asked to be one.

A knight? Me? He thought to himself. He had had no training in knightly virtues or behaviour. He could see himself as a squire maybe, perhaps even to Max. But a knight? This was something well outside his paradigm of himself.


* out of chronological sequence

Title: 1483-06-12*
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 15, 2011, 11:10:52 am

Naldin pondered Maxamilian and Samantha's words again. Perhaps, if he showed himself worthy as a knight, the Temple would give his suggestion for patrolling the streets more weight. If he showed himself worthy as a knight, he could earn the respect of other knights and he could draw upon their aid to affect change, and they upon him. For a moment he envisioned himself in knightly golden armor, with Maxamilian and Samantha similarly adorned, surrounded by other such knights, bathed in a shimmering light. Together, they could stand against the perils of the world. Together, they would be a force for order and justice.

If he showed himself worthy as a knight.

Naldin pondered this solution unlooked for.

Or was it a solution sent.

But verily it would be a solution unrealised if he did not take it.


* out of chronological sequence

Title: 1483-09-07
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 15, 2011, 11:04:59 pm

Fttth. The arrow loosed from Naldin's bow. Almost without thought his knees buckled, his stomached tensed to curl his back, and together the action lowered him softly into the undergrowth of the wood.

Naldin had followed the men, the assailants from the warehouse, since they had set out on their hunting trip earlier that morning. Their initial enthusiasm when they had chased grouse into the bush had since worn off. They now had set themselves to their quarry, deer. Stalking deer was a slow process, and not without its challenges. Deer were skittish, and could bolt for no reason. Eventually, they had closed in on their target, and readied their bows for the shot.

This was the time a hunter was at their most vulnerable. Their focus was so tight on the prey that everything else melded away. Almost collectively they loosed their arrows...

"Oi!" came the cry as Naldin stared up at the vast canopy of blue. "Watch where you're aiming that thing!" The leader remonstrated one of the others, and there was some physical exchange.

Naldin let out a long breath. His arrow had missed, he had failed.

Title: 1483-09-16
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 17, 2011, 06:14:34 am

A week or so later, a merchant family in Fort Vehl were mourning the untimely death of their son. He had been out riding when his horse reared up and threw him to the the ground. He had the misfortune to crack his head on a rock projecting from the track.

Yes, it is a sad but true fact that horses can, on occasion, be very skittish, and might start suddenly at a snake or the like. And also true that a blow to the back of the head by a club or similar instrument might be indistinguishable from falling back and hitting your head on a rock.

Yes, yes, all very unfortunate.

Except for the beggars of Vehl, whom might rest a little easier in their sleep.

Title: 1483-10-01
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 18, 2011, 07:53:37 am

A knight, a knight, what it is to be a knight. This thought echoed around Naldin's mind.

He had killed a man, stove in the back of his skull as he sat up after being thrown from his horse. He wouldn't had known anything about it, unlike the terror the man seemed to enjoy spreading amongst the town's vagrants.

Yet, was this a knightly thing to do?

Knights. Always beacons of hope and honour, of rightful behaviour and virtue. Standing at the forefront to protect the weak and the vulnerable, the old and the poor, against... Against monsters and tyrants. Against the external threat. It seemed the scoundrels and villains within the society were outside a knight's reach. They were supposed to be held in check by the rule of law.

But what if that rule of law wasn't very effective? What if the execution of that law failed to too many "considerations"? To the lack of witnesses willing to attest because the rule of fear and retribution held greater sway?

It seemed this civilisation was a greater wilderness than that outside it walls. And yet a knight would be unwelcome kicking down doors and vanquishing its foes.

Perhaps this circumstance required a different sort of knight.

Title: 1483-10-25
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 19, 2011, 10:21:40 am

A ruckus from a store caught Naldin's attention. There was shouting and the sounds of breaking objects. He hurried to the store in time to see three thugs exiting the store. Inside, a somewhat dishevelled storekeeper was regaining his composure.

Naldin asked if he needed any help, but the storekeeper dismissed Naldin's concerns. One look around the store told the story. The thugs hadn't robbed the place, but broken wares; they were demanding "protection" money and the storekeeper had probably been unable to comply.

If Naldin had attacked the louts, likely he would be guilty of affray. If he arrested them, would the storekeeper be willing to testify against them? Without the storekeeper's testimony, it would be Naldin's word against the the thugs, and if the thugs presented a civil enough demeanor in court, likely it would be put down to a "misunderstanding".

Perhaps if he was a knight, he would have better standing, if the courts of Vehl respected such station. Or would they take the opportunity to put the Rofireinites in their place?

It was tempting to make war on these thugs, to attack them and wipe them out. But blood and bodies would make too many waves; someone would notice and come looking for the disruptor. If he made open warfare, he would be judged no better than the thugs he was trying to remove.

No, he would have to be patient.

Title: 1483-11-14
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 20, 2011, 10:42:46 am

Visiting the taverns of Vehl, the "watering holes" of this wilderness, proved to be beneficial. Sure, the regulars would treat you coldly initially, and might even start a fight just to set things straight, but eventually you would come to be accepted, at least on a superficial level. Once that ice was broken, there was usually someone willing to show how clever they were with what they knew, or, being last to be told, had noone else to tell.

And so it was that Naldin came to earn the fate of a waiter at one of the bars. He had accidentally split the ale he was carrying over some minor gangster he was serving it to. The gangster and his goons saw fit to pour ale down the unfortunate's throat until he drowned.

Naldin mulled over his ale after hearing the tale. How was he going to "rectify" that situation? To take on a gang? That could get out of hand very quickly. If he was going to fight them, he needed to be able to strike quickly, lethally, from the shadows, and begone before anyone noticed.

Title: 1483-12-04
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 21, 2011, 12:00:33 pm

It had been almost a year since Naldin had started taking poison. He had started off very diligently, adding the diluted mixed to hard tack and eating it almost every day. He had tried taking it with bread and a few other things, but this made for a soggy meal. He had tried drinking the diluted mix on its own, but that seemed to affect him adversely, so he stopped that. Soup or stew seemed to be the best way to take it, when he could get it.

After about six months, he had got a bit impatient, and he tried doubling the dosage, going from one drop of neat venom in the mix to two. This seemed to be fine for a while, but then he noticed some strange affects, including some very weird dreams. He tried cutting back the dosage increase, calling on all his alchemical skill to make the very fine measurement. In the end, he moved back to his original dose size.

He had also been quite diligent about avoiding anything that neutralised poison, despite some nasty spider bites.

A year on, he thought it was time to change the venom used. He would start taking the Aranea venom.

Title: 1484-01-11
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 22, 2011, 08:35:31 am

Naldin was a fair fighter in hand to hand combat, but he realised that he had no expertise at making targeted lethal strikes. He recalled that a few of the other tunnel runners had boasted some skill in that regard, but Naldin had not thought it was anything more than sneaking up on someone and waylaying them from behind. Now, he wished he had paid more attention to what they had said.

Shooting someone in the back of the head was an obvious, if ambitious, start, and the heart was also an obvious target. But how to strike at it past the ribcage? And how to strike at it past armor?

While he ruminated over this quandary, he recollected seeing a diagram of a person's body with various writing about it indicating the internals.

Gah! If he could only remember where.

...

It was some weeks later, after backtracking his time through Vehl, that he eventually came upon a simple abode. A crude plaque adorned the door.

"M. Aylomen, Physician"

Title: 1484-02-05
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 23, 2011, 10:59:52 am

The fellow inside the residence had initially treated Naldin circumspectly. However, when it became clear that Naldin was primarily interested in the anatomical diagrams that adorned the walls, he seemed to warm to Naldin. Apparently, the man, who introduced himself as Marrent Aylomen, had produced half of the charts himself. He seemed to welcome someone else's appreciation of the artistry and skill involved in producing such precise drawings.

To Naldin, it seemed that this man was doing his own research into an unknown field, and so briefly mentioned his own experimentation into poison. This garnered an unexpected level of interest from Aylomen, perhaps because Aylomen did not anticipate this somewhat rustic looking dwarf being a fellow experimenter. Naldin felt a bit of a charlatan at this, particularly has he hadn't done any real documentation. Aylomen softly scolded him, and explained that good record keeping was the fundamental basis of experimentation. Aylomen even offered to show him his own method for note making.

So it was that Naldin acquired an anatomical diagram for a reasonable fee. He even did some materials gathering for Aylomen from the local woods and swamps.

Title: 1484-03-20
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 24, 2011, 09:52:03 am

Naldin had got a response from the Temple. It seemed that, although the Rofireinite Temple was located in Fort Vehl, it didn't have the smallest mote of influence as to how things were actually run in the town. The temple might as well be up a mountainside in the Brechs as to the sway it held.

No, it seemed the people must chose Rofirein. And for that to happen, the benefits would have to be shown to them. A little bit of order and surety could go a long way towards that.

Naldin would seek out Protector Samantha Merritt about what it would take for the Temple to submit a proposal to the Vehl town council for the Temple to assist in patrolling the streets of Vehl.

Title: 1484-04-15
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 25, 2011, 09:29:37 am

After Naldin had done his best to memorize the anatomy diagram, he began to try using that knowledge in combat. Whenever he was assisting Max in the fight, he had a little more time to go for a critical strike; spleen when attacked from Max's right, liver from the left, kidneys from the rear.

This was all providing he could get past the armor. You had to be quick of eye and hand to strike at the weak points, the gaps, the joins. Or strong of blow to ignore the armor all together.

He tried fighting against a dummy wearing his old armor, but that turned out to be merely exercise. Instead, he moved to making aimed strikes against the weak points. He also became more observant of the armor others were wearing, looking at how the various parts came together and moved about.

Title: 1484-05-04
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 26, 2011, 09:51:43 am

The hawk sat comfortably on Naldin's gloved hand. Despite the heavy leather, there was no mistaking the tight clamp of the hawk's taloned feet. The hawk's head turned this way and that, as though pivoting about a point. Its eyes... its eyes always watchful, watching everything, and yet, inscrutable. It seemed to barely acknowledge Naldin's presence, but there was no doubt it was fully aware he was there.

Naldin laid a dead rodent upon the glove, the meal unnecessary, more of an offering, a thanks for coming to his call. For a while, the bird seemed uninterested. It then bend its head down to take the meal, juggling the morsel down its throat whole.

The wind lifted the hawk's feathers, momentarily disturbing their natural lay. Naldin ran his free hand over the bird's plumage, considering the amazing ability they granted. So soft and delicate, and yet bore the hawk so freely into the airs above. He made a soft sigh.

With that, it seemed, the hawk's weight shifted, the familiar push down and leaving lift as great hidden wings unfolded about Naldin's head, but never pummelling him, as the bird took to the air again. Naldin watched wistfully as the hawk disappeared high into the blue skies above.

Title: 1484-05-28
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 27, 2011, 09:40:55 am

The anatomy diagram also showed... ar-ter-ies, arteries. Cutting those could result in fatal loss of blood. The two on either side of the neck were perhaps the easiest to get to, particularly on a well armored foe, providing they weren't too tall above you. The other two were more opportunistic. The front of the shoulder tended to be covered by spaulders or pauldrons, but the inside thigh/inside groin could be vulnerable in inferior armor design.

The goblins Naldin fought against with Max and Samantha were lightly armored, and provided good opportunity for such practice. Still, this was no game, each encounter potentially lethal if wits were not kept.

Title: 1484-06-19
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 29, 2011, 12:12:40 am

He would be a knight. He would take the stand with Maxamilian and Samantha against the forces of destruction and self interest, he would show through unity and cooperation how things could be better. He would hunt down the destroyers, the underminers, the enemy within, and... remove them, exorcise their caustic influence; clear the weeds, the choking vines and allow the flowers to grow.

These were very innate dwarven values. Naldin grinned at the irony of how having lived in the outside world, he had learned to cherish the life he had back in Taur'en. And if he could martial his skill, become capable, he might yet be able to make a difference for his beloved homeland.

So it was that Naldin set about trying to learn the knightly values. He would attend the temple in Vehl, and speak to whomever had a moment to spare about such matters. He would visit the library and try to glean as much was available from the books and scrolls. He would observe the knights as and when he could to see how they conducted themselves.

Title: 1484-07-02
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 30, 2011, 01:55:08 am

Kidney-punch. Kidney-punch. The half-orc snarled at Naldin's blows, before turning and standing to his full height again. Naldin ducked as a great maul of a fist swoshed over head. Naldin was keen to keep his distance again. If the great half-orc was able to grapple him to the ground, it might go badly very quickly. The cluttered laneway didn't lend itself much to Naldin's cause, either.

The half-orc lunged, and lunged again, each time Naldin managed to evade and sidestep away. The third time, however, he stepped inside the half-orc's reach and punched into his throat with all his strength.

The half-orc's weight bore Naldin to the ground, but the half-orc was taken by a fit of coughing and choking. Naldin managed to squirm free while the half-orc struggled for breath.

Looking about the alleyway, he could see no sign of the woman the half-orc had accosted. He gave the half-orc a further kick in the stomach for his trouble, and melded away towards the far end of the laneway.

Title: 1484-07-17
Post by: Script Wrecked on July 31, 2011, 09:31:24 am

Studying the anatomy diagram had also shown further vulnerabilities that could be taken advantage of. Strikes to the head were less available to Naldin due to the size of his opponents, however they could still prove useful when striking with surprise. The base of the skull from behind, or, less available, over the throat from the front. Behind the chin, through the pallet into the bottom of the skull. Through the nose, into the skull. Through the eye sockets, into the skull. And any blow to the temples. All of these blows were likely to be fatal if the could be delivered correctly.

A series of pig's heads proved suitable practice targets, before being cooked up as stew or roasted over a fire.

Title: 1484-08-08
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 01, 2011, 02:13:40 am

Naldin had been tracing the movements of the [POST=1724745]gangster[/POST] about Vehl. He had become a bit more brash, a bit more open. His reputation had grown, and he was not adverse to using that to his advantage when he surfaced and mixed with the ordinary people of Vehl.

The gangster had also made rivals in that time, ruffled a few feathers, trod on a few toes. It was this that Naldin hoped to trade on. He had acquired a knife from one of those rival gangs, a fairly distinctive knife, that, with a bit of effort, would point in their direction.

Naldin waited in the nighttime shadows of the alleyway as he had several times before. The gangster liked to leave by the back way, and there was a brief opportunity when he could be alone, exposed.

The door opened, and his bodyguard went to check the alleyway. He would lose sight of the backdoor while he performed this duty. Naldin had arranged for a distraction to occupy his attention and time, something amiss, something that would turn out to be only some blood and calf guts further up the laneway.

Sure enough the gangster moved into the alleyway. Naldin edged closer, he just needed another moment to strike...

The proprietor stepped out after the gangster, exchanging pleasantries. Naldin froze; a witness. Naldin couldn't risk being seen. As much as he'd love to strike at this villain...

The bodyguard returned, Naldin shrunk back into the shadows. The moment was lost. He would have to try again, later, when an opportunity presented itself.

Title: 1484-09-14
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 02, 2011, 10:31:34 am

Further examination of the anatomy diagram revealed the vulnerabilities to the heart. Any strike to the heart had to bypass the ribcage (and whatever armor they may be wearing). Striking through the ribcage could be problematic, so the technique was to strike up from under the breastbone from the front, up from either side of the spine from the rear, or diagonally downwards from above. Striking upwards was particularly applicable to larger opponents, whose size would deny head strikes. Mis-aimed strikes were also still likely result in significant trauma to the lungs.

The minotaurs of Casein island proved a veritable challenge in this regard. Naldin would have to provide melee support to Max, and summon all his guile and courage to risk stepping inside their opponent's formidable reach to practice such attacks.

Title: Chronology - Page 2
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 02, 2011, 09:57:51 pm

ID	|	Date	|	GM	|	Synopsis
47		1484-10-10				To be a knight
48		1484-11-07				An unfortunate accident at sea
49		1484-11-27				A moment of prayer
50		1484-12-17				Poison potential
51		1485-01-09				Armor
52		1485-02-08				A knight's power to act
53.0		1485-03-02		Re		Dragon Knights and Golden Nights (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=17967&day=2011-7-30&c=3)
53.1						Maxamilian and Naldin are made Knights of the Wyrm
54		1485-04-16				Something odd
55.0		1485-06-27		Sh		[THREAD=283988]Restocking Day[/THREAD]
55.1						Segemek, Halforc Priest of Grand mars restocking at Kelin Inn
56.0		1486-01-05		Sh		Serenity (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=17996&day=2011-8-18&c=3)
56.1						The circus comes to Fort Wayfare
57		1486-02-02				Death 3 (PvP)
57.1						Justice and Naldin fall to (Nym'roos) in the Silkwood Spider Caves
58.0		1487-04-14		Ca		Naldin CDQ - The Letter of the Law (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18011&day=2011-9-15&c=3)
58.1						A missing woman leads Naldin into the darker activities of Vehl
59.0		1487-07-14		Di		Raid!? (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18019&day=2011-9-21&c=3)
59.1						Orcs attack Center
60.0		1487-04-14		Ca		Naldin CDQ - The Letter of the Law (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18023&day=2011-9-27&c=3) (pt2)
60.1						Killers hunt Lord Rastimaud; Naldin misses his chance
60.2						Death 4 (94 vs. DC:11)
61		1487-12-15		Wi		Light at the end of the tunnel (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18025&day=2011-9-30&c=3)
62.0		1488-02-18		Ca		Werewolf Hunt (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18030&day=2011-10-4&c=3)
62.1						Death 5 (16 vs. DC:11)
63		1488-05-18		Ni		What to do with a drunken sailor (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18040&day=2011-10-10&c=3)
64		1492-03-11		Ca		Asylum (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18124&day=2012-1-3&c=3)
65		1494-02-07		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-2-15&c=3) (pt1)
66.0		1494-05-28		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-2-22&c=3) (pt2)
66.1						Death 6 (84 vs. DC:11)
67		1494-09-21		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-2-29&c=3) (pt3)
68		1494-09-23		Re		Rose Witch
69		1495-01-14		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-3-7&c=3) (pt4)
70		1495-05-07		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-3-14&c=3) (pt5)
71		1495-12-22		TK		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-3-28&c=3) (pt6)
72		1496-02-25		Re		The Path of Justice (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18181&day=2012-3-31&c=3)
73		1496-05-01		Br		Cleaning Up the Streets (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18183&day=2012-4-5&c=3)
74		1496-08-07		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-4-11&c=3) (pt7)
75		1496-11-28		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-4-18&c=3) (pt8)
76.0		1497-03-21		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-4-25&c=3) (pt9)
76.1						Death 7 (71 vs. DC:11)
77		1497-07-14		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-5-2&c=3) (pt10)
78		1497-09-15		Di		The Fire Within (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18186&day=2012-5-6&c=3)
79		1498-05-01		Di		The Destroyer's Curse: Weston (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18199&day=2012-5-20&c=3)
80		1498-06-21		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-5-23&c=3) (§2.1)
81		1498-10-14		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-5-30&c=3) (§2.2)
82		1498-11-01		Br		The Razorback Syndicate: High Tides and Dark Waters pt. 1 (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18206&day=2012-5-31&c=3)
83		1498-12-16		Di,Ae,Ro		The Destroyer's Curse: Spellgard (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18208&day=2012-6-3&c=3)
84		1499-02-13		Di		The Destroyer's Curse: Westerngate (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18207&day=2012-6-6&c=3)
85		1499-02-22		Br		The Razorback Syndicate: High Tides and Dark Waters pt. 2 (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18214&day=2012-6-7&c=3)
86		1499-04-11		Re		Naldin's CDQ - The path of justice, Choices (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18201&day=2012-6-10&c=3)
86.1						Naldin follows the trail the Katherian, meets Balga, murders slaver
86.2						(PrC approved)
87.0		1499-05-28		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-6-13&c=3) (§2.3)
87.1						OOC précis of Whitemouth Harbour
88		1499-05-28				Level 11, Assassin
89.0		1499-09-28		Di		The Destroyer's Curse: The Journey Begins (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18216&day=2012-6-21&c=3)
89.1						En route to Lor, apprehend pirate captain Pike
90.0		1500-01-14		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-6-27&c=3) (§2.4)
90.1						Government ball; Darin Yu, elven singer/dancer
91.0		1500-01-20		Di		The Destroyer's Curse: Sloren (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18225&day=2012-6-27&c=3)
91.1						Search and find Mboren lost in the desert (Good +1)
92.0		1500-02-01		Br		The Razorback Syndicate: High Tides and Dark Waters pt. 3 (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18226&day=2012-6-28&c=3)
92.1						Pirate Moot Island, pirate test and goblin homebrew, Duncan
93.0		1500-05-13		Di		The Destroyer's Curse: Audira (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18230&day=2012-7-4&c=3)
93.1						Coranthites stealing pregnant women
93.2						Death 8 (60 vs. DC:12)
94		1500-05-13				Level 12
95.0		1500-09-15		Br		The Razorback Syndicate: High Tides and Dark Waters pt. 4 (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18239&day=2012-7-12&c=3)
95.1						Ship to ship fighting with the Chumrunner and Duncan
96.0		1500-12-21		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-7-18&c=3) (§2.5)
96.1						Planning at Jimmi's
97.0		1501-01-08		Br		The Razorback Syndicate: High Tides and Dark Waters pt. 5 (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18240&day=2012-7-19&c=3)
97.1						Shipboard, Duncan, teeth, and into the Deep
98.0		1501-04-14		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-7-25&c=3) (§2.6)
98.1						Surveying the docks and sheep
99.0		1501-04-21		Di		The Destroyer's Curse: Megath (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18237&day=2012-7-25&c=3)
99.1						Finding the ancient Rofireinite clasp
100.0		1501-05-01		Br		The Razorback Syndicate: High Tides and Dark Waters pt. 6 (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18243&day=2012-7-26&c=3)
100.1						In the Deep, free the slaves, kill the Deep Dwarf General
101		1501-05-01				Level 13
102.0		1501-08-07		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-8-1&c=3) (§2.7)
102.1						Surveying the docks and sheep, part 2
103.0		1501-10-09		Di		The Destroyer's Curse: Crossing Paths (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18245&day=2012-8-5&c=3)
103.1						Meet up with other group; dilemna of the Coranthite father
104.0		1501-11-28		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18152&day=2012-8-8&c=3) (§2.8)
104.1						Chapter finale; discussions at Jimmi's; letter to King Thomas Bydell
105.0		1501-12-15		Br		The Razorback Syndicate: Blackheart Family Reunion (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18251&day=2012-8-9&c=3)
105.1						Into Grue's Sanitarium; illithid slug children
106.0		1502-08-02		Br		Razorback Syndicate: Web of Deceit (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18253&day=2012-8-23&c=3)
106.1						Capturing Bork
107.0		1502-08-02				Level 14
108.0		1502-09-16		Di		The Destroyer's Curse: Hanging in the Balance (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18248&day=2012-8-26&c=3)
108.1						Rescue the Coranthite's son; Sebair gets the amulet from mountain lady
109.0		1502-10-05		Pr		Catch if Catch Can (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18259&day=2012-8-27&c=3)
109.1						Undead and necromancer in Sagewald for Hermann von Trout
100.0		1502-12-24		Pr		Aeridintes and Toranites urgently requested! (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18265&day=2012-8-31&c=3)
100.1						Undead rise from Sooth Moor; kill necromancer and slaad in tomb; Ryn the hero
101.0		1503-03-16		Br		The Razorback Syndicate: Agents of Fortune (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18269&day=2012-9-6&c=3)
101.1						Nose; prevent the poisoning of Mariners Hold
101.2						Death 9 (13 vs. DC: 15); Razorback Sniper at Mariners Hold; SS + reimbursement
102.0		1503-04-02		TK,Ma		Power and Prestige (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18264&day=2012-9-7&c=3) (§3.1)
102.1						To the Taur'en Hills and Luxaxen with Bertha Stoneforge
103.0		1503-04-12		Pr		Ty Reid-Dragonheart CDQ (http://forums.layonara.com/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=18268&day=2012-9-8&c=3)
103.1						Undead under Fort Vehl; Ty's bluffing
103.2						Death 10 (48 vs. DC: 15); Broken Soul

Ae:Aether, Br:Brewmaster, Ca:Canislupis, Di:Diva, Ma:Master, Ni:Nimrod, No:Nova, Pr:praecurrere, Ra:Ravenmore, Re:Redeemer, Ro:Rowan, Sh:Shadow, TK:Troll King, Wi:Witchdoctor, ??

Title: 1484-10-10
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 02, 2011, 10:28:12 pm

Being a knight would require discipline, not just marital discipline, but mental discipline, emotional discipline. Each situation would have to be evaluated coolly, with a clear mind, not whilst being tossed about on a sea of emotion.

But there was a balance to this. A knight without any emotion would be... insipid. Compassion for your fellow man, outrage at injustice, hatred for wanton chaos. These were all worthy responses, provided the spur to take action. But the execution of such action should be done calmly, in a measured fashion, in proportion to the transgression.

It would be a tricky path to walk. Naldin was aware of his dwarven heritage. The impulse to go crashing in and trample all underfoot was strong amongst his kin. To act first and think after (if at all). These things he would have to be mindful of if he was to succeed as a knight.

Title: 1484-11-07
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 04, 2011, 04:54:32 am

Naldin was on the dock of Fort Wailing on Caesin preparing to head back to Vehl when, ahead of him, in the crowd boarding the ship, he was surprised to see the [POST=1724745]gangster[/POST] from Vehl. He appeared to be in the company of two of his cronies.

Well, well, well, Naldin thought to himself. This was unexpected. He proceeded to board the vessel.

Out at sea, the weather had changed for the worse. The sea had turned rough, and the wind was blowing to match. Perhaps it was not to be unexpected that a lubberly Vehlian might find themselves at the rail dry retching over the side. There was something about being blasted by the wind that distracted from the dread feeling of nausea when it gripped. Well, unexpected had not a few drops of spider venom been introduced to his tankard earlier.

Naldin watched and waited from his vantage point. The two goons had been fairly dutiful initially, then took it in turns to be on deck, and finally had taken to keeping an eye from the doorway. Naldin just needed a few moments while they were distracted... Now. Naldin marched across, bent to take the gangster by the knees, straightened and speared him up and over the railing. He didn't stop to watch and see, but moved to cover again. He heard the muffled wail, and what would have been the splash, interweaved with the wind.

The two goons soon noticed their master was out of sight and came out into the weather. They looked up and down the deck with some concern, before heading back below to check for him. A while later they returned, this time peering over the sides. It did not look good. It did not look good for them. They would have to make themselves scarce on return to Vehl.

Title: 1484-11-27
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 04, 2011, 09:54:31 pm

Naldin knelt at the pew in the Temple of Rofirein in Vehl, full of contemplation and reflection and... penance since the incident on the Caesin ship. It had been a year, a whole year, since the waiter had been drowned. In that time, the gangster had made steady progress, increased his prestige, and perpetrated who knows what acts in his endeavours of self advancement.

Naldin sighed. He prayed for all the innocent victims that had suffered at the gangster's hand during this time. He apologized to them and to the Great Gold for his own short coming.

Naldin snorted at the bitter irony. He had taken months, almost a year, to become versed at making lethal strikes, ready to take out the gangster, and in the end had thrown him up and over the railing.

But now, now he was ready. He pledged to the All-Seeing enact justice in a more timely fashion, that innocents would no longer be held to suffer while justice prevailed.

Title: 1484-12-17
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 06, 2011, 06:56:17 am

It had been fortuitous that Naldin had available the vial of poison he used to spike the gangster's [POST=1725764]tankard[/POST]. Usually he carried a bottle of the weak solution with him, which was normally enough for several days. However, when he travelled further afield, such as overseas to Caesin, he would bring a vial to make up a new bottle. But it was only for his own use.

Now, he considered the potential for poison to be a tool. It might be used to weaken a tough or resilient opponent such that Naldin would be able to best them. The foes of justice were often stronger and more capable than the agents Justice was able to field. This "tool" might have the potential to level the playing field, as it were.

Naldin also considered his own mithridatism. Another year had passed. He would partake of the venom of the giant spider.

Title: 1485-01-09
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 07, 2011, 05:21:36 am

Trying to get past the protection offered by armor to make lethal strikes was no small feat. Each armor tended to be unique in its assembly. Manufacture would vary by region. Design and construction by the same artisan varied over time, often from feedback by the armor wearers. Each individual would often make adjustments to their own armor, adding or removing pieces to suit.

All this meant that the armor of each opponent had to be evaluated each time. Not an easy thing to do in the middle of combat. This is why it was easier to make lethal strikes when attacking from the flank or the rear. While the opponent was not attacking you, you can quickly cast an eye over the armor and make the specific strike required.

The general principle remained constant; look for the gaps, strike at the joins. Some armor overlapped at the sides, others at the front, others at the rear. It was a question of position yourself to take the strike.

The pits were vulnerable; the armpit, the elbow pit, the back of the knee, and the groin. These areas were hard to armor effectively and made a natural trap for any blow aimed there.

The area around the neck was also highly vulnerable, which is why a lot of warriors made a  point of wearing heavy gorgets for protection.

So it was that Naldin practised the strikes when in combat, and practised his eye when not in combat.

Title: 1485-02-08
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 08, 2011, 06:15:37 am

Naldin pushed back from the library desk and the tome thereon. The exploits of Sir Drais Mordrin were truly an inspiration to draw upon for all that cared to read them. It seemed to Naldin that the knights of old crusaded across the world bringing the bounty of the Lord Protector. What, he thought, would they make of the situation in Fort Vehl? The bastion of order and justice held at bay in the middle on a cesspool of scum and villainy.

It was easy to crusade across a frontier, at the far reaches where civilisation barely held sway, against bandits and brigands, raiders and pillagers, where the lawless elements where easy to identify. But what of a government of bandits? Could the knights crash in and sweep away all the corruption and villainy? Or would they be denounced as furthering their own interests?

It seemed that the knights were allowed to act, by popular consensus. They were called upon when people needed their marital help. But, if the people were happy with their government (or, at least, content), then the knights had no mandate to act, despite the obvious failings of said government.

But if the people called upon the knights to help overturn their government, then... then it would be a different matter.

Title: 1485-03-02
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 10, 2011, 03:25:16 am

"In the Light of the saints of our faith, men such as Sir Drais and Saint Arnuthen, in the Wisdom of the Great Gold and in the Sanctity of Justice and Law, I dub thee... " the blade lightly touched one shoulder and then the other, "... Knight. Arise, Sir Naldin, Knight of the Wyrm.

"Stand and serve proudly, treat the title with respect as if your life goes in it."

A fierce pride unexpectedly welled up with Naldin at High Justiciar Melissa Apricont's words. It carried him effortlessly as he stood up, and seemingly would have carried him higher had it been possible.

Momentarily, Maximilian was knighted, and then the other successful candidates. Then, as one, the now knights repeated the Oath.

Naldin paused to savor the moment; passing the rite of passage with Maximilian, the congratulations of Protector Merrit, even being picked up and kissed on the forehead from Sir Justice.

It seemed he was now... validated. From this foundation, with these people, he could stride out and make a difference.

Title: 1485-04-16
Post by: Script Wrecked on August 11, 2011, 03:23:20 am

It was a peculiar thing. A couple of times, in the middle of combat, whilst making a flanking attack, Naldin had noticed his opponent seemingly caught on his blow. Momentarily, they had become stuck, neither attaching nor defending. Naldin wasn't sure whether it was the pain of the blow, or something else. But it was interesting, and definitely worth investigating.

Title: 1487-04-14
Post by: Script Wrecked on January 18, 2012, 08:01:35 am

The death of Lord Rastimaud had been... happenstancial. He had come to Naldin's attention through the kidnapping and slavery of a young woman from the streets of Vehl.

Naldin had never previously considered using others to affect the removal of the various cankers that blighted the lives of the Fort Vehl citizens. First and foremost, contact with another person would entail risk of direct discovery, or someone following a trail of circumstance that could lead back to him.

It seemed that Lord Rastimaud's [POST=1730090]activities[/POST] had been enough to generate enemies and adversaries, not least one merchant willing to violate Lord Kezed(1)'s "do not touch" order circulated amongst the various killers and thugs of Vehl's criminal underworld.

In such a place, there would always be one willing to take such a risk. Perhaps it was the additional risk that made Lord Rastimaud such an attractive target. However, ambition often overshoots ability. Lord Rastimaud's killing had been messy and clumsily handled; several servants were brutally killed.

So, while Naldin had been satisfied by the removal of such a high ranking blight from Vehl, the means had left a lot to be desired.



(1) Urzhrah Kezed Gran’dherm, ruler of Co'rys

Title: Epilogue
Post by: Script Wrecked on April 09, 2021, 12:50:10 am

And yet another murder in Vehl (https://forums.layonara.com/rumour-has-it/*and-yet-another-murder-in-vehl*/msg10432472/#msg10432472)

Fort Vehl: Five Sails Company Fire (https://forums.layonara.com/rofirein/fort-vehl-five-sails-company-fire/msg10431543/#msg10431543)

Shame: Knight demoted (https://forums.layonara.com/rofirein/shame-knight-demoted/msg10432876/#msg10432876)

Naldin's explusion from the Knights of the Wyrm marks the end of part one of his story.

Title: Part Two
Post by: Script Wrecked on April 09, 2021, 08:33:50 pm

The second part of Naldin's story occurred during the second time (coincidentally) I was on Layonara and covers the period from level fourteen to level twenty. Alas, the details of his adventures during that time have not been recorded. One can only imagine...

Title: Part Three
Post by: Script Wrecked on April 09, 2021, 09:32:38 pm

The third part of Naldin's story begins...


NB: since Part One, Layonara's system of dating has been adjusted (https://forums.layonara.com/implemented-ideas/community-alternate-timeline/msg10449988/#msg10449988); each part one post title no longer matches an actual date

Title: Among the back alleys...
Post by: Script Wrecked on April 09, 2021, 09:38:19 pm

Quote from: gilshem ironstone on April 06, 2021, 07:50:47 pm

...all through Vehl and Arnax street runners pass messages that a Lord Gronk of Vehl is looking for mercenaries comfortable with wetwork to drop a bird to the innkeeper of the Harpy or a dockworker in Arnax.

"Little scamp," thinks Naldin, as a street urchin ducks past him, having just passed the news on to a mean looking half-orc who was in the process of voiding his lunch over the flag stones of the back alley behind Miggin's Mug. Needless to say, the half-orc was not in the mood for interaction with anyone at this time, and had tried to give the urchin half his mind before heaving violently again.

"Lord Gronk, eh?" He might have a pretty penny or two thought Naldin. Yes, he was definitely going to have to find all about this Lord Gronk, and his relationships in this nest of vipers that is Fort Vehl. Who were his "friends"? Well, allies at least. More importantly, who are his enemies?

Naldin looked over to see the half-orc had collapsed flat on the floor, his eyes rolled back in his head, his tongue sticking out. Yes, the poison Naldin had dripped into the half-orc's meal had worked quite well.

Naldin pushed his trolley-cart over to the fallen half-orc. With a practised motion, he heft the half-orc's body up and into the empty cart, then drew the hinged lid shut across the top. Naldin stooped in his ragged clothes, once more becoming the itinerant rag and bone man, pushing his knife sharpening cart about the streets of Vehl.