Within the swirling Mist (IC) > Tales Around the Campfire
A Ranger's Vow (A story telling)
Alan Hunter:
It was no wonder to any who saw the man in the brown leather chitin armor and cloak Alan the woodsman was what he had people call him. not the greatest woodsman of Barovia mind you just a woodsman a man who has gone from one nightmare to another. Why did the Mist sweep him away what did the Raunie of the Vistani meant by his card reading that he would trial through trouble times and if he were to rise he would become more. Neither good nor evil she never depicted any of such to him just that he would become a great boon for the lands. He didn't believe he was going to be some hero of grandeur nor some villain of infamy all Alan wished was to maybe return to Toril and if not make a sound living in this land.
He had sat by the campfire by the Vistani occasionally enjoying their music and folklore much like Nashkel in the western Heartlands Alan enjoyed studying new places new things and was studious and talented in observation. Often when the night was cold and the mist was heavy he remembered the Cloak Woods and the faint smell of that odd mist rushing through.
It was unlike any fog or mist that descended from Clouds Peak he had just studied his twentieth year as a Ranger since he was eight living by Nashkel occasionally adventuring with those of the Bull Inn through the mines filled with kobolds or up the clouds Peak towards where Frost Giants lived. He was no stranger to the odd and magical but here with limited equipment and magic things were challenging more so than normal creatures were fiercer and cunning. He had studied to hunt undead and shape changers given their promotable problem from Nashkel up the Chionther River to the Fields of the Dead to Elturel. What plagued him is that these creatures he knew were so much fiercer sturdier or the fact it dawned on him with the lack of magic from the Weave or the convenience of Magical Items things were much harder. What he could muster for a good bow came at the expense of another who did not live through the mist. His only boon from walking up from that dreadful place. Most his equipment and items had been taken removed maybe stolen for good.
One of his prizes was a Were-Bane it was crafted by the Archmage of the Tower Hellia when Arylon and Amn Lycanthrope wearily travel close to the Nashkel border.
Were Bane and Were killers were popular names for items designed to wound and slay lycanthrope Were-Banes were more common and genuinely enchanted made with elvish silver and occasionally alchemically treat where Were Killers were rarer and anointed often with bless silver and used Were-Bane in the weapon. Alan had only begun training to fight undead the fields of the Dead in hopes to help the damage Sharp Teeth Woods overran by orcs and other dark dead like creatures plaguing the northern region of the western heartlands. Bottle of holy Water or Potions of Rah became his close friends along with other divine relics made by the Bascilla of the Trinity with in Elturel to help remove the blight of the field and woods. But here here such things were rare maybe coveted but it didn't mean he had to stop doing what was right in protecting these Barovians evne though they treated him like an Outsider and a fool.
Removing a piece of charcoal listening to the Vistani play their music and sang their songs he would write of his explorations and journey. He had cheated death several times and even in all his preparedness he still fell or was defeated. The thought frighten him pained him even. Alan wasn't a hero or a strong man of the Heartlands not like some of the true heroes or adventurers but he was skilled and it seem the mist even robbed him of that as well. Frustration came that he felt weak helpless not that he wasn't but more so in this terrible place. It was like living in the city on Brunar Hill with Banites constantly around you waiting to drag you away. It was hard to think of love or pity when Alan focused on work he felt stronger. but hauling wood and herbs and being a woodsman wasn't enough he craved to do more.
Studying the land he wrote various journals of the creatures he had fought and come across, regions he had explore with and with out friends. Recently in his travels he had growing tired of the Sullen Woods and the Shadows there although some times their numbers rose so much it was ridiculous why and the cause but he never found a source. for adventuring sake he wrote notes in how protection against negative energy would work best to soften their blows and that a sharp eye kept them from sneaking up on you. He found casting cure light wounds harmed them but that was a waste of spells and potions. Though the city of Valaki was home to a few the countess seemed not voerly concern of these threats which was odd. He wrote that down as well and that the laws of Valaki were stern if not truth and fair at times.
He also found really odd the wolves that hunt north of the church of the Morning lords by the farmlands and fishing lodge were peculiar and also not typical lycanthrope. They did not bear the shape of a man but rather a wolf that turned into a beast man. What was far more dangerous were the Black wolves the Worg stronger and large much like a dire wolf which they too also mingled with the wolf packs. during the day it was simple to dispatch them thier shapechanging only seemed to be at night when they were strongest. Oddly night brought strength to those of the night which concerned alan some days as night travel was often dangerous and often near fatal. He had tested alchemical arrows, silver arrows, and negative energy arrows. a weapon or ammunition with negativity and silver seem to wound them most in either beast form their were form was far more resiliant and unlike the wolves in the mountain who were pirates they were far more feral hunting in organized packs.
Aside from the typical dead skeletons seem smarter in this land than aimless shambles even the zombies learned to equip themselves. These Huecava though as Alan wrote their name down were different he didn't know enough of them or about them other than can command the dead and are often strong warriors or priests. Typical things like positive energy or maces worked on the skeletons and zombies especially items of fire. But sadly less you were a mage or cleric alchemical and real fire weren't easy to come by or carry. The vampires in a mausoleum by the mountain concerned him it took many strong warriors and well placed arrows to fell them. Unlike those evil vampires from the ruins of Eltural the remains of the old city of Elturel. The vampires here were as cunning as a vampire lord. some even had emotions and ever wept he wouldn't forget that day of that young vampiress who beseech him to go away but kept her company with idle conversation by day. Many told him he was lucky she did not consume him and he was foolish but it begged a question were all creatures of these Mistlands evil or also victims of this dreary place.
Taking account of the Wolves, Undead, Fire Beetles, Were Rats, Were wolves, ghosts, skeletons, and the Headless Horse Man Alan recorded on the paper and journal his experiences and what he did maybe an adventurer would find it useful the day he fell. Though he needed to observe northwest of Valaki by the marsh he had seen a behemoth of a creature and it was no troll he was accustom too like the Trollfords in Soubar this thing was huge powerful but glad it was dumb and poor eye sight he was able to sneak away. He save recording the mountain monsters and bears he seen in his last few journey's another day. For now he made notes contemplating at that fire for some time now ways and ideas for equipment and weapon to combat the current problems around Valaki maybe recommending them to the Countess seeing how this humble woodsman could better protect her people and her guests in these dreary lands.
Idlely he wove wicker dolls for the Vistani girls and carved little wooden swords for the Vistani boys. The Vistani did not revere him anymore or less they were rather neutral of him but seemed to like the fact he brought his furs and herbs to them. He was humbled these people spared his life and Alan was a man of repaying debts owed it was his father who taught him that. He wanted to try to understand and learn the Vistani people see maybe how the traverse these mists or understand it may unlock the secrets needed for those lost who deserve to return home. He had found a few batter manuscripts of Ezra recently he was not found of their priests they seem ideally naive to other people's faith or beliefs. but this was their home land he wouldn't judge them harshly even though they judged him. The few passages he could read from the ruin manuscript copies did say that his Ezra was once mortal much like how some gods were on Toril from stories he heard at the Castle of Faiths where his mother prayed often for their father's return during the end of Tiamat's War. Yet her story was confusing and the other misaligned papers spoke in different texts and views. He would have to return these to an Ezran Adventurerin good faith once he was done studying this Ezra.
Quietly Alan continued studying going over mental notes and written ones occasionally glancing at the Vistani and the darkness beyond rather cautious these days given all the nonsene with blood fog and other things that hunt during the night.
Alan Hunter:
Once more Alan sits by the campfire of the Vistani he now in his hands holds a more complete manuscript of Ezra and a complete written copy of Von Richten's guide to Vampires he had found at the Mage tower by the mountain. Studiously he could be seen reading these two books during his peaceful moments not watching over the Vistani occasionally bringing his bow to the ready when the Vistani grew alert. He had spend some time the few days escorting thier wagons and occasionally their people and never ask for anything in return only accepting the gifts of Vistani in courtesy of their kindness and insistence. Studying he read the passages of fighting vampires intrigued by Van Richten's experience and his guide in how to handle which improved his ideas in the fight against the undead in this land adding his own notions and knowledge from his days in Toril as a ranger of the Silverbark Grove. Those by the Vistani camp of Vallaki would find often that he carves wooden stakes and brings wood to the Vistani for the winter. Occasionally he practices his archery and often finds himself watching those observing him and merely continues to his training.
Over the few respites of training against the undead that he could handle he also read the passages of Ezra though he was of Toril and of a follower of the grove Meiliek (sp?) he admire these passages of Ezra who was a mortal who sought to gain divinity to save her people from the Mist and the terrors of this land. If the words of this faith held true perhaps even Ezra would listen to his prayers. Alan was not of any solid faith he had respect for all the pantheon as they all serve a purpose. Balance was a scale weighed in equal sands turmoil only came when either was tipped too far so it was smart for him to know of this one deity of this world. so far aside from the Morning lords he too paid respect to them since they tended his wounds unlike much of Ezra priests who selfishly only healed those of thier faith and believers alone. Occasionally he would go by the temple of Ezra in Vallaki asking priests questions of Ezra and her plight only left with more questions wondering how her so call journey through the mist ended.
Stronger and a bit more knowledgeable Alan had begun to realize the Rauni's fortune of him was in part occurring and true. It frighten him and bewildered him at the same time as it fore told of great fortune, great loss, the haunting of the poss, great challenges, and yet in the end of greater fortune and dead. All he wish was to do good not be rightous all he wanted was to spare the people of harm and misfortune even though he himself was misfortune of times having cheated death many of times. Yet the days pas many valued and stronger people came to him for aid and support which filled him with pride but at the same time concern. Was he becoming what the Rauni fore told some Hero... Toril was filled with many great heroes he was just the son of a Ranger who defended the SilverBark grove heroism wasn't something passed down it was something people rose too. Even against his fear and better judgement Alan would put himself between danger and a life... and yet he feared most he was a coward one day fleeing like he did in his past. Never again he reminded himself as he he continued to read of Ezra and Van Richten studying and toying with a glass of holy water in hand.
Alan Hunter:
Further aside from his dreams Alan was now plagued with the murder of his friend and ally against the Vampires in Barovia. He had discovered much both on his own and his contacts. One of his primary aids in the problem was sir Elric Wilcus murdered in broad day light in the name of Illmeter's paladin Dalensbane before the Lady Rest. He had asked many times for the man to stop what he was doing and even asked for his friends remains but the paladin could not be stopped even with arrows pointed at him the paladin threaten he would cut down anyone who stopped him or tried too. Alan felt heart sick for the murder of his friend and his cowardice in not being able to pull the arrow at point blank range. The thought sickened him as he considered it but never truly killed a man maybe subdue or wound. Striking a paladin was bad all the same as striking a hero or a priest it boggled his mind Alan unable to coupe with the fact the man just out right charged and slashed at the man who refused to even strike back. Trouble he sought justice through the system and if that failed.. well nature balances its justice so can the world...
Alan Hunter:
Confrontation. The turmoil sleep of the once woodsman only held the tortured view fo churring mist. The bright star in his dark dreamy sky was so far. He feared maybe he was falling from Ezra's light. Alan didn't know what to do. so many sided with Zachary and yet they simply see him in the right because he was a paladin? It made no sense. Proclamations of Knighthood and heroism in the name of a god allowed some one to do as they pleased? Was this imbalance or was he pained much like the people he was trying to help with Elric's death. Elric was not a good man and the man himself before Alan had vowed he would suffer if he perished for the ill he wrought. Such honesty and bravery was good enough as a call for redemption to Alan and if no good can view that then perhaps it was good that the only god in this land was Ezra the Guardian. Alan was not a praying man and he still follow Meilikki in balancing and caring for nature but even that road seem distantly behind him.
Holding the hand of Emelia in the Mist gave him strength holding her hand now as she lay unconscious. Not a proud man alan was actually amused being called a fool and an imbecile even if he was told he was not a woodsman he was already formulating and observing his prey. How many sided with Zachary. Their ability, what irritates some, as Hunter you needed to know your prey know how to exploit weaknesses and how to use it to your advantage. For Zachary it was simple as the day he claims, his god, offending his god would be the quickest way to to give the man unrest. He could not fight the man nor his Legions of the Day. Bemused in his sleep the irony that Zachary would be compared to the Legions of the Night made Alan smile and fearful. But truth be told can those of good be as dangerous as the night?
Clearly this was a truth. Beyond the laws of a despot and beyond the hearts of other good people an evil man was slaughtered out right before the masses. The scars a child or one not prepared for such a butchery is no succor to one's fellow man. If one's god is so mighty so just does it not have the passion to consider the heart of other people? If that is true then Vampire and Lycanthrope are not the only thing to Hunt and keep balance. Alan would have to make the decision to hunt his fellow man as well given how he slew the Bandits attacking Emelia. It was a sickening feeling to kill another man Meilikki often explained of the Hunt but Alan didn't know if men fell in that phrase as well. Again he was at the precipice of a large misty forest the bright star above the misty woods seemed faded as the mist mocked him again in his vision of sleep of Elric's death his friend'ally reaching towards him.
If Alan could not bring himself to kill Zachary he can wound him. A good such as that knight who has broken the code of knights should not call out honor in name of a god. Nor should one evoke his rights by a god as some chosen champion. Heroes did what was right they did not go beyond doing right nor was it their place that was Alan's belief. Off guard the mist in his dream had evoked an image of Zachary charging towards him and Alan woke with a shudder of breath. his hand clutch Emilia's hand tightly and he check if she had wake seeing her still breathing but not stirring. He worried perhaps she too had unfaithful dreams and why they had to suffer as so. Ir made no sense to Alan how blind those righteous believed they did no wrong but could not sense or feel the pain or torment of others who suffer with the sight or the feeling that their beliefs were trampled on.
It did not matter Alan had realized that. If the Barovia government punished him for placing an impromptu bounty so be it he would pay the tax with the blood money Zachary gave him of Elric. Reaching to the Bastard sword on his back he gripped it tightly wondering how many men did Elric punish for his diety and how many innocents did he wound with it. for that matter what of Zachary sword? He was not brave twice he pulled his bow on Zachary but he could not fire it. He could not harm him due to the people defending him it tormented Alan he had right to draw blood as Emilia did but it would make him no better than the prey he hunted. When a man behaved like the prey he was no better than the beast.
But how? How would one as lowly as himself bring the man to light or was there no other option but felling him? With a calm breathe Alan recall his training recall his ideology. The same way he learned of vampires and werewolves he had to learn of knights, paladins, and illmeter. Their weaknesses, their exploits, and strengths perhaps the confrontation needn't be physical or emotional but spiritual striking him where it would hurt most. His god. Gratefully he was acquaintances with the Baron Ansleme De Coursay now though he failed with the gendarmie he knew it would not been an easy victory. He needed to gain their trust and learn their ways better he was naive strongly in these cultures and how unlike Heartlanders they are not people who rally along with their fellow nations. There had to be a way.
Day light beamed into the Morning Lord church he drew surprised as a beam of light touched his hand that held Emelia. Alan wasn't a man of strength or heroism like his mother but he was emphatic he felt others pain and feelings easily. To him this was a sign the Morning lord shared his pain and wished him to smile. But where to begin? Slander the god illmeter was disrespectful any god was and he had test that yesterday night and had pray forgiveness to this illmeter his invoking was meant at the expense of his odd corrupt follower. On pain of threat and physical harm Zachary made clear any insult to his deity would be met with his wraith and perhaps this is the tool he needed to ruin Zachary. If done in a manner not ill to the god but to Zachary alone in name. His lackey the man in dark grey armor seemingly held no love for Alan ensnaring that man to a trap would be all to easy to provoke. The woman Yumi they called her by name wasn't a target she did stand by them but she did not offer insults or threats. Her wisdom stung but there was truth to her words he was no longer the quiet woodsman anymore.
When he raised his bow to protect innocents from the werewolves and vampires he had chosen his path. His dreams had told him that the path his was of the prophecy of the Rauni of the Vallaki camp. He would come over great turmoil alone and although he sought to do good it would be through trial but in the end he would become a person of balance and of doing good but alone. Perhaps he needed to be alone drawing Alfdis or Warwick even Esther and Vulg into this would do them no good. Vulg had ask him to not entice their fury a fair warning to him to avoid unnecessary death. Rumors grow eventually to truths and so perhaps he had to start there spreading it like a disease till it was cured or burned. Enlightenment came after long thought Alan would have to chose his words and some how succor the Barovian sergeant and the Burgomiester by using the things they love and value not his. Zachary did call out that night before many that the Countess was a Despot and evil his bravery showing too boldly insulting the region's ruler in the open as a challenge. This could be used as a challenge like an advantage of terrain against a bear who growls aimlessly in a chasm threatening but in no way at harm.
A light smirk touched Alan's face and he drew surprised touching his scar cheek. Embarrassed he could not believe thoughts like Warwick and Elric were falling into his cunning but it seems you learn from your friends. It was a simple plan and an easy one he did not have to play that Elric was innocent, far from it, alan had to use Zachary's weakness and temper as the Baron told him of it. That was what lead to their fall out. The information he did gather of Zachary proves he has a foul temper and was quick to judge with calling out the Countess so openly all he needed to do was play his part as a meek peasant to the great burgomiester and sergeant of this man's audacity. He had slain in the name of his god, not the countess. He had executed law, not of the countess or land. He had shame, insulted, and dishonored Countess Lyssa and gave no grace to her yesterday calling her a Despot and Evil. These were the arrows he would use to fire at Zachary.
It was not a great achievement but the ammunition Zachary provided could be of great use. It went with his earlier plan in giving him no quarter or safe haven. It would be a long hunt in between his own works but he had to gradually ween himself to the way the people of a land thought. only till then could he give the lesson Zachary needed from his misdeed and from falling from good. Balance was his duty much like Zachary he had to bring balance to both chaos and order to light and to dark. That was what his dream with Ezra meant. A swift vision of a golden star above the mist shun brighter confused Alan wondered why was this the path he sought was this the answer? He could almost hear Elric chuckling behind him the former woodsman wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad. It was a path that opened up in the clustered forest that was his life and now he had the weapons and tools to hunt down his prey.
Alan Hunter:
Smells of fresh bread and meat filled the Lady's Rest Elric had no remains for a proper resting place the graves behind the inn had reminded Alan of that. That is another thing that disturbed him is how can a paladin of good deny his enemy a proper resting place or he be sent to his family if Elric had any. He had considered returning to Dementlieu to study any finds of Illmeter what he knew was very little and the Codex of Knighthood in Barovia if any was rare and dishevel unlike Faerun. so as always the word of mouth was knowledge so he had ask priests of the Morning Lord if any knew much of this Illmeter. in his time he had heard the name from the Castle of Faiths in Nashkel but Alan had never studied or known many except Elturians to worship such a deity. Thankfully he had met a knight of Torm not to happy with him in such audacious questions of another faith but did share what he knew after listening to his deity's dogma.
"Illmater Paladins lad are much like crusaders staunching evil but still followed the edicts of their god. Using their gifts to defend the weaker and helpless and healing the suffering of others. Was he some companion of the Noble Heart mayhaps he is one of theirs they tend to not hesitate opposing evil. you might want to get yourself check make sure that evil man's corruption isn't afflicting you."
Alan had let go the jab and nodded he would accept a cleansing and prayer for more information persuading the man how intrigue in his knowledge and notary of knowing more than he. this seem to make the Torm Priest smile and seem bit proud and continued his lecture.
"They give comfort to the sick or dying even if they are an enemy. Life is sacred and suffering holy to them. Why such fervor in such i do not know. They also challenge all injustices no matter how small or big. Fighting against the unjust and oppressed fighting every bully and tyrant. so it sounds strange what you told me lad. If so then maybe this paladin has feel from their grace or maybe falling into corruption of zealous of their faith. I am not an Illmater so i cannot say really lad but best of luck to you if the man is as strong as you say a Paladins smite may be your last sight. I don't know why you feel threaten by them they are rather soft and sensitive and very forgiving."
Alan resist rolling his eyes Zachary was far from forgiving. "I guess if that is all you know sire i greatly appreciate your enlightenment of Torm and Illmeter."
The priest who Alan forgot the name of scolded him and corrected him in the proper annunciation of each and to avoid such acts of foolishness otherwise provoke a gods wrath. "Oh Before I forget little woodsman. They do not believe in impeding the desires of others nor would stop you of your choice. Oh I did recall the little grey clown of Ill -Mater funny thing a tiny puppet often beaten in slaps tick for children but never dare show that to a priest of the faith its a great offense."
The armored priest patted Alan's hooded head waving him off as he went to his business of his god. Alan blinked at that last part about the doll he wondered why people treated him the fool and Naive boy when honestly these people were so foolish to speak so proudly of their gods. Didn't matter to him he had found the information he was looking for though as penance he was going to beat his head into a log or a tree all this talk of religion and zealousy was hurting his thoughts. no wonder villains struck out against and oppose these people some of them are as dumb as the villains they face. Hopefully Ezra would not make him so audacious and smite him then if he did.
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