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Author Topic: A Ranger's Vow (A story telling)  (Read 14482 times)

Alan Hunter

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Re: A Ranger's Vow (A story telling)
« Reply #50 on: December 29, 2016, 12:48:35 PM »
Alan was tired and exhausted even his travels with Beatrice were a good distraction but resuming work left him mind blown. His stupid heart to do good and his dreams lately of Ezra resumed the inky black nightmare that prophetically bothered him left Alan sleepless some days. It was as if again Ezra called out to him to do what is right and help her people even though most of them were jerks and stuck up their ways. But being an outlander from faerun and the "Black Sheep of Ezra" gets old. As he assured Evelyn Aigrette the Fourth Sect member he would help as long as she was smart of things. Given his status he could blend in places where the other clergy and layman's could not. Alan was well traveled and well verse in acquiring knowledge. Thankfully when you have a friend whose an archmage, a historian, and a bard who ironically are all women it helps to find answers.

The latest tome he borrowed from the Dementlieuse historian was incerpts and foot notes of Hazlan which he read shared similarities to the Banite Cult in Faerun. Furthering his knowledge of the Banites was gruesome to some extent. He heard stories, hearth tales, and even down right warnings in his Ranger days given how close the Field of the Dead were to the Cloak Wood and that it was a days travel across pass Soubar's East side to Brunar Hill where the Citadel of the Banites in his home lived. A threat so close yet the only thing that kept them in check was Elturel the City of Holy Nights whose battle with them were equally gruesome. A light smirk at the stupidity of paladins and how their indirect actions made the Field of the Dead. Head desking there was just to much information on Hazlan and these Lawgivers

To notate Hazlan was a place temporal average forests and plains with some hillsides but the economy accepts slavery and debts. Those weak unable to perform their obligations or pay their dues were often sold to slavery. Parents even selling their children to labor to pay off their family dues which made Alan a bit repulse. But, unlike the Banites they were an established society not a pocket town or cult they were a governing body. It was if Banites evolved to an actual society and had won. It was a rather grizzly trip to visit all those laborers working hard for really nothing but faith and empty promises. Alan's bad luck with women had him meet some lawgiver female a guard/slave owner who happen to be on the road traveling her slaves delivering goods to a nearby town. Ironically strange mosquito bipedal creatures Alan had never seen before came out from the woods attacking. All she did was whip her slaves to fight who barely had any strength to do so and were being slaughtered. Stupidly Alan opened fired with his rifle not knowing what the hell those things were and had only arrows worth for werewolves.

Alarmed the lawgiver woman showed moment of fright before realizing he was killing the monsters whipping some into submission and with a lot of joy to their suffering. Out of her salves of eight only two survived. Seeing the deed done and examining and researching the creatures she looked upon Alan with an uncomfortable smirk like a wolf having seen a rabbit fight and thought it was wounded enough to claim herself. No sooner did she try to crack that whip did Alan slap her and grumbled telling her he was not a man to be made a slave and no force would keep him imprisoned. That born of the wild was free to be wild and to tame him would be earning his heart some stupid romanticism that failed on her but. The gesture was awkwardly taken both ways she was offended some man striuck her a layman of the lawgiver which was an offense but the fact he showed such strength and resourcefulness made him a highly sought prize especially as a foreigner and outlander.

That day Alan had to ask Ezra why was he so bad with women? She fawned over his arm as he made shift a Drag from branches and the hides of the fallen creatures which she was even more proud she got to sport the fallen creatures as a prize to do her bidding in death. Warwick was none to happy Alan used him as a pack dragging animal his constant huffing and growling at the slaves and her was obvious. This only further to impress her that I could tame such wild great beasts and offered to honor me at the city upcoming. Passing some of the working camps Alan felt it be like walking into the crypt burial chamber of an Elder Vampire with just a torch and a pistol. It would take time for him to build courage to enter their city he needed to build contacts, resources, maybe find a resistant group if it even existed.

The woman was hopefully whimsical to talk proudly of the Lawgiver faith and showed signs of youth and being raised in such a faith as a child. Aigrette's desire for freedom of this place would be hard fought as it was engrained into their culture. Later when he had shared water with her she entered the city hoping he would come in but he explained he was a man of the woods and city hold no favor for him. Her eyes were tempting him to things and frankly he knew that involved rope, a whip, and worst things. Alan wasn't having any of that nonsense and he be hard press leaving a city filled with Lawgivers if she took offense. When she was far away to be seen he left quickly using his long strider blessing and made his way to vistani. This gave him time to catch up on what he did know of Banites and maybe what their plan was. Visiting Hazlan it was obvious with so much work camps and projects maybe they needed fresher slaves or resources perhaps it was a bad season for them for agriculture. It was still to be determined what purpose Hazlanians were in Vallaki let alone why the Banites were helping.

It was clear Banites and Lawgivers were similar but like the Dawn and the Latharians they to shared similarities but were different. Maybe unlike the Dawn Lawgivers accepted their lost cousins of Bane and welcomed them to their so call paradise. The though churned Alan's stomach as it was like a mass murderers find other mass murders saying. "You like killing! I love killing!" Uhh the fact banites could be supported by a nation was overwhelming it caused him to breathe shakily reminding him when he discovered of the Necromancer controlling the Headless Horseman or when he discovered the truth of Countess Lyssa. But he was a different man than that youth lost in the mist. Innocent lives were dependent on his knowledge. He was a slayer of the night not a Templar he didn't fight men and women on crusades he fought monsters. People can change or so he hoped even so it reminded him of the facts surrounding Gwen he elarned and the fact Merrum refered to have protection from the Black Hand. Knowledgeable exchange wouldn't hurt for a fair echange especially like a merchant like Merrum also stalking the Banites would be a problem if it were true Gwen was one of them her sneaking skills rivaled his own the only difference is Alan was prepared for such fights she was too. He wished she didn't go this route that maybe were he a bit firmer he could have lead her away from such a life.

Bane's tyranny is legendary as is his servants in Faerun any child at youth knows if you are bad and allow hate in your heart the Banites would sweep you away so you can learn true fear. Their clergy and people were petty dictators willing to step upon the weak and the helpless to form their goals seeing them as means of not being strong enough to ascertain to their precious gift of life. Like their god they only wish to to be feared and respect through tyranny. Banites served no one but Bane causing strife among their clergy and people. This much Alan knew its why Faerun enver really feared them less their Leader in Zhentil Keep decided to become aware of the waining populace fear and drive such home. It was clear if Ezra decided to strike down Bane the laymen and clergy would die. The though sicken Alan he did not consider the eZrites to be weak but they were naïve to a worldly sense of truth about their own land and others. Its what made him an outcast maybe this was Ezra plan for him to be the thing Ezrites truly cannot and see the world as it is. The more he listen of Bane and his dogma from his resources and friends the more Alan rubbed his neck. "Those who cross Bane meet their doom sooner than those who worship other dieties he disfavors."

Alan looked up at the ceiling of his room in Vallaki and just cursed.
"For Evil to win is for good men to do nothing."

Alan Hunter

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Re: A Ranger's Vow (A story telling)
« Reply #51 on: January 12, 2017, 12:24:20 AM »
"I hate my life..." Alan didn't kbow why but today brought no peace as he arrived in Vallaki to the Fifth Light sleeping in a spare room. He had brought another batch of reports for the Ezrans on thier new rivals the Banites. Slipping through the shadows and being an investigator was tiring work. More so when it dealt with people than monsters. Time and time agaib he wonder3e what was his part in all this he was not a devoted he didn't spend time with them as he did outside with his freedom.

Today was difficult to play the fool. Speaki g with Zachary wasn't hard vut invloving Ravenna it was slightly painful. Here was a woman with a criminal past, psychologicaly damaged, and yet endangered people yet Zachary would spare and convert her to Illmater. The fact he didnt just kill her on the spot amazed him. Alan didnt like paladins they often seem to contradict themselves like Inquisitors. Rolling to his side Alan consider his interview with Merrum which cleared the man of involvement with the problem if everything was truthful.

Still Alan couldnt understand why he gave a damn anymore. They didnt care for him, they weren't his friends, they were selfish so why risk his neck and do the right thing? He could have easily told Gwen Ravenna's connection with Dalensbane the fact th wretched woman had sanctuary and strength bother3d him. Why was Elric's life lesser than the woman's both thier paths were tragic. So why? Did Zach feel sparring her would also free him of lonliness? What did Alan care? Groaning flipping on the otherside of the bed there was just this feeling of lost. He had no purpose and Alan purposefully put distance between him and people. Aside from Beatrice and Kera there were few he trust. Ironically in gis act to keep the fool so he could work behind the scenes he broke Myrtle's heart and he considered highly as a friend. He missed her... she was one of few women that brought him peace about himself.

Elena's death had long been avenged with Mariska's death but Alan didn't know why he continued being tbis rumor monger or investigator. Whhen Evelynn request to see him and ask him for hell it gave him bope hisblife here could have meaning. But lately Alan wondered what was it all really for? He was no t3mplar, he was no acolyte, he was an outsider a black sheep of ezrites.
"For Evil to win is for good men to do nothing."

Alan Hunter

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Re: A Ranger's Vow (A story telling)
« Reply #52 on: January 18, 2017, 06:58:51 PM »
Settling in Degannwy Alan needed a well deserve break. He put word to those close to him he would be living in Degannwy for now and not travel less neccisary. Alan wanted to go back to his roots find why he chose this path, why did it come to this, and remain a recluse. He tried Ezra knows he tried to do what Beatrice ask but Alan just couldnt stand people. Something in this realm made you bitter and crazy and Alan wanted no part of it. So he decided to simply work on crafti g like Alfdis taught him he been ignoring it for a long while and crankly Woodsman eork always made him happy.

The church was a diffrent story. He decided after his last talk with them to not participate with them anymore. After his report with Veritas he was done. None trusted him, none cared for him, and frankly he didnt give a damn anymore. That said it simply meant he wasnt going to work for the church less its in writing and he was paid. Alan still couldnt ignore the innocent but he could ignore the amount of stupid people around and in the dread realm particularly Zach and Ravenna. A part of him was glad the old bitter paladin found love again. But damn of all people he could of chosen. Wasnt hisnproblem ornpla e he took a bullet literally for them no thanks to Gwen. Not to mention the other Banite trying to smite him for trying to discover the Illmater paladins where abouts.

Just the thought enraged Alan but it wasnt just them it was him too he allowed himself to be alone to his work. He trusted no one.... not even Beatrice, not that she was good at keeping secrets. Sadly he missed Myrtle it was the closest to love he had come across. But his foolish nature to act the fool to maintain appearances cost him that. He'd love to explain everything to her tell her the 35 secrets he knew. Sieglinde didnt know everything but Alan did stage that wbole flirtation with her knowing Myrtle was getting to close.

Afraid of the things he knew and the people about him Alan didnt want Myrtle to fall prey to an enemy or to a broken heart to a man who would go missing. She had always teased him calling him a path finder. Her culture always fascinated him. Even as he worked in Degannwy he recalled all the things of her realm she mentioned practicing the crafting of bows and path finding. Searching for paths was always something Alan was good at and now he needed to fi d his own.

The sweet scent of the pi es and the moist earth in Degqnnwy elicit far away memories of Faerun how he missed running in the cloak woods and the silver bark groves. Touching the earth by old yggdrassil and watching Lorelei preech to the fledgling rangers made his heart ache. He alwsys felt alone since Elana's death Goodmane was gone. Ren was gone as well, and he missed Alfdis. Goddess did he miss Warwick. Alan never truly felt so alone these days as he did now.
"For Evil to win is for good men to do nothing."

Alan Hunter

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Re: A Ranger's Vow (A story telling)
« Reply #53 on: February 01, 2017, 09:12:58 PM »
Degannwy had been a pleseant vacation. The elves did not mind him being human and often he shared stories of his woods back home in Faerun. The pleseantness of the woods was a serenity Alan long missed. News from the viatani reached Vallaki during one of his patrols to see if thr  Ezrans were all right he caught wind of it. Recalling Elena's heritige as vistani and his place with Tser Pools vistani Alan could make a patrol over there assist with some poaitive detectice work.

To his surprise some days he caught rumors of his hero Alanik Ray roaming Dementlieu. He was hesitant to leave the safety of Degannwy Alan had with drawn from the world and didn't wish to return soon to the people who spurned him. But it was a rare oppuru ity to meet the hero who inspired him to be a detective.
"For Evil to win is for good men to do nothing."

Alan Hunter

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Re: A Ranger's Vow (A story telling)
« Reply #54 on: April 24, 2017, 02:35:14 PM »
It had been months since Alan wrote in his journal but last nights new entry to his compendium of vampires was expanding. "The Chivalrous Vampire" wore dark clothing possibly Dementlieu baring a great sword seemingly skilled in melee combat. Surprisingly Alan was impressed with out using his hunter gear he stood some time against it albeit he had to retreat back which caused Victore, a Templar of Ezra, to be victim to his bite. It had long been since he worked on such a case and evidently being involved with his kinsmen had him back on the beat. He didn't feel right letting them die but this sure pulled him out of retirement but given his orders from the church not like he had much say. Considering the situation he was happy just wandering and working random jobs hoping to spend more time with Kera. Maybe he might even get her involved in the hunt since she too enjoyed the sport of hunting. What he did know the vampire in question and a Eisenhaur Flametongue had a confrontation which caused others to take aggressive stances towards the person not knowing the extent of the man's vampirism. This eventually lead to Victore's involvement bearing the person's truth of his vampire lineage accounting six people injured, not including Alan, in the attempts to mitigate the vampire chose to take victory  and use the kiss to feed on Victore.

Applying his knowledge to treat the wound and Evelyn's Excorcism Victore for the most part should be fine if side effects do not cause any problems. Thankfully most lived but the vampire escaped mostly due to the involvement of "The Sorceress" a witch maybe a druid possibly a cleric wearing white and black. Her use of some mind numbing fog had made their departure easy which means the vampire had magical assistance a good combination of trouble. Scribbling in his book as he sat at the benches of the Refuge Alan consider other things he noticed during the event. Alina mentioned Ajda be an associate of the vampire but he thought it was coincidence as Syras the merchant of apples and tea was beside them too. Seemingly the Eisenhaur fellow also was invisible before Ajda took him out. Poor guy could not catch a break. Continuing his writing and grumbling of his sore arm from the fight Alan also noticed the Sun Priest Isu didn't participate in the battle of the vampire. Odd behavior for the righteous type but Alan surmised it was due to the fact they too had already done their part against a Vrolok and may be recovering.

Considering the circumstances of the vampires feeding and its behavior it may return to the outskirts feeling victorious but it was weak compare to the Ritmiester and above all some one like the Valsharess. Alan didn't consider himself powerful like Evelyn or people like Zachary and being able to stand toe to toe with the vampire with base weapons and arrows meant he could kill it but it required tactic and for once the church members took his advice so no joking around on this one. The main problem is the fact the vampire had magical support and the fact he could not see her with normal sight it meant that she used some form of magic to hide and mask her presence. Taking note Alan had to thank Beatrice the Witch's broom actually worked in dispelling her fog meaning tools can be used on her meaning she has practice but not an experts level skill. It was still annoying to think that mind fog spell thing could possibly stun him. Irritated he knew that meant equipping Magic resistance tools including vampire tools which weren't cheap and he doubt the church would provide tools of the faith to help in this.

Sighing he look to the door where Victore rested in a room he never left her side a bit nervous that some vampiric side effects may cause her discomfort or worst. Frankly he wasn't like everyone else seeking to out right kill vampires considering the transgression with Eisenhaur the vampire would have continued to be undetected but with the church now on him he doubt a peaceful solution would be made. But if something could be made to have the vampire leave the land less lives would be risked. Bad enough Corporal Rodica had her hands filled with Caliban and Romanov but adding another Vrolok and a broken down Garda he's surprise the Count hasn't shown up to slap the crap out of them. Frankly he wondered why even get himself involved aside from sharing faith not like the church and him were best friends but knowing his kinsmen they were not going to leave him alone till he had done his part. Hand over his face Alan could not believe his involvement he could walk away like he always did but maybe it was time to show others he wasn't the coward many people thought him to be.
"For Evil to win is for good men to do nothing."