The background and prequel story of Talyn Dilectus Vanyilam, a young Celestial warrior starring in the on-going GURPS saga of five unlikely companions attempting to unravel the mysteries of Mystara.
Mysteries of MystaraTalyn's Background and Prequel Story
History of a Cult Icon
Having no experience with the world, he is a bit naive, if earnest, but really has no idea what is best in life other than not being forced to study, train, pray or put up with those sanctimonious sons-of-bitches. While he enjoyed learning how to fight, tactics, and even history, he hated religious teachings and the idea that all is fair in war. That “Victory” above all else was the only virtu,e and no matter how victory was achieved, that was all that mattered.
Since the age of 14 he has wanted to see the world, to learn what is out there, to find his own way. When an opportunity to escape the cult came as they were teaching night maneuvers and tactics in a wilderness area he took off. Running away and just kept running until he finds himself in the Grand Duchy of Karameikos where hopefully he can start his life. Funny thing about that, he finds that all those martial lessons are actually in demand and since he doesn't have very many other skills he will be making his way as a sell-sword.
He is seeking his own way in the world and is very curious about it in general. Having been raised with just a bunch of priests and warriors he is kind of naive. Finally he is very lonely, while he was not mentally or emotionally abused at the monastery there was no human warmth or kindness, sometimes emotions and gestures of kindness do not get recognized.
Talyn Looks on the Bright Side
Specularum was a big city and Talyn was sure he'd be able to lay low here for a while. Talyn liked it here, especially in the Foreign Quarter and the neighborhood known as the Nest. People seemed to mind their business a little better there and he didn't get as many stares. Talyn even made a friend. Saved him really.
On just his second day in the city, Talyn had come across a group of thugs assaulting, of all things, a tiny Halfling, or Hin, as he would come to learn was their true name. Leaping to the rescue, Talyn made the acquaintance of one Fergus Proudsun, who was graciously indebted to him.
The two became fast friends over the next few weeks, and time and time again, Talyn had to pull his friend out of tight spots and nasty scrapes. Fergus just couldn't seem to steer clear of the numerous ruffians eager to take advantage of someone of his stature. Talyn was just always so relieved he could help.
And then it happened. They found him again.
Talyn knew something was wrong when he saw Fergus's face as he rushed into the common room of the Flying Hamhock, where he had gotten a job as a bouncer. The normally relaxed and casual Hin was frantic and out of breath. "Grab your gear, you've got to go! Now!" He blurted out, waving his arms and pointing toward the door. "Knights with the lion symbol in a red circle! Robed acolytes with Vanya's lance ensignia! Those are the people that are after you, right? They're here, asking questions at the docks. Get your stuff and meet me out back!"
The tiny man nearly knocked Talyn down pushing him toward the stairs leading to his attic room. Fortunately the taproom was about empty at this time of day and the owner, Fyodor, was not at the bar at the moment.
Hastily scrawling a note that simply reads. “Sorry for the inconvenience, but I have to go.” He leaves it on the bar. Then hurriedly he heads up the stairs to retrieve his gear and depart the establishment.
Talyn finds Fergus crouching behind some crates in the alley behind the Flying Hamhock. "This is for real, right? The stories you told me about where you came from? No joke right?" the Hin demands. Talyn's solemn expression confirms his query. "Ok, we gotta get you out of the city, a port probably isn't safe. Need to get you off the beaten track, then probably keep moving. No one place for too long, yea," Fergus seems to be talking to himself. "You're just too damn easy to spot, Shiny."
In the heat of the moment, Talyn forgets that he hates that nickname Fergus likes calling him. "Ok, I've got a plan. We can't risk going through one of the gates, The Guard Phorsis will take note of your departure, so another way. You remember that antique shop I took you to last week up in the Foreign Quarter? With that crazy Dwarven owner? That's where we're going. But we're not taking the streets, down we go!" Talyn realizes that while Fergus was talking, he was also clearing off the cover of a sewer grate. "You'll have to open it first, of course," he shrugs his short little arms.
Shrugging and hoping the sewers aren’t too disgusting. Tal grabs the grate and attempts to lift it out … as quietly as he can. Trying not to attract attention. Once open he will descend into the sewers.
Unfortunately for Talyn, the sewers were slippery and slimy and disgusting, and on the 3rd to bottom rung of the ladder, his foot slips and he falls, nearly crushing Fergus below him as he splashes in a small puddle of dark colored water. The Hin stifles a laugh and comments, “At least we don’t need torches or anything,” indicating that the tunnel is now at least lit by the soft, golden glow of Talyn’s Celestial Nimbus. “That CAN be handy at times, though it does make you fairly noticeable.”
The two friends sneak, and sometimes crawl, through the old passages and tunnels that account for Specularum’s sewer system. Mostly it is just wet and smelly, though there are numerous rats and other crawly vermin, nothing gives the duo any trouble until they enter a long, narrow passageway. When they are about halfway through, suddenly, the wall in front of them crumbles away as two purple clad people shove their way through. They are as caught off guard as Fergus and Talyn, though their masks hide their facial expressions.
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“What? Hey, what you doing here?” one of them growls in Traladaran. “What the hell are you? Are you glowing?” he addresses Talyn as both of them put their hands on the long knives hanging at their belts.
“Now, now friends, no need for that. Yes, I have a glow, a gift from one of my parents, which one I’ve never known. None of us get to determine our births. As for this little encounter we have seen nothing, we met no one, and were just taking a lovely stroll through the sewers and will continue on about our business.”
"Oh shit, it's the Veiled Society," Fergus whispers. "They're bad news."
One of the masked folk draws his knife and steps in close to Talyn. "Yea. I like the idea of some sort of compromise, but how about this, you give us any valuables in your pack there, and you can carry on with your other gear, or we take everything down to your smallclothes and leave you shivering in the muck." Talyn can feel the confidence and experience coming off this subterranean traveler.
The other one chuckles, "Or we slit your throats, leave you face down and bleeding and take yer smallclothes too. Could sell 'em to the washerwomen for a handful of Kopecs."
As Talyn processes their threat, he sees Fergus untying his pouch. "Just hand me the pack, kid!" he demands.
“Why does everyone have to do things the hard way?” Talyn demands.
"We can definitely do it the harder way if you like," he says, raising the dagger up toward Talyn's face. Talyn tries sizing his opponents up but has trouble reading them with their cloaks and masks, but he is sure they're capable of handling their knives and no have no compunction of doing so.
“Fine, fine, here take it.” Tal reaches for his bag, steps back, and then hurls it as hard as he can into the face of the aggressor. He will then draw his sword.
The masked assailant easily dodges the thrown backpack and quickly slashes out with his long knife at Talyn’s neck.
Talyn dodges and then draws his sword.
The second masked man reaches down, grabbing for the bag, while the first man takes a step back, holding his long knife at bay, waiting for Talyn to approach. From behind, Fergus pulls on Talyn’s shirt, “I don’t want to die down here in the sewer, these guys are dangerous, cold-blooded killers. It’s not worth it. I’ll buy you another backpack. I’m trying to save your life, friend, not attend a funeral down here.”
“Don’t be a coward DEATH before DISHONOR!” Talyn shouts and thrusts at the man with the knife.
The Veiled Society thug is lightning fast and as Talyn steps forward to strike, he too, steps forward and slashes Talyn across the neck with his large knife! The young Celestial tries to dodge away from the strike but his assailant’s blade finds his neck and rips it open! Fergus cries out from behind him as he feels blood pouring out of the wound! Talyn manages to keep his footing despite the major wound to his neck. Undaunted, Talyn proceeds with his attack, stepping back and thrusting with his sword. His masked foe easily bats the attack away. “You’ve really got a deathwish, boy, don’t you! This could have been an easy transaction and we could have all been on our way. But you wanted a tussle, so you got one!” Keeping his distance, he again slashes for Talyn’s throat, then steps back as he misses. Behind him, his partner has gathered up Talyn’s backpack and has started to move away down the narrow sewer tunnel.
Deciding discretion is the better part of valor Tal steps back and adopts a defensive posture.
The two masked men slowly and silently take several steps backward, away from Talyn and Fergus, then, once they are far enough away, turn and disappear in the dark, curving passage. “Let me see that wound, he got you good, Talyn.” Talyn kneels down and Fergus applies first aid, carefully cleaning and bandaging the wound using supplies from his own pack that the robbers did not notice. After about 30 minutes of wound tending, the two are ready to go. Unfortunately, Talyn’s wound is a bit much for Fergus’s limited healing skills and it is clear that they will need to find some other form of healing.
“I can try to steal some healing potions, you’re gonna need at least two, buddy, that’s a nasty gash, I did my best, but it’s still not good,” Fergus suggests. “I think it’s a bad idea to go into any churches at this time, you could be spotted. Any other ideas? What do you think?”
“Let us just get out of Specularum, I’ve had enough of this shit hole and its problems. Something will come my way it always has and I trust my luck.” Tal then indicates for Fergus to lead on.
The Hin shakes his head in understanding. The two subterranean travelers continue their sewer trek for about two more hours when Fergus announces that it's time to head back up. "It'll be dark soon and the sewers don't connect under the Foreign Quarter so we should do this before it's dark. Sad to say you're even harder to hide in the dark."
The two emerge in another alley, this time at the edge of the North End neighborhood. The old city wall looms up in front of them. Fergus turns away from where the gate to the Foreign Quarter is. Talyn feels like everyone in the city is looking at him and talking about him at this point. Fergus stops at a stable nearby and arranges to take a wagon of hay down to the South End. Once away from the stable, he tells Talyn to hide under the hay for the ride to the Foreign Quarter.
Working as best as he can Talyn tries to cover up as much as possible and hide in the wagon.
The wagon starts to move and Talyn is surprised at how bumpy and uncomfortable the ride is with all the hay packed around him. The wagon moves and turns over the uneven cobblestones of North End then stops at what Talyn assumes is the gate to the Foreign Quarter. He can hear Fergus talking to someone, though struggles to make out the words. All he can clearly hear is, "Oh, that's my drunk friend Laszlo," and, "taking him home." No one comes to search the back of the wagon so Talyn believes Fergus was convincing.
The wagon gets moving again for a few more minutes then stops. Talyn feels Fergus pulling on his foot, “Come on, we’ve got some Dwarves to talk to,” he says. “Now understand, Kartak and his gang are ruthless drug dealers and murderers. They would just as soon slice you up for a snack, probably literally. So just be careful, watch your mouth. They can get you out of the city down to the Traders Corridor, just outside the walls without being seen. I will meet you there. Then we can get out of here, head upriver while I try to make some plans. But here’s the catch, I can’t go in there. And under no circumstances should you mention that you know me. Take this, it should be enough to get you out. Understood?” The two friends round a corner from the secluded portico where the wagon was parked and see a squat stone structure with several steps leading down to the doorway that sits a few feet below street level. A solitary Dwarf, fat and unwashed, stands leaning against the wall next to the door. A well used battle axe leans against the wall next to him. “That door there, next to the Dwarf. That’s where you’ll go in,” Fergus says.
Nodding at Fergus tal takes the bag, looks at Fergus and says “Okay I understand.” Quickly opening the bag, checking and counting the contents, he then moves to open the door.
The Dwarf “guarding” the door just stands there and stares ahead, unmoving as Talyn passes him, as if in a daze. The door opens easily, letting a dark cloud of green and yellow fumes escape. Talyn cannot help but cough as this cloud hits him right in the face. Another grizzled Dwarf with dark, sunken eyes, appears, looks him over, shrugs and moves to let him in. As Talyn enters, the Dwarf that let him in seems to disappear into a dark alcove near the door. Only the flicker of a pipe can be seen through the darkness. Turning back to the room, Talyn immediately notices how close the ceiling is to his head, just enough room not to bump against it. The other thing he notices immediately is that his celestial glow barely pierces the thick miasma filling the room. Talyn can make out at least five slumped forms in the room, all of which appear to be sleeping or passed out Dwarves. There are several chairs and small tables throughout the area, and numerous weapons on those tables and leaning against the wall. A curtained doorway leads further back into the building. Talyn can see no one moving in this area.
Then, one of the slumped forms leans forward and grumbles in the roughest, scratchiest voice Talyn has ever heard, “Turn out that fucking light or I swear I’ll gut ya like the pig you are!” The bedraggled Dwarf scrounges around on the table near him until he finds a pipe that he lights with a flickering candle. He takes a few puffs of the pipe, sighs heavily then turns and looks at Talyn. “Oh, what’s that? It ain’t no lantern shining all that cursed light, it be YOU! What in the name of Kagyar’s armpit ARE you? It is you making that glow, ain’t it?” he asks with his sandpaper voice, shaking his head in case he was “seeing things. Satisfied he is seeing what is in front of him truly, the dark eyed Dwarf leans forward, “So, bright boy, what ya want? I assume yer looking for something if you come to Kartak. But before we talk, you wanna drink?” he asks, with a thin, malicious smile on his cracked lips.
“I would love a drink! That light is why I’ve come to you. I hear that you can move things, living things, around and out of the city unnoticed. I have a need to get down to the Traders Corridor unseen by any who walk in the light.”
The slow, ominous chuckle coming from Kartak makes Talyn think he's made a serious mistake. The grizzled old Dwarf grabs a previously unseen black metal skillet with what looks like burnt peppers in congealed grease. He then stokes the coals burning in a small braizer at the other end of the table before putting the skillet on top. While that heats up, he rummage through the mess on the rest of the table until he comes up with two dirty tumblers. He continues chuckling as he pours a cloudy liquid out of a large skin.
"So, trying to stay out of the light, ehh? I suppose yer, uh, condition, makes that pretty tough occasionally. You know my price? You've got the coin on you? Cause fair words don't fill my belly. Ahh, there, now, it's ready," he says as he takes the sizzling skillet from the heat. He then proceeds to pour some of the hot oil into each of the drinks. "Bottoms up," he says as he slides one of the drinks to Talyn.
Taking a hearty swig of the drink. “Here,” tossing the bag that Fergus gave him on the table. “This should cover it.”
At least that's what Talyn envisioned himself doing and saying after downing the drink. The reality of it was somewhat different. The scalding hot shot of pepper and oil infused alcohol seemingly melted his throat as it went down. It hurt more than having it slashed by the Veiled Society thug. Immediately he saw millions of multicolored dots exploding before his eyes, blocking everything else out.
He could barely hear Kartak chuckling nearby. "Ahh, Dwarven moonshine, nothing better," the Dwarf mumbled, seemingly from miles away. Talyn could swear that the Dwarf's voice as the physical embodiment of actual rocks being ripped apart by a million tiny creatures with teeth for skin…
The young Celestial finds himself sitting down in a chair that feels like it's bolted to the ceiling. The room slowly turns to the left, about halfway around, then snaps back forward. He, suddenly, can read the Dwarf's mind. He wants the sack of coins. Yes, the coins. Talyn reaches for them but his pocket has become impossibly deep. He keeps reaching further and further down into it. Next, he is falling into his own pocket, diving down, chasing the pouch of coins down what appears to be the inside of something organic, pulsing and oozing, with row upon row of downward curving teeth. The pouch has sprouted oval wheels made of flowers and music and it wobbles away just out of reach. Luckily, Talyn is made of octopus thoughts and he stretches his long clear tongue out to rescue the coins as they plummet screaming into a bowl of three day old porridge that seems to smile up at Talyn, inviting him in.
Talyn hears laughing and realizes he is trying to fish the pouch out of someone's leftover breakfast with his mouth. Kartak is still sitting across from him, his head back and his eyes open. The Dwarf's black tongue lolls out of the corner of his mouth.
"Leave em there, the coins, yea, just leave em, unless you WANT that slop, oh shining one," Talyn hears another voice zoom in from somewhere. It ends up coming from another Dwarf, short and dark, with sharp, bristly hair. "You finally ready to go? I'll get you out of the city, down to the Trader's Corridor right? Sun's coming up, should be a good time to get you moving," he chuckles at that.
As Talyn starts to move, he finds that he is strung up by invisible puppet strings. Looking up, he sees that he can see right through the low ceiling above. Gazing up, he sees what looks like a blue and green feathered shoe holding the strings.
"You coming, shiny?" The Dwarf calls from a dark doorway across the room?
Imagining moving the puppet strings with his mind Talyn gets up and follows the Dwarf, his movements jerking around like a puppet. “What, what was in that? I became an octopus. Was that supposed to happen?”
"Your first time I assume? Yea, it goes something like that. It'll probably be different each time. It's all about the shrooms, ya know," he calls back over his shoulder. Talyn, still reeling and seeing strange things, though at least sober enough to 'know' he's seeing things, follows the Dwarf down and through various tunnels, chutes, passages, and crawl spaces until finally he stops. "All right, sunshine, this is it."
Talyn looks around, confused. They are standing in what appears to be a small circular stone chamber about 4 feet across. The ground beneath his feet seems spongy. The strange Dwarf takes a step back into the narrow crevice they exited from and rests his hand on a long, curving blade at his hip. Talyn's stomach drops as he realizes he's been tricked, drugged, ripped off, and led to his death somewhere in the bowels of the city.
The Dwarf smiles at him with glazed eyes and a smirk of a grin then nods his head up above. Talyn's eyes follow his gaze and sees that he's actually standing at the bottom of what looks like an old well. A series of small depressions and gaps between the stones make a haphazard ladder leading up into the darkness.
Talyn begins to climb up. He makes it to the top of the well to find that it has been boarded over. The planks do not appear to be nailed down but they do appear stuck.
Talyn manages to push them up, revealing what looks to be a barn or warehouse. As he climbs up into the space, he can clearly see that it is light outside, though the door and any windows are closed. He hears a grasp from behind him and turns to see a young Human, about the same age as Tal, clambering to his feet. "Oh, yea, for sure, you're him. Di'n think you were gon' make it," he stammers.
“Let me guess Fergus sent you? Or are you with the other guys? Either way it has been a long strange night and I am tired, so let us get on with it.”
"Uh, yea, Fergus, little fellow. He was waiting for a while but said he had to go make other arrangements. That was 3 days ago, though. Maybe he thought you weren't coming. Anyway he asked me to hang out and wait around," the boy says. "Hey, you ok? You don't look too well," he asks. Talyn realizes he doesn't feel too well and bends over and vomits on the ground. The boy offers him a water skin. "There's a fisherman by the name of Davros, he's got a boat to take you upriver."
“No, I am far from alright. Last time I take a drink from a dwarf. Well let’s go see this Davros.” Indicating that the boy should lead him out. “By the way what is your name?”
“Oh, yea, I’m Matos, I know Fergus too, he’s a good fellow. Come on,” he says as he turns toward the door. “You might want this,” he says and tosses a heavy, old blanket to Talyn and indicates to put it over his shoulders like a cloak. He exits the building. The boy leads him through a bustling Trader’s Corridor just outside the walls of Specularum. There are many people about, though none of them seem to be paying any attention to the glowing young man sneaking through the area. Matos keeps to the alleys and smaller roads between the buildings as they make their way to the waterfront.
Matos finally stops and points toward the rickety wharves at the far end of the docks. "So, yea, I don't know this guy Davros, but Fergus said he uses these docks to tie his boat up. Do you know him?"
Talyn, of course, has no idea who this Davros is, though he's quite certain the Heldannic Knights in pursuit of him would never attempt this level of subterfuge in order to capture him. Vanya's way is much more direct and violent in every case.
Looking down at the docks, he sees that most of the berths are empty though there are a few small boats and fishermen about.
Approaches the fishermen and says “Would you men happen to know where I could find Davros?”
Without really looking up, the fisherman grunts and points down to the end of the pier to a man hunched over a large pile of netting. He looks up at Talyn and shades his eyes as the celestial glow washes over him. "Oh," he mumbles then trails off, staring like he'd never before seen the glowing offspring of an otherworldly being.
Approaching the man “Are you Davros? I was told you would take me upriver by a mutual acquaintance.”
“Yea, I am Davros, who are you?” he snaps, looking up from his nets. “Aww mullock, I believed that time had passed. Had hoped to just be keeping the coin the Peedie passed me, but oh, I suppose I’m one of me word. You’re definitely the fellow he was referring to, I’d say, less there be another dandy like yerself out there shining like a lighthouse on a dark and stormy night!’ He chuckles then looks around and sees all the other fishermen on the docks. “Hmm, shouldn’t ye be doing a little better job of hiding yerself? The Peck said to be keeping you out of sight. Said I was to take ya upriver to the ruins of Krakatos, right? That be two days rowing and tacking, maybe three, ya know, against the current. Are you feeling ok, son? Something wrong?” Davros says as he stands up. Talyn feels sickness in his stomach again. His knees buckle and he drops to the planks, puking all over the rotting wood. “Aww, by Chardastes, you are sick. You could have at least done it in the water there, boy. Come now, get in the boat, unless you’ve got other plans, we should get a move on, you think?”
“Freaking dwarf’s and their mushroom drinks, I swear that is the last time I trust a Dwarf for a drink recommendation. Yeah let’s go and sorry about the mess.” Talyn boards the boat.
Davros helps the somewhat ill Talyn down into the boat. The motion of the small craft on the water of the Highreach River is not amenable to how Talyn is feeling at the moment. He sits and closes his eyes, and that makes things worse when the colorful exploding dots return. “Here, drink this, might help balance you out a bit. Dwarven Moonshine you say, from Kartak’s boys? Yea, that stuff’ll knock you off yer feet for sure!” Talyn takes the skin offered and takes a swig. It is some sort of nasty whiskey, though, interestingly enough, it makes him feel just a little more even than he has recently. Davros then lifts the top of what looks like a bench seat to reveal a long narrow space in the bottom of the boat. “You’ll probably wanna lay in here, at least until we make it out past the city proper. He pulls what looks like a small wooden mast and sail out of the space, making just enough room for Talyn to lay down.
Taking his advice Tal lies down trying to rest and recover. Concentrating on restoring his health and wits while not letting the motion of the boat overwhelm him.
Talyn struggles to get comfortable in the tiny, stinky space in the bottom of Davros’ boat but he knows that he must stay hidden for a while at least. Eventually, the young man falls asleep, though he does not receive much rest. He is feverish, and experiencing fever dreams, twice he feels the need to vomit, though this time none comes, probably because he has not eaten much recently. He keeps going over what the boy, Matos, and Davros kept hinting at, that they had been waiting for him for several days, is that truly possible? He had just gone in to tell the Dwarf Kartak that he needed safe passage out of the city. Finally, Davros bangs on the top of his coffin-like bed “You can come out if you like”, he calls loudly.
Crawling out of the hole. “You say you were waiting for several days? What is the date? I mean what day is it? Could I have really lost two or three days in a drugged out stupor in that Dwarf’s den?”
Davros wrinkles his brow and scrunches up his face tapping a finger to his lips. "Hmm. Good question. Is it Thursday? No wait, Monday. Ya know, ha, I'm not really sure, now that you ask," he says. When Talyn thinks about it, he's not totally sure what day it should be either.
The wide river is heavily forested on both banks and seems to meander back and forth, limiting visibility. Davros explains that the river is usually more busy here but says that most of the rest of the trip will be easier to avoid detection since the eastern bank is broken up by a series of channels and small islands that don't have the full current and provide a relatively obscured view from the main channel.
"So, what's the trouble, if you don't mind me askin? Ain't like knowing why changes anything. Jus curious really," Davros prods.
“Expectations. That is the problem. You may have noticed I have a certain heritage, a birthright, if you will. Well some people saw this when I was a child and either convinced my parents, or possibly parent, to give me up to them or just took me. I’ve never known for sure. Anyway they tried to raise me, train me, shape me to be something I am not and probably never will be. Their beliefs just don’t sit right with me, not that they are evil or even all that different from what most believe, but I just can’t be what they want. So I ran, and I guess I’m going to have to keep running until I have enough power to make them stop. Funny thing is that I may just become what they wanted after all, just not in the way they intended and not their tool.”
“Anyway they are persistent and probably won’t stop until they get what they want, I’m dead, or I conquer them. It is sad that they just can’t let people be people, that they have a burning desire to control everyone one and everything, to force everyone to bend a knee to them and they will use war to accomplish that end.”
“Hmm, yea, that sounds tough, sorry, kid. I’m quite sure I try to stay out of stuff like that, even though that don’t sit right with me. The Halfling’s coin bought you passage, and passage it’ll get ya. I suppose I’ll give ya me pity as well, no one should have to fight so hard to just be himself, even if you do shine bright like the sun! Out here in the full daylight, you can hardly tell, though, yea, it’s still there, like who you are demands to be seen.” He maneuvers the boat toward the far shore and soon enough, Talyn sees that their going will be much more private with numerous little islands and spits of land just off the eastern bank, making like a side channel of the river, one where the current does not flow directly south with full force, but often sits and swirls in little eddies. “Better fishin over here on this side, anyway, though with all the rowing I’ll be doing, won’t be much time for fishin’. Sure I hope we don’t miss your friend at the ruins, like I said, was a couple of days ago that he chartered this here cruise.”
Talyn contemplates his life and direction while waiting for this boat trip to end.
The next two days are a bit of a blur to Talyn as he feels more and more ill. Davros does all the boat work and Talyn sleeps and aches. Finally, Davros announces that they are nearing the ruins of Krakatos. He explains that though the ancient stronghold has been in ruins for years, many Traladaran folk camp and live in the area, it has some historical or spiritual significance for them.
Rounding a large rocky outcropping of rock, Davros beaches the boat on a sandy shoreline. Several wide paths lead into the trees beyond. The smell of campfires is apparent nearby. "Well, son, this is your stop I suppose. You gonna be ok?"
“As okay as any of us I suppose. I have my luck and my sword, not much more one could ask for.” Leaving the boat and following his nose Tal heads towards the smell of the campfires.
Talyn makes his way through the trees along one of the paths and after a few moments, he begins to see several small campsites around him in the light woods. Farther ahead, he sees an open area and hears the sounds of more people and animals. He is aware that many in the surrounding campsites are aware of him, though no one says anything or approaches him.
Not sure where to go Talyn heads towards the open area keeping an eye out for anyone approaching him or for Fergus.
Talyn steps out of the woods into a wide clearing with many horses and other livestock tied up and corralled here and there. There are a handful of people milling about, mostly Traladarans working with the animals. At first no one pays any attention to Talyn, but after a few moments, Talyn is sure many of them are looking at and talking about him.
Approaching one of the people working with the animals, “Hello my name is Talyn and I’m looking for my companion Fergus. Short guy, really funny, but tends to get into trouble a lot. Anybody seen him?”
The two Traladaran shepherds look at Talyn with open mouths. One of them repeats his name flatly back to him, "Talyn…" An audible murmur can be heard moving through the crowd.
"Yea, I know yer friend," Talyn hears a voice call out from behind him in Traladaran. He turns to see several rough looking men approaching. They each carry heavy looking clubs. "Come on over here with us, we'll take you to him." Talyn notices two of the approaching men spreading out as if trying to flank him.
Smiling at them “Sure, why don’t you lead the way.”
The three approaching men don’t really seem to want to lead Talyn anywhere. The two continue spreading out to the sides, while the leader approaches slowly, watching Talyn carefully and keeping his club ready in front of him. “Yea, this is definitely the one they were looking for. Even said his name, Talyn. Tell ya what, kid, how bout you keep those hands in front of you where I can see them.”
Drawing his sword. “Can you see my hands now? How about you just back off before someone gets hurt? Wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of your friends now.”
The leader smirks and shakes his head, “We’re far past the ‘gettin’ hurt’ part, now sunny, them knights didn’t say you couldn’t be roughed up, just not dead, and I imagine they’ll still want ya dead! Get’ ‘em, boys!” he shouts at the other two. The thug on Talyn’s right takes a step up and then lunges at him with his club while the thug on his left tries to run around to his rear and makes a long, wild swing and misses.
Talyn charges the first Thug while running past him swings wildly at his leg.
The thug watches Talyn rush by, “Aww, come now, we’re just having a bit of fun. Get ‘em, boys!” He commands again and the others run to catch up with Talyn. Unfortunately, due to the various wounds he has accumulated over the past ‘few?’ days, he is not moving as fast as he normally can and they catch up with him easily before he can find a good tactical position, though there do not appear to be any around, just a bunch of panicking and fleeing horses, sheep, and cattle. As he turns to face his pursuers, the battle is interrupted by a charging horse. The large black stallion leaps between Talyn and the thugs and rears on its hind legs, whinnying loudly.
“Ho, there, Talyn, well met!” Looking up, Talyn sees his tiny friend, Fergus, astride the mighty steed. “I was wondering when you might arrive. Quickly, we must ride as fast as we can for Halag to the west. I have passage booked for you there on a merchant vessel headed to exotic ports along the Savage Coast! Come, quickly, mount up! The Traladaran thugs stammer and wave their clubs on the far side of the horse, careful to not be trampled by the massive beast.
Talyn grabs the saddle and mounts the horse.
Fergus hands the reins up over his shoulders to Talyn, “Get us out of here, that way!” he says, pointing across the clearing and away from the river. “Just ride!” Talyln kicks the horse to motion, charging past the three Traladaran’s bent on his capture. Bouncing on the saddle in front of him, Fergus lets out a cry, possibly of fear, and yells, “On now, Talyn! We must away for the Black Eagle Barony, quickly, quickly,” much louder than necessary.
After getting away from the gathering area for the Traladaran herders and campers and thugs, Fergus indicates he wants Talyn to lead the horse down a narrow side path among some thicker trees. They stop and Talyn helps his shorter friend dismount. “You were supposed to be here days ago. What happened to you in Kartak’s place? You never showed down in the Trader’s Corridor. I had to head off to make other arrangements. I hope you know this is costing me a pretty penny, friend. But, don’t worry, we’ll get you out of here safely!”
Walking on, “Yeah, sorry about that. Never taking a drink from a dwarf again. So, where are we really going?”
“Smart boy, you are. You look like hell, must have been something, but I’m glad you’re here and glad I made it, just in time really. I had hoped to hide out for a few days before getting you upriver, but my man Captain Kalnos should be coming by tomorrow. He’s going to take you upriver to a village called Stallanford, then transfer you to a caravan heading cross country to a little place called Veseya. That’s where I’ll meet you. But com’on, we’ve gotta meet another friend up here.”
The Hin leads Talyn and the horse through the trees along a barely discernible path for about 15 minutes before it opens up on a small clearing. Two tents, some camping supplies, a mule, and a cart holding a good sized wooden crate are visible. As is a young Thyatian woman, probably no more than a few years older than Talyn. She stands and Talyn sees she is absolutely beautiful. Dark, soft skin framed by long, thick hair so dark maroon it almost looked purple. She smiles and waves, “Hello, you must be Talyn. You look like you’ve seen better days. Come sit, let me help you with that.” She motions Talyn over and he notices she wears the symbol of the Church of Karameikos.
Sitting down, “Hello ma’m, I would be happy to accept some help from such a pretty friend of Fergus. Might I inquire into your name?”
“I am Claudia Asteriela, priestess of Tarastia, the Judge. More importantly, I am a friend of Fergus, and therefore, a friend of you. You seem to have taken some beatings recently, let me see if my patroness judges you worthy of her healing,” she says. She takes Talyn’s hands and quietly speaks some magical prayers to her Patroness. Talyn feels the healing warmth of her divine magic flowing through him and healing his various wounds. After a brief moment, he is as good as new.
“I got you some gear, I couldn’t pull much together, but I know you lost your pack down in the sewers with those Veiled Society goons,” Fergus says as he tosses a well used backpack to Talyn. “There’s a handful of silver in there as well,” he winks. “So, are you ready to get out of here? Get you somewhere none of those Heldannic Knights will find you? If so, go open that crate over there,” he indicates the wooden box loaded in the back of the little cart.
As Fergus points to the cart, Talyn hears Claudia speaking some more words of magical prayer. Suddenly, she begins to glow with a magical light. She pulls her hood up over her head and turns and winks at Talyn. “See, you’re not the only one that can do that!”
“Thank you Priestess Asteriela, I appreciate your faith and your goddesses blessing. Sadly as my friend has pointed out time is pressing and we must be on our way. Perhaps our paths will cross once again someday. Until then good journeys and may your goddess keep you safe and bless your path.”
Picking up the backpack, Talyn opens up the crate, turning to Fergus, “I assume you want me to climb in?”
The Hin smiles as Talyn climbs up into the crate. The priestess hands him a tightly rolled scroll and two amber colored crystals. "Well, yes," Fergus says, "but honestly I figured you'd put up more of a fight. We've got to get you somewhere far away without you being seen going there, which doesn't leave us many typical options. Claudia here is going to help you remain comfortable while in the box as well as take a ride out west as a decoy. So yea, get in. I've got all the plans worked out. You trust me, right?"
“I’ve trusted you so far, barring a random encounter and taking some kind of nasty dwarven drink, things have gone okay. Why would I stop now,” Talyns says as he gets in the box.
“Ok then, in you go!” Fergus hops up on the cart and helps place the backpack and bedroom behind Talyn’s neck to make him more comfortable. He looks over to Claudia and says, “He’s ready.” Claudia appears above the box, her glowing form both creating a shadow and illuminating the interior of the box at the same time. She speaks a few more divine prayers and Talyn feels a soft darkness wrap around him like a soft blanket. It covers more and more of him until everything is black.
The next thing Talyn knows, he is face down in cold water and feels quite sore. He is still in the crate but it is broken up all around him. He quickly jumps up and finds himself standing in a creek. He sees a person standing in front of him, also in the creek. Tall, covered in soft, brown fur and with goat horns on his head, this must be one of the Faetouched, the result of fairy dalliances with Humans. “What? Where? Who are you? Where is Fergus?” Talyn calls out, not quite realizing what has happened
The Faetouched steps back, his hands on his hips, “Did you say Fergus, well ain’t that something.” Talyn learns that this young man is called Malachai and is something of a woodland defender. Turns out he is a friend of Fergus as well, tasked with helping transport the crate he was hidden in to its final destination, which is apparently only a day or so away. Talyn helps clean up after an accident that had sent his crate tumbling down a rocky slope to end up in the creek below. The caravan master, Tsorvano, is quite upset at the accident and loss of cargo and horse. Apparently the last horse had stepped on a nest of poisonous snakes and gotten bitten several times before the driver or guards could do anything about it. It was all the driver could do to not be pulled over to his death as well. The rest of the wagons are led down to a safer trail and Malachai and Talyn share their recent stories together, especially the parts where Fergus was concerned.
Finally, after another extra day on the trail, the caravan reaches Veseya, a quaint little mountain village along the banks of the Castellan River. Tsorvano thanks Talyn for the additional escort to Veseya and says he may need a guide and guards for the next leg of his journey north to Castellan Keep. Both Malachai and Talyn consider the offer as they head into the village to look for their mutual friend, Fergus Proudsun.
Cast of Characters:
Talyn Dilectus Vanyilam, Celestial warrior - played by Don Kand GMJasonGURPS as the DM
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