A
Please forgive the manner in which this is written, for I am not a scribe, but a Legionnaire.
_I awoke on a normal, dreary rainy day in the Norwick Inn where I spent most of my nights. My chain suit, lay right on the table where I left it. My pack, sword, everything I owned was there, in that room above the tavern where I'd left it. I smiled. I smile more often. The people here are my curse, and my blessing.
Went on a hunt, a normal everyday occasion. This time, with a few people I've just met. A large Orc man named Pugor, a pretty young woman, Karessa, and an archer named Kabul. The four of us headed south.
South of Norwick, is cursed. Ruins now lay where I'm told the Old city of Norwick once was. The leveled city is now populated by the walking dead. These…foul beings are another reason we do not go out alone. Some move fast, come out of the fog to be standing right beside you, and heave a semi-transperant arm holding a rusty dagger your way. They can be slain simple enough. There are however, dead men that roam the land. They aren't very fast, not carry weapons. They're just blood-thirsty, flesh-hungered monsters. I was bitten by one, gave me the shakes and I felt weak for some time, but it went away.
The four of us moved from the cursed ruins south, then west around a lake. We ventured from goblins, to what they call Hob Goblins, or Orc Goblins as they're called in Ghorimir. They are tougher here, than in Gorimir. Pugor, a Private in the Royal Troff Legion led the hunt with Kabul, a veteran archer at the back. Karessa and myself stay in the middle, firing off bolts towards to enemy, if Pugor left them standing long enough. We wondered about, fighting, looting, learning. I often thought myself as a decent swordsman, Pugor sees potential, Kabul was kind and skilled. Karessa and I hadn't spoken much. I think I was shy.
We came upon a dark, forested area. More Hob Goblins lay awaiting, this time, with stronger kin. In my exploits with Hob Goblins, I've seen few cast magick, most are warriors such as myself armed with a sword and soemtimes chain armor. This new forest. Was the reason I believe Tempus had sent me.
We came across the path of a HObGoblin Warlock, a caster of dark magicks. He hit Pugor whilest the remaining few of us would shoot arrows and bolts trying the down the beast before it did any damage to the Brave Orc. We came across a bend in the path. We hadn't been hasty, checking most of our corners, tactical protocol. More Warlocks and Battle ragers. Kabul mostly took the first shot. He made them count. The ones that made it to Pugor were already kissed by the sharp lips of Kabuls arrows, and didn't put much of a fight.
He shot. The arrow killing one on impact. The other, the caster did not bother to send a simple bolt of lightning, or cast a ball of fire. No. He summoned a beast. Known only as Hulk.
This Hulk made Pugor look man sized. I along with Kabul and Karessa fired rapidly at the monstrosity. Our attempts were futile. Pugor Kept it's attention, beating on it with his valiant Battle Axe, chipping away at it's hard shell exterior. Kabul's near perfect aim would strike at the beasts inner skin, causing it to enter a rage and attack everything near it. When Pugor would get hit, I would step in the take the beating. Don't ask me why to this day. I didn't know him, or any of them. Why wouldn't I just run. I couldn't. These people, these strangers made my stay here in Norwick more plentiful with smiles and laughter than any day in the last...almost 20 years. Pugor Jumped back in, his axe, controlled yet subtle. Making it's way toward the Hulk with intent to kill. Pugor swung, the Hulk swung back. Pugor was hit hard, just as an arrow from Kabul struck it in the neck. The beast turned from Pugor to Kabul, who was wearing lighter armor than me. In a flash, all of my previous Legion training had come to me. Honor in Duty, protect those who may not be of able mind, or body. I felt the need to protect. I lept into the pathway of the Hulk, the destroyer, the life ender.
It came at me relentlessly. No emotions in it's black eyes...no care for any living being. I don't know if it was hungry, or its warlock master had ordered it to kill. I dashed forward with my blade in hand, shield in the other. The Hulk hadn't stopped in fear of me, It had no fear, nor did I.
I swung my bastard sword with a backhand swing, one I could quickly counter with a shield block. My attempts, were futile. It flung it's gigantic hand at me, bashing my shield into my head, causing my eyes to water, and nose to bleed. I was hoping for a quick retreat from the Hulk, maybe knowing that with Pugor not at it's attention, Kabul and Karessa backing away from the Charging Beast, and me, obviously not a threat. No. It swung for a second time. I tried to Parry with my sword, but to no reward. The blade was hit with such force, that my hands couldn't keep a grip and it flew a few feet away. I remember seeing the final blow, not much of feeling it.
I awoke, in a place I wish not to return.
I was in Deaths Palace. It was cold, un-welcoming as some see death to be. I sat, on a stone bench, waiting for Tempus to call my name.
I had figured, I came, I saw, I died. Tempus' task for me must've been completed. Boy how wrong I was.
I came to at the Chauntea Temple, Norwick. Pugor, Kabul, and Karessa standing over my nude body. They had stripped my body, as if I wasn't heavy enough. They, all three had killed the Beast. I know not if my actions of sacrifice had helped, or was just an unfortunate death that sometimes comes from battle. Either way, my head was hurting.
They had told me of what happened, they killed the Hulk, carried my body almost a days travel, I still have yet to get my sparkling potion back...
Pugor and I spoke for sometime after that. We talked about the Legion, he spoke highly of my skills, thought I was Legion material. It's been so long since I've had a title. The ones I've had brought pain and anger. I wished not to have one. But, Pugor had mentioned my name to a Sergeant in the Legion, Yngdir. A creeper if ye ask me, but he's wise, and quite handy in battle. Yngdir, asked me if I wished to be a Legionnaire. My response was emotional. Perhaps not to the outside of my personal shell, but on the interior walls of who I call Alidor, an explosion of fear, anger, wothlessness. I hadn't wanted a title. Recruit, is a title. After what seemed like a day, only a few seconds I soon came to notice, I told Yngdir, Aye.
My lust for acceptance had been fulfilled. My anxiety for the past, had gone, and a new hope for the future has came. I bought myself a new shield, a nice big one, and a helm...helps me keep the noise to a minimum while fighting. These items are not who I am.
The title is not who I am, for I am Alidor, Son of Ghorimir, Legionnaire._
