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<blockquote data-quote="pogre" data-source="post: 1043603" data-attributes="member: 6588"><p>Episode 09</p><p>A Miracle and A Farewell</p><p></p><p>Hilde’s lifeless corpse was draped over the Opherian altar as the sisters prayed over her. Only when they stopped did Inga approach, “What has been revealed to you sisters?”</p><p></p><p>“Sister Inga it is precipitous for you to make such an inquiry,” the church mother replied. “These matter take much time. Go back to your abode and rest and pray. Perhaps Opheria will give you new guidance.”</p><p></p><p>Inga walked towards the egress but hesitated to give one glance backward at her dead friend. <em>Please bring her back Opheria.</em> She continued to the Tabard Inn where Gerhardt had begun an inquiry into the whereabouts of Skully. <em>Hopefully, Gjord is giving the fighter some guidance and diplomatic aid,</em> she thought as she neared the large hostel.</p><p></p><p>Gerhardt was seated near a small fire eating some stew while Gjord flicked shavings into the flames.</p><p></p><p>“There she is,” Gerhardt smiled. “Have they buried Hilde yet?”</p><p></p><p>“Your tact knows no bounds,” Inga replied. “But, no, they have not laid her soul to rest yet.”</p><p></p><p>“Why not?” Gerhardt asked.</p><p></p><p>“They may call her back,” Inga stated. “The church mothers felt Hilde was destined for a greater calling and so they are trying to divine Opheria’s will.”</p><p></p><p>“Is there anything we can do?” Gjord asked. “Perhaps a pledge of service or something.”</p><p></p><p>“I do not think so, but I’ll let you know,” Inga smiled. “Thanks for asking.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, let us know,” Gerhardt agreed. “So anyway your favorite smelly half-breed buddy came through here not long before us.”</p><p></p><p>“Skully?”</p><p></p><p>“None other, and he left you this,” Gerhardt now pulled out a scrap of wrinkled parchment for Inga’s inspection.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0320_skullys_message.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0320_skullys_message_th.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>“I did not recognize the pictograms,” Gjord commented.</p><p></p><p>“No you wouldn’t,” Inga mused. “It’s written in the Northern Runes. You can only understand them in context. Let’s see here – it’s been a while since I have had to struggle through these. Usually, these runes are used in twos or threes, but it is the only written word Skully knows.”</p><p></p><p>“Can you puzzle through it?” Gjord asked.</p><p></p><p>“I’ll try. The first line is a message to I…”</p><p></p><p>“Inga, yeah we know, the barkeep told us he left it for you,” Gerhardt commented.</p><p></p><p>“Yes you must be right,” she answered. “Next line says - bad change – necessary –fate – hunt – the beast. Hmmm, not entirely sure, but I think he’s on another hunt or leaving. There’s a rune for troll and he did not use it. I think if he were referring to the troll we killed he would have used the sign.”</p><p></p><p>“What’s he hunting?” Gerhardt asked.</p><p></p><p>“I’m not sure perhaps the next line will give a clue,” Inga continued. “Let’s see, these runes are close together, that means a number most likely – nine and four.”</p><p></p><p>“Thirteen,” Gjord interjected.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, thirteen,” Inga agreed. “Thirteen suns – changing – man – battled or killed. I think thirteen suns means thirteen days ago. ‘Changing man killed’ has me thrown a bit though. What’s a changing man?”</p><p></p><p>“A doppelganger,” Gjord almost spit as he said the word.</p><p></p><p>“Of course! Skully killed a doppelganger. The woman’s husband,” Inga almost seemed joyous in the discovery.</p><p></p><p>“Wait a bit,” Gerhardt interrupted. “Are you telling me that Skullringer killed the husband at the camp because he was a shapechanger? Why didn’t he kill the woman?”</p><p></p><p>“He never saw her,” Gjord answered. “It may have been sizing up Skullringer as a victim.”</p><p></p><p>“Unlikely,” Inga interjected. “You see in the north doppelgangers are more common. It is also common knowledge that orcs can smell them out. It’s the scent of the changer that probably gave it away to Skully.”</p><p></p><p>“What of the trapper we ran into?” Gerhardt asked.</p><p></p><p>“That trapper was dead before we ever saw him,” Gjord answered.</p><p></p><p>“What does that mean?” Gerhardt asked.</p><p></p><p>“What we saw was a doppelganger, not the original trapper,” Gjord answered. “Remember when I was trailing those kids and I found one more track then two?”</p><p></p><p>“Vaguely,” Gerhardt admitted.</p><p></p><p>“I would guess the three tracks were the two kids and the woman and they met up with the trapper in the woods,” Gjord explained.</p><p></p><p>“They cut up the trapper and eat him and then there are three tracks,” Gerhardt concluded. “The woman was a doppelganger and she took the form of the trapper.”</p><p></p><p>“That is very plausible,” Inga said. “This final line of runes is puzzling not in what it says, but why.”</p><p></p><p>“Let’s hear it,” Gerhardt encouraged.</p><p></p><p>“Home – cattle – protection – fate, so Skully is heading home to protect his possessions and people and it’s fate that requires him to do so,” Inga scratched her head.</p><p></p><p>“He has had enough. He must be homesick,” Gjord offered.</p><p></p><p>“But that’s not it,” Inga countered. “The fate rune is one of the most powerful of the Northern set. Skully would not use it just to say he was quitting. He actually <em>fears</em> something.”</p><p></p><p>“Fears?” Gerhardt questioned incredulously. “This from the fellow who set out into the wilderness to hunt a troll that ripped our sister in half?”</p><p></p><p>“What are those last two?” Gjord asked in an attempt to distract Inga from Gerhardt’s crassness.</p><p></p><p>Inga blushed. “It says he loved me like a wife.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s nice of him,” Gjord commented.</p><p></p><p>“Where do you think half-breeds come from?” Gerhardt stated. “Hey, has anybody seen Xerk?”</p><p></p><p>“No, he went to the temple of Marrkidia,” Gjord commented.</p><p></p><p>“The Templars of the goddess probably have a task for him,” Inga suggested.</p><p></p><p>“I hope they tell him to get drunk and pick up a whore. Xerk is just wrapped too tight,” Gerhardt said.</p><p></p><p>“Undoubtedly that’s a common ceremony required of the war goddess’s priests,” Gjord jested.</p><p></p><p>…..</p><p></p><p>Quarion came into the Tabard Inn with a dozen quails from the country. He threw the bounty on the table and said to the Innkeeper, “I’ll split them with you if you roast my half for my friends and I.”</p><p></p><p>“Done,” the Innskeeper agreed and removed the foul to the kitchen.</p><p></p><p>The group ate well of Quarion’s catch and went to bed full, but still with heavy hearts.</p><p></p><p>…..</p><p></p><p>“We have been summoned to the Shrine of Opheria,” Inga stated excitedly to the rest over morning gruel.</p><p></p><p>“Why us?” Gerhardt asked.</p><p></p><p>“It must be good news,” Inga answered.</p><p></p><p>They skipped the rest of their breakfast and made their way to the shrine. The group was shone to an entry vestibule and left to wait. A short time later another priestess with a hood came to fetch them. She asked of them as they moved deeper into the shrine, “What would you give to bring Hilde back.”</p><p></p><p>“Anything,” came Inga’s quick answer.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, me too,” Gjord answered.</p><p></p><p>“Depends,” Gerhardt answered.</p><p></p><p>“Nothing,” Quarion stated. Everyone turned to the Elf who was smiling. “Because she already has returned!” Quarion pointed to the hooded priestess.</p><p></p><p>She removed her hood and Hilde smiled widely at her friends. They fell upon her in a great embrace of thankfulness.</p><p></p><p>“We must go to the inner shrine and give thanks,” Hilde finally stated.</p><p></p><p>The ceremony started as Hilde entered and following the solemn affair the group took their leave of the shrine with an exchange of thanks. They walked back to the Tabard Inn.</p><p></p><p>“What was it like?” Inga asked of Hilde.</p><p></p><p>“I will tell you some day,” Hilde reassured her. “Now, however, we have a more pressing matter. We must go to speak with Lord Noble Helmall.”</p><p></p><p>“I thought he was a benefactor of the Messenger’s cult in this city,” Quarion commented.</p><p></p><p>“Very true, but it seems we are on an ecumenical mission,” Hilde replied.</p><p></p><p>To be continued…</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Sadly, Skullringer is now on hiatus. My brother was promoted and moved to Ohio.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="pogre, post: 1043603, member: 6588"] Episode 09 A Miracle and A Farewell Hilde’s lifeless corpse was draped over the Opherian altar as the sisters prayed over her. Only when they stopped did Inga approach, “What has been revealed to you sisters?” “Sister Inga it is precipitous for you to make such an inquiry,” the church mother replied. “These matter take much time. Go back to your abode and rest and pray. Perhaps Opheria will give you new guidance.” Inga walked towards the egress but hesitated to give one glance backward at her dead friend. [I]Please bring her back Opheria.[/I] She continued to the Tabard Inn where Gerhardt had begun an inquiry into the whereabouts of Skully. [I]Hopefully, Gjord is giving the fighter some guidance and diplomatic aid,[/I] she thought as she neared the large hostel. Gerhardt was seated near a small fire eating some stew while Gjord flicked shavings into the flames. “There she is,” Gerhardt smiled. “Have they buried Hilde yet?” “Your tact knows no bounds,” Inga replied. “But, no, they have not laid her soul to rest yet.” “Why not?” Gerhardt asked. “They may call her back,” Inga stated. “The church mothers felt Hilde was destined for a greater calling and so they are trying to divine Opheria’s will.” “Is there anything we can do?” Gjord asked. “Perhaps a pledge of service or something.” “I do not think so, but I’ll let you know,” Inga smiled. “Thanks for asking.” “Yeah, let us know,” Gerhardt agreed. “So anyway your favorite smelly half-breed buddy came through here not long before us.” “Skully?” “None other, and he left you this,” Gerhardt now pulled out a scrap of wrinkled parchment for Inga’s inspection. [URL=http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0320_skullys_message.jpg][IMG]http://www.compet-edge.com/story_hour_2/0320_skullys_message_th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] “I did not recognize the pictograms,” Gjord commented. “No you wouldn’t,” Inga mused. “It’s written in the Northern Runes. You can only understand them in context. Let’s see here – it’s been a while since I have had to struggle through these. Usually, these runes are used in twos or threes, but it is the only written word Skully knows.” “Can you puzzle through it?” Gjord asked. “I’ll try. The first line is a message to I…” “Inga, yeah we know, the barkeep told us he left it for you,” Gerhardt commented. “Yes you must be right,” she answered. “Next line says - bad change – necessary –fate – hunt – the beast. Hmmm, not entirely sure, but I think he’s on another hunt or leaving. There’s a rune for troll and he did not use it. I think if he were referring to the troll we killed he would have used the sign.” “What’s he hunting?” Gerhardt asked. “I’m not sure perhaps the next line will give a clue,” Inga continued. “Let’s see, these runes are close together, that means a number most likely – nine and four.” “Thirteen,” Gjord interjected. “Yes, thirteen,” Inga agreed. “Thirteen suns – changing – man – battled or killed. I think thirteen suns means thirteen days ago. ‘Changing man killed’ has me thrown a bit though. What’s a changing man?” “A doppelganger,” Gjord almost spit as he said the word. “Of course! Skully killed a doppelganger. The woman’s husband,” Inga almost seemed joyous in the discovery. “Wait a bit,” Gerhardt interrupted. “Are you telling me that Skullringer killed the husband at the camp because he was a shapechanger? Why didn’t he kill the woman?” “He never saw her,” Gjord answered. “It may have been sizing up Skullringer as a victim.” “Unlikely,” Inga interjected. “You see in the north doppelgangers are more common. It is also common knowledge that orcs can smell them out. It’s the scent of the changer that probably gave it away to Skully.” “What of the trapper we ran into?” Gerhardt asked. “That trapper was dead before we ever saw him,” Gjord answered. “What does that mean?” Gerhardt asked. “What we saw was a doppelganger, not the original trapper,” Gjord answered. “Remember when I was trailing those kids and I found one more track then two?” “Vaguely,” Gerhardt admitted. “I would guess the three tracks were the two kids and the woman and they met up with the trapper in the woods,” Gjord explained. “They cut up the trapper and eat him and then there are three tracks,” Gerhardt concluded. “The woman was a doppelganger and she took the form of the trapper.” “That is very plausible,” Inga said. “This final line of runes is puzzling not in what it says, but why.” “Let’s hear it,” Gerhardt encouraged. “Home – cattle – protection – fate, so Skully is heading home to protect his possessions and people and it’s fate that requires him to do so,” Inga scratched her head. “He has had enough. He must be homesick,” Gjord offered. “But that’s not it,” Inga countered. “The fate rune is one of the most powerful of the Northern set. Skully would not use it just to say he was quitting. He actually [I]fears[/I] something.” “Fears?” Gerhardt questioned incredulously. “This from the fellow who set out into the wilderness to hunt a troll that ripped our sister in half?” “What are those last two?” Gjord asked in an attempt to distract Inga from Gerhardt’s crassness. Inga blushed. “It says he loved me like a wife.” “That’s nice of him,” Gjord commented. “Where do you think half-breeds come from?” Gerhardt stated. “Hey, has anybody seen Xerk?” “No, he went to the temple of Marrkidia,” Gjord commented. “The Templars of the goddess probably have a task for him,” Inga suggested. “I hope they tell him to get drunk and pick up a whore. Xerk is just wrapped too tight,” Gerhardt said. “Undoubtedly that’s a common ceremony required of the war goddess’s priests,” Gjord jested. ….. Quarion came into the Tabard Inn with a dozen quails from the country. He threw the bounty on the table and said to the Innkeeper, “I’ll split them with you if you roast my half for my friends and I.” “Done,” the Innskeeper agreed and removed the foul to the kitchen. The group ate well of Quarion’s catch and went to bed full, but still with heavy hearts. ….. “We have been summoned to the Shrine of Opheria,” Inga stated excitedly to the rest over morning gruel. “Why us?” Gerhardt asked. “It must be good news,” Inga answered. They skipped the rest of their breakfast and made their way to the shrine. The group was shone to an entry vestibule and left to wait. A short time later another priestess with a hood came to fetch them. She asked of them as they moved deeper into the shrine, “What would you give to bring Hilde back.” “Anything,” came Inga’s quick answer. “Yes, me too,” Gjord answered. “Depends,” Gerhardt answered. “Nothing,” Quarion stated. Everyone turned to the Elf who was smiling. “Because she already has returned!” Quarion pointed to the hooded priestess. She removed her hood and Hilde smiled widely at her friends. They fell upon her in a great embrace of thankfulness. “We must go to the inner shrine and give thanks,” Hilde finally stated. The ceremony started as Hilde entered and following the solemn affair the group took their leave of the shrine with an exchange of thanks. They walked back to the Tabard Inn. “What was it like?” Inga asked of Hilde. “I will tell you some day,” Hilde reassured her. “Now, however, we have a more pressing matter. We must go to speak with Lord Noble Helmall.” “I thought he was a benefactor of the Messenger’s cult in this city,” Quarion commented. “Very true, but it seems we are on an ecumenical mission,” Hilde replied. To be continued… Sadly, Skullringer is now on hiatus. My brother was promoted and moved to Ohio. [/QUOTE]
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