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<blockquote data-quote="airwalkrr" data-source="post: 3917187" data-attributes="member: 12460"><p>Most of you do not see much of Mandraiv for the days between the attack and the hunt. From what you gather he spends much of his time at the new temple, helping with the funeral rights and assisting in the re-consecration. By the time you see him the day of the boar hunt, he is disheveled from the toil and apparently lack of sleep as well. Still, he cracks a smile at seeing you all again, a hint that the old man's good nature remains intact. Though his body is slowly failing, his spirit is alive.</p><p></p><p>As you ride through the woods tracking the hoary swine, Mandraiv regales you with tales of his travels throughout Varisia as a younger man. He spares no detail, giving you more than you care to know about his family history and practices. While it is difficult to listen to the old man's droning for long, you do gather enough to know that he is a former magician and wise man serving a traveling performing troupe comprised mostly of his family members. His older brothers (all 10 of them!) have all gone their separate ways and most of them he hasn't seen in years. Some members of his family, such as his niece, Tauni, with whom you gather he has a close relationship, come to visit him every four to five months in Sandpoint since he has retired.</p><p></p><p>While his family details are not particularly interesting, it turns out he is an excellent storyteller. One of his more fascinating yarns is a tale about a young Varisian knight who lived many years ago...</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">In his day, Sir Rauno was said to be the handsomest knight in Varisia, much like myself when I was younger,</span> Mandraiv says with a grin. <span style="color: Sienna">And the women! Ah, the women would fawn over him like a dwarf over gold. He was a prize catch for any woman who could win his fancy. To be wooed by Sir Rauno was every young girl's dream.</span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna"></span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">It happened that in his travels Sir Rauno came across a village that had been devastated by an ogre army which came from dreaded Hook Mountain. The ogre lord, who was called Mochremot, demanded each year that a dozen virgins be brought up the mountain and delivered to his tribe. The women were never heard from again and the town lamented their loss each year, suspecting they had been sacrificed to the evil god of the ogres. Yet they were powerless to prevent it and Mochremot threatened to destroy the entire village if his demands were not met.</span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna"></span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">This village was called Arou, and its burgomaster was desperate for the young knight's help. "Save our precious village," he begged, "and you shall have your pick of the twelve virgins that we would otherwise be required to deliver to take as your wife." Sir Rauno, of the purest noble blood, needed no such incentive to offer his aid to the innocent, and he accepted the task without hesitation.</span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna"></span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">Sir Rauno gathered with him his strongest and bravest men and began the ascent of Hook Mountain to meet the ogres on their own turf. When they at last arrived at the ogre camp, Sir Rauno stood out and issued a challenge to Mochremot to meet him in battle. The ogres were outraged at this defiant human's tone and chomped at the bit to rip him to shreds, but Mochremot stood and simply laughed. He offered a bargain with Sir Rauno. If Sir Rauno could defeat him in single combat, his ogres would leave their home in the mountain and trouble the village of Arou no more, but if Mochremot defeated Rauno, then his men would become the ogre's dinner that night.</span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna"></span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">Sir Rauno's men had the greatest of faith in their liege, and exhorted him to accept the evil ogre's challenge, confident in the knight's ability to best his foe. Though Rauno did not wish to imperil his loyal men, he was encouraged by their support, and agreed to Mochremot's terms. The two marched out from their kin and met in the middle. Rauno drew his steel. Mochremot hefted his axe. They combatants then let out a simultaneous scream and crashed headlong into fight. Rauno used his superior speed to avoid the ogre's powerful swipes, but spent so much time getting out of the way of attacks that he never saw an opening himself. Mochremot roared at his dextrous foe and charged directly over him, bowling him over. Rauno was at a disadvantage upon the ground. Mochremot's axe was now flying down towards his head, but at the last moment, Rauno managed to scoop up his blade, roll under the ogre's legs, and thrust directly upward. Ogre blood poured down upon Sir Rauno's hands as the sword which had driven straight up between Mochremot's legs had punctured all the way to his heart. The ogre listed, then fell to the ground with a crash. Rauno's men let out loud huzzahs and chased down the other ogres, who now feared for their lives at the hands of this man who had defeated their best warrior.</span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna"></span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">When Rauno returned to Arou, he presented Mochremot's head upon a stake and swore that it would forever sit before the road into the mountains to serve as a reminder to monsters seeking to exploit humanity. He also presented another gift to the town. Many of the young women who had been taken prisoner years earlier had survived, having been taken as ogre wives and slaves. Rauno's defeat of Mochremot had liberated them and they could finally return to their families.</span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna"></span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">The townspeople were ecstatic. The burgomaster proclaimed a holiday and the twelve young maidens swooned at the possibility of becoming the bride of this brilliant young hero. However, when Sir Rauno met with them during the festival, he found he was unable to choose. Each of them put their best face forward and was strikingly beautiful. Rauno therefore devised a test for the maidens. The one who passed would become his bride.</span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna"></span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">For his test, he would conduct a private interview with each of them, hoping to learn more about them in private than they would reveal in public. The next day, a servant called the maidens one by one into his bed chamber. When the maidens arrived inside, the servant told them the master was still preparing and that he would come to speak with them soon. The servant was a haggard old man of many years. He was covered with battle scars an was missing most of his teeth. His breath smelled terrible and his garments had not been recently washed. But he was old and unable to care properly for himself, and as the two awaited the master, he removed his shoes to reveal terrible blisters upon his feet from so many years of following his master around. Finally, the servant would leave to fetch Sir Rauno and he would come for the interview. Most of the girls took one look at the servant and could barely stomach his appearance. They turned their heads and hoped soon for the arrival of Sir Rauno. However, a young maiden by the name of Syeria took pity on the old man, and when he had removed his shoes she had gone up to him and offered to rub his feet with a cool cloth to make them feel better. She had wiped his brow and offered to clean his clothes. It was then that the old servant removed his hat and a magical change came over him as he transformed back into the young Sir Rauno. He had wished to judge each maiden on her character, and Syeria had been the only one to offer the old servant aid.</span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna"></span></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">The moral of the story, I believe, is obvious</span> Mandraiv says with a look on sterness, <span style="color: Sienna">I am not an ugly old man, but actually a fair young knight with a fine young lass as my wife!</span> At this he cracks a smile and looks at his fellow party members, hoping they appreciate the joke. <span style="color: Sienna">But seriously though,</span> he continues with a short chuckle, <span style="color: Sienna">Appearances can be deceiving. True character is defined by how you act when you do not believe important people are watching.</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">*****</p><p></p><p>During the hunt, Mandraiv doesn't make a shot all day. It seems every time he is either too slow to react or to shaky to properly fire his bow. When Aldern finally takes down the boar, Mandraiv pats him on the back. <span style="color: Sienna">Way to make an old man look bad,</span> he says with a grin.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="airwalkrr, post: 3917187, member: 12460"] Most of you do not see much of Mandraiv for the days between the attack and the hunt. From what you gather he spends much of his time at the new temple, helping with the funeral rights and assisting in the re-consecration. By the time you see him the day of the boar hunt, he is disheveled from the toil and apparently lack of sleep as well. Still, he cracks a smile at seeing you all again, a hint that the old man's good nature remains intact. Though his body is slowly failing, his spirit is alive. As you ride through the woods tracking the hoary swine, Mandraiv regales you with tales of his travels throughout Varisia as a younger man. He spares no detail, giving you more than you care to know about his family history and practices. While it is difficult to listen to the old man's droning for long, you do gather enough to know that he is a former magician and wise man serving a traveling performing troupe comprised mostly of his family members. His older brothers (all 10 of them!) have all gone their separate ways and most of them he hasn't seen in years. Some members of his family, such as his niece, Tauni, with whom you gather he has a close relationship, come to visit him every four to five months in Sandpoint since he has retired. While his family details are not particularly interesting, it turns out he is an excellent storyteller. One of his more fascinating yarns is a tale about a young Varisian knight who lived many years ago... [COLOR=Sienna]In his day, Sir Rauno was said to be the handsomest knight in Varisia, much like myself when I was younger,[/COLOR] Mandraiv says with a grin. [COLOR=Sienna]And the women! Ah, the women would fawn over him like a dwarf over gold. He was a prize catch for any woman who could win his fancy. To be wooed by Sir Rauno was every young girl's dream. It happened that in his travels Sir Rauno came across a village that had been devastated by an ogre army which came from dreaded Hook Mountain. The ogre lord, who was called Mochremot, demanded each year that a dozen virgins be brought up the mountain and delivered to his tribe. The women were never heard from again and the town lamented their loss each year, suspecting they had been sacrificed to the evil god of the ogres. Yet they were powerless to prevent it and Mochremot threatened to destroy the entire village if his demands were not met. This village was called Arou, and its burgomaster was desperate for the young knight's help. "Save our precious village," he begged, "and you shall have your pick of the twelve virgins that we would otherwise be required to deliver to take as your wife." Sir Rauno, of the purest noble blood, needed no such incentive to offer his aid to the innocent, and he accepted the task without hesitation. Sir Rauno gathered with him his strongest and bravest men and began the ascent of Hook Mountain to meet the ogres on their own turf. When they at last arrived at the ogre camp, Sir Rauno stood out and issued a challenge to Mochremot to meet him in battle. The ogres were outraged at this defiant human's tone and chomped at the bit to rip him to shreds, but Mochremot stood and simply laughed. He offered a bargain with Sir Rauno. If Sir Rauno could defeat him in single combat, his ogres would leave their home in the mountain and trouble the village of Arou no more, but if Mochremot defeated Rauno, then his men would become the ogre's dinner that night. Sir Rauno's men had the greatest of faith in their liege, and exhorted him to accept the evil ogre's challenge, confident in the knight's ability to best his foe. Though Rauno did not wish to imperil his loyal men, he was encouraged by their support, and agreed to Mochremot's terms. The two marched out from their kin and met in the middle. Rauno drew his steel. Mochremot hefted his axe. They combatants then let out a simultaneous scream and crashed headlong into fight. Rauno used his superior speed to avoid the ogre's powerful swipes, but spent so much time getting out of the way of attacks that he never saw an opening himself. Mochremot roared at his dextrous foe and charged directly over him, bowling him over. Rauno was at a disadvantage upon the ground. Mochremot's axe was now flying down towards his head, but at the last moment, Rauno managed to scoop up his blade, roll under the ogre's legs, and thrust directly upward. Ogre blood poured down upon Sir Rauno's hands as the sword which had driven straight up between Mochremot's legs had punctured all the way to his heart. The ogre listed, then fell to the ground with a crash. Rauno's men let out loud huzzahs and chased down the other ogres, who now feared for their lives at the hands of this man who had defeated their best warrior. When Rauno returned to Arou, he presented Mochremot's head upon a stake and swore that it would forever sit before the road into the mountains to serve as a reminder to monsters seeking to exploit humanity. He also presented another gift to the town. Many of the young women who had been taken prisoner years earlier had survived, having been taken as ogre wives and slaves. Rauno's defeat of Mochremot had liberated them and they could finally return to their families. The townspeople were ecstatic. The burgomaster proclaimed a holiday and the twelve young maidens swooned at the possibility of becoming the bride of this brilliant young hero. However, when Sir Rauno met with them during the festival, he found he was unable to choose. Each of them put their best face forward and was strikingly beautiful. Rauno therefore devised a test for the maidens. The one who passed would become his bride. For his test, he would conduct a private interview with each of them, hoping to learn more about them in private than they would reveal in public. The next day, a servant called the maidens one by one into his bed chamber. When the maidens arrived inside, the servant told them the master was still preparing and that he would come to speak with them soon. The servant was a haggard old man of many years. He was covered with battle scars an was missing most of his teeth. His breath smelled terrible and his garments had not been recently washed. But he was old and unable to care properly for himself, and as the two awaited the master, he removed his shoes to reveal terrible blisters upon his feet from so many years of following his master around. Finally, the servant would leave to fetch Sir Rauno and he would come for the interview. Most of the girls took one look at the servant and could barely stomach his appearance. They turned their heads and hoped soon for the arrival of Sir Rauno. However, a young maiden by the name of Syeria took pity on the old man, and when he had removed his shoes she had gone up to him and offered to rub his feet with a cool cloth to make them feel better. She had wiped his brow and offered to clean his clothes. It was then that the old servant removed his hat and a magical change came over him as he transformed back into the young Sir Rauno. He had wished to judge each maiden on her character, and Syeria had been the only one to offer the old servant aid. The moral of the story, I believe, is obvious[/COLOR] Mandraiv says with a look on sterness, [COLOR=Sienna]I am not an ugly old man, but actually a fair young knight with a fine young lass as my wife![/COLOR] At this he cracks a smile and looks at his fellow party members, hoping they appreciate the joke. [COLOR=Sienna]But seriously though,[/COLOR] he continues with a short chuckle, [COLOR=Sienna]Appearances can be deceiving. True character is defined by how you act when you do not believe important people are watching.[/COLOR] [CENTER]*****[/CENTER] During the hunt, Mandraiv doesn't make a shot all day. It seems every time he is either too slow to react or to shaky to properly fire his bow. When Aldern finally takes down the boar, Mandraiv pats him on the back. [COLOR=Sienna]Way to make an old man look bad,[/COLOR] he says with a grin. [/QUOTE]
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