Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Final Chapter)

[Fenris]

Dartis bends down and gives Cara a quick hug with a whispered "I'm so sorry to have led to into such danger"
As the healing magic flows over her wounds Dartis smiles to see her no longer in pain. He lies down to catch his breath until she finishes healing herself and then him. He breathes a bit easier as the gaping wounds in his side heal.

Sitting up he echoes Caramip's question "Yes, who can affect the game so. And how do we follow our own rules? Can you two come with us on the next token? With one more space to go gentlemen, and so much to gain and so much to lose, we need all help we can muster."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Caramip uses ten charges in order to bring herself and Dartis back to full health.

"We cannot join you. That is also against the rules."

"Against rules that have already been broken," the barbarian reminds his companion. "Surely this request isn't so much a bending of the rules as we have just witnessed. And you have done far worse in your time."

"True, but I never really felt so finite until now."

"So you insist on being a coward? Our time is fading fast and I'd rather die on my feet than on my back and I never liked rules all that much anyway. I will join you this time," the barbarian announces as he readies a hand-axe.

"Oh, I don't know about that. Dying on my back sounds just fine to me if the proper activity is being conducted." The merchant sighs as his companions frown at him. "Oh fine. I suppose when we all die I can use the last of my spirit to make some bard sing praises to the heroism I displayed before I wet myself at my time of death. Make your preparations and I will also make myself ready," the merchant says as he pulls a pouch of components out and readies a crossbow.

 

[Fenris]

"Thank you my friends. But as we embark, please, may I know the names of those who aid me in my time of need? I feel I have earned those. I have but a single token left, and I appreciate the game, I can see now the good it has done. Should I survive I know of a young Bard who can long sing your praises should we but know you names." asks Dartis preparing for a final battle.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

"Yes, I suppose you earned that," the barbarian says as he also readies a crude flail and slings it over his shoulder. Out of the corner of your eye you see a bear and two mountain lions approach as they stare at the large man. "My name is Eroll and my companion is called Sanmar."

Sanmar tests the weight of several daggers before putting them in sheathes along his belt. "And that tells you both little and much, as we may carry the names but only some of the power they bring. Shall we make our move?"

 

[Bloodweaver1]

Caramip Ashhearth

OOC: Bardic Knowledge Check on the names.

"Your help will not go unnoticed my friend." Following the introductions Caramip does her best to prepare herself and her friends for the fight to come.

OOC: Cast her last two remaining Blurs on the Barbarian and on Dartis. Then performs another full bardic enhancement for the group.

 

[Fenris]

OOC: After we find out if Caramip recognizes the names, Dartis will move the token ahead to the far 12 at the end of the board.

"Thank you all my friends. If this be my final moments, then I am proud to stand by you all."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

OOC: Yes, you both easily know the names, though Dartis does more than Caramip. Click on the OOC thread, first post, under religions.

 

[Fenris]

Dartis' eyebrows raise a bit as the names are spoken.

Power or no, those are ancient names. Festios must be powerful indeed if the gods themselves will align with the mortals. Should I live through this I shall have quite the tale to tell my children. It seems as though all history has come to thwart my every move. Gods and myths appear from the grass to aid or hinder me. All that is required now is the Rider himself to appear to offer me his horse. Thinks Dartis, though he shudders at the thought of the appearance of the Rider for it would foretell the darkest of days, but then Dartis couldn't truely imagine nay darker days than this. But he felt that way after his home was burned, and after the battle of Kalden. Each time things got darker still. Now he was headed into the darkest of paths, but Cara was with him, and now Sanmar and Eroll. Stalwart allies. But should he have been alone, still he would have gone forward. And so with a last look at Cara, he reaches forward and flips the last token.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The four heroes find themselves upon a hill overlooking a great battle, but something is wrong with their senses. The men fighting seem humanoid and their shouted language is familiar, but they are like shadows struggling under a dull yellow sun; their voices more like echoes than what a living creature would make.

"Where are we?"

"I... I'm not sure..."

You suddenly notice a large shape also overlooking the battle. It is a giant of a man with fiery red skin and a face that is ancient and leathery. Despite his grim countenance he seems to be enjoying the spectacle somewhat.

"Oh no... it's Banbosel. Perhaps we should go. The enemy wins and all that..."

"Go? Go where?"

 

[Fenris]

"Where are we?"

"I... I'm not sure..."

You suddenly notice a large shape also overlooking the battle. It is a giant of a man with fiery red skin and a face that is ancient and leathery. Despite his grim countenance he seems to be enjoying the spectacle somewhat.

"Oh no... it's Banbosel. Perhaps we should go. The enemy wins and all that..."

"Go? Go where?"

Dartis stares a moment before a whispered "The destroyer" escapes his lips.

Tearig his eyes away from the giant on the field, his practiced eye surveys the battle.

He echoes Eroll's question "Indeed the oly way I know to leave these scenes is tio fight and win. There is more power in your names after all if you can choose to leave. But still I do not understand. It is two against one, surely the two of you can stand against Banbosel.

This act can earn you Sanmar, not just the fleeting refrain of a bard, but the gratitude of a nation. Even if Dorinthia is gone, your legend would live on, surely Banbosel cannot defeat you, unless the gods themselves are warring in a way that is new. Even so there is nothing to be gained by running. The game, and so many lives can be won, with but one more battle. The fact that we are here should show yu how much this game means to them, to cause them to alter the outcome so much. The stakes are very high, to lose now, without a fight, is to lose everything the march across the board has meant.

I will go forward, I will face him, even if it means my destruction. Wjat other route is there, certainly none to victory, for salvation."