Stonefist Academy - The Beginning

[Graybeard]

Miranda

"It is the duty of any good person to help those in need. This farmer's problem may just be a wolf or similar wild animal or, as my mentor would caution, it may be something more dangerous. It is our duty to investigate this menace and deal with it to the best of our combined abilities. I will volunteer for this task."

 

[Dragonwriter]

Ararion quickly puts the mirror away. At the mention of drow, his lip curls back slightly in distaste, but he says nothing. And his face is impassive when the dark elf in question enters. He gives a short, perfunctory bow to the teachers before turning back to Maximo. The lanky elf's face begins to form a smile. "I didn't come here to be shy and retiring, Master Maximo. And as for this task, I'll go. Something to do, at least, and I haven't come all this way for nothing."

 

[jackslate45]

Lune stared at his tattoo while the others received their own. He smiled as he looked upon it, as he could see the imiagry in it. Heironeous' symbol is normally that of a lightning bolt, clutching it his right hand. However, in some of the older text books at the convent, it can be seen as simply a bolt of lightning, shining down and striking evil where ever it may be.

The fact that a battle is ongoing in the bolt means that he was right to come here. Lune was always a skilled fighter, and Master Thomas had suggested to come here to learn how to blend the power of his faith, and the skilled teachers they house.

Speaking of the skilled teachers, after everyone had received their tattoos did they arrive. Lune felt some tension between Ararion and Eralni, but was relieved that nothing seemed to come of it. He bowed low towards the pair of them and says "I look forward to learning what I can from you."

Turning back towards Maximo, Lune continues "I will aid where ever I am called too. However, I did not hear a mention of a divine master. I was curious if I can know his name as well?"

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

"I look forward to learning what I can from you."

Turning back towards Maximo, Lune continues "I will aid where ever I am called too. However, I did not hear a mention of a divine master. I was curious if I can know his name as well?"

			I only introduced you to those that are here. Father Octavious will return tomorrow, for he had made use of being off today to tend to some personal matters. I think you will get along with him easily, if that tattoo tells me what I think it does.

 

[Axel]

Olek

Olek grunted with narrowed eyes as the weapons master entered the room. Doesn't look like he even knows which end of an axe is the business end... I won't be surprised if he can't teach me anything. His error in speaking out of turn still in the front of his mind, Olek was probably more diplomatic than he might otherwise be.

"Master Baylen, you do not look as though any weapon would serve as well as your fist. What do you know of the correct axe technique for fighting trolls? How do others shorter than yourself get close enough to cleave their flesh without getting their skulls turned inside out?"

The drow was, well, a drow. Were they to have met yesterday, Olek would have fought her to the death. And probably lost too, by the looks of her. Today, well, today was a strange day. To be told that a drow was not evil was only the latest in a string of bizarre happenings. Olek would form his own opinion in time. Maximo's would suffice for now.

This test does not sound a coincidence. I wonder if anything that happens here is truly a coincidence... "Master Maximo, I will be pleased to hunt down this slayer of sheep and terror of the lands. To be successful we must know more information. Where is Ghentir? When was his sheep taken? Were any remains found? No doubt others that agree to your test will have more questions."

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

"Master Baylen, you do not look as though any weapon would serve as well as your fist. What do you know of the correct axe technique for fighting trolls? How do others shorter than yourself get close enough to cleave their flesh without getting their skulls turned inside out?"

Turning his cold stone eyes to Olek, Baylen speaks with a simple statement.

			Weapons are what you make of them. Be it a fist, an axe, or your mind. You have much to learn, as trolls can be brought down with any of those options. That is what you will learn. How well you learn it is up to you...

"Master Maximo, I will be pleased to hunt down this slayer of sheep and terror of the lands. To be successful we must know more information. Where is Ghentir? When was his sheep taken? Were any remains found? No doubt others that agree to your test will have more questions."

Ferro answers instead,

			Ghentir is just south of Springside, about a two hour journey. His farm is situated just north of the forest and west of the mountains. From what the messenger said, it happened sometime during last night. Ghentir can answer any more questions that you may have, as that is all the information that was given to me. Ghentir is a loyal supporter of the Academy, and one we would like to keep.

 

[Sphyh]

Silvas admires the bow tattoo as it takes form on his right forearm. One day I will own a bow like this. He thinks to himself.

As the door enters his focus snaps back to the present. He sees a drow in person for the first time in his life. For some reason he was mad at the prospect of having to study under a drow. He bows slightly as they both enter nonetheless.

A drow teacher? Here? Outrageous... but wait I have never even met a drow? Why did I feel this resentment? I dont even know her. An inward struggle is apparent on his face for a short while as he begins to wrestle with these prejudices ingrained in his head by his family life who now rejects him. As soon as a job was mentioned he leaves his train thought and begins to focus on the issue at hand. I can mediate on this later.

"Thank you for the gift Maximo, truly an honor. It is also an honor to be utilized so soon upon arrival. I am interested to see if this is a natural predator just following its own course or if foul play is to blame? If a sheep was indeed "carried off" I want to slay the beast responsible. My bow is at your disposal."

Silvas does not make eye contact with the drow in an attempt to avoid showing his emotions until he sorts them out for himself.

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

Maximo looks to Leilani, who was the last to choose. She simply nods her agreement, as he then speaks.

			Then it is settled. While here, you will be afforded food, shelter and training. You may leave what you wish here and I will have it taken to your rooms upstairs. Take what you need on the journey. And one last thing,

he says, as Ferro then hands out a brooch to each of you.

			These are to be worn while on official business regarding the Academy. They are my family crest, of which you may now wear. I am honored that you have sought out the Academy. Each of us will do our best to prepare you for the world to come, to teach that which we know, and to endeavor to do right.

​

			Ferro will take you to the South Gate, where you will then follow the creek out of town until you spy the forest to the south. Then head west and you will soon find the farmlands. Ghentir's will be the first one you come to.

Ferro awaits you each to leave what you do not care to take and beckons you to follow him. He leads you back out of the Academy and then follows the road through town to the South Gate. The gates are open now, and a trio of guards can be seen. They recognize Ferro and simply watch you all pass. As Ferro leads you through the gates, he adds,

			I bid you good fortune in this endeavor. Learn from each other and keep each other safe.

Turning around, he walks back through the gate and heads down the road back through town. You turn back to each other, then to the south. So this is it. You are now inducted into the Stonefist Academy, you have an interesting tattoo that would be hard pressed to explain to your friends and family, and you now wear the emblem of the Stonefist Academy which is also Maximo's family crest.

OOC: Marching order, any special acts, etc. This will be a two hour journey to the farm, so you can role play the journey to get to know each other. Once that is done, I will have you arrive at the farm. I see Miranda has a hawk, which has yet to be introduced. Daelyn does not seem to have a familiar, is that correct?

 

[Axel]

Olek

Olek nodded when the giant Master Baylem spoke, as though he understood. Right now though, he didn't. While he may be right in theory, there are degrees of usefulness for weapons. A bow is valuable in the open and a liability in the tunnels. Meanwhile surely weapons made of sturdy Dwarven steel are more reliable than the decorative weapons of the Gnomes?

Taking the proffered pin, Olek bows and places it at the neck of his cloak. "My thanks again for the further gift, Master Maximo. I will wear it with pride." Buckling his armour's sleeve up, Olek resolved to consider the tattoo and its meanings later at his leisure. Public examination of something so private would not be decent.

"I am ready to depart. I brought nothing with me that is not useful, and forgot nothing I might need."

Later, as the group readied to leave Ferro's company, Olek simply grunted and strode off along the creek, without looking back of checking to see if the others were ready. We will be safe until we are out of town. Nobody would dare approach so closely with evil intent...

OOC: No opinion on marching order as far as character involvement goes. My left-side leaning brain tells me that Olek should go in the front two. Not only is he primarily melee but he is the slowest of the group with 20' movement.

 

[jackslate45]

With a nod to Ferro, Lune take the pin and tries to find a spot to pin it up. However, his shirt is already covered by chain mail, leaving no room to wear on his shirt. He noticed Olek putting it on his clock, and figured that was also a good idea. Removing his much warn out fastener, Lune re pins it up with the mark of Master Maximo.

Once outside, he does an equipment re-rack. He had most of his things in the backpack, and decided it would be safer to have his weapons at the ready. He puts his sword on his right side, his mace and crossbow tied on his backpack within arms reach, and his shield slung on his arm. Finally, as the rest of the group finished their preparations, he asks them "As we have a multitude of abilities here, I feel that Olek and myself will most definitely be upfront. Unless you prefer I guard our rear?"


[sblock=Combat]
HP: 10/10 AC: 17/ T: 11/ FF: 16
Fort: +4/ Reflex: +1/ Will: +5'
Longsword: +4 / 1d8 + 3
* denotes Domain Spell
Level 0:Cure Minor Woundsx2, Create Water
Level 1rotection from Evil, Vigor, Magic Weapon*
[/sblock]