Awakenings

[Clareon Wolfeyes]

Just some EQ fiction I play with every now and then.

Awakening



I wake up with snow in my mouth and choking on the taste of blood and bile in my throat, how many times have I died at the hands of those infernal Ice Goblins? How many times have I returned to this same God forsaken spot, only to have the two men guarding the entrance to Halas laugh at my misfortune? I have been fighting for survival for three seasons now, survival is the key, for if I’m too find out the reason I am here I must live. Everywhere I turn something wants me dead, the dogmen, Gnolls I’ve heard them called, and the Ice Goblins thirst for my blood, for no reason but their own. This club, splintered from the many blows given in my defense, is a poor weapon indeed; I have to find something easier to wield, something to induce fear as well as pain.

“You know if you used your spells, you wouldn’t end up back here so often”, I quickly spin towards the speaker bringing my club up it a defensive position. I look into the eyes of the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on, although with what I have had to compare, the creature might be plain indeed.

“Spells? What are these spells you speak of?” I realize my voice sounds like the bark of a dog compared to the words coming out of this creature’s mouth, “and who are you, why did I not see you there before?”

“ Calm yourself friend, I mean no harm, nor disrespect, I just saw the anger in your eyes and thought you might need some help. Did you say you don’t know what a spell is?” The creature seemed shocked at this bit of news, and it angered me to see this slight creature, male or female I could not guess, gaining amusement from my misfortune.

“ Is that not what I said, I have not heard of these spells you speak of, and I don’t appreciate being doubted by someone I’ve never met before.” I could feel the heat of anger coloring my face, how dare this creature doubt my word. Taking a closer look at this being, with its chain mail tunic, bright and clean, yet pitted and patched as if well used, and the sword at its hip, the pommel worn from frequent handling, and the blade sharpened and free of nicks, I start rethinking my position.

Raising his hands in front of him, the stranger took a step back “Peace, man I meant no slight to your honor I am just amazed that you have survived your second season.”

“It is my third, and almost my forth season, if it is any of your business.” I could feel the heat returning to my face. “If you have something to say, out with it, if not, be on your way before I crack your skull.” This made the creature smile broadly and even chuckle, which in turn, pushed me over the edge I was standing so close too. Choosing not to kill the creature where he stood, I dropped my club, and as its eyes followed it to the ground, I drove my fist into its chest. I realized as my fist hit home that the creature was a male, and he was as hard as steel, there was no give to him at all, I also realized my fist was bleeding from a dozen small holes. As I looked at the holes in my fist the stranger started mumbling something I could not make out, and his gauntleted hands started to glow, startled I tried to step back, only to find I was rooted where I stood.

“That my young friend is a mighty strong punch you have there, I felt it even through my Skin of Nature spell, and I see you’ve noticed my damage shield.” I didn’t know what he was talking about, “ The holes in your hand, they are caused by a spell, an invisible shield of thorns surrounding me, you’re lucky you might not have survived something stronger.” Realizing this being meant me no harm and was not laughing at me, but was genuinely surprised by my predicament, caused the anger to leave me, to be replaced by a sense of curiosity.

“ I apologize for striking you, I let my anger get the better of me, my name is Winterraven, and if I may ask, who and what are you?” Again the look of amusement crosses his face, and I see now, though he was young in appearance his eyes looked old, as if they were not his at all.

“My name young Winterraven is Starfinder Nightshade, and I am a Woodelf, a Druid in the service of the Goddess Tunare, and I will accept your apology , if in turn you accept mine, as I said I meant no harm, and should have shown more tact after your resurrection.” Holding out his hand, he stepped towards me, and though my feet would not leave the ground, I could still raise my hand, grasping his I said “Apology accepted. Now tell me more about these spells your were talking about, and when can I learn to stick your boots to the ground.”

[Clareon Wolfeyes]

Second chapter if you will.



Discovery




I awoke to the howling of a wolf in the distance, and saw the bedroll of my new companion empty; it caused me no real concern, for after the display of his powers the previous day, I knew a mere wolf would be no threat. The once roaring fire that had kept us warm during the night was now only lightly glowing embers and was no longer providing me warmth and I dreaded lifting my blankets to rekindle it. Shrugging off the last warm memories of sleep as well as my blankets, I sat up to look for fire wood, some small pieces lay on the ground next to my club, but not enough to start a cook fire.

Resigning myself to the fact that I would have to go and hunt some bigger pieces of wood I stood and stretched, and nearly jumped out of my skin. At the edge of our campsite sat a large wolf, droplets of blood falling from its gaping mouth, its huge head surrounded by great billows of frosty breath. Knowing the wolf had not been there a moment ago, I cursed myself for not grabbing my club as I gotten to my feet, and quickly glanced at my feet to check the distance to my weapon. It was obvious the wolf would be on me before I could lay a hand on my club and I wondered how I would fare with my hands, looking back to the wolf… it was gone. In its place stood Starfinder Nightshade, the Woodelf Druid I had met just last night.

“Is something the matter friend Winterraven, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” The Druid said with that now familiar glint in his eye.

“Nay, not a ghost, a wolf, and a bloody big one too, I thought for sure I would have to kill the thing with my hands…wait a moment where did you come from all of a sudden, and what are you laughing about.” This elf found humor in everything it seemed.

“Winter, you provide me with the laughter, and for that I thank you, I have been searching this land for something to change my tainted view of the world, and I never thought a Barbarian would be my savior.” Once again the Druids hands started to glow, it spread from his hands to cover his whole body, and suddenly the wolf was back, sitting staring back at me, only now did I notice its eyes had the same mischievous gleam as Starfinders. In the blink of an eye the Druid returned to his former self, and once again laughed at my slack jawed appearance.

“Oh, I’ve got to learn how to do that, is that a spell you use, or is it something, you’re, ah, kind can only do.” I said rubbing my hands together, just realizing how much I missed the roaring fire, and its warmth.

“No, indeed it is a spell, but its not one you can learn, it is provided by my God, so yes I guess you could say it is only Druid kind that can perform it.” With that he bent down and picked up the sacks at his feet, in my excitement over the wolf, I had never even noticed they were there, and wondered where he had gotten them. “Here, I went to Halas this morning and picked you up some new gear, and a few trinkets.” Tossing the large sack effortlessly towards me I caught it in my chest and was knocked backwards onto the ground, “Careful with that its pretty heavy.” Picking up the other sack he emptied the contents onto his bedroll, sacks of food, some water skins, bottles, and rolled scrolls tumbled out in a huge jumble. “And after you try on your new equipment, you can help me sort this mess out, in the mean time I’ll start some breakfast.”

The bag was extremely heavy and made me wonder how the he carried it with little effort, must be another spell, or some magic he uses. The knot was tight and I had to work to get it undone, as I pulled the last loop free the bag opened showing a glittering mass of chain mail, my eyes grew wide with the realization that it was Barbarian size. “Where did you get this, its obviously not one of your hand me downs, you and another could fit in here with room to spare.” I said holding up the mass of shining rings.

“You would be surprised what people give you for services rendered, or what you find along the seldom traveled path, or even on a body long dead in an ancient forgotten dungeon.” The gleam was back, but it had a dreamy faraway look to it. “Come on then try it on, all of it, and lets see how it fits, let me know if any of the items feel a little…strange.”

Grabbing the bottom of the bag I heaved and upended it onto my blankets, there seemed to be a lot more on my bed then the bag could possibly hold. “What do you mean strange, should I worry that I’m going to turn into a Goblin, or burst into flame”. I started arranging the items on the ground careful to only touch the edges as if it offered me some protection.

“No nothing like that,” he said with a chuckle, “but some items offer certain types of beings some benefits other then the obvious protection.”
Taking him at his word, I slipped the chain mail tunic over my head, as it settled on my shoulders it suddenly felt much lighter, and it felt as if a warmth came over me. “ It’s a lot lighter then it looks and warm too, but I think the morning air is getting to me I feel a little light headed.”

“No that’s the armor, it increases your natural strength and resistance to the colder elements, the light-headedness is a reaction to the wisdom increase it provides, you should get used to it in a few minutes” He continued working with the fire and the preparation of breakfast as he spoke. “ Put the rest of it on, now that I know I picked out the right gear, the rest should work for you just fine.”

Once again putting my trust in my new friend, I started to put on the rest of my new armor. The pants came next, mail with plate steel attached, again heavy at first but when they were buckled on the weight disappeared, and the again the feeling of light headedness, but this time it was gone before I could mention it. I drew on the boots next sturdy leather, lined with warm fur, they seemed to mold to me feet as I stepped into them. Taking off the tunic, I slipped on the two large sleeves, covered with metal discs, shaped like scales and buckled them over my shoulders, they made very little noise as I moved. Then a set of leather pads for my shoulders, light and smooth but hard as steel, I replaced the tunic, and shrugged it into place.

A belt of a silvery metal, with loops for weapons, two bracelets, one intricately worked with what looked like Ivory, the other a rusty colored metal bracer followed. What looked like a large white fur cloak was tied into a bundle, holding other items, my hands were shaking in excitement as I unwrapped the cloak and shook it out. It was a long flowing cloak made from a huge polar bear skin, with a shiny metal clasp at the neck, it fastened easily and stayed off the shoulders unless wrapped around for warmth. Four other bundles had fallen from the cloak, two smaller ones and two that were quite large. I picked up the smallest one and pulled the ties to open it, pouring the contents into my palm, I looked at the glittering items, two finger rings and two earrings, the rings I slipped on my fingers, the earrings would have to wait until I could fit them properly.

The next bundle contained a pair of chain mail gloves, a chain mail veil to attach to a helmet, and a leather gorget to protect my neck. The last two bundles were oddly shaped, one big and round the other longer, the round one obviously held a helmet so that was next, it was a large bluish steel with great horns on either side, I placed it on my head and attached the veil. I could scarcely believe that I was standing here in a full suit of battle ready armor, when not twenty minutes ago I was clad in cloth and tattered leathers.

The last bundle lay before me, I dared not hope for what it might contain, but I reached for it and undid the ties anyway, laying there on the canvas wrapping were weapons, beautiful weapons, and it was plain to see true artisans had crafted these tools of war. A large two handed hammer, huge and gray, well balanced and heavy, and it was warm, as if it had a power waiting to be released. I put the hammer down, and picked up the wicked looking spear, a large barbed head attached to a pine shaft, also well balanced, it could be used to keep an enemy at a distance or was light enough to hurl a decent distance. A small one handed war hammer, and a wicked looking dagger were left, I drove the spear tip into the ground and picked up the smaller hammer and the dagger, both slid easily into the belt at my waist. Finally I picked up the big hammer again and hefted it in my hands, this would be my weapon of choice, I was sure with this hammer in my hands, I could shake the very mountains themselves.

“Now that is what a Barbarian Shaman is supposed to look like.” I turned at the obvious comment, and gave Star a questioning look. “That’s right my friend, you are not some bludgeoning buffoon, to be out swinging a splintering club at anything that moves, no you are a Tribal Shaman, one who walks and talks with the Spirits themselves. And where I draw my magic and protection from my God, you will receive yours from the Spiritworld.”

“What are you going on about, I know nothing of magic or spells and have never seen a Spirit or anything of the like.” But since donning the armor and grasping the hammer, a tingling had begun at the back of my neck and had spread down to my fingertips.

“Oh don’t worry my friend, that’s what the scrolls I brought are for, they contain all the answers you seek. Now take that big pot off your head and sit and eat, I think your going to need all the strength you can muster for the next couple of days.”

Clareon Wolfeyes
Human Druid of Tunare.

[Clareon Wolfeyes]

I would appreciate any feedback any readers might have, positive or negative, I have a couple of more chapters i'm gonna post in the next few days.

[Clareon Wolfeyes]

Trial and Error



The familiar sensations started, travelling from the base of my skull to the tips of my fingers, a warm tingling feeling, getting warmer by the second. Visualizing the bush in my mind, pushing the warmth out of my fingers towards the bush, pushing, pushing…then it comes, like a drop of water hitting a hot pan, sputter and fizzle, the warmth is gone.
“You’re pushing again aren’t you?” the Druid asks, knowing the answer before I reply, “ I told you it would come, stop pushing and let the feelings flow, forcing them will not make it come any quicker.”

“That’s easy for you to say Elf, you burned your bush to a crisp the first cast, I however have not even succeeded in melting the snow around mine.” Disgust and self-pity rolled off my tongue looking for a home, but I refuse to let it take hold. “I’m going for a walk, I need to hit something, maybe it will help clear my head.” I picked up my hammer and slung it over my shoulder.

“Good idea, while you’re out try to snag something for supper.” The empty meat sack hit me in the back of my head, tossed by the laughing Elf, “And try to get something other then wolf meat, I’ll eat it but it doesn’t sit well with me.”
“For someone so skinny you shouldn’t be picky about what you shove down your gullet.” Jokes and banter were coming easier now, everyday the trust had grown between us, and it felt right to insult each other in jest.

“Well I think all the meat you’ve been stuffing yourself with has slowed your brain, otherwise you would have at least singed a leaf by now.” I trudged out of camp with the Elves laughter following my every step, he usually always wins our battles of words, but the more I get to know him the easier my retorts have become. I start to swing my hammer to work the kinks out of my shoulders, bending over those spell scrolls the last few nights had caused more tension in my muscles then I needed. The more I worked the hammer the more relaxed I became, soon I was breathing deep and easy, and deciding not to worry about my spell casting, and focusing on getting something for dinner. The usual tracks covered the ground, with Starfinders tutelage they had become easier to understand, Goblins, wolves, small bears all were there, but I wanted something else, maybe a large bear or even some cougar would be good.

I gave a wave to the guards as I left the safety of my mountains and went out into the tundra to hunt, usually Star came with me out this far, but I had been holding my own against the wolves and bears so the cougars shouldn’t be more difficult. I found a track easily enough, the pad and the toes still fresh in the snow, the track was shallow and smaller then usual, so it was a young cat, probably hunting its own meal. Head down, concentrating on finding the trail over the snow and rocks, I failed to keep my eye on my back trail, and soon the sound of steps behind me alerted me to my blunder. Spinning around I was to late to dodge the blow completely, so I took the hit on my shoulder and rolled with it to come to my feet facing my attacker, an Orc, a big one, its skin, blue from the cold.

It spoke, spittle spewing from its ugly maw “Barbarian is far from home, you brave to come this far, or stupid”. The words took me off guard, I didn’t even know these creatures could speak common tongue. “You have nice hammer, maybe we trade, then you go home to mountains.” He was holding a rusty warhammer, the head pitted and cracked, the handle held together with leather strips.

“I was just waiting for my Druid friend, we were hunting for our dinner and got separated”, I was trapped in a gully, the only ways out were through the Orc, or to turn tail and run, “I’m sure he’ll be along any minute now.” For some reason the ugly brute didn’t look like he was believing my bluff.

“Followed you from guards, you alone, now me take your hammer, your armor, and your bones for my chief”. The blow was slow and lazy, maybe this fight would go better then I thought, bringing up my hammer to block I was driven to my knees, my hands and arms numb from the shock of his hit. The Orc laughed, he knew I had underestimated him, and that I was going to pay dearly for it, quickly I tuck and roll to get some space between us, this just made him laugh harder. His crude hammer went up over his head, ready to come down and crush my skull, and not wanting to block again I spin to the left and let his own momentum take him off balance. As he sailed past me, I drove the butt of my hammer into the base of his skull, and turned in time to see his hammer shatter on the rocks as he followed through.

The Orc turned and looked me in the eye as he drew a wicked looking dagger from his belt “ I will eat your heart for that Barbarian, then I will take your hammer as mine.” His lunge and slash was quick and took me by surprise, and I earned a gash in my forearm for it.

“ If you want my hammer so bad, here take it”, the hammer flew end over end, and his empty hand came up to block it, this time it was his mistake, my hammer was lighter then it looked, and flew faster, the head connected with his elbow and I heard the tell tale crunch of bones. The arm hung useless at his side but the hand with the dagger was still up and ready for more, the dagger snaked back and forth looking for an opening in my defense.

“ Now you got no hammer either, and I got dagger.” With that he lunged, the knife coming towards my face, my palm hit the inside of his arm and drove the dagger to the side, with his face wide open I drove my forehead into his nose, again the sound of breaking bone. Stumbling, the orc back peddled, and stood staring at me with blood gushing from its now flat nose.

“You die now barbarian”, but for the first time I could see some doubt in its eyes. I glanced around, looking for anything I could use as a weapon, the orc gave another smile and toed my hammer laying at its feet, “Come and get it Barbarian, if you think you can”.

I tried to circle to get closer to my hammer, but the Orc knew what I wanted and stood his ground, waiting him out was out of the question, more like him could be over the next ridge heading this way at this very minute. I cursed myself for only bringing my hammer, I’ll have to remember to be better prepared next time, if there is a next time. The Orc grew tired of waiting, he must have guessed the longer he waited the more of a disadvantage his injuries would become, and brute force was his last choice, he came in fast trying to drive the dagger down into me from overhead. My hands came up and grasped his wrist, and stopped the daggers downward plunge, I could feel the muscles in his arm tense, and slowly the knife inched down towards my face. Flexing my own arms the dagger stopped again, but again it started inching towards my face, I focused on the tip of that knife trying to will it to stop, pushing back, but the Orc had the weight advantage, and was still too strong. I concentrated harder, and soon felt a familiar tingle at the base of my neck, the more I focused on the blade tip the stronger the tingle became, I felt it travel up my arms and into my hands still clutching the huge wrist.

“What are you doing Barbarian, why are you smiling.” The look of victory left his face as he too looked at the dagger blade, and watched as it turned red with heat, as is if it had just been pulled from the fires of a forge.

“Just learning my lesson, monster” I said with a grunt. Then his hand erupted in a fireball. Being so close together at the time we both flew backwards, I could smell the reek of burned flesh and singed hair. I realized the singed hair was mine and grabbed a handful of snow and rubbed it into my hair and across my brow, the Orc would not get away that easy. Lying in the snow, his eyes glazed with pain, the dagger had melted and adhered itself to his hand which was still smoldering, neither arm would work, and he struggled to sit up as I bent down and retrieved my hammer.

“ I have my hammer back, and you still have your dagger, do you want to go on?” I looked at the Orc, blood still pouring from his crushed nose, both arms hanging limply, useless, the look of pity must have been too much for him, and he strained to get to his feet. “I do not want to continue this fight, you’re badly injured, you have lost this fight.”

Weaving on his feet, he struggled to raise the arm with the blackened dagger in it. The burned skin, still smoldering from the flames, cracked and tore as the muscles underneath it strained to raise it into the air. “Are you scared Barbarian, is there no fight left in you?” The orc stumbled closer and finally raised the dagger above his shoulder.

“So be it.” I said, my hammer, spun sideways in a slow arc, but there was no attempt to stop it as it caved in the side of the orcs head, and I watched as the body crumpled to the ground. My face burning from the burst of fire, hair singed and smoking, and bruised in every spot possible, I still found myself giving this creature some measure of respect.

“I see you found your focus, and now that you’re done playing what did you scrape up for supper?” Starfinders voice echoed off the mountain walls.

Turning slowly my body aching from the fight, my eyes came to rest on Star, perched on an outcropping of rocks above me, dropping my hammer and pointing to the Orcs corpse I said with a mischievous grin “I killed it, you clean it.”

[Soria]

Really good.