Ran's days
Subject Ran's day
The morning after their return Ran sleeps in. It has been a while since he has slept in a nice bed and he relishes the comfort. At the third bell a page wakes him. "Sir, Knight/Captain Angelwing has asked for you to attend him at the noon hour. I am to see to your need. What may I do for you?" "Get me someone I can not have." Ran thinks to himself. "I need to bathe and get a hair cut and a shave. See that I can get these things done and be ready a 1/2 hour before noon and I will consider your service done." The page nods and soon he is back. "Your bath is ready my Lord." The young man leads Ran to a near by room that has a large tub, steam drifting up from the water. Next to the tub is a shaving kit as well as a small knife and comb.
Ran takes his time bathing and shaving. When he is almost done another young man joins him and the page. "How do you want your hair cut, sir?" Ran's curt reply is "Just like it is now, but shorter." The barber starts working and is soon done. Ran takes one quick look in the silvered mirror, grunts, and nods and dismisses the two young men. He dunks his head and stays under the water, trying to sort out his feelings. After several minutes, his chest burning, he comes up for air. He gulps for breath for a few minuets and the gets out of the tub. He dries off and proceeds to get dressed.
At noon he knocks on Angelwing's office door. "Enter" bellows the voice inside. Ran opens the door to find Angelwing hustling around the desk. "Ran, my friend, please come in. I do not have the words to thank you for what you did for me and Rochelle." The big man steers Ran to a table set for lunch. "Come; let us eat while we talk about your adventure." The next hour is spent with Ran telling the story of the party's adventures. Angelwing nods at all the right spots, and show great concern when Ran tells him about the dream/vision they had all had. "I will talk to my counselors about this. It is disturbing news."
When Ran asks about the captive Angelwing does not have much to tell him. "He was questioned by one of the higher up priests, under a prayer of truthfulness and he was telling the truth. He was just a foot soldier in a group that was hired to waylay you. They did have a very good description of the party members and very good information about where to find you. My people are doing research and hope to have some more information with in the week." With that Angelwing turns the discussion to Rochelle.
Ran tries to keep neutral when talking about the young girl, but he is sure that Angelwing can see right through him and into his heart. However the Paladin shows no signs of noticing anything. His own besotted state might account for it. Ran has never seen his friend so alive and animated. He is obviously in love with the young lady, and Ran seethes even more. Ran then turns the conversation to his father. "Your father is doing better and is expected to make a full recovery, even if it might take longer than he is used to. Those of our calling are not used to be nursed back to health and his confinement is testing his compassion and forgiveness. I have arranged for you to see him for a short period this afternoon." Ran nods his thanks, both for the meeting and the change of topic.
When the lunch is done Angelwing has a page take Ran to where his father is recuperating. As he enters the room, Ran is surprised to see how old his father looks. He had always been this larger than life figure and here he was, looking pale and drawn, unable to do more than rise in the pillows behind his head. "Ranthir, you are back and in one piece I see." His greeting is broken up by a fit of coughing. "Damn I hate being sick, "he says when the coughing stops. "Was never sick a day in my life once I took the oath. But enough about me, tell me, boy, about your trip."
Ran tells his father an abbreviated version of the trip, not wanting to tire the older man. When he gets to the part of the vision where his mother is mentioned he proceeds slowly, keeping an eye on his father's face, seeing what type of reaction is there. When he mentions what the man said about his mother' death his fathers face freezes in place. Ran knows that this is how his father responds to bad news. "Father, talk to me. Did mother take her own life or did someone kill her?" Ran demands.
His father is quiet for a few moments. "I do not know. We always thought she killed herself, but from what you have told me some one else might have been the cause. She did seem to change almost over night. One day she was, I though, reasonable happy, and the next she was depressed. I thought it was just a phase she was going through, you know, something elves "do". I mean she had only been away from the forests for a couple of years. What were a couple of years to the elves? You were young then and I was out doing the orders work. It is possible that someone was doing something to her. Look at what happened to me. Ran, if I had known what would have happened, I would have stayed home. I loved your mother. I...I" and the old man sputters out, his head rocked forward on his chest, crying.
Ran is not sure what to make of this. "Father, I have hated you for years, blaming you for her death. Now I find that I might have been in error. I think I might spend some more time here in Gorn, trying to see what I can find out about her death." His father clears his throat. "I would like to see more of you. I have missed you my son." The two shake hands and his father pulls him into a hug that leads to another coughing fit. Ran hastily backs away and calls for the healer. The old lady rushes to Benedicts side chastising Ran for overtaxing the older mans strength. "I will be back latter father" and Ran leaves his fathers side.
Over the next week or so Ran splits his time between working out with the garrison and spending time with Angelwing and his father. On the eighth day, over lunch, Anglewing ask Ran a question. "Would you be willing to go on another mission for me? Not as the leader but as some one who might be familiar with what is happening. I have gotten some feedback on some of the happenings on your adventure and there have been developments. If you are interested please show up at my office at third bell tomorrow."
OODM: Randy if you want to add anything you can.
From: Mark
Subject Next week
I am on vacation next week but I am not going to be going out of town.
I do have commitments from 6-3 on Monday and 9-6 on Tuesday. So nothing will be done during those hours, I will try and do something Monday afternoon and Tuesday evening.
I also expect that there will be one evening when I will get nothing done. Both kids are at Camp and the wife and I are planning an overnight down to Cincy.
From: Kevin
Subject Loot
Mark, hate to be pushy (OK, not really), but where do we stand on the booty issue? What was the value of the gems from the ogre and the githyaki, the magical items we had not identified, what we get to keep and divy up.
From: Mark
Subject Loot
I am going to work on the booty tonight.
From: Karl
Subject loot
I bet your wife will be pleased.
From: Porter
Subject Loot
It depends on whose booty he is working on.
From: Mark
Subject Loot
Ok here is the loot as I show it from the adventure.
The ogers.
1000 gp
1 amythst
1 scroll case with two scrolls in it.
the 1/2 orc
Amulet of natural armor(Fal has)
2 identify scrolls(1 used already, 1 with Fal)
10 100 gp pearls
from the Githyanki
2 sets of full plate
2 heavy steel shields
1 short bow with quiver
1 masterwork light crossbow with bolts(Ran has)
1 masterwork longsword(Ran has)
1 masterwork mornging star(Harp has)
1 masterwork trident
1 masterwork sickle
1 spear
2 magic bracers
1 magic amulet
1 healing potion
2 elixirs of fire breath
1 potion of haste
1 magical masterwork chain shirt
188 GP
4 large gems
If this does not sound right let me know. Otherwise I will use it for the write up.
From: Randy
Subject Ran's day
Ran, feeling guilt for many things, forces himself to spend all free time working out, training, practicing with his new sword and crossbow. All to focus his mind on the future and how to amend for the guilt he feels. What he feels guilty for is comprised mainly of two things. First, the more minor, he feels guilt to his friend Angelwing, for desiring his betrothed. Second, he feels great guilt for the loss of years with his father. Had he only recognized that what happened must have been unnatural he may not have blamed his father for his mothers death. And so he filled his time with as much activity as he could.
In the mornings he would visit his father, spending as much time as the healers would allow which usually wasn't nearly as long as Ran desired. After his visit with his father, he would meet with Angelwing for lunch. His time with Angelwing was painful and Ran tried to rush through it as quickly as possible. How could he be feeling these emotions for his best friends fiancee? He did not feel deserving of the friendship he had, knowing the lusts of his heart. Once freed from Angelwings company, Ran spent the remainder of his time in intense training. He sparred with whichever members of the garrison were available. He worked himself into such exhaustion that it took all his remaining energy to get himself to his bed. The next day it would start again.
Ran felt his aim with the crossbow improving. He felt more graceful with his sword. Part of it was the quality of his newly acquired weapons, but it was more than that. Having been tested so intensely in the recent weeks, he had become a more skilled combatant and found that he was receiving compliments from many of the men he trained with.
On the seventh day, some of the men Ran was training with were planning to go to a nearby tavern. There was a new bard in town who had some tales to tell and music to play. They invited Ran along and he reluctantly agreed. It had been a long time since he had seen a bard, but did he deserve to enjoy himself given the wrongs he had committed? It was something his father had said to him that morning that made his decision for him. His father had said "Ranthir, do not blame yourself for our difficult years. I did not make things easy for you. I tried so hard not to lose you to your elvish heritage that I pushed you away. I was too strict and stubborn to let you be your own person. I love you Ranthir, just as your mother did and does. Please, allow yourself to be happy. I can't bear to see another loved one in such despair."
Ran went with the men to the tavern and ordered a round of drinks. He had enough wealth from his recent journey that he felt generous. Besides, he probably owed these men for the beatings he had given to them over the week. As the barmaid came by with their ale, Ran noticed his eyes locking with hers. She seemed to know the men at the table and one of them started to introduce Ran to her.
"Mira, this is a new friend of ours. His name is Ran."
"Ranthir actually," Ranthir corrected the man. "Ranthir Corron. Very pleased to meet you Mira." The other men looked surprised to hear that the man they have been training with was the estranged son of the Knight/General.
'Yes, Ranthir Corron' he thought to himself. 'I owe that much to my father.'
Ranthir made small talk with Mira whenever she had a moment to chat throughout the night. He also kept buying rounds of drinks for his friends. Friends. Yes, they had said as much.
As the evening wore on, Ranthir found himself losing some inhibitions and he even once asked Mira to dance with him. It was at this moment that the bard had begun strumming a ballad on his harp. Mira blushed at his request. "I cannot. I am not allowed to dance while I work." Before she had finished speaking the words the bartender called to her "With all the money he's been spending tonight, you can go ahead and dance with him all you want!"
Ranthir and Mira danced several dances before his exhaustion set back in. He felt himself start to stumble and led her back to the table. He sat down quickly and watched the glitter in Mira's eye as she leaned forward and kissed him. It was then that he passed out.
He awoke in his chambers the next day, much later than usual, feeling the effects of his previous nights partying. Though he felt terrible, he also felt a sense of elation for he wasn't feeling the terrible lump of guilt that had racked him all week. True, he still regretted the past events, but they no longer seemed nearly as important. He was letting himself live again. He quickly cleaned himself up and rushed to see his father. He had a good visit with his father, staying until he nearly missed lunch with Heronin.
At lunch with Heronin, he felt much more comfortable. His mind wasn't stuck on Rochelle. He was starting to feel truly happy for his friends. Rochelle was an amazing woman, and she had perhaps helped to save Ranthir from himself. She had shown him compassion and allowed him to hope for love for himself. She may not be the one for him, though he still felt that if the situation were different she could be. She helped him to see value in himself.
Ranthir joins the men at the garrison that afternoon.
"Surprised to see you today" one of them calls out.
"I don't think I am up to a workout today" he replies. "I was just hoping to get the name of the tavern we were at last night."
"It was the Lucky Star" the man replies. "We go there at least once a week. Mira's there most nights" He winks knowingly at Ranthir as he says this. The other men laugh heartily and there are several jabs at Ran's shoulders.
"Thank you my friends." Ranthir says this with perhaps more intensity than he had intended. The laughter of the men dies out as they look at him unsure of themselves.
"I'll be sure to buy some more rounds next week" Ranthir laughs and the other men join in.
Ranthir stops by the Lucky Star on his way home, hoping to speak to Mira. Unfortunately she has the night off. He returns home slightly dissapointed but too exhausted to really worry. He would meet with Heronin the next morning to hear the details of the task that needed to be accomplished. Judging by the last journey, he would need his rest.
From: Josh
Subject Loot
OOC: The only thing Kal might be interested in is the magical masterwork chain shirt. Sometime during this time, Kal will copy Identify to his spellbook. I can't find Fal's sheet on Sakeriver, but I'd suggest that whichever of us two has the higher chance of sucess copies it to his spell book first, and then the other copies from there. When (if) Kal has identity, he'll cast it as ofen as he can on these items, starting with the chain shirt.
From: Mark
Subject Loot
I have you and Fal/Cai/Bel planned for Friday. Even if you are not going up a level I have things that you 4 are doing.
Surin is tomorrow.
From: Jake
Subject Loot
OOC: Surin has spent an inordinant amount of time looking at the potions, holding them up to the light sniffing at them, and so forth. The amulet and the bracers have caught his eye as well, but he seems fascinated by the surviving potions (hint hint). He's cast the occasional covetous glance at the masterwork light crossbow, but doesn't seem inclined to relieve Ran of the responsibility of caring for it. :)
From: Kevin
Subject Loot
Mark, would the Order have the ability in house to identify the items we have? I am thinking that someone like Heronin would have enought knowledge skills to ident. most of what we have. Kal needs to learn the Ident. spell, but I would hate to waste those pearls if Harp's association with the Order would provide them some assistance in this matter.