By the time the lot of us arrived in Phandolin, exhaustion set in. It did so a while ago already for me due to lack of proper sleep, but by now my compatriots also started showing signs of weariness. Not as grave as mine, but undeniably present nonetheless. Bardo especially. The encounter with the rat didn’t do him very good, the impact of the lash of the tail still visible across his chest. Goddamn, that looked hurtful! Poor thing even got hit by rocks a few times afterwards too. This really wasn’t his day. As for the rest of us, I guess one can only stay in a dungeon underground for so long before it starts to weigh down upon you. As a result, we didn’t bother much exploring the town and whatnot, and wanted to head straight to the inn hoping to to procure some sustenance and lodgings. Luckily Aedric knew his way around and led us right to the Stonehill Tavern. Tomorrow would be a good a day as any to wander across town.
There were a fair bit of patrons in the inn. Enough for every table to be occupied. We were too tired to really care and just swooped in and settled at the biggest table unavailable. The residing patron was a bit annoyed by us taking over his table, but he seemed to be a bit of a dick anyway, so I didn’t particularly care much. Neither did the others from the looks of it.
Bardo went to the bar and ordered some drinks. The bartender seemed very happy and eager to help us. Exceedingly so. Was it maybe Bardo’s impressive stature that inspired fear into the poor man? I must admit that I too was scared by him when we first met. Strong, nimble and lean as I may be (and I am VERY strong, nimble and lean, as is apparant on the first look at me), one well placed hit from this guy’s fists would knock me right out. Same goes foer that other half-orc among us, Matt. I never let it show, obviously, can’t show them any weakness, not yet anyway. Luckily, they actually both turned out to be a very affable guys whom I have little to fear of I think. However, there is something that puts me off about Matt though. While he is the gentlest, albeit somewhat dim witted, half orc paladin I’ve met to date, my instincts tell me there is something off about him. To not trust him too much. Ever since he threatened that child that I eventually ended up having to kill, I have had this bad feeling about him. I’ve got to keep my guard up around this guy until I assured myself he’s a true friend or foe.
While waiting for our order to come through, Aedric asked me how it felt to be possessed. Really? I am visibly exhausted and I get cranky when I tired. Granted, he might not have known that, but still. And then this guy comes asking without diffidence how it feels to have some ancient ghost violate your treasured body? C’mon man, get a grip. Not something you casually bring up OK? It’s wrong enough to have this vile creature fill every extent, every crevasse of my being. It’s not something i’m particularly eager to talk about. Don’t get me wrong, I like this Aedrik dude, he looks like a stand up guy, but it really wasn’t the time and place to ask.
While we were enjoying our mead and meat, this magnificent elf came walking down the stairs. I think I spotted him first, but I can’t be too sure, as I was so focused on this adonis with his strange, swirling golden eyes and my senses were saturated. He was outer-worldly! And so was I for the time being: out of this world. Gliding down the stairs, his long, wavy hair draped alongside his face, adorned with a full beard, he turned and headed towards the back of the tavern. With big, yet elegant strides, he walked up to the stage and pulled out his instrument. His musical instrument that is: he was the local bard I assume.
The song he played next was divine! So I quickly finished my meal, wiped of the specks of food left on my face and clothes, and moved up to the hearth to get a better view of this enchanting man. Bardo joined me. – He better be here for the music, as for this bard was mine to beguile! – Turned out he was, for after a few songs he left and joined the others back at the table. Not before doing me a huge favor though!
I guess Bardo noticed I was eyeing this man filled with lecherous desire (you’ve got to say it for what it is…) and as he walked back, he did something so that my clothes were suddenly squeaky clean, my hair was done and I smelled like roses. Such a good friend! I owe him one for this!
So I waited. I waited a fair deal. The others already went to bed but I bode my time. Not that I minded very much, I was properly enjoying myself eyeing this suave elf, imagining all kind of things we would do togther. Certainly, he must’ve notice me and my not particulary hidden intentions. So when the time came and he finally stopped playing, I made my move. He descended the stage and immediatly I stood up and went over to him. After the obligatory small chat – his name was Brian the Blessed (god knows I’d like to find out why they call him blessed) and he wasn’t from around here – I tried to convince him to stay and have at least a drink with me -we would see where it would go from there- but he kindly refused. He instead told me about a guy named Grimrown Ironhill at the miners guild that wanted to speak with Bardo. He also said something about me soon to be blessed too, but not just yet – damned man, if only you’d come with me, i’d feel blessed without further ado. alas…
The night ended with a serious anti-climax and defeated in body and mind, I went to bed. As a meager comfort, my good half-orc friends let me cuddle up in between them.
Despite the harsh rejection, I had a good night’s rest that night. But before waking up, I had a very vivid dream! The details are a bit fuzzy, but I remember talking to a halfling sitting under a lone tree. His name was Brandobaris. BRANDOBARIS! Unbelievable! I was unsure if I all of this was real or I was imagining things, but Brandy, as I was allowed to call him, assured me it all was as real as day. He told me a dark thing was coming for me, and I didn’t have much time left. He said I had a very simple choice: either close a pact with him of sorts, or succumb to the coming darkness. When inquired about the terms of the contract, he was very vague about it. Something about doing good and following the right path. And something about bestowing power upon me but also taking something from me. He apparently also knew about the kid I killed. come to think of it, it shouldn’t come to much of a surprise. He’s a god after all. But he did offer me redemption for this vicious act. As for the choice he offered me: I’ve never been one much for singing undisclosed contracts, let alone with a god of trickery, but I certainly ain’t much of a fan of being consumed by the abyss neither! All in all, it sounded like a good deal, so I hesitantly agreed. Next thing I know…
…I woke up hugging Matt’s leg. As I said. very good rest. I feel invigorated. Ready to take on the world, one adventure at a time! Bardo was already up and about, neatly dressed when I got out of bed. He looked at me with a look on his face best described as something between worrisome and afraid, probably both. Before i could ask him what was the matter, I hear Matt saying
“Gondar! What happened to you, do you feel alright?”
Silly question, I thought by myself.
“of course I’m alright mate. I had a fabulous sleep and feel better than ever. What makes you think otherwise?”.
“It’s just”, he says “your face… Do you always wake up like this?”.
I had absolutely no idea what he was on about, and I thought maybe I slept on the wrong side for too long so the sheets would’ve made marking in my cheek or something. So I answered him
“What, you mean as devilishly handsome in the early morning as I was at the late evening? Yea man, it’s kind of a permanent state of mine. Don’t be jealous, we’re all beautiful in our own way!”
He answered me that I look very much unlike the evening before, and I should probably look into a mirror. El-Bardo noddingly agreed. So I did just that.
Oh god the sight I then saw! Horrible! My face, my beautiful face was ravaged, ruined! My nose was angled almost 90 degrees upward, making me look like a pig. My eyes, my beautiful hazel eyes, now were green on the left and blue on the right! My fine lips, soft as silk, were now rugged and cleft. My once lavish hair had started to thin and my hairline was receding.
And it didn’t stop at just my face. Oh no. My handsome, lean, carefully cultivated body had turned part blue. I was hideous, devoid of any and all beauty. A monster! Truly, a monster! As far as I was concerned, I was undone.
In shambles, I panicked and fled back in the bed, covering myself entirely with the sheets, shouting out how this could’ve happened and why I deserved this. It didn’t take long for it to dawn on me… Brandy! He said he’d taketh as well as giveth. So while he certainly gave me redemption of the horrible sin I committed, and even more than that I can feel – I do somehow feel more powerful than before. I can’t exactly put my finger on it yet, but I definitely am more than I was yesterday – he obviously also has taken his part from me! Not where it hits me the most, but damn well near it! He turned me into this hideous being.
El-Bardo, the kind soul he is, noticed I was completely losing it and offered me one of his old masks. It’s not in my nature to hide my face, but until I can restore it to its former glory – Oh I hope it’s überhaupt possible to restore it at all – I’ll gladly don one of his masks. Anything to hide this wretched front that is now my face! I knew Brandy always had a soft spot for tricks and such, but I never thought he could be this cruel.
Matt also suggested to help and make some sort of white pointy hat from the pillow covers, but I kindly thanked him for that. For some reason, it just didn’t feel right wearing one of those. Was this his new “him” suggesting this? I don’t know. Didn’t give it much time either though, because before Bardo could pass me his old mask, Maisee came bursting though the door.
As if I wasn’t vulnerable enough already, that vicious bird came in. If she’d she me like this, I’d be done for. I’d be her laughing stock for the rest of our days. She mustn’t see me like this, she mustn’t… And with that, all of a sudden I find myself exposed. The blanket pulled off of me by Matt – I’m more and more beginning to think he’s not the nice guy I thought he was after all. Definitely leaning towards the evil sight – exposing me to Maisee without any cover whatsoever. Feeling naked and vulnerable, I brace myself for the incoming onslaught of mockery from the bird. But…nothing… She doesn’t say a word, shrugging it off her with a simple “meh” and moves away.
What?! That’s odd! Did I misjudge her this much then? Is she a nice bird lady after all? Did she pull up a front before? A facade? Is my judgement lacking? Did she also have a “special dream” about her recent actions that made her change her ways? This is odd! But she does seem nicer than I initially gave her credit for. Maybe I was wrong after all… For now, she definitely gained a lot of respect and credit from my side for not mocking me when I’m so vulnerable.
So I don the mask Bardo tosses me over and we head down.
When we are downstairs, we had breakfast. There was some talk going on behind us and Matt and Bardo seemed to take an interest. I must admit I was still quite a bit preoccupied by my recent findings and I didn’t really quite catch all what was said between them. Turned out a gang of sorts calling themselves “The Red Brands” are running amok in town. Among their crimes, they apparently killed a guy named Merne or something and now kidnapped his wife and children? Like I said, I was pretty zoned out and didn’t quite catch the details, but I’m sure Matt and Bardo know what to do and who to look for, so I’ll just follow suit.
After finishing our breakfast, we head out to the general supplies store “Lionshield Coster” to stock up on supplies in preparation of heading of to wherever we’re heading off to.