The travelers glanced at each other, looks of intrigue, anticipation, excitement each represented among their number. Surely there is chaos to be found here and balanced, Rowan thought.
[su_note note_color=”#921d22″ text_color=”#d6d6d6″ radius=”10″]The following is a fictionalization of “The Dominion of Essalund” adventure as told through the eyes of the character of Rowan. You can watch the full videos on our YouTube channel or live every other Sunday at the DotGeek Twitch channel. (Above image “Proud Warrior” by kate-n-bd as commission for Pawelduruk.)[/su_note]
“Is our Interview over, then?” Called Bux to Registrar Delphine’s back. The Official turned back, glancing over his shoulder at the retreating guardsmen as he did.
“You might want to return to your ship. I cannot guarantee your safety if you are here.” His distracted tone, already on the upcoming skirmish. Frowning, Rowan stepped towards him.
‘’And what would you suggest for high ground?” The Registrar scoffed at her.
“I don’t honestly care. You may proceed to the Succulent Oyster if you can.” He pointed lazily to a building in the distance.
“The Succulent OYSTER?” Came the disbelieving retort from the depths of Nala’s hood. The Registrar narrowed his eyes at her, hands on hips defensively.
“I would not question the quality of the Oyster, Ma’am. They have FINE Oyster dishe-…” Delphine interrupted himself, then continued in a more subdued tone. “Well, they HAD fine oyster dishes until quite recently…” He trailed off, a concerned look in his eyes as he looked in the direction of a building not far down the way. Malibu turned towards the direction of the retreating guardsmen, a concerned look in her eyes.
“Is there any way we might be of assistance to you, Registrar Delphine? Anything we might do?” She stood on the dock, her pink garments shining in the morning sun, a small bag sitting jauntily at her elbow. The bag looked to be rather heavy, as if some bulky, large object resided inside, and she had a bit of trouble keeping it balanced. The Registrar looked her over skeptically.
“Would you be able to swing a sword without hitting any of my men in the process?”
Bux grinned at the question. “No promises there, friend.”
Delphine nodded in return. “As I thought.” Malibu grasped her bag closely, her hand on something just inside.
“I can swing an axe just fine, rest assured.” She stood with her shoulders squared, daring him to doubt her. Delphine shrugged his shoulders.
“If you can swing an Axe… We can use the help. But if you hurt any of my men, I’ll not hesitate to lock you up.” Malibu nodded her head in assent.
“How do we know your men on sight from the bandits? Do they all wear brown sashes as you do?” Rowan looked again to his sash as Malibu said this, narrowing her eyes in thought. What could these sashes accomplish?
“If you see anyone in black leather, know him as your enemy. Now, no more time for discourse. Are you with me?” With that he rushed away in the direction his men had gone. Nala stepped forward, removing the hood of her cloak as she grasped a weapon in her hand with a grip that spoke of comfort.
“Wholly Cow, you’re a DRAGON?!” Bux said in wonder. He looked up at the tall female, eyes taking in her towering frame.
“I am Dragon BORN, friend. Though technically my kin, dragons and dragonborn have many differences.” Dragonborn, thought Rowan. Another wonder I had never thought to witness. Malibu stood to the side, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Nala as she gripped her purse tighter in preparation. The chiming of the bells across the distance seemed to enhance the sense of urgency in the moment. In the distance, a thick black smoke began to raise into the sky.
“Well I don’t know about YOU guys, but I’m excited!” Bux exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. A heady joy reflected in his eyes. “I LOVE oysters!” Rowan chuckled under her breath, shaking her head. Her long braid swayed as she did so, and she played with the ends. Goddess-Lunitari said there would be change… I suppose this is only the beginning of it.
Bux trotted off to the north, Malibu, Nala and Rowan following swiftly after. The travelers scanned the area as they moved, taking in the empty docks and the chiming of the bells. As they ran, the sounds of skirmishing could be heard in the distance. The clashing of swords, the raised voices of men in battle resonated through the city. Looking between themselves, the travelers unconsciously picked up their pace, gripping their weapons tightly.
Rounding a corner, they landed into the very heart of the battle. Men fought all around them, black leathered bandits meeting those in the armor of the town guard. They grappled and fought, swords clashing and arrows flying. As the travelers came into view, a nearby group of bandits rounded on them, brandishing weapons and menacing grins.
“Get them!” Was shouted from somewhere amongst them, and they rushed at the party. Malibu glanced down briefly, opening the top of her purse and reaching inside. A surprisingly large battle axe emerged from inside it, which she brandished in a gleaming arc before the bandits. The bandits pulled up short, looks of awe and fear on their faces.
“Hold! What is your issue here? Why are you causing this fighting?” Malibu questioned the nearest of them, all the while emphasizing her words with her axe. The first of the bandits chuckled.
“Are you really-…” He shook his head and drew his sword, stepping forward to engage with her. He easily dodged aside from the first slash of the axe, and rounded on her quickly.
“Well I suppose we will not be able to resolve this with words… We must then proceed to action!” With that Malibu raised her axe again. She dodged quickly from the first blow of the man’s scimitar, laughing as he stumbled and fell, supine, to the ground.
Rowan stepped back just in time to avoid a crossbow quarrel from a nearby man. She narrowed her eyes in concentration, crouching lightly on her feet with staff in hand to face him.
Nala glanced back and forth across the area, settling her gaze on the farthest member of the bandit party. She drew a bow from across her back, settling in with one hand on the string. An arrow sliped easily from a quiver on her back, shooting across the space and thunking solidly into the chest of the man.
“First blood is yours, friend!” Shouted Malibu with glee. Rowan turned to the man with the crossbow in front of her. Slipping a hand quickly into a pouch on her belt, she drew out a single shamrock, which she rubbed against the wood of her quarter staff. A few murmured words slipped from her lips, her gaze raised to the sky in supplication to Lunitari as she whispered.
The wood of her staff resonated in her hands, and a power and joy surged through her. Such was the blessing of the goddess which she had been given, this gift of magic. Rowan did not think she would ever become used to the exultation she felt when channeling this amazing energy. It coursed through her blood like liquid fire, burning her and filling her with light at the same time. Rowan smiled.
The staff whistled through the air, landing a solid blow against the side of the bandits head. The man staggered back, obviously shaken.
Bux pulled a mace from his belt, grinning widely as he engaged with one of the bandits. The weapon was obviously dear to him, covered almost completely in interesting symbols. Hearts, spades, and other symbols twined around the handle and hilt of the curated leather.
“Pit Boss has this solved,” he cackled as he swung it in front of him. It hit solidly, smashing the arm of the bandit. The man cried out and grabbed his arm in pain, falling back as another stepped forward, crossbow in hand. A bolt flew and clipped Malibu in the side.
Malibu looked down at the tear in her pink body suit, now bloodied. Her eyes filled with rage, and she charged directly into the bandit. She swung her axe directly at his head, cleaving it from his shoulders in one bloody stroke.
“How DARE you bloody my garments?!” She screamed at the corpse as it slipped to the ground in a heap. Bux swallowed nervously as he viewed the carnage. A few of the bandits, having seen this terrible feat, turned tail and ran.
“That was AWESOME… And gross.” He brightened. “Well done!” His attention was drawn away by another bandit, just as the first bandit stood from his place on the ground. He staggered towards Rowan, brandishing his scimitar wildly. He caught her in the arm, making a narrow slice into her bicep.
An arrow caught one of the fleeing bandits, just as Rowan recoiled from the blow to her arm. Her staff cut through the distance, resonating with golden energy. It caught the bandit under the chin, throwing his head back and knocking his jaws against each other. He fell to the ground, clutching his head and moaning.
Pit Boss flashed as it sank into the back of the bandit’s skull, crushing it. Bux pulled the mace from the skull, cleaning it on the fallen man’s tunic.
“Swift justice, my friend,” Rowan said as she stepped over the dead body. As the last of the bandits was conquered, the travelers turned in unison towards the rest of the fighting. Swords still clashed and shouts still resonated through the area, as various guards and bandits sought control of the cities streets. A few guardsmen nearby were slain by a duo of bandits, scimitars cutting them down in swift strokes. The pair of foes turned on their heels, seeking new victims, and came to face the travelers. They spared one look between them before surging forward.
Malibu, still in a fiery rage, charged at the first of the pair. Her axe surged over her head, bouncing off the ground as the spry bandit jumped to the side. He grinned roguishly, whirling to the side as Malibu shouted in frustrated rage.
Nala harrumphed, obviously irritated by these goings on. Her aura was one of impatience, as if she had greater things to worry about on her mind than these petty thieves and bandits. She stood stoically, tapping a foot quickly as she debated joining the fray or continuing about whatever business plagued her.
Rowan whispered a few words under her breath, motioning with her hands. A ray of glittery frost shot forth from her, but fell just short of the second bandit who had whirled to the side. He smirked at her haughtily and turned to Bux, who drew a crossbow from his belt.
“Alright, Shark, may your aim be true.” He leveled the weapon at the bandit, loosing a bolt. It hit its mark with surprising accuracy, striking him in the shoulder solidly. The man’s arm fell dead to his side. Malibu stepped forward, missing narrowly with her next axe swing.
“So that’s how you want to play, eh?” The bandit spoke, returning fire with his own crossbow. Despite the man’s bravado, the bolt flew harmlessly past Malibu’s right shoulder, disappearing into the distance behind her. Further enraged by her miss, Malibu swung again, the whole weight of her body behind the blow. It caught the man square in the chest, and he staggered back in surprise.
An arrow from Nala’s bow caught the first bandit in the face. It pierced his right eyeball, exploding through the back of his head, thunking into a nearby wall behind it due to sheer force. It vibrated wildly, gore dripping from the shaft.
Rowan, not caught in the failure of her earlier spell’s failure, whispered again, drawing her hands through the air in a circular motion before flinging them out towards the last remaining foe. The crystalline glitter of frost manifested between her hands, gaining velocity as it speed towards the unsuspecting bandit. It slammed into him with surprising force. The man staggered under the force of the blow, shivering wildly, teeth chattering and scimitar dropping from his fingers.
“You should have run away, friend. It was folly of you to approach our party and expect success here,” Bux shook his head as he addressed the shivering bandit. “We might have worked out an arrangement of sorts. Too late for that now.” Taking his crossbow firmly in hand, Bux fired a single shot which pierced the bandit through the neck. Without hesitation, Bux reached down and rummaged through the pockets of the fallen rogue.
Rowan spun around, searching for the next nearest foe… And realized that the combat had come to a grinding halt. The last of the men in dark leather had finally been laid to route.