The Orphan

by Liqcrys Sat Sep 23, 2017 2:28 pm

Jenn moved her hands across the sword. Her long, calloused fingers gently caressed the rune engraved blade as it lay on a cloak in the snow. She called out with her mind to the weapon. The shortsword was new to her. It was not like the dagger had been. She had owned the small blade for years, stealing it off a drunken mercenary in the Goblin's Head back in Brix. It had been a necessary tool in those streets and a boon companion in those rare times she couldn't talk her way out of trouble. It was an old friend, becoming so familiar with it that it seemed like a part of her body. Always around when she needed it. The fine sword was new. She bent close to the pommel and whispered uncertainly,
"I do not want to bind you against your will. Spirit, I will have need of you. Please know I mean no harm to you." She began her ritual.

Jenn shifted her weight off of her knees and clasped the sword's hilt as she continued. She was unsure. The ritual was simple, but the old elf had put many old misgivings in a new light. Her discomfort for all the trappings of wizardry had been strengthened. She had left the temple for many reasons, but mostly because it had been a cruel place and worst of all, a dead end. The old elf's grace and effortless spell weaving had highlighted the temple masters' unnecessary ritual and need to subjugate. Knowing that their cruelty extended to the spirits that flowed and directed the energies of spell work was unsurprising, but realizing her part in that cruelty was disheartening. A new way would have to be found, and quickly. Her mind drifted as the ritual went on.

The riders in Meadstead had been a shock, and seeing the acolytes and a temple mistress in the old elf's glen had been even worse. Jof and her companions had eliminated them at least, but one of the acolytes had escaped. She didn't think she had been recognized, and hopefully the elf spell caster would see to him, but they were closing in nevertheless. It had been years since she'd seen anyone from the temple. She would have to keep moving. Jenn hoped that going west would throw them off the trail. They appeared to have riders going in every direction. Whatever they wanted from her, she intended to make its extraction very difficult.

When she arrived in Shattered Bridge she would have Jof go talk to her contacts. She had questions about some of her companions. Information about the road ahead would also be invaluable as the winter storms moved in. This Temple Of The Sword was unknown to her, she needed to know what they were walking into. She'd have to see if the temple priests had been looking for her in Shattered Bridge too. Someone must have identified her and sent the priests on the road after her. If Jenn could find out who it was, then she'd make sure that they never spoke about her to anyone else, ever. Some payback for her anxiety was due. She thought of all of her various stashes around town. The last few years had been profitable enough. Between the guard pay and her nightly winnings from the gambling tables she had hidden away almost 500 gold pieces. She'd resupply herself for whatever length of time they expected to be on the road. Some new armor would be useful as well, the leathers were functional, but she worried they might be used to identify her.

She brought her hands together and laid the sword on the ground. Jenn stood up and her mind reached out to the blade.For a moment, Jenn felt the spirit within. The weapon's form and essence felt bonded to her arm. She closed her eyes and held out her hand in front of her. She gave a small grunt. Her arm dropped momentarily as the weight of the instantly appearing sword pulled downward. She opened her eyes and looked at the blade happily, an unfathomable smile came to her lips.

"Oh yes, you'll do nicely. Hello new friend."

Bullet point action list for Joff/Jenn in Shattered Bridge for DM who doesn't like to read PC narratives....
Jenn/Joff has now weapon bonded the +1 shortsword as well as the dagger per Eldritch Knight rules in PH
When she gets to Shattered Bridge she'd like to
1. Ask around to her Charlatan contacts about
a. all of her companions (reputations, clan status, past doings near or associated with Shattered Bridge)
b. the road ahead to Temple Of Sword
c. any information about what could possibly be going on at the Temple Of The Sword to make the journey necessary
d. If people have been looking for Jenn, and who could possibly have directed them to Meadstead
1. if someone has ratted her out, she would like to kill that person
2. if someone has identified her, she'd probably like to kill them too
2. Resupply for the road ahead
a. bring rations to two weeks worth
b. change armor from leather to studded leather
3. To do that she also needs to go collect her stashed coins and gambling winnings.