Caran Baru was small compared to Marlock City, yet it felt like it had twice the militia population. Hector and Cedric thought it best to stay away from the market, as it included the selling of slaves. The last thing they wanted was to be mistaken for one, especially the rogue who would have become one if not for Trystan and Ysolt rescuing him back in Venefax.
Believing the bard’s flamboyant attire made him stand out, Hector left Cedric at the tavern so he could earn some wages entertaining their patrons. People strangely appreciated it, and it earned him enough for each night’s stay. Each day Cedric performed, the burglar went out to case the city, the barracks, and, most importantly, the temple of Tyrnai, dedicated to the god of battle, chaos, and strife. Caran Baru was a crossroads between the merchant cities to the south and the military outposts to the north and east. Soldiers went there on leave, though it maintained strict military discipline. It only made sense that the deity soldiers would praise so highly would have a temple built like a mighty fortress.
Hector made sure his presence and movements were so mundane that none of the warrior priests would suspect him of surveying the temple. He noted the iron bull-headed, club-wielding figures flanking the heavy wooden doors, their craftsmanship eerily flawless, as if they were identical. Inside, he listened to the prayers and offerings made to the god’s stone idol: a jaguar-headed warrior wearing untarnished gold chainmail that gleamed by the candlelight.
For days, he scouted the temple and memorized the various windows, doorways, and layouts, as well as the patrol and prayer routines. Hector silently visualized the best places to enter, the best times of day, and how to avoid detection. Yet. Something nagged him in the back of his mind. He wasn’t sure exactly what, but he didn’t dare discuss his plans with Cedric. Plausible deniability, so long as the bard remained at the inn performing. The troubadour had gained some popularity as regular patrons spread the word about his voice and verses.
MAGIC DIFFICULTY – 11
Hector’s Magic Score: 5 + 6 + 2 = 13 – PASSED!
It then hit him. One of Oliphard’s lessons detailed how golems were crafted! The iron bull-headed figures were golems!!! That changed everything about his intended plans! He would need to disable them first by removing the plugs that kept a magical fluid- their lifeforce from pouring out. He would need to climb to the temple roof to reach those plugs. Hector sighed in dismay at that thought. He so hated climbing. More specifically, falling. Closing his heterochromatic eyes, he steadied his breathing as he considered the feat he had accomplished thanks to Trystan and Ysolt. With their help and encouragement, he climbed Devil’s Peak. The obsidian cliffs were sheerer than those of the temple’s walls. It was also lethally taller. He survived the peak; he could climb the temple.
THIEVERY DIFFICULTY – 11
It then hit him. One of Oliphard’s lessons detailed how golems were crafted! The iron bull-headed figures were golems!!! That changed everything about his intended plans! He would need to disable them first by removing the plugs that kept a magical fluid- their lifeforce from pouring out. He would need to climb to the temple roof to reach those plugs. Hector sighed in dismay at that thought. He so hated climbing. More specifically, falling. Closing his heterochromatic eyes, he steadied his breathing as he considered the feat he had accomplished thanks to Trystan and Ysolt. With their help and encouragement, he climbed Devil’s Peak. The obsidian cliffs were sheerer than those of the temple’s walls. It was also lethally taller. He survived the peak; he could climb the temple.
THIEVERY DIFFICULTY – 11
Hector’s Thievery Score: 8 + 2 + 2 = 12 – PASSED!
Late into the evening, after the temple’s doors closed and were secured following the day's final ceremony, Hector steeled his nerves. He kept to the shadows as he wove through the alleys. His keen eyes and ears tracked the pedestrian and patrol movements. When all was silent and motionless, he climbed the temple battlements and crept along to the gables above the entrance. Carefully, he positioned himself behind one of the golems. For a brief moment, he could have sworn he felt the terrible wind from the storm demons battering him from head to toe. He closed his eyes, steadied his breath, and reminded himself he wasn't hanging from the peak. Reassured of his footing and grip, he dipped down and tugged the large, ceramic plug from the golem. Putrid-smelling, tourmaline-green fluid spilled from the gaping hole. The construct twitched briefly before falling deathly still.
However, the other bull-headed figure shifted its stance.
COMBAT DIFFICULTY – 9
Late into the evening, after the temple’s doors closed and were secured following the day's final ceremony, Hector steeled his nerves. He kept to the shadows as he wove through the alleys. His keen eyes and ears tracked the pedestrian and patrol movements. When all was silent and motionless, he climbed the temple battlements and crept along to the gables above the entrance. Carefully, he positioned himself behind one of the golems. For a brief moment, he could have sworn he felt the terrible wind from the storm demons battering him from head to toe. He closed his eyes, steadied his breath, and reminded himself he wasn't hanging from the peak. Reassured of his footing and grip, he dipped down and tugged the large, ceramic plug from the golem. Putrid-smelling, tourmaline-green fluid spilled from the gaping hole. The construct twitched briefly before falling deathly still.
However, the other bull-headed figure shifted its stance.
COMBAT DIFFICULTY – 9
Hector’s Combat Score: 4 + 1 + 2 = 7 – FAILED!
Try as he might, the burglar was too slow to swing over and remove the construct’s plug! Instead, the golem reached up and grabbed Hector’s arm. He gritted his teeth as it yanked him down and tossed him to the ground. Tumbling to prevent injury, the blond rogue quickly assessed his surroundings. No alarm bells had sounded for the priests, soldiers, or nearby civilians. Desperate to prove his worth and skills to the deity Sig, he drew his mace and leaped into battle.
Golem: COMBAT 5, DEFENSE 10, STAMINA 10
Try as he might, the burglar was too slow to swing over and remove the construct’s plug! Instead, the golem reached up and grabbed Hector’s arm. He gritted his teeth as it yanked him down and tossed him to the ground. Tumbling to prevent injury, the blond rogue quickly assessed his surroundings. No alarm bells had sounded for the priests, soldiers, or nearby civilians. Desperate to prove his worth and skills to the deity Sig, he drew his mace and leaped into battle.
Golem: COMBAT 5, DEFENSE 10, STAMINA 10
Hector’s Combat Score: 4 + 5 + 3 = 12 Total
12 – 10 Defense = 2 < 10 Stamina = 8 – Golem Attacks!
Stubborn as Hector was, a mace against an iron golem was not the most effective choice. Not that using daggers would have been any better. He managed to dent the bull-headed construct’s leg before it swung its club down at him.
Hector: COMBAT 4, DEFENSE 6, STAMINA 9
12 – 10 Defense = 2 < 10 Stamina = 8 – Golem Attacks!
Stubborn as Hector was, a mace against an iron golem was not the most effective choice. Not that using daggers would have been any better. He managed to dent the bull-headed construct’s leg before it swung its club down at him.
Hector: COMBAT 4, DEFENSE 6, STAMINA 9
Golem’s Combat Score: 5 + 2 + 5 = 12 Total
12 – 6 Defense = 6 < 9 Stamina = 3 – Hector Attacks!
The sheer force of the golem’s attack made it impossible for Hector to deflect or block. He stumbled back from the club’s strike. His eyes teared up as he realized his mistake. Already, he doubted he would survive. He should have stayed by Ysolt’s side. Still, he kept swinging.
Golem: COMBAT 5, DEFENSE 10, STAMINA 8
12 – 6 Defense = 6 < 9 Stamina = 3 – Hector Attacks!
The sheer force of the golem’s attack made it impossible for Hector to deflect or block. He stumbled back from the club’s strike. His eyes teared up as he realized his mistake. Already, he doubted he would survive. He should have stayed by Ysolt’s side. Still, he kept swinging.
Golem: COMBAT 5, DEFENSE 10, STAMINA 8
Hector’s Combat Score: 4 + 3 + 4 = 11 Total
11 – 10 Defense = 1 < 8 Stamina = 7 – Golem Attacks!
Well, that was an even less effective strike on the golem’s other leg. It left Hector wide open for what would likely be the construct’s final strike!
Hector: COMBAT 4, DEFENSE 6, STAMINA 3
11 – 10 Defense = 1 < 8 Stamina = 7 – Golem Attacks!
Well, that was an even less effective strike on the golem’s other leg. It left Hector wide open for what would likely be the construct’s final strike!
Hector: COMBAT 4, DEFENSE 6, STAMINA 3
Golem’s Combat Score: 5 + 6 + 5 = 16 Total
16 – 6 Defense = 10 > 3 Stamina = Hector Slain!
With a crack to his head, the rogue fell to the ground with a sickening thud. The clanging of his mace against the iron construct caught the attention of some nearby priests of Tyrnai. One of them knelt down and recited a prayer of healing. He placed his hand on Hector’s temple and revived him enough to rouse him. He was terribly weak, and pain coursed through his limbs as a reminder of his stupidity.
By morning, Hector was stripped of his money and possessions and sold into slavery.
16 – 6 Defense = 10 > 3 Stamina = Hector Slain!
With a crack to his head, the rogue fell to the ground with a sickening thud. The clanging of his mace against the iron construct caught the attention of some nearby priests of Tyrnai. One of them knelt down and recited a prayer of healing. He placed his hand on Hector’s temple and revived him enough to rouse him. He was terribly weak, and pain coursed through his limbs as a reminder of his stupidity.
By morning, Hector was stripped of his money and possessions and sold into slavery.
Name: Hector Athair
Profession: Rogue
God: -none-
Rank: 1
Defense: 5
Charisma: 5
Combat: 4
Magic: 5
Sanctity: 1
Scouting: 2
Thievery: 8
Stamina: Max – 9/Current – 1
Money: 0
Possessions – Max 12: -none-
Resurrection Arrangements: -none-
Titles: Outcast
Blessings: -none-
Profession: Rogue
God: -none-
Rank: 1
Defense: 5
Charisma: 5
Combat: 4
Magic: 5
Sanctity: 1
Scouting: 2
Thievery: 8
Stamina: Max – 9/Current – 1
Money: 0
Possessions – Max 12: -none-
Resurrection Arrangements: -none-
Titles: Outcast
Blessings: -none-
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