>Well, the Ancestors didn't give you the strength of 10 men for nothing, and only the strong finish their Rage training!
>You take in breaths, slowly at first, then begin to increase in speed, psyching your mind into a ragestate.
>Finally you feel the rush, the tense muscles, and then direct it towards the wall.
>You reel back, your Greataxe firmly grasped in your hands, and let a hardy bellow escape your lungs as you hammer into the wall with all your worth.
>To be honest you expected way more resistance, but the wall toppled nonetheless.
>From the hole you hear screams down below, as the shower of earth falls down on top of a cluster of bandits, killing some, knocking others out, and only after that do you take stock of the room.
>You are behind an upturned dinner table the likes of which you would only see at great festivals in your tribe, more than 20 feet long, made of thick oak.
>Behind the table are a bunch of bewildered men that are scrambling at what just happened. In total you thin they number at 15 including a bald-headed man with a scar-cleft upper lip and a milky white eye that the scar runs through.
>He has a serrated longsword in one hand and a smaller, handheld crossbow in the other, anger and shock muddling his face.
>You both have the advantage, what would you like to do with your surprise turn?
>?
 
>You quickly ask Silvi which one of them is Jerrick, but before you can say a word she looses a bolt at the head of the bald man, who dodges, and then hurriedly loads and looses another.
>Guess that bald guy with the strange gear is the leader.
"Silvi, I'm gonna try to either knock Jerrick out, or at worst try to lock him down for you to hit!"
>Finishing your sentence you jump down, bringing your axe head down into another bandit, then pummling another one into a wall, knocking him unconscious.
>A third bandit attempts to rush you with a dagger, but you grab his hand, twist the blade, and jab it into his neck.
>However before you can continue your onslaught Jerrick begins to menace you with his longsword, swiping several times in places you would be if you hadn't dodged, then finally catching you with a bolt in the foot from his hand-crossbow.
Anonymous HP: 32/46
>He laughs, a sound like air against dry sand, "Silvi, if you were going to be coming over for dinner I'd have planned better! Who's this!? Her new friend? You should know better than to involve people in our squabbles sister!"
>His comment catches you off guard, and you suddenly see the tip of a loaded bolt in front of your face, but just as he pulls the trigger his arm is shredded by a bolt from Silvi, making it instead hit your shoulder.
Anonymous HP: 28/46
>"You're dead to me Jerrick! Now you're going to be dead to the rest of the world too!"
>Silvi then jumps down on top of two bandits that were readying their crossbows, both of them receiving a piece of metal to fatal effect.
>You manage to recover from the revelation, deciding to just bullrush him into the oaken table, flipping it over in the process and sending him rolling onto his back.
>You swing down on him, he rolls, and you try again, but he dodges once more, coming to his feet again.
>"He's at least more competent than those bungling morons you took with you..."
>You let a gout of heated breath escape your nostrils, and press your attack once more.
>You feint a large swing at him, which he falls for, dodging to the left, which you then follow, jumping into the air and slamming your pommel into his forehead, making him wobble briefly, which is enough for you to capitalize on.
>You swing your weapon in a great arc, the back end of your axe crashing into Jerrick's ribcage, knocking him off his feet.
>And with another blow you step on his chest and deliver a swift crack to the skull again, knocking him out.
>You see Silvi behind you, engaged in melee with more than ten bandits armed with daggers and crossbows, and she's looking quite worn down, visible slashes across her torso, and a bolt in her shoulder.
Silvi HP: 10/20
 
>You know, she might not be more than an acquaintance, but those motherfuckers are SO dead!
>You sprint into one of them, smashing your axe-head into his spine, dropping him instantly.
>A poor misguided Orc thinks that you're to be trifled with, and for that he is bisected, then tossed aside into one of the others, demoralizing the shit out of him. Most likely literally.
>You see that there are still 9 more left, and only half of them are noticing the death-dealer encroaching on their back.
>Reaching to your back you take off The Herald's Hand, and using both of your weapons in one hand you pivot your hips and swing them both sideways, cleaving 4 of them in the back, only one surviving, but unable to get up from his wound.
>You drop the top of your axe into his head like planting a flag, then step over their corpses.
>Now the enemy realizes it's not going to survive, and the 5 remaining bandits begin to flee, Silvi picking them off until they get into the tunnel exit.
>Now that only leaves the leader, Silvi's brother.
>You hear Jerrick beginning to stir, and Silvi moves toward his voice, a hateful gleam in her eye.
>"You deserve this Jerrick. I'm just sad that our Father and Brother weren't here to see it."
>She pulls a dagger from her back that has a half a bone for a handle, and puts it to his throat.
>What do you do?
>?
 
>You see the look in Jerrick's eyes, full of fear, but he's not fighting back.
>Silvi doesn't say anything, staring him in the face.
>You simply move away, and wait.
>Silvi finally drags the blade across his throat, holding his head upright the entire time, allowing the blood a wide exit to flow.
>Jerrick gurgles out something in his final moments, before his eyes lose that light, and Silvi closes her eyes.
>Her hand leaves his hairless head, and he drops.
>She releases a deep sigh.
>"Ok...Now, let's find that box of yours and get out of here."
"Agreed."
>The two of you search the bandit lair high and low, coming across the ornate chest that you were looking for, and a larger one still, packed with coppers, silvers and a few gold coins here or there.
>Silvi runs her hands over the chest, almost in a gentle fashion.
>You grab the box that you were looking for, open it to make sure the contents are inside, and after confirming that the documents are there close it.
>Silvi whistles suddenly, then you hear a metallic whirring noise, as a piece of coin is flipped into your hands. A Gold coin.
>"For helpin' me with this bullshit. I can't give you the rest though. I've gotta give it to the 'product'.
>Product? She said that her brother only made drugs and did some trafficking.
>?
 
>"Not exactly big guy. Come on, I'll show you."
>She leads you back outside, down to the lowest tunnel there is, and this one goes straight for a while, and then turns into an open cavern with torches lining the walls, one of which she grabs, and continues further still, until you hear the shuffling of feet, and coughs of the sick.
>Silvi takes a pair of keys off the stone wall and walks along until she illuminates what is only to be described as a huge cage, full of people.
>Humans, some Dwarves, a few Orcs and a few Elves even.
>"I guess I should elaborate. Otherwise this will make me look incriminating. You see, I killed Jerrick, my adopted brother, because he murdered my father and brother to gain control of the bandit clan. He then began to steal folks from along the roads, whoever, whenever, selling them to any black market buyer that would take them. Father never operated like that. He only accosted the rich because he knew he could afford it, and when he had enough money to buy land and an estate he was going to make it a farmland and allow all his bandit friends here to farm under him as his serfs, taxes at a less than normal rate as a courtesy of their work together, and a right to a certain amount of food. However Jerrick didn't like that, didn't want a soft life, but still wanted to live easy."
>She motions towards the people, "I can't undo what my brother has done, but I can pay reparations with that chest and disappear."
>?
 
>You somberly nod in agreement.
"I understand. I'll stick around to make sure none of get violent, and then we'll go our seperate ways. Shame, you actually are a good marksman. Markswoman. You shoot good."
>Her lips show a genuine smile now, far more becoming of a girl her age, "Thanks. I'm not much compared to YOU though! You're a monster in a fight!"
>She then realizes she's dawdling, and begins releasing the prisoners, some of the newer ones getting testy, like an Orc, or a few Dwarves, but you speak to them in their tongue and they calm down. You can't speak Elvish though, and as you begin trying to free one of the few Elves, a woman, she reacted quite terribly; shrieking and huddling away from you.
>You're about ready to give up when Silvi steps in and kneels down next to her, "Ni glath frala. Juk sa da ellil."
>Silvi can speak Elven? That's something.
>After a few more moments of their mother language the woman gets up on bruised and wobbly legs and walks out of the tunnel with Silvi, leaving you alone with the rest of the prisoners, when one of them speaks up with a ragged voice.
>"S-Ser, are you...Are you a soldier from F-Forvine...?
>?
 
>For a moment you are about to tell her that you aren't, but then you remember you are in fact an adventurer from that same city.
"Yeah, I'm from Forvine, I'm only here to get an important box though. Why?"
>The young lady tries to stand up, leaning on the cage bars for support, "I...My name is S-Stacy. Stacy Freid. M-My father is no doubt looking for me, and sh-should you escort me back to town I'll see you rewarded for your kindness."
>Hmm...That name seems familiar.
"Sure. I don't mind. I dont't have a bed roll though. I sleep on my bear skin."
>You motion to the pelt you've got wrapped around your practically bare body.
>"T-That'll suffice. I just wish to be home."
>Silvi comes back into the room, and helps the rest of the people out, and begins rationing the coin out to those who were robbed, and if they weren't she gives them a bit anyhow as an apology.
>As she is in the middle of this the same Elven woman from before comes over to you, and does a small head bow, "Nalgath mi, sargtlin. Mia eset sa Amalyn. E-Eh, m-mine nayum Ah-Mah-Leen."
>She points to her chest, you try to avoid looking at her breasts too much, the less-than-quality prisoner outfit she's in does nothing to hide her modesty.
>?
 
>"A-ah, I see. Nice to know."
>Her ears wiggle slightly, then she turns and stands directly next to you. Just standing there, hands together, held in front of her resting on her stomach.
>Silvi finishes her duty and then escorts everyone out, and gives them a freshly cleaned weapon as protection on their way home.
>Stacy, the Forvine resident apparent, stands on shaky feet, and you let her lean on you for support.
>Once everyone has filtered out of the quarry and is on their way you and Silvi say your goodbyes.
>Silvi motions for the Elven woman to follow her, but then she says something in her language that you don't understand until she says 'Forvine'.
>Silvi nods, and then addresses you, "She says that she needs to go to Forvine. She was supposed to arrive 4 days ago last she knew."
>Well, you've got a tag-along already, so what's one more?
"I'll take her. It's only a few days walk from here. May your ancestors protect you on your journey."
>Silvi gives you a pat on the shoulder, or at least as close as she can get to it, then walks away down the trail.
>You are now left with an Elf that can barely speak broken common, and a young human that is malnourished and is going to take some assistance to make it these next few days.
>Welp. No use ruminating on it.
>You scoop up the twiglike human and place her on your back, surprising her and laying a reddish tint on her cheeks.
>You look down to the Elf and point to the road, and make walking motions with your fingers.
>She smiles and nods.
>Off you are.
----------------------------------------------------
Level Up!
 
HP UP!
ABILITIES UP!
RAGES UP!
 
Rage Ability:
 
Claw of the Bear - You can wield your weapons with great effect, eschewing accuracy for a higher damaging attack: -(Insert # here) for a +(Subtracted # here). Your choice how much.
 
Flesh of the Rhino: - Your bones, skin, and muscle have felt blade upon bled and have become more durable: +1 Con, +1 Health die added to your pool.
 
Wing of the Eagle - Your large frame is good for straight up battle, but it is also maneuverable, stealthy, and surprisingly fast.
 
Ears of the Hound - You have learned the effects of an ambush from your tribe, and don't wanna be on the receiving end, and have learned to stay cautious: You will be alerted when you are under a potential Ambush.
 
Roar of the Tiger - You are a horror to your enemies and a welcomed sight to your allies: Release a demoralizing roar that will stun weaker enemies.
 
Mind of the Raven - You have, in your wandering, found out many tidbits of info about other animals/races/monsters: When attempting to figure out something about a race, a monster, or a beast of some sort you get advantage.
 
----------------------------------------------------
>3 days and no interruptions, only minimal food and little rest to be had on your part.
>Your human traveling companion knew Elvish, making the relaying of information easy, and you learn that the Elf was a pilgrim, traveling from the Thell city of Vale as a priestess of Estoi.
>They put a lot of the clergy's training in their hands, believing that they will make themselves strong, and that their god will bring them to greatness in the use of the Temple. Holy men and women also double as their warriors, so she's basically undergoing a pilgrimage to become a better fighter in order to be useful to her kind.
>The human also tells you of her father, a Knight in the employ of one of the Coucilors of the Courtlands.
>From your understanding the Courtlands is governed by a select few people representing demographics. So her father essentially works for one of what would be a chieftain in your lands.
>Your talks are cut short, as you approach the looming stony walls of Forvine, Stacy visibly excited and relaxed at the same time somehow.
>The sound of hooves rapidly approaching you moves your attention, and you see 3 plate clad warriors horses underneath them and they are b-lining it right for you.
>When they reach you one of them takes position in front of you, the other two riding behind your group and flanking you.
>"Outlander, what business do you have returning to our fair city? Who do you bring with you? They don't look quite well."
>?
 
>Glancing them over briefly you see them armed with a longsword each and a crossbow, bolts fastened in a quiver on their horse's side.
>Best not to make them angry you suppose, though a challenging fight would be nice.
"I bring two people I freed from bonds. They were caught by bandits, about to be sold. This woman claims to be the daughter of a Knight that serves one of your Chieftains. The Elf was on a pilgrimage for her God. She can't speak common. I have helped them back safely."
>The lead knight, a man with a vizorless helmet, perks up at the mention of a Knight's daughter, "Hold a moment, Lady Stacy? Kirt's daughter? Aw,  Herald's wisdom brings you back to us! Your father will be most relieved!"
>A knight from behind speaks in a nasally tone, "Oi, Cap'n. Ain't them Elves from da Embassy been lookin' fer a missin' Elf lately? Mayhap this' the one!"
>The knight opposite the other behind you speaks in a deep tone, "There have been a number of folks reported missing showing up lately, many thought that they had just gotten lost in the woods but they were talking about a bandit encampment and some kind of beast-man that tore through them and rescued the lot. This might be the man right here!"
>The Captain looks you over a final time, "Very well. You have more than earned a place in our walls, unmolested, with this Traveler. M'lady. If you would have me I would escort you back to your estate."
>She nods, and you lift her from your back with little effort and onto the back of the man's mount, "Thank you Anonymous. I will send for you when I am better to bestow a reward. No doubt my father would like to meet you as well."
>The captain whips the horse's reins and the beast cries, then gallops off.
>"A'rite mate, where're you headed now? Don't imagine you could do us the favor of deliverin' this Tree Hugger to her Embassy, eh?"
>Hmmm, you do need to give that merchant the box he was looking for.
>Though looking at your Elven associate she looks tense now that her only way of intelligible communication is gone.
>?
 
>You've traveled all this way with her, what's a few more hours.
"I will do it."
>The man with the nasally voice chuckles, "Suit yerself friend! A've a noice aftanoon!" Then the two rush past you, back inside the city gates.
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