Storyboards: Rauglothgar

Rauglothgar, an Adventurer? | Encountering the Adventurers | Rauglothgar's apprenticeship

Rauglothgar, an Adventurer?
My name is Rauglothgar. I cannot remember when I began using the Will and the Word.
I only knew that even as a youth I could do things which others could not. Yet, the calling to use the Will and the Word was not my first inclination. I wanted to try out for the Home Guard of my small village of Kodeb, about fifty miles away from Sendar, to work on the fields like my father and my father before him, to settle down and to live a peaceful life.
However, the Gods obviously had more in store for me than the life of a simple farmer. I can barely remember that fateful day when the raiders from beyond the hills attacked my village. I took up my sword and charged towards them with the other members of the Home Guard. It was a close battle and the cries of the dying and the wounded (mostly of the people in my villages) rang through the air. I recorded my first kill as I cleaved the skull of a raider into two with a wild overhead swing.
Unfortunately, that left me open and a raider's sword almost caught me in the gut. As I saw the blade rushing towards me, something triggered in my mind and I remembered yelling Get Away!
I heard a great roar followed by an emptiness and the last thing I remembered was seeing the raider being hurled back at least twenty feet before falling into a crumpled heap onto the ground. His face still bore a surprised expression as death took him even as he crashed back down to earth.
When I awoke, I found myself in a pit together with many other corpses. It was night and I took advantage of the darkness to creep away. For several days, I wandered in the wilderness, trying to get to the nearest city - Sendar.
One my fourth day of travels, I saw a silhouette about a hundred yards ahead of me. The outline was that of a human but after what I had been through, I chose discretion as the better part of valour. I decided to sneak away but turned and crept towards the bushes. To my surprise, the figure stood in front of me!
The figure was about 6 ft tall, broad shouldered and was hooded. It wore a suit of armor and had a sword sheathed at its side. More importantly, it exuded an aura of unearthly power. I knew I was in the presence of someone powerful, and a wrong move could spell my doom.
At that moment, the figure drew back its hood to reveal the face of a man in his prime. He introduced himself as Vaikartana and told me that noticing my ragged and worn appearance, surmised that I was in need of some help. He then offered his assistance. Though my mother had always told me never to talk to strangers, a strange intuition, something like a voice within my head, told me that this person could be trusted. Without a second thought, I accepted his help.
Over the next few weeks, Vai got me some equipment and taught me how to survive in the wilderness of MUD. He also sensed, and after some testing, confirmed that I was much more suited to the path of sorcery and began advising me on the basics. (Till today, I have no idea how he had knowledge of the Will and the Way.)
After gaining some experience and following Vai to Tol Rane and Sthiss Tor, I decided it was time to leave and strike it out on my own. After some discussions with Vai, I decided to seek out the Adventurers, a group of people well versed in the ways of our world and join them. My aim was to find out as much as I could about our world and all the secrets it contained. I also had this odd feeling that I was destined for something more than simply seeking out those who had massacred my village.
Having decided, I started off on my quest. Seeking them out was no easy matter as they really lived up to their name. While they were rumoured to have a base near one of the major cities, I could never find it. Just as I had almost given up hope of every finding them, I was advised by an innkeeper in Boktor to leave a note at that inn. And wait.
A few days later, I was paid a visit by a fellow Sendarian and the leader of the clan himself, Wylset. I was very pleased to find out that Wyslet was very well versed in the ways of the Will and the Word and hoped that he would be able to initiate me into the ways of using it effectively.
We talked about many things well into the night, and it was decided that the Council would determine if I was eligible for membership and promised to get in touch with me once it had been determined. In the meantime, I continued to further my studies on using and focusing my powers with some of books I managed to find from the local university.
A few days later, I received an anonymous note with the following words:
WELCOME TO THE ADVENTURERS

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Encountering the Adventurers
So, it's a nice fine day for a walk, I decide to investigate the old mashes I've heard lie to the west and south of Sendar. Some say there is gold to be had, others that only a grisly death awaits, at the hands of hairy grotesque beasts lurking in the shadows. Feeling brave, I check my trusty dagger is sharp, that I have sufficient supplies for the journey, and head out of the west gate on my voyage of discovery.
At the Colossal Tree, I head in a southerly direction, wolves howl in the forest, and the airs are becoming decidedly heavy, a growing dread spreads from my belly. With a rush of wind, a group of strangers flash past, dashing headlong into the swampy morass. Carefully, not knowing the nature of their business, I creep to a thick tuft of bulrushes, beyond which I hear the murmur of voices.
Drawing my dagger, I peer between them, wondering how this will play out. To my surprise, I see a naked soul, sitting on a log, not so much as a loincloth, bruised, bleeding and recounting a woeful tale of ambush by a pair of hairy brutes, accompanied by several trolls. These evil denizens of the marshes, have ambushed, beaten almost to death, and stolen all this sad fellow's worldly possessions. The group of strangers listen quietly, with growing wrath.
Without further ado, they speed into the swamp, and a howling screaming torrent of noise curdles my blood. A final shriek rends the air, and all is deathly quiet. Not so much as a cricket's chirp disturbs the vapours. Resolutely marching out of the rushes, the group returned, bearing armour, weapons, assorted worldly possessions, which they lay at the feet of the shivering, naked man.
Overcome with gratitude, he dropped to his knees, and kissed the hands of his benefactors.
I thank ye most heartily brave friends, but pray tell, who are ye?
We are of the clan Adventurers, and it is our business to see that all shall prosper, who live by the code.
With a lilting invocation, one member commands a shining black gate to rise before them. Giving a final wave, they step through the portal of magik, returning to some realm of their own. A flash of light dazzles my eyes, and when my sight returns, there are none except myself and the poor unfortunate, who begins to gather his belongings.
I resolved in that moment, that upon encountering these fine folk again, I should offer my services to their cause And that my friends, is how it is that you find me now, in the company of the Clan of the Adventurers, and pursuing their goals and following their code.

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Rordarth's Apprenticeship
Sitting at the entrance to the Adventurers clan hall one day, I'm idly sharpening my dagger, when out of the hall stride Wylset and Aran.
"Rordarth my good fellow" says Wylset, "it's time you learned some of the ways of the clan."
"Our duties are many and varied, but one important aspect is assisting those new to this realm"
I leap up. With a twirl, toss my dagger spinning into the air, catching it behind my back, I rotate it into its sheath, and with a flourishing bow, present myself to my clanmates.
"He does carry on,” says Aran to Wylset with a grin.
"Right then, our quest today is to collect a few pieces of equipment, to store in the hall for future disbursement,” states Wylset. "You my man, are to accompany us on this journey, and learn the places to acquire these items"
"Woohoo" I yell, beaming from ear to ear, "A task fit for an Adventurer, and I be with ye"
"Follow us,” says Aran, and they turn out onto the street.
Moving through the township, we head across the top of the wall, and out onto the docks. Pausing briefly to murmur some incantations, we three are ready to proceed, our feet hovering just above the good earth. Westwards is our course, over the sea, with shining silvery fish darting beneath the waves. Soon however we turn northwards, the sun to our backs, for it is just about the hour of noon, we follow our shadows across the waves.
Without warning, enormous snapping, slashing teeth flash up from a maelstrom of water, seeking our throats. Daggers, and swords in our hands, we beat the beast back. Rays of searing light, scald the creature's skin, as it dashes in again an again, in an insane attempt to tear our flesh. Fins cut the water. Black, Godless eyes malevolently seek any advantage.
Blood permeates the waves. Whose blood we cannot yet say as adrenaline fires our efforts, and pain is held at bay. One lightning fast strike from a blade, cuts into the monster's gills, striking through cartilage and bone, to end its struggle.
Checking each other for damage, we find none more that a few cuts, grazes, and some torn apparel.
"This is a dangerous area for the unwary or unprepared,” notes Aran.
Sagely Wylset nods, and I have learned a valuable lesson this day, on the peril lurking beneath these waves. To our northwest, through the seafog, we spy the shadowy form of cliffs and as we draw near, a beach unfolds before us.
"This be Rivan Isle," I'm informed, "And here, abide many who would cause us grief, should we not keep them from becoming well armed"
"Our task this day, is to disarm Footmen, who patrol these shores. We take their weapons back to provide for the security of Sendar, Camaar and others"
Nodding grimly, I ensure I have my dagger, tight in my grip, and peer down a pathway. Moving silently along, we round a bend, encountering a small group, who leap to their feet, drawing swords and hurling obscenities toward us.
"These are the very Footmen,” yells Aran "Look to your defence"
With that, they fell upon us, these Footmen, with alacrity and zeal. Never in my years, have I seen such disregard for personal safety, as displayed by these foes. Neither great wounds, nor even loss of a limb, stayed their charge, as again and again, they fell upon us. Sweat streaked, and bloodstained, we three Adventurers find ourselves the only ones standing, after an age of gruelling combat.
"Quickly now, gather their weapons and armour," spake Wylset.
Aran has raised a huge shining black portal to our home, and burdened down with all manner of booty, we step from that place, onto the sunlit road in front of our hall.
"Methinks a good Ale or three, after that lot" grins Aran.
Wylset and I nod agreement, as we all march into the Hall, to unburden our arms into our lockers.
"'Job well done, young Rordarth. Your stature within the clan shall grow, if you continue to acquit yourself as you have done this day", pronounces Wylset.
"Aye lad, and we have had ourselves an adventure,” agrees Aran, as we hoist tankards to toast our glories.

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