The TyLin Two Step

In a moment in the tent, Telosh approaches Ethelred.

Hey ’Red, can I talk to you for a minute? The other day you said something about how I’ve been lying about following TyLin. I know I’m deceitful, but I’ve never lied about that.”

Telosh is clearly upset, but trying to hold it back.

“Yes, I turned away from TyLin and didn’t say anything about it, I let that be part of Inkam, not Lucius, but I have never falsely revered Her.

Bitterness and anger are apparent on the Westlander’s face.

“I would have sensibly cowered with you and the others when we faced Yogg if I had not received the stone beforehand. I would still have Thraan’s rapier, and the bow I took from The Made.”

He takes a long look at the Aegrian, and shakes his head ever so slightly.

“I may use trickery and guile when needed, but I don’t lie to my companions.”

Order and Chaos

Not long after seeing the Kohlar, Priest of Anashar preach, Telosh signals to Alexis and behind a hand quietly mentions:

“Perhaps the good friar would know the right thing to do with Raff’s tooth.”

Telosh makes the signals, Priest, Law, Sword.

“If it is broken, surely he’d be the right one to deal with it.”

Twice Break, Sword. Three times.

A Tale of The Land

About a week after Barra has defeated Utiog, Alexis is waiting for Gus as he returns from his morning shit.

“And what a fine day this has started out to be. Before I go back to my studies, I was hoping you might tell me a little something about your new ‘magics’. We have been talking about the gods a lot recently, and I would be curious to know where your ‘magics’ come from.”

“Before you try and bullshit me, play dumb, and stonewall me, I have a reason for my question: if Earyka targets your ‘god’, I want to know it; it’s important.”

Alexis stands in front of Gus awaiting his answer.

Brittle Sword. Easy to Break?

Sometime during the two weeks after Utiog has been destroyed, Alexis is walking with Ethelred through what used to be the village green.

“Having seen the sword in action, do you still think it is very fragile and easy to break? From what you’ve said, Barra bashed it several times against the ground while destroying Utiog. A layman like me would think that a powerful being like Barra smashing a sword on the ground would destroy a weak sword.”

Killing gods?

Sometime during the two weeks after Utiog was destroyed, the group is in the old Inn of the River Village for a meal. Alexis addresses Telosh.

“While I admit there was some intellectual interest in the idea of killing all the gods, you seemed particularly interested in the idea. Do you still that strongly?”

Hood-rin?

Somewhere along the way, on the journey from Sutheron to the Copper Hills Fort, Lucius, complete with Sutheron accent, strikes up a conversation with Alexis:

“Say my fellow Sutheroni, I heard an interesting speculation in the Five Winds Inn and Tavern between a couple of priestly types, and it nearly started a fight with some Westy horse traders, apparently one of the horse traders is from a farming family…

“Anyhoo, the one acolyte says to the other, ‘Oo-rin is THE Harvest God, and Hood harvests souls, seems like may be two facets of the same gem, the scythe is associated with both as well, right?”

“Now, the Westlander overheard this and started yelling, ” ‘arvesting gray-en ain’t da say’m as peoples!” and whatnot… no Hoodites were to been seen to stand up for their Patron, but there certainly wasn’t much more discussion of the issue that night!”

“What is your learned opinion, Esteemed Alexis Laelius? Is Hood connected to Oo-rin? It seems odd to me, I always thought Hood was just the… children’s name for Erlik…”

Thanks to Avv and the White Wolf

The giant white wolf has left the group and morning is fresh upon them. Alexis asks for a memento from each as appreciation for the help through the night. Ethelred pulls out one of the spearheads from the stink lizards and starts working it to be more like a fang. While Ethelred works, Alexis takes the pickax and starts digging a relatively shallow hole out of the way, Telosh takes out the goblin potions and decides which to part with, and Gustav finds a stone and starts carving a wolf-head on the stone. After Alexis finishes the hole he brings out one of Nock-Moss’ river rocks and draws a tear on the rock.

When everyone has their offering, Alexis takes each one in turn starting with the stones from Ethelred and Gustav.

“As small tokens of appreciation for you and your wolf, our protector last night, we dedicate this fang and this fierce visage.” Alexis sets Gustav’s stone first and places Ethelred’s on top of it.

“In the name of the wise woman, we offer this tainted potion. May you use the taint as a poison or the potion for it’s power.”

“With the ink of humanity in this remote place, we remember how you have saved humanity once again, and mark it with a tear.”

When the last item is placed in the hole, Alexis looks at his companions. “Now a moment for each of us to silently give thanks.”

The period of silence extends, and extends. The period is too long. It feels awkward.

Finally Alexis breaks the silence with a whispered “thank you.” Then he turns to the group “those awkward silences always make me uneasy. Let’s cover this hole and get over that saddle. May we be blessed across the river and not be stopped by the smooth cheeks.”

Thoughts and Prayers, Pieces of Silver and One Copper.

Alone an on watch, shortly after the ambush and giving thanks to the robin, Telosh pulls out his small supply of Aegirian coins. He sifts through the coppers and silvers, feeling each one carefully in the moonlight.

Alexis said only a fool fails to worship the gods… each in their turn…

He holds a silver in his hand, tracing the rune of TyLin on the crown side. Almost silently, the words clear in his mind, he intones a prayer:

Tylin, Great Goddess of Wisdom and Insight, Patron of Heroes, I beseech you, guide and protect me in my all my journeys.

He places the coin on his right thigh and selects another.

He flips the second silver across his fingers, like Alexis used to do before his pendant turned red…

Telosh moves his lips with out a sound, and forms the words clearly in his mind:

Tymora, Goddess of Luck and Fortune… it has been some time, I’m sorry. I thank you for your blessings, and accept both your push and your pull.

He cycles the coin across his knuckles again, and then puts the coin back and selects another, he rubs the engraving and again silently forms another prayer

Raiden, Protector of Humanity, Chosen by Anashar, may your valor and heroism guide me and aid us in our efforts against the fouls creatures and treachery that threaten us.

He rubs the coin again, and places it back in his pouch.

With some trepidation, he selects a copper coin from the pouch, holds it gently, rubbing the edges.

He takes a deep breath. An in his mind, silently forms words again as he holds the copper

Av’v, Crone-Mother, Keeper of Lost Knowledge, I have felt Your power and seen Your work. Please watch over us as we seek ancient artifacts to aid humanity in it’s time of need. Please accept my humble apologies for my part in the death of Your one-time servant Nandra, she was corrupted by kossen and I ask that You see my efforts to aid all of humanity.

Telosh shivers and places the copper coin on the ground at his left side.

The Westlander takes several deep breaths before picking up the silver on his right thigh again.

He runs his finger along the edge, and traces the rune of TyLin on the crown side again with a finger and quietly voices another prayer.

Tylin, Great Goddess of Wisdom and Insight, Patron of Heroes, I thank you for your guidance and protection in my all my journeys. I thank you for watching over my family, my father Okken, my mother wherever she is, my uncle Dakun, my cousins Sven, Gorf and Dirk and my companions now, Alexis, Ethelred and Gustav.
I beg you, Great Goddess of Heroes, Protector of the Wild and Free, to aid Gustav especially, he his kind and cares for us. I beseech you if you see Gustav as your servant, guide me in what ever way you see fit to bring him closer to you.

Telosh places the coin on his right leg again and draws out a small file provided to him by Ethelred. He picks up the coin again and begins to etch the rune into the coin carefully and with TyLin and Gustav on his mind.

Tymora, anyone?

While the group is resting, waiting for Telosh to fully recover. The glow of the dwarven crypt surrounds the group. Alexis is sorting through his equipment and organizing it. As he pulls out his old holy symbol to Tymora he looks at it a bit wistfully. The glow of the room seems to help bring out the shine of the simple silver disk. After turning the disk over several times, Alexis addresses the rest of the group.

“Is Tymora of any interest to any of you? This was given to me by my father when I was eight. He wanted me to have something to help with my luck. Promised to beat me if I lost it.” Alexis smiles at the memory.

Alexis turns the disk over for the rest to see “when I studied with Publius I hired a silversmith to modify the coin with the name ‘Tyche’. There is some evidence that Tymora and Tyche are the same, or Tyche was the older name. Or possibly Tyche was a lost daughter of Tymora. Or…? At the time I was sure I would someday find the answer to this riddle.”

Alexis looks expectantly at the group.