“And so here ends the tale of Skarde Nuvain, Director of the Fingers in Ice, a treasure hunter group that certainly doesn’t exist, and how he learned to be a successful leader and fighter beyond reproach thanks to his instructor and right-hand, Jiang Twiceborn. Jiang, who as far as records show, lived longer than any Gnome, but was nothing more than a simple baker.
Or so the story goes, anyway…
If you appreciated these tales tonight, please tip your serving staff!”
“‘If you gnomes weren’t born as adults, we would be in worse trouble. And since I’ve killed Sirmeros, I suppose I’m the Director. So much for that so-called competition.’
Skarde smiled, using Jiang’s face.
‘You have a much longer life ahead than you had, and I have no idea how to reverse it. Let me train you, so that you might inherit this position when you grow up, and I reach the end of your lifespan. We both have a lot to learn about how to be us again.’”
#Bardvember #Lore24 30/11/24
1/2
“Frustrated, Jiang nodded. She even tried pointing to herself and to the double, who thankfully seemed to get the message.
‘I think I understand what happened, if not how. One moment.’ The other Jiang placed her down, fetched a knife from one of the piles of clothes, and plunged it into the hearts of the other two infants before picking her up again.
‘That handles Sirmeros and his butler. Lucky you were here. It’s Skarde, but I guess you are now, and I’m Jiang.’”
“In a blinding flash, she was flung against the wall, and knocked unconscious.
She awoke, struggling to move, feeling so very tired. Rolling over, she saw herself somehow, giant and confused. The other Jiang came over to her, and picked her up. It was hard to look around, but she saw herself in an unfamiliar body, and two infants struggling in puddles of clothing.
‘Jiang? Are you in there?’ The other Jiang asked.
She tried to reply, but couldn’t form words.”
#Bardvember #Lore24 29/11/24
1/2
“‘Trap!’ Skarde yelled, dashing forward. He grabbed Jiang and leapt clear as a blast of magic scorched the ground where she had been a moment before. The servant cursed, and the pieces filled in. There was never meant to be a winner. Each of the items, while useful in their own right, could combine to resurrect, and rejuvenate Sirmeros. Any who returned would be killed to keep the secret.
But Jiang made a mistake. She broke free and grabbed her earned horn.
‘No!’”
#Bardvember #Lore24
2/2
“‘You take it.’ He grunted, handing over the miniature chair model. Jiang asked if he was sure, which Skarde only responded to with a nod.
She was swiftly ushered to the Gem’s side, and placed the chair next to her horn. The two glowed and elevated from the pedestal. Suddenly, a raspy laugh came from the corpse. Raspy at first, but strengthening as the decay reversed, and Sirmeros started to float out of the coffin, looking younger by the second.”
#Bardvember #Lore24 28/11/24
1/2
“‘If you would, please place your item next to the Authenticator Gem, so that we can release it to you, and declare the winner of the contest.’
Jiang stepped forward, uncomfortable around the corpse, but Skarde remained stationary.
‘Sir?’ the servant asked, sounding a little impatient.
‘Come and take it.’ was all Skarde said.
Having become accustomed a bit to her companion, Jiang walked over to him to try and comfort any fears. He just looked at her, bemused.”
#Bardvember #Lore24 27/11/24
“The servant answered the door and allowed them entry. While they made their way through the house, being led to a subterranean chamber, they learned that the survivors of the gathering, for there had been many conflicts, had already had their prizes authenticated. The last remaining were in their hands, and the contest could not be declared until then.
Inside the room, a large crystal stood on a pedestal, with the corpse of Sirmeros laid in a coffin underneath.”
#Bardvember #Lore24 26/11/24
“Skarde’s treasure proved useful as well, as it wielded the power of planar travel. He seemed disappointed, as Jiang suspected he would have preferred something more lethal.
Now, some of our patrons here might know this, but the flow of time between here and the Brightfields isn’t always consistent. So when he and Jiang arrived back at Nuvain, she was shocked to learn that a year had passed in the week they had been gone. The two made their way back to the estate.”
#Bardvember #Lore24 25/11/24
“Now here I must apologise, as I have been sworn to secrecy by my lord to not reveal the exact details, but the pair each needed to handle a task of importance before they would be allowed to leave with their respective prizes. Rules of the Fey can be quite troublesome to deal with, but it’s worse to break them. Regardless, with Skarde’s help, Jiang managed to retrieve her assigned treasure: A horn that gave her claws of a bear, and made her invisible in low light.”
#Bardvember #Lore24 24/11/24
Shards System