Previous: Issue One, Part V
Content Warning
Murder Trial, Condemnation, Bitter Hatred, Jealousy, Themes of Redemption
A Note on Updates
I started this in late September of 2020. Parts I and II were done in October, Part III was done 6 months later in April 2021, Part IV was done a month after that, and then there was an 8 month break to January of 2022 for Part V. This was originally done in Discord, and then I transitioned it here, so that's why you see posts from the same month talking about the long breaks between them. This is/was my first outing into Solo RP and, in typical fashion, I couldn't maintain it in any real way. Long breaks, no consistency. I mean, I did warn everyone. I know a couple of folks had kinda sorta kept an eye on it but I had one real reader. I even inspired him to try his own hand at something similar. In some ways, I feel like I let him down. But then, you know, I did warn everyone. Still, he was always excited to pop on and discover I'd gotten a bug up my ass to play and write a little more of what he called "Quantum Quests." It doesn't look like it, by way of my glacial update schedule, but I can't ever really express what that kind of enthusiasm means to me. I blame the chronic depression for bringing the vibe down. Sorry, mate. In any case, he passed away a little while back and when he did, I felt like I couldn't do anything anymore. I'm still seriously doubting and questioning the validity of my creative endeavors even now. There are lots of reasons for that, obviously, but this event is a contributor. Anyway, you can see how in the five years intervening, it still sat in my head like I was playing it or writing it a couple of days ago. The mood will change, the style will change, as I have changed. Couldn't say how, I just know it will. I think we can all see the general shape of this story, right? I say "we" and "all" like I have a readership. But you know, it's like those billboards...if you're reading this... So I think I can see a beginning, middle, and end for this one. When I finish it, sometime before I die, I'll dedicate it to my friend's memory. And thanks for reading.
"Temira, Wisewoman of Thornhill, you stand accused of dereliction of duty and the willful intent to sow discord in your community, to summon through Dark Magic a clear and present danger to the village of Thornhill, and to harm and murder your fellows and charges." The damning indictment rings across the commons and settles on every citizen gathered here. The adults and even some of the older children sit stone faced as they listen to Keelan, their overseer, deliver the accusation. It does not stand as one, however. It stands as a condemnation. Every person here witnessed her abuse of Magic and her corruption of their beloved tree spirit. They watched their village destroyed by their very own protector. Many of them would never feel safe here again. They all understand her guilt and there are more than a few present who have already expressed they saw no need for this mock trial. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Keelan asks her accused.
Temira raises her head slowly, peering eerily outward from beneath her greasy black hair. Her mad eyes leap back and forth of their own accord, almost seizing in their sockets. "To the Abyss with ye, Keelan. You abandon this settlement and believe you have the right to return to accuse me of anything?" Temira's voice rises in pitch, as if in utter bewilderment at what she sees as audacity on Keelan's part.
"It is my right, as Overseer," Keelan responds coolly.
"It shouldn't be," Temira spits back.
"Answer the charge, girl. Keelan is not the one on trial here. Answer, why do this?" Aeddon steps in, uncharacteristically serious and imposing.
"Ahh," the Wisewoman rolls the dismissive sound through a sneer and returns her gaze to the ground.
Murmurs of discontent start to swirl through the crowd. We'd already been at this for some time, making sure everyone was caught up on the events of the past few days. Keelan had left plenty of room for for giving the Wisewoman the benefit of the doubt but the girl had done nothing to endear herself to a crowd of people that already wanted her head. I sigh. I'm not about to help matters.
"She can't," I say, and all eyes turn to me. Outsider, but Ironsworn. "She's been hollowed out like a gourd. There's nothing left of the Temira you knew to answer the accusations with even a grain of guilt."
Keelan looks at me a while and says, "She responds to her name. She seems aware of why she's sitting there. She knows my face."
"Overseer, respectfully," I say, "she hates your face. She hates everyone here. Hate is all that is left inside her. She has been consumed by dark magic. She is gone."
Compel
Roll +Heart (2) is 8 vs. 9, 4. Weak Hit.
+1 Momentum. Now 9.
They'll do what I want but ask something of me in return.
One of the women sitting protectively near an older child speaks up suddenly, "Death! She speaks of the Abyss so freely, we should send here there!" A couple of shouts of agreement ripple through the crowd.
Keelan raises her hands for silence. "Hold on, now!" The citizens slowly regain their composure and listen. I am surprised, again, given her background here, that Keelan seems to hold such sway. She continues, looking to me, "Ironsworn, are you a witch? A wiseman for your own tribe?"
"Well, no, Overseer, I am not," I respond slowly, somewhat dreading where I think she's headed, "but I am familiar with magic. I have some small ability in it myself. That was how I was able to track down and face her." I gesture vaguely at the miserable sorceress in our midst.
"I understand," Keelan acknowledges. "While we are grateful for your assistance and have no wish to impugn your honor, Sir, a person's life is on the line here. We have no choice but to ask these difficult questions."
I nod, a public show of assent.
She continues, "therefore I must inquire as to the depth of your knowledge and the certainty to which you can assure us this woman's soul is forever consumed. Consumed is what you said, right? Not replaced? Not stolen?"
That brings me up short. "I, uh..." I flounder for a moment, caught out in my own phrasing. After the moment passes, I compose myself and respond more assertively, "No, Overseer, I apologize. I cannot, with certainty, claim Temira's spirit has been destroyed. It is possible that it was traded for power."
There's a moment of consideration in the crowd. Then, the woman from earlier speaks up again. "And so? If she did trade away her soul for this evil power, she remains responsible! There are children here, Keelan, who could have died." More voices of agreement, though notably less than before, rise up.
Keelan, wisely I think, ignores the breach in protocol concerning her station and addresses the woman directly. "Selva, no one died. I'm not saying that what happened here wasn't...grievously awful...but we have no dead children to bury. The person who even got hurt the most is an outsider to our village. You helped change Temira's napkins. You watched her grow up right here! I think she made a mistake and tarried too long with forces far beyond her comprehension or control and I think she was the first victim of this entire situation. You don't want to kill her. None of you want to see her hanging from the end of a rope!" She raises her voice and addresses the whole crowd with this last statement.
Selva asks, "well, what do you suggest then, Overseer? You called her a clear and present danger yourself."
Keelan ignores the technicality and makes an emotional appeal instead. "She didn't just pick this book off a convenient book growing tree," she says, holding the dark grimoire high for everyone to see, "so that means it's possible someone gave it to her. And if someone gave it to her, that person is the real threat. Not just to us, but to our sister village and to all other Ironlanders. We have an Ironsworn in our midst right now, and therefore a rare opportunity at learning the truth and gaining justice. If we can stop this person, we may be able to retrieve Temira's spirit and restore her."
I roll back on my heels, impressed despite myself.
Selva pushes the issue further, though, asking, "And if he can't? Recover her spirit? What then?"
Keelan looks sadly over at the Wisewoman, who has taken to rocking back and forth and trying to wriggle her hands free. "Nan's spiritbinding will hold until we have our answer. A select few of us will watch over her until the Ironsworn returns. And if he does not bring us the means for her redemption, then Temira truly is gone and we will eradicate the horror that has taken her place." More murmurs of agreement. It very much seems like, with or without my will, this is a done deal. But Keelan turns to me anyway and asks, "Well, Ironsworn, will you take up this task?"
I look back and forth between the Overseer, her right hand man, the witch gone deeply bad, and the shaken citizenry of Thornhill. I can't help but crook a small smile. "Hell, for you, Keelan, I'm very much afraid there is little I wouldn't find myself doing. But you're right. This town deserves answers." I take up a coin and hold it in front of me. "I so swear it."
As the crowd disperses, the coin joins my necklace, increasing the weight around my neck ever so slightly.
Reach a Milestone and Fulfill Your Vow
I think this is the final piece to complete our quest to actively aid the village of Thornhill before we transition into another vow. So we'll reach a Milestone, giving us two boxes, for 10 boxes total.
We'll then go ahead and Fulfill this vow.
Progress Roll: 10 vs 2, 4. Strong Hit.
Gain 2 XP. I'll save this toward Bonded.
Forge a Bond
I've spent some time in Thornhill but, more importantly, I faced hardship with them and nearly died helping to bring their rogue witch to justice. So I will attempt to forge a bond with them. I can reroll dice if I need to, because I have just fulfilled a vow to them.
Roll +Heart (2) is 8 vs 6, 6. Strong Hit with a Match.
Mark a tick on the Bond Track, for 1.25 total boxes.
Gain +2 Momentum, for 10 Max.
I think I'll represent that match by taking an additional +1 on my next sworn vow to these people.
Swear an Iron Vow
Deal with the Source of the Dark Magic. Set rank to Formiddable.
Roll +Heart (2) +1 Bond, +1 Match is 5 vs. 5,1. Weak Hit.
+1 Momentum (Already at Max).
Begin with more questions than answers, though I am determined.
Next: Issue Two, Part I
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