Role

Chapter 3

Taking Action
Added Sun Sep 16 01:02:18 2018 at level 1:

Awakening in Darsylon, Elithranduil was overcome with grief. His family,
happy only that he was alive, seemed to dismiss the entire story as a
lesson learned at a cost forgotten. But Elithranduil could not forget the
cost of his foolishness. Those men died protecting him. They died for a
mission he envisioned. They died for him, with nothing gained.

In the days that followed, Elithranduil truly tried to rejoin his old
life. But the silver cutlery, gourmet food and fine wine that most men
might dream of held no more appeal to young Elithranduil. In those short
days, Elithranduil grew from a naive boy to a mature Elf that had seen
more of the world than most. He did not yet know what his path was, but
this revelry and well-practiced nescience could not be his life any
longer.

Grabbing the same walking staff that he'd carried to Udgaard's gates and
the simple leather clothing of a commoner, Elithranduil turned his back
to his family and set out to find a new life for himself. One where he
might put to use the lesson's learned on that fateful day, and ensure
that the sacrifices he'd seen did not go in vain.

Elithranduil travelled south and visited villages and cities great and
small. Halflings, svirfneblin, singers and farmers. Elithranduil saw the
world with new eyes - eyes that were not shielded by wealth and power. He
witnessed bar fights over handfulls of copper, and beggars punished for
stealing a single loaf of bread. He saw the world for what it really was,
not just for what other men wanted him to see.

He wandered for many years, sad at the state of the world but unsure what
he could do for it.

That changed one day, as he passed through Voralian City. A man, a simple
commoner who'd likely done no harm to another soul in his life was being
tormented. Brigands, bandits or merely wicked men looking for
entertainment, it made no difference. They attacked him with murderous
intent. Elithranduil had seen evil men before, but he could look no more.

His feet and his hands moved before his mind had settled on a course of
action. He swung his staff with all the strength he could muster. It was
awkward, but forceful, and a crack followed by a sickening thud proved
his aim was true.

Thera would have one fewer evil man to worry about. But Elithranduil
still had two to be concerned of. And he no longer had the advantage of
surprise.

For the second time in his life, Elithranduil was left bloody and
unconscious in the street, his last memory the maniacal laughter of evil
men.