Late Sea at the Pea Pod

[Quatlu]

It was dusk in Boldhome after a busy day at the Great Temple of Orlanth, and Quatlu was ready for a wee dram and a bit of relaxation before the fireplace at the Pea Pod. The weathered old door was a welcome sight at last, and he trudged up to the stoop and scuffed his feet on the outside mat so as not to bring the mud and filth of the streets into the cozy interior of Jorl's tavern. "Ah, a fine and lovely good evenin' to ye, Master Quatlu", Jorl said with a smile as he waddled over to welcome one of his old regulars. "Come over t' the fire and I'll get ye a nice grog to wet your whistle." Quatlu gladly obliged his amiable host, doffed his cloak and took a seat by the fire.

When Jorl presented the tankard, he brought with him a wicker basket of small, warm meat pies wrapped in a checkered napkin. Quatlu raised an eyebrow and looked up at Jorl, and the man explained, "Just a little sample of a new baked good mama wanted me to try out on our regulars. Just give them a try and let me know what you think." Quatlu smiled warmly at Jorl and replied, "Tell mama thanks for me, and I'll give them a taste. Mind you, if they're as good as they smell, and if my friends don't happen to wander in soon, I may have to just taste them all to make sure they are indeed as good as they smell." He winked at Jorl which made the older man laugh as he left the table. "I hope the others can make it tonight. I don't know how many of these evenings we'll have free once the regiments get started with their preparations for the campaign season." He took one of the little pies, inhaled the delicious aroma, and popped it into his mouth to savor the tender, juicy meat mixture inside the nice, flaky pastry. He rolled his eyes and got a very satisfied look on his face, then muttered, "Oh mama, what a heavenly creation you have offered we mere mortals." He sipped his grog and waited for his friends to arrive.

[Julian]

Julian following his visit to the Temple of Orlanth to give thanks for his deliverance to the god and his intimate meeting with his lover, walks as if on clouds to his tavern of choice. He waits a moment holding the heavy door ring-handle and listens to the happy hubbub inside. He cannot really believe his deliverance - achieved not by his bravery or feat of arms but by the prayers and financial help of so many Boldhome Heroes. He feel a tear welling in his eye. It is not the wind and he roughly cuffs it away. He remembers He is home. In Boldhome, and enters the building.

He thanks old Jorl, the landlord, and orders a round for his friends. This raises a hearty cheer that, like the roaring fire warms the cockles of Julians heart!

“Thank you, good friends,” he says, “Yes, the news is true - I, Julian am back! Take your drinks in hand and I will tell you how I got away thanks to our greatest heroes…… (to be continued).

My benefactors include the incomparable Quatlu, Erik, Ivareena, Afur, Rufus and Harmeleenrios,

[Julian]

Julian, his whistle whetted undertakes to tell of his trial! He shudders and his eyes grow misty as he begins the cathartic and hopefully healing story of his recovery. Forgive the strange telling but Julian is not yet whole again, nor his tears at various points. His heart is strong and his mind fixed on returning the support of his ‘people’…

Listeners this is what happened as I recall the voices in my mind..

“ You are Mastakos, swift rider of the winds, the pathfinder who carries Orlanth and his companions across impossible distances. Or at least, you should be. You remember leaping into the myth, taking on Mastakos' role in the Arming of Orlanth. The chariot was there, gleaming with divine light, and you harnessed the winds to guide it. But now the winds are wrong. The path ahead is lost.

The Heroplane around you twists and churns like a storm you cannot outpace. The chariot bucks under your control, its reins slipping from your hands as roaring Chaos surges at your heels. This isn’t how the myth goes—something has gone awry. A sharp jolt throws you from the chariot, and you tumble into the void. Darkness closes in, suffused with faint whispers and mocking laughter. You are alone, unmoored from the myth, from the mortal world, from everything.

Ahead, you see it: a blazing fire, a sacred chariot illuminated by its flames. Around it, figures stand, their voices rising in unison as they chant your name. You recognize them—they are your kin, your comrades, your community. They reach toward you, their hands extending through the barrier between realms. Among them, you see Quatlu, the assistant priest who took up the role of the Seeker, and Harmeleenrios, her face full of anguish and determination. They call to you, their voices weaving a thread that pulls you closer.

The final steps are the hardest. The void seems to scream, tearing at your very soul. The shapes in the darkness howl and surge, desperate to drag you back. But then you feel it—the warmth of those hands, the power of Mastakos’ winds surging around you. The chariot shines brighter, and with one last, desperate leap, you grasp the outstretched hand of the Seeker.

The world explodes in light and sound. You are pulled free of the Heroplane, tumbling into the mortal world. The chants fade, replaced by cheers and weeping. You collapse to your knees, gasping, the weight of your ordeal bearing down on you. Everything feels distant—your limbs heavy, your thoughts scattered. But you are here. You are home.

The grounding ceremonies begin immediately. Warm hands guide you to a place of safety, where blessed relics touch your skin and sacred songs fill your ears. Food and drink are brought to you, their simple presence anchoring you to the earth. You feel the world slowly settling into place around you.

Later, as the great sacrifice is offered, you sit quietly among your kin. They tell you of their efforts, of how they re-enacted the myth to reach you, and how Mastakos’ power opened the way. You nod, but the Heroplane’s shadows still linger in your mind. You are not yet whole, but you are alive. For now, that is enough.”

And i was back in Boldhome.

Praises to all who helped recover me - I will never forget this.

[Rufus]

Rufus strides in - his face breaking into a wide smile as he spots Julian! So pleased to see you in this place! That heroquest was a real challenge!

He discusses the latest goings on in Boldhome - there are so many feasts. No doubt pleasant to go to but rather wearing - especially to the purse!

It leaves so little time to doing anything else. Imagine being a trooper in the guard and being an initiate in two cults and you find there are two feasts you must attend!

And now there is another wedding! That will be a good occasion.

He settles down to engage in light-hearted conversation with his friends.

[Erik]

Erik arrives at his friends' table in time to hear Rufus's comments. "Tell me about it!" he agrees. "Two feasts this month and a wedding and I have to lead a ceremony at the Temple of Orlanth this month. I will need to miss the party at the 3 Suns, which will disappoint Yealla a little, although she is delighted with the thought of 2 sets of new robes for the feasts. I am beginning to look forward to the campaigning season when I only need to worry about what the enemy will do!"
"But Julian, I am glad we have you back. Boldhome would not be the same without you. However, I am troubled that the High Priestess of Orlanth would not release Temple funds for your ransom. I suspect that smelly wretch Saral Fartipson of urging her to save Lunars - presumably to buy a better quality of victuals for his table. It is another example, my friends, of why we need new blood in the higher ranks of Orlanth. Oh, I am not talking of the Reverend Teganeth Venrevsdaughter here, I am very loyal to her. But I suspect some of her advisors of giving her bad counsel. Well, I will make it my business to shame Saral Fartipants out of the Temple!"

[Rufus]

Rufus is pleased to be with his friends - he totally agrees with Eric that the hierarchy of the temple of Orlanth have let its worshippers down. No support for those serving Orlanth and Boldhome when they needed it. He hopes that Erik and others can progress in the cult so that reforms can be effected.

Conversation then moves onto the upcoming campaign.

[Ivarenna]

Ivarenna walks into the Peapod and joins her fellow officers at their table.

Greetings gentlemen!

She addresses Julian: "Great to have you back."

And the Rufus: "Did I hear you talking of the upcoming campaign this Fire Season. Where are they sending us this time?"

[Fionn]

Fionn bustles in, rubbing his hands with the cold.
"I hear that we are facing the Chaos hordes in Snakepipe Hollow this summer. Glory and plunder in profusion,but also, I fear, casualties. So let us all follow Grumbold's fine example, and live life to the full while we can. Jord. a round of mead if you would be so good."

[Ivarenna]

Fionn bustles in, rubbing his hands with the cold.
"I hear that we are facing the Chaos hordes in Snakepipe Hollow this summer. Glory and plunder in profusion,but also, I fear, casualties. So let us all follow Grumbold's fine example, and live life to the full while we can. Jord. a round of mead if you would be so good."

Snakepipe Hollow eh? Interesting, that could be a tough campaign. Those chaotics are twisted and evil. The broo are the worst, but those scorpion men would strike the fear of the devil into anyone. I hear there is a temple to Cacodemon, the ogre god, there too. So what is this magical snake pipe after which it was named and what is the place's history?

[Ivarenna]

Ivarenna sips on her mead and toasts all the heroes present! "One for all and all for one!" "Damn good mead this!"