Thanks for coming back to Dr. DM and helping me relive the campaign! For the remainder of the chapters, I have divided them into separate parts (as an entire chapter in one post would be ridiculously long). Today, I present Part I of Chapter 2 entitled, “Things to Come.” It introduces two of my favorite NPCs: a zealous and fanatical leader of a Pelor cult and his best friend, an atheistic grandmage of a revered arcane order. This chapter takes place about one year before the campaign begins.
PRELUDE, Chapter 2: Things to Come
Josias Tyghe breathed an anxious sigh as he sat on the outside porch of the Halfmoon Inn. He hadn’t swallowed any of his mead that sat frothing and cooling in front of him. He hadn’t eaten any of his bread and stew. Instead, the middle-aged archmage rocked slowly back and forth in silence, pondering the afterlife. It was uncommon for members of the League of Mages to worry about such things; the blissful apathy of the arcane arts granted a kind of stoic peace. But today, Tyghe couldn’t help but consider the great beyond. The rest of the crowd ate and drank and reveled in each other’s company. Tyghe wasn’t sure what he had seen but he knew that he probably wouldn’t ever be able to just sit and relax again. He brushed his hands against his black velvet robes though he had nothing to wipe on them. This was an uneasiness he hadn’t ever felt before.
“You look tired,” a stern voice said behind him.
Tyghe jolted out of his concerned meditation and turned around to see the imposing figure wearing crimson and gold robes. The altered symbol of Pelor emblazoned on the figure’s robes always intrigued Tyghe: the sun and a hammer, a symbol of peace and a symbol of labor.
“Not tired, Yulin, just a little thoughtful.”
“I can understand that, given the circumstances,” the figure returned.
Brother Harlous Yulin of the Prevailing Light sat in the wooden chair opposite Tyghe. He led a group of zealous clerics and paladins that worshipped the god of light and truth. The members of the Prevailing Light stayed hidden and reclusive most of the time and only emerged when they deemed the world needed them. Tyghe himself had come close to completing the initiation process of the brotherhood. But the arcane arts drew his attention more. Plus, they allowed him the freedom to express his disillusionment with the powers above. “Heathen” he’d been called, “heretic” and “demon lover” as well. But he just couldn’t stomach some of the draconian vows demanded by the brotherhood. The members of the Prevailing Light — when they emerged from hiding — stirred uneasiness and anxiety in the populace. In fact, Brother Yulin’s presence at the inn had already turned a few heads who knew of the cult’s existence. These people wouldn’t dare say anything, however, as they feared the kind of retribution from the brotherhood that one might expect from a drow. Appropriately, the brotherhood’s devotion to Pelor was much like a loyal drow’s unyielding adherence to the Spider Queen Lolth and her dark promises.
“Good to see you, old friend, ” Tyghe said.
“If only it were under more optimistic events,” returned Yulin.
“Well, according to your ‘rules,’ I’m not sure that would ever happen, friend. You and your lot do tend to show yourselves only when,” he paused to cough, “…the world needs you.”
Yulin gave a barely visible smile; such sarcasm would normally yield a tacit, nostril-flaring stare from a member of the brotherhood. Tyghe got off the hook because of the countless times he had saved Yulin’s life.
“Yes, well, I feel our track record justifies our actions.”
“You have been right before, I’ll grant you that.”
The banter helped ease Tyghe’s spirits a little. He felt comfort in bickering with his old friend; it made him feel as though everything weren’t so dire. Unfortunately, the matter at hand could not be ignored. Tyghe knew this conversation had to happen here and now.
“We should… talk,” Yulin said, as Tyghe felt the ripples of concern undulate.
“Yes, I suppose we should. That is why you’re here.”
The two sat in silence for the next moment, staring at each other and trying to discern what the other knew and didn’t know. For a moment, each forgot the friendship between them that had existed for decades. If either had information that was dangerous if aired, then the other might use the information deceptively. Enemies often hired Changelings or bartered with vile Mimics in order to steal information and then kill the messenger. Both Tyghe and Yulin pondered the possibility of having to kill his friend — or at least a creature that mimicked his friend effectively. Both had to shake off the incredulity; they had work to do and had to then return to each’s respective brethren to share the news.
Avoiding the subject, Yulin asked, “Who was that woman… the one from Vatori whom stole you from the covenant?”
Tyghe scoffed at the implication that anything but the brotherhood’s stern ways led him astray.
“Her name was Adriana. And I lost track of her several years ago.”
“A bit ironic, eh? You always put your devotion to the arcana above all else. Even your friends,” Yulin returned, smiling at the last words.
“Riotous. As if your own stubbornness couldn’t be broken by a dwarf’s mithril pick,” Tyghe said, now laughing.
The joking felt good. But it was still only a distraction. Tyghe coughed, and another moment of silence followed.
To be continued…
All Dungeons & Dragons references and images are copyright of Wizards of the Coast, LLC.
Narrative material and story are copyright of Robert C. Beshere.