[center][i]~A collab between BBeast and Kho~[/i][/center]

[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/146572ed-ee3b-477b-a1cb-fbd6adb87448.png[/img]
[b][color=96512B][h3]Gerrik Far-Teacher[/h3]
Level 6 Hain Hero
19 Khookies[/color][/b][/center]

The stars were out, white pinpoints of light against a black backdrop. Two glittering bands stretched across the sky, Auricolor slowly traced out its path among the stars, and the eye-like moons Vigilate and Scitis watched down from above. And Gerrik Far-Teacher was outside, lying in his hammock, looking up at the night sky as he liked to do. The stars were so distant, yet visible all the same. Many analogies had been drawn between the stars and things on Galbar, but all were lacking, so the heavens remained a mystery. And to solve that mystery, to truly understand how the heavens worked and what the stars were, Gerrik felt that would be the epitome of knowledge.

Although Gerrik could only make educated guesses at the functioning of the stars, he was familiar with the ways of the sky. So Gerrik was quick to notice that something was amiss with what had first seemed like a shower of falling stars. Falling stars, which Gerrik had previously observed were not the stars themselves, were mysterious objects, but they normally don't last this long, and they definitely don't change course mid-flight.

As Gerrik realised that one of these objects seemed to be getting closer, and quickly, he rolled out of his hammock, picked up the Eenal Bow and his quiver, and got to his feet. The object approached, wreathed in fire and travelling as fast as one of his arrows, until it came to an abrupt halt over Fibeslay. Only then was Gerrik able to see the thing clearly.

It was angelic in form, that much was obvious. Two arms, two legs, a head with a face, and a pair of wings. Yet this was no creature of flesh and blood like the angels of the Horde. This being was instead made of a substance like shiny stone and burning white fire like the sun. It drifted slowly over the village, eyes scanning for something. Swiftly, Gerrik ran closer, to catch it within range of his Perception. Yet the burning angel found what it was seeking first.

Its gaze locked upon a particular tent. Hidden inside was a young hain girl who was suffering through her second hatching, a temporary residence so other hain would not inadvertently look upon her shell. Discarded outside the tent were dry Needle Fae corpses, a common sight around such tents. And it was these the Realta noticed, and it stretched out its right arm.

Only now was Gerrik close enough to perceive the Realta, and it was with shock that he realised what it was about to do. The outstretched arm, the surge of power in the palm, it was very similar to the angels of the Horde with their magic, and this being seemed much more powerful than those angels. Gerrik pulled an arrow from his quiver and nocked it on his bow.

Before Gerrik could shoot, a cone of white fire flared from the Realta's hand and engulfed the tent. The heat was unlike anything Gerrik had ever seen before, but what was obscured from normal vision was plain to his Perception. The flames incinerated the tent instantly, then wrapped around the girl. Her porcelain shell charred and her innards boiled, and moments later, unable to scream in pain, she perished.

"No!" Gerrik cried, then fired the arrow at the Realta. The arrow tore through the air, leaving a streak of golden light, and struck the Realta in the lower back with a sharp clang. The impact pushed the Realta back a few metres and halted its immolating, but it still hovered, and it spun around to see where the blow had come from.

[i]It's not dead,[/i] Gerrik thought. Granted, the blow had damaged it, and it had what could only be described as a wound where the arrow had struck, but nothing Gerrik had fought thus far could survive a direct hit from the Eenal Bow. The Realta started flying closer and stretched out its arm to Gerrik. [i]But it's angry now.[/i]

Gerrik nocked another arrow, but had no time to fire it when a cone of fire was launched directly at him. He pulled up his left arm and the Guardian Shield grew into a large hemispherical dome as large as Gerrik, shielding him from the plasma blast. The fires licked harmlessly against the shield, but scorched and melted the ground on either side of Gerrik. The Realta maintained its barrage for a few seconds, then stopped, assuming its target would be completely vaporised. Yet as soon as the fire had stopped the Guardian Shield shrunk down to a more manageable size and Gerrik, completely unscathed, launched another arrow. The Realta saw the bow being drawn and began to dodge, but failed to anticipate the divinely enhanced speed of the arrow, so was unable to evade completely, getting struck on the left wing.

Yet the Realta was still in fighting shape, so it redoubled its pursuit. More flames came from the Realta's arms, and Gerrik began to flee. He didn't run because he himself was in danger- the Guardian Shield had demonstrated itself to be an adequate defence. Instead he was running because the Realta threatened the rest of Fibeslay, its plasma bursts igniting fires in the village, so Gerrik wanted to lead it away.

Gerrik vaulted onto the roof of a hut, leaped down onto the other side, and ran down the open space between the huts, and as the Realta aimed for another shot Gerrik spun around and quickly fired another arrow. The Realta evaded the arrow, and the golden bolt streaked over Fibeslay and towards the ocean, but that bought Gerrik another precious second to get further from the village. The Realta fired a bolt of plasma at Gerrik, but he deflected it with his shield.

The Realta then flew overhead, easily travelling faster than Gerrik, and landed ahead of him. The Realta reached out and down to grab Gerrik, but Gerrik sidestepped and rolled under its reach before springing back to his feet behind the Realta and resuming his sprint. The Realta fired another cone of plasma, but Gerrik had managed to get beyond the cluster of huts and tents which made up most of Fibeslay.

Gerrik blocked the plasma with his shield and prepared another arrow. As soon as the cone of plasma waned Gerrik nocked the arrow and fired it at the Realta. But the Realta had learned from last time and anticipated the attack, managing to fly up and over the arrow before returning with a continuous wave of white-hot fire. As soon as its right arm tired of throwing fire, it swapped to its left arm, not leaving a gap long enough for Gerrik to shoot an arrow.

Unable to retaliate, Gerrik retreated further under the cover of the Guardian Shield. He needed some cover which wouldn't stop him from using his bow. He also needed to keep moving, because although none of the plasma touched him the air was still made stiflingly hot. Quickly he surveyed his options. A forest was nearby, but it was too far to any trees with trunks thick enough to provide adequate cover. Some of the mud huts were probably fire resistant, but that would mean endangering the village he was trying to save. Then there was the beach, with its water, and he had a plan.

Gerrik quickly changed course, giving him a few moments free from the rain of fire, allowing him to sprint properly. As the fire chased behind him, Gerrik made it to the shore line, hopped across several rocks, then dived head-first into the water. Plasma licked at the surface of the sea, boiling off water, but Gerrik had time to swim further out to where the water was a bit over a metre deep. Gerrik lowered himself back-first onto the sea floor.

Above Gerrik plasma ravaged the water, steam streaming off and water warming, but the sheer bulk of the ocean resisted the extreme heat. The boiling surface sent a deafening roar through the water. His eyes could see nothing beyond the searing white incandescence, but Gerrik didn't need eyes to see by. From his prone position, Gerrik lifted up the Eenal Bow, pointed it towards the Realta, and drew the string. This time Gerrik didn't use an arrow, but instead funneled willpower and energy into the bow, and a bolt of pure golden energy cracked into existence. Gerrik's lungs were burning, his body having expended a lot of energy without being able to breathe, but he held his aim steady. Satisfied with the alignment, Gerrik released the bowstring.

A beam of energy lanced out of the water, through the plasma cone, pierced through the Realta's skull and travelled another twenty metres before fading. The wave of plasma faded immediately, and the Realta fell from the sky, its inner fire dying, and crashed heavily into the ground.

In a burst of water and with a great gasp, Gerrik surfaced from the sea. Breathing heavily to recover spent oxygen, Gerrik swam then waded onto the beach and walked up to inspect the corpse of the Realta more closely.

Beyond the generic hainoid body shape, the Realta's structure was extremely alien in form. No recognisable organs could be identified, or even unrecognisable organs like in some Jvanic creatures. Now that it was dead and its fiery energies dissipated, the Realta was nothing more than a husk. In this regard Gerrik identified it most closely with elementals, who were also creatures of energy, although the physical form of the Realta was notably more physical than that of an elemental, even an earth elemental.

This husk was of especial interest to Gerrik, for it was made of a material he rarely ever saw. It was similar to the [i]alyum nayam[/i] bones of the white giants, or the needles of Needle Fae, and he had seen small quantities of other similar materials in the clothes and adornments of Lakshmi. This material had interesting physical properties. It had been strong enough to absorb a lot of the damage of the Eenal Bow, although the Realta's supernatural qualities may have contributed to that. And Gerrik observed the wounds he had inflicted on the Realta, and was fascinated at how it had bent and distorted the material, unlike stone or wood or bone, yet despite being bent it was still hard. With a new material like this, the possibilities were endless, if only he could figure out how to work it and where to get more.

By the time Gerrik had finished inspecting the metal husk and stood up his breathing had returned to normal. He looked over to Fibeslay, and saw that it was in a minor state of disarray. This was no surprise. There was panic resulting from the attack from the heavens. There were people rushing to put out fires. And there were the mournful wails of the parents who had lost their adolescent child when the Realta made its first attack. The only fatality of the Realta's attack.

Gerrik walked back into the village, along the path melted and scorched by the Realta, until he made it to where the girl had been killed. The fire had been so intense that not even ashes remained; everything had been melted down into slag. Yet it was not completely unrecognisable, for the plasma had only sat for a brief time. The Needle Fae needles were still vaguely recognisable, albeit melted beyond all use. The thicker pieces of woodwork were noticeable, although had been reduced to frail charcoal. And the porcelain shell of a young female hain had resisted the heat enough to still be barely identifiable as a hain shell, although it was burnt black, and all the flesh had been vapourised and carbonised.

The parents stood on the outside of the wreckage, sobbing and wailing in grief. Gerrik too lowered his beak and and held a hand to his head. Only one death in the whole village from the attack of a being so powerful was a brilliant outcome by the numbers, but people are more than numbers, such that each death is tragic in and of itself, especially for someone so young.

There was nothing Gerrik could say which would improve the situation for this grieving family, though. As such, he soon moved on to help with the more pragmatic work of repairing what damage the Realta had done.

Huddled together, whispering, a group of craftshain - Shammik at their centre - quickly dissipitated as Gerrik approached. They gave him a few cautious glances, and Shammik - as he turned to clear up the wreckage of one of the homes with a few others - was quite clearly hostile. They were quiet as they worked, and they seemed to actively avoid Gerrik. Darkness dawned and the hain of Fibeslay settled into sombre mourning and shock at what had occurred. Groups gathered and spoke and dissipated, before gathering again elsewhere with others. None slept until the early hours of the morning, and shock and trauma seemed to have, by morning, been joined by paranoia.

'And it is my view, and you disbelieved me before but now a cutting proof has come from on high, that we have strayed and this heretical stranger has brought on us misery and death and, which is worse, the wrath of Stone Chipper,' Shammik was announcing to a large group of craftshain some distance from the village, out of earshot, 'and you have heard what has been said in the night, and you know that even the people, despite their ignorance regarding this matter, have grown suspicious. And sometimes they look at me or Maro oddly, and Maro was even asked, "you people have given up that old cult of yours, haven't you?" and they seem this close,' and here Shammik brought his hands as close together as he could without them touching, 'to driving us out and persecuting us once more! Do you now see what your foolishness has brought us? Do you now see what lack of caution and hastiness has done? I say we must repent sincerely and drive this heretic out, and we must bring down his demonic tower of light - more like darkness! - and pray that Stone Chipper forgive us for straying from his path.'

'Shammik, be reasonable. It cannot be that-'
'By Stone Chipper, hain! Do you yet have doubts regarding that heretical imposter? You still think that he came with truth?'
Feeling the hostility towards what he was implying, Maro quickly back-pedalled.
'No, not at all Shammik. I fully support us having Gerrik leave, but there is no need for tearing down the lighthouse. We built it and worked hard on it, and it is of use to the people,' Maro looked around, 'and it is not our creed that bids us take away what is beneficial once it has been granted.'

There were murmurs of reluctant agreement, 'but as you say Shammik, let us this instant go to Gerrik and bid him depart.'
'No! The heretic must die! A life for a life!' Shammik declared suddenly, but rather than the roar of approval he was expecting, he got something akin to a mewl, 'though I guess eternal banishment from our lands is good too.'

With their position decided, the group marched back to Fibeslay and sought out Gerrik. Finding him, they created a large circle, in the middle of which sat Shammik and Gerrik was invited to sit before him. And the zealous Chipper spoke for long on Gerrik's supposed crimes and the punishment which had come down upon them all due to his evil trick.
'And were the decision mine, I would surely have had you executed!' Shammik at last declared, 'but we faithful Chippers have spoken to one another and are of the view that you should leave and never again return to our lands - and my heart bleeds for the innocent Chippers you will lead astray with your evil! But so has the group decided, and so shall it be. So what say you Gerrik, will you depart with your heresies, or will you force our hand?'

Gerrik sat in intent silence as Shammik spoke his accusations. His head held still as his eyes bored into Shammik, eyes growing ever narrower. Although Gerrik had dealt calmly with Shammik before, his tolerance was now worn thin as Shammik threw his baseless claims and accusations. In bitter irony [i]he[/i], the chosen of Teknall, was being branded a heretic. Yet this time Shammik had fear on his side, and while Gerrik would have grappled with Shammik alone on this matter, be it verbally or physically, popular opinion was against Gerrik.

When Shammik finished his slanderous tirade, Gerrik left a small period of silence before he gave his reply with defiant confidence and authority, his voice cutting clearly through the gathered throng.

"You accuse me of spreading lies. You accuse me of defying the will of Stone Chipper. You accuse me of being a heretic. Yet in truth it is you, Shammik, who have done these things! You have spread lies to these hain, telling them to do the very opposite thing to what Stone Chipper desires of us. I am Stone Chipper's prophet, his apprentice. Here is evidence that my claims are not empty." He gestured to the Eenal Bow slung over his chest and the Guardian Shield strapped to his left arm. "The bow and shield gifted to me by Stone Chipper, made by his own power; you saw the other night that these are not mundane tools. What authority do you have to tell me what the will of Stone Chipper is?"

At this, Shammik and a few others gave the bow and shield suspicious looks. Gerrik glanced around to the gathered crowd. "Last night I saved you, you know that? If it were not for me, that fiend from the stars would have burned all of Fibeslay to the ground and killed every last one of you. Why do you jump to the conclusion that Stone Chipper sent this as some kind of punishment? If this were retribution for my supposed crimes, then why did it not seek me out, or attack the light house? Why did it instead first target a hain girl going through her second hatching? That was not a random attack- I saw it searching. What crime had she done? Stone Chipper is a precise and careful craftshain. If Stone Chipper had wanted to punish me or us specifically, he would have done so. You assumed Stone Chipper sent the star fiend, but did you consider that it may have been another god who did it, for their own reasons?"

Gerrik's gaze snapped back to Shammik. "And yet you want to have me banished. Executed, even, although how you could have possibly achieved that eludes me. You have no authority to do any such thing. Such judgements are the position of the chief alone. You would not supplant Bard Fiberslayer, would you? Perhaps you should follow his example as someone who does not act on paranoia and arrogance."

Gerrik turned his attention back to the crowd. "You remember what started all of this, thirty years ago? There were people in these villages who were arrogant, and would not listen to reason, and they got paranoid, and then they wanted to execute people." He pointed at Shammik. "Has not this hain become just like them? His logic is flawed, his premises false. He arrogantly maintains beliefs which are long outdated. And now he seeks to inspire paranoia and hatred amongst you. If you are indeed faithful Chippers, I implore you to think for yourselves rather than lap up Shammik's rants and accusations."

Gerrik paused for a second as he scanned the crowd. The craftshain looked from one to the other, some guiltily and some defiantly. But out of them all, Maro, who was perhaps the wisest, looked down in dismay. Gerrik could tell from their subtle body language and physiological cues that there were some who supported him, none dared speak against the crowd, who were all following each other, who were following Shammik. Before Shammik could muster a coherent rebuttal, Gerrik stood up.

"But if you so desire, I shall depart. Not because of any alleged crime I have committed, not because you hold the authority to banish me, but because you no longer welcome me here. I do not stay where I am not welcomed, and those who do not welcome me will not receive the blessings of Stone Chipper. The world is moving forwards. Times are changing. The lighthouse is proof of that. Stone Chipper had hoped that Fibeslay would lead the way, be a light to the world, but it seems you would rather stay in darkness."

Gerrik looked around at the crowd one last time. His chest rose and fell visibly, breathing heavily from the exertion of his speech. Finally, Gerrik said, "I shall pack my things and depart. Send word if you ever set aside this foolishness and decide to be Chippers again." With that, Gerrik walked out of the circle and left the craftshain.

Shammik watched as Gerrik departed, and once he was out of earshot the victor stood and looked at the others.
'Let not his devious arguments find a way into your hearts. He has the tongue of a serpent. With his coming came wrath from on high, and with his going will come peace once more. That is the greatest and mightiest evidence of all. So watch, you faithful ones, and I shall also watch with you.'
And though there were some who were still uncomfortable with what had come to pass, they all dissipated and waited on time to confirm the truth of their view or condemn them for their erring ways.

Once Gerrik had bundled all his belongings into a bag, he passed by Bard Fiberslay before departing. Bard was tending to what damage had been done to his village, consoling the villagers. When he saw Gerrik approach, he came to him and said, "I must thank you for your courageous actions in saving our village from the star fiend."

Yet Bard's bright greeting was met by Gerrik's gloom. "Unfortunately, not everyone is so grateful."

Bard was confused for a moment, but he was a savvy chief. He had seen the craftshain gathering, talking quietly, conspiring, although about what he had not heard. "Is it the craftshain?"

Gerrik nodded, then said, "I think you have a right to know..." Gerrik went on to explain all that had unfolded to Bard, regarding Shammik, the accusations and the attempted banishment. Gerrik concluded, "That is why I am leaving this place. My work is impossible in such a hostile environment."

"Ah..." Bard replied, and was silent for a few moments. "I apologise that things have turned out this way. It is with great sadness that I see you leave. But at the same time, I agree that it is indeed wisest for you to depart, given the circumstances. Most hain aren't as aware of the divine as you or I; their awareness is limited to what is around them."

Gerrik nodded sagely in reply. Then Bard continued by asking, "Do you know why the star fiend came and attacked, though?"

"I know for sure that it was not Teknall or Stone Chipper. It was merely a coincidence that I was here when it attacked. But-" Gerrik was cut off by a voice which only Gerrik could hear. A second later, he continued. "The star fiends were sent by another god, a distant god unknown to the people of this world. It was not just Fibeslay that was attacked. The star fiends attacked almost everywhere. You should hear of these other attacks soon enough. The threat has passed, though, so there should be no more attacks."

"Thank you once more for all you have done," Bard said.

"Before I leave, I have a few things to request," Gerrik said, "You should be able to finish the lighthouse with the plans I have left. There isn't too much remaining. And also," Gerrik looked over the village remosefully, then continued softly, "make sure they don't demonise me. You control, to a degree, the legends and stories that circulate around here. I, or a successor of me, should be able to return here a generation or two later and not be driven out for the lies spread today."

"I'll try, but Shammik..." Bard replied.

"Do what you can. I don't ask you to turn Shammik- he is beyond reason anyway. But Shammik won't live forever, and as long as this animosity does not become ingrained then it should fade after he is gone," Gerrik said, "It's not a small task, I know. Do what you are able. Fibeslay will benefit in the long term for it."

Bard nodded.

Gerrik said, "I had better get going while it is still early. Farewell, Bard Fiberslayer."

"Farewell, Gerrik Far-Teacher."

And Gerrik walked from the village of Fibeslay, leaving it behind and heading southwards.


[hider=No heretics were burned in the making of this post]
Fibeslay is attacked by a Realta. A young hain girl undergoing her second hatching is the only victim, as Gerrik swiftly intervenes. A battle occurs, the Realta proving a difficult foe, but thanks to powerful equipment and cunning Gerrik manages to win. The Eenal Bow and Guardian Shield are showcased in full capacity in this battle.

Gerrik curiously inspects the corpse of the Realta. It could make a brilliant crafting material, but due to following events he has no chance to experiment.

Shammik and the craftshain come to collectively believe that Gerrik is at fault for the Realta attack, for allegedly defying the will of Stone Chipper.
The craftshain meet with Gerrik, where Shammik states his accusations, denounces Gerrik as a heretic, and declares him banished.
Gerrik rejects all charges, instead declaring Shammik a heretic, and defends himself. He denies the authority of Shammik to banish him.
However, seeing that he is no longer welcome, Gerrik declares that he will depart willingly.

Gerrik talks with Bard Fiberslayer before leaving, informing him of these matters (as they had been kept a secret amongst the craftshain). Bard is disappointed in this wave of obscuritanism, but concedes that Gerrik's departure is the best course of action.
The plans left behind by Gerrik are adequate to finish the lighthouse.
Gerrik's final request to Bard is to guard the local folklore against Shammik's lies and accusations, such that Far-Teacher will not be rejected again if he returns in a couple of generations.

Gerrik leaves Fibeslay, heading south.

The two battles in this post are adequate experience for Gerrik to Level Up to Level 7.

Khookie Summary
Gerrik Far-Teacher
Start: 19 Khookies
Spent: 11 Khookies (to Level up to 7)
Earned: 10 Khookies (23000+ characters)
End: 18 Khookies
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