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Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
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Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 9:39 pm
Welcome to th wonderful world of the Witcher. Click the thumbnails to watch the full-size screenshots. If you see a shortlink only, that leads to a 'sensitive' image I can't post on a free dorum. Let us begin. Enjoy.
Last edited by Wotan on Sun May 03, 2020 10:32 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 9:51 pm
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 9:56 pm
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 10:04 pm
Kaer Morhen
Witcher keep, banks of the Gwennlech
https://ibb.co/k9sFGPk 
"You know I don't find that amusing," he says. "It wasn't meant to amuse, but to prod you to hurry. It's midday already," she says. "Pfff..." "You promised Ciri you'd train with her. Go, before Vesemir bores her to death with those etchings."
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 10:29 pm
https://ibb.co/T40x6zn https://ibb.co/C2WtX48"So... later, then?" he says. "Mhm. See you later," she says.
https://ibb.co/QMBh1gb 
"Shit - mountain pass is beautiful as ever."
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 11:20 pm
"You're running out of juice," Geralt says. "I know. You might bring me some more once you're done training," Yennefer says. "See, I thought Ciri could stand to wait a little longer." "It's uninstructive. Not to ,ention unreasonable." "I don't wanna be reasonable," he says. "Aha! So that's the way the wind blows... Go and train with her. Then come back. It'll give me a chance to put my face on." "Of all the women I've known, you're the only one who dos that before..." he says. "You've known many?" "What's it matter? Only ever thought of you..."
"Old witcher's fast asleep... Ciri's disappreared somewhere, of course." "Hm? What?" "Time to wake up, master. These lessons so boring they put you to sleep, too?" Geralt says. "Dammit... Had her taking notes on Ghouls and Alghouls... Wanted to rest my eyes a bit," Vesemir says. "Huh. Making her slog through that brick? No wonder she took off." "John of Brugge lasks flair, true, but he's reliable. Not like the hogwash they print nowadays."
"She's tackling the pendulums, right? How many times do I have to tell her? Don't train alone, it only embeds your errors. Bring our young damsel to the lower courtyard. She wants to practice? She'll get to practice," Vesemir says. "Gotta admit we've spoiled her," Geralt says. "We've spoiled her? I've been saying it from the start - Ciri needs a firm hand." "Been saying that, true. But you let her walk all over you like the rest of us do." "Hm. Fine. I suppose I'm partly to blame. But this has to end. Now. Killing monsters is not something to be taken lightly. Ciri must understand that if she's to become one of us," Vesemir says. "I'll see you below," Geralt says.
"Old witcher's fast asleep... Ciri's disappreared somewhere, of course." "Hm? What?" "Time to wake up, master. These lessons so boring they put you to sleep, too?" Geralt says. "Dammit... Had her taking notes on Ghouls and Alghouls... Wanted to rest my eyes a bit," Vesemir says. "Huh. Making her slog through that brick? No wonder she took off." "John of Brugge lasks flair, true, but he's reliable. Not like the hogwash they print nowadays."
"She's tackling the pendulums, right? How many times do I have to tell her? Don't train alone, it only embeds your errors. Bring our young damsel to the lower courtyard. She wants to practice? She'll get to practice," Vesemir says. "Gotta admit we've spoiled her," Geralt says. "We've spoiled her? I've been saying it from the start - Ciri needs a firm hand." "Been saying that, true. But you let her walk all over you like the rest of us do." "Hm. Fine. I suppose I'm partly to blame. But this has to end. Now. Killing monsters is not something to be taken lightly. Ciri must understand that if she's to become one of us," Vesemir says. "I'll see you below," Geralt says.
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 11:26 pm
"Now I see why you were so eager to practice. Strike!"
"You're not in the circus. Pirouette! Wrong. Footwork! Enough. Get down," he says. "With a flip?" she says. "What do you think?"
"All right, take off the blindfold," Geralt says. "You've got work to do. Your reflexes are still slow," he contunues. "Maybe for a witcher," Cirilla says. "Think drowners or strigas will go easy on you because you haven't undergone the mutations? Though in your shoes I'd fear Vesemir more than any striga. Disobeying his instructions... Unwise." "Well, yes, but... that book was horribly dull!" "I know. And you know that's no excuse," he says. "Ugh. I'm sorry. It won't happen again." "Better not. Vesemir said that if it does, he'll make you eat a bown of slugs. Covered in salt." "Hahaha. Eeewwwww!" she says. "Exactly. So you'd best behave. Come on. We'll practice with the others down below," Geralt says. "Shall we run the walls?" Cirilla says. "Not this time. Believe me, you don't want to keep Vesemir waiting."
"You're not in the circus. Pirouette! Wrong. Footwork! Enough. Get down," he says. "With a flip?" she says. "What do you think?"
"All right, take off the blindfold," Geralt says. "You've got work to do. Your reflexes are still slow," he contunues. "Maybe for a witcher," Cirilla says. "Think drowners or strigas will go easy on you because you haven't undergone the mutations? Though in your shoes I'd fear Vesemir more than any striga. Disobeying his instructions... Unwise." "Well, yes, but... that book was horribly dull!" "I know. And you know that's no excuse," he says. "Ugh. I'm sorry. It won't happen again." "Better not. Vesemir said that if it does, he'll make you eat a bown of slugs. Covered in salt." "Hahaha. Eeewwwww!" she says. "Exactly. So you'd best behave. Come on. We'll practice with the others down below," Geralt says. "Shall we run the walls?" Cirilla says. "Not this time. Believe me, you don't want to keep Vesemir waiting."
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 11:33 pm
"Anything to say for yourself, young lady?" "I'm very sorry, Uncle Vesemir," she says. "Young blood craves action, I understand that. But when you fight a beast, knowledge counts as much as your silver sword. At the very least, you ought to be able to tell a ghoul from an alghoul..." "by markings, like unto the panthera togris that in zerrikania dwells, and by the sickly paleness of its visage," Cirilla says. "Hmm. So you did read the chapter. Still, you should've asked if..." "But you were asleep, Uncle Vesemir." "Don't try to weasel your way out of this," Geralt says. "A witcher must know how to trick his opponent. You said so yourself," she says. "Might've. But don't use my words of wisdom on Vesemir, got i? That's playing with fire." "Fine, we've takled enough. Geralt, you're with me. Lambert with Eskel. Ciri with the dummy," Vesemir says. "Huh... Again?" "Stop groaning and grab a sword!" he says. "Let's skip straight to free training. No point going over the basics again," Geralt says.
"Hah!" "Whooaaa, you really showed him, kid!" Lambert says. "Ciri, get down here!" Geralt says. "Huh, the little she.devil. Soon as she's back, we'll set her to polishing all the swords at Kaer Morhen," Vesemir says. "Find that helmet?! Ciri?! Ugh, I'll make sure to find every last blade for you," Geralt says.
"I've long awaited this, and you, White Wolf."
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 11:40 pm
Temeria, Road to Vizima
May, 1272
"You all right?" Vesemir wonders. "Mhm. Had a nightmare..." Geralt says. "About?" "Take forever to explain." "Dawn's some way off. We've got time," Vesemir says. "Started in the guest room at Kaer Mrhen. I ws relaxing in the tub, and next to me..." "Triss?" "Yennerfer. Funny, isn't it? She's never been there. Seemed so real in my dream, though," Geralt says. "Was she nagging you about something?" "Hm. Mhm." "True to life, indeed. We'll find her," Vesemir says. "In the dream, I went and found Ciri. Then we trained." "Those were the days... Hm, little she-devil. I've trained kids who were faster, stronger - but none had her character. Didn't end well, did it? Your dream." "No. The Wild Hunt appeared, attacked Ciri... I couldn't move. Stood there like a stump," Geralt says. "It was just a dream." "That's the problem - it was more. In the past, when Ciri'd appear in my dreams, something was wrong. She was in danger," Geralt says. "We taught her how to defend herself from anything, wraiths included." "Be dawning soon. Time to go." "Wait. Show me the letter from Yennefer, might've overlooked some hint in there," Vesemir says. "Didn't overlook anything. We were meant to meet in Willoughby - that's what she wrote. Meanwhile one army or another burned the village to the ground. All we can do is follow her trail, so..." "Stop talking for a minute and give me the letter. Well, how about that! It does smell of lilac and gooseberries," Vesemir says. "You were gonna read it, not sniff it," Geralt says. "We must meet. Soon... Willoughby, near Vizima... Hm, nothing else to guide us there. What's this postscript? I still have the unicorn?" "That's private. Very private." "A-ha... I understand. Least I thin I do. Maybe not entirely, but... perhaps that's for the best," Vesemir says. "Back on topic. How's it look - how far behind Yennefer are we?" Geralt says. "Two, three days... Trail's fresh. But it looks like it heads towards the main road. Could be muddled there."
"Wait - hear that?" Vesemir said. "I hear it, I smell it. Ghouls," Geralt said.
The glittering of a small object in the grass caught Geralt's eye...
"Bird skull... in black crystal. Why do I think this is Yen's?"
He mounted Roach and followed the old witcher's lead...
"Of course. When armies pass, necrophages follow. Let's go before any more show up," Vesemir said. "Ever tell you about this sorcerer I knew? Couldn't stop talking about how useful they are as creatures," Geralt said. "Because you can brew potions from their blood?" "Heh, no. Because by eating rotting corpses they prevent epidemics." "Hmph. Did he know they eat the living as well?" Vesemir said. "No. Really upset him, too... His theory collapsed," Geralt said.
"War's not exactly going our way," Vesemir said. "We have a side?" Geralt said. "The Northern Realms." "Radovid's Realms, don't you mean. Temeria and Eadirn are no more." "Radovid's pledged to restore the old borders -- soon as he wins the war," Vesemir said. "You really believe that?" Geralt said. "Hmph. Gotta believe something. It's what keeps us going."
May, 1272
"You all right?" Vesemir wonders. "Mhm. Had a nightmare..." Geralt says. "About?" "Take forever to explain." "Dawn's some way off. We've got time," Vesemir says. "Started in the guest room at Kaer Mrhen. I ws relaxing in the tub, and next to me..." "Triss?" "Yennerfer. Funny, isn't it? She's never been there. Seemed so real in my dream, though," Geralt says. "Was she nagging you about something?" "Hm. Mhm." "True to life, indeed. We'll find her," Vesemir says. "In the dream, I went and found Ciri. Then we trained." "Those were the days... Hm, little she-devil. I've trained kids who were faster, stronger - but none had her character. Didn't end well, did it? Your dream." "No. The Wild Hunt appeared, attacked Ciri... I couldn't move. Stood there like a stump," Geralt says. "It was just a dream." "That's the problem - it was more. In the past, when Ciri'd appear in my dreams, something was wrong. She was in danger," Geralt says. "We taught her how to defend herself from anything, wraiths included." "Be dawning soon. Time to go." "Wait. Show me the letter from Yennefer, might've overlooked some hint in there," Vesemir says. "Didn't overlook anything. We were meant to meet in Willoughby - that's what she wrote. Meanwhile one army or another burned the village to the ground. All we can do is follow her trail, so..." "Stop talking for a minute and give me the letter. Well, how about that! It does smell of lilac and gooseberries," Vesemir says. "You were gonna read it, not sniff it," Geralt says. "We must meet. Soon... Willoughby, near Vizima... Hm, nothing else to guide us there. What's this postscript? I still have the unicorn?" "That's private. Very private." "A-ha... I understand. Least I thin I do. Maybe not entirely, but... perhaps that's for the best," Vesemir says. "Back on topic. How's it look - how far behind Yennefer are we?" Geralt says. "Two, three days... Trail's fresh. But it looks like it heads towards the main road. Could be muddled there."
"Wait - hear that?" Vesemir said. "I hear it, I smell it. Ghouls," Geralt said.
The glittering of a small object in the grass caught Geralt's eye...
"Bird skull... in black crystal. Why do I think this is Yen's?"
He mounted Roach and followed the old witcher's lead...
"Of course. When armies pass, necrophages follow. Let's go before any more show up," Vesemir said. "Ever tell you about this sorcerer I knew? Couldn't stop talking about how useful they are as creatures," Geralt said. "Because you can brew potions from their blood?" "Heh, no. Because by eating rotting corpses they prevent epidemics." "Hmph. Did he know they eat the living as well?" Vesemir said. "No. Really upset him, too... His theory collapsed," Geralt said.
"War's not exactly going our way," Vesemir said. "We have a side?" Geralt said. "The Northern Realms." "Radovid's Realms, don't you mean. Temeria and Eadirn are no more." "Radovid's pledged to restore the old borders -- soon as he wins the war," Vesemir said. "You really believe that?" Geralt said. "Hmph. Gotta believe something. It's what keeps us going."
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 11:50 pm
Some time later...
"Ha-has it gone?" "Yeah. Come out!" Geralt said.
"Ha-has it gone?" "Yeah. Come out!" Geralt said.
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Sun May 03, 2020 11:59 pm
"Gods, that was close! I was sure I'd end up like my mare." "Provided you got lucky," Vesemir said. "Your horse died quickly. But griffins like to toy with their prey. Eat it, alive, piece by piece," Geralt said. " Ahh-ha," the man shuddered. "You'd... like a reward, I suppose?" he said. "You don't owe us anything. You were in need, w helped," Geralt said. "And they call witchers heartless. Say they won't lift a finger without pay." "They also say mice are born of rotting straw. Back to the trail?" Geralt said. "Like I said - leads to the main road and ends there. Muddled," Vesemir said. ""You seek someone?" "Yes, a woman, medium height, long, black hair. Seen anyone like that?" Geralt said. "No. But... There's an inn here in White Orchard. Sole one around. Gets its fair share of travelers, perhaps you'll learn something there. Besides, the innkeep's my cousin. Tell her Bram sent you, she'll treat you like family." "Not a bad idea. Especially since that wound needs cleaning," Geralt said. "Bah, beast barely grazed me. But sure... Could use a good rye. Nice and cool, you know, straight from a cellar?" Vesemir said. "Let's go," Geralt said.
"So... a griffin this close to the village? Strange," Geralt said. "My thoughts exactly. In a forest or the mountains, sure, but here? And near the main road?" Vesemir said. "Maybe it's the war. Corpses everywhere, the stench of blood, burnt flesh... Drives monsters crazy sometimes," Geralt said. "Men, too. We need to watch ourselves in White Orchard. And we should leave as soon as we learn anything," Vesemir said.
"What?" "Take that down before there's trouble." "That is a coat of arms - the Temerian Lilies! They've a right to hang there!" "This ain't Temeria no more, old man. It's Nilfgaard now." "My arse, it is!"
"So... a griffin this close to the village? Strange," Geralt said. "My thoughts exactly. In a forest or the mountains, sure, but here? And near the main road?" Vesemir said. "Maybe it's the war. Corpses everywhere, the stench of blood, burnt flesh... Drives monsters crazy sometimes," Geralt said. "Men, too. We need to watch ourselves in White Orchard. And we should leave as soon as we learn anything," Vesemir said.
"What?" "Take that down before there's trouble." "That is a coat of arms - the Temerian Lilies! They've a right to hang there!" "This ain't Temeria no more, old man. It's Nilfgaard now." "My arse, it is!"
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 12:04 am
"Wha? Witchers...?" "I'll not drink with weevil-arsed freaks." "Beg your pardon for those thugs." "No need. We're used to it," Vesemir said. "Folk're jumpy 'round here. Armies just passed through, now a griffin's prowlin' about..." the innkeep said. "Mhm. Already had the pleasure," Vesemir said. "Ran into your kinsman, Bram," Geralt said. "Bram? How is he?" "Alive. Sends his regards," Geralt said. "Master witchers... food and drink on the house. What can I get you?" she said. "Looking for a woman. Raven-haired, violet eyes. Dresses in black and white. Riding in from Willoughby. And, uh, strange as it sounds - lilac and gooseberries, might've smelt that," Geralt said. "I've not seen or smekt such a lady. Believe I'd' remember." "Yesh. Especially hard to forget this one," Vesemir said. "Plenty of travelers about, though, folk from all over. Might be worth your while to ask after her," the innkeep said. "Pretty busy place you got," Geralt said. "Nation's on the move. Some search for kin, others just want to get out of the way of the armies. They all need food, drink, and a night's rest in warmth." "So, war's been good for your trade?" Geralt said. "Aye, so far. But it'd be best to know peace again. Times like these you never know what tomorrow will bring," she said. "There a contract on that griffin?" Vesemir wondered. "Nay, not at the moment. Used to be, soon as a beast'd built a nest nearby the ealdorman'd start a collection, or go to the lord for help. Now the ealdorman don't use the privvy without askin' the Black Ones' permission first. And sems they hanged the lord... So, no contract," she said. "Shame. We might have done something, but not for free," Vesemir said. "Thanks. For everything," Geralt said.
"What a waste of time. The earth shall revolve around the sun before you comprehend these rules." "Got a minute?" Geralt asks. "Why not. Aldert Geert, asistant professor in contemporary history at Oxenfurt Academy." "Geralt of Rivia. Wither with tenure. I'm looking for a woman - long hair, dressed in black and white. Seen anyone like that?" "Of course not. Unlike the populace, I know the Horsewoman of War is pure poppycock," the scholar said. "Horsewoman or War - what's that about?" Geralt wonders. "Folk say an omen, a beautiful phantom rides the fields a night. Looks as you described her. Armies follow her, and all who cross her path meet with misfortune." "I can vouch for the last bit. Know where they saw her?" "No. Facts interest me, not fairytales," Aldert said. "War reached Novigrad yet?" "No, but it's only a matter of time. Nilfgaar on one bank, Redania on the other... Drooling over the city like dogs over a juicy bone." "Many ruler's choked on that bone," Geralt said. "True. We value our libert in Novigrad and we know how to fight for it." "Mhm. The scholars especially." "The sword is not the only weapon. Do not forget, architects from our academy designed the city walls - walls no war machine has ever crumbled!" the scholar said. "Not a place I'd expect to find a scholar. Take it you're fleeing the war?" "Quite the opposite. Chasing it. I'm headed for the front." "Tired of life?" Geralt said. "I seek knowledge, which I value more than life itself. I've a thirst no dusty tomes can quench. I wish to see the Nilfgaardian invasion with my own eyes, understand it, and record it all in my chronicles, my magnum opus." "Interesting. We need somebody to describe the war - what it's really like. Not colourful banners and generals making moving speeches, but rape, violence, and thoughtless cruelty." "Ah, I see you lack the polish of the academy. Rape and cruelty are details of no import to the war's course. Trinkets on the garment of conflict, one might say," Aldert said. "Hm. Tell that to the people whose houses burned down. Gotta go. So long." "A moment, witcher. You strike me as a man of the world. Are you familiar with gwent?" "No. And I don't have time to learn," Geralt said. "But the rules are quite simple. Come, let's play." "Hmm... Why not." "Spendid! Here's how it's done."
The scholar explained the rules and lended the witcher a deck of cards in the Northern Realms faction. They played a game, Geralt winning the first and second rounds and thus the game...
"Well, well. You've a knack for this game. If you ever find yourself in Oxenfurt and wish to play a true master, ask for Stjepan. A simple innkeep by trade, but a true maestro when it comes to gwent," Aldert said. "I'll remember that. Thanks," Geralt said.
"What a waste of time. The earth shall revolve around the sun before you comprehend these rules." "Got a minute?" Geralt asks. "Why not. Aldert Geert, asistant professor in contemporary history at Oxenfurt Academy." "Geralt of Rivia. Wither with tenure. I'm looking for a woman - long hair, dressed in black and white. Seen anyone like that?" "Of course not. Unlike the populace, I know the Horsewoman of War is pure poppycock," the scholar said. "Horsewoman or War - what's that about?" Geralt wonders. "Folk say an omen, a beautiful phantom rides the fields a night. Looks as you described her. Armies follow her, and all who cross her path meet with misfortune." "I can vouch for the last bit. Know where they saw her?" "No. Facts interest me, not fairytales," Aldert said. "War reached Novigrad yet?" "No, but it's only a matter of time. Nilfgaar on one bank, Redania on the other... Drooling over the city like dogs over a juicy bone." "Many ruler's choked on that bone," Geralt said. "True. We value our libert in Novigrad and we know how to fight for it." "Mhm. The scholars especially." "The sword is not the only weapon. Do not forget, architects from our academy designed the city walls - walls no war machine has ever crumbled!" the scholar said. "Not a place I'd expect to find a scholar. Take it you're fleeing the war?" "Quite the opposite. Chasing it. I'm headed for the front." "Tired of life?" Geralt said. "I seek knowledge, which I value more than life itself. I've a thirst no dusty tomes can quench. I wish to see the Nilfgaardian invasion with my own eyes, understand it, and record it all in my chronicles, my magnum opus." "Interesting. We need somebody to describe the war - what it's really like. Not colourful banners and generals making moving speeches, but rape, violence, and thoughtless cruelty." "Ah, I see you lack the polish of the academy. Rape and cruelty are details of no import to the war's course. Trinkets on the garment of conflict, one might say," Aldert said. "Hm. Tell that to the people whose houses burned down. Gotta go. So long." "A moment, witcher. You strike me as a man of the world. Are you familiar with gwent?" "No. And I don't have time to learn," Geralt said. "But the rules are quite simple. Come, let's play." "Hmm... Why not." "Spendid! Here's how it's done."
The scholar explained the rules and lended the witcher a deck of cards in the Northern Realms faction. They played a game, Geralt winning the first and second rounds and thus the game...
"Well, well. You've a knack for this game. If you ever find yourself in Oxenfurt and wish to play a true master, ask for Stjepan. A simple innkeep by trade, but a true maestro when it comes to gwent," Aldert said. "I'll remember that. Thanks," Geralt said.
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 12:08 am
"Looking for a woman," Geralt said. "Ahh, like everyone." "Not like everyone, and not just any woman. Mine smells of lilac and gooseberries, dresses in black and white." "Two schappses! Hah. It'll lift your spirits," the patron said. "Fine. I'll have a drink. Can we cut to the chase? You seen her or not?" "Yennefer of Vengerberg?" "Never mentioned her name," Geralt said. "Yet you described her perfectly. And once I hear something, I never forget. Can't help it." "What do you do? Who are you?" "A mangy vagrat. Gaunter O'Dimm, at your servive," the patron said. "Vahgrant - that a profession now?" "Ah, once a merchant of mirrors. The madding crowd dubbed me Master Mirror, or the Man of Glass." "How do you know Yennefer?" Geralt asked. "What a question. Master Dandelion's ballads, of course. The only way a humble merchant might hope to rub up against greatness. Unless, that is, he's as lucky as I am." "And runs into a very patient witcher?" "Into Geralt of Rivia himself. The Butcher of Blaviken," Gaunter said. "Recognize me from Master Dandelion's ballads, too?" "To your health. "You seen Yennerfer?" Geralt said. "Deepest apologies, but I must ask: Is this about love?" "None of your business." "Yes, as a vagrant I deserve no explanation," Gaunter said. "What do you know? Tell me." "Before you appeared, it never occurred to me that might've been Yennerfer. Who would've thought..." "Get to the point," Geralt said. "A Nilfgaardian scout from the local garrison saw her." "Where?" "At their camp. she rode in there - dark of night, black and white, gooseberries and... yes, I know. Had a terse exchange with the garrison commander and raced off," Gaunter said. "Where to?" "I'm not omniscient. Ask at the garrison." "Thanks," Geralt said. "We men of the road must stick together. Perhaps one day I'll be in trouble and you'll be nearby to help," Gaunter said.
"Don't want any trouble," Geralt said. "Then fuck off." "Hrrk-ptto. Don't want your kind here." "Better round up someone else. Three of you don't stand a chance against me," Geralt said. "Wha?! I could fuck you up by meself." "If I had a bag over my head and my hands tied behind -- Actually, no, not even then," Geralt said. "Chet, Lesh, back off. I'll teach this vagrant a lesson, man on freak."
"Don't want any trouble," Geralt said. "Then fuck off." "Hrrk-ptto. Don't want your kind here." "Better round up someone else. Three of you don't stand a chance against me," Geralt said. "Wha?! I could fuck you up by meself." "If I had a bag over my head and my hands tied behind -- Actually, no, not even then," Geralt said. "Chet, Lesh, back off. I'll teach this vagrant a lesson, man on freak."
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 12:11 am
After dispathing the pack of wolves, Geralt was ready to mount Roach when a noise distracted him...
"Lost your key, ma'am?" Geralt wondered. "No, not me key. Me pan! It's always sat there empty, this hut. That is, till the night afore the battle. A man arrived, walked right in like 'twere his own. Was standin' at me window, peerin' at the goin's on... He must've eyed me, 'cause next I knew, there he was, comin' my way! So' I grabbed me pan - for protection, see. But he asks all polite, Gran, got any birch bark, by chance? Lilac berries, or even a few coals? Nay, says I! And you must be right daft to pester folk at night with such foolery! Vut I sees he ain't listenin'. Just starin' at me pan, like a magpie at a copper! Lend it to me, gran, I'll give it back come morn. Was right baffled, for what's he doin' fryin' in the dark? But I've got a soft 'eart, so I gave it to 'im," the old woman said. "Interesting. What happened then?" "Afore dawn, another rode up to the hut. But come morn, only the first fellow left. Locked the door, hopped on his horse, and that were all I saw of him - and me pan! 'Twere old, black with soot, not worth much, I 'spose - but I've no other! Will you 'elp me, dearie? Bring an ol' widow her pan? I could never break down that door meself... And in truth I'm afeared to go in anyroad. Such a stench waftin' out. Methinks the other fellow... well, that he's lyin' there," she said. "Never taken on a pan contract... Fine, I'll go in, look around," the witcher said.
Breaking down the door, would be easy enough for Geralt, using the Aard sign...
Geralt of Rivia is a witcher, Ciri's adoptive father, and despite their tumultuous relationship, loved the sorceress Yennefer, who was considered the love of his life.
During the Trial of the Grasses, Geralt exhibited unusual tolerance for the mutagens that grant witchers their abilities. Accordingly, Geralt was subjected to further experimental mutagens which rendered his hair white and may have given him greater speed, strength, and stamina than his fellow witchers.
Despite his title, Geralt did not hail from the city of Rivia. After being left with the witchers by his mother, Visenna, he grew up in their keep of Kaer Morhen in the realm of Kaedwen. In the interest of appearing more trustworthy to potential clients, young witchers were encouraged to make up surnames for themselves by master Vesemir. As his first choice, Geralt chose "Geralt Roger Eric du Haute-Bellegarde", but this choice was dismissed by Vesemir as silly and pretentious, so "Geralt" was all that remained of his chosen name. "Of Rivia" was a more practical alternative and Geralt even went so far as to adopt a Rivian accent to appear more authentic.
Later, Queen Meve of Lyria knighted him for his valour in the Battle for the Bridge on the Yaruga conferring on him the formal title "of Rivia", which amused him. He, therefore, became a true knight of Lyria, only to lose the title soon after for departing.
Geralt was the son of the sorceress Visenna and, presumably, the warrior Korin, but when he was born Visenna left him with the School of the Wolf at Kaer Morhen. There, Geralt was trained and made to be a witcher. He survived the many blistering mutations required to grant witchers their abilities and passed the Trial of the Grasses. Geralt's intensive training, and the mutagenic experimentation carried out upon him, have granted him considerably greater strength, speed, endurance, resilience, healing, senses, complete immunity to diseases and conventional poisons, and an extreme resistance to pain.
During his training at the witcher school, he made friends with several students, such as Gweld and Eskel, and was trained by Vesemir in harsh conditions, one in which resulted in a student dying.
Geralt was eventually put through the Trial of Forest Eyes, where he was left tied up in the woods and blindfolded and needed to return to the keep by the morning or he would fail. He was helped out of his binds by the elf Aideen, where they went to look at the non-human reservation to find the camp had been attacked by vrans. They then left and came across some Cat School witchers training and wrestling. Aideen then unbound Geralt and left him to return to his master.
Later on, the Wolf School and the Cat School had a tournament between them, organized by King Radowid II who secretly plotted with the Cat School to kill the witchers from the Wolf School. In the first round Geralt and Gweld faced off, slowly realizing while they were fighting that the whole tournament was a ruse. As they came to that realization however, a druid put a mind control spell upon Gweld which made him violently attack Geralt, forcing Geralt to kill his friend with a sword through the chest. Right after this, soldiers under Radowit's command surrounded the witchers and started to kill them all, but Geralt was able to escape on horseback, causing Radowid to put a bounty on his head.
Geralt then came across Aideen again in the woods, who persuaded him not to kill the soldiers who slaughtered his fellow witchers, though he did kill one of Radowit's men that he saw along his trip back to Hertch, where he warned the elders about Radowit and the Cat School's betrayal.
Due to his brilliant success in training, Geralt was selected for additional mutation experiments. He was the only witcher to have survived these experiments, his stark white hair being a side effect of these additional mutations. After finishing his witcher training, Geralt set off into the world on a horse named Roach, a name he would bestow upon every one of his later horses. Thus, he became a monster slayer for hire.
Butcher of Blaviken
An unknown time later, he killed an amphisbaena and went to the court of King Idi of Kovir, where he handed in the head of the beast. However the king's mages, Zavist and Stregobor, told the king that Geralt was little more than a charlatan, so the king didn't pay the witcher anything and demanded he leave Kovir in 12 hours, which Geralt was barely able to do on account of the king's hourglass being broken.
Two years later he made his way to Blaviken where the alderman, Caldemeyn, was happy to see the witcher after so many years since Geralt's last visit. While he couldn't offer a reward on a kikimore that Geralt killed nearby, his guards suggested the local mage, Irion, might have some use for it. However, when they arrived at the mage's tower, Geralt immediately saw Irion was actually none other than Stregobor. Once the witcher and mage were alone, the two discussed the past, with Geralt sardonically remarking on how Stregobor talked the former King Idi out of paying him back in Kovir. Pushing this aside, Stregobor revealed he needed Geralt's help: Renfri, a bandit and the leader of a gang, was in town looking to kill him, and therefore he wished for the witcher to kill Renfri. Unfazed by this, Geralt remarked it wasn't his problem and left.
Later that night, Geralt and Caldemeyn went to The Golden Court, the town's inn and where Renfri was staying. Geralt found her gang sans leader, but none of them were very cooperative and just made jokes until one member, Fifteen, challenged him to a fight. However, before it could begin, Renfri appeared and went to talk to Geralt and Caldemeyn in private, with the latter demanding she leave town or be thrown in jail. Unperturbed, Renfri revealed a letter of safe conduct from King Audoen which gave her immunity in Hengfors and Arcsea and after another short discussion, Geralt and the alderman left.
That night, as Geralt went to his guest room in Caldemeyn's home, he found Renfri there, who eventually revealed her entire past, including how Stregobor played a part in banishing the princess from her own kingdom on account of her being born during a black sun, setting into play a constant struggle between the two: her trying to kill the mage and the mage trying to kill her. She then asked Geralt to help her kill Stregobor, but the witcher once again refused to take sides. After telling her she should leave town, Renfri remarked on the Tridam ultimatum, before agreeing she'd leave the next day, but in the meantime wished to sleep with Geralt, who obliged.
The next morning though, as Geralt ate breakfast with Caldemeyn and his family, the alderman revealed the deadly meaning behind the Tridam ultimatum, making Geralt realize Renfri's ruse was to take the market goers hostage and he ran off to the market, which was preparing for its busiest day of the year. When he arrived, he found Renfri's gang, who hadn't acted yet as Renfri went off to give Stregobor the ultimatum first. Not wanting to take chances, Geralt fought with the gang, viciously killing them all off in front of the townspeople before Renfri showed up, who refused to stand down, forcing Geralt to fight and kill her as well. As she died, Stregobor appeared, having seen it all from his crystal ball, and wished to do an autopsy on the dead princess. However, Geralt threatened to slay the mage if he so much as touched Renfri's body, and thus Stregobor left to return to Kovir. The townspeople, not realizing how close they'd come to being hostages and killed off, proceeded to throw stones at Geralt for his actions until Caldemeyn stepped in to stop it. He then asked for Geralt to leave and never return to Blaviken.
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 12:20 am
"Ah, the priceles frying pan. Hm, scrubbed clean. Looks like the mystery man didn't need the pan so much as the soot off it... to make ink, write letters." "Found the pan, have ye?" the old woman wondered.
"Here - your frying pan," Geralt said. "Mine...? But mine were black with soot! And I could see meself in this 'un if I wanted. But them days're past..." the old woman said. "It was the soot the man needed. He scraped it off to make ink. Must've had an urgent letter to write. Urgently burned some other documents, too." "And... and the other fellow?" "Dead. Round up a few boys and bury him outside the village. Deep, so the necrophages don't dig him up. And take my advice... don't mention it to the Nilfgaardians," he said. "Hang about! You've earned a token o' thanks. Here, sonny - for the road," she said.
"Military camp. No locals allowed without the express consent of the garrison commander." "I look like a local to you?" Geralt said. "You look like trouble." "Dead wrong - I make trouble go away. I'm a witcher," Geralt said. "A witcher...? Captain Peter Saar Gwynleve is in the tower. Turn right past the gate." "Huh, you Black Ones aren't so scary afrer all. Can even be nice if you want to," Geralt said. "Don't get accustomed, Nordling." "To the tower. Go."
"How much grain will your village give?" "Whatever you say, Your Excellency." "Look at my hands. Look! See the callouses? These are not the hands of an excellency, but a farmr. So we speak peasant to peasant. How much can you give?" the Nilfgaardian captain said. "Forty bushels. There'd be more, sir, but our lads, the Temerians, that is, took from us earlier and..." "You will give thirty, and that will do. Let us settle on it. And I wish to see the transport soon." "Ah, thank you, sir! Thank you kindly!" the ealdorman said.
The captain turned to the witcher...
"I summoned only the ealdorman and the smith, Willis - but it is said he is a dwarf. You are too tall to be him." "Very perceptive of you. Geralt of Rivia. Witcher." "A vatt'ghern - this explains why I did not hear your footsteps. What do you seek here?" the captain said. "Yennefer of Vengerberg. Where was she headed?" "That is a military secret." "Haven't thrown me out yet. Haven't called the guards. So go ahead - what's your price?" Geralt said. "There is a griffin in the area. Slay it, and then I shall see what I can do." "Why do you care about this griffin?" "Because I care about people. The beast has killed ten already, including a few of my men. To hunt it, I would need to mobilize the entire garrison, comb the woods, organize a battuse. Simply impossible," the captain said. "Too big a hassle?" "No. Too high a risk. I cannot disperse my forces. Temeria's army we have crushed, but its common folk remain. ready to answer a call to arms. So as to this griffin, I can sit on my hands... or hire a professional." "It's a deal. Some questions before I start. Kmow where the griffin has its lair?" Geralt said. "It kept to the Vulpine Woods at first. I sent a patrol there, five young men. A hunter found them two days on. I only recognized them because they wore our plate. Since then, the griffin has grown bold. Attacks in villages, fields, on the main road." "Meaning it's abandoned its lair. Gonna have to set a trap." "I judge from your tone this will not be easy. What do you require?" the captain said. "I'll need bait, a specific herb - buckthorn. Scent should lure the griffin from ten miles off." "Buck... buckthorn? I do not know this. But I am not yet fluent in the Common tongue." "Mhm. Probably mastered the basics, though - hands up, kill them..." Geralt said. "No. First came idioms. Don't play with fire, for example. Go to Tomira, an herbalist. She lives near the crossroads. She will aid you." "Need more information about this griffin. Its sex, why it's abandoned its lair." "Shall I bring witnesses?" the captain wondered. "They won't say anything I don't already know. I need to go where your men died, look around. What's the name of the hunter who found them?" "Mislav. He has a hut south of the village, very near the wood. Helpful fellow. A little strange, though." "Tomira and Mislav... Thanks," Geralt said.
"Here - your frying pan," Geralt said. "Mine...? But mine were black with soot! And I could see meself in this 'un if I wanted. But them days're past..." the old woman said. "It was the soot the man needed. He scraped it off to make ink. Must've had an urgent letter to write. Urgently burned some other documents, too." "And... and the other fellow?" "Dead. Round up a few boys and bury him outside the village. Deep, so the necrophages don't dig him up. And take my advice... don't mention it to the Nilfgaardians," he said. "Hang about! You've earned a token o' thanks. Here, sonny - for the road," she said.
"Military camp. No locals allowed without the express consent of the garrison commander." "I look like a local to you?" Geralt said. "You look like trouble." "Dead wrong - I make trouble go away. I'm a witcher," Geralt said. "A witcher...? Captain Peter Saar Gwynleve is in the tower. Turn right past the gate." "Huh, you Black Ones aren't so scary afrer all. Can even be nice if you want to," Geralt said. "Don't get accustomed, Nordling." "To the tower. Go."
"How much grain will your village give?" "Whatever you say, Your Excellency." "Look at my hands. Look! See the callouses? These are not the hands of an excellency, but a farmr. So we speak peasant to peasant. How much can you give?" the Nilfgaardian captain said. "Forty bushels. There'd be more, sir, but our lads, the Temerians, that is, took from us earlier and..." "You will give thirty, and that will do. Let us settle on it. And I wish to see the transport soon." "Ah, thank you, sir! Thank you kindly!" the ealdorman said.
The captain turned to the witcher...
"I summoned only the ealdorman and the smith, Willis - but it is said he is a dwarf. You are too tall to be him." "Very perceptive of you. Geralt of Rivia. Witcher." "A vatt'ghern - this explains why I did not hear your footsteps. What do you seek here?" the captain said. "Yennefer of Vengerberg. Where was she headed?" "That is a military secret." "Haven't thrown me out yet. Haven't called the guards. So go ahead - what's your price?" Geralt said. "There is a griffin in the area. Slay it, and then I shall see what I can do." "Why do you care about this griffin?" "Because I care about people. The beast has killed ten already, including a few of my men. To hunt it, I would need to mobilize the entire garrison, comb the woods, organize a battuse. Simply impossible," the captain said. "Too big a hassle?" "No. Too high a risk. I cannot disperse my forces. Temeria's army we have crushed, but its common folk remain. ready to answer a call to arms. So as to this griffin, I can sit on my hands... or hire a professional." "It's a deal. Some questions before I start. Kmow where the griffin has its lair?" Geralt said. "It kept to the Vulpine Woods at first. I sent a patrol there, five young men. A hunter found them two days on. I only recognized them because they wore our plate. Since then, the griffin has grown bold. Attacks in villages, fields, on the main road." "Meaning it's abandoned its lair. Gonna have to set a trap." "I judge from your tone this will not be easy. What do you require?" the captain said. "I'll need bait, a specific herb - buckthorn. Scent should lure the griffin from ten miles off." "Buck... buckthorn? I do not know this. But I am not yet fluent in the Common tongue." "Mhm. Probably mastered the basics, though - hands up, kill them..." Geralt said. "No. First came idioms. Don't play with fire, for example. Go to Tomira, an herbalist. She lives near the crossroads. She will aid you." "Need more information about this griffin. Its sex, why it's abandoned its lair." "Shall I bring witnesses?" the captain wondered. "They won't say anything I don't already know. I need to go where your men died, look around. What's the name of the hunter who found them?" "Mislav. He has a hut south of the village, very near the wood. Helpful fellow. A little strange, though." "Tomira and Mislav... Thanks," Geralt said.
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 12:28 am
"Bad time?" "Not at all. Hand me the beggartick. It's the... red bloom. Well, well, one versed in herbs," Tomira said. "Probably saying too much... but I know a bit - for instance, that beggartick's poisonous," Geralt said. "In large doses. small doses soothe pain and bring forth pleasant dreams. Which is all I can do for her." "Griffin do that to her?" "To Lena? Yes. Attacked her at night. She was walkin' the woods," Tomira said. "At night... through the woods? In wartime?" he said. "Meeting a boy. The young, you know... do foolish things for love. Wounds are healing, but she will die. Blood's poolin' in her skull. Nothing my brews can do to help," she said. "I've agreed to kill the griffin. No more victims after I do." "Ugh, there will be. of course. With the griffin gone, others will kill in iys stead. Monsters, or men." "So what do you think I should do?" Geralt said. "Ply your trade. But don't think you can change anything." "Looking for buckthorn. Know if it grows anywhere around here?" "Mhm. Bottom of the river, where the channel's widest. But you do know that once out of the water..." Tomira said. "... it'll stink worse than a week-old carcass? Counting on it." "Oh yes, the griffin. Might've guessed. I was thinkin'... a few years ago we had trouble, drowners under the bridge. Whole village had to pitch in for a witcher. Who now can afford the bounty on the griffin's head?" "Captain Peter Saar... something something," he said. "Ah. Good to know the Black Ones are lookin' out for our welfare." "Nilfgaard values one thing - order. Griffin's disturbing that, so it's gotta go." "Yes. First they'll tend to the monsters, then to the folk," she said. "Not from here, are you? Lot of bitterness in you. Too much for someone who's spent her life in a hut in the middle of nowhere." "True. And you're in a hurry. Elsewise you'd not use bait, just wait for the griffin to attack again." "Believe we could have an interesting conversation," Geralt said. "Maybe next time." "Tell me something about yourself. What's your story?" "A sad one. Do you know the Temple of Melitele in Ellander?" Tomira said. "Do I know it? Can't remember how many times I've been there, how many times Mother Nenneke stitched me up," he said. "We must've missed each other. I studied to become a heler under mother Nenneke. Hm... I was but eighteen when they took me in. An age at which teachings interest one far less than love. There was a boy - Goslav. He'd bare his chest to work. The novices couldn't keep their eyes off him - tripped over their own feet, dropped everything. I left the temple for him. We passed a lovely summer together, and then he left. Nenneke refused to take me back. My parents uttered not a word, gave me a travel cloak and a small coin pouch. I struggled long to find a place where I'd feel safe, needed. Until I finally arrived here. End of story," she said.
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 12:32 am
"A witcher? You here about the well?" "A well? First I've heard. There a problem?" Geralt said. "Aye. 'Tis haunted. Has been for a good twenty years." "Twenty? So wht'd you put out a notice just now?" Geralt wondered. "Cause earlier on we drew our water from the river. But so many corpses floatin' in it after the battle, it's turned noxious. Me daufgter Mandy drank half a pitcher, fell dreadful ill, can't keep nothing down... She grows worse by the day. Herbalist claims you fight fever with drink. And not beer or cider, but water - clear, pure water. And where'm I to get that if not from the well? But first the ghost's gotta be driven away. And it don't let any man near," the farmer said. "This ghost - describe it for me." "Well... it's awful frightening. Awful." "I meant, what does it look like?" Geralt said. "It looks... like a woman, but fresh from the grave. Wears a dirty dress, all rags, its skin flaking off its bones. And it howls... like it's sufferin'." "Some wraith... or maybe an alp." "If you don't wallop it, master... if you don't take care of it, it'll come kill me daughter," the farmer said. "Fine, I'll help. Where's this well?" Geralt said. "In Hovel, a settlement on the heights. It's abandoned now, no one ventures there on account of the ghost being about. Drive it off, please!"
"What happened here?" Geralt wondered. "Oh, got a wee bit chilly the night, so I set fire to my forge. Got it nice and roarin'! Roasted some wieners! Whaddya think happened, dimwit? Some bugger set alight me... me workshop! I've lost everythin'! Everythin'!" Willis said. "Easy on the insults. I could add to your misfortune. Any suspects?" "Whole damned village. I've lived here for half a century. Thought they saw me as one o' their own. But everythin' changed when the black Ones came. I'm the only smith aound, so I got to service their garrison. Bang dents out o' plate, shoe horses - that sorta thing. Nilfgaardians don't pay me a bloody copper, just give me supplies and orders. But humans can't fathom that. They think I'm gettin' rich off their misfortune, that I sleep on a pile o' gold like a ploughin' dragon- They've stopped talkin' to me, spit when I pass... and now this," the dwarf said. "I can find your arsonist. Provided you're willing to pay," Geralt said. "Huh, I've not much left... but I'll give ye all if ye bring me that whoreson. So that he gets what he deserves. The night o' the fire, I heard movement outside my hut. Went out to se if I could find any tracks, but found nothin'. But then I haven't got cat eyes, have I? Good luck," Willis said.
"What happened here?" Geralt wondered. "Oh, got a wee bit chilly the night, so I set fire to my forge. Got it nice and roarin'! Roasted some wieners! Whaddya think happened, dimwit? Some bugger set alight me... me workshop! I've lost everythin'! Everythin'!" Willis said. "Easy on the insults. I could add to your misfortune. Any suspects?" "Whole damned village. I've lived here for half a century. Thought they saw me as one o' their own. But everythin' changed when the black Ones came. I'm the only smith aound, so I got to service their garrison. Bang dents out o' plate, shoe horses - that sorta thing. Nilfgaardians don't pay me a bloody copper, just give me supplies and orders. But humans can't fathom that. They think I'm gettin' rich off their misfortune, that I sleep on a pile o' gold like a ploughin' dragon- They've stopped talkin' to me, spit when I pass... and now this," the dwarf said. "I can find your arsonist. Provided you're willing to pay," Geralt said. "Huh, I've not much left... but I'll give ye all if ye bring me that whoreson. So that he gets what he deserves. The night o' the fire, I heard movement outside my hut. Went out to se if I could find any tracks, but found nothin'. But then I haven't got cat eyes, have I? Good luck," Willis said.
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 2:18 am
"Boot prints... A man's. Large." "Took off his boots and went in the water. Probably wanted to cover his trail."
"Something jumped out of the rushes. Drowners. But he managed to escape. Tracks lead back to the village. Bleeding... but not badly. Surface wound."
"Drowner claw marks. It's gotta be him... Nasty wound. Run into a drowner?" Geralt said. "What the fuck do you care?!" "Whoa. Our arsonist's a charmer, too. Come on. Smith wants to talk to you." "I'll not talk to a nonhuman - sons o' bitches, all. And dwarves're the worst! Greedy little magpies - do anything for gold, they will! Heh, they forge the blades the Black Ones put to our throats! Am I bot right? Listen, we can work this out man to man. I give you gold, you don't turn me in. My mum died a while back and I sold her tools. I've spent some... but what's left is yours," Napp said. "Magpies and dwarves might be greedy, but I'm not. Can't buy me," Geralt said. "Then I'll beat your fuckin' mug to a pulp!" "Calm down. Now follow me," the witcher said, using his axii sign.
"Get outta my sight, Napp. Not in the mood," Willis said. "Up and at 'em!" Geralt said, dispelling hid axxi sign's hypnotic effect... "Hm? What... what- what's goin' on?" Napp said. "Here you go - one village pyromancer in the flesh," Geralt said. "Napp? You?! I knew your mum for years, charged her nary a copper! This is how you repay me?! I've had enough. Oi' soldier! A minute of your time, please!"
"No! Willis - I beg you! I-I-I was drunk... di- didn't know what I was doin'!" Napp said. "I've told you, Master Willis. We will help you rebuild once reinforcements come. The supplies have been ordered," the Nilfgaardian said. "Not what this is about, mate. This here's the arsonist. The witcher found him!" the smith said. "The forge was important to the garrison. Destroying it was sabotage. No trial needed here. Just a tree." "Villagers'll really love you, now," Geralt said. "Well, now I don't give a flyin' fuck about them. You know, I hated the Black Ones at first, like everyone else did. Now I'm thinkin' they might just bring order to this place - teach these layabouts some manners! But enough about that. Your reward. And... I managed to save some things from the fire. Anvil's still whole, so I'm sure I can bang somethin' out on it. You need anythin', let me know. Give you a good price," Willis said.
"Something jumped out of the rushes. Drowners. But he managed to escape. Tracks lead back to the village. Bleeding... but not badly. Surface wound."
"Drowner claw marks. It's gotta be him... Nasty wound. Run into a drowner?" Geralt said. "What the fuck do you care?!" "Whoa. Our arsonist's a charmer, too. Come on. Smith wants to talk to you." "I'll not talk to a nonhuman - sons o' bitches, all. And dwarves're the worst! Greedy little magpies - do anything for gold, they will! Heh, they forge the blades the Black Ones put to our throats! Am I bot right? Listen, we can work this out man to man. I give you gold, you don't turn me in. My mum died a while back and I sold her tools. I've spent some... but what's left is yours," Napp said. "Magpies and dwarves might be greedy, but I'm not. Can't buy me," Geralt said. "Then I'll beat your fuckin' mug to a pulp!" "Calm down. Now follow me," the witcher said, using his axii sign.
"Get outta my sight, Napp. Not in the mood," Willis said. "Up and at 'em!" Geralt said, dispelling hid axxi sign's hypnotic effect... "Hm? What... what- what's goin' on?" Napp said. "Here you go - one village pyromancer in the flesh," Geralt said. "Napp? You?! I knew your mum for years, charged her nary a copper! This is how you repay me?! I've had enough. Oi' soldier! A minute of your time, please!"
"No! Willis - I beg you! I-I-I was drunk... di- didn't know what I was doin'!" Napp said. "I've told you, Master Willis. We will help you rebuild once reinforcements come. The supplies have been ordered," the Nilfgaardian said. "Not what this is about, mate. This here's the arsonist. The witcher found him!" the smith said. "The forge was important to the garrison. Destroying it was sabotage. No trial needed here. Just a tree." "Villagers'll really love you, now," Geralt said. "Well, now I don't give a flyin' fuck about them. You know, I hated the Black Ones at first, like everyone else did. Now I'm thinkin' they might just bring order to this place - teach these layabouts some manners! But enough about that. Your reward. And... I managed to save some things from the fire. Anvil's still whole, so I'm sure I can bang somethin' out on it. You need anythin', let me know. Give you a good price," Willis said.
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 2:27 am
"Anyone home? Must be out hunting." "Trail's fresh. Mislav just left home."
"You Mislav?" Geralt said. "Hear that?" "Wolves? No - wiild dogs." "Yes... more dangerous than wolves," the hunter said. "I'm hunting bigger game. The Nilfgaardians the griffin killed - where'd you find them?" "Ah, I see... You a witcher? That monster slayer they's talkin' about in the village? I'll show you, sure. But, er, I gotta kill those mutss 'fore they hurt someone. Will you help? That is, if you don't mind bluntin' your silver blades on 'em." "Sure. Griffin's not going anywhere," Geralt said. "No, dogs might, though. So step careful, now. Come on."
"These dogs been a problem for a while now?" Geralt said. "Since the war started. Soldier on the march, he'll stop to rape a woman, strangle 'er, kill her man for a chuckle, even butcher a cow. But a dog? A kick in passin', no more. So these stray mutts form packs. They're gaunt, guts stuck to their spines, covered in scabies... but they just won't die. Cause they're clever. More so than foxes. And they hate men somethin' fierce," Mislav said.
"Oh no! The mutts got another one," Mislav said.
"Dieter." "You know him?" Geralt wondered. "We served at the lord's manor together, where the black's army's encamped now. He was a stable hand, I was the lord's hunter. But that was before... Well, a long time now," Mislav said. "Before what?" "Before they drove me from the village." "What'd you do?" Geralt said. "Nothin'. I'm a freak. Sorry, I'd rather not talk about it." "Don't have to, then. So... can you show me where you found the Nilfgaardians?"
Mislav took the lead...
"Griffin - know anything about it?" Geralt said. "Oh, not much. It's not my kinda game," the hunter said. "You're his kind, though. Survival instincts oughta make you care." "I walk silent through the woods. No griffin can hear nor spy me."
"'Twas here. One lay there, by the stump, headless. The other hung from a branch, guts splayed, stretchin' down to... Watch out for yourself, now," Mislav said. "I'll be fine. Not the first griffin I've dealt with. Not likely to be the last, either," Geralt said. "Hope you're right. Good huntin', now."
"You Mislav?" Geralt said. "Hear that?" "Wolves? No - wiild dogs." "Yes... more dangerous than wolves," the hunter said. "I'm hunting bigger game. The Nilfgaardians the griffin killed - where'd you find them?" "Ah, I see... You a witcher? That monster slayer they's talkin' about in the village? I'll show you, sure. But, er, I gotta kill those mutss 'fore they hurt someone. Will you help? That is, if you don't mind bluntin' your silver blades on 'em." "Sure. Griffin's not going anywhere," Geralt said. "No, dogs might, though. So step careful, now. Come on."
"These dogs been a problem for a while now?" Geralt said. "Since the war started. Soldier on the march, he'll stop to rape a woman, strangle 'er, kill her man for a chuckle, even butcher a cow. But a dog? A kick in passin', no more. So these stray mutts form packs. They're gaunt, guts stuck to their spines, covered in scabies... but they just won't die. Cause they're clever. More so than foxes. And they hate men somethin' fierce," Mislav said.
"Oh no! The mutts got another one," Mislav said.
"Dieter." "You know him?" Geralt wondered. "We served at the lord's manor together, where the black's army's encamped now. He was a stable hand, I was the lord's hunter. But that was before... Well, a long time now," Mislav said. "Before what?" "Before they drove me from the village." "What'd you do?" Geralt said. "Nothin'. I'm a freak. Sorry, I'd rather not talk about it." "Don't have to, then. So... can you show me where you found the Nilfgaardians?"
Mislav took the lead...
"Griffin - know anything about it?" Geralt said. "Oh, not much. It's not my kinda game," the hunter said. "You're his kind, though. Survival instincts oughta make you care." "I walk silent through the woods. No griffin can hear nor spy me."
"'Twas here. One lay there, by the stump, headless. The other hung from a branch, guts splayed, stretchin' down to... Watch out for yourself, now," Mislav said. "I'll be fine. Not the first griffin I've dealt with. Not likely to be the last, either," Geralt said. "Hope you're right. Good huntin', now."
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Wotan- Posts : 3373
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 2:29 am
"A camp? Nilfgaardians were celebrating. Griffin interrupted them. Ground's black, saturated with blood."
"Griffin's nest. What remains of it, at least. ... Corpse is a couple of weeks old. Still alive when the griffin brought him here. Took a long time dying."
"Female. Larvae in her wounds have already hatched. Been dead at least a week. Other griffin must be a male. Deep cuts over the whole body. Not a drop of blood on the beak or claws. Didn't defend herself. Cept up on her while she slept. Beak tip's worn, gray hairs in the coat - ten, twelve years old. Griffins pair off for life when young. Male must be about the same age. Thick shaft, dense barbs - a royal griffin. Explains why the male I ran into was so aggressive. Hunted the Nilfgaardians in the forest firsts, then started prowling the area."
"Griffin's nest. What remains of it, at least. ... Corpse is a couple of weeks old. Still alive when the griffin brought him here. Took a long time dying."
"Female. Larvae in her wounds have already hatched. Been dead at least a week. Other griffin must be a male. Deep cuts over the whole body. Not a drop of blood on the beak or claws. Didn't defend herself. Cept up on her while she slept. Beak tip's worn, gray hairs in the coat - ten, twelve years old. Griffins pair off for life when young. Male must be about the same age. Thick shaft, dense barbs - a royal griffin. Explains why the male I ran into was so aggressive. Hunted the Nilfgaardians in the forest firsts, then started prowling the area."
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 2:44 am
"Yes? What is it, Wolf?" Vesemir said. "Got good and bad news. Good news first - captain of the Nilfgaardian garrison knows where Yennefer went," Geralt said. "And the bad's that we have to kill the griffin for him. What else could he want from two witchers? Go on, tell me what you know." "Griffin's abandoned its lair. Gotta make a lure, set a trap." "And how's that going?" the old master wondered. "Learned some things. It's a male, had its nest in the Vulpine Woods. The Nilfgaardians burned the woods down, killed its mate, smashed their eggs - thought they'd fixed things." "Hm. It's always the same. Instead of sending a professional, they try to do it themselves, only end up making matters worse. But enough about that. Find some buckthorn and we'll finish what they started." "Later, Vesemir," Geralt said.
Geralt went down inty the crypt, killed the wraith, and found a letter...
To: Ivar Evil-Eye, master witcher of the Viper School.
I have now found all the legendary diagrams once belonging to our order. Certain complications have arisen, however. On the way back to our keep, I stopped to rest the night in a village in the Temerian borderlands. The blasted peasants decided to make me into their scapegoat and accused me of kidnapping some beekeeper's brat. They took me into the local lordling's castle for interrogation, during which they found and confiscated one of the diagrams. But do not fear, I will get it back. They did not find the others.
I have invoked Temerian common law and demanded a trial by ordeal instead of submitting to the whims of this baronet. My request was granted and tomorrow I am to cleanse the baronet's family crypt of wraiths. I expect this will prove little trouble. Perhaps I will already have returned to our keep by the time you receive this letter. Light the furnances -we'll have some forging to do.
Kolgrim
After healing from his wounds, the witcher decided to brew a potion. Then he returned to the herbalist's hut...
"Yes?" "Got a potion for Lena. Swallow," he said. "First sign of spring, symbol of rebirth... Fitting, as names go," Tomira said. "We'll see. Like I said, could harm her. Deeply. Works on me immediately, but I have a faster metabolism. Effects won't appear in her case for a few days." "Why'd you choose this in the end?" "Decided it was better than doing nothing," Geralt said. "I like you, witcher. Here - a small gift. For giving a damn," she said.
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 2:47 am
"The infamous well... Strange, no sign of a ghost. Maybe it only shows at a certain time of day."
"Body's dried to a crisp. Signs of burns. Grass around the well's scorched. All signs point to a noonwraith. Noonwraith won't stray too far from the well. Something's tied the noonwraith to this place. An object... something she needs before she'll leave this world."
Noonwraith
Despite what is commonly thought, peasants do not interrupt their labors at midday to get out of the sun – they do it to avoid noonwraiths.
– Vlad Reymond, Peasants and Their Customs
On particularly searing summer days, when the sun reaches its zenith, wraiths will at times appear, resembling sun-scorched women dressed in long, white robes. These are noonwraiths – the spirits of young women and girls who died violent deaths right before their weddings. Driven mad with pain and anger, they wander the fields searching for their unfaithful lovers or backstabbing rivals, though they will kill anyone who does not get out of their way in time. They are often held in this world by some object of intense emotional significance. That is why, if one ever finds a wedding ring or torn veil in the middle of a field, one should not pick it up, but instead back away as quickly as possible.
Noonwraiths are only known to haunt rural places, and usually stay near the place of their deaths. They prey on peasants working in the fields or children playing nearby.
Noonwraiths do not bleed and are for the most part immune to the effects of Witcher Signs. They can create mirror images of themselves which circle their victims in a kind of morbid parody of a dance. This ghastly ritual drains their victims' life energy while adding to their own strength. Noonwraiths are also able to manipulate the physical world to a limited degree, kicking up clouds of dust which temporarily blind and disorient their opponents.
Noonwraiths can turn immaterial and are at such times very difficult to wound. In order to force a noonwraith to take corporeal form, one must first trap it with the Yrden Sign or strike it with a Moon Dust bomb. Once the monster has regained physical presence, one can mount a fast attack with a silver blade, preferably one coated in specter oil.
Contrary to popular belief, noonwraiths can also be encountered at night, but are much weaker then than during the day.
"A journal. Might be useful."
27 III 1250
It's happened. Volker sent a petition of our grievances against the lord to the court at Vizima. Listed all the harm he's done us. How he killed Johann for not taking off his cap quick enough. How he trampled our fields when drunk with nary a thought of repayment. How he barged in during Pieter's wedding and demanded his right of the first night. Now we've finally got what we begged Melitele for in our prayers for so long – the judge recognized our grievances and waived all our bonds and duties to the lord. We can finally strike out on our own. At last, we can live as free men!
12 IV 1250
The first day of our freedom. Hovel's not much of a village yet, but to my mind it's better than the most fantastic palace. Volker fumed our home with hazel wood smoke to drive out evil, buried a marten under the gate, to make sure no thieves cross our threshold. And then he gave me a bracelet – loveliest I've ever seen. Mother said it's foolish to spend so much on a bauble when we haven't ploughs nor hoes and that we ought return it to the merchant. Over my dead body! I'll never take it off. It's always be there to remind me of Volker – of how happy we were that day.
23 IV 1250
They say the lord is coming to see us. That he wants to make a deal, to beg us to return to the village. They say he's calmed since his son died, that he's not as quick to anger about small slights. Well, we'll see. One way or another, I've no intention to move one inch from here.
"That bracelet... might be what ties the woman's spirit to this place."
"Body's dried to a crisp. Signs of burns. Grass around the well's scorched. All signs point to a noonwraith. Noonwraith won't stray too far from the well. Something's tied the noonwraith to this place. An object... something she needs before she'll leave this world."
Noonwraith
Despite what is commonly thought, peasants do not interrupt their labors at midday to get out of the sun – they do it to avoid noonwraiths.
– Vlad Reymond, Peasants and Their Customs
On particularly searing summer days, when the sun reaches its zenith, wraiths will at times appear, resembling sun-scorched women dressed in long, white robes. These are noonwraiths – the spirits of young women and girls who died violent deaths right before their weddings. Driven mad with pain and anger, they wander the fields searching for their unfaithful lovers or backstabbing rivals, though they will kill anyone who does not get out of their way in time. They are often held in this world by some object of intense emotional significance. That is why, if one ever finds a wedding ring or torn veil in the middle of a field, one should not pick it up, but instead back away as quickly as possible.
Noonwraiths are only known to haunt rural places, and usually stay near the place of their deaths. They prey on peasants working in the fields or children playing nearby.
Noonwraiths do not bleed and are for the most part immune to the effects of Witcher Signs. They can create mirror images of themselves which circle their victims in a kind of morbid parody of a dance. This ghastly ritual drains their victims' life energy while adding to their own strength. Noonwraiths are also able to manipulate the physical world to a limited degree, kicking up clouds of dust which temporarily blind and disorient their opponents.
Noonwraiths can turn immaterial and are at such times very difficult to wound. In order to force a noonwraith to take corporeal form, one must first trap it with the Yrden Sign or strike it with a Moon Dust bomb. Once the monster has regained physical presence, one can mount a fast attack with a silver blade, preferably one coated in specter oil.
Contrary to popular belief, noonwraiths can also be encountered at night, but are much weaker then than during the day.
"A journal. Might be useful."
27 III 1250
It's happened. Volker sent a petition of our grievances against the lord to the court at Vizima. Listed all the harm he's done us. How he killed Johann for not taking off his cap quick enough. How he trampled our fields when drunk with nary a thought of repayment. How he barged in during Pieter's wedding and demanded his right of the first night. Now we've finally got what we begged Melitele for in our prayers for so long – the judge recognized our grievances and waived all our bonds and duties to the lord. We can finally strike out on our own. At last, we can live as free men!
12 IV 1250
The first day of our freedom. Hovel's not much of a village yet, but to my mind it's better than the most fantastic palace. Volker fumed our home with hazel wood smoke to drive out evil, buried a marten under the gate, to make sure no thieves cross our threshold. And then he gave me a bracelet – loveliest I've ever seen. Mother said it's foolish to spend so much on a bauble when we haven't ploughs nor hoes and that we ought return it to the merchant. Over my dead body! I'll never take it off. It's always be there to remind me of Volker – of how happy we were that day.
23 IV 1250
They say the lord is coming to see us. That he wants to make a deal, to beg us to return to the village. They say he's calmed since his son died, that he's not as quick to anger about small slights. Well, we'll see. One way or another, I've no intention to move one inch from here.
"That bracelet... might be what ties the woman's spirit to this place."
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 2:58 am
"A man... stabbed with a knife, died on the spot. Animals fed on his body, picked his skeleton clean. More blood stains over there. But it's not his blood. Blood stains, barely visible. Someone was dragged this way. Someone who was still alive."
"Palm prints in blood. Small hands - a woman's. Someone dragged her out. She was wounded, fought for her life. No body in sight, but might still find some tracks. Under the right conditions, blood stains can remain visible for decades. Another print by the well."
"Blood stains, almost faded. But the line's taught. Something's not right."
"A corpse. Hanged by the bucket rope. Woman the journal belonged to. Must be. Wide pelvis, small jaw - a woman. Around thirty, judging by the teeth. Left arm's missing. Need to cremate the remains. Gotta find the object that binds ger to this place before I do, though. Was she wearing the bracelet from her husband? Might be why her arm fell off. Gotta jump down there. Hope I don't break my legs."
"Lucky not to come up empty-handed. A bracelet... with an inscription. To Claer - from Volker. Bracelet must've belonged to the woman in the well. Lovely craftmanship. But I'll have to burn it with the body to get rid of the noonwraith for good. Better do it near the well."
"Palm prints in blood. Small hands - a woman's. Someone dragged her out. She was wounded, fought for her life. No body in sight, but might still find some tracks. Under the right conditions, blood stains can remain visible for decades. Another print by the well."
"Blood stains, almost faded. But the line's taught. Something's not right."
"A corpse. Hanged by the bucket rope. Woman the journal belonged to. Must be. Wide pelvis, small jaw - a woman. Around thirty, judging by the teeth. Left arm's missing. Need to cremate the remains. Gotta find the object that binds ger to this place before I do, though. Was she wearing the bracelet from her husband? Might be why her arm fell off. Gotta jump down there. Hope I don't break my legs."
"Lucky not to come up empty-handed. A bracelet... with an inscription. To Claer - from Volker. Bracelet must've belonged to the woman in the well. Lovely craftmanship. But I'll have to burn it with the body to get rid of the noonwraith for good. Better do it near the well."
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 3:05 am
"Need tp prepare for this fight. Brew some wraith oil, drink some potions."
When the witcher returned to Haven, it was noon...
The witcher returned a few hours later...
"And the bracelet. Igni." "Hey... I think it worked."
"She's gone for good."
Geralt returned to the contract giver...
"Job done. The well was haunted by the ghost of a woman who was killed there. I drove it away," he said. "I just hope every unburied wretch don't start hauntin' us, or that battle-field's gonna cause us a heap o' trouble," the peasant said. "If they do, you know who to contact. Meanwhile... Claer, Volker - name's ring a bell?" "I don't know 'em. Though I did hear our herbalist mention a Claer once... Same one, maybe? Your reward, master witcher. The gold I hid away for Mandy's dowry. Without you, she'd never 'ave lived to wed. Now... there's hope for it at least." "At this point, doubt I'll ever marry... You keep the coin for Mandy, her wedding. Raise a toast to my health then," Geralt said. "Thank you, master witcher. Them's warm words, you've a good heart. But I can't let you go empty-handed. Take this at least - for luck."
The deserters were no match for the witcher...
Location: Amavet fortress
Persons taking part: Sir Ignatius Verrieres, Bart., the bailiff Andreas Blume, Sir Ignatius' underlings: Carmy, Gardy and Bellsy.
Suspect: Kolgrim, witcher of the Viper School.
The witcher Kolgrim stands accused of kidnapping Vitty, son of Paul, a beekeeper residing in White orchard. Suspect was detained pending trial. Upon detention he was searched and a diagram for the forging of a steel sword was found on his person. it is suspected this sword was used to intimidate or possibly kill the kidnapped child. It is likewise suspected that the accused possesses other such diagrams for the forging of death-dealing implements, though none have been found to date. Sir ignatius has requested the witcher undergo preliminary interrogation with the application of torture.This will take place once a torturer with the proper qualifications has been found.
Addendum:
It was later discovered Drowners were responsible for the boy's disappearance. Unfortunately Kolgrim died before this information reached the investigators, for rather than face the baronet's judgment, he chose trial by ordeal. Sir Ignatius agreed and ordered he cleanse the Verrieres family crypt of specters. Kolgrim never emerged from said crypt. It is highly likely the motley wraiths, specters and evil powers residing therein proved too much for him.
What am I supposed to fucking die for? Temeria? Da died for that, so died my three brothers, and what'd that get them? Fuck all, that's what. Not even a decent burial. Da always said a wise man learns from others' mistakes, so here I am, learning from his - and instead of dying for Temeria, I'm going to rob those who killed Temeria's sons. We've pitched a camp, got us a great spot, middle of the woods, near that old mill. Now we're all set to go out on our first raid.
When the witcher returned to Haven, it was noon...
The witcher returned a few hours later...
"And the bracelet. Igni." "Hey... I think it worked."
"She's gone for good."
Geralt returned to the contract giver...
"Job done. The well was haunted by the ghost of a woman who was killed there. I drove it away," he said. "I just hope every unburied wretch don't start hauntin' us, or that battle-field's gonna cause us a heap o' trouble," the peasant said. "If they do, you know who to contact. Meanwhile... Claer, Volker - name's ring a bell?" "I don't know 'em. Though I did hear our herbalist mention a Claer once... Same one, maybe? Your reward, master witcher. The gold I hid away for Mandy's dowry. Without you, she'd never 'ave lived to wed. Now... there's hope for it at least." "At this point, doubt I'll ever marry... You keep the coin for Mandy, her wedding. Raise a toast to my health then," Geralt said. "Thank you, master witcher. Them's warm words, you've a good heart. But I can't let you go empty-handed. Take this at least - for luck."
The deserters were no match for the witcher...
Location: Amavet fortress
Persons taking part: Sir Ignatius Verrieres, Bart., the bailiff Andreas Blume, Sir Ignatius' underlings: Carmy, Gardy and Bellsy.
Suspect: Kolgrim, witcher of the Viper School.
The witcher Kolgrim stands accused of kidnapping Vitty, son of Paul, a beekeeper residing in White orchard. Suspect was detained pending trial. Upon detention he was searched and a diagram for the forging of a steel sword was found on his person. it is suspected this sword was used to intimidate or possibly kill the kidnapped child. It is likewise suspected that the accused possesses other such diagrams for the forging of death-dealing implements, though none have been found to date. Sir ignatius has requested the witcher undergo preliminary interrogation with the application of torture.This will take place once a torturer with the proper qualifications has been found.
Addendum:
It was later discovered Drowners were responsible for the boy's disappearance. Unfortunately Kolgrim died before this information reached the investigators, for rather than face the baronet's judgment, he chose trial by ordeal. Sir Ignatius agreed and ordered he cleanse the Verrieres family crypt of specters. Kolgrim never emerged from said crypt. It is highly likely the motley wraiths, specters and evil powers residing therein proved too much for him.
What am I supposed to fucking die for? Temeria? Da died for that, so died my three brothers, and what'd that get them? Fuck all, that's what. Not even a decent burial. Da always said a wise man learns from others' mistakes, so here I am, learning from his - and instead of dying for Temeria, I'm going to rob those who killed Temeria's sons. We've pitched a camp, got us a great spot, middle of the woods, near that old mill. Now we're all set to go out on our first raid.
_________________
Nemo sine vitio est.
Wotan- Posts : 3373
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Re: Silver and Steel - A Witcher 3 story
by Wotan Mon May 04, 2020 3:14 am
"Do that often? Talk to your dog?" Geralt said. "It's my bother's, Bastien's. But... guess he's mine now. See... Bastien fought the Black Ones in a battle - just outside the village. Haven't had a word of him since. I told him - do Like I did, lose a finger or two so they won't recruit you. Too damn afeared, he was. Bloody hell..." "I'd walk the battlefield if I were you." "I did. Sea of corpses... and corpsers, feedin'. Someone told me they're afeared of fire, so I took a torch, tried to chase 'em off. Horseshite, I tell you. Would've ended up eaten alive if it weren't for Hussar here. Listen... guessin' you carry those swords for more than show. Come with me, keep the ghouls off. Help me find Bastien, and I'll pay you well." "Fine, I'll help you. Just... been a few days since the battle. Chances we find your brother alive're slim. Very slim," the witcher said. "Who would've thought. But... I want to find his body, at least. So Bastien don't rot there in the sun with the Black Ones. Meet me on the hil overlookin' the battlefield. We'll move on togethr from there."
"So many corpses... And the war's just started."
"You're here, good. Bastien... his body must be here somewhere," Dune said. "Among countless others. Wanna examine them one by one? Could take a while," Geralt said. "You need'nt fret. The recruits from White Orchard painted a small flower on their shields - so as to be able to spot each other in battle. There was just a few of them. We look for the flowers, we'll find Bastien quick." "No offense, but... many a soldier's dropped his shield. Especially if he was on the losing side." "If we find the shield, Hussar'll catch the scent and lead us to Bastien. Come on. Sooner we get this done the better," Dune said.
"No. Neighbor's son. Come on, Hussar. Can you smell Bastien, boy? Eh... still nothin'" Dune said.
"No... doesn't look anything like him," Dune said.
"Uh, Skin's burned off. Might be hard to tell, I know, but... could this be him?" Geralt said. "I, uh... Bastien was big, broad-shouldered. This one seems smaller. But maybe it's the fire did that..." Dune said.
Then...
"He found him! Hussar caught his scent! Come on!" Dune said.
"So many corpses... And the war's just started."
"You're here, good. Bastien... his body must be here somewhere," Dune said. "Among countless others. Wanna examine them one by one? Could take a while," Geralt said. "You need'nt fret. The recruits from White Orchard painted a small flower on their shields - so as to be able to spot each other in battle. There was just a few of them. We look for the flowers, we'll find Bastien quick." "No offense, but... many a soldier's dropped his shield. Especially if he was on the losing side." "If we find the shield, Hussar'll catch the scent and lead us to Bastien. Come on. Sooner we get this done the better," Dune said.
"No. Neighbor's son. Come on, Hussar. Can you smell Bastien, boy? Eh... still nothin'" Dune said.
"No... doesn't look anything like him," Dune said.
"Uh, Skin's burned off. Might be hard to tell, I know, but... could this be him?" Geralt said. "I, uh... Bastien was big, broad-shouldered. This one seems smaller. But maybe it's the fire did that..." Dune said.
Then...
"He found him! Hussar caught his scent! Come on!" Dune said.
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Wotan- Posts : 3373
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