With the current refugee problem proving dire with winter approaching and who knows what lurking in the forests of Kings Hollow, Elros approaches the refugees to try to persuade them to work with his friends and the Stormcrows. He knows that the events of KK are still very recent, but Kings Hollow has its own set of looming threats, and he wants to make sure that the refugees understand the current position that they are in. He makes the following speech:
"Former citizens of Kripple Kreek, I am Elros Elendae, a member of the Baronial House here in Kings Hollow. I first and foremost want to thank you for your assistance and help that you have provided around the village. I have heard of the events that have transpired at Kripple Kreek...and I want you to know that although I was not there first hand, I grieve with you for the lives that have been lost that day."
He pauses a moment to gather his thoughts, knowing that each and every word he chooses is critical.
"It is my hope, that you will never have to live through such a tragedy again. It is with this hope, that I am here today." He smiles and gestures to the Stormcrows.
"These individuals here are some of the finest warriors that I know. They may look a little menacing (he says with a chuckle) but once you get to know them, they are wonderful people. They are strong, courageous, and some of the best friends that I have. They are the Stormcrows."
He then turns to Riyu, Rook and Nyxx.
"I would now like to introduce you to Riyu, Rook and Nyxx, some of my oldest comrades. Riyu is an expert at self defense and would be more than willing to train with anyone interested in learning how to defend themselves. Rook and Nyxx are some of the finest healers we have here in town and will be more than happy to mend any wounds, or teach those interested in the art of essence magic."
"All of these fine people, including myself, have offered to protect each and every one of you while we work together to create your new home."
He then turns back to the crowd and a more serious look crosses his face.
"Now, I will be honest with you, we are a small village, limited on resources and space. This should come as no surprise to you, as you have experienced this over the past few months. Unfortunately, our town has its own set of looming threats, that makes expansion difficult. I want to be honest and frank with all of you that these threats are real and the town guard is stretched thin. As I said before, it is my hope that you never have to experience the tragedy that occurred in Kripple Kreek again, and so I ask this of you."
"Protect your loved ones, yourself, and all others by training with my friends and I. Take destiny into your own hands and learn to defend what you hold dear. By doing so, you can ensure that history will not repeat itself."
"We will set up daily training sessions for any that are interested in learning martial or magical arts. In exchange, I ask that we all pull together to create your new home. In exchange for your time spent gathering resources, and constructing, I offer you citizenship of Kings Hollow on behalf of Count Decklin. This path will not be easy, but together we can make this happen.
Once I have determined a plan on where to build, and how to gain the necessary resources, I will let all of you know." He then smiles and proceeds to get to work.
A family of 6 refugees approaches Riyu, Rook and Nyxx after Lord Elros' speech. The family appears to be an older gentleman, a younger woman and several kids of varying ages. The older gentleman speaks, "We would be grateful if you would teach us all self-defense and healing. We don't know if we will stay in Kings Hollow, but we want to be able to help defend the town and our tent encampments if the worst happens. We've lived through the Neperax attacks and don't see the sense in being victims again."
A look of sorrow passes across the faces of the family, and upon closer inspection, you notice the kids don't have much passing family resemblance with each other.
The older gentleman continues to speak, introducing the family, "My name is Harold. This is my daughter, Michelle, and these are the children of our friends and neighbors from Kripple Kreek that we rescued and made into our family: Michael, Stevie, Penny, and the littlest one is Sophie."
A small boy around the age of 10 walks up to Elros wearing a shield but has no weapon. He has a serious look on his face but one without confidence, "Lord Elros, I wish to learn how defend myself and this town. I am a survior of Kripple Kreek and want to make this place my home."
Elros kneels down to the child to look him in the eyes, places a hand on his shoulder, and smiles.
"No need to call me Lord. You can simply call me Elros. This town needs more brave soldiers like yourself! Say, let me see that shield you have there..."
He gestures to the young one to hand him his shield. Elros looks over it for few seconds, inspecting it.
"We can definitely use this to train. I have to tell you though, training will not be easy. You have to promise me that you are up for the task....uh...." He then chuckles and places his hand behind his head.
"I just realized I haven't even asked you your name yet!" He says with a smile.
The boy boasting with pride says "My name is Aron, and I know training won't be easy but I have to get strong like the adventurers that saved me back in Kripple Kreek."
You notice that the shield is a basic coffin shield with deep claw marks and is battered but still useable.
Elros reaches his hand out to shake the young man's hand, clasping tightly.
"Nice to meet you Aron! With our training, I can guarantee that you will become big and strong like the adventurers."
He pauses and then asks, "if you don't mind me asking, have you ever used a weapon before? Do you have a preference?"
He then gestures to the Stormcrows. "We have a wide variety of fighters here that can teach you any specialty. Most use a round shield, but I have a shield that is similar to yours, see."
He then unstraps his shield from his back and shows Aron. "If you want, I can show you how to use the shield you have?"
Aron seems to be excited with Elros treating him serious. "Sure, I can always get better. Though I've never used a weapon before. I'm willing to learn how to use some."
Riyu approaches the villagers with his staff at his side. It appears shorted than it should and has a noticeable broken end. "I'd be happy to teach anyone interested in self defense with a staff. You can easily aquire one, and they are cheap to replace. Something you may want to take into account. But defense is all I will teach. Nothing more." Riyu seems slightly uncomfortable with the situation, but stands calmly awaiting their response.
Harold and his family approaches Riyu. "Some of us would like to learn defense. We've no appetite for killing, if it can be avoided, but we don't want to be victims again. Knowing how to defend ourselves would be a good first step."
Riyu begins to look pale as he continues speaking. "Agreed. Avoid killing at all costs." He raises a shaky hand and points toward a nearby tree. " I will sit under that tree. When you are ready please come see me."
Harold looks a bit concerned at Riyu's pale complexion and shakiness, but says "If we go into the woods to acquire stout sticks to turn in to staves, is there any type of wood we should avoid, or is there a type you'd recommend? I suppose we could talk to some of the armorers her in Kings Hollow, but we don't really have coin to spend."
"Simple oak is always a good choice. I apologise but I must go clear my head." Riyu starts toward the tree he motioned to earlier.
"My oldest children and I will return when we have something serviceable to use. It may take a day or so." Harold tells Riyu.
Leaving Riyu under the tree, Harold and the older children seek out a town guard to ask if there is a sawmill in town. If not, they ask for the direction of local wood cutters who could help them find limbs from oak trees that could be turned into staves. Over the next two days, Harold and his family can be seen sitting in their tent camp trimming some oak branches smooth.
Elros motions to some of the Stormcrows to join him.
"So before we begin Aron, I would like to show you a few different weapons that can be paired with a shield like yours."
He gestures to Freya and she steps forward. "One of my mightiest comrades, Freya, uses a war-hammer with her shield. Freya, why don't you give him a demonstration?" he says with a smile.
Freya steps forward and swings the giant hammer into a nearby tree trunk with a fierce war cry. The tree splinters, leaving behind a substantial dent into the trunk.
"Now, not many can wield such a heavy weapon as Freya does, so I would recommend a weapon with a little more finesse for your size and frame."
He then motions to Ivan, and he steps forward. "Now, Ivan uses dual axes in combat, but the weapon can also be utilized with a shield."
Ivan proceeds to shadow-fight with his twin axes, releasing quick bursts of flurries.
"As you can see, they are much quicker than the hammer. Another great thing about axes..." Elros walks forward with his shield in hand.
"Is that they can arc over shields!" He holds his shield up and has Ivan place the axe slightly over the top, to demonstrate.
"Always remember this as you use your shield. You will have to shrug your shoulder up just slightly, to make sure you don't catch the brunt of the blade."
He then steps back and motions to Kenok, and he steps forward. "Kenok, and I will now demonstrate to you another reliable, trusted, weapon...the sword."
Elros straps up his shield and draws his long sword, while Kenok flourishes his twin short swords.
"As you can see, they come in varying lengths for speed and precision. Kenok, are you ready?"
Kenok nods and the elf and barbarian square off. Kenok rushes towards Elros, releasing a few, quick flurries. Elros responds by thrusting his shield forward into the first sword and parrying the second with his blade. The force of the shield knocks Kenok off balance, and Elros strikes at the opening. Kenok dodges the strike, plants his foot into the dirt and rushes Elros for a second time swinging high and low with both swords.
Elros stands his ground, parrying the low blow and blocking the high one with his shield. As Kenok prepares for another strike, Elros sets his feet and anchors down. Kenok charges again, and Elros smiles, shifting his feet, revealing his bluff. As the barbarian's blade rushes towards him, Elros sidesteps the blow and the sound of iron can be heard as the blade bounces off of his shield. Kenok stumbles forward and Elros taps his blade against his back, ending the spar session.
He then turns to Aron, "Using a sword is all about precision, agility, and waiting for your opportunity. If you rush into battle, swinging wildly, a patient, and strategic opponent will beat you every time. You can't win a battle by sheer force."
He then turns to Kenok and thanks him, as well as the other Stormcrows and turns back to Aron. "So, what weapon do you think you would like to try out?"
Harold and his family find Riyu after the branches have been smoothed. They present their findings to him for inspection and approval.
<Cadaija approaches Elros and offers a half bow> Yer Lordship, I'm Cadaija I work with the Healer Bard Kestra Moonshadow. If'en yer needing another weapons instructor I ken offer ya my blades and time. I serve as body guard fer Kestra as she travels about. Basically protection fer her as well as any merchant set up during a market. Yer friend Rook invited me to join ya on something ye were doing at Foundstone. I had ta decline. Given me years as a warrior I know when me blades are best used . I also have enough sense ta not go where I kin become a liability rather then than and asset. So ifen I can be of service. let me know. As long as Kestra's wagon is parked over yon I be about.
Elros takes a break from teaching Aron a few pointers and returns Cadaija's greeting with a half bow of his own.
"Pleasure to meet you, Cadaija. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide for these fine folk!"
His smile fades as he lowers his voice and leans in towards Cadaija, "As you may have heard, they are refugees from the recent catastrophe that occurred at Kripple Kreek. Many are VERY green and inexperienced, some even frightened to take up arms against future threats for the horrors they have witnessed. I am stressing patience and understanding with all of my comrades as we teach those willing to learn."
Leaning back, his familiar smile returns, "I encourage you to set up sessions with any and all interested. So far, Harold and his family are training with Riyu, and Aron is training with me. We can all share training duties if you desire."
Yer Lordship, be it long, short or small battle weapons with or without a shield I can teach em. As well as any thin that kin be pitched. While ive a bow, I've found that thrown'en things tends ta work for the yung, old and fearful. It gives em some distance from the big bad. Besides show me a little un that dont be liken ta throw rocks or apples at folks