Brainbinding...
Brainbinding...
Chapter 1.32 R
Ryoka Griffin rests at an inn in Celum, suffering immense agony from her shattered bone. Garia Strongheart visits her as she recovers, while new details about the Horns of Hammerad adventurer team are revealed.
Ryoka Griffin is currently bedridden at an inn in Celum, enduring excruciating agony. Her injury is severe; her bone is completely shattered into splinters, making it exceptionally difficult for a standard healer, such as the local healer of Celum, to treat. A highly specialized Bone Healer may be required to properly mend the damage.
While Ryoka is confined to her bed under the roof of the innkeeper of Celum, Garia Strongheart comes to visit her. The narrative also delves into the structure of the Runner's Guild, differentiating between long-distance couriers and the local Street Runner class, while other runners like Persua, Toriska, and Claudeil operate in the background.
Meanwhile, more details about the Adventurer's Guild team known as the Horns of Hammerad are revealed. Calruz, the Minotaur, is noted for wearing horn caps formally engraved with the Hammerad insignia. His party members are formally introduced, including Gerial, who is revealed to be the vice-captain. Other members introduced include Hunt, a scarred warrior, and Sostrom, a wispy-haired, self-taught mage. Ceria's expensive and magically enchanted dark blue mage robes are also highlighted.
The chapter also explores historical lore and world-building regarding the continent's past conflicts. The narrative touches upon the Southern Alliance, a historical military coalition, and its role during the Antinium Wars. Mentions of the Antinium Queens and the resumption of hostilities during the Second Antinium War provide a broader context to the dangerous world the characters inhabit.
Ryoka Griffin suffers immensely in Celum, realizing her shattered bone and splinters cannot be easily healed.
Garia Strongheart arrives at the inn in Celum to visit the bedridden Ryoka.
The Minotaur captain of the Horns of Hammerad, who wields a massive battleaxe.
aka the Minotaur, Beriad of the House of Minos +6
A sturdy, friendly Runner who carries massive loads and persistently tries to befriend Ryoka.
aka Garia, Miss Garia +1
An anti-social, barefoot runner from Earth who works as a messenger in Izril.
aka City Runner, Miss Runner +11
Historical context is provided regarding the Antinium Queens, the Southern Alliance, and the Second Antinium War.
An independent city-state located near the High Passes.
A rival runner whom Ryoka suspects holds a grudge.
aka Miss Persua, a fellow City Runner
A Street Runner who acts as one of Persua's sidekicks.
A City Runner and crony of Persua.
A physical System class geared toward intimidation and brawling in taverns.
aka [Tavern Toughs]
Couriers employed by the Runner's Guild who operate within city limits.
aka City Runner, The Street Runners +1
The Human vice-captain of the Horns of Hammerad.
aka the vice-captain, vice-captain of the Horns of Hammerad +2
A scarred warrior member of the Horns of Hammerad.
aka the armored warrior
One of the [Mages] in the Horns of Hammerad.
aka the wispy-haired [Mage], the [Mage] Sostrom +2
An expensive, magically enchanted set of dark blue robes purchased by Ceria Springwalker.
A massive, bull-like sapient species.
aka Minotaurs
A sapient species possessing Elven traits.
aka Half-Elf, half-Elves
The unnamed proprietor of the inn in Celum where Ryoka Griffin is staying.
aka [Innkeeper]
“…The incursion of the Antinium hives into the southern region of the continent led to the bloody year-long war known as the Antinium Wars, or more specifically, the First Antinium War, in which hundreds of thousands of Antinium soldiers established huge colonies across the western coast where it bordered the High Passes, razing cities and forcing Gnoll tribes to retreat into the lower plains regions. Initially, the southern Drake cities and allied confederacies were slow to react to the Antinium sweeping through the plateaus and rugged mountainous regions of the continent, underestimating the dangers of an entrenched Antinium hive and the true numbers of the Antinium concealed beneath the earth. It was only after five cities were lost that—”
“The tide of the war only changed after the discovery of the Antinium’s fatal weakness. Using their newfound tactics, the Southern Alliance used long-range mage spells to assault Antinium hives and deter attacking forces. One of the Hives was destroyed entirely before a temporary truce was formed between the Antinium Queens and the leaders of the city states. This peace was tenuous however and lasted for only ten years when the Antinium attacked again, leading to the Second Antinium War…”
“Hey there, Ryoka!”
“Hey, Ryoka, how are you doing?”
“I’m fine, Garia.”
“So, how are you doing? Is your leg feeling any better?”
“Guess.”
“Did you—did you go to see the [Healer] I told you about? She’s a good one. Works with us Runners all the time.”
“Couldn’t help. The bone’s too badly broken.”
+124 more quotes →“Oh. I’m sorry.”