Song of Nadira Episode 1

The gods have chosen...

In the village of Lowmoor, in the Tempest Hills, lives Nadira. She is a strong, forceful and imposing woman. Daughter of a miner, Mattick, who mysteriously has gone missing. Many believe he was taken by a fierce beast stocking the wilds around the village. Nadira believes something more sinister is afoot and has sworn an iron vow to discover the truth of her father's disappearance.

The evening before Nadira was planning her journey to discover her fathers fate she was alerted by her friend Adda, a brave guide who is obsessed with defending the village from the giants. Adda informs Nadira the high priest Namba has selected Nadira to fight in this year’s death match.

Every year the village participates in a brutal ritual to appease the warrior god Joa. Two villagers are selected to fight to the death. Nadira, loyal to her village agrees to postpone her journey, in hopes that blessing from Joa will provide aid in her quest to find her father. To some this ritual seems savage and brutal but to the Lowmoor Village it is an honor to fight to the death in the ritual. Even the dead are celebrated as great heroes for their sacrifice to the gods. Those who survive are said to be blessed by Joa and even gifted the his powers to help in the ongoing fight against the giants and Firstborn of the Ironlands.

The Next Morning...

Nadira prepares for battle but when she arrives at the ritual arena her opponent, Koto, is nowhere to be found. The villagers are gathered around the arena muttering and whispering yet the entire village has an ere silence. It is feared her opponent has fled in fear of defeat, though this would seem out of character for an adventurous mercenary such as Koto. The High Priest Namba, a very powerful and influential priest, stands before the warrior at an iron alter over the arena with an upset look on his face. Suddenly Adda runs into the arena and addresses the entire village.

“Koto, has been captured by the Giants!” Adda screams.

The entire village uproars. Namba raises his war-hammer and requests the village to silence.

"When did this happen? What is your proof?" Namba says.

"The hunters said Koto was captured by giants during a raid of their camp last night. They tried to track him but lost their way. They spent all night hiking back to the village for help." Replied Adda.

“This is grave news for our village, surely the Joa is not pleased, I must consult with the gods to learn of our fate. Nadira, you must remain here in the arena and pray to Joa." Namba said with a very concerned voice, shaking in fright that the gods are displeased with the village.

As Nadira bows her head to prey to the warrior god the entire village, who has gathered around the battle arena all join in prayer. The priest returns to the sanctuary at the top of the arena, the entire village preys and waits for the judgment of the gods. After what seemed like an eternity the priest returns to the arena.

“The Gods have spoken!” Pointing drastically at Nadira Namba announces “You Nadira must retrieve your opponent front the giants. This is your test by the gods. Should you return safely the gods will make a final judgement.”

Nadira looks up at the priest and with a astute tone “must we still fight to appease the gods?”

The priest replies confidently “That is yet to be revealed. Return Koto from the giants and I shal counsel with the gods when your opponent joins you in the arena.”

Nadira nods and approaches the large iron statue of the Joa to swear an iron vow to return Koto from the giants.

(Move-Swear A Vow: Rank: Dangerous, Weak Hit: You are determined but start your quest with more questions than answers. Envision what you do to find a path forward.)

As Nadira places her hand on the iron statue she recites her vow “I swear to my village I will return Koto back to the arena”

Though Nadira has sworn a vow she knows not even where to begin her journey. She ask the priest “Where can I find the giants who have captured Koto?”

(Move: Gather information, weak hit: the information gathered complicates the quest.)

The priest replies. "You must escourt Adda to her home village of Woodrock. The Woodrock village has made a pact with the giants and may give Adda information on how to find our kinsmen.

The Journey Begins.

Nadira nods to the priest and leaves the arena with Adda. “We must go, we have no time to waste.” She says softly.

Adda looks at Nadira reluctantly. “I do not like my home village, and I do not approve of the pact they have made with the giants but I as the gods will I must help in any way I can.”

"It is the will of Joa, and surly the gods will smile on us for our devotion to them." Says Nadira.

The two gather their supplies and begin to head for Woodrock.

(Move: undertake a journey, rank: Dangerous, Weak Hit: Reach a waypoint and mark progress but suffer one supply.)

Nadira and Adda leave the village on the path to Woodrock. Adda knows the path well as this is her home but it has been some time since she has journeied to Woodrock.

As they move through the wilderness outside of Lowmoor. "The first destination we must reach on this journey is a rich glade just a day’s travel from the village due east in the Lowmoore Forest." Adda says.

As they travel over the day, mostly in silence as they contemplate their individual fates, the path was much more difficult to travel and in doing so they had lost a satchel filled with food. Luckily they encountered no beast, Firstborn or Raiders along the way. These are common dangers in the wilderness of the Ironlands. Unfortunately, unlike other Ironlander villages, no direct road exist to Woodrock. The people of the village have isolated themselves from the other Ironlanders, this was part of the agreement they have made with the Fristborn in exchange for protection of their village. The people of Woodrock are a strange and superstitious people. Though the Ironlanders are considered supersitious by the Firsborn in general for the many gods they worship, the people of Woodrock are exceptionally superstitious.

The rich glade approaches. As the day comes to an end.

"We have made good time on this journey but it is getting dark. We should consider making camp here for the night. Nadira says.

(Move: make camp, Strong Hit. partake -1 supply and focus take +1 momentum)

Adda, sits on a log next to Nadira."This is a big journey, the gods have asked you to face the giants yourself. You should take a little time to rejoice that the gods have chosen you, In the morning we can hunt and resupply, this glade will provide much opportunity for now enjoy, I've brought with me some mead.”

Nadira with a relieved look on her face says to Adda. "This is a great idea, perhaps this will help me relax so that I can focus on what we need to do tomorrow."

The two share mead and plan out the journey ahead of them tomorrow as they tell stories of memories long ago until they both have found rest for the night.

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