Fiction:The Goldhawk Chronicles

The Goldhawk Chronicles details the adventures of a band of heroic mercenaries known as the Goldhawks from the point of their foundation as a team and as close friends to their eventual dissolution and tragic separation. From their proudest ventures to their darkest battles, from their great ascent to their whimpering downfall, the story of the Goldhawks and its members is to be witnessed as a tale of personal tragedy and as an exploration of the values of freedom, corruption, and ultimately, inevitability.

A Tense Foundation
Mid Zenith's Peak, 32 BNA: Lower Central Sohitaria

The sun loomed brightly over the land; the Koldenweltian Summer was coming to rise and those foreign to the sandy towns and cities of the were beginning to experience the strain of thirst and dehydration brought on by the heat of the Sea of Sand. It would be some hours before noon and the sun was at its highest point, its rays of light glimmering off of the jewellery, armour, and weaponry sported by merchants, soldiers, and adventurers alike. The Summer brought with it a prosperous season for those whose careers pertained to the search and retrieval of ancient, lost artefacts or the fierce opposition of raiders and monsters, which in turn profitted the many merchants who sold to these adventurers and mercenaries the precious essence of life - water, a resource so vital to these desert lands that bloody, catastrophic wars have been fought for its ownership. Both the native denizens and experienced veterans of the adventuring business could tell that this season was going to quite probably be the hottest in decades and such knowledge was not lost upon the manipulative profiteers, with the prices for their goods having been raised to suit the demand. So expensive were their goods and so hot was this day that it would not be out of the question to expect those desperate to sate their thirst to lash out and kill for it.

The elven ranger, accompanied by his dwarven compatriots, felt himself sweat profusely from his sharp brow as he pushed and shoved through the crowd of beggers and peasant folk, occasionally shoving shoulders with other adventurers - whether he shared their passion for exploration or their drive for profit, those not of his party were nothing but competition now in such harsh conditions. was his name; born and raised in the Western Forests and trained as a soldier of the wild, he had left his duties for more profitable work elsewhere and to evade the repetition of consistently facing the same threats he had grown so used to. He needed to adventure, as he so felt, and he would work for himself rather than for any order that felt it could restrain or control him. While he carried his pride firmly in his heart, as of now he also carried an almost crippling desperation for both a drink and a job. Upon a the surface of a counter did he lay his belongings and take a seat, panting while his pointed ears drooped before he was shortly joined by his companions. Hathgar was the name of the dwarven berserker who served as his partner in combat, while Eirik was the dwarf who in turn carried their luggage and worked as both moral and physical support. It was a wonder, the Aithrena often thought, that Eirik did not wish to fight despite his impressive strength.

While they were desperate for work and pay, they needed to quench their thirst before any such work could be found; thus they took the path to a bar some distance away from the throng of merchant stalls that had been set up outside beneath the smeltering sun. A comparatively small establishment, which in turn meant lower prices than its larger neighbours, it held a range of other foreigners who had come with the prospect of adventuring, fighting, and exploration in mind - deiwos, beastmen, even some kelodhres. Incapable of foregoing it any longer, Daithelen cradled his head in his arms on the counter and looked up, exhausted, dehydrated, and in swift need of something to parch his thirst.


 * Daithelen - How... How much money have we left to spend?
 * Eirik - We have... a mere 25 gold pieces, not many more silver pieces, and around 15 or so copper pieces. The journey here and the price of places to stay overnight, along with food and drink, has eaten away at what remains of our savings. ... Oh. And that is not counting the price of fares for public transport.
 * Hathgar - A mere 25 left?! Bah! Damned daylight robbery! Crooks and thieves those bloody salesmen are; no regard for their fellow soul. We are the ones they profit from and they charge us as if we were a fortress!
 * Daithelen - At this point, Hathgar, I could honestly care less. I just... need... something to drink... B-Barkeep? Is... I-Is anyone there? You have a soon-to-be-dead elf splayed across your bar...

The Merovar barkeep, owner of the establishment, looked at Daithelen with an expression of disapproval. He was making a scene on his counter, and he was hardly the first one to do so.


 * Barkeep - Make your order instead of whining on the counter, elf.
 * Daithelen - A round of... of water for three, sir... I've no idea how your people can reside so well in this heat, beneath such an unforgiving sun...

The barkeep turned around in order to serve them their water. The bar had a variety of races in it, ranging from members of the to races typically unseen in the desert, such as those hailing from the south. Among them was a gnoll with a distinct feathered hat who looked at Daithelen, taking some amusement over his state. The Merovar barkeep gave the elf his drinks before moving on to other customers, although not before charging him for ten of their golden pieces. Passing two of the drinks to his dwarven friends, the elf's eyes closed and he almost fell off of his seat as he let the water slip down his throat, beginning to sooth him. Hathgar, the dwarf being more restrained with how he drank for he had more constitution to spare than his elven partner, passed a glance to the other patrons of the bar and caught a glimpse of the gnoll staring at Daithelen, leading him to place his wooden cup on the counter. Upon gazing at the hyena's toothy smile, the dwarf huffed and furrowed his sweating brow.


 * Hathgar - ... Can I help you with something? Or have you never seen an elf before?
 * Gnoll - I hope you don't expect to last long around here like that, newcomer.
 * Hathgar - Oh yeah? And what makes you say that?
 * Gnoll - The fact your elf boy is having a fit.
 * Daithelen - ... Excuse me?
 * Hathgar - Either you're an imbecile or you're having a laugh. Have you not seen the weather out there? Why, of course the elf would be near to passing out; we have been on the road for weeks.
 * Gnoll - Indeed, the weather... And what kind of idiot does not prepare for the heat when travelling the Sea of Sand?
 * Hathgar - Hmph. We had trouble with some Wranploer raiders; they took what water we had on our way here. ... You seem like the kind of person who has never once thirsted in their life. I suppose that's to be expected when even your women have a sausage for you to drink from, eh?

The gnoll's eyes turned to Hathgar before his body followed him, and he glared at the dwarf in annoyance. The other customers near them begun to step back as they noticed the growing atmosphere, while Hathgar simply removed himself from his seat as he met the gnoll with a similar, stern leer.


 * Gnoll - I'd suggest you watch your mouth, little beard with legs... before your tongue goes missing.
 * Hathgar - Is that right, is it? Oh, of course; you're a gnoll. You'll probably steal it, although I think you'll find it is far too good for you to lick your own balls with it. You should stick to using your pack mother's, instead.
 * Gnoll - How feisty you are. But it is as they say, all bark and no bite.
 * Eirik - Jalaric, you need not continue this. Just let him pass and we can make haste once we finish our drinks--
 * Hathgar - All bark and no bite, eh? Is that what your mother said when she raped your father? Is that's what going to be said of you when one of your mongrel sisters decides she wants you for a shag cushion? I've wrestled dwarves with thinner skulls than an unwashed mutt like you.
 * Barkeep - Enough, all of you. Take your fighting out of my bar.
 * Gnoll - How about I shave that beard of yours, hm? Would make for a good treat for your man girlfriends.

The berserker passed a glance to his serf for but a moment, seeing Eirik's disapproval in his eyes, before he stepped towards the gnoll with his hands set behind his back; he boasted his chest and beard outward and, with a proud, stubborn stride, leered down at the gnoll. Daithelen and Eirik were anticipating the dwarf's next action, yet they both knew that once he flew into a rage it would be difficult to control him. Instead of lashing out at the beastman, Hathgar smiled mockingly.


 * Hathgar - ... Try it and I'd happily send you back to your pack in a box.

The gnoll stood up and flicked his wrist; out of his cloth came a serrated dagger, apparently made out of bone, and he grinned as he charged at Hathgar with eyes of a carnivore going for his prey. By merit of being a dwarf, Hathgar could not have prevented the swift, dexterous movements of the gnoll and he felt the sharp edge of his knife cutting through his flesh, a splatter of blood dashing from his cheek as strands of braided, red hair fell to the floor. In retaliation, the berserker roared and attempted to knock the hyena away, while Eirik moved to restrain his fellow dwarf and Daithelen leaped to attempt grabbing the gnoll from behind.

Before anything else could be done, however, all four of them were hit by a powerful blast of water which came from the crowd within the bar. The gnoll yelped as he was launched away, hitting the counter and falling to the other side of it with a pained groan, while the elf was knocked into the counter's side before being painfully floored due to the blunt trauma of the blast. Steam came from Hathgar's shaved head as he stood up from the wreckage of what had been some wooden seats just some seconds ago, glancing into the crowd as he felt the cut strands of his beard and the slashed cuts across his face - all the while, Eirik had his arms wrapped around his waist. The crowd made way in order to glance at the source of the blast; among them was an, a race almost never seen along the Sea of Sand, who wore robes distincts to that of a mage or sorceress. She carried a staff on her hand, from which she had cast her gush of water.


 * Undine - No fighting!
 * Hathgar - ... You got some nerve, lass. Butting in on a fight that wasn't yours-
 * Eirik' - Excuse him. He is simply stressed by the heat and thirst; he has been rather agitated recently and he cannot control himself when he is irritated.
 * Undine - Then learn to control yourself. Another man's blood is not yours to spill. That's for you and the gnoll.
 * Daithelen - Agh... My back... At least I do not feel so thirsty anymore...

The gnoll rose from the counter, holding on his own back as he shook his head in other to take out the water on his fur. The barkeep, meanwhile, was clearly infuriated by the whole incident as he pointed a finger at the exit.


 * Barkeep - Out of my bar, right now! Before I call the city guard!

Hathgar groaned as he shook off Eirik's restraint and made for the street outside, still feeling his beard and having to resort to drying it while his dwarven accomplice gathered the belongings he had set on the counter and accompanied him, although not before giving Daithelen some assistance in standing up. Instead of walking for the exit, however, he approached the Undine sorceress and attempted to smile at her while failing to shake off the aching sensation in his back.


 * Daithelen - ... You have my thanks.
 * Undine - Hm. You're welcome.
 * Barkeep - Was I not clear enough?
 * Undine - ... We are on our way.

The water elemental walked over to the counter before reaching a hand to a pocket and then throwing something on it - a bag of gold coins - before making her way to the exit. The gnoll hissed at the barkeep in anger as he too made his way out, shoving people out of the way as he did so. Daithelen tilted his head at the sight of the Undine handing her gold over before attempting to follow after her as she left, while his dwarven associated looked on at him. His wet, blonde hair getting in his face, the Aithrena moved behind the sorceress before speaking up to grab her attention.


 * Daithelen - You know, you should have let us pay for that...
 * Undine - I nearly broke the man's counter. He deserved some compensation.
 * Daithelen - Yes, however that was through no fault of your own. Was that all the gold you had left? It looked to be a lot. If you wish, me and my companions can pay you back once we grab some work--
 * Undine - You're mercenaries, aren't you? I'm not looking for violence.
 * Daithelen - Mercenaries? Psh, no. ... Maybe. We can be mercenaries, but that is not what I would label ourselves officially, if you catch my meaning. Besides, I think we have all had enough violence for one morning.
 * Undine - Hm. We have. My name is Riomara Acquae.
 * Daithelen - Daithelen. Daithelen Kevlamir, but my friends just call me Dai. Or Thelen. Whichever works. ... You know, you have a very beautiful name--
 * Hathgar - Keep it in your bloody pants, elf.
 * Riomara - Hmpf... Well, mister Kevlamir. Dwarf. I must be on my way.
 * Daithelen - ... Hold on a minute. Never mind us being mercenaries; what is an Undine doing all the way out here at the start of one of the hottest seasons in years? Surely you do not have a death wish.
 * Riomara - If it interests you, I am a hydromancer in training. I am travelling west in order to conclude my studies.
 * Daithelen - A hydromancer? ... That means you can supply us-- I mean, yourself with water. And it looks like you know a thing or two about handling tough situations like just now.
 * Riomara - I do, but I only fight in self-defense. I do not like the sight of blood, nor do I enjoy the idea of ending another person's life.

The elf pondered for a moment, stroking his chin as he thought to himself about the possibilities of travelling and adventuring with a hydromancer - especially an innate one such as an Undine. After a minute of engaging in deep thought, he smiled at the Undine and stood up tall, a hand on his hip, and he whisked the wet hair from his face confidently and stylishly.


 * Daithelen - I know how expensive it is to afford magical training in the Sovereignty, which I know' that is where you are planning on going! You plan on attending the Grand Collegium, in fact! One of the best sources of magical education and learning in the entire Western Continent!
 * Riomara - You are correct. It doesn't surprise me that a western elf knows of the Sovereignty's Collegium.
 * Daithelen - Well, attending the Grand Collegium means money; lots of money! And that is just for a single year! And I doubt you are carrying enough to afford the costs of travelling there and applying for courses at the Collegium... That means you have be in the middle of finding work! Am I right?
 * Riomara - I planned to find work at Purity's Apogee, yes.
 * Daithelen - Well, I have a better idea; travel with me and my party and you will earn more money than whatever crappy job is available in Purity's Apogee right now. Adventuring is a profitable business, especially at this time of year! You can earn more than enough for several courses at the Collegium and have enough left over to buy a manor, or something... What do you say?
 * Riomara - Travel with you? Urm... we barely know each other... and your dwarf companion looks like a thug...
 * Hathgar - Well, excuse you, princess.
 * Daithelen - ... Alright look, we're desperate. We haven't had a paying job in weeks and we're starving, we're thirsty, and we can barely afford better equipment. We can't even buy new clothes to put on our backs! We need a caster or at least more people so we can earn more by doing more demanding jobs. I hate begging, but... please consider it, at least?

Riomara looked at Daithelen, her face showing apprehension. It was clear by his tone that he was not lying, and thinking to herself, she realized it would not take long for her to reach a similar scenario should she keep travelling alone. After some moments, the Undine let out a sigh before speaking.


 * Riomara - ... Okay, I think we're better off together.
 * Daithelen - Yes! ... Erm, ahem, I mean... Thank you for making the right decision. I'm sure your talents will come in handy, especially with Hathgar's strength and my own expertise and know-how--
 * Riomara - But. I'm not helping you kill anyone. And I need to be hydrated myself, otherwise I will die giving my magic to you to drink. And also, I want a say on what jobs we're taking... and I want to sleep in my own room whenever possible.
 * Daithelen - You know it'd cost less for all of us to get double bed rooms--
 * Riomara - I'm an Undine. Other people around me while I'm vulnerable make me nervous. And I can't even sleep in normal beds to begin with. I'm made of water.
 * Daithelen - ... Deal! You don't get to kill anyone, we supply you with water, you get a say on what adventures we pick, and you get your own room! It's going to be good doing business with you, Thelmara!
 * Riomara - ... My name is Riomara.
 * Daithelen - Oh. My apologies.
 * Hathgar - Can we just stop for a moment and ask why that gnoll is still hanging around?
 * Riomara - Why should we care? Leave it alone.
 * Hathgar - He had a good go at my face... and an even better go at my bloody beard. Ooh, thinking about that is just... It's making me so mad, I can barely hold myself.
 * Riomara - Of course he did, you just started barking insults at him like a drunk.

Shoving past Daithelen, Hathgar approached the gnoll, who was turned away from them at the other side of the street, his arms folded over his muscular chest while Eirik followed close behind him so that he could attempt to stop him from causing yet another commotion in public. Daithelen raised his hand to his face and wiped his brow, shaking his head as his excitement and optimistic expression quickly wore away into a worried frown. Kicking up sand and dust as he walked, Hathgar wore a smile as he walked across the street and came up towards the gnoll's rear in what looked to be an act of preparation for a flanking attack. He parted his arms and laid them on his hips, glaring at the gnoll from behind.


 * Hathgar - Oi!

The gnoll turned his head to the dwarf, and his face became locked in a frown, his fanged teeth clenched as he saw him approaching.


 * Gnoll - You again. What do you want? You already ruined my drinks.
 * Hathgar - And you ruined my perfectly braided beard. ... You have a lot of nerve doing that. What's your name, gnoll?
 * Gnoll - None of your concern, short human thing. One more step and I 'will kill you, and eat your corpse.
 * Hathgar - You travelling with anybody, mutt? You don't look as if you're travelling with anybody. And one gnoll can only do so much on their own. ... I have a feeling you're not much of an adventurer or a mercenary.
 * Gnoll - My life is none of your concern. This is your last warning.
 * Hathgar - Alright, then let me cut to the chase; no one had ever managed to have as good a go at me like you did back in that bar. You're quick, you're swift, you cut bloody deep and you know exactly where to strike people. ... I want to offer you a job.
 * Gnoll - A job? ... Fine, then. Amuse me. This will surely be worth of a chuckle.
 * Hathgar - My adventuring party is looking to expand. The more we have with us, the more pressing jobs we can take, which means more money being made. You're a fierce little bastard like most gnolls are and you're smart too. Smarter than me, perhaps. And you know what adventuring amounts to? Treasure and profit from clients. ... And people whose purses you can cut from once you give them a good shanking in the side.

The gnoll looked at Hathgar with some disgust in his eyes as he turned around to face him.


 * Gnoll - You want me to travel with you. Spend my time living with a racist little shit of a dwarf. ... Not for all the gold on Sarif Maidan's coffers.
 * Hathgar - I've no prejudice towards your kind; I said what I did because I know it'd piss you off. It got a rise out of you. But I know there are people around these parts who do have a problem with gnolls and would take kindly to doing something to one travelling on its own. And by the looks of things, being a one man operation is not going to help you if the guards catch on to you looking like you're doing something you shouldn't.

The gnoll had his arms crossed as he looked at Hathgar, a growl coming out of him. It took him several moments to react again as he then walked past the dwarf, going over to Daithelen instead. The elf looked down at the gnoll, pondering as to what Hathgar could have possibly said to have not provoked a confrontation.


 * Gnoll - It appears your pet barrel with legs has convinced me to join your little "family". But I will warn you now; I do not give my treasure away without good reason.
 * Daithelen - ... You have a name?
 * Gnoll - You think me a savage? Of course I have a name. I am Hald-Sleac Kraasteg.
 * Daithelen - Welcome to the party, Hald-Sleac. I am Daithelen Kevlamir. The dwarf beside me is Kvo Eirik and the, erm... the one you talked to is Jalaric Hathgar. Oh, and this wonderful lady is--
 * Riomara - Riomara Acquae of the Undine... "Wonderful lady"?
 * Daithelen - Well, I mean... C-Controlling water and being able to help us adventure is pretty wonderful, do you not think? Not everyone can do that kind of thing, heh, and... and... yeah... You get my point.
 * Hald-Sleac - Undine, eh? So that's what you are. I thought you were some sort of sickly blue elf.
 * Riomara - We Undine are elementals, not elves.
 * Hald-Sleac - Yes, whatever.
 * Eirik - Ah, splendid. We now have a full adventuring party. I am now certain that we will be able to get along and work together to work ourselves a reasonable income. Now, if no one has any argument, let us go and gather lunch so that we may be ready for the trials ahead.
 * Daithelen - Uh, Eirik? We... We kind of do not have any money. I mean we have... 15 gold pieces now. Lunch is expensive around these parts, especially since it is Summer. We might have to be more conversative.
 * Eirik - ... Then it seems I was wrong. I was never ready for these trials. ... May the Hammer Throne preserve me, for as I grow hungry, I will know true suffering.