Nido: Apocalypse

Elder Evaline

As the group got closer they could see 6 watch towers scattered around the town. One on each corner and two on either side of the gate with a bridge connecting them both. The wall was an amalgamation of sheet metal and car parts. They could see 2 guards on each tower with 5 being on the main tower. Each guard wore a breastplate armor with an orange sash draped over them and carried a shield. Some would either have a sword, axe or mace while at least one person per tower would have a bow.

“Who goes there” the center guard called out! He had armor similar to Captain Charles, but it wasn’t nearly as wel maintained.

“It’s Captain Charles! We were ambushed by goblins! We were saved by these Champions. Open the gate! I’ll bring them to the Elder.”

The guard gave an audible gasp before yelling “Open the gate!”

The other guards on the tower rushed to either side. Each one grabbed a hold of of a chain and slowly pulled them to open the gate. The loud scratching sound of the metal caused some people to cover their ears.

As the doors slowly opened.opened the party could see in. Inside they noticed on one side there was a large farm growing a variety of different fruits and vegetables. Some villagers tilling and plowing the fields. On the other side was a barn, stables and a handful of farm animals being corralled by villagers. Nearly everyone stopped doing what they were doing as the party drew their attention.

Captain Charles turned to his men.

“You all bring him to the healer.” He said while pointing at Donny. “I’ll take the Champions to the Elder.”

“Sir yes sir”, the guards said with a salut and carried Donny to one of the buildings on the side with the farm. It was a wooden hut that seemed like it was barely maintained.

Captain Charles lead the Champions down the main road of the town. It was a dirt road with two main houses on either side. The healers hut on the farm side while the larger metal structure on the other. The metal structure was nearly a block long and very well maintained, for a building made from scrap metal can be. It was the forges work shop. Nearly a dozen men and women worked here. They not only maintained the guards armor and weapons, but would also make more horse shoes and other farming equipment for the town. There were no houses outside the main building. The building itself was the ruined Walmart. Everyone live there. It’s where the town’s communal kitchen and working bathrooms. With its stone walls giving great protection the town decided to make this one building their home.

This was Grimms first time here and got a slight chuckle seeing boss Walat got its name. Couple of the letters fell off leaving behind the name Walat.

As the group followed Captain Charles they started to notice the towns folk. Each time they passed one they would slowly stop what they were doing and just stare T them.

Captain Charles coughed and said “I’m sorry about them. We haven’t seen a Champion in quite some time. I’m sure everyone is curious of you all and will hound you eventually. But the Elder has to meet with you first.”

Everyone but Grimm knew who the Elder was. Evaline Broshin. Although, everyone just called her Elder. No one besides Captain Charles, and the players, knew who she was before becoming the Elder of this town. She was once a fearless adventurer who’s power rivaled the Captain of the Royal guards of the bigger nations. Both the Nevu Republic and Golden Empire tried to recruit her and the party she was apart of. She was too much of a free spirit to be tied down.

After an incident in a dungeon she lost nearly her entire party. She and two others barely made it out of alive, not even being able to clear it. After that they all went their separate ways. She went South and traveled helping those she ran into. She saved a large group of travelers and Captain Charles, who was a child at the time. As a show of thanks they gave her food and offered her to join them. Having no where to really go and nothing more in life she joined. Shortly after they founded Walat. She originally took the role of Guard Captain and trained the younger generations in many things. Not just how to fight and defend one’s self, but taught those how to read a map and survive in the Wilds. People started to call her granny and look up to her. She has so much experience from life many always came to her for advice. As the years passed her heart softened. She no longer felt like an outside running from her passed, but a part of the village he helped built. She was later voted to be the next Elder and has stayed in the position for the last 13 years.

Outside the doors to Walat was another pair of guards. They wore better armor then the guards stationed on the towers. Not only were their armors better maintained they each held a halberd. Seeing Captain Charles and the Champions heading towards them they held the doors doors open for them. Inside the large building were dozens of smaller houses. Some houses were stacked on top of each other. A handful of people carried dirty clothes to a washing station to clean. The room in the center of the building was completely made of wood. It didn’t look nearly as disheveled as the other houses. What shocked the players the most was inside the structure was electricity.

“This looks like something I’d build in fallout 4” Lazy whispered to the others.

The rest chuckled.

Captain Charles started to point out some rooms they were passing by explaining them. Most of them were mainly house or storage rooms or even just private wash rooms.

He pointed to a large squarish building.

“That’s the guard house. Most guards actually have families, but some of the younger generation without a family of their own tend to stay there more often.”

Pointing to another couple buildings Captain Charles explained they had a single trader that worked with a Wildlands caravan for supplies. Their healer lived outside and would go with some guards to pick herbs for potions. Another building was the training grounds for new guards or the occasional tournament.

He lead them to a smaller much better made room in the center of Walat. It was made of pure metal and seemed much sturdier then the rest of the rooms inside. He knocked on the door.

An older feminine voice called out “Come in Charles.” She sounded caring but also stern.

He opened the door reveling an elderly woman leaning over a table. On the table was a detailed map of the town and the surrounding areas along with the entire continent. The Elder was still in great shape. Her power as a Pugilist maintained her athletic figure, while her dark skin hid her wrinkles. If the party had to guess her age they would all say in her mid to late 40’s, but her bright white hair gave away her real age.

“Charles it’s good to see you. How did the scouting go”, she asked while not lookin up from her map?

“Terrible” he replied with a hint of shame in his voice. “We ended up getting ambushed by a large group of goblins and nearly lost Donny, but thankfully these Champions showed up and saved us. Grimm, the one in the robes, healed Donny. We didn’t milk them all, but I’m just happy we didn’t lose anyone. I need to train more; and the men as well” he said thinking back to the fight. He was confident in his own skills, but they are as strong as their weakest link.

The Elders eyes came back to life hearing about the Champions. She was barely paying attention while she was engrossed in her map.

“I haven’t seen any Champions in quite a few decades.” She said looking at the group. Before continuing she turned back to Captain Charles.

“I know you got back but while you were gone some goblins were seen skulking around. My guess is they are planning something. I want you to take some men and keep an eye out. Don’t leave the walls but take some men from the main building and post them around the town. I’d like to have a chat with the Champions privately.”

“Yes ma’am!”

Captain Charles gave her a salute and left the room.

The Elder turned and walked to a door on the other side of the room. She opened it revealing a meeting room. A large round wooden table stood in the center of the room with 7 chairs around it and lights on either side of the wall.

“Please join me. We have much to discuss” she said as she lead the group to the room. Once they were all inside she closed the doors.

She spoke as she walked to her seat.

“So what brings this group of Champions to our little town?”

She started to release her aura. Not once did she look at the group while taking her seat. The group all felt the pressure of it. She held her face in her hands. She was testing the group.

Both Swift and Nitro released theirs to counter hers and pushed her aura back. Sensing this she reeled her aura back in. Someone satisfied with how they reacted.

She raises her head from her hands and examined each Champion.

“Ah. It seems you two are Pugilists.” She said glancing at Nitro and Swift.

“I must thank you for saving Charles and the guard’s, but what’s your intentions here?”

Even though she hasn’t seen a Champion in decades she knew how finicky they can be.

Lazy and Swift looked at each other. They both knew Evaline was very distrustful of anyone new, even if Champions. Thankfully the group discussed how to act around her beforehand. Nitro, Grimm and Power would remain silent and let Swift and Lazy talk.

Swift was the first to speak up.

“Allow us to introduce ourselves. I’m Swift, this Lazy, in the robes is Grimm, the one in the armor is Power and the other one is Nitro.” He said with a slight bow.

The Elder glanced as each member as they were introduced.

“You all have odd names, but who am I to judge. So I’ll ask again. What brings you to this town.”

“Well, Elder. I will be upfront with you. We are heading to a city in the Wildlands to meet up with other Champions. We hve good reason to believe the season Crowning of the Goblin King is here. We happened to save your guards while we were traveling to meet our friends. We came here looking for work and compensation. We were mainly looking for either food, money or even a horse and wagon for us to travel with.”

The Elder eyed the group and clapped her hands before speaking.

“As a show of thanks we can give you some good, a horse and a wagon. Unfortunately we are right on money so those will have to do. Although, it seems that you all have something else to ask?”

“We have reason to believe a goblin nest is around here. A dangerous one at that. Attacking during the day and laying ambushes like they did today. Thag only means a hobgo-“

The Elder interrupted Swift and asked “And what would you like in return?”

She knew how Champions acted. They would never do anything with out a reward. If they were going to hunt the goblin nest she’d rather send Champions then her own men.

Swift turned to Lazy, signaling it was his turn to talk.

“We would like the old wooden toy boat you have hanging on the wall.”

The Elder was taken aback.

‘How did they know what that was? These Champions are interesting folk’

“If you can slay the goblin nest and prove a hobgoblin was leading them. I will think it over. I’ll still reward you, but to get the wooden boat. I would like a duel. Me verses you two.” She said while pointing to Lazy and Swift.

Swift and Lazy expected this. The Elder put on a front to test those. She believes you never truly know a person unless you fight them.

“What are the rules”, Swift asked?

The Elder let out a smile.

“It will be simple. I’ll bounce a ball in the training area. You two have to steal it from me. I know I’m stronger then both of you, but I’d like to get a feel for your skill levels.”

Lazy and Swift had to do all they could to earn that wooden boat. They knew she would eventually fight them so they gladly accepted

After working out the details over a handful of minutes Evaline made an announcement over the intercom, which the group was surprised still worked.

“Everyone listen up! The Champions and I are going to put on a show for everyone! Guards keep watch if the area, but also try and watch the fight. You’ll learn valuable information from this!”

Evaline quickly rose from her chair.

“Shall we?” And proceeded to lead the group outside.

As they followed her outside the group noticed a handful of villagers were already making room for the fight. They have a wide birth inside the town.

The group huddled together to plan out the fight.