D&D Excerpts
A Destiny Challenged [Resolve And Crescendo]
After gaining access to Zeta's final message, Resolve and Crescendo banded together to slay Aurem.
The characters quite literally broke free of the plan that both the DM and the Player had written out for them, taking Zeta's message of freedom and will to heart. Here are tidbits from the fate that they managed to avoid. Entries are in roughly chronological order.
A Destiny, Challenged:
Resolve: Resolve was destined to gain the aid of gods, but even so, her soul is damaged; incomplete. In order to play her part she would need to obtain the other half of Zeta's soul... In other words, she would have to drag Crescendo to the temple of the gods, alive, and rob her of her soul, killing her.
Crescendo: info
Resolve's Path:
"...Why didn't you tell me. Why didn't you warn me, I- I know her, I...." She cares for her. And that bird.... it isn't her fault. She's just a follower. It's all she's ever known...
An encounter; righteous anger: "Come out of the shadows and fight us you coward!! You can't deny your destiny!! You follow orders, just as I do, so come on!! Fight me!!" But Crescendo knows better than to fight Resolve when she's like this... practically a death sentence.
Crescendo's Path:
"it's bothering me. would it even mater if our fates were switched? would I be the oen going on impossible quests, hopping plane to plane, wielding that sword? would she be here, following pour orders as dutifully as she follows the orders of her own gods?"
"...Oh. ... Of course...Lord Aurem. I... I will not fail..." It must be done. But, it won't be easy. It should be easy. Why isn't it easy...?
Angel pulls Cresc. off to the side. speak of destiny.
Angel: "What do you think about being.. 'special'? U'm asking as your mother. That's all." "You can speak freely. Nothing that you say to me will be held against you. They're merely words..." Not that she believes that. and not that Aurem believed it anymore, either. "I'm sorry, but... if anyone was to bear the weight, it *should* be you. You're persistent. Loyal. Skilled. More so than you let yourself think...I know that you will not fail." aaand bardic inspiration!!
"it's bothering me. would it even mater if our fates were switched? would I be the one going on impossible quests, hopping plane to plane, wielding that sword? would she be here, following pour orders as dutifully as she follows the orders of her own gods?"
"...You're right, Resolve. My story is that of a tragedy,,... but so is yours. from the moment that bird's soul was split in twain... our fate was written. only one of us can succeed.
Resolve's Victory:
She stands before Iris, cinder-garl in hand,. with his part complete, cinder is off the hook. Unusually defensive; friendly, protective even; he reiterates to Resolve what she's giving up. 'If this is what it takes to defeat Aurem, then I am more than willing,' she really is loyal to a fault.
'Let's hear that song of yours, one last time?'
And what bard wouldn't oblige with the request of such a grande finale? takig up her diving lyre, casting a spell, enacting an unearthly radiance, and calling upon her goddess to aid her, she played her song.
A sorrowful victory.
a virtuous loss.
Two halves of the same whole; two melodies intertwined.
As with everything in life, resolve gave it her all. She poured her heart and soul into every note, putting on a performance that could leave even the gods in awe.
More than ever, she understood what this song was about.
Resolve takes a deep breath, what may very well be her last, then switched with Cinder. Cinder unusually gracefully, offers up the radiant sword to the goddess. "You treat her nice, ya hear?" He'll kick another god's ass if he has to!
...
But Cinder isn't quite done. He went on his way, embracing the life of an adventurer. Sharing stories and resolve's music, gathering party members... and eventually he marched right up to the temple of the gods and demanded to speak to resolve. She had played her part, redeemed herself; "resolve, come on... do something for yourself, for once in your life!!"
Iris informs Resolve: "It's your choice."
But Cinder thinks otherwise, "Don't lie to her, you know she'd just follow orders!"
Considering the circumstances... resolve would go for it. The sword would be emptied; a tool now dormant. And the two pair up as a party! For once in her life, resolve has no destiny. she can finally begin to write her own, finally free of the obligation of her birth. she sought redemption and had earned it. They continue their life as adventurers, doing what they can for the world.
Crescendo's Victory:
...And that song, two parts intertwined, danced uselessly in the back of her mind, casting new light on a missed meaning. And amid an airy chuckle, she found herself beginning to cry. Triumph… but also, loss. It was conflicting… and overwhelming. Emotions long bottled up and buried welled up to the surface all at once. And she couldn’t help but just let it happen, standing still as the world moved on without her.
Angel approached, gently placing a hand on Crescendo’s shoulder. “You did well.” But her tone, the emotion behind her gaze… She understood.