New post: Gabriella's Fall

_posts/2020-06-18-gabriella_s-fall.md

@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+---
+     tabtitle: "Character Story: Gabriella's Fall"
+     title: "Character Story: Gabriella's Fall"
+     topics: [gaming, writing]
+     pub: "2020-06-18"
+     short_desc: "A story I wrote about the consequences of the actions of
+     Gabriella, a paladin in D&D5e"
+---
+
+# Character Story: Gabriella's Fall
+
+_Gabriella de la Rodriguez Alejandra Santa Lucia, you are hereby relieved of
+duty and dishonorably discharged from the Barakhan Army._
+
+The morning was cold. It’s always cold. Something Gabriella knew but rarely
+experienced. She had not slept well since the hearing, and had taken to
+wandering the city.
+
+_You are charged with gross negligence, gross incompetence, and failure to
+repair. The results of your actions have cost the lives of 8 Barakhan soldiers
+under your command._
+
+With a start she awoke to fresh dew. She had apparently dozed off. How swiftly
+her discipline had faltered. Yet another indication of her failure.
+
+_Gareth Brand. Ryal Cross. Willem Frost. Davis Mason._
+
+She stopped paying for rooms, since she spent so little time in them. The
+streets weren’t that bad at night, despite what some may think. In the gardens
+or along the parkways, there were always trees to rest beneath. The city, the
+one she had dreamt about as a child; the one she has sworn to defend; the one
+she now walked as a ghost. The city somehow still welcomed her, still provided
+for her. Who was she to deserve it?
+
+_Francis Potter. Cordon Stone. Richard Stone. Samuel White._
+
+She did not.
+
+_All possessions of the army are now to be reclaimed. You will doff your armor,
+remove your shield, and place them on the floor beside you. All possessions
+which belong to you have been gathered, and are now presented to you._
+
+A sack, with several sets of clothing. A few books. Her Uncle’s sword. These
+items were handed to her by a court clerk. She took them, and in stunned
+silence, stared at the floor in front of her.
+
+_This dismissal is now complete. As of this moment, you are forbidden interaction
+with any members of House Barakhan, until you return to Mnemar and make amends
+for your actions._
+
+She couldn’t move. She could barely breathe. The Field Marshall closed the book,
+and placed it on the table before him. The Imperial Magister, with the slightest
+smirk on his face, was the first to leave. After what seemed like ages, one of
+Field Marshall Barakhan Randall’s captains escorted Gabriella to the exit.
+
+This was the fourth time she walked into the temple. This time she was
+determined to at least try. She spotted a secluded space, and knelt at a pew.
+After a few moments, she rose. This is pointless, she thought, and began to walk
+out. She paused, then slowly returned to the pew. Again she knelt, and as she
+had done so many times since Rattimas, whispered quietly the names of her men.
+_Gareth, Ryal, Willem, Davis, Francis._ She stopped, took a deep breath, and
+continued. _Cordon, Richard, Samuel._ Silence. She stared at her hands, clasped
+before her.
+
+“I’ve never done this before. I’ve seen my men pray to gods. I’ve seen the
+citizens and refugees with their shrines and books. I’ve never been convinced it
+was worth my time. I guess, now that I have nothing left, it doesn’t seem such a
+waste.”
+
+She smiled, and laughed quietly. “This is pointless.”
+
+She rose, and as she did, a voice from behind her spoke.
+
+“Where I walk, so must you.”
+
+Gabriella turned, and before her saw a woman dressed in stately attire. Her
+white gown was precisely fitted, and simply decorated with pearls and rubies.
+Her hair was fashioned up into a wide fin around a golden comb. In her hands she
+held a scepter, of golden shaft and topped with a red orb, which itself was
+surrounded by a golden crown.
+
+“Beg your pardon, ma’am. I am not so desperate as to find employ as a servant.”
+Gabriella replied.
+
+“You have always been my servant, Gabriella. Ever since you first dreamt of my
+city.” The woman sat, and gestured for Gabriella to do the same. As she did, the
+woman continued.
+
+“My city is under threat, and you have come very far to protect it. The army
+provided you with training, which will serve you well. While your discharge from
+the army is unfortunate, it is but a slight bump in the road.”
+
+The woman waited, then. Gabriella returned her gaze, confused. This woman was
+not present at her dismissal, and news of it had not spread outside the
+barracks. If this woman was Barakhan, she was forbidden to speak with Gabriella.
+
+“I am not worthy of protecting this city. My failures are paramount, and my
+actions found wanting. I have failed my family, my army, my homeland, and
+myself.” Gabriella replied.
+
+“The events which led to your dismissal are unfortunate, but the judgement is
+fair.”
+
+Gabriella winced. If the woman noticed, she paid no heed.
+
+“You will make amends yet. Now is no time for this pathetic exercise in
+self-pity. For nearly two weeks you have lived as a vagrant and it has not done
+you well. Cities have inns for a reason. Get a room at The Red River Way. Tork,
+the keeper, is a good man and will charge you a fair price. You need a bath, and
+to properly dress yourself. I cannot give you the armor you are familiar with,
+but this cloak will keep you warm.”
+
+The woman rose then, and looked down upon Gabriella.
+
+“You must walk my city. Every road and alley way. Upon its stones and bricks you
+will discover your strength. You have asked for help, and this is how you shall
+earn it. You once swore to protect this city, and by proxy have sworn fealty to
+me. In return, once you have proven your fealty, I will extend my blessing to
+you.”
+
+Gabriella stood, as the woman thrust the cloak into her arms.
+
+“I will find you once more, here, when you are done.”
+
+“Who are you to command me? I have no commander. I have no lord. I don’t want
+your charity and I don’t want your chores!” Gabriella responded, a fury rising
+in her voice.
+
+“I am the patron of Silent Fall. I am Erathis. You asked for my help. I have
+given it.”