Randsford (prime)/Vignette: Unintended Lesson
Title: Unintended Lesson
Author: Randsford (prime)
On Tavern Burrow, Ale Street a halfling work crew is busy making repairs to the Thirsty Penguin from the recent fire. From outside, parts of the building can be seen as charred while the area is roped off to keep anyone out of potential danger. The remnants of graffiti that was hastily covered can barely be distinguished among the ruin.
Across the street a group of krolvin bark at each other and gaze in amusement at all the flurry of activity. The group remains on the opposite side of the street and watches the halfling work as they bark in their unknown tongue.
Icemule has had a rush of refugees with the ongoing world events. The krolvin arrived unexpectedly only to be followed by refugees trying to escape the Sheruvian threat building in the Landing. Those infected with the Green Death occasionally still wander into town seeking aid to escape from yet another calamity. More strangers seem to arrive daily seeking sanctuary and bringing their own world views to the chaotic mix, all in the hopes of building a better future for their own kin.
A halfling busy at work drops his tools from above while attempting repairs, cursing at his misfortune. The tools fall into a withered flowerbed as a figure all clad in white patrols into the area. "Oiy!", shouts the halfling from above. "Can ye toss me mah tools?! They fell into 'em dead flowers. This cold is numbing my hands just like it numbed them roses!" The figure approaches the flowers to pick up the tools and takes a moment to gaze around at his surroundings. The halflings are busy at work while the krolvin idly standby. The town remains as divided as ever, unity once the beacon has become as cold as the land itself. The figure exhales in disappointment causing a plume of frost to surround him before he tosses the tools back to the halfling. The figure speaks coldly, "It's not the frost without but the frost within that is causing these troubles."
The sounds of tools subside along with the random barks as the scene comes to a standstill. A few halfling heads pop out of the rubble at the same time the krolvin give the figure a distasteful sneer. The figure continues, "This graffiti was my doing, this cold was my doing. If I had been more careful with my words perhaps none of this would have happened."
The figure solemnly closes his eyes and utters, "Words are the real weapon." His eyes open as he turns to stare the krolvin, "Those were among the last words Jkarog spoke to me before he was attacked. I called him a poor excuse of a leader and things have only escalated since. Forgive my transgression and I hope you convey my dismay to him and your people."
The figure stares one final time at the withered roses as he begins to walk away, "We are all responsible for the good and evil around us; the question is will we all work together or continue to fracture."
The krolvin bark a few times among themselves and slowly start to approach the ruins as the halfling quietly murmur between themselves while staring skeptically at the krolvin before going back to work. The krolvin stop in the middle of the road, stare in the direction of the walking figure and decide best to walk the opposite direction.