Tales Of Virtue: Honor (Part 1)

From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

Title: Tales of Virtue: Honor (Part 1)

Author: Anonymous

Honor: Dupre and the Gargoyles

I am sure you know that the Gargoyle folk joined Britannian society after the restoration of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom. I'm also sure it will not surprise you to hear that the treaty between Lord British and Draxinuson, King of the Gargoyles, did not instantly bring accord to the two races.

Certain ignorant humans continued to hate and fear Gargoyles, and certain intractable Gargoyles continued to regard humanity with enraged contempt. The most notorious Gargoyle fighter against mankind in those days was named Gartagmalem.

He was equally renowned among his people for his keen intellect as for his fierce disposition and when peace was achieved between the races he turned outlaw with a small band of likeminded Gargoyle bravos. This fierce troops devoted themselves to burning and pillaging the remote crofts and farms of the land, stopping short only at outright murder of unresisting enemies. Nonetheless, they were the cause of much suffering, loss, and deprivation to their victims.

Now there was a certain inn, located midway between Britain and Yew, and famous for its excellent autum ale. So good was the brew that many fine folk were given to retire for that place for a fortnight's holiday when the new casks were breached. Tents had to be pitched on the grounds to hold all the guests, and for two weeks each fall the place took on the air of a faire or festival.

It was during this time that Gartagmalem chose to attack that inn, and he and his band flew down during the late afternoon, surrounding the place and quickly dispatching the few hired guards. And they mockingly ordered all the humans to leave forthwith, or see the whole place burned around their heads.

At this, one lone festiva-goer stepped out from the crowd, wearing the clothes of a gentleman, but gripping the sword of a knight. And he spoke, saying "I am Dupre, Knight and Paladin, and I call on you to case this unlawful incursion, and to surrender in the name of Lord British."

But Gartagmalem only laughed, saying "Of al the names of man or Gargoyle to confure with, that one is the least likely to inspire fear in my heart. I reject your demand for surrender."

(Now I confess that those were not the very words he used, but Gargoyles speak in their own peciular fashion, and I will not try to mimic the intricacies of that speech in this tale).

Dupre reorted. "Then let us settle this honorably. I shall face you or any of your troops in single combat, with the winner to determine the fate of this inn."

The Gargoyle laughed again at the human's audacity, but when he spoke, he said, "Very good, then, man, your proposal intrigues me. You shall face three of my brothers, and if you defeat all three, I shall leave this place standing, asking only a suitable forfeit in return for my generosity."

Then Gartagmalem named his three champions. The first was a great brute almost 10 feet tall, wielding a mace of solid iron, and the second was a young champion of the Gargoyles, wielding a sword nearly as long as Dupre was tall. The third was Gartagmalem's chief lieutenant, who fought with two great-bladed axes, one in each hand.

But Dupre was a veteran of many battles against dragons, daemons and giants... aye, and Gargoyles as well, and he did not fear the size or fierceness of these foes. One by one they engaged, and the first two he cast down with severe wounds, while the third he killed outright.

The loss seemed to amuse Gartagmalem more, and when the last Gargoyle was dragged from the field, he announced, "I shall honor my word, oh man, but first I must see my forfeit paid. And my price is you, Sir Knight."

"I will gladly give my life for the safety of these people," Dupre replied, "though you may find the collecting of it more costly still."

"Nay," said the Gargoyle, "I have no use for your head, but rather your arm. Today you have cost me a lieutenant, and I demand that you shall take his place. You shlal join my company, and teach us your ways of battle."

"I will never take up arms against my king or his people," Dupre replied, hotly. "I would not ask it," the Gargoyle said with mocking gentleness. "You will come and train my company, and when I order them back into battle you may be excused if only you give the word to do nothing to resist or hinder our efforts."

Now Dupre knew that Gartagmalem offered him a Daemon's bargain, one which could easily lead to the utter destruction of a man of Honor like himself. At the smae time, he could not stand idly by and see the honest innkeeper ruined, nor could he oppose the whole Gargoyle company alone. Most importantly, perhalps, it would not be fully Honorable to refuse to forfeit after fighting under those terms. He could only hope that time would provide a means of escape. "I will accept your terms, sir," he said, and there he knelt and presented his sword to the mocking brigand.

So he went to live with the Gargoyles, and he drilled and trained them. He found that while Gargoyles were both mighty and courageous, they had little mastery of concerted tactics or strategy, but they quickly grasped the fundamentals of both. He also learned that it was futile to try and hold back knowledge from his command, for under the watchful eye of their leader, any usefull hidden expertise was soon sniffed out and analyzed, and presented to all.

Nor could Dupre Honorably refuse when Gartagmalem proposed that they try out their new skills against brigands, pirates or Goblin bands, for Dupre had only sworn to stand apart from his actions against the subjects of Lord British. So he fought alongside the Gargoyles, and saw his teachings tested by fire.

But at last the dread day came, and Gartagmalem announced that they would attack a walled town, with the garrison of King's soldiers stationed in it. This was a stronger objective than the Gargoyles had ever assayed befure, but Dupre knew that they...