Ozmand & Ordful

Pass through what Remains

Ash and Smog hung heavy in the brisk winter air, a town once so full of life suddenly static. Any ray of sunlight was overcast by heavy storm clouds rolling in, hoping to put out any remaining flames left from the night before.

A figure of small build slowly made their way from the cobbled road leading from the mountains, Deer like Antlers sitting sturdy amongst their head, and their tail wrapped around their waist like a belt,. It was a curse from their bloodline, to show how their ancestors drew part of their being from an extraplanar. A heavy cloak covered their broad shoulders, billowing slightly as the wind picked up to reveal they seemed more or so human, despite their major physical traits.

They made their way toward what was left of the castle,  its smoldering dark oak doors open for all the great hall to see. They walked through, towards a stairway up to the major living quarters of this rather small palace. So many times they've snuck through these halls at night, playing pranks on the young lords parents while they slept, and leaving traces of good things for them for whenever they were to wake. Such things being: Lost jewelry, books they over heard them speaking of in the grand library, and occasionally an apple or bread roll from the kitchen if ever they were to wake up hungry.

"Ozmand!?" The tiefling called out, hoping to hear no response in the hell scape that was left of his friends home. They carefully walked down the hall, testing before each step in case the floor were to give way. They had engrained this into them from sneaking through this very house back when they were smaller, out of fear of being caught by the Lord or Lady. Once to their destination they carefully moved what charred remains were left in front of the gnomish door before fully opening the hidey hole in the wall.

What was left of their childhood hiding spot was smoking burnt blankets, and smoldering drawings done by their younger self. So much had changed since they were caught and sent away. Their Antlers were almost fully grown, and their eyes were perfectly pearly white. Truly the young lord must have gotten to his destination safely, before the towns folk turned against their now late Lord and Lady. Everything they knew was once again, gone. Memories are that's left, and even then the physical embodiments of said memories are gone.

Slowly, they collected themselves before making their way back downstairs to the thrones room. They stood at the archway, glairing to the thrones with a fury filled with disgust.
Sat together, hand in hand, The Lord and Lady of Alderis, Helmer & Sanne. Their hands burnt and melted together by the now diminished flames that had once engulfed them alive. Their heads laid back, mouths agape, as if they were screaming for mercy as they were roasted in their chairs. Any fabric was melted together, or to be more precise, melted into their flesh enough you could no longer tell the difference. No town folk would do this without purpose, they knew the Lord & Lady had done something terrible now; but their concern was for Ozmand, not these poor excuses for maggot food.

They carefully looked over the body, any jewelry they had on had melted to them, or completely vaporized. Precious metals don't seem as though their any more real than cantrips nowadays. The only thing they were missing was their wedding bracelets that were originally meant to be wedding rings for giants. Softly chuckling to themselves, vicious mockery slipping past their lips.
"To think, you two thought your precious little Ozmand could've been a paladin, but a cleric is something you two surely must've needed at a time like this!" They cough a bit between their giggling before looking back towards the smoldering oak doors beyond the archway of the room. "I remembered how you screamed and beat both me and him half to death once you've found me amongst your home. Was Alderis too Holy for the likes of me, or was it fear of who I'd make your son out to be?" Their words trailed off as they looked up towards the holes in the roof, a murder of crows gathered at the largest one above them.

Gently cleaning their wings, feathers slowly fell upon the Tieflings cloak. They took their time to gather each one, leaving small pieces of broken up gold and silver chain for them as a gift in return before they made their way back out to the center of town and back to the road they came. Surely this couldn't have been it, this wasn't all they needed to see was there? The town was smaller than they remembered, even before the fire had happened. There were bakers, small family owned pubs, a butcher shops, hell the town was so popular they were planning on building a bank!

What happened?

Softly sighing to themselves, they sat down on the rubble of the churches entry stone. The founders name barely visible;  Something with a S or maybe a Z, the fonts stupid and they hated it always. Why make fancy lettering, why not just keep it simple for those who can't read pretty?

"I just need to find my friend, that's all I have to do!" They said to themselves, gripping their knees slightly as they looked around. "But how can I find someone not here!" They got up, groaning in frustration as they headed towards the temple doors before pushing up against it. The door creaking loudly before giving in, its hinges practically melted to begin with. It took them back a moment, everything inside was as if it was frozen in time. The stained glass window let in a dazzling light that made it seem as though the chandler was even too much.

A pair of two, eyes of blue and cream, ode to a dream; of man and beast claiming peace. The cream eyes skin, gray as the ash upon this day. The blue eyes journey, had gone astray.

The Tiefling knows better than to be here, but to look up at the blue eyed fool of glass brought them comfort in some way. "Oh Ozmand." They said to themselves. "Please, I need you safe.."
Slowly they began to look around the small church, trying to open doors from the back before ultimate giving up, walking to the middle of the building and looking up at the untouched roof.

They took in a deep breath before emptying their lungs out into the deafening silence of the ringing walls and glass. They went for what felt like forever, but could've easily been just half a minute of one continuous octave of a scream. Once done they kicked a bench before making their way out to the center of town, for what would be the final time before going out into the woods, past all the burnt property of the late Lord and Lady.

A crack of lightning and rumble of thunder shook their bones as they said one final goodbye to, what they considered, the first home they ever truly had. Sure, the Lord & Lady had no clue they were there, and they were the most dangerous secret their friend ever could even keep; but the monsters melted amongst their thrones, hand in hand, were not human. They put on their façade for their people, allowing their subjects to see only that they were slowly being stripped of their hard earned money by the very "taxes" that were meant to keep the roadways neat, their town safe, and the people happy.

They spent it all on clothes, tapestries, food, and Ozmand.
Not to aid him in his studies, but to get people to deal with him and his "charms."
Oz was Never a wizard, he was a man behind the curtains. You should know this by now, to never believe a man without firstly given the proof.

Ozmand lived amongst these townsfolk before his mother had "Regained Her Strength" To take care of him and his 'luck'. He was considered a difficult child amongst the nobles, repeatedly being handled by peasants that would often mistreat him. Unbeknownst to them that his actions were often because of being overwhelmed by the sounds of the palace and the feeling of their fancy fabrics. As he had gotten older, Ozmand masked his discomfort and took to studying alongside his father at this old cathedral, all while trying to keep them secret in his wall. As he had told the tiefling before, It was a privilege for him to even live with his parents at the castle. 

"This Old Town, " They began. "It'll surely be reclaimed soon. " Slowly, a feather fell where they stood. Smiling warmly, they left the small feather there. Next to it, lay a crows in return. " In case, Ozmand does come back around here. If not soon, then one day."

With that, they headed towards the woods, rain slowly trickling down. Putting up the cloaks hood, they took care to walk carefully in these woods. 'Dead or not, these trees will come back and uproot our whole lives if treated too harshly.'  They thought.

Now, to find Hailvolley and his tavern.