Rise of Corruption

Chapter 1: Dark Beginnings

My name is Luka La'ron, and I am an apprentice alchemist, my master Hulda Ta'cain is a kind elder, she also runs the local apothecary and I've been learning alchemy from her. I was walking home one evening when I suddenly heard a cry for help in the distance, I ran to the commotion to see if anyone needed medical aid, and when I arrived I saw several skeletons fighting the local guards. Admits the fighting I could see several wounded guards, not sure what to do I pull out a healing potion from my satchel and throw it into the crowd, the bottle shattered and it healed some of the guards while harming some of the skeletons, I threw some more to aid in the fight. Finally the cleric from the local church arrived and used his holy light to destroy the skeletons, as he was checking the skeletons, ensuring they were dead, I checked the guards for any serious injuries. One of the guards took a stab to the stomach so I began to treat his wound, that is when I noticed something the area around the stab wound is turning black, but not from necrosis, it is from something more sinister. I asked the father Vairin for help with it, he came over and took a look and said. "By the gods, corruption!" I looked at him with a concerned look, and he continued. "I have only heard stories of this from the upper echelons of the clergy, this was a common affliction from long ago when a horrible necromance rose up, this man needs to be taken to the city of Telvar where he can be treated before it reaches his mind, what is your name my child?" The man replied. "Drake, ugh Drake Rithmier, father!" I gave him a potion and applied a poultice to the wound and said "Here you go sir Rithmier this will close the wound and numb the pain." I then turned to father Vairin and said "I will go with him, I can use my alchemical knowledge to try to slow the progression of the corruption, my name is Luka La'ron!" Father Vairin nodded and said. "I like that idea lady La'ron, but I suggest having two others accompany you on this journey, for safety." I took Drake to my home so I could prepare for the journey and ensure he was stable. The night passed without incident and Drake was up and moving easily, the two of us gathered what we needed for the journey and met up at the church. When we arrived we were met with our other two traveling companions, one was an elven man with a longbow on his back and a saber at his side, the other was a beautiful blue half-dragon woman with a staff on her back. The elven man said. I am Laurance Wolfborn, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He did a small bow, then the half-dragon girl said. "I am Hayley Dracken, it is nice to know I will be in the company of such a cute elf." She looked at me and gave me a flirtatious wink, I couldn't help blushing at her comment. Father Vairin approached us and said. "I see you all have been acquainted, but you all can get to know one another on the way to Telvar, sir Rithmier is on borrowed time, and lady La'ron is going to do her best to make that time last as long as possible." We all nodded as father Vairin handed us some traveling supplies as well as gave us a map of the land, then he sent us on our way to the city of Telvar.

We started on our journey to Telvar, while we walked Drake broke the silence and said. "So uh I'm sorry we have to take this journey, I did not intend to get such a wound." I replied. "Don't be sorry Drake, it isn't your fault." Laurance added. "Yeah, you were doing your job, and being a guard means you get injured, you had no way of knowing what would happen." Drake nodded and we kept walking on until evening and we started to set up camp. Drake gathered wood for a fire, Laurance hunted some small game for food, Hayley set up the tents, and I gathered herbs and reagents. We sat around the fire and the others exchanged stories, I just listened knowing I had nothing interesting to tell. We went to our tents and layed down to rest. We only had two tents that could fit two people in them, so I was sharing a tent with Hayley, and she said. "Hey you asleep Luka?" I replied. "Not yet, what's wrong Hayley?" Hayley sat up, looked at me, and said. "I noticed you didn't really talk much when we were sitting around the fire, are you shy or do you not have anything to share?" I sat up and said. "I don't really talk to many people, and I don't have any interesting stories, I'm just a wood elf who ran from an arranged marriage. I chose to become an alchemist because it was interesting to me, and that's all there is nothing more." I curled up a bit thinking about not doing anything of note, then Hayley came over and hugged me and said. "Hey now there is no reason to be sad, just because you haven't done anything in the past doesn't mean you aren't interesting. I also think it's nice that you ran away from that marriage, after all I would never have been able to meet such a cute girl like you." She hugged me tighter and I blushed as I slowly fell asleep in her arms. The next morning I woke up on top of Hayley, not knowing what to do I jumped up in surprise and was overly flustered, that is when Hayley woke up, smiled, and said. "Morning Luka, sorry if I made you uncomfortable, you just looked so peaceful sleeping in my arms I just let you sleep." I shook my head and replied. "No no no, it's okay, I was just surprised." Hayley giggled and said. "We can cuddle again tonight if you want." I just nodded my head and got ready for the day, I had never felt so comfy like that before, it was the first time anyone cuddled me like that. We all started walking again when Laurance stopped us and told us to get down, so we all ducked down and peeked out to see a group of bandits behind a makeshift road block. After a quick and quiet bout of planning we decided to have Drake push forward with his shield up, Laurance fire at them from the cover of the trees, Hayley cast spells at them from cover, and I am to be ready to patch up any injuries. We all got into position and executed our plan, Drake drew their attention while Laurance and Hayley struck from cover and I waited for it all to be over. The others made short work of the bandits, then we cleared the barricade and bodies off the road, and I gave everyone a quick look over to ensure there were no injuries. We walked on and arrived at a town by nightfall, two guards blocked our way and one said. "Halt, who are you lot and where did you come from?" Drake walked up and said. "I am Drake Rithmier, I am a guard from Korvok these are my companions Luka La'ron, Laurance Wolfborn, and Hayley Dracken, we are on an important journey to Telvar." The guard's eyes narrowed and one said. "I find that hard to believe seeing as there are bandits in the area and they are not merciful." Drake then said. "We have met some of them, we dispatched them and cleared the blockade and bodies off the road." The guards looked at each other and nodded, they moved aside and one said. "Move along then, but we will be keeping an eye on your strangers." Drake nodded and we walked to the tavern for some food, drink, and rest. We rented two rooms for the night.