RP: Glistening bodies, and heavy armor in the sun.

it is the 25th of Mittern, Cain, Dux and the rest of the party arrive back in Haven after narrowly escaping certain doom in the bowls of a almost forgotten temple. Feeling slightly depressed over almost falling in battle, Duxs thoughts grew heavy and brooding, how could he almost have failed so badly? how could his faith not be as strong as Master Cain? or even Brother Dain. No, this was not a problem of faith, but of the body being weak. Of not knowing how to use his gear to its full extent. Sure, he had grown proficient with armour and weapons of every kind, even mastering the art of Great Weapon fighting. Now came the time for gaining mastery in heavy armour. A plan in hand, Dux dashes to catch up with Cain who is already well on his way to the ferry over to Dwor, and the Temple of light. a "Master Cain!.. MASTER CAIN!" he shouts. "Master Cain, please hold up!"

Cain seems somewhat startled that the man of few words is running full sprint at him yelling his name but then perks up a smile.  "Yes Dux? I suppose there is something you need me for then? I have to admit you startled me a bit bringing be back to older times reminding me of my old assistant and friend from home." The smile fades and he steps on the boat  "Well I guess join me for the ride then and tell me what you wished to ask."

Dux steps onto the boat and nods happily at Cain. "I was hoping you would grace me with your tutelage in the ways of mastering Heavy Armour. I can clearly tell that you have mastered the art, and I overheard a bard tell tale of you once wearing one for over 200 years. What better Master could I seek in this regard? So I was kind of hoping you would let me stay with you for a while and teach me."

Cain rubs his chin for a moment. "Hmm, you seem strong enough but I do have to say that the training will not be easy. All your old habits must be washed away ready for the new and your body broken in so that you may wear your armor as though it were your skin. Bring your things to the Fort and you shall be trained it should not take more than a month."  He gets off the boat mounting his stead and before leaving gives you a nod and rides off.

Dux returns to the Red Dragons and collects all his belongings and puts them on Lancelot, his trusted donkey. He swiftly makes his way over to Dwor, eager to begin his training. Getting lost only twice, he finally sees the entrance to the Halls of Light. Stomping towards the Fort, he idly wanders what kind of training is in store. As he approaches the gates, he looks for someone to announce his presence to Master Cain. 

The guards seem up in arms for a moment as an orc in armor approaches them but when the sash of the suns comes into view they seem to relax  "Open the gate its the one Cain said would be here!"  A soldier waves Dux inside showing him to the storage room "We will take care of your things sir, there is a quarters Cain has set up for you. He uhhh, also asked that you wear this on your journey to the temple."  He hands over to you a set of lead weights that attach onto your segments of armor to the point where you feel over encumbered and you look warily at the massive staircase to Cain's halls over 200ft high that you now need to climb wearing this. 

Never one to give up in the face of adversity, Dux starts chanting a prayer to Sol as he starts up the stairs slowly but surely making his way upwards. No matter how long it takes, he will not give in, so help him Sol.

Cain stands at the top of the stairs as you reach the peak  "Good good your body is now being broken into its new shell. You will wear this and work out for the next week climbing these stairs. Also here stick out your arms." In each outstretched hand Cain places buckets of rock and sediment into them and they weigh heavily against your sore body.  "Bring these down with you and empty them where the workers tell you and bring the empty buckets up again. Do this as many times as you are able in a day for the next week in the mean time my daughter Lilla shall watch over you during this process. Never yield and the armor shall only be removed for rest." Lilla is stern in her teachings during this time but also supports Dux bringing him water and making him rest when he has pushed himself too hard. 

Dux puts all his might and endurance into this test of body and will, to impress Sol, Cain, and Lilla. What little rest he is forced to take, he spends in idle talk with Lilla, mostly about her father, but also about life as children to servants of Sol, the teachings of Sol, and other facets of temple life. The week quickly passes, as gratitude turns to respect and admiration, Dux feels he has made a good friend in Lilla, when he finally returns before Cain. Dux gets to one knee. "The week is up, I have done as told, what more do you ask of me Master?" The fires in his eyes not dimmed at all, but seemingly more focused, he looks ready for anything.

Cain takes you downstairs into the town where there is a small training courtyard with men practicing their technique against dummies. Cain gives a shrill whistle and five men line up in front of you at the ready. "You will spar with these men. When I saw you in combat last you were trying to dodge the blows as if you were in light armor that will not work with what you are wearing. Watch what I do." He motions for his men to start attacking him and as you watch the combat you notice instead of trying to dodge the blows he moves his body to deflect the brunt of the hit allowing him to reduce damage and use less movement and energy avoiding the strike. After letting you watch for a few minutes he calls his men off and approaches you.  "This will be your training for the rest of the month you will spar with one man until you are ready for more and they shall join remember to use your armor to your advantage. You are not wearing some leather you can jump around in but a wall between you and your enemy use it." Roll 2d2+1 to see how many you can handle by the end of training. 

The rest of the month passes really slowly for Dux, having trouble ever handling more than 3 of them at a time, try as he might. With only a few days left of training, Dux approaches Lilla in search of Cain. "Excuse me, do you perchance know where your father is this morning? I have need of him for a few pointers in my training. Its not going as well as I had hoped.." he trails off, looking down at his feet, clearly embarrassed.

Cain is not far off from where you are. Helping other new recruits train occasionally sparring with you as well.  "Hm you are doing much better now. Remember when I sparred with my men? I was not wearing the weights you are. Here this is the fruit of your labor." Cain helps you heave off the heavy weights and now the once cumbersome armor you wore feels like you are wearing silk. Your body is now more accustomed to its form than you have ever felt in your life and every step you take feels as though you might fly off.  "Try sparing with the men like this now for the rest of your training I am sure you will see much of an improvement" Roll another d4 and add it to what you can handle 

Dux finally handles 5 enemies at a time, though more still proves difficult  and elusive. "Thank you Master Cain! with your and Lady Lilla's help I have attained new mastery over the world around me, to shine brightly in the name of Sol. I shall now take my leave as I do not wish to overstay my welcome, please give my regards and thanks to your daughter." Dux gathers his gear and Lancelot and readies to leave for Haven, to ask entry into the temple of Sol there. 

As Dux walks away Cain turns to the rest of the men training. "What are you lot doing? You have been training for three times as long as him and can only handle half! Are any of you even trying? Fight every day with your all and improve yourselves if not for me for your family. You are what is standing in the way of the things out there from them, now fight like it!" Cain continues to personally train all the men to stay in shape and to show them a thing or two about actual combat.