This is the story of four souls, just starting on the adventure of their life.
The party: Kolan Earthborn, Male Stonechild, Stonechild 6 // Fighter 6. Played by Nac Mac Feegle. Tobias Terranhart, Male Human Cleric of Heironeous 6 // Paladin 6. Played by Stonegod. Sylas Dardragon, Male Halfling Spirit Shaman 6 // Sorcerer 4/Geomancer 2. Played by ByteRynn. Fash Daergel, Male Whisper Gnome Warlock 6 // Rogue 5/Fighter 1. Played by Steve Gorak.
Players:
Choose a color to be Your color. "Speak in your color." Thoughts in italics, and your color.
OOC:
The black dragon was dead. His enslaved tribes of kobolds was set free, and the dragon itself was slain by the combined effort of the group. Old Lord Callorch had payed you quite an ammount to get the dragon out of his swamp, and each of you had put the reward to good use buying potions, wands, clothes and other things an adventurer needed.
Now you're sitting here in the Merry Dwarf, one of the many taverns in town. There is only a few dwarves here though, and none of them seemed particularly merry. The evening meal is just finished when a small person in a cloak and cowl approaches your table.
"Greetingss brave adventurerss. I, or rather, my masster have need of your sservice." A scaled hand protrudes from the cloak with a heave envelope sealed by red wax. She, because you are pretty certain it is a she, place the envelop on the table and turns to leave. "I will leave you to deliberate my massterss offer, and will come for your ansswer in two hourss." A pair of red eyes looks out of the cowl over the shoulder as she leaves the tavern.
Tobias raises his eyebrow as the strange creature puts down the missive and leaves. "Hmm. And here I was just beginning to enjoy your tale about how the Citadel of Fahst is filled with fishes," Tobias says to Sylas. "You will need to take us there; perhaps your clan will wander there once again."
His eyes narrow as he investigates the envelope. "Fash, do you want to do the honors?"
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
Kolan looks at the messenger suspiciously, but remains silent as she speaks her piece. Shrugging at Tobias, he looks back to Fash.
"Think it might be dangerous, Fash?
__________________ "Paranoia is a lot like life insurance. Annoying, expensive, and rarely needed. And like life insurance, if you need it and you don't have it, it's too late already."
"This makes no sense at all. Your DM needs to be shot. With a hammer."
-quote from the Wizards web board
As far as Fash can tell the envelope is safe, but the messenger is another story. She radiates a strong aura of magic. She probably carries quite an ammount of magical items.
Sylvas can find nothing close to a spirit in the messengers person.
Fash picksthe envelope, breaks the seal and starts to read:
Quote:
"Dear Kolan, Tobias, Sylas and Fash.
I have followed your progress with interest the last four or so months. I must say, I was rather impressed with how you handled the dragon. And that way you dealt with Nil'orc made me smile Sylas. Well done!
Enough with the praise - for now. I am in need of a group of brave adventurers to travel into the Empty Forest. There is an old Barrow where an ancient Warlord was entombed. He was known to own a weapon of some power. I, being a collector of strange and mystical weapons, would like to look closer at this blade.
Alas, I am too weak for this myself. Hence, I turn to you.
Bring this blade back to me, and I will reward you each with one thousand gold pieces.
Good luck, and stay safe.
Lord Ashaan."
OOC:
Spoiler:
Sylas could detect no spirits. Fash detected no magic on the envelope, but the messenger is covered in magic from head to toe.
Taking a glance around, Fash says in a low voice: "OK, I say we go and meet with this Lord Ashaan and figure out why he's low-balling us. Seriously, the messenger was basically glowing with magic. If the sword was a warlord's, it must be worth more than 4000 gold pieces; it just has to."
Looking at his comrades, he adds: "Has anybody heard of this Ashaan guy anyways? I wouldn't want to bring an necromancer a key to a gate to the lower planes. If the servant has powerful magiks, the master must definitely have interesting tastes indeed."
Taking a breath, he concludes: "Anyways, my interest has definitely been piqued."
Tobias furrows his brow, trying to recall anything about the names Ashaan or any Barrows in the Empty Forrest [Knowedge: religion check]. "It may have religious significance; let me think. Meanwhile, you should try to recall if you have heard anything of them, Sylas."
"Regardless, it appears this Ashaan has heard of us. I would like to know more of this 'challenge,' but I too shall remain a bit wary until 'Ashaan' tells us more."
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
Sylas laces his fingers together and begins to think...
"I am certain I have heard a number of strange and exciting stories of warlords and their tombs...the ancestors tell us that one who makes his domain war shall surely make his castle in a tomb! Let me see...as for warlords of the Empty Forest...what do I know..."
Kolan shrugs and lets out a sigh as the more thoughtful members of the party discuss the matter.
"We might as well go see the man at least, if nothing else we can go search for the sword for ourselves.
__________________ "Paranoia is a lot like life insurance. Annoying, expensive, and rarely needed. And like life insurance, if you need it and you don't have it, it's too late already."
"This makes no sense at all. Your DM needs to be shot. With a hammer."
-quote from the Wizards web board
"There is... something about 'Lord Ashaan' that I can... almost recall. But it escapes me at the moment." He stands, and, almost unconsiously, takes the "Hero pose"---one hand on armored knee, the other gesturing emphatically. Tobias had a way with unconscious gesture. "To this mysterious benefactor then. Let us try to put some light on this mystery."
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
"There is... something about 'Lord Ashaan' that I can... almost recall. But it escapes me at the moment." He stands, and, almost unconsiously, takes the "Hero pose"---one hand on armored knee, the other gesturing emphatically. Tobias had a way with unconscious gesture. "To this mysterious benefactor then. Let us try to put some light on this mystery."
"Lets ask around to see what kind of reputation this man has first." He signals the waitress and asks her if she knows anything about a lord Ashaan.
The young serving maid comes over at Fash's beckoning.
"Ashaan you say? Ain't never heard the name sir. You might ask Ol' Jokkum though, he fancies lords an' ladies." She motions over to an old toothless fellow in the corner, sitting with his nose in a book and a wide, toothless grin as his finger trace what he is reading.
The young serving maid comes over at Fash's beckoning.
"Ashaan you say? Ain't never heard the name sir. You might ask Ol' Jokkum though, he fancies lords an' ladies." She motions over to an old toothless fellow in the corner, sitting with his nose in a book and a wide, toothless grin as his finger trace what he is reading.
"Allrighty, let us go and bug the gentlemen." Looking at at the rest of the group:"I'm not reknown for my tack, maybe someone else should go and talk to the gentlemen."
"Allrighty, let us go and bug the gentlemen." Looking at at the rest of the group:"I'm not reknown for my tack, maybe someone else should go and talk to the gentlemen."
Kolan gives a shrug as he stands. "If it's tact we're looking for, I suppose I'm out too," he grins at Fash and Sylas, "We all know I'm the blunt sort, never one for clever conversation."
__________________ "Paranoia is a lot like life insurance. Annoying, expensive, and rarely needed. And like life insurance, if you need it and you don't have it, it's too late already."
"This makes no sense at all. Your DM needs to be shot. With a hammer."
-quote from the Wizards web board
"I'm not reknown for my tack, maybe someone else should go and talk to the gentlemen."
Tobias bows, and makes his way over to the man deep in his book. "Excuse me, good sir Jokkum. It has come to my attention that you are learned in many things relating to the court and its attendants. Could I bother you for some information on Lord Ashaan, a patron of these parts if I do not miss my mark?" [OCC: Diplomacy check]
Tobias may have a way with words, but he never manages to use one where six will do.
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
The toothless old man looks up at you with a wide grin. "Lor'a Ashaan? No Lor' or Royl'ty aroun' here wi'' tha' name. Ther is a fella that come aroun' ev'ry fall. Callin' himself The Collector, or some such. If my mem'ry serv's me right, wich it of'en don't, he is named Ashaan. Have strange friends, he does. Kobols, lizards and such. Frien'ly enough, but strange."
The toothless old man looks up at you with a wide grin. "Lor'a Ashaan? No Lor' or Royl'ty aroun' here wi'' tha' name. Ther is a fella that come aroun' ev'ry fall. Callin' himself The Collector, or some such. If my mem'ry serv's me right, wich it of'en don't, he is named Ashaan. Have strange friends, he does. Kobols, lizards and such. Frien'ly enough, but strange."
"Hmm. What sort of things does he collect, if you know? Trinkets? Weapons of magical destruction? Apple cider? I've heard he has an interest in the Empty Forest. Know anything about that?"
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
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