Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 3591355" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Grains of Sand - Part 4a: The Road to Nowhere</strong></p><p></p><p>As the caravan workers made their slow way back to Manteii on foot, they turned northwards, away from the road and into the Forsaken Wastes. It was clear how the land got its name: the ground was baked dry where it was not covered with sand, and no hint of grass or water was visible anywhere. </p><p></p><p>“Feel like we’ve been traveling through a sea of long-dried tears,” said Kham, wiping his brow.</p><p></p><p>The smell of salt hung heavy in the air. It was not the fresh smell of the ocean, but a stale tang that mixed with the sand and the oppressive heat.</p><p></p><p>“That’s because you haven’t been keeping yourself hydrated,” said Quintus. “Legionnaires traverse terrain a thousand times worse than this every day.”</p><p></p><p>“Which is why I’m not a legionnaire,” said Kham. He dabbed at his forehead again. “All we’ve been looking at for days is hills and sand, sand and hills. I say we just kill the hobgoblins and be done with it.”</p><p></p><p>“The hobgoblins seem to have a clear destination in mind,” said Beldin. </p><p></p><p>They had set a brisk pace across the Wastes. Despite the rough terrain, they were following a route that was sufficiently wide, flat and level for the horses and wagons to travel without undue difficulty. </p><p></p><p>“Even the hobgoblins have better sense than us.” Khan nodded towards Beldin, who wore studded leather armor like Vlad. “They know when to get out of their armor.”</p><p></p><p>Once they were out of sight of the road, the hobgoblins made a brief stop to take off their armor, an understandable decision given the broiling heat of the Wastes.</p><p></p><p>“Ilmarė,” said Quintus, “you’ve been quiet. Are you all right?”</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė’s features were pale and drawn. “It’s not the heat. It’s this place.”</p><p></p><p>“This place?” asked Vlad.</p><p></p><p>Kham had a handkerchief over his head, but it did little good. “This is where our gods killed their gods.” He licked his crusted lips. “But don’t be fooled…it’s the heat.”</p><p></p><p>Then Ilmarė slipped off of her mount to the ground.</p><p></p><p>“Ilmarė!” shouted Quintus. He nearly leaped off his mount to be at her side. Fortunately, she had landed on the soft sand. “She’s not sweating,” he said, panic in his voice. </p><p></p><p>“Get away from me,” whispered Ilmarė. She pushed weakly at him with open palms. </p><p></p><p>“You don’t know what you’re saying,” said Quintus. “You’re suffering from heatstroke.”</p><p></p><p>“I will not…” she shivered as if a cold wind had blown through her, even though she was in the midst of stifling heat, “be healed by a false god…on sacred land…”</p><p></p><p>Quintus put his hands on her forehead and whispered a prayer. The flush from Ilmarė’s cheeks dissipated and her breathing steadied. She closed her eyes. </p><p></p><p>“She will survive,” said Quintus with a sigh of relief. </p><p></p><p>“How about me?” asked Kham. “My god won the battle here and I still feel like my brain is on fire.” He took another swig from his wineskin.</p><p></p><p>“That’s because you’re dehydrated,” said Quintus. “Stop drinking wine!”</p><p></p><p>“This isn’t wine,” said Kham, “it’s…oh wait, it is wine. It’s so weak it tastes like water to me.”</p><p></p><p>“Fine,” said Quintus. “Let Illiir decide.” He put both hands up in Kham’s direction and whispered another prayer.</p><p></p><p>Kham blinked. “I don’t feel any different.”</p><p></p><p>“Then Illiir, for reasons I will never understand, sees fit to keep your drunken carcass alive for another day.” Quintus lifted Ilmarė back onto her mount and strapped her feet into the stirrups. She was barely conscious, but aware enough that she could sit upright. “You should be grateful.”</p><p></p><p>“Grateful?” said Kham with a sneer. “Althares gifts us with knowledge. If Illiir was such a merciful god, you’d think he’d dim the sun a bit.”</p><p></p><p>Quintus chuckled. With a shake of his head, he led Ilmarė’s mount on foot. </p><p></p><p>“What’s so funny?” asked Vlad.</p><p></p><p>“Quintus is laughing,” said Beldin, “because Illiir IS the sun.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 3591355, member: 3285"] [b]Grains of Sand - Part 4a: The Road to Nowhere[/b] As the caravan workers made their slow way back to Manteii on foot, they turned northwards, away from the road and into the Forsaken Wastes. It was clear how the land got its name: the ground was baked dry where it was not covered with sand, and no hint of grass or water was visible anywhere. “Feel like we’ve been traveling through a sea of long-dried tears,” said Kham, wiping his brow. The smell of salt hung heavy in the air. It was not the fresh smell of the ocean, but a stale tang that mixed with the sand and the oppressive heat. “That’s because you haven’t been keeping yourself hydrated,” said Quintus. “Legionnaires traverse terrain a thousand times worse than this every day.” “Which is why I’m not a legionnaire,” said Kham. He dabbed at his forehead again. “All we’ve been looking at for days is hills and sand, sand and hills. I say we just kill the hobgoblins and be done with it.” “The hobgoblins seem to have a clear destination in mind,” said Beldin. They had set a brisk pace across the Wastes. Despite the rough terrain, they were following a route that was sufficiently wide, flat and level for the horses and wagons to travel without undue difficulty. “Even the hobgoblins have better sense than us.” Khan nodded towards Beldin, who wore studded leather armor like Vlad. “They know when to get out of their armor.” Once they were out of sight of the road, the hobgoblins made a brief stop to take off their armor, an understandable decision given the broiling heat of the Wastes. “Ilmarė,” said Quintus, “you’ve been quiet. Are you all right?” Ilmarė’s features were pale and drawn. “It’s not the heat. It’s this place.” “This place?” asked Vlad. Kham had a handkerchief over his head, but it did little good. “This is where our gods killed their gods.” He licked his crusted lips. “But don’t be fooled…it’s the heat.” Then Ilmarė slipped off of her mount to the ground. “Ilmarė!” shouted Quintus. He nearly leaped off his mount to be at her side. Fortunately, she had landed on the soft sand. “She’s not sweating,” he said, panic in his voice. “Get away from me,” whispered Ilmarė. She pushed weakly at him with open palms. “You don’t know what you’re saying,” said Quintus. “You’re suffering from heatstroke.” “I will not…” she shivered as if a cold wind had blown through her, even though she was in the midst of stifling heat, “be healed by a false god…on sacred land…” Quintus put his hands on her forehead and whispered a prayer. The flush from Ilmarė’s cheeks dissipated and her breathing steadied. She closed her eyes. “She will survive,” said Quintus with a sigh of relief. “How about me?” asked Kham. “My god won the battle here and I still feel like my brain is on fire.” He took another swig from his wineskin. “That’s because you’re dehydrated,” said Quintus. “Stop drinking wine!” “This isn’t wine,” said Kham, “it’s…oh wait, it is wine. It’s so weak it tastes like water to me.” “Fine,” said Quintus. “Let Illiir decide.” He put both hands up in Kham’s direction and whispered another prayer. Kham blinked. “I don’t feel any different.” “Then Illiir, for reasons I will never understand, sees fit to keep your drunken carcass alive for another day.” Quintus lifted Ilmarė back onto her mount and strapped her feet into the stirrups. She was barely conscious, but aware enough that she could sit upright. “You should be grateful.” “Grateful?” said Kham with a sneer. “Althares gifts us with knowledge. If Illiir was such a merciful god, you’d think he’d dim the sun a bit.” Quintus chuckled. With a shake of his head, he led Ilmarė’s mount on foot. “What’s so funny?” asked Vlad. “Quintus is laughing,” said Beldin, “because Illiir IS the sun.” [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
Top