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
The
VOIDRUNNER'S CODEX
is coming! Explore new worlds, fight oppressive empires, fend off fearsome aliens, and wield deadly psionics with this comprehensive boxed set expansion for 5E and A5E!
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Curse of Darkness VII - Britania
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="Greenfield" data-source="post: 5934139" data-attributes="member: 6669384"><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The river trip to Calais was a smooth one, a small blessing from the dark curse above. Spring floods were coming late, and slowly, without sunlight to melt the mountain snows, and so the river was well below flood level.</span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">After offloading from the river barge, the companions gathered at the riverfront for the final sea voyage, and began to look about for their colorful guides.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The pair were just returning from the ferryman's quay, and hailed the group as they approached.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"So, you're all here? Good, we'll... wait, we're one short.", Padraig began. "Where's the wee one?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"She ran into some family problems. She said she'd join us when she can."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The man's ruddy face flushed for a moment. "We don't need more people knowing our business.", he grumbled. "She knows to keep silent? If the Red Masque knew we were here..."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"The Red Masque?", Marcus asked. "One of the folk sent to meet her showed us a red mask. We've seen some of their number in Rome, and they're trouble."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Aye, they're the ones behind the troubles in Dunphries. The last thing we want is to warn them of your coming. But you said it was family problems."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Yes", Penn cut in. "Apparently our small friend can name the local Grandfather of Thieves as kin, and before they can ask her anything, they'll have to catch her."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Ah, hence the 'troubles' part.", Angus replied, nodding his understanding. "Just as well then, that she lead them away from us. If you're sure she'll be all right..."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The companions looked at each other uncomfortably for a long moment before Sylus finally answered. "She seemed to think so. And we trust her judgment."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The channel crossing was rough, far worse than their relatively calm voyage across the Mediterranean had been, and Cassius spent the entire voyage at the bow, keeping a wary eye back across the deck. He had finally recalled the exact warning of the Gypsy witch: On a ship there is no place to hide from your enemies. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">But the passage was uneventful, if slightly wet, and they arrived near Folkstone by early afternoon.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">As they departed, the two Highlanders wrapped themselves in long brown cloaks, hiding their distinctive plaid half-robes and rough wool tunics. Their knit tam's were tucked away, and their hoods drawn.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"I take it that this isn't merely because of the cold.", Penn observed.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Our folk are at war with the Breton of the south, as well as the Picts of the north. Best not to show our colors here."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"You folk have gone to a lot of trouble to bring us here. What's so special about us that warrants the effort?", asked Nedel, as he scanned the quay for signs of trouble.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"The King's son, Seeburn, speaks highly of you. He tells us that you helped elect the current Emperor of Rome, and that you saved him from the Red Masque. And it seems he spoke the truth, for his name alone was enough to grant us access to the Emperor. But we'll talk more on the road. There's daylight left, and miles to go."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Which road should we be following?", Sylus asked.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Mor castle is north of The Wall. The fastest way would be by boat up to Londinium, then due north."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Walking through the largest city the Bretons have seems a poor way to sneak through enemy territory." Sylus observed. "What say we ride the coast road for a few days, then cut inland before we strike any major settlement. We'll cross a few farming steads, but avoid the cities."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Ach, man, you dasn't want to strike cross country through the lowlands. Ye'll find yerself lost in the moors, to be certain. We'll stay on the roads as much as we can, but we'll skirt around the larger towns."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">And as it was said, so it was done, and they soon found themselves riding up the eastern coast of Britania. The shoreline was rugged and the weather threatening, but they managed to get quite a few miles in before any of the winter storms hit.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">*** </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"I've never seen such a thing.", Marcus said in wonder, looking at the roadway.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Wha? I've seen grander bits of stone than this from my cot in Dunphries.", Padraig scoffed.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"That's the point.", Marcus replied. "I've seen Roman high roads all my life. I've never seen one that wasn't finished. This one hasn't fallen to this state by disrepair, the road teams simply stopped. You can see the patches where different crews worked, but they didn't join them all."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Imagina nodded in agreement. "It looks like they began to settle here, then decided not to. See the stone walls that line the lane? Field stone, cleared to make the land ready for the plow, but then no farms, no flocks, nothing tilled at all."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Aye, the only things these lazy bastards ever finish is a fight.", Angus laughed.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"I'm seeing lots of tracks though.", Sylus observed. "I'd say a lot of riders come through here regularly, but none of the horses are shod."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Perhaps they're the tracks of horses being driven to market.", Penn suggested. "That would leave the sign of a tight pack like this, and they might obscure the marks iron would have left."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"The drovers would be behind the herd. Their track would still show.", Sylus countered.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Well, this isn't Rome.", Angus offered. "Not everyone shoes their mounts."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Still, if the road patrol is this heavy..."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"No, it's something else.", Marcus called, gesturing towards the road ahead.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">A single Centaur stood in the lane, a long spear grounded on the cobbles beside him.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"What is your business here.", he called in a neutral voice, though the language was strange to most.</span> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">[FONT=&quot]</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Penn spurred his mount forward, smiling broadly. "He's speaking the Fey tongue.", he told his friends. "My father's tongue, or so I'm told."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"We're travelers, meaning no harm.", he began. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Why are you here!", the Centaur demanded more firmly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Why, because here is halfway between where we were and where we're going.", the Bard joked, hoping his light banter would ease the moment. "Perhaps you can direct us, for we are new to this land. How far to the next settlement?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"The humans have a fishing village most of a day's travel along this road. Just how far north are you going?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"I believe it's somewhere near the Wall. As I said, we're new to this land and don't know it all that well yet."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"How new are you? And why do you travel to the wall?", came the next query, still suspicious but less on edge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"We arrived on the ferry this very morning, and are going to meet a friend who lives just into Pictland."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The Centaur eased his stance visibly. "Be careful, traveler, for the humans here hunt those of us who aren't."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Ah. I know the slave master's whip all too well, and would wield it against no one." The Bard turned in saddle and raised the tunic along his left side to show the scars he'd received from Kergen and his Vandal troop.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"And these are my friends, who saved me from those slavers", he added, gesturing towards the rest of the companions. "So, who hunts you and why?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The Centaur ignored this question for a moment, choosing instead to rap the butt of his spear on the ground loudly. From brush and stone arose more Centaurs, tall and well armed. They'd been waiting to see if the travelers were hostile.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Perhaps you should come with us, and I'll explain.", the leader said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">"Ah, well the day is growing late, and a warm bed does sound better than sleeping on the cold plains.", Penn agreed, choosing to interpret the half-command as an invitation. "I thank you for your hospitality."</span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span>[/FONT]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greenfield, post: 5934139, member: 6669384"] [FONT=Verdana]*** The river trip to Calais was a smooth one, a small blessing from the dark curse above. Spring floods were coming late, and slowly, without sunlight to melt the mountain snows, and so the river was well below flood level.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]After offloading from the river barge, the companions gathered at the riverfront for the final sea voyage, and began to look about for their colorful guides. The pair were just returning from the ferryman's quay, and hailed the group as they approached.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "So, you're all here? Good, we'll... wait, we're one short.", Padraig began. "Where's the wee one?"[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "She ran into some family problems. She said she'd join us when she can."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] The man's ruddy face flushed for a moment. "We don't need more people knowing our business.", he grumbled. "She knows to keep silent? If the Red Masque knew we were here..."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "The Red Masque?", Marcus asked. "One of the folk sent to meet her showed us a red mask. We've seen some of their number in Rome, and they're trouble."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Aye, they're the ones behind the troubles in Dunphries. The last thing we want is to warn them of your coming. But you said it was family problems."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Yes", Penn cut in. "Apparently our small friend can name the local Grandfather of Thieves as kin, and before they can ask her anything, they'll have to catch her."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Ah, hence the 'troubles' part.", Angus replied, nodding his understanding. "Just as well then, that she lead them away from us. If you're sure she'll be all right..."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] The companions looked at each other uncomfortably for a long moment before Sylus finally answered. "She seemed to think so. And we trust her judgment."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] *** The channel crossing was rough, far worse than their relatively calm voyage across the Mediterranean had been, and Cassius spent the entire voyage at the bow, keeping a wary eye back across the deck. He had finally recalled the exact warning of the Gypsy witch: On a ship there is no place to hide from your enemies. But the passage was uneventful, if slightly wet, and they arrived near Folkstone by early afternoon.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] As they departed, the two Highlanders wrapped themselves in long brown cloaks, hiding their distinctive plaid half-robes and rough wool tunics. Their knit tam's were tucked away, and their hoods drawn.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "I take it that this isn't merely because of the cold.", Penn observed.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Our folk are at war with the Breton of the south, as well as the Picts of the north. Best not to show our colors here."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "You folk have gone to a lot of trouble to bring us here. What's so special about us that warrants the effort?", asked Nedel, as he scanned the quay for signs of trouble.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "The King's son, Seeburn, speaks highly of you. He tells us that you helped elect the current Emperor of Rome, and that you saved him from the Red Masque. And it seems he spoke the truth, for his name alone was enough to grant us access to the Emperor. But we'll talk more on the road. There's daylight left, and miles to go."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Which road should we be following?", Sylus asked.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Mor castle is north of The Wall. The fastest way would be by boat up to Londinium, then due north."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Walking through the largest city the Bretons have seems a poor way to sneak through enemy territory." Sylus observed. "What say we ride the coast road for a few days, then cut inland before we strike any major settlement. We'll cross a few farming steads, but avoid the cities."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Ach, man, you dasn't want to strike cross country through the lowlands. Ye'll find yerself lost in the moors, to be certain. We'll stay on the roads as much as we can, but we'll skirt around the larger towns."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] And as it was said, so it was done, and they soon found themselves riding up the eastern coast of Britania. The shoreline was rugged and the weather threatening, but they managed to get quite a few miles in before any of the winter storms hit.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] *** "I've never seen such a thing.", Marcus said in wonder, looking at the roadway. "Wha? I've seen grander bits of stone than this from my cot in Dunphries.", Padraig scoffed.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "That's the point.", Marcus replied. "I've seen Roman high roads all my life. I've never seen one that wasn't finished. This one hasn't fallen to this state by disrepair, the road teams simply stopped. You can see the patches where different crews worked, but they didn't join them all."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] Imagina nodded in agreement. "It looks like they began to settle here, then decided not to. See the stone walls that line the lane? Field stone, cleared to make the land ready for the plow, but then no farms, no flocks, nothing tilled at all."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Aye, the only things these lazy bastards ever finish is a fight.", Angus laughed.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "I'm seeing lots of tracks though.", Sylus observed. "I'd say a lot of riders come through here regularly, but none of the horses are shod."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Perhaps they're the tracks of horses being driven to market.", Penn suggested. "That would leave the sign of a tight pack like this, and they might obscure the marks iron would have left."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "The drovers would be behind the herd. Their track would still show.", Sylus countered.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Well, this isn't Rome.", Angus offered. "Not everyone shoes their mounts."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "Still, if the road patrol is this heavy..."[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "No, it's something else.", Marcus called, gesturing towards the road ahead.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] A single Centaur stood in the lane, a long spear grounded on the cobbles beside him.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana] "What is your business here.", he called in a neutral voice, though the language was strange to most.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][FONT="] Penn spurred his mount forward, smiling broadly. "He's speaking the Fey tongue.", he told his friends. "My father's tongue, or so I'm told." "We're travelers, meaning no harm.", he began. "Why are you here!", the Centaur demanded more firmly. "Why, because here is halfway between where we were and where we're going.", the Bard joked, hoping his light banter would ease the moment. "Perhaps you can direct us, for we are new to this land. How far to the next settlement?" "The humans have a fishing village most of a day's travel along this road. Just how far north are you going?" "I believe it's somewhere near the Wall. As I said, we're new to this land and don't know it all that well yet." "How new are you? And why do you travel to the wall?", came the next query, still suspicious but less on edge. "We arrived on the ferry this very morning, and are going to meet a friend who lives just into Pictland." The Centaur eased his stance visibly. "Be careful, traveler, for the humans here hunt those of us who aren't." "Ah. I know the slave master's whip all too well, and would wield it against no one." The Bard turned in saddle and raised the tunic along his left side to show the scars he'd received from Kergen and his Vandal troop. "And these are my friends, who saved me from those slavers", he added, gesturing towards the rest of the companions. "So, who hunts you and why?" The Centaur ignored this question for a moment, choosing instead to rap the butt of his spear on the ground loudly. From brush and stone arose more Centaurs, tall and well armed. They'd been waiting to see if the travelers were hostile. "Perhaps you should come with us, and I'll explain.", the leader said. "Ah, well the day is growing late, and a warm bed does sound better than sleeping on the cold plains.", Penn agreed, choosing to interpret the half-command as an invitation. "I thank you for your hospitality." [/FONT][/FONT] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Curse of Darkness VII - Britania
Top