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 LIVE! 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
Cydra: the Early Years
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="the Jester" data-source="post: 5186430" data-attributes="member: 1210"><p>The roll of those lost in the Hill of Skulls was long. It included the almost-legendary Hendrick the Witch-Hunter, who came to bring Dexter to justice and died to help save him. Pandos thought long and hard on the events of the last few months- the long arduous journey to Strogass that Dexter undertook for a cause that ultimately proved futile. The sacred texts that the party was seeking were surely lost forever now. </p><p></p><p>And yet the young man had not lost faith. Not his blinding, nor the trials that Bleak had forced him to endure, nor the bitter hunt for him by his old friends had caused him to lose faith. There was something amazing about him, the paladin reflected. Pandos had been chosen for his position because, being deaf and dumb, he was immune to any influence that the <em>Voice of Galador</em> as spoken by Dexter might have. If there was some falsehood behind his growing cult, surely Pandos would expose it.</p><p></p><p>There was nothing false about Dexter, thought Pandos, nothing at all. But there was still something very important that was necessary before he could be satisfied. </p><p></p><p><em>Dexter and the Church of the Light must reconcile.</em></p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The journey home was easier, since they knew the way. The <em>seagate</em> that had allowed them to transport themselves across thousands of miles again served to cut the distance of their journey nearly in half. Even so, it took weeks aboard ship to reach their destination: Forinthia.</p><p></p><p>Pandos had spoken to Dexter via the <em>mindlink</em> that the Son of Galador could create, and they had agreed about the urgency of making peace with High Priest Spadron as soon as possible. Especially with the death of Hendrick, both of them felt it was of the utmost importance to clear the air immediately.</p><p></p><p>The ship they were on sailed into port and they bought kocho, riding the vicious warbirds overland until they reached the city called the Halls of Light. Even from a distance it seemed to glow from the golden radiance that poured from so many <em>continual lights</em>.</p><p></p><p>High Priest Spadron received Pandos first. He was in an office in a high tower, the sun streaming through stained glass behind him. Idols of Galador flank him from the back corners of the room, each aglow with golden radiance. A page stands at his elbow.</p><p></p><p>“Warden,” nods the High Priest in greeting. “I understand that Dexter is with you.”</p><p></p><p><em>Yes,</em> signs Pandos.*</p><p></p><p>“Please, your report.”</p><p></p><p>The page's presence is quickly explained. Spadron knows some of the basic signs that the church's warriors use, but the complex and intricate sign language that Pandos must use to give his report is beyond him. The page begins speaking, translating almost as quickly as Pandos can sign.</p><p></p><p><em>Dexter has shown no signs of anything but sincerity. He has been harried by agents of Bleak, he opposed the Dark Empire of Strogass at great cost, and he truly walks in the Light of Galador. He means only well, and Galador does speak through him. I have found that he carries out the Light's will as best he can interpret it, and since Galador has shown him special favor, we must pay attention to him, to his actions and to his understanding.</em></p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>High Priest Spadron stood alone for a few moments before Dexter came before him. He clasped his hands in prayer, but- as had been the case all along, in reference to Dexter- Galador would say nothing to him. </p><p></p><p>A trial of faith. It could be nothing else. </p><p></p><p>Spadron sighed and checked the careful knotwork that tied his long beard into a belt around his waist. He straightened his holy symbol and stood carefully straight. Then he pulled the cord that would summon Dexter before him.</p><p></p><p>They were mutually humble- and by the end of the hour, the Church of the Light had reconciled with Dexter Nadly.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Naturally, there were edicts to be issued, proclamations to be proclaimed and doctrine to be revised. Dexter left all that to the church. He had more important things to think about, like <em>people</em>.</p><p></p><p>Pandos, meanwhile, spent a week in prayer and meditation, made offerings and supplications, and composed himself for the paladin's great quest: he was ready to seek his mount.**</p><p></p><p>The visions that he received were of a magnificent bird, obviously some kind of kin to the kocho but stronger, faster, perhaps even able to manage a kind of half-flight for a few short moments. And it was caged- caged by orcs. There was a landmark- a huge waterfall, split dramatically by a spur of rock into two large falls. Huge trees all around, which Pandos recognized as redwoods. </p><p></p><p>A little researched turned up a place called Split Falls in the midst of the Great Redwood Forest on Valonia.</p><p></p><p>Dexter agreed to accompany him on another long journey. They had visited the great redwoods before and been truly amazed at the size of them; they were the biggest trees that any of the heroes had ever seen. It was a soothing area. And besides...</p><p></p><p>Dexter sighed. There had been a time, with an elven woman- his only time so far- the happiest moment of his life... On one level he ached to see her again, though he hardly knew her. And he knew that those elves were nomadic, and that there was not much chance that he would ever see her again. </p><p></p><p>He did not know that she was to bear his child. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Before they left, a young scion of the church named Orion approached Pandos. “My lord,” he said, “I have studied sign so that I might converse with you more easily. I am but a young paladin, and I have much yet to learn; yet I am at the point where my new studies must be in the field. I would attach myself to you, learn from you and help ward you- and Dexter- against evil.”</p><p></p><p>Although he had mixed feelings about it, Pandos agreed.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Plunging into the depths of the Great Redwood Forest, the two of them- along with occasional allies garnered from tribes of elves- battled their way through a giant constrictor snake, cut down megalocentipedes, avoided a marsh filled with giant frogs. They pushed through thickets, forded shallow rivers and hacked down hangman trees. </p><p></p><p>Finally, they came to Split Falls. </p><p></p><p>It was beautiful- a waterfall easily 140' high that parted around a great wedge of granite that thrust over a deep gorge, where the water tumbled into a great pool before spilling out along two streams.</p><p></p><p>Between the streams was the orcish encampment- several crude buildings and a stockade. There were only a trio of orcs in evidence; there were probably more out hunting or something, reflected Pandos the Mute. He gestured for the others and they moved carefully along the edge of the cliff, trying to avoid being seen, until they found a place where they could descend. Soon enough they were at the bottom, and then they waded through one of the streams and darted to cover in some foliage not far from the camp. </p><p></p><p>And then, close enough that a rush would take them to the enemy, they attacked. </p><p></p><p>Two of the orcs fell readily enough, but the third drew a glowing two-handed sword and roared a challenge at Pandos.*** Orion rushed to meet him first- and the orc cut him down summarily. </p><p></p><p>Dexter rushed to lay a <em>cure light wounds</em> on him and the orc lunged forward, his blade clanging against Dexter's <em>staff of combat</em> over and over before finally driving into the priest-psion's hip. Dexter cried out, and Pandos rushed the orc, beating him back with his own attack for a moment. </p><p></p><p>But the orc was <em>good.</em> His swordplay was phenomenal; and soon it was all Pandos and Dexter could do, even flanking the orc, to hold their own. Relentlessly, the orc scored another hit on Dexter, then another. When Dex tried to heal himself, the orc took advantage of the moment to score a deep wound in Pandos. </p><p></p><p>But the heroes were not completely without luck in their fight. Dexter's staff crunched into the orc several times and Pandos managed to cut his ribs and shoulder with his blade. </p><p></p><p>Then the orc's wide swings caught Dexter in the chest, knocking him back and almost slaying him. </p><p></p><p>Pandos gasped silently, but he seized the moment. While the orc was still recovering from his swing, Pandos smote him hard across the face. His helm prevented the blow from being a fatal one, but Pandos' followup blow was stunning, and he managed to land a third attack.</p><p></p><p>The orc was still standing, though, and he delivered a lightning-quick series of attacks that Pandos was barely able to fend off. One got through, hammering his breastplate. He could feel blood pouring down his body, but he just gritted his teeth and swung again, his sword slicing into the orc's pelvis. </p><p></p><p>The orc roared in pain and staggered back. He draw a potion and drank it, and Pandos watched in dismay as the muscles of his arms began to bulge with incredible strength. The orc reversed his grip, thrusting down with all his might, and stabbed into Pandos' thigh. The paladin was knocked back and off of his feet, dazed and nearly slain. Yet the orc was tottering too...</p><p></p><p>With a sneer, the orc gestured for him to get up.</p><p></p><p>Pandos groaned silently, and rose to his knees. Then he laid hands upon himself.</p><p></p><p>The orc's eyes widened as Pandos' worst wounds knit themselves closed. With a roar, it rushed him, but Pandos was ready. He sprang to his feet and brought his sword up in an arc. Even as the orc's blow took him in the chest, carving him open, he disemboweled the orc. They fell together- but only Pandos rose.</p><p></p><p>Limping, he made his way to his friends, making sure their wounds were bandaged as best he could, then drawing them off to the orcs' crude shack. At least they would be under cover there...</p><p></p><p>Then he went to meet his mount.</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next Time:</strong></em> A new quest: the <em>Holy Avenger!</em></p><p></p><p>*Since sign language is not a spoken language, <em>tongues</em> won't translate it.</p><p></p><p>**In case you didn't know, in 1e and 2e, a paladin could quest for a special mount at 6th level. Since there are no horses in Cydra (well, at the time there were a scant few- nowadays they are significantly more common), his mount would prove to be something a little more special.</p><p></p><p>***Here's this guy's stat block (hey, he's a 2e orc with levels!): </p><p></p><p>Amazing how short a 2e stat block could be, even for a boss bad guy, eh?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 5186430, member: 1210"] The roll of those lost in the Hill of Skulls was long. It included the almost-legendary Hendrick the Witch-Hunter, who came to bring Dexter to justice and died to help save him. Pandos thought long and hard on the events of the last few months- the long arduous journey to Strogass that Dexter undertook for a cause that ultimately proved futile. The sacred texts that the party was seeking were surely lost forever now. And yet the young man had not lost faith. Not his blinding, nor the trials that Bleak had forced him to endure, nor the bitter hunt for him by his old friends had caused him to lose faith. There was something amazing about him, the paladin reflected. Pandos had been chosen for his position because, being deaf and dumb, he was immune to any influence that the [i]Voice of Galador[/i] as spoken by Dexter might have. If there was some falsehood behind his growing cult, surely Pandos would expose it. There was nothing false about Dexter, thought Pandos, nothing at all. But there was still something very important that was necessary before he could be satisfied. [I]Dexter and the Church of the Light must reconcile.[/i] *** The journey home was easier, since they knew the way. The [i]seagate[/i] that had allowed them to transport themselves across thousands of miles again served to cut the distance of their journey nearly in half. Even so, it took weeks aboard ship to reach their destination: Forinthia. Pandos had spoken to Dexter via the [i]mindlink[/i] that the Son of Galador could create, and they had agreed about the urgency of making peace with High Priest Spadron as soon as possible. Especially with the death of Hendrick, both of them felt it was of the utmost importance to clear the air immediately. The ship they were on sailed into port and they bought kocho, riding the vicious warbirds overland until they reached the city called the Halls of Light. Even from a distance it seemed to glow from the golden radiance that poured from so many [i]continual lights[/i]. High Priest Spadron received Pandos first. He was in an office in a high tower, the sun streaming through stained glass behind him. Idols of Galador flank him from the back corners of the room, each aglow with golden radiance. A page stands at his elbow. “Warden,” nods the High Priest in greeting. “I understand that Dexter is with you.” [i]Yes,[/i] signs Pandos.* “Please, your report.” The page's presence is quickly explained. Spadron knows some of the basic signs that the church's warriors use, but the complex and intricate sign language that Pandos must use to give his report is beyond him. The page begins speaking, translating almost as quickly as Pandos can sign. [i]Dexter has shown no signs of anything but sincerity. He has been harried by agents of Bleak, he opposed the Dark Empire of Strogass at great cost, and he truly walks in the Light of Galador. He means only well, and Galador does speak through him. I have found that he carries out the Light's will as best he can interpret it, and since Galador has shown him special favor, we must pay attention to him, to his actions and to his understanding.[/i] *** High Priest Spadron stood alone for a few moments before Dexter came before him. He clasped his hands in prayer, but- as had been the case all along, in reference to Dexter- Galador would say nothing to him. A trial of faith. It could be nothing else. Spadron sighed and checked the careful knotwork that tied his long beard into a belt around his waist. He straightened his holy symbol and stood carefully straight. Then he pulled the cord that would summon Dexter before him. They were mutually humble- and by the end of the hour, the Church of the Light had reconciled with Dexter Nadly. *** Naturally, there were edicts to be issued, proclamations to be proclaimed and doctrine to be revised. Dexter left all that to the church. He had more important things to think about, like [i]people[/i]. Pandos, meanwhile, spent a week in prayer and meditation, made offerings and supplications, and composed himself for the paladin's great quest: he was ready to seek his mount.** The visions that he received were of a magnificent bird, obviously some kind of kin to the kocho but stronger, faster, perhaps even able to manage a kind of half-flight for a few short moments. And it was caged- caged by orcs. There was a landmark- a huge waterfall, split dramatically by a spur of rock into two large falls. Huge trees all around, which Pandos recognized as redwoods. A little researched turned up a place called Split Falls in the midst of the Great Redwood Forest on Valonia. Dexter agreed to accompany him on another long journey. They had visited the great redwoods before and been truly amazed at the size of them; they were the biggest trees that any of the heroes had ever seen. It was a soothing area. And besides... Dexter sighed. There had been a time, with an elven woman- his only time so far- the happiest moment of his life... On one level he ached to see her again, though he hardly knew her. And he knew that those elves were nomadic, and that there was not much chance that he would ever see her again. He did not know that she was to bear his child. *** Before they left, a young scion of the church named Orion approached Pandos. “My lord,” he said, “I have studied sign so that I might converse with you more easily. I am but a young paladin, and I have much yet to learn; yet I am at the point where my new studies must be in the field. I would attach myself to you, learn from you and help ward you- and Dexter- against evil.” Although he had mixed feelings about it, Pandos agreed. *** Plunging into the depths of the Great Redwood Forest, the two of them- along with occasional allies garnered from tribes of elves- battled their way through a giant constrictor snake, cut down megalocentipedes, avoided a marsh filled with giant frogs. They pushed through thickets, forded shallow rivers and hacked down hangman trees. Finally, they came to Split Falls. It was beautiful- a waterfall easily 140' high that parted around a great wedge of granite that thrust over a deep gorge, where the water tumbled into a great pool before spilling out along two streams. Between the streams was the orcish encampment- several crude buildings and a stockade. There were only a trio of orcs in evidence; there were probably more out hunting or something, reflected Pandos the Mute. He gestured for the others and they moved carefully along the edge of the cliff, trying to avoid being seen, until they found a place where they could descend. Soon enough they were at the bottom, and then they waded through one of the streams and darted to cover in some foliage not far from the camp. And then, close enough that a rush would take them to the enemy, they attacked. Two of the orcs fell readily enough, but the third drew a glowing two-handed sword and roared a challenge at Pandos.*** Orion rushed to meet him first- and the orc cut him down summarily. Dexter rushed to lay a [i]cure light wounds[/i] on him and the orc lunged forward, his blade clanging against Dexter's [i]staff of combat[/i] over and over before finally driving into the priest-psion's hip. Dexter cried out, and Pandos rushed the orc, beating him back with his own attack for a moment. But the orc was [i]good.[/i] His swordplay was phenomenal; and soon it was all Pandos and Dexter could do, even flanking the orc, to hold their own. Relentlessly, the orc scored another hit on Dexter, then another. When Dex tried to heal himself, the orc took advantage of the moment to score a deep wound in Pandos. But the heroes were not completely without luck in their fight. Dexter's staff crunched into the orc several times and Pandos managed to cut his ribs and shoulder with his blade. Then the orc's wide swings caught Dexter in the chest, knocking him back and almost slaying him. Pandos gasped silently, but he seized the moment. While the orc was still recovering from his swing, Pandos smote him hard across the face. His helm prevented the blow from being a fatal one, but Pandos' followup blow was stunning, and he managed to land a third attack. The orc was still standing, though, and he delivered a lightning-quick series of attacks that Pandos was barely able to fend off. One got through, hammering his breastplate. He could feel blood pouring down his body, but he just gritted his teeth and swung again, his sword slicing into the orc's pelvis. The orc roared in pain and staggered back. He draw a potion and drank it, and Pandos watched in dismay as the muscles of his arms began to bulge with incredible strength. The orc reversed his grip, thrusting down with all his might, and stabbed into Pandos' thigh. The paladin was knocked back and off of his feet, dazed and nearly slain. Yet the orc was tottering too... With a sneer, the orc gestured for him to get up. Pandos groaned silently, and rose to his knees. Then he laid hands upon himself. The orc's eyes widened as Pandos' worst wounds knit themselves closed. With a roar, it rushed him, but Pandos was ready. He sprang to his feet and brought his sword up in an arc. Even as the orc's blow took him in the chest, carving him open, he disemboweled the orc. They fell together- but only Pandos rose. Limping, he made his way to his friends, making sure their wounds were bandaged as best he could, then drawing them off to the orcs' crude shack. At least they would be under cover there... Then he went to meet his mount. [i][b]Next Time:[/b][/i] A new quest: the [i]Holy Avenger![/i] *Since sign language is not a spoken language, [i]tongues[/i] won't translate it. **In case you didn't know, in 1e and 2e, a paladin could quest for a special mount at 6th level. Since there are no horses in Cydra (well, at the time there were a scant few- nowadays they are significantly more common), his mount would prove to be something a little more special. ***Here's this guy's stat block (hey, he's a 2e orc with levels!): Amazing how short a 2e stat block could be, even for a boss bad guy, eh? [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Cydra: the Early Years
Top