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
Dusk in the land of Fading Stars - Femerus' Story hour (updated 2-20-03)
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="Femerus the Gnecro" data-source="post: 252426" data-attributes="member: 2381"><p><strong>Chapter 2: The Coming Storm</strong></p><p></p><p>Chapter 2: The Coming Storm</p><p></p><p>A couple of weeks later and several hundred miles to the west, we find ourselves among the narrow streets of Darumont, a trade city on the outskirts of human explored lands, beyond the area known as the Fringe. </p><p></p><p>Horsecarts wobble over uneven cobblestones and merchants hock their wares on the blessedly clean streets, the filth having been washed away by the morning’s rains. This morning, however, the gentle rhythm of Darumont is disturbed by the forceful strides of Saryna the half elf, as she walks purposefully through the twisting roads of the city in search of an inn.</p><p></p><p>Finally settling on the Seven Stars Tavern, Saryna enters and orders her morning ale. After sipping her ale in silence for a moment, Saryna turns and surveys the sparsely populated common room. The only thing of interest is a rather heated discussion between two of the bar patrons: a robed man and a halfling. Hoping for a barfight, Saryna moves to a closer table and begins to eavesdrop.</p><p></p><p>“You didn’t have to throw that dagger so hard you know.”</p><p></p><p>“Hey! For all I knew, I was supposed to kill you. It’s not my fault that your super protective mumbo magic crap didn’t do anything except look pretty.”</p><p></p><p>The man pales a bit, as though embarrassed. “…I’d rather not talk about that. You should just be thankful that I didn’t fry you on the spot”</p><p></p><p>The halfing’s eyes open wide, and he begins to stammer. “I’M LUCKY!? You… I just… you… I kicked that ogre’s ass!</p><p></p><p>In the background, Saryna chuckles softly, earning a sharp glance from the robed man.</p><p></p><p>“It’s considered rude to eavesdrop.”</p><p></p><p>The halfling chimes in. “Maybe she finds you interesting, Lucien… that’d be a first!” Kerim chuckles at his own joke.</p><p></p><p>“You two weren’t exactly being circumspect,” Saryna replies. “If you didn’t want it known that this little one nearly stuck you in the ass with a knife, then don’t talk so loudly in taverns.”</p><p></p><p>Lucien’s frown deepens, the lines in his face tightening into a mask of irritation. “There was nothing ‘nearly’ about it… and it was in the shoulder, thank you.”</p><p></p><p>Saryna sips her ale slowly and moves over to Lucien and Kerim’s table. “Whatever. To tell the truth, I was hoping to find a job in this town, but since I’ve been here I’ve seen little more than rabble and rubbish. At the moment, you two are the closest thing to amusement that I’ve found in nary three weeks. You’re not looking for a guardian, are you? Have a shipment ya need watched or anything like that, hmm?</p><p></p><p>“No… in fact we happen to be looking for work as well. I thought perhaps running the gauntlet in Saridor would endear me to a potential employer, but no such luck.”</p><p></p><p>Kerim comes back to the table with a pitcher of ale and a glass of wine for Lucien. “That’s because you sat around and let me deal with the ogre for ya. You really need to learn to take responsibility for your own problems, Lucien.” Kerim turns to Saryna, seeing the interest in her eyes. “That’s where we met by the way… where I stuck him. It wasn’t that interesting really… too linear. Plus it’s in a town a few hundred miles east, so don’t getcher hopes up… um… what’s your name anyways?” </p><p></p><p>“Saryna,” she replied. “And you are Lucien and…”</p><p></p><p>“I’m Kerim. The broody one is Lucien. Nicetameetcha.”</p><p></p><p>Saryna turns to Kerim. “Where are you headed if you can’t find work in Darumont, Kerim?”</p><p></p><p>“I hadn’t thought about it actually… I figure work’ll appear. There’s always a call for freelancers, anyways.</p><p></p><p>Lucien snorts. “Freelance? Why not just be honest and call it mercenary work?”</p><p></p><p>“There’s nothing wrong with mercenary work,” Saryna replies.</p><p></p><p>“No… but I see no reason to dissemble about it either.”</p><p></p><p>“What, you too good to get yer hands dirty?”</p><p></p><p>Lucien laughs derisively. “What kind of work do you think I’m looking for, gardening?”</p><p></p><p>The verbal sparring continues for some minutes, and Kerim tires of it quickly. While Saryn and Lucien bicker, Kerim approaches the bartender… time to get proactive about this whole ‘job’ thing!</p><p></p><p>“Excuse me… bartender?”</p><p></p><p>The bartender looks out over the bar, convinced that his lucky magical mug, Rupert, has finally decided to talk to him. Kerim climbs up on a stool.</p><p></p><p>“Oh… what can I do for you, lad?”</p><p></p><p>“Where might some freelance adventurers find work in this town?”</p><p></p><p>“Freelance adventurers… hmm. I’m not quite… sure really.”</p><p></p><p>Kerim looks at him askance. “I’m sure you must have some idea.”</p><p></p><p>The bartender looks at Kerim shrewdly. “There’s something on the tip of my tongue but I just… I can’t seem to quite remember it sir.”</p><p></p><p>Kerim looks at the bartender for a second and begins to catch on. “Ah… I understand that feeling… Oh! I seemed to have dropped a couple of coins here on the bar… how clumsy of me...”</p><p></p><p>The bartender vanishes the coins from the bar before they even stop moving. “Oh, aye… that reminds me. Well, freelancers usually set up shop so to speak, get their name known and people come to them. You might think about doing that for starters. Or, well… there’s the Sweeps. They’re a well known vigilante service in Southend. You’ll do well with them, good to work on the reputation if you catch my drift. Coh… what was their address again? Ah… I’ve gone and forgotten it.”</p><p></p><p>Kerim pulls out three pieces of silver and begins to juggle them with marvelous dexterity.</p><p></p><p>The bartender’s eyes gleam. “Oh… it’s coming back to me.”</p><p></p><p>Kerim palms one piece and starts juggling two with one hand.</p><p></p><p>“Coh… I’m losing it again.”</p><p></p><p>Kerim puts the third coin back in the mix.</p><p></p><p>“Oh… oh… on the tip of me tongue…”</p><p></p><p>Kerim takes out a fourth coin and starts juggling two alternating circles. By this point, several patrons are chuckling openly.</p><p></p><p>The bartender smiles. “Ah… I remember now. They’re on the corner of Sullyset and Renshad.” Kerim grabs the coins out of midair and stacks them neatly on the bar. Once again, they vanish before they lose the heat from Kerim’s hand.</p><p></p><p>“Thank you, sir,” the bartender says.</p><p></p><p>Kerim looks at him with amusement. “No… thank you.”</p><p></p><p>Saryna looks at Kerim appraisingly, having just gained a great deal of respect for his straightforwardness. “Seems we may have a place to work after all. Do you mind if I travel with you to that part of town?”</p><p></p><p>Kerim and Lucien exchange a quick glance… neither of them objects to having a new companion, even if she is somewhat… abrasive at times.</p><p></p><p>Lucien stands up. “It’s not raining yet… we should leave as soon as possible to avoid the storm.”</p><p></p><p>Smirking, Saryna stands. “After you, Master Lucien.”</p><p></p><p><em>To be continued...</em> </p><p></p><p><em>Coming up next post: Gainful employment! A new friend! And.... Pin: the magical bird</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Femerus the Gnecro, post: 252426, member: 2381"] [b]Chapter 2: The Coming Storm[/b] Chapter 2: The Coming Storm A couple of weeks later and several hundred miles to the west, we find ourselves among the narrow streets of Darumont, a trade city on the outskirts of human explored lands, beyond the area known as the Fringe. Horsecarts wobble over uneven cobblestones and merchants hock their wares on the blessedly clean streets, the filth having been washed away by the morning’s rains. This morning, however, the gentle rhythm of Darumont is disturbed by the forceful strides of Saryna the half elf, as she walks purposefully through the twisting roads of the city in search of an inn. Finally settling on the Seven Stars Tavern, Saryna enters and orders her morning ale. After sipping her ale in silence for a moment, Saryna turns and surveys the sparsely populated common room. The only thing of interest is a rather heated discussion between two of the bar patrons: a robed man and a halfling. Hoping for a barfight, Saryna moves to a closer table and begins to eavesdrop. “You didn’t have to throw that dagger so hard you know.” “Hey! For all I knew, I was supposed to kill you. It’s not my fault that your super protective mumbo magic crap didn’t do anything except look pretty.” The man pales a bit, as though embarrassed. “…I’d rather not talk about that. You should just be thankful that I didn’t fry you on the spot” The halfing’s eyes open wide, and he begins to stammer. “I’M LUCKY!? You… I just… you… I kicked that ogre’s ass! In the background, Saryna chuckles softly, earning a sharp glance from the robed man. “It’s considered rude to eavesdrop.” The halfling chimes in. “Maybe she finds you interesting, Lucien… that’d be a first!” Kerim chuckles at his own joke. “You two weren’t exactly being circumspect,” Saryna replies. “If you didn’t want it known that this little one nearly stuck you in the ass with a knife, then don’t talk so loudly in taverns.” Lucien’s frown deepens, the lines in his face tightening into a mask of irritation. “There was nothing ‘nearly’ about it… and it was in the shoulder, thank you.” Saryna sips her ale slowly and moves over to Lucien and Kerim’s table. “Whatever. To tell the truth, I was hoping to find a job in this town, but since I’ve been here I’ve seen little more than rabble and rubbish. At the moment, you two are the closest thing to amusement that I’ve found in nary three weeks. You’re not looking for a guardian, are you? Have a shipment ya need watched or anything like that, hmm? “No… in fact we happen to be looking for work as well. I thought perhaps running the gauntlet in Saridor would endear me to a potential employer, but no such luck.” Kerim comes back to the table with a pitcher of ale and a glass of wine for Lucien. “That’s because you sat around and let me deal with the ogre for ya. You really need to learn to take responsibility for your own problems, Lucien.” Kerim turns to Saryna, seeing the interest in her eyes. “That’s where we met by the way… where I stuck him. It wasn’t that interesting really… too linear. Plus it’s in a town a few hundred miles east, so don’t getcher hopes up… um… what’s your name anyways?” “Saryna,” she replied. “And you are Lucien and…” “I’m Kerim. The broody one is Lucien. Nicetameetcha.” Saryna turns to Kerim. “Where are you headed if you can’t find work in Darumont, Kerim?” “I hadn’t thought about it actually… I figure work’ll appear. There’s always a call for freelancers, anyways. Lucien snorts. “Freelance? Why not just be honest and call it mercenary work?” “There’s nothing wrong with mercenary work,” Saryna replies. “No… but I see no reason to dissemble about it either.” “What, you too good to get yer hands dirty?” Lucien laughs derisively. “What kind of work do you think I’m looking for, gardening?” The verbal sparring continues for some minutes, and Kerim tires of it quickly. While Saryn and Lucien bicker, Kerim approaches the bartender… time to get proactive about this whole ‘job’ thing! “Excuse me… bartender?” The bartender looks out over the bar, convinced that his lucky magical mug, Rupert, has finally decided to talk to him. Kerim climbs up on a stool. “Oh… what can I do for you, lad?” “Where might some freelance adventurers find work in this town?” “Freelance adventurers… hmm. I’m not quite… sure really.” Kerim looks at him askance. “I’m sure you must have some idea.” The bartender looks at Kerim shrewdly. “There’s something on the tip of my tongue but I just… I can’t seem to quite remember it sir.” Kerim looks at the bartender for a second and begins to catch on. “Ah… I understand that feeling… Oh! I seemed to have dropped a couple of coins here on the bar… how clumsy of me...” The bartender vanishes the coins from the bar before they even stop moving. “Oh, aye… that reminds me. Well, freelancers usually set up shop so to speak, get their name known and people come to them. You might think about doing that for starters. Or, well… there’s the Sweeps. They’re a well known vigilante service in Southend. You’ll do well with them, good to work on the reputation if you catch my drift. Coh… what was their address again? Ah… I’ve gone and forgotten it.” Kerim pulls out three pieces of silver and begins to juggle them with marvelous dexterity. The bartender’s eyes gleam. “Oh… it’s coming back to me.” Kerim palms one piece and starts juggling two with one hand. “Coh… I’m losing it again.” Kerim puts the third coin back in the mix. “Oh… oh… on the tip of me tongue…” Kerim takes out a fourth coin and starts juggling two alternating circles. By this point, several patrons are chuckling openly. The bartender smiles. “Ah… I remember now. They’re on the corner of Sullyset and Renshad.” Kerim grabs the coins out of midair and stacks them neatly on the bar. Once again, they vanish before they lose the heat from Kerim’s hand. “Thank you, sir,” the bartender says. Kerim looks at him with amusement. “No… thank you.” Saryna looks at Kerim appraisingly, having just gained a great deal of respect for his straightforwardness. “Seems we may have a place to work after all. Do you mind if I travel with you to that part of town?” Kerim and Lucien exchange a quick glance… neither of them objects to having a new companion, even if she is somewhat… abrasive at times. Lucien stands up. “It’s not raining yet… we should leave as soon as possible to avoid the storm.” Smirking, Saryna stands. “After you, Master Lucien.” [I]To be continued...[/I] [I]Coming up next post: Gainful employment! A new friend! And.... Pin: the magical bird[/I] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Dusk in the land of Fading Stars - Femerus' Story hour (updated 2-20-03)
Top