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
Karianna's Tales of a Mercenary Company - Updated 21/3, 29/3, 5/04, 14/04, 07/05
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="karianna" data-source="post: 3410044" data-attributes="member: 8340"><p>And here is the next part - Kudos to all of the other SH authors out there, I didn't realise how hard this was. Hopefully it's not too terrible for my first attempt <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>------</p><p></p><p>The four scouts left the encampment on foot with little fanfare, receiving only a couple of grim nods from the palisade guards as farewell. The group promptly turned to the east and surveyed the expanding grasslands ahead of them. The rays of the morning sun gave the grasslands a particularly aesthetic golden appearance.</p><p></p><p>“Nice day for a walk” announced Max, promptly setting off ahead with Klaxo in tow. Gwaeryn followed quickly but headed out slightly to the right leaving Thoven and Solomon walking together along the thin trail that snaked through the knee high grass.</p><p></p><p>“I’m still not sure about this whole ‘shiny bait’ idea Sol” stated Thoven</p><p>“It’s a perfectly sound plan my friend, you are the biggest after all” Sol grinned back at him.</p><p></p><p>Thoven only grunted in response and started the day’s walk with his usual plodding pace. The group travelled on without incident for another couple of hours with Max and Gwaeryn making periodic sweeps of the terrain ahead. Finally Max came to a stop and let the Thoven and Sol catch up to him.</p><p></p><p>“Klaxo and I are running across very little wildlife out here, it’s unusual for this sort of expanse of grassland.”</p><p>“Maybe Klax just scared them all off” Sol managed to keep a straight face.</p><p>“No I don’t think so, but…..” Max leaned down towards Klaxo who was pawing at his nose in some discomfort</p><p>“He says he can smell death”</p><p></p><p>Sol waved frantically in the air at Gwaeryn who promptly jogged back.</p><p></p><p>“What is it?” </p><p>“The Badger smells something dead, not too far off” Sol shrugged</p><p>“Righto.......” Gwaeryn looked over at Max</p><p>Max looked over at the Badger “He’s quite adamant about it”</p><p>“Give me a turn or so, see what I can see”</p><p></p><p>Gwaeryn scampered off some fifty yards and then promptly disappeared in the waist high grass, not even a trace of his passage could be seen. Max promptly headed off on an alternative route and with Klaxo also managed to disappear in the grass entirely, leaving Thoven and Sol to wait it out.</p><p></p><p>---------</p><p></p><p>Gwaeryn peered cautiously through the grass a scant foot or two away from the large area of freshly dug up soil. The stench was quite strong in the air now and Gwaeryn noted grimly that the site could hold at least a dozen bodies. He scanned the area for the last time when a small splash of red colour attracted his attention; some tiny scrap of cloth was caught up on a dirt clump in the middle of area. He was about to start heading in when the grunt of the Badger warned him the Max was backing out. He slowly began his retreat back to the waiting pair and some minutes later all four had rejoined back on the main trail.</p><p></p><p>“Mass grave by the looks” stated Gwaeryn, “Some red cloth caught up in the middle of it as well, was about to head over there and go grab it”.</p><p>“It smells like old death, doesn't make sense” mused Max</p><p>“Could be lots of dead villagers, lets go dig a bit and see what we can find” Sol replied</p><p></p><p>“You’re digging” the chorus came back from the others</p><p></p><p>The four turned and started to head back towards the freshly dug earth and promptly spotted four figures standing roughly where they were heading to.</p><p></p><p>“Sloppy Gwaer” growled Thoven as he loosened his blade</p><p>Gwaeryn shot him a filthy look as once more he and Max melded into the grass</p><p>“Slow advance eh Thoven” Sol started to bring his imprinted arcane power to the forefront of his memory.</p><p></p><p>Thoven hefted his heavy shield and started to advance towards the four figures, Sol followed shortly after making sure he was concealed by the bulk of the fighter ahead of him. Another fifty or so paces and the opposing figures had still not moved.</p><p></p><p>“Um, Sol?”</p><p>“Yeah?”</p><p>“I can see the sunlight shining through them”</p><p>“They do look rather bony don’t they”</p><p>“What did the Sarge say about skeletons Sol?”</p><p>“Your Morning Star Thov, use the bashing weapon” sighed Sol</p><p>“Ah right”</p><p></p><p>-----</p><p></p><p>Both Max and Gwaeryn had snuck their way back to their previous positions and could clearly see four Skeletons standing silently in the breeze. Short curved scimitars hung from their bony fists and battered metal shields were attached to their opposing forearms.</p><p></p><p>-----</p><p></p><p>“Hail” Sol cried out</p><p>“Sarge never said they talked Sol”</p><p>“First time for everything Thov”</p><p></p><p>A great clash of metal on metal rang out over the grasslands as the four skeletons banged their scimitars against shields in the mockery of a living salute.</p><p></p><p>“See?”</p><p>“I can feel you smiling smugly Sol, quit it already” growled Thoven in response</p><p></p><p>The skeletons exploded into a lurching run towards the pair. Thoven planted his feet firmly in the ground and waited expectantly with morning star and shield raised. Behind him Sol rapidly incanted and a streaking bolt of energy hit the first Skeleton sending fragments of its skull flying about the grass. Its legs attempted to continue running for a brief moment and then it promptly collapsed.</p><p></p><p>With a roar Thoven stepped up to the first skeleton to arrive and swung a devastating blow at its mid section, but to his dismay the bony creature stumbled over and Thoven watched his Morning Star go flying out of his grasp and sail off somewhere into the grasslands.</p><p></p><p>“Of all the %^$%#” he crouched behind his shield and frantically started to pull out his sword as blows started to rain down upon him. Due to good fortune and plenty of strong armour, Thoven avoided any real damage and with a growl of effort was able to thrust the skeletons back a step</p><p></p><p>“Anytime now guys!” he yelled.</p><p></p><p>----</p><p></p><p>Max and Gwaeryn however, were still looking anxiously at the four holes which had been torn out of the earth in front of them and began to cautiously advance towards the red ribbon in the middle.</p><p></p><p>----</p><p></p><p>Sol who was still behind Thoven by several yards barked out a separate series of arcane words and this time a small sizzling ball of acid flew towards the battling group.</p><p></p><p>“DUCK” roared Sol.</p><p></p><p>Thoven felt the acid ball take off a few hairs of his sword arm as the ball shot past and caught a skeleton in the bones of its throat and it crumpled to the ground.</p><p></p><p>Thoven grinned as the odds began to swing in his favour. He in turn swung mightily at the Skeleton on his right and forcibly ripped out its ribcage with his blade. The skeleton tried to remain standing but it was a hopeless task with its upper torso gone and it too fell to the ground. Thoven then easily parried the attack of the next skeleton and squared up to the last remaining one.</p><p></p><p>Sol, seeing that Thoven had the upper hand decided to save the rest of his day’s Arcane powers and drew out his light mace and charged to Thoven’s side.</p><p></p><p>“I’m coming up on your right” he warned and promptly tripped and bounced off the back of Thoven’s armoured form. Thoven grunted in surprise but still had the presence of mind to fend off another swipe from the skeleton in front. Thoven followed up that fend by stepping forward and clattering through the legs of the skeleton, sending it down to the earth. He looked behind him bemusedly.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah yeah tin can, laugh it up” Sol picked himself up, “Now where did those other two get to...?"</p><p></p><p>-------</p><p></p><p>Next session is tomorrow night and I imagine a Rogues gallery entry will start up soon.</p><p></p><p>As always comments, suggestions and criticism more than welcome!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="karianna, post: 3410044, member: 8340"] And here is the next part - Kudos to all of the other SH authors out there, I didn't realise how hard this was. Hopefully it's not too terrible for my first attempt :) ------ The four scouts left the encampment on foot with little fanfare, receiving only a couple of grim nods from the palisade guards as farewell. The group promptly turned to the east and surveyed the expanding grasslands ahead of them. The rays of the morning sun gave the grasslands a particularly aesthetic golden appearance. “Nice day for a walk” announced Max, promptly setting off ahead with Klaxo in tow. Gwaeryn followed quickly but headed out slightly to the right leaving Thoven and Solomon walking together along the thin trail that snaked through the knee high grass. “I’m still not sure about this whole ‘shiny bait’ idea Sol” stated Thoven “It’s a perfectly sound plan my friend, you are the biggest after all” Sol grinned back at him. Thoven only grunted in response and started the day’s walk with his usual plodding pace. The group travelled on without incident for another couple of hours with Max and Gwaeryn making periodic sweeps of the terrain ahead. Finally Max came to a stop and let the Thoven and Sol catch up to him. “Klaxo and I are running across very little wildlife out here, it’s unusual for this sort of expanse of grassland.” “Maybe Klax just scared them all off” Sol managed to keep a straight face. “No I don’t think so, but…..” Max leaned down towards Klaxo who was pawing at his nose in some discomfort “He says he can smell death” Sol waved frantically in the air at Gwaeryn who promptly jogged back. “What is it?” “The Badger smells something dead, not too far off” Sol shrugged “Righto.......” Gwaeryn looked over at Max Max looked over at the Badger “He’s quite adamant about it” “Give me a turn or so, see what I can see” Gwaeryn scampered off some fifty yards and then promptly disappeared in the waist high grass, not even a trace of his passage could be seen. Max promptly headed off on an alternative route and with Klaxo also managed to disappear in the grass entirely, leaving Thoven and Sol to wait it out. --------- Gwaeryn peered cautiously through the grass a scant foot or two away from the large area of freshly dug up soil. The stench was quite strong in the air now and Gwaeryn noted grimly that the site could hold at least a dozen bodies. He scanned the area for the last time when a small splash of red colour attracted his attention; some tiny scrap of cloth was caught up on a dirt clump in the middle of area. He was about to start heading in when the grunt of the Badger warned him the Max was backing out. He slowly began his retreat back to the waiting pair and some minutes later all four had rejoined back on the main trail. “Mass grave by the looks” stated Gwaeryn, “Some red cloth caught up in the middle of it as well, was about to head over there and go grab it”. “It smells like old death, doesn't make sense” mused Max “Could be lots of dead villagers, lets go dig a bit and see what we can find” Sol replied “You’re digging” the chorus came back from the others The four turned and started to head back towards the freshly dug earth and promptly spotted four figures standing roughly where they were heading to. “Sloppy Gwaer” growled Thoven as he loosened his blade Gwaeryn shot him a filthy look as once more he and Max melded into the grass “Slow advance eh Thoven” Sol started to bring his imprinted arcane power to the forefront of his memory. Thoven hefted his heavy shield and started to advance towards the four figures, Sol followed shortly after making sure he was concealed by the bulk of the fighter ahead of him. Another fifty or so paces and the opposing figures had still not moved. “Um, Sol?” “Yeah?” “I can see the sunlight shining through them” “They do look rather bony don’t they” “What did the Sarge say about skeletons Sol?” “Your Morning Star Thov, use the bashing weapon” sighed Sol “Ah right” ----- Both Max and Gwaeryn had snuck their way back to their previous positions and could clearly see four Skeletons standing silently in the breeze. Short curved scimitars hung from their bony fists and battered metal shields were attached to their opposing forearms. ----- “Hail” Sol cried out “Sarge never said they talked Sol” “First time for everything Thov” A great clash of metal on metal rang out over the grasslands as the four skeletons banged their scimitars against shields in the mockery of a living salute. “See?” “I can feel you smiling smugly Sol, quit it already” growled Thoven in response The skeletons exploded into a lurching run towards the pair. Thoven planted his feet firmly in the ground and waited expectantly with morning star and shield raised. Behind him Sol rapidly incanted and a streaking bolt of energy hit the first Skeleton sending fragments of its skull flying about the grass. Its legs attempted to continue running for a brief moment and then it promptly collapsed. With a roar Thoven stepped up to the first skeleton to arrive and swung a devastating blow at its mid section, but to his dismay the bony creature stumbled over and Thoven watched his Morning Star go flying out of his grasp and sail off somewhere into the grasslands. “Of all the %^$%#” he crouched behind his shield and frantically started to pull out his sword as blows started to rain down upon him. Due to good fortune and plenty of strong armour, Thoven avoided any real damage and with a growl of effort was able to thrust the skeletons back a step “Anytime now guys!” he yelled. ---- Max and Gwaeryn however, were still looking anxiously at the four holes which had been torn out of the earth in front of them and began to cautiously advance towards the red ribbon in the middle. ---- Sol who was still behind Thoven by several yards barked out a separate series of arcane words and this time a small sizzling ball of acid flew towards the battling group. “DUCK” roared Sol. Thoven felt the acid ball take off a few hairs of his sword arm as the ball shot past and caught a skeleton in the bones of its throat and it crumpled to the ground. Thoven grinned as the odds began to swing in his favour. He in turn swung mightily at the Skeleton on his right and forcibly ripped out its ribcage with his blade. The skeleton tried to remain standing but it was a hopeless task with its upper torso gone and it too fell to the ground. Thoven then easily parried the attack of the next skeleton and squared up to the last remaining one. Sol, seeing that Thoven had the upper hand decided to save the rest of his day’s Arcane powers and drew out his light mace and charged to Thoven’s side. “I’m coming up on your right” he warned and promptly tripped and bounced off the back of Thoven’s armoured form. Thoven grunted in surprise but still had the presence of mind to fend off another swipe from the skeleton in front. Thoven followed up that fend by stepping forward and clattering through the legs of the skeleton, sending it down to the earth. He looked behind him bemusedly. “Yeah yeah tin can, laugh it up” Sol picked himself up, “Now where did those other two get to...?" ------- Next session is tomorrow night and I imagine a Rogues gallery entry will start up soon. As always comments, suggestions and criticism more than welcome! [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Karianna's Tales of a Mercenary Company - Updated 21/3, 29/3, 5/04, 14/04, 07/05
Top