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: 3437131" data-attributes="member: 8340"><p>This part of the session was full of frantic fun <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />, I won't spoil it by saying anymore, I hope you all enjoy! Next session is tonight and I still have the 3rd part of last session to write up, so plenty more material coming.</p><p></p><p>-----------</p><p></p><p>The four scouts pushed their way through the swing doors and entered into a large common room. Crudely built tables and benches were scattered over a straw covered floor and in the far corner a tethered goat bleated plaintively at them. [As an aside Max's player blurted out, 'Wicked I have speak with animals memorised!' cue much laughter] Opposite the group a stick thin middle aged woman stood behind a large plank of wood supported by two barrels. Stairs headed up to the next floor and they could see the mill in the distance through a narrow corridor that exited the building behind the woman.</p><p></p><p>The land lady beamed at them “Why hello there, I’ve been expecting you, my name be Thayla, now what can I get yea?”</p><p></p><p>Thoven strode forward with a smile and quickly introduced the group and arranged the hire of the two rooms upstairs and some basic meals. After exchanging further pleasantries with Thayla, the four scouts headed up the stairs to inspect their lodgings.</p><p></p><p>Gwaeryn immediately began a pain staking search of the room he was sharing with Thoven and after a few minutes made a grisly discovery. He quickly summoned everyone into his room and flipped over the mattress of one of the crude cots. The underside of the mattress was almost completely covered by a large dark stain.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know about you guys but I’m not sleeping here tonight.”</p><p>Thoven leaned over and took a look at the mattress "That's OK, I have a sneaking suspicion something might happen before we get to sleep."</p><p>Sol raised an eyebrow “Charming….”</p><p>“Yeah it’s amazing how people can spontaneously erupt into a shower of blood while sleeping.” Gwaeryn replied caustically.</p><p></p><p>At that moment a call came out from below, “Food is ready m’dears!”</p><p></p><p>Sol looked at the others and quietly added “We’ll discuss this in private later.”</p><p>“I’m not touching their food.” hissed Gwaeryn</p><p>“It’ll look suspicious if we don’t Gwaer.” replied Sol</p><p>“Tell her I’m not feeling well, I’m going to sneak out and take a look at the mill.”</p><p>“Very well,” Sol turned to the druid “Max, let us know if that food is off will ya?”</p><p>Max stared grimly at the mattress “Oh I think I’ll be checking very carefully.”</p><p>Gwaeryn leaned over to Thoven and with a wink whispered "We could always try the food on Klaxo first."</p><p>Thoven looked back at Gwaeryn in disgust but couldn't help letting a small smile slip out.</p><p></p><p>Gwaeryn waited upstairs while the other three scouts headed back down the stairs and joined Thayla at one of the tables for their meal. Thayla was full of chatter, asking the three scouts about their travels and paying particular attention to Thoven who apparently ‘reminded her of her own son’.</p><p></p><p>----</p><p></p><p>While Sol was carefully asking Thayla about Polly and the children’s school in the mill, Gwaeryn snuck down the stairs and tip toed his way down the corridor behind the bar. Quickly spying that there was no one visible around, he broke cover and ghosted across a couple of fields before reaching the mill. Over the next couple of minutes he carefully crawled his way around the building, taking into account all of its features.</p><p></p><p>The mill stood some 30-40 feet high with a large set of barn doors at the northern end and a set of wide doors embedded up high on the south wall. Attached to the east side of the mill was a large water wheel that was slowly being rotated by the flowing waters of the river. Satisfied that all was well, Gwaeryn slid his way along the western wall and around the corner until he reached the main doors. Kneeling quietly by the doors he carefully listened out for any activity inside the barn. Hearing nothing he took a deep breath and gently eased one of the doors open just wide enough so he could sidle in.</p><p></p><p>He took his first step inside, peering into the gloom when something smashed heavily into his chest knocking him back outside of the building. Eyes watering from the blow Gwaeryn struggled to his feet his jaw dropping as a putrid figure lumbered out of the barn.</p><p></p><p>----</p><p></p><p>Back at the common room several burly farmers had arrived from the fields giving the group open stares as they headed off to another table. During the meal, Thoven was starting to extract some information from the talkative Thayla, apparently the wayward child Polly was a half elven orphan that the village had found wandering in the fields several years ago. Sol was about to continue this line of questioning when Max gave out a large yawn and swayed slightly in his seat.</p><p></p><p>“Oh the poor dear must be tired from his day’s walk,” announced Thayla patting him gently on the shoulder “why don’t you go and take him on upstairs.”</p><p>Sol looked over at Max, as a nagging suspicion started to enter his thoughts. He quickly got to his feet and lifted the rapidly fading Max out of his chair.</p><p>“It’ll be alright, I’ll just take him outside for some fresh air.” Sol’s intense gaze spoke volumes to Thoven who also rose to his feet.</p><p> </p><p>The two men half carried and half dragged the now unconscious Max out the back corridor while fending off the growls and pawing of the extremely agitated badger.</p><p>“Quit it Klaxo we’re trying to help!” Sol growled, he glanced over to the burly solider “Thov, it must be some sort of sleeping draught, check Max’s herb kit.”</p><p></p><p>“Um I think we’ve got another problem, Gwaer’s in deep %^&$.” replied Thoven pointing over to the mill. Sol peered into the distance and spied Gwaeryn with his back to the river trying to fend off what looked to be an unarmed farmer.</p><p></p><p>“What do you mean? The peasant isn’t even armed!” Sol cried dismissively.</p><p>“Exactly Sol, Gwaeryn has just cut off its left arm and it’s still coming at him.”</p><p>Sol looked up again to see the distant figure of Gwaeryn battling what was evidently not an ordinary farmer “You’re…. not kidding, go help him out I’ll throw Max under this water trough and make sure nothing gets to him.”</p><p></p><p>Thoven set off on a dead run towards the mill while Sol turned around and eyed up the wild looking badger sitting astride the comatose form of Max. “Ah c’mon Klax, let me move him will ya!” The badger made a strange growling noise in response. Sol sighed, “One of these days Klax, you and I are going to have a serious talk about your place in this squad.”</p><p></p><p>----</p><p></p><p>Despite having hacked off the creature’s left arm and removing what should have been a vital organ or two, the battle was not going well for Gwaeryn. The monstrous thing just continued to advance, seemingly without care for its injuries. It had also managed to land one heavy blow cracking several of his ribs.</p><p></p><p>He was forced to roll backwards to avoid the powerful swings of the zombie and now found himself hard up against the river. He looked to the swift running water for escape but quickly realised that he would be turned into pulp by the turning water wheel. Gritting his teeth he stepped forward and drove his scimitar deep into the zombie’s belly, but his cry of triumph was short lived as a mottled grey fist crashed into his temple sending him deep into blackness.</p><p></p><p>Thoven saw Gwaeryn drop to the ground and with a cry of anguish sprinted across the remaining distance. Moments later he reached the zombie and with a scream of rage split its skull in two dropping the zombie to the ground. Thoven frantically scrambled to the inert form of Gwaeryn, mumbling “no no no no no” under his breath.</p><p></p><p>----</p><p></p><p>Sol had finally managed to convince Klaxo to move Max under the water trough, he was now fighting his second battle with the badger as he tried to wake Max up.</p><p></p><p>“Look it’ll be a gentle tap to the face, I mean be reasonable” Sol gave the badger a stern look. Klaxo, already wild with concern for the druid simply lashed out at Sol with his razor sharp claws.</p><p></p><p>“Water from the trough it is” Sol replied and proceeded to douse the sleeping druid and the furious badger with water from the trough. Max rose to a kneeling position and promptly threw up all over the ground in front of him. Sol hauled him roughly to his feet.</p><p></p><p>“Klaxo’s trying to rip my leg off and Gwaeryn has probably been smashed to pieces, we’re going this way NOW.” Sol ran towards the mill dragging the still groggy druid with him.</p><p></p><p>----</p><p></p><p>Thoven was frantically trying to wrap bandages around the head of Gwaeryn, tears of frustration welling up as he realised there was nothing that his meagre skills cold do. Twin trails of blood continued to flow from the nose and mouth of the unconscious skirmisher as Sol shoved a very pale looking Max down next to them.</p><p></p><p>“Please Max, fix him, he’s dying!” Thoven pleaded with the druid.</p><p>Max felt like death warmed up but steadied himself and grabbed two handfuls of earth casting it all over the form of the dying scout. He followed this up with a quick prayer and watched the still form of his companion carefully.</p><p></p><p>To the profound astonishment of both Thoven and Sol the bleeding stopped and visible pops could be heard as bones knitted themselves back into shape. Gwaeryn quickly leapt to his feet feeling full of energy, spying the others around him he cried out “Beware there are zombies around!”</p><p></p><p>Thoven reached out and patted him on the back a smile of relief on his face, “Yeah Gwaeryn we know, we know.”</p><p>Sol gently lifted Max to his feet “Your little prayer was nothing short of miraculous, remind me to be nice to Klaxo for the next week”</p><p>“The healing power of nature in the spring is indeed miraculous.” replied Max modestly “I think I’ll change my poison detecting technique though.”</p><p>Sol grinned back at him “Oh I don’t know Max, your warning was pretty clear, now, lets kick open those doors and see what else is inside that mill.”</p><p></p><p>The four scouts prepared themselves briefly and headed towards the double doors but as they got close they could clearly hear the voice of a little girl singing from inside the mill.</p><p></p><p>“Pretty little knights coming out to play, pretty little knights, they all run away!”</p><p></p><p>“OK, this is getting a little creepy,” Thoven looked over at the others nervously. “do we have to go in?"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="karianna, post: 3437131, member: 8340"] This part of the session was full of frantic fun :), I won't spoil it by saying anymore, I hope you all enjoy! Next session is tonight and I still have the 3rd part of last session to write up, so plenty more material coming. ----------- The four scouts pushed their way through the swing doors and entered into a large common room. Crudely built tables and benches were scattered over a straw covered floor and in the far corner a tethered goat bleated plaintively at them. [As an aside Max's player blurted out, 'Wicked I have speak with animals memorised!' cue much laughter] Opposite the group a stick thin middle aged woman stood behind a large plank of wood supported by two barrels. Stairs headed up to the next floor and they could see the mill in the distance through a narrow corridor that exited the building behind the woman. The land lady beamed at them “Why hello there, I’ve been expecting you, my name be Thayla, now what can I get yea?” Thoven strode forward with a smile and quickly introduced the group and arranged the hire of the two rooms upstairs and some basic meals. After exchanging further pleasantries with Thayla, the four scouts headed up the stairs to inspect their lodgings. Gwaeryn immediately began a pain staking search of the room he was sharing with Thoven and after a few minutes made a grisly discovery. He quickly summoned everyone into his room and flipped over the mattress of one of the crude cots. The underside of the mattress was almost completely covered by a large dark stain. “I don’t know about you guys but I’m not sleeping here tonight.” Thoven leaned over and took a look at the mattress "That's OK, I have a sneaking suspicion something might happen before we get to sleep." Sol raised an eyebrow “Charming….” “Yeah it’s amazing how people can spontaneously erupt into a shower of blood while sleeping.” Gwaeryn replied caustically. At that moment a call came out from below, “Food is ready m’dears!” Sol looked at the others and quietly added “We’ll discuss this in private later.” “I’m not touching their food.” hissed Gwaeryn “It’ll look suspicious if we don’t Gwaer.” replied Sol “Tell her I’m not feeling well, I’m going to sneak out and take a look at the mill.” “Very well,” Sol turned to the druid “Max, let us know if that food is off will ya?” Max stared grimly at the mattress “Oh I think I’ll be checking very carefully.” Gwaeryn leaned over to Thoven and with a wink whispered "We could always try the food on Klaxo first." Thoven looked back at Gwaeryn in disgust but couldn't help letting a small smile slip out. Gwaeryn waited upstairs while the other three scouts headed back down the stairs and joined Thayla at one of the tables for their meal. Thayla was full of chatter, asking the three scouts about their travels and paying particular attention to Thoven who apparently ‘reminded her of her own son’. ---- While Sol was carefully asking Thayla about Polly and the children’s school in the mill, Gwaeryn snuck down the stairs and tip toed his way down the corridor behind the bar. Quickly spying that there was no one visible around, he broke cover and ghosted across a couple of fields before reaching the mill. Over the next couple of minutes he carefully crawled his way around the building, taking into account all of its features. The mill stood some 30-40 feet high with a large set of barn doors at the northern end and a set of wide doors embedded up high on the south wall. Attached to the east side of the mill was a large water wheel that was slowly being rotated by the flowing waters of the river. Satisfied that all was well, Gwaeryn slid his way along the western wall and around the corner until he reached the main doors. Kneeling quietly by the doors he carefully listened out for any activity inside the barn. Hearing nothing he took a deep breath and gently eased one of the doors open just wide enough so he could sidle in. He took his first step inside, peering into the gloom when something smashed heavily into his chest knocking him back outside of the building. Eyes watering from the blow Gwaeryn struggled to his feet his jaw dropping as a putrid figure lumbered out of the barn. ---- Back at the common room several burly farmers had arrived from the fields giving the group open stares as they headed off to another table. During the meal, Thoven was starting to extract some information from the talkative Thayla, apparently the wayward child Polly was a half elven orphan that the village had found wandering in the fields several years ago. Sol was about to continue this line of questioning when Max gave out a large yawn and swayed slightly in his seat. “Oh the poor dear must be tired from his day’s walk,” announced Thayla patting him gently on the shoulder “why don’t you go and take him on upstairs.” Sol looked over at Max, as a nagging suspicion started to enter his thoughts. He quickly got to his feet and lifted the rapidly fading Max out of his chair. “It’ll be alright, I’ll just take him outside for some fresh air.” Sol’s intense gaze spoke volumes to Thoven who also rose to his feet. The two men half carried and half dragged the now unconscious Max out the back corridor while fending off the growls and pawing of the extremely agitated badger. “Quit it Klaxo we’re trying to help!” Sol growled, he glanced over to the burly solider “Thov, it must be some sort of sleeping draught, check Max’s herb kit.” “Um I think we’ve got another problem, Gwaer’s in deep %^&$.” replied Thoven pointing over to the mill. Sol peered into the distance and spied Gwaeryn with his back to the river trying to fend off what looked to be an unarmed farmer. “What do you mean? The peasant isn’t even armed!” Sol cried dismissively. “Exactly Sol, Gwaeryn has just cut off its left arm and it’s still coming at him.” Sol looked up again to see the distant figure of Gwaeryn battling what was evidently not an ordinary farmer “You’re…. not kidding, go help him out I’ll throw Max under this water trough and make sure nothing gets to him.” Thoven set off on a dead run towards the mill while Sol turned around and eyed up the wild looking badger sitting astride the comatose form of Max. “Ah c’mon Klax, let me move him will ya!” The badger made a strange growling noise in response. Sol sighed, “One of these days Klax, you and I are going to have a serious talk about your place in this squad.” ---- Despite having hacked off the creature’s left arm and removing what should have been a vital organ or two, the battle was not going well for Gwaeryn. The monstrous thing just continued to advance, seemingly without care for its injuries. It had also managed to land one heavy blow cracking several of his ribs. He was forced to roll backwards to avoid the powerful swings of the zombie and now found himself hard up against the river. He looked to the swift running water for escape but quickly realised that he would be turned into pulp by the turning water wheel. Gritting his teeth he stepped forward and drove his scimitar deep into the zombie’s belly, but his cry of triumph was short lived as a mottled grey fist crashed into his temple sending him deep into blackness. Thoven saw Gwaeryn drop to the ground and with a cry of anguish sprinted across the remaining distance. Moments later he reached the zombie and with a scream of rage split its skull in two dropping the zombie to the ground. Thoven frantically scrambled to the inert form of Gwaeryn, mumbling “no no no no no” under his breath. ---- Sol had finally managed to convince Klaxo to move Max under the water trough, he was now fighting his second battle with the badger as he tried to wake Max up. “Look it’ll be a gentle tap to the face, I mean be reasonable” Sol gave the badger a stern look. Klaxo, already wild with concern for the druid simply lashed out at Sol with his razor sharp claws. “Water from the trough it is” Sol replied and proceeded to douse the sleeping druid and the furious badger with water from the trough. Max rose to a kneeling position and promptly threw up all over the ground in front of him. Sol hauled him roughly to his feet. “Klaxo’s trying to rip my leg off and Gwaeryn has probably been smashed to pieces, we’re going this way NOW.” Sol ran towards the mill dragging the still groggy druid with him. ---- Thoven was frantically trying to wrap bandages around the head of Gwaeryn, tears of frustration welling up as he realised there was nothing that his meagre skills cold do. Twin trails of blood continued to flow from the nose and mouth of the unconscious skirmisher as Sol shoved a very pale looking Max down next to them. “Please Max, fix him, he’s dying!” Thoven pleaded with the druid. Max felt like death warmed up but steadied himself and grabbed two handfuls of earth casting it all over the form of the dying scout. He followed this up with a quick prayer and watched the still form of his companion carefully. To the profound astonishment of both Thoven and Sol the bleeding stopped and visible pops could be heard as bones knitted themselves back into shape. Gwaeryn quickly leapt to his feet feeling full of energy, spying the others around him he cried out “Beware there are zombies around!” Thoven reached out and patted him on the back a smile of relief on his face, “Yeah Gwaeryn we know, we know.” Sol gently lifted Max to his feet “Your little prayer was nothing short of miraculous, remind me to be nice to Klaxo for the next week” “The healing power of nature in the spring is indeed miraculous.” replied Max modestly “I think I’ll change my poison detecting technique though.” Sol grinned back at him “Oh I don’t know Max, your warning was pretty clear, now, lets kick open those doors and see what else is inside that mill.” The four scouts prepared themselves briefly and headed towards the double doors but as they got close they could clearly hear the voice of a little girl singing from inside the mill. “Pretty little knights coming out to play, pretty little knights, they all run away!” “OK, this is getting a little creepy,” Thoven looked over at the others nervously. “do we have to go in?" [/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