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
Knightfall's Short Story Thread
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="Knightfall" data-source="post: 748134" data-attributes="member: 2012"><p><strong>Narrative Intro to The Lost City</strong></p><p></p><p>Something for my World of Kulan Story Hour devotees to chew on while I hurt. I wrote this <em>way</em> before I started writing my World of Kulan Story Hour here on EN World.</p><p></p><p>Note: This little narrative is set on the continent of the Fallenlands. It is several months before the story I posted about the PCs fighting the Hell Hounds on Harqual.</p><p></p><p>Note 2: This contains the previously posted Fallenlanden Legend, The Five Treasures of the Geniekind. You may reread or skip that part depending on your mood.</p><p></p><p>Warning: ** Definite Spoilers**</p><p></p><p>Cheers!</p><p></p><p>Rob</p><p>----------------------</p><p></p><p><strong><em>Zeppapian's Master</em></strong></p><p></p><p><em>During your stay in the valley, Zeppapian has introduced you to countless nobles and courtiers including Haukuai Tawcaw and the entire Royal Family. The Haukuai, which means Lord-Above-All, is glad that Master Zeppapian has returned home and welcomes the characters to the Valley of NarsKasis. He invites them to stay as honored guests for as long as they'd like.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>However, Dabuk is obsessed with finding this Ogrebane, if it does exist. He has constantly badgered Zeppapian about the weapon and its location. With a sigh, Zeppapian mutters something under his breath about 'youthful impatience' but agrees to introduce you his master, the most learned scholar in NarsKasis.</em></p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>The climb up the large knoll was easy enough and the surrounding landscape is best described as picturesque. At the top of the knoll is a small structure best described as an oddly shaped hovel made from wicker. Clothing hangs on a line from the edge of the structure to a large tropical tree. Several tropical birds eye you cautiously from a nest on top of the dwelling. As you approach the structure you hear raspy snoring from inside.</p><p></p><p>Zeppapian looks at you with a lopsided grin. "Not what you expected, is it?"</p><p></p><p>He steps through the open doorway failing to notice the string of tin and copper cups stretched across the bottom of the frame. The cups clatter together making an awful noise as Zeppapian trips sprawling onto the ground. The characters can't help laughing at their friend lying face first in the doorway of the hovel.</p><p></p><p>The snoring abruptly stops. "What! Who is there! Come on, speak up!"</p><p></p><p>"I should have known." Zeppapian pulls himself up dusting himself off.</p><p></p><p>"Zeppy, is that you?"</p><p></p><p>"Ah, Master Nethander, please don't call me that." Zeppapian seems a little less awe inspiring covered in dust.</p><p></p><p>"Now don't be that way, youngling!"</p><p></p><p>"Zeppy? Youngling?" Dabuk is grinning at the embarrassed nagpa. "This was worth the trip."</p><p></p><p>"Hmm, what is this?" The old sage pokes his out of the doorway looking at characters. He adjusts his wire-rimmed spectacles studying each one of them in detail. "Still hanging around with strangelings I see."</p><p></p><p>"Master, please don't call them that. They are my honored guests while in the valley. They have come all the way from Harqual to ask your advice about a matter of grave importance."</p><p></p><p>"Oh very well Zeppy," the nagpa sage clucks at Zeppapian. The old sage moves into the dim light of twilight. The nagpa has light brown skin, dull bluish feathers on his head, neck and arms and is wearing a long grey robe. He has a greenish yellow beak and deep purple eyes.</p><p></p><p>"Now, come inside all of you before make a mess of my laundry." The old nagpa turns on his heels and shuffles back into the hovel.</p><p></p><p>Zeppapian sighs shaking his head. He beckons you forward before following his master inside. The hovel is a cluttered mess of parchment, old books, vials of different colored liquids. Despite the clutter, the hovel is surprisingly free of dust. Bactra wonders how the nagpa sage can keep it so dust free.</p><p></p><p>Master Nethander walks across the floor supporting himself with his large metal staff. The staff's head is made of Jecrite and is shaped like the head of the dragonwyrm you encountered in the desert.</p><p></p><p>"And what pray tell is so important that you interrupted my nap and made a-."</p><p></p><p>"They are searching for-"</p><p></p><p>"Don't interrupt Zeppapian, after all we have guests." Nethander shakes a claw at his old student. "I'm sure the strangelings can speak for themselves. Now, who wants something to eat, hmm?"</p><p></p><p>"Actually, we don't have time for this." Dabuk is just to blunt for his own good sometimes. "Now, if you have any knowledge about the magical weapon known as Ogrebane then I need to hear it."</p><p></p><p>"Dabuk!" Mojo looses his patience with his friend's rude behavior. "Master Nethander has graciously let us into his home as guests and you treat him like some roadside ruffian!"</p><p></p><p>Dabuk sighs in frustration but knows Mojo is right. He leans against the doorframe looking out towards the waterfall in the distance. "I am sorry."</p><p></p><p>"You don't sound-" Mojo turns to scold his friend again but the old nagpa sage waves his hand in protest.</p><p></p><p>"It's quite all right, young one. He's just speaking his mind. I can respect that. But," the old sage pauses long enough to stare at Dabuk. "I will tell you everything that I know after we have some krak-kaws and tea. All right?"</p><p></p><p>"Understood." Dabuk smiles nodding his head. He could learn to like this old sage.</p><p></p><p>"Good." Nethander snaps his claws together conjuring up an <em>unseen servant</em>, which whisks away into an adjacent room you didn't notice before now.</p><p></p><p>The characters spread out and sit down where they can find room. Mojo stands in a corner where the light is shining through the door. Jeddar leans against the other side of the doorway next to Dabuk while Mesik and Crelias squat on the floor. Bactra and Hegron clear several large tomes off two low whicker chairs and sit down.</p><p></p><p>Bactra then notices that the hovel is definitely larger inside that outside. The elven mage makes a mental note to ask Master Nethander about his home and its obvious enchantments.</p><p></p><p>The old sage hobbles over to the other side of the dwelling and struggles to pull himself into a large wooden chair. Zeppapian rushes over to help his old master but Nethander shoos him away. The Claw Magus sits next to the old nagpa with a look of genuine affection in his eyes. Nethander pats Zeppapian on the shoulder and finally pulls himself into his chair.</p><p></p><p>The <em>unseen servant</em> breezes back into the room carrying a large tray of tea and the krak-kaws. The summoned servant floats around the room passing out the refreshments then disappears back into the other room. Nethander snaps his claws again and a large, leather-bound tome appears in his lap. The sage leans his staff against the wall behind him and opens the book.</p><p></p><p>"Now, let's see. I know it's in here somewhere. Ah, here it is."</p><p></p><p>The old nagpa clears his throat then begins to read out loud.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Nethander closes the large tome then waves his hand. The volume disappears in a puff of smoke. The old sage picks up his tea sipping it.</p><p></p><p>Dabuk stared down the old nagpa shaking his head. "Ok, now tell me what that had to do with Ogrebane?"</p><p></p><p>Mojo snaps at Dabuk. "You need to learn proper etiquette when in someone else's home! Such behavior is unacceptable!"</p><p></p><p>"Not very patient are you young one?" Nethander clucks with a smile staring at the young ranger. "Now, you see during the creation of the Black Storm Sea the Five Treasures were used to permanently bind the magic used to the world. The artifacts were scattered across the world hidden on the continents of Kulan. It is said that the Bow of Wind could kill an ogre mage with one shot and was nicknamed Ogrebane by the evil creatures.</p><p></p><p>It is said to rest within the old Efreet City of Lafar in the center of the Volcanic Lands. If you wish to recover the artifact you will have to find a way to survive the intense heat there."</p><p></p><p>Nethander snaps his claws and another tome appears on his lap. The withered old nagpa opens it scanning the pages for several minutes. "Hmm, let's see. Ah, here it is."</p><p></p><p>"There was a great city in the heart of a lush forest, north of NarsKasis, during the Age of the Nagpa called Cyrad. Its inhabitants were strangelings much like you. They had a ruler named Alexander and worshipped several strange gods. It is written here that their ruler died of a rare disease called Hakk."</p><p></p><p>The old sage stops reading for a moment to clean his spectacles. "The disease is quite interesting really. If you'd like I can tell you more once I've done some research. It will only take a few hours."</p><p></p><p>Dabuk grinds his teeth impatiently trying not to lash out at the eccentric old nagpa.</p><p></p><p>Bactra clears his throat. "You'd best continue, Master Nethander."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, Dabuk get rather cranky when you make him stand around listening for more than five minutes." Jeddar was enjoying the story but knew Dabuk would become more impatient if the story sidetracked.</p><p></p><p>"Very well," Nethander clucks quietly staring at Dabuk with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He turns the page of the book reading the next passage.</p><p></p><p>"The ruler had a great pyramid constructed for their strangling gods. And when Alexander's wife died he buried her within. Several decades passed before the ruler died of old age. Before he died he instructed his people to bury him within the pyramid as well.</p><p></p><p>With each generation of monarchs it became necessary to expand the pyramid. But it is written here that the unwary workers dug up an ancient evil, from the city's past, which laid waste to the temples within the pyramid. The city fell into chaos and all contact with it was lost.</p><p></p><p>The last section here says that the beast was said to possess a powerful magical item that protected it from the magical energies that the city's wizards tried to destroy it with. Even the most powerful winds, hottest flames and raging floods could not kill it. This item might allow you to pass through the harsh terrain of the Volcanic Lands unharmed.</p><p></p><p>"Do you know where the city is, Master Nethander?" Mojo wanted to move things along. Dabuk wasn't the only one feeling fidgety. Both Mesik and Hegron looked bored.</p><p></p><p>"Not precisely, but I'm sure the information can be found at the Great Library of Knowledge in Craloona."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you, Master Nethander." It was the first polite thing out of Dabuk's mouth since they'd arrived.</p><p></p><p>"Oh you're quite welcome, young one."</p><p></p><p>The <em>unseen servant</em> whisks back into the room to gather up the used teacups and plates.</p><p></p><p>Zeppapian pats the old sage on the hand. Then the Claw Magus stands waving his hands towards the door. "It is time for us to go. Master Nethander needs his rest."</p><p></p><p>"Nonsense! I'm still as energetic as I was when you first came to study with me all those years ago, Zeppy."</p><p></p><p>Zeppapian looks at the ceiling his feathers turning red. "Master, please don't-"</p><p></p><p>"Oh very well! Zeppapian… there are you happy? I just hope you will be as strong as I when you reach your 2000th year!"</p><p></p><p>Dabuk raises an eyebrow in disbelief. Bactra drops his teacup while handing it to the <em>unseen servant</em>. Mesik whistles in awe. Mojo just stands there with his mouth wide open.</p><p></p><p>"Ah, strangelings." The old sage clucks to himself.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Knightfall, post: 748134, member: 2012"] [b]Narrative Intro to The Lost City[/b] Something for my World of Kulan Story Hour devotees to chew on while I hurt. I wrote this [i]way[/i] before I started writing my World of Kulan Story Hour here on EN World. Note: This little narrative is set on the continent of the Fallenlands. It is several months before the story I posted about the PCs fighting the Hell Hounds on Harqual. Note 2: This contains the previously posted Fallenlanden Legend, The Five Treasures of the Geniekind. You may reread or skip that part depending on your mood. Warning: ** Definite Spoilers** Cheers! Rob ---------------------- [b][i]Zeppapian's Master[/i][/b] [i]During your stay in the valley, Zeppapian has introduced you to countless nobles and courtiers including Haukuai Tawcaw and the entire Royal Family. The Haukuai, which means Lord-Above-All, is glad that Master Zeppapian has returned home and welcomes the characters to the Valley of NarsKasis. He invites them to stay as honored guests for as long as they'd like. However, Dabuk is obsessed with finding this Ogrebane, if it does exist. He has constantly badgered Zeppapian about the weapon and its location. With a sigh, Zeppapian mutters something under his breath about 'youthful impatience' but agrees to introduce you his master, the most learned scholar in NarsKasis.[/i] * * * The climb up the large knoll was easy enough and the surrounding landscape is best described as picturesque. At the top of the knoll is a small structure best described as an oddly shaped hovel made from wicker. Clothing hangs on a line from the edge of the structure to a large tropical tree. Several tropical birds eye you cautiously from a nest on top of the dwelling. As you approach the structure you hear raspy snoring from inside. Zeppapian looks at you with a lopsided grin. "Not what you expected, is it?" He steps through the open doorway failing to notice the string of tin and copper cups stretched across the bottom of the frame. The cups clatter together making an awful noise as Zeppapian trips sprawling onto the ground. The characters can't help laughing at their friend lying face first in the doorway of the hovel. The snoring abruptly stops. "What! Who is there! Come on, speak up!" "I should have known." Zeppapian pulls himself up dusting himself off. "Zeppy, is that you?" "Ah, Master Nethander, please don't call me that." Zeppapian seems a little less awe inspiring covered in dust. "Now don't be that way, youngling!" "Zeppy? Youngling?" Dabuk is grinning at the embarrassed nagpa. "This was worth the trip." "Hmm, what is this?" The old sage pokes his out of the doorway looking at characters. He adjusts his wire-rimmed spectacles studying each one of them in detail. "Still hanging around with strangelings I see." "Master, please don't call them that. They are my honored guests while in the valley. They have come all the way from Harqual to ask your advice about a matter of grave importance." "Oh very well Zeppy," the nagpa sage clucks at Zeppapian. The old sage moves into the dim light of twilight. The nagpa has light brown skin, dull bluish feathers on his head, neck and arms and is wearing a long grey robe. He has a greenish yellow beak and deep purple eyes. "Now, come inside all of you before make a mess of my laundry." The old nagpa turns on his heels and shuffles back into the hovel. Zeppapian sighs shaking his head. He beckons you forward before following his master inside. The hovel is a cluttered mess of parchment, old books, vials of different colored liquids. Despite the clutter, the hovel is surprisingly free of dust. Bactra wonders how the nagpa sage can keep it so dust free. Master Nethander walks across the floor supporting himself with his large metal staff. The staff's head is made of Jecrite and is shaped like the head of the dragonwyrm you encountered in the desert. "And what pray tell is so important that you interrupted my nap and made a-." "They are searching for-" "Don't interrupt Zeppapian, after all we have guests." Nethander shakes a claw at his old student. "I'm sure the strangelings can speak for themselves. Now, who wants something to eat, hmm?" "Actually, we don't have time for this." Dabuk is just to blunt for his own good sometimes. "Now, if you have any knowledge about the magical weapon known as Ogrebane then I need to hear it." "Dabuk!" Mojo looses his patience with his friend's rude behavior. "Master Nethander has graciously let us into his home as guests and you treat him like some roadside ruffian!" Dabuk sighs in frustration but knows Mojo is right. He leans against the doorframe looking out towards the waterfall in the distance. "I am sorry." "You don't sound-" Mojo turns to scold his friend again but the old nagpa sage waves his hand in protest. "It's quite all right, young one. He's just speaking his mind. I can respect that. But," the old sage pauses long enough to stare at Dabuk. "I will tell you everything that I know after we have some krak-kaws and tea. All right?" "Understood." Dabuk smiles nodding his head. He could learn to like this old sage. "Good." Nethander snaps his claws together conjuring up an [i]unseen servant[/i], which whisks away into an adjacent room you didn't notice before now. The characters spread out and sit down where they can find room. Mojo stands in a corner where the light is shining through the door. Jeddar leans against the other side of the doorway next to Dabuk while Mesik and Crelias squat on the floor. Bactra and Hegron clear several large tomes off two low whicker chairs and sit down. Bactra then notices that the hovel is definitely larger inside that outside. The elven mage makes a mental note to ask Master Nethander about his home and its obvious enchantments. The old sage hobbles over to the other side of the dwelling and struggles to pull himself into a large wooden chair. Zeppapian rushes over to help his old master but Nethander shoos him away. The Claw Magus sits next to the old nagpa with a look of genuine affection in his eyes. Nethander pats Zeppapian on the shoulder and finally pulls himself into his chair. The [i]unseen servant[/i] breezes back into the room carrying a large tray of tea and the krak-kaws. The summoned servant floats around the room passing out the refreshments then disappears back into the other room. Nethander snaps his claws again and a large, leather-bound tome appears in his lap. The sage leans his staff against the wall behind him and opens the book. "Now, let's see. I know it's in here somewhere. Ah, here it is." The old nagpa clears his throat then begins to read out loud. Nethander closes the large tome then waves his hand. The volume disappears in a puff of smoke. The old sage picks up his tea sipping it. Dabuk stared down the old nagpa shaking his head. "Ok, now tell me what that had to do with Ogrebane?" Mojo snaps at Dabuk. "You need to learn proper etiquette when in someone else's home! Such behavior is unacceptable!" "Not very patient are you young one?" Nethander clucks with a smile staring at the young ranger. "Now, you see during the creation of the Black Storm Sea the Five Treasures were used to permanently bind the magic used to the world. The artifacts were scattered across the world hidden on the continents of Kulan. It is said that the Bow of Wind could kill an ogre mage with one shot and was nicknamed Ogrebane by the evil creatures. It is said to rest within the old Efreet City of Lafar in the center of the Volcanic Lands. If you wish to recover the artifact you will have to find a way to survive the intense heat there." Nethander snaps his claws and another tome appears on his lap. The withered old nagpa opens it scanning the pages for several minutes. "Hmm, let's see. Ah, here it is." "There was a great city in the heart of a lush forest, north of NarsKasis, during the Age of the Nagpa called Cyrad. Its inhabitants were strangelings much like you. They had a ruler named Alexander and worshipped several strange gods. It is written here that their ruler died of a rare disease called Hakk." The old sage stops reading for a moment to clean his spectacles. "The disease is quite interesting really. If you'd like I can tell you more once I've done some research. It will only take a few hours." Dabuk grinds his teeth impatiently trying not to lash out at the eccentric old nagpa. Bactra clears his throat. "You'd best continue, Master Nethander." "Yes, Dabuk get rather cranky when you make him stand around listening for more than five minutes." Jeddar was enjoying the story but knew Dabuk would become more impatient if the story sidetracked. "Very well," Nethander clucks quietly staring at Dabuk with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He turns the page of the book reading the next passage. "The ruler had a great pyramid constructed for their strangling gods. And when Alexander's wife died he buried her within. Several decades passed before the ruler died of old age. Before he died he instructed his people to bury him within the pyramid as well. With each generation of monarchs it became necessary to expand the pyramid. But it is written here that the unwary workers dug up an ancient evil, from the city's past, which laid waste to the temples within the pyramid. The city fell into chaos and all contact with it was lost. The last section here says that the beast was said to possess a powerful magical item that protected it from the magical energies that the city's wizards tried to destroy it with. Even the most powerful winds, hottest flames and raging floods could not kill it. This item might allow you to pass through the harsh terrain of the Volcanic Lands unharmed. "Do you know where the city is, Master Nethander?" Mojo wanted to move things along. Dabuk wasn't the only one feeling fidgety. Both Mesik and Hegron looked bored. "Not precisely, but I'm sure the information can be found at the Great Library of Knowledge in Craloona." "Thank you, Master Nethander." It was the first polite thing out of Dabuk's mouth since they'd arrived. "Oh you're quite welcome, young one." The [i]unseen servant[/i] whisks back into the room to gather up the used teacups and plates. Zeppapian pats the old sage on the hand. Then the Claw Magus stands waving his hands towards the door. "It is time for us to go. Master Nethander needs his rest." "Nonsense! I'm still as energetic as I was when you first came to study with me all those years ago, Zeppy." Zeppapian looks at the ceiling his feathers turning red. "Master, please don't-" "Oh very well! Zeppapian… there are you happy? I just hope you will be as strong as I when you reach your 2000th year!" Dabuk raises an eyebrow in disbelief. Bactra drops his teacup while handing it to the [i]unseen servant[/i]. Mesik whistles in awe. Mojo just stands there with his mouth wide open. "Ah, strangelings." The old sage clucks to himself. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Knightfall's Short Story Thread
Top