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
Ravenloft-Beyond the Mists
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="SolidSnake" data-source="post: 968" data-attributes="member: 102"><p><strong>Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil - Prelude (or “My name is Stider.”)</strong></p><p></p><p><em>Yours is a free spirit. Soar like the eagle. Run like the cheetah. Pounce like the tiger. I release you from your bonds of blood. You shall be known as Oathbreaker...Be free Oathbreaker…</em> </p><p>--------------------------------------- </p><p>"Report"</p><p> </p><p>"The tree-killers bleed as we speak." </p><p></p><p>"Praise The Mother. You may leave." </p><p></p><p>"Sir!" </p><p></p><p>"What is it?" </p><p></p><p>"What about the boy?" </p><p></p><p>"He is a one of them-" </p><p></p><p>"But he is not-" </p><p></p><p>"Silence! He will join his sacrilegious brethren in the desecrated limbo of their civilized afterlife. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" </p><p></p><p>"Yes SIR!" </p><p>--------------------------------- </p><p>"Gallyn, where are we going?" </p><p></p><p>Gallyn looked at the boy with mournful eyes. "To a happier place." </p><p>The half-orc walked with the human boy through the forest he had grown to love so much. He had lived there for most of his life. He was one of the first. This was beyond him, though. He went over in his mind what he would do when they reached the pond. "Lets go for a swim" the water would hide Gallyns tears. </p><p></p><p>The boy scampered on ahead knowing exactly where they were going. It always amazed Gallyn how much the boy loved to swim. He seemed so alive in the forest...so free.</p><p> </p><p>As he waded into the pond he put his hand on the boys shoulder. All he had to do was hold him underwater. Drowning was painless. You lost consciousness before any pain would set in. All he had to do was... </p><p></p><p>"Gallyn, why are you crying?" </p><p></p><p>Gallyn slapped the boy across the face as hard as he possible could. "Leave me you disgraceful child!" he screamed.</p><p></p><p>The boys eyes welled with tears the slap causing the least amount of pain. </p><p>Gallyn roared "I never want to see you again! LEAVE!" </p><p></p><p>He had known the boy for less than 3 months but in that time had already thought of him as his son. He could not kill him. He would challenge Mardocks rule and perhaps restore order to the Thorn. (Mardock is a key NPC in Natural Selection from Dungeon 85) </p><p></p><p>The boy turned and swam to the other side of the pool. He looked back once upon reaching the opposite shore. Gallyn gave him such a menacing look the boy literally wet himself. He watched the boy run until he could no longer see him. With that, he turned, exited the pond, set his jaw, and began at a dead run to the head council member of the Order of the Thorn. </p><p>---------------------------------- </p><p>"Dinner" </p><p></p><p>"Dinner! Where is he now?" </p><p></p><p>"I think he's still in the forest. Should I get him mom?" </p><p></p><p>"Please." </p><p></p><p>It was dusk. The sun was just setting over the mountains. Will was not supposed to be out this late. Why did he always go to the forest. He seemed to like it more than his very own home. Well, not his home really. Marys father had taken the boy in when he was an adolescent and raised him as his own. Mary was younger than Will by a few years, but that didnt stop her from being the more responsible one. The boy was impossible. </p><p></p><p>From around the bend a sprint he came into view. Leaping over logs, Diving through bushes. He barely made a sound as he ran. </p><p>------------------------------------- </p><p>"I have come to ask permission to wed your daughter, Mary." </p><p></p><p>"…" </p><p></p><p>"I love her Mr. Shonka. I have always loved her." </p><p></p><p>"I demand one condition, Will. You must settle down. You must build a house in our village; earn a decent living; and provide for her the way she deserves." </p><p></p><p>"Mr. Shonka, you have my word." </p><p>-------------------------------------- </p><p>"Youre pretty good with that bow." </p><p></p><p>"Thanks Tom." </p><p></p><p>"You think we will be hit?" </p><p></p><p>"Dunno, we are on the border. I am worried for my wife and child." </p><p></p><p>"Well we are on the north end. God I hate guard duty. I want to be with my girlfriend." </p><p></p><p>Will grinned at Tom. The two of them had been working the same night shifts for the last year. His son was 9 months old and Mary was as beautiful as ever. There had been news of attacks on some of the border towns west and south. The information was exaggerated at best: supposedly the very forest attacked the towns. </p><p></p><p>Will drew the sheaf arrow to his ear. </p><p></p><p>"Wherere you going to try for this time?" </p><p></p><p>Will nodded. </p><p></p><p>"Bull S**T! Thats almost 200 yards away!" </p><p></p><p>The arrow flew true. </p><p></p><p>"Glad youre on my side" </p><p></p><p>"As the two exchanged grins, Tom suddenly clutched his throat. A barbed shaft protruded from his neck." </p><p></p><p>"TOM!!!" </p><p></p><p>Tom fell over the palisades before Will could reach him. As his body hit the ground 15 feet below and thunderous cacophony of war cries erupted from the nearby forest. All manner of humanoids charged forth. Will gave the alarm. </p><p></p><p><em>This cant be happening. No. Mary...</em> </p><p>-------------------------------- </p><p>Will set on one of the uppermost branches of the Great Oak (one of the tallest trees in the region). He could see the smoldering remains of what was once his home, his life. He remembered the attack 3 days ago, now in vivid detail: after gaining the walls the half-orcs, gnolls, orcs, hobgoblins and other creatures went about eviscerating every living soul they came across. No one was spared not even the children. Then the true horrors appeared: living plants that simply devoured the citizens of Jershin. He could not reach Mary in time. Her screams echoed in his ears. She had feebly attempted to shield Scotty, their son with her body. Both were devoured in less than a minute. Wills screamed was one of insanity the unmistakable cry that man emits when his world shatters. </p><p>The smell of the battle was still thick and pungent in his nostrils. </p><p></p><p><em>I shouldnt think about this any more.</em> </p><p>------------------------------------- </p><p>"I seek membership in the Thorn." </p><p></p><p>"You are a human. How could you possibly understand the idealogy of the Thorn?" </p><p></p><p>"I have not been in contact with civilization for over 4 years. My home is the forest. Society is a distant memory." <em>I have studied the mother nature for four years. I have studied her darkside. I will purify her.</em> </p><p></p><p>"You must survive the rite of passage. Are you prepared for mothers embrace?" </p><p></p><p>"I am." </p><p></p><p>"Very well. You may EARN membership into the Thorn. What is your name?" </p><p></p><p>"My name I am known as Strider." </p><p>-------------------------------------- </p><p>"There have been reports of a disruption coming from the south." </p><p></p><p>"I know." </p><p></p><p>"You have asked to take a leave of absence." </p><p></p><p>"I request permission to investigate some of the rumors." </p><p></p><p>"Just as well…<em>maybe this disturbance will rid us of this human once and for all.</em> "You were to be assigned to Highfolk anyway. Go forth, Restore balance, and maintain the natural order." </p><p></p><p>"Now and always, I await mothers embrace." </p><p>------------------------------------- </p><p>"Yer bout’s qwiet es e drunk’n ox ‘n heat." </p><p></p><p>Strider left the shadows of the alley and approached the battered dwarf. </p><p></p><p>A few weeks travel had brought Strider to the tree-spotted rolling hills surrounding </p><p>Oakhurst and very quickly to the village itself. Six years had passed since Strider had last walked among his own kind. Suppressed memories brushing the surface of his mind told stories of a man named Will, who had once been a charismatic townsman, a father, and a husband. Those thoughts were fleeting at best the thoughts of a man of the past. Despite refocusing on his current goal and self-proclaimed mission, however, that old charisma was creeping back into his demeanor. He had been in Oakhurst for a few days, learning only that a small group had headed to an old monastery, now labeled the "Sunless Citadel". He managed to find the tracks of the group and followed them to a dead end the edge of a cliff. With a bit of exploration he found that the ravine ended at the entrance to the </p><p>Sunless Citadel (now he understood the name). </p><p></p><p>The next morning he and a few visitors to the village Falcon and Dred went down to explore the Citadel. A bugbear and his pet twin dire rats ambushed the group before they made it very far. Dred was unconscious and Falcon ready to turn and run before the creature was driven off. </p><p></p><p>"I could not help but overhear the beginning of your story. Forgive me for my distrust and decision to remain unseen. My name is Strider. Unless I am terribly mistaken, I believe you and I are allies fighting a common enemy." </p><p></p><p>"Ohh shut yer trap. Dont be rydiculus. Eef you er mi enemy, Ai wud not haf jus stood heyr, now wud I? Yer names Strider, eh? Wel, if yae tmanage t not wake the dead wif yer trompin, Ill b askin fer yer assistance timarow, or da ya prapose we leave now wif yer excellent nitevision, and mi barly able t walk?" </p><p></p><p>" You said you and your companions Stella (Dems niece) and Faust were on your way to rescue Dem (the local healer) but kobolds ambushed you before you reached the Citadel? You were thrown off a cliff and " </p><p></p><p>"Not thrown uff pushd uff. Du Ai look lyke im in a talktiv mood rite now? Ack, Ai need sum rest. How bout we talk n the morning Aim bout reddy t clapse. Will sunraise b urly nuff fer ya?" </p><p></p><p>"My apologies. I will see you tomorrow morning. Let me know if there is any way I might be able to assist." </p><p></p><p>"I dowt yad b much use tme Not nles yer e healer? No, Ai didn think so. Let a dwarf git sum sleep." </p><p></p><p>"Good night" </p><p>---------------------------------- </p><p><em>I will purify mother-nature.</em> </p><p></p><p>Strider, bloodied and bruised, had found the source of the "disturbance" the Gulthias Tree. Supposedly the corpse of a vampire had given the tree life and spawned all manner of unnatural plants along with it. Looking over at Aramek, he could see the spittle foaming from the corners of his mouth. The dwarf had proven an invaluable ally and together they had rampaged through most of the citadel. Now Arameks eyes were focused solely on the cocoons holding the bodies of Dem, Stella and Faust. The dwarf was working himself into a rage. Belak, an ex-member of the Thorn, and his companions were going to die! </p><p>----------------------------------------- </p><p>Belak had managed to escape while Strider was occupied wiping the thornlings plant abominations from the face of the planet. Aramek, exhausted from his rage had collapsed after chopping down the Gulthias tree. Strider, at the threshold between life and death managed to retrieve the unconscious bodies of Dem, Stella, and Faust. </p><p></p><p><em>I will defend these people until the last drop of blood has left my body.</em></p><p></p><p>After the make-shift fortifications were in place Strider moved the four comatose members of his group to one of the fungus gardens where he could easily defend them. Sleep eventually claimed him. </p><p></p><p>"Wayke up! Straider, er ya live?" </p><p></p><p>Strider bolted upright. "Is everyone ok?" </p><p></p><p>"Ya, ya there fine. Ya want tgit out of this god-forsaken hellhole?" </p><p></p><p>"Lets move." </p><p>--------------------------------------- </p><p>Dem was an utter master when it came to natural and spiritual healing. She made short work of the poison in Stella and Faust. Aramek was another story. He was hurt badly in the fight verse Belak and his minions. During Arameks bed-rest, Strider, fascinated by the curative powers of nature studied the properties of different herbs and natural curatives. He also received word that a merchant in town was looking to hire a few body guards for his wares on his trip up to Blasingdale. </p><p></p><p>Aramek and Strider, both looking to earn a little extra coin, signed on. Falcon and Dred, recovered from their first entry down to the Citadel, were also in need of money. Falcon had no money whatsoever and Dred was in debt owing the innkeeper several gold pieces for his stay at the inn while he recovered Strider put up the money. </p><p>-------------------------------------- </p><p>"ATTACK!!!" </p><p></p><p>"ATTACK!!!" </p><p></p><p>The bolt was embedded deep in Falcons thigh. The adrenalin was all that kept him moving. Leaping from the rock he flew through the air planting his foot in the face of the first orc he saw. </p><p></p><p>The hired arms were awake in moments. There was no light and the only person who could see in the dark was Aramek. The sound of small battles surrounded the horses and wagon. Dred charged forward with his spiked shield ripping into the worg. </p><p></p><p>The battle raged for a few moments. Three of the four were left standing. </p><p></p><p>Strider buried Dreds body that same night. Despite Dreds abrasiveness, he was still a man who was a comrade on the battlefield. Strider prayed the rest of the night. </p><p></p><p><em>I am lost. Mother, I ask for guidance. Show me the way. The path of the Thorn is filled with hate. I too am filled with hate. I seek balance. Show me peace. Please lay my comrades soul to rest. He was a man of honor.</em></p><p>--------------------------------------- </p><p>Upon reaching Blasingdale the group was immediately solicited for a military operation. The local countryside was unsafe because of a group of bandit orcs who were slaying farmers and raiding the local homesteads. After speaking with the local lord a price of 10 gp was to be paid for each orc head. </p><p></p><p>Stella and Faust had also left Oakhurst upon their recovery. Arriving a day after Strider, Aramek and Falcon, they quickly joined the group. The party was headed towards an old dwarven stronghold. Apparently, Durgidden the Black, was a famous weaponsmith and had run the stronghold centuries ago. Since its abandonment years ago, a group of orcs had laid claim to its walls as of late. </p><p></p><p>"We will take care of it." </p><p></p><p>"I expect you will. Dont forget, 10 gp a head. I want them all dead." </p><p></p><p>"Understood."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="SolidSnake, post: 968, member: 102"] [b]Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil - Prelude (or “My name is Stider.”)[/b] [i]Yours is a free spirit. Soar like the eagle. Run like the cheetah. Pounce like the tiger. I release you from your bonds of blood. You shall be known as Oathbreaker...Be free Oathbreaker…[/i] --------------------------------------- "Report" "The tree-killers bleed as we speak." "Praise The Mother. You may leave." "Sir!" "What is it?" "What about the boy?" "He is a one of them-" "But he is not-" "Silence! He will join his sacrilegious brethren in the desecrated limbo of their civilized afterlife. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" "Yes SIR!" --------------------------------- "Gallyn, where are we going?" Gallyn looked at the boy with mournful eyes. "To a happier place." The half-orc walked with the human boy through the forest he had grown to love so much. He had lived there for most of his life. He was one of the first. This was beyond him, though. He went over in his mind what he would do when they reached the pond. "Lets go for a swim" the water would hide Gallyns tears. The boy scampered on ahead knowing exactly where they were going. It always amazed Gallyn how much the boy loved to swim. He seemed so alive in the forest...so free. As he waded into the pond he put his hand on the boys shoulder. All he had to do was hold him underwater. Drowning was painless. You lost consciousness before any pain would set in. All he had to do was... "Gallyn, why are you crying?" Gallyn slapped the boy across the face as hard as he possible could. "Leave me you disgraceful child!" he screamed. The boys eyes welled with tears the slap causing the least amount of pain. Gallyn roared "I never want to see you again! LEAVE!" He had known the boy for less than 3 months but in that time had already thought of him as his son. He could not kill him. He would challenge Mardocks rule and perhaps restore order to the Thorn. (Mardock is a key NPC in Natural Selection from Dungeon 85) The boy turned and swam to the other side of the pool. He looked back once upon reaching the opposite shore. Gallyn gave him such a menacing look the boy literally wet himself. He watched the boy run until he could no longer see him. With that, he turned, exited the pond, set his jaw, and began at a dead run to the head council member of the Order of the Thorn. ---------------------------------- "Dinner" "Dinner! Where is he now?" "I think he's still in the forest. Should I get him mom?" "Please." It was dusk. The sun was just setting over the mountains. Will was not supposed to be out this late. Why did he always go to the forest. He seemed to like it more than his very own home. Well, not his home really. Marys father had taken the boy in when he was an adolescent and raised him as his own. Mary was younger than Will by a few years, but that didnt stop her from being the more responsible one. The boy was impossible. From around the bend a sprint he came into view. Leaping over logs, Diving through bushes. He barely made a sound as he ran. ------------------------------------- "I have come to ask permission to wed your daughter, Mary." "…" "I love her Mr. Shonka. I have always loved her." "I demand one condition, Will. You must settle down. You must build a house in our village; earn a decent living; and provide for her the way she deserves." "Mr. Shonka, you have my word." -------------------------------------- "Youre pretty good with that bow." "Thanks Tom." "You think we will be hit?" "Dunno, we are on the border. I am worried for my wife and child." "Well we are on the north end. God I hate guard duty. I want to be with my girlfriend." Will grinned at Tom. The two of them had been working the same night shifts for the last year. His son was 9 months old and Mary was as beautiful as ever. There had been news of attacks on some of the border towns west and south. The information was exaggerated at best: supposedly the very forest attacked the towns. Will drew the sheaf arrow to his ear. "Wherere you going to try for this time?" Will nodded. "Bull S**T! Thats almost 200 yards away!" The arrow flew true. "Glad youre on my side" "As the two exchanged grins, Tom suddenly clutched his throat. A barbed shaft protruded from his neck." "TOM!!!" Tom fell over the palisades before Will could reach him. As his body hit the ground 15 feet below and thunderous cacophony of war cries erupted from the nearby forest. All manner of humanoids charged forth. Will gave the alarm. [i]This cant be happening. No. Mary...[/i] -------------------------------- Will set on one of the uppermost branches of the Great Oak (one of the tallest trees in the region). He could see the smoldering remains of what was once his home, his life. He remembered the attack 3 days ago, now in vivid detail: after gaining the walls the half-orcs, gnolls, orcs, hobgoblins and other creatures went about eviscerating every living soul they came across. No one was spared not even the children. Then the true horrors appeared: living plants that simply devoured the citizens of Jershin. He could not reach Mary in time. Her screams echoed in his ears. She had feebly attempted to shield Scotty, their son with her body. Both were devoured in less than a minute. Wills screamed was one of insanity the unmistakable cry that man emits when his world shatters. The smell of the battle was still thick and pungent in his nostrils. [i]I shouldnt think about this any more.[/i] ------------------------------------- "I seek membership in the Thorn." "You are a human. How could you possibly understand the idealogy of the Thorn?" "I have not been in contact with civilization for over 4 years. My home is the forest. Society is a distant memory." [i]I have studied the mother nature for four years. I have studied her darkside. I will purify her.[/i] "You must survive the rite of passage. Are you prepared for mothers embrace?" "I am." "Very well. You may EARN membership into the Thorn. What is your name?" "My name I am known as Strider." -------------------------------------- "There have been reports of a disruption coming from the south." "I know." "You have asked to take a leave of absence." "I request permission to investigate some of the rumors." "Just as well…[i]maybe this disturbance will rid us of this human once and for all.[/i] "You were to be assigned to Highfolk anyway. Go forth, Restore balance, and maintain the natural order." "Now and always, I await mothers embrace." ------------------------------------- "Yer bout’s qwiet es e drunk’n ox ‘n heat." Strider left the shadows of the alley and approached the battered dwarf. A few weeks travel had brought Strider to the tree-spotted rolling hills surrounding Oakhurst and very quickly to the village itself. Six years had passed since Strider had last walked among his own kind. Suppressed memories brushing the surface of his mind told stories of a man named Will, who had once been a charismatic townsman, a father, and a husband. Those thoughts were fleeting at best the thoughts of a man of the past. Despite refocusing on his current goal and self-proclaimed mission, however, that old charisma was creeping back into his demeanor. He had been in Oakhurst for a few days, learning only that a small group had headed to an old monastery, now labeled the "Sunless Citadel". He managed to find the tracks of the group and followed them to a dead end the edge of a cliff. With a bit of exploration he found that the ravine ended at the entrance to the Sunless Citadel (now he understood the name). The next morning he and a few visitors to the village Falcon and Dred went down to explore the Citadel. A bugbear and his pet twin dire rats ambushed the group before they made it very far. Dred was unconscious and Falcon ready to turn and run before the creature was driven off. "I could not help but overhear the beginning of your story. Forgive me for my distrust and decision to remain unseen. My name is Strider. Unless I am terribly mistaken, I believe you and I are allies fighting a common enemy." "Ohh shut yer trap. Dont be rydiculus. Eef you er mi enemy, Ai wud not haf jus stood heyr, now wud I? Yer names Strider, eh? Wel, if yae tmanage t not wake the dead wif yer trompin, Ill b askin fer yer assistance timarow, or da ya prapose we leave now wif yer excellent nitevision, and mi barly able t walk?" " You said you and your companions Stella (Dems niece) and Faust were on your way to rescue Dem (the local healer) but kobolds ambushed you before you reached the Citadel? You were thrown off a cliff and " "Not thrown uff pushd uff. Du Ai look lyke im in a talktiv mood rite now? Ack, Ai need sum rest. How bout we talk n the morning Aim bout reddy t clapse. Will sunraise b urly nuff fer ya?" "My apologies. I will see you tomorrow morning. Let me know if there is any way I might be able to assist." "I dowt yad b much use tme Not nles yer e healer? No, Ai didn think so. Let a dwarf git sum sleep." "Good night" ---------------------------------- [i]I will purify mother-nature.[/i] Strider, bloodied and bruised, had found the source of the "disturbance" the Gulthias Tree. Supposedly the corpse of a vampire had given the tree life and spawned all manner of unnatural plants along with it. Looking over at Aramek, he could see the spittle foaming from the corners of his mouth. The dwarf had proven an invaluable ally and together they had rampaged through most of the citadel. Now Arameks eyes were focused solely on the cocoons holding the bodies of Dem, Stella and Faust. The dwarf was working himself into a rage. Belak, an ex-member of the Thorn, and his companions were going to die! ----------------------------------------- Belak had managed to escape while Strider was occupied wiping the thornlings plant abominations from the face of the planet. Aramek, exhausted from his rage had collapsed after chopping down the Gulthias tree. Strider, at the threshold between life and death managed to retrieve the unconscious bodies of Dem, Stella, and Faust. [i]I will defend these people until the last drop of blood has left my body.[/i] After the make-shift fortifications were in place Strider moved the four comatose members of his group to one of the fungus gardens where he could easily defend them. Sleep eventually claimed him. "Wayke up! Straider, er ya live?" Strider bolted upright. "Is everyone ok?" "Ya, ya there fine. Ya want tgit out of this god-forsaken hellhole?" "Lets move." --------------------------------------- Dem was an utter master when it came to natural and spiritual healing. She made short work of the poison in Stella and Faust. Aramek was another story. He was hurt badly in the fight verse Belak and his minions. During Arameks bed-rest, Strider, fascinated by the curative powers of nature studied the properties of different herbs and natural curatives. He also received word that a merchant in town was looking to hire a few body guards for his wares on his trip up to Blasingdale. Aramek and Strider, both looking to earn a little extra coin, signed on. Falcon and Dred, recovered from their first entry down to the Citadel, were also in need of money. Falcon had no money whatsoever and Dred was in debt owing the innkeeper several gold pieces for his stay at the inn while he recovered Strider put up the money. -------------------------------------- "ATTACK!!!" "ATTACK!!!" The bolt was embedded deep in Falcons thigh. The adrenalin was all that kept him moving. Leaping from the rock he flew through the air planting his foot in the face of the first orc he saw. The hired arms were awake in moments. There was no light and the only person who could see in the dark was Aramek. The sound of small battles surrounded the horses and wagon. Dred charged forward with his spiked shield ripping into the worg. The battle raged for a few moments. Three of the four were left standing. Strider buried Dreds body that same night. Despite Dreds abrasiveness, he was still a man who was a comrade on the battlefield. Strider prayed the rest of the night. [i]I am lost. Mother, I ask for guidance. Show me the way. The path of the Thorn is filled with hate. I too am filled with hate. I seek balance. Show me peace. Please lay my comrades soul to rest. He was a man of honor.[/i] --------------------------------------- Upon reaching Blasingdale the group was immediately solicited for a military operation. The local countryside was unsafe because of a group of bandit orcs who were slaying farmers and raiding the local homesteads. After speaking with the local lord a price of 10 gp was to be paid for each orc head. Stella and Faust had also left Oakhurst upon their recovery. Arriving a day after Strider, Aramek and Falcon, they quickly joined the group. The party was headed towards an old dwarven stronghold. Apparently, Durgidden the Black, was a famous weaponsmith and had run the stronghold centuries ago. Since its abandonment years ago, a group of orcs had laid claim to its walls as of late. "We will take care of it." "I expect you will. Dont forget, 10 gp a head. I want them all dead." "Understood." [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Ravenloft-Beyond the Mists
Top