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
The
VOIDRUNNER'S CODEX
is LIVE! Explore new worlds, fight oppressive empires, fend off fearsome aliens, and wield deadly psionics with this comprehensive boxed set expansion for 5E and A5E!
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Sir Gerard d'Montfort - In his own words (a tale of Anka Seth)- Updated Nov 11th
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="Haraash Saan" data-source="post: 5228076" data-attributes="member: 46615"><p>Another two hours following the stream and, much to my surprise, we found the lake. We would have made quicker time but we avoided using torches and the moon was clouded and provided little light for us to navigate by.</p><p></p><p>The lake was strangely still and there was an eerie feeling about the place. No frogs croaked and no fish splashed. It was as though nothing lived there.</p><p></p><p>We split up to skirt the banks and search for the fabled boat. Another hour and Zhontell was calling for us to join him. When I arrived I could see a dark shape in the water. He had indeed found the boat, but from the look of it, it had long ago sunk and was now partially submerged.</p><p></p><p>Zhontell waded into the freezing waters and secured some ropes to it. These in turn were tied to our horses. With significant effort, they slowly pulled the wreck from the mud in which it had been glued.</p><p></p><p>It was a longboat, perhaps big enough to hold thirty people. To me it looked more like a coastal vessel than a river boat, but the sea was a long way off. It was covered in thick, oozing mud and its figurehead had been broken off.</p><p></p><p>The figurehead was obviously important to Zhontell, for he immediately asked us to help him search for it, whilst he himself dove into the lake to scour its bottom.</p><p></p><p>We had no luck in the reeds and rushes on the banks, or even in the surrounding grasses. It was nigh on impossible to find anything in the dim light.</p><p></p><p>Moxadder stripped down and dove in to help Zhontell. For my part I conjured a magical light that I placed on a stone and threw it into the water so that the pair had some way to see what they searched for.</p><p></p><p>Almost immediately after the light had entered the water a carven figure of a winged woman broke the surface of the water. Following it came a gasping Zhontell. Once again the fey had found the missing piece to a puzzle only he understood.</p><p></p><p>Under torchlight Hrast quickly reattached it. He had some carpentry skill learnt in a former life. As soon as the figurehead was in place the boat began to change. The mud that filled its deck seemed to melt away and the paintwork that time had worn or flaked away slowly began to reappear. A pattern of bright green interlocked leaves soon decorated a bright white hull. The figurehead too had taken on a new guise. Its wings were now the browny-grey of an eagle. Its face was a healthy pink and the dress it wore had the same bright green of the pattern ringing the hull. Around its neck was a carved medallion, and on it was a symbol that we had seen before. It was a green circle with leaf like patterns protruding inward, just like one of the symbols in the Oracle’s cave.</p><p></p><p>No sooner had Hrast affixed the figurehead then the boat began to move of its own volition. Slowly at first, but then with increasing rapidity, it slid across the grass toward the lake.</p><p></p><p>Zhontell was quick to act. He jumped inside it as it passed him, falling clumsily onto the deck. He stood and threw his arms into the air and yelled an unrecognisable command. The boat responded and ground to a halt only a few feet before the waters edge. </p><p></p><p>“Quickly!” cried Zhontell urgently, “We must be away.”</p><p></p><p>Moxadder, Morgan and I exchanged glances and collectively sighed with resignation. Then, with our horses in tow, we boarded the unusual vessel. </p><p></p><p>The Crusader’s said nothing, looking uncomfortable as they too clambered aboard. I remarked to Yodfor about this and he replied, “We don’t like using heretic transport, but you are our prisoners and we’ll not let you escape.”</p><p></p><p>I chuckled at his persistent insistence that we were his prisoners. We all knew that we stayed for convenience and that if we chose to go our own way we would be victorious in the inevitable confrontation.</p><p></p><p>The long boat could not hold the deceased Gerechians horses, so they were set free to roam the forest, probably a lot happier too for not having to carry the armoured Gerechians.</p><p></p><p>At Zhontell’s command the boat slid gently into the lake and once more it began to increase in speed. It entered a small river that exited the lake and sped along as if acting on its own free will.</p><p></p><p>I took the opportunity to rest, and as my eyelids slowly closed I saw that the entire inside rail of our longboat was carved with simple animal shapes and symbols. My dreams were of the carved creatures acting as if they were alive and in their own habitat. Bears fished in rivers, eagles soared seeking rabbits and deer grazed on lush grass, oblivious to everything.</p><p></p><p>I slept well that night.</p><p></p><p>A movement woke me. The boat had bumped against a landing. I stood and saw a marvelous sight. As far as my gaze went to the north there was an ancient ruin. The remnants of stone buildings and pillars lay before me, crumbled through the millennia. Vibrant green creepers and vines clung to everything. </p><p></p><p>I alighted the boat with my companions. There was no doubt that this had been its destination. The river flowed no further, it turned quickly into a swampy marsh. Tussocks of reeds clumped together, islands of vegetation in the still waters.</p><p></p><p>We spent the rest of that day exploring the ruin. Zhontell confirmed that it was elfish in design and construction, but even he was in awe of its age. </p><p></p><p>After midday we had managed to arrive at the center of the city. A large tumbled down building, the biggest that still at least partially stood yielded only a little information as to who the inhabitants had been. </p><p></p><p>Morgan discovered a life sized statue that had toppled and was overgrown with grass. When he cleared it he discovered that it was another representation of the lady on the figurehead. It was carved predominantly from some semi-precious stone, but was way to heavy for us to lift and carry with us, much to Moxadder’s annoyance. We left her resting where she lay.</p><p></p><p>In the same area Morgan also found an emerald inlaid box. On its lid was the same religious symbol that had been displayed by the figurehead and the statue.</p><p></p><p>There were no obvious hinges or lock, yet it could not be opened. I then recalled that an obscure magic that I had learnt from one of the many magic books that we had found on our travels. I began the incantation as I stretched my fingers out and then, above the box, made a circular pattern in the air with my hand. Finally I delivered the last verse of the spell, and rapped the lid once with my knuckle. </p><p></p><p>There was a scraping noise and the lid lifted from the box. We crowded around to see what treasure awaited us. It was neither gold nor jewels, it was simple a white powder. </p><p></p><p>Quick as a serpent Moxadder struck. In one smooth motion, learnt from years of practice, he grabbed a pinch of dust and snorted it.</p><p></p><p>His eyelids drooped and a silly smile crept onto his face before he dropped to his knees and then planted his face into the moss at his feet.</p><p></p><p>Morgan reassured us that he was alive, but then startled us by saying that he was very much asleep. He gave a sharp kick to Moxadder’s ribs and with a groan the Irudesian woke. “What’dayoudo dat for?” he asked, “Dat stuff is fantastic!” he added as he groped for the box. </p><p></p><p>I swiftly pulled it away. “Sorry Moxadder. Until we know more about this I do not think we should be sampling it carelessly.” And, much to his dismay, I pushed the lid back on the box.</p><p></p><p>We continued our exploration through to the other side of the city and other than finding a few places were we found carved animals, just like those in the boat, the only other thing of interest was a medallion of the green circle. It was soon discovered that it acted as a key to the box. When it was pressed into the corresponding symbol on the lid of the box, the lid was able to be eased off. Unfortunately a slip of the tongue alerted Moxadder to the news and, knowing his drug appreciating ways, we were very mindful of his proximity to the box.</p><p></p><p>That night, wishing to discover more about the mysterious powder, and after ignoring Moxadder’s pleas to be the test subject, we agreed that Zhontell could inhale a dose.</p><p></p><p>He lay down and placed the powder on his tongue. In an instant he was sleeping soundly. We all followed his cue and also sought sleep, although the more natural kind.</p><p></p><p>The next morning Zhontell still had not woken and I decided to further our experiment. We tied him to his horse, just as Moxadder had been when he had been unconscious, careful not to wake him, and then mounted our own horses and set of into the forest, leaving the magnificent ruin behind us.</p><p></p><p>That day and following night passed without incident, and still Zhontell slept.</p><p></p><p>In the morning I begrudgingly allowed Zhontell to be woken. I was none to pleased, firstly because I preferred the Fey’s company when he was asleep, and secondly because the experiment had not been concluded. He had displayed no adverse effects to the enforced and extended sleep, but neither had he woken of his own accord. I could only conclude that the sleeping dust put anyone that inhaled or ingested it into a deep sleep that could only be woke by a solid impact. It was Morgan that delivered the required impact, a boot to elf’s ribs.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Haraash Saan, post: 5228076, member: 46615"] Another two hours following the stream and, much to my surprise, we found the lake. We would have made quicker time but we avoided using torches and the moon was clouded and provided little light for us to navigate by. The lake was strangely still and there was an eerie feeling about the place. No frogs croaked and no fish splashed. It was as though nothing lived there. We split up to skirt the banks and search for the fabled boat. Another hour and Zhontell was calling for us to join him. When I arrived I could see a dark shape in the water. He had indeed found the boat, but from the look of it, it had long ago sunk and was now partially submerged. Zhontell waded into the freezing waters and secured some ropes to it. These in turn were tied to our horses. With significant effort, they slowly pulled the wreck from the mud in which it had been glued. It was a longboat, perhaps big enough to hold thirty people. To me it looked more like a coastal vessel than a river boat, but the sea was a long way off. It was covered in thick, oozing mud and its figurehead had been broken off. The figurehead was obviously important to Zhontell, for he immediately asked us to help him search for it, whilst he himself dove into the lake to scour its bottom. We had no luck in the reeds and rushes on the banks, or even in the surrounding grasses. It was nigh on impossible to find anything in the dim light. Moxadder stripped down and dove in to help Zhontell. For my part I conjured a magical light that I placed on a stone and threw it into the water so that the pair had some way to see what they searched for. Almost immediately after the light had entered the water a carven figure of a winged woman broke the surface of the water. Following it came a gasping Zhontell. Once again the fey had found the missing piece to a puzzle only he understood. Under torchlight Hrast quickly reattached it. He had some carpentry skill learnt in a former life. As soon as the figurehead was in place the boat began to change. The mud that filled its deck seemed to melt away and the paintwork that time had worn or flaked away slowly began to reappear. A pattern of bright green interlocked leaves soon decorated a bright white hull. The figurehead too had taken on a new guise. Its wings were now the browny-grey of an eagle. Its face was a healthy pink and the dress it wore had the same bright green of the pattern ringing the hull. Around its neck was a carved medallion, and on it was a symbol that we had seen before. It was a green circle with leaf like patterns protruding inward, just like one of the symbols in the Oracle’s cave. No sooner had Hrast affixed the figurehead then the boat began to move of its own volition. Slowly at first, but then with increasing rapidity, it slid across the grass toward the lake. Zhontell was quick to act. He jumped inside it as it passed him, falling clumsily onto the deck. He stood and threw his arms into the air and yelled an unrecognisable command. The boat responded and ground to a halt only a few feet before the waters edge. “Quickly!” cried Zhontell urgently, “We must be away.” Moxadder, Morgan and I exchanged glances and collectively sighed with resignation. Then, with our horses in tow, we boarded the unusual vessel. The Crusader’s said nothing, looking uncomfortable as they too clambered aboard. I remarked to Yodfor about this and he replied, “We don’t like using heretic transport, but you are our prisoners and we’ll not let you escape.” I chuckled at his persistent insistence that we were his prisoners. We all knew that we stayed for convenience and that if we chose to go our own way we would be victorious in the inevitable confrontation. The long boat could not hold the deceased Gerechians horses, so they were set free to roam the forest, probably a lot happier too for not having to carry the armoured Gerechians. At Zhontell’s command the boat slid gently into the lake and once more it began to increase in speed. It entered a small river that exited the lake and sped along as if acting on its own free will. I took the opportunity to rest, and as my eyelids slowly closed I saw that the entire inside rail of our longboat was carved with simple animal shapes and symbols. My dreams were of the carved creatures acting as if they were alive and in their own habitat. Bears fished in rivers, eagles soared seeking rabbits and deer grazed on lush grass, oblivious to everything. I slept well that night. A movement woke me. The boat had bumped against a landing. I stood and saw a marvelous sight. As far as my gaze went to the north there was an ancient ruin. The remnants of stone buildings and pillars lay before me, crumbled through the millennia. Vibrant green creepers and vines clung to everything. I alighted the boat with my companions. There was no doubt that this had been its destination. The river flowed no further, it turned quickly into a swampy marsh. Tussocks of reeds clumped together, islands of vegetation in the still waters. We spent the rest of that day exploring the ruin. Zhontell confirmed that it was elfish in design and construction, but even he was in awe of its age. After midday we had managed to arrive at the center of the city. A large tumbled down building, the biggest that still at least partially stood yielded only a little information as to who the inhabitants had been. Morgan discovered a life sized statue that had toppled and was overgrown with grass. When he cleared it he discovered that it was another representation of the lady on the figurehead. It was carved predominantly from some semi-precious stone, but was way to heavy for us to lift and carry with us, much to Moxadder’s annoyance. We left her resting where she lay. In the same area Morgan also found an emerald inlaid box. On its lid was the same religious symbol that had been displayed by the figurehead and the statue. There were no obvious hinges or lock, yet it could not be opened. I then recalled that an obscure magic that I had learnt from one of the many magic books that we had found on our travels. I began the incantation as I stretched my fingers out and then, above the box, made a circular pattern in the air with my hand. Finally I delivered the last verse of the spell, and rapped the lid once with my knuckle. There was a scraping noise and the lid lifted from the box. We crowded around to see what treasure awaited us. It was neither gold nor jewels, it was simple a white powder. Quick as a serpent Moxadder struck. In one smooth motion, learnt from years of practice, he grabbed a pinch of dust and snorted it. His eyelids drooped and a silly smile crept onto his face before he dropped to his knees and then planted his face into the moss at his feet. Morgan reassured us that he was alive, but then startled us by saying that he was very much asleep. He gave a sharp kick to Moxadder’s ribs and with a groan the Irudesian woke. “What’dayoudo dat for?” he asked, “Dat stuff is fantastic!” he added as he groped for the box. I swiftly pulled it away. “Sorry Moxadder. Until we know more about this I do not think we should be sampling it carelessly.” And, much to his dismay, I pushed the lid back on the box. We continued our exploration through to the other side of the city and other than finding a few places were we found carved animals, just like those in the boat, the only other thing of interest was a medallion of the green circle. It was soon discovered that it acted as a key to the box. When it was pressed into the corresponding symbol on the lid of the box, the lid was able to be eased off. Unfortunately a slip of the tongue alerted Moxadder to the news and, knowing his drug appreciating ways, we were very mindful of his proximity to the box. That night, wishing to discover more about the mysterious powder, and after ignoring Moxadder’s pleas to be the test subject, we agreed that Zhontell could inhale a dose. He lay down and placed the powder on his tongue. In an instant he was sleeping soundly. We all followed his cue and also sought sleep, although the more natural kind. The next morning Zhontell still had not woken and I decided to further our experiment. We tied him to his horse, just as Moxadder had been when he had been unconscious, careful not to wake him, and then mounted our own horses and set of into the forest, leaving the magnificent ruin behind us. That day and following night passed without incident, and still Zhontell slept. In the morning I begrudgingly allowed Zhontell to be woken. I was none to pleased, firstly because I preferred the Fey’s company when he was asleep, and secondly because the experiment had not been concluded. He had displayed no adverse effects to the enforced and extended sleep, but neither had he woken of his own accord. I could only conclude that the sleeping dust put anyone that inhaled or ingested it into a deep sleep that could only be woke by a solid impact. It was Morgan that delivered the required impact, a boot to elf’s ribs. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Sir Gerard d'Montfort - In his own words (a tale of Anka Seth)- Updated Nov 11th
Top