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
Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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="steeldragons" data-source="post: 6142552" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p>A short update...intended as the end of the last...but alas, one cannot always get finished what one intends at a particular sitting.</p><p></p><p>More shortly.</p><p></p><p>As always, thanks for reading.</p><p>--Steel Dragons.</p><p>---------------------</p><p></p><p>The figure stood for a moment. It (as Fen could not deduce if the figure was male or female) seemed halted by the glare of the moonlight off the snowy field, which illuminated the surroundings almost as well as daylight. It held its arm up over its hooded face or a moment before lowering its opened hand toward the ground before it. Immediately a circle of inky blackness spread out beneath its feet, to a diameter of about 5 feet. This didn’t shroud the figure, but “lay” upon the snow, diffusing the immediate glare, though the surrounding light made seeing it simple enough, even helping Fen and Pyrnion to see detail more clearly.</p><p></p><p>The figure was armored over its torso and legs to just above the knees in what appeared a finally meshed material of dull black. Its gloves and boots were of an apparently very light material as the folds and edges wavered in some unfelt breeze, though they looked as sturdy as leather. The hilts of weapons, only slightly "less black", hung from their hips. The cloak, which was deeply hooded and completely obscured their faces, was of a similar material to their boots and gloves though did reflect some sheen from the ambient moonlight, giving it a quality as if they wore a garment of liquid ink. It too flowed easily in the breeze that picked up the looser top bits of snow.</p><p></p><p>A second figure appeared. Then there were five in view and finally, it seemed, a total of eight figure came around the end of the stone. If they spoke to each other, neither the half-elf nor zehari could discern it but each, in turn, followed the first figure’s actions in casting a darkness beneath them until the company stood within a solid platform of black in the midst of the pure silvery white glowing field. They were all identically clad, no hair was apparent, no details of head or face. They stood about Fen’s height, with trim and toned frames. As the redcap had stated, whether through sorcery or some other craft, their slight movements made not the slightest sound upon the fresh snow.</p><p></p><p>They certainly could be sidhe, Fen thought with some concern, as he took a single step back, moving himself to the opposite side of the tree from the newcomers. Only the side of his face peeked out from the other side, so Fen could watch peripherally. He knew the enchantments of his cloak’s hood would make the edge of his head appear as no more than a natural knot or protrusion from the tree’s trunk.</p><p></p><p>The movement however, was ill advised, as two of the figure’s hooded heads turned directly toward Fen’s direction. After a second, one pointed at the tree and a voice was heard. It was almost a hissing, but more like a buzzing...with clicking-clacking sounds intermittent, like the combination of a bee and a beetle “speaking” at once. Fen had no idea what was said, other than the word or phrase that easily soared across the 100 yard separation from the stone to the edge of the pixie wood.</p><p></p><p>“Zzee’teereem!” it said.</p><p></p><p>That’s not good, Pyrnion thought in amazement. The figure was pointing directly at him. How was that possible? The invisibility of his people was a tried and true cover. They couldn’t possibly see him without magic!</p><p></p><p>Before the zephari could spread his wings, two of the dark figures were speeding toward him, blurs of blackness crossing the snowy field at an incredible pace. As he did spread his wings to take off, the zephari was startled and actually fell off his perch to the ground below, when violet flames erupted all over his person. He had already hit the ground hard before realizing they did not actually “burn” or “hurt” at all. But he was most certainly visible to anyone in the vicinity now.</p><p></p><p>“By the Green!” Fen blurted in surprise. He whirled from his place, no sense trying to be stealthy now! He slammed the butt of his sacred spear into the ground and a streak of green lightning illuminated the ground, beneath the snowfall, to end about twenty feet ahead of them.</p><p></p><p>Even as the vines and dormant roots and grasses ripped up through the snow, the dark blurs altered course. One even used a rising root from the far end of Fen’s spell effect as a step to launch itself up into the air, ripping one of the dully black metal blades from a scabbard as he did so. A “zz-ing” shout filled the air from the figure.</p><p></p><p>“Are you hurt? Can you fly?” Fen said abruptly, throwing his arms around Pyrnion’s neck.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, I believe so.” Pyrnion said, making himself visible and doing his best to ignore the purple fires the flickered harmlessly all over his person.</p><p></p><p>“Go.” Fen said turning to their would-be assassins. One was near enough to begin to take a swing. “GO! Get us out of here!” Fen said in panic.</p><p></p><p>His a single thrust of his muscled thighs, Pyrnion launched the two into the air. The strike of the short blade cut deeply into Fen’s thigh as he rose into the air hanging upon Pyrnion’s back. The pain was explicit and Fen nearly lost his grip around Pyrnion’s neck. But he held on.</p><p></p><p>The zephari soared up inot the open night, ignoring the clicks and “zzt-tzz’es” from below. Two small black darts whizzed passed them as they curled up over the treetops and away out of view of the “darklings.”</p><p></p><p>“Shall we return to the pixie’s tree and warn them?” Pyrnion suggested.</p><p></p><p>Fen looked behind them and was sure he saw multiple blurry burst of black zipping from branch to branch just beneath the treetops.</p><p></p><p>“No. We cannot. I do not believe they are actually here for the pixies. We must get to the Dragonmage’s Vale with all haste."</p><p></p><p>Fen winced as the zephari adjusted his course abruptly.</p><p></p><p>“So, were those the sidhe godlings you were concerned about?” Pyrnion said calmly. </p><p></p><p>“I was hoping your eagle eyes could tell me.” Fen said. Mentally noting that it was much easier to hear while they flew laying upon Pyrnion’s back than it was dangling below him. </p><p></p><p>“I could see nothing of their faces. The darkness within their hoods was absolute. I had thought, perhaps, your elf-blooded vision might pierce it more readily.” the zephari reluctantly admitted.</p><p></p><p>“I think we’re in trouble.” Fen said. “They were so fast! And they saw you when you were invisible?” Fen stated more than asked.</p><p></p><p>“It seems so.” Pyrnion again admitted with regret. “I have never had that happen before. It is...unnerving.”</p><p></p><p>Fen looked down behind them again, they had already cleared the north side of the pixie wood. Fen exhaled a sigh of relief even as he noticed, again, the pain in his leg. As he prepared to incant a minor healing on himself, his eyes widened as one...three...then five...and eight points of blackness left the pixie wood and darted, like small black blurs, from shadow to shadow, tree to tree, to stone to wall to homestead...moving from whatever darkness or shade was present to the next nearest.</p><p></p><p>Then they stopped as Pyrnion winged his way over the small clutch of buildings that was Farthing’s cross. From the shadow of one of the largest buildings there, they struck out across open field, directly northeast!</p><p></p><p>“Hurry Pyrnion! We must get to the Dragonmage’s citadel with all speed!” Fen said in concern.</p><p></p><p>“I am flying as fast as I can, druid.” Pyrnion retorted in mild annoyance. “Hang on."</p><p></p><p>The zephari pitched and soared almost straight upward, gaining as much altitude as he dared. The sprawling town and towered citadel of the Dragonmage appeared, near the edge of his eagle-like vision. It was well lit for so late at night, Pyrnion noted with a bit of confusion. And lay, directly, to the northeast. A quick scan of the lands beneath them revealed, to Pyrnion’s complete surprise, the zipping clips of darkness shifting from place to place, no more than short lines of black.</p><p></p><p>This, Pyrnion had to admit, was bad. Pyrnion spread his wings and began to soared at a direct descent for the great towered vale of the Dragonmage. A sudden instinct occurred in him and the zephari sent out a telepathic call to any of his race that might be within “hearing” range.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 6142552, member: 92511"] A short update...intended as the end of the last...but alas, one cannot always get finished what one intends at a particular sitting. More shortly. As always, thanks for reading. --Steel Dragons. --------------------- The figure stood for a moment. It (as Fen could not deduce if the figure was male or female) seemed halted by the glare of the moonlight off the snowy field, which illuminated the surroundings almost as well as daylight. It held its arm up over its hooded face or a moment before lowering its opened hand toward the ground before it. Immediately a circle of inky blackness spread out beneath its feet, to a diameter of about 5 feet. This didn’t shroud the figure, but “lay” upon the snow, diffusing the immediate glare, though the surrounding light made seeing it simple enough, even helping Fen and Pyrnion to see detail more clearly. The figure was armored over its torso and legs to just above the knees in what appeared a finally meshed material of dull black. Its gloves and boots were of an apparently very light material as the folds and edges wavered in some unfelt breeze, though they looked as sturdy as leather. The hilts of weapons, only slightly "less black", hung from their hips. The cloak, which was deeply hooded and completely obscured their faces, was of a similar material to their boots and gloves though did reflect some sheen from the ambient moonlight, giving it a quality as if they wore a garment of liquid ink. It too flowed easily in the breeze that picked up the looser top bits of snow. A second figure appeared. Then there were five in view and finally, it seemed, a total of eight figure came around the end of the stone. If they spoke to each other, neither the half-elf nor zehari could discern it but each, in turn, followed the first figure’s actions in casting a darkness beneath them until the company stood within a solid platform of black in the midst of the pure silvery white glowing field. They were all identically clad, no hair was apparent, no details of head or face. They stood about Fen’s height, with trim and toned frames. As the redcap had stated, whether through sorcery or some other craft, their slight movements made not the slightest sound upon the fresh snow. They certainly could be sidhe, Fen thought with some concern, as he took a single step back, moving himself to the opposite side of the tree from the newcomers. Only the side of his face peeked out from the other side, so Fen could watch peripherally. He knew the enchantments of his cloak’s hood would make the edge of his head appear as no more than a natural knot or protrusion from the tree’s trunk. The movement however, was ill advised, as two of the figure’s hooded heads turned directly toward Fen’s direction. After a second, one pointed at the tree and a voice was heard. It was almost a hissing, but more like a buzzing...with clicking-clacking sounds intermittent, like the combination of a bee and a beetle “speaking” at once. Fen had no idea what was said, other than the word or phrase that easily soared across the 100 yard separation from the stone to the edge of the pixie wood. “Zzee’teereem!” it said. That’s not good, Pyrnion thought in amazement. The figure was pointing directly at him. How was that possible? The invisibility of his people was a tried and true cover. They couldn’t possibly see him without magic! Before the zephari could spread his wings, two of the dark figures were speeding toward him, blurs of blackness crossing the snowy field at an incredible pace. As he did spread his wings to take off, the zephari was startled and actually fell off his perch to the ground below, when violet flames erupted all over his person. He had already hit the ground hard before realizing they did not actually “burn” or “hurt” at all. But he was most certainly visible to anyone in the vicinity now. “By the Green!” Fen blurted in surprise. He whirled from his place, no sense trying to be stealthy now! He slammed the butt of his sacred spear into the ground and a streak of green lightning illuminated the ground, beneath the snowfall, to end about twenty feet ahead of them. Even as the vines and dormant roots and grasses ripped up through the snow, the dark blurs altered course. One even used a rising root from the far end of Fen’s spell effect as a step to launch itself up into the air, ripping one of the dully black metal blades from a scabbard as he did so. A “zz-ing” shout filled the air from the figure. “Are you hurt? Can you fly?” Fen said abruptly, throwing his arms around Pyrnion’s neck. “Yes, I believe so.” Pyrnion said, making himself visible and doing his best to ignore the purple fires the flickered harmlessly all over his person. “Go.” Fen said turning to their would-be assassins. One was near enough to begin to take a swing. “GO! Get us out of here!” Fen said in panic. His a single thrust of his muscled thighs, Pyrnion launched the two into the air. The strike of the short blade cut deeply into Fen’s thigh as he rose into the air hanging upon Pyrnion’s back. The pain was explicit and Fen nearly lost his grip around Pyrnion’s neck. But he held on. The zephari soared up inot the open night, ignoring the clicks and “zzt-tzz’es” from below. Two small black darts whizzed passed them as they curled up over the treetops and away out of view of the “darklings.” “Shall we return to the pixie’s tree and warn them?” Pyrnion suggested. Fen looked behind them and was sure he saw multiple blurry burst of black zipping from branch to branch just beneath the treetops. “No. We cannot. I do not believe they are actually here for the pixies. We must get to the Dragonmage’s Vale with all haste." Fen winced as the zephari adjusted his course abruptly. “So, were those the sidhe godlings you were concerned about?” Pyrnion said calmly. “I was hoping your eagle eyes could tell me.” Fen said. Mentally noting that it was much easier to hear while they flew laying upon Pyrnion’s back than it was dangling below him. “I could see nothing of their faces. The darkness within their hoods was absolute. I had thought, perhaps, your elf-blooded vision might pierce it more readily.” the zephari reluctantly admitted. “I think we’re in trouble.” Fen said. “They were so fast! And they saw you when you were invisible?” Fen stated more than asked. “It seems so.” Pyrnion again admitted with regret. “I have never had that happen before. It is...unnerving.” Fen looked down behind them again, they had already cleared the north side of the pixie wood. Fen exhaled a sigh of relief even as he noticed, again, the pain in his leg. As he prepared to incant a minor healing on himself, his eyes widened as one...three...then five...and eight points of blackness left the pixie wood and darted, like small black blurs, from shadow to shadow, tree to tree, to stone to wall to homestead...moving from whatever darkness or shade was present to the next nearest. Then they stopped as Pyrnion winged his way over the small clutch of buildings that was Farthing’s cross. From the shadow of one of the largest buildings there, they struck out across open field, directly northeast! “Hurry Pyrnion! We must get to the Dragonmage’s citadel with all speed!” Fen said in concern. “I am flying as fast as I can, druid.” Pyrnion retorted in mild annoyance. “Hang on." The zephari pitched and soared almost straight upward, gaining as much altitude as he dared. The sprawling town and towered citadel of the Dragonmage appeared, near the edge of his eagle-like vision. It was well lit for so late at night, Pyrnion noted with a bit of confusion. And lay, directly, to the northeast. A quick scan of the lands beneath them revealed, to Pyrnion’s complete surprise, the zipping clips of darkness shifting from place to place, no more than short lines of black. This, Pyrnion had to admit, was bad. Pyrnion spread his wings and began to soared at a direct descent for the great towered vale of the Dragonmage. A sudden instinct occurred in him and the zephari sent out a telepathic call to any of his race that might be within “hearing” range. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
Top