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: 6159539" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p>Fen slammed his fists against the gates and let out a pained roar that turned into a sob as he slumped to his knees.</p><p></p><p>“Why did we do that?! I had him! I want the behir dead!” Fen said in pained frustration.</p><p></p><p>“We all do, my friend.” Braddok said putting a soft gloved hand on the druid’s shoulder. “But we need to regroup.”</p><p></p><p>Alaria leaned against the great stone gates as well. She was tired, obviously so.</p><p></p><p>“We all want revenge, Fen. But the battle could not be sustained. I fear now, we are trapped here. My spell will hold the gates for the night...unless, perhaps Desaarthal herself tries to break them. But, for now, we can rest. We must check the chamber for other portals and seal them.</p><p></p><p>“Braddok, assist me...please” Alaria held out her arm for the warrior’s strong support and moved to the other side of the chamber where they presumed at least one other entrance to the hall was near the dais.</p><p></p><p>Haelan finished administering healing to the satyr minstrel who snapped back to consciousness, weak but alive. He moved to attend Duor and saw that Braddok, too, needed his care as the warrior helped Alaria move back into the hall.</p><p></p><p>“We have the Ihs Repahl..." Braddok said with a weak smile as he helped Alaria through the hall. “But Desaarthal took Haelan’s food bowl. Why on earth would that be of any use to her?" the warrior asked as he pondered. He knew he could not hope to parse out the ways of sorcery on his own.</p><p></p><p>“Why, indeed?" Alaria said before stopping dead in her tracks. Braddok looked at her in concern as if she might have sustained some damage that was not apparent.</p><p></p><p>“Why...on...<em>Earth</em>!" Alaria said as if that meant something.</p><p></p><p>Braddok didn’t get it.</p><p></p><p>The magess fumbled into one of her pouches and withdrew the emerald teardrop that allowed telepathic communication with Rhea...or so she hoped from so deep within the dragon’s lair.</p><p></p><p>*<em>Rhea...Rhea! Are you there?....Can you hear me?...</em>* Alaria focused all of her mental energies, which at the time was not much, to try to reach the seeress.</p><p></p><p>*<em>I hear you.</em>* came a low rumbling echo of a voice. It was definitely not Rhea.</p><p></p><p>Alaria’s mind backed away for a moment but then, seeking knowledge was never always easy or safe. *<em>Who are you?</em>*</p><p></p><p>*<em>I am Gorathhhhhhriallllll</em>* the low soft voice echoed again, its last word trailing off into untold planes of mental awareness. With it came an near overwhelming tide of telepathic impressions.</p><p><strong><em></em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Defeat. Despair. Sadness. Melancholy. Pain! Hopelessness. Remorse.</em></strong> So much remorse it threatened to drown her mind.</p><p></p><p>Alaria looked in shock up into the recesses of the arched hall lost in shadow.</p><p></p><p>*<em>Will you harm us?</em>* Alaria thought.</p><p></p><p>*<em>Thhhh....rooooooone.</em>*</p><p></p><p>*<em>Lord Gorathriel, we are sorry about your losses, but we are striving to aid your remaining daughters and save them and our own world.</em>*</p><p></p><p>*<span style="font-size: 12px"><em>Thrrrrrrooooooonnnnnne.</em></span>*</p><p></p><p>Alaria shook off Braddok’s concerned grasp and made her way to the dais. The great crystal throne sat there. Beautiful. Elegant. Powerful. Even without her arcane sight, Alaria could feel the waves of arcane energies waving off of it. In her weakened state she had no faculties to ward them off.</p><p></p><p>“Alaria what are you doing?" Braddok asked, unaware of the mental exchange and full of concern for the magess.</p><p></p><p>She walked up the steps...turned...and stood for a moment staring out over the great hall. Her eyes went to the shadows above. Then...she sat.</p><p></p><p>The crystalline head of the swan moved of its own accord, bending down until the tip of the beak of the swan's head almost touched the wizardess' forehead.</p><p></p><p>*<em>This is best. Easiest.<Remorse.></em>* the low bass voice rang clearly in her mind.</p><p></p><p>*<em>Will you share your knowledge with me? We want to help! We want to restore hope. What other ways are there into this hall?</em>*</p><p></p><p>*<em>I will try. <Sadness>With her gone, I have not more than a few moments. Her power is almost absolute when she is present.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>*There is a hole in the roof. <strong><Anger></strong> It is large enough for Rach’sha to get through.</em>*</p><p></p><p>“FEN!” Alaria shouted down the hall to the druid. “There’s a hole in the ceiling. Seal it!” Almost unbidden, the thought of the opening’s location entered Alaria’s mind and near-instantaneously transmitted to Fen’s. </p><p></p><p>The druid began to move immediately.</p><p></p><p>*<em>Do you know why Desaarthal wants Haelan’s food-making bowl?</em>* Alaria posed. </p><p></p><p>*<em>It is the last known...remaining...piece of the Iht Repahl...<strong><Sadness></strong>*</em></p><p><em></em></p><p>“Oh no!” Alaria cried. The companions all turned in the alarm.</p><p></p><p>“What is it?” Pyrnion called to the two adventurers hidden somewhere among the many columns.</p><p></p><p>“Not sure yet.” Braddok called in response.</p><p></p><p>*<em>Does she have the others?</em>*</p><p></p><p>*<em>There is only one she needs. <Remorse> The Ihs is present. The Voht is captured. <span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><PAAAAAINNNN!!!></strong></span>. She now has the Ihnt. The Fehs is guarded by a power to match her own. <span style="font-size: 15px"><strong><PAAAAINNNN </strong></span>followed by <strong>Satisfaction</strong>>It will be difficult unless she can claim the Kahl.</em>*</p><p></p><p>*<em>So, she has the Water Repahl already?</em>* Alaria felt panic building up within her. Tidemaster Kama’s pearl? The village of Shoal? Had they already fallen to her? *<em>What is the Kahl?</em>*</p><p></p><p>*<em>I see the information in your mind...you call it the Eye of Arinane? What a curious name.<Curiosity></em>* said the low deep voice of Gorathgraard’s original lord.</p><p></p><p>*<em>How do I know this is not a trick?</em>* Alaria thought, suddenly filled with doubts.</p><p></p><p>*<em>You do...not, I suppose. <Sadness> While the Dark One is within the tower, there is little I am capable of of mine own will. I take, of course, great pleasure in disciplining<span style="font-size: 15px"> <ANGERRRR!!!!></span>...harshly...her minions. But I am unable to break from her yoke.<<span style="font-size: 12px">Weakness. Remorse</span>></em>*</p><p></p><p>*<em>So, she is no longer in the mountain?</em>* Alaria questioned immediately, full of hope.</p><p></p><p>*<em>She has gone. <Satisfaction> To the isle, no doubt...to place her newest treasure. Gods forgive me my hubris. <span style="font-size: 15px"><strong><REMORSSSSSE!!!!!></strong></span></em>* the voice said to Alaria’s mind.</p><p></p><p>*<em>She has what she needs. She needs the when. <span style="font-size: 9px"><hope></span></em>* the low voice faded.</p><p></p><p>*<em>WHEN?! When can she conduct the ritual?!</em>* Alaria mentally implored.</p><p></p><p>*<em>Whenever she has the necessary ingredients...the best time for the ritual is at the Dawning of the Spring.</em>* Gorathial stated plainly...without the overwhelming emotional overtones.</p><p> </p><p>*<em>Do you mean at the Spring’s Equinox?</em>” Alaria said frantically. She knew the date was barely more than a month away.</p><p></p><p>*<em>The...Vernal...yes. yes, to your understanding...that is true. <Sadness></em>* the voice replied, sounding defeated.</p><p></p><p>*<em>She can not be stopped. I have cursed my land <span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><Remorse> </strong></span>and my children <span style="font-size: 15px"><strong><REMORSE!!!!></strong></span>...I have sealed the fate of the world, all of these ages later...I am the TRUE Dark One. <overwhelming <span style="font-size: 18px"><strong>Sadness/Anger/Self-pity</strong></span>></em>*</p><p></p><p>*<em>My lord...ENOUGH! PLEASE [?]....I can...not deal with these feelings!</em>* Alaria cried out in anguish at the waves of emotions flooding her psyche.</p><p></p><p>*<em>How do we defeat Desaarthal?!*</em> Alaria’s concentrated thoughts became concrete with this singular purpose.</p><p></p><p>*<em>Rach’sha is here...</em>* Gorathial’s thoughts replied without a hint of emotion.</p><p></p><p>“OoooooHOOHOO! Piiiiiink Fleshhhhh. Nice trick on the doo-hoo-hoor! Oo! What’s this?!” the behir’s lilting tones came down from the ceiling.</p><p></p><p>Fen had, immediately following Alaria’s warning had invoked his power to SpiderClimb and risen up the steep walls of the chamber, found the large opening in the ceiling, and sat there, waiting, wrapped in the blending enchantments of his sacred cloak.</p><p></p><p>Upon seeing the behir stick its head and first ten feet through, in an instant, the druid smacked his bare hand against the arched roof and shouted his incantation of shaping stone.</p><p></p><p>Fen sealed the opening around the behir.</p><p></p><p>“NoooHOOHOO fair! Get this...OOHOOHOO...That’s tiiiHIIIHIIIGHT!” Rach’sha objected.</p><p></p><p>Fen, braced against the wall by this spider-sticking feet, thrust his green-glowing sacred leaftip spear, with all of his might, into the side of the dragon-snake.</p><p></p><p>Rach’sha roared out in an attempted retort. He ungulated to the side, pulling the druid’s spear from his grasp, and clawed at the presumptuous half-elf.</p><p></p><p>Fen took two strides up and above the behir trapped in the stone ceiling, withdrew his cudgel with the head shaped like a butting ram’s and struck.</p><p></p><p>Thunder filled the great hall. Before the rumble had subsided, a second duller “boom” filled the room. </p><p></p><p>Pyrnion and Duor raced over to the side where the altercation far above them, though visible to their enhanced vision, occurred.</p><p></p><p>Duor stopped and Pyrnion alit beside him, both with wide opened mouths.</p><p></p><p>The head and ten feet of the black behir Rach’sha, with only 4 of its limbs, lay upon the floor of the hall. Black and purple ichor streamed from the severed end. A look of utter surprise and whimsy upon its draconic face.</p><p></p><p>*<em>Rach’sha is dead. <span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><Satisfaction! Hope!></strong></span></em>* the voice of Gorathiel informed Alaria. An image of the front portion of the beast, with Pyrnion and Duor staring at it filled her head. Then an image of Fen, impossibly “standing” upon the wall with a club in his hand, breathing heavily.</p><p></p><p>*<strong><em>Good.</em></strong>* Alaria and Gorathiel’s mind said at the same time.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 6159539, member: 92511"] Fen slammed his fists against the gates and let out a pained roar that turned into a sob as he slumped to his knees. “Why did we do that?! I had him! I want the behir dead!” Fen said in pained frustration. “We all do, my friend.” Braddok said putting a soft gloved hand on the druid’s shoulder. “But we need to regroup.” Alaria leaned against the great stone gates as well. She was tired, obviously so. “We all want revenge, Fen. But the battle could not be sustained. I fear now, we are trapped here. My spell will hold the gates for the night...unless, perhaps Desaarthal herself tries to break them. But, for now, we can rest. We must check the chamber for other portals and seal them. “Braddok, assist me...please” Alaria held out her arm for the warrior’s strong support and moved to the other side of the chamber where they presumed at least one other entrance to the hall was near the dais. Haelan finished administering healing to the satyr minstrel who snapped back to consciousness, weak but alive. He moved to attend Duor and saw that Braddok, too, needed his care as the warrior helped Alaria move back into the hall. “We have the Ihs Repahl..." Braddok said with a weak smile as he helped Alaria through the hall. “But Desaarthal took Haelan’s food bowl. Why on earth would that be of any use to her?" the warrior asked as he pondered. He knew he could not hope to parse out the ways of sorcery on his own. “Why, indeed?" Alaria said before stopping dead in her tracks. Braddok looked at her in concern as if she might have sustained some damage that was not apparent. “Why...on...[I]Earth[/I]!" Alaria said as if that meant something. Braddok didn’t get it. The magess fumbled into one of her pouches and withdrew the emerald teardrop that allowed telepathic communication with Rhea...or so she hoped from so deep within the dragon’s lair. *[I]Rhea...Rhea! Are you there?....Can you hear me?...[/I]* Alaria focused all of her mental energies, which at the time was not much, to try to reach the seeress. *[I]I hear you.[/I]* came a low rumbling echo of a voice. It was definitely not Rhea. Alaria’s mind backed away for a moment but then, seeking knowledge was never always easy or safe. *[I]Who are you?[/I]* *[I]I am Gorathhhhhhriallllll[/I]* the low soft voice echoed again, its last word trailing off into untold planes of mental awareness. With it came an near overwhelming tide of telepathic impressions. [B][I] Defeat. Despair. Sadness. Melancholy. Pain! Hopelessness. Remorse.[/I][/B] So much remorse it threatened to drown her mind. Alaria looked in shock up into the recesses of the arched hall lost in shadow. *[I]Will you harm us?[/I]* Alaria thought. *[I]Thhhh....rooooooone.[/I]* *[I]Lord Gorathriel, we are sorry about your losses, but we are striving to aid your remaining daughters and save them and our own world.[/I]* *[SIZE=3][I]Thrrrrrrooooooonnnnnne.[/I][/SIZE]* Alaria shook off Braddok’s concerned grasp and made her way to the dais. The great crystal throne sat there. Beautiful. Elegant. Powerful. Even without her arcane sight, Alaria could feel the waves of arcane energies waving off of it. In her weakened state she had no faculties to ward them off. “Alaria what are you doing?" Braddok asked, unaware of the mental exchange and full of concern for the magess. She walked up the steps...turned...and stood for a moment staring out over the great hall. Her eyes went to the shadows above. Then...she sat. The crystalline head of the swan moved of its own accord, bending down until the tip of the beak of the swan's head almost touched the wizardess' forehead. *[I]This is best. Easiest.<Remorse.>[/I]* the low bass voice rang clearly in her mind. *[I]Will you share your knowledge with me? We want to help! We want to restore hope. What other ways are there into this hall?[/I]* *[I]I will try. <Sadness>With her gone, I have not more than a few moments. Her power is almost absolute when she is present. *There is a hole in the roof. [B]<Anger>[/B] It is large enough for Rach’sha to get through.[/I]* “FEN!” Alaria shouted down the hall to the druid. “There’s a hole in the ceiling. Seal it!” Almost unbidden, the thought of the opening’s location entered Alaria’s mind and near-instantaneously transmitted to Fen’s. The druid began to move immediately. *[I]Do you know why Desaarthal wants Haelan’s food-making bowl?[/I]* Alaria posed. *[I]It is the last known...remaining...piece of the Iht Repahl...[B]<Sadness>[/B]* [/I] “Oh no!” Alaria cried. The companions all turned in the alarm. “What is it?” Pyrnion called to the two adventurers hidden somewhere among the many columns. “Not sure yet.” Braddok called in response. *[I]Does she have the others?[/I]* *[I]There is only one she needs. <Remorse> The Ihs is present. The Voht is captured. [SIZE=3][B]<PAAAAAINNNN!!!>[/B][/SIZE]. She now has the Ihnt. The Fehs is guarded by a power to match her own. [SIZE=4][B]<PAAAAINNNN [/B][/SIZE]followed by [B]Satisfaction[/B]>It will be difficult unless she can claim the Kahl.[/I]* *[I]So, she has the Water Repahl already?[/I]* Alaria felt panic building up within her. Tidemaster Kama’s pearl? The village of Shoal? Had they already fallen to her? *[I]What is the Kahl?[/I]* *[I]I see the information in your mind...you call it the Eye of Arinane? What a curious name.<Curiosity>[/I]* said the low deep voice of Gorathgraard’s original lord. *[I]How do I know this is not a trick?[/I]* Alaria thought, suddenly filled with doubts. *[I]You do...not, I suppose. <Sadness> While the Dark One is within the tower, there is little I am capable of of mine own will. I take, of course, great pleasure in disciplining[SIZE=4] <ANGERRRR!!!!>[/SIZE]...harshly...her minions. But I am unable to break from her yoke.<[SIZE=3]Weakness. Remorse[/SIZE]>[/I]* *[I]So, she is no longer in the mountain?[/I]* Alaria questioned immediately, full of hope. *[I]She has gone. <Satisfaction> To the isle, no doubt...to place her newest treasure. Gods forgive me my hubris. [SIZE=4][B]<REMORSSSSSE!!!!!>[/B][/SIZE][/I]* the voice said to Alaria’s mind. *[I]She has what she needs. She needs the when. [SIZE=1]<hope>[/SIZE][/I]* the low voice faded. *[I]WHEN?! When can she conduct the ritual?![/I]* Alaria mentally implored. *[I]Whenever she has the necessary ingredients...the best time for the ritual is at the Dawning of the Spring.[/I]* Gorathial stated plainly...without the overwhelming emotional overtones. *[I]Do you mean at the Spring’s Equinox?[/I]” Alaria said frantically. She knew the date was barely more than a month away. *[I]The...Vernal...yes. yes, to your understanding...that is true. <Sadness>[/I]* the voice replied, sounding defeated. *[I]She can not be stopped. I have cursed my land [SIZE=3][B]<Remorse> [/B][/SIZE]and my children [SIZE=4][B]<REMORSE!!!!>[/B][/SIZE]...I have sealed the fate of the world, all of these ages later...I am the TRUE Dark One. <overwhelming [SIZE=5][B]Sadness/Anger/Self-pity[/B][/SIZE]>[/I]* *[I]My lord...ENOUGH! PLEASE [?]....I can...not deal with these feelings![/I]* Alaria cried out in anguish at the waves of emotions flooding her psyche. *[I]How do we defeat Desaarthal?!*[/I] Alaria’s concentrated thoughts became concrete with this singular purpose. *[I]Rach’sha is here...[/I]* Gorathial’s thoughts replied without a hint of emotion. “OoooooHOOHOO! Piiiiiink Fleshhhhh. Nice trick on the doo-hoo-hoor! Oo! What’s this?!” the behir’s lilting tones came down from the ceiling. Fen had, immediately following Alaria’s warning had invoked his power to SpiderClimb and risen up the steep walls of the chamber, found the large opening in the ceiling, and sat there, waiting, wrapped in the blending enchantments of his sacred cloak. Upon seeing the behir stick its head and first ten feet through, in an instant, the druid smacked his bare hand against the arched roof and shouted his incantation of shaping stone. Fen sealed the opening around the behir. “NoooHOOHOO fair! Get this...OOHOOHOO...That’s tiiiHIIIHIIIGHT!” Rach’sha objected. Fen, braced against the wall by this spider-sticking feet, thrust his green-glowing sacred leaftip spear, with all of his might, into the side of the dragon-snake. Rach’sha roared out in an attempted retort. He ungulated to the side, pulling the druid’s spear from his grasp, and clawed at the presumptuous half-elf. Fen took two strides up and above the behir trapped in the stone ceiling, withdrew his cudgel with the head shaped like a butting ram’s and struck. Thunder filled the great hall. Before the rumble had subsided, a second duller “boom” filled the room. Pyrnion and Duor raced over to the side where the altercation far above them, though visible to their enhanced vision, occurred. Duor stopped and Pyrnion alit beside him, both with wide opened mouths. The head and ten feet of the black behir Rach’sha, with only 4 of its limbs, lay upon the floor of the hall. Black and purple ichor streamed from the severed end. A look of utter surprise and whimsy upon its draconic face. *[I]Rach’sha is dead. [SIZE=3][B]<Satisfaction! Hope!>[/B][/SIZE][/I]* the voice of Gorathiel informed Alaria. An image of the front portion of the beast, with Pyrnion and Duor staring at it filled her head. Then an image of Fen, impossibly “standing” upon the wall with a club in his hand, breathing heavily. *[B][I]Good.[/I][/B]* Alaria and Gorathiel’s mind said at the same time. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
Top