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
The Fall of Civilization
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="the Jester" data-source="post: 4990887" data-attributes="member: 1210"><p>In the hills of the Western Provinces live a people much mocked by the folk of the cities. These hill folk are large, broad-featured and flat-nosed. Their skins tend towards rocky grays or earthy brown tones. Standing much taller than most humans, these folk are known for their mountain liquor, called moonshine or white lightning, and for being good at all manner of physical sports. Called <em>goliaths,</em> these folk are said to have once been human, but generations of interbreeding have led to them becoming their own kind. It is said that the blood of giants courses within the veins of the goliaths- an adulteration so strong that, eventually, it left them a separate species from either of their progenitors. </p><p></p><p>Of course, maybe that is all talk. </p><p></p><p>Shakgar doesn’t really care about any of that. His rage blazes within him. His brother will be avenged.</p><p></p><p>Shakgar is a powerful figure, hulking and huge, garbed in shaggy hides and rugged boots. He is one of those aforementioned hill folk, and he is hunting. He has been on the trail for seven days now- since the Six-Fingered Hand swooped down on his village, killing and burning. </p><p></p><p>Shakgar’s brother, Keelgar, died in the raid. The fire in Shakgar’s heart kindled to life, burning as hot as molten iron in his chest. Thinking of his brother’s murder, his teeth clench and his neck muscles tighten like metal wires wound together to form a thick cable. </p><p></p><p>He has almost caught up with them- the damn gnolls. They are dropping down from the hills, heading lower, towards the plains. No doubt they hope to escape any retribution from the goliaths. Shakgar has carefully kept himself concealed from them, stalking them as they traversed the rugged foothills along a narrow path. </p><p></p><p>Following the gnolls up a saddle and then along a descent that turned their path into a mountainside road with a long drop on one side, the barbarian was pleased when they stopped and began setting up an ambush of their own against someone ahead of them. Several of the gnolls scaled the cliff edging the path they are on, ascending to a ledge about 30’ up, while the others dropped back and prepared for combat. Shakgar grinned to himself and began climbing up higher, above the gnolls’ elevated position. As they positioned themselves to strike, so too did Shakgar. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>As he attains the ledge, reaching it first because of his <em>boots of spider climbing,</em> Heimall immediately sees a gnoll. “Gnolls!” he shouts, although the party already has a pretty good idea of that. Vann-La joins him at the top- or at least the level- almost immediately, springing forward with her sword whisking free of its scabbard. A <em>tide of iron</em> pushes the gnoll back towards the edge of the cliff- and a deadly fall.</p><p></p><p>Below, the gnolls around the corner start shooting arrows. The <em>invisible</em> Cook darts around the corner and flings a shuriken into one of the gnolls’ face. It howls in pain and manages to loose an arrow at him, but the dwarf tumbles back and avoids the shot. The other gnolls don’t even see what happened.* Then Iggy steps up to the corner and launches a <em>fireball</em> into their midst with devastating effect, burning all the gnolls. The stench of burnt fur fills the air, and the gnoll that Cook hit collapses. </p><p></p><p>The party has an initial advantage, despite the gnolls’ clumsy attempt to gain surprise and ambush them. They press it. Vann-La keeps advancing, pushing her foe towards the edge of the cliff, while Heimall lunges forward like a viper, thrusting with his magical glaive. Torinn is still climbing. Below, the others are wreaking havoc amongst the gnolls below. Recognizing the emblem of the Six-Fingered Hand on their foes, our heroes are merciless. </p><p></p><p>And then, a very strange thing happens. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Shakgar pulls forth his greataxe. His mouth begins to froth as he gnashes his teeth. His body starts to shake. With a roar, he lunges forward, intending to leap down upon a gnoll from above. </p><p></p><p>His foot catches on the way, and instead he sprawls face-first down the hillside in a shower of dirt and rocks.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The newcomer, whoever he is, arrives dramatically in a hail of gravel. He bounces and flips to a halt in a cloud of dust, coughing and with his face all skinned up.</p><p></p><p><em>He’s huge,</em> thinks Vann-La as she runs another gnoll through. </p><p></p><p>“Who are you?” demands Heimall, even as he and Vann-La catch another gnoll with a <em>hammer and anvil</em> maneuver. The huge figure shakes his bald black head and rises up. He starts moving immediately towards one of the gnolls, picking up speed appallingly fast. </p><p></p><p>“I’M GONNA DUNK ON YOU!” he howls, his grip shifting as he swings his axe at his target.</p><p></p><p><strong>SPLORCH!</strong></p><p></p><p>The gnoll’s head flies away from its crumpling body, and Shakgar roars and charges at the next one.</p><p></p><p><em>Barbarians from Heaven,</em> thinks Heimall, blinking.</p><p></p><p>Torinn finally manages to attain the ledge, cursing and grumbling. He spits lightning at the last remaining gnoll on top and then, with a heavy sigh, starts climbing down the slope again as fast as he can. </p><p></p><p>It takes only seconds for the gnolls to break.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>“So,” says Iggy, “thanks for your help. Now, who are you? Talk!” </p><p></p><p>Shakgar glares at the wizard. “Shakgar!” he announces.</p><p></p><p>“Is that your name, Shakgar?” asks Heimall.</p><p></p><p>“Shakgar!”</p><p></p><p>“What are you doing out here, if you don’t mind me asking?”</p><p></p><p>“Avenging my brother.” The goliath’s voice seems to boom from the great coliseum of his chest. “Those, and others like them, with the symbol of the hand, came and attacked my people.”</p><p></p><p>Torinn says, “They are called the Six-Fingered Hand. They are our foes, as well, Shakgar. Perhaps we can join forces.”</p><p></p><p>“We have already won great victories over them,” Heimall asserts. “We are seeking allies, always, to help fight them. Why not join forces?”</p><p></p><p>“We <em>can</em> kill more of them together than apart,” Shakgar admits. “Very well. Do you know where there are more of them?”</p><p></p><p>“Pretty much everywhere.” The warlord shrugs.</p><p></p><p>“We’re actually looking for something to help us fight their leader, ultimately,” Torinn says. “Then, maybe a trip to Northshore, where a bunch of our people are enslaved by some of the Hand’s forces.”</p><p></p><p>“I will join you,” Shakgar decides, “especially since it involves killing these Hand bastards.”</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next Time:</strong></em> Our heroes reach the ruins of Varelose!</p><p></p><p></p><p>*Cook has the utility power that lets him re-hide after he breaks hiding 1/encounter. IDHMBIFOM.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 4990887, member: 1210"] In the hills of the Western Provinces live a people much mocked by the folk of the cities. These hill folk are large, broad-featured and flat-nosed. Their skins tend towards rocky grays or earthy brown tones. Standing much taller than most humans, these folk are known for their mountain liquor, called moonshine or white lightning, and for being good at all manner of physical sports. Called [i]goliaths,[/i] these folk are said to have once been human, but generations of interbreeding have led to them becoming their own kind. It is said that the blood of giants courses within the veins of the goliaths- an adulteration so strong that, eventually, it left them a separate species from either of their progenitors. Of course, maybe that is all talk. Shakgar doesn’t really care about any of that. His rage blazes within him. His brother will be avenged. Shakgar is a powerful figure, hulking and huge, garbed in shaggy hides and rugged boots. He is one of those aforementioned hill folk, and he is hunting. He has been on the trail for seven days now- since the Six-Fingered Hand swooped down on his village, killing and burning. Shakgar’s brother, Keelgar, died in the raid. The fire in Shakgar’s heart kindled to life, burning as hot as molten iron in his chest. Thinking of his brother’s murder, his teeth clench and his neck muscles tighten like metal wires wound together to form a thick cable. He has almost caught up with them- the damn gnolls. They are dropping down from the hills, heading lower, towards the plains. No doubt they hope to escape any retribution from the goliaths. Shakgar has carefully kept himself concealed from them, stalking them as they traversed the rugged foothills along a narrow path. Following the gnolls up a saddle and then along a descent that turned their path into a mountainside road with a long drop on one side, the barbarian was pleased when they stopped and began setting up an ambush of their own against someone ahead of them. Several of the gnolls scaled the cliff edging the path they are on, ascending to a ledge about 30’ up, while the others dropped back and prepared for combat. Shakgar grinned to himself and began climbing up higher, above the gnolls’ elevated position. As they positioned themselves to strike, so too did Shakgar. *** As he attains the ledge, reaching it first because of his [i]boots of spider climbing,[/i] Heimall immediately sees a gnoll. “Gnolls!” he shouts, although the party already has a pretty good idea of that. Vann-La joins him at the top- or at least the level- almost immediately, springing forward with her sword whisking free of its scabbard. A [i]tide of iron[/i] pushes the gnoll back towards the edge of the cliff- and a deadly fall. Below, the gnolls around the corner start shooting arrows. The [i]invisible[/i] Cook darts around the corner and flings a shuriken into one of the gnolls’ face. It howls in pain and manages to loose an arrow at him, but the dwarf tumbles back and avoids the shot. The other gnolls don’t even see what happened.* Then Iggy steps up to the corner and launches a [i]fireball[/i] into their midst with devastating effect, burning all the gnolls. The stench of burnt fur fills the air, and the gnoll that Cook hit collapses. The party has an initial advantage, despite the gnolls’ clumsy attempt to gain surprise and ambush them. They press it. Vann-La keeps advancing, pushing her foe towards the edge of the cliff, while Heimall lunges forward like a viper, thrusting with his magical glaive. Torinn is still climbing. Below, the others are wreaking havoc amongst the gnolls below. Recognizing the emblem of the Six-Fingered Hand on their foes, our heroes are merciless. And then, a very strange thing happens. *** Shakgar pulls forth his greataxe. His mouth begins to froth as he gnashes his teeth. His body starts to shake. With a roar, he lunges forward, intending to leap down upon a gnoll from above. His foot catches on the way, and instead he sprawls face-first down the hillside in a shower of dirt and rocks. *** The newcomer, whoever he is, arrives dramatically in a hail of gravel. He bounces and flips to a halt in a cloud of dust, coughing and with his face all skinned up. [i]He’s huge,[/i] thinks Vann-La as she runs another gnoll through. “Who are you?” demands Heimall, even as he and Vann-La catch another gnoll with a [i]hammer and anvil[/i] maneuver. The huge figure shakes his bald black head and rises up. He starts moving immediately towards one of the gnolls, picking up speed appallingly fast. “I’M GONNA DUNK ON YOU!” he howls, his grip shifting as he swings his axe at his target. [b]SPLORCH![/B] The gnoll’s head flies away from its crumpling body, and Shakgar roars and charges at the next one. [i]Barbarians from Heaven,[/i] thinks Heimall, blinking. Torinn finally manages to attain the ledge, cursing and grumbling. He spits lightning at the last remaining gnoll on top and then, with a heavy sigh, starts climbing down the slope again as fast as he can. It takes only seconds for the gnolls to break. *** “So,” says Iggy, “thanks for your help. Now, who are you? Talk!” Shakgar glares at the wizard. “Shakgar!” he announces. “Is that your name, Shakgar?” asks Heimall. “Shakgar!” “What are you doing out here, if you don’t mind me asking?” “Avenging my brother.” The goliath’s voice seems to boom from the great coliseum of his chest. “Those, and others like them, with the symbol of the hand, came and attacked my people.” Torinn says, “They are called the Six-Fingered Hand. They are our foes, as well, Shakgar. Perhaps we can join forces.” “We have already won great victories over them,” Heimall asserts. “We are seeking allies, always, to help fight them. Why not join forces?” “We [i]can[/i] kill more of them together than apart,” Shakgar admits. “Very well. Do you know where there are more of them?” “Pretty much everywhere.” The warlord shrugs. “We’re actually looking for something to help us fight their leader, ultimately,” Torinn says. “Then, maybe a trip to Northshore, where a bunch of our people are enslaved by some of the Hand’s forces.” “I will join you,” Shakgar decides, “especially since it involves killing these Hand bastards.” [i][b]Next Time:[/b][/i][b][/b] Our heroes reach the ruins of Varelose! *Cook has the utility power that lets him re-hide after he breaks hiding 1/encounter. IDHMBIFOM. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
The Fall of Civilization
Top