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: 5180012" data-attributes="member: 1210"><p>“Who are you?” Heimall blurts out.</p><p></p><p>Two of the eladrin exchange a glance. One says, “We're students.”</p><p></p><p>“Well,” amends the other, “we were. But who are <em>you?</em>”</p><p></p><p>“We're from far away,” Heimall begins.</p><p></p><p>The dragonborn signals to his drakes and they leap to the attack. The eladrin are taken off-guard by this, but quickly recover, two of the three of them assuming a dance-like stance that Iggy recognizes immediately. </p><p></p><p>“Bladesingers!” he exclaims.</p><p></p><p>The two swiftly move in and begin a series of cuts and thrusts at Vann-La. She roars in defiance as one blade slices her forearm open, and then the Kree springs into action, lashing out all around her. General chaos ensues as the two sides clash.</p><p></p><p>But of course, nothing is ever that simple.</p><p></p><p>Although it isn't apparent at first, the eladrin and the dragonborn are just <em>barely</em> on the same team at all. They are working together, but they are hardly what one might call chummy. In fact, they don't usually help each other out at all. As one falls from one side, those on the other almost cheer.</p><p></p><p>There is another hidden factor, too: the third 'eladrin' is nothing so simple. Instead, as he draws his sword and strides into the battle, he stands revealed as some kind of undead eladrin. Even when Torinn strikes his body down with a <em>righteous brand,</em> the creature's spirit rises, refusing to stay dead!</p><p></p><p>But between the mighty blows of Shakgar, Summer, Heimall and Vann-La and the powerful prayers of Torinn, the enemy cannot withstand our heroes' furious assault. Soon Shakgar unleashes a <em>feast of violence</em> that slays the spirit, and all of the enemy lies slain, save for the dragonborn, whom our heroes take alive.</p><p></p><p>“These are students?” exclaims Summer. “I'd hate to meet the teachers!”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah,” mutter Heimall. “Except, why the heck are students still here at all? We need to question that prisoner.”</p><p></p><p>Indeed- for our heroes know, really, nothing of what is going on here. They have deduced that they are in some kind of university or college, and that they are underground; but from all appearances, the place has been overrun by monsters. How deep are they? Even when they find their way out, where is Arawn? They have many questions and little to go on. On the other hand, the party's ritualists have a number of methods of divining guidance. Even so, what method of supernatural vision could be superior to a first-hand account of the events leading up to the current... situation? Even if a ritual could answer a few questions, surely it would leave as many, if not more. Questioning a prisoner, on the other hand, could produce prodigious amounts of intelligence- and any new questions that arise can simply be asked of the same subject. Thus it is that our heroes revive the dragonborn after Hkatha and Torinn shut down the immensely loud machine in the room nearby.</p><p></p><p>“What's your name?” asks Heimall, once the dragonborn is conscious again.</p><p></p><p>“I am called Apathis,” the dragonborn groans. He sits up cautiously and finds himself relieved of weapons and armor. Still, he is alive, which is perhaps more than he should have expected. </p><p></p><p>“And are you a student here, too?”</p><p></p><p>The dragonborn sneers. “No,” he admits, “I am a mercenary.”</p><p></p><p>“Then what,” Heimall asks, “are you doing here? Who is your employer? And what's going on here, anyway?”</p><p></p><p>“For that matter, where is here?” Vann-La throws in.</p><p></p><p>“And were those eladrin really students?” adds Torinn.</p><p></p><p>“Talk!” demands Shakgar. “Or Shakgar will dunk on you!”</p><p></p><p>The dragonborn holds up his hands. “Peace. You have already defeated me and killed my pets.” He glances at the slain drakes spread around the place. </p><p></p><p>“Yeah, too bad you attacked us,” Vann-La retorts. The dragonborn gives her an even look but says nothing.</p><p></p><p>“So,” Heimall resumes, “what's going on here?”</p><p></p><p>“This place is called the Terran Undercollege,” reveals Apathis. “It is a part of a larger university called the Silver College. The Silver College has long stood on this isle as the center of learning, both magical and mundane, for the inhabitants of Tirchond.”</p><p></p><p>“We already knew what this place is called,” grumbles Torinn.</p><p></p><p>“I thought they were mostly eladrin,” says Vann-La. “Why are they building underground?”</p><p></p><p>“Tirchond is populated by a mix of races. Eladrin are in the greatest numbers, but dwarves are not far behind.”</p><p></p><p>“So they ally?” Iggy asks. “That's kind of...” He stops as Cook clears his throat meaningfully. “Unusual,” he finishes lamely. </p><p></p><p>“In any event,” Apathis continues, “I am not sure how long ago it happened, but some years ago the college, and especially the Terran Undercollege, became the site of a fierce battle between two wizards.”</p><p></p><p>“And that's what wrecked the place?” interrupts Hkatha.</p><p></p><p>“I can only presume; I was not here when it all started.”</p><p></p><p>“So who are you working for?” asks Summer. “One of these wizards?”</p><p></p><p>“Correct. Her name is Fray. She is a beautiful eladrin woman. Those students,” he gestures at the eladrin bodies, “were servants of hers as well. They didn't like or trust me, and I returned the feelings in full measure.”</p><p></p><p>“Tell us more about this Fray person,” Iggy orders.</p><p></p><p>“I don't know much about her, truthfully. I don't think she is from Tirchond- she has a strange accent that I cannot identify, and I have traveled widely. From what I have seen, heard and deduced, she emerged from the deepest levels of the Undercollege, along with her adversary, who is said to be some kind of shapechanger. It is said that she has rediscovered lost magical powers the likes of which today's wizards cannot emulate, and that she can even be in two places at once.”</p><p></p><p>“What about her enemy?” asks Summer.</p><p></p><p>Apathis shrugs. “I don't know much about him. As I said, I gather that he came from deep in the Undercollege somewhere as well, and that he is a shapechanger, but even that is deduction and speculation.”</p><p></p><p>“What kind of servants does Fray have?” asks Heimall.</p><p></p><p>“And the shapechanger guy?” adds Vann-La.</p><p></p><p>“Constructs, hirelings, summoned servants.” He shrugs. “I don't know too specifically- I'm the new guy. Or I was.” He glances at the corpse of the undead eladrin. “I can tell you this much- Fray has more of those undead. They are called fey lingerers. Some of them are spellcasters, some are warriors, but all refuse to die easily. And she also has these things that I have never seen before- grey or silver-skinned elven vampires that she calls <em>deodanths.</em> They have wicked spurs on the backs of their hands and they are able to...” He hesitates, thinking. “It seems as though they can step forward a few moments in time, vanishing from the 'now' and reappearing a moment later.”</p><p></p><p>“We've met some of those guys,” Torinn comments. </p><p></p><p>Apathis then shows the party a set of stairs heading upwards in the room that he and his drakes had camped in. “I don't really know the way out, but this is the way <em>up,</em> and that has to help.”</p><p></p><p>The party asks a few more questions, but it is apparent that Apathis has told them all he knows. Given how cooperative he was, and his willingness to swear an oath to flee the Undercollege (if he can find his way out successfully) and leave the party in peace, they let him go. He vanishes up the stairs he had indicated.</p><p></p><p>The rest of our heroes discuss this information. Is it possible that answers lie downward? What about Arawn? The dragonborn didn't mention anything about him or the Six-Fingered Hand- is it possible that they aren't here at all?</p><p></p><p>“Remember the goblin art display,” points out Hkatha. “At the very least, there are clues about Arawn here. And doesn't that very fact seem a little too coincidental, if this place doesn't have anything to do with him?”</p><p></p><p>True enough.</p><p></p><p>“Oi, I say we rest before we go on,” Cook says. “I have many aches and bruises, and am tired and low on energy.”</p><p></p><p>The group agrees: it is time for an extended rest. They could all use a little sleep somewhere secure. Iggy thus suggests using a ritual to teleport back to the circle north of Fandelose. “That way we'll have men on guard, we'll have beds, and we <em>won't</em> have monsters interrupting us.”</p><p></p><p>Sounds like a good idea- but when Cook discovers that it will cost the party 100 gp in components, he balks. “A hundred gold!” he exclaims. “That's a lot of money!”*</p><p></p><p>“Well, but we can sleep comfortably,” says Vann-La.</p><p></p><p>“But a hundred gold pieces!”</p><p></p><p>“We won't be interrupted by monsters,” Torinn reminds the dwarf.</p><p></p><p>“I'm just saying, that is a lot of money.”</p><p></p><p>“It is a good amount,” Summer nods.</p><p></p><p>“It's not that much for peace and security,” proclaims Iggy. </p><p></p><p>Cook peers at him. “Well, if you really think it's worth it... but I'm just saying, that's a lot of money.”</p><p></p><p>The party teleports home to rest.</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next Time:</strong></em> Back to the Terran Undercollege! Hey look, it's a lich!</p><p></p><p>*Please note that our heroes are 13th to 16th level now. They are probably overtreasured in magic and undertreasured in gold, but not ridiculously so. 100 gp is pretty much pocket change to them. This was some great roleplaying.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 5180012, member: 1210"] “Who are you?” Heimall blurts out. Two of the eladrin exchange a glance. One says, “We're students.” “Well,” amends the other, “we were. But who are [i]you?[/i]” “We're from far away,” Heimall begins. The dragonborn signals to his drakes and they leap to the attack. The eladrin are taken off-guard by this, but quickly recover, two of the three of them assuming a dance-like stance that Iggy recognizes immediately. “Bladesingers!” he exclaims. The two swiftly move in and begin a series of cuts and thrusts at Vann-La. She roars in defiance as one blade slices her forearm open, and then the Kree springs into action, lashing out all around her. General chaos ensues as the two sides clash. But of course, nothing is ever that simple. Although it isn't apparent at first, the eladrin and the dragonborn are just [i]barely[/i] on the same team at all. They are working together, but they are hardly what one might call chummy. In fact, they don't usually help each other out at all. As one falls from one side, those on the other almost cheer. There is another hidden factor, too: the third 'eladrin' is nothing so simple. Instead, as he draws his sword and strides into the battle, he stands revealed as some kind of undead eladrin. Even when Torinn strikes his body down with a [i]righteous brand,[/i] the creature's spirit rises, refusing to stay dead! But between the mighty blows of Shakgar, Summer, Heimall and Vann-La and the powerful prayers of Torinn, the enemy cannot withstand our heroes' furious assault. Soon Shakgar unleashes a [i]feast of violence[/i] that slays the spirit, and all of the enemy lies slain, save for the dragonborn, whom our heroes take alive. “These are students?” exclaims Summer. “I'd hate to meet the teachers!” “Yeah,” mutter Heimall. “Except, why the heck are students still here at all? We need to question that prisoner.” Indeed- for our heroes know, really, nothing of what is going on here. They have deduced that they are in some kind of university or college, and that they are underground; but from all appearances, the place has been overrun by monsters. How deep are they? Even when they find their way out, where is Arawn? They have many questions and little to go on. On the other hand, the party's ritualists have a number of methods of divining guidance. Even so, what method of supernatural vision could be superior to a first-hand account of the events leading up to the current... situation? Even if a ritual could answer a few questions, surely it would leave as many, if not more. Questioning a prisoner, on the other hand, could produce prodigious amounts of intelligence- and any new questions that arise can simply be asked of the same subject. Thus it is that our heroes revive the dragonborn after Hkatha and Torinn shut down the immensely loud machine in the room nearby. “What's your name?” asks Heimall, once the dragonborn is conscious again. “I am called Apathis,” the dragonborn groans. He sits up cautiously and finds himself relieved of weapons and armor. Still, he is alive, which is perhaps more than he should have expected. “And are you a student here, too?” The dragonborn sneers. “No,” he admits, “I am a mercenary.” “Then what,” Heimall asks, “are you doing here? Who is your employer? And what's going on here, anyway?” “For that matter, where is here?” Vann-La throws in. “And were those eladrin really students?” adds Torinn. “Talk!” demands Shakgar. “Or Shakgar will dunk on you!” The dragonborn holds up his hands. “Peace. You have already defeated me and killed my pets.” He glances at the slain drakes spread around the place. “Yeah, too bad you attacked us,” Vann-La retorts. The dragonborn gives her an even look but says nothing. “So,” Heimall resumes, “what's going on here?” “This place is called the Terran Undercollege,” reveals Apathis. “It is a part of a larger university called the Silver College. The Silver College has long stood on this isle as the center of learning, both magical and mundane, for the inhabitants of Tirchond.” “We already knew what this place is called,” grumbles Torinn. “I thought they were mostly eladrin,” says Vann-La. “Why are they building underground?” “Tirchond is populated by a mix of races. Eladrin are in the greatest numbers, but dwarves are not far behind.” “So they ally?” Iggy asks. “That's kind of...” He stops as Cook clears his throat meaningfully. “Unusual,” he finishes lamely. “In any event,” Apathis continues, “I am not sure how long ago it happened, but some years ago the college, and especially the Terran Undercollege, became the site of a fierce battle between two wizards.” “And that's what wrecked the place?” interrupts Hkatha. “I can only presume; I was not here when it all started.” “So who are you working for?” asks Summer. “One of these wizards?” “Correct. Her name is Fray. She is a beautiful eladrin woman. Those students,” he gestures at the eladrin bodies, “were servants of hers as well. They didn't like or trust me, and I returned the feelings in full measure.” “Tell us more about this Fray person,” Iggy orders. “I don't know much about her, truthfully. I don't think she is from Tirchond- she has a strange accent that I cannot identify, and I have traveled widely. From what I have seen, heard and deduced, she emerged from the deepest levels of the Undercollege, along with her adversary, who is said to be some kind of shapechanger. It is said that she has rediscovered lost magical powers the likes of which today's wizards cannot emulate, and that she can even be in two places at once.” “What about her enemy?” asks Summer. Apathis shrugs. “I don't know much about him. As I said, I gather that he came from deep in the Undercollege somewhere as well, and that he is a shapechanger, but even that is deduction and speculation.” “What kind of servants does Fray have?” asks Heimall. “And the shapechanger guy?” adds Vann-La. “Constructs, hirelings, summoned servants.” He shrugs. “I don't know too specifically- I'm the new guy. Or I was.” He glances at the corpse of the undead eladrin. “I can tell you this much- Fray has more of those undead. They are called fey lingerers. Some of them are spellcasters, some are warriors, but all refuse to die easily. And she also has these things that I have never seen before- grey or silver-skinned elven vampires that she calls [i]deodanths.[/i] They have wicked spurs on the backs of their hands and they are able to...” He hesitates, thinking. “It seems as though they can step forward a few moments in time, vanishing from the 'now' and reappearing a moment later.” “We've met some of those guys,” Torinn comments. Apathis then shows the party a set of stairs heading upwards in the room that he and his drakes had camped in. “I don't really know the way out, but this is the way [i]up,[/i] and that has to help.” The party asks a few more questions, but it is apparent that Apathis has told them all he knows. Given how cooperative he was, and his willingness to swear an oath to flee the Undercollege (if he can find his way out successfully) and leave the party in peace, they let him go. He vanishes up the stairs he had indicated. The rest of our heroes discuss this information. Is it possible that answers lie downward? What about Arawn? The dragonborn didn't mention anything about him or the Six-Fingered Hand- is it possible that they aren't here at all? “Remember the goblin art display,” points out Hkatha. “At the very least, there are clues about Arawn here. And doesn't that very fact seem a little too coincidental, if this place doesn't have anything to do with him?” True enough. “Oi, I say we rest before we go on,” Cook says. “I have many aches and bruises, and am tired and low on energy.” The group agrees: it is time for an extended rest. They could all use a little sleep somewhere secure. Iggy thus suggests using a ritual to teleport back to the circle north of Fandelose. “That way we'll have men on guard, we'll have beds, and we [i]won't[/i] have monsters interrupting us.” Sounds like a good idea- but when Cook discovers that it will cost the party 100 gp in components, he balks. “A hundred gold!” he exclaims. “That's a lot of money!”* “Well, but we can sleep comfortably,” says Vann-La. “But a hundred gold pieces!” “We won't be interrupted by monsters,” Torinn reminds the dwarf. “I'm just saying, that is a lot of money.” “It is a good amount,” Summer nods. “It's not that much for peace and security,” proclaims Iggy. Cook peers at him. “Well, if you really think it's worth it... but I'm just saying, that's a lot of money.” The party teleports home to rest. [i][b]Next Time:[/b][/i][b][/b] Back to the Terran Undercollege! Hey look, it's a lich! *Please note that our heroes are 13th to 16th level now. They are probably overtreasured in magic and undertreasured in gold, but not ridiculously so. 100 gp is pretty much pocket change to them. This was some great roleplaying. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
The Fall of Civilization
Top