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
Wulf's Collected Story Hour -- FINAL UPDATE 12/25
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="Wulf Ratbane" data-source="post: 236962" data-attributes="member: 94"><p><strong>LORD OF THE IRON FORTRESS-- Part II</strong></p><p></p><p>Shorty, Alliane, and Keldas joined them in the room, and the town watch was hot on their heels, drawn by the sound of battle. The assmar from the front gate was with them. “WHAT IN THE SEVEN HEAVENS IS GOING ON HERE?”</p><p></p><p>Wulf looked around-- at the gore-spattered remains of the blacksmith, at Shorty, Keldas, and Alliane sitting quietly and nursing their wounds, and at Karak, standing in the center of the room brandishing a holy sword that still shone like the north star.</p><p></p><p>“Ahhh…” he expertly lied, “the paladin here went crazy, see.... but we reigned him in and took this ‘un alive.” Wulf booted the critter and it stirred ever so slightly. </p><p></p><p>Wulf’s blatant lie seemed genuine enough-- from the right perspective. The aasimar raised an eyebrow, clearly aware that Wulf was lying and making the logical assumption that he was deliberately trying to stir up trouble for Karak.</p><p></p><p>Keldas smoothly stepped in to take over with just enough of the truth to sweeten the deception. He thought it best not to even mention its <em>disintegrated</em> counterpart, but he stayed as close as possible to what had really happened. “We found this creature attacking the keeper of this shop. We were too late to save the poor shopkeep, but we did our best to take the culprit alive.”</p><p></p><p>The aasimar seemed satisfied with the evidence at hand. “Don’t stray from the city and keep yourselves available at the inn. We may have additional questions for you.” He gestured to his men to drag away the captive.</p><p></p><p>“Poor Verachus…” muttered Shorty.</p><p></p><p>The aasimar turned, laughing, as he departed. “This isn’t Verachus,” he said. “Verachus is an efreet, and, believe me, more than a match for any assassin.”</p><p></p><p>“Well,” Wulf mused, standing patiently while Alliane attended to his wounds with a wand of healing, “let’s check it out tomorrow. I’ve had enough for one day.”</p><p></p><p>“I say we press on!” said Karak.</p><p></p><p>“What’s yer hurry? Assmar just told us Verachus is safe.”</p><p></p><p>Karak started to cast his eyes down, almost sheepishly, then looked up. Now, his eyes were blazing. “I have accepted a <em>quest</em> from my church. I must eliminate Imperagon!” </p><p></p><p>The paladin looked around at the incredulous faces of his companions. “Of course, you guys are welcome to join me.”</p><p></p><p>“Bloody friggin’ gracious of yer.” Wulf knew a bit about <em>quests</em> and <em>geases</em>. Why anyone would willingly accept a debilitating disease to run some other fool’s errand, he had no idea. “Well… Those lion things were no fun. We got no weapons to match ‘em. I say we head home for… oh, a month, two months, yer know, make summat ‘at can hurt ‘em.”</p><p></p><p>Shorty joined in. “Sounds like a plan to me, too.”</p><p></p><p>Wulf kept on. “Well,” he said, shaking the paladin’s hand. “Good luck with all <em>that</em>.”</p><p></p><p>The group headed for the inn, leaving the paladin sputtering and muttering in disbelief. “Hey!” he yelled, running after them.</p><p></p><p>“Calm down,” said Keldas. “They’re only kidding.”</p><p></p><p>“Ach… right, I suppose so,” said Wulf. </p><p></p><p>“Let’s go talk to the genie,” suggested Shorty.</p><p></p><p>“Do me a favor,” said Wulf, nodding. “When we meet him, call him a genie.”</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>They came upon Verachus as he was closing up his shop. The efreet, with flaming hair and shining brass-colored robes, sat arrogantly astride an enormous, horned, 12-legged wurm. His fire giant bodyguard stood up from locking the door, then crossed his arms and did his best to look imposing.</p><p></p><p>Wulf looked up beneath the fire giant's steel-plated kilt. "Guess it ain't true what they say about giants after all. We’re lookin’ for Verachus.”</p><p></p><p>“Verachus does not deal with ignorant primes,” sneered the efreet.</p><p></p><p>“That so?” asked Wulf, suddenly inspired to kick his teeth down his throat. <em>Giant, no problem. Behir, no problem. Might kill Shorty and Keldas, though. Efreet could be unpleasant if he’s got any spells.</em> “Perhaps Verachus deals with Imperagon, then?”</p><p></p><p>Judging from the look on Verachus’ face, he <em>clearly</em> had some dealings with Imperagon. They had his attention now. “Come by at noon tomorrow, when Verachus’ shop is open. We will talk further.”</p><p></p><p>Wulf shrugged, oblivious to any duplicity. “Ok.” He waited until Verachus and his menagerie had walked off. “Don’t think I coulda took another second o’ listenin’ to him refer to himself in the third person. Halma had better grammar, for cryin’ out loud.”</p><p></p><p>Shorty hopped from foot to foot. “Guess we head back to the inn, then?”</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>The night passed uneventfully. No scrying, no unexpected assassins sent by either Imperagon or Verachus.</p><p></p><p>They gathered up and discussed what to do with their morning. Wulf would have preferred to head back to the forge but was content to search Rigus for the supplies he needed.</p><p></p><p>“Keldas’ spellbook is in dire need of <em>Greater Magic Whuppin’</em>-- at least till Dorn rejoins us. Let’s find a scroll shop. Anybody got the cash?”</p><p></p><p>Keldas nodded. “I brought all my gold. I have a few thousand.”</p><p></p><p>Wulf wanted to thump him. “Yer outta leave that behind at the forge where it’s safe. Then again, can’t hardly complain about it right now.”</p><p></p><p>Shorty helped them find a scroll shop, though they were disappointed to find the shopkeep had only two scrolls-- and at inflated prices. Wulf figured that <em>greater magic weapon</em> was in pretty high demand in the outer planes, what with everybody and their brother having some kind of immunity. He bristled at the high price, but it couldn’t be helped. The shopkeep could tell he had them over a barrel.</p><p></p><p>They bought the two scrolls, one for scribing into Keldas’ spellbook, one as a backup, and headed out to meet Verachus. They found him waiting in his shop-- his enormous shop, with room for an efreet and a fire giant to easily work inside. </p><p></p><p>If Wulf’s skill at diplomacy had taught him anything, it was that an honest and direct approach worked best. “Well, we’re lookin’ to kill Imperagon. Hope yer not working with him cause that would just mean we’d have to kill yer too. So… ahh… where can we find him?”</p><p></p><p>“Imperagon is no ally of Verachus. You will find him in Avalas, in a cube known only as ‘The Lost Cube.’ It is so called because it has no gates that lead directly to it.”</p><p></p><p>Wulf nodded, indicating that Verachus should go on.</p><p></p><p>“Now as to what you can do for Verachus… Imperagon has stolen a large amount of adamantine from me.”</p><p></p><p>Wulf felt the familiar stirring in his pants-- err, in his soul, rather-- at the mention of the precious ore.</p><p></p><p>“This is no small sum,” said Verachus, doing calculations in his head. “About 200,000 of your gold crowns’ worth of ore. Verachus would very much like it returned, without any particular consideration of the methods.”</p><p></p><p>Wulf jumped, perhaps a bit too eagerly, at the opportunity. “No problem.”</p><p></p><p>Verachus was suddenly suspicious. “Perhaps some insurance is appropriate…” He began casting.</p><p></p><p>Keldas interrupted him. “You can’t come off any worse. Either Imperagon will have your ore or we will.” He paused. “And if you try to cast <em>Geas</em> on me I’ll kill you now.”</p><p></p><p>Verachus held up his hands in a peaceful gesture, then turned to the fire giant. “Snurreson?”</p><p></p><p>“I wish that if they attempt to betray you in any way, you will immediately know.”</p><p></p><p>Verachus seemed satisfied, as did Wulf. He was really more interested in killing Imperagon than in the adamantine. He didn’t have any plans to betray Verachus.</p><p></p><p>Verachus handed Keldas a small crystal rod. “You will want to enter Acheron via the Battlecube. From there, this crystal rod will point the way to Imperagon’s Lost Cube. Return here when you have the ore.”</p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>The party walked through Rigus and exited out the other side, crossing a bit more of the outlands until they reached the gate to the Battlecube. The gate was an enormous arch, at least 50’ high by Wulf’s reckoning, and made entirely of bleached bone piled up and fused together by some unholy magic.</p><p></p><p>“Oh,” Keldas understated.</p><p></p><p>“Ready?” said Wulf.</p><p></p><p>They stepped through. </p><p></p><p>The Battlecube was an enormous flat plane of hard, black iron. In the distance they could hear the sounds of battle: weapons rang, foes shouted, others cried out in agony. It would have been an experience to remember had they not been distracted by what they faced as soon as they stepped through the gate.</p><p></p><p>An enormous spider, as big as a summer cottage, 40 feet across from side to side, scuttled forwards, towering over them. Wulf craned his neck up to take in the entire gargantuan monstrosity. Atop its back sat a female drow, riding easily and confidently atop the hairy, lurching platform.</p><p></p><p>Wulf tensed. He couldn’t see Keldas, but he could almost sense the hairs standing up on the elf’s neck.</p><p></p><p>“Step aside,” the drow announced from her high perch. “I would use the gate...”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Wulf Ratbane, post: 236962, member: 94"] [b]LORD OF THE IRON FORTRESS-- Part II[/b] Shorty, Alliane, and Keldas joined them in the room, and the town watch was hot on their heels, drawn by the sound of battle. The assmar from the front gate was with them. “WHAT IN THE SEVEN HEAVENS IS GOING ON HERE?” Wulf looked around-- at the gore-spattered remains of the blacksmith, at Shorty, Keldas, and Alliane sitting quietly and nursing their wounds, and at Karak, standing in the center of the room brandishing a holy sword that still shone like the north star. “Ahhh…” he expertly lied, “the paladin here went crazy, see.... but we reigned him in and took this ‘un alive.” Wulf booted the critter and it stirred ever so slightly. Wulf’s blatant lie seemed genuine enough-- from the right perspective. The aasimar raised an eyebrow, clearly aware that Wulf was lying and making the logical assumption that he was deliberately trying to stir up trouble for Karak. Keldas smoothly stepped in to take over with just enough of the truth to sweeten the deception. He thought it best not to even mention its [I]disintegrated[/I] counterpart, but he stayed as close as possible to what had really happened. “We found this creature attacking the keeper of this shop. We were too late to save the poor shopkeep, but we did our best to take the culprit alive.” The aasimar seemed satisfied with the evidence at hand. “Don’t stray from the city and keep yourselves available at the inn. We may have additional questions for you.” He gestured to his men to drag away the captive. “Poor Verachus…” muttered Shorty. The aasimar turned, laughing, as he departed. “This isn’t Verachus,” he said. “Verachus is an efreet, and, believe me, more than a match for any assassin.” “Well,” Wulf mused, standing patiently while Alliane attended to his wounds with a wand of healing, “let’s check it out tomorrow. I’ve had enough for one day.” “I say we press on!” said Karak. “What’s yer hurry? Assmar just told us Verachus is safe.” Karak started to cast his eyes down, almost sheepishly, then looked up. Now, his eyes were blazing. “I have accepted a [I]quest[/I] from my church. I must eliminate Imperagon!” The paladin looked around at the incredulous faces of his companions. “Of course, you guys are welcome to join me.” “Bloody friggin’ gracious of yer.” Wulf knew a bit about [I]quests[/I] and [I]geases[/I]. Why anyone would willingly accept a debilitating disease to run some other fool’s errand, he had no idea. “Well… Those lion things were no fun. We got no weapons to match ‘em. I say we head home for… oh, a month, two months, yer know, make summat ‘at can hurt ‘em.” Shorty joined in. “Sounds like a plan to me, too.” Wulf kept on. “Well,” he said, shaking the paladin’s hand. “Good luck with all [I]that[/I].” The group headed for the inn, leaving the paladin sputtering and muttering in disbelief. “Hey!” he yelled, running after them. “Calm down,” said Keldas. “They’re only kidding.” “Ach… right, I suppose so,” said Wulf. “Let’s go talk to the genie,” suggested Shorty. “Do me a favor,” said Wulf, nodding. “When we meet him, call him a genie.” ** They came upon Verachus as he was closing up his shop. The efreet, with flaming hair and shining brass-colored robes, sat arrogantly astride an enormous, horned, 12-legged wurm. His fire giant bodyguard stood up from locking the door, then crossed his arms and did his best to look imposing. Wulf looked up beneath the fire giant's steel-plated kilt. "Guess it ain't true what they say about giants after all. We’re lookin’ for Verachus.” “Verachus does not deal with ignorant primes,” sneered the efreet. “That so?” asked Wulf, suddenly inspired to kick his teeth down his throat. [I]Giant, no problem. Behir, no problem. Might kill Shorty and Keldas, though. Efreet could be unpleasant if he’s got any spells.[/I] “Perhaps Verachus deals with Imperagon, then?” Judging from the look on Verachus’ face, he [I]clearly[/I] had some dealings with Imperagon. They had his attention now. “Come by at noon tomorrow, when Verachus’ shop is open. We will talk further.” Wulf shrugged, oblivious to any duplicity. “Ok.” He waited until Verachus and his menagerie had walked off. “Don’t think I coulda took another second o’ listenin’ to him refer to himself in the third person. Halma had better grammar, for cryin’ out loud.” Shorty hopped from foot to foot. “Guess we head back to the inn, then?” ** The night passed uneventfully. No scrying, no unexpected assassins sent by either Imperagon or Verachus. They gathered up and discussed what to do with their morning. Wulf would have preferred to head back to the forge but was content to search Rigus for the supplies he needed. “Keldas’ spellbook is in dire need of [I]Greater Magic Whuppin’[/I]-- at least till Dorn rejoins us. Let’s find a scroll shop. Anybody got the cash?” Keldas nodded. “I brought all my gold. I have a few thousand.” Wulf wanted to thump him. “Yer outta leave that behind at the forge where it’s safe. Then again, can’t hardly complain about it right now.” Shorty helped them find a scroll shop, though they were disappointed to find the shopkeep had only two scrolls-- and at inflated prices. Wulf figured that [I]greater magic weapon[/I] was in pretty high demand in the outer planes, what with everybody and their brother having some kind of immunity. He bristled at the high price, but it couldn’t be helped. The shopkeep could tell he had them over a barrel. They bought the two scrolls, one for scribing into Keldas’ spellbook, one as a backup, and headed out to meet Verachus. They found him waiting in his shop-- his enormous shop, with room for an efreet and a fire giant to easily work inside. If Wulf’s skill at diplomacy had taught him anything, it was that an honest and direct approach worked best. “Well, we’re lookin’ to kill Imperagon. Hope yer not working with him cause that would just mean we’d have to kill yer too. So… ahh… where can we find him?” “Imperagon is no ally of Verachus. You will find him in Avalas, in a cube known only as ‘The Lost Cube.’ It is so called because it has no gates that lead directly to it.” Wulf nodded, indicating that Verachus should go on. “Now as to what you can do for Verachus… Imperagon has stolen a large amount of adamantine from me.” Wulf felt the familiar stirring in his pants-- err, in his soul, rather-- at the mention of the precious ore. “This is no small sum,” said Verachus, doing calculations in his head. “About 200,000 of your gold crowns’ worth of ore. Verachus would very much like it returned, without any particular consideration of the methods.” Wulf jumped, perhaps a bit too eagerly, at the opportunity. “No problem.” Verachus was suddenly suspicious. “Perhaps some insurance is appropriate…” He began casting. Keldas interrupted him. “You can’t come off any worse. Either Imperagon will have your ore or we will.” He paused. “And if you try to cast [I]Geas[/I] on me I’ll kill you now.” Verachus held up his hands in a peaceful gesture, then turned to the fire giant. “Snurreson?” “I wish that if they attempt to betray you in any way, you will immediately know.” Verachus seemed satisfied, as did Wulf. He was really more interested in killing Imperagon than in the adamantine. He didn’t have any plans to betray Verachus. Verachus handed Keldas a small crystal rod. “You will want to enter Acheron via the Battlecube. From there, this crystal rod will point the way to Imperagon’s Lost Cube. Return here when you have the ore.” ** The party walked through Rigus and exited out the other side, crossing a bit more of the outlands until they reached the gate to the Battlecube. The gate was an enormous arch, at least 50’ high by Wulf’s reckoning, and made entirely of bleached bone piled up and fused together by some unholy magic. “Oh,” Keldas understated. “Ready?” said Wulf. They stepped through. The Battlecube was an enormous flat plane of hard, black iron. In the distance they could hear the sounds of battle: weapons rang, foes shouted, others cried out in agony. It would have been an experience to remember had they not been distracted by what they faced as soon as they stepped through the gate. An enormous spider, as big as a summer cottage, 40 feet across from side to side, scuttled forwards, towering over them. Wulf craned his neck up to take in the entire gargantuan monstrosity. Atop its back sat a female drow, riding easily and confidently atop the hairy, lurching platform. Wulf tensed. He couldn’t see Keldas, but he could almost sense the hairs standing up on the elf’s neck. “Step aside,” the drow announced from her high perch. “I would use the gate...” [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Wulf's Collected Story Hour -- FINAL UPDATE 12/25
Top