Search results

I've got a decent number of chapter drafts ready at this point, but I wanted to give readers a heads-up that I may put this story on hold in November so I can participate in my seventh National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). You can find my past entries at...

Today's update brings us to the end of Book 3. Book 4 will begin with the introduction of a major foe (thus it is entitled "BBEG," continuing the theme of naming the books after RPG tropes). The village of Northpine is another of my scenario creations. I haven't updated it for 5e, but if you're...

Chapter 74 As they entered the village it was clear that recent events still had the population on edge. They saw several clusters of villagers engaged in conversation as they approached the inn, but on seeing the adventurers they quickly separated and went about their own business. That...

*cue sinister laughter* * * * Chapter 73 The journey back to Northpine was uneventful, but they were all relieved when the rooftops and chimneys of the village came into view in the gap between two hills ahead of them. None of them had talked about it during the hike, but each had carried a...

Chapter 72 “So that’s what we came here for?” Kosk said with a frown. They were all standing around the altar stone, with the object that they’d found resting on its surface. It was a bronze lamp, of the style that had a handle on one end and a long spout on the other where the oil burned...

Chapter 71 A scant instant before the hideous monster would have torn out Glori’s throat with those awful teeth, Bredan slammed into them. The impact loosened its hold on the girl, and in that moment of advantage Bredan tore her from its grasp. He pulled her away. The creature recovered...

Chapter 70 Kosk had been expecting trouble, but he hadn’t expected it to come from above. He tensed, ready to spring, but the stone block fell faster than even he could react. But a scant instant before impact the dwarf was jerked roughly back. The stone slammed hard into the floor and...

Chapter 69 The skeletons were too close for Quellan to evade their rush, even if he hadn’t been up to his chest in water. His companions above reached for their weapons, though they were too far away to immediately intervene. The half-orc let his mace go and grasped hold of his holy symbol...

Come on, whatever went wrong crawling into a tiny cave? * * * Chapter 68 Glori had flashbacks to the tight confines of the kobold tunnels as she shimmied into the narrow opening, but she had no difficulty slipping through even with her bow and lyre. The same could not be said for Bredan and...

Chapter 67 Kosk threw his staff at the same instant that the snake lunged at Xeeta. The improvised missile didn’t hit the creature, but the sorceress let out a startled sound and flinched back as the staff shot past her. The snake’s initial lunge came up short, but it quickly recoiled and...

Even though orcs have toughened up in recent editions and gone through something of a redesign, I always mentally picture them as like the Gamorrean guards from Return of the Jedi, who resembled the porcine guys from the 1e Monster Manual. * * * Chapter 66 It took them the better part of an...

Chapter 65 Xeeta felt a cold fear clutch in her belly at the sight of the orc warrior standing over her, his mace raised to crush her skull. But before the creature could strike the feeling was replaced by a sudden, furious rage. It burned away the terror with its intensity, and with it came...

At first glance I wasn't very enthused about the Wild Magic sorcerer path in 5e, but after reviewing the surge effects chart I found a number of interesting narrative options to use in the story. * * * Chapter 64 Bredan, Quellan, Kosk, and Glori crouched behind the dense growth that...

Chapter 63 Xeeta felt a ball of tension growing in her belly as she made her way up to the ruin for the second time. She wasn’t worried—that worried—about the orcs. She had never faced one in battle, but she knew enough about them not to underestimate them. She had enough confidence in her...

Chapter 62 “I don’t see any sentries,” Glori said. “They’re there,” Kosk said. “Orcs aren’t the brightest, but they’re not that stupid.” Glori sent a quick look at Quellan, but the half-orc acted as if he hadn’t heard the comment, staring at the ruin ahead of them with an intent look on his...

Chapter 61 For a moment, the adventurers could only stare up at the massive giant in overwhelmed horror. For all its size the creature moved ponderously, and now that it was in full view they could see that it was injured. Dried blood covered its arms and torso, and half-healed scars...

You guys know I love my metaplot. :) * * * Chapter 60 The skies were clear as the adventurers made their third excursion into the wild country that surrounded Northpine. The landscape was familiar by now, low hills covered by fringes of boulders and dry growth, copses of trees that...

Chapter 59 Bredan tried not to think about the persistent twinges in his belly as he made his way down the stairs. His wounds had all been healed, but apparently even divine magic could not fully erase the lingering effects of what had been done to him. But those persistent pains were offset...

Not only that, but we're coming up on a level-up! I'm going to hold off on posting the next set of stat blocks for a while, however, since there are some story spoilers in them. :cool: * * * Chapter 58 Glori lifted her head and pressed a mostly-dry towel to her dripping face and hair. She...

Chapter 57 While the others rested, Kosk and Xeeta cautiously explored further into the cellar. Bredan tried to join them, but Kosk ordered him to stay put. Even with Glori’s healing the smith remained weak, and the dwarf pointed out that in his current condition a runt goblin with a club...