Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)

[diaglo]

Battle Chess

The weakened Timmay, Bernedette, and Bartol entered the event. The recovered Carl did too; although, he had a rather large knot on his head. Crestor and Ellier both begged off joining the competition. Bernedette was slightly heartbroken.

Timmay wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. “Whew,” he exclaimed. “I thought Bernedette was gonna cost us by being polite.”

A couple older farmers, obviously veterans of the game, a guardsman, Evion, and another spellcaster filled out the ranks. The other spellcaster was named Serten. He had an almost palatable air of immunity to him. He was also very quick witted.

The object of the game was to capture the opponent’s King. You had a variety of pieces with varying moves at your disposal. The number of turns it took to accomplish your goal was important. More points were earned for faster victories. The first one to 20 points won the match. Bartol faced Carl in the first round. Because of the earlier threat to Timmay, Bartol placed his sword in easy reach by his side at the table.

Bartol tried for common moves. Tried and true victories he had won against his cousins in similar games. Carl was slightly better. It was a long match. Even though, Bartol won a game and tied another, it wasn’t enough to stop Carl.

“I guess,” Bartol said when it was over, “you got to thump me back.”

Bernedette and Timmay advanced as well. Evion did not.

Timmay faced Carl next. Bernedette had one of the old farmers. Serten was resting after finishing off both his first and second round opponents. Unfortunately, Timmay was still too distracted by his injuries. His lack of strength was a constant reminder of the wound he had received. Bernedette coasted.

Serten faced the other old farmer. Bernedette had Carl. Serten’s match was over early. Bernedette and Carl waged a war of wills. First one would win and then the other. They tied often. In a careless move Carl exposed his King. Bernedette took advantage for the win.

The final was not so lucky or challenging. Serten made the fewest moves possible. The match was over in one game. Bernedette was stunned.

“A break is in order,” Crestor announced. “Please everyone try some of the wares from the vendors or try your luck at the Wheel.”

 

[diaglo]

Round and round it goes...where it stops

The vendors had many interesting items for sale. Bartol stocked up on spirits and trinkets. He bought a piece of muskrat on a stick to answer his belly’s grumbles. Bernedette found a place at the Wheel. High Muul was already there. Thane too warmed a seat. Timmay went to practice for the performance competition. Alrissian acted as his guard.

A game of chance with cards was another way to win or lose. The elf maiden from the High Company was winning too often. Bartol watched her closely. She was skimming cards off the bottom of the deck. But she was very fast and very good at it.

“You cheat,” Bartol accused.

No one else noticed. She flashed a big smile and exposed a little more flesh and none seemed to care. She did however collect her winnings and leave the table.

“I must prepare for my performance,” she said as she exited.

The Wheel of fortunes, the largest draw at the gambling tent, was easy enough to understand, but harder to win. Twenty slots spun. Entrants could bet on any of the individual numbers or on the trends, odds or evens. Ten gold talents was the maximum bid, 1 copper penny the minimum.

Bartol bet odds. Thane bet evens. High Muul and Bernedette scattered the field.

“Lets spice it up, shall we, High Ball?” Bartol enticed High Muul. “Platinum says I win.”

“Done,” High Muul replied. “I hate taking your money. It isn’t even a challenge. But someone must teach you a lesson.”

The bets went back and forth. The parties killed time until the performance competition was ready. Bartol ended up 4 platinum ahead. Everyone else lost coins.

Bernedette tired of losing and frustrated by the team competition’s early end, leaned over to High Muul.

“I have 10 platinum and 40 gold talents,” she stated. ”That says we will win the talent competition.”

“Oh, little girl,” High Muul answered, “You know not of what you speak. I’ll take your bet. My money’s on Rachel”

“Next event,” the crier called, “the talent competition.”

 

[diaglo]

Here's Johnny...

“Well it appears,” Bernedette remarked to High Muul, “we have 3 entries to your 1. So I’ll place my wager on Timmay.”

“Whatever,” High Muul laughed, “you wish. I only need the 1.”

The first performer was a young man and his blade. He did a dance. Although very entertaining, Bartol thought it looked to risky for real combat. Timmay was the next up. The party scattered as plants throughout the crowd. Timmay told the tale of how the party had ventured to the Caves of Chaos. He used several spells to add flavor. Bartol thought he must have missed something for the crowd was not overly impressed.

A rank amateur farmboy told a few off color jokes. He was booed off the stage. Bartol tried his hand at recapping the story Timmay had blundered. Although slightly better than the farmboy he wasn’t very impressive either. Rachel, the elf maiden, did some slight of hand tricks with a scarf. She was good. And Bartol now understood how the others had missed her cheating.

Thane, Bernedette, Amy, and K’shar tried stupid pet tricks for the crowd. Their act flopped. A bard from Ashabenford, one the party had met at the White Hart, sang an old favorite of the Dales. He won. No doubt about it.

Crestor announced the winners, the bard, Rachel, and then the young blade dancer. A beautiful instrument was the prize.

“That concludes the competitions,” Crestor continued. “I hope everyone will join us in the feast.”

Bernedette handed her money to High Muul. “Here,” she said.

“Keep the gold,” the haughty elf replied, “I don’t feel right taking money from a child.”

Bernedette flung the gold at him.

 

[the Jester]

A little after the fact, but hey, I was out of town!

It was great fun playing Pepto Winker-Jinker... I hope I get the chance to use her again one of these days! Lemme tell ya, this campaign is the first time I've ever enjoyed playing in the Forgotten Realms; high praise goes to Olgar for his dming, and to all the players (at least, the ones who were there when I was) for a damn good time!

 

[Angelsboi]

Re: Battle Chess

The weakened Timmay, Angelsboi, and Bartol entered the event.

You mean Bernadette right?

 

[diaglo]

Oops. edited for correction.

Jester, HOpe you enjoyed your inclusion in the story. of course, it was from the Barbarian's perspective.

 

[diaglo]

One, two, three

The supplies the army brought from Ashabenford, as well as those recovered from the orcs, helped supplement the meager fare from the Helm. Hunters brought in meat from the surrounding forest. A large dire sow was the main course. Her suckling piglets were an added bonus. Thane avoided the meat.

Bernedette sat between Bartol and Alrissian. Partly to keep Bartol from embarrassing the party, but most to get to know Alrissian better. She also wanted to hear the recent word from him about Ashabenford.

He was barely three bites and a few sips of his ale into the feast, when Bartol felt ill. Violently ill. He thrashed about at his setting. He drew his sword and bashed the table.

"Poison," He gasped. "I've been poisoned."

"Well, with all you ate and drank today," High Muul began to infer. "It is no small wonder."

Wilf was brought in by the Rider Lt. He swore he had nothing to do with the poisoning. A burly old guard had been chased away from the supply tent. The Lt. still believed someone was trying to harm Nelyssa.

Four guards had to restrain Bartol. Thane applied his cudgel to the side of the barbarian's head.

When he woke, Bartol was still feeling not quite himself. His body raged against the stuff. The sun had set and the party was on their way back to the Helm. Every few steps, he stopped to heave. Soon nothing came out, but he still retched.

He was just straightening back up when Thane fell. A thin blade was retreating back into a tent. Bernedette pulled the flap open on the tent. Inside a hobgoblin assassin had a bloodied rapier. Alrissian reacted quickly. He fired two quick arrows. One caught the hobgoblin in the gut and the other in the right eye. The assassin was dead before he had a chance to move. Timmay searched the body. Bartol stopped the flow of blood from Thane's side. A few rough sketches of Bernedette, Thane, Timmay, Bartol, Valgrim, and Marcus of Tyr were found on the body of the assassin along with some vials. Most of the potions were used.

The party continued to the gate of the Helm. Timmay reported his findings to the Lt. The Rider Lt finally believed the party. Everyone settled in for the night. No one slept well.

The party decided to split up. Timmay and Bernedette were planning on helping Ellier restore his lab and do some research. Bartol, Thane, and Alrissian would head to Ashabenford and then on to Glen. Alrissian would stay in Ashabenford and gather information. Bartol and Thane would return Duergeddin's Mace to Glen and sell some of the other items. Everyone would meet back in Ashabenford in a tenday.

 

[diaglo]

Cliffhanger

Bartol was quite pleased. He had a sack full of coins, after visiting Glen. He also regained the use of his stomach. He couldn't hold much down the first couple days of the trip. Bread and water are nice, but after 5 days he grew tired of them.

The party met back at the White Hart. Everyone was whole again. Timmay and Bernedette decided to go find the elven temple for Ellier. The rest of the party agreed. It seemed undead and other horrors were their main concerns now. Bartol placed the sack of coins on the table. Timmay split up the funds. Bartol also gave 2 of the magic arrows to Alrissian.

Bernedette and Alrissian visited the Harvestmother to fill her in on events. They came back with several potions. They also had stopped in on Haresk Malorn's daughter. Her party was the last to go South. And she was the only one to return. Timmay went with Bartol to the Temple of Tyr. They bought the place out of holy water and healing salves & potions. Timmay promised to send word if they found Sir Bradford of Tyr or any of the others. Thane also did some shopping. Although, he kept his purchases to himself.

They took a day to relax and enjoy themselves. They also caught up on each other's news. Bartol got drunk.

Their quest was South. They needed to find the Dark Road. Rumors of dark things and dark elves abounded. Alrissian took the lead. Bernedette rode with him. Then came Timmay. Followed closely by Bartol. And Thane and K'shar brought up the rear. After a half day's ride, they entered the forest. Eventually the path was only wide enough for a single rider. And then it became difficult to remain on horseback. So everyone dismounted and lead their horses.

Alrissian noticed a slight fork in the road. One road went up a rise and seemed to head towards an encampment. A trail of smoke rose ahead from that direction. The other fork continued South.

"I say," Bernedette called,"we head to the encampment. It seems close and if it is not the way we can always backtrack. Besides it is getting dark."

"It's your call," Timmay answered. "None of us has any better ideas for the location of this lost temple."

The party struggled up the rise. They traveled for another hour or so. When suddenly, the branches and brush around them came to life...

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Interesting title change. Are you considering going to the rescue of Sir Bradford of Tyr? He may not want to be rescued.

 

[Angelsboi]

well David and I know that the Sunless Citadel is coming up as is the Forges of Fury. But i dont think this is it. I have a sinking suspicion this may just be the Standing Stones. I havent read the Standing Stones on but i have read the Sunless and Forges. Ok, well i read Wulf Ratbanes Forges of Fury =)