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
(Cydra) The Year 271 Campaign (Low Magic experiment)
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: 2414267" data-attributes="member: 1210"><p><strong>The Ruins of Castle Laagos</strong></p><p></p><p>Lazarus of Kamenda has only lived in the village of Whitewater for a few short years, having immigrated from Kamenda City. He has spent most of the last few years ingratiating himself with the folk of Whitewater, plying his trade as a bookkeeper. He makes a fair living, but there are only so many clients in a village this size. (There are, after all, only 139 people living in all of Whitewater!) Thus, whenever an opportunity arises to take a new client on, Lazarus jumps at it. </p><p></p><p>That is how he falls so easily into the trap.</p><p></p><p>Lured by the promise of work to a ‘traveling merchant’s’ wagon, as soon as he opens the box that was supposed to contain the books he knows something is wrong. <em>There’s only straw-</em> </p><p></p><p>An explosion of pain in the back of his head heralds a deep unconsciousness. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Whitewater’s impromptu investigatory party rides and walks out of town, heading upstream along the Roaring River and then northwest past Heartbreak Hill. The high grass all around them bends as the wind passes over it, blowing the hot air of late summer across the band of would-be heroes. As they move forward, Dahlia suddenly cries out, “Hey, stop! Watch out!”</p><p></p><p>“What is it?” Goer draws to a halt. </p><p></p><p>“A web,” she answers, “not far in front of-“</p><p></p><p>Before she can finish her sentence, four spiders burst from the tall grass and attack! They are of truly monstrous size- as big as a baby goat! Cries of dismay and panic come from our would-be heroes; except for Dahlia, they have never seen things like this before! Goer gives an agonized yelp as one of the spiders chomps down on his leg, while the others attack Cedric’s horse (or rather, one of his father’s horses), Dahlia’s mule and the donkey that Kyle brought. The beasts bray and whinny in fear as the massive spiders pierce legs and forebody, delivering deadly poison to them!</p><p></p><p>Our heroes dismount as best they can, trying to get into fighting position. Goer whips his sword from its sheath and hacks at one of the spiders, but to no avail; but then Jorgen slices out with his sword and wounds one of the bests severely. Cur slays another, and Cara leaps in with a flourish, jabbing her rapier into one of the hairy arachnids.</p><p></p><p>Then Otis gestures, weaving his hands in the air, and pronounces a series of incantations- and a bolt of pure force streaks out and blasts the last remaining spider to bits!</p><p></p><p>The others stare at him. </p><p></p><p>“What?” he asks. His padded armor is strapped on slightly incorrectly, and he holds his spear as if it’s a live snake.</p><p></p><p>“Let’s search and see if they had any other victims,” says Kyle, circumventing any problems that might arise from such a blatant display of magic. After a moment, the others begin fanning out, kicking through the grass in the area. Indeed, the group finds the withered husk of a small humanoid with features both reptilian and canine. It wears serviceable leather armor, but it is about half the size of a man. Our heroes take it in the hopes of selling it later anyway.</p><p></p><p>Then they turn to the hill that rises before them. Atop it is a ruined keep. </p><p></p><p>“Well, let’th go,” Cedric declares, unlimbering his battle axe. As the party makes ready to climb the hill, Cur suddenly hisses and turns behind them.</p><p></p><p>“Over there, lads!” he cries.</p><p></p><p>A figure is descending Heartbreak Hill and coming towards them, holding his head. He moves like he is injured. As it is dusk, our heroes cannot make out his features until he is fairly close. Then, Goer recognizes him. “Why, it’s the bookkeeper!” he exclaims.</p><p></p><p>Lazarus groans. “Where am I? What’s happening?”</p><p></p><p>“You tell uth, thir,” Cedric commands imperiously. “What are you doing out here? Conthpiring with banditth, perhapth?”</p><p></p><p>“Being victimized is more like it,” Lazarus groans. “I was lured out from the festival and hit from behind. The next thing I know, I’m waking up with a headache like you wouldn’t believe. I must have forgotten my place somehow,” he adds. “It is surely a judgment from the gods.”</p><p></p><p>After a thorough questioning, the group informs Lazarus that they are planning on climbing the hill to Castle Laagos and, with any luck, capturing a bandit or two themselves. They explain about Bangus Redcoat’s dilemma. Lazarus says, “Well, especially if these are the same bandits that hit me and took my money, I’d like to remind them of <em>their</em> place.”</p><p></p><p>“Agreed!” Cedric declares. “Then welcome to our hunting party.”</p><p></p><p>By now night has truly fallen. Our heroes start to make a cautious approach, but then they hear something: the sound of dogs barking, coming down hill.</p><p></p><p>“We weren’t really subtle when we approached, were we?” sighs Jorgen.</p><p></p><p>The group takes cover. Otis moves ahead, crawling up slope until he can hear them very near up ahead. Then, as quietly as he can, he begins casting a spell.</p><p></p><p>“What’s that?” comes a voice. Then, “Get ‘em, boy!” The barking of two dogs suddenly erupts, racing forward towards Otis’ hiding place. He can hear the panting of a pair of humans coming too. </p><p></p><p>Otis pops up, sand trailing through his fingers as he completes the spell, as both dogs and both approaching bandits drop into a sound slumber. Quickly, he moves up and runs one of them through with his spear; but the others stop him from killing the other man. “He may be able to answer some questions,” points out Kyle.</p><p></p><p>“Should we continue on now? It’s dark, but they’re obviously expecting us at this point,” remarks Cara. </p><p></p><p>“True,” Otis answers. His voice is even, calm, reassuring. He is exceptionally polite. “I, myself, would be far more effective given a night’s rest.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, come on, let’s just go,” urges Goer. He takes a single step in the dark and his foot comes down on a loose piece of rubble. He gasps and collapses with a whimper. “Ow, my ankle!” Cedric helps him up and they examine it; it is badly sprained.</p><p></p><p>“I could use a day to rest too, frankly,” Lazarus admits. He kneels down, nausea and dizziness overcoming him. “Urgh...”</p><p></p><p>“He’s got a concussion,” remarks Dahlia.</p><p></p><p>“It sounds like we’ll have to wait til morning to attack, but that’s probably a good thing.” Jorgan glances at the prisoner, who is starting to stir. </p><p></p><p>Quickly and quietly, they hustle him down the hillside. Dahlia finds a thicket that they can hide in in case there are more patrols, binds their prisoner thoroughly, and then the group falls asleep. In the morning Goer’s ankle is swollen impressively and Lazarus is no better, so the two of them, along with Kyle and Cur Sed Seed, head back to Whitewater and to Sir Martin’s estate to report in. Meanwhile, the others check out their situation. Dahlia finds the tracks of someone who had been wandering around last night- “probably someone quiet,” she allows, “since he got not thirty feet from us. But it doesn’t look like he noticed us.”</p><p></p><p>“Tho, then- let uth athend the hill and find thith look-alike for Banguth Redcoat!” So saying, Cedric leads the party over to one of the trees on the hillside, where they tied their prisoner, promising to return to get him before too long. Then they head up the hill, circumnavigating the walls and examining it from all sides before beginning their assault. The western face holds a portcullis, which is raised about 3’ off the ground and suspended by a combination of loose rusty chains and creaking ropes. </p><p></p><p>Along the north face, one section of the wall is partially collapses. This looks promising but treacherous, and our heroes elect to assault the portcullis first. </p><p></p><p>As they approach-</p><p></p><p><em>Spang!</em> A sling stone pounds into Jorgan’s pate! “Aargh!” he cries.</p><p></p><p>Dogs are barking, sling stones are flying- suddenly everything is happening at once.</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next Time:</strong></em> Do or die against the entire bandit troupe!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 2414267, member: 1210"] [b]The Ruins of Castle Laagos[/b] Lazarus of Kamenda has only lived in the village of Whitewater for a few short years, having immigrated from Kamenda City. He has spent most of the last few years ingratiating himself with the folk of Whitewater, plying his trade as a bookkeeper. He makes a fair living, but there are only so many clients in a village this size. (There are, after all, only 139 people living in all of Whitewater!) Thus, whenever an opportunity arises to take a new client on, Lazarus jumps at it. That is how he falls so easily into the trap. Lured by the promise of work to a ‘traveling merchant’s’ wagon, as soon as he opens the box that was supposed to contain the books he knows something is wrong. [i]There’s only straw-[/i] An explosion of pain in the back of his head heralds a deep unconsciousness. *** Whitewater’s impromptu investigatory party rides and walks out of town, heading upstream along the Roaring River and then northwest past Heartbreak Hill. The high grass all around them bends as the wind passes over it, blowing the hot air of late summer across the band of would-be heroes. As they move forward, Dahlia suddenly cries out, “Hey, stop! Watch out!” “What is it?” Goer draws to a halt. “A web,” she answers, “not far in front of-“ Before she can finish her sentence, four spiders burst from the tall grass and attack! They are of truly monstrous size- as big as a baby goat! Cries of dismay and panic come from our would-be heroes; except for Dahlia, they have never seen things like this before! Goer gives an agonized yelp as one of the spiders chomps down on his leg, while the others attack Cedric’s horse (or rather, one of his father’s horses), Dahlia’s mule and the donkey that Kyle brought. The beasts bray and whinny in fear as the massive spiders pierce legs and forebody, delivering deadly poison to them! Our heroes dismount as best they can, trying to get into fighting position. Goer whips his sword from its sheath and hacks at one of the spiders, but to no avail; but then Jorgen slices out with his sword and wounds one of the bests severely. Cur slays another, and Cara leaps in with a flourish, jabbing her rapier into one of the hairy arachnids. Then Otis gestures, weaving his hands in the air, and pronounces a series of incantations- and a bolt of pure force streaks out and blasts the last remaining spider to bits! The others stare at him. “What?” he asks. His padded armor is strapped on slightly incorrectly, and he holds his spear as if it’s a live snake. “Let’s search and see if they had any other victims,” says Kyle, circumventing any problems that might arise from such a blatant display of magic. After a moment, the others begin fanning out, kicking through the grass in the area. Indeed, the group finds the withered husk of a small humanoid with features both reptilian and canine. It wears serviceable leather armor, but it is about half the size of a man. Our heroes take it in the hopes of selling it later anyway. Then they turn to the hill that rises before them. Atop it is a ruined keep. “Well, let’th go,” Cedric declares, unlimbering his battle axe. As the party makes ready to climb the hill, Cur suddenly hisses and turns behind them. “Over there, lads!” he cries. A figure is descending Heartbreak Hill and coming towards them, holding his head. He moves like he is injured. As it is dusk, our heroes cannot make out his features until he is fairly close. Then, Goer recognizes him. “Why, it’s the bookkeeper!” he exclaims. Lazarus groans. “Where am I? What’s happening?” “You tell uth, thir,” Cedric commands imperiously. “What are you doing out here? Conthpiring with banditth, perhapth?” “Being victimized is more like it,” Lazarus groans. “I was lured out from the festival and hit from behind. The next thing I know, I’m waking up with a headache like you wouldn’t believe. I must have forgotten my place somehow,” he adds. “It is surely a judgment from the gods.” After a thorough questioning, the group informs Lazarus that they are planning on climbing the hill to Castle Laagos and, with any luck, capturing a bandit or two themselves. They explain about Bangus Redcoat’s dilemma. Lazarus says, “Well, especially if these are the same bandits that hit me and took my money, I’d like to remind them of [i]their[/i] place.” “Agreed!” Cedric declares. “Then welcome to our hunting party.” By now night has truly fallen. Our heroes start to make a cautious approach, but then they hear something: the sound of dogs barking, coming down hill. “We weren’t really subtle when we approached, were we?” sighs Jorgen. The group takes cover. Otis moves ahead, crawling up slope until he can hear them very near up ahead. Then, as quietly as he can, he begins casting a spell. “What’s that?” comes a voice. Then, “Get ‘em, boy!” The barking of two dogs suddenly erupts, racing forward towards Otis’ hiding place. He can hear the panting of a pair of humans coming too. Otis pops up, sand trailing through his fingers as he completes the spell, as both dogs and both approaching bandits drop into a sound slumber. Quickly, he moves up and runs one of them through with his spear; but the others stop him from killing the other man. “He may be able to answer some questions,” points out Kyle. “Should we continue on now? It’s dark, but they’re obviously expecting us at this point,” remarks Cara. “True,” Otis answers. His voice is even, calm, reassuring. He is exceptionally polite. “I, myself, would be far more effective given a night’s rest.” “Oh, come on, let’s just go,” urges Goer. He takes a single step in the dark and his foot comes down on a loose piece of rubble. He gasps and collapses with a whimper. “Ow, my ankle!” Cedric helps him up and they examine it; it is badly sprained. “I could use a day to rest too, frankly,” Lazarus admits. He kneels down, nausea and dizziness overcoming him. “Urgh...” “He’s got a concussion,” remarks Dahlia. “It sounds like we’ll have to wait til morning to attack, but that’s probably a good thing.” Jorgan glances at the prisoner, who is starting to stir. Quickly and quietly, they hustle him down the hillside. Dahlia finds a thicket that they can hide in in case there are more patrols, binds their prisoner thoroughly, and then the group falls asleep. In the morning Goer’s ankle is swollen impressively and Lazarus is no better, so the two of them, along with Kyle and Cur Sed Seed, head back to Whitewater and to Sir Martin’s estate to report in. Meanwhile, the others check out their situation. Dahlia finds the tracks of someone who had been wandering around last night- “probably someone quiet,” she allows, “since he got not thirty feet from us. But it doesn’t look like he noticed us.” “Tho, then- let uth athend the hill and find thith look-alike for Banguth Redcoat!” So saying, Cedric leads the party over to one of the trees on the hillside, where they tied their prisoner, promising to return to get him before too long. Then they head up the hill, circumnavigating the walls and examining it from all sides before beginning their assault. The western face holds a portcullis, which is raised about 3’ off the ground and suspended by a combination of loose rusty chains and creaking ropes. Along the north face, one section of the wall is partially collapses. This looks promising but treacherous, and our heroes elect to assault the portcullis first. As they approach- [i]Spang![/i] A sling stone pounds into Jorgan’s pate! “Aargh!” he cries. Dogs are barking, sling stones are flying- suddenly everything is happening at once. [i][b]Next Time:[/b][/i][b][/b] Do or die against the entire bandit troupe! [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
(Cydra) The Year 271 Campaign (Low Magic experiment)
Top