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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
[ENWWC] A New Story (Updated: May 5)
- Thread starter Daniel Knight
- Start date
Black Bard
First Post
I think we should respect the one week term we stipulated. After that, the next one in the list is free to procede.
Of course, delays are expected always, but I think they should be posted here.
Of course, delays are expected always, but I think they should be posted here.
Black Bard
First Post
Is there anybody out there???
Black Bard
First Post
Yep, we are a circle of two now... 
ajanders
Explorer
New story post
There are three lessons every wizard learns before they begin with the slightest cantrip: when to surrender to opponents, when to stand before them, and when to flee them.
Rusty Wilon knew it was time to flee fast and far when the black banner came over the horizon.
The first thing he did was whisper a word older than speech of man to make his cloak a deep leafy green. After that, he went out to forage supplies from the houses on the outskirts of the village.
The foraging --more like stealing, actually-- went surprisingly well. The unexpected presence of the Pelorian Inquisition had drawn all eyes and most people to the church. Rusty slipped into the back door of the first farmhouse, pulled three loaves of bread out of the oven before they burned, and then took one for himself as payment.
The wainright next door had a new smokehouse: Rusty took down a ham and then added fuel to the fire to assuage his conscience.
The orchards behind the wainright's added a dozen windfall pears to his pack as he headed north, confident that if he could just get to the other side of the island, he could sign on as a supercargo on a trader and put this whole miserable part of his life behind him.
He might even find a deep part of the ocean and drop the damned gun into it one night. It'd be a relief to be rid of the thing.
He put his eyes ahead of him and pumped his legs hard to cover distance, looking neither to the right or the left, nor wasting any energy in looking behind him.
Of course, that meant he leapt about a foot in the air when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Koreas! M-master Koreas! You're supposed to be dead! or lost!...sir..."
Amusement shone in Koreas' violet eyes.
"Or mad! Or consigned to eternal torment in the Abyss! Or taking a vacation on the Island of the Moon, yess?"
Rusty stood silent, unfamiliar with the concept of his master being amused. Or making a joke.
Koreas swept on, looking ...cheerful?
"Russty, apprentice mine, I think it'ss time I explained to you jusst a little bit of my long-term plans. Ssit down and make yourself comfortable.
Rusty obeyed with alacrity and without discussion. Best not to disturb the only cheerful mood he'd seen Koreas in. Ever.
"Russty, this world is under the control of certain entities generally called gods. For the purposes of this discussion, we will also call them gods."
Rusty nodded slowly and in a manner calculated not to upset Koreas.
Koreas actually grinned.
"You, of coursse, are perfectly aware of this, and doubtless wonder why I'm treating you like an addled toddler. Bear with me, please. We have to lay all the premises out before we reach the conclusion, true?"
Rusty nodded again.
"Now I know, from my ressearch, and you know, from your experience, that other worlds exist, where there are no gods...at least not in the sense that we have gods. Do I missstate myself?"
Rusty found himself slipping back into the rhythm of academic debate despite his growing sense of unease. Koreas actually appeared happy, which should be a good thing.
Why then was the hair on the back of his neck rising?
"You are entirely correct, Master Koreas."
"Then Russty, what does this suggest to you?"
"The conclusion, then, is that there must be forces or entities different than those things we call gods that sustain those godless worlds?"
"Yess indeed, Rusty Wilon. Congratulationss. You have just passed your apprenticeship. I ssalute you."
Rusty blinked.
"And I ssee you've learned the value of silence as well."
Rusty leapt to fill whatever conversational void Koreas felt there to be. "This just seems very sudden, s- Magister Koreas."
Koreas reached into his belt purse and drew out a worked silver ring.
"Nonssense, Magus Wilon. Anyone who can state a rule of reality in one simple sentence like that has moved past the apprentice stage."
He handed Rusty the ring. "Take thiss as a little souvenir of all the fine work you've done. Blessings on your journeys."
He stood and stretched for a moment, then turned around.
"That ssaid, Magus Wilon, I could use your help in a few projects of mine...if you have the time."
Rusty bit his lip. "I had planned, Magister, to leave the island as quickly as I could. There's an Inquisitor here, and I'd very much-"
"Like to be elssewhere?" Koreas interrupted brightly. "That would explain the squashy pears dropping out of that pack, then. Provisions for the journey?"
Rusty nodded. Nods seemed to keep Koreas in his happy mood, which Rusty felt was a good thing.
Koreas tutted as he examined Rusty's dingy clothes and battered pack.
"Rusty, my boy, I blame mysself for this. Now that you're a magus, you'll need to look like a credit to the Art, not some refugee from an otherworldly war. Even if you are one, you shouldn't look like it."
Rusty nodded again.
"Though I do like what you've done with the cloak."
Koreas turned to look him fully in the eyes.
"Permit me, Magus Wilon, to try another set or two of premises and conclusions."
(Will finish post tomorrow, need to do other things now. Sorry.)
There are three lessons every wizard learns before they begin with the slightest cantrip: when to surrender to opponents, when to stand before them, and when to flee them.
Rusty Wilon knew it was time to flee fast and far when the black banner came over the horizon.
The first thing he did was whisper a word older than speech of man to make his cloak a deep leafy green. After that, he went out to forage supplies from the houses on the outskirts of the village.
The foraging --more like stealing, actually-- went surprisingly well. The unexpected presence of the Pelorian Inquisition had drawn all eyes and most people to the church. Rusty slipped into the back door of the first farmhouse, pulled three loaves of bread out of the oven before they burned, and then took one for himself as payment.
The wainright next door had a new smokehouse: Rusty took down a ham and then added fuel to the fire to assuage his conscience.
The orchards behind the wainright's added a dozen windfall pears to his pack as he headed north, confident that if he could just get to the other side of the island, he could sign on as a supercargo on a trader and put this whole miserable part of his life behind him.
He might even find a deep part of the ocean and drop the damned gun into it one night. It'd be a relief to be rid of the thing.
He put his eyes ahead of him and pumped his legs hard to cover distance, looking neither to the right or the left, nor wasting any energy in looking behind him.
Of course, that meant he leapt about a foot in the air when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Koreas! M-master Koreas! You're supposed to be dead! or lost!...sir..."
Amusement shone in Koreas' violet eyes.
"Or mad! Or consigned to eternal torment in the Abyss! Or taking a vacation on the Island of the Moon, yess?"
Rusty stood silent, unfamiliar with the concept of his master being amused. Or making a joke.
Koreas swept on, looking ...cheerful?
"Russty, apprentice mine, I think it'ss time I explained to you jusst a little bit of my long-term plans. Ssit down and make yourself comfortable.
Rusty obeyed with alacrity and without discussion. Best not to disturb the only cheerful mood he'd seen Koreas in. Ever.
"Russty, this world is under the control of certain entities generally called gods. For the purposes of this discussion, we will also call them gods."
Rusty nodded slowly and in a manner calculated not to upset Koreas.
Koreas actually grinned.
"You, of coursse, are perfectly aware of this, and doubtless wonder why I'm treating you like an addled toddler. Bear with me, please. We have to lay all the premises out before we reach the conclusion, true?"
Rusty nodded again.
"Now I know, from my ressearch, and you know, from your experience, that other worlds exist, where there are no gods...at least not in the sense that we have gods. Do I missstate myself?"
Rusty found himself slipping back into the rhythm of academic debate despite his growing sense of unease. Koreas actually appeared happy, which should be a good thing.
Why then was the hair on the back of his neck rising?
"You are entirely correct, Master Koreas."
"Then Russty, what does this suggest to you?"
"The conclusion, then, is that there must be forces or entities different than those things we call gods that sustain those godless worlds?"
"Yess indeed, Rusty Wilon. Congratulationss. You have just passed your apprenticeship. I ssalute you."
Rusty blinked.
"And I ssee you've learned the value of silence as well."
Rusty leapt to fill whatever conversational void Koreas felt there to be. "This just seems very sudden, s- Magister Koreas."
Koreas reached into his belt purse and drew out a worked silver ring.
"Nonssense, Magus Wilon. Anyone who can state a rule of reality in one simple sentence like that has moved past the apprentice stage."
He handed Rusty the ring. "Take thiss as a little souvenir of all the fine work you've done. Blessings on your journeys."
He stood and stretched for a moment, then turned around.
"That ssaid, Magus Wilon, I could use your help in a few projects of mine...if you have the time."
Rusty bit his lip. "I had planned, Magister, to leave the island as quickly as I could. There's an Inquisitor here, and I'd very much-"
"Like to be elssewhere?" Koreas interrupted brightly. "That would explain the squashy pears dropping out of that pack, then. Provisions for the journey?"
Rusty nodded. Nods seemed to keep Koreas in his happy mood, which Rusty felt was a good thing.
Koreas tutted as he examined Rusty's dingy clothes and battered pack.
"Rusty, my boy, I blame mysself for this. Now that you're a magus, you'll need to look like a credit to the Art, not some refugee from an otherworldly war. Even if you are one, you shouldn't look like it."
Rusty nodded again.
"Though I do like what you've done with the cloak."
Koreas turned to look him fully in the eyes.
"Permit me, Magus Wilon, to try another set or two of premises and conclusions."
(Will finish post tomorrow, need to do other things now. Sorry.)
ajanders
Explorer
Thank you, Lela.
Glad to see we managed to maintain an audience, right BB?
Koreas stretched out.
"Now, Magus Wilon, I am tainted with the influence of the Abyss. My fingers and toes are tipped with hooked claws the color of blood. I bear great batwings upon my shoulders. I should be irredeemably evil. Instead of having a pleasant conversation with you, I should be flinging you on the ground and devouring your soft flesh."
Rusty decided to attempt his own joke.
"But you have decided I would taste terrible?"
Koreas threw his head back and laughed until the hillside rang.
"My boy, the title of Magus suits you!" Koreas eyes streamed with tears of merriment which he wiped away with the back of his hands. Rusty laughed along with him, thrilled at his amusement.
Suddenly Koreas fixed him with a steely glare and a predatory smile.
"No."
Rusty's laugh died in his throat.
"No."
Koreas tone chilled.
"Consider this, my boy. Premise the first: the gods of this world have declared me a creature of evil. Premise the second: I wish not to be evil. Conclusion?"
Rusty gulped. "You must oppose the gods of this world?"
"Indeed. Further consider this. Premise the first: I oppose the gods of this world. Premise the second: a power can only be overcome by a greater power. Conclusion?"
Rusty could feel his throat beginning to dry. "You must find a power greater than the gods of this world?"
"Very much indeed. Would it surprise you to know I have found such powers? That I have offered them the sacrifices they love best? That they begin to look upon me with favor?"
Rusty gaped at him.
"I see it does."
"There are things bigger than gods?"
"Oh yes, Rusty. There are things bigger than all the gods. They dreamed the gods and all the worlds they live in and rule over. They imagined good and evil, and don't particularly care about who or what either one is. Even me, Rusty."
Rusty reeled under the impact of this completely unexpected cosmic revelation.
"And so you can be redeemed?"
"Yes, Rusty. I can indeed be redeemed."
Rusty smiled and extended his hands to his old master.
"Congratulations, Koreas."
Koreas caught him in a friendly hug.
"Thank you. You can't understand what this means to me."
He released Rusty and smiled joyously.
"But in the process, Rusty, I've put you in grave danger. The gods of this world prefer not to be reminded they are only very big fish in a very small pond. They will send their churches and followers to silence those of us who know the truth. They have come for me and now they will come for you. So we must stand together or we will hang separately."
Koreas shrugged.
"Unless, of course, they behead us, burn us at the stake, draw and quarter us, poison us, or crush us with huge weights."
Rusty gulped again. The old saying about ignorance being bliss had never been made more real.
"So we need to deal with the Pelorian Inquisition in a very final fashion, Rusty. Even if it pains us. Here is how we do it..."
Koreas drew Rusty close and began to whisper softly.
Glad to see we managed to maintain an audience, right BB?
Koreas stretched out.
"Now, Magus Wilon, I am tainted with the influence of the Abyss. My fingers and toes are tipped with hooked claws the color of blood. I bear great batwings upon my shoulders. I should be irredeemably evil. Instead of having a pleasant conversation with you, I should be flinging you on the ground and devouring your soft flesh."
Rusty decided to attempt his own joke.
"But you have decided I would taste terrible?"
Koreas threw his head back and laughed until the hillside rang.
"My boy, the title of Magus suits you!" Koreas eyes streamed with tears of merriment which he wiped away with the back of his hands. Rusty laughed along with him, thrilled at his amusement.
Suddenly Koreas fixed him with a steely glare and a predatory smile.
"No."
Rusty's laugh died in his throat.
"No."
Koreas tone chilled.
"Consider this, my boy. Premise the first: the gods of this world have declared me a creature of evil. Premise the second: I wish not to be evil. Conclusion?"
Rusty gulped. "You must oppose the gods of this world?"
"Indeed. Further consider this. Premise the first: I oppose the gods of this world. Premise the second: a power can only be overcome by a greater power. Conclusion?"
Rusty could feel his throat beginning to dry. "You must find a power greater than the gods of this world?"
"Very much indeed. Would it surprise you to know I have found such powers? That I have offered them the sacrifices they love best? That they begin to look upon me with favor?"
Rusty gaped at him.
"I see it does."
"There are things bigger than gods?"
"Oh yes, Rusty. There are things bigger than all the gods. They dreamed the gods and all the worlds they live in and rule over. They imagined good and evil, and don't particularly care about who or what either one is. Even me, Rusty."
Rusty reeled under the impact of this completely unexpected cosmic revelation.
"And so you can be redeemed?"
"Yes, Rusty. I can indeed be redeemed."
Rusty smiled and extended his hands to his old master.
"Congratulations, Koreas."
Koreas caught him in a friendly hug.
"Thank you. You can't understand what this means to me."
He released Rusty and smiled joyously.
"But in the process, Rusty, I've put you in grave danger. The gods of this world prefer not to be reminded they are only very big fish in a very small pond. They will send their churches and followers to silence those of us who know the truth. They have come for me and now they will come for you. So we must stand together or we will hang separately."
Koreas shrugged.
"Unless, of course, they behead us, burn us at the stake, draw and quarter us, poison us, or crush us with huge weights."
Rusty gulped again. The old saying about ignorance being bliss had never been made more real.
"So we need to deal with the Pelorian Inquisition in a very final fashion, Rusty. Even if it pains us. Here is how we do it..."
Koreas drew Rusty close and began to whisper softly.
Lela
First Post
Whoa, that was creepy. Cool use of logic ajanders. Having only recently studied argument in any detail, I'm always fascinated to see it in action. Even cooler, you mixed in the human tendency to leave out some options.
We're running into a very interesting and harsh world here. Not quite the definition of High Fantasy, it adds a hard lined lawful edge to most things.
I'd be interested in knowing more about every character we've covered so far. Very nicely done.
We're running into a very interesting and harsh world here. Not quite the definition of High Fantasy, it adds a hard lined lawful edge to most things.
I'd be interested in knowing more about every character we've covered so far. Very nicely done.
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