Indigo Veil
First Post
Hooray for urban settings! ^_^
I'll continue to look forward to it, even if it takes forever to get started. ^_^
I'll continue to look forward to it, even if it takes forever to get started. ^_^
Haraiva in Darkness - Greybar's Storyhour (9/15 update)
- Thread starter Greybar
- Start date
Greybar
No Trouble at All
Interlude
Interlude
Dawn's light creeps in the window and again Karrinkas hears the sound of muffled movement. He does his best to keep his ears from pricking up as he isolates the source. Inside the house, over near the stairs to the second floor.
Again his muscles slowly tense and one eye slits open. This time he gets it on the first try. Peeking between the rails is little Hope, staring at the big karranas with wide eyes. Karrinkas relaxes.
On stocking feet the little girl climbs down the stairs. She totters a bit as she moves away from the rail and puts one hesitant step towards the big cat. Then another one. He looks so big and soft. She leans over to touch his fur. A smile spreads over Karrinkas' feline face as he purrs.
Balius awakes to see the little girl curled up asleep against Karrinkas. Of the entire group he best understands this.
---
In other news, there is now a Rogues' Gallery for Haraiva in Darkness that is off-limits to players.
A series of very brief digests will be added at one episode a post, which I will hopefully go back and brush up on later. Many of these are well described by the player's journals - linked from here.
Oh, and the Rogues Gallery is also a good place for commentary and speculation that might spoil things for the players - such as what you readers might think a prophecy means or a villain's plans are.
john
Interlude
Dawn's light creeps in the window and again Karrinkas hears the sound of muffled movement. He does his best to keep his ears from pricking up as he isolates the source. Inside the house, over near the stairs to the second floor.
Again his muscles slowly tense and one eye slits open. This time he gets it on the first try. Peeking between the rails is little Hope, staring at the big karranas with wide eyes. Karrinkas relaxes.
On stocking feet the little girl climbs down the stairs. She totters a bit as she moves away from the rail and puts one hesitant step towards the big cat. Then another one. He looks so big and soft. She leans over to touch his fur. A smile spreads over Karrinkas' feline face as he purrs.
Balius awakes to see the little girl curled up asleep against Karrinkas. Of the entire group he best understands this.
---
In other news, there is now a Rogues' Gallery for Haraiva in Darkness that is off-limits to players.
A series of very brief digests will be added at one episode a post, which I will hopefully go back and brush up on later. Many of these are well described by the player's journals - linked from here.
Oh, and the Rogues Gallery is also a good place for commentary and speculation that might spoil things for the players - such as what you readers might think a prophecy means or a villain's plans are.
john
Greybar
No Trouble at All
Tree of Corruption part 2 (brief form)
cliff notes version -
* Arlissa performs a Rite of Llassa for the townspeople, bringing forth light and mana to boost the faith of the people. For many this is the first public show of power of the Daughters of Hara.
* Group talks with local Freehills about Tree. Meets Adanus, who seems the slick charismatic leader. Meets Amanda, his latest favorite member of the familar - she's a very attractive woman and Berke stumbles over himself around her. Meanwhile Samus practices with members of the Freehill militia.
* Group heads out to the tree. It has moved - where it used to be is a pit of foul, unnaturally large centipedes. However it is easy to track. The group is prepared with their ears partially blocked and fire-arrows and grease spells. In the repeat engagement, the tree doesn't have a chance.
* On the way back, Karrinkas notices that they are being paced by something in the woods. He tries to sneak up on it but fails - only finding where it rested, a place that carries the faint smell of ash and musk. On the edge of the town they spot it again - a Black Karranas. When Daphna calls upon her power to Detect Evil, she is stunned by the aura of the thing. It taunts Karrinkas as "little brother" and then magically plunges the area into deeper darkness to make its escape. The group becomes concerned about what evil they might bring on any who would shelter them, and decides it is time to continue their quest.
cliff notes version -
* Arlissa performs a Rite of Llassa for the townspeople, bringing forth light and mana to boost the faith of the people. For many this is the first public show of power of the Daughters of Hara.
* Group talks with local Freehills about Tree. Meets Adanus, who seems the slick charismatic leader. Meets Amanda, his latest favorite member of the familar - she's a very attractive woman and Berke stumbles over himself around her. Meanwhile Samus practices with members of the Freehill militia.
* Group heads out to the tree. It has moved - where it used to be is a pit of foul, unnaturally large centipedes. However it is easy to track. The group is prepared with their ears partially blocked and fire-arrows and grease spells. In the repeat engagement, the tree doesn't have a chance.
* On the way back, Karrinkas notices that they are being paced by something in the woods. He tries to sneak up on it but fails - only finding where it rested, a place that carries the faint smell of ash and musk. On the edge of the town they spot it again - a Black Karranas. When Daphna calls upon her power to Detect Evil, she is stunned by the aura of the thing. It taunts Karrinkas as "little brother" and then magically plunges the area into deeper darkness to make its escape. The group becomes concerned about what evil they might bring on any who would shelter them, and decides it is time to continue their quest.
Greybar
No Trouble at All
Haraivan Ghost Story
(this is a bit disconnected since it was half-written in full form. My apologies -john)
As night falls, thunder and lightning begin to play through the heavens. The tense smell of ozone fills the air. The sky is heavy, but no rain comes to release the tension. The colors of the thunderous display are wrong - not the crisp white levinbolts and grey clouds, but creeping with tinges of red and green. A bolt of greenish lightning crashes through the sky, smiting a tree near the party.
Around the far side of a tree, a flash of lightning illuminates a body impaled on a broken branch about 15 feet off the ground. The body is humanoid, but with a dog-like head and feet. It wears armor, and an axe lies at its feet. It looks to have suffered no obvious blows other than the tree-impaling, though it appears to be a couple days dead and other evidence may be gone. Insects and birds have worked at the body.
The forward-scouts of the party come upon a small homestead, in a more traditional Haraivan style than Freehill Town was. A central building is surrounded by a low stone wall (mimicing the stone wall of a City. Outside of this wall is a fenced in area for animals, a long large building (looking more like a modern barn), and fields.
But the long large building is a burnt out husk, blackened timbers around a large stone hearth that still stands. Much of the central building is burnt out as well, exposing an inner courtyard that backs up to a stone-walled area that is blackened, but standing. In the courtyard is a small pool. At the head of the pool is a statue of a woman, her arms out and palms up. Investigation finds the three teardrops of Abanta on the statue, much as Arlissa suspected. The heroes settle into what shelter remains as the storm increases in fury.
In the middle of the night the storm abates, and Balius hears the sounds of children playing. Ghostly children who flee when they see him. As the other are roused, the ghost of a teenage girl becomes violent - throwing Samus across the small compound by telekinesis. She possesses Balius briefly and threatens to make him cut his own throat. In a well-timed pounce, Karrinkas leaps upon Balius and grapples him. Arlissa forces the girl-spirit from Balius through Llassa's holy light and the conflict is quickly ended.
The heroes learn the tale of what happened from a less hostile ghost of a boy named Darien. These strange dog-headed creatures sacked the village, killing many and driving off others into slavery. The heroes pledge to help his spirit rest by persuing the beasts and freeing the slaves.
(this is a bit disconnected since it was half-written in full form. My apologies -john)
As night falls, thunder and lightning begin to play through the heavens. The tense smell of ozone fills the air. The sky is heavy, but no rain comes to release the tension. The colors of the thunderous display are wrong - not the crisp white levinbolts and grey clouds, but creeping with tinges of red and green. A bolt of greenish lightning crashes through the sky, smiting a tree near the party.
Around the far side of a tree, a flash of lightning illuminates a body impaled on a broken branch about 15 feet off the ground. The body is humanoid, but with a dog-like head and feet. It wears armor, and an axe lies at its feet. It looks to have suffered no obvious blows other than the tree-impaling, though it appears to be a couple days dead and other evidence may be gone. Insects and birds have worked at the body.
The forward-scouts of the party come upon a small homestead, in a more traditional Haraivan style than Freehill Town was. A central building is surrounded by a low stone wall (mimicing the stone wall of a City. Outside of this wall is a fenced in area for animals, a long large building (looking more like a modern barn), and fields.
But the long large building is a burnt out husk, blackened timbers around a large stone hearth that still stands. Much of the central building is burnt out as well, exposing an inner courtyard that backs up to a stone-walled area that is blackened, but standing. In the courtyard is a small pool. At the head of the pool is a statue of a woman, her arms out and palms up. Investigation finds the three teardrops of Abanta on the statue, much as Arlissa suspected. The heroes settle into what shelter remains as the storm increases in fury.
In the middle of the night the storm abates, and Balius hears the sounds of children playing. Ghostly children who flee when they see him. As the other are roused, the ghost of a teenage girl becomes violent - throwing Samus across the small compound by telekinesis. She possesses Balius briefly and threatens to make him cut his own throat. In a well-timed pounce, Karrinkas leaps upon Balius and grapples him. Arlissa forces the girl-spirit from Balius through Llassa's holy light and the conflict is quickly ended.
The heroes learn the tale of what happened from a less hostile ghost of a boy named Darien. These strange dog-headed creatures sacked the village, killing many and driving off others into slavery. The heroes pledge to help his spirit rest by persuing the beasts and freeing the slaves.
Greybar
No Trouble at All
The Gnoll Slavers (Episode 5)
continued in the cliff notes style for later editing
Karrinkas and Balius follow the muddied tracks of the gnolls and their captives through the woods. This leads up into the hills and to a small keep build into a cliffside. Some careful scouting by Karrinkas reveals humans working a mine behind a retaining wall. There are several of the gnolls around in watch positions, though they seem less than attentive. Unfortunately, Karrinkas somehow manages to miss seeing the dire lion dozing on the far side of the compound.
The party attacks. Karrinkas and Daphna make good use of a Spider Climb from Berke to swarm up and over the walls. Many of the gnolls die in seconds and everything looks good.
The dire lion is a scary surprise for Arlissa, who finds herself flat on her back and desperately (and unsuccessfully) trying to cast spells while being clawed. Karrinkas and Daphna manage to down the dire lion and everyone is back on their feet in time for the reinforcements to boil out.
A gnoll champion appears, ordering a half-dozen more gnolls out in more or less precise lines along with yet another dire lion. He bears a shield emblazoned with the flaming sword of Dana. Many of the party curl their lip at the blashphemy of such a creature abusing the arms and armor clearly meant for a champion of good. Battle is again joined from all quarters. Daphna and Karrinkas unhappily find that the sword that is supernaturally keen. The combat is chaotic, wide-ranging, and desperately close. Perhaps the most memorable stand being that of Berke throwing fist-sized rocks from the roof of one of the buildings down upon the gnolls as he danced and taunted them to waste their arrows into his Protection from Arrows spell.
The heroes are victorious, through Karrinkas twice passed far too close to death's door. Berke barricades the door that leads deeper into the mines. They know something is down there, but they are in no shape to face them now.
continued in the cliff notes style for later editing
Karrinkas and Balius follow the muddied tracks of the gnolls and their captives through the woods. This leads up into the hills and to a small keep build into a cliffside. Some careful scouting by Karrinkas reveals humans working a mine behind a retaining wall. There are several of the gnolls around in watch positions, though they seem less than attentive. Unfortunately, Karrinkas somehow manages to miss seeing the dire lion dozing on the far side of the compound.
The party attacks. Karrinkas and Daphna make good use of a Spider Climb from Berke to swarm up and over the walls. Many of the gnolls die in seconds and everything looks good.
The dire lion is a scary surprise for Arlissa, who finds herself flat on her back and desperately (and unsuccessfully) trying to cast spells while being clawed. Karrinkas and Daphna manage to down the dire lion and everyone is back on their feet in time for the reinforcements to boil out.
A gnoll champion appears, ordering a half-dozen more gnolls out in more or less precise lines along with yet another dire lion. He bears a shield emblazoned with the flaming sword of Dana. Many of the party curl their lip at the blashphemy of such a creature abusing the arms and armor clearly meant for a champion of good. Battle is again joined from all quarters. Daphna and Karrinkas unhappily find that the sword that is supernaturally keen. The combat is chaotic, wide-ranging, and desperately close. Perhaps the most memorable stand being that of Berke throwing fist-sized rocks from the roof of one of the buildings down upon the gnolls as he danced and taunted them to waste their arrows into his Protection from Arrows spell.
The heroes are victorious, through Karrinkas twice passed far too close to death's door. Berke barricades the door that leads deeper into the mines. They know something is down there, but they are in no shape to face them now.
Greybar
No Trouble at All
The Defeat of the Slavers (Episode 6)
A growl issues from the darkness. In broken Sunborn, the voice comes forth:
"I have slain a Skyrider of Dana. In my touch I gave her suffering that she never had felt, and she broke beneath it. Her mount fled from her side in fear! I cracked open her ribs and ate of her very heart and her very strength. I have drained her blood and made it my wine. Yes, I see that you have slain Roghru and taken back her shield and sword, but those were the lesser gifts that I gave to him as my lieutenant.
Come into my home and I shall eat you as well, youngest born."
---
After a weary night, the Llassans greet the dawn with a thankfulness that you just don't get by sitting around a temple in a land at peace.
The heroes push into the cavernous tunnels. They plunge through a feeble defense of gnolls barricaded crudely behind crates and scraps of wood. They push forward with anger and with strength against the slavers, the way lit by a Continual flame of Llassa whose unflinching white flame shines from the tip of Arlissa's staff.
At one point Karrinkas bursts around a corner into a room and sees dozens of forms moving. He ducks back and shouts to Arlissa. Her anger is upon her, and she leans in and calls upon Abanta's Blades - a storm of razor-sharp shards of ice and water sprays across the room. Terrible screams echo. As Arlissa recorded in her journal:
"When I returned later, it turned out that they were all females and pups. That’s when I vomited. But I know they had been fed on the bones of men, women, and children, and the pups would grow to be evil monsters, so my feelings of guilt are fleeting – but I know I shall see them in my dreams."
But there was no stopping. Soon enough they had found the dark gnoll-priest's lair, where he was prepared to sacrifice three captive humans in exchange for greater power in darkness. He and his minions were cut down in seconds, and Samus reduced their dark shrine to fragments of stone. There they learned the name of the dark gnoll god Yennoghu, which Arlissa has cautioned the others not to speak aloud.
The three captives (Rinaltus, Scalino, and Athana) were gently helped to the surface and their wounds tended to. They were the last survivors of Selino's Vale - the forest village the heroes had found.
A teenage gnoll-boy was also captured trying to escape the mines at dusk along with some friends. The friends were downed with arrows before the cry to take a prisoner was lifted. He was interrogated something like this:
"Like the priests have always taught. The powerful will strike down the weak and make them their slaves. You killed my brothers, and you will kill me or make me your slave. I don't want to die, I can serve you, show you good hunting."
Did he take part in the raid: "No, too young"
Did he eat any of the humans: "No, only the warriors get to eat the flesh of such."
Do you know what happened to the human: "Many sold to the caravan that came through three days ago. Most of the good ones."
The heroes also learned that the gnolls had taken the city of Velesca and made it their own, naming it Greshothuth. To pursue the caravan of the other slaves would be to march directly into heart of the gnoll nation. Velesca was the home of a Divine Gift - a forge some say was made by the goddess of the same name. Our heroes saw this forge once, centuries ago. Berke shuddered at what evil things might be forged there even now by the gnolls.
A debate over the fate of the gnoll-boy tested the heroes. Arlissa, haunted by the non-combatants she had already slain - though none would call them innnocent - argued against him being killed. Daphna saw nothing but a creature of evil. The others, and the survivors themselves, were divided. The next morning he was released with a warning not to track them or try to bring others against them.
* The caves were also searched with little luck but to find a beastie that tried to eat Daphna.
* Daphna took up the sword and shield of Dana, as well as a helm found near the dark shrine. Inside the helm is inscribed: "Sigura of House Dana, Blessed Skyrider and Guardian of Asirdana." Daphna hopes she may honorably bear these weapons of the righteous goddess of war.
A growl issues from the darkness. In broken Sunborn, the voice comes forth:
"I have slain a Skyrider of Dana. In my touch I gave her suffering that she never had felt, and she broke beneath it. Her mount fled from her side in fear! I cracked open her ribs and ate of her very heart and her very strength. I have drained her blood and made it my wine. Yes, I see that you have slain Roghru and taken back her shield and sword, but those were the lesser gifts that I gave to him as my lieutenant.
Come into my home and I shall eat you as well, youngest born."
---
After a weary night, the Llassans greet the dawn with a thankfulness that you just don't get by sitting around a temple in a land at peace.
The heroes push into the cavernous tunnels. They plunge through a feeble defense of gnolls barricaded crudely behind crates and scraps of wood. They push forward with anger and with strength against the slavers, the way lit by a Continual flame of Llassa whose unflinching white flame shines from the tip of Arlissa's staff.
At one point Karrinkas bursts around a corner into a room and sees dozens of forms moving. He ducks back and shouts to Arlissa. Her anger is upon her, and she leans in and calls upon Abanta's Blades - a storm of razor-sharp shards of ice and water sprays across the room. Terrible screams echo. As Arlissa recorded in her journal:
"When I returned later, it turned out that they were all females and pups. That’s when I vomited. But I know they had been fed on the bones of men, women, and children, and the pups would grow to be evil monsters, so my feelings of guilt are fleeting – but I know I shall see them in my dreams."
But there was no stopping. Soon enough they had found the dark gnoll-priest's lair, where he was prepared to sacrifice three captive humans in exchange for greater power in darkness. He and his minions were cut down in seconds, and Samus reduced their dark shrine to fragments of stone. There they learned the name of the dark gnoll god Yennoghu, which Arlissa has cautioned the others not to speak aloud.
The three captives (Rinaltus, Scalino, and Athana) were gently helped to the surface and their wounds tended to. They were the last survivors of Selino's Vale - the forest village the heroes had found.
A teenage gnoll-boy was also captured trying to escape the mines at dusk along with some friends. The friends were downed with arrows before the cry to take a prisoner was lifted. He was interrogated something like this:
"Like the priests have always taught. The powerful will strike down the weak and make them their slaves. You killed my brothers, and you will kill me or make me your slave. I don't want to die, I can serve you, show you good hunting."
Did he take part in the raid: "No, too young"
Did he eat any of the humans: "No, only the warriors get to eat the flesh of such."
Do you know what happened to the human: "Many sold to the caravan that came through three days ago. Most of the good ones."
The heroes also learned that the gnolls had taken the city of Velesca and made it their own, naming it Greshothuth. To pursue the caravan of the other slaves would be to march directly into heart of the gnoll nation. Velesca was the home of a Divine Gift - a forge some say was made by the goddess of the same name. Our heroes saw this forge once, centuries ago. Berke shuddered at what evil things might be forged there even now by the gnolls.
A debate over the fate of the gnoll-boy tested the heroes. Arlissa, haunted by the non-combatants she had already slain - though none would call them innnocent - argued against him being killed. Daphna saw nothing but a creature of evil. The others, and the survivors themselves, were divided. The next morning he was released with a warning not to track them or try to bring others against them.
* The caves were also searched with little luck but to find a beastie that tried to eat Daphna.
* Daphna took up the sword and shield of Dana, as well as a helm found near the dark shrine. Inside the helm is inscribed: "Sigura of House Dana, Blessed Skyrider and Guardian of Asirdana." Daphna hopes she may honorably bear these weapons of the righteous goddess of war.
Last edited:
Greybar
No Trouble at All
Since I have them from my GM notes - the opinions of the three survivors of Selino's Vale upon the fate of the gnoll-boy:
Rinaltus - It is obvious to me that Haraivans cannot afford to fight amongst ourselves. In this, I agree with the Matriarch of Highlake. But she turns her back too much on the enemies of all Haraivans, these invading beasts that destroyed the old cities. That's why I left Highlake to help with Selino's plans. This young beast is just that. He'll never be anything other than a slaughtering beast, trying to kill and rape Haraivans and eat our flesh. I'd say he must die. I shed no tears for the pack of beasts that you've slain today. I have no doubt they would have worked me until I was worthless and then gnawed on my bones.
Scalino - With all that has died today, why do we need to add one more? If you say he is a beast, I can agree. Look, does he not have much of the features of a mountain lion. Would you kill all of the cubs of a lionness if she attacked you in hunger? But also, I see a gleam of intelligence in his eyes. Maybe he can learn between good and evil. He has grown amongst evil, maybe we can show him good.
Athana - The scriptures say that Abanta wept to see the strife amongst the children of Hara. She refused to take sides, to help any one kill any other one. It was only when she was forced to take sides that the slaughter began, and so many died. I believe in Abanta's tears, but I find it so hard to follow the path of tears when I know that my own children were slain by creatures such as that thing. Part of me wants vengance on this one, or any one. I cannot trust myself to give judgement. I refuse to take a side.
Rinaltus - It is obvious to me that Haraivans cannot afford to fight amongst ourselves. In this, I agree with the Matriarch of Highlake. But she turns her back too much on the enemies of all Haraivans, these invading beasts that destroyed the old cities. That's why I left Highlake to help with Selino's plans. This young beast is just that. He'll never be anything other than a slaughtering beast, trying to kill and rape Haraivans and eat our flesh. I'd say he must die. I shed no tears for the pack of beasts that you've slain today. I have no doubt they would have worked me until I was worthless and then gnawed on my bones.
Scalino - With all that has died today, why do we need to add one more? If you say he is a beast, I can agree. Look, does he not have much of the features of a mountain lion. Would you kill all of the cubs of a lionness if she attacked you in hunger? But also, I see a gleam of intelligence in his eyes. Maybe he can learn between good and evil. He has grown amongst evil, maybe we can show him good.
Athana - The scriptures say that Abanta wept to see the strife amongst the children of Hara. She refused to take sides, to help any one kill any other one. It was only when she was forced to take sides that the slaughter began, and so many died. I believe in Abanta's tears, but I find it so hard to follow the path of tears when I know that my own children were slain by creatures such as that thing. Part of me wants vengance on this one, or any one. I cannot trust myself to give judgement. I refuse to take a side.
Indigo Veil
First Post
Is it okay for me to post comments here, if they don't spoil anything?
I just wanted to "Yay!" a bit at the big update. ^_^ Yay, Greybar!
Also, I know that you intend to catch up with the rest of the story first, but I would really love to see the encounter with the ghost children in full narrative form. <hopeful> ^_^
I just wanted to "Yay!" a bit at the big update. ^_^ Yay, Greybar!
Also, I know that you intend to catch up with the rest of the story first, but I would really love to see the encounter with the ghost children in full narrative form. <hopeful> ^_^
Samus_the_Lucky
Registered User
Indigo Veil said:
Spoil all you want... we need all the help we can get! And we would probably fail to understand the spoilers anyway... [sigh]
just kidding.
BTW: John, that Rogue's Gallery thread was soooo tempting... but i have been good and not even touched the link!
Samus_the_Lucky
Registered User
Greybar said:
He CRITTED with a damn rock! i seem to have been rolling pretty bad that day, so here was Samus, big guy with a bigger axe barely scratching the Gnolls and there is Berke throwing rocks and knocking a Gnoll's head nearly clean off! It was just embarrassing for Samus!
Of course a few sessions ago Samus really showed how it is done doing 130+ points of damage in one round.
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