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
Journal of the Souls of Legend (completed)
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="Nthal" data-source="post: 7833525" data-attributes="member: 6971069"><p>[USER=27710]@HalfOrc HalfBiscuit[/USER] - Well sometimes it takes a while for the message conduit to reach its destination. Whether you blame planar time dilation, or just a heavy dose of cold medicine is up to you. </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><strong>The running - 10/17/2019</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><em>The multiverse is full of races and cultures. But even Tieflings would admit that the one that has the biggest impact, is the one you see the least of.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center"><em></em></p> <p style="text-align: center"><em>The Elves are ever present, even when they aren’t. The elven perspective is the longest view practical. Elven motifs of leaves and flowers are easily seen in art. Their words and phrases are part of the turns of phrase or lyrics of song.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center"><em></em></p> <p style="text-align: center"><em>But as much as we see their impact, we really know nothing about them.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center"><em></em></p> <p style="text-align: center"><em>And I suspect, that is just the way they like it.</em></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p>My lungs burned from the exertion of the run. We ran in the dusk towards the west, towards promised safety. There was no pretense of stealth, just an attempt at speed and distance from our foes. Foes that would be swifter, and hungry for a good fight. </p><p></p><p>I had heard tales from planewalkers to Acheron; a place of constant battles, where the orc and goblin powers waged eternal war. Even there both kinds had allies, but the best known were goblins and their wolfriders. And ‘wolf’ was really a euphemism for a for more savage beast; worgs. Creatures that were arguably more cunning than their riders, and far more dangerous.</p><p></p><p>And so, I ran with all I had. I remembered how it felt being in the jaws of a hyena; somehow worg had to be worse. I didn’t want to die in the jaws of another beast.</p><p></p><p>We were being led by Ravalan who was still in pain as the lumbering giant kin lead us westward. Daneath followed close behind was carrying Beepu at this point so we could cover more ground. Iesa and I ran close behind. Mo had retreated into Iesa pack, while both Gossamer and Foggle flew ahead of is looking for trouble.</p><p></p><p>So, when the attack finally came, we weren’t quite prepared. The worgs were faster than us, and they had managed to flank us, charging straight into us from our left. One of the worgs crashed straight into Daneath, its jaws locked on one of the warrior’s greaves, throwing him to the ground, while its goblin rider swung wildly at the armored man. </p><p></p><p>Beepu was flung earthward as well with a dull thump. But he was quick on his feet and cast a quick bolt of fire at the goblin rider, knocking him clear from his saddle. But his smile at that victory was short lived, as another worg came snarling for the gnome. The beasts lunge was clumsy as was his rider, but Beepu was scrambling for safety. </p><p></p><p>Iesa was more fortunate, as he turned and shot an approaching worg in the chest. It snarled in pain and turned away from him, while its rider leapt from the saddle to swing a sword at Iesa, cutting him across the right arm.</p><p></p><p>I turned to look at the last worg rider, when I realized that its sights were set for Ravalan, and not me. I watched in horror as the worg leapt forward and clenched its jaws on Ravalans right arm and flung him to the ground on his back. Beepu’s worg dove into the fray and clamped down its jaws on Ravalan’s left arm, and together the pair started to drag the Firbolg off. I quickly plucked at some dark strands and tried to tighten the ghostly hands of death around the worg and its rider, hoping to stop them. But my grip was tenuous at best and did little damage that I could feel.</p><p></p><p>Daneath smashed the pommel of his sword into the worg fastened to his leg, forcing it to release its grip, and gave chase to the worgs that gripped Ravalan, barely keeping up. Iesa next shot knocked the goblin rider attacking Daneath to the ground, and then he too moved to follow the worgs dragging off Ravalan.</p><p>Beepu threw another fiery blast at the nearby worg, scorching its fur and skin on its flank. The malevolent beast howled, and it dove for Beepu. Its jaws found purchase on Beepu’s left arm with a sickening crunch, and Beepu screamed in pain, falling prone.</p><p></p><p>I didn’t think anymore, as I watched the other worg nearby lunge at Beepu falling form. I just ran straight at the scrum and plucked on the strand. The sound of a bell tolled through the air and dark mist swirled around the two worgs. As I reached the fallen gnome, I was gritting my teeth, ready to feel teeth sink into me again. So, I was unprepared for what happened next.</p><p></p><p>I first felt the pain in my back, and as I looked down, I saw the blade of a sword protruding from my abdomen. I blinked uncomprehendingly; A blade was sticking out from…me? I could feel the warm blood run down my legs. </p><p></p><p>My blood.</p><p></p><p>Everything seemed slow, as I turned and screamed some curse on the goblin. Pulling on the light strands I sent a blast of energy straight into the chest of it, knocking its now lifeless corpse to the ground. I felt the blade slide out of me as it fell, scraping every nerve raw as it withdrew. I kept turning and closed with the worgs standing over the fallen gnome. The worgs both lost focus on Beepu and now were fully focused on me.</p><p></p><p>I heard more bow shots from Iesa and sword play from Daneath in the distance. But it seemed just that; distant. I stood over Beepu fallen form, swinging my shield back and forth, batting away the jaws of the two worgs as I denied them their prey. I felt anger well within me as I pulled again on the darker strands, and once again the peel of the bell sounded, and the mist swirled.</p><p></p><p>Again, the worgs circled and assaulted me. My anger was boiling; I couldn’t feel the pain anymore as I swung my shield around me, keeping teeth from finding their mark. I yelled and pulled again at dark strands, and I watched with satisfaction that the eyes of the two worgs glazed over and fell over dead. I then knelt down and poured a small bit of energy into Beepu; I couldn’t heal him right now, but I could keep him from the fugue at least.</p><p></p><p>I looked then at the brothers. Daneath somehow had kept pace with the worgs and his swings found their mark, with blood spraying the forest floor. Iesa moved quickly and used his bow to finish off the worgs as Daneath savagely wounded them. They were still working the last one when I ran up to them and found Ravalan.</p><p></p><p>He had lost a lot of blood, from the wounds where the worgs had gripped him. I poured what little power left I had; it was enough to prevent him from visiting the fugue, but not much more than that. Iesa shot again with his bow, and the final worg fell to the ground, and we were again surrounded in silence of the forest.</p><p></p><p>“Is he? —” Iesa started moving over to Ravalan.</p><p></p><p>“He’ll live,” I said between clenched teeth as I leaned against a tree.</p><p></p><p>“Where’s Beepu?” Daneath asked next turning and looking around.</p><p></p><p>“He’ll live too…he’s on the ground that away,” I said hoarsely. Daneath didn’t even give me a second glance and ran to where I had indicated to find the fallen gnome.</p><p></p><p>Iesa turned to say something to me when he saw the blood still, pouring from my wound.</p><p>“Myr! Oh crap,” and he dropped his pack to the ground and looked for some cloth. “Can’t you fix that?”</p><p></p><p>I shook my head, “Not…right now. I need rest. How bad is it?”</p><p></p><p>Iesa knelt down and slowly lifted the chain shirt I wore up and grimaced. “Its not good, a lot of blood. I don’t think the sword hit anything important.” Iesa wrapped some cloth around my midsection.</p><p></p><p>“Well…If we can rest a bit, I can probably find enough energy to get Ravalan and Beepu moving again,” I said still gritting my teeth in pain.</p><p></p><p>“What about yourself?”</p><p></p><p>“It’ll have to wait until we are farther from here.”</p><p></p><p>“Wait for what?” Daneath asked as he strode carrying Beepu’s unconscious form.</p><p></p><p>“Myr took a sword in the gut it seems.” Iesa said.</p><p></p><p>“Well…we need a breather anyway I suppose,” Daneath said. Hopefully when Ravalan comes to we can continue on. Hope where he was headed is close though.”</p><p></p><p>I didn’t say anything and leaned my head back against the tree in pain. I felt short of breath and a little cold. I knew that I had lost a fair amount of blood and was just on the edge of staying conscious. I closed my eyes and just focused on the pain; unwilling to let my mind drift. It was then that I was interrupted.</p><p></p><p><em>Hey, I’m not sure if this is a good time.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>--What is it?</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>There are about six figures approaching you.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>--From where?</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Well…you are already surrounded, they aren’t goblins though, and they are all armed with bows pointed </em></p><p><em>towards you.</em></p><p></p><p>I straighten up off the tree and looked around. I could see the figures approach as clear as day; they weren’t trying to hide, but they were very quiet. But they might as well been invisible to the brothers eyes.</p><p></p><p>“So,” I said elevating my voice so I was sure the approaching figures could hear us. “To what do we owe this fine visit?”</p><p></p><p>The brothers looked at me in surprise and whirled, straining their eyes in the direction I was looking, and the figures stopped suddenly, each of them looking at their peers silently.</p><p></p><p>“Oh, come on,” I said still gritting my teeth. “Either talk or shoot, lets do without the suspense.”</p><p></p><p>One of the figures lowered his bow and moved forwards us. I could see the brothers strain to look at the figure in what must have been darkness to them. But what they strained to see, I saw with clarity of peak.</p><p>The elf had long coppery hair and green eyes. He moved with surety and an elegant grace that only the elves can do. I turned myself to look at him as he approached and could see that he was assessing us, his eyes flitting from the brothers and I, and barely regarding the fallen Ravalan or Beepu. As if he was judging us. Finally, he spoke in a stilted common.</p><p></p><p>“What…is your…intent, with Ravalan?” he asked.</p><p></p><p>“Well, after we heal him, he was going to lead us to an elven watch post.” I said, not making any movements.</p><p></p><p>“And why would he do this?” he asked intently.</p><p></p><p>“Probably because it beats being a goblin prisoner,” I said drily. “How long have you been watching us?”</p><p></p><p>“Since you left the cave.”</p><p></p><p>“Don’t suppose you could have helped out a bit?”</p><p></p><p>“We wanted to have…clarity of your intent.”</p><p></p><p>“Clarity? Really? Two people nearly died, while you looked for ‘clarity.’ Do you have it now?”</p><p></p><p>The elf stiffened for a second at my rebuke but then calmly replied “We do. We will let you rest and take you to Whitepetal. There we will talk more. But for now, recover your strength, as it is some distance away. And he withdrew back towards his companion. With a quick hand signal the others spread around us and watched the darkness for more intrusions.</p><p></p><p>“Are these the elves that—” Iesa started with a whisper.</p><p></p><p>“They have to be,” Daneath whispered back. “But right now, we need to get Ravalan—”</p><p></p><p>“Its not like the rest of us didn’t spill blood here—” Iesa snapped back.</p><p></p><p>“I’m bleeding too you know—” came Daneath retort.</p><p></p><p>“<em>Elaght!” </em>I said harshly in a guttural language I rarely used. But the brother’s heads snapped to look at me.</p><p></p><p>“We’re all hurt here,” I said still breathing raggedly. “But we need to patch up and move.” I stumbled over to the fallen form of Ravalan and reached within to find some remaining energy within me. I found a pair of light strands again, and I pulled on one of them and let the energy flow into the resting Firbolg’s form as I touched him on the chest. I once again felt the rush of energy flare around my spine, as I poured it into the Firbolg. His eyes slowly opened, and he looked at me with surprise as I focused on closing his wounds. Once finished, I didn’t even rise, but crawled to where Daneath had placed Beepu and started to do the same for him.</p><p></p><p>“Did I imagine those—” I heard Ravalan whisper.</p><p></p><p>“No, you didn’t,” said Daneath. “She’s not from around here.”</p><p></p><p>I laid my hand on Beepu’s head and stroked his hair as I pulled on the final Strand within me and let the energy flow into him. Again, the familiar rush along the spine and the energy began to close the wounds on Beepu.</p><p></p><p>“Owww. What…what happened?” Beepu grunted, his right hand covering his temple as he propped himself on his left.</p><p></p><p>“The hounds found a fox,” Iesa said grinning.</p><p></p><p>“That is not funny! I think I understand how Myr feels about hyenas though.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, I didn’t let them play with their food,” I said as I sat down awkwardly and slumped against a tree. “I’m very…very…”</p><p></p><p>“Myr! Stay focused!” and Iesa was next to me slapping my cheeks. I wasn’t quite sure why. I just wanted to fall into darkness for a little bit. Why was he hitting me? Is he shouting? At me?</p><p></p><p><em>Myrai!</em></p><p></p><p>Gossamer’s mental poke got my attention. I shook the fog from my head and blinked.</p><p></p><p>“I’m here. Help me up.” And I gasped Iesa’ arm as he pulled me to my feet.</p><p></p><p>“I again thank you for saving me,” Ravalan started slowly. “But why did you seek me out?”</p><p>Daneath turned to look at the Firbolg, “To find our father who was travelling with Pachuk—”</p><p></p><p>“Pa-CHOOK,” Beepu interrupted.</p><p></p><p>“Pachook. And the last we knew is that they may have come to see Melandrach.” Daneath finished.</p><p></p><p>Ravalan nodded, “That may be, but I have not seen Pachook in some time. So, I…oh. You need to talk to Melandrach…and you wanted to use me to reach him.”</p><p></p><p>“I think ‘ask for your help’ is a better phrase than ‘use,’” I said still wincing in pain in between breaths.</p><p>“I…will speak to Melandrach about this. But I cannot promise anything more. It seems such a small thing, compared to saving my life.” The Firbolg said, his eyes knotted together in puzzlement.</p><p></p><p>“So…why did they dig a tunnel to get to you?” Iesa asked. “I mean, that’s a bit of work just to get to you.”</p><p>Ravalan frowned a moment and the said “I am not sure. There was a woman who asked some questions, but she left a bit ago and had not returned. But most of the questions were on landmarks. Like they were looking for something.”</p><p></p><p>We said nothing further, when the leader of the elven band approached and spoke with that strange stern tone, “If you are ready to travel, we should do so.”</p><p></p><p>“What’s the problem?” Iesa asked, picking up on the tone.</p><p></p><p>“More will be discussed at Whitepetal, but the goblins are on the move. Lingering here is not safe.”</p><p></p><p>“Myr?” Daneath turned to look at me with concern.</p><p></p><p>I nodded, “I don’t want to wait longer here. Let’s bolt.”</p><p></p><p>------</p><p></p><p>The journey wasn’t long, or so I was told. To me it was an agonizing grind. Every breath was pain. Every step was pain. Even thinking about it was painful. Being able to see clearly as we approached anti-peak made it easier, and the elves knew their lands well. But the path chosen was about speed and not about comfort.</p><p></p><p>I plodded on, occasionally steadied by Iesa, while Ravalan carried Beepu. This allowed Daneath, who had only managed a couple of scrapes in the earlier battles, to be our defender if the need arose. I by comparison felt to be a burden. I didn’t want help…but I needed it. And so, I swam in these thoughts of inadequacy for many miles until we reached “Whitepetal.”</p><p></p><p>When we arrived, I didn’t realize it. It wasn’t until a platform descended from above, did I realize that we had been walking underneath the outpost for some time. But that was nothing compared to when the platform I rode, met with the branches above.</p><p></p><p>It was close to Anti-peak now, and below on the forest floor, it was dark enough that the brothers needed some assistance maneuvering on the trail. But once the platform carried us all above the branches, it was apparent that the lights that lit the catwalks, bridges and structures built around the trunks of the tree, were all hidden from below. Here among the branches, were planking that led into a maze of trails above the forest floor. The elven woodwork was functional and blended seamlessly with the trees that supported it.</p><p>I had never seen the like. Elves and their culture were not frequent travelers to the City of Doors. Whatever the reason, the City rarely showed any outward signs of their art or aesthetic. The closest I had ever been was the one time I visited Arborea. There in the Gilded Hall of the Sensates, there was a terrace that looked over the vast forest of that plane. In the distance was visible the realm of the Seldarine; the elven powers. You could see trees that towered over already towering trees. You couldn’t see any detail, but there was the beautiful synthesis of crystal, trees and light. But we were warned not to try to go there, because the Elven powers did not take well to outsiders coming to gawk like a clueless prime.</p><p></p><p>But now I was up close to the foundation of that realm; the patience and skill to blend craft with graft. The work was impressive. No, it was beautiful, in its simplicity and grace. It didn’t need the adornment of leaf motifs carved into the wood; the natural whorls were all that was needed. To add more would diminish it.</p><p>In this new world I was gently escorted to a room, suspended between three branches of a tree. The room had several lounges that circled around a low central table. A young elven girl entered the room, carrying with her some fruits, cups and several bottles of fine colored glass on the table. She bowed and quickly exited. As I sat down on the lounge, I winced in pain, I realized that a pair of guards stood outside the room, and that somewhere along paths, Ravalan was separated from us.</p><p></p><p>Daneath noticed the guards as well as he leaned against the wall, rather than sit; “So, we are prisoners?”</p><p></p><p>“Of course not!” Beepu said archly.</p><p></p><p>“Beepu’s right. If we were, they would have disarmed us,” Iesa commented, and flopped upon a lounge.</p><p></p><p>“What’s in the bottles Beepu?” I asked.</p><p></p><p>The gnome frowned and moved the tray to him and unstopped the tops of the bottles and </p><p>inhaled deeply</p><p>.</p><p>“Water, wine, and some type of liquor. Probably a brandy,” he said.</p><p></p><p>“Bring me the brandy,” I said and held out my hand, to which Beepu swiftly delivered the bottle to.</p><p>I removed the stopper and set it down, and took a pull straight from the bottle. The fiery liquid was wonderful, burning and warming my throat, with the taste of honey and florals on the tongue. But after swallowing the it, I then pulled up my chain, and as I lay back, poured some of the brandy on my open wound.</p><p></p><p>I winced in pain, and with great difficultly gave the bottle back to Beepu, while I writhed in pain.</p><p></p><p>“Myr, I thought you could—”</p><p></p><p>“I need rest, and I don’t want rot to set in that I can’t fix. I can hold out for a while.” I said in between heavy breathes. Then I focused on using my magic to clear my self up and look presentable. Had cleaned up the mess on the lounge and most of the blood off of my armor, when a pair of elves entered the room.</p><p></p><p>A male and female entered the room and looked us over with an indifferent look. Then the female spoke.</p><p></p><p>“You are welcome here in Whitepetal. We understand why you are here.” She intoned softly and assuredly. She at each of us, lingering a moment or two before moving to the next. She then spoke again</p><p></p><p>“You require an…audience with our liege,” and she left it hang on the hair as she looked us each over again.</p><p></p><p>“We require your assistance…in exchange.”</p><p></p><p><strong>Session notes:</strong></p><p></p><p>This is not the best set of notes I have from the game. Annoyingly enough the names of elves are missing, as I had a habit of using nicknames.</p><p></p><p>We did take a bit of damage, and the was the first time that Myrai took any major damage by standing in the middle of melee. But as it seems worgs can’t roll at all to hit.</p><p>But goblins seem to roll 20’s. go figure.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nthal, post: 7833525, member: 6971069"] [USER=27710]@HalfOrc HalfBiscuit[/USER] - Well sometimes it takes a while for the message conduit to reach its destination. Whether you blame planar time dilation, or just a heavy dose of cold medicine is up to you. [CENTER][B]The running - 10/17/2019[/B] [I]The multiverse is full of races and cultures. But even Tieflings would admit that the one that has the biggest impact, is the one you see the least of. The Elves are ever present, even when they aren’t. The elven perspective is the longest view practical. Elven motifs of leaves and flowers are easily seen in art. Their words and phrases are part of the turns of phrase or lyrics of song. But as much as we see their impact, we really know nothing about them. And I suspect, that is just the way they like it.[/I] [/CENTER] My lungs burned from the exertion of the run. We ran in the dusk towards the west, towards promised safety. There was no pretense of stealth, just an attempt at speed and distance from our foes. Foes that would be swifter, and hungry for a good fight. I had heard tales from planewalkers to Acheron; a place of constant battles, where the orc and goblin powers waged eternal war. Even there both kinds had allies, but the best known were goblins and their wolfriders. And ‘wolf’ was really a euphemism for a for more savage beast; worgs. Creatures that were arguably more cunning than their riders, and far more dangerous. And so, I ran with all I had. I remembered how it felt being in the jaws of a hyena; somehow worg had to be worse. I didn’t want to die in the jaws of another beast. We were being led by Ravalan who was still in pain as the lumbering giant kin lead us westward. Daneath followed close behind was carrying Beepu at this point so we could cover more ground. Iesa and I ran close behind. Mo had retreated into Iesa pack, while both Gossamer and Foggle flew ahead of is looking for trouble. So, when the attack finally came, we weren’t quite prepared. The worgs were faster than us, and they had managed to flank us, charging straight into us from our left. One of the worgs crashed straight into Daneath, its jaws locked on one of the warrior’s greaves, throwing him to the ground, while its goblin rider swung wildly at the armored man. Beepu was flung earthward as well with a dull thump. But he was quick on his feet and cast a quick bolt of fire at the goblin rider, knocking him clear from his saddle. But his smile at that victory was short lived, as another worg came snarling for the gnome. The beasts lunge was clumsy as was his rider, but Beepu was scrambling for safety. Iesa was more fortunate, as he turned and shot an approaching worg in the chest. It snarled in pain and turned away from him, while its rider leapt from the saddle to swing a sword at Iesa, cutting him across the right arm. I turned to look at the last worg rider, when I realized that its sights were set for Ravalan, and not me. I watched in horror as the worg leapt forward and clenched its jaws on Ravalans right arm and flung him to the ground on his back. Beepu’s worg dove into the fray and clamped down its jaws on Ravalan’s left arm, and together the pair started to drag the Firbolg off. I quickly plucked at some dark strands and tried to tighten the ghostly hands of death around the worg and its rider, hoping to stop them. But my grip was tenuous at best and did little damage that I could feel. Daneath smashed the pommel of his sword into the worg fastened to his leg, forcing it to release its grip, and gave chase to the worgs that gripped Ravalan, barely keeping up. Iesa next shot knocked the goblin rider attacking Daneath to the ground, and then he too moved to follow the worgs dragging off Ravalan. Beepu threw another fiery blast at the nearby worg, scorching its fur and skin on its flank. The malevolent beast howled, and it dove for Beepu. Its jaws found purchase on Beepu’s left arm with a sickening crunch, and Beepu screamed in pain, falling prone. I didn’t think anymore, as I watched the other worg nearby lunge at Beepu falling form. I just ran straight at the scrum and plucked on the strand. The sound of a bell tolled through the air and dark mist swirled around the two worgs. As I reached the fallen gnome, I was gritting my teeth, ready to feel teeth sink into me again. So, I was unprepared for what happened next. I first felt the pain in my back, and as I looked down, I saw the blade of a sword protruding from my abdomen. I blinked uncomprehendingly; A blade was sticking out from…me? I could feel the warm blood run down my legs. My blood. Everything seemed slow, as I turned and screamed some curse on the goblin. Pulling on the light strands I sent a blast of energy straight into the chest of it, knocking its now lifeless corpse to the ground. I felt the blade slide out of me as it fell, scraping every nerve raw as it withdrew. I kept turning and closed with the worgs standing over the fallen gnome. The worgs both lost focus on Beepu and now were fully focused on me. I heard more bow shots from Iesa and sword play from Daneath in the distance. But it seemed just that; distant. I stood over Beepu fallen form, swinging my shield back and forth, batting away the jaws of the two worgs as I denied them their prey. I felt anger well within me as I pulled again on the darker strands, and once again the peel of the bell sounded, and the mist swirled. Again, the worgs circled and assaulted me. My anger was boiling; I couldn’t feel the pain anymore as I swung my shield around me, keeping teeth from finding their mark. I yelled and pulled again at dark strands, and I watched with satisfaction that the eyes of the two worgs glazed over and fell over dead. I then knelt down and poured a small bit of energy into Beepu; I couldn’t heal him right now, but I could keep him from the fugue at least. I looked then at the brothers. Daneath somehow had kept pace with the worgs and his swings found their mark, with blood spraying the forest floor. Iesa moved quickly and used his bow to finish off the worgs as Daneath savagely wounded them. They were still working the last one when I ran up to them and found Ravalan. He had lost a lot of blood, from the wounds where the worgs had gripped him. I poured what little power left I had; it was enough to prevent him from visiting the fugue, but not much more than that. Iesa shot again with his bow, and the final worg fell to the ground, and we were again surrounded in silence of the forest. “Is he? —” Iesa started moving over to Ravalan. “He’ll live,” I said between clenched teeth as I leaned against a tree. “Where’s Beepu?” Daneath asked next turning and looking around. “He’ll live too…he’s on the ground that away,” I said hoarsely. Daneath didn’t even give me a second glance and ran to where I had indicated to find the fallen gnome. Iesa turned to say something to me when he saw the blood still, pouring from my wound. “Myr! Oh crap,” and he dropped his pack to the ground and looked for some cloth. “Can’t you fix that?” I shook my head, “Not…right now. I need rest. How bad is it?” Iesa knelt down and slowly lifted the chain shirt I wore up and grimaced. “Its not good, a lot of blood. I don’t think the sword hit anything important.” Iesa wrapped some cloth around my midsection. “Well…If we can rest a bit, I can probably find enough energy to get Ravalan and Beepu moving again,” I said still gritting my teeth in pain. “What about yourself?” “It’ll have to wait until we are farther from here.” “Wait for what?” Daneath asked as he strode carrying Beepu’s unconscious form. “Myr took a sword in the gut it seems.” Iesa said. “Well…we need a breather anyway I suppose,” Daneath said. Hopefully when Ravalan comes to we can continue on. Hope where he was headed is close though.” I didn’t say anything and leaned my head back against the tree in pain. I felt short of breath and a little cold. I knew that I had lost a fair amount of blood and was just on the edge of staying conscious. I closed my eyes and just focused on the pain; unwilling to let my mind drift. It was then that I was interrupted. [I]Hey, I’m not sure if this is a good time. --What is it? There are about six figures approaching you. --From where? Well…you are already surrounded, they aren’t goblins though, and they are all armed with bows pointed towards you.[/I] I straighten up off the tree and looked around. I could see the figures approach as clear as day; they weren’t trying to hide, but they were very quiet. But they might as well been invisible to the brothers eyes. “So,” I said elevating my voice so I was sure the approaching figures could hear us. “To what do we owe this fine visit?” The brothers looked at me in surprise and whirled, straining their eyes in the direction I was looking, and the figures stopped suddenly, each of them looking at their peers silently. “Oh, come on,” I said still gritting my teeth. “Either talk or shoot, lets do without the suspense.” One of the figures lowered his bow and moved forwards us. I could see the brothers strain to look at the figure in what must have been darkness to them. But what they strained to see, I saw with clarity of peak. The elf had long coppery hair and green eyes. He moved with surety and an elegant grace that only the elves can do. I turned myself to look at him as he approached and could see that he was assessing us, his eyes flitting from the brothers and I, and barely regarding the fallen Ravalan or Beepu. As if he was judging us. Finally, he spoke in a stilted common. “What…is your…intent, with Ravalan?” he asked. “Well, after we heal him, he was going to lead us to an elven watch post.” I said, not making any movements. “And why would he do this?” he asked intently. “Probably because it beats being a goblin prisoner,” I said drily. “How long have you been watching us?” “Since you left the cave.” “Don’t suppose you could have helped out a bit?” “We wanted to have…clarity of your intent.” “Clarity? Really? Two people nearly died, while you looked for ‘clarity.’ Do you have it now?” The elf stiffened for a second at my rebuke but then calmly replied “We do. We will let you rest and take you to Whitepetal. There we will talk more. But for now, recover your strength, as it is some distance away. And he withdrew back towards his companion. With a quick hand signal the others spread around us and watched the darkness for more intrusions. “Are these the elves that—” Iesa started with a whisper. “They have to be,” Daneath whispered back. “But right now, we need to get Ravalan—” “Its not like the rest of us didn’t spill blood here—” Iesa snapped back. “I’m bleeding too you know—” came Daneath retort. “[I]Elaght!” [/I]I said harshly in a guttural language I rarely used. But the brother’s heads snapped to look at me. “We’re all hurt here,” I said still breathing raggedly. “But we need to patch up and move.” I stumbled over to the fallen form of Ravalan and reached within to find some remaining energy within me. I found a pair of light strands again, and I pulled on one of them and let the energy flow into the resting Firbolg’s form as I touched him on the chest. I once again felt the rush of energy flare around my spine, as I poured it into the Firbolg. His eyes slowly opened, and he looked at me with surprise as I focused on closing his wounds. Once finished, I didn’t even rise, but crawled to where Daneath had placed Beepu and started to do the same for him. “Did I imagine those—” I heard Ravalan whisper. “No, you didn’t,” said Daneath. “She’s not from around here.” I laid my hand on Beepu’s head and stroked his hair as I pulled on the final Strand within me and let the energy flow into him. Again, the familiar rush along the spine and the energy began to close the wounds on Beepu. “Owww. What…what happened?” Beepu grunted, his right hand covering his temple as he propped himself on his left. “The hounds found a fox,” Iesa said grinning. “That is not funny! I think I understand how Myr feels about hyenas though.” “Well, I didn’t let them play with their food,” I said as I sat down awkwardly and slumped against a tree. “I’m very…very…” “Myr! Stay focused!” and Iesa was next to me slapping my cheeks. I wasn’t quite sure why. I just wanted to fall into darkness for a little bit. Why was he hitting me? Is he shouting? At me? [I]Myrai![/I] Gossamer’s mental poke got my attention. I shook the fog from my head and blinked. “I’m here. Help me up.” And I gasped Iesa’ arm as he pulled me to my feet. “I again thank you for saving me,” Ravalan started slowly. “But why did you seek me out?” Daneath turned to look at the Firbolg, “To find our father who was travelling with Pachuk—” “Pa-CHOOK,” Beepu interrupted. “Pachook. And the last we knew is that they may have come to see Melandrach.” Daneath finished. Ravalan nodded, “That may be, but I have not seen Pachook in some time. So, I…oh. You need to talk to Melandrach…and you wanted to use me to reach him.” “I think ‘ask for your help’ is a better phrase than ‘use,’” I said still wincing in pain in between breaths. “I…will speak to Melandrach about this. But I cannot promise anything more. It seems such a small thing, compared to saving my life.” The Firbolg said, his eyes knotted together in puzzlement. “So…why did they dig a tunnel to get to you?” Iesa asked. “I mean, that’s a bit of work just to get to you.” Ravalan frowned a moment and the said “I am not sure. There was a woman who asked some questions, but she left a bit ago and had not returned. But most of the questions were on landmarks. Like they were looking for something.” We said nothing further, when the leader of the elven band approached and spoke with that strange stern tone, “If you are ready to travel, we should do so.” “What’s the problem?” Iesa asked, picking up on the tone. “More will be discussed at Whitepetal, but the goblins are on the move. Lingering here is not safe.” “Myr?” Daneath turned to look at me with concern. I nodded, “I don’t want to wait longer here. Let’s bolt.” ------ The journey wasn’t long, or so I was told. To me it was an agonizing grind. Every breath was pain. Every step was pain. Even thinking about it was painful. Being able to see clearly as we approached anti-peak made it easier, and the elves knew their lands well. But the path chosen was about speed and not about comfort. I plodded on, occasionally steadied by Iesa, while Ravalan carried Beepu. This allowed Daneath, who had only managed a couple of scrapes in the earlier battles, to be our defender if the need arose. I by comparison felt to be a burden. I didn’t want help…but I needed it. And so, I swam in these thoughts of inadequacy for many miles until we reached “Whitepetal.” When we arrived, I didn’t realize it. It wasn’t until a platform descended from above, did I realize that we had been walking underneath the outpost for some time. But that was nothing compared to when the platform I rode, met with the branches above. It was close to Anti-peak now, and below on the forest floor, it was dark enough that the brothers needed some assistance maneuvering on the trail. But once the platform carried us all above the branches, it was apparent that the lights that lit the catwalks, bridges and structures built around the trunks of the tree, were all hidden from below. Here among the branches, were planking that led into a maze of trails above the forest floor. The elven woodwork was functional and blended seamlessly with the trees that supported it. I had never seen the like. Elves and their culture were not frequent travelers to the City of Doors. Whatever the reason, the City rarely showed any outward signs of their art or aesthetic. The closest I had ever been was the one time I visited Arborea. There in the Gilded Hall of the Sensates, there was a terrace that looked over the vast forest of that plane. In the distance was visible the realm of the Seldarine; the elven powers. You could see trees that towered over already towering trees. You couldn’t see any detail, but there was the beautiful synthesis of crystal, trees and light. But we were warned not to try to go there, because the Elven powers did not take well to outsiders coming to gawk like a clueless prime. But now I was up close to the foundation of that realm; the patience and skill to blend craft with graft. The work was impressive. No, it was beautiful, in its simplicity and grace. It didn’t need the adornment of leaf motifs carved into the wood; the natural whorls were all that was needed. To add more would diminish it. In this new world I was gently escorted to a room, suspended between three branches of a tree. The room had several lounges that circled around a low central table. A young elven girl entered the room, carrying with her some fruits, cups and several bottles of fine colored glass on the table. She bowed and quickly exited. As I sat down on the lounge, I winced in pain, I realized that a pair of guards stood outside the room, and that somewhere along paths, Ravalan was separated from us. Daneath noticed the guards as well as he leaned against the wall, rather than sit; “So, we are prisoners?” “Of course not!” Beepu said archly. “Beepu’s right. If we were, they would have disarmed us,” Iesa commented, and flopped upon a lounge. “What’s in the bottles Beepu?” I asked. The gnome frowned and moved the tray to him and unstopped the tops of the bottles and inhaled deeply . “Water, wine, and some type of liquor. Probably a brandy,” he said. “Bring me the brandy,” I said and held out my hand, to which Beepu swiftly delivered the bottle to. I removed the stopper and set it down, and took a pull straight from the bottle. The fiery liquid was wonderful, burning and warming my throat, with the taste of honey and florals on the tongue. But after swallowing the it, I then pulled up my chain, and as I lay back, poured some of the brandy on my open wound. I winced in pain, and with great difficultly gave the bottle back to Beepu, while I writhed in pain. “Myr, I thought you could—” “I need rest, and I don’t want rot to set in that I can’t fix. I can hold out for a while.” I said in between heavy breathes. Then I focused on using my magic to clear my self up and look presentable. Had cleaned up the mess on the lounge and most of the blood off of my armor, when a pair of elves entered the room. A male and female entered the room and looked us over with an indifferent look. Then the female spoke. “You are welcome here in Whitepetal. We understand why you are here.” She intoned softly and assuredly. She at each of us, lingering a moment or two before moving to the next. She then spoke again “You require an…audience with our liege,” and she left it hang on the hair as she looked us each over again. “We require your assistance…in exchange.” [B]Session notes:[/B] This is not the best set of notes I have from the game. Annoyingly enough the names of elves are missing, as I had a habit of using nicknames. We did take a bit of damage, and the was the first time that Myrai took any major damage by standing in the middle of melee. But as it seems worgs can’t roll at all to hit. But goblins seem to roll 20’s. go figure. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Journal of the Souls of Legend (completed)
Top