KidCthulhu's Scarred Land story hour

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I want to hear more about Borin! It seems to me that he is the pinion around which the entire story revolves.

Could we have more stories that feature Borin? Maybe a Borin solo adventure or three. That would be sweet.
 

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Morgaine

First Post
The party springs into action. With fury and madness in his eyes, Borin leaps into the cave, neatly slicing a would-be attacker in half with his great axe. He then continues his full swing and feels the crunch of bone and tear of flesh, as the second goblin also falls to the ground in a heap. Kalina and Morgaine rush to Gemma’s side, to staunch the blood gushing from the gashes in the ranger’s torso. Morgaine musters her limited first-aid skills to pack Gemma’s wounds while Kalina concentrates on the pine boughs in her hands. Feeling the natural energy of the healing tree surge through her body, Kalina waves the branch over the nearly lifeless form on the ground. Light pours from her fingertips and the pine needles fall lightly onto Gemma’s wounds, forming a lattice that covers the holes and mends the punctures left by the crossbows. Groggily, the elder woman opens her eyes and gratefully nods her thanks to the younger druid. Gingerly, Morgaine and Kalina help her to her feet. She seems to be shaken but no longer injured or weak. Kalina thanks the tree for its assistance and tosses the branch to the wind.

From somewhere deep inside the cave, several party members he the faint echo of a lone wolf, crying a howling lament. Deke hides the bodies of the goblins then cloaks himself in the shadows of early evening. His companions have already resumed their ambush out of sight. Several tense seconds past as the baying gets louder and closer. Although light is diminishing rapidly, no one in the party has trouble noticing the horse-sized wolf loping out of the cave entrance leading an 11-foot ogre carrying its chain. Both dog and master are ripe with fleas, reeking of a foul stench that brings tears to the eyes of anyone within several feet. Having taken care to be upwind of the creatures, the group uses the full surprise of the ambush to their advantage.

Still hidden and out of range, Marja casts two magic missiles into the chest of the mangy beast. It yowls in pain as the glowing globes penetrate its flesh. Gemma rapidly loads two arrows from her quiver and shoots each into the flanks of the hulking canine before either the ogre or the wolf can react. Morgaine quickly follows with a Melf’s acid arrow, the phosphorescent weapon materializing in the night air and hurtling into the wolf’s chest. One last crossbow bold from Borin puts the creature out of its misery. As the beast falls over, the ever-reticent Gemma alights at the cave entrance and commands “Stay!”

Kalina once again summons the forces of nature to do her bidding as she calls upon the wisdom of the ancient philosophers and the Earth Mother herself. Just as before, Salomar’s quiet contemplation gives the ogre pause to stop and reflect on the futility of life’s struggle. In a vain attempt to negotiate a pact, the ogre solicits friendship from the party. He offers treasure and fresh meat. What he procures is the business end of Borin’s axe, Fergus’ sword, Gemma’s arrows, Kalina’s scimitar, Xenia’s club and Deke’s rapier.

No sooner has the group slain the pensive ogre than six goblins emerge from the dark depths of the den, courageously defending their home. Twelve seconds later, the lone remaining warrior runs screaming into darkness beyond, Borin and Xenia in hot pursuit. The remaining group members hear the echoing shout and subsequent thuds when their headstrong companions miss a trap in the dark and land in an 8-foot pit. Cackling wildly, the goblin drags a large urn to the edge of the basin and attempts to pour oil down the side, hindering their efforts to climb out. Cautiously making their way through the passageways, en route to assist Borin and Xenia, the party follows Deke’s lead to avoid the same traps.

The goblin shouts taunts to his captives below. Yet since neither Xenia nor Borin speaks goblin, the gibes are ineffectual. Too busy gloating, the goblin does not see Borin grab the club from Xenia’s pack and raise it above his head. Nor does he note Borin’s sudden growth or his shout of rage. When the 10-foot Borin-ogre brings the club down on the goblin’s head, however, the splat can be heard throughout the cavern. He then lifts Xenia out of the hole and calmly puts the club down. “Hate being laughed at,” he growls, sinking to the ground to await being hauled out by the others.
 

Morgaine

First Post
(contact) said:
I want to hear more about Borin! It seems to me that he is the pinion around which the entire story revolves.

Could we have more stories that feature Borin? Maybe a Borin solo adventure or three. That would be sweet.

Borin??? Granted, he is the party's hit point sponge. But jeesh, simply because he runs into combat and saves our hides in every adventure doesn't make him the star. Harumph!

:confused:
 

KidCthulhu

First Post
Nice image with the pine needles. Very pretty.

We certainly could write a story hour about Borin. Of course, it would have lots of pictures and very small words. Erudition is not Borin's job within the party.
 


Morgaine

First Post
With Borin safely out of the pit, the party attempts to traverse the large hole but it blocks any further progress down the hall. Marja casts spiderclimb on Deke, who does not even flinch when eating the live spider, though Morgaine gags visibly. Slowly, he feels his skin begin to tingle and realizes his hands and feet are sticky. Nimbly, he climbs the walls, searching for he lever that will restore the trap and close the pit. Within seconds, he has secured the snare and instructed his companions how to get around it without tripping the trigger again. Deke scampers ahead, searching for more traps, the party following at a short distance behind him.

Up ahead, Deke can see a green glow filling the hallway. What they find upon investigating is a large room filled with sparkling, glowing emeralds. Emerald stalactites and stalagmites suspend down from the radiant ceiling and thrust up from the luminous ground in beautiful finger-like projections. A flowing stream cascades down from a small hole in the wall on the far side and continues through another well in the near corner. Marja casts detect magic and as she concentrates on the water, she can see the radiating energy pulsating throughout the flow. It emits magical energy of all kinds which reverberates off the crystals in the room, causing the whole cavern to effervesce in the magical light.

Xenia, ever ready for an adventure, drinks the cool water, feeling her body tingle as the liquid travels down her throat. For just an instant her skin becomes translucent, taking on the texture of the crystals surrounding them all. She begins to feel the earth like a weight around her, a part of her. She knows intimately the solidness of the ground and strength of the rocks, stones and soil that is the earth. This feeling of strength and power is all too short-lived, however, and passes as quickly as it came. Curious to experience first hand what Xenia tries in vain to describe, Morgaine also drinks the water and is suddenly jolted by how delicious it tastes. She can feel the cool liquid traveling throughout her body, coursing through her veins and imbuing her with a sense of headiness. Once the initial sensation passes, Morgaine becomes acutely aware of just how loud Borin breathes and the soft clink of Xenia’s armor as she moves about the small room. Another sip produces less of a physical sensation but intensifies Morgaine’s now acute hearing.

Deke, with no interest in magical water, meanders further down the narrow passageway, carefully searching for traps and pitfalls, but eager to find whatever treasure awaits. Meanwhile, Gemma also drinks of the water and begins to understand the rush of the water is actually a song it sings to itself. As she concentrates, the older woman can make out the faint words of a hymn to Mesos, the Titan of Magic and one of the first to be destroyed by the Gods in the Titan war. Puzzled but intrigued, Gemma states that the water is happy. Morgain and Kalina take vials from the stream for later use. Kalina also fills a pouch with the crystal shards littering the floor. The group is just starting to discuss what powers the water imbues when Deke’s piercing scream rents the air, echoing harshly in Morgaine’s head.
 

Morgaine

First Post
They take off at a run in the direction Deke headed. The passageway curves away to the right and ends in a large chamber deep underground. Upon entering the room, what they see is Deke 25 feet up in the air, grappled by an enormous tentacle snaking its way from the depths of a crumbled castle. Borin rushes to aid his companion only to find himself equally suctioned by a second sinewy appendage. It shakes both its victims violently. Deke feels a force thrust itself into his mind as the creature disturbs his thoughts with its own. “Why have you disturbed me? And why have you brought that destructive creature – indicating Borin – with you?

Before Deke can answer, Marja fires two magic missiles at the tentacle holding Borin twenty feet in the air. The glowing orbs arc out from her fingers and bounce harmless off the scaly flesh, exploding in a burst of light as they hit the ground below. Gemma sinks two arrows into the suction cups on the underside of one tentacle while Xenia slices neatly into the other tentacle with her sword. A large gash appears, then vanishes as the creature’s blood begins to gush. Morgaine shoots a crossbow in between the suction cups, just above where it is grasping Deke which causes the creature to howl within Deke’s mind. It drops both its captives and withdraws down into the stone and debris. Deke taunts the creature and begins readying his crossbow, prepared to fight. Borin grabs Deke over his shoulder and flees the scene, on the heels of the rest of the party.

Deke argues vehemently that they should go back to fight the creature, not out of any moral sense of duty but because of the treasure he is sure the creature is guarding. “C’mon, something that powerful has HORDES of treasure. We could be rich.” Cooler heads prevail, however and they make their way back down the passage into the emerald room. Gemma once again hears the song of the water but this time it sings a harsh, angry tune. Xenia drinks from the stream once more and feels the cold seeping through her body followed by the excruciating sensation of her blood boiling. She cries out in pain but thankfully the agony is fleeting. Within minutes, the stream returns to its happy hymn.

Deke takes a sip of the water and feels his skin go numb. This effect is also temporary, though he still feels a muted sensation throughout his body. He drinks again with no noticeable effect. Kalina also drinks from the stream and feels her connection to the earth stronger than ever. She has the sensation of nourishment, like flowers from the rain. With a heightened awareness, she is awed by the power of the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth all around her. Seeking to further understand the mysteries of the earth, she hastily partakes of the delicious liquid again. Alas, she is only rewarded with an immense thirst.

In an experiment, Kalina steps outside of the Emerald room and sips the water she collected in the vial earlier. The water no longer radiates magical energy and has no effect on her. Apparently, there is something about the flowing water that creates the magical powers.
 

Morgaine

First Post
Exhausted as they are, however, the party decides to forgo discussing this latest development until they’ve rested and refreshed themselves overnight. They begin to make their way back through the passageways and tunnels of the enormous cave, en route to the main entrance above. As they near the fork in the path, Morgaine hears the faint sounds of goblins talking quietly. While none of her friends can make out distinguishable voices, she catches enough of the conversations to realize they are planning an ambush of the party. With a sense of dread, the party readies for yet another battle. Fortunately, the goblins are further in the cave and they can get to the main entrance without encountering their foes. Once there they see a familiar figure silhouetted in the torchlight. Naxos has returned to see if he can be of any assistance. Greatfully, the group accepts his offers to heal their wounds and gladly welcomes him into their folds for the ensuing battle. Even Xenia is willing to put aside her inherent distrust of him long enough to eliminate the threat from the ambush.

Tired, yet anxious to dispense with the last of their enemies in the cave, the party makes its way back into the depths, once more, a hasty plan collectively formed in each of their minds. Creeping silently forward amidst the shadows, Deke can make out the outlines of twenty goblins with weapons drawn just around a bend in the passageway. He signals this to the rest of the party, who spring into action, using surprise as a cover.

Morgaine takes out the magical orbs she acquired from the snake creatures in the basement of the inn in Amalthea almost two weeks ago. Still unsure what they are, she is fairly certain that if she throws them at the goblins, the writhing ball of snakes within will be released to wreak havoc on her foes. Realizing her alternatives are limited, she is willing to take the risk and readies them.

As she is doing so, Borin grabs the club and charges in to the mele, swinging madly at the tiny creatures surrounding him. One of the goblins manages to trip the hapless dwarf-ogre who stumbles to the ground, dropping the club in the process. The goblin picks up the heavy weapon and begins to grow in size. Just then, Morgaine hurls the magical spheres into combat. At the command word fizzlehiss, the orbs glow a sickening green hue then explode into a massive ball of snakes, hissing, squirming and attacking anything within reach.
 
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Morgaine

First Post
Fortunately for the party, several goblins are felled in seconds, including the giant goblin, as the poisonous snakes lose their venom at will. It drops the club, which is picked up by Kalina and put aside out of battle. Those not affected by the “ball o’ snakes” are soon victims of mighty sword and axe blows. Some are peppered with arrows, two are slammed with magic missiles and still more are chewed by Fang. Seconds after it began, twenty goblins lay dead at their feet and a weary troupe assess their own minimal injuries.

They make their way further into the cave to find a chamber with giant locked doors. With ease, Deke picks the simple mechanism and unlatches the massive stone doors. The doors swing open to reveal a large chamber, lit by several torches in sconces all along the walls. At the far end, several humans are tied to the wall with crude bindings holding them upright. Two are moaning, delirious with pain and the others have been dead for quite some time. Gemma and Kalina cut down them all down. Kalina stabilizes the two and says a prayer over the others. They put them outside the chamber, to be buried properly in the morning.

After a quick search to ensure there are no more inhabitants in the cave, the party makes camp in the giant room, locking the doors and posting watches for the evening. Naxos joins the fatigued group since it is too dark for him to safely traverse the rocky ledges. Xenia keeps a watchful eye on him throughout her shift and openly encourages the others to do the same. Naxos politely obliges her odd dislike of him and to his credit, does not intimate any ire or offense, though he certainly has the right to both. Marja offers to take first watch with Naxos (any excuse to interact with the handsome stranger). They spend the hours talking quietly of his many adventures and her early training as a bard. Alas, their shift passes all too quickly. As does the night for the weary travelers.

In the morning, after disposing of all their victims, the group explores the chamber further, finding numerous weapons and armor, some magical, some not. At either side of the chamber are two more doors. Upon opening the door to the right, they find food and supplies some of which they promptly prepare for breakfast. On the other side of the room, the door is locked. Deke finagles this device with some difficulty but after several minutes is relieved to hear the faint click for his efforts. Inside the party finds numerous chests of coin and gems that they spit evenly amongst themselves. Or so Deke claims.

Gemma feels a sudden surge of faith and realizes that the Goddess Tanil is a powerful part of her. She kneels before the injured drover and lays her hands over his wounds. “The Lady of Fortune shine upon you this day and heal your wounds with her hands.” With these words, the Gemma feels the energy emanate from her fingers into the unconscious man on the ground before her. Her companions stop and stare, incredulously as light shines down through the ceiling and streams out through Gemma’s outstretched hands. In seconds, the drover blinks his eyes open and looks up gratefully at his healer.

“I didn’t know you could do that,” Morgaine marvels.
“I didn’t either, child.”
 

Morgaine

First Post
Naxos takes his leave early, departing with the injured drover and his companion. He takes with him the magical saddle and tack the group found in the chamber the previous day. Xenia argues loudly, stating she wants the saddle for her would-be horse. But since she does not have it yet and Naxos did help the party dispense with the goblins, she is over ruled. Naxos says words of prayer for her that her “soul leave the shadows in which it currently finds itself.” Xenia sticks her tongue out at him. Marja is not sad to see him leave this time. After spending so much time with him during the evening, she realizes he is quite pompous and off-putting. On his way out of the cave, Naxos comes upon Deke, who calls him “holy pompous one” under his breath. When Naxos tells him that his soul, too, is in the shadows Deke tries ineffectually to recant his statement. “I meant that you’re a holy pompous one in a good way.” Naxos walks away, shaking his head in dismay.

Deke picks up a magical wand and begins waving it recklessly about, causing Morgaine no end of consternation. “Stop that, you could fire some unknown magic at us.” “Eh, it’s fine. No worries, Morgaine, I know what I’m doing,” he remarks flippantly as he tosses it up in the air above his head. She tries frantically to grab it from him and he nonchalantly tosses it to Marja who then tosses it back to Deke when Morgaine attempts to grab it from her. This game goes on for a few minutes, with an ever increasingly frantic Morgaine shouting obscenities to Deke in several different languages, none of which are Common. Finally, Deke tires of his game and unceremoniously drops the wand at her feet then walks away casually.

The party spends most of the day in and around the cave, as Morgaine attempts to identify all the magical items they have found. With an effort, she focuses intently on each item, studying the magic and absorbing some of its energy into her mind. After hours of meditating and intense concentration, during which her body becomes slack and immobile with the effort to maintain focus in the magical realm, she understands the power magics within each item in front of her. In a trance, she reports that the shield, which Xenia immediately claimed as her own, is imbued with the ability to move people out of the way. A waymaker shield is very much in keeping with Xenia’s brusque demeanor and no-nonsense approach to people and things alike. Next, she focuses on Deke’s new red boots, which he says are the most comfortable footwear he’s ever owned. Once more a monotone, she drones out the abilities of the boots of endurance. Similarly, she identifies a lantern of continual light and a quarterstaff of the cyclone. Marja tries out this unusual wooden shaft and is taken aback briefly when her hands become a whir of motion until she realizes she can control it. Lastly she turns to the wand she wrangled from Deke. It turns out to be a clerical wand and she understands that this wand will heal their injuries. She hands the rod to Gemma and then forces herself back into the world. Exhausted and drained, she crawls back to her bedroll and falls into a deep, dreamless sleep, Taylor perched on her abdomen, staring at her with obvious concern.
 

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