Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 462024" data-attributes="member: 2012">The Alliance (cont.)The Wild Plains East, banks of the Silver River:It had been two nights and a day since they buried the burned and desecrated bodies of the town, which Dabuk named Burnholm since none could find any clues to what the town had been called.  Both Dabuk and Garth had taken the lead, while Kellin took up the rear. They all were becoming obsessed with finding the vermin responsible for destroying Burnholm.Bactra rode beside Hougwarth with Thessa and Mesik behind them. No one had spoken a word since they left the ruined town. Dabuk tracked the large bestial giants without difficulty. The ogres weren’t even trying to hide their tracks. However, there had been no sign of anyone else traveling with them. No horse tracks or footfalls in the earth, the ogres were alone.Dabuk knelt near the banks of a river, which Kellin called the Silver River. Bactra and Dabuk knew of the Silver River but were surprised that it stretched so far south. The Silver River sprung forth from Lake Silverleaf through the great city of the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves, which was named Silverleaf as well. Only the silver elves of that Kingdom would know if the lake was named after the city, or vice versa.Of course, none of that mattered to the half-elven ranger, as he studied the ogres’ tracks near the bank. He scowled looking across the deep water of the river towards the other bank.“They crossed here,” Dabuk searched the horizon beyond the rivers banks. “I’m sure of it.”“I believe you’re right, my son.” Garth was examining several other tracks made by the brutes only a few feet away. “Do you think they might have spotted us following them?”Dabuk shook his head, not taking his eyes off the other side of the riverbank. “Not a chance. They’re clueless.”“All right then,” Garth gathered in Hindle’s reins mounting the great red roan with one swift, smooth motion. “We cross here.”Bactra didn’t like the idea. “Uh, uncle, don’t you think it would be wise to find someplace less deep to cross?”“We haven’t any time for that, Bactra. Do not worry. Your horse will be able to manage the swim, just let her guide you.”“I-If you say so,” Bactra looked at the deep flowing water with dread.“Do not worry, friend.” Hougwarth lifted Thessa onto her pony. “Both Kellin and I should be able to manage the waters just fine. If you get into trouble just yell out.”“Thanks Hougwarth,” Bactra sighed, relieved that someone would be looking out for him.“Just don’t trip, Hugh.” Mesik elbowed the large giant man in the knee. I wouldn’t want you to fall on me in the water.”“Fear not, little man. I am as fine a swimmer as I am a swordsman.”“Great,” Dabuk shook his head then mounted his horse.Hougwarth didn’t realize that he was a klutz. The vonakyndra warrior thought a lot of his skill with a sword. His friends knew better. They had met the large giant man on their journey to the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves after returning to the north. He had appeared on the trail and introduced himself with a graceful bow and flourish of his great sword. It was impressive, until Hougwarth had proceeded to drop his sword in the dirt while attempting a final flourish to sheath his sword. Of course, he was clueless insisting that he had meant to do it.The group began to cross the flowing water of the Silver River. It wasn’t as deep as Bactra had feared and his nimble mare easily kept her head and him afloat. Thessa and Mesik were not as lucky. Thessa’s pony bucked her off sending her into the water. Mesik found himself underwater hanging from his ponies left stirrup.“Thessa!” Bactra tried to reach out and grab the gnome priestess’ hand.The water carried her under flowing past Dabuk who’d stayed near his cousin just in case. Neither of them could reach her. Kellin dove into the water after Thessa with Hougwarth right behind him.Mesik struggled to free himself from the stirrup without luck. The halfling man knew he’d drown without help. Then he remembered Salisan’s gift. The rogue pulled out the giant knife, which Salisan had called his Sheao, and cut at the stirrup entangling his foot. The blade cut through the leather with ease and Mesik rose out of the water gasping just as Garth came to his rescue.Garth pulled Mesik out of the water onto Hindle scanning the water for any signs of Thessa or the two giants. Bactra had made it to the other side of the river with Dabuk next him. Kellin rose out of the water but didn’t have Thessa with him.“I can’t find her!”“Where’s Hougwarth?” Garth brought his roan up on to the bank next to his son’s. Kellin waded down river looking for any signs of the missing gnome and giant.None had seen the vonakyndra dive in after Thessa. Moments felt like hours as they scanned the river.Then the vonakyndra burst out of the water, holding Thessa up with both hands, near the bank downstream. He waded in keeping the gnome priestess close to him. Kellin helped Hougwarth up the bank, while the others looked on.“Is she alright?” Mesik stood next to Garth’s steed shaking the water from his hair.“She swallowed a lot of water. If it got into her lungs.”They stood over Thessa while Dabuk and Bactra attended to her.“She’s cold and turning blue. She definitely has water in her lungs.” Dabuk shook his head looking at the others.“Roll her over and hit her on the back!” Kellin’s idea sounded ludicrous to Dabuk.“I will do no such thing, you ugly brute!”“Shut up and get the hell out of the way, son!”Garth knew what Kellin had in mind. He rolled Thessa over slapping her hard on the back. She chugged up some water but still wasn’t breathing.“Damn it!” Garth was about to slap her harder when Kellin stopped him.“That won’t do any good now. Turn her back over. Push down on her chest where the lungs are, not too hard. Mesik, blow in her mouth.”“W-what?” Mesik turned red.“Don’t be stupid, Mesik! She needs air! And hold her nose while you blow.”Mesik did as Kellin said while Garth pumped Thessa’s chest. Two minutes past then five then, as they were about to lose hope, Thessa coughed up gouts of water. Garth rolled her back over which seemed to help.They all looked at Kellin, amazed.“How’d you know how to do that?” Dabuk looked at the ogre suspiciously.Kellin looked the ranger dead in the eye. “Druids are good teachers.”Thessa tried to speak.“Hush little one, don’t talk.” Kellin knelt beside the gnome priestess holding her head gently in his huge right hand. “You just rest easy for a moment. Garth, get me a blanket. We have to keep her warm.”“Coming right up.”Garth dug out his winter blanket, which had been sealed in his saddlebags. The blanket was still dry.“You saved my life?” Thessa looked up at Kellin.“No little one,” we all saved you. “But you should be thanking Hougwarth most of all. He is indeed a fine swimmer.”“Thank you Hugh,” Thessa smiled at the vonakyndra.“It was my duty and my honor, little miss. But you should be thanking Mesik and Garth. They performed Kellin’s life saving magic ritual. It was quite amazing.”“What they did wasn’t magic, Hougwarth. Just skill and nature working together.”“Regardless,” Thessa looked first at Garth then at Mesik. “Thank you both.”“It was my pleasure!” Mesik was grinning from ear to ear.Everyone laughed gathering around Thessa near the bank of the Silver River.</blockquote>

Verification