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<blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 3150772" data-attributes="member: 1210"><p><em><strong>Just off the north coast of Strogass, 3:30 p.m.</strong></em></p><p></p><p><em>The Promised Land</em> sails along, heading west. They are following the map that they purchased from Surly- and their destination is a mere twelve miles west of Lox Pentor. Indeed, from the crow’s nest Ari cries out, “There they are!”</p><p></p><p>The map shows the sunken temple in the cradle of a series of five small offshore islands about twelve miles west of Lox Pentor. The islets are about two miles offshore. As the ship approaches, Captain Tarth barks, “Back oars!! Furl the sails, take ‘em down, boys!! There are shoals ahead!”</p><p></p><p>The ship slows to a halt and drops anchor. Our heroes and Captain Tarth consult. “We can send you to the isles in a launch, but be careful,” Tarth warns. “The sea is choppy and I can see some rocky bits just under the water. If you aren’t careful, you’ll scrape and hole the launch.”</p><p></p><p>“I can <em>wood shape,</em>” Ari notes.</p><p></p><p>“And I can <em>make whole</em>,” Nara adds.</p><p></p><p>“That should help,” acknowledges Captain Tarth. “Good luck to ye.”</p><p></p><p>“Send a couple of the men with us,” urges Nara. “We need experienced sailors to help us navigate these treacherous waters.”</p><p></p><p>With a scowl, Captain Tarth agrees. She sends Lanzor and Stupid with them. Lanzor is a scowling man who once captained a Strogassian naval ship, and Stupid is a foul-tempered female half-orc who is, as might be expected from her moniker, extraordinarily stupid. “They can both fight well, and if ye run into trouble you need someone that can fight with ye. But take care of them as best ye can,” Tarth says. </p><p></p><p>Then our heroes are off in a pair of launches. The five islets that they are approaching form a rough semicircle. As they move towards the isles, Ari assumes eagle form and flies overhead, taking in the aerial view. When he returns to halfling form, he tells his friends, “There are definitely ruins on the islets, but it doesn’t seem like there is much at all left. But in the center of the isles, there’s a central area that looks noticeably different than the surrounding water. It looks <em>deeper.</em> I suspect it’s some kind of well or something.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, we should check out the islands first,” Erasmuz argues. “We need to prepare if we’re going to go under water.”</p><p></p><p>“I have one <em>water breathing</em> prepared already,” both Ari and Nara say at once. They both grin.</p><p></p><p>“I still think we should do the islets first,” Naomi declares.</p><p></p><p>“I agree,” Rock nods. </p><p></p><p>“Okay,” says Federico, “let’s just head for the closest one and work our way around.”</p><p></p><p>The launches edge their way towards shore. Our heroes have thoughtfully split their number so that each boat has someone who can attempt a repair, and as the waves and chop knock the launches about across the shoals, this proves a wise precaution. Both vessels slam, scrape and catch on various rocks and growths, and soon they both have water bubbling in. Both are fixed, but Stupid’s skills as a navigator are being sorely tested. The launch she’s piloting is swept sidelong into a jagged rock uprise, and the entire boat shivers as the side is staved in.</p><p></p><p>“Aw crap!” cries Ari. He quickly bestows <em>water breathing</em> on everyone, and they walk under the water to the first isle. </p><p></p><p>The vessel that Lanzor pilots fares better. He rages back at the waters, pushing with oars and pole against rocks and waves alike. Though it is a rocky ride, he brings the boat in to the islet intact. Soon our heroes are ashore- though cold and wet.</p><p></p><p>“Let’s look around,” suggests Brother Yip.</p><p></p><p>The first islet yields one interesting ruin: the remains of a lighthouse. The lower 15’ of a 30’ radius tower remains intact. Our heroes find that the ceilings are only about 4 ½’ high, sufficient for halflings but a terrible trial for bigger creatures. “This <em>could</em> have been built by jerren,” Naomi says thoughtfully, hopefully. The ground floor of the lighthouse is a shambles, with a layer of silt about 2” deep strewn across the ground. Shellfish and seaweed litter the place. A quick look around allows our heroes to note that there are lots of bones and shells that are cracked open and empty and seem to indicate the presence of a nearby predator. The central 10’ of the lighthouse is a solid support plug. A stone stairway ascends along this shaft.</p><p></p><p>“Let’s see what’s upstairs,” Ari says, and leads the way up.</p><p></p><p>At the top of the stairs, where the second floor opens up, Ari is suddenly attacked. Clustered around the stairway are four marine trolls! Ari yelps as they begin tearing into him. He tries to cast <em>barkskin</em> on the defensive, but his concentration is shattered by the threatening posture of the scrags surrounding him. Behind him Yip shouts, “Fall back!” This sounds like a good idea to Ari, who drops back down the stairs.</p><p></p><p>This draws the trolls down, but it also allows our heroes to work together, and Naomi gets the chance to launch a <em>fireball</em> that burns the trolls fiercely! It would seem that her elemental powers are continuing to grow by leaps and bounds. </p><p></p><p>The fight is fierce, but it does not last long. Our heroes have grown powerful over the course of their adventures. The scrags fall to the self-declared Halfling Action Militia- H.A.M.</p><p></p><p>After slaying the trolls, our heroes check the debris of their lair, where they find a great deal of treasure, including a magic wand and a pair of magical gloves. The northern half of the room is dominated by a great metal vat with a spigot. When our curious heroes check it, they find that it is rusted shut. Tron forces it open, but breaks it off in the process, and lamp oil begins pouring sluggishly out of the vat and onto the floor.</p><p></p><p>“Crap!” exclaims Naomi. </p><p></p><p>“Let’s take a quick look at the third floor,” suggests Ari, bustling up the stairs. The third floor turns out to be exposed to the elements; it has no ceiling, and the guano of seagulls marks the place as a likely spot for gulls to hang out. There is nothing of value up there.</p><p></p><p>The party reconvenes outside, in the open air. Lanzor and Stupid squint at the sky. The sun will be going down in another few hours. </p><p></p><p>“We could probably walk to the next isle underwater,” Ari muses. “Reduce the danger to the remaining launch.”</p><p></p><p>Nara nods. “I could give everyone <em>water breathing</em> that doesn’t already have it. It lasts for hours. We should have plenty of time; it didn’t take us long to search this isle, and the next one looks to be about the same size.”</p><p></p><p>“Sounds good to me,” Tron says. “Maybe we can get some money for somethin’ we find over there.”</p><p></p><p>Thus, about forty minutes later, the party emerges from the water on the next isle. </p><p></p><p>“Oh,” says Federico, “I forgot my feather.” He turns to Stupid and <em>suggests</em>, “Hey, will you walk back to the other isle and get my feather from the launch please?”</p><p></p><p>Stupid scratcher her head. She shuffles her feet. And she turns and walks back into the turbulent sea.</p><p></p><p>“Stupid!” calls Lanzor. He glares at Federico as the half-orc submerges, ignoring him.</p><p></p><p>Federico shrugs and gives a goofy smile.</p><p></p><p>On the second islet, our heroes find a huge crab, which they roast with fire elementals. They are startled when a chuul emerges from a deep pool nearby and attacks them; however, they are more than a match for it. After some discussion, they decide not to eat the chuul, but man! That crab is tasty.</p><p></p><p>As night falls, the party discusses their strategy for the morrow. “We should check out the central well,” someone suggests, “maybe tie some gnomes on a rope and dangle them over the well.”*</p><p></p><p>Clearly this plan needs refinement, but that’s a subject for tomorrow.</p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next Time:</strong></em> Our heroes continue their explorations of the Sunken Temple of the Jerren!</p><p></p><p>*Gnome on a rope has been a recurring joke in my campaign for decades of real time now. I think it all started with the gnome Gepp, back in my Early Years campaign, who lost a jaw that way.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="the Jester, post: 3150772, member: 1210"] [i][b]Just off the north coast of Strogass, 3:30 p.m.[/b][/i][b][/b] [i]The Promised Land[/i] sails along, heading west. They are following the map that they purchased from Surly- and their destination is a mere twelve miles west of Lox Pentor. Indeed, from the crow’s nest Ari cries out, “There they are!” The map shows the sunken temple in the cradle of a series of five small offshore islands about twelve miles west of Lox Pentor. The islets are about two miles offshore. As the ship approaches, Captain Tarth barks, “Back oars!! Furl the sails, take ‘em down, boys!! There are shoals ahead!” The ship slows to a halt and drops anchor. Our heroes and Captain Tarth consult. “We can send you to the isles in a launch, but be careful,” Tarth warns. “The sea is choppy and I can see some rocky bits just under the water. If you aren’t careful, you’ll scrape and hole the launch.” “I can [i]wood shape,[/i]” Ari notes. “And I can [i]make whole[/i],” Nara adds. “That should help,” acknowledges Captain Tarth. “Good luck to ye.” “Send a couple of the men with us,” urges Nara. “We need experienced sailors to help us navigate these treacherous waters.” With a scowl, Captain Tarth agrees. She sends Lanzor and Stupid with them. Lanzor is a scowling man who once captained a Strogassian naval ship, and Stupid is a foul-tempered female half-orc who is, as might be expected from her moniker, extraordinarily stupid. “They can both fight well, and if ye run into trouble you need someone that can fight with ye. But take care of them as best ye can,” Tarth says. Then our heroes are off in a pair of launches. The five islets that they are approaching form a rough semicircle. As they move towards the isles, Ari assumes eagle form and flies overhead, taking in the aerial view. When he returns to halfling form, he tells his friends, “There are definitely ruins on the islets, but it doesn’t seem like there is much at all left. But in the center of the isles, there’s a central area that looks noticeably different than the surrounding water. It looks [i]deeper.[/i] I suspect it’s some kind of well or something.” “Well, we should check out the islands first,” Erasmuz argues. “We need to prepare if we’re going to go under water.” “I have one [i]water breathing[/i] prepared already,” both Ari and Nara say at once. They both grin. “I still think we should do the islets first,” Naomi declares. “I agree,” Rock nods. “Okay,” says Federico, “let’s just head for the closest one and work our way around.” The launches edge their way towards shore. Our heroes have thoughtfully split their number so that each boat has someone who can attempt a repair, and as the waves and chop knock the launches about across the shoals, this proves a wise precaution. Both vessels slam, scrape and catch on various rocks and growths, and soon they both have water bubbling in. Both are fixed, but Stupid’s skills as a navigator are being sorely tested. The launch she’s piloting is swept sidelong into a jagged rock uprise, and the entire boat shivers as the side is staved in. “Aw crap!” cries Ari. He quickly bestows [i]water breathing[/i] on everyone, and they walk under the water to the first isle. The vessel that Lanzor pilots fares better. He rages back at the waters, pushing with oars and pole against rocks and waves alike. Though it is a rocky ride, he brings the boat in to the islet intact. Soon our heroes are ashore- though cold and wet. “Let’s look around,” suggests Brother Yip. The first islet yields one interesting ruin: the remains of a lighthouse. The lower 15’ of a 30’ radius tower remains intact. Our heroes find that the ceilings are only about 4 ½’ high, sufficient for halflings but a terrible trial for bigger creatures. “This [i]could[/i] have been built by jerren,” Naomi says thoughtfully, hopefully. The ground floor of the lighthouse is a shambles, with a layer of silt about 2” deep strewn across the ground. Shellfish and seaweed litter the place. A quick look around allows our heroes to note that there are lots of bones and shells that are cracked open and empty and seem to indicate the presence of a nearby predator. The central 10’ of the lighthouse is a solid support plug. A stone stairway ascends along this shaft. “Let’s see what’s upstairs,” Ari says, and leads the way up. At the top of the stairs, where the second floor opens up, Ari is suddenly attacked. Clustered around the stairway are four marine trolls! Ari yelps as they begin tearing into him. He tries to cast [i]barkskin[/i] on the defensive, but his concentration is shattered by the threatening posture of the scrags surrounding him. Behind him Yip shouts, “Fall back!” This sounds like a good idea to Ari, who drops back down the stairs. This draws the trolls down, but it also allows our heroes to work together, and Naomi gets the chance to launch a [i]fireball[/i] that burns the trolls fiercely! It would seem that her elemental powers are continuing to grow by leaps and bounds. The fight is fierce, but it does not last long. Our heroes have grown powerful over the course of their adventures. The scrags fall to the self-declared Halfling Action Militia- H.A.M. After slaying the trolls, our heroes check the debris of their lair, where they find a great deal of treasure, including a magic wand and a pair of magical gloves. The northern half of the room is dominated by a great metal vat with a spigot. When our curious heroes check it, they find that it is rusted shut. Tron forces it open, but breaks it off in the process, and lamp oil begins pouring sluggishly out of the vat and onto the floor. “Crap!” exclaims Naomi. “Let’s take a quick look at the third floor,” suggests Ari, bustling up the stairs. The third floor turns out to be exposed to the elements; it has no ceiling, and the guano of seagulls marks the place as a likely spot for gulls to hang out. There is nothing of value up there. The party reconvenes outside, in the open air. Lanzor and Stupid squint at the sky. The sun will be going down in another few hours. “We could probably walk to the next isle underwater,” Ari muses. “Reduce the danger to the remaining launch.” Nara nods. “I could give everyone [i]water breathing[/i] that doesn’t already have it. It lasts for hours. We should have plenty of time; it didn’t take us long to search this isle, and the next one looks to be about the same size.” “Sounds good to me,” Tron says. “Maybe we can get some money for somethin’ we find over there.” Thus, about forty minutes later, the party emerges from the water on the next isle. “Oh,” says Federico, “I forgot my feather.” He turns to Stupid and [i]suggests[/i], “Hey, will you walk back to the other isle and get my feather from the launch please?” Stupid scratcher her head. She shuffles her feet. And she turns and walks back into the turbulent sea. “Stupid!” calls Lanzor. He glares at Federico as the half-orc submerges, ignoring him. Federico shrugs and gives a goofy smile. On the second islet, our heroes find a huge crab, which they roast with fire elementals. They are startled when a chuul emerges from a deep pool nearby and attacks them; however, they are more than a match for it. After some discussion, they decide not to eat the chuul, but man! That crab is tasty. As night falls, the party discusses their strategy for the morrow. “We should check out the central well,” someone suggests, “maybe tie some gnomes on a rope and dangle them over the well.”* Clearly this plan needs refinement, but that’s a subject for tomorrow. [i][b]Next Time:[/b][/i][b][/b] Our heroes continue their explorations of the Sunken Temple of the Jerren! *Gnome on a rope has been a recurring joke in my campaign for decades of real time now. I think it all started with the gnome Gepp, back in my Early Years campaign, who lost a jaw that way. [/QUOTE]
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