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
The
VOIDRUNNER'S CODEX
is coming! Explore new worlds, fight oppressive empires, fend off fearsome aliens, and wield deadly psionics with this comprehensive boxed set expansion for 5E and A5E!
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Order of M.A.C.E.
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="spacehulkster" data-source="post: 3129788" data-attributes="member: 13070"><p><strong>Big Battle update!</strong></p><p></p><p>It took 4 days, traveling by night, to reach Phlan. They passed by the campfires of other travelers, keeping to themselves. One in a while an offer to warm themselves by the fire was issued, but they kept their faces cloaked and graciously declined, saying they were in a bit of a hurry. The group camped by day, well off of the road. Far enough away to be noticed but not intruded upon.</p><p></p><p>Phlan was not a big city, by any regards. It also bore the scares of a recent attack. Charred walls, a few burned buildings and the main castle lay in ruins. Only the castle’s three towers remained in tack. The group decides to risk all of them entering the town in daylight. Although the town guard was well prepared, the odd mixture of races in the group and the fact that the Red Wizard spoke to them about the mining contract, aloud them passage into the town. </p><p></p><p>They found out that Phlan had been attacked a few months ago, during the winter, by a horde of Hobgoblins with gobloid and Ogre allies. Fortunately for the town, the gobloid attack faltered after they ransacked the castle and food stores. The town had work crews busily rebuilding the town walls.</p><p></p><p>The group slept comfortably that night. They got directions to the Bruil mining camp and that if they hurried, they could catch up with the supply wagons that left yesterday.</p><p>The party continued their journey to the Bruils mining camp, staying within sight of the main road but cutting through the woods mostly.</p><p></p><p>Kara-tor complained several times as the thicket clung to his robes and an occasional limb flew back to smack against him.</p><p></p><p>"Why don't we simply use the road? A Thayan wizard shouldn't have to subject himself to such mundane methods of travel" intoned Kara-tor.</p><p></p><p>"I would prefer not to draw attention or be forced to receive a welcoming host of mounted soldiers on patrol" replied Zafnir. He signed his disgust at having to explain the obvious to his half-drow companion, Annalia.</p><p></p><p>Annalia replied with a sly grin as Rudgar the dwarf bent back another limb and let it fly unerringly at the face of the wizard as he trooped past. Kara-tor raised his hand just to keep the branch from smacking him square in the face and leveled an icy glare at the small dwarf's back. Qwergain and Pfröte seemed not to care one way or another.</p><p>In truth, Zafnir could have picked a much easier path through the wilderness, but he was silently enjoying the party's struggle. </p><p></p><p>He was roused from his contemplation by the sounds of yelling men not far ahead. The others heard as well and began readying their weapons.</p><p>Upon closing the distance, the group saw several caravan wagons encircled around a fire. Guards were yelling out commands and pointing off in the distance where mounted goblins could be seen. Their riding wolves howled in eager anticipation of the upcoming raid.</p><p></p><p>"I sense an opportunity", the words spoke aloud by the Thayan, while Zafnir and Annalia signed a similar sentiment to each other.</p><p></p><p>"Let's skulk along the wood line while this plays out a bit. We can join the fray once both parties have weakened themselves a bit." Zafnir spoke these words aloud, irritated that he couldn't just make the few simple signs that would convey the same idea to the group.</p><p></p><p>Rudgar and Pfröte didn't even notice the conversation and they fanned out of the woods to approach the caravan from the opposite side of the raiding the party. Rudgar was whistling something. </p><p></p><p>Pfröte called out loudly to the caravan, "Hey, watch out behind ya... there's some wicked critters on wolves about."</p><p></p><p>As if that was his cue, Rudgar launched a spear into the caravan, skewering one of the guards. Rudgar charged towards the caravan as well.</p><p></p><p>"Oh bloody hell!" spat the wizard. Kara-tor's hands flew up and quickly began moving in rhythm to cast a spell of sleepness over several of the guards.</p><p></p><p>Annalia pulled out her scourge and shoved Qwergain in front of her as she circled to South of the wagons, remaining partially obscured by the edge of the wood. </p><p></p><p>"You charge ahead without my consent and you'll have much worse to deal with than some measly hobgoblins." </p><p></p><p>Qwergain merely shrugged and plodded ahead of the priestess. Her threats were very amusing to the Orog. She was only half drow, maybe her offspring would be part Orog as well. Then again, he might be mistaken. Torture may not be a part of drow mating rituals like it is for Orogs.</p><p></p><p>The first few moments of the battle flew by in a blur as the caravan guards fought off the hobgoblin raiders on one side and launched a volley of arrows at the newcomers to the West. Several guards fell into a deep slumber as the party quickly scrambled over the barricades to fight with blades and axes. Annalia released Qwergain into the fray as well and nodded appreciatively as he cleaved opponent after opponent in twain. She summoned an undead skeleton to rise within the circle and add to the carnage.</p><p></p><p>Most of the caravan guards dropped quickly from the dual assault, but the hobgoblin raiding party was barely touched. Now that it was in full view, it was apparent that this was a rather large raiding party. </p><p></p><p>The wolves circled the caravan to the north, sending arrows over the wagons and grazing a few of the party. Zafnir sent his own energy out to the land beneath the wolves and numerous vines sprung forth from the earth to entangle the wolves. Several hobgoblins flew from the saddle as their wolves came to an abrupt stop amongst the twisting vines.</p><p>Not all of the raiders were caught in the spell, though, and several bore their mounts down upon the party members who were outside the caravan circle. Rudgar was set upon by two of the creatures, while Pfröte and Annalia were ambushed by several more that managed to turn their mounts aside at the right moment. Having just finished off the caravan guards there, they were quickly put on the defensive as the wolves and hobgoblins pressed the assault. </p><p></p><p>Qwergain finished off one wolf that had slipped into the caravan circle but then found himself entangled by the same roots that held the wolves. Kara-tor and Zafnir pulled back to the fire pit and began picking off entangled wolves from there. Zafnir with his bow and Kara-tor with his spells.</p><p></p><p>Pfröte damaged several of the raiders but went down under the brutal assault of the wolves. Annalia herself was severely wounded. On the opposite side of the camp, Rudgar looked to be in equally bad shape.</p><p></p><p>Zafnir dropped his bow and rushed toward Annalia. He didn't care much for the priestess, but he didn't want to have to answer to her family if she died so early in their journey. After exhausting his spells for the day, Kara-tor gripped his staff tightly and moved to assist Rudgar in his battle. </p><p></p><p>Qwergain finally broke free of the entangling vines and charged at the raiders with a thunderous roar. The wolves stopped tearing at the downed Azer and leapt at the Orog, who brought his great sword down into the skull of the first wolf. The second wolf seized onto his arm and beginning viciously jerking its head side to side, ripping flesh and tendons in the process. One hobgoblin jumped from his now dead wolf and ran off into the woods.</p><p>Nearby, Annalia managed to call upon divine healing as Zafnir distracted the raider and his wolf. Once healed, she moved opposite Zafnir and worked her scourge furiously on the wolf's flank. Not liking the turn of events, the hobgoblin rider kicked his mount into a retreat. This move cost him his life as his mount bolted out from underneath him and made it safely into the woods. Several of the other raiders managed to pull themselves from the tangling vines as well and quickly decided to leave the cursed clearing.</p><p></p><p>While this was occurring, Rudgar and Kara-tor fought desperately for their lives against two injured raiders. Kara-tor worked his staff better than his training should have allowed and Zafnir's spider wrapped them in sticky webs that interrupted their assault. Rudgar took advantage of the reprieve and quickly quaffed a flask of healing that had been hanging on his belt. With renewed vigor, he closed the distance again and chopped the legs out from under the first wolf. The hobgoblin tumbled from the dead creatures back and was bashed repeatedly by the wizard who was still showing impressive skill with his staff. The remaining raider tried to bolt and was cut down by the small dwarf. With the immediate threat gone, Kara-tor slumped to the ground in exhaustion, his arms aching from the continual swings of his heavy staff.</p><p></p><p>Zafnir rushed over to the downed Azer and channelled in just enough healing power to stop the flow of blood. He surveyed the battlefield to see if any others needed healing before using his remaining spell to bring consciousness back to the Azer. If the battle would have lasted a few moments longer, it would have been pointless. Qwergain had finished his foe and was being attended to by the priestess. Rudgar and Kara-tor stumbled over from the opposite side of the caravan, each showing numerous cuts and bites and a few arrows protruding from various spots.</p><p></p><p>"Ahhhh that was enough to get the blood pumpin" touted the dwarf.</p><p></p><p>The others looked at him with unveiled anger.</p><p></p><p>"Just need to pick the bits of skull off me Urgosh ‘ere and fetch me spear from the groin o' that helpless guard. Besides, looks like we're in the caravan business now."</p><p></p><p>"Nothing but blankets and supplies" said the Thayan wizard. "Aside from that, the markings on the wagon indicate they are owned by the Bruil's trading company."</p><p></p><p>"Qwergain smash stupid wagons" roared the Orog. Evidently he didn't much like blankets and foodstuff.</p><p></p><p>"Well we need to cover up our transgression in any case,” Zafnir explained. “We can deliver the goods to the mining camp as heroes and tell the tale of how we came across the unfortunate caravan just as the raiders were picking through the remains. We should be sure to use the hobgoblins weapons on the corpses to further remove ourselves from implication. Afterwards, we can bury or burn the bodies in a 'proper' funeral. Skip the readings of the rites, obviously, but just make it look proper."</p><p></p><p>Kara-tor arched his eyebrow. "I doubt that will work. Such sloppy cover-ups would never fool anyone in Thay."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, but this is not Thay and it is not the Underdark. Hopefully the surfacers of this region are naive to the ways of treachery." Inside, Zafnir was reminiscing of home and the ambushes he had been a part of with his brothers and father. </p><p></p><p>"And perhaps the arctic dwarves are naive to the ways of torture, Rudgar. If you imperil us again like that, you will suddenly become enlightened" the priestess stated matter of factly.</p><p> </p><p>"It's good to keep your bitch on a leash" bellowed the dwarf as he pulled his riding dog closer. His double meaning was not lost on his dark-skinned companions though.</p><p></p><p>"Would you two quit bickering" interrupted Kara-tor. "We should leave this area before the raiders realize we were nearly defeated and send in reinforcements."</p><p></p><p>Pfrote sat quietly, his brief visit with mortality weighing heavily on his mind.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="spacehulkster, post: 3129788, member: 13070"] [b]Big Battle update![/b] It took 4 days, traveling by night, to reach Phlan. They passed by the campfires of other travelers, keeping to themselves. One in a while an offer to warm themselves by the fire was issued, but they kept their faces cloaked and graciously declined, saying they were in a bit of a hurry. The group camped by day, well off of the road. Far enough away to be noticed but not intruded upon. Phlan was not a big city, by any regards. It also bore the scares of a recent attack. Charred walls, a few burned buildings and the main castle lay in ruins. Only the castle’s three towers remained in tack. The group decides to risk all of them entering the town in daylight. Although the town guard was well prepared, the odd mixture of races in the group and the fact that the Red Wizard spoke to them about the mining contract, aloud them passage into the town. They found out that Phlan had been attacked a few months ago, during the winter, by a horde of Hobgoblins with gobloid and Ogre allies. Fortunately for the town, the gobloid attack faltered after they ransacked the castle and food stores. The town had work crews busily rebuilding the town walls. The group slept comfortably that night. They got directions to the Bruil mining camp and that if they hurried, they could catch up with the supply wagons that left yesterday. The party continued their journey to the Bruils mining camp, staying within sight of the main road but cutting through the woods mostly. Kara-tor complained several times as the thicket clung to his robes and an occasional limb flew back to smack against him. "Why don't we simply use the road? A Thayan wizard shouldn't have to subject himself to such mundane methods of travel" intoned Kara-tor. "I would prefer not to draw attention or be forced to receive a welcoming host of mounted soldiers on patrol" replied Zafnir. He signed his disgust at having to explain the obvious to his half-drow companion, Annalia. Annalia replied with a sly grin as Rudgar the dwarf bent back another limb and let it fly unerringly at the face of the wizard as he trooped past. Kara-tor raised his hand just to keep the branch from smacking him square in the face and leveled an icy glare at the small dwarf's back. Qwergain and Pfröte seemed not to care one way or another. In truth, Zafnir could have picked a much easier path through the wilderness, but he was silently enjoying the party's struggle. He was roused from his contemplation by the sounds of yelling men not far ahead. The others heard as well and began readying their weapons. Upon closing the distance, the group saw several caravan wagons encircled around a fire. Guards were yelling out commands and pointing off in the distance where mounted goblins could be seen. Their riding wolves howled in eager anticipation of the upcoming raid. "I sense an opportunity", the words spoke aloud by the Thayan, while Zafnir and Annalia signed a similar sentiment to each other. "Let's skulk along the wood line while this plays out a bit. We can join the fray once both parties have weakened themselves a bit." Zafnir spoke these words aloud, irritated that he couldn't just make the few simple signs that would convey the same idea to the group. Rudgar and Pfröte didn't even notice the conversation and they fanned out of the woods to approach the caravan from the opposite side of the raiding the party. Rudgar was whistling something. Pfröte called out loudly to the caravan, "Hey, watch out behind ya... there's some wicked critters on wolves about." As if that was his cue, Rudgar launched a spear into the caravan, skewering one of the guards. Rudgar charged towards the caravan as well. "Oh bloody hell!" spat the wizard. Kara-tor's hands flew up and quickly began moving in rhythm to cast a spell of sleepness over several of the guards. Annalia pulled out her scourge and shoved Qwergain in front of her as she circled to South of the wagons, remaining partially obscured by the edge of the wood. "You charge ahead without my consent and you'll have much worse to deal with than some measly hobgoblins." Qwergain merely shrugged and plodded ahead of the priestess. Her threats were very amusing to the Orog. She was only half drow, maybe her offspring would be part Orog as well. Then again, he might be mistaken. Torture may not be a part of drow mating rituals like it is for Orogs. The first few moments of the battle flew by in a blur as the caravan guards fought off the hobgoblin raiders on one side and launched a volley of arrows at the newcomers to the West. Several guards fell into a deep slumber as the party quickly scrambled over the barricades to fight with blades and axes. Annalia released Qwergain into the fray as well and nodded appreciatively as he cleaved opponent after opponent in twain. She summoned an undead skeleton to rise within the circle and add to the carnage. Most of the caravan guards dropped quickly from the dual assault, but the hobgoblin raiding party was barely touched. Now that it was in full view, it was apparent that this was a rather large raiding party. The wolves circled the caravan to the north, sending arrows over the wagons and grazing a few of the party. Zafnir sent his own energy out to the land beneath the wolves and numerous vines sprung forth from the earth to entangle the wolves. Several hobgoblins flew from the saddle as their wolves came to an abrupt stop amongst the twisting vines. Not all of the raiders were caught in the spell, though, and several bore their mounts down upon the party members who were outside the caravan circle. Rudgar was set upon by two of the creatures, while Pfröte and Annalia were ambushed by several more that managed to turn their mounts aside at the right moment. Having just finished off the caravan guards there, they were quickly put on the defensive as the wolves and hobgoblins pressed the assault. Qwergain finished off one wolf that had slipped into the caravan circle but then found himself entangled by the same roots that held the wolves. Kara-tor and Zafnir pulled back to the fire pit and began picking off entangled wolves from there. Zafnir with his bow and Kara-tor with his spells. Pfröte damaged several of the raiders but went down under the brutal assault of the wolves. Annalia herself was severely wounded. On the opposite side of the camp, Rudgar looked to be in equally bad shape. Zafnir dropped his bow and rushed toward Annalia. He didn't care much for the priestess, but he didn't want to have to answer to her family if she died so early in their journey. After exhausting his spells for the day, Kara-tor gripped his staff tightly and moved to assist Rudgar in his battle. Qwergain finally broke free of the entangling vines and charged at the raiders with a thunderous roar. The wolves stopped tearing at the downed Azer and leapt at the Orog, who brought his great sword down into the skull of the first wolf. The second wolf seized onto his arm and beginning viciously jerking its head side to side, ripping flesh and tendons in the process. One hobgoblin jumped from his now dead wolf and ran off into the woods. Nearby, Annalia managed to call upon divine healing as Zafnir distracted the raider and his wolf. Once healed, she moved opposite Zafnir and worked her scourge furiously on the wolf's flank. Not liking the turn of events, the hobgoblin rider kicked his mount into a retreat. This move cost him his life as his mount bolted out from underneath him and made it safely into the woods. Several of the other raiders managed to pull themselves from the tangling vines as well and quickly decided to leave the cursed clearing. While this was occurring, Rudgar and Kara-tor fought desperately for their lives against two injured raiders. Kara-tor worked his staff better than his training should have allowed and Zafnir's spider wrapped them in sticky webs that interrupted their assault. Rudgar took advantage of the reprieve and quickly quaffed a flask of healing that had been hanging on his belt. With renewed vigor, he closed the distance again and chopped the legs out from under the first wolf. The hobgoblin tumbled from the dead creatures back and was bashed repeatedly by the wizard who was still showing impressive skill with his staff. The remaining raider tried to bolt and was cut down by the small dwarf. With the immediate threat gone, Kara-tor slumped to the ground in exhaustion, his arms aching from the continual swings of his heavy staff. Zafnir rushed over to the downed Azer and channelled in just enough healing power to stop the flow of blood. He surveyed the battlefield to see if any others needed healing before using his remaining spell to bring consciousness back to the Azer. If the battle would have lasted a few moments longer, it would have been pointless. Qwergain had finished his foe and was being attended to by the priestess. Rudgar and Kara-tor stumbled over from the opposite side of the caravan, each showing numerous cuts and bites and a few arrows protruding from various spots. "Ahhhh that was enough to get the blood pumpin" touted the dwarf. The others looked at him with unveiled anger. "Just need to pick the bits of skull off me Urgosh ‘ere and fetch me spear from the groin o' that helpless guard. Besides, looks like we're in the caravan business now." "Nothing but blankets and supplies" said the Thayan wizard. "Aside from that, the markings on the wagon indicate they are owned by the Bruil's trading company." "Qwergain smash stupid wagons" roared the Orog. Evidently he didn't much like blankets and foodstuff. "Well we need to cover up our transgression in any case,” Zafnir explained. “We can deliver the goods to the mining camp as heroes and tell the tale of how we came across the unfortunate caravan just as the raiders were picking through the remains. We should be sure to use the hobgoblins weapons on the corpses to further remove ourselves from implication. Afterwards, we can bury or burn the bodies in a 'proper' funeral. Skip the readings of the rites, obviously, but just make it look proper." Kara-tor arched his eyebrow. "I doubt that will work. Such sloppy cover-ups would never fool anyone in Thay." "Yes, but this is not Thay and it is not the Underdark. Hopefully the surfacers of this region are naive to the ways of treachery." Inside, Zafnir was reminiscing of home and the ambushes he had been a part of with his brothers and father. "And perhaps the arctic dwarves are naive to the ways of torture, Rudgar. If you imperil us again like that, you will suddenly become enlightened" the priestess stated matter of factly. "It's good to keep your bitch on a leash" bellowed the dwarf as he pulled his riding dog closer. His double meaning was not lost on his dark-skinned companions though. "Would you two quit bickering" interrupted Kara-tor. "We should leave this area before the raiders realize we were nearly defeated and send in reinforcements." Pfrote sat quietly, his brief visit with mortality weighing heavily on his mind. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Order of M.A.C.E.
Top