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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
The Blade of Phoee (Updated 12/08/08)
- Thread starter Funeris
- Start date
OaxacanWarrior
First Post
Free gaming materials work too!Funeris said:It amazes me that promises of cookies are what gets me the most bumps
I could beat out piratecat, sep, destan and the rest if I just promised everyone a box
~Fune
Funeris
First Post
Hey, if anyone want to root me on at the Ceramic DM contest, here's the link:
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=2578558#post2578558
I just posted my first entry. (Praying it goes well)
~Fune
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=2578558#post2578558
I just posted my first entry. (Praying it goes well)
~Fune
OaxacanWarrior
First Post
Funeris said:
Good luck, Fune!!
Funeris
First Post
Thanks O-W. So, all the submissions for round one are in and we're just waiting on the judges to...well, judge.
Tonight (Fri night, actually) was our first game in 2.5 months. Very role-play intensive, a lot of information handed out....a lot of possibilities surfacing. I think it went decently well, but my players are free to chime in and post their own opinions as always. There was no combat tonight. Four hours of play...and no combat. It was interesting to sit back and let the players try to figure stuff out...and work on diplomacy and figuring out what the hells was happening.
So, I think it went well. That's just me though.
What's on my agenda this weekend you ask? Well, making plans for MD-VA-DC Game Day (woot!). Working on my Halloween costume....maybe buying a few supplements (its been months and I'm suffering withdrawal)...checking out the judgings for Ceramic DM....oh yeah and i guess there is the pesky updating thing. Heehee. Just kidding
Stay tuned boys and girls. . .
~Fune
Tonight (Fri night, actually) was our first game in 2.5 months. Very role-play intensive, a lot of information handed out....a lot of possibilities surfacing. I think it went decently well, but my players are free to chime in and post their own opinions as always. There was no combat tonight. Four hours of play...and no combat. It was interesting to sit back and let the players try to figure stuff out...and work on diplomacy and figuring out what the hells was happening.
So, I think it went well. That's just me though.
What's on my agenda this weekend you ask? Well, making plans for MD-VA-DC Game Day (woot!). Working on my Halloween costume....maybe buying a few supplements (its been months and I'm suffering withdrawal)...checking out the judgings for Ceramic DM....oh yeah and i guess there is the pesky updating thing. Heehee. Just kidding
Stay tuned boys and girls. . .
~Fune
Funeris
First Post
Chapter 2: Journey Into Darkness Continued
The cool pulse of divine energy flooded through Cassock's veins. His arms tingled with the harnessed power and the sensation snaked from his shoulder down through his fingertips. The surge leapt between his outstretched hands and the body of the unconscious child. The tide ebbed, waxed, then waned and they awaited the youth to awaken. Cassock fatefully glimpsed down, noting a line of blood stretching past the edge of youth's clothing. He carefully pulled the rough leather aside. Carved into the child's chest, the symbol of Cael rested. The youth's eyes snapped open. Their pitch hue filled with fear as he recoiled, slamming bodily into a tree.
"We're not going to hurt you," the priest began. In his most comforting tone he added, "We just want to ask you a few questions." The youth seemed to relax a bit and tried to adjust but his hands were still bound tightly behind his back.
"Can you untie me?"
"Once are questioning is over."
"Do it now. As a showing of trust?" The youth bent over and stretched his hands outward, away from his spine.
"I cannot. It would not be prudent. You may be a powerful wizard," the priest set the recovered items near the boy's face. "I would not wish to endanger my friends. And I have no need to slay you, yet. Answer the questions and we will decide whether or not you can be trusted. If you can be trusted, we'll untie you."
The black haired youth smirked and sat back down.
"Are you a worshipper of Cael, child?"
The youth snickered. "Of course not. Why?!"
"You have His holy symbol carved into your chest, even if it is somewhat flawed."
"That would explain. . ."
"Explain what?" The youth glanced away into the forest, denying an answer.
"What is your name, child?"
"I am Spinum Machaera and I am no child."
"Very well. Why did the druid take you prisoner?"
"He claimed I had violated the rules of his forest." Bitterness touched with anger hung heavily upon the words.
"Did you?" Cassock sat back, trying to read Spinum's face for lies and deception.
"I violated no rules. I was fleeing for my life when he caught me and beat me. When I awoke, he told me I would be sacrificed to the forest to right my wrongs. Can you cut these damnable bonds now?"
"In time. What were you fleeing from?"
"Probably that which had truly violated the forest...the Inquisition."
Cassock snapped upward, drawing his mace. "The Inquisition?"
"Yes, they came upon my family and I. Thankfully, I was a safe distance away and in the cover of the forest. I could only watch helplessly as they killed my father and brother." Spinum struggled to scratch an unreachable itch. Cassock leaned in, slitting the bonds, gifting the mage with freedom. "Thank you."
"Which way was the Inquisition heading?"
"If they were following the road, it would've taken them to some small town...Green HIlls or some such. I do not know for sure. We were heading toward Aedil."
"Why?"
"My father and brother are...were holy warriors of Myr. They thought Aedil would be the safest place for our futures."
"And are you trained in combat?"
"I have some training but I was never the match of even my brother. My power, as you suspect, is not one learned by swinging a shard of metal at another man's face. It comes within. It is true power."
The priest grabbed the halberd and spellbook shoved them into the youths hands. "You will travel with us to the Town of Green Hills. Try to run and I will kill you. There, we will set things right. You can have your vengeance on the Inquisitors."
Spinum grimaced and shuddered. The young mage had no desire to face whatever it was he had seen. But fearing death at the hands of his new captors, he slunk to the floor to prepare a few spells.
"We're leaving in twenty!" The priest shouted. "Get your gear together!"
"Why? What's happened?" Ana questioned.
"Inquisitors were spotted heading in the direction of your Town, Lady. It is not a good sign."
Before the last word had fully formed, Ana had vanished past the edge of the clearing, heading home.
The cool pulse of divine energy flooded through Cassock's veins. His arms tingled with the harnessed power and the sensation snaked from his shoulder down through his fingertips. The surge leapt between his outstretched hands and the body of the unconscious child. The tide ebbed, waxed, then waned and they awaited the youth to awaken. Cassock fatefully glimpsed down, noting a line of blood stretching past the edge of youth's clothing. He carefully pulled the rough leather aside. Carved into the child's chest, the symbol of Cael rested. The youth's eyes snapped open. Their pitch hue filled with fear as he recoiled, slamming bodily into a tree.
"We're not going to hurt you," the priest began. In his most comforting tone he added, "We just want to ask you a few questions." The youth seemed to relax a bit and tried to adjust but his hands were still bound tightly behind his back.
"Can you untie me?"
"Once are questioning is over."
"Do it now. As a showing of trust?" The youth bent over and stretched his hands outward, away from his spine.
"I cannot. It would not be prudent. You may be a powerful wizard," the priest set the recovered items near the boy's face. "I would not wish to endanger my friends. And I have no need to slay you, yet. Answer the questions and we will decide whether or not you can be trusted. If you can be trusted, we'll untie you."
The black haired youth smirked and sat back down.
"Are you a worshipper of Cael, child?"
The youth snickered. "Of course not. Why?!"
"You have His holy symbol carved into your chest, even if it is somewhat flawed."
"That would explain. . ."
"Explain what?" The youth glanced away into the forest, denying an answer.
"What is your name, child?"
"I am Spinum Machaera and I am no child."
"Very well. Why did the druid take you prisoner?"
"He claimed I had violated the rules of his forest." Bitterness touched with anger hung heavily upon the words.
"Did you?" Cassock sat back, trying to read Spinum's face for lies and deception.
"I violated no rules. I was fleeing for my life when he caught me and beat me. When I awoke, he told me I would be sacrificed to the forest to right my wrongs. Can you cut these damnable bonds now?"
"In time. What were you fleeing from?"
"Probably that which had truly violated the forest...the Inquisition."
Cassock snapped upward, drawing his mace. "The Inquisition?"
"Yes, they came upon my family and I. Thankfully, I was a safe distance away and in the cover of the forest. I could only watch helplessly as they killed my father and brother." Spinum struggled to scratch an unreachable itch. Cassock leaned in, slitting the bonds, gifting the mage with freedom. "Thank you."
"Which way was the Inquisition heading?"
"If they were following the road, it would've taken them to some small town...Green HIlls or some such. I do not know for sure. We were heading toward Aedil."
"Why?"
"My father and brother are...were holy warriors of Myr. They thought Aedil would be the safest place for our futures."
"And are you trained in combat?"
"I have some training but I was never the match of even my brother. My power, as you suspect, is not one learned by swinging a shard of metal at another man's face. It comes within. It is true power."
The priest grabbed the halberd and spellbook shoved them into the youths hands. "You will travel with us to the Town of Green Hills. Try to run and I will kill you. There, we will set things right. You can have your vengeance on the Inquisitors."
Spinum grimaced and shuddered. The young mage had no desire to face whatever it was he had seen. But fearing death at the hands of his new captors, he slunk to the floor to prepare a few spells.
"We're leaving in twenty!" The priest shouted. "Get your gear together!"
"Why? What's happened?" Ana questioned.
"Inquisitors were spotted heading in the direction of your Town, Lady. It is not a good sign."
Before the last word had fully formed, Ana had vanished past the edge of the clearing, heading home.
OaxacanWarrior
First Post
Funeris said:Oh yeah...there's also a package of cookies I have to mail out
Wahoo!! I'm glad that you can get to this with all the other things that you've crammed into your schedule this weekend.
Great update, btw. I can feel the tension building.
HalfOrc HalfBiscuit
Adventurer
Funeris said:
It never is. Y'know someone ought to do a setting where the Inquisition are the good guys. I mean what's actually wrong with rooting out heretics using violence and torture.
Funeris
First Post
Hehe...well I'm of the mine (personally) that the Ara'Kull Inquisitors can be the good guys. I mean, they kill off unpredictable races like the Elves and halflings and gnomes...they kill of stubborn races like the dwarves. Plus, they eliminate thieves and criminals (when not slaughtering people of other religions). They even kill orcs, trolls and goblins (if it comes to that...remember that each of those races have their own territories within the Empire).
Their main task though is to root out insurgents. Such as those of other religions, trying to force a different way of life onto people (i.e. Cassock of Cael). They are law-bringers and while their tactics may seem cruel and unusual (on occasion) they do keep true to their faith and occupation, allowing the good people of Norum da Salaex to grow up under the safety of one unified religion and one set of unified laws.
Nothing bad about that, right?
Of course, I am of the mindset that Good and Evil are nothing more than individual interpretations of actions and values. Cassock would call the church of Ara'kull (and its rabid...er...devout (I meant) followers) Evil for using their overbearing methods and cruel methods. And yet, he struck down a Goblin that was trying to give him a wand of cure light wounds without so much as a second thought or question. Same method, but his interpretation (rationalization, really ) says that when he does it, its right and when they do it, its wrong. That's not the last time you see Cassock use those tactics. He slaughters a priest (with the help of the group) that actually refuses to fight him, throws his hands up, and falls to the ground in a prone position to try to avoid combat. It does that priest of Ara'kull no good...his life ends.
But now I get ahead of myself and we'll get to that point eventually. In our friday game I threw a Good (read as what the general masses define as good i.e. no torture, wants equality, whole-hearted disney-esque goodness.) priest of Ara'kull at them. Hehe...I could've sworn I saw Yeti's eye twitch in anger. Actually, several of my players gave me the finger that night for what I did to them. More on that later, though.
I love DM-ing.
Their main task though is to root out insurgents. Such as those of other religions, trying to force a different way of life onto people (i.e. Cassock of Cael). They are law-bringers and while their tactics may seem cruel and unusual (on occasion) they do keep true to their faith and occupation, allowing the good people of Norum da Salaex to grow up under the safety of one unified religion and one set of unified laws.
Nothing bad about that, right?
Of course, I am of the mindset that Good and Evil are nothing more than individual interpretations of actions and values. Cassock would call the church of Ara'kull (and its rabid...er...devout (I meant) followers) Evil for using their overbearing methods and cruel methods. And yet, he struck down a Goblin that was trying to give him a wand of cure light wounds without so much as a second thought or question. Same method, but his interpretation (rationalization, really
) says that when he does it, its right and when they do it, its wrong. That's not the last time you see Cassock use those tactics. He slaughters a priest (with the help of the group) that actually refuses to fight him, throws his hands up, and falls to the ground in a prone position to try to avoid combat. It does that priest of Ara'kull no good...his life ends.But now I get ahead of myself and we'll get to that point eventually. In our friday game I threw a Good (read as what the general masses define as good i.e. no torture, wants equality, whole-hearted disney-esque goodness.) priest of Ara'kull at them. Hehe...I could've sworn I saw Yeti's eye twitch in anger. Actually, several of my players gave me the finger that night for what I did to them. More on that later, though.
I love DM-ing.
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