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
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
The Rise of Felskein [Completed]
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="Iron Sky" data-source="post: 4211389" data-attributes="member: 60965"><p>Session 4, Part 2</p><p></p><p>"Wait, a flying ship?" Ilsa said, trying to picture such a thing. Her spirits were much higher as they walked the road out of the Ragged Hills.</p><p></p><p>Suniel paused, murmured and a light glowed from his hand. He shook his head. "I didn't say a flying ship, I said a land-ship."</p><p></p><p>Ilsa shifted her grip on the improvised stretcher they had crafted to carry the unconscious orc. Suniel adjusted his hold on the other end in response.</p><p></p><p>"What's the difference?" Ilsa said, glancing back at him.</p><p></p><p>"The ship was floating, but I would think that, with the elves attacking them, if they could have risen into the sky they would have," Suniel said, slowing his pace and leaning forward to check on the orc as they walked.</p><p></p><p>"So who were they?" Ilsa said, looking back at the orc again. He wore a loose white shirt, a red scarf tied around one arm and a red stain on his side where the broken-off arrow still stuck out.</p><p></p><p>Suniel shrugged. "Maybe they'll know in Laketide. If not, we can get some answers from him when he wakes."</p><p></p><p>Harold came trotting back from his self-assigned scout position ahead of the group.</p><p></p><p>"We're pretty much there. I'll tell the Lieutenant about his men." He glanced at the orc. "When he wakes me up, let me know. Any information he has might be useful."</p><p></p><p>Without waiting for a reply, Harold turned and jogged off and a moment later Ming strode past, shouldering into Suniel as she passed.</p><p></p><p>"Ming..." Ilsa said but Suniel shook his head.</p><p></p><p>"I think the walking dead unmanned her... well, so to speak," Suniel said. "Maybe she just needs someone to blame her fear on. It's not uncommon."</p><p></p><p>"I guess," Ilsa said, watching the huge woman storm off.</p><p></p><p>A few minutes later they came around a bend between two low hills and they saw the lights of Laketide ahead of them.</p><p></p><p>"It'll be nice to put this stretcher down," Suniel said. "These arms are made for carrying books and scrolls, not orcs."</p><p></p><p>Ilsa smiled and nodded, thinking of how nice it would feel to sit down in front of the fire without her armor on, a cup of ale in hand.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The Lieutenant didn't take it like a soldier. Harold restrained a sigh and watched as the young officer stumbled back into his chair in the barracks, biting his lip to keep back tears.</p><p></p><p>"They died honorably in battle, if that makes it any better," Harold said. <em>Close enough to the truth</em>, he thought.</p><p></p><p>Lieutenant Laris nodded and looked up at Harold. "Thank you, it is good to hear that at least. The Sergeant taught many of us here everything we know about soldiering. It's hard to believe that he's gone."</p><p></p><p><em>People die in war, get over it. How many soldiers of the Crystal Towers do you think have fallen against the Ashen Tower?</em> Harold thought. "Everyone dies some day," he said instead.</p><p></p><p>"You say it was a hobgoblin ambush?" Laris said. "There must have been a lot of them if my soldiers died. All of you returned when you cleaned out the whole outpost the first time..."</p><p></p><p>"Ah yes, I have news about the outpost too. But that can wait. There was an ambush by hobgoblins, but it wasn't how all of them died. There was also-" Harold said, cut off by the door slamming open and five burly, armed men with greasy black hair stepping in.</p><p></p><p>"Can I help you-" Laris began, standing up. His men, lounging in their bunks, grumbled as they awoke, took in the situation, and reached for weapons.</p><p></p><p>One of the men, a towering, ugly, black-bearded man with a brutal looking great axe strapped to his back slammed a sealed sheet of parchment onto Laris' desk. "Official writ from the Northmand Justicar. You'll be helping us enact the judgment, Lieutenant," the man said, smirking.</p><p></p><p>Harold moved behind Laris so he could read the writ as Laris did. They finished reading at the same time and Laris met Harold's eyes for a moment before turning to the man. </p><p></p><p>"It seems official." He stood up straight and saluted. "Sir Durgon Kellin, my men and I are at the Justice's service."</p><p></p><p>As the big man nodded and walked out with his fellows, Laris turned and whispered in Harold's ear. "I'm assuming I have your cooperation in this?"</p><p></p><p>Harold nodded. "The Crystal Towers respects the laws of her friends and allies. You'll have no interference from me."</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Suniel pressed the damp cloth against the orc's forehead and murmured in orcish as the orc stirred. "Be still, the wound won't kill you, but you'll need to conserve your strength."</p><p></p><p>The orc's eyes opened and met Suniel's. </p><p></p><p>"Who are you and where is my ship? Where am I?" he said.</p><p></p><p>"I am Suniel Au, elven wizard of the Black Carriage, at your service. Your ship fled, pursued by black-cloaked figures riding what my books tell me were some form of 'raptors.' As for where you are, you are in the town of Laketide, in the nation of Northmand. You are in a loft room above the common hall of the inn."</p><p></p><p>"Laketide? Never heard of..." the orc growled, then shifted and winced. "Those craven dogs, Pyresail would burn the captain alive if he heard of such cowardice. Fleeing from a handful of riders when we had a full combat crew."</p><p></p><p>"Pyresail?" Suniel said, pulling up a stool.</p><p></p><p>The orc looked back at Suniel. "Am I to be executed? Tortured?"</p><p></p><p>Suniel was taken aback. "No no, I just have some questions. If you wish to leave you may. You can do as you will."</p><p></p><p>"Hmm." The orc stared at the ceiling for a long moment before looking back at Suniel. "My name is Guntl Keen-eye, at your service. The fact that you don't know who Lord Pyresail is tells me how far away I am from Gantry."</p><p></p><p>"I apologize, I am a stranger to these lands."</p><p></p><p>"Well, I don't imagine they'll be coming back for me, bloody curs," Guntl said. "And I'm not about to walk across the Ragged Hills and navigate the Cracks without a ship to get back. What is this Black Carriage?"</p><p></p><p>"It's just me... well, and a few recent additions I suppose," Suniel said, thinking of the three goblins and wondering if they'd gotten into any trouble while he was away. "I travel and sell small magics to the peoples of various civilized lands. Nothing too grand."</p><p></p><p>"Sounds perfect. Are you looking for any additional additions?"</p><p></p><p>Suniel paused to consider. He had a good feeling about this Guntl. He seemed direct, honest. His wit seemed keen for an orc, the way he took in his situation and came up with a solution without hesitation. "I suppose I might be. There's little pay in it, but if you provided whatever services you could, I could supply food, lodging when I have it, travel to all sorts of places."</p><p></p><p>"I'm good with animals," Guntl said. "Can do a bit of woodwork, fight a bit if need be, and they don't call me Keen-eye for nothing. I'm in if you'll have me."</p><p></p><p>Suniel extended his hand and Guntl took it in a strong grip. "Welcome to the Black Carriage then. If I might ask, who is this Lord Pyresail?"</p><p></p><p>Guntl grunted. "Pirate Lord Derkaran Pyresail to be exact. He's the one sits at the top of the main crane-tower, ruling over the rust of Gantry. As fierce and fiery as that big flaming ruby he carries, and he doesn't hesitate a moment to use it if he feels like it. He wouldn't be ruling the Pirate Lords without it, but rule 'em he does. He's a cunning bastard and damn good at what he does, most of the Nomads pay Gantry tribute and a handful of the sorry Cave clans of the Cracks do too..."</p><p></p><p>There was some commotion downstairs and Guntl paused to listen. Suniel couldn't catch anything precise, but had a bad feeling about it.</p><p></p><p>Suniel stood, placing one hand on Guntl's shoulder. "Rest until you feel well. I'll have them send up a meal tonight."</p><p></p><p>Guntl nodded, laid back comfortably in the bed, and Suniel hurried out.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Ming slammed the big farmer's hand into the table to a chorus of boos and cheers, stood up and took a huge drought of ale.</p><p></p><p>"Who's next?" she said, casting a casual glance at the crowd gathered around the table. "I'll even use my left arm next time."</p><p></p><p>A dwarf with a gray beard, leathery skin, and a thick leather apron pushed his way through and sat in recently vacated seat opposite her. She heard someone in the crowd murmur, "she'll never beat Ol' Gorrim Ironwrought," then the crowd erupted into cheers, shouts, and a round of heavy betting.</p><p></p><p><em>Hm, a dwarven smith? Looks like they pulled him out of his smithy just for me. They're really getting desperate</em>, she thought, finishing off her drink, rubbing her hands together, and sitting down with a lopsided grin. Her hand clasped the dwarf's - it felt like leather-wrapped iron - and she wiggled her fingers a few times to check her grib and was just starting to clench her muscles when the inn door flew open.</p><p></p><p>She staggered to her feet and stumbled back, trying to remember where she'd left her sword, but several guards grabbed her arms just as she spotted it leaning against the hearth. For a moment she struggled with them, but there were four of them to her one. The fight went out of her when she saw who stood in the doorway.</p><p></p><p>The inn emptied after them as she was dragged outside and pushed to her knees. She stared up at Durgon Kellin and the four brothers or cousins or both that flanked him. Durgon's hand's rested on the butt of the greataxe that had belonged to his brother.</p><p></p><p>Ming stood, shoved two guards back, and tried to push her way through the crowd to get away, but a dozen hands grabbed her and dragged her back. Durgon sneered at her then turned to the crowd. </p><p></p><p>"I, Sir Durgon Kellin, am here to claim justice," he shouted and held up a scroll. "Here I have a writ from the Justicar of Northmand, giving me legal right to claim trial by combat."</p><p></p><p>He turned to Ming and spat. </p><p></p><p>"And you, dog, you will fight me to your death." He took a few steps forward and grabbed her hair, jerking her close enough that she could smell his foul breath. "Tomorrow I'm going to cut you apart under the eyes of the law. Thought you could kill a Kellin and get away with it?"</p><p></p><p>He pushed her away roughly and, as she fell hard to one knee in a daze, Ming saw Suniel talking with Laris and gesturing in her direction, Ilsa standing at the edge of the crowd with a grim look and her hand tight on her sword, Harold watching expressionlessly from his place next to Laris.</p><p></p><p>Durgon turned to the crowd and bellowed, "this whore is a murdering swine. The law stands behind me and proclaims me judge. She killed my brother and tomorrow at dawn I'll prove her guilt by the axe!"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Iron Sky, post: 4211389, member: 60965"] Session 4, Part 2 "Wait, a flying ship?" Ilsa said, trying to picture such a thing. Her spirits were much higher as they walked the road out of the Ragged Hills. Suniel paused, murmured and a light glowed from his hand. He shook his head. "I didn't say a flying ship, I said a land-ship." Ilsa shifted her grip on the improvised stretcher they had crafted to carry the unconscious orc. Suniel adjusted his hold on the other end in response. "What's the difference?" Ilsa said, glancing back at him. "The ship was floating, but I would think that, with the elves attacking them, if they could have risen into the sky they would have," Suniel said, slowing his pace and leaning forward to check on the orc as they walked. "So who were they?" Ilsa said, looking back at the orc again. He wore a loose white shirt, a red scarf tied around one arm and a red stain on his side where the broken-off arrow still stuck out. Suniel shrugged. "Maybe they'll know in Laketide. If not, we can get some answers from him when he wakes." Harold came trotting back from his self-assigned scout position ahead of the group. "We're pretty much there. I'll tell the Lieutenant about his men." He glanced at the orc. "When he wakes me up, let me know. Any information he has might be useful." Without waiting for a reply, Harold turned and jogged off and a moment later Ming strode past, shouldering into Suniel as she passed. "Ming..." Ilsa said but Suniel shook his head. "I think the walking dead unmanned her... well, so to speak," Suniel said. "Maybe she just needs someone to blame her fear on. It's not uncommon." "I guess," Ilsa said, watching the huge woman storm off. A few minutes later they came around a bend between two low hills and they saw the lights of Laketide ahead of them. "It'll be nice to put this stretcher down," Suniel said. "These arms are made for carrying books and scrolls, not orcs." Ilsa smiled and nodded, thinking of how nice it would feel to sit down in front of the fire without her armor on, a cup of ale in hand. *** The Lieutenant didn't take it like a soldier. Harold restrained a sigh and watched as the young officer stumbled back into his chair in the barracks, biting his lip to keep back tears. "They died honorably in battle, if that makes it any better," Harold said. [I]Close enough to the truth[/I], he thought. Lieutenant Laris nodded and looked up at Harold. "Thank you, it is good to hear that at least. The Sergeant taught many of us here everything we know about soldiering. It's hard to believe that he's gone." [I]People die in war, get over it. How many soldiers of the Crystal Towers do you think have fallen against the Ashen Tower?[/I] Harold thought. "Everyone dies some day," he said instead. "You say it was a hobgoblin ambush?" Laris said. "There must have been a lot of them if my soldiers died. All of you returned when you cleaned out the whole outpost the first time..." "Ah yes, I have news about the outpost too. But that can wait. There was an ambush by hobgoblins, but it wasn't how all of them died. There was also-" Harold said, cut off by the door slamming open and five burly, armed men with greasy black hair stepping in. "Can I help you-" Laris began, standing up. His men, lounging in their bunks, grumbled as they awoke, took in the situation, and reached for weapons. One of the men, a towering, ugly, black-bearded man with a brutal looking great axe strapped to his back slammed a sealed sheet of parchment onto Laris' desk. "Official writ from the Northmand Justicar. You'll be helping us enact the judgment, Lieutenant," the man said, smirking. Harold moved behind Laris so he could read the writ as Laris did. They finished reading at the same time and Laris met Harold's eyes for a moment before turning to the man. "It seems official." He stood up straight and saluted. "Sir Durgon Kellin, my men and I are at the Justice's service." As the big man nodded and walked out with his fellows, Laris turned and whispered in Harold's ear. "I'm assuming I have your cooperation in this?" Harold nodded. "The Crystal Towers respects the laws of her friends and allies. You'll have no interference from me." *** Suniel pressed the damp cloth against the orc's forehead and murmured in orcish as the orc stirred. "Be still, the wound won't kill you, but you'll need to conserve your strength." The orc's eyes opened and met Suniel's. "Who are you and where is my ship? Where am I?" he said. "I am Suniel Au, elven wizard of the Black Carriage, at your service. Your ship fled, pursued by black-cloaked figures riding what my books tell me were some form of 'raptors.' As for where you are, you are in the town of Laketide, in the nation of Northmand. You are in a loft room above the common hall of the inn." "Laketide? Never heard of..." the orc growled, then shifted and winced. "Those craven dogs, Pyresail would burn the captain alive if he heard of such cowardice. Fleeing from a handful of riders when we had a full combat crew." "Pyresail?" Suniel said, pulling up a stool. The orc looked back at Suniel. "Am I to be executed? Tortured?" Suniel was taken aback. "No no, I just have some questions. If you wish to leave you may. You can do as you will." "Hmm." The orc stared at the ceiling for a long moment before looking back at Suniel. "My name is Guntl Keen-eye, at your service. The fact that you don't know who Lord Pyresail is tells me how far away I am from Gantry." "I apologize, I am a stranger to these lands." "Well, I don't imagine they'll be coming back for me, bloody curs," Guntl said. "And I'm not about to walk across the Ragged Hills and navigate the Cracks without a ship to get back. What is this Black Carriage?" "It's just me... well, and a few recent additions I suppose," Suniel said, thinking of the three goblins and wondering if they'd gotten into any trouble while he was away. "I travel and sell small magics to the peoples of various civilized lands. Nothing too grand." "Sounds perfect. Are you looking for any additional additions?" Suniel paused to consider. He had a good feeling about this Guntl. He seemed direct, honest. His wit seemed keen for an orc, the way he took in his situation and came up with a solution without hesitation. "I suppose I might be. There's little pay in it, but if you provided whatever services you could, I could supply food, lodging when I have it, travel to all sorts of places." "I'm good with animals," Guntl said. "Can do a bit of woodwork, fight a bit if need be, and they don't call me Keen-eye for nothing. I'm in if you'll have me." Suniel extended his hand and Guntl took it in a strong grip. "Welcome to the Black Carriage then. If I might ask, who is this Lord Pyresail?" Guntl grunted. "Pirate Lord Derkaran Pyresail to be exact. He's the one sits at the top of the main crane-tower, ruling over the rust of Gantry. As fierce and fiery as that big flaming ruby he carries, and he doesn't hesitate a moment to use it if he feels like it. He wouldn't be ruling the Pirate Lords without it, but rule 'em he does. He's a cunning bastard and damn good at what he does, most of the Nomads pay Gantry tribute and a handful of the sorry Cave clans of the Cracks do too..." There was some commotion downstairs and Guntl paused to listen. Suniel couldn't catch anything precise, but had a bad feeling about it. Suniel stood, placing one hand on Guntl's shoulder. "Rest until you feel well. I'll have them send up a meal tonight." Guntl nodded, laid back comfortably in the bed, and Suniel hurried out. *** Ming slammed the big farmer's hand into the table to a chorus of boos and cheers, stood up and took a huge drought of ale. "Who's next?" she said, casting a casual glance at the crowd gathered around the table. "I'll even use my left arm next time." A dwarf with a gray beard, leathery skin, and a thick leather apron pushed his way through and sat in recently vacated seat opposite her. She heard someone in the crowd murmur, "she'll never beat Ol' Gorrim Ironwrought," then the crowd erupted into cheers, shouts, and a round of heavy betting. [I]Hm, a dwarven smith? Looks like they pulled him out of his smithy just for me. They're really getting desperate[/I], she thought, finishing off her drink, rubbing her hands together, and sitting down with a lopsided grin. Her hand clasped the dwarf's - it felt like leather-wrapped iron - and she wiggled her fingers a few times to check her grib and was just starting to clench her muscles when the inn door flew open. She staggered to her feet and stumbled back, trying to remember where she'd left her sword, but several guards grabbed her arms just as she spotted it leaning against the hearth. For a moment she struggled with them, but there were four of them to her one. The fight went out of her when she saw who stood in the doorway. The inn emptied after them as she was dragged outside and pushed to her knees. She stared up at Durgon Kellin and the four brothers or cousins or both that flanked him. Durgon's hand's rested on the butt of the greataxe that had belonged to his brother. Ming stood, shoved two guards back, and tried to push her way through the crowd to get away, but a dozen hands grabbed her and dragged her back. Durgon sneered at her then turned to the crowd. "I, Sir Durgon Kellin, am here to claim justice," he shouted and held up a scroll. "Here I have a writ from the Justicar of Northmand, giving me legal right to claim trial by combat." He turned to Ming and spat. "And you, dog, you will fight me to your death." He took a few steps forward and grabbed her hair, jerking her close enough that she could smell his foul breath. "Tomorrow I'm going to cut you apart under the eyes of the law. Thought you could kill a Kellin and get away with it?" He pushed her away roughly and, as she fell hard to one knee in a daze, Ming saw Suniel talking with Laris and gesturing in her direction, Ilsa standing at the edge of the crowd with a grim look and her hand tight on her sword, Harold watching expressionlessly from his place next to Laris. Durgon turned to the crowd and bellowed, "this whore is a murdering swine. The law stands behind me and proclaims me judge. She killed my brother and tomorrow at dawn I'll prove her guilt by the axe!" [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
The Rise of Felskein [Completed]
Top