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The Twilight Paths Campaign (Updated 7/30 - Questions from Above)

Cinerarium

First Post
Midwinter, the Road to Formyr

I awoke long before dawn this morning, the anticipation of the coming journey overwhelming. Who is this Alandindion? What will we find in Formyr? Does Bugdul indeed await us outside of Harren? Will our enemy pursue us thither?

Steam rose from our mouths as we silently greeted each other in the square outside of the temple. We had procured a wagon and some horses for the journey, in part to blend in and in part to give us a quiet place to rest during the trip. If the weather held, we faced a four day trip to Formyr across the Jann Plains, skirting to the south of the Cotswolds.

Fineon suggested that we leave by the south gate, then circle around and proceed west to Formyr, to hopefully throw off any watchers the enemy had on the gates, and buy us some time. We mingled in with the early morning traffic heading out of Harren for the bridge to Purseton or points further south (Cymeria! How I miss it!). The guards at the gate gave us some bother, taking an inventory of our items so we could avoid tax on them on the return, and also our names.

We spent the majority of the day circling the walls of the Sevencity, and by noon a pale sun broke through the grey skies, giving a white glow to the skies above and the snow-covered fallow fields below. Traffic around the city, primarily merchants on their way from Cymeria to Formyr who wished to avoid paying the gate taxes of Harren, joined our wagon, and our progress was good.

I had some time to consider my dealings concerning the Kitchen. I can only hope the seeds planted will bear fruit in the future. My only concern is that the Lordling should fall into trouble and disclose my name as the source of his drug. At least now I will have a place to retire with a confidante, should I ever find one in the city. Also, I am intrigued to note who else frequents the Kitchen. I understand prying too obsequiously will likely lead me to a quick death, but my curiosity is itching to know!

Alturiak 3, East of Formyr

After noon, Zazu spotted four horsemen rapidly gaining on us from the east. They were wearing armor and looked grim from how the owl described them via Kazir. We found a rock outcropping off the side of the road where we could hide the wagon, and prepared an ambush if they turned off the road as well.

Nervously we waited, shivering in the north wind that blew out of the Cotswolds. Toth’s heavy breathing, and the nervous stamping of the horses echoed the pounding of my own heart. We could not see the road from our position, only the approach from it, and were ready to unleash hell on any that came near.

“They approach where we turned off the road…” Kazir whispered, communicating with his familiar circling over head. “They’re slowing. One has dismounted, and is checking the ground. He’s gotten back onto his horse. They’re riding away, towards Formyr.”

We waited nervously for another hour as Zazu followed them. Eventually he returned. “They’ve continued west,” Kazir said, stroking the mottled white feathers of his owl companion. “We should be cautious for an ambush, ourselves.”

Alturiak 4, Formyr

Kazir sent Zazu aloft in the grey light of another chill dawn on the road. Toth doused the fire in a manner that always makes him laugh and show his broken teeth. Kazir and I got into the wagon, Toth and Fin mounted their horses, and off we went.

Around high sun Kazir reported that Zazu had spotted the riders from the day before. They were about an hour ahead of us, he estimated, and still headed for Formyr. We guessed at their motives for some time. Could they be Bugdul and his minions? If so, how had they known we had left Harren? Perhaps the guard at the southern gate who had taken our names, or one of his associates, had given us up? Perhaps the elders who hired Bugdul and murdered Brother Linden hired others to watch all of the gates of Harren? Perhaps these riders were only couriers of some kind, completely unrelated to us. Unfortunately, we could not know until we caught up with them, and met whatever fate lay ahead of us.

The sun was lowering in the sky but still overhead when Fineon spotted them, a dozen spikes glinting on the far horizon. As we neared, I could see them, the legendary spires of Formyr. Overlooking the Jann Plain, these towers were said to be ancient, from the Age of Heroes, and their kind could no longer be built in Valusia. Extremely slender, they rose to a good forty stories, if the rumors were true, and were still in use to this day. Watchmen there could alert Formyr’s famous cavalry far in advance of an enemy assault.

While I was admiring the distant view, still several miles off, Kazir got my attention. “The riders,” he said in his customary deadpan, “have stopped in the forest ahead. Wait, now they continue.”

We raised our guard as we approached the forest. Zazu returned from scouting and silently joined Kazir and me in the wagon. Fin called out from in front of us, his keen vision scanning the approaching woods, “A man waits in the trees ahead, with… a large dog. He wears a grey cloak over leather armor, and has two scimitars in his sash.”

We readied ourselves. Could this be an agent of the enemy? Or a possible friend? Now I could just make his shadow out, the trees in front of us blocking the low sun. “His eyes are strange… lifeless,” Fin said, ominously.
 

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Cinerarium

First Post
Tellerve said:
Sounds like a quaint little franchise of the Red Temple from your campaign Cin. Ahh, the Red Temple *grins wickedly*

Tellerve

Tell's referring to a similar den of ill-repute in my own campaign.

I shamelessly stole the idea of the Red Temple from Fred Saberhagen's books of swords that I read a long, long, long time ago. But then I modified it and put my own twists on the subject. Someday when Tell and everyone gets to play my own campaign for awhile, I might post some story hours from it. Who knows?

But yes, I get the feeling that the Kitchen is similar. Hopefully Tryn will get to actually go there soon, when we get back from Formyr.

For those of you following along, the story hour is now within fourteen pages of where I've got the journal up to, which is itself probably about five pages back from how far we've gotten in the campaign to date. So all in all pretty close. In fact, I'd say we're only about two or three days in game time back, in the journal. A lot happens in that time though.

And we're playing tomorrow night, so who knows how far back I'll be at that point. But I'm catching up.

Thanks for reading. Your suggestions and comments always bring a smile to my face.
 

Destan

Citizen of Val Hor
Cinerarium said:

Toth doused the fire in a manner that always makes him laugh and show his broken teeth.

Ah, man...it's little near-hidden gems like these that cause me to read, and re-read, your updates. Though I know nothing "action-oriented" occurred in your most recent post, I think it was one of the best ones yet.

I find myself reading these updates, Cin, as if seeing these scenes for the first time - and thoroughly enjoying that fact.

D
 

Riley

Legend
Supporter
Cinerarium said:


For those of you following along, the story hour is now within fourteen pages of where I've got the journal up to, which is itself probably about five pages back from how far we've gotten in the campaign to date.

Funny... my copy of Tryn's Journal ends with us still in Harren.

How am I supposed to remember the name of the gnomish innkeeper if the scribe won't share his notes? :)

See you tonight...

- Riley

Cinerarium said:
...Riley bravely tumbled into the room amidst the ghouls. In horror, I saw them all turn their fanged maws his way. Before any of us could get to him, he was eaten alive by the ghoulish creatures! I shall be haunted by the image of his demise, eaten alive, his mouth paralyzed in a silent scream as his throat was ripped open by the unhallowed fangs of ghouls.
 

Tellerve

Registered User
hmm, mysterious two scimitar wielding guy in the woods...kill drizzt!! kill him! Just kidding, I know this campaign is too good to have him in it.

Good update, nice imagery as Destan said. Looking forward to those combats you told me about awhile ago.

Tellerve
 

Cinerarium

First Post
Riley said:


Funny... my copy of Tryn's Journal ends with us still in Harren.

How am I supposed to remember the name of the gnomish innkeeper if the scribe won't share his notes? :)

See you tonight...

- Riley


Riley, there should be a more recent version on our website (sorry for polluting the thread everybody else).

Even that's not fully up to date though. I'll post a better version when in the next couple days.
 

Cinerarium

First Post
Oh, and Riley, the innkeep's name was Melvin. Sorry, forgot to mention that.

To the other two of you reading this, that name will make sense in a few posts.

Thanks for reading!
Cin
 
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Lela

First Post
I count as at least three people. I'm almost insulted here.

Well, almost.

But I do agree with Destan. I was on the edge of my seet throughout that update. There was a tension there that's hard to create in writing. Very well done.
 

Tellerve

Registered User
Well Cin doesn't probably count Destan, being as he is the DM, and me, seeing as I'm an old friend of Cin's and soon to be player in campaign he's going to run. As such I think he thinks it is sorta a given for me to read this stuff :)

Tellerve
 

Cinerarium

First Post
Odds and Ends

Sorry, I should've counted Lela's multiple personalities. My bad.

We just played last night, and it rocked! Old enemies, and the group really starting to come together in terms of combat abilities and spells. Another great Destan adventure! I've got to get this all caught up to the current sessions.

It was also our first time playing 3.5, and we generally gave the system thumbs up all around.

I'll get an update out tonight if all goes well, and probably one tomorrow.

Thanks for the compliments on the writing style! I'm trying to improve as I go along. Feedback from all of you on the boards and the other guys in the group is great motivation.
 

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