The Unusual Heroes Enter The City of the Spider Queen!
- Thread starter Ziona
- Start date
Breakstone
First Post
Oh Doc, you know me too well...
Thorntangle
First Post
How much XP for changing a diaper? I know I must be a Father7 at least by now, so it must be pretty hefty.
I really like the off hours portions of storyhours too. It adds a human element to the story that really enriches the characters. It allows the reader to invest more in the story and makes it much more emotional when the characters suffer an inevitable, gruesome death in the Underdark.
I really like the off hours portions of storyhours too. It adds a human element to the story that really enriches the characters. It allows the reader to invest more in the story and makes it much more emotional when the characters suffer an inevitable, gruesome death in the Underdark.
Ziona
First Post
The Arrival and Departure
A tenday later, Avangel returned to Castle Xyzx to find his companions happy to see him and in good spirits. They had a great feast on the night that Avangel returned, and shared stories of their time spent apart.
After their dinner, they had gathered in the common room and talked about the castle they now resided in. Dent was praised for his foresight and planning, while Gnettles was congratulated on finding such useful and rare books for the library. Avangel and Ziona both approved of their living quarters, (each with a small temple to their God and Goddess), while Lox mumbled about how he should have had a separate room from his family, for which Doc scolded him.
Before they retired for the night, however, there was a knock upon the door.
“Okay, now we’re all here,” said Dent. “I can’t imagine who would be turning up now.”
When the half-elf opened the door, a weathered-looking man stood before him.
“Can I help you?”
“I pray you can,” said the man. “My name is Bailey, and I have come from Daggerdale.”
“Daggerdale? That is a long trek, my friend. Please come in,” said Dent opening the door wider.
The heroes introduced themselves to Bailey, and he sat and told them how he had been sent by Randall Morn, ruler of Daggerdale.
“My Lord has summoned you,” explained Bailey. “The matter is most urgent. There have been several brutal drow raids recently, and my Lord fears there will be more.”
“Drow raids?” said Ziona.
“Yes, milady,” replied Bailey. “The most vicious I’ve ever heard of. The victims…the destruction…”
“Settle down friend,” said Avangel comfortingly. “We’ll get you some food, and you’ll rest here the night.”
“But you don’t understand the urgency,” pleaded Bailey.
“Tomorrow your trip back to Daggerdale will be much shorter, I assure you,” said Gnettles with a sparkle in his eye.
Bailey looked around at the heroes.
“Then you’ll do it? You’ll speak with the Lord of Daggerdale?”
“Of course,” said Dent. “But for now, take Avangel’s advice and relax a little. In the morning we’ll ready ourselves for the excursion to Daggerdale.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, before they woke Bailey, the heroes congregated in the common room.
“Any thoughts on this situation?” asked Dent.
“Well, I believe it is most uncommon for Daggerdale to be having drow raids,” said Ziona. “It’s been many years as far as I understand it.”
“Well, Bailey seems rather shaken,” said Avangel. “I’m willing to bet the raids have been as brutal as he implies.”
“Well, what are we waiting for? Are we going to go? We should go wake him, shouldn’t we?” said Lox anxiously.
“Calm down, Lox,” said Gnettles.
“Nervous about leaving the family, lil’ buddy?” asked Doc. “That’s understandable.”
“Heh, yeah, that’s it,” laughed Lox with an edgy tone.
The truth was, Lox hadn’t mentioned the summons to his wife Sally. He knew she would never stand for him heading out when he had two children to care for. The only thing he regretted was not being able to contact Traps to go along with him.
“Truthfully,” continued Doc, “I’m not so sure about this trip myself.”
“How do you mean?” asked Dent.
“Look,” said Doc, “I’ve only met half a drow I’ve ever liked.”
Ziona looked at Doc Midnight, realizing he was hedging.
“What are you trying to say, Doc?” she asked.
“Well, I’m an investigator for the City Watch now,” he said puffing out his chest importantly. “I have justice to uphold, a city to keep safe.”
“Are you saying you’re not going?” asked Dent in astonishment.
“I’m saying that the citizens of Waterdeep need me more right now than the citizens of Daggerdale,” said Doc triumphantly. “I have great confidence in you all, and I know you can handle this without me. Do it…FOR JUSTICE!”
Ziona looked at Dent with raised eyebrows. Dent knew Doc had taken his responsibility as Investigator seriously, but this came as quite the surprise!
“If that is how you truly feel, Doc, then you should follow your conscience,” said Avangel.
“Yes, well, take care my friends. I shall see you when you return,” said Doc. “I’m off to discuss some matters with the City Watch. Important business, you know.”
“Take care, Doc,” said Dent.
And with a swish of his cloak, he was out the door and on a “mission” of his own to keep the City of Waterdeep safe.
The Adventure Continues…
A tenday later, Avangel returned to Castle Xyzx to find his companions happy to see him and in good spirits. They had a great feast on the night that Avangel returned, and shared stories of their time spent apart.
After their dinner, they had gathered in the common room and talked about the castle they now resided in. Dent was praised for his foresight and planning, while Gnettles was congratulated on finding such useful and rare books for the library. Avangel and Ziona both approved of their living quarters, (each with a small temple to their God and Goddess), while Lox mumbled about how he should have had a separate room from his family, for which Doc scolded him.
Before they retired for the night, however, there was a knock upon the door.
“Okay, now we’re all here,” said Dent. “I can’t imagine who would be turning up now.”
When the half-elf opened the door, a weathered-looking man stood before him.
“Can I help you?”
“I pray you can,” said the man. “My name is Bailey, and I have come from Daggerdale.”
“Daggerdale? That is a long trek, my friend. Please come in,” said Dent opening the door wider.
The heroes introduced themselves to Bailey, and he sat and told them how he had been sent by Randall Morn, ruler of Daggerdale.
“My Lord has summoned you,” explained Bailey. “The matter is most urgent. There have been several brutal drow raids recently, and my Lord fears there will be more.”
“Drow raids?” said Ziona.
“Yes, milady,” replied Bailey. “The most vicious I’ve ever heard of. The victims…the destruction…”
“Settle down friend,” said Avangel comfortingly. “We’ll get you some food, and you’ll rest here the night.”
“But you don’t understand the urgency,” pleaded Bailey.
“Tomorrow your trip back to Daggerdale will be much shorter, I assure you,” said Gnettles with a sparkle in his eye.
Bailey looked around at the heroes.
“Then you’ll do it? You’ll speak with the Lord of Daggerdale?”
“Of course,” said Dent. “But for now, take Avangel’s advice and relax a little. In the morning we’ll ready ourselves for the excursion to Daggerdale.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, before they woke Bailey, the heroes congregated in the common room.
“Any thoughts on this situation?” asked Dent.
“Well, I believe it is most uncommon for Daggerdale to be having drow raids,” said Ziona. “It’s been many years as far as I understand it.”
“Well, Bailey seems rather shaken,” said Avangel. “I’m willing to bet the raids have been as brutal as he implies.”
“Well, what are we waiting for? Are we going to go? We should go wake him, shouldn’t we?” said Lox anxiously.
“Calm down, Lox,” said Gnettles.
“Nervous about leaving the family, lil’ buddy?” asked Doc. “That’s understandable.”
“Heh, yeah, that’s it,” laughed Lox with an edgy tone.
The truth was, Lox hadn’t mentioned the summons to his wife Sally. He knew she would never stand for him heading out when he had two children to care for. The only thing he regretted was not being able to contact Traps to go along with him.
“Truthfully,” continued Doc, “I’m not so sure about this trip myself.”
“How do you mean?” asked Dent.
“Look,” said Doc, “I’ve only met half a drow I’ve ever liked.”
Ziona looked at Doc Midnight, realizing he was hedging.
“What are you trying to say, Doc?” she asked.
“Well, I’m an investigator for the City Watch now,” he said puffing out his chest importantly. “I have justice to uphold, a city to keep safe.”
“Are you saying you’re not going?” asked Dent in astonishment.
“I’m saying that the citizens of Waterdeep need me more right now than the citizens of Daggerdale,” said Doc triumphantly. “I have great confidence in you all, and I know you can handle this without me. Do it…FOR JUSTICE!”
Ziona looked at Dent with raised eyebrows. Dent knew Doc had taken his responsibility as Investigator seriously, but this came as quite the surprise!
“If that is how you truly feel, Doc, then you should follow your conscience,” said Avangel.
“Yes, well, take care my friends. I shall see you when you return,” said Doc. “I’m off to discuss some matters with the City Watch. Important business, you know.”
“Take care, Doc,” said Dent.
And with a swish of his cloak, he was out the door and on a “mission” of his own to keep the City of Waterdeep safe.
The Adventure Continues…
Last edited:
Breakstone
First Post
While I shall miss Doc, I can't wait to hear of the new adventures!
Ziona
First Post
Daggerdale and the Crypts
After Bailey was awake, the companions readied themselves for the spell Gnettles was about to cast. It took only a few moments for Waterdeep to melt away and for Daggerdale to snap into view. Bailey regained his composure and lead the heroes to The Lord of Daggerdale, who greeted them personally as they arrived.
“Welcome, dear friends,” Randall called. “Thank you for understanding the urgency of the situation. I trust your travels were well?”
“Yes,” replied Gnettles with a grin. “Could not have been better.”
Randall lead them to his study, which was lined with bookshelves that made Gnettles feel right at home, and made Lox feel sleepy.
“Again, I thank you for coming so quickly,” said Randall in a more serious tone. “You have the reputation of courageous problem-solvers, and I believe I have a problem that requires solving.”
The heroes sat with looks on concern chiseled on their faces while Randall explained how a band of drow raided several farms about ten miles away. He described how the local militia tracked the drow to an old set of crypts on the western edge of the Dagger Hills, which are rumored to have an entrance to the Underdark hidden within.
“Three nights ago, the drow raiders returned and caused even more damage. I think the time has come for some experienced and capable adventurers to put a stop to these raids. We haven’t had trouble with drow in Daggerdale for hundreds of years, and I have no idea what has stirred them up now. Can you help me?”
“Of course we will,” said Avangel triumphantly. “Let us get underway before any more innocent lives are lost!”
Randall was surprised by the quick decision and fervor the heroes possessed for abolishing the evil plaguing Daggerdale. Even more surprising to Randall was the fact that they were not asking for a reward or benefit of some kind.
“Do you require any provisions, or mounts? Any sort of supplies?” he asked.
“I believe we are well equipped,” said Dent with Haley by his side. “Unless you have any further information for us.”
“I know only that these drow seemed bent on mindless slaughter…just pointless and savage. Take care, my friends, and know that Daggerdale thanks you for this great deed.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“What an eerie place,” said Lox. “Reminds me of that one time, when we went to Rappan Athuk, and there was a graveyard, and it was awful creepy, just like this place!”
The heroes had been guided to the outskirts of the crypts by a ranger who worked for Randall, and they were now searching the area.
“It seems to me that there were ten of them,” said Dent studying impressions in the ground.
“If the rumors are correct,” said Ziona, “then we will find an entrance to the Underdark within.”
“Then enter we shall,” said Avangel.
The celestial elf cast light upon his shield and lead the way into the crypts. They noticed that the majority of the doors were plastered shut, and had been for quite some time.
“Ahead…drow corpses,” said Avangel.
Ziona and Dent inspected the bodies, which were all gathered around one of the plastered doors.
“These two look as though they have been bludgeoned to death,” said Ziona standing up.
“It’s clear the others are riddled with crossbow bolts,” replied Dent. “We should take caution with the doors we open.”
Lox, who had grown bored with Dent studying the ground and Ziona studying corpses, had found a door that wasn’t plastered shut. Having no handle to use, he put both of his hairy-knuckled hands on the door and pushed. The others turned to see the halfling struggling to open the door the rest of the way.
“Lox Lumley! Have you heard nothing we have said?” Avangel grabbed Lox and pulled him away from the entrance. “You have a family, my friend. At least use some caution for their sake.”
Avangel pulled forth First Light and entered the room slowly. As he did, a blue glowing glyph exploded and two golden lions roared into existence.
“Wow! Lions!” cried Lox with excitement.
Dent, who was at the ready behind Avangel, tried to communicate with the lions.
“They say they are going to destroy us,” said Dent.
“This is an empty tomb,” hissed Avangel. “They are here to protect their dead. We are leaving.”
Avangel backed out of the room slowly, forcing Dent out behind him.
“What happened to the lions?” asked Lox.
Ziona knelt down and clasped Lox by the shoulders.
“Lox don’t you understand that your actions can cause a great deal of harm to us all? You must exercise more caution. Think of your children, of Sally.”
“I think of Sally,” said Lox defensively. “I renamed my sword after her.”
Lox pulled forth his sword and poked it into the air.
“I think of her every time I wield it.”
“I don’t think that’s enough, Lox,” said Ziona with disappointment. “Your rash actions could make her a widow.”
“She might actually be happy then,” thought Lox miserably as Ziona stood up and turned away. He huffed in frustration then hurried to catch up with the rest of the group.
The Adventure Continues…
After Bailey was awake, the companions readied themselves for the spell Gnettles was about to cast. It took only a few moments for Waterdeep to melt away and for Daggerdale to snap into view. Bailey regained his composure and lead the heroes to The Lord of Daggerdale, who greeted them personally as they arrived.
“Welcome, dear friends,” Randall called. “Thank you for understanding the urgency of the situation. I trust your travels were well?”
“Yes,” replied Gnettles with a grin. “Could not have been better.”
Randall lead them to his study, which was lined with bookshelves that made Gnettles feel right at home, and made Lox feel sleepy.
“Again, I thank you for coming so quickly,” said Randall in a more serious tone. “You have the reputation of courageous problem-solvers, and I believe I have a problem that requires solving.”
The heroes sat with looks on concern chiseled on their faces while Randall explained how a band of drow raided several farms about ten miles away. He described how the local militia tracked the drow to an old set of crypts on the western edge of the Dagger Hills, which are rumored to have an entrance to the Underdark hidden within.
“Three nights ago, the drow raiders returned and caused even more damage. I think the time has come for some experienced and capable adventurers to put a stop to these raids. We haven’t had trouble with drow in Daggerdale for hundreds of years, and I have no idea what has stirred them up now. Can you help me?”
“Of course we will,” said Avangel triumphantly. “Let us get underway before any more innocent lives are lost!”
Randall was surprised by the quick decision and fervor the heroes possessed for abolishing the evil plaguing Daggerdale. Even more surprising to Randall was the fact that they were not asking for a reward or benefit of some kind.
“Do you require any provisions, or mounts? Any sort of supplies?” he asked.
“I believe we are well equipped,” said Dent with Haley by his side. “Unless you have any further information for us.”
“I know only that these drow seemed bent on mindless slaughter…just pointless and savage. Take care, my friends, and know that Daggerdale thanks you for this great deed.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“What an eerie place,” said Lox. “Reminds me of that one time, when we went to Rappan Athuk, and there was a graveyard, and it was awful creepy, just like this place!”
The heroes had been guided to the outskirts of the crypts by a ranger who worked for Randall, and they were now searching the area.
“It seems to me that there were ten of them,” said Dent studying impressions in the ground.
“If the rumors are correct,” said Ziona, “then we will find an entrance to the Underdark within.”
“Then enter we shall,” said Avangel.
The celestial elf cast light upon his shield and lead the way into the crypts. They noticed that the majority of the doors were plastered shut, and had been for quite some time.
“Ahead…drow corpses,” said Avangel.
Ziona and Dent inspected the bodies, which were all gathered around one of the plastered doors.
“These two look as though they have been bludgeoned to death,” said Ziona standing up.
“It’s clear the others are riddled with crossbow bolts,” replied Dent. “We should take caution with the doors we open.”
Lox, who had grown bored with Dent studying the ground and Ziona studying corpses, had found a door that wasn’t plastered shut. Having no handle to use, he put both of his hairy-knuckled hands on the door and pushed. The others turned to see the halfling struggling to open the door the rest of the way.
“Lox Lumley! Have you heard nothing we have said?” Avangel grabbed Lox and pulled him away from the entrance. “You have a family, my friend. At least use some caution for their sake.”
Avangel pulled forth First Light and entered the room slowly. As he did, a blue glowing glyph exploded and two golden lions roared into existence.
“Wow! Lions!” cried Lox with excitement.
Dent, who was at the ready behind Avangel, tried to communicate with the lions.
“They say they are going to destroy us,” said Dent.
“This is an empty tomb,” hissed Avangel. “They are here to protect their dead. We are leaving.”
Avangel backed out of the room slowly, forcing Dent out behind him.
“What happened to the lions?” asked Lox.
Ziona knelt down and clasped Lox by the shoulders.
“Lox don’t you understand that your actions can cause a great deal of harm to us all? You must exercise more caution. Think of your children, of Sally.”
“I think of Sally,” said Lox defensively. “I renamed my sword after her.”
Lox pulled forth his sword and poked it into the air.
“I think of her every time I wield it.”
“I don’t think that’s enough, Lox,” said Ziona with disappointment. “Your rash actions could make her a widow.”
“She might actually be happy then,” thought Lox miserably as Ziona stood up and turned away. He huffed in frustration then hurried to catch up with the rest of the group.
The Adventure Continues…
Last edited:
Similar Threads
