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
General Tabletop Discussion
EN Publishing
WOTBS Edarnia Campaign Journal
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="Calavingian" data-source="post: 5009515" data-attributes="member: 86503"><p><strong>Session One - Metting at the Poison Apple</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em><strong><u><em>The following Journal was written by Dara's player.</em></u></strong></em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em>Good day gentlemen, and of course ladies,</em></span></span><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em><span style="font-size: 18px">following the fighting of yesterday I would like to present to you the record I have kept so far of our adventure. I hope you will find it pleasing. If you feel I have been innaccurate in any way please feel free to bring it to my attention. I do not wish to misinterpret anybodies actions. </span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em><span style="font-size: 18px">Best Wishes</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'garamond'"><em>Dara Salix Castanea</em></span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">****************************************************************************</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p><strong><u>War of the Burning Sky- Session 1</u></strong><strong> Sunday 19th July 2009</strong></p><p> </p><p> <em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Brian- DM</span></em></p><p> <em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Caroline- Dara- Elf- Druid </span></em></p><p> <em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Coakley- Aramil- Eladrin - Warlord</span></em></p><p> <em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Niall- Sonea- Human - Wizard</span></em></p><p> <em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Ri- Shadow Dancer- Eladrin - Avenger</span></em></p><p> <em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Rob- Torthen- Dwarf - Paladin</span></em></p><p> <em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">NPC- Torrent- Human- Cleric</span></em></p><p> </p><p> It’s New Year’s Eve and snow lies thick on ground. Tomorrow is the festival of dreams. However no one is really in a festive mood as Gate Pass is currently under siege by the forces of the Imperium. The city is in lock down to prevent enemies entering and magic users leaving. </p><p></p><p> Gate Pass sits in the mountains that separate the countries of Imperium and Zama. </p><p></p><p> We are all members of the resistance, dedicated to keeping Gate Pass free. As each of us arrives home we find a coded message. It instructs us to arrive at the Poison Apple Pub. We find the streets are uncommonly quiet and almost deserted, strange as they should be full of revellers.</p><p></p><p> Each of us arrives at the pub of our own accord. On the main door we find a sign from the city guard advising that the pub landlord has been taken into custody and that the premise is closed until further notice. In the alley along the side of the pub there gleams a crack of light emanating from a side door to the Poison Apple, sitting slightly ajar. </p><p></p><p> Upon entering we find a woman wearing clerical vestements displaying the symbol of Martha- a goddess of communities, alliances, negotiation and protection. Though usually a peaceful Goddess her worshippers believe in protecting their home with might iwhen bloodshed is needed. </p><p></p><p> Looking around the pub we find it dark. All the furniture is packed against the wall, covered in dust sheets, except for one table which is set out with some chairs, a keg of ale and mugs. The building is one storey, unusual in this city, but then again it is a pub and one storey buildings in Gate Pass are more often than not Pubs and/or shops. It possesses small deep set windows which even a child would struggle to fit through. It loks like the kind of establishment the working man frequents.</p><p></p><p> The woman introduces herself as Torrent and gestures to the keg and mugs. Inviting us to drink to the New Year, which is almost upon us. Most of the party happily obliges and most settle into chairs to enjoy the brew. Some of the guests are more cordial than others and some more observant. The small windows are shuttered and barred. </p><p></p><p> Soon the more perceptive of the gathering (Torthen, Dara, and Sonea) hear the distant sound of bells tolling for the New Year. Torrent smiles a rueful smile and utters a mirthless ‘<em>Well let’s drink to a New Year’</em>. Dara raises her mug while Sonea toasts everyone. ‘<em>May your dreams be fruitful’</em>, a traditional New Year’s greeting. </p><p></p><p> Torrent begins to fill them in on what’s been happening and why they have been called.</p><p></p><p> During this they glean that the mission for tonight is to meet one of Torrents contacts at a depositary nearby. The contact is a gnome named Badger who will have a case for us to collect. We will then need to get ourselves out of the city and head for the Lyceum. </p><p> Much discussion ensues over how exactly we can get out of the city. Some interesting suggestions crop up however Torrent puts forward one of her own. She is still quite unsure how to get out but once out of the city she asks that we head for the forest of fire- Innondottar- a forest which has been burning for over 20 years. She has borrowed a kit of various potions from her sisters at the temple that will help against the difficulties of traversing such terrain. </p><p></p><p> During the past small while of conversation Dara has been straining to make out strange noises but now has heard the distinctive thud of leather landing on boards. </p><p> Quickly Dara interrupts the discussion and in a level voice says ‘<em>Not to scare anyone here but I believe we have</em> visitors’. She points up at the ceiling.</p><p> </p><p>All at once, two people fall out of the trap door above. A loud bang erupts from a fire bomb engulfing the roof, and other explosions can be heard going off near and far. War has come to Gate Pass.</p><p></p><p> The two scout assailants drop down behind the bar.</p><p> </p><p> <strong><em>Tactical encounter.</em></strong></p><p> The attackers shout ‘<em>Nobody move!</em>’</p><p></p><p> The smallest of the duo hurls a small ‘stone’ at the table the party sits at. Unfortunately for the intruders it doesn’t get far at all, in fact it fumbles to land at their own feet., banging with the ROAR of a clap of thunder. Unfortunately for the party the scouts seem unaffected by the explosion and both have crossbows loaded and read, one actually trained on the party themselves.</p><p></p><p> The larger attacker shouts ‘<em>Don’t move!</em>’ and gives his companion (the one who fumbled his throw) an aggrieved glance.</p><p></p><p> By now it is apparent that the roof and crawl space are on fire.</p><p></p><p> Aramil leaps on to the nearest table but skids along on spilled beer, falling off and back onto his feet like a cat. He recovers quickly and moves for the bar.</p><p></p><p> Outside a voice calls out ‘<em>Ignore the explosions that’s the signal! Move in!</em>’ </p><p></p><p> Dogs begin to bark and bay outside as the thudding crash and boom of a ram hits the door and shocks dust and burning embers from the ceiling. In one blow the door is almost off its hinges. </p><p></p><p> Sonea attacks the scouts with an <em>acid arrow</em>. The bar shields them somewhat but not enough to offer fulll protection. They each receive a spray of painful burning acid. </p><p></p><p> Dara flies for the table but misses, recovering she takes aim for the scout at the bar. He ducks but too briefly for she catches him with an arrow as he rises again.</p><p></p><p> Torrent raises her hammer into the air and calls forth a prayer to her Goddess. Ball lightning envelopes the party members giving them extra protection from their armour. Torrent shifts slightly to a better position.</p><p></p><p> Torthen bolts round the bar in a bid to "axe" the assailants to leave in more ways than one. He takes a mighty swing with his battle axe at them but the two scoutsduck back and sneer at his axe-play.</p><p></p><p> The small scout drops his crossbow and takes a swing at Torthen with his morning star, landing a hefty blow. The taller one tries the same but misses. </p><p></p><p> Aramil moves round behind the other end of the bar. He orders <em>wolf pack tactics</em> and swings at the tallest scout with his long sword bloodying him, and allowing Torthen to move into flanking position. </p><p></p><p> The thundering noise of hooves draws close outside. The dogs grow louder and more fervent, closer too. The ram hits home smack centre on the door bursting it off its hinges and into the centre of the room. Through the masonry dust and wood chips can be seen another attacker (a recruit) dropping the ram. Another recruit and a thug can be seen outside too along with a man on horseback shouting orders. He’s wearing the scuptled brpnze plate armour of an Imperial officer, with a raven sitting on his shoulder, and carries a helmet on his belt- a helmet that has been split in two.</p><p></p><p> Sonea cries out ‘<em>Friend or foe?</em>’ to the newcomers.</p><p></p><p> ‘<em>Friend!</em>’ comes the questionable reply from the recruit. </p><p></p><p> Sonea believes him. Swinging round ( turning her back on the new arrivals in the process) she casts <em>Gabal’s superior missile</em> aimed at the two scouts behind the bar. Missiles scream out and hit their fated targets, who recoil in pain.</p><p></p><p> Dara in turns wings one of the scouts with an arrow loosed from her long bow. Successful she swings her precious weapon over her back and pulls out her staff, ready for the oncoming hand-to-hand combat.</p><p></p><p> The recruits enter through the now empty doorway.</p><p></p><p> Torrent shouts a warning of ‘<em>Don’t trust them!</em>’ while attempting to strike with her hammer but missing the agile recruits. </p><p></p><p> Dara swings round to crack them with her staff but misses as they duck quickly past.</p><p></p><p>(DM Notes: These last two attacks were Attacks of Opportunity as the recruits move past)</p><p></p><p> Torthen uses a divine challenge to mark out the scout who looks like he’s failing. He then swings his axe straight through the scout next to him. Stepping over the mass of gore and meat he moves towards his other victim. </p><p></p><p> Sparks and timber crash down onto tables nearby as part of the roof caves in. Smoke fills the buildings, obscuring sight and bringin tears to the eye. The pub is lit by a flickering red glow and could collapse at any moment.</p><p></p><p> The last scout, though bloodied himself, still manages to bloody Aramil with his morning star. Aramil returns the favour with a swing from his long sword, rendering the final scout unconcscious and dying beside his companion. Aramil leaves the bar and mounts a table to give himself a better position to survey the combat.</p><p> </p><p> Outside the man on horseback shouts over his shoulder at further unseen assailants "The side door is blocked".</p><p></p><p> Above and out-with his knowledge a pair of eyes observes the scene keenly. Shadow Dancer leans out from the cover of a chimney stack and takes sight on the horseman. *<em>click</em>* the bolt fails to fire. With some select obscenities he swings back into the shadows and moves to another corner of the rooftop. </p><p></p><p> The thug outside shouts at the recruits ‘<em>Get the hell out my way.</em>’ </p><p></p><p> Sonea shifts sideways past a table to allow her to hit the thug outside the main door square in the chest with <em>empowered lightning</em>. Unsurprisingly he is blownbackwards for some distance by the spell.</p><p></p><p> Dara tries to hit the recruit nearest her with her staff but with all the obstacles and commotion she has a hard time landing a blow. </p><p> </p><p>The other recruit attacks Torrent with his club and hits home, staggering the new cell leader. </p><p></p><p> The recruits know what’s best for them and move to allow their employer, the seeming thug, in.</p><p></p><p> Torrent moves round to the doorway to block the entry of the thug and tries to attack the recruit nearest but fails.</p><p></p><p> Torthen then moves towards the fighting. He calls out a <em>divine challenge</em> against a recruit. ‘<em>When you get to Harrum's Halls tell him Torthen sent you!</em>’ Swinging a <em>valiant strike</em> with his battleaxe, the dwarf sends the recruit to the otherworld.</p><p></p><p> Aramil slides past Torrent and out the door. He enacts a <em>concentrated attack</em>, allowing Sonea a free attack with her <em>Superior magic missiles</em>.</p><p></p><p> (<strong>Out Of Turn- Free action</strong>) Sonea lifts her wand of accuracy and fires <em>Gabal’s superior missiles</em>. A missile misses a recruit as he ducks aside but the thug is blown to eternity. </p><p></p><p></p><p> Outside, unseen by anyone but themselves and Shadow Dancer; three dogs and two men (a thug and a minion) come round the corner of one of the other buildings.</p><p></p><p> Shadow Dancer removes the debris which had become jammed in the crossbow mechanism and takes aim again, determined to hit his quarry. Aiming at the horse the bolt flies free and true burying into the rump. A scream is heard from horse and rider as the animal rears, pitching the officer to the ground, and bolts off into the night. </p><p></p><p> Shadow Dancer smiles in satisfaction to himself and melts back into the shadows on the rooftops.</p><p></p><p> Sprawled on the floor the armour clad officer gets to his feet and shouts impatiently ‘<em>Arathane! What’s happening in there?</em>’</p><p></p><p> Sonea ,using <em>Gabal’s superior missile</em> fires at the recruit but misses. Trying to blast down the door with her other arcane bolts, all she manages is to blow a small hole in it. </p><p></p><p> Dara strikes down the last recruit with a lethal blow. She makes her way outside via the main entrance of the pub to what she feels is a safe distance from the men and dogs she finds out there, taking up a defensive posture behind an outdoor table.</p><p></p><p> The largest of the men outside (a minion), a hulking mass of muscle runs straight for her but Dara being Dara, she side steps out of his grasp. </p><p></p><p> Torrent pushes out of the door and leaps up onto the outside table. She lifts her hammer and she leaps off using the spell <em>earth mark</em> and slams into the hulk attacking Dara. The massive man crashes to the floor as a dead weight. </p><p></p><p> Torthen charges out the door onto the street behind the table Torrent just leapt off. </p><p></p><p> Someone shouts ‘<em>Korthan!</em>’ </p><p></p><p> Korthan the armoured officer yells ‘<em>Fall back!</em>’</p><p></p><p> The officer, the remaining thug and two dogs retreat down the streets and alleyways. The loose dog takes one look at the party and decides against it doing anything stupid. With a whine and a howl it follows its packmates. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong><em>Tactical encounter ends.</em></strong></p><p><strong><em></em></strong></p><p></p><p>It has been noticed by all in the Cell that each of the assailants, from the scouts to the thugs, recruits and the officer all had a red armband with a black horses head on it and strange arcane symbols underneath. Even Sonea cannot fathom their meaning.</p><p></p><p> Looking westward the Cell sees the dark snow clouds of the night glowing red from reflected firelight, with balls of flame dropping from the sky. Flaming trebuchet boulders are streaming over the walls of Gate Pass. The Western most city district is aflame. Roars of giant beasts can be heard overhead and blood drops like rain onto the snow.</p><p></p><p>End of Session One.</p><p></p><p></p><p>DM Notes: In the published campaign Torrent is an Axe-Wielding Cleric of a Water Goddess. However, the Water Pantheon is very week in the part of Edarnia where I sited Gate Pass (in the mountains North of the Middle Sea, between the Imperium and Zama). Given that Gate Pass is therefore landlocked and slap in the middle of what was once Doldovan territory, I redesigned her as a Cleric of a popular Doldovan Goddess, Martha (also known as Nartha), a former Earth Goddess. Martha married into the Sky Pantheon to prevent a war between the Solar Pantheon and the Sky Gods and henceforth became a goddess associated with peaceful negotiations and diplomacy. That didnt stop her descending into Hell with her new husband and his enemy Yhellos to recover the corpse of the Sun God her husband murdered. Thus Yhellos could take up his fathers mantle and restore light to the world. Hence she is considered to be something of a martial diety as well.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Calavingian, post: 5009515, member: 86503"] [b]Session One - Metting at the Poison Apple[/b] [SIZE=5][FONT=garamond][I][B][U][I]The following Journal was written by Dara's player.[/I][/U][/B] Good day gentlemen, and of course ladies,[/I][/FONT][/SIZE][FONT=garamond][I][SIZE=5]following the fighting of yesterday I would like to present to you the record I have kept so far of our adventure. I hope you will find it pleasing. If you feel I have been innaccurate in any way please feel free to bring it to my attention. I do not wish to misinterpret anybodies actions. [/SIZE][/I][/FONT] [FONT=garamond][I][SIZE=5] [/SIZE][/I][/FONT] [FONT=garamond][I][SIZE=5]Best Wishes[/SIZE][/I][/FONT] [SIZE=5][FONT=garamond][I]Dara Salix Castanea[/I][/FONT][/SIZE] [CENTER] **************************************************************************** [/CENTER] [B][U]War of the Burning Sky- Session 1[/U][/B][B] Sunday 19th July 2009[/B] [I][FONT=Arial]Brian- DM[/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Caroline- Dara- Elf- Druid [/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Coakley- Aramil- Eladrin - Warlord[/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Niall- Sonea- Human - Wizard[/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Ri- Shadow Dancer- Eladrin - Avenger[/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]Rob- Torthen- Dwarf - Paladin[/FONT][/I] [I][FONT=Arial]NPC- Torrent- Human- Cleric[/FONT][/I] It’s New Year’s Eve and snow lies thick on ground. Tomorrow is the festival of dreams. However no one is really in a festive mood as Gate Pass is currently under siege by the forces of the Imperium. The city is in lock down to prevent enemies entering and magic users leaving. Gate Pass sits in the mountains that separate the countries of Imperium and Zama. We are all members of the resistance, dedicated to keeping Gate Pass free. As each of us arrives home we find a coded message. It instructs us to arrive at the Poison Apple Pub. We find the streets are uncommonly quiet and almost deserted, strange as they should be full of revellers. Each of us arrives at the pub of our own accord. On the main door we find a sign from the city guard advising that the pub landlord has been taken into custody and that the premise is closed until further notice. In the alley along the side of the pub there gleams a crack of light emanating from a side door to the Poison Apple, sitting slightly ajar. Upon entering we find a woman wearing clerical vestements displaying the symbol of Martha- a goddess of communities, alliances, negotiation and protection. Though usually a peaceful Goddess her worshippers believe in protecting their home with might iwhen bloodshed is needed. Looking around the pub we find it dark. All the furniture is packed against the wall, covered in dust sheets, except for one table which is set out with some chairs, a keg of ale and mugs. The building is one storey, unusual in this city, but then again it is a pub and one storey buildings in Gate Pass are more often than not Pubs and/or shops. It possesses small deep set windows which even a child would struggle to fit through. It loks like the kind of establishment the working man frequents. The woman introduces herself as Torrent and gestures to the keg and mugs. Inviting us to drink to the New Year, which is almost upon us. Most of the party happily obliges and most settle into chairs to enjoy the brew. Some of the guests are more cordial than others and some more observant. The small windows are shuttered and barred. Soon the more perceptive of the gathering (Torthen, Dara, and Sonea) hear the distant sound of bells tolling for the New Year. Torrent smiles a rueful smile and utters a mirthless ‘[I]Well let’s drink to a New Year’[/I]. Dara raises her mug while Sonea toasts everyone. ‘[I]May your dreams be fruitful’[/I], a traditional New Year’s greeting. Torrent begins to fill them in on what’s been happening and why they have been called. During this they glean that the mission for tonight is to meet one of Torrents contacts at a depositary nearby. The contact is a gnome named Badger who will have a case for us to collect. We will then need to get ourselves out of the city and head for the Lyceum. Much discussion ensues over how exactly we can get out of the city. Some interesting suggestions crop up however Torrent puts forward one of her own. She is still quite unsure how to get out but once out of the city she asks that we head for the forest of fire- Innondottar- a forest which has been burning for over 20 years. She has borrowed a kit of various potions from her sisters at the temple that will help against the difficulties of traversing such terrain. During the past small while of conversation Dara has been straining to make out strange noises but now has heard the distinctive thud of leather landing on boards. Quickly Dara interrupts the discussion and in a level voice says ‘[I]Not to scare anyone here but I believe we have[/I] visitors’. She points up at the ceiling. All at once, two people fall out of the trap door above. A loud bang erupts from a fire bomb engulfing the roof, and other explosions can be heard going off near and far. War has come to Gate Pass. The two scout assailants drop down behind the bar. [B][I]Tactical encounter.[/I][/B] The attackers shout ‘[I]Nobody move![/I]’ The smallest of the duo hurls a small ‘stone’ at the table the party sits at. Unfortunately for the intruders it doesn’t get far at all, in fact it fumbles to land at their own feet., banging with the ROAR of a clap of thunder. Unfortunately for the party the scouts seem unaffected by the explosion and both have crossbows loaded and read, one actually trained on the party themselves. The larger attacker shouts ‘[I]Don’t move![/I]’ and gives his companion (the one who fumbled his throw) an aggrieved glance. By now it is apparent that the roof and crawl space are on fire. Aramil leaps on to the nearest table but skids along on spilled beer, falling off and back onto his feet like a cat. He recovers quickly and moves for the bar. Outside a voice calls out ‘[I]Ignore the explosions that’s the signal! Move in![/I]’ Dogs begin to bark and bay outside as the thudding crash and boom of a ram hits the door and shocks dust and burning embers from the ceiling. In one blow the door is almost off its hinges. Sonea attacks the scouts with an [I]acid arrow[/I]. The bar shields them somewhat but not enough to offer fulll protection. They each receive a spray of painful burning acid. Dara flies for the table but misses, recovering she takes aim for the scout at the bar. He ducks but too briefly for she catches him with an arrow as he rises again. Torrent raises her hammer into the air and calls forth a prayer to her Goddess. Ball lightning envelopes the party members giving them extra protection from their armour. Torrent shifts slightly to a better position. Torthen bolts round the bar in a bid to "axe" the assailants to leave in more ways than one. He takes a mighty swing with his battle axe at them but the two scoutsduck back and sneer at his axe-play. The small scout drops his crossbow and takes a swing at Torthen with his morning star, landing a hefty blow. The taller one tries the same but misses. Aramil moves round behind the other end of the bar. He orders [I]wolf pack tactics[/I] and swings at the tallest scout with his long sword bloodying him, and allowing Torthen to move into flanking position. The thundering noise of hooves draws close outside. The dogs grow louder and more fervent, closer too. The ram hits home smack centre on the door bursting it off its hinges and into the centre of the room. Through the masonry dust and wood chips can be seen another attacker (a recruit) dropping the ram. Another recruit and a thug can be seen outside too along with a man on horseback shouting orders. He’s wearing the scuptled brpnze plate armour of an Imperial officer, with a raven sitting on his shoulder, and carries a helmet on his belt- a helmet that has been split in two. Sonea cries out ‘[I]Friend or foe?[/I]’ to the newcomers. ‘[I]Friend![/I]’ comes the questionable reply from the recruit. Sonea believes him. Swinging round ( turning her back on the new arrivals in the process) she casts [I]Gabal’s superior missile[/I] aimed at the two scouts behind the bar. Missiles scream out and hit their fated targets, who recoil in pain. Dara in turns wings one of the scouts with an arrow loosed from her long bow. Successful she swings her precious weapon over her back and pulls out her staff, ready for the oncoming hand-to-hand combat. The recruits enter through the now empty doorway. Torrent shouts a warning of ‘[I]Don’t trust them![/I]’ while attempting to strike with her hammer but missing the agile recruits. Dara swings round to crack them with her staff but misses as they duck quickly past. (DM Notes: These last two attacks were Attacks of Opportunity as the recruits move past) Torthen uses a divine challenge to mark out the scout who looks like he’s failing. He then swings his axe straight through the scout next to him. Stepping over the mass of gore and meat he moves towards his other victim. Sparks and timber crash down onto tables nearby as part of the roof caves in. Smoke fills the buildings, obscuring sight and bringin tears to the eye. The pub is lit by a flickering red glow and could collapse at any moment. The last scout, though bloodied himself, still manages to bloody Aramil with his morning star. Aramil returns the favour with a swing from his long sword, rendering the final scout unconcscious and dying beside his companion. Aramil leaves the bar and mounts a table to give himself a better position to survey the combat. Outside the man on horseback shouts over his shoulder at further unseen assailants "The side door is blocked". Above and out-with his knowledge a pair of eyes observes the scene keenly. Shadow Dancer leans out from the cover of a chimney stack and takes sight on the horseman. *[I]click[/I]* the bolt fails to fire. With some select obscenities he swings back into the shadows and moves to another corner of the rooftop. The thug outside shouts at the recruits ‘[I]Get the hell out my way.[/I]’ Sonea shifts sideways past a table to allow her to hit the thug outside the main door square in the chest with [I]empowered lightning[/I]. Unsurprisingly he is blownbackwards for some distance by the spell. Dara tries to hit the recruit nearest her with her staff but with all the obstacles and commotion she has a hard time landing a blow. The other recruit attacks Torrent with his club and hits home, staggering the new cell leader. The recruits know what’s best for them and move to allow their employer, the seeming thug, in. Torrent moves round to the doorway to block the entry of the thug and tries to attack the recruit nearest but fails. Torthen then moves towards the fighting. He calls out a [I]divine challenge[/I] against a recruit. ‘[I]When you get to Harrum's Halls tell him Torthen sent you![/I]’ Swinging a [I]valiant strike[/I] with his battleaxe, the dwarf sends the recruit to the otherworld. Aramil slides past Torrent and out the door. He enacts a [I]concentrated attack[/I], allowing Sonea a free attack with her [I]Superior magic missiles[/I]. ([B]Out Of Turn- Free action[/B]) Sonea lifts her wand of accuracy and fires [I]Gabal’s superior missiles[/I]. A missile misses a recruit as he ducks aside but the thug is blown to eternity. Outside, unseen by anyone but themselves and Shadow Dancer; three dogs and two men (a thug and a minion) come round the corner of one of the other buildings. Shadow Dancer removes the debris which had become jammed in the crossbow mechanism and takes aim again, determined to hit his quarry. Aiming at the horse the bolt flies free and true burying into the rump. A scream is heard from horse and rider as the animal rears, pitching the officer to the ground, and bolts off into the night. Shadow Dancer smiles in satisfaction to himself and melts back into the shadows on the rooftops. Sprawled on the floor the armour clad officer gets to his feet and shouts impatiently ‘[I]Arathane! What’s happening in there?[/I]’ Sonea ,using [I]Gabal’s superior missile[/I] fires at the recruit but misses. Trying to blast down the door with her other arcane bolts, all she manages is to blow a small hole in it. Dara strikes down the last recruit with a lethal blow. She makes her way outside via the main entrance of the pub to what she feels is a safe distance from the men and dogs she finds out there, taking up a defensive posture behind an outdoor table. The largest of the men outside (a minion), a hulking mass of muscle runs straight for her but Dara being Dara, she side steps out of his grasp. Torrent pushes out of the door and leaps up onto the outside table. She lifts her hammer and she leaps off using the spell [I]earth mark[/I] and slams into the hulk attacking Dara. The massive man crashes to the floor as a dead weight. Torthen charges out the door onto the street behind the table Torrent just leapt off. Someone shouts ‘[I]Korthan![/I]’ Korthan the armoured officer yells ‘[I]Fall back![/I]’ The officer, the remaining thug and two dogs retreat down the streets and alleyways. The loose dog takes one look at the party and decides against it doing anything stupid. With a whine and a howl it follows its packmates. [B][I]Tactical encounter ends. [/I][/B] It has been noticed by all in the Cell that each of the assailants, from the scouts to the thugs, recruits and the officer all had a red armband with a black horses head on it and strange arcane symbols underneath. Even Sonea cannot fathom their meaning. Looking westward the Cell sees the dark snow clouds of the night glowing red from reflected firelight, with balls of flame dropping from the sky. Flaming trebuchet boulders are streaming over the walls of Gate Pass. The Western most city district is aflame. Roars of giant beasts can be heard overhead and blood drops like rain onto the snow. End of Session One. DM Notes: In the published campaign Torrent is an Axe-Wielding Cleric of a Water Goddess. However, the Water Pantheon is very week in the part of Edarnia where I sited Gate Pass (in the mountains North of the Middle Sea, between the Imperium and Zama). Given that Gate Pass is therefore landlocked and slap in the middle of what was once Doldovan territory, I redesigned her as a Cleric of a popular Doldovan Goddess, Martha (also known as Nartha), a former Earth Goddess. Martha married into the Sky Pantheon to prevent a war between the Solar Pantheon and the Sky Gods and henceforth became a goddess associated with peaceful negotiations and diplomacy. That didnt stop her descending into Hell with her new husband and his enemy Yhellos to recover the corpse of the Sun God her husband murdered. Thus Yhellos could take up his fathers mantle and restore light to the world. Hence she is considered to be something of a martial diety as well. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
EN Publishing
WOTBS Edarnia Campaign Journal
Top