Urzin, the city that walks, has been abuzz for the past several days. Colorful streamers are strung between the herd of horizonback tortoises which form the foundation of the mobile city. The rickety buildings which sit on each tortoise's back host multiple impromptu dinners and celebrations in honor of the heroes who rescued Bol’bara, a spiritual leader and defender of the town, from the clutches of the Dwendalian Empire (and from Bol’bara’s own demons).
Eventually the goblins, gnolls and other citizens of Urzin settle back into normal life and you begin to feel that it’s time to seek out new adventures. On the advice of Lord Buhfal II, you intend to set out for the village of Jigow in the north. Jigow will soon be celebrating the Festival of Merit. An annual celebration that has provided many adventuring parties the opportunity to prove their worth.
When ready to leave, the party lowers themselves down onto the flattened trail Urzin leaves in its wake. Before you take your first steps, Ula, your effervescent fairy companion, zips around in front of you all.
“This festival sounds like a blast. And it sure has been good adventuring with you. But you see. I gotta scurry over to Rosohna. Had a slight.. misunderstanding with my guild. A tiny… bounty on my head. With what I earned here I think I can buy some time. Good luck with your contests, I’m sure you’ll do great!”
On this Stuvrak, your bugbear friend, silently circles around to join Ula in front of the group and gives you all a knowing nod. He has been traveling with Ula since before any of you met and he unsurprisingly intends to follow her.
Stuvrak clasps Yabo's claw with both paws, "Take care of these two, don't let them talk their way in to too much trouble". He turns to Onizos and drops into an overly embellished bow.
Ula catches the tooth and hides slight disgust as she tucks it into a pocket. "Thanks! Every bit helps. Whelp, See ya!". She turns and begins flying south to join the Honorwalk Road closer to Rosohna.
Stuvrak follows. As he passes Gan he gives him a playful punch in the shoulder, which is unintentionally rough and nearly knocks him over in the swamp mud.
"So, we've left our mark on Urzin, now it's time to move on to bigger and... less stinky things. I may be known far and wide as 'Bog's Bane' but if I'm being honest, the bog is also my bane. You are probably not aware, but our swamp travels had... quite an effect on me. I feel I've only just recovered. The sooner we put this foul place behind us and arrive at Jigow's Festival of Merit, the better!"
Baetrix- You arrived in Urzin shortly after the others set out on their mission to rescue Bol'bara. The unique, mobile city was an obvious stop in your travels through nothern Xhorhas. While the ever shifting herd of tortoise bound structures proved a fascinating and welcome stopover, you unfortunately found that you had just missed the opportunity for adventure you were searching for. Since their return, you've heard rumors that they would soon be setting out for Jigow. You've heard that the costal town and it's Festival of Merit allowed many adventurers to make a name for themselves and spawn more exciting stories.
You see the others preparing to leave. These adventurers who found success in Urzin may be valuable travelling companions if you wish to head to Jigow as well. They've hesitated below the last horizonback and you have an opportunity to catch up and introduce yourself.
"Travelers! Spare me a moment!" Baetrix calls as she lands on solid ground.
Baetrix Grymwillow bears the trappings of the moorland clans: sun-bleached hair, weathered skin, clothes the color of the moors themselves. A heavy crossbow hangs at her side, well maintained, but old. A red feather draws the eye to her rapier hilt, and - upon closer inspection - the guard of her rapier appears to be the large skull of a blood hawk preserved by some dark lacquer. A look at Baetrix's face would reveal red feather tattoos, drawn in a horizontal line from the corner of her eyes to the edges of her ears. She has a slim scar or two on her cheek, a pointed nose, and odd eyes; reddish gray, like the last light of day and you haven't any shelter; a telltale sign of her mutagenetic meddling.
She glides deftly over the ruined ground to the others and greets them.
"My name is Baetrix Grymwillow. I am a blood huntress of the Dolorav clan. I make for the Festival of Merit in Jigow, same as you. May I join you? Word of your heroics is spreading all over Urzin. I was raised in the Iothia Moorland, so I won't slow you down, and my skill with crossbow, blade, and blood-magic may be of some use on the road."
"Well 'et, 'Aetrix, I'm Ya'o," rumbles the hulking tortle.
((Unlike some tortles, that resemble bipedal tortoises, this individual has a sleeker, more predatory bent to him, appearing more like an anthropomorphic alligator snapping turtle.))
He is dressed simply, but carries a sledge, turtle (or tortle?) shell shield, and assorted hand axes and javelins, as well as his pack, all affixed to his shell in a minature version of what the horizonbacks carry. His hands end in long claws that he thrusts in her direction to shake.
He seems of a generally cheery demeanor, buoyed by the acclaim he's enjoyed recently, and the prospect of a new adventure.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
After Ula announces she has a bounty on his head and Stuvark gives him a parting punch, Gan hops to his feet, dusts off his clothes and shouts after the departing pair.
"How much is that there bounty?" Gan says. "You got to be alive or dead's okay too?"
Then in a lower voice.
"I might actually miss that furball."
He looks over at Yabo and Onizos.
"Yeah, we ain't needing this swamp no more," Gan says then adds. "I've picked a dozen pockets since we got here and gave it all back. These wretches got nothing worth taking."
When Baetrix announces her self and then Yabo introduces himself back.
"We all announciating things now? I'm Gan. And since you is new around here I think maybe you get partial share of any loot we get til you prove you're good enough to have around and all."
Gan, unlike many of his kind, is a blue kobold. Slightly tall as far as kobolds go; three whole feet and wiry as anything. A chainmail shirt hangs low below his waist and a pair of short swords crisscross on his back.
Onizos is a satyr, about 5'6, brown skin, curly black hair, two horns obviously poking out, and sporting a ridiculously large moustache and goatee. He is currently dressed in a ridiculous sleek leotard, black with occasional vertical slashes of color, but he shoulders his traveling pack. His legs, though satyr-shaped, seem strangely thin wearing the tight-fitting leggings of the one-piece leotard. He bows low to Baetrix and says,
"I am the famed Bog's Bane, an honorific bestowed upon me by Lord Buhfal II personally. I am also known as Onizos. And I must say, you have a dramatic look about you. Have you tried theater before? You'd make a marvelous villain!"
[he's actually wearing leather armor and traveling clothes, just using disguise self to appear a bit more glamorous]
To discern that would require an intelligence check to see past the illusion. But since they’re traveling together and Yabo would have plenty of time to penetrate the illusion, yes they’re newly shaved for now.
Ula on her way out says to Gan "Not sure, but rather not find out"
The four of you begin walking north, as Urzin plods south away from you. Within a couple hours, the dreary swamp land of the Brokenveil Marsh gives way to desolate plains. You join the Honorwalk Road and your travel becomes much easier. The road is sparsely patrolled by the Aurora Watch, but the Kryn dynasty has only tenuous control of the area. Like Urzin, the small villages you pass along the way are mostly left to self govern, perhaps with a Kryn installed figurehead, but usually just with an occasional visit from the watch.
On your second evening of travel you approach a makeshift caravan stop which amounts to a handful of horse hitches made and abandoned by travelers over the years. At the edge of the site you see two figures, a serious looking drow and an obviously drunk orc. As you get closer, you discern from how the drow holds himself that he is clearly a trained fighter and the obnoxious orc poses no real threat. You also start to hear the conversation:
"You..{hiccup}.. Kryn like to comes out here and buzz buzz buzz in your creepy armor. Maybe nots all of us want to be part of your dynasty"
Igreis, the belligerent orc stands in front of you as a band of four travelers approach. What do you do?
Igreis sighs and resists the urge to move the drunk out his way by force, his arms crossing instead of going for the rapier at his side. "I have already explained to you orc that I am not on any assignments. Now move out of my way and return to your own. I am in no mood to fight and you are obviously in no state to even handle a weapon."
As he finishes speaking he continues to watch the drunk orc. If he senses hostility he will quickly reach for the weapon at his side. If any look close enough to him it almost looks as though there are two of the drow for a breif moment.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Rekuberk Onc Level 8 | Half Orc | Barbarian (The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks)
(As mentioned previously, Onizos has acquired a familiar in the form of a sprite. It’s a bit shy, usually stays invisible, and says little. Onizos will send it forward now to tickle the orc on the back of its neck and, while doing so, use Heart Sight to ascertain its emotional state (obvious enough) but also its alignment if it fails a DC10 charisma check)
Gan sizes up the drow warrior and the drunken orc.
"I don't like the looks of either of those two," Gan says Yabo, Onizos and Baetrix. "Drunks ain't no help in a fight and he looks to poor to be worth liberating his coin purse. And elves are all hoity-toity looking down they're noses at you. They're worse than humans."
Call of the Netherdeep
Urzin, the city that walks, has been abuzz for the past several days. Colorful streamers are strung between the herd of horizonback tortoises which form the foundation of the mobile city. The rickety buildings which sit on each tortoise's back host multiple impromptu dinners and celebrations in honor of the heroes who rescued Bol’bara, a spiritual leader and defender of the town, from the clutches of the Dwendalian Empire (and from Bol’bara’s own demons).
Eventually the goblins, gnolls and other citizens of Urzin settle back into normal life and you begin to feel that it’s time to seek out new adventures. On the advice of Lord Buhfal II, you intend to set out for the village of Jigow in the north. Jigow will soon be celebrating the Festival of Merit. An annual celebration that has provided many adventuring parties the opportunity to prove their worth.
When ready to leave, the party lowers themselves down onto the flattened trail Urzin leaves in its wake. Before you take your first steps, Ula, your effervescent fairy companion, zips around in front of you all.
“This festival sounds like a blast. And it sure has been good adventuring with you. But you see. I gotta scurry over to Rosohna. Had a slight.. misunderstanding with my guild. A tiny… bounty on my head. With what I earned here I think I can buy some time. Good luck with your contests, I’m sure you’ll do great!”
On this Stuvrak, your bugbear friend, silently circles around to join Ula in front of the group and gives you all a knowing nod. He has been traveling with Ula since before any of you met and he unsurprisingly intends to follow her.
Yabo strides over and clasps claw to paw with Stuvrak. "It's 'een good fighting with you, ever find your way 'ack, your welco'e at 'y side."
"Ula, don't know how 'uch you owe, 'ut here, can 'ut this towards your 'ounty."
He flicks the gold tooth to the fairy, then turns and wipes some dust or debris kicked up from the moving city from his eye.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Onizos gives the pair an overly formal salute and solemnly declares,
"Friends, heroes, farewell. Our great deeds together are destined to be immortalized in song."
He adds with a wink, "And, great Stuvrak, that offer still stands, I'm sure we'd make a great team!"
Stuvrak clasps Yabo's claw with both paws, "Take care of these two, don't let them talk their way in to too much trouble". He turns to Onizos and drops into an overly embellished bow.
Ula catches the tooth and hides slight disgust as she tucks it into a pocket. "Thanks! Every bit helps. Whelp, See ya!". She turns and begins flying south to join the Honorwalk Road closer to Rosohna.
Stuvrak follows. As he passes Gan he gives him a playful punch in the shoulder, which is unintentionally rough and nearly knocks him over in the swamp mud.
Onizos rubs his hands together excitedly.
"So, we've left our mark on Urzin, now it's time to move on to bigger and... less stinky things. I may be known far and wide as 'Bog's Bane' but if I'm being honest, the bog is also my bane. You are probably not aware, but our swamp travels had... quite an effect on me. I feel I've only just recovered. The sooner we put this foul place behind us and arrive at Jigow's Festival of Merit, the better!"
Baetrix- You arrived in Urzin shortly after the others set out on their mission to rescue Bol'bara. The unique, mobile city was an obvious stop in your travels through nothern Xhorhas. While the ever shifting herd of tortoise bound structures proved a fascinating and welcome stopover, you unfortunately found that you had just missed the opportunity for adventure you were searching for. Since their return, you've heard rumors that they would soon be setting out for Jigow. You've heard that the costal town and it's Festival of Merit allowed many adventurers to make a name for themselves and spawn more exciting stories.
You see the others preparing to leave. These adventurers who found success in Urzin may be valuable travelling companions if you wish to head to Jigow as well. They've hesitated below the last horizonback and you have an opportunity to catch up and introduce yourself.
"Travelers! Spare me a moment!" Baetrix calls as she lands on solid ground.
Baetrix Grymwillow bears the trappings of the moorland clans: sun-bleached hair, weathered skin, clothes the color of the moors themselves. A heavy crossbow hangs at her side, well maintained, but old. A red feather draws the eye to her rapier hilt, and - upon closer inspection - the guard of her rapier appears to be the large skull of a blood hawk preserved by some dark lacquer. A look at Baetrix's face would reveal red feather tattoos, drawn in a horizontal line from the corner of her eyes to the edges of her ears. She has a slim scar or two on her cheek, a pointed nose, and odd eyes; reddish gray, like the last light of day and you haven't any shelter; a telltale sign of her mutagenetic meddling.
She glides deftly over the ruined ground to the others and greets them.
"My name is Baetrix Grymwillow. I am a blood huntress of the Dolorav clan. I make for the Festival of Merit in Jigow, same as you. May I join you? Word of your heroics is spreading all over Urzin. I was raised in the Iothia Moorland, so I won't slow you down, and my skill with crossbow, blade, and blood-magic may be of some use on the road."
"Well 'et, 'Aetrix, I'm Ya'o," rumbles the hulking tortle.
((Unlike some tortles, that resemble bipedal tortoises, this individual has a sleeker, more predatory bent to him, appearing more like an anthropomorphic alligator snapping turtle.))
He is dressed simply, but carries a sledge, turtle (or tortle?) shell shield, and assorted hand axes and javelins, as well as his pack, all affixed to his shell in a minature version of what the horizonbacks carry. His hands end in long claws that he thrusts in her direction to shake.
He seems of a generally cheery demeanor, buoyed by the acclaim he's enjoyed recently, and the prospect of a new adventure.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
After Ula announces she has a bounty on his head and Stuvark gives him a parting punch, Gan hops to his feet, dusts off his clothes and shouts after the departing pair.
"How much is that there bounty?" Gan says. "You got to be alive or dead's okay too?"
Then in a lower voice.
"I might actually miss that furball."
He looks over at Yabo and Onizos.
"Yeah, we ain't needing this swamp no more," Gan says then adds. "I've picked a dozen pockets since we got here and gave it all back. These wretches got nothing worth taking."
When Baetrix announces her self and then Yabo introduces himself back.
"We all announciating things now? I'm Gan. And since you is new around here I think maybe you get partial share of any loot we get til you prove you're good enough to have around and all."
Gan, unlike many of his kind, is a blue kobold. Slightly tall as far as kobolds go; three whole feet and wiry as anything. A chainmail shirt hangs low below his waist and a pair of short swords crisscross on his back.
Onizos is a satyr, about 5'6, brown skin, curly black hair, two horns obviously poking out, and sporting a ridiculously large moustache and goatee. He is currently dressed in a ridiculous sleek leotard, black with occasional vertical slashes of color, but he shoulders his traveling pack. His legs, though satyr-shaped, seem strangely thin wearing the tight-fitting leggings of the one-piece leotard. He bows low to Baetrix and says,
"I am the famed Bog's Bane, an honorific bestowed upon me by Lord Buhfal II personally. I am also known as Onizos. And I must say, you have a dramatic look about you. Have you tried theater before? You'd make a marvelous villain!"
[he's actually wearing leather armor and traveling clothes, just using disguise self to appear a bit more glamorous]
"What's 'lood 'agic do?", the tortle asks belatedly.
((Is Oni still shaving his legs, or has he let that go and just supplements with disguise self?))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
To discern that would require an intelligence check to see past the illusion. But since they’re traveling together and Yabo would have plenty of time to penetrate the illusion, yes they’re newly shaved for now.
((Was asking more out of curiosity than IC. Yabo believes it all.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Ula on her way out says to Gan "Not sure, but rather not find out"
The four of you begin walking north, as Urzin plods south away from you. Within a couple hours, the dreary swamp land of the Brokenveil Marsh gives way to desolate plains. You join the Honorwalk Road and your travel becomes much easier. The road is sparsely patrolled by the Aurora Watch, but the Kryn dynasty has only tenuous control of the area. Like Urzin, the small villages you pass along the way are mostly left to self govern, perhaps with a Kryn installed figurehead, but usually just with an occasional visit from the watch.
On your second evening of travel you approach a makeshift caravan stop which amounts to a handful of horse hitches made and abandoned by travelers over the years. At the edge of the site you see two figures, a serious looking drow and an obviously drunk orc. As you get closer, you discern from how the drow holds himself that he is clearly a trained fighter and the obnoxious orc poses no real threat. You also start to hear the conversation:
"You..{hiccup}.. Kryn like to comes out here and buzz buzz buzz in your creepy armor. Maybe nots all of us want to be part of your dynasty"
Igreis, the belligerent orc stands in front of you as a band of four travelers approach. What do you do?
Igreis sighs and resists the urge to move the drunk out his way by force, his arms crossing instead of going for the rapier at his side. "I have already explained to you orc that I am not on any assignments. Now move out of my way and return to your own. I am in no mood to fight and you are obviously in no state to even handle a weapon."
As he finishes speaking he continues to watch the drunk orc. If he senses hostility he will quickly reach for the weapon at his side. If any look close enough to him it almost looks as though there are two of the drow for a breif moment.
Rekuberk Onc Level 8 | Half Orc | Barbarian (The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks)
Kayassa Level 3 | Satyr | Warlock (Cleath13's LMoP)
Bertolt Silentlash Level 3 | Variant Human | Bard (Our Little Lives Kept in Equipoise: Death House)
Daerthe Narcion Level 4 | Drow | Rogue (Karmoli's Great Upheaval)
(As mentioned previously, Onizos has acquired a familiar in the form of a sprite. It’s a bit shy, usually stays invisible, and says little. Onizos will send it forward now to tickle the orc on the back of its neck and, while doing so, use Heart Sight to ascertain its emotional state (obvious enough) but also its alignment if it fails a DC10 charisma check)
((Has he introduced the sprite to any of the original party?))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Gan sizes up the drow warrior and the drunken orc.
"I don't like the looks of either of those two," Gan says Yabo, Onizos and Baetrix. "Drunks ain't no help in a fight and he looks to poor to be worth liberating his coin purse. And elves are all hoity-toity looking down they're noses at you. They're worse than humans."
He looks over at Baetrix.
"No offense."
"Wait, 'Trix is hu'an?!"
The big turtle-man peers at her in surprise and a bit of suspicion.
"Thought you said you were 'lood hunter? I figured you were just some kind of 'ird 'erson that didn't have wings."
He sniffs at her. "Not a Dwend though. Guess your alright."
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
[Yes, the sprite appeared on the journey home to Urzin from Fort Venture, it was briefly mentioned in that thread before it all got deleted....]