A forgotten kingdom, a people lost behind a curtain of ice and freezing winds that would kill even the toughest of adventurers. The Frozen Kingdom of Hrothgar, a northern country that almost gained fairy tale status from the people of the world, if not for the very real border it shares with the continent spanning empire of Antorous. Even the longest living elves only have faint memories of a hardy people from a snowy tundra before they were lost to the forever raging storm that swallowed the kingdom whole, a storm largely called "The Shroud of the Winter King" for the largest known folktale, a crazed king that made a deal with higher powers to protect what was his, only to have the great power to backfire on him.
A shroud that has recently lifted. The Emperors forces have scrambled to close the border, but groups of opportunist adventures have already slipped through to explore and possibly exploit the kingdom and its lost riches. This is Your Story.
Hello, I'm Maitogai. I've had experience playing and DM'ing several IRL campaigns of D&D 5th Edition. This is a completely original campaign that I decided to try out on a PbP system to dip my toe into the online scene.
This campaign is intended for level 3 characters, and a party of 4-6. I would like applications through private message (PM) that includes the following information:
Your characters name, their race, their class and subclass, a background about the character that preferably includes how and why they chose/became their class/subclass, an explanation for why they would want to explore this newly rediscovered kingdom (weather it be for a personal reason, glory, adventure, or even the simple pursuit of possible riches), and a little bit about yourself.
Remember to PM me your applications, rather then posting them on the forum. Responses should hopefully be timely. More details will be given upon acceptation into the campaign. If you have any questions, or would like additional information about the campaign setting for you background or something, feel free to PM me. Hope to see your applications soon!
What emergency troops the empire could spare during the initial week of the shrouds sudden lift were stretched thin as wire. Guard stations were hastily arisen every few kilometers out of whatever scraps of material that could be spared by nearby townships, but the whole situation was a disaster waiting to happen, and 8 days after what’s now officially considered “The Border Opening”, an avalanche which may or may not have been triggered by several military grade stolen explosives created the perfect opening for the several groups of potential adventures waiting nearby.
The nearby township of Stallengrad, a small timber and fishing village was the base of operations for adventurers for the past 8 days. Tavern rumors of “something big and loud” on this exact night had nearly everyone anxiously awaiting by the doors of whatever bars or inns they were inhabiting, packs full and heavy clothes already being worn. The initial sprint had an estimated number of nearly 100 individuals running towards the golden opportunity of this “ghost kingdom” and nearly triple that number of the empires forces scrambling to respond to this new threat and vandals illegally crossing the closed border.
The avalanche created several thin strips of safe land for adventures to climb up into the hilly snow covered country side. Fiveadventurers funneled into this particular strip where our story takes place. There was nothing in particular that attracted you all to this strip, it was one of several options, one which few were choosing, so it seemed like the natural avenue to funnel into. Initial conversation with those around you was severally limited for the first few minutes, as it was a rather steep incline, not to mention that it was the dead of night, extremely snow covered from centuries of undisturbed snow fall, and you had what sounded like packs of hounds and their military police owners deciding which strips to climb up.
You five finally reach a steady shelf of the rocky hillside, and see the village with its cheery yellow lights twinkling at you from several hundred feet below. Thankfully it seems the avalanche diddnt hit the village too bad, and what seems even more numerous then the village lights are the lamps of the response teams of the empire at the foot of the avalanche. There’s a small cave that goes ten feet into the side of the hill beside you, and what seems to be an even higher climb awaiting you to reach the top of the hill. You all pause to catch your breaths, and finally interact with the other adventurers that you’ve got stuck with for the foreseeable future.
It was what she had to deal with now that she was dealing with demons of the 7th Layer.
BEFORE
Since she day she murdered her abusive father, Crispy had been plagued with debilitating nightmares of him haunting her. Years ago, she was hired to scout an island called Ishassara. Her employer was looking to make a resort on the island, and they needed a team of adventures to scout it out and make sure it was safe. They successfully did their job, but she didn't expect two things to happen: falling in love with the team's beautiful red-headed warlock, and for her dwarven best friend to die from alcoholism. Then it took a turn for the worse. Before they all left the island, she made a deal with her lover's mother - a succubus from the 7th Layer. The deal was simple: rid Crispy of her nightmares and in turn, for 2000 years, she will be Hell's servant - a deadly assassin. She would kill Hell's enemies, act as their weapon in the darkness. Little did Crispy know, they were not intending to keep their bargain.
Sometimes, it wasn't all about killing, but Crispy had to do what Hell wanted. It worked in mysterious ways. Sometimes they sent her to a place she had never been, with no reason as to why she was there.
This was one of those times.
TODAY
Tightening her leather armor and more tightly wrapping the furs around her, Crispy was at least thankful it wasn't as hot as the Devil's Armpit here. Her dark hair waved in the wind, and her piercingly blue eyes almost matched the darker hues of the ice. Even in this cold, she was tan as if the sun's kiss had favored her all her life. Her face had a few nicks, scars, and blemishes, but was very defined with sharp edges and lean muscle which gave strangers the idea that her physical training in the military had honed a tightly packed chiseled weapon of death, which sadly, couldn't be admired with all the clothing she was wearing.
Her instructions were clear, and she met her fellow members of the adventuring team at the rendezvous point at Stallengrad, a place she had never heard of. She looked over the other adventurers as they paused to catch their breath with mistrust and unfamiliarity, nothing usual about that. Crispy was always at some level of mistrust, annoyance, or frustrations - that was her programming, and with the death of her best friend, it only amplified. At least she could sleep at night without the terrors, now. She closed her eyes and did her best to try and be cordial once one of them spoke, but she wouldn't be the first one to. She was a precision killer, after all, not a bard.
Marfaen chose seclusion for most of his life because he would be secluded at home just as much as he would be amidst nature, and the latter was just more appealing since it had the knowledge he couldn't gather in the tiny village where he lived. Not only that, but also an accident, he hadn't made a plan about not going back, he just didn't bother to do it after getting lost the first time, his first time spent in loneliness wasn't long, as a wizard that live around the place invited him to apprentice in the basics of magic.
Leaving with this new gathered valorable knowledge, he worked, and stll works, toward bettering it, searching for more of the overall of magics, rather than any specific, until the day he had a vision. It was really hard to understand it, or even remember it, but it told him something, he simply couldn't grasp what it was, so he focused on the School of Divination, one surrounded by the concept of seeing what you shouldn't see, or having those visions, not unlike the one he had, and a few pieces fell into place, few of many, but enough where he knew a relevant place to it.
Recently:
The little he knew about the vision he had, was that it had relation to a forgotten frozen kingdom, curiously enough, Hrothgar fit that description pretty well, and the new shroud appearing in the border was sure to attract his attention. He entered and reached Stallengrad with a lot of luck, and 'luck', since some of his abilities could help him forge his own luck. For the reason he's following this group? He needed someone, the few magic he had access to could help him get to the village, but to survive the cold alone, and whatever could lurk into it, he needed something more.
Marfaen has been climbing all the way here, and he's tired, he hasn't taken a lot of sleep, so that's why he seems a bit messy, but he had concentrated his efforts into keeping calm, he whispers to himself softly, while recovering his breath, and he gets up, trying to take the first initiative in this conversation.
"Oh, hi... So we're really gonna stick together? Huh... How do you guys wanna do this? I'm not exactly familiar with groups, but I really need one right now, so I'll go the way you want me to."
While admiring the view, a newcomer stepped up, already tired, she could hear the panting. Crispy turned and looked at him with a combination of strained curiosity, and pity. Hells, he was already winded. He appeared to be a magic-user. She almost smiled to herself as he reminded her of someone she knew long ago, except he was a humanoid turned yuan-ti. She rolled her eyes at the memory, and shook it away as soon as it had come.
"We usually start by telling each other our names." Crispy said, not hiding the slight sarcasm. He took off one of her gloves and extended and strong and calloused hand. "I'm Crispy."
Isuzu sitting off... away from the others... resting, watching a listening to their chatter as she sheds some Light in their dim surroundings by illuminating an amulet dedicated to Il-Yannah and the Path of Light that Isuzu wears about her neck.
Slowly, Isuzu rises to her feet, watching as the others greet one another before she moves forward towards them. Her strange manner and the ash tone of her flesh it is easy to tell that she is not a local. Her attire, though well-made and worked are simple soft-leather and nothing special... a tunic, trousers, leather boots and fingerless gloves, no armor or weapons of any kind except perhaps for a small utility knife on her belt. However what she wears atop her head (goggles) are a little more unusual even if they only seem to be decorative... but common enough where Isuzu comes from.
Her hand extended slightly through her gloves remain on... she slowly approaches the female then stops and brings her hands together offering a respectful wai, "Krip-Sy, this one is called Kwan Ki'Ryn but simply called... Isuzu which means '50 bells' in the Quori tongue," speaking in a rather formal yet awkward tone. Isuzu herself is less than impressive, petite, barely 5' tall and slender, maybe 90 pounds soaking wet she looks as if a strong breeze could blow her over.
"Are you not cold, far one?" A man in chain mail armor finally lifted himself onto the rocky shelf. "My apologies. I heard you speaking and thought it might be a good idea to introduce myself. I am called Zeseis. I am an envoy of the Great Conqueror, come to bring law to this place." A second glance at Zeseis tells the party most of what they need to know about him. A mace hangs from his belt, while a large sword and a shield are strapped across his back. His cloak is fastened with a tarnished clasp with a black hand engraved onto it. As he finishes speaking, Isuzu can hear Zeseis' voice in her head, speaking in Quori. It is a pleasure to meet someone else who speaks this tongue. I am curious about your origin, but it can wait.
Crispy turned to the newcomer, a woman. She watched her give a courteous wai, and for a moment, didn't know what to do, how to respond. "CRIS-py." she corrected, as gently as she could. "Nice to meet you." She awkwardly bowed her head, almost immediately realizing the move was stupid, and mentally kicked herself in her ass. She did a double take to the glasses she had on her head, trying to distract her move.
"I like your goggles."
She nods to Zeseis, clearly he was more interested in Isuzu, and said nothing more. Mostly because she didn't really care. She was weary of making new friends only to lose them as time went on, and she had lost plenty of friends. She had a job to do, the Demons willed it, so she would do it, and leave this forsaken place.
Standing on top the icy hill and staring at the distance, the frozen world around him was beautiful in its own right. A cold desolate place where people and animals rarely was seen wandering, the quiet was profound until one of the men around spoke or moved. The sky was so crystal clear that each star stood, in between the heavy clouds. He looked around the group as they began to speak, introducing themselves. He listened and stood a bit apart from them as he admired the town and area, around them. He looked at the winded man curiously as he panted, the man was definitely going to be a weak link but would hopefully be useful. Next was curious, Kol's instincts told him that she would dangerous if not watched. He had worked with many such people on his old crew. They were daggers, in enemies ribs or your back. Kol turned his back to them as another lit a light from their neck, he didn't care why the ash rubbed woman did it. He wasn't ruining his night vision just to make her comfortable, he listened to her speak and shook his head. She was far from ready for this, her outfit screamed it. She had no furs or any way to stay warm, that he saw. Magic would only be useful for so long, but the weather and nature would swallow it quickly enough.
Soon the cold brought another to the small group, he glanced seeing armor and mace. This one definitely served something, but he wasn't too learned about such matter. The idea of enforcing laws, annoyed Kol. Who was this man to decide laws on another people or place? This stranger had no reason to be here, and his ideals would definitely cause him trouble. Kol sighed and walked into the gathering, his deep voice rumbled out. "I am Kol." He stepped into the light letting everyone see his large muscular frame towering over 6 foot, he wore fur over his limbs and a cloak but his chest was a open chested shirt showing a thick bunch of hair. His face frowning but his bright blue eyes glittered and his shoulder long black hair stirred slightly in the wind, and making his neatly cared for beard rustled.
"CRIS-py." she corrected, as gently as she could. "Nice to meet you." She awkwardly bowed her head, almost immediately realizing the move was stupid, and mentally kicked herself in her ass. She did a double take to the glasses she had on her head, trying to distract her move. I like your goggles."
Isuzu returns the female's informal but friendly welcoming smile with a smile of her own, the look on her face shy and innocent like that of a child as she responds with a simple, "thank you... CRIS-py," as she takes a slow step backward and bows again respectfully.
"My apologies. I heard you speaking and thought it might be a good idea to introduce myself. I am called Zeseis.... As he finishes speaking, Isuzu can hear Zeseis' voice in her head, speaking in Quori. It is a pleasure to meet someone else who speaks this tongue. I am curious about your origin, but it can wait.
Isuzu turns and looks closely at the warrior Zeseis, studying him, knowing a Kalashtar when she sees one. Somewhat surprised she thinks that perhaps this world is not so dissimilar to Eberron as she had first thought... or perhaps this Zeseis is like herself, a fellow traveler who has lost his way.
She is not surprised when she feels the closeness of his mind as his thoughts enter hers and their two minds mingle together. Such is their way... and their custom to communicate deeper thoughts and concepts. Her time at the Refuge and her Kalashtar masters who trained her taught her this and more.
Isuzu drops to her knees before him following proper etiquette which involves kneeling directly on the ground and bowing to prostrate oneself... the palms of her hands placed together to show her respect and devotion to the teachings of the enlightened.
"Forgiveness Lord... in the shadows, this one did not notice your presence,"she speaks in the common tongue, rather than in Quori. "Though this one trained at the Refuge with the enlightened... sadly is unable to speak Quori fluently... only a few simple words and phrases," she bows again humbling herself before him...
Not even halfway through proper introductions, all five of you hear the intensity of the barking seem to raise to an inordinate amount. The sea of laterns down below seem to be dividing between all the available lanes. As of right now, it seems the soldiers have not started the ascent, but you all know that a spry man could make the climb to your position in a matter of minutes.
Crispy observed the exchanged between Isuzu and Zeseis, unimpressed. Obviously, those two had a connection of some sort. How sweet. She looked down the hill at the sea of lanterns and thought for a moment.
Isuzu immediately leaps to her feet with one swift motion and gathers together her pack and hooded cloak... slipping her glowing amulet into an empty sack and wrapping a cord around it to cover its glowing light before pushing it under her the leather of her tunic and joins Crispy at the cave opening looking to determine or get an idea of the distance to the top of the hill above and then turns her gaze to the approaching lights.
Then she turns and gives her new friend Crispy a quick smile, and makes haste Dash heading towards the top and away from her pursuers.
Not totally sure how steep the hill or overall the difficulty of the terrain but Isuzu is looking pick up the pace, one who would rather avoid a fight if at all possible. So makes the best speed she is able given her top speed at a Dash. Minus/depending of course on the difficulty of the terrain and of course safety balancing these as needed, etc. that will reduce her speed. If Athletics or other rolls needed let me know.
Crispy checks her short swords wrapped around her right leg in a military harness one last time, giving them a loving pat at the end. Watching Isuzu smile, she stares at her for just a moment, nods, and follows her towards the top.
Kol looks down at the lights and the dogs baying and smiles, they were using dogs. Smart, a hound was invaluable to this terrain and at tracking. If they did find them, they would be tired from the climb and easy to shoo away before soldiers came. Killing a loyal dog was not a task Kol cared to do, a loyal animal was a precious thing to have and a painful loss. Kol was ready to continue, he had only stopped because he saw others and thought they may know something about the climb, they would be handy if trouble came to them. Extra hands and swords were always welcome. Kol reached down and grabbed the small tired Marfaen and lifted him onto his shoulder like a sack, he was barely skin and bones. Kol's home had children stronger and heavier then this one. He didn't look at them as he spoke, "We must hurry, Tired one. Stay on or I will tie you to my belt."
He was distracted with his book while most of the conversation was going, he only seems to notice when he was refered to directly. "Oh, you cancall me Marfaen." He places his book back in one of his back pockets, before answering Kol. "That's okay, I can keep up with you, Taking this break was all that I needed, I'm ready to go."
He sets to leave, and follow this group that seemed to be his only choice on progression here, any sort of fighting while he was alone wouldn't, for sure, last long. "Oh, and I know I don't look like the strongest suit to be here, but I promise you I have a few ways to help you get across this place."
Marfean successfully convinces the hulking humanoid to give him another chance climbing solo up the hill. The five of you spend a tense few minutes climbing up the increasingly treatorous hillside. It’s not quite a vertical climb, but it’s still a very steep incline, with rocks, trees, gnarled roots, and of course the near pitch blackness of night.
Can I get a Dex Save from all of you. If you have any form of night vision or light source on you, or easily cast-able, you get advantage.
Crispy, standing next to Isuzu, looked back from where they were standing around the cave. The tired magic-user, and the typical barbarian type..what was his name? Oh, that's right. Kol. They were both having a conversation of sorts - it appeared the caster didn't want to be carried and easily convinced him of so.
She shook her head and while she waited for them to catch up, looked up and admired how beautiful the night sky looked in the cold, there were barely any clouds and the night sky was open in it's full glory. When she wasn't looking, Crispy would study Isuzu. A lifetime ago Crispy was an investigator. A crooked one, but an investigator no less. With a trained eye Crispy could tell this particular woman appeared trained. Disciplined. Courteous. She admired those qualities and folded her arms, catching glimpses of Isuzu while looking up at the sky. She was different, and probably from a place Crispy never heard of before.
Still afflicted with grief, and loss, Crispy wanted to be more personable, but her personality and inner programming didn't allow it. For now.
They continued climbing up, and some of the ground was loose, and dangerous.
Dex: 25
She stepped on a rock she thought was solid. It gave away, and her leg twisted in the wrong direction. "WHOA!" she barked. "Shit!"
A forgotten kingdom, a people lost behind a curtain of ice and freezing winds that would kill even the toughest of adventurers. The Frozen Kingdom of Hrothgar, a northern country that almost gained fairy tale status from the people of the world, if not for the very real border it shares with the continent spanning empire of Antorous. Even the longest living elves only have faint memories of a hardy people from a snowy tundra before they were lost to the forever raging storm that swallowed the kingdom whole, a storm largely called "The Shroud of the Winter King" for the largest known folktale, a crazed king that made a deal with higher powers to protect what was his, only to have the great power to backfire on him.
A shroud that has recently lifted. The Emperors forces have scrambled to close the border, but groups of opportunist adventures have already slipped through to explore and possibly exploit the kingdom and its lost riches. This is Your Story.
Hello, I'm Maitogai. I've had experience playing and DM'ing several IRL campaigns of D&D 5th Edition. This is a completely original campaign that I decided to try out on a PbP system to dip my toe into the online scene.
This campaign is intended for level 3 characters, and a party of 4-6. I would like applications through private message (PM) that includes the following information:
Your characters name, their race, their class and subclass, a background about the character that preferably includes how and why they chose/became their class/subclass, an explanation for why they would want to explore this newly rediscovered kingdom (weather it be for a personal reason, glory, adventure, or even the simple pursuit of possible riches), and a little bit about yourself.
Remember to PM me your applications, rather then posting them on the forum. Responses should hopefully be timely. More details will be given upon acceptation into the campaign. If you have any questions, or would like additional information about the campaign setting for you background or something, feel free to PM me. Hope to see your applications soon!
What emergency troops the empire could spare during the initial week of the shrouds sudden lift were stretched thin as wire. Guard stations were hastily arisen every few kilometers out of whatever scraps of material that could be spared by nearby townships, but the whole situation was a disaster waiting to happen, and 8 days after what’s now officially considered “The Border Opening”, an avalanche which may or may not have been triggered by several military grade stolen explosives created the perfect opening for the several groups of potential adventures waiting nearby.
The nearby township of Stallengrad, a small timber and fishing village was the base of operations for adventurers for the past 8 days. Tavern rumors of “something big and loud” on this exact night had nearly everyone anxiously awaiting by the doors of whatever bars or inns they were inhabiting, packs full and heavy clothes already being worn. The initial sprint had an estimated number of nearly 100 individuals running towards the golden opportunity of this “ghost kingdom” and nearly triple that number of the empires forces scrambling to respond to this new threat and vandals illegally crossing the closed border.
The avalanche created several thin strips of safe land for adventures to climb up into the hilly snow covered country side. Fiveadventurers funneled into this particular strip where our story takes place. There was nothing in particular that attracted you all to this strip, it was one of several options, one which few were choosing, so it seemed like the natural avenue to funnel into. Initial conversation with those around you was severally limited for the first few minutes, as it was a rather steep incline, not to mention that it was the dead of night, extremely snow covered from centuries of undisturbed snow fall, and you had what sounded like packs of hounds and their military police owners deciding which strips to climb up.
You five finally reach a steady shelf of the rocky hillside, and see the village with its cheery yellow lights twinkling at you from several hundred feet below. Thankfully it seems the avalanche diddnt hit the village too bad, and what seems even more numerous then the village lights are the lamps of the response teams of the empire at the foot of the avalanche. There’s a small cave that goes ten feet into the side of the hill beside you, and what seems to be an even higher climb awaiting you to reach the top of the hill. You all pause to catch your breaths, and finally interact with the other adventurers that you’ve got stuck with for the foreseeable future.
"Crispy" always hated the heat.
It was what she had to deal with now that she was dealing with demons of the 7th Layer.
BEFORE
Since she day she murdered her abusive father, Crispy had been plagued with debilitating nightmares of him haunting her. Years ago, she was hired to scout an island called Ishassara. Her employer was looking to make a resort on the island, and they needed a team of adventures to scout it out and make sure it was safe. They successfully did their job, but she didn't expect two things to happen: falling in love with the team's beautiful red-headed warlock, and for her dwarven best friend to die from alcoholism. Then it took a turn for the worse. Before they all left the island, she made a deal with her lover's mother - a succubus from the 7th Layer. The deal was simple: rid Crispy of her nightmares and in turn, for 2000 years, she will be Hell's servant - a deadly assassin. She would kill Hell's enemies, act as their weapon in the darkness. Little did Crispy know, they were not intending to keep their bargain.
Sometimes, it wasn't all about killing, but Crispy had to do what Hell wanted. It worked in mysterious ways. Sometimes they sent her to a place she had never been, with no reason as to why she was there.
This was one of those times.
TODAY
Tightening her leather armor and more tightly wrapping the furs around her, Crispy was at least thankful it wasn't as hot as the Devil's Armpit here. Her dark hair waved in the wind, and her piercingly blue eyes almost matched the darker hues of the ice. Even in this cold, she was tan as if the sun's kiss had favored her all her life. Her face had a few nicks, scars, and blemishes, but was very defined with sharp edges and lean muscle which gave strangers the idea that her physical training in the military had honed a tightly packed chiseled weapon of death, which sadly, couldn't be admired with all the clothing she was wearing.
Her instructions were clear, and she met her fellow members of the adventuring team at the rendezvous point at Stallengrad, a place she had never heard of. She looked over the other adventurers as they paused to catch their breath with mistrust and unfamiliarity, nothing usual about that. Crispy was always at some level of mistrust, annoyance, or frustrations - that was her programming, and with the death of her best friend, it only amplified. At least she could sleep at night without the terrors, now. She closed her eyes and did her best to try and be cordial once one of them spoke, but she wouldn't be the first one to. She was a precision killer, after all, not a bard.
Backstory:
Marfaen chose seclusion for most of his life because he would be secluded at home just as much as he would be amidst nature, and the latter was just more appealing since it had the knowledge he couldn't gather in the tiny village where he lived. Not only that, but also an accident, he hadn't made a plan about not going back, he just didn't bother to do it after getting lost the first time, his first time spent in loneliness wasn't long, as a wizard that live around the place invited him to apprentice in the basics of magic.
Leaving with this new gathered valorable knowledge, he worked, and stll works, toward bettering it, searching for more of the overall of magics, rather than any specific, until the day he had a vision. It was really hard to understand it, or even remember it, but it told him something, he simply couldn't grasp what it was, so he focused on the School of Divination, one surrounded by the concept of seeing what you shouldn't see, or having those visions, not unlike the one he had, and a few pieces fell into place, few of many, but enough where he knew a relevant place to it.
Recently:
The little he knew about the vision he had, was that it had relation to a forgotten frozen kingdom, curiously enough, Hrothgar fit that description pretty well, and the new shroud appearing in the border was sure to attract his attention. He entered and reached Stallengrad with a lot of luck, and 'luck', since some of his abilities could help him forge his own luck. For the reason he's following this group? He needed someone, the few magic he had access to could help him get to the village, but to survive the cold alone, and whatever could lurk into it, he needed something more.
Marfaen has been climbing all the way here, and he's tired, he hasn't taken a lot of sleep, so that's why he seems a bit messy, but he had concentrated his efforts into keeping calm, he whispers to himself softly, while recovering his breath, and he gets up, trying to take the first initiative in this conversation.
"Oh, hi... So we're really gonna stick together? Huh... How do you guys wanna do this? I'm not exactly familiar with groups, but I really need one right now, so I'll go the way you want me to."
(She/Her)
Velmine - Tiefling, Rogue (9), Swashbuckler - Dead in Thay
Riris Swiftwhistle - Halfling, Bard (4), College of Swords - Lost Mines of Phandelver
Rellahne Vanderboren - Half-Elf, Wizard (4), School of Abjuration - The Shackled City
Ann Hidrizo - Human, Fighter (2) - Amphail Adventures
Sha - Firbolg, Cleric (3), Twilight Domain - Hunt for the Wish Dragon
While admiring the view, a newcomer stepped up, already tired, she could hear the panting. Crispy turned and looked at him with a combination of strained curiosity, and pity. Hells, he was already winded. He appeared to be a magic-user. She almost smiled to herself as he reminded her of someone she knew long ago, except he was a humanoid turned yuan-ti. She rolled her eyes at the memory, and shook it away as soon as it had come.
"We usually start by telling each other our names." Crispy said, not hiding the slight sarcasm. He took off one of her gloves and extended and strong and calloused hand. "I'm Crispy."
Isuzu sitting off... away from the others... resting, watching a listening to their chatter as she sheds some Light in their dim surroundings by illuminating an amulet dedicated to Il-Yannah and the Path of Light that Isuzu wears about her neck.
Slowly, Isuzu rises to her feet, watching as the others greet one another before she moves forward towards them. Her strange manner and the ash tone of her flesh it is easy to tell that she is not a local. Her attire, though well-made and worked are simple soft-leather and nothing special... a tunic, trousers, leather boots and fingerless gloves, no armor or weapons of any kind except perhaps for a small utility knife on her belt. However what she wears atop her head (goggles) are a little more unusual even if they only seem to be decorative... but common enough where Isuzu comes from.
Her hand extended slightly through her gloves remain on... she slowly approaches the female then stops and brings her hands together offering a respectful wai, "Krip-Sy, this one is called Kwan Ki'Ryn but simply called... Isuzu which means '50 bells' in the Quori tongue," speaking in a rather formal yet awkward tone. Isuzu herself is less than impressive, petite, barely 5' tall and slender, maybe 90 pounds soaking wet she looks as if a strong breeze could blow her over.
"Are you not cold, far one?" A man in chain mail armor finally lifted himself onto the rocky shelf. "My apologies. I heard you speaking and thought it might be a good idea to introduce myself. I am called Zeseis. I am an envoy of the Great Conqueror, come to bring law to this place." A second glance at Zeseis tells the party most of what they need to know about him. A mace hangs from his belt, while a large sword and a shield are strapped across his back. His cloak is fastened with a tarnished clasp with a black hand engraved onto it. As he finishes speaking, Isuzu can hear Zeseis' voice in her head, speaking in Quori. It is a pleasure to meet someone else who speaks this tongue. I am curious about your origin, but it can wait.
Crispy turned to the newcomer, a woman. She watched her give a courteous wai, and for a moment, didn't know what to do, how to respond. "CRIS-py." she corrected, as gently as she could. "Nice to meet you." She awkwardly bowed her head, almost immediately realizing the move was stupid, and mentally kicked herself in her ass. She did a double take to the glasses she had on her head, trying to distract her move.
"I like your goggles."
She nods to Zeseis, clearly he was more interested in Isuzu, and said nothing more. Mostly because she didn't really care. She was weary of making new friends only to lose them as time went on, and she had lost plenty of friends. She had a job to do, the Demons willed it, so she would do it, and leave this forsaken place.
Standing on top the icy hill and staring at the distance, the frozen world around him was beautiful in its own right. A cold desolate place where people and animals rarely was seen wandering, the quiet was profound until one of the men around spoke or moved. The sky was so crystal clear that each star stood, in between the heavy clouds. He looked around the group as they began to speak, introducing themselves. He listened and stood a bit apart from them as he admired the town and area, around them. He looked at the winded man curiously as he panted, the man was definitely going to be a weak link but would hopefully be useful. Next was curious, Kol's instincts told him that she would dangerous if not watched. He had worked with many such people on his old crew. They were daggers, in enemies ribs or your back. Kol turned his back to them as another lit a light from their neck, he didn't care why the ash rubbed woman did it. He wasn't ruining his night vision just to make her comfortable, he listened to her speak and shook his head. She was far from ready for this, her outfit screamed it. She had no furs or any way to stay warm, that he saw. Magic would only be useful for so long, but the weather and nature would swallow it quickly enough.
Soon the cold brought another to the small group, he glanced seeing armor and mace. This one definitely served something, but he wasn't too learned about such matter. The idea of enforcing laws, annoyed Kol. Who was this man to decide laws on another people or place? This stranger had no reason to be here, and his ideals would definitely cause him trouble. Kol sighed and walked into the gathering, his deep voice rumbled out. "I am Kol." He stepped into the light letting everyone see his large muscular frame towering over 6 foot, he wore fur over his limbs and a cloak but his chest was a open chested shirt showing a thick bunch of hair. His face frowning but his bright blue eyes glittered and his shoulder long black hair stirred slightly in the wind, and making his neatly cared for beard rustled.
Isuzu returns the female's informal but friendly welcoming smile with a smile of her own, the look on her face shy and innocent like that of a child as she responds with a simple, "thank you... CRIS-py," as she takes a slow step backward and bows again respectfully.
Isuzu turns and looks closely at the warrior Zeseis, studying him, knowing a Kalashtar when she sees one. Somewhat surprised she thinks that perhaps this world is not so dissimilar to Eberron as she had first thought... or perhaps this Zeseis is like herself, a fellow traveler who has lost his way.
She is not surprised when she feels the closeness of his mind as his thoughts enter hers and their two minds mingle together. Such is their way... and their custom to communicate deeper thoughts and concepts. Her time at the Refuge and her Kalashtar masters who trained her taught her this and more.
Isuzu drops to her knees before him following proper etiquette which involves kneeling directly on the ground and bowing to prostrate oneself... the palms of her hands placed together to show her respect and devotion to the teachings of the enlightened.
"Forgiveness Lord... in the shadows, this one did not notice your presence," she speaks in the common tongue, rather than in Quori. "Though this one trained at the Refuge with the enlightened... sadly is unable to speak Quori fluently... only a few simple words and phrases," she bows again humbling herself before him...
Not even halfway through proper introductions, all five of you hear the intensity of the barking seem to raise to an inordinate amount. The sea of laterns down below seem to be dividing between all the available lanes. As of right now, it seems the soldiers have not started the ascent, but you all know that a spry man could make the climb to your position in a matter of minutes.
Crispy observed the exchanged between Isuzu and Zeseis, unimpressed. Obviously, those two had a connection of some sort. How sweet. She looked down the hill at the sea of lanterns and thought for a moment.
"Looks like we better get going." Crispy says.
"Looks like we better get going," Crispy says.
Isuzu immediately leaps to her feet with one swift motion and gathers together her pack and hooded cloak... slipping her glowing amulet into an empty sack and wrapping a cord around it to cover its glowing light before pushing it under her the leather of her tunic and joins Crispy at the cave opening looking to determine or get an idea of the distance to the top of the hill above and then turns her gaze to the approaching lights.
Then she turns and gives her new friend Crispy a quick smile, and makes haste Dash heading towards the top and away from her pursuers.
Not totally sure how steep the hill or overall the difficulty of the terrain but Isuzu is looking pick up the pace, one who would rather avoid a fight if at all possible. So makes the best speed she is able given her top speed at a Dash. Minus/depending of course on the difficulty of the terrain and of course safety balancing these as needed, etc. that will reduce her speed. If Athletics or other rolls needed let me know.
Crispy checks her short swords wrapped around her right leg in a military harness one last time, giving them a loving pat at the end. Watching Isuzu smile, she stares at her for just a moment, nods, and follows her towards the top.
Kol looks down at the lights and the dogs baying and smiles, they were using dogs. Smart, a hound was invaluable to this terrain and at tracking. If they did find them, they would be tired from the climb and easy to shoo away before soldiers came. Killing a loyal dog was not a task Kol cared to do, a loyal animal was a precious thing to have and a painful loss. Kol was ready to continue, he had only stopped because he saw others and thought they may know something about the climb, they would be handy if trouble came to them. Extra hands and swords were always welcome. Kol reached down and grabbed the small tired Marfaen and lifted him onto his shoulder like a sack, he was barely skin and bones. Kol's home had children stronger and heavier then this one. He didn't look at them as he spoke, "We must hurry, Tired one. Stay on or I will tie you to my belt."
He was distracted with his book while most of the conversation was going, he only seems to notice when he was refered to directly. "Oh, you can call me Marfaen." He places his book back in one of his back pockets, before answering Kol. "That's okay, I can keep up with you, Taking this break was all that I needed, I'm ready to go."
He sets to leave, and follow this group that seemed to be his only choice on progression here, any sort of fighting while he was alone wouldn't, for sure, last long. "Oh, and I know I don't look like the strongest suit to be here, but I promise you I have a few ways to help you get across this place."
No, I have no problem with that, Marfaen, though, he would be unconfortable.
(She/Her)
Velmine - Tiefling, Rogue (9), Swashbuckler - Dead in Thay
Riris Swiftwhistle - Halfling, Bard (4), College of Swords - Lost Mines of Phandelver
Rellahne Vanderboren - Half-Elf, Wizard (4), School of Abjuration - The Shackled City
Ann Hidrizo - Human, Fighter (2) - Amphail Adventures
Sha - Firbolg, Cleric (3), Twilight Domain - Hunt for the Wish Dragon
Marfean, could I get either a strength, dex, or charisma save roll to either overpower, avoid, or convince Kol to not carry you.
Great... I'll roll, sure... (OoC of course.)
Charisma saving throw: 21
(She/Her)
Velmine - Tiefling, Rogue (9), Swashbuckler - Dead in Thay
Riris Swiftwhistle - Halfling, Bard (4), College of Swords - Lost Mines of Phandelver
Rellahne Vanderboren - Half-Elf, Wizard (4), School of Abjuration - The Shackled City
Ann Hidrizo - Human, Fighter (2) - Amphail Adventures
Sha - Firbolg, Cleric (3), Twilight Domain - Hunt for the Wish Dragon
Marfean successfully convinces the hulking humanoid to give him another chance climbing solo up the hill. The five of you spend a tense few minutes climbing up the increasingly treatorous hillside. It’s not quite a vertical climb, but it’s still a very steep incline, with rocks, trees, gnarled roots, and of course the near pitch blackness of night.
Can I get a Dex Save from all of you. If you have any form of night vision or light source on you, or easily cast-able, you get advantage.
Crispy, standing next to Isuzu, looked back from where they were standing around the cave. The tired magic-user, and the typical barbarian type..what was his name? Oh, that's right. Kol. They were both having a conversation of sorts - it appeared the caster didn't want to be carried and easily convinced him of so.
She shook her head and while she waited for them to catch up, looked up and admired how beautiful the night sky looked in the cold, there were barely any clouds and the night sky was open in it's full glory. When she wasn't looking, Crispy would study Isuzu. A lifetime ago Crispy was an investigator. A crooked one, but an investigator no less. With a trained eye Crispy could tell this particular woman appeared trained. Disciplined. Courteous. She admired those qualities and folded her arms, catching glimpses of Isuzu while looking up at the sky. She was different, and probably from a place Crispy never heard of before.
Still afflicted with grief, and loss, Crispy wanted to be more personable, but her personality and inner programming didn't allow it. For now.
They continued climbing up, and some of the ground was loose, and dangerous.
Dex: 25
She stepped on a rock she thought was solid. It gave away, and her leg twisted in the wrong direction. "WHOA!" she barked. "Shit!"