Murmen clatters off to find a relatively quiet place to sleep, if he isn’t needed for first watch. He’d offer himself for whenever it’s the darkest, since his eyes are used to gloomy dwarven tunnels.
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
The party marches forward on the Triboar Trail, which rounds over steep foothill and mountainous crags. They are getting very close to the mountains now, which tower over them as they set up camp. Under a full moon, John serves dinner over a crackling campfire as Sildar points to his map.
"Just a few more hours travel tomorrow and we'll reach Phandalin by early afternoon."
(1 hex=5 miles. Map is still WIP).
Nothing has threatened the party so far, and so the tension relaxes as they settle in for the night. However, this will be a night to remember...
Zee decides to sleep in the forest tonight to commune with his god, Loki. The trickster deity was never that popular in his homeland, but in the foreign land of Athetome, his presence can barely be felt.
The ancient woodland is a good place to be alone. Zee spends several hours praying, attempting to make contact with his deity, but it is of no use. Despite granting him divine power, Loki simply doesn't answer back. Exhausted, Zee falls asleep under the stars.
However, something awakens him. Above the sound of the shifting wind, the fluttering leaves, he hears someone giggle. Alerted, Zee snaps awake and sees a figure with silver hair that gleams in the moonlight, it's face obscured by shadows. The tittering figure dashes away from sight. He also notices that his shield is nowhere to be seen.
"You looking for something? Come, catch me!" a female voice shouts out from the woods, He hears rustling through the undergrowth as someone begins to run deeper into the forest.
Murmen clatters away to find a sleeping spot. All this wandering has begun to wear down on him. The open sky, the never-ending woods...this is not where a dwarf belongs. In somewhat of a sour mood, he snoozes off, falling into a deep sleep.
A vivid dream begins to take form. Murmen is in a dark room, unable to move, while a stifling heat surges around him. Out of the shadows, a scene forms before him.
A stout dwarf toils at a smithy. Tongs, chisels, and hammers lay clattered on a table adjacent to a gleaming anvil. The figure moves to pump the bellows at the forge, intensifying the heat. He uncovers a cloth bundle, revealing a large stack of jet-black alloy bars. Murmen immediately recognizes the metal...admantine.
The dwarf's face is turned away from Murmen as he works. He melts the bars and pours the liquid metal into a cast mold. As it cools, he brings down a hammer down upon his creation, the impact echoing through the room. His muscled arms ripples as the hammer falls faster, the ringing of metal forming a melodious tune. Suddenly, a great roar emanates from some far away place. The dwarf turns his head away from his work as screams begin to ring out. The dream ends.
Despite the cool night air, Murmen wakes up sweating, a great pain coming from his burned hand.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral-Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries;Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Jeb tries to take good care of the abused mules, but it isn't easy. The poor animals, traumatized by the goblins, immediately shy away from the apples in his hand.
"I can help." John moves to assist, whispering to the mules as he slowly inches towards them. He carefully takes hold of the beasts, calming them down enough for Jeb to feed them. John smiles as he pats their fur.
"You learn a thing or two when you work in a tavern. Of course, give me anything other than horses and I'd be clueless." John's face turns somber as he turns to Jeb.
"I'm glad we saved them. You...you were impressive back in that cave. You skewered that wolf with that rapier of yours, and then immediately followed up on that bugbear. Because of you, not a single one of us was hurt in that fight!" He exclaims, but then he sighs.
"Still, I didn't contribute much, didn't even land a single hit. I know I'm new to this, but I need to learn how to fight! What happens if something goes wrong and the group is in need of help?" John opens his knapsack, and removes a sheathed short-sword, whose pommel is emblazoned with a silver stag. Jeb has never seen John use this weapon before.
"It's a family heirloom, wielded by my great-great grandfather in some war. But, I have no idea how to use it."
Just as Arikon begins to drift off the sleep, the sound of fluttering wings awakens him.
"Caw, caw!" A black raven circles above him before diving down and landing next to his head. Bound to its leg is a small scroll tied up with a satin ribbon. Arikon unravels it, immediately recognizing the cursive handwriting of his mother. He begins reading.
"Dear my beloved son,
Arikon, my love, I write this to you in desperation. Ruin has fallen on our family. Your father lies sick on his bed, coughing blood and ranting from delirium. His illness is incurable- we've hired the best healers and clerics in the land, yet he has not recovered. Meanwhile, our coffers have been drained, the family business failing. Please, Arikon, I beg you, return home. Your father and I forgive you for leaving so abruptly on discovering the truth of your heritage. He says he's very proud of what you've achieved, harnessing your innate power. All he asks for is to see you one more time...before that fiend comes to claim his soul.
Sharloon carves the broken piece of wood, shaping it into something beautiful. The night was young, but already a fat yellow moon stands leering in the sky. The sounds of the forest at night calmed him as he whittled away, but his peace was suddenly interrupted.
"Boy, can you not survive a day without me? Will carving that piece of wood prepare you for the fights ahead?" It seems the late Master Shin has made his return. However, his tone immediately softens, becoming somewhat jovial.
"Bah, don't be so serious. You performed well in that cave. Dirty goblins, those cowards lack the ferocity in battle we orcs do. It wasn't that hard to defeat them, eh?"
Master Shin grows quiet for a moment.
"Sharloon, it is time you show me what you have learned at the monastery. These skills I have taught you, these martial arts, are not for the sake of bashing in heads and looting treasure. Tomorrow, you will arrive at the small town of Phandalin. The people there are humble and honest, yet they are plagued with a great problem. It is your job to help them. Remember, you serve the "Higher Purpose."
The ghostly orc's clear and serious words are alien to Sharloon. Shin continues.
"These men you are traveling with...they pray to foreign gods, practice dark magics, and have once led criminal lives. Yet, you saw their virtues in that cave. Even that bumbling weakling stood strong in the face of adversity. They will be good companions for you. You have much to learn from them."
Master Shin is silent for a short while, while the words echo in Sharloon's mind. Just as the dragonborn thinks he has left though, Shin explodes in laughter and exclaims.
"No need to worry! Come on, don't let yourself get soft and throw away that piece of wood. A hundred pushups, one handed. Get to work!"
Jeb tries to take good care of the abused mules, but it isn't easy. The poor animals, traumatized by the goblins, immediately shy away from the apples in his hand.
"I can help." John moves to assist, whispering to the mules as he slowly inches towards them. He carefully takes hold of the beasts, calming them down enough for Jeb to feed them. John smiles as he pats their fur.
"You learn a thing or two when you work in a tavern. Of course, give me anything other than horses and I'd be clueless." John's face turns somber as he turns to Jeb.
"I'm glad we saved them. You...you were impressive back in that cave. You skewered that wolf with that rapier of yours, and then immediately followed up on that bugbear. Because of you, not a single one of us was hurt in that fight!" He exclaims, but then he sighs.
"Still, I didn't contribute much, didn't even land a single hit. I know I'm new to this, but I need to learn how to fight! What happens if something goes wrong and the group is in need of help?" John opens his knapsack, and removes a sheathed short-sword, whose pommel is emblazoned with a silver stag. Jeb has never seen John use this weapon before.
"It's a family heirloom, wielded by my great-great grandfather in some war. But, I have no idea how to use it."
John hands the sword to Jeb.
"Can you teach me?"
Jeb looks at John incredulously as he carries on about the cave, extols about Jeb's actions, and minimizes his own actions.
As they share in caring for the mules, Jeb says, "We all played a part in our little endeavor, John. Yourself included, mind you. I was just lucky and caught Klarg wrong footed after putting his pet down. A move I was only able to achieve due to Sharloon stunning it before hand. Don't be so sure to label me a hero or master swordsman now. Lady Luck played her hand tonight and I just had better cards." Jeb pauses to make sure his words have an opportunity to sink in with the former barkeep turned novice adventurer, before continuing. "You've much to learn, John. It's not how often you hit or how hard you hit that is important to those you adventure with; but that you're there, right in the thick of it all with them. Sharing in the reward and trouble equally. You didn't balk or run. You showed your mettle and fought for Sildar's freedom just the same as the rest of us. Don't sell your actions short. You have sand, son. That's mighty fine."
Jeb clears his throat and gestures to the blade. "I can teach you some and I'm certain the others would be happy to do so as well. Sharloon and Murmen in particular would be good sparring partners. Sharloon for his unorthodox fighting style. Monks are crafty foes. And dwarves are unique to fight against. They have such a low profile and the same reach as a man. Many an experienced warrior has been bested in a combat in the opening exchange with a dwarf for the simple mistake of assuming it was the same as fighting a man. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are terrible foes against those who wrong them or offend their honor. Yes, I'm sure we can keep your evenings and mornings busy with some swordplay if you like."
Zee decides to sleep in the forest tonight to commune with his god, Loki. The trickster deity was never that popular in his homeland, but in the foreign land of Athetome, his presence can barely be felt.
The ancient woodland is a good place to be alone. Zee spends several hours praying, attempting to make contact with his deity, but it is of no use. Despite granting him divine power, Loki simply doesn't answer back. Exhausted, Zee falls asleep under the stars.
However, something awakens him. Above the sound of the shifting wind, the fluttering leaves, he hears someone giggle. Alerted, Zee snaps awake and sees a figure with silver hair that gleams in the moonlight, it's face obscured by shadows. The tittering figure dashes away from sight. He also notices that his shield is nowhere to be seen.
"You looking for something? Come, catch me!" a female voice shouts out from the woods, He hears rustling through the undergrowth as someone begins to run deeper into the forest.
Zee couldn't help himself, the mystery and allure were too much for him to pass up, plus he needed his shield. He gets up, shakes his head, and dashes off after her.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Drow enthusiast Lover of lore and magic. -The White Crow-
"These men you are traveling with...they pray to foreign gods, practice dark magics, and have once led criminal lives. Yet, you saw their virtues in that cave. Even that bumbling weakling stood strong in the face of adversity. They will be good companions for you. You have much to learn from them."
With Master Shin's ghostly presence sitting in the tree above him Sharloon did not even look up. He could not begin to fathom the mind of the old orc in life...even less so now. Turning the small wooden image over in his hand he tried to determine what it would be when he cleared away the excess pieces. Perhaps an inquisitive squirrel? A playful dog? It was interesting how life was so often unclear until the random bits of wood and debris were pushed aside.
Master Shin is silent for a short while, while the words echo in Sharloon's mind. Just as the dragonborn thinks he has left though, Shin explodes in laughter and exclaims.
"No need to worry! Come on, don't let yourself get soft and throw away that piece of wood. A hundred pushups, one handed. Get to work!"
"One hundred? Again? Wait...one-handed?"
Sharloon reflected in the rebellious part of his mind that forging his body into a weapon was pointless if he couldn't lift his arms. And yet, he knew that his master was correct. After the events of the past days; after the ambush, goblins, betrayals, stress, and now beginning new journeys...he needed to focus. He needed his mind still so that his body could flow like water. He needed to be ready to help life remove the unwanted bits while it carved him into whatever The Greater Purpose would have of him.
"One hundred. Gee, Zot-kri Shin." **
Turning over in the soft earth to assume pushup position beneath the tree, the blue dragonborn could smell the cool night air as it carried away problems and stress away in its airy breeze. He could smell the dark loam beneath his face, rich with nutrients and minerals to nurture and help things grow. He could sense the strong, rooted, age old presence of the tree near his head. He also knew that - somewhere above him - his often unreasonably cranky, likely insane, and most certainly very dead Orc master watched over him.
With a wry toothy grin, the monk shrugged off the things he could not control and breathed deeply. Then he began his work on his evening sets.
Murmen shakes awake, clutching his burned hand. A faint stream of dwarven cursing issues from his bedroll, then silence. You're pretty sure he hasn't gone back to sleep, though.
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
'Could this letter be true?', Arikon asked himself over and over. His father dying, the family's wealth lost. He just couldn't believe it. How could this have happened in such a short period of time. It can only be some kind of scheme to get him back home. It must be. 'A fiend will claim his soul? A bit melodramatic if you ask me.', he thought while trying to rationalise what he had read. From what he had gathered the pact wasn't one with a demon or devil. 'This has to be a trap, a plot to lure him back to his family.', if he kept repeating this line in his head, it might become reality. He didn't know what to do. Should he return? Or stay?
Another thing was bothering him. How did this raven find him. His family couldn't possibly know that he was in the vicinity of Phandalin, not after he had lost his pursuers weeks ago. Was it magic that guided this bird here? The feeling of satisfaction that had set in after freeing Sildar was gone, replaced by sorrow, fear and indecisiveness. Long after he had received the letter he would still study it trying to make sense of it all.
(Insight16 / Investigation18 just in case rolls are needed for Arikon to discern anything from the letter... well not with those rolls)
Zee rushes into the forest, chasing the silver-haired woman. Yet, no matter how hard he runs, she always seems to be one step ahead of him, laughing like a child at his expense. The pair go deeper in the woods, ancient trees looming above them. Just when Zee feels as if he can run no more, the woman suddenly stops. As she turns to face him, a still pond nearby reflects the moon, dousing her in light.
She wears a simple white robe, her two prominently pointed ears revealing her to be an elf. Her skin complexion is like honey, while her silver hair shimmers now with the color of autumn leaves. Her eyes, golden as the sun, stare at Zee as she speaks, the sound of her voice filling the air as if the forest itself was listening.
"You were unwise to follow me here. This forest contains many old, sleeping things that a mortal should not disturb."
Then she begins laughing maniacally. A strong gale wind buffets the woods, scattering the leaves and sending birds out of the trees. She throws Zee's shield at him with immeasurable force, the impact sending him flying into the pond. He sinks like a stone, deep into the water, yet he doesn't touch the bottom. The moonlight at the water's surface gets fainter as he sinks into the depths, consumed by darkness.
Just before he feels like he is about to drown, Zee rises out of the water, gasping for breath. After dragging his soaked body out of the pond, a sudden realization hits him. As he stands on a blanket of moss, dark tree trunks rise like massive pillars around him, while pale orbs of light glimmered in the woods. Above him, the night sky is dotted with unfamiliar stars. Only one thing stays the same- the moon.
The woman appears at Zee's side. "Welcome to my home, trickster. Beautiful, is it not?"
Suddenly, she grasps Zee's hand in her own. "I found you in the woods, praying to your god. Don't you understand that he will not talk to you, that he has abandoned you?"
The woman giggles, though her grip tightens.
"But me, I like playing tricks too. I can take good care of you. I will love you in a way your god never has."
She smiles.
"Loki wouldn't care. I can grant you the secrets of magic unknown to men. Everywhere you go, you can bear my mark of my love. I am Queen of the Forest, and you could be my servant."
Her golden eyes stare into Zee's.
"Will you accept me?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral-Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries;Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Zee rushes into the forest, chasing the silver-haired woman. Yet, no matter how hard he runs, she always seems to be one step ahead of him, laughing like a child at his expense. The pair go deeper in the woods, ancient trees looming above them. Just when Zee feels as if he can run no more, the woman suddenly stops. As she turns to face him, a still pond nearby reflects the moon, dousing her in light.
She wears a simple white robe, her two prominently pointed ears revealing her to be an elf. Her skin complexion is like honey, while her silver hair shimmers now with the color of autumn leaves. Her eyes, golden as the sun, stare at Zee as she speaks, the sound of her voice filling the air as if the forest itself was listening.
"You were unwise to follow me here. This forest contains many old, sleeping things that a mortal should not disturb."
Then she begins laughing maniacally. A strong gale wind buffets the woods, scattering the leaves and sending birds out of the trees. She throws Zee's shield at him with immeasurable force, the impact sending him flying into the pond. He sinks like a stone, deep into the water, yet he doesn't touch the bottom. The moonlight at the water's surface gets fainter as he sinks into the depths, consumed by darkness.
Just before he feels like he is about to drown, Zee rises out of the water, gasping for breath. After dragging his soaked body out of the pond, a sudden realization hits him. As he stands on a blanket of moss, dark tree trunks rise like massive pillars around him, while pale orbs of light glimmered in the woods. Above him, the night sky is dotted with unfamiliar stars. Only one thing stays the same- the moon.
The woman appears at Zee's side. "Welcome to my home, trickster. Beautiful, is it not?"
Suddenly, she grasps Zee's hand in her own. "I found you in the woods, praying to your god. Don't you understand that he will not talk to you, that he has abandoned you?"
The woman giggles, though her grip tightens.
"But me, I like playing tricks too. I can take good care of you. I will love you in a way your god never has."
She smiles.
"Loki wouldn't care. I can grant you the secrets of magic unknown to men. Everywhere you go, you can bear my mark of my love. I am Queen of the Forest, and you could be my servant."
Her golden eyes stare into Zee's.
"Will you accept me?"
Zee's mind was whirling still from the little journey. It took him a second or two to regain any composer. He was entranced by the beautiful fey and was a bit awestruck. "Well, uh, Queen of the forest. What do you want out of this, or do you just love the fun of watching me play with others?" Zee said with a bow at first. "Of course I will accept your gift though. I have been thought to never turn down such generous offers."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Drow enthusiast Lover of lore and magic. -The White Crow-
Arikon takes a closer look at the letter. At the signature, the ink is blotted by drops of water. Someone may have been crying when the letter was written. Other than that, he finds nothing else hidden within the words.
John is stunned by Jeb's humility. "I...I understand. Forgive me for putting you on a pedestal like that. Thank you for having faith in me."
He smiles weakly. "I suppose we will start tomorrow?" He wanders back to his sleeping roll and settles in for the night.
Meanwhile, the Queen of the Forest raises her eyebrows as Zee accepts her offer. "Oh, trickster, you flatter me. I have much to give you, but if you choose to be my faithful servant, I will call upon you to quest for me. And you cannot refuse me, do you understand?" As she says that, Zee senses a certain primordial force from her. It would be a bad idea to anger her. However, she smiles again and brushes Zee's hair, kissing his forehead.
Zee feels a burning sensation on his forehead. In his reflection from the still pond, he sees her lips have left an imprint on his skin, which glows with magic. The bond has been created, the pact signed with a kiss.
She laughs again with the radiance of spring and gently pushes him back into pond. After sinking down into the depths, he arises again into the mundane world. A tingling power courses his blood; the once menacing and ancient forest feels safe and homely now. Somehow, he stumbles back through the woods back to his companions' camp site.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral-Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries;Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Right now, Jeb and John have gone off to sleep. Sharloon has finished his set of pushups while Arikon is still reading his letter when the two of them see a soaked Zee return to camp. Murmen is still in his bedroll, but is wide awake.
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
<Assuming nothing occurs to disturb Jeb's slumber.>
Jeb awakens early in the morning and stirs the ember's of the fire. He awakens John to assist him in seeing to the mules needs once more. Attempting the techniques John shared the previous evening, he approaches the animals with soothing sayings and attempts to give them a rub down with some dried grass. He then walks them to the camps water source to drink and pickets them in a fresh grazing area until the others are ready to break camp.
Once that chore is done Jeb turns to John and says, "Might as well get started on your sword lessons, John. You ready?" Jeb draws his rapier with a flourish as he regards the former innkeeper.
In the early morning, the party begins to rouse from their sleep. As they do so, they notice that Zee has returned to camp, stripped naked by the campfire.
"Where the blasts have you been off to?" says Sildar, who has just awoken.
Meanwhile, John holds his shortsword awkwardly in his right hand, the weight unfamiliar to him. "So uh...how do we begin?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral-Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries;Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
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Murmen clatters off to find a relatively quiet place to sleep, if he isn’t needed for first watch. He’d offer himself for whenever it’s the darkest, since his eyes are used to gloomy dwarven tunnels.
Check out my Extended signature here
Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Jeb looks at John incredulously as he carries on about the cave, extols about Jeb's actions, and minimizes his own actions.
As they share in caring for the mules, Jeb says, "We all played a part in our little endeavor, John. Yourself included, mind you. I was just lucky and caught Klarg wrong footed after putting his pet down. A move I was only able to achieve due to Sharloon stunning it before hand. Don't be so sure to label me a hero or master swordsman now. Lady Luck played her hand tonight and I just had better cards." Jeb pauses to make sure his words have an opportunity to sink in with the former barkeep turned novice adventurer, before continuing. "You've much to learn, John. It's not how often you hit or how hard you hit that is important to those you adventure with; but that you're there, right in the thick of it all with them. Sharing in the reward and trouble equally. You didn't balk or run. You showed your mettle and fought for Sildar's freedom just the same as the rest of us. Don't sell your actions short. You have sand, son. That's mighty fine."
Zee couldn't help himself, the mystery and allure were too much for him to pass up, plus he needed his shield. He gets up, shakes his head, and dashes off after her.
Drow enthusiast
Lover of lore and magic.
-The White Crow-
** "Yes, Master Shin." In Orcish.
Murmen shakes awake, clutching his burned hand. A faint stream of dwarven cursing issues from his bedroll, then silence. You're pretty sure he hasn't gone back to sleep, though.
Check out my Extended signature here
Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
'Could this letter be true?', Arikon asked himself over and over. His father dying, the family's wealth lost. He just couldn't believe it. How could this have happened in such a short period of time. It can only be some kind of scheme to get him back home. It must be. 'A fiend will claim his soul? A bit melodramatic if you ask me.', he thought while trying to rationalise what he had read. From what he had gathered the pact wasn't one with a demon or devil. 'This has to be a trap, a plot to lure him back to his family.', if he kept repeating this line in his head, it might become reality. He didn't know what to do. Should he return? Or stay?
Another thing was bothering him. How did this raven find him. His family couldn't possibly know that he was in the vicinity of Phandalin, not after he had lost his pursuers weeks ago. Was it magic that guided this bird here? The feeling of satisfaction that had set in after freeing Sildar was gone, replaced by sorrow, fear and indecisiveness. Long after he had received the letter he would still study it trying to make sense of it all.
(Insight 16 / Investigation 18 just in case rolls are needed for Arikon to discern anything from the letter... well not with those rolls)
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Zee's mind was whirling still from the little journey. It took him a second or two to regain any composer. He was entranced by the beautiful fey and was a bit awestruck. "Well, uh, Queen of the forest. What do you want out of this, or do you just love the fun of watching me play with others?" Zee said with a bow at first. "Of course I will accept your gift though. I have been thought to never turn down such generous offers."
Drow enthusiast
Lover of lore and magic.
-The White Crow-
A Night to be remembered, continued
Arikon takes a closer look at the letter. At the signature, the ink is blotted by drops of water. Someone may have been crying when the letter was written. Other than that, he finds nothing else hidden within the words.
John is stunned by Jeb's humility. "I...I understand. Forgive me for putting you on a pedestal like that. Thank you for having faith in me."
He smiles weakly. "I suppose we will start tomorrow?" He wanders back to his sleeping roll and settles in for the night.
Meanwhile, the Queen of the Forest raises her eyebrows as Zee accepts her offer. "Oh, trickster, you flatter me. I have much to give you, but if you choose to be my faithful servant, I will call upon you to quest for me. And you cannot refuse me, do you understand?" As she says that, Zee senses a certain primordial force from her. It would be a bad idea to anger her. However, she smiles again and brushes Zee's hair, kissing his forehead.
Zee feels a burning sensation on his forehead. In his reflection from the still pond, he sees her lips have left an imprint on his skin, which glows with magic. The bond has been created, the pact signed with a kiss.
She laughs again with the radiance of spring and gently pushes him back into pond. After sinking down into the depths, he arises again into the mundane world. A tingling power courses his blood; the once menacing and ancient forest feels safe and homely now. Somehow, he stumbles back through the woods back to his companions' camp site.
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Right now, Jeb and John have gone off to sleep. Sharloon has finished his set of pushups while Arikon is still reading his letter when the two of them see a soaked Zee return to camp. Murmen is still in his bedroll, but is wide awake.
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Murmen grunts, rolls over, then heaves himself to his feet.
"Might as well take me watch now while I'm at it," he mutters to himself. He plants himself a little ways outside of their camp.
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Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
Zee returns to camp, strips to the nude, and lays his clothing by the fire, then also sits by the fire to dry off.
Drow enthusiast
Lover of lore and magic.
-The White Crow-
<Assuming nothing occurs to disturb Jeb's slumber.>
Jeb awakens early in the morning and stirs the ember's of the fire. He awakens John to assist him in seeing to the mules needs once more. Attempting the techniques John shared the previous evening, he approaches the animals with soothing sayings and attempts to give them a rub down with some dried grass. He then walks them to the camps water source to drink and pickets them in a fresh grazing area until the others are ready to break camp.
Once that chore is done Jeb turns to John and says, "Might as well get started on your sword lessons, John. You ready?" Jeb draws his rapier with a flourish as he regards the former innkeeper.
In the early morning, the party begins to rouse from their sleep. As they do so, they notice that Zee has returned to camp, stripped naked by the campfire.
"Where the blasts have you been off to?" says Sildar, who has just awoken.
Meanwhile, John holds his shortsword awkwardly in his right hand, the weight unfamiliar to him. "So uh...how do we begin?"
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd