Deo was a peaceful prison for the humans who had seen too much–a fey cover-up after the Great Wars. And for many years, the monsters hid from us–only making appearances in our storybooks. Then, one fateful day, they struck and attacked us humans, following a mysterious “god.” The few who survived made it to a small polar island, only to discover that the god could change simple organisms into vicious beasts, which hunted them to the ends of the Earth. Luckily, humans found the remnants of an ancient settlement and fortified it, creating a standstill–the monsters couldn’t get in, but we couldn’t get out. While this happened, the monsters slowly took over the world, sapping it of its resources to feed their leader. Their only mistake was perfectionism. The god threw away the flawed ones, the things that would resist the purpose of their creation. These ‘flaws’ made their way north, and by chance stumbled upon our fortress, cold and hungry. This is how we found good allies in the elves, the dwarves, and our other friends. Now, we have expanded our walls–and fought back. We lost many, but we now have small settlements and even regions across Deo. However, most still live in the city of Rend on our Island, the Island–as we now call it. Recently, times have been peaceful, and the monsters have not attacked. But some are starting to wonder if they have a new plan...
Your story begins in the city of Rend on the small polar island, The Island, that humans came to many thousands of years ago. You are in the well-known alley tavern, The One-Eyed Dog. Wooden tables and chairs are scattered around the room, and from the bar wafts the sickening, but tolerable smell of mulch and ale. A hooded figure drinks ale alone by the window, two dragonborn chat by the fireplace, and the regulars, dwarves, famous for their ability to get drunk, take up the bar, an amusing sight-their feet do not reach the floor, and they struggle to get on and off the tall chairs. A dwarf calls over- "Eh, come share some ale with me!"
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
"Five copper," is the grunted reply. The bartender walks over to a large metal tank (most likely filled with ale), fills up a large stein, and plops it on the counter. His heavy boots make heavy clops, like the hooves of a horse, against the floor as he taps his foot, waiting for his payment.
Then, he suddenly whispers to you- "Buddy. You seem like a nice guy, and I don't want to stop you from doing what you want to do." He leans in closer, and you can see faint scars on his face. "Yeah, pretty nasty, am I right? Got those from a drunk customer. He was doing some weird stuff, and I tried to kick him out. Turns out he had a dagger." He looks away, perhaps remembering the pain he's faced. "These scars ain't what I'm trying to tell you about, though. I'm trying to warn you. These dwarves are going on thirty steins" - and the dwarves' raucous laughter suddenly gets louder - "and they're known for being crazy." He points at the dwarves, and you note that they have large iron hammers hanging from their belts. "You don't want to tussle with them. Trust me. They might be nice, but you don't want to see them when they're mean."
"Eh, come drink! Pay no mind to this lowly bartender and quaff a stein with us!" calls a dwarf, gesturing at you to come over.
You can make a Insight check to try to figure out the dwarf's or bartender's motivations.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
As you look carefully at the bartender and at the dwarves, then back at the bartender again, you realize that neither of them are very smart- although the dwarves might be in real life, but not when they're thirty steins in. You remember walking past here last night, looking for a nice place to sit and chat with the people in Rend, and seeing the bartender talking to another customer just like he's talking to you. You also remember that while he was talking, he grabbed a pouch, likely filled with money, from the customer's belt. He's just stealing money, an everyday criminal. Then it strikes you- no one here can be trusted. These beings who I was exiled for helping, look what they've done. Just surrounded themselves with robbers. Except maybe those dwarves...they might be nicewhen their brains can't think clearly. The dwarves, on the other hand, seem okay! They seem trustworthy (at least when they can't remember what trust means).
The dwarves erupt into laughter. "Come on, ye shy dragon-child! We won't bite!" Their grinning faces look so kind...
I narrow my eyes while looking at the bartender. I carefully walk away from the bartender, gripping my gold purse so that he doesn't steal any money. And I walk towards the dwarves while keeping my eye on them
May I check how many are there? I want to give them all a drink
readyif the bartender attempts to take my money, then hit his hand away.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
The bartender comes after you, still talking to you while you're counting the dwarves (there are seven). He realizes the case is hopeless when he sees that you're holding your money pouch, and walks away, shaking his head. The dwarves roar and gesture towards you. "He's finally decided to come!" says one who you can tell is older, in a gruff voice. He has a long white beard and wrinkles mar his face. "Alright, dragon, coming to share a cuppa' with a cursed one?" And as soon as he says those words, cursed one, everyone in the bar (except for him) looks at him, and then they all run out of the bar. The bell on the door jingles at a rapid pace, making the scene more ominous. "Oh, well, I guess I'm going to die," he says. "But at least I'll do it with a kind person such as you."
Suddenly, a bolt of purple light shoots into the tavern, shattering the windows. Glass flies through the air in slow motion as the purple bolt strikes the dwarf in the chest. He shudders, then his head lolls. He's dead.
Make me a Dexterity saving throw to see if you are affected by the purple bolt.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Contritus, in an impressive display of acrobatics, dives over the counter and hides behind it. The wood is surprisingly resilient, and nothing gets through to you. The glass flies overhead, shooting through the room before impaling the wall. You peer over the counter - and outside, against the dark sky, you can see a dark-cloaked figure, standing on a roof, dart off. Even though you've only been in Rend for a short time, you know that the roofs are normally used for dark deeds and they are a useful way to get around the city.
And then, just as the figure vanishes from sight, you see the symbol, a twelve-pronged star, on the back of its cloak. An assassin. Specially prepared by the Feil.
The Feil are a group of necromancers allied with the monsters, led by the evil archlich Lir. They are normally used for killing specific people, as they've just demonstrated.
I realized what had happened, and decided I would find out why that poor dwarf got killed for saying those words.
But I need to prepare before I do that. I think about going to the shop before I look at the dwarf's corpse. I won't allow this dwarf corpse to be animated, so I pick his body up.
and I look for a map.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
I stop for a moment, thinking about my options. I start carefully putting the dwarf's body in a bedroll and I sit down to show my condolences. I walk out of the bar to find a funeral home, looking down while deep in thought.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
As you walk outside the tavern, you realize that everyone outside is dead. You wander the streets, clutching your bedroll tight to your chest. Normally, there are gangs out here, trying to steal the 'pigeons', rich people's, money, but nobody roams the streets tonight, making it ominous. Rain begins to fall from the sky in a drizzle, wetting the streets. The clicks and pangs of the rain hitting the gutters and bricks makes a sort of solemn music. You feel alone. And then, you look up. You've arrived. BALTHAZAR'S FUNERAL HOME AND GRAVEYARD, a crudely painted sign proudly announces. The red paint, stained by the rain, looks almost like blood. Balthazar's is one of the best places to be buried in the city, a private graveyard where many lords of the citadel have been buried. Thunder rumbles as you open the wooden door, which creaks open ominously. You can see a cloaked figure inside, facing you. Wait- you just saw this cloaked assassin - on the roof. The assassin rushes at you, pulling out a small dagger that has swirling purple light inside and slashes at you. They've come to remove the evidence, you think.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
First, as the assassin is backing away, Contritus slashes out and carves a long cut across their chest with his rapier, then puts it in a sheath just as quickly. Before the assassin can react, he leaps out and jabs with his Javelin of Lightning, but the Feil assassin ducks- right into Contritus's hammer, which smacks the assassin in the face. The assassin now retreats as Contritus backs away, then drops into a roll, stopping about 20 feet away from the assassin.
For a moment I look at the blood on my blade and complete a silent wince and a slight terror in my eyes. "Why are you doing this," I yell "This is unnecessary harm!" I slightly cringe at the pain of the slash the assassin gave me. I say in a softer yet still raising my voice, "This accomplishes nothing good for you...Trust me, I know how those types of people throw you away like trash."
I heard a voice, Don't proceed, itsaid, this person is an ally of your group, aren't they? I shake my head for a moment, slightly dazed.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
I side-stepped the slash and said, "Please give up, there is no need for this."
"You have faith in your group, and I respect the faith and honor...But I cannot forgive you for your transgressions."
I slam the light hammer into the assassin's right leg
To hit them: 19 (14 + 5) Damage to them: 6 (3 + 3)
"You must get your repentance for your mass killing, goodbye..."
I hesitated for only one small moment, there was not enough time to react to the hesitation. And stab into the assassin with my Rapier, with my face filled with sorrow.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
You smash your hammer against the assassin's leg, and the assassin lets out a howl and drops their dagger. You hear a crunching sound and suspect that their leg is broken. But before they can run away, your rapier goes right into their chest, right where their heart would be (if they have one). They drop to the ground, and their hood falls off, revealing a skull with veins and small, scattered patches of skin. Undead.
Deo was a peaceful prison for the humans who had seen too much–a fey cover-up after the Great Wars. And for many years, the monsters hid from us–only making appearances in our storybooks. Then, one fateful day, they struck and attacked us humans, following a mysterious “god.” The few who survived made it to a small polar island, only to discover that the god could change simple organisms into vicious beasts, which hunted them to the ends of the Earth. Luckily, humans found the remnants of an ancient settlement and fortified it, creating a standstill–the monsters couldn’t get in, but we couldn’t get out. While this happened, the monsters slowly took over the world, sapping it of its resources to feed their leader. Their only mistake was perfectionism. The god threw away the flawed ones, the things that would resist the purpose of their creation. These ‘flaws’ made their way north, and by chance stumbled upon our fortress, cold and hungry. This is how we found good allies in the elves, the dwarves, and our other friends. Now, we have expanded our walls–and fought back. We lost many, but we now have small settlements and even regions across Deo. However, most still live in the city of Rend on our Island, the Island–as we now call it. Recently, times have been peaceful, and the monsters have not attacked. But some are starting to wonder if they have a new plan...
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
Your story begins in the city of Rend on the small polar island, The Island, that humans came to many thousands of years ago. You are in the well-known alley tavern, The One-Eyed Dog. Wooden tables and chairs are scattered around the room, and from the bar wafts the sickening, but tolerable smell of mulch and ale. A hooded figure drinks ale alone by the window, two dragonborn chat by the fireplace, and the regulars, dwarves, famous for their ability to get drunk, take up the bar, an amusing sight-their feet do not reach the floor, and they struggle to get on and off the tall chairs. A dwarf calls over- "Eh, come share some ale with me!"
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
Contritus Percentum stutters for a moment before saying,
"*sigh*...Might as well."
Contritus Percentum looks to the side attempting to avoid eye contact and saunters up to them, and sits in an empty chair.
"How much does a beer cost? I want to give this fellow some, I want to do other things before drinking."
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Use (www.tinyurl/)
"Five copper," is the grunted reply. The bartender walks over to a large metal tank (most likely filled with ale), fills up a large stein, and plops it on the counter. His heavy boots make heavy clops, like the hooves of a horse, against the floor as he taps his foot, waiting for his payment.
Then, he suddenly whispers to you- "Buddy. You seem like a nice guy, and I don't want to stop you from doing what you want to do." He leans in closer, and you can see faint scars on his face. "Yeah, pretty nasty, am I right? Got those from a drunk customer. He was doing some weird stuff, and I tried to kick him out. Turns out he had a dagger." He looks away, perhaps remembering the pain he's faced. "These scars ain't what I'm trying to tell you about, though. I'm trying to warn you. These dwarves are going on thirty steins" - and the dwarves' raucous laughter suddenly gets louder - "and they're known for being crazy." He points at the dwarves, and you note that they have large iron hammers hanging from their belts. "You don't want to tussle with them. Trust me. They might be nice, but you don't want to see them when they're mean."
"Eh, come drink! Pay no mind to this lowly bartender and quaff a stein with us!" calls a dwarf, gesturing at you to come over.
You can make a Insight check to try to figure out the dwarf's or bartender's motivations.
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
I attempt to find their motivations, as I can't trust a random person, and I pay 5 copper to the bartender
18
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Use (www.tinyurl/)
As you look carefully at the bartender and at the dwarves, then back at the bartender again, you realize that neither of them are very smart- although the dwarves might be in real life, but not when they're thirty steins in. You remember walking past here last night, looking for a nice place to sit and chat with the people in Rend, and seeing the bartender talking to another customer just like he's talking to you. You also remember that while he was talking, he grabbed a pouch, likely filled with money, from the customer's belt. He's just stealing money, an everyday criminal. Then it strikes you- no one here can be trusted. These beings who I was exiled for helping, look what they've done. Just surrounded themselves with robbers. Except maybe those dwarves...they might be nice when their brains can't think clearly. The dwarves, on the other hand, seem okay! They seem trustworthy (at least when they can't remember what trust means).
The dwarves erupt into laughter. "Come on, ye shy dragon-child! We won't bite!" Their grinning faces look so kind...
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
I narrow my eyes while looking at the bartender. I carefully walk away from the bartender, gripping my gold purse so that he doesn't steal any money. And I walk towards the dwarves while keeping my eye on them
May I check how many are there? I want to give them all a drink
ready if the bartender attempts to take my money, then hit his hand away.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Use (www.tinyurl/)
The bartender comes after you, still talking to you while you're counting the dwarves (there are seven). He realizes the case is hopeless when he sees that you're holding your money pouch, and walks away, shaking his head. The dwarves roar and gesture towards you. "He's finally decided to come!" says one who you can tell is older, in a gruff voice. He has a long white beard and wrinkles mar his face. "Alright, dragon, coming to share a cuppa' with a cursed one?" And as soon as he says those words, cursed one, everyone in the bar (except for him) looks at him, and then they all run out of the bar. The bell on the door jingles at a rapid pace, making the scene more ominous. "Oh, well, I guess I'm going to die," he says. "But at least I'll do it with a kind person such as you."
Suddenly, a bolt of purple light shoots into the tavern, shattering the windows. Glass flies through the air in slow motion as the purple bolt strikes the dwarf in the chest. He shudders, then his head lolls. He's dead.
Make me a Dexterity saving throw to see if you are affected by the purple bolt.
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
21 (I did it)
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Use (www.tinyurl/)
Contritus, in an impressive display of acrobatics, dives over the counter and hides behind it. The wood is surprisingly resilient, and nothing gets through to you. The glass flies overhead, shooting through the room before impaling the wall. You peer over the counter - and outside, against the dark sky, you can see a dark-cloaked figure, standing on a roof, dart off. Even though you've only been in Rend for a short time, you know that the roofs are normally used for dark deeds and they are a useful way to get around the city.
And then, just as the figure vanishes from sight, you see the symbol, a twelve-pronged star, on the back of its cloak. An assassin. Specially prepared by the Feil.
The Feil are a group of necromancers allied with the monsters, led by the evil archlich Lir. They are normally used for killing specific people, as they've just demonstrated.
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
I realized what had happened, and decided I would find out why that poor dwarf got killed for saying those words.
But I need to prepare before I do that. I think about going to the shop before I look at the dwarf's corpse. I won't allow this dwarf corpse to be animated, so I pick his body up.
and I look for a map.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Use (www.tinyurl/)
You look around the tavern, but no maps are found.
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
I stop for a moment, thinking about my options. I start carefully putting the dwarf's body in a bedroll and I sit down to show my condolences. I walk out of the bar to find a funeral home, looking down while deep in thought.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Use (www.tinyurl/)
As you walk outside the tavern, you realize that everyone outside is dead. You wander the streets, clutching your bedroll tight to your chest. Normally, there are gangs out here, trying to steal the 'pigeons', rich people's, money, but nobody roams the streets tonight, making it ominous. Rain begins to fall from the sky in a drizzle, wetting the streets. The clicks and pangs of the rain hitting the gutters and bricks makes a sort of solemn music. You feel alone. And then, you look up. You've arrived. BALTHAZAR'S FUNERAL HOME AND GRAVEYARD, a crudely painted sign proudly announces. The red paint, stained by the rain, looks almost like blood. Balthazar's is one of the best places to be buried in the city, a private graveyard where many lords of the citadel have been buried. Thunder rumbles as you open the wooden door, which creaks open ominously. You can see a cloaked figure inside, facing you. Wait- you just saw this cloaked assassin - on the roof. The assassin rushes at you, pulling out a small dagger that has swirling purple light inside and slashes at you. They've come to remove the evidence, you think.
Roll to hit: Attack: 16 Damage (if hit): 7
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
I slash with my (Light) Rapier (opportunity/reaction)
To hit: 20 Damage: 10
I stab with my (Light) Javelin of lightning
To hit: 10 Damage: 7
And I bludgion with my Light hammer(Bonus action)
To hit: 20 Damage: 5
And I dash to the side 20 feet away
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Use (www.tinyurl/)
First, as the assassin is backing away, Contritus slashes out and carves a long cut across their chest with his rapier, then puts it in a sheath just as quickly. Before the assassin can react, he leaps out and jabs with his Javelin of Lightning, but the Feil assassin ducks- right into Contritus's hammer, which smacks the assassin in the face. The assassin now retreats as Contritus backs away, then drops into a roll, stopping about 20 feet away from the assassin.
Roll initiative
The assassin's initiative: 15
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
My initiative: 9
For a moment I look at the blood on my blade and complete a silent wince and a slight terror in my eyes. "Why are you doing this," I yell "This is unnecessary harm!" I slightly cringe at the pain of the slash the assassin gave me. I say in a softer yet still raising my voice, "This accomplishes nothing good for you...Trust me, I know how those types of people throw you away like trash."
I heard a voice, Don't proceed, it said, this person is an ally of your group, aren't they? I shake my head for a moment, slightly dazed.
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Use (www.tinyurl/)
The assassin slashes out with the blade again, with a greater fury.
Attack: 12 Damage: 4
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.
I side-stepped the slash and said, "Please give up, there is no need for this."
"You have faith in your group, and I respect the faith and honor...But I cannot forgive you for your transgressions."
I slam the light hammer into the assassin's right leg
To hit them: 19 (14 + 5) Damage to them: 6 (3 + 3)
"You must get your repentance for your mass killing, goodbye..."
I hesitated for only one small moment, there was not enough time to react to the hesitation. And stab into the assassin with my Rapier, with my face filled with sorrow.
To hit: 19 Damage: 6
"It didn't have to be like this.."
Hey, how ya doing? Oh, did you 4get what happened, really? that's really sad. At least you did well in that game... High 5! k, I get you didn't always like art class, but that was with any class. So can you draw?
Use (www.tinyurl/)
You smash your hammer against the assassin's leg, and the assassin lets out a howl and drops their dagger. You hear a crunching sound and suspect that their leg is broken. But before they can run away, your rapier goes right into their chest, right where their heart would be (if they have one). They drop to the ground, and their hood falls off, revealing a skull with veins and small, scattered patches of skin. Undead.
So, for killing it, you gain 200 XP.
DM: Lord of Nessus - A D&D 5e Homebrew Campaign, A Rapidly Rotating Fractal - A D&D 5e Sci-fi Homebrew Campaign
Please use with caution. Batteries not included.