Disclaimer:

This is a homebrewed, self-written campaign. We currently have an outline to take characters from level 1 to 10. Since I'm new to DM'ing and even more new to writing my own stuff, I expect that there are going to be situations and scenarios that we need to work through together. :P

Having said that...

Welcome to Theros, adventurers!

Map of Theros

The Area Near Pharagax Outpost

(Pharagax Outpost sits just south of Pharagax Bridge on the road to Akros.)

Day 1 - Pharagax Outpost, your home. The middle of the night.

While you lay sleeping at night, you are startled awake by an odd change in the movement of air in the room and a slight increase in the pressure in the room. Any sounds from outside of your bed chamber seem to have muted almost as if you were submerged in a pool of water. Then, before you, a figure slowly emerges from the shadows, but you aren't afraid. As a matter of fact you even notice how peaceful you feel and how odd that is considering there is a stranger standing in your dark room. As the stranger approaches, there's something familiar about...him?...Her? You can't tell gender. It stands before you, a cloaked and hooded figure that seems to have four arms. But, what strikes you the most about this figure is that inside of its cloak, it seem to hold all of the cosmos with stars, nebulae, and galaxies all shining and twinkling brightly as if you could just walk right into the unknown vacuum of the heavens. 

"Who are you?" you ask. You get no response. Instead, two particularly prominent stars located on where the figure's eyes would be if it were a humanoid begin to glow. You barely notice it at first, but they start to glow brighter. Then even brighter until they fill the whole room, and soon, you're holding your hands up in front of your eyes to shield yourself from the luminescence of the figure's light. 

In the blink of an eye the glow is gone; but now, you're no longer in your room. You're in a cloud, peering down on two people arguing. As if by some invisible cosmic force, you are being moved closer. You can't make out what the people are saying, but as you get closer you can see them more clearly. You realize that what you're witnessing are gods, though you're not sure which two. And they are very angry with each other.

Then, there's another flash, and when it subsides, you are somewhere else. This time, you're in a room that is surrounded on all sides by igneous rock. There are pools of lava. You're standing on the ground, but in front of you, towering high above you is Erebos, the god of the dead. He's dressed for war and standing over a table. In a fit of anger, he slams both of his fists on the table that is also towering above you - you are so tiny right now compared to him. The force of his explosive anger on the table causes something to fall off...a war map pawn. The one that has fallen onto the ground is shaped like a farmer holding a bale of hay. 

Then, there's another flash and another disorienting change in location. This time, you're seeing one of the most odd things that you've seen so far. You're seeing yourself sitting at a table in a tavern. You know that this isn't a memory even though you can't identify exactly why. You're sitting with a group of people. Like many dreams, though, you can't make out their faces, but you can tell that there are three of them. They're all blurred like when you try to focus on someone's face in a dream. Is this a dream? Just then, a man in a panic busts through the front door of the tavern.

Another flash, and this time you're back in your room, sitting up in your bed with your hands before your eyes as if to block a bright light that isn't there, anymore. The stranger is still standing there, with his Nyx cloak of twinkling stars. You don't see its mouth move, but you hear a voice. It's a whisper, almost like a warm, soft summer breeze inside of your mind. It says, "It is time for my people to be reminded who I am." There is a long, but not uncomfortable pause, perhaps to allow time for all of this to sink in and plant itself in your mind. Then, the comforting voice again, this time washing over you with relaxation and peace as if you were sitting on the ocean shore listening to the ebb and flow of the water lap on the sand, "I will be absent and forgotten no more. Help those who struggle and remind them by whom you were sent."

Then, the figure begins to step back into the shadows and fade away into the ether. It leaves you with the scent of baking bread and freshly fallen rain. 

You know without a doubt in whose presence you just were: Kruphix. And, he has called on you to action. 

Day 1 - Pharagax Outpost, your home. Morning time.

You wake up the following morning feeling refreshed like you haven't before in a very long time. The experience you had the night before is already starting to fade from memory. You know that you had some sort of exceptional dream, but every time you try to grasp onto a detail, it fades away like sand falling through your fingers. So, instead of torturing yourself about it, you shrug it off and go about your day. You wake up, make yourself some breakfast, get dressed for the day and go about your business as usual. 

Everyone, introduce and describe your characters (since everyone grew up in/around this outpost, we are assuming everyone knows each other), and describe what a day in your life looks like. What do you do when you get up from bed? Do you have a job that you go to? Chores that you tend to? People that you talk to? Etc.

Moneo, fixing himself a basic cereal type of breakfast, heads over to the window and pulls the curtains aside to peer out on the day. Looking back he sees his maps and compass set out on the table, and feels the pull of the sea again. Though it had been good coming home to Pharagax after the last dozen or so years at sea... had it really been that long?... he was already starting to feel restless again. And that dream last night... something a pawn, and a need to tell people something...

As he reaches for his tunic he catches a reflection of himself in the glass. Average height for a satyr, perhaps a bit short at 5’5”, though his horns add a couple inches. Light grey/blue-green eyes, light colored, almost brown hair that had been bleached from it’s more strawberry of his youth from the sun. Freckled arms, again from the sun, but his chest still had only a few hairs, and he couldn’t really grow much in terms of facial hair. Suddenly one of his tattoos caught his attention. The nautical cross on his left breast, cleverly hidden in it the stars of Kruphix. He’d learned much of the gods from his old captain, but had felt more of a pull towards the seeker of knowledge. 

Shaking his head as if trying to pull himself back to reality, he gets dressed and heads down to the outpost where the new travelers come through ((if we’re on the sea change this to port)). Though he wasn’t on the sea these days, he still worked with travelers. More so with his history of talking his way through more than one checkpoint. He know all the tricks and lies people could tell to get into town. Sometimes he just let them pass of course, if they seemed harmless. But his job was to alert the Watch of anyone to keep an eye out in town. Pulling out the pen he’d been given by Captain Leto, and some paper, he looked to the first newcomers and asked said with a smile “Welcome to Pharagax. What brings ya in?”

Damara finishes her simple meal, dressing in her somewhat ragged farmer's clothes, wrapping her hands, feet, and face in the cloth bandages she always wears. She runs a hand through the mop of dark hair on her head, the short cropped sides and back partly covered by the bandages, and sighs. Her skin is fair, almost pale despite the time she spends in the sun, and her eyes shine the color of a polished gold ingot. She has nothing planned for the day, though she never really plans her days much, though she does intend to spend some time training. Tucking her axes into the length of rope she uses for a belt and picking up the blocky greatsword leaning against the wall, she makes her way outside. She lets her feet take her where they will, her eyes looking skyward as she considers the strange feeling she woke up with, and the feeling of missing something from the night before, though she never fully stops paying attention to what's around her. As she walks she occasionally mutters to herself under her breath as though having a quiet conversation. Eventually she finds herself in front of the alchemist. Stepping inside and waving a hand to Neskaryn, she mutters a greeting in Leonin before tucking her 6'2" frame into a corner and closing her eyes, taking a bit of time just to enjoy the smells of the various plants and potions around the shop.

Aeneas wakes up before sunrise, immediately attending to his training. Habits and build from years of being a professional athlete have not left him.  His mind is alert, sharp.  He exults in the feeling of his human lungs expanding, the feeling of complete control over his 6'0 frame. After his workout and a quick rinse, he dons his armor and a worn, black cloak hiding his dark red hair, ready for what the day may bring him. He's feeling good.  Better than usual. Maybe he'll hunt larger prey today.  He eats quickly, then sheathes his great-sword, and ties his crossbow and bolts to his back.  Before he exits, he pauses, thinking of his dream...  He closes his eyes, and thinks Kruphix, as if in prayer.  Pulling the cloak further over his dark hazel eyes, he steps back out into the day.

Caradoc Lioncutter awakens in fine silk sheets at his home away from home, a family “cottage” currently only being used by himself and a caretaker. His dream has him a bit grumpy, but that’s nothing that can’t be settled with a bit of target practice with the soldiers at the outpost. 

Caradoc is a thin, and quite handsome young man with an expressive face that seems so unsuited to his roots. None of the solemn “duty before death, but death before dishonor” types of his family and their allies. Medium length light hair like a mane that gives him a distinctly Leonin appearance despite being human. Medium height. He’s wearing a black patterned silk vest and slacks with soft black boots, and a green shirt. Sling at his hip and shoulders are his obsessions: crossbows, one heavy and a hand crossbow he’s been trying out. The daggers seems somewhat ceremonial. No armor though, he’s no soldier after all; no matter how he plays at their games.

Carodoc heads out of the woods towards the outpost on foot.

And, this is how you spend your day, going about your business as usual. Everyone that Moneo questioned had non-malicious intentions in their comings and goings. Damara busies herself with her daily chores after visiting the alchemist. Aeneas was only able to catch a few rabbits on today's hunt, leaving him feeling somewhat frustrated, although still grateful for the rabbits. And, Caradoc worked up quite a sweat working out with the soldiers. 

All of you worn out and beaten from being out in the sun all day. Towards the end of the day, each of you find yourselves at The Drunken Cyclops tavern for a pint and a quick bite to eat before you head home for the evening. As usual, there are one or two job postings on the board in the middle of town as you pass by it, but nothing that is catching your attention right now. You all at least know of each other since you all grew up around here, so you notice each other in the tavern unwinding. While you're sitting there, enjoying your ale and getting lost in your thoughts (or having a heated debate with one of the other locals), a man you know bursts through the door.

Tolou, a local farmer that regularly sells his produce at the local market with his wife and two children, is standing in the entryway of the tavern, clearly distraught. He's breathing hard like he just ran a marathon. "Someone," he says exasperatedly. "Someone please help! My family is trapped. I need your help!"

"Calm down, now, Tolou," Demetrios Antheas, the tavern owner says in as calming of a way as he knows how. "What's happened?"

"Harpies attacked us on our way back from market in Akros. We tried to run, but they followed us. My son has been hurt. Please, I need help." Tolou is becoming more and more desperate with every word.

"Okay, now," Demetrios says. Then, turning to the tavern patrons, Demetrios says, "Do we have a few good men or women that can help this man? I'll give you a weeks' worth of meals here at the inn for anyone willing to help."

All of a sudden, the dream from the night before comes rushing back. All of the emotions, confusion, peace, and sense of purpose come rushing back all at once and the players know that this is one of the moments they saw in their dream and they know that they were called to this.

Damara says nothing, standing from where she'd been enjoying a quiet meal in the corner, lifting her greatsword over her shoulder she gives Demetrios a little wave and moves towards Tolou.

"Thank you, Damara," Demetrios says. "Anyone else?"

“Demetrius,” Moneo says “Have I not told you of my dealings with harpies sailing on the Caladan? Ah, but that shall have to wait.” Standing up, Moneo finishes his nicely chilled pint, setting it down, and tugs at the sides of his open vest to straighten it out. Looking to Damara, he nods as you would greeting an acquaintance on the other side of the street, and heads for the door.

"Harpies," Aeneas growls.  He stomps forward, unsheathing his great sword.  "Where?" is all he asks Tolou.

Caradoc has a sardonic smile at first turn to grim darkness across his face as he recalls the dream.

”Show me where,” he says bringing the heavy crossbow to the low ready as he steadies himself for action.

Tolou's face washes over with relief as you all volunteer to help him and his family. "This way," he says, clearly still distraught, but now with a tinge of hope to his voice. He leads you all out of the tavern and down the eastern road (that leads to Akros). His farm is about half a mile down the road on the left.

When you arrive, you can see that there are four harpies attacking the modest-sized farmhouse, trying to get inside. 

"There!" Tolou says. "You see! They won't leave us alone!"

While beating on the house, you hear one of the harpies laughing as it says, "You won't be able to hide from us forever!"

(Blood-toll Harpy)

Go ahead and let me know what you all want to do.

Damara's eyes narrow as she takes in the scene. Wordlessly, she begins to walk toward the nearest Harpy(#1 I believe), greatsword held ready in one hand as her focus starts to sharpen in preparation for battle.((If I can, I want to ready my 'rage' as a bonus action for whenever an enemy takes a hostile action with me as the target. If not, than I will rage right now.))

((You can ready your rage, I think.))

As Damara only gets to about 20' away from H1 when it notices her, and shifts its attention. 

Initiative time:

• Aeneas: 19
• Caradoc: 4
• Damara: 21
• Moneo: 18
• Harpies (1-4): 10 

Initiative Order:

1. Caradoc
2. Aeneas
3. Harpies 1-4
4. Damara
5. Moneo

Combat Begins - Round 1, Turn 1 - Caradoc's Turn

Caradoc sees his ally start north and turns to cover the other side, raising an enormous crossbow to his shoulder and firing at Harpy 3.

Attack: 15 Damage: 8 

Caradoc looses a crossbow bolt and hits his intended target. The bolt rips through one of her wings, causing her to flutter in mid-air momentarily before she recovers. 

Next up is Aeneas.