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Post by dragonforgotten on Aug 6, 2019 16:01:56 GMT -5
———————- Jaris age 18 ———————-
I slip away from the music and cheers outside into one of the many colorful orange and green tents. I collapse into the nearest wooden chair taking off the laughing mask from my face, pushing my hood down with a sigh. The sun is beginning to set. That could have gone better, at least I’m getting better. I pull out the purse from my back pocket looking inside. Ugh, people are cheap. Only 10 silvers and a copper. The tent flap opens as my younger twin walks in taking off his own mask, holding up a bag. He’s sporting a nice shinner, guess he got caught. “Got it!” He says spitting out from blood. He opens the pouch and his expression sours. “People are cheap. Who brings only coppers to a circus!” I chuckle “Guess we both didn’t pull in a big score tonight.” I say balancing on the chairs back legs. Just then a tall haggered woman stumbles into the tent. She looks aweful. Her skin is unnaturally pale, her eyes gaunt. She gives us a ghost of a smile. “Well, if it isn’t the adorable twins.” We both jump up, shocked by her sudden appearance. It’s been two months after all and not even a letter! “Jens! What happened!? You look like s***!” Me and Joe look at each other before laughing. She laughs before growling? Coughing? And smiling. She holds out her arms. “Come her boy! It’s been a long trip!” We rush in embracing her and it’s nice till she nearly crushes our spines with unexpected force. I catch a glint in her eye that I don’t recognize. A hunger in her brown eyes that sends chills down my spine. “Umm Jens, you can let us go now.” she snaps out of it and releases us as we. “Sorry sorry. Just tired is all. I’ll be hitting the sack.” She starts walking away confusing us. “Arnt ya going to tell granny your back? Everyone’s been worried.” Says Joe “She can wait boys, I’m not quite feeling myself tonight.” With that she disappears farther into the large tent past the flaps into another section of the tent. Somethings not right. Hopefully she feels better in the morning. I stretch as I walk out to the back of the tent spying the camp fire. He’s at it again. Jovitch is surrounded by kids, their faces etched with fear as he tells his tales. “And then I watched as it ate everyone! Beware the beast curse kids. They walk about just like us only to turn when your least expect it. If you are bitten you will share in their fate.. and that’s why your uncle always makes sure you youngins have a good supply of wolfs bane. Slap alittle on the blade and the beast will go out like a light.” I don’t stick around to hear the rest. I’ve heard it so many times by now. I bet he’s already traumatized them by going into graphic detail and showed off his scars judging by their faces. His knowledge is questionable but he is a Oli cleric so half of what he says must be true. I think. I’m sure he’s going to be happy that his wife is back. I head into mine and Joes tent and flap into the hammock.
I jolt awake by a loud howl and a muffled scream as my ears twitch. The sun has set and the full moon is bright in the sky. What the heck was that. I think it came from jens tent. Slipping into my boots, grab my dagger and leave to investigate blending into the shadows. I follow the noise to Jens tent as I start to get a sick feeling that something is wrong. Hovering near the door I hear a horrible sound of flesh tearing. as I part the tent my blood runs cold. A large white wolf is standing over the body of Jovitch, eating him. I step back. Oh gods what the hell! A monster!? How did it sneak it?! I need to sound the alarm! I step on a twig and the dry snap it as all the sound stops from the tent. The wolf peers it’s bloody head from the tent snarling a evil grin. I don’t give it time. I rush to the bell and manage to ring it just as it pounces clawing my forearm as I stare into its yelllow eyes. This is it. This is how it ends. The monster releases my arm to go for my throat. before it can bit a chain wrapped around its throat as Jokov wrestles it off me. Everyone is awake now. Together chains after chains tie the beast down as it snarls and howls. Joe rushes to my side pulling me to safety as I watch. Three of the best rogues jump onto it delivering a devastating below but the kind seals it up. The shouting then starts. “It’s one of the cursed!” “We can’t let it live! It’s already tasted human flesh! We can’t let it roam wild into the city and endanger the audience!” “Get the axe!” Orders grandma with a heavy voice. They get her the axe. It’s silver head gleaming in the moon light. The chains tighten around the beast as it falls to the ground thrashing but trapped. It tries to wiggle away but it can’t escape. She steps up to it giving it a hard glare. “I’m sorry for your misfortune. You have murdered your kin and this is beyond forgiveness. I will weep for your soul tonight granddaughter.” The axe comes down on the wolf’s neck and its head parts from its body. We all give a sigh of relief as the chains loosen. The body twitches and then reverts back to its true form. It’s Jen.
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I jump and stab into the Orgers back just as he raised his blade to strike my wife, pinned under the massive table. The executioners howls in pain as I dig deep and kick off his back landing on my feet. The excutioner looks at me with rage “Little flea!!” and then swings his blade at me and I can see my life flashing before my eyes again before three darts of magic pelt into his head. The great brutes eyes roll into the back of his skull and I have to jump off the way to avoid being crushed by his massive bulk. He’s dead. Your now my new best friend Elmarth! Everything Cayleen said about you is true! I help push the table off Avelin as she sighs in relief. “Thanks.” She gives me a kiss on the check before indulging in the booze and cheese. Some of it is on the floor but it’s still good cheese and wine regardless. I share some of the drinking and cheese with her. Using my dagger to cut out cute shapes before Nylen tells us to focus. We search about the room but he didn’t have anything of interest and his sick looking sword and his bow are just too massive to be of use. I activate my ring and we move on to the next room were there’s a human man in a rob writing notes in a book. “It’s about time! Where’s my sand-“ he realizes that my group isn’t the ones he was expecting. I slip in behind him, my sword ready but to my surprise we don't do the usual method. Avelin begins talking to him. "Were new mercenaries. We're just getting to know the place." "Oh really." he then begins to grab a sword from under the bed and I ready to stab the man till suddenly he changes his mind. "Ah, friends! Forgive my rudeness. Come in, come in." what? Everyone comes in and we ask him whats he doing. He says just managing the paperwork, waiting for the new shipment of slaves and that he's a buyer and seller of slavers. While there talking two strange creatures walk into the room holding a sandwhich, the stinger on one of them doesn't give me any comfort. "Ah, my sandwhich." "What are those?" Nylen asks. "Oh them. there my servants. They were gifted to me by the leader of this fortress." "What are they?" "Im not sure. She told me there created from elves." Everyone turns pale watching these things lumber about. I may not be a full elf nor do i acknowledge my heritage but this is sick. Watch these poor souls sends my blood boiling. Guess it's time for him to die. I raise my blade again but then everyone continues talking. Im surprised again when the new druid and Cayleen tell him about the revolutionary idea of treating slaves kindly, pay them regularly and let them have freedom because certainly he wouldn't want to have the shoe on the other foot. This new idea shall be called, serfdom. I Watch as this mans entire perception shatters around him. he turns to his abominations. "Have I true been enslaving you dear friends. Im so sorry." yes, yes. how sweet. My arms getting tired. Are we fighting or not? I shift a little, and groan as i lower my arms as they cramp up. "What was that sound?" he asks startled. "Oh, thats just my husband." Ave, don't blow my cover! The man looks at her with pity. "I understand. He's always with you." so he think I'm dead now does he! Why do people keep assuming I'm dead? In the end we move on to the source of the sandwhich. the kitchen. Apparently it's that giant room that we've been circling around in the complex. Nylen manages to spy the leautant in the room roasting a giant lizard. Iskar, the second in command.theres only one thing to do. Kick the door down, taking names and kicking a***! Im told by Hans that my target should be Iskar. He's the scariest man in the room and is most likely going to be the biggest threat. I agree. Those creatures do us the honor of opening the door in which ones gets hit by a barrel as wine blinds the poor thing. It is then peppered with arrows and it dies. We charge in ready for battle. I run in with Avelin as three large men with shocking red hair begins pepper us with arrows. We shoot back but they don't seem to do anything. What are they? Avelin then switches quivers and draws an arrow with a shimmering pointed head and its let fly. The man howls in pain as the arrow almost seems to burn him and I cant help but raise an eyebrow. Ive seen this before. When was it? Suddenly a large boar comes screaming into the room and i ready by sword. It bits Avelin in the arm snorting in anger. I got just the thing for this. I take out my wolfsbane and spread it onto the flate of the blade. This should put the beast out. I then plunge it into its back piercing its heart as it squeals. My invisibility fades but as i step back the wound closes up, the boar looks unaffected by the poison and is infuriated. "What the f***?! What kind of animal is this?!" I don't know what to do now! I cant leave her alone. Both the men and the boar focusing on her as Hobgoblins rain alchemist fire on us. "Jaris just go! I got this! Get Iskar!" I nod my head vanishing again. She is the one with the magic sword. They don't seem to stand silver or magic. I leave my wifes side having faith in her. Hans froze the leader for me as the new druid is tying him up. Did the plans change? I dont have time to question it. the man is extremely tall for a human, his eyes hidden behind a helmet. We were told he was blind but even retrained i can sense his power. This man is too dangerous alive. I slip the blade through his back and the man dies in my arm. I kick the died man off my blade just as I hear her scream. Aevlin kicks the crazy boar off her bleeding leg and stabs it in the head as I start running to her. It seems like this unkillable beast finally dies to her magic blade but then something strange happens. Just as I reach her the boar begins to lose all its fur and tusks, turning into a dead human man. I blink twice. I don’t think I’m high today. I’ve been too busy working. So what the hell is that? Nylen goes over to it, the battle over. His brows hung over his face. “Wereboar.” Wereboar? What the hell is a wereboar? I know werewolves. Too much about them. Is that the same thing? I look up at Aevlin clutching her leg cursing the dead pig man out then back to the dead naked man on the ground. Oh... s***... I look back to my wife as the fear really starts to take hold of me. I should have never left! I grab her face looking into her eyes. The words tumble out of my mouth panicked. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you! I should have never left you alone. How are you feeling?” She laughs shrugging. “I’m fine! Really!” I don’t buy it, the wound looks normal but I start taking out my herbs not taking any risks. Ugh! I don’t have enough to make the draught! Only one pathetic sprig of wolfsbane and belladora. I don’t even know what the hell I’m doing. “What are you doing?” “Something. Trying to remember how to make the tea.” “I didn’t even think you liked tea!” “It’s not for me. It’s for you.” “Jaris, I’m fine! Just let Hans finish what he’s doing! I’ll be ok!” “No you'r not.” I say strained to remain calm, think back to the werebeast that ate my uncle. We all though Jen was fine too. I can’t do anything in these bloody conditions. "Do you feel any different? Strange craving? Human meat perhaps?" She burst out laughing. Why is she laughing? This is serious. "Your if you don't leave me alone! Ive heard half elf tastes like bacon." I chuckle nervously, still thinking about Jovitch. I hope his death was quick. she picks up on my nerves. her breath catches as she looks back at the dead man pig. "I don't want to be a ginger." she whispers to me. I run a hand through her silky black hair tuck a strand behind her ear while caressing her cheek. She does have beautiful hair. "You wont. I'll make sure of it." As if hair color would change anything. the ex slavers mouth is flapping in astonishment. I walk up to him. "Its ok. I'm a ghost. Boo." and i dissapear again Cayleen starts walking away to tame a new boar friend for her animal companions. she needs a new friend after losing Vin. I hope she's successful. I actually think boars are very enduring animals when they are not pissed off. They are experts at truffle hunting. I start regret kill the leader when we find notes written entirely in brail but then i remember. When grannys eyes started to go she would have us write messages to her in brail. I know bits and peices but i have been back in almost 10 years. Im not sucessful in finding the notes the wereboars were reading sadly as we raid Iskar's rooms. Nylen's jumped by a half orc but he doesn't put up a fight. We start ransacking the room as cayleen walks in with a massive boar. "This is Kevin Bacon. He's my new buddy." so cute. Nylen directs me towards the door but just as i unlock the door i hear a woman. "Ill kill you Iskar! damn you all!" "Iskars dead. You'r safe now!" I tell her but i don't get a response. I have a bad feeling about this as my hand lingers on the door handle. "Well, are you going to open the door?" "yes. Just about to." I open the door and i see her, and her head of snakes chained to the wall and i begin to feel strange. I look at my hand to see a shell of stone start to encase my left hand as i slam the door shut grasping my hand as stone starts to fracture. I cant see! My hand flies to my eyes "DON'T GO IN THERE!" I move my hand as the rest of the forming stone falls off my body and breaks on the ground. Avelin rushes to my side eyes wild with fear as she pulls a large piece of stone off my right eye and i can see again. "Again Jaris! Why!" "Im ok now. I'm ok now..." I breath, calming myself down. Cayleen rushes in but I'm too stunned to stop her and I'm not going back in. Three time now! Im not a fan of these near deaths in this goddamn fortress! She pulls off the last piece of stone that was forming over my eye and i can see again. I have to blink to regain focus in my eye but nothing serious. I flex my left hand as all the stone breaks away. "Im going to need a cold one when we get back to town." I joke, I take the stone she has in her hand and its a perfect replica of my wide eye. I touch my face and my skin feels so fresh and smooth. "If it wasn't deadly. I can see ladies doing this more often." Avelin laughs hugging me. "You so crazy dear." Cayleen then emerges cover in blood. "i did it. You boys are a bunch of ninnys sometimes. Did you check the chest in there" I don't want to look in their again. Cayleen is very hardcore. I feel sorry for medusa. I honestly wanted to help her. I don't think she was purposely trying to turn me to stone. "No i didn't get the chance due to turning to stone." I walk back in paying no mind to the body as i check the chest. This lock is complex. I take a deep breath and take out my platinum tools. Don't fail me now hands. I poke and prob it and to my amazement the lock opens. Praise to Oli! "Guys i did it!" I advert my eyes as i left the lead and with a shy peek inside I see scrolls and treasure and another locked box. Im not successful with this on but with a little elbow grease from my wife its open. the potions are broken but we found scrolls, one of which being for resurrection. This is amazing! I don't plan to die today but with our track record in this fortress it might happen again. If not me then someone else but i hope not. Theres also a note in brail. It takes some time but Im able to decypher that theres more treasure and the direction to it! Ave finds a feather in the chest and begins to climb up onto the dessor untill she sees something. "theres something on here. It looks like a whip." "Try using it like one." I suggest as Im preparing the cheese and wine cutting them into star shapes. Kevin tries eating it and i have to push him away and banish the poor pig into the corner of the room. She brings her hand down and the feather transforms into a whip and floats away. "That awesome! How do you get it to feather form now?" "ummm.." opps. we may have wasted the new magic item. "Oh well. come have some cheese with me. Theres some stuff i want to test out." She sits by me but her jovial attitude is gone. I feel guilty. My paranoia has only made her feel worst. I pull her into a hug. "Im sorry for scaring you. I didnt mean it. Its just i had a bad experience with the cursed. Let me tell you about it while we drink and rest."
-------- Jaris F. J
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Post by Chris on Aug 7, 2019 15:43:17 GMT -5
Hill Fort Icar's Quarters A Fortress on alert Secret tunnel down Icar's Entranceway Watchworg Post Markessa's Laboratory Markessa's Chambers
ended play on Waterday, Patchwall 26, 576 at 10:30am
MVP Josh Murphy as Ceyleen
our plays on rpggeek.com/plays/thing/46079?userid=1168080
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Post by dragonforgotten on Aug 13, 2019 15:40:52 GMT -5
I sit crossed legged on the floor using Kevin as a back support. He’s fast asleep. I glance at Aevlin who’s watching me with her head proper on a pillow. I want so badly to try and help with the werewolf cures but now isn’t the time. I’ve already distressed her, she doesn’t need anymore stress. I play a few quite notes from the mandolin humming a song that’s been in back of my mind for awhile now. I’m not good but I’m not bad either. Don’t know why I’m doing it in the first place. I was staring at it for awhile when the song just start in my head. I can’t remember where I heard it from but it puts me at ease. It’s a song that swells and falls like the coastal tide. Avelin looks down at me from the bed. “What is that song. It’s pretty.” “It’s bar song about Oli's imprisonment by Zagig Yragerne. He went into his lair to steal his treasure but found the demi goddess of gambling imprisoned. In trying to save Rudd he was captured and turned into a armadillo. It’s also a song of his escape.” “That’s sounds exciting.” “It does. On Godsday the Oli clerics reenact his escape.” “You should try it next time we’re free.” I smile knowingly, that would be a cake walk. Suddenly there’s a loud clatter of noise. I stop playing and humming, placing the mandolin on the ground as I jump to my feet and Kevin wakes up with a snort. Beyond the door their is yelling and screaming as many many bodies and voices crowd outside. “I’ll go check.” Elmarth then gets up and opens the door only to slam it back close the moment it’s open. “We need to leave now! The entire bloody fortress is here!” I praise our luck that we found a trap door under the bed. We quickly maneuver down the old rusty latter down into the darkness. I helped Avelin and Cayleen lower Kevin down as he wiggled and squirmed but we get him down eventually. Elmarth and the ex slaver cutting their hands on the way down. This is why you wear gauntlets or gloves. We make it down and the room we lower ourselves into is extremely cramped. I’m squeezed right next to Aevlin so I can’t complain but I do blush. It get awkward fast once Elmarth starts complaining about Kevin being too close. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. We paw our way along the right corridor and I start to get worried that we have effectively put ourselves into a dead end till finally our pawing pays off. There’s a secrete door. “It’s not trapped.” I whisper haven check. “Well, are you going to open it.” I want to sigh but I hold it in. I go back to being invisible. I honestly don’t want to be the first. My anxiety is already through the roof. I open the door and I see the chaos. Two wargs are chasing and eating a group of giant rats. I take out the sword. This is why I hate being first! I charge in, not waiting for the wargs to get a sniff of me. I leap, spin as my blade beheads the warg. I land on the other side as I reappear and the surviving warg looks pissed once it turns around and sees it’s dead companion and charges at me. S***! Before it can get to me three arrows slam into its flank as Hans cracks its skull with his mace. I sigh, relieved. He looks at me expectant. “Jaris why don’t you check the door on the right.” Right. I stare at the two doors as I vanish. Which right? My right or his right? I’ll go my right. Big double doors look important. I try listening to the door when suddenly pipe music starts playing. Grendel, I think that’s his name, is playing the pan pipes as the rats begin to circle him. “Do you mind!” I slam my hand over my mouth realizing I just said that out loud and the pipes are still playing. At least my cover has already been blown. I catch Hans walking towards the other door as I shake my head. We need a better way for me to communicate while invisible. I open the door and I’m met by a sprawling room that reminds me of a amphitheater with balconies but no seats. Only a few tables. The first things that jump out at me is the sea of bloody gobs. There voices all raise up in alarm as a monsterosity rises from a table and give a deep throated roar. It’s one of those poor abominations. I step to the side but before I can call out everyone rushes into the room haven heard the roar. S***! Hundreds of rats rush in after them. By the time I manage to get into the room both my wife and Nylen are cornered by owl bears. I took a step to save my wife but before I get over there the beast trips and she puts an arrow in both its eyes and it dies. That my girl. Such a bad***. I look to Nylen to see the owlbear has gotten too close for comfort, crushing him with a death hug. Time to save Nylen. His face is going purple from the hug as he viscously stab at the beast. I maneuver around jump and slam the blade down through the back of its neck. It gags, drops Nylen and dies as it falls on its side with a thump. Nylens personal cleric who I haven’t gotten the name of yet begins healing me as Nylen looks at me in relief nursing his ribs. “Thanks.” Suddenly I’m aware of a spot ligh illuminating all the way down to the end of the room as it reveals a elven woman. Cayleen looks pissed. I missed half of the exchange but I did hear that she is the one who’s been doing this to the elves. “Well. Come get some then.” Markessa says with a taunting smirk. Ohhhh... snap! B**** is going down! There’s going to be a cat fight between Markessa and Cayleen! She starts sprinting for her hungry for blood, tripping over rats as she goes. I glance back at my wife who is shooting at goblins in the balcony. There’s got to be stairs somewhere so I can help with this. I could just shoot but maybe there’s a better angle I can get at and see if there’s more of the buggers. I start going forward glancing at Cayleen and Markessa going at each other as I climb the stairs onto the balcony. Finially my curiosity gets the better of me because I don’t think Markessa is going to survive the rats and a rabid swamp Druid. “Why are you turning elves into abominations!?” “Oh, there you are.” She then grabs something behind her and throws it on the ground as green smoke fills below me. Oh. I can’t get down can I? I don’t see a way down without running into the cloud behind me. I look around in the cloud trying to find any sign of Cayleen it only catch the glow of her sword. I look down the balcony and I can see Aevlin trying to doctor Hans burning eyes. Good to know that gas cloud is bad. I look down. I could climb but do we even have time? It’s a 10ft drop. I think I can stand 10ft. I jump down and I regret everything as the shock waves vibrate up my legs. Why did I do that! 10ft wasn’t a good drop! I should have just bloody climbed! Avelin rushes to my side as I stagger about gritting my teeth. “Dear why didn’t you just climb!?” “Impatient and stupid! She’s getting away.” I growl in pain. Imagine my indignation as Gerndal throws a rope up and we climb up the balcony I just jumped from. Fantastic!! We find Cayleen swinging wildly and grab her, moving into the next room once she can see. I let Kevin as we go. He wigs out alittle but he calms down, such a good pig. Hans hands me some chalk which I take with a quick thanks. Why didn’t we think of this sooner? With Nylens sword hilt pressed to his face we give chase ignore all doors. He says he found the slaves which makes me smile but we need to catch her first! She can not get away and continue to doing this to elves. They need to be avenged! We run till we find a door ajar with two Gnoll bouncers. We take them down and corner her in her office! “Fools! How dare you disrupt Markessa in her office!” We all jump her and tie her up. There’s a loud roar of noise behind us but with Elmarths web and Cayleens insect swarm the hall is quiet again. We find stuff in her closet and two auras of magic in the room. The painting of a self portrait and a wall behind the wardrobe. Avelin immediately puts a sword in the painting, slaying the gaudy piece of insecurity. It was shoddy anyway. Everyone begins to interrogate her but she says the same thing over and over again. Like a robot. I then grab her face turning it from side to side before pricking her finger with a dagger. She bleeds red and I’m stumped. “Well, she’s alive but this definitely isn’t here.” “We should keep her around. Use her as a hostage.” Says Nylen. Doesn’t seem like a bad idea. “That’s a secret door behind the closet. Just give me an hour and I can open it.” Sounds even better. Suddenly Avelin goes to Nylen. “Can I borrow a dagger really quick. A non magical one.” My brows raise. What is she doing? She then begins to cut her palm! I rush over immedantly and wrap her hand up with a strip of cloth, staunching the bleeding “Why would you do that!?” She looks at me and I can see the fear in them. “I wanted to make sure I’m not a wereboar. I don’t want to be a pig.” The look on her face breaks my heart. I pull her into a hug stroking her hair. “Your not going to turn into a pig.” I think she can hear the hesitation in my voice. There’s no way of knowing if she is or not till the full moon. There’s honestly nothing I can do to reassure her. Kevin nuzzles his snout into her hand worried and I let her go so she can let the pig. He’s a good therapy animal. I sigh. “We can try some old remedies if this will make you feel better. We have an hour to kill.” She smiles at me put I can still see the strain in it. Guess it’s better than nothing.
-Jaris F J
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Post by Aileen on Aug 13, 2019 22:05:57 GMT -5
Gregolas Baumann, son of Frank and Martha Baumann of Geoff passed away of unknown causes in the Slaver's Stockade. Greg was the manager and master artist of Aevlin's Edible Deadibles, where his skill of creating edible art out of fruit was unparalleled. Greg was also a bow master, slaying many enemies at the end of his arrows. Gregolas suffered for many months after becoming cursed by a golden carrot while in search of his cousin Aevlin, but persevered through losing his strength, slaying a Harpy and eventually finding his cousin. Although weakened considerably, Gregolas served admirably in fighting the slave trade in Greyhawk and his actions will be remembered.
Long live Gregolas the Cursed Fighter, first of his name, hero of Greyhawk, Harpy Slayer, and arranger of fruit baskets. You will never be forgotten. RIP.
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Post by Chris on Aug 20, 2019 14:39:07 GMT -5
Will Markessa be able to escape justice? And who or what killed poor Gregolas? And in such a ghastly fashion? Can't wait to hear this week's recap!
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Post by dragonforgotten on Aug 21, 2019 2:35:37 GMT -5
“Ow! Why did you have to do that!” Avelin whines to me as I bop her on the head with the end of the daggers pummel. We’re sitting on the floor as Cayleen and Hans prey in the corner while Elmarth is reading at the desk. “Feel any different? Like the curse leave your body?” “No! All I have is a lump on my head!” So yelling at the curse is a no. Metal object on the head is also a no. It’s hard to tell if any of my methods have been successful in driving the curse out of her body if it’s In there to begin with. I will need to figure something out. We hear another noise at the door but this ones different. They already tried the batter ran with no success. This sound is the quiet rapping of knuckles which wouldn’t have catches my attention if it was for the small details. Three quick raps, one rap, two quick, pause, rap. The patterns keeps playing out over and over again and I recognize it. I haven’t heard the code in over 10 years. How? No one knows the code except.. us. “I’ll be right back.” “What’s wrong?” I stand up and approach the door and start speaking in a tongue I’ve haven’t ever used since joining the group. “Why does the sparrow rap against the sighing oak.” (“Who are you and what is your business.”) It’s quiet till I suddenly till I hear a slick female voice from the other side and I recognize it instantly. “The oak sighs for she is bare of leaves. She is free of splinters and thorns. Does the oak Recognize the twin of her leaves?” (“I come seeking fortune and infenmany. I mean no Ill and promise no pain. Is that you Jaris?” My eyes widen. Holy C***, it’s her. “Elmarth. You can let her in. She’s fine.” “Are you sure? It could be a trick.” “I’m sure of it. I know this person.” He looks at me but he then he get up and opens the door. The woman steps in quickly as he closes the door behind her. I stand in front of her taking in her appearance. Dresses in familiar leathers her white blouse and brown riding trouser as decorative orange and purple bandanna and scarf encircle around her neck and waist. A black hood is drawn over he head as I stare into the laughing wooden mask on her face framed by long black curly hair. “Hi Johanna. What the hell are you doing here?” She takes it off the mask and lowers her hood to reveal her elven features “Ah! It is you! Come give me a hug!” Before I can do anything she grabs me and I can feel the breaking of my ribs. I pay her the back for mercy. “It’s good to see you to.” I wheeze. she then notices the round scar on my neck from when i fell on the spikes, one of many most likely dotting all over my body now. "What happened to you? Your baby skin is all full of scars? Did you get into trouble without me?" "Too much." Suddenly we’re pulled apart by Avelin and I can breath again. “Accuse me, but who is this!?” Oh boy... Johanna the gasps dramatically laying her arm over my shoulder. “Awww, is this your girl friend?” “She’s my wife.” She blinks. “Seriously, Your pulling my leg.” “I’m serious.” She gasps and grabs my shoulders. "You! You of all people! Wheres Joe? You and him were inseparable. "He's dead." Her grip tightens and i can see the pain in her eyes, unbelieving. "H-he's gone..." I don't respond. We both stand in awkward silence till Avelin once again grabs Johannas arms. "Excuse me but who the hell do you think you putting your paws all over my husband!" She sees a distraction and latches onto Avelin in a death grip. “Sister in law!” and I turned to Avelin who looks extremely confused while fighting off this crazy elf woman. Greg hovers over not sure what to do. I point to her feeling embarrassed. “Avelin, this is Johanna. Your sister in law. One of many cousins.” I can’t quite read the look on her face learned this as I pull her off. “As I was saying what are you doing here?” “Oh I heard rumors of a group of big shots kicking ass and taking names and I want in.” Oh boy. Whelp, looks like we’ll be stuck together for awhile. I pinch my brow and sigh. “Alright. But as long as your here in my group we need to make a deal.” I raise my hand out for her to shake. “Do you swear to up hold your end if you up hold mine? Will you consider me your Upright man?” She scratches her chin an we clasp our hands together in a solid shake. "Just leave me something good boss." With introductions over and our standing with each other confirmed Johanna starts chatting up the rest when Avelin grasps my hand. "What was that about?" "Its usually rude for theives from the same family to intrude on each other jobs. It causes rivalry and infighting so theres a custom for this. The experience theif calls the shots and becomes a sort of head of operation." "Oh." We interrogate fake Markessa and after learning of her boyfriend but past the second secret door. I go off to investigate the door and open it a creak. There a elven man here training with his wepons and armor against the wall bare chested. I slip away to confirm what I found When I catch Cayleen begins chatting up my cousin as i listen in to her conversation. She starts jabbing about how close me and Joe were and how we barely ever separated from each other. Also the many occasion of her mistaking me for Joe. she calls me a cry baby, then she starts stepping into more personal details as she speaks to Hans. "Wow your a cleric. You know, Jaris here was-." "Hey! Don't start spilling my secrets with everyone!
I report what i saw and we all begin to decend down the slopping corridor and confront the man. He gets agitated quickly till we meantion Markessa "Markessa! Where is she?" "Shes up stairs." Hans looks back and calls through the doorway. "You can come down now." the moment Markessa appears I watch this man melt and Markessas eyes soften. "Oswald!" "Come to me my love!" He opens his arms and she jump onto them as he swings her around and everyone watches as they kiss. I reappear, hugging Avelin from behind, watching this as she kisses my cheek.. I think i know how everyone feels now when me and Ave get all lovey dove with each other. The romance in this room is strong. He sits down on the bed and pats his knee as fake Markessa scurries over to sit with him. He tells us there real Markessa just ran by here and that he is charged in protecting her. He gets a slap from fake Markessa when she learns of her messing with her boy friend. When we tell him that we think his girl friend might have been brainwashed he doesn't fight us on it but he refuses to leave her and he cant make her go where she doesn't want to. Theres a bit of back and forth. Avelin is getting antsy and i can see her hand going to her sword so i lay my hand over it. "Dear, patiences." "Just let me knock her out then we can move on." "Ave, you know how I get when something happens to you. He's going to act the same. I rather not kill a man for hurting you. Just stay here with me. We'll move on soon." She sighs and grumples and i just nuzzle her neck. "Thats better." I look back up to Oswald and Markessa, maybe me and him arnt so different. "You should honestly leave. They are doing horrible things to elves and neither of you are safe while the real Markessas is around. I understand you want to stay here. If my wife was like that i would do the same but when we break whatever done to your wife you leave." He nods. "I hope you'r successful. I wont tell her you've passes through here. Also Molzatov and congrats." we leave the love birds behind as carry on down the halls. We merked some goblins as me and Johanna start picking corpses when Hans, Cayleen and Avelin start moving forward past the dead and a cry goes out. They found real Markessa. "We need to hurry. They found her." "What! Put the amulet!" "Theres no time! We need to kill her." She groans and pockets the whistle as we charge in after her. all of us block the door as Ave and Cayleen stand near her desk but where is Markessa?! Suddenly my danger sense start going off. I jump back as hot streaks of lighten comes out of no where only to strike me from behind as the skin on my back burns and I shoat in pain, back smoking. I cant find her even after that. Everyone is jumping and confused. After ten minutes of standing around we realize she's long gone. We found some magic s*** thanks to this new wizard. He has a long and complicated elven name so i just call him Special K. Me and Johhan find a safe behind the bed and between the both of us we find a poison need trap. Oldest trick in the book. We take that sucker out and crack the safe as our eyes widen at the treasure. A necklace, gold, a pair of ears and a gargoyle pin. I pick up the necklace and the earring. These are worth a lot. "I want the Lob Lobbers." "You have a whistle dontcha and some gold. I havent gotten anything for her yet." "Whipped." I don't dignify that with a response. I sneak up behind her and she jumps when i touch her shoulder. "Found something." I place the necklace around her neck and slide the earrings and the pin carefully into her hand and she gasps with excitement. "Oh my god there so beautiful!" She then procedes to give herself some new piercings without any hesitation. Damn... When we get out of here I'll need to ask Johanna to make sure she did it right. She did mine ear a long time ago. "Only the best." I say as i stand in front of her. She then clips on the pin but ends up sticking her self. She seems to get woozy as she places a hand on her forehead falls forward and i catch her in my arms. "Oh wow! Sorry! Just got really dizzy all of a sudden." I chuckle caressing her cheek. "Its ok, thats why Im here." were pulled out of it when were told of a secrete room with a creepy pentacle in it and a gold pendent in the center. We go in an no one wants to touch the thing so we examine the boxes instead. So far it's just junk. I find a box tucked in a corner and with Johanns help we open it and theres a clear good sitting in it. I drop my dice in it and they just float there. "Im not touching that." She complains to me. "What if i paid you?" "How much." "30 gold." "Deal." She then sticks her bare pinky finger in it. "How does it feel? Is it eating your skin?" "No, its just disgusting." she closes the box and sticks it on one of the barrels just as we hear a thump. By the time we turn around Cayleen has stepped into the circle and shes unmoving on the ground grasping the pendent. We pull her out and she comes too confused but satisfied with the pedent clutched in her hand. Wow, i can only strive to be as ballsy as she is someday. But not today, this fortress has destroyed me. I need a vacation and so does Aevlin. Im hit with a wave of exhaustion and i catch Avelin yawning. "Looks like it's time for bed. At least theres a bed in the next room-. Why is the door closed?" Everyone whips around behind them. The door has closed, the wizard lock back in place. Well, so much for comfort. "Well, s****. Guess were sleeping in this horror show. Doesnt matter to me, Im comfortable anywhere with you." I wink and Aevlin and i can feel the groans from ricardo as he use Cayleen as a bed while she hugs Kevin, leaving Hans laying alone on his corner of the floor. I feel bad for the poor man. Maybe i can help but the only ladies i knew of are the shady sort and there as wild as snakes. They would eat him alive.. We start cleaning up the candle wax, moving boxes and barrels around till theres a little more room. Grendel starts the first watch. I lay down my bedroll next to Aevlins as she doffs the armor. She then leaps on top of me, knocking the wind out of my lungs. "Alittle gently next time." I wheeze. "Nonesense!, scooch over alittle." I move over as she lays besides me uses my arm as a pillow again. "comfy?" "yes." "Guess its too late to move now." "should have moved faster." I chuckle. "Tomorrow, we need to find wine. Ive been going on empty for far too long." "Of course." I smile to myself. "If i do turn into a pig, you'll still love me right?" I kiss her forehead. "Of course." I slur tired as the day catches up to me. I catch Johanna looking at me in disbelief. Guess it hasn't quiet sinken in with her yet. I wrap my arms around my wife as the hussel quiets down, listening to the sounds of everyone breathing. ------------
I wake up to the same darkness of the dungeon. My arms alseep as i get up. I smile at Avelin as i shake her awake. We all begin to rouse from our sleep, everyone except Greg. He's had a hard day yesterday but we cant let him sleep. "Ave, your cousins still alseep." She grumbles about his lazy a*** as she crawls away from me. "greg, it's time to get up." She nudges him with her foot but he doesn't move. "Come one Greg!" She turns him over and she freezes. I then catch that something is wrong. All the sleepiness is gone from me and I jolt to her side. Gregs as pale as a ghost. "Hans! Emergency!" He rushes over and checks his pulse. Greg is no longer among the living.
-Jaris F J
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Post by Aileen on Aug 27, 2019 11:15:13 GMT -5
With Gregolas gone, I don't know what will come of the business we built together. He ran it, he was the talented one, I just kept the customers coming. Aevlin's Edible Deadibles will never be the same, if it even still exists. If I die, who will continue the name? My parents are missing, nobody really knows where I am and I've already had so many near death experiences... and Gregolas is dead.
And what if I'm a wereboar?! Maybe I'll start a sandwich shoppe... Wereboarshead Deli? There is no way my brother in law will not fund that, it's brilliant!
---
Meanwhile, in the City of Greyhawk...
In the foyer of an expensive townhouse, three shifty looking men stand talking to the home's owner, a rich town councilman, Leomund Bartel.
"No sightings of the girl in over a month... her parents are long gone. I believe we are owed our dues?"
"I said bring me a body, preferably two. I don't see either of them here. I owe you nothing."
The lead shifty-man growls.
"There's no way they're making it out of the stockade alive! Markessa will have killed them both by now!"
"I don't think you know Aevlin. As much as I hate to admit it, she is one of the best fighters I have ever seen. If she were not costing me so much money I would hire her myself. Unfortunately, I have had to resort to hiring you idiots to take her out, which you have obviously failed to do."
Leomund steps forward, reaching into the pocket of his fine wool cloak. He approaches the other man as the two others look around nervously.
"I shall give you payment. I believe the promised price was ten thousand platinum? Consider this a deposit."
The shifty-man holds out a hand for payment, and the councilman withdraws his own from his pocket. The blade of a long knife flashes in the lamplight before it comes down on the other man's wrist. The shifty man's screams fill the house, his hand laying on the marble floor as blood spurts from the stump of his wrist.
"If you come back here again without either one of them, I will take the other hand. Now go."
The three men run out the front door, a trail of blood following. Two servants step out, immediately cleaning up the mess. The man whistles, and two large dogs run out.
"All yours, girls."
The hand is gone within seconds. A woman steps out on the balcony above the stairs, long dark hair swept up in curls and dressed in a fine gown. Cynthea Baumann-Bartel, eldest of the Baumann sisters.
"Is all well, my love? I heard screaming." She says, descending the stairs.
"All is well."
"Has my sister been found?"
"No sightings yet. Do not worry, she will not be a problem soon enough. We have all the money from the business, we have the farm... we have only to rid ourselves of the rest of them and everything will be ours."
The man kisses her as she steps off the last step.
"Good." She says as they part. "Finally I get what I deserve. Aevlin will never embarrass me again. All of Greyhawk will know who the most powerful Baumann sister is."
"They will. Indeed, they will."
---
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Post by Chris on Aug 27, 2019 15:16:47 GMT -5
Closed up in a secure room again, what are the odds something would happen? 100%. What are the odds someone would spot a slithering tracker oozing underneath a door? 5%. And they got it.
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Post by dragonforgotten on Aug 27, 2019 15:17:35 GMT -5
I... I honestly don't know what to say. Theres no words to expresses this soul crushing experience Im having after unexceptionally losing another brother. Greg wasn't one by blood but he was still one to me and yet despite the loss I feel at ease for some reason. Like i know deep in my soul that he will be fine, that I know where he's going. Who he will see. I hope Joe will guide him to his god. We have a scroll of resurrection but i remember what he told me. Should he die he wanted me to look after Avelin and I will. He wanted to let go and rejoin his love ones on the other side. Avelin is pounding his chest, begging for him to wake up. Screaming for him to wake up and i feel a pulling familiarity. The feeling of angish of slowly slipping away that eats at your soul, the desire to stay but being helplessly pulled away from your cold shell. I lay a catch her fist as she raised it to strike it again. "Aev, please don't do that." "WHY JARIS! My Cousins dead!" "Your making it harder for him. He can feel your pain. Just let him go." "How do you know! You'r here, you'r alive!" "I just do." She stares at me wide eyed as they fill up with tears. She begins break down and throws herself into my arms. I pet her head. "He's not suffering. He's with his family and my brother and all of my family. He's also with Kord and if not kord Oli would take him. He's in good hands now." She sobs in my shoulder for awhile. It feels like an hour has past by the time she pulls her self together. I cup her face in my hands and wipe the tears. "We need to get going now. We're almost done here." We turn to the body. Hans says he will pray for a speak for dead so we can get to the bottom of this. this is taboo s**** in my clan and Johanna is vermitly against this mockery of life but we need to know what killed him. The hairs on the back of neck stand up as Greg's voice rasps from the corpse. He doesnt know anything, only the darkness. At least i have the peace of mind knowing he past quickly unlike i did. Hans does alittle prayer for him and then the topic is brought up on what to do with the body. Greg has been in this group for a long time. He deserves some send off. I glance at Johanna and i can see she's thinking the same thing i am. "Burn where they lay." "Burn where they lay." We start pulling out the tinderboxes. Burning the corpse is one of the best ways to send someone off. Purify the soul by reducing the mortal shell to fire. They leave no attachments and burn away they regrets and sorrows. This way they don't become undead. Nylen looks at us in horror. "NO! were not starting a fire in a dungeon." "Just close off this room. It's fine." "No!" We both groan and put the tinder away. I check the box again and the goo is still there with my dice. I think i may have opened a pandoras box. Its not doing anything now but between this thing and the necklace cayleen grabbed these are my only clues. I try to close the box but i cant relock an object. K tries to open the door till suddenly he scream and cowers in the corner. More magic. Ave is beyond sense right now and doesnt have any patiences due to her growing stress. She beats the poor wizard as we watch. We don't stop her, she needs an outlet and her punches, though they hit hard wont kill K. She knocks him out cold and we manage to open the door and leave Markessas room carrying a body and a unconiouse wizard. hans wakes K up but he's sporting a black eye. Ave looks really guilty and apologizes to him and its all water under the bridge. We press forward so I put the chalk to use. I tell everyone to stand 30ft behind me and i start slowly making my way checking for traps as we go while marking the wall along the way. I take a step forward beginning to draw a mark when the floor suddenly begins to crumple out from under me. "OH FOR F**** SA-!" I don't get to finish my rant before I'm plunged into icy cold water being pulled rapidly down a current. Im battered by rocks and i spin a*** over heels along the rapids. Whats a god damn river doing here!? Im going to be swept for miles. I gargles water till i remember something. I pull the hood over my head and i can breath again. I pump the manta wings and propell forward fighting the current. You cant get rid of me that easily!! I rage and fight against the current and then i spy a rope. I grab it and begin to scale upwards till i make it back to beautiful solid ground gasping and hacking water. I take off the ring pushing my wet hair out of my face. "Im done with false floor. NO more." I seeth scowl. Ave looks absolutely exhausted despite having a good nights sleep. Thats three times she seen me nearly kill myself. Johanna squeezes me in a bone crushing hug and I'm too defeated to pull her off. Im so tired of falling into traps. We all agree were all sick of this place and decide well check out Iskars mysterious treasure room before we depart but before then we have a ceremony for Greg. We shall let the water be his tomb, let the ever flowing river cleanse his body and ease his soul. it was a beautiful send off till he gets stuck in a few rocks. Eventually the corpse breaks free and he is gone under the current. Farewell Greg, my brother. We turn back the way we came to find Oswald and Fake Markessa on their beds, bed. Their bodies covered in lichenburg burns. I wish they came with out, at least their together. Markessa will pay for this. ------
I stand infront of the two doors leading to the treasure room in a wide hallway with many doors when they begin to open up. A human man with a cross stands at one end shaking like a leaf with two bug bears beyond another door. In from of my door stand three werewolves. S***! The other door opens behind me but i don't see anyone. I cant let the werewolves bit Avelin or Hans. I let Vernal handle the werewolves as I stand Besides Ave and in front of Hans. Suddenly a haggard man appears, long and bony and he begins to mutter arcane incantations waving his hands. "oh...s***." a wave of cold washes over us and i fall to my knees trembling arms wrapped around myself for warmth... its.. too.. cold..
I snap awake gasping, Cayleen once again hovering over me. "Your lucky i found you." "I-is every one ok." I ask teeth chattering. "K dead." I stay silent and glance to the side to see the frozen form of K. I wish i was faster. That i noticed the wizard sooner. "Is the wizard dead." "he is. Now up." She helps me up as puts me on Avelin as she helps me walk inside. we enter the wizards den and find more documents about the slaver traders and a hanging potted plant. It seems like Markessa likes to experiment on plant life as well. The secret door is right is activated by the plant being pulled down. We find the treasure room but theres a problem. It's stuck behind a solid brick wall. We decide to rest there with Nylen giving watch. Im about to nod off when Nylen calls out. "Somethings here. It's oozing right under the door." I peek up the stairs and I see it. The clear goo i found earlier is sliding right under the door.
-Jaris F.J
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Post by Aileen on Sept 3, 2019 8:56:34 GMT -5
Darkshelf, Nyrond. Coldeven 15, 576.
I've been in this town only a week and already I regret coming here. Business is okay, I guess. There have been a lot of deaths, a suspicious amount even, so we have had over a dozen customers so far. Just enough money to send home to Leo to pay his share of the profit, and a little left over for me and Gregolas to spend. I'm seven gold into drinks at the sad little tavern, and not sure if I should be celebrating making sales or being paranoid with the rest of the town.
The sleepy bloodhound lifts his head lazily as the door opens for the first time in hours, and watches with a droopy eye as a man walks by, heading for the bar. He stops next to me, sitting at the neighboring barstool. I glance over, a little drunk... a lot drunk, actually. He's young, handsome face... extremely muscular. And clearly a man of the cloth. I recognize his holy symbol, the symbol of my family's god. Kord.
"Hi!" I say, smiling. "You're a priest of Kord?"
"Hello," he says. "I am."
"I bet you can do a lot of pushups, huh?"
The man orders an ale, and then laughs.
"Yes, I can. You don't look too weak yourself."
"I'm an archer. Can use a sword too. Right now I just make fruit baskets."
"Fruit baskets?" He raises an eyebrow. The barkeep slides an ale in front of him, fresh foam frothing over the top.
"Edible Deadibles... strawberry skulls and apple arrows. I just set up shop last week. Business is booming."
"Interesting. Can't say I've ever heard of deadibles before."
We lapse into silence for a moment, and I get another flagon of wine. The man pays for it just as I'm taking out my coin.
"Oh- thank you!"
He nods.
"I probably should introduce myself. I'm Hans Gunther Heinrich of Perrenland. Cleric of Kord."
He extends a hand, and I take it.
"Aevlin Baumann of Nyrond."
I guess I drank a bit too much, as the next day I woke up with one hell of a hangover, and a very angry Gregolas. Apparently Hans brought me back to the shop, falling down drunk, and dropped me off to the care of Greg. Greg had been hanging out with his friend and new employee, Laragorn, and apparently I interrupted their night preparations of the strawberry skulls. Which is weird because I did that before I left for the bar, but what do I know- I was drunk!
Hans stuck around, and even helped us spread business. He knew when people died, when people were sick and even babies being born- customers were plenty in this town, and having a cleric made finding them so much easier! It soon became evident that there was something wrong in Darkshelf, and with the Quarry. Bodies began showing up half eaten by unknown creatures. People were disappearing. Somehow I got sucked into joining a party of adventurers to investigate the mine, and Hans joined too. My time of partying and selling Deadibles seemed to be over.
--- Present day ---
It seems like a lifetime ago that I was just starting out as an adventurer, in a crappy little mining town called Darkshelf. Only Hans and I are still alive from that old crew. It's been a long journey together, and I don't know how we have made it through everything. We were enslaved in the mines, fought for our freedom with nothing but rags on our backs and our own fists, nearly died many times trying to stop the slavers... clearly we were in way over our heads considering the sheer size of this slavery operation. I was kidnapped shortly after in that other horrible town, and suffered in the cells of the Reptile God. They saved me, though, and I met my other best friend Ceyleen of the Swamp.
My morale is low, even with my dear old friend Hans fighting at my side, and new friends, and my unexpected husband. I have so much to be happy about, but so much bad has happened. My parents are missing, presumed taken as slaves. I have yet to find them, of which I am glad considering how many dead slaves we have found. I know they are strong, stronger than me- they will survive whatever horrors they are being put through. Gregolas died a horrible death, and I can't get the image of his ghastly pale corpse out of my head. There is not nearly enough wine in this stockade that can drown that out. I want to avenge him, but the slime that potentially is responsible for killing him alludes us yet. Nylen hurt it at least. I can depend on him to keep us safe, but even he is not invincible.
And then there's the matter of me being bitten by a wereboar. Nothing has happened yet, I don't even feel any different. It's only been a few days, and we even found a cure for lycanthropy. Unfortunately it had to have been used within an hour of being bitten. So I guess we just have to wait and see if I turn or not. I can't stop worrying about that on top of everything else. It's all too much.
Jaris tries to help me cope, but there is only so much comfort he can bring me. I have to constantly worry about him dying, too. He's fallen into so many traps that I'm just expecting the worst at any given moment. This place is a nightmare.
When we get out of here, the party is sending me off to "boot camp". I really just want to find a bar and not stop drinking until the place is dry. The party always makes fun of me for my drinking, but they haven't been through everything I've been through. Will it make me feel better? Probably not. Will I forget everything? For a while, at least.
For now I have to live for those who are no longer with us, to keep fighting until what they died for is completed. I need to free my parents from the fate that was almost mine and Hans's nearly a year ago. We are still alive for a reason, and that is to see this quest through. The slavers are going down, and if I die in the process... so be it. They will not win.
>>-----> Aevlin of Nyrond <-----<<
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Post by dragonforgotten on Sept 3, 2019 15:55:00 GMT -5
I blink awake to find a warmth missing from my side. Avelin's gone and I can feel myself getting frantic when I can’t find her straight away till I spot her. She’s speaking to Nylen looking worried. “What’s going on?” I ask stretching my arms over my head, feeling the knots unwind in my back. “I think we found out what killed my cousin.” She shows me the arrow head coated in a familiar slim and I pale. It’s the goo from the other room. I can feel myself breaking. Greg. I look at her lost of words, a rock in my throat. I was right, this. Greg’s death. It’s... “I-its all my fault..” “Don’t be crazy. You didn’t kill Greg.” I run my hands through my hair starting to feel the world closing in. “Aevlin, you don’t understand. I was the one who opened the box. I killed him. If I hadn’t open the box he would still be here. If I hadn’t-“ My head snaps to the side by the force of her hand across my check. I’m stunned into silence. Did she just slap me? I have a hand on my cheek confused and stunned as she has a hand on her hip and a scowl on her face. “Are you done now?” I nod dumbly and the scowl softens to a deep furrows in her brow. “No more of that. We’re in this together right?” “Right.” She then pulls my hand down and kisses my sore cheek. I can only be thankful that it wasn’t a punch. I don’t think I could tank a punch from her. Hans and Cayleen needs more time to pray so we go though more watches keeping an eye on the stalking slime. We’ve come with a big problem. The teasure is behind this thick stone wall. The only opening is this tiny ass tunnel. “I could expand and punch my way through.” “Through 20ft of Stone I don’t think so.” Cayleen turns to Ricardo “I know it’s not normally your thing but could you squeeze through and tell us what’s on the other side.” “Only for you two.” He says winking at hans and Cayleen as she rolls his eyes. The dragon describes everything in that room in painful detail as all this money and loot is stuck behind a god damn wall and I can’t get through. I’m frothing with frustration as he discribes the large amounts of platinum. You can’t do this to me! It’s ducking torture! I know the gos ses on the other side of this wall, it’s right there! “I can’t firk! ding! blast!ing stand this.” I mutter eyeing the wall. “I think I can bust through. I don’t Care if I break my bones. I need that loot.” “Dear, dear! Calm down. Your pacing is not helping” Ricardo comes back but now I’m even more agitated. I need that money! I’m a theif. It’s burned into my soul to steal gos se. Hans sigh. “Looks like we’re not getting in.” “What’s! No! We’re getting in there even if I have to break through this wall. If only I was as small as a ... mouse.” I then turn over to Elmarth with a big gos se eating grin on my face as I start giggling. “Elmarth. You still have that wand right.” Everyone’s jaw drop and I can feel the collective slapping of foreheads as he ruffled through his pockets. I cross my arms feeling alittle proud. Nothing gets in the way of a theif and his treasure. Nylen looks at me funny. “What?” “Better watch out Elmarth. The theif has taken stock of your items.” I feel eyes on me and I roll my own. This again. “Oh just because of my profession it means I want to steal everything not nailed down. Please. I’ll firk! ding! blast! with you guys for the laughs but I won’t take what I can just ask. Having trust is more important then short sighted gain. I may be greedy and averious but not to the extent of breaking friendships.” Elmarth takes the wand out as Cayleen volunteers to join me and I feel better not going alone but also having some who can cure poison helps. I’m honestly really nervous. I haven’t been turned into an animal since saltmarsh. Also I wasn’t a fan of feeling my entire body rearrange itself.. “Alright. I’m ready.” He casts the spell as the beam hits my chest and the effect is immedant as I feel myself shrink. My bones move about as I grow fur and a tail and it feels disturbing but it’s over quickly. Everyone towers over me as I glance at my weasel body, my little pink paws and my black fur. I glance at Cayleen just in time to see a dragon fly zip up to the hole and then transform into a mouse. Oops this is taller then I thought. I try climbing up whimpering as Avelin scoops me up in her hand. “Be safe dear.” She kisses me on the head as I purr and nuzzle her check and give her alittle weasel kiss. She places me in the hole as I begin to scamper through. It’s no problem at all to catch up. The tunnel quickly opens up into this massive treasure room and we revert back to our natural states as I shake out my hands. “Gods that feels wrong. Ready to get to work?” “Well of course. Why else are we here. I’ll get the platinum and you focus on the chests.” I nods and crack my knuckles ready to earn my keep. I trip up in the first set of locks but as I go from chest after chest I begin cracking them with relative ease. Only twice did I miss a poison dart but thanks to my endurance and my proof against poison i advert death. I find the items listed in the brail note but I also find more. There’s this weird amulet floating in this jar and I’m not opening that gos se. That looks dangerous. I couldn’t open the last chest but I begin loading the lot on the carts our friends pushed in here for us to load. Suddenly there’s a hissing sound just as I finish. Snakes? No not snakes. I turn around to see the chest that Cayleen has been emptying is releasing gas as we both stay choking. gos se! It burns! I’m ready to runs but Cayleen is still loading the cart. “Cayleen! Cough cough! We need to run!” “No! Cough. We need to get. Cough. The treasure!” “What?! No!- Hack, wheeze. You'r more important!” “Just! Go!” It burns. I can’t stay anymore. I revert into my weasel form and run back through the hole. I flop down onto the ground gasping and wheezing for air. I revert back to normal as I crawl to my knees trying to catch my breath as I’m surrounded and bombarded with questions. “Poison... gas. She’s still in there... determined to get everything.... crazy woman.” Avelin wraps me in a tight embrace as I pull her close to my chest. We wait and wait. I honestly think she’s dead. No one could breath in that much poison without keeling over but this is Cayleen. Come one Cayleen. Suddenly a mouse throws its self out of the hole and reverts back to the crazy Druid as she coughs. “Did it!” As she stands up we has three darts sticking out near her collar bone. “Umm, Cayleen. You have some darts stuck in you.” “I’m very tired of games Jaris.” “There right there. Just look down.” “Nice try but I won’t fall for it.” She struts past me as I stare. Crazy woman. We gather our hoard but realize we need a way to transport it. We start turn room after room inside down looking for bedsheets and wooden boards. Along the way we found a silver dagger which was given to me by the group when they realized I lack any magic weapons. I opened a chest and found a potions vials. Nylen drinks one and found out quick its oil of ethereal, topical only. Not wanting anyone to get poisoned I bit the bullet and sip the last one and the moment i taste it i feel deathly ill till it passes. I check the vial again and I notice a petel. Belladora. I lean against the wall over joyed, realizing what i just found. "Guys! Its The soup that my clan makes. The lycanrope cure!" Its in my excitement i remember the catch. You have to drink within the hour of being bit. I look at my wife who looks hopeful and i deflate. "The hour has past to use it." I sigh and hold it out to Hans. "Take it. We can at least use it if any of you are bitten. You'r more experience in the divine than i am." He takes it with a nod. After we spent time trying to unstick Avelin and Cayleen from a trapped chest, Cayleens hand stuck to its surface while Avelin foot glued next to it. They argued and bickered while we figured the problem out. I think they worked though their issues and I catch the ghost of a smile on Avelins lips. In the end it was Hans that freeded them. With the make shift cart we made we look for the exit. The slaves are gone, we have some names and some clues and the fort seems to have been abandoned besides the ghosts and wild animals. It's time to leave with our prize. The trek leads us into an alchemists lab. I mistook the head of a Hobgoblin for a living one due to perspective. In the next room contained a creepy chandler with a hogs skull on it with a couple vails of blood like liquid, ew. Ave suddenly moves forward and something falls from it, smashing on the ground. A terrible roar screams in my ears, my hands fly to my head to cover them as i scream in pain. F***! I cant hear a thing! What the hells going on!? Elmarth suddenly turns around and give Aevlin a crazed murderous look as he begin to move forward. eyes hazy. What the hells going on?! has he been possessed by a demon? What the hell is he doing with the wand? I slide front of Avelin and ready a dagger. If he's going to hurt Avelin Il'l give him a prick. Maybe that will wake him up. This is the worst person to become possessed. He's killed 29 orcs in one blast. Before he even utters a word Nylen rushes him and punches him in the glass jaw, then the solar plexus and he's out like a light. Wow. that was way better then my plan. After that mess me and Avelin find potions and i get into an argument with Avelin who telling me to stop being a baby and just try it. 'Fine ill drink them." "NO NO! You'r not drink anything. I'll do it." "UGh! let's just do it together." We each take one and look at each other nervously. "Cheers." we both say, linking arms and taking a sip. She found a potion of giant strength as he muscles expand a little bit and i suddenly start floating for a second making this one levitation. After a quick look about Elmarth comes to and he starts talking about some genie and where it went. Guess that was powerful hallucinogen. Carying on and still no exit. We stumble upon not only a torture room but a massacer. The torture room is filled with corpses, dead only hours ago. I look down at them as I take them off the torture devices. Im sorry we did'nt find you in time. I spy a fire pit in the corner still burning. "We should burn them. It's the best way for them." "Jaris, i respect your customs but a simple prayer is fine." says Hans "No it's not. Theres a fire pit just right there so why not." "Jaris we cant burn every corpse. We're in a dungeon. Theres time and places for things. Your clan wouldn't just burn bodies were they lay ." "Yes, yes we do. Its burn were they lay. We're not allowed in a few towns because of it." in the end we laid them together on the floor deciding to search the room for threats. Theres this mysterious walled off area with the sounds of scratching on the otherside. Could be an animal or a dangerous prisoner. Who knows. Before i can decide my blood runs cold and I use my ring to vanish as a ghost rises from the floor with a ghostly whail. I clutch my wooden holy symbol, shaken. NO, no, no. begone! leave ghost! I cant fight you! Go away please! the ghost charges the wizard and latches on with its ghostly bony hands as the wizard starts to look sicker and frailer. I start sweating and shaking holding the silver dagger in my hands. I cant do it. I cant kill this thing. I cant do it. Im not a cleric. We need a cleric. I back up and i notice the giant white wolf foaming at the mouth facing off against Hans and Avelin. Hans. We need Hans. I rush over to the wolf and in my rush to kill the wolf i miss revealing myself. "Hans we need you, ghost!" "Little busy right now!" He slams his morning star into its head as Avelin slashes. It bits Avelin and with its bloodlust Avelin slides the blade into its heart as it collapses dead. I rush to her said checking her arm. "Are you ok?! Does it hurt!?" "Naw, just a flesh wound. Are you ok, you pale." "Fine! Just fine." I hear the ghost whail and I flinch. Hans and everyone rushes in as the wizard blast the ghost into oblivion and I visibly stop shaking. Avelin grabs my hands looking me. "Are you ok, you were acting weirder then normal." "Im ok, really." She looks me in the eye and i can feel myself shrink away. "Your scared of ghost?! Why didn't you tell me?" I blush embarrassed. Not saying a word. It's too personal. She squeezes my hand. "Don't worry. I'll protect you." I smile, still blushing. I have the best wife. We walk together into the next room and f*** me theres another ghost. I slide behind her taking her hand. She's not going near that thing. It's just standing there menacingly. Cayleen being Cayleen walk right on up to it but its still doesnt move even when we all start creeping in. Suddenly the ghost vanishes and a web falls ontop of us as hissing echos around us..
-Jaris F J
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Post by Aileen on Sept 9, 2019 22:41:32 GMT -5
One second we are approaching what looks like another ghost, and the next I find myself caught in a web. I can only watch helplessly as a giant spider descends and attacks Nylen. Forcing my way out of the web doesn't seem to be working, and within seconds the webbing catches on fire!
I manage to get out before getting burnt, and rush forward to aid Nylen. He doesn't even need it, as he slays the spider the second I go to swing my sword. Those in back finish off the second spider, and we soon realize that Dread Delgath, our wizard with the awesome name, is dead. The poison finished him off.
I go to check the "ghost" out with Nylen, and it turns out it's just a shriveled husk of a body. One of the spiders' old snacks, it seems. It has its hand weirdly on its face, so I go to move it and end up with a broken off hand in my own. The jaw breaks off too, and something shiny is in its mouth.
"Ooo! A gold tooth!" I reach in and grab it, and realize it's actually a ring. "Keeping this! You're always redistributing my rings!
"Am not, Aevlin. It's called spreading the wealth."
"Nylen... my cousin is dead."
I won't be able to use that sympathy card forever, but for now...
I feel my face forcibly turned to the side, and a stinging left cheek. Did Nylen just slap me? Regaining my senses, I see Hans grinning in front of me.
"Feel anything? Ring do anything special."
I slap him back as hard as I can.
"I don't know, Hans- does it?!"
Sean peaks out from behind the group, winking at me.
"I put the ring there. Soon, my love. Soon."
Ugh. Suddenly there's clanking sounds, and a man appears, his very presence seeming to radiate a haughty holiness.
"Greetings! I have come to free the slaves and take down the slavers!" The man says.
Turns out he's a paladin. We immediately make him question our morality when a bunch of giant rats attack, swiftly taken down by Hans, Nylen and I, and Elmarth summons an orc. The orc opens a door for us, and tears a** running away. The paladin looks horrified that we used the orc like a slave, but this is our usual method. He goes in the room with the rest of us following, and we see what made the orc run. An apparition of a chained slave. It doesn't attack though! Instead, we watch some kind of memory of him escaping and running to a familiar secret door where he was slain by wolves. Its then that I notice a few of our party is missing, apparently having run away.
We go towards a big pit in the ground where our party members are hanging out, and help them out of it. Its then that Nylen spots a door on the other side of it, with a carved goblin face. Jaris heads over to inspect it, and soon realizes he can't pick the lock. I offer to kick it down and join him, but I can't budge it. Hans tries, and it flies open. That's when the logs start rolling. I can either jump in the pit and hope for the best, or try something crazy...
I go with the crazy route. I pull out my new potion of giants strength, and get ready to throw the logs! The logs come tumbling out as other party members run toward the pit. I see one getting closer, and ready myself to hit it. It hits me, and everything goes black.
---
I come to with Hans and Jaris hovering over me, and the worst headache of my life. Everything hurts, and I groan as I try to move.
"Just rest, Aevlin. You're pretty beat up." Hans says.
"Did I catch the log?"
"Yes, with your face." Hans pats my clearly broken arm, and I hold back a scream. "Another pinned you down. I saved your dumb a**."
"So the potion worked?!" I try to sit up, but Jaris holds me down. I think I feel some more bones moving around.
"Well... you looked really strong for a bit." Jaris says. "It kicked in after you got hit."
"I had the weirdest dream... you were there, Jaris. And you, Hans. And Ceyleen, and even Sean. I was a giant, and a bar exploded! I got trapped under the wood, and there was beer flooding everywhere from kegs. I had to plug it up with my mouth!"
Sean snickers from across the room. Jaris takes a deep breath, clenching his fists. I can tell something must have happened with Sean when I was knocked out, and Jaris may try to kick his a** soon. It's only a matter of time.
We rest up for another 8 or so hours, and Hans finally gets me back on my feet. Those logs nearly did me in, and I will forever regret not being able to experience being a fire giant. The rest of the dungeon is not very noteworthy, other than the paladin being able to scare a ghost away with his mere holy presence. We finally make it out, with all our treasure, and get back to the boat.
Back in town, everything seems to blur together. I feel a deep loss that no amount of drinking begins to heal, and yet I keep trying. My husband's attempts to cheer me up and spending the whole month training doesn't help either. We didn't find Gregolas's body, but we give him a memorial service anyway. I had to write the letter home to my aunt and uncle to tell them of his death, which got me thinking about my missing parents. I have to find them, only then can I heal this hole in my heart.
At the end of training, poor Hans still has a week more to go working in the church. Ceyleen decides it's time for me to stop being depressed and get out and have our 100 Party. 100 kills I have made, no ordinary feat, and although it is a dark thing to celebrate, it is tradition. The party doesn't stop for four days, and by the end of it I barely even remember my own name, let alone all that transpired in the Stockade. Markessa who?
I haven't seen Sean in a while... he showed up at the bar and tried to kiss me when I was really loaded, and then I didn't see him again. Jaris won't speak a word of it, but somehow i think he was involved.
The binge drinking festival over, we prepare ourselves to head off to the mountains, following the slave trade. I hope more than anything that I can find my parents. Family is everything, and although I have a new one with Jaris and my friends, I need my mom and dad. I lost too much to these slavers, and I plan to get my revenge.
>>-----> Aevlin B.J. <-----<<
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Post by dragonforgotten on Sept 10, 2019 23:28:04 GMT -5
Webs!! Webs have dropped on us and down come the biggest f***ing spiders I’ve ever seen as they charge dread the wizard and Nylen. Their f***ing horse sized. I’ll need a bigger boot to tell that thing. I start squirming, sawing away furiously with my dagger as the binds loosen. Elmarth is screaming bloody murder in his binds while Hans bursts out of his with nothing but his jacked muscles. Damn... I shouldn’t skip out on arm days. I glance back at Dread to see him point his wand above him in the direction of the spider and the web. A bright and hot cone of flames scorch the spider and the webs but doesn’t kill the thing. “Good work Dread!” I then notice the flames lick up the webbing spreading towards us still trapped in it. “Bad call Dread!” I start picking up my pace. The spider looks pissed. Just as I feel the threads start to snap I watch powerless as the spider lunges at Dread and sinks it’s fangs into his body before darting back. He looks fine till suddenly he falls and I know that it is far too late for him. I have to worry about us now. Ave breaks free just as the fire starts to brush against us. I wince as I continue my sawing and I see her hesitate. “I’m fine! Just go!” She gives a curt nods before dashing to Nylens side. Elmarth is shrieking like a banshi as the flames get closer begging Hans to save him. I break free as the fire licks my shoulder. I pounce on him as he shrieks. “Hang in I got you!” I scream over the fire as it dances around us. “Jaris! Thank you, thank you! I love you now Please hurry!” I cut and hack away till finally the wizard is free. We stumble out of the flames coughing just in time as the webs ignite. The spiders are dead by the time we stumble out. I nearly have a heart attack when the ghost swings into view till I notice that it’s not a ghost. It’s a corpse, the victim of the spiders. Ave pulls at its hand mysteriously clamped over its jaw and finds a ring. I sigh in relief that it wasn’t a ghost. “Thank the gods.” I mutter, calming my nerves. “Hey Jaris, there’s a ghost behind you.” “Where!?!!” I whip around drawing my dagger as I hear the barking laughter of Sean as my fear turns to a scowl. “Very funny Sean.” Suddenly Hans suddenly strikes my wife. I want to call him out till Avelin break out into laughter. Ave wants to keep the ring she found in the dead mans mouth which is fine but then Sean slide in and open his mouth. As the invisible theif I switch the end of the dagger to the pummel. I think it’s time for Sean to take a nap. I slam it into the base of his neck. His eyes roll into the back of his head and Sean’s crumbles like a sack of potatoes and all eyes turn to me as I twirl the dagger between my fingers now visible. “My hand slipped.” I speak without a hint of remorse. Suddenly the omenious sound of clanking echos down the hall sending a thrill up my spine. Oh gods please don’t be a ghost knight. I turn and low and behold, it’s worst then I though. A holy light perices down the hall through the gloom as the peek of human perfection begins marching down the hall towards us. My firk! ding! blast!ing eyes! I squirm in my skin in his very perscense. His armor is so polished it glows, his hair is perfectly symmetrical, his chin strong and long flowing hair and his cape blowing in a unforeseen wind. Compared to us dirty, bloody he’s a god damn sun in this gloom. I recognize this instantly and my skin crawls. The harbinger of kill joys, the death of all fun and shinnanigins. The dreaded Paladin. Ugh the Paladin. As I scurry away from this man hissing as I take Aevlins hand. firk! ding! blast!ing paladins. Many have there been a run in with them that has landed me in the clinker. I must be scowling since Avelin nudges me out of my thoughts. “You ok?” “I feel a disturbance. Like all the fun is being sucked into a black hole of lawfulness.” She chuckles playing with my hair and patting my cheek. “You so cute when your overdramatic.” Cayleen has a huge beef with the pally. She’s giving him the look. He has no idea how insane she is. Suddenly as we are getting aquanted with him a swarm of rats start pouring into the room as Elmarth begins his spell. We turn them into mince meat. Just as the last rat die a orc suddenly poofs into existence. We don’t know what to do with him now so we send him to the door. The Pally scorns is but who cares at this point. Better him then me. Suddenly the orc starts screaming and tearing a*** out of there. Oh bloody hell, please don’t be a ghost. The Paladin starts to march into the room. I try to stop Ave but she simple says I can wait outside if I’m too scared. It wounds my pride so i buck up and skulk behind her, clutching her shoulder. The rest follow slowly behind. It’s another storage room and I almost allowed myself to sigh in relief till I see the glow. There’s a ghost chained to the wall and I have to suppress the trembling. I feel the quick painful shot of fear freeze my blood but I’m reminded of Ave holding my hand and I focus on that instead of the fear. I... I was suppose to be a cleric. I may have failed.. but Its still in me. I breath deep and let it out slowly. The fear is presence but now i'm in control Of my emotions. I can’t say the same about the others. Cayleen drops her weapon and her along with a few other make a run for it. S***. Suddenly it stands up and charge and we are given a vision of the poor souls last moments of life before death by the giant rabid wolf. He was heading for a secret door but sadly it wasn’t the exit. Guess the search continues! The rest of the gang didn’t get too far. They fell into a pit trap. They can be grateful this one just has a puddle and not a raging river, or a spikes, or that weird flipping floor. Once they’ve escaped the pit I shimmy along the wall with the rest following and I check the door in the other side. A grinning goblin stares back at me and my mind is running races coming up with what will it be this time. Darts, Spears? A wild animal? Ok, here we go. As I have my tools ready I realize something “I don’t see a key hole!” “Try pressing it” I do that and nothing. “Nope! What else!” “Try turning it!” I turn it and the face begins to rotate till low and behold a keyhole appear. Unfortunately the lock sticks up and we resort to kicking. With on last kick the door flys open and our excitement turns to horror. It happened so fast. Logs. lots and lots of log. Out of instinct i climbed up the wall, getting my shoulder clipped but still useable. I was greeted with deafening silence and when i look down i see the logs and the party bloody and beaten to near death. They drag out Cayleen whos alive but barley hanging on, but i don't see Avelin. My heart stops. I jump onto the logs and begin furiously pushing away the logs screaming for Avelin. Hans joins my side throwing logs effortlessly away till we find her. She's alive, beaten, bruised, unconscious and packing large muscles as she clutches an empty potion vial in her hand. If this wasn't a life or death situation i would be flustered but Im too scared and worried to be distracted. Hans claps a hand on my should, jolting me from my thought. "She's a keeper." "she is." I literally collapse in relief as i scoop her up in my arms but i don't have the strength to lift her. We both take an arm and begin to carry her out. We need a place to rest. Everyone is either too injured or barley alive. We chance the ghost room and I sit by Avelin side clutching her limp hand. It's my fault. I kicked the door open. No one would be like this if i hadn't. Avelin would be so hurt. Suddenly the ghost returned and I break a little. The stress, the guilt. It all comes crashing in on me and none of my calming methods work and Avelin isn't awake to help me. I start running throwing the door open as Elmarth follows and by the time I've snapped out of it I'm back in front of the log filled pit with Elmarth. I clutch my hair, angry with myself. Elmarth says he's searching ahead and at this point i stoped giving a damn. I got back and return to Avelin's side. "Haven't seen you run that fast." "Oh shut the f**** up Sean." It takes everything in me not to slug him. I shrug my cloak off and place it over her. It's time to get some rest. Hans needs the time and theres nothing i can do. "Im sorry." I tell her, wrapping my arms around her as I rift off to sleep. ---------------
Me and Hans hover over her as he heals her and I have a death grip on her hand. I release her once I hear her groan. "Just rest, Aevlin. You're pretty beat up." Hans says. "Did I catch the log?" "Yes, with your face." Hans pats her clearly broken arm, I cringe with her. " Another pinned you down. I saved you'r dumb a**." "So the potion worked?!" She try to sit up as I holds her down. The bones arnt healed yet, its painfully obvious but i don't want to point it out. "Well... you looked really strong for a bit." I tell her not looking her in the eye as I feel my ears heat up. "It kicked in after you got hit."
"I had the weirdest dream... you were there, Jaris. And you, Hans. And Ceyleen, and even Sean. I was a giant, and a bar exploded! I got trapped under the wood, and there was beer flooding everywhere from kegs. I had to plug it up with my mouth!"
Sean snickers from across the room. I takes a deep breath, clenching his fists. Ive had it up to here with his s***. We get as patched up as possible with Hans and Cayleen back in fighting form. Once we are back too functioning again we search desperately for the exit. We ran into a ghost but thanks to the Pallys holy underpants the ghosts just bounce off and them float off bored. I think he's going to be a very good friend. At long last. We find the exit! The taste of the fresh feels like freedom and home. Theives don't do well behind stone walls. We picked up Elmarths new girlfriend and marched with our loot following down the mountain along a river. It's seems the river has taken Greg because there is still no sign of him down stream. Just as the first signs of civilization appears I spot something on a tree. theres a symbol carved into the tree. A familiar symbol and my heart leaps as it hits me. "Whats the hold up?" it appears Ive stopped moving since everyone is 10ft away by the time i realized I'm keeping them waiting. "Sorry, coming!" I jog to catch up. I cant go home yet, not without Avelins parents. If she cant see her family right now niether should I till we sort this mess out. ----------------
"Mr. Hans, whats that man doing?" Asks one of the adorable Kord scouts as i draw a big circle around the three locked chest in the back of the tavern. "Just making sure it's safe, stay close." "Alright, everyone back off. Kids! This is poison and traps 101. Don't open strange boxes without a trained experiment like me! Whatever you do don't step into the circle!" I crack my knuckles making sure cayleen is there and hans is on standby. Even Bettys here should i screw up. Says this is part of my trainning. "Just don't f*** it up." He tells me with arms acrossed. Here goes nothing. I begin to work and flinch with each lock till they all fall off. the moment of truth. I open the lid and im greeted by the sight of potions and scrolls and its so beautiful. I recognize one as a love potion and pocket that telling everyone except Sean. It's too dangerous. Then i found a potion of Longevity and its a beautiful sight. I hold it out to her. "This, we add a few years to your life. It's not much in comparison to mine years but i would happy trade them away to be by your side." She takes it with a hug and a smile." Everyone has their picks of the loot. We travel to the local wizard and he lets us know what items were are carrying is magical. To my surprise Aevlin has a ring of Infervision. Now she can share my sight and it makes me happy that she doesn't have to fear whats in the dark anymore. Now to the weird floating pendent in the glass jar. ------
"AHHHHH! For gods sake! Stop pouring water on it!" Nylen then plunged his hand into the heaths fire as the yellow slim burns off. We startle a few tavern goers with all the screaming with all eyes on us. "Nothing to see here. Cant a man stick his hands in the fire in peace." Eventually they bugger off and we climb back up stairs and investigate the weird amulet. Nylen flips it over and speaks a command word. "Pain." Suddenly every nerves catches on fire as everyone except Nylen drops to the floor writhing in pain. I twist about clawing at my skin as I feel like I've been set on fire. the intense pain vanishes just as quick as it comes and we are all gasping and wheezing on the ground. Well, know what that does now. They suggest i take it as my panic button should i get caught. Its a great idea but i already have so much, how could i even take anymore when they've given me so much? For now Nylen will hold on to it for safe keeping. We depart for now and left alone again with my wife returning to Archer boot camp. Oh so alone. I wonder the streets for hours finishing up my "errands". I put my hands into my pocket and count how much i have after all the expenses are done, a free hand pluck a couple of red carnations from the flower stand as the store owner was busy stomping out a tiny fire that magically appeared. Im nearly there. Wonder if theres a nobleman i can steal from. Would cover me sooner but i could easily get caught. Im not that good yet. Sigh.... Avelins hasn't been herself lately. She still drinks but theres none of the fun. It's just souless drowning in booze. She's so incoherent that she passes out before i even get buzzed. Even when we cuddle, kiss and try to have some fun she's just sighs, despondent. Theres no fire in her. When I ask whats wrong she tells me its nothing. When i ask how well she's handling Greg she gives me one note answers. Some nights she cries to me about Greg and I hold her telling her it will be alright. I cant stand it! I cant stand her so depressed and i can do nothing. Wheres the girl i fell in love with? In the morning I creep to the shadow of the camp grounds, many fighters working and drilling in the early cold morning. I sneak past the guards to the heart of Avelin's boot camp and i spy her on the empty archery fields, trying to readying her aim but she's a little off. I guide her hand up an inch with my invisible hand as I lean into her. "Just a little to the right." she sighs and fires, hitting her target but theres no cheering. My arms wrap around her waist as i twirl her around becoming visible again as i Set her down and reveal what i brought. I pull out the flowers, weaving one in her hair and place the rest in her arms. "For you my lady." She smiles a false smile, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "Thank you dear. I'll put them with the others. You got to go now though. You'r going to get me in trouble." I brought flowers to her everyday in boot camp. I break into it every other night while we trained. Todays her last day here. Then she can come back to me and i don't have to sleep alone anymore. I sigh, disappointed. I kiss her, quick but loving kiss before stepping back, looking sad with my elven green eyes. "I miss you love. Please come back soon." ------ I make the long march back as the sun starts to set. I don't feel like stealing anymore flowers if Avelin isn't even going to laugh. I trudge my way back to the inn. Before I even step up the stairs I'm suddenly grabbed and dragged into Cayleen's room as they clamps there hand over my mouth to muffle my yelp. I look up to see Cayleen. "Im going to let you go now. Don't scream." What the f***? I nod and she releases me. "Gezz, if you wanted to talk you could have asked! You scared the s*** out of me!" "Oh enough of your whinning, I need to ask how do you set up a party. I don't bother with such fizvolity but we must celebrate Avelin's killing streak." I can feel my face pull into a smile. Ive been looking forward to this. "Its like you'r reading my mind. Im five steps ahead of you. Ive already paid off the bar and arranged for music. All it needs is her." "And how are you paying for this?" "I have my ways. Just need to get in contact with the right people" Ah! right! I place my hand to my chin in thought, then i can feel the smile turn into a smirk and a chuckle. "And I know just the people to contact."
-Jaris F J
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Post by Chris on Sept 19, 2019 13:05:48 GMT -5
Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords Before: The Caves of Drachesngrab Entry Tunnels The Saltslide Guardroom Now: The Piercer Cavern Hyenadon Feeding Time The Curtain of Blue Fire ended play on Sunday, Fireseek 2, 577 at 11:15:6pm MVP Steve Penna as Hans Gunther Heinrich our plays on rpggeek.com/plays/thing/46082?userid=1168080
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Post by Aileen on Sept 23, 2019 22:22:49 GMT -5
Poor Gregolas, Kord rest his soul, has been just as valuable in death as in life as of late. I took the necklaces he wore for my own, wearing them in his honor (though they're a little bit extra to the point of being tacky). When Ballard's ring came off his finger seemingly by it's own accord, it occured to me that there was some kind of creature stealing blingy items from us. So, I took off one of the necklaces and planted it in the middle of the floor, and stood by with my bow pointed at it. It worked!
"I've... made a mistake!"
Oh no... what have I done? The small, flamboyantly dressed creature pinned to the floor by my arrow slumps down, dead.
"Aevlin, you killed a leprechaun!" Ceyleen claps her hands together, looking a little too gleeful at the fact I just murdered a mythical creature.
"I'm a monster!" I cry, throwing myself into Jaris's arms. He puts the necklace back around my neck.
"It's alright. They're devious little b******s."
Ceyleen allows Kevin Bacon to eat the corpse, and I look on in horror as the tiny body is consumed in nearly one bite by the boar. At least the evidence is gone. Other than the strips of weird hide covered in salt, there really isn't much in this room, so we move on.
There's a trapdoor which leads to what looks like a hill of salt, and thankfully Jaris does not fall in. He disables it and we walk across, exploring more. My foot hits something, nearly tripping me, and I look down to see a glowing bow! I've only been searching for a magic bow forever, and it's right here in front of me?! I bend down to grab it, and feel one of my necklaces pulled away from my neck. Slowly looking up, I find myself face to face with another leprechaun. I smile, staying perfectly still.
"If you wanted a necklace, you could have just asked."
It yelps, letting go of the necklace.
"Oh! You're nice?!"
"Yes, I am. And you're stealing."
He looks sheepish, and if I wanted to I could reach out and grab him... but I want this little guy to talk, and so far he trusts me. Or just feels guilty.
"Have you seen my brother?" He asks. Ah, s***.
"No, there are more of you?"
"Yes, there are lots of us!" He says. "What's she doing?"
I look to see Ceyleen in the middle of casting... she nods at me. Must be charming it... I need to keep the leprechaun talking.
"Oh, she's just praying. She's very religious, sometimes she is overcome by the spirit of nature. Anyway, can I tell you about these necklaces?"
The leprechaun nods. He can't take his eyes off them.
"You see, these belonged to my cousin Gregolas. He slayed a harpy... "
I babble on about Greg until Cey gives me a shrug. Seems the spell failed, and little man is getting bored.
"So, have you seen any slavers in here?"
"What's that?"
"They're people who kidnap other humans and force them into servitude."
"That sounds horrible!"
"It is! And we are trying to stop them. So have you seen anyone going in and out?"
"Yes! All the time."
"Good! So here's a deal... I give you one of these necklaces, and you tell us where the traps are and where they go."
Gorblat brings us back to the room I killed his brother, and fortunately he suspects nothing. He points out the skins and says the slavers come in and slide down them into the trappee door, on the salt pile. What? We all look at eachother, and it starts to make sense... the skins with salt on the bottom. They could totally be used as toboggans! But what if he is lying... what if we slide in and go right into a trap?
As Jaris reopens the trapdoor, the leprechaun disappears and we hear the pitter patter of retreating feet. I toss out the necklace, and hope we didn't get fooled. Payment is payment though. Ceyleen sends Ricardo down, who comes back and reports that theres a ton of gnolls at the bottom. They're now waiting for us. It's now or never.
The plan seems foolish. We pile onto the sleds, Nylen and I in front. Ceyleen will throw a flash pellet from behind when we come to the bottom, and we have to close our eyes so as to not be blinded. I'm just excited for sliding.
It goes flawlessly. The ride is fun, and then when we get to the bottom, Ceyleen throws the flash bomb. When I open my eyes, most of the gnolls are freaking out that they can't see us, and then Nylen and I start shooting. A short battle ensues, and we are victorious, other than 2 gnolls running away. My husband completely made a guy explode, and I've never been more disgusted and proud.
I grab a battleaxe off a dead gnoll, wondering if I might like fighting with it. Worth a try. We go look down the separate hallways, and I don't see much, but Nylen certainly does. More gnolls attack, four of them! We take down three, and the last one surrenders. Elmarth questions him, and he decides to show us the way in. Awesome... he's not even charmed!
We start going through a huge cavern, but these giant stalagtites begin crashing down and hitting us! We head back to regroup, they're clearly extremely dangerous and it's a long way to walk through. After catching our breath and adjusting shields, we run back in.
Unfortunately our Paladin is slain, hit repeatedly with the stalagtites. Nylen grabs him and starts dragging, but I fear Nylen will get killed too. I help him drag the paladin, and finally we make it into a corridor, where we find the barbarian fighting gnolls and hyenadons in a large chamber. Nylen and I drop the paladin and grab our bows, swiftly taking out hyenadons.
The battle won, we realize our gnoll is gone. We all say our goodbyes to the paladin... nobody realllllly liked him, but he was honorable nonetheless. As we are standing around and searching bodies, the gnoll comes back! He has a huge hole in his chest, and falls over dead.
"No!!!!" I scream. "The Leprechaun King got him!"
The casters take a rest to get their spells back, and Nylen and I rotate taking watch. Suddenly in fear of the leprechauns coming to kill me in revenge of their brethren, I put one of the necklaces in the middle of the floor and keep my eye on it throughout my watches. Thankfully none come, especially not their fearsome king.
After resting, we move on. Without our gnoll guide we don't really know where we are going, but Manbear takes the lead. Soon he stops, putting a hand up. Bugbears are ahead, he tells us. We go forward, and utterly destroy them. That taken care of, we come to another big room. Ahead of us is a pool of some clear goo, and a stone bridge above. A wall of blue fire bisects the bridge, and the whole room smells like lightning. I really wish we had our gnoll right now... how the hell are we getting across?
>>-----> Aevlin B-J <-----<<
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