GM_Jacob's Solo Adventure (Inactive)

Game Master Jacob DeCourcey

"Too old?" Alphonse growled, "What does it matter my years, I'm volunteering?!" His voice seemed calm, but he wanted to be shouting.

This was not the first time over the past week that his desperate offer of service had been denied. That eyes far clearer then his own rolled in the way only the young could manage. Mirth barely contained. At least the impertinent young lieutenant sitting at the table before him this time had tried to be polite about it. Most of the others in the city had been far less so. But the result was the same to Alphonse, as his chance to make up for his mistakes continued to elude him.

He leaned heavily on the long glaive held tightly in a hand strong from decades of heavy labor but spotted slightly from age. He could feel the weapon, its presence almost palpable, a cruel reminder of his failure and his loss. All he wanted was to try to get some justice, but it would seem the gods themselves were aligned against him, in the guise of a litany of inane young whelps who couldn't see past the wrinkles on his skin, or the grey of his hair.

He felt so tired, his knee was acting up again telling him it was probably going to rain soon. He had a long walk back to the lodging he had managed to find for Pierre and himself, if the rain started before he got there, it was going to make for a miserable night, and an even worse morning.

One calloused finger worked its way absently over the strange evil-looking symbols etched into the haft of his weapon, and he felt a faint urge to lash out. He quickly repressed the thought, but it hovered there silently in the background as if taunting him along with the recruitment agent in front of him.

Alistriana is a young winter witch from Irrisen.

Alistriana is very much an innocent and still very much a child as she was force from her home at the age of four. She has been on the run and living in the wilderness of Irrisen for the last decade. Her only real friend is her White Fox, Nym. She still has no idea what she is running from or why people distrust her, but she continues on the move, never staying in the same place for too long. She also distrusts herself to be around other people for too long as her power can sometimes take over and possess her spirit.

Alis fights to survive. She has been living in the wintery wasteland of Irrisen since the age of four. She knows that she is being followed by a group of men who don’t seem too friendly, and as for why they are following her, she has no clue, so she keeps herself on the move. She has stolen and lied to keep herself alive, but dislikes it. She would never kill someone, unless she becomes possessed by her inner power.

Alistriana was four years old when they came for her. Living in a small farm off the southern coast of Irrisen, her home was attacked in the dead of night by armed men. Her mother and father were killed in the scuffle, but with the insistence and help of her white fox, Nym, Alis was able to make it away to the mountain coast. Other the last ten years, Alis has been fighting to survive in the harsh environment of Irrisen. The cold doesn’t seem to affect her as much as it would a normal person, which has caused some people in the nearby towns to swear off helping her and avoid talking to her. However she does seem to be able to get some supplies, usually from a young male admirer. Alis is always quite confused as to their affections, but won’t pass up free supplies.

Assistance is few and far between for Alis. The only kind of support she gets willingly is from her Grandmother, who only visits her once a year on her Birthday. No matter where Alis is, her Grandmother will appear out of the mist and impart a gift. Once the gift has been received, her Grandmother will leave just as quickly, providing no sympathy or help to her plight.

Alis is always on the run, never staying in the same place for very long. She is aware of a group of men that have been tracking and following her for several years. She still has no idea as to why they are following her or what they want with her, but they do not seem like the friendly type, so she keeps on moving.

Recently she has come upon the remains of an old abandoned town. She has stayed for longer than usual in the ruin as she believes that she can hide from the men following her for a time before moving on. The old ruin has an abundant supply of wildlife nearby as well as a clean underground spring of water, a rarity in Irrisen for not being already frozen.

Alis will continue to survive and find out the reason for her fate, even if it kills her in the process. She doesn't understand why fate could be so cruel to her with no answer.

Friends

Nym her White Fox has been her main friend for countless years, ever since she was born. He is never far from her side. Nym is actually her familiar, but he won’t exactly point that out as Alis is still confused as to what her power entails.

Grandmother – the person she knows as grandmother is a very old crone who visits her once a year on her birthday. Alis still hasn’t figured out how her Grandmother is able to find her no matter where she is. Her Grandmother usually gives her a small trinket on her birthday such as the fur of a winter bear to keep warm or possibly some food to help her going. Her grandmother doesn’t show her any kindness though and leaves right after delivering her gift.

Foes

Queen Elvanna – related to Alistriana, however Alis is unaware of the relation. Elvanna believes that Alis is the 15th daughter of Baba Yaga and strives to hunt down and kill her before Elvanna’s 100 years of ruling is up

Captain Jeval Corvinaus – Captain of the Royal Guard of Whitethrone, currently hunting Alis in the wastelands of Irrisen. He is accompanied by a small squad of men as the hunt Alis on the orders of Elvanna. Alis has killed several of his men when they have gotten too close, the result of her power consuming her innocent personality.

Short Goals
Continue to Survive in the winter waste land
Try to use her power without becoming possessed by it
Find out why Jeval is following her, although she doesn’t know his name.

Medium Goals
Find a home of her own that she doesn’t need to keep running from
Find out who she really is

Long Term Goals
Put an end to the tyranny of the Winter Witches in Irrisen and become the new Ice Queen

She hardly speaks common or any language, even though she knows several, she only speaks to her fox when she’s lonely. She interacts with people when getting supplies, but only then

ALISTRIANA JAYDE CR 1/2
Female Human Witch (Winter Witch) 1
NG Medium Humanoid (Human)
Init +3; Senses Perception +5
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DEFENSE
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AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10. . (+3 Dex)
hp 9 (1d6+2)
Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +4
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OFFENSE
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Spd 30 ft.
Melee Club +1 (1d6+1/20/x2) and
. . Dagger +1 (1d4+1/19-20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +1 (1d3+1/20/x2)
Special Attacks Evil Eye (DC 17)
Witch (Winter Witch) Spells Known (CL 1, 1 melee touch, 3 ranged touch):
1 (3/day) Mage Armor (DC 16), Summon Monster I, Cure Light Wounds (DC 16)
0 (at will) Ray of Frost, Read Magic (DC 15), Detect Magic
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STATISTICS
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Str 13, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 20, Wis 14, Cha 9
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 14
Feats Ability Focus: Evil Eye, Extra Hex
Traits Magical Knack: Witch (Winter Witch), Poverty-Stricken
Skills Fly +7, Knowledge (Arcana) +9, Knowledge (History) +9, Knowledge (Nature) +9, Perception +5, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +9, Survival +7, Use Magic Device +3
Languages Aquan, Common, Necril, Sylvan, Treant, Varisian
SQ +2 to Reflex saves, Cackle, Empathic Link with Familiar (Su), Endure Elements (Cold only) (Ex), Share Spells with Familiar
Combat Gear Club, Dagger; Other Gear Backpack (16 @ 38 lbs), Bedroll, Block and tackle, Flint and steel, Grappling hook, Rations, trail (per day) (10), Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Waterskin
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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+2 to Reflex saves You gain the Alertness feat while your familiar is within arm's reach.
Cackle Extend the duration of other hexes.
Empathic Link with Familiar (Su) You have an empathic link with your Arcane Familiar.
Endure Elements (Cold only) (Ex) Exist comfortably in cold regions.
Evil Eye -2 (8 round(s)) (DC 17) (Su) Inflict penalties with a glance.
Magical Knack: Witch (Winter Witch) +2 CL for a specific class, to a max of your HD.
Share Spells with Familiar The wizard may cast a spell with a target of "You" on his familiar (as a touch spell) instead of on himself. A wizard may cast spells on his familiar even if the spells do not normally affect creatures of the familiar's type (magical beast).
NYM CR 1/4
Male Fox
NN Tiny Magical Beast ((Animal))
Init +2; Senses Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +8
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DEFENSE
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AC 15, touch 14, flat-footed 13. . (+2 Dex, +2 size, +1 natural)
hp 4 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +3
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OFFENSE
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Spd 40 ft.
Melee Bite (Fox) +1 (1d3-1/20/x2) and
. . Unarmed Strike +1 (1-1/20/x2)
Space 2.5 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
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STATISTICS
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Str 9, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 9 (13 vs. Trip)
Feats Skill Focus: Perception
Skills Climb +2, Fly +10, Perception +8, Spellcraft -1, Stealth +10, Survival +2, Swim +2, Use Magic Device -1 Modifiers +4 to Survival to track by scent, Acrobatics (Jump) +8
Languages
SQ Improved Evasion (Ex)

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SPECIAL ABILITIES
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+4 to Survival to track by scent (Ex) You are particularly good at Survival in certain environments or circumstances.
Acrobatics (Jump) +8 (Ex) You gain the specified bonus to acrobatics checks made to jump.
Improved Evasion (Ex) No damage on successful reflex save; half on failed save.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.

Combat Gear Club, Dagger; Other Gear Backpack (16 @ 38 lbs), Bedroll, Block and tackle, Flint and steel, Grappling hook, Rations, trail (per day) (10), Rope, hempen (50 ft.), Waterskin

Captain Jeval Corvinaus bends down into the snow. He picks up a small mound of snow and gives it a sniff. He sneers and tosses it to the side as he stands up. He runs a hand through his long unkempt beard as it has been some time since he has had a proper razor.

Jeval looks about the ancient ruin, he can tell from the crumble of the building that this was once the place of a battle, and by the age of everything, he wouldn’t be surprised if it was from the Witchwar. He hears the crunch of boots on snow behind him and he places a hand upon his blade. He can tell from the heaviness of the boot that it is his lieutenant, Morvin, but you can never be too careful in the wastes. He turns to see Morvin looking intently at him.

”I don’t think she’s here sir…” He looks about the ruin with hopelessness. They had been searching the various ruins and outcroppings for nearly two days.

Jeval spits on the ground to emphasis his point, ”She’s here alright, I can smell her. The little witch is just hiding…”[b]

Morvin shakes his head, [b]”We’ve searched every…” He is suddenly interrupted by a sharp back hand across the face by Jeval. Morvin wipes at his lip as it begins to bleed. He bows to Jeval. ”I spoke out of turn, I apologize. What are your orders Captain?”

Jeval looks to Morvin like he is an idiot for not thinking of an idea himself, ”Have the wizard put up some wards that will warn us if she is here or happens upon this place at any time. Then strike the horses and we ride on north.” Jeval passes by the a well of water in the centre of town and spits down it.

*************************************************************

Clutching the inside of the well, Alistriana remains very still as she here’s the men speaking. She has heard their names many times, and yet she still doesn’t know who they are and why they are after her. She looks to Nym, perched on her shoulder and also looking up the well at the men speaking. She holds her breath as the spit from Jeval lands on her opposite shoulder. She holds her mouth, trying not to gag.

She waits one hour before leaving her hiding spot, and she sits on the edge of the well, trying to sense out the wards that had been left by the angry evil men

Dolgan draws his stubby index finger from his nose and wipes a glob of snot under the writing desk of Cherlest Dragoor. His brother Mekla jabs him in the ribs for being so crude, but Dolgan's focus lies in front of him. He has been ravenously sifting through blueprints, notes, and charts scattered over the desk. A pile of such documents fall to the foot of his chair one by one as he finishes perusing them.

"Can you please knock it off? We are guests after all, and you're making a huge mess!" Mekla waves his hand in front of Dolgan's face several times to draw his attention with zero success. "I swear, I can't bring you anywhere." Mekla huffs.

Cherlest returns to the room with the strangely shaped object he went to retrieve. To Mekla's relief he pays no mind to Dolgan ferreting through his desk and gets right down to business.

- - - -
- -

This small vignette leaves much to the imagination, but you are the DM so I leave it to you to fill in the blanks. Some mini-hooks for you to use if we pick up here.

We ride for several hours along the banks of the great river that separates the Mushfens and the planes of Magnimar. Our pursuers were hot on our tails. With my faithful steed Wind Dasher and My brother on his, we made great hastes. I lost track of how much time had passed since we left Magnimar but it did not matter Xayla was important to me and they would not have her.

We fled east along the river but our pursuers were not giving up. It took a couple of days trying to stay ahead before we realized that out running them would be impossible if we did try something dangerous.

We were nearing the Soma Forest when I recommended my idea at our next rest. I sat there by our campfire. The three of us were tired of fleeing but with no way to lose those who hunted us, we could not rest for long. Looking at my weary brother and the seemingly emotionless Xayla I make my proposal, "We need to make for the Mushfens. On the other side of the river."

My brother just looked at me. The shock was apparent in his eyes. "The Mushfens? Are you mad brother? We are mere recruits....were mere recruits now fugitives, but thats not the point..." My brother was always correcting himself and others. Tends to ramble from time to time if not kept in check. I hold out my hand to silence my brother politely. "Calm yourself brother. What choice do we have. We can keep this up forever."

I turn my attention to Xayla who had been quiet for this exchange. "What are your thoughts Xayla."

Her white eyes merely gaze at me as she eats. It takes a moment for her to speak. "Losing the hunters will help. I am at home im the wild places of the world. The marsh will be a new challenge but one I warmly welcome in contrast to the block."

I smile having complete faith in Xayla. Turning to my brother I throw my arms wide in victory. "There you see. Xayla approves." My brother glares at me and shakes his head saying. "For someone who lost everything, you are annoyingly optimistic."

I lower my head for a moment at my brothers words. I chose this. He didn't have to come but he did. Though he complained, I am sure he still means well. I put my hand on his shoulder. "Brother. I have faith that we can regain what was lost. We start from scratch and work our way up. You'll see. Give it a few years and we will not only be back to our normal status but even higher. Think of the possibilities."

My brother is giving the look. Oh crap. "Germon, many of the possibilities that come to mind right now are all the ways we are gonna get eaten in that marsh. I do not think what you did back home was entirely right but I won't say it was wrong either. I want to believe you can make something of yourself. Something about you has always made me believe that." Edan lets out a heavy sigh. "fine, lets get this over with." I hug my brother. "Thank you Edan. Now lets get our six hours and head for the marshes."

The next day we cross the river into the marsh. Our purseurs were hot on our tails. Twas a bit of a chore but we made it over the rough waters. Our hunters wouldn't make it as easily as we did. The marsh on the other hand. Turned out to be trickier than we though. However, six hours into the marsh we were certain our oppressors had given up. Somehow they always seem to catch up to us and our horses tired. We have barely had time to stop for rests along the way. Now for the first time since lwaving Magnimar, we felt a respite.

Sitting on a log I look to my brother. "Did we lose them?" I watch as Xayla climbs a tree for a better look. My brother simply looks around he mutters, "Sure hope so. We are not making anymore progress today."

I look up to Xayla in the tree. "Xayla. What do you see? I wait for a response. She calls back to me. "I do not see anyone following us. We seem to be clear.." She comes down to rejoin us. "We are a good ways into the marsh. We continue through we shouldn't have to worry about them following." When Xayla finishes her report I sigh in relief. "Phew. Glad to hear that."

My brother turns to me. "Really? Your relieved? Do you realize where we are? These are the Mushfens. The largest swamp in Varisia. There are untold dangers deep within these lands. We are out here with limited resources no less and you are relieved?"

I scratch my head sheepishly. "Well maybe we might find some ruins with treasure." I try to explain. Edan wouldn't have it. "Or ruins full of monster that'll eat us. How can you be so reckless?" I stand up to face my brother. My temper rising a bit. "You didn't have to come you know!" He turns on me. "I came because I knew a numskull like you wouldn't survive a week out here without me!"

Just as I was about to retort Xayla stands and shouts. "ENOUGH!" Without another word she sat back down on the log glaring at each of us. I scratch my head and turn to my brother. "I am sorry. I do cause you a lot of trouble. I am trying to keep your spirits up."

My brother nods. "I know. I just lost my head. Too much has happened at once and I am having trouble coping with it all." I nod and sit down again. "I know Edan, I know. Now we need to think. Where can we go from here?"

We spend some time pondering when my brother breaks the silence with a snap of his fingers. "I got it! Kaer Maga. An ancient city built into a cliff northeast of here."
I listen to my brother pondering the location he mentioned for a moment. He pipes in again. "It is a city for unwanted people, refugees, fugitives like us. We can hide there and start from scratch. We have skills we could put to use there." Listening to my brother I nod. "Right. Once we get through the swamp we can head there." I look off towards the east. My brother moves up beside me looking east into the vast swamp also. "Yes the swamp." He muttered. Xayla came up behind us and clapped a hand one our shoulders. "Best we get some rest boys. We got a long journey ahead of us." With that we retire. I take one last look to the west, my past, then look again to the west, my future. I'm gonna make it.

Sunlight streamed in through the gaps between the tent flaps, illuminating the dusty interior of the camp tent. There was a loud thunk as Mithos laid what remained of his broken sword on the table. The tent interior spun, as he grabbed the edges of the camp table for balance.

That crack that noise, made the air hum, he could feel it in his bones. As he briefly looked up from the desperate battle to see the terrifying sight of a Star falling from the sky, blazing brighter then the sun, fire and smoke trailing behind it as it streaked across the sky to the west, towards Azlant. He looked back down as his sinewy fluid opponent, a feminine figure with snakes for hair, and brought his Bastard sword down in an overhand killing arch. His eyes and the medusas met. Her eyes glowed blue, and behind her head, the fiery star fell to the horizon. Next there was a terrible flash of white and heat, but strangely he felt in his heart and bones and blood, cold as stone. The last thought Mithos remembered was “ why is there this chill in mine bones, when the fire of that falling star rages all around me?” before darkness closed in around him.

Mithos feels a hand on his shoulder. “ Mithos? Are you all right? Are you dizzy? You look as if you are 1,000 miles away”

Mithos turns to see a young elf women with red hair and green eyes, handing him a small clay cup with some steaming liquid in it. Mithos lifts the steaming cup up to his nose and sniffs suspiciously. “Thou art not wrong. Of your courtesy fair maid, what is thy name, and I know not what this is drink is?”

The elven women laughs “My name is Anaril. And what you are holding in your hand is tea….or Chai as the Tien call it.
Drink, it helps calm the mind and body. What’s with all of the thous and thys? We don’t speak that way any more……even elves change over 10,000 years”

After drinking the tea Mithos replies “My thanks Maid Anaril, this Chai? Tea? I found very settling, but for me, it has only been one perhaps two hours, since Master Gelemthir, the Archanist, has restored life and breath to my petrified self, and before that I was amidst battle.” He turns and looks sadly at his broken bastard swrod sword on the camp table.

Anaril, puts a conforting hand on Mitho’s arm, and smiles “ Mithos my friend, I’m not a maid anymore. Besides, “ indicating the broken sword” if your sword had been intact, you probably would have taken Gelemthir’s head off once he finished transmuting you back from stone to flesh and you finished your sword swing. You know Gelemthir, we all are, very excited about you….usually in an archeological dig we only have the remains to piece together what might have happened. And even then it is only our best guess….Now we actually have a voice from the past…..you were there.” Anaril gives Mitho’s arm a squeeze.

Mithos replies “ Yes Maid er.. Anaril, that would have been most discourteous of me to lop off the head of my rescuer as soon as he had brought my petrified self back to life. I would be happy tell thee what little I remember.” Mithos was worried…..there was so much he didn’t remember…..he swung his sword at the mage like a novice….what had else had atrophied? What of his magic? His sculpting? More importantly, how had his family faired? Did they escape the cataclysm and get to Sovyrian ? So many questions. Mithos knew his benefactor would have many questions to ask him. He was worried about what price the archanist might exact from him for giving his life back to him.