Kryzbyn's Untitled Campaign

Game Master Kryzbyn

You hit solidly, and you hear a crunch as the goblin dogs skull and shoulders shatter from your blow, dropping it.
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 miss
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
The third dog this time crits 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 to confirm...
Does not crit bu does 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 and another Fort save.

I switch targets and look for some way to stack them up or reduce their ability to hit me... scrambling to figure something out as they are picking me apart.

Attack third dog 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

damage w/power again 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6) + 3 = 11

leaves me with 1 power point left

It drops with similar results...
The third dog howls again and attacks...
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 and misses...

I'll use my last power point!

Attack last dog 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

damage w/last power point 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8

The goblin dog yelps in pain...and begins to limp away whining...

You hear in broken dwarven from behind you "Should'na kilt me dogs..."

I spin around shield at the ready to take the expected blow, hammer flying low under it to deal one of my own.

Attack I assume it's the orc 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

damage no power points left 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Indeed it is an Orc, a big orc with a Dwarven war axe.
He chuckles as you miss. "I guess I'll get a hammer to go with my axe. You stone eaters should hold on to your weapons better."
He takes a step and readies his axe. "I'll leave you for the crows fer what ye've done to mah dogs." And he swings...
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
He hits solid, and does 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11...and you fall unconscious...

I stabilized

OK...you stabilize almost immediately...
You have nightmares of losing your family, losing your life, losing your wife for a long time...
You feel like you're burning from the inside..whether from anger, sadness, or apparent failure...you can't tell. It almost drives you mad...

And you lazily open your eyes and see the roof of a cave over your head.
The light actually hurts...in fact most everything hurts. As your eyes adjust, you'll notice the light quickly waxes and wanes, caused by a crackling fire in a proper stone ring in the floor. You are in an alcove of sorts, on bedding covered in a thick blanket. Your bedlothes are wet with sweat. You try to sit up but can not, your body simply refuses as its wracked with pain at the attempt. Seeing the rest of the room, you see a dwarven waraxe, your hammer and armor and shield up on proper stands, and what looks like your clothes cleaned and bundled by them. The room is circular like a dome, perfectly cut in the stone, with an exit. All shelves are alcoves cut into the walls. The overall room is very spartan, with only a jug and a wash bowl sitting on a shelf by the door, and a polished metal mirror behind it. Looking up you'll see natural vents in the ceiling, into which the smoke effortlessly exits the room...

I'll start by doing a mental check of my body, looking for anything that might be tying me down or restricting my movement, also for injuries and trying to recall each injury I found and when I got it. Seeing if there's any that I can't explain.

Once I've done that I'll wait, ready to close my eyes if anyone comes in.

You become keenly aware of a wound on your left side that burns and is tightly wound...most of your agony derives from this point...the other pain is just stiffness and sleeping limbs...you don't know how long you've been unconscious, but you know it's been days at least...

damn damn damn damn damn! they're gone by now!

I'll try to remain calm and wait, I can't get up so I don't have much choice. I will look to see if there's water within reaching distance.

No, the water is accross the room by the door.
As you lament that it's out of reach, you hear the latch on the door open...

I close my eyes and lay still, listening carefully to try and determine whether I'm a prisoner or not before letting them know I'm awake.

A hooded man in robes enters, and doesn't pay any attention to you at first. He goes over to the pitcher, purs some water into the bowl, moves his hand over it a bit...and slight steam begins to waft off of it.
He'll grab a bundle of thin linens and the bowl, and walk toward you.
He'll pull a stool and a small table from apaprently out of an alcove under the "bed" your sleeping on. He also retrieves a clay pot.
After he has things arranged on the table, he moves his hand over your body, in a slow sweeping motion, and the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. After a second, he says "How do you feel?" as he moves the blanket back to tend to your wound...

"Like a train a mules took turns kickin me," and I'll grunt as he tends to the wound, "Who do you be? Where do I be? Am I a prisoner here?"

"I am your caretaker for the time being. You are in my home. You are a prisoner only in as much as if you leave now you will die."
He will ask you to turn on your right side, and he will unwrap, clean, apply a poultice, and then re-wrap your wound.
"If you are hungry I can bring you bread and water. I do not believe you can handle much more. I sadly do not have anything to occupy your mind, so I suggest after eating you sleep."
He will return everything to its proper place, then leave, unless you ask more questions.

I just got an e-mail saying pre-orders for SW:TOR are being taken now...got mine :P

Since everything seems to be decent I'll be compliant, I'll do my best to roll over, "Wells I'm not one fer complainin fer kindness done, but I do has one more question, why ya saves me?"

oh awesome, when's the release date though? Gamestop last week told me it wasn't until next year

"One does what one does. I could tell you it's because you were saveable, if that puts you more at ease."

There wasn't one listed. I can't imagine they'd do 6 months of pre-orders...

I'll sigh and nod, accepting the water and bread, "well den, I'll jus say dank you."

He bows slightly. "In thanks then, please do not attempt to leave your bed and undo all I have done." He leaves the room...
You eat your bread and water, and a few minutes later your stomach cramps up a little, but you aren't nauseous...that hit must have gone deep.
If you honor his request it will be another 4 or 5 days before he will allow you to try to sit up. About another week or so before he lets you try to stand.
When and if you express frustration at how long it is taking, he will shrug and say "It takes as long as it takes. Be thankful your parents were dwarves. Otherwise we would not be having this conversation."

In all these meetings 3 times a day, you've never seen his face. He always keeps his hood up, and in places the firelight should touch, it doesn't.
After being allowed to sit up, and haveing a better look, it seems he is a humanoid, about 6' easy, and that's a bit stooped over. He has hands befitting his size, but just as nimble as an elf's, always gloved.
He doesn't laugh once, but you'll hear a chortle now and then when appropriate.
His voice is even toned and reserved, just as he seems to be.
He is not easily rattled, but I don't imagine you try to rattle the guy who saved your life...

I'll try to engage him in conversation to learn more about him, but no I won't try to rattle him. I'll ask where we are, in relation to the places I know. If family, or why I was injured, comes up at all I'll tell him about my family and that I'm trying to rescue my children.

As for my health I'll push myself to recover as fast as possible, I'll also do what I can to make sure I don't lose strength from the long sedentary period.

eventually I'm going to get bored and ask for permission to leave the room, visit a forge if there is one nearby. And of course, continue my quest.

He will tell you his name is Zon, this home is about 2 days north of where you were found.
He doesn't seem concerned about any time-line you may be following.
When you mention what has happened to your family, he will sigh and say he is truly sorry for your loss, but it doesn't seem to inspire him to speed anything up. It's not quite a calloused indifference, but more of a that's too bad, as your children might as well be just as lost as your wife.
He will say that he doesn't have a forge, but he can construct one, if given the specifics, if that will calm you.
As far as permission to leave the room, as soon as you can walk more than a few steps with out getting dizzy, you can walk wherever you wish to.
He will remind you, but you will know, you are in no shape to swing a hammer or even wear your armor at the moment.
When you are able, he will suggest that he can set you to tasks to increase your strength and mobility.

He will eat dinners with you in a dining room, you'll find he has a study, his own chambers, a kitchen and an indoor latrine. He never leaves the house.
Every day, when he's tending to you, it makes the hairs stand up on your neck...you'll also notice everytime he does something like lighting a fire or boiling water with a wave of his hand, the same will happen...

All told at this point 2 months will have passed...

At this point I'm torn between payment for his help and finding my children. His point of view is all well and good but I'm not giving up on them.

So as soon as I'm healthy enough to do so, I'll ask him what he expects in the way of payment, I'll try to phrase it in a way that isn't rude, but since the idea that he doesn't want payment wouldn't really occur to me, it may come out that way.

Sorry you're still not quite ready...
When the wound has almost fully healed, he will basicly have you do calisthenics (sp?), and yoga, stretching and re-building your endurance. He has some weights for your strength, and he puts you on a regiment. He's got you eating some stuff you've not heard of, but for lack of taste it gives you energy...
This will go on for another month, and at then end of it, you're pretty confident you're as well as you can be, if not better.
Until that point, when what he seeks for payment is brought up, he merely grunts, and says "I can not ask for payment when service is incomplete...".
After all is said and done, however, he will appraise you as if looking at a sculpture he had crafted. "Now he is ready, I think...", he says to himself...then he looks up at you. "You ask me what my payment is, and it is simply that you remain and become my disciple. I am long in years, and have much to pass on. You already have a spark that can be cultivated, so it should not take too long." When he sees the look on your face he says. "I also have access to the information you will need to find your children, and right now you are no match for what you will face. You have been given a second chance, Bergar, and I would *not* see you squander it." If he still sees hesitance in your eyes, he will adopt a stern, calloused tone. "If your honor will not see you pay the payment I require, then I will take all of your belongings as payment. I'm sure you could replace them all eventually with hard work and time. Probably much more time than I am asking for, but I suppose they would suffice. It *is* your choice."
He pauses for a second, then says simply "Choose."
I love LE :P

Bergar sticks his tongue in his cheek and growls, "Me children sit in slavery and squalor an' ya would ha'e me go ta school?" he'll look down at his hands, "not much choice den do I? Yer've backed me inter a corner."

He looks up, "What'm I fer doin?"

"Not school, dear Bergar, a forge. I will turn you into a weapon. A weapon of mind and body. A weapon of vengeance and retribution. A weapon of salvation. Then I will point that weapon at those that have wronged you. When you leave here, you will truly be master of your own destiny, and I will find release."
In response to "what'm I fer doin?" He says:
"For this to work, you must swear to obey me in all things while I train you. I will work you hard, and challenge your way of thinking, so there can be no resistance. I will keep my promises to you as long as you do likewise. Have we an accord?" you feel the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, as his eyes (those eyes!)seem to be shedding light from under the hood...and he extends his gloved hand to you.

It clearly pains him to say it, and he thinks a minute before answering sincerely, "yer sayin I do dis an you tells me where me kids be an I kin go gets em? Then I'll do whatever ye ask of me."

Despite a feeling like he's making a deal with a devil, he'll shake his hand.

As he reaches to shake, and asks the question...
He chuckles and pulls his hand back...
"I am not quite the devil. To be clear, I will aid you in your quest to find your children through information and training, thereby arming you with the ability to do so. After, you can go wherever you choose. While I can not say for sure that they are healty and fine, I can say with 100% certainty that they are worth more alive and well, then in any other state. Now, do we have an accord?" and he re-offers his hand.

He nods once, firmly, "we do." and shakes his hand again.

A few minutes later he thinks to himself not quite a devil... did I say that out loud?

As you grasp his hand and shake it you feel the clear effect of a spell of some sort being put on you...then his grip becomes vice-like, and you hear a thrumming noise and his eyes flare as you feel a torrent of power flow into you. As quickly and overwhelming as it started, it's over, and he releases his grip.
"Good. We will begin in the morning. Get some rest, you will need it."
You think that a nap sounds good...
"Wake up."
You awake, and he is standing there. Apparently it is morning.
"Under the precepts of a student/master relationship, I believe full disclosure is in order..." he pulls back his hood and removes the robe...and it changes to look like a nicely crafted robe without a hood before it hits the floor...all the while his form cracks and pops...
Standing before you is truly a cursed being. He is humanoid, jet black and twisted. His face is human-looking, at the end of an almost dragonlike head, on the end of a short neck, his body stooped forward as if ready to leap. His hands and arms are chitinous, glistening in the fire light. From the temples of his head, two horns curl out and back ending in silver capped points. Two over sized elfish ears extend about a foot, and are swept back. His legs are bent back at the knees both bestial and insect like, but look powerful, as do his arms, all four of them. Forming a widow's peak fine, thick tendrils, like 1/2 inch thick hairs grow backwards from his brow and fall back between his horns. His teeth, as he smiles are unbelieveably white and slightly translucent, his canines over pronounced, but not enough to inhibit or slur his speech. His back seems to almost split open, revealing thick, full length tentacles that sprout from his back, 5 on each side from shoulder to ribs, and they absent mindedly hover and writhe as they reach their full 15 ft length, then return to the carapace that contains them. A long black chitinous plated tail sweeps back and forth...and you notice that he sways slightly with the tails movements. He is covered head to toe in either chitinous segmented plates, or fine scales in areas that need fine movement. He looks like a creature built for speed and power.
"Now that is out of the way..." he says casually as he looks you over, then looking you in the eye. Seeing his face, you realize he doesn't actually speak. "Any questions?"

"By the gods, I have made a deal with a devil!" and I'll take two steps back, a look of horror on my face, and I agreed to obey him... it's clear anyone able to read his mind that he believes he has no choice.

if you haven't noticed, I put things he thinks in italics

He has invested some of his power in you personally. This has the following benefits: +4 inherent bonus to each ability. +2 inherent bonus to all saves. Your base speed is now 30' but you are still considered unencumbered due to load or armor. Your darkvision increases to 120'. You have +1 natural armor bonus, as your skin seems tougher. +2 bonus to perception checks, as all of your senses seem a bit sharper.
Other changes of note: You are a wee bit larger, due to increase in muscle mass, your legs and arms a little longer, you basicly just look like an above avg in height dwarf, nothing major or freakishly so. Your arms are covered in black jagged markings, kind of like a celtic knot tattoo, but at sharp angles in stead of being rounded. The go from middle of top of your hand to up the arm, your shoulder, your neck up around the back of your head and end at the temples. You didn't lose any hair, so its hard to see exactly where they lie on your head, but you can see the ends of it. This is above and beyond the class changes we discussed.

He looks himself over...
"Yes, the years have not been kind. I was human once, centuries ago.
This is my reward for my loyal service. So as far as me being a devil, that is not true. I am evil, I suppose, by the world's standards, but I do keep my word. I am not as bad as I used to be", he says with a smirk.
"I want you to get used to seeing this...horror...as I will be instructing you, and it won't do well to have you horrified every time you look at me. Take it in, and know that I will not harm you."
He gives him a second. "While i relish the initial fear, we should begin if we are to have you weaponized in a timely fashion. We will have breakfast, then get to it, if you are agreeable."

Assuming you are, you begin a 16 hour a day training regiment. Even after all the changes, you are sore as hell, but your wound gives you absolutely no problems. You engage in physical training, with swords, running, quickness/reaction exercises and the like, evenly dispersed with mental training. He will explain what psionics is, that you've been doing it all along without even knowing it, which is what he sensed. He trains you how to summon a mindblade, how to manifest psionic abilities, and upon request, how to hunt and survive on your own. Another 3 months will pass, quicker than it feels...feel free to interject anything...
He is a powerful being physicly and mentaly. His keen intellect and wisdom are obvious at every turn. He is proud, which was probably his downfall. He will not accept or tolerate any pity shown him, nor does he show you any. He will accept respect, and will show it in return.
He is above all else honorable, and in another life, this man probably would have been your friend.

It would be appropriate, but not required, at this point to switch to a lawful alignment, if you weren't already. His behavior and training is laced heavily with his own point of view, enough for you to pick what you like and discard the rest. LG or LN (more likely) if you wish

As he trains you in the theories and history of psionics, you will learn that this being was once called Kar'Zon the Black, champion of Lucius (the former god of evil), "blessed" with the form he now has. Some of the tales of his actions on his lord's behalf are nigh unbelievable and horrific, and he was supposedly imprisoned by the other gods at the end of the second gods war, because they could not kill him. This man was a pure monster...

At first I'll throw myself into my training, pushing myself to the point of exhaustion as a way of overcoming the horror of what I'm doing. But after awhile I'll start to see the value of it. I'll begin to relish the discipline as a means of success all it's own. Even disciplining myself when it comes to meals instead of fighting the dietary changes I'll let myself lose some gut and will stop drinking ale altogether.

I'll rebel against the psionics concept at first, but while I may be stubborn I'm not stupid. Once I actually perform something on my own, I'll throw myself into the training as another form of disciplining myself.

I have no pity or sympathy for him whatsoever, a man is what they make of themselves and everything else is just life. I'll actually gain respect for him, both for what he's doing for me and for the lack of pity and sympathy he's shown me.

At first I'll find the histories and tales horrific, but eventually I'll develop a "What has he done to me" mentality and move on.

Every day no matter how tired he is, he'll take a minute to picture each of his kids in his mind and remind himself of his ultimate goal, his focus for doing this.

switching from NG to LN is big, but appropriate, he'll still have good leanings though

The final day of your training, he will spar with you an tells you to not hold back. You can tell he is however, but you do very well. Well enough that he smiles openly and cries "excellent!" when you efortlessly blend your skills in combat.
Afterwards he presents you with all of your belongings.
"You have learned everything I have to teach. You have fulfilled your end of the bargain, and so now shall I. Your children were taken in a raid on Hedia, ordered by a deposed orc chieftain who has a smattering of psionic ability. Hru'kul is his name, and his small tribe of outcasts has been wreaking havoc along the coast, but I believe his targets are not his choice. The captives he gets are taken and sold to interested parties, or used for slave labor, or in the event of a person of import, ransom. Your children are too young for labor, and you are belived to be dead, so ransom is out. Slave trade on Voldrune is frowned upon, so it stands to reason your children have been sold to residents of other continents.
You should take comfort that while you have been here, they have only been at sea, most likely, and not in a cage in a cave. Although I'd imagin if they are half as stubborn as you are, they may have a few marks...anyway, the name of the man who coordinates the illegal slave trade on this continent is Harrod Velmy. He resides in Voldrune City and operates out of the city's docks, right under the noses of the paladins there. He has the thieves guild there firmly in his pocket, so tread carefully." He hands you his robe, and a pair of boots. "These will aid you. This is a Robe of Blending, and these are elven boots. The robe will allow you to change your form to that of another humanoid, and also allow you to undertand it's spoken tongue. The boots will keep your footsteps quieter than normal. Take these and succeed. Our pact is concluded." As he utters these words, you feel an effect fade from you...and he sighs.
"Any questions?" he says...weakly?

is it safe to assume that formal education also took place? Mainly I'm getting at grammar and language related stuff? I have a language I didn't yet pick, is there one he would've guided me towards?

"Do you have a map?" and he'll frown, as if what he's about to say comes difficultly, "And... thank you."

"You're welcome, and no I do not have a map...I've never needed one."
He slumps for a second and his "skin" beings to lighten.
He actually laughs a sad laugh.
"It seems I owe you thanks as well. My form is unraveling, and the magics and powers that formed me have long faded...I would never have thought an act of kindness would be what would save me..."
He takes a sharp intake of breath, and begins to convulse violently...
He actually looks...happy? as something dawns on him...
"You may have to do one more...th..." he is cut off as his chitin and monstrosity is cracked and shed from him before your very eyes...falling away in cascades of black dust that whirl away on unseen winds...
After all is said and done...in his place...
Is a human infant, wrapped in white cloth. He has blue eyes, and a full head of brown hair. He doesn't fuss, but looks at you and smiles as infants do...and pulls on your beard when you pick him up.
On the inside of his right wrist is a dark birthmark...the psionic symbol of rebirth and second chances.

He'll scoop the boy up and bring him inside, prepare him for the rigors of travel as best he can. He'll pack a travel pack with food and rations and will bring extra water, some fruit if he can. He'll collect his hammer, then put on his old armor, it feels wrong now, and his new boots and cloak, they feel right somehow.

He'll close up Zon's home tight and do his best to conceal it (it's a cave if I understand correctly) and then make his way southwest towards his old home.

His home was a seies of chambers, not unlike Luke's uncle's house on Tatooine...

You scoop the boy up, and head southwest...

I want to make an addendum to your character...keeping the psi war's class abilities, but you'll get a psion's power points per level and power progression...and access to the TK special stuff.

Luke's uncle's house was openly exposed and had no real ability to be concealed, is that what your going for? Regardless I'll do whatever I can to keep the place secure.

Pretty much.

So... I head southwest... I keep heading southwest until I come across a reason not to...

west by southwest will take you to Hedia...is that where you intend to go?

yes, Hedia is the nearest habitable town I know of, a good place to find a good home for the child, in particular if there are any farmers I've done work for that I know that might be willing to take in a child, I'll start there.

You head towards Hedia...
It takes a few days, and the kid has been no trouble...you seem to get impressions of when he's hungry, or when he needs to be changed. He never cries.
In the late morning of the 4th day, you realize you must have overshot Hedia, as you are at the crossroads between Hedia and Tolra (Tolra is much further south, the crossroads being 1 day south of Hedia by horse). As you approach, you see a cart with two humans. The man is patiently waiting next to the wagon, while his female companion sits up on the bench on the passenger side.

They will exchange a hopeful glance, and the man will approach you...
"M-master dwarf...do...do you have a child with you?"

eyes narrowing, "why do you ask?" He notices his thick accent is gone blinks, clearing his throat, then shakes his head, dismissing it as unimportant. He doesn't draw the hammer strapped to his hip, but he shifts the child so that his right hand is free.

He fidgets a bit, wringing his hands, and looks over his shoulder at the woman.
"Well, I don't right know how to explain this sir...but my wife said she had a dream about a baby boy with a birthmark on his wrist...and to be here...today in fact! She said a dwarf with tattoo'd arms would have him..." he says glancing at your arms. "We know the gods've gone, but we kept praying for a child..." he awkwardly scratches his head. "I...I know it sounds crazy sir...but she says it was so real...she's never lied to me once in 7 years..."

I'll nod, looking first to the man and then the woman, "seems to be about lunch time, I'm famished, I'll provide the food if you'll cook it ma'am."

I'll slip my pack from my back and pull out some foodstuffs, while doing that I'll try to connect with the child and see if this is what the child wants.