Happy Adventuring!
We will start with character generation.
Ability Scores are 3d6 down the line.
Strength
Dexterity
Constitution
Intelligence
Wisdom
Charisma
Post your results below and we will hammer out character details.
Lets move the character creation details to the discussion thread.
Playing by post is extremely slow compared to what you are used to.
To help combat that, please commit to posting at least once each day - likely a less than 5 minute commitment.
Once our characters are ready we can begin.
Thank you.
The beautiful elven forest slept peacefully. Leafy green trees with trunks of ghostly grey stood as far as you can see, the distant snow-covered mountains to the north just visible through the dense foliage. The forests carpet of ferns and thick bushes were dappled with bright flowers – red, blue, and yellow in long garlands.
This peace was broken by the clank and clatter of heavy armor as several figures moved up the northern trail. Tall and broad-shouldered, a warrior led the way, shoving his way through the underbrush before he paused to wipe sweat from his forehead and sweep his mane of blonde curls out of his eyes. A slender elf archer in lrown leathers walked to one side, followed by another pair of figures - one slight and robed, another in heavy armor as polished as the knights was scarred and dented.
“Pretty, but a royal pain in the arse to walk through,” the knight said.
The wood elf turned to regard the human with almond-shaped eyes. “The forest has provided a path. Perhaps those who built it thought one might use it instead of blundering through the verge like a wild boar in heat.”
“It's a little obvious, Armolas. Could be a trap.”
The wood elf shook his head. “You think everything could be a trap, Ulrik.”
“That’s because everything could be a trap. If this place is so peaceful, where are all the animals? Rations alone for days are no way to live. Give me meat fresh off the bone over….whatever this is supposed to be” The knight shoved a fistful of jerky into his pouch.
“I will grant you that, Ulrik. I can hear bird song but it seems a dirge. Something ails this wood.”
Sir Ulrik glanced at the pair bringing up the rear, “What do you think, Egg? Anything magical we should know about? Elves are known for their secretive ways – He glanced at the wood elf scout – “Just saying.”
Armolas raised a perfect eyebrow and then turned towards the near bank of bushes.
A fat hare regarded the group from atop a pale tree stump a short distance off the trail.
“Looks like my prayers have been answered, or maybe yours, Albur. Either way, Meat!”
The wood elf’s bow sang and the hare fell, transfixed by an arrow.
The scout slipped into the green after it.
“What do you think, Egg?” Sir Ulrik prodded. “You’re the magic things bad expert.”
Ulrik glanced at his sword for a moment. "You'd be surprised what kind of violence you can inflict with a sheathed sword if you're motivated enough," the knight said,"But I take your --"
Armolas's cry of alarm cut him off.
The elf scrambled backwards a few steps as the skewered hare rose into the air on a thick vine, the animal's form deflating like a stuck bladder around the arrow wound. The tree trunk tore free from the ground in an explosion of writhing, tentacle-like roots as a vertical maw of sharp teeth opened in its front. Other vines rose - grasping thorny tendrils that flailed the air - reaching for the wood elf greedily.
The knight grabbed for his blade. "To arms!"
Close/Melee - Bramble Bushes
Armolas
Short- Northward Path
Sir Ulrik
Egg
Albur
Far- Elven Wood
Jesse's PC's?
Round 1 Initative
Sir Ulrik
Albur
The Terrible Thing.
Armolas
Egg
Jesse's PC's?
The knights sword rasped from its scabbard as Sir Ulrik fought through the thick foliage towards the elf scout.
Hacking through the thickest clumps, he rushed forward and attacked, his sword slashing and stabbing into the nest of thrashing tentacles, trying to drive the beast back.
Unable to do much harm initially, the knight hunkered behind his shield and looked for an opening to strike.
Albur is up!
The hideous plant-like monster heaved its bulk forward on thick, root-like tendrils. One of it's grasping tentacles reached for Ulrik but the knight drove it aside with the edge of his shield before it could find purchase.
Another tentacle whipped through the air.
Then a third.
Ulrik stood unharmed, all but surrounded by the monsters grabbing limbs. It drew closer still - now only steps away, sap-like drool spilling from its terrible vertical mouth.
A bow hummed and an arrow slammed into the beasts face, sinking to the fletching and drawling a burbling roar from its throat. The wood elf reached for another in his quiver as he drew out of range of the longer tentacles eager to entangle Ulrik.
"A corpse puppet to draw in the hunter like some sort of wolf-in-sheep's clothing!" Armolas exclaimed.
"Admire it's deceit later, maybe after we've killed it," the knight grunted in reply. "Egg! Turn this thing into a slug already or something!"
The dart struck unerringly, tearing a bloody hole in the oncoming beasts tree trunk-like body.
It hesitated for a moment, paralyzed by pain and surprise, before stalking forward once more, smashing limbs whipping through the air - deflecting the hasty shot of Armolas. "Stand well away. I've no desire to turn misfortune into calamity. You are in my line of fire." the elf complained.
A tentacle slapped onto Sir Ulrik's plate armor and dozens of hooked suckers took hold - took hold and squeezed - the metal deforming inward under the pressure - another scar in the steel.
Others slapped at Albur, the blessing of the priests god saving him from a crushing grasp of his own.
Sir Ulrik
Albur
Short- Northward Path
Armolas
Egg
Far- Elven Wood
Ulrik forced himself forward through the tangle and struck, "Beast. It is I Sir Ulrik who brings your doom. You cannot win!" The steel of his blade was suddenly stained with gore as a tentacle fell to the forest floor - cleanly severed by the stroke.
Another pair rose from the body of the beast to replace them, however - these tipped with dark inhuman eyes the size of clenched fists, swiveling this way and that to take in the opponents before them.
The monstrosity lumbered towards Albur, slipping around the deadly blade of the knight towards perhaps easier prey. Ichor dribbled and dripped from it's wounds as it went. It loomed over the priest - vertical maw scissoring open to reveal a deep, fang-lined gullet.
Round 2 initiative
Armolas [7/7]
Wolf-in-Sheeps-Clothing
Ulrik [7/10]
Albur [7/7]
Egg [5/5]
Albur and Egg are up.
"One of yours, Dear Sister?"
She studied the figure wrapped in heavy armor, swinging for the fences as if he fought an errant housefly bent on landing on his dinner. "He could be. I AM the goddess of overconfidence.
Her brother looked at the other armored figure.
"Yours would be the other one then. The blonde one overcompensating. He's more your style."
"True, but I also encompass bad hair days, improbable math, logical fallacies, and fourth wall breaks, and he just did two back to back without any effort," she reminded him, looking at the camera.
"He did? What's a fourth wall break?"
"Dear Brother, if I had to explain it to you you wouldn't understand."
"Ah. I'll leave it to you then. I fear he's not long for the world. Preltaris did a good job corrupting whatever he corrupted to make that thing. I hardly seems fair."
The goddess leaned again. "You might be right." She nudged a rock.
Her brother frowned. "You can't interfere! Can you?
"I nudged a rock, Dear Brother, nothing more. Just a math rock."
He brother rolled that over in his mind for a moment. "Just a rock? I guess that can't hurt. I don't even see it."
His sister smiled, "Weird" and winked at the camera again as her brother returned to his golden grapes.
Round 3 Initiative
Ulrik
Armolas
Albur
Egg
Wolf-in-Sheeps Clothing
Ulrik yelled a war cry and took advantage of the beasts focus on the Arbur, plunging his blade to the hilt in the creatures back. Armolas struck again as it spun back to the knight - another arrow biting into it's bark-like hide.
The Wolf-in-Sheeps Clothing staggered and collapsed on its side, its wriggling limbs clutching wildly. It convulsed suddenly, covering the knight in a vile torrent of gore before falling silent and still.
The knight cleaned off his blade with his tunic and smiled, blue yes gleaming. "Never worried for a second. Any more horrors about, Egg?"
The wizard shook his head."We appear momentarily horror free, present nobility excepted."
"Great!" The knight smiled. The magic-user allowed himself a slight smile.
Armolas walked over to the carcass to recover what arrows he could."We are not the first this beast has beset. A body. An elfling not of my kind - dressed in messenger garb and geared for fast travel." The elf quickly searched the remains, drawing a sealed scroll into the light."and carrying missives."
The elf read quickly."Kota-Hutun. The Rahib. Army of Mercenaries. Dark Magic. Kidnappings. Temple. Charmed. Please help."
"A nearby elf village requires aid. What say you all?"
Armolas checked the map.
"Someplace named Apple Grove. I'm not familiar."
Ulrik nodded,"I took intermediate sword there once at tourney. Years ago now. Nice enough spot but barely a wide part of the road. A week away or more. Help would be too late I'd imagine. I'd prefer more spendable rewards but if the gods have dropped this in our laps, a spiritual reward is better than none at all. So to this place -"
"Kota-Hutun. Grown from Within," the wood elf said.
Ulrik settled his helm atop his mass of blonde curls. "To growing personally then. I'll trust in you Egg to ward off any charms that come our way and if any more divine pleas reach us, I'll count on you, Albur, to interpret the will of the gods."
"Armolas, take point but no more hunting. I've suddenly lost my appetite for rabbit."
Ulrik glanced at the fresh dent in his armor with a scowl. "Many thanks, Albur. That could have been bad if this old armor hadn't held. One day, and likely soon, it won't any longer and things will really get interesting.
The knight knocked on the battered steel plate with his gauntlet. "But not today. Oh yes, you wanted a tale. hearken now to my sad lament of courage and chicanery and the perils of wagering with the untrustworthy."
"I was only a just a squire in those days, beholden to Sir Heckled of Esterwest, a man skilled in arms but far past his prime. My family were noble, true, but barely able to draw even the patronage of so fallen a knight." Ulrik paused, remembering. "I passed years in his service, learning the ways of the sword and tending to his horse and armor. A knight of the people and like them he had his vices. We never quite got around to the ways of court before a lucky lance strike took Sir Heckled from me and set me on the solitary road to destiny."
Sir Ulrik rested his hand on the pommel of his sword. "My armor - his. My sword - his. My only showing for my years of service. My money was.....lost to me in unfortunate circumstances. Never trust naked bards promising glory. I hope to re-earn enough coin to forge a suit of proper armor of my own and see my family rise as it once did."
Armolas reappeared from the forest and walked over, as quiet as a ghost. "We should arrive late morning tomorrow. We will have to make camp. There is a glade not far that might serve."
The snow-capped mountaintops gleamed in the bright moonlight as the swaying branches and whispering leaves lulled the group to rest. Armolas clambered into the canopy - his sharp eyes keeping watch.
Morning light creeps into the forest, bringing with it the sounds of birds once more. The wood elf smiled,"The death of the beast seems to have restored some measure of balance."
Ulrik moved through a series of martial forms - his sword dance humming through the air. "Rouse yourselves and make ready. We should arrive in a few hours",he said, strapping on his armor once more.
The elven village of Kota-Hutun lies in a large clearing, the grey peak of the northern mountains framing the rooftops of the scattered buildings - each built in harmony with the forest and festooned with garlands of brightly colored flowers.
The elves of the Northern Wood moved to line the central path and studied the newcomers. A few nodded warmly while others openly gasped at Armolas as he moved past them.
A regal elf lord strode forward and opened his arms in greeting. "N- eithel govannen na mín bar. Whui gar- cin tul-?"
Armolas pulled the missives from his pouch. "Mín gar- tul- na bui-."
The elf leaders nodded and took in the adventurers before turning back to Armolas. "N- eithel. I edhel plural edhil?
Armolas shook his head. The elf leader nodded, his face stoic.
The ranger switched to the Common tongue of Man "I have told him we have come to help and that his messenger did not survive."
"These are my companions. Sir Ulrik - a knight, Albur - a priest, and Egspen - a maker of magic."
The elf leader drew closer, studying Egg. "It has been many years since a maker of magic walked amongst my people. Since the time of Elyas Whitestave himself. You have his look. Always seeking. Always learning. Be most welcome - all of you be welcome."
"We have been cursed by one who named himself The Rahib. A dark man who brought warriors to our doors, demanding my daughters hand. I refused him and he departed in anger. Since that day, our students who study and toil in the forest temple have not returned to us and our scouts tell tales that our own elven kin now wear the symbol of the Rahib - their minds not their own. The Siswaru have been charmed by dark magic even though the guardian that protects the temple should have saved them. Worse, The Rahib has stolen away two of our folk - fair maidens both and an attempt to steal away my own daughter - Rahasia - was repulsed at cost."
A slender elven woman walked from the crowd, her golden hair catching the sun. "My father asks you to travel to the forest temple and free our folk - both the Siswaru students and the kidnapped and defeat the Rahib and his minions. Will you do this for us?" Rahasia Asks.
Rahasia smiled at the young priest. "It brings the heart joy to hear it. You must be tired after your struggles. Food will be brought and quarters provided."
The elf maiden began to turn away but then pivoted back. "The Siswaru are scholars and my kin. I would not see them harmed. It is The Rahib's dark magic that has turned them against us. If battle is forced upon you, I beg you to spare them if you can. They are innocent."
Sir Ulrik frowned. "Wait. What? We can't fight them?"
The elf maiden shook her head. "Only at the end of utter need. Stealth may serve better than naked steel. If you can do battle and spare any you defeat, you will have my thanks. My father is to send me with you as council and guide."
Armolas spoke up. "That seems unwise. You walk willingly into the serpents den."
Rahasia raised her chin haughtily. "I am set on it. I will show this Rahib the mettle of the elves of the Northern Wood." The elf bade the companions follow. "Your quarters await."
Come morning with full bellies and a nights comfortable rest, Rahasia finds you - having traded her pale green gown for armor of boiled leather and a girdle of razor-sharp daggers. Her long blonde hair was now bound into intricate braids that showed her pointed ears and drew attention to her sapphire blue eyes.
"Are you ready to depart?
Rahasia led the heroes through the forest of her home, emerging in the early afternoon onto a winding trail that cut through the trees.
Ahead, the path ended at the shining double doors of a massive temple carved into the stone of the grey mountains themselves. A split in the roadway led to one side and what appeared to be a small graveyard. The forest seemed still, the temple seemingly unguarded.
A small shrine stood in the shadows of the forest and the elf woman slipped inside through an archway in the shrine's western wall, disappearing from sight.
The party followed swiftly and discovered the elf maiden kneeling at the feet of a statue of a strong-featured man with a long beard, seated atop an altar with his legs crossed and garbed in voluminous robes bearing draconic sigils.
Deep alcoves lay to the north and south of the central chamber, deep in shadow and seemingly empty.
Rahasia lit several sticks of incense and watched the pungent smoke swirl in the air. "Wise One. We ask for your blessing. By air and fire. By earth and water."The elf maiden turned to the group,"This man was the founder of the temple. A master of the elements who befriended my father before I was born. The Siswaru continue his legacy - expanding our knowledge of the world and honing themselves to perfection in form and thought. It is bad luck to cross his gaze."
Armolas watched the entrance arch. "There are fresh graves in that graveyard. Perhaps the elves put up a fight before they were subdued."
Ulrik followed the elfs gaze and scowled. "It's too damn quiet. The last time it was this quiet we were attacked by the Wolf-in-Sheep's Clothing. Egg or Albur, anything strike you?"
Rahasia looked at the magic-user. "You meet many people when you live as long as my people. I was very young then. Barely in my seventies. I remember him as being serious but kind. He could work wondrous feats with the white staff he always carried."
"When he stopped coming to our village my father told me that the wizard sought out evil mages and fought them. He must have lost his final battle. Sad but heroic."
"As far as Ular-Taman, it means Wise Serpent or Snake of Knowledge. I know nothing beyond the names meaning. I never took the vows of a Siswaru. I am not familiar with the temple or what might lie within. The three could mean anything. Great treasures of magic perhaps. Knowledge. Demons or worse."
The elfess shrugged.
"Do you know this wizard, somehow? You look so young."
Egpsen laughed "Would that I could stay this young forever!"
"I did not know him, but I know of him. My instructor was a great fan of his works and battles. It is said he vanished while battling an entire coven of dark witches somewhere in the untamed northern reaches of Bynthunar."
"He was fond of convoluted puzzles, misdirection, and planar gateways so it is entirely possible we encounter some, or all of these traits in this place." Egspen continued.
"In fact, if we are to avoid crossing this statues gaze, I wonder what it is he is staring at on the wall opposite." Egspen mused, allowing his gaze to wander to the opposite wall.
Egspen smirked knowingly at the script and said "Ah. Let us attempt this, then."
Egspen pulled his hands from his sleeves and hissed the draconic word for 'Knowledge'.
"Irthir."
Egspen watched as the back wall of the northern alcove shimmered - a subtle pulse of magic rippling across his senses.
"I may have found a secret passageway, it appears to be an illusion. It is just there, at the back of that alcove." exclaimed Egspen as he gestured towards the wall.
Egspen looked around for a suitably sized stone, one that would make a sound were it to clatter along the floor.
"The founder of this order, Elyas Whitestave was fond of convoluted puzzles and planar gates. I suspect we are looking at the beginning of hidden corridor or, perhaps, teleportation magic." Egspen flung the rock towards the shimmering wall and listened intently for the clatter on the other side.
The stone disappeared through the back wall of the alcove with another wave of magic - no doubt clattering loudly somewhere else.
Sir Ulrik stepped to the alcove and peered inside. "You're the expert, Egg. I'll trust your judgement."
The knight turned to Rahasia. "You didn't know this was here?" She shook her head. "I've always been told crossing the statues gaze is bad luck."
Armolas studied the statue for a moment. "Bad luck? Maybe a simple method of keeping this entrance undiscovered."
"Or it's a trap," Ulrik said.
Armolas shrugged. "There is but one way to know."
Ulrik drew his sword. "Ok, Egg. Graveyard? Front doors? or this magical portal? What is your pleasure?"
"Well, that settles it then," the knight said, donning his bucket helm.
"Albur, you're with me. Rahasia and Armolas take middle rank and Egg to the rear. We have no idea what we are walking into here so be ready for anything."
Ulrik took a deep breath and nodded to the priest. "Let's go."
The mage spoke again, the wall shimmering once more.
The companions rushed into the alcove.....and vanished.
...only to reappear in a similar alcove set into the wall of a large octagonal room lit by dim lanterns of elven design. Another alcove stood in the far wall, another in the right wall - both sealed with a grate of iron bars. A short hallway extended from the left wall, a single door on either side and double doors at its end.
A pile of objects sat in the rooms center, seemingly baskets, boxes, and small crates.
Rahasia moved to them. "These are the offerings of food we give to the temple by leaving them in the shrine. They must move them here for storage or distribution."
Ulrik removed his helm to see better."We need a way out. If the way we came in is one-way we are stuck. At least we got in without anyone notic--"
A gong sounded - echoing off the stone walls.
The Knight put his helmet back on. "I told you it was a trap."
Armolas shook his head. "It probably alerts the temple of the alcoves use. A delivery has arrived."
The Knight frowned. "Either way, someone will be coming. We've got to be gone when they get here."
The alcove in the far wall shimmered and several robed figures appeared. They paused for a heartbeat upon seeing the heroes and then flowed into well-practiced martial stances - blades, darts, daggers, and bows readying.
"The Siswaru! Guardians of the temple." Rahasia gasped.
Ulrik cursed. "We're trapped like fish in a barrel!"
Initiative
The lead elf paused for a moment. "We serve the Voice of the Mountain. You are intruders."
Rahasia held out open hands. "Lunareth. You know me. It's me, Rahasia. Do you remember?"
The Elf studied her briefly,"Rahasia? Yes. I know that name. The Rahib has given us strict instructions regarding you." The Siswaru reached into his robes and hurled a small pouch through the bars.
Dust exploded from the bag, engulfing Ulrik, Armolas, and Albur. The knight, elf, and priest staggered, sagged, and then fell to the floor - overcome.
"Take Rahasia alive. The Rahib commands it!" Lunareth said, as a second Siswa revealed a ring of keys and set to opening the iron barrier.
Elves are not immune to sleep in OSE so it knocked out Armolas as well.
Does Egspen cast his Sleep spell on the Siswa?
The spell washed over the Siswaru guardians and they toppled just as the companions had. Egspen heard the keyring clatter to the floor somewhere under the slumbering elves.
Rahasia nodded. "Nicely Done. But, the keys....." The elfess worked magic of her own - the air suddenly filled with the noises of whispering wind and birdsong.
One of the sleeping guardians gently slid sideways and then upwards, half his body lifted by some sort of invisible platform. Rahasia concentrated, her fingers forming arcane shapes in the air as she shaped her spell.
"There! The keys. Can you reach them with your staff?"
Egspen prodded and poked, sliding the metal ring inch by inch until he was able to grasp them and pull them through the locked bars.
Rahasia slowly lowered the Siswa back to the floor and released her magic - a bit paler than before and breathing deeply.
"We make a wonderful pair," She said. "Let's wake the others and make our escape before they wake up. We have their keys but there could be other sets or ways into this chamber."
The pair swiftly roused their companions, Ulrik growling under his breath.
Rahasia looked from one alcove to another and then to the hallway. "But which way to go?"
"Yes. I think returning them home would be of benefit. Perhaps a way can be found to break the charm they are under if they return to more familiar places." Rahasia nodded. "We've never faced The Rahib's forces in battle. He strikes from the darkness without honor."
Ulrik nodded as well."Lets be quick about it and find a way out of here. One alcove led us here. Another brought guards. Do we dare the third one or check out the hallway."
"Now is not the best time for experimentation, Sir Ulrik. I propose we return through the alcove that brought us here. We can return these charmed students to Kota-Hutun." said Egspen.
Odd, the Elf Leader mentioned that an attempt to kidnap Rahasia was repelled at cost. There must have been a battle but Rahasia states there was none. I had best keep on eye on this Rahasia... thought Egspen.
A moment's quick experimentation revealed that the alcove they entered the chamber through did not work in reverse.
An examination of the other two alcoves revealed the draconic words for Worship on the archway the Siswaru arrived through and Shield over the alcove to the chambers side, respectfully.
Three doors stand in the short hallway, one on each side and double doors at the hallways end.