The first chapter of A Game of Thrones came to him “out of nowhere” in 1991. “When I began, I didn’t know what the hell I had. I thought it might be a short story; it was just this chapter, where they find these direwolf pups. Then I started exploring these families and the world started coming alive,” Martin says. “It was all there in my head, I couldn’t not write it. So it wasn’t an entirely rational decision, but writers aren’t entirely rational creatures.”
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/nov/10/books-interview-george-rr-mar tin
You and your escorts traverse the rest of the Serpent Bridge without another incident. As the sunlight gleams upon the lake, a few boats can be seen upon the water, the occupants casting lines and nets below. A tribex-pulled cart passes you, but the driver does not pause.
Soon you reach the Tail of the Serpent which rests upon the shore beneath a large arch of white marble, constructed to resemble two hooded serpents their mouths open and fangs bared. A metallic sphere of a purple-shimmering stone rests between the mouths of the cobras- byeshk.
Marble and granite pillars and towers rise from the remains of ancient buildings constructed of rougher stone. The architecture blends together seamlessly and the conflicting textures create a unique style that shows great masonry skill.
Past the archway the gnolls halt. Trraa and Brerrg take guarding stances while the young Ux steps forward to speak. "We of Ember Fang have guided you across the waters to the gates of Cazhaak Draal. We wish you good hunting, Pup-of-Stories. I hope the stones bless you, Raunip," Ux-Pebble-Paw thumps his fist of stone against his chest. "If you leave the Stone City by way of the bridge, come and feast with my people and tell us the stories you gather while here."
Beoric ponders for a moment. "No, Zuriel iss not a name that iss known to me. Perhapss you sshould sseek the Keeper of Sserpentss? They hold the recordss of our citizenss here in Cazhaak." He nods slightly.
I am trying to recall a Dragon article that gives you benefits for taking the Improved Familiar feat but keeping your original familiar. Is anyone familiar with this?
Beoric chuckles, and the snakes on his brow and chin contort and twitch with the motion."The Amphissbaenae? No, they are not mine, though ssome do keep them as ssuch. I refer to the Guardian you walk acrosss, the Sserpent Bridge. Only I have been charged with the massonry of itss upkeep. Travel wearss down the sscales of the sstone... aggresssive actionss more sso." With a scaled hand Beoric gestures to the grand bridge spanning the lake. "The waterss are home to many. I do not hold you at fault for defending yoursselvess. Your guides know thiss." He smiles again, but his eyes have remain downcast the entire conversation. Some of the striped snakes have fixated on you and your escorts, but the majority of them seem to have their attention elsewhere.
Pulling back his hood, the stranger reveals a human-like face flecked with scales. His golden eyes are cast downward to the stones, avoiding looking at you. His face is wreathed in a living mane of green and grey snakes, where normally a hair and beard would be. It is clear to you that he is a medusa of Cazhaak Draal. He smiles, revealing serrated teeth. "I aam Beoric, Keeper of the Sserpent Bridge. As a guesst of our ccity, I will overlook the damage your... sstruggle hass caussed."
Trraa and Brerrg take point as you walk beside Ux. Xurwk follows along obediently as you lead her. Continuing to walk the bridge, the mysterious figure remains in the same spot kneeling upon the stones. As you get within bowshot, the stranger stands. You can see they wear a heavy grey cloak, well-worn and dusty from stone. Turning towards you, its features are still unidentifiable, but they speak in the Galifar tongue with heavy accentuations on certain letters. "Greetingss," the male voice offers. "Welcome to the Bridge of Cazzhaaak Draaal."
The voice is accompanied by a susurrus, a soft multitude of unintelligible whispers. He speaks again, but not directly to you. "Yess. Quarrelss maake him... uneassy."
Taller than you, but shorter than your gnoll escorts, a cloaked figure kneels on the stone, its features obscured by a hood. Their attention is focused on the bridge itself, examining the stonework of the serpent.
Not sure what the wording is(going to be waiting a little while), but perhaps an apotheosis of some sort?
Hagbound:
Hag Transformation: at 20th level the hagbound transforms into a true hag, purging all goodness and light from her in exchange for dark power. Her alignment becomes evil if it isn't already. Her type changes to monstrous humanoid, and she gains darkvision 60ft; immunity to charm, fear, and spell effects; and the ability to join a coven. She gains spell resistance 31, and she grants this benefit to her other coven members.
The archetype does not list being female or a changeling as a requirement.
This Hag-themed thread *here* ... is an incredibly comprehensive list of all the hag, hag-offspring and hag-related creatures in D&D 3.5, D20/OGL 3PP, Paizo PF and some 3PP PF. It hasn't been updated in a while. But still, the list entries are numerous and impressively comprehensive. I'm sure some of you hag-fans could update the list with some more up-to-date Paizo and 3PP hags if they so desire.
That all said, I'm excited about Blood of the Coven! I hope we get at least a dozen more hags or thematically-related beasties included in this upcoming book.
With Blood of the Coven releasing, I will definitely make an endeavour to update my list to include all the new crones from various sources.
I am hoping for a tiefling option for night hag touched since they did not make it into Blood of Fiends.
The two scouts bow their heads in gratitude as your magic knits their wounds.
Looking out across the waters they appear calm once more, gently rippled by breeze. All appears safe, though the crumbling white arcs dotting the lake could provide cover for any number of beasties lurking in the water.
Ux regards you with a measure of admiration. "You are strong, Raunip. Mother's milk and mother's blood have grown a fine pup. There will be stories of you soon."
As your group rounds a wide bend in the Serpent, straying left around the remnants of a beautiful white tower that now barely breaks the waters, a figure can be seen in the distance on the bridge.
"Qujmeh'moq!" Ux shouts again, his voice gravelly in his current form. The ball of stone forms and he hurls it at the massive snake. The viscous globe shreds away its scales and it too surrenders to unconsciousness.
Stoneball:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Acid:2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9
With the serpents quelled, Brerrg and Trraa take a moment to silence the snakes permanently with the ends of their spears. The gnolls then push both of the snakes back into the blue-green waters of the lake.
"Their bodies will feed the other hunters in the waters." Ux states as you watch their forms sink below the surface into the untold depths below. After a few moments, Ux's fur returns to its natural texture. From his belt slowly pulls bandages, which the scouting pair will take and begin dressing their wounds and yours.
Trraa continues to hail arrows at her foe, but they continue to shatter on the Stone Serpent Bridge.
Longbow:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Brerrg takes another wild stab with his spear.
Spear:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Ignoring the scouts, the twinned snake bites at the younger ones again. This time the fangs catch Raunip and bite deeply.
Bite:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Damage:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Fortitude save.
The second head bites at Ux's new stony form. The fangs seem like they land their mark, but it quickly hisses and recoils from the stoneskinned hide of the young gnoll.
Bite:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 Damage:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Seeing the strike coming, the snake dodges out of Raunip's strike.
Ux holds his stone fist close to his chest, and stone seems to ripple across his entire body, encasing him, but he still moves as though he were flesh. He looks to Raunip and grins. Ux now appears to be a living statue of stone.
Spellcraft DC 17:
Ux has used an ability mimicking the stoneskin spell, but with a different physical manifestation.
Turning, the female scout looses an arrow at the squirming two-headed serpent. Her arrow shatters on the stone as the serpent writhes out of its path.
Longbow:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Brerrg steps over the large snake at his feet to bring his spear down on the new threat, but it also evades his attack.
Spear:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Closing the gap, both heads of the amphisbaena strike at Raunip at Ux. Raunip blocks the fangs with his sling-staff, but the other head latches onto Ux's leg.
Bite 1:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Bite 2:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 Damage:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Ux Fortitude:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Round Four: Scouts, serpents, Raunip, Ux
DM:
Brerrg: HP 4/20, Con 12/13
Trraa: HP 14/20, Con 11/13
Ux: HP 24/30
Amphisbaena 1: HP 1, 12 nonlethal, unconscious
Amphisbaena 2: HP 23, 16 nonlethal
The force hits the creature directly as it recoils. Following in suit, Ux also repeats his tactic of barraging the serpent with acid. It eats away at its flesh, pockmarking the stone bridge where droplets land.
Trraa nocks and fires another arrow at the approaching serpent. Her arrow finally finds it mark as it bites into the swimming snake.
Longbow:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Damage:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Fortitude:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Brerrg leans over to stab at the serpent as it gets close enough to climb up on the bridge. He also lands a solid blow.
Spear:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Hissing, the two-headed snake rolls its coils over the stone, avoiding the scouts and heading straight for Raunip and Ux.
A punch of force hits the serpent directly. Both heads hiss in pain as they look to you.
Ux repeats his arcane phrase and launches another stony ball of acid at the amphisbaena on the bridge.
Stoneball:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Acid:2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
As the acid eats away at the serpent, it writhes and falls unconscious from the shock.
Ux takes his good paw and covers his fist of stone as he conjures. "Qujmeh'moq!" The gnoll exclaims as he draws his hand away holding what looks like a packed ball of earth and stone. He launches it at Brerrg's attacker.
The ball of stone explodes on impact into a viscous glob of acid, eating away through the two-headed serpent's scales. It hisses and tries to shake away the acid.
Raunip sees the snakes, but it dawns on him that these are not four snakes, but rather two large serpents with a head and each end of their coiling bodies. You are uncertain as to what they are, however. Your scouts both loose an arrow at the serpents.
"Medusa snakes, Raunip!" Ux tells you excitedly. "One beast with a mind of two. They fear not being turned to stone by anything in Cazhaak Draal. Be wary."
Their arrows miss the swimming serpents and sink into the lake. The first serpent reaches the bridge, climbing up the stone with ease with its coils. Longer than any of you are tall, each of the creature's heads snaps at one of your scouts.
Although imposing, the bridge proves to be very sturdy and secure. Your escorts take you along the trodden stone, and after a few minutes of walking, Brerrg barks out a halt, and he and Trraa nock arrows, gesturing to the water.
Perception Check DC 8:
The turquoise water ripples, as you see the heads of four water vipers breaking your surface and swimming your way. These serpents are quite big, their dark colored green scales camouflaging them in the lake.
The gnolls eyes widen as you produce a jar filled with basilisk eyes. "Pup-of-stories must be strong indeed to come so far and seen so much. Sheshka is the Queen of Stone. She saved me from a cockatrice attack. I was not made into stone, not all of me, and the stone began to sing to me. I hear the songs of the stone, and draw its power. Sheshka rules Cazhaak Draal. She is a medusa who has many stories of her own to tell. Very powerful. Full of heart."
After several minutes of travel and banter, your guides halt at bridge. The Stone Serpent bridge holds up to its name, and the beginning of the bridge appears as a gigantic viper biting into the dusty earth of the shore. The body wends and winds for quite some time before its tail drapes across the shore of the island where the seat of Cazhaak Draal has been built up from the ruins. Broken arcs and pillars jut from the lake periodically, breaking the surface of the calm dark waters.
The passage of many feet have left a weathered path on the Stone Serpent, but it has lost none of its magnificence. Each scale of the viper is clearly visible, a mason's masterpiece. The snake is wide enough that two carts could pass each other on the back of it without pushing each other into the water.
The archers take point, as Ux gestures with his good hand. "We must cross the Stone Serpent, it is the safest path." You do notice that there are a few rowboats moored nearby and tethered.
The archers Trraa and Brerrg walk a few paces ahead, their bows now drawn and at the ready as they survey their familiar guarding grounds. Ux matches your steady pace, he seems delighted to have a stranger near his size and age to converse with. "A promise must be kept." Ux says to you.
As your group skirts around building foundations and broken stones, you see many ruined statues amongst them as you walk ever closer to the bridge. Most are crumbled or weathered beyond recognition, but there are some that you can identify. Goblins, hobgoblins, even gnoll statues are littered around. Many that have discernible features have looks of surprise or fear frozen on their stony faces.
Walking through the menagerie of statues Ux tells you, "Many people and beasts that call Cazhaak Draal their home can turn meat, bone, and fur into stone. The look of the medusa or their basilisk pets... the breath of the gorgon... and the bite of the cockatrice." Ux holds up his stone paw with emphasis. "I was chosen by the stone, and saved by the Queen."
The young gnoll barks to his tribe, and two archers step forward with long bows of darkwood slung over their shoulders. Red and black feathers decorate their arrows.
"Brerrg and Trraa will take us to the entrance of the city," Ux replies back in the Galifar tongue. "Zuriel? This name to me is not known. Many there are in the city. We do not go within often. We hunt these nearby lands and guard the Stone Serpent. Many dangers hide in the stonelands..." the gnoll's gaze falls to his right arm. Up close you can now see that his fist is entirely stone. He looks back to you, "Esma's cub would be wise to not stay in Cazhaak Draal for long, unless he stays forever trapped in stone."
Your escorts begin making their way through the Ember Fang encampment, towards the edge of the lake.
The gnolls of the Ember Fang clan are silent for many moments after your story. Slowly, you hear their haunting laugh start deep in the throats of a few members. It spreads throughout the clan like a storm cloud, until the entire congregation cackles in appreciation. The sound is beautiful and eerie all at once.
Ux-Pebble-Paw waits until the laughter has diminished. "You Pup-of-Stories, are the true son of the Story-Mother. We will take you into Cazhaak Draal, across the Stone Serpent bridge."
The smoky glass of the goggles inhibit you from making out some of the finer details, especially against the dark fur of the gnoll.
"Ux-Pebble-Paw is my name. Chosen-by-stone. Come, please tell us a story." The gnoll gestures with his free hand towards a series of stones surrounding a fire pit.
As you speak, you are guided closer to the camp. A voice emerges from a central tent, speaking the Galifar tongue. Although not made for the tongue of man, this young male voice carries it well. "Pup-of-stories you could be..."
A gnoll youth pushes back the entrance's curtain. He is bedecked in a rough cloak of hyenda hide, and a hyena's skull rests on his shoulder. The gnoll has a striped spike of hair. He keeps his right arm close to his body. (Perception check). "The sun still climbs. If Pup-of-stories will tell one to Ember Fangs, we will escort you to Cazhaak Draal."
Despite his youth, the other gnolls regard him with reverence and give him a wide berth as he approaches you and your mount.
The gnolls allow you to approach, and as you close the distance to their camp, you see that this pack of gnolls all have dark black fur with bright fiery orange spots. One of the scouts speaks to you from her perch, her bow of bone leveled at your chest. "vISov lut SoS qul Ho', 'ach wej, puq."The Mother of Stories is known to the Ember Fangs, but you are not, pup."
Several gnolls stand at the ready now, their attention fixed on the pale hobgoblin boy upon his sandy steed. Closer to their camp, Raunip sees their clan symbol- three black fangs surrounded by red flame, emblazoned upon their tents.
The Kingdom of Stone was once a mighty Dhakaani metropolis, and even in its decay and antiquity, the city remains an impressive specimen. Stone towers rise from the rocky center of the kingdom, on a large island near the center of a beautiful turquoise lake. As the sunrise reflects off of the waters, you see a massive serpentine bridge writhing a path through the lake, connecting it to the mainland. The outskirts of the city are in worse states of repair- proud building brought to rubble by time and the elements.
Amid the crumbling edifices, Raunip sees several dozen hide tents erected near the bridge. Even from this distance Raunip is able to identify the tents as those belonging to Znir Pact, confirmed by the several cairns you see surrounding the camp. You even see a few scouts perched on some of the taller ruins, looking your way. Their bows are drawn, but they do not seem tense.
Eleven moons illuminate the night sky with Siberys' ring, only the Eye of Lharvion remains closed and dark. The landscape is washed in dull blue-grey light from the heaviest moons in the sky. Two figures traverse the plains, a large brown-orange weasel and her pale hobgoblin rider. There are hunters in the night, simple-minded beasts driven by hunger and instinct, and fiercer predators with gleams of intelligence in their nocturnal eyes, but the rider is left alone this night to his thoughts and to converse with his his new companion, although the conversation is one-sided. In the land of Droaam, nights are filled with the symphony of its nocturnal denizens. The strange howls and chittering would drive outsiders to panic and hysteria, but to the pair crossing the plains it is the sound of home. As the first rays of sunshine rise over the distance, the rider slows to a halt to examine his surroundings...
You find yourself many miles North from where you encountered Grunda and the Green-hoarders. Large stones dot the landscape, as do many pieces of statuary. You see the bone-white towers of Cazhaak Draal to the West, poking up from the lowlands like massive fingers reaching for Siberys.
The kobold nods. "Raunip has helped the Green-hoard. You are now Raunip Darastrix-Ooble, Raunip the Dragontongue. We will remember you."
The kobold sees to it that your mount is prepared and saddled and ready to go. Many of the Green-hoard kobolds gather to see you off, stamping their feet and slapping their tails to the ground to celebrate you.
The sun kisses the horizon as Raunip begins the parley between the large widow and the small lizards.
Grunda slumps a fresh alligator kill off of her shoulders to offer to the Green-hoard, and with a barking order from Ozula soon several of her warren are building a large bonfire and spit. Raunip learns that kobolds seemingly have no compulsions about eating other reptiles, as soon the river lizard is being turned over the flame.
The light of the bonfire plays shadows upon hobgoblin, hill giant, and kobold alike as Raunip patiently translates messages between the two matriarchs. Grunda expresses her regrets for stealing eggs, and the Green-hoard offer their apologies for their attacks and pitfalls.
Little by little, most members of the tribe come out from the safety of the standing stone to meet with Great Grunda, and she is amused by their awe of her stature. She in turn places her massive hand on the brow of each kobold she meets, as she struggles to commit the names Raunip tells her to memory.
Ozula calls for the meeting to be scribed, so that details will not be so easily forgotten.
Amidst laughter and dining on roasted alligator, Raunip helps facilitate an arrangement to better the situations of both. In exchange for protection and the use of her strength, the kobolds agree to help Grunda gather food and tend her crops. An area is staked out loosely from her hut to the stones and nearby hunting grounds as their mutual territory, to be defended equally from outsiders.
Raunip is thanked several times by both parties, and finally a truce is set and a bargain struck.
The Great Grunda hugs you softly. "Raunip good moon-gobber." she nods to Ozula. "Thurirl." she says in Draconic as Raunip taught her.
"Priatel'."Friend. Ozula replies in Jotun, returning the nod.
Grunda turns and begins to make her way back home, escorted as Raunip was by a guide to point out the hidden pits.
Dismounting Xurwk, Raunip slips through the stones, making his way around the ring. Ozula and a few of her guards stand by. You notice Grunda climbing out of one of the kobolds' pits. She smiles when she sees Raunip, waving as she pulls herself up. She looks to the kobolds and cautiously waits, not daring to approach closer.
From outside the standing stones, a few voices take up the cry of "Jennu Gruunda!" and "Vemcin! Vemcin!" Within the enclave, kobolds begin to scurry and scatter.
Ozula turns to you. "The Great Grunda comes. Raunip, will you help Green-hoard talk to Grunda?"
The young hobgoblin climbs onto the back of his petisse-verth baeshra and immediately it as if he was born in the saddle. The weasel responds very well to his commands, the crooked legs of the hobgoblin resting against her haunches. A couple of the urthalrei mount up as well and ride beside you as you pad around the encampment. Your mount is quite content to scamper around, wiggling and yipping.
Raunip is escorted by the were-weasel leader of the kobold tribe into their burrow. You do notice that the tribe is bigger than it seems, as several more of the kobolds mill about underground in the shallow den where a few rooms have been excavated for various purposes.
Ozula explains to you that her people are the iredar, the "ones of earth," kobolds that trace their heritage to Eberron, the Dragon Between. They prepare a simple fare for you of clear water, various roots and grubs. For the next several hours you enjoy the company of the Green-hoard kobolds, learning of their culture and their way of life. You assure them that things should begin to be peaceful with Great Grunda, and hopefully a new time of peace and security will unfold from the symbiosis of kobold and giant.
You are escorted to the kennels, and allowed to choose which dire weasel you will claim as your reward. Choosing one of the larger specimens, Raunip is then gifted a riding saddle by the Green-hoarders, and the urthalrei begin to teach you how to ride him.
Ozula adjusts her Brelish cap in thought. "Eggs are safe... Raunip do well. The Great Grunda give back eggs... maybe what Raunip say work." The green-scaled kobold smiles. "Raunip make peace. We give Raunip a petisse-verth baeshra. And Ozula talk. Maybe Ozula make peace too."
The Green-hoard leader entrusts the eggs to one of the riders, then motions for you to follow her back to their camp.
Ozula's eyes light up as she sees the eggs intact. She reaches for the pack, but waits for you to continue.
Thanks to a lifetime of travel with your mother, you recognize that Ozula has the gift of Eberron's moons called lycanthropy. Her gift seems to have the affinity of the same creature that the Green-Hoard kobolds raise and ride, the dire weasel.
The dire weasel without a saddle dashes ahead of the others. It jumps into the air and as it does so, the beast transforms before your eyes. Instead of a weasel landing, there is a familiar green scaled kobold. "Urthalrei, pok!" Ozula commands. The riders immediately reign in their weasels, while the dire weasel that threw its rider screeches in fear at Ozula's shapechanging and flees back towards the ring of broken stones.
The Green-hoard leader adjusts her large Brelish cap as she turns to you, her clothing apparently melding with her fur when she changed. "You save our eggs?" she inquires in Galifaran. "What of the Great Grunda? She feed the long-tooths?"
Knowledge local or Spellcraft check to identify Ozula's transformation.
Sorry guys, I have been crazy busy with moving. If you still want, once I am in my new place I will pick this up again. If not, I understand. Just let me know either way. I just haven't had the time to sit down and ignite it again yet.
A fourth dire weasel scurries out of the enclave and chases after the trio. It screeches loudly. The other three weasels pause, but then continue their chase towards you.
The kobold thrown from its mount gets up and chases after the weasel. "Xsiol!" it exclaims, and from time spent amongst your mother's less savory customers, you know that isn't something usually said in proper company.
With determination, the remaining urthalrei load their crossbows and fire in your direction again as they close the distance. Unfortunately for the Green-hoard tribe, these are not their best marksmen.
Light Crossbow:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Crossbow 2:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
The riders fire their crossbows across the plain, aiming straight for you. The first bolt sails off into the grass, far from causing harm to anything. The second kobold overcompensates as it stands in the saddle to fire at you- which is a mistake as the shot goes wild and the urthalrei tumbles backward off its mount into the high grasses. The third rider also misses wildly, the trio having trouble riding, firing, and avoiding their own pitfalls all at once...
As the sentry runs back towards the megalith, it dodges erratically to avoid other hidden pits. Three mounted kobolds ride out of the structure- urthalrei on dire weasels. You have a few moments before they are upon you, but you're not certain if Ozula will be able to intercede before then.
