In this thread, I will be keeping notes and updates on the progress of our characters throughout the Shackled City adventure. Enough with the introductions, you know who you are!
Your cast of characters...
Tastor
A first level human knight who makes his home in the city of Cauldron. Tastor grew up with the twin elven sisters Via and Lya watching over him. His patron is Saint Cuthbert and has met with Jenya Urikas, the acting high priestess several times.
Aelya Leese
Aelya is a human orphan. It is obvious that something happened to her in early childhood that caused her to become the moody, silent young woman she has. She is a first level Binder, often making pacts with vestiges to enhance her own self esteem.
Via
Elven twin sister of Lya, Via is a very special kind of rogue. She does not pilfer or plunder, but specializes in the opening of locks, and finding and locating of traps. She is nearly as kind-hearted as her sister, but cares for 'material' things much more that Lya could ever dream of. Via is first level.
Lya
Elven twin sister of Via, Lya is a cleric of Corellan Larethian, the most venerated of elven deities. Lya is very pious, but is also an 'adventruring' cleric, and and not bound to the church. She sees her sisters rogueish ways as simply a different path - though she keeps an eye on her. Lya is first level.
Tragg
A martial combatant trained and armed to the teeth, Tragg the half-orc fighter is a strategic genious amongst his race, and is in fact smart compared to anyone. He is a first level fighter, pround and strong but not overzealous. Tragg bears the strenght of his orc side with the tolerance and ingenutity of his human half to create a deadly combination, although with a good heart.
Thane
The only member of the group born outside of Cauldron, Thane is a first level Dragon Shaman. In search of adventure, he came to the city of Cauldron to make a name for himself and learn more about his totem dragon, the mighty golden dragons.
Stay tuned for the beginning of the adventures
And thanks for reading!
So on we go... Into the teeth.. er... meat of the story..!
Btw, in case you didn't notice, as this is a CAMPAIGN JOURNAL this will contain SPOILERS. And in the spirit of many old campaings, if you're a player who has yet to play this...
STOP READING.
The city of Cauldron is built around the inside of a long dormant volcanoes peak and surrounded by steaming jungles. Surrounding Crater Lake, a caldera in the center, it builds outward in ever-increasing finery. Despite it's locale, Caldron is like any city on Oerth, it has is squalor and it's destitute. Tonight, in the rain soaked back alleys, one such example is taking place. Ruphus Laro, a small man, priestly and unassuming travels up a winding road towards the Chapel of Saint Cuthbert. One moment, he is walking slowly, yet self-assuredly - the next, he staggers to the side. A punch to the jaw sends him staggering against the stone side of a building. He pulls himself to his feet, struggling in the darkness as three men approach. Two of the men grab Rufus' shoulders while the third sends his fist into Rufus' unprotected gut. The man who punched Rufus looks to the other two.
"You two have some fun, I'll keep a watch," he growls. The shadows shift as the man takes a step back.
"Your life is not forfeit, priest," he begins. "Stay away from the orphanage, and it will stay that way."
Laro's eyes widen as the newly revealed moon sends faint light filtering through the thick clouds. All three men have their faces painted half white and half black. His mind churns at this information. "What does the Last Laugh want with the orphanage," he manages to ask through his aching insides.
One of the men holding Rufus sends a thick boot into his side, and Rufus shouts in pain.
"Excuse me," a rough voice chimes in. "Can we help you?"
The three thugs stop mid-beating to look down the cobbled street.
Standing in the rain are six very odd strangers. A half-orc, three humans and two elves, obivioulsy twins. They stand with hands on weapns. Many weapons.
One of the thugs plants another kick into Rufus' side, and as he doubles over, he watches through tear stained eyes as the six spread out, and then advance. With a quick snap of her wrist, one of the human females unleashes a barbed whip, snapping one thugs short sword to the ground. The half-orc, the one who had spoken, Rufus realized, waded in with the flat of his double axe, breaking the arm of the nearest thug. The last was quickly overwhelmed by the beautiful elven twins, and soon, all three lay in teh muddy street, trussed like pigs.
Via gathered what was left of her rope and shot a grin at her friends. "Not bad for a night's work, huh?"
Lya, Via's sister rushed to Rufus. Seeing him battered and bloody, she sent a short prayer to Corelleon Larethian, then placed her hands on his chest. In short order, Rufus' wounds were gone. As he looked past the cleric smiling at him, he could see the rest of the party gathered around a group of town guards.
"Look at you!" A feminine voice cried from a nearby rooftop. Startled, the small crowed turned to look.
"What a lovely band of heroes," She continued. "Laro lives because the Last Laugh wishes him to. No other warning is necessary." She turns, and in a fleeting instant, is gone.
"Thieves," Via comments.
"Jil..." one of the thugs murmers. "She left us..."
to be continued.