Author Topic: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)  (Read 69718 times)

Offline Quillwraith

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I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« on: June 04, 2012, 07:58:28 PM »
In the Eastwood stands a town abandoned by its former residents.

Empty houses built of pine wood, though the local forests are primarily oak, stand along abandoned streets, and the spire of a local church of Kord is visible over the peaked roofs of the town.

Ravens call, sheltering from the rain  among the arches of an octagonal stone building next to the town square as the sun sinks through a break in the clouds over Mount Wel.


Though abandoned, it is an attractive shelter for the rare passing travellers, as no inhabited town lies nearby.
Still, the six adventures who happen to meet here this evening may be more numerous than the village has seen in years, and are most certainly more notable.
« Last Edit: June 04, 2012, 09:13:50 PM by Quillwraith »

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2012, 10:39:50 PM »
Mysteries abound here, secrets to discover... The abandonment of this town is no accident. Perhaps the others know something about what is going on. I will know soon enough...

The tall, slender woman stands up from her kneeling position. She wipes her hands, then looks over the others who seem to have gathered here. The mask on her face does little to conceal her identity, as her appearance is quite unique; she appears almost as droplets of water given humanoid form, her silvery skin and hair subtly glistening in what little light is passing through the thick rain clouds. Through the eyeholes of the solid mask upon her face, bright blue eyes gaze upon the adventurers taking refuge from the rain, slowly moving from one to the next as she studies them.

She remains quiet, waiting for someone else to speak before probing their minds.

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2012, 10:51:43 PM »
An enormous blond-haired, blue-eyed man, with a club strapped to his back that looks too large even for him, returns carrying a few pieces of old wood, torn up from the floorboards of a nearby house. His voice is gruff but friendly as he says "Shall we light a fire, then? For light? Do any of ye' have a bit of flint?" A bit of uncertainty creeps into his voice as he notices the somewhat strange countenances of his companions in the growing twilight. "Why are ye' wearin' masks? Is there a party of some kind here tonight?" He chuckles at his own joke, hoping it can help lighten the seemingly sullen mood, as he begins fumbling with the firewood, trying to pile it just right. He doesn't really seem to know much about building fires.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 10:35:44 AM by phaedrusxy »
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2012, 11:43:21 PM »
The tall, shimmering woman glides over toward the makeshift firepit. A voice enters into the huge man's mind.

<<I do not need the light of fire to see. By all means, however, feel free to light it up for your benefit.>>

The woman looks straight at the man's face now, concentrating for a moment before relaxing her stare.

<<Tell me, fortunate son of the giantborn, you seem to be having some trouble striking fire. Did the Norns not teach you how to make kindling? No, I think they taught you other skills...>>

(click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 10:52:50 PM by VennDygrem »

Offline FireInTheSky

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2012, 12:36:07 AM »
A huge hawk alights on the ground a short distance away, and a tiny fellow dressed in earthy greens and browns hops off of its back, walking over to the group.  If it's light you need, I can help with that!  As he walks closer, the area seems to grow somewhat brighter through the gloom of evening rain, even as the sun continues its descent behind the cloud-shrouded mountaintop.  If you wanted a fire for cooking or warmth, though, I can't really help there...  My name is Ádhúil.  Pleased to meet you.  The little man stops a few feet away and makes a short bow to each person present, before straightening up and considering the others in front of him.  Wow, you're tall!  I mean, I know I'm really short, but even if I were normal height, you'd still be really tall!  There's something about Ádhúil's presence that makes you want to smile, even if it is raining and there's no fire yet.  And a mask...  That's unusual.  Unless, as you said Mr. Tall, we're having a party.  Suddenly all around, people appear, dancing.  They look similar to Ádhúil, except twice as big, and they're all wearing feathery masks.  The strains of a village band can be heard.  For a moment, you actually believe you're in the middle of a village celebration, until all of the people start slowly fading away...

The hawk takes off, circles the abandoned village a few times, and suddenly dives to the ground on the outskirts, coming into view again as it flies back with a small creature in its claws.  It lands in a large tree nearby, and starts having dinner. 
« Last Edit: June 09, 2012, 08:29:06 PM by FireInTheSky »

Offline littha

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2012, 02:05:24 AM »
Watching the group from some distance, Mystery ponders to herself whether it was worth announcing her presence. It is not like they wouldn't see her if they tried to look, her lithe body under the deep red silks and the bone white mask on her face would see to that. Making her mind up she approaches the group slowly, and cautiously.

"I see I am not the only one to favour a mask these days though yours is obviously not as spectacular as mine."


You see a woman, probably human though with the mask and the loose robes you couldn't be certain, her hair is red and a pair of piercing blue eyes stare at you through the eyes of the otherwise smooth mask.

"In any case, you may call me Mystery if you wish."

Offline sirpercival

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2012, 07:58:38 AM »
No attachment has Fwisp to particular Kord, but admits His belfry rather comfortable shelter, restful during wet of long day.  But sun now set is time for rising Fwisp.

(click to show/hide)

A small and extremely ugly creature wings its slow and jagged way over the broken roofs of the houses.  Hearing discussion of a fire, the exceedingly strange being drops toward the gathering group in ungainly fashion, determined to have a cooked breakfast for once (cockroaches are better roasted, of course).  It hangs upside-down from a signpost, peering short-sightedly at everyone else.

The creature begins with a sort of woofing, chattering chuckle near the edge of hearing, then continues in the Common tongue, easily understandable even with strange syntax. "Greetings to seen folks!  Here is Fwisp is named, and names thus will be collected for the rolls at Simulcron, when travels have under-completion ended.  Spoken words of fire and succulents has Fwisp heard, and thus invited by self be, perhaps?"

I am the assassin of productivity

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Offline Harald

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2012, 09:40:08 AM »
She was walking in the desert town, when she heard the music of a party. Curious, but carefull, she approached discretly, and saw a group gathered around an unlight campfire.
"Do you need Fire, travelers ? I see you have the wood, but you lack the spark... Allow me to provide."
She walked near the wood pile, and touch it. In a roaring blaze, a fire erupted under her fingers, providing its light and warm. She stand there, fascinated by the crimson and orange flames, her hand still in the middle of the fire, but she seems to be ignoring the heat.
She was apparently a small foreign woman. Her skin was fair, and her dark hair was carefully combed in a complex caul. Her dress was a silk kimono with painted blue and crimson flower patterns. She was observing every single person, one at a time, with mischevious golden eyes.
"My, my, my... It's so rare to find so many people gathered together in this land. I heard the music, and I must confess, I crave to hear some songs and tales. Being alone is not the easiest way to have interesting conversation. My name is Misae, who are you, travellers ?"
"-Lady-Captain, we detect 20 hostile vessels against us,  and Erasmus Haarlock's Spear of Destiny ! What are your orders ?
-RAMMING SPEED !

final result : 6 slaughts vessels, 4 imperial frigates, 2 imperial cruisers destroyed. Haarlock sent into the warp. 0 losses. Flawless Victory.

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2012, 10:18:25 AM »
The huge man scowls pointedly at the silent, shimmering woman but his reply is obviously directed towards Misae "I think you should ask this one who we are, as she surely seems to know our secrets."

Then shaking off his anger as quickly as it had came, he says "I am glad to meet so many travelers, though, especially those as interesting as I find myself with tonight. Thank you for the fire, Misae, and thank you for the music, Ádhúil. Fwisp and Mystery, welcome. My name is Loptr." He bows his head slightly and looks to everyone in turn as he introduces himself.

Then he turns to the only one who has not yet introduced herself and says
"And now, what of you, silent one? Are you a ghost? Why do you speak only to my mind, and pry my secrets from it?

Not that I have anything to hide... Yes, my people are known as giantkin, and yes, I was taught much by the Norns. Perhaps you've heard of my prowess, and came here for a demonstration?"
He winks impishly at the silent woman as he speaks, his courage obviously building despite the intrusion into his mind.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 10:35:22 AM by phaedrusxy »
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2012, 10:47:48 AM »
The tall woman of silvery composition eyes all of the travellers, delighting in the variety of secrets to take, but remaining stone-faced through the mask. She speaks now in all of the minds, taking the barest information from each as she does so.

<<You may call me Illurien. What brings you here to this deserted village?>>

Slowly, she looks at each individual as they gather by the fire, speaking in each separate mind as she does so.

To Ádhúil:
(click to show/hide)

To Mystery:
(click to show/hide)

To Fwisp:
(click to show/hide)

To Misae:
(click to show/hide)

Finally, she responds to Loptr, though opens the telepathic conversation to all:
<<I know much about you all because that is part of my being. I can not help but to see what lay within the minds that I touch. The mask that I wear and my telepathy are related, as you can see...>> Illurien removes her mask, revealing her featureless face <<Into your minds is the only way that I can speak. The mask may not be so very much less disturbing, but I think you are not yet ready to speak directly to one who has no face. As to your other question, no, I am no spirit, as our fiery new friend is. Knowledge is my livelihood, in more ways than one. Secrets and hidden information are not just mere interests to me, they sustain me.>>

<<As to your prowess, well, I think you've had more luck than skill of late, no?>>

Illurien replaces the mask upon her face.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 10:52:13 PM by VennDygrem »

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2012, 11:02:41 AM »
Loptr grins and says "Well, that much is true. But Luck and Fate are one and the same in my native tongue, and it is said that the bold are often blessed by Fate. I sought out the Norns, and found them. So while my success may be due to Wyrd, I still had a hand in it, even if it was just impressing them and gaining their favor." As he speaks, his gaze drifts to the fire, and then to the growing darkness, and he becomes distant, as if seeing a scene in his memory, instead of the one in front of him.
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Harald

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2012, 11:10:04 AM »
<Shake hands ?  Be not afraid, fair lady of the water, my touch can burn, but not mandatorily so. As for controlling my power... I do not wish to unleash unfair destruction and mayhem, nor to harm those who did me nothing. Now that you have seen what I am looking for, have you perhaps any information to share on this very subject? I must confess, my quest has been quite unsuccessfull.>


"-Lady-Captain, we detect 20 hostile vessels against us,  and Erasmus Haarlock's Spear of Destiny ! What are your orders ?
-RAMMING SPEED !

final result : 6 slaughts vessels, 4 imperial frigates, 2 imperial cruisers destroyed. Haarlock sent into the warp. 0 losses. Flawless Victory.

Offline sirpercival

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2012, 11:17:22 AM »
(click to show/hide)

Fwisp's grotesque face bends into a smile, and he swings over to land on a small rock, warming himself by the boulder.  "Bringer-of-fire, gives Fwisp thanks!  Breakfast warmed such wants, wanders to stomach more happily."  Then he turns to the others.  "Brought to this place, travels are known?"
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #13 on: June 05, 2012, 11:22:39 AM »
Illurien looks at the hulking, sulking warrior, saying <<Yes, I have seen it. But that was not so recent, yes? But I have not come here to belittle you, or anyone here. So, I ask again, what brings you to this desolate settlement?>>

When responded to by Misae, Illurien turns her attentions to her. <<I only mean that my hand would just as likely pass through your's. Besides, I have no particular fear of the flame; My water is not water, in the traditional sense. It is the collected, distilled essence of memories and secrets, and will not evaporate as such. But as to your quest, hmm, I will collect what I know, if anything. It may take a moment to recall.>>


To Fwisp, Illurien responds, <<Ah, portals I know well, but not of their locations. I could tell you how to use one, or when it was constructed, but sadly I can not tell you where a particular one is. Some even roam, appearing in different locations at different times. >>
(click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 10:47:47 PM by VennDygrem »

Offline littha

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #14 on: June 05, 2012, 11:25:11 AM »
Illurien
(click to show/hide)

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #15 on: June 05, 2012, 11:41:18 AM »
Illurien passes barely a glance at Mystery, saying to her, <<Little one, I have seen enough for countless lifetimes of wonders and nightmares. I have forgotten more than you have seen, and remember far more than I have forgotten. Your mind is not as deep nor as dark as you think it to be. But I digress. I did not come here to play games, nor to belittle you. I have come for answers. Why have you come?>>
« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 10:46:39 PM by VennDygrem »

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #16 on: June 05, 2012, 12:24:36 PM »
Pulling out a piece of jerky, Loptr speaks while chewing "Life in a village is too boring. There are wonders and horrors waiting to be discovered, just around each corner. Life is short. Why waste it away sitting and doing nothing, and die having seen nothing? Better to live it to its fullest, and die sure in the knowledge that you've left no deed undone. That's why I have come.

Besides, I'm quite sure Valhalla exists, as I've lived among the Norns, and seen the World Tree. So I know that there is surely a reward waiting for the brave in the afterlife. At least until Ragnarok, when the gods all fall, and the World is unmade. But no one, man nor god, can change that Fate. So why fear it?"
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline Quillwraith

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #17 on: June 05, 2012, 02:32:04 PM »
(click to show/hide)
The sun is almost set, though the ravens seem unlikely to sleep, as you can hear them loudly fighting over something.
The fire, now burning quite fiercely, seems to have attracted several moths, as well as a silvery lizard that, unexpectedly, charges into the fire.

Offline FireInTheSky

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #18 on: June 05, 2012, 09:39:40 PM »
With the fire lit, the ambient light level around the group dims back to what you would expect for the conditions.  Well met, everyone, Adhuil says, looking around.  Responding aloud to Illurien's mental question, Adhuil says, I have no specific purpose for being here.  Since I left my village many months ago, I have mostly been wandering, eager to see whatever wonders the world will reveal to me.  It must have been luck - grinning at Loptr - that led me and my companion Artur - indicating the large hawk - to seek shelter in this abandoned village on a night when so many other wanderers were also gathering.

Adhuil finds a rock to sit on near the fire, reaches into his pack and pulls out a handful of nuts and seeds, and munches away.  He looks around the group, wide-eyed and waiting to hear everyone else's story.
« Last Edit: June 09, 2012, 08:30:35 PM by FireInTheSky »

Offline VennDygrem

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Re: I : There is a place we're coming to. (Campaign Thread)
« Reply #19 on: June 05, 2012, 10:04:51 PM »
Illurien stops focusing on her her inner search for answers to Misae's question, turning to her and speaking to her mind.

<<I have heard tell of similar raids. Of note, there was a coastal town south of Illeoja which was attacked by a summoner of sorts. Few survived, but one such survivor described them as being made of living shadow. Do you remember such a being from the attack on your people?>>

She contemplates now Loptr's words.
<<It is good that you have your afterlife to look forward to in such a case. Of course, there are many worlds, and so I fear not the unmaking of just one.>>

« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 10:46:54 PM by VennDygrem »