Gordian Nought

5e D&D - Mines of Phandelver

Will post by tomorrow.

D&D 5e - High Seas and Tall Tales

Will post tomorrow.

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Too sleepy last night to proofread. Edited my redundant mistakes.

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

The cultist camp, illumined by the ever burning sky candle, glowed warmly in the midst of the white bonfires settled in the chasm’s encampment. The bear, heralding a savior upon its saddle and a trophy in their midst, entered, hoping both Parum and Orchid could uphold the façade, if bombarded with scrutiny and inquisition. Torus recovered from his growling consternation and led them ignominiously into the outer ring of the grounds. A chill wind blustered, nipping his fur sharply and bit with striking venom into the tuft of his neck which the half-blood employed as reins.

He eventually stood still, attempting a soporific appearance as someone interrogated their presence and purpose. The frost of the situation soon drove the sailor to paw the soil nervously with his hind feet. Miserable and disconsolate, the ursine mule wandered and wondered with his thoughts, about the many tents and the strength in number and magic. Here and there, savage draconic fiends rushed and bristled the corners of his peripheral vision. His neck hair snarled, but instinctively released them unmolested.

To his astonishment, they had disappeared quickly into the maze of their portable gazebos and pergolas. Again his mind digressed, aimlessly circling the logistical hierarchy of the marquees and bivouacs seen. Suddenly the soil gave way beneath his fore legs and he sank down. Something wriggled under his feet. His attention sprang back unconsciously, bristling and grimacing, fearful of the unseen and unknown.
A friendly whiff of fetid air ascended to the omnivore’s nostrils, and there, curled up under the blanket of the sun. His brain whined placatingly, squirmed and wriggled to not show his good will and intentions, and even ventured, as a false bribe for peace, willing to lick the barbarian’s face with his wet tongue, suggestive of a domesticated pet.

Another lesson.

The day had been long and arduous, and his body slept soundly and comfortably, though the wildshape sneered and grumbled with the bad dreams before him. Nor did he open his old green eyes till roused by the noises of their ruse forsaken. As the Hin guided them deeper, the furry wall internally pressed upon him on every side, and a great surge of fear swept through him.

The apprehension of a trap.

It was a token that he was harking back through his own pirate life to the existence of his possessor’s forebears in Amn. For he was an unduly civilized criminal, and of his own experience knew no con could snare itself, unless one donned the noose himself. The muscles of his large corpus contracted spasmodically and instinctively, the follicles on his shoulders stood on end, and with a low rumbling sneer, he continued to lead the bound Brannor, straight up into the blinding day.

A shout eventually hailed their formation, arresting both the anxiety and curiosity, bringing an end to this fool's brigade, in one fell yell.

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Likewise. As will I.

Return to Ravenloft

Village of Barovia

Return to Ravenloft

Reserved for the newly departed...

D&D 5e - The Lost Lands

The chastising bard finally descended with the foreign duo.

Though, the wardens of light were, in fact, sojourners themselves, aliens to not only the maturing darkness but the very world that housed this very reliquary, in which the remnant now sought repose from within its hallowed walls. The monk, in particular, sat in full meditation, flinching and murmuring, by a likely engrossed vision.

"An abjuration? Odd... but... it looks like someone entered? Or did they leave? Or was it both?"

Such an eavesdropped danger, invoked by the gnome, local to the majority of the troupe still provided reassurance that inactivity was mandated by the Hall. An obedience to relaxation developed sluggishly only as a distant luxury to the reincarnated Aasimar, routinely dedicated to battle, exchanging individuality for purpose.

Pen for sickle. Papyrus for shield. Longevity for brevity.

Her former existence quite frequently delved into tomes and volumes, sucking the indigenous ichor from the very ink that plagued and paged such capacious digests, in the libraries she individually once called home. Now a redundant contradiction as she silently pulled the spellbook, walking, reading and yearning for a swift arcane recovery before the sealed door beneath soon loosed its disturbing croak, releasing behind its frame, the extraneous unknown, which many aimlessly searched for, in the hereafter.

Her legs tired, forcing her to plop in a dusty corner, benefiting most from the sickle’s overcast radiance.

Footsteps and then a furry arm caught her wandering eye, from above. They combined palms, allowing Katia to physically elevate the cleric from her thoughts, oblivious to the emotional torment the Tabaxi just stirred from.

“Joining this sacred militia took centuries of scholarship and conformity. From me. Now, Cesar desires to sever that connection with the snap of his briny fingers." The diviner sighed. "A pity. Companionship robs only those who are wealthy of its awareness.”

Mechanics

Wick walks and reads her spell book during her short rest, while she replenishes her Warlock slots and 1 of 2 of her Wizard’s slots, thanks to Arcane Recovery. She allows Katia to raise her from her book, by her side.

D&D 5E - Forgotten Realms

Fleeing Alek's Shop

>Collaboration done with: @The Large Dumbo and @Cu Chulainn

"So, friend, should we make our way to an inn and get our bearings?" The paladin motioned to the adjacent warlock.

>(Ms. Ravenwinter says in OOC: Friend is some strong language for an evil pairing)

"Word will spread quickly, I believe," Uregaunt mumbled, stroking his chin. "I believe if the guards don't arrest those two, they'll also be searching for an inn as well. Perhaps it is best if we leave now, while we can do so without detection."

Halflight replied, "Perhaps... if it comes to any guards running into us, however, just let me do all the talking. I may have lied about... a few things, but I'm still an ordained Knight of Lurue. That status, alone, may give us leeway for any future encounters."

>(Cu replies in OOC: You’ve never said “Friend” in an evil accent.)

"Lurue, is it?" Uregaunt said, pausing for a bit. "Very well. If it does not, however, I take it you're willing to clear our path of any obstacles?" He made a fist and raised it, clenching it slightly as he spoke.

"So long as it doesn't ruin my image." Halflight replied, flicking his hair back with his hand, with a small smile.

Uregaunt chuckled. "Good, good. There's much I need to consider about that situation we found ourselves in earlier. Once we're out of town, I'll be glad to share some of this information with you. Specifically, I'm wondering most about this..." He lifted the arm with the gem on it and gived it a few ginger taps with his finger.

Halflight chuckled back, mostly from the usage of the word 'pickle.' "Ah, these old things? I've already had a few thoughts on it, myself. Notice how the spark in that one pale man's gem lit up when we healed him?"

Uregaunt nodded quietly. "That pale man is a mysterious one," he remarked, crossing his arms. "I believe we should have killed him when we had the chance... Of course, we had no way of knowing..." He paused, clearing his throat and letting his arms drop as casually as possible. "It matters not. That albino is a rather remarkable figure, to say the least. I'll explain once we're out."

"Of course, I had only assumed. He did have control of that woman, after all... Say, does she ever talk, by the way? And why is she helping us?"

"She's helping us with the grace of Kelemvor, of course," he sarcastically said, a smug smirk on his face as he tried - and failed - not to chuckle at his own cleverness. "I know little of her origins, but I know that she follows whatever commands are issued. 'Kelemvor' was kind enough to grant me this miracle, and to that end, she will aid me in my quest. At some point, though, I believe we should... well." Uregaunt hesitated before continuing. "We should get to know her better. I admit I know very little about her.”

"Ah, so she's the religious type... Perhaps we should bring her to a temple?" Halflight inquired.

"Perhaps. I doubt it, however." Uregaunt looked around, frowning. "Perhaps I've given too much information loosely. I wouldn't want anybody to hear this information who needs not. Let's just say that 'Kelemvor' is likely closer than you may think..." He placed heavy stress on the word 'Kelemvor'.

Halflight glared at Uregaunt. At first, he had interpreted such emphasis as something of a death threat... until he looked at Uregaunt's expression, as well as his gem-inlaid arm. Halflight cackled to himself at the realization. "I see... we are more kindred spirits than these gems have thought us out to be." Halflight grinned, before looking at the Servant, clearing his throat. "Can you speak? Tell us your name."

"Midnight." The unseen servant soon closed her maw, awaiting the next command.

The warlock inquired further, "Do you remember anything that happened before you woke up and encountered the rest of us? Try to remember as much as you can."

"Yes." She stood invisibly silent before the duo, but again lingered for another impending query.

"Just keep recalling while we make our ways out of town. You could tell us everything once we're in a less open area." Halflight egged her to continue.

"Yes," Uregaunt stated in agreement. "We should make haste, lest we stumble upon some unwelcome company."

Ysalain asked, "So what were you doing before you had woken up, friend?"

The invisible voice replied, "Dying."

The paladin awkwardly hesitated, "... Okay." Halflight was still very surprised at her response. She appeared to be more concise than curt, despite the lack of visible body language. He probably should look at Uregaunt next time when asking him questions, specifically. This does, however, open a new can of worms.

"Dying? Were the dastardly changelings responsible?"

"Yes." A pause. "No."

"Who was the man with the gem in his chest? Was there a reason why our attackers took his shape?" Ysalain requested more.

"I know of him." The unseen girl bicated her replies. "No."

"Tell me," Uregaunt said, crossing his arms. "What is your relationship with the gem-chested Albino?"

"He bears the gem of Azuth's staff." She finally added some insight. "It's no longer a sapphire but a diamond."

Uregaunt nodded, placing a hand on his chin to think about the facts he has acquired thus far from Midnight and his observations.

The paladin tested, yet again. "So you did not protect him for his life, but for what he has in his chest?"

The incognito reply was brisk. "Yes."

"Then why help us?" The paladin probed deeper.

The female wind whispered, “For I am your servant and guardian."

"Ours, or our gems?" Halflight raised his forearm.

“Gems.” She stated simply.

The paladin was ever curious. "What is so important about our gems?"

"Together, they can imprison a god." Midnight replied.

“Why have we been chosen to bear these gems?" Uregaunt piped in, a concerned scowl on his face.

The guardian answered simply once more. "To prevent my death."

"And if we all die, so will you?" The prince of Lurue questioned.

"Yes." Again, was the theme.

"And if the man with the gem in his chest dies, will you also die? Or will we die?”

"Yes." A pause again."Yes."

"... Shit." The pair paused in return. "I believe we will have to take a shorter rest than anticipated, friends. We have to find that half-orc." Ysalain suggested. "Do you have any means of tracking anyone down?"

"No." She replied.

"Do our gems?" Ysalain solicited.

"Yes." She answered.

The paladin solicited further. "What else can they do?"

Her reply was more extravagant, but remained curt. "Provide magic to its keepers. Grant strength with their communion. Deliver exhaustion with their separation."

The long-haired knight requested more intel. “Explain the last bit more..."

"Three gems cannot be farther than 500 feet from one another more than a day, lest the keepers suffer loss (Exhaustion Level and/or Loss of HP). When all are amassed together, the gems provide the ability to learn and store magic (spells) without preparation or reserve." She continued, "If one dies, the others inherit the loss vigor."