The Harbinger of Ferocity

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Plucking the arrows from the man's stash and adding them to his own, Brannor thumbed through the rest of the goods, those ragged and those not. He soon found the pouch of silver pieces, hefting it in his hand and judging it, it felt as though it was a fair amount of coin, to which he dumped into his own stock for the time being; there would be time to come in sorting out their pickings, now wasn't it. Instead it was time for him to respond to his company, whom he had nodded to now and then as they spoke while he did his grim work.

"I fear that even if we did take our priestess 'prisoner' I would be too easily noted." The deep voice replied at last, looking to the young women, then off to the half-blood warrior, browsing them with primeval golden eyes, "While I am not fond of being in bonds and without my arms it is safer than the other option for the rest of you."

The man stood to his full height, dusting his gloved hands off before looking back to the rest of the casualties. "My only advice is you pick pieces here and there from their stock to mirror them in camouflage and we leave for their camp."

Typical of his demeanor, Brannor added nothing more beyond that and returned to his habit of surveying the distance for any threats their eyes might not have seen earlier. His spirit doubted anyone else would be upon this rolling wilderness, especially with how ill prepared these men were and how their kobold allies broke rank at breakneck pace. Cowardice at its finest, a quality this cult seemed to display in spades. Contrarily, courage and sacrifice knew no bounds here apparently for if it were not the huntsman posing, it would have been the youthful Chauntean cleric that volunteered herself to be put in harm's most likely way.

Yet, something spoke to him on a new, more strange level; that he was confident that Shepard was correct, at least about the monk. If he was going to be taken as prisoner, as it seemed, then he would most likely find the missing man in the process - one who was competent and capable, at last more than most.

Effects

Brannor takes the seventeen arrows to replenish his spent stock and the coins, having found nothing else of obvious use or need.

@Hekazu@Ryonara@Lucius Cypher@Gordian Nought@Norschtalen

D&D 5e - The Lost Lands

The Vale

The Town,
Currently

As though she were a leaf flitting too and fro on the wind, the pantherine monk slipped from her opponent. So swift was it that she hadn't the time to notice how it fell to nothingness again, removed by the light within her first then the rays of the dawn upon the mountains above. Over her head, a whistling crack struck down another shadowy fiend, letting her slide flawlessly into the company of their wizard's foe; again, strike after strike, Katia eventually broke her disoriented enemy as the marksman from his shared perch could notice. No less with his watchful eyes still on the hunt to root out the seeping evil here, the monster slayer quickly discerned they were again victorious.

No one shadow, barring of course their own shadows, remained. Only the ambiance of the seconds post of battle. All the magic in the air, the swinging and slinging of swords and arrows, clattering of armor and shields... all gone. All eerily quiet again in this town full only of memories.

Their gnome however, did not remain silent for long, for with an outreached set of arms above his head he leapt up in place and waved to gain the newcomer's attention again, "The new friends are good, you see? Birbin brings them to help!"

Looking back the outlandish purple gnome smiled to those on the roof, nodding before looking back to Valmjr at the head of the steps. He was certainly not wrong for under their combined assault, the man's shock and awe and their relentless dedication, they defeated an ambush that might too have claimed another light in the darkness. How fortunate was it, almost divine favor, that they had succeeded in this manner. Rather a "common" occurrence for them yet at any rate still a turn of events greatly in their favor.

In the meantime Haemar smiled to the feline Katia, offering a slight gesture before him in suggestion of her accompanying him, sheathing his sword whilst doing so; Thea was not far behind in easing her weapon either, scanning with vengeful eyes over the entirety of the environment, high and low. She did not put aside the sword so quickly, not with another newcomer to appear before them, but if he was any enemy of the darkness - as he appeared to be then he might be of some use yet in finding this strange "Green Man" and whoever else was wandering these streets.

Climbing the large stone steps, no small feat for Birbin it was noted, he neared the tremendous man and motioned for the heroes of the Kingdom of Light to join him.

Effects

Katia's lightning fast maneuverability and series of attacks defeats two Shadow Soldiers, with the last being felled by Theodore's shot. The battle has come to a close and the heroes seem to have liberated the Hall. They each receive 425 Experience Points.

The Hall is liberated but no Green Man is to be found. Instead, some stranger Birbin is friendly to is present.

Score
Another Doorway

Map
???

@Cu Chulainn, @Gordian Nought, @Hekazu, @JBRam2002, @Rig

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

They're serious...
What the fuck do they have to gain? How many immigrants have been true terrorists in the past 5 years? (And no one link me to a Trump site)

@POOHEAD189

For your reading pleasure from the fairly independent and neutral New America group who keep public available tabs on terror threat data.

• Terrorism in America - Part I
• Terrorism in America - Part II
• Terrorism in America - Part IV

Relevant as well, but a few from news sources.

• Townhall - "800 Immigrants From Countries Of National Security Concern Granted Citizenship"
• Fox News - "Immigrants from Terror Hubs Claiming 'Credible Fear' to Seek US Asylum"
• USA Today - "Accused Ohio State Attacker Reportedly Posted Rant Online"

I should also add that if you do not believe you are already being monitored as a potential person of interest and that this somehow seized your attention, you are woefully behind in the game. Your average employer is already starting to monitor your social media activity for conduct unbecoming of your occupation; the government has and does this one better, depending upon how important to them you are.

D&D 5e - The Lost Lands

The Vale

The Town,
Currently

In a burst of eldritch energy evoked by the returned scholar, the axe hefting beast came again to draw up its weapon at the man before it. So frenzied and enraged, even in its disturbing silence, it noticed not the blow Valmjr delivered to it... not initially at least. It soon fell before him, burning away in dark, wisping flames that left not a trace of its burly form. Then at last Wick's lingering magic dispersed, the same which had flung wide the opening their new ally needed. Another foe defeated swiftly by their coordinated attack.

But Haemar was not faring nearly as well as some of his cohorts for his sword met his enemy's, skittering lightning leaping off it and crashing to the ground with a clap alongside a metallic clink. Recovering his pose, his eyes narrowed slightly, darting off to their resident swordsman then back to the infinitely dark form of the shield bearing foe; carefully observing he awaited his next opening, hoping that this time he would fare far better in striking down the darkness that had swallowed up his life and threatened here, wherever here quite was, to do the same.

To the none too distance north, the paladin skirmished with her enemy, greatsword clattering off its shield as it shrugged her heavy blow aside with an unsettling silence. Every attack against the shadows, those that missed or found purchased felt empty, void, lacking and hollow; the sensation of striking darkness if it had taken form. How truly fitting it was that this black legion they faced was sent on behalf the Kingdom of Darkness.

Effects

Between the combined assault of Wick and Valmjr, the Night Fury is erased from apparent existence. However, both Thea and Haemar fail to land blows on their enemies.

Score
A Fellow Hero

Map
Town

Initiative Order

• Haemar (19)
• Thea (19)
• Katia (16)
• Theodore (16)
• Birbin (13)
• Cesar (12)
• Shadows (10)
• Wick (5)
• Valmjr (4)

@Cu Chulainn, @Gordian Nought, @Hekazu, @JBRam2002, @Rig

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

Two posts in a row, but who cares at this rate? On and off again between devices.

<Snipped quote by mdk>

I've worked in systems that provide high quality healthcare to millions without bankrupting them. That make it possible to get real care rather than cluttering up the ERs with non critical patients, that save thousands of lives every single year. That is my sample size of one.

The VA is shit? You had a terrible experience? I am sorry for you, but even near perfect systems have malpractice and incompetence. You think the US can't do better than it currently does? That is conservative BS. You want to sit around and whine that it can't be done? That is your right but I will be out there advocating for a better system for my patients.

@Penny

I will pose a contrary question then. Can you name one positive statistic overall from the Department of Veteran's Affairs' medical coverage, other than the fact it at all exists? I mean something consistent and measurable that does not fall into this story of loathing? I have never, not once in my life, met a veteran or service member who did not encounter tremendous difficulty - notably waiting times and quality of care - with the Department of Veteran's Affairs. I have instead heard many stories of them living purposefully outside of coverage by the hospital so they are forced to get referrals to practitioners who are private sector in order to get better care.

And I think that affordable healthcare is a good thing.

@POOHEAD189

I certainly wouldn't call it "affordable". There is a significant issue with the current model that does not bode well for any future one theorized. At the very least, it is an ugly reality of what social programs actually do to those involved in them; cripple them when they are already asking for mercy. Why not simply let them browse the market and choose if they even want insurance at all? If they willingly go uninsured, they pay for it themselves at their own peril.

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

providr.com/teens-killed-robbing-hous…
Three teenagers, ages 18, 17, and 16 respectively broke into someone's home to rob them. After discovering them in the act and 'exchanging words,' the home-owner gunned all three boys down. Thoughts?

@POOHEAD189

Age is not a significant enough factor in home intrusion scenarios; any of those killed persons could have been more armed themselves. This is reactionary thinking and the best way to say it is, "Hindsight is twenty-twenty." Anyone and everyone can play the "armchair quarterback" as I have heard it phrase - do not mind me, I know nothing of sports or why people obsess over them - but it is entirely accurate. This act of self defense should only be held to the standard of objective reasonableness, meaning that in the eyes of the shooter, was the shooting justified at the time. In the case of law, this is very justified; use of deadly force is authorized for homeowners in this state, plain as day.

Is it unfortunate people died? Of course, but these "boys", one of whom was a man, two of whom were about to be, made their choices. They chose poorly in life and more than anything I am thankful that the owners of the home were not raped, assaulted or murdered.

I would not have chosen differently if it were me in place of the defender.

D&D 5e - The Lost Lands

The Vale

The Town,
Currently

"You know, I can smell you from here, and it isn't much of a pleasant aroma from where I'm standing!"

The burly shadow's axe held high, the wielder stepping into to meet the mysterious warrior in the doorway, Cesar's quick thinking and cutting magical words caused the attacker to pull his attack and whip about to look at the sword-bearing bard. Furious, it looked over its dark, unarmored shoulders - like the empty void - back to the target of its attack, then again to Cesar. So enraged was it, without even a word or expression on its featureless face, that it only could react by sudden jerky movements and violent shuddering. It surely was howling like a madman, but that cry of wrath was bottled up within it; it had missed with an attack that might have outright killed a lesser man. Valmjr, who was surely capable of weathering it, was only better graced now by never being struck in the first place.

Miraculously, all at the same time as this came to pass, the armored figures set about their assault on the heroes who divided them; each lashed out with a sword at the smiting paladin of Thea, the elegant Katia or the noble Haemar... but to no avail. Without their partners in battle, they seemed far, far more feeble than they had before. In fact, the Heroes of the Kingdom of Light had done so much to destroy their attempted ambushed on the Hall that they might well have won the battle, even now. But fate was fickle, one victory here was not success throughout.

They might have gained an ally, but how many more enemies were to come?

Effects

The Shadow Soldiers maneuver into combat, each launching an attack against Katia, Thea, and Haemar respectively, but none of their blows come to land. Thanks to Cesar's Vicious Mockery, Valmjr avoids the Night Fury's axe which otherwise would have scored a mighty hit.

Score
A Fellow Hero

Map
Town

Initiative Order

• Haemar (19)
• Thea (19)
• Katia (16)
• Theodore (16)
• Birbin (13)
• Cesar (12)
• Shadows (10)
• Night Fury (10)
• Wick (5)
• Valmjr (4)

@Cu Chulainn, @Gordian Nought, @Hekazu, @JBRam2002, @Rig

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

Why ARE people in this thread? What are your individual reasons for engaging?

Why I am here in this particular topic is to debunk falsehoods and misconceptions, dispel lies, and destroy the extreme and minority narrative that has swallowed up the mainstream. It is statements as, "Well over 40 percent of people who voted genuinely thought that a racist, sexist, pussy grabber in chief was the right thing to do." that tell me this is, without question, a mission worth pursuing. The very last thing I want to see in the United States of America is become the social justice empire, so it is my obligation to combat it. I do not necessarily care if I change the opinions of others in the process, people are entitled to opinions even if they are bad opinions, so much as I care about disproving the illusion that has been woven.

From a personal level, I suffered at the hands of the social justice movement throughout a period of time where it was acceptable to label people anything and everything which then allowed the mob mentality to jump to its feet. It characterized a formative period in my life where the incessant squawking that "color blindness" is racist, that "Not agreeing with the homosexual lifestyle." is homophobic, holding anger over Muslims who do not moderate their extremest brothers is somehow Islamophobic, and believing men and women are biologically different is somehow misogynist, did very well to make me bitter - more bitter than I had been prior. I was made out to be things I was not; nothing but lies, knowing ones at that.

With the rebirth of the patriotic spirit after a long period of darkness, I again had hope. The election, especially the running up to and the time after, confirmed to me that most of the nation wanted to be free of this caustic mindset as well; I saw exactly what they did to the campaign of Donald Trump and the egregious crimes of the Democratic party, headed off by Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama. What set me off on this path to where I am now in my activity was the revelation of just what took place in Benghazi and how they willingly allowed people to be left behind, tortured, and then butchered by our enemy.

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

And, pray tell, why would universal healthcare be a good thing and not a burden to the public? Single-payer and government health care in general is terrible. I am not sure if you have ever been subject to it, but there is nothing like being told your problem "Is not significant enough to further investigate. If it happens again, tell us and we will reopen your case after reviewing your new claim." after you were already given the run around and went through numerous referrals over the course of months.

Why does this sound like a positive when I could say, go with the private sector see any doctor I more or less wish and under my own volition provided I am covered? An addition to this is, why am I being obligated to fund other people's use of the system? And if it is so great, why are so many opting to forgo the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and just pay the fine?

I see no positive to allowing the federal government another hand in my business.

I can sympathize and support the Department of Veterans Affairs - because they have a valid reason to continue receiving support - but anyone and everyone? Do enlighten me, @Penny.

Frokane's Mildly Politcal Hangout Thread

I do hope with the coming election cycle that there is an end put to this. Too many resources and too much time wasted on a dysfunctional version of health care and series of mediocre repeal attempts. This last effort was put together in a couple of weeks on short notice; not what I call a good foot to get out on. Government healthcare hasn't improved much either to show for the other side and I have yet to hear from anyone who has had benefit from the changes.

Here is to hoping for a full repeal in due time.