XiaoTie
2010-01-15, 01:45 PM
The Ones
In a world where no dragons roam free, the average adventurer falls before he gets a chance to retire with his life (or full set of limbs, for that matter), where magic is a mysterious force respected by some and feared by others, the four of you have managed to survive and to make a small fame for your adventuring group in Porto, and, of course, to make a few gold coins while doing it, a feat in and on itself.
However, wild rumors about strange beasts that used to roam the far southern lands (closing in and going above and under The Wall to raid and destroy whatever they find) are quite the subject of talk amongst people. Noble or peasant, street urchin or law-enforcer; everyone is talking about it, and, quite frankly, a bit scared.
If that wasn’t enough, there are some other rumors (these not as known as the previous ones) that talk about some kind of horde approaching the westernmost lands. And apparently, not even the mighty orcs that roam the vast lands after the Red Sands were able to deal with them.
But who knows, they might just be rumors spread by liars wanting to scare the people and their governments in order to enact a military coup. Or maybe they are just stupid rumors that a drunken man spread because he drank too much dwarven ale. But I wouldn’t bet my gold on the last one.
Aegis Sentinels
{table=head]
Player |
Name |
Race |
Alignment |
Class
Koury | Corretha Caelara (http://www.thetangledweb.net/forums/profiler/view_char.php?cid=33688) | Fire Elf | Chaotic Good | Wizard
Hack Writer | Urlandro Kalagros (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=178818) | Human | Lawful Good | Paladin
Seth | Lafean Kaenndar (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=178588) | Human | Chaotic Good | Scout/Ranger
Goon | Mallias Sennin (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=178741) | Human | Lawful Neutral | Psion[/table]
Previous Adventures
Porto's Supply Problem
Assigned By: Porto City Watch
Mission: Discover and resolve the cause of the supply shortages!
By: KouryIt had been nearly a week since the caravans had began coming less and less often. For a busy merchant like Porto, this was unusual. As people began to realize something was wrong the city watch began to mobilize the local militia. They were put on patrols on the main roadways from the city walls to about 3 miles out.
Finally one of the caravans that came through had news to deliver about the situation. Bandits had been pillaging caravans at their leisure for some time. The city watch recruited 8 volunteers, split them into two groups and commissioned them to go and investigate.
Your group consisted of a skilled Scout, a noble Paladin, a crafty Wizard and a mysterious Psion. Your investigation revealed a large bandit camp hidden in Algaterra forests, discovered due to an ingenious tracking method devised by the Scout. After a little reconnaissance, the Paladin suggested sneaking around to attack the leaders of the group head on. The party managed to enter the large cabin undetected, but they didn't remain unnoticed for long.
Inside the cabin a fight broke out. Things were going well for the party at first, but tides turned when reinforcements arrived for the bandits in the cabin. The Wizard and Psion were causing as much mayhem as possible, but the Paladin found himself surrounded by three bandits.
"We need to pull back!" He shouted.
The Scout put an arrow into the bandit separating the Paladin from the rest of the group and the Paladin took advantage of the opening. Upon escaping the cabin, the group found nothing but more bandit awaiting outside.
With the Paladin valiantly defending the doorway, not letting a single thief out, the Psion, Scout and Mage began blasting a path out. The group managed to escape with the only injury coming to the Paladin. As the group arrived back in town they relayed the location of the camp to the city watch, who dispatched a unit to deal with the problem. The city payed for the Paladins recovery 100%
The Scar
Assigned By: Aegis Sentinels
Mission: Rescue the Scout!
By: SethThe party was just coming back from an assignment – tired and unsatisfied. Their mission proved to be futile. They were to retake the supplies stolen from one of the caravans. Unfortunately – the thieves moved their camp at least a few days earlier and so it was impossible to find their current hideout.
The party was about a day of march away from the city. The Scout was in the vanguard, searching for any hostile activity. It was getting late but The Scout decided to go a bit further, so they would know what to face the next day. He had found a good place for a camp – left a note for the party to stay here and wait for his return from the recon.
Rest of the party arrived to the camp-place. The Paladin was a bit concerned about The Scout, but The Psion reassured him about The Scout’s skills. They quickly set up a camp for the night.
Meanwhile The Scout found something of a great interest. He considered calling the party but in the end decided to inspect alone. Before him was an unmarked cemetery – a few nameless graves would be a more appropriate name. The tumuluses looked fresh. The Scout went a bit closer – he wanted to see if there are any writings on the tombstones – rocks and barks mostly.
The Scout kneeled before one of the tombstones to decipher the writing. At that exact moment something caught his leg! All of a sudden dead bodies rose from the graves! The Scout was took completely by surprise. Unable to move he was defenseless. He shot a few arrows but that only slowed down one of the zombies. Another zombie attacked! He hit The Scout right to the face with his clawed, dead arm. The Scout fell down to the ground. "That’s my end" came through his mind. Blood was all over his face. He closed his eyes, waiting for the final blow.
Instead he heard a loud crack, and then smelled burnt flesh. He opened his eyes to see one of the zombies being set upon with a splash of acid – The Wizard took care of that. The Paladin was charging towards another of the undead with his deity’s name on his lips. Even The Psion – afraid of the undead – was helping the party with his mysterious powers. The Paladin lifted the wounded Scout from the ground and run away from the undead.
The party managed to lose the zombies and taken care of the wounded companion. Unfortunately they were unable to cure his face – he had a big, red scar crossing his whole face – from his forehead, through the nose ending near the cheek. An inch to the left and the zombie would have struck his eye – and that’d be an even greater disaster. From that day on The Scout become grim and full of hatred to the undead.
Scourge of the Scarlet Shackle!
Assigned By: Aegis Sentinels
Mission: Survive the night!
By: Hack WriterThe Restful Traveler seemed a fitting title for the small coaching inn when the party, fresh from their adventures against the restless dead, arrived there late one night. The sumptuous way stop was extravagantly furbished and with prices to accommodate even their meager resources. The jovial landlord even cut them a deal: “two stay for the price of one! I’ll break your morning fast for no extra charge!”
It seemed too good to be true.
And it was. Late at night the party were assailed. Lurking bandits in sinister red hoods burst from hidden alcoves beneath the floorboards of the old inn, setting upon the party as they slept. The false allure of the Restful Traveler was revealed for what it truly was: an elaborate haven for bandits and slavers. The party fought off their attackers and rounded upon the innkeeper, who swiftly revealed all to the irate adventurers.
“I work for the Scarlet Shackles!” he told them, his podgy face blanched entirely white with fear. “We had an arrangement; if I allowed them to use my inn they’d split the proceedings with me – and I’d get to live a while longer! If I didn’t agree they’d have slapped the irons on me anyway, and I’d be toiling away in some musky copper mine ‘til the end of my days! What was an old man like me supposed to do?”
Further interrogation revealed the bandit’s lair to the party – an ancient cavern complex within the nearby hills – and at once they rounded upon it. The villains of the Scarlet Shackle fought doggedly against the brave band of adventurers; close, bloody and ferocious. Ultimately they were defeated, and their ringleader – an evil-spirited woman who referred to herself as ‘the Lady of the Lash’ was slain.
The party had won a great victory in the caverns beneath those hills. The power of the Scarlet Shackle had been broken, and scores of people freed from bondage. Of course, they had made an enemy too. The continent-spanning crime consortium of the Scarlet Shackle would not easily forget such a deed. Doubtless they are plotting their revenge now….
Ambush the Ambush!
Assigned By: Matrim Cauthon
Mission: Recover the Heirloom!
By: GoonIt was the middle of an unusually hot day when the adventuring company rode into town, all sweating from the heat and looking forward to the respite a cool inn would provide, except for the Fire Elf who seemed to be perfectly content with the sweltering heat and was not even showing the slightest sign of discomfort.
Bloody elves... Mallias muttered to himself as he paused to wipe the sweat off his forehead yet again. As he said it Corretha turned back to face him and said nothing but gave him a quick grin.
Bloody elves and their bloody long ears he muttered to himself in a voice soft enough that not even the elf could hear it.
As they entered the inn they elicited no response except a few quick glances until the fire elf finally decided to forgo the sun she was enjoying so much in favour of joining her comrades inside. Many of the inn's patrons were nursing their drinks pretending not to stare and a few were dropping all pretenses of subtlety and openly gawking at her. Noticing that all his mates weren't paying attention to his tales any more, a swarthy man of about 30 with a nose that looked like it had been broken at least once turned around from the bar to see what the trouble was.
As he caught sight of the elf he gave a double take and paused for a few seconds to decide what to do. Making up his mind, he approached the group and although he kept glancing at the elf he approached Urlandro.
"You look like a capable group" he said. "Can I trouble you with a proposition?"
At a nod from Urlandro he wrung his hands together where several gold rings were obviously displayed and began to talk. "You see, a few weeks ago when traveling back to this town on business I was waylaid by the bandits that operate from the cave a bit north of here. I got away with my life, but they took a necklace that has been in my family for generations! You lot seem like the kind of fellows capable of getting it back and I'm willing to pay a lot more than the necklace would be worth to you for its safe return..."
Bristling at the implication that he might keep another's property for himself, Urlandro turned to the group to ask them whether they wanted to do it. The response from the scout and the psion was immediate- They'd do it, but there was no way they were going out again in this heat. The elf had no such objections to heat, but she had no objections to waiting a day. Turning back to the man who had given them the quest Urlandro said "We'll go at first light tomorrow to put an end to those bandits and retrieve your necklace, my good man. The Aegis Sentinels will always help those in need. I don't believe I've asked, what is your name?"
For some reason the man hesitated for a second, but answered "I'm Matrim. Matrim Cauthon. I look forward to seeing you lads- and the lovely lady too, of course- here tomorrow with my necklace. I promise you, it will definitely be worth it."
At dawn the next day the group got up to find the scout was nowhere to be seen. His room was empty and his bed didn't look slept in, and they were getting rather worried.
They decided to split up and search for Lafean and as they walked out the inn door ready to begin their search the missing member literally bounced off Urlandro's chest. Getting up and rubbing his head Lafean put his finger over his lips to stop the rest of the company's questions and beckoned them to follow him into the the shadows of the ally behind the inn.
Although there were shadows under his eyes and his voice was slightly slurred with tiredness the excitement made him look even younger than he already was. As the rest of the group opened their mouths to ask what had happened he began to speak almost too fast to understand.
"All right, I know I probably should have told you I was going to do this, but I decided to scout out the cave Matrim told us about so we'd know where to go ahead of time and guess who was there? The man who told us to go there in the first place, Matrim!"
The others gasped as he paused for breath.
Are you sure it was him? Mallias asked. After all, it was night time...
"No, it was definitely him, he must have taken a different route from town but I saw him walk the last part of the way to the cave, he was carrying a torch and I got a good look at his face. He met a couple of bandits outside and talked to them. He let them know we were coming, it's a trap!"
"But why would someone who has never met us want to kill us?" asked Corretha.
"I don't know, but he obviously does. He said he'd meet us at this inn, I propose we do just that and ask him" Urlandro said.
"Except that since he obviously didn't expect us to come back, he'd have no reason to go to the inn..." replied Corretha. "I vote we go up there and find out why"
"Except", said Lefean, "they know we're coming and they're probably all hiding in the cave ready to ambush us, since they know it better than we do"
So they're all waiting inside the cave? I think I might have a solution...
"I don't like this. It's not honourable" said Urlandro as they walked towards the cave, dragging wood with them.
"I like it quite a lot" said Corretha, who was using her powers to carry more wood than the rest of them combined. "Going into the caves with them preparing to ambush us would be suicide, plus this way we get fire"
"We're nearly there, hush now" said Lefean. "This won't work if they hear us doing it"
As they got to the cave entrance they piled all the wood in a line across the cave's mouth and as the scout used his flint and steel to light the fire the wizard began casting caltrops on both sides of the line of wood. The paladin stood a few metres back from the fire, using his cloak to blow smoke into the cave, although that wasn't really necessary as the wind was already blowing towards the cave mouth anyway. The other three stood back, bows at the ready to attack any bandits that might try jumping the flames rather than choke to death on the smoke. As the smoke began to waft in at first nothing happened but then they began to hear shouts and coughing coming from inside the cave. As the smoke at the entrance grew too thick to see the scout noticed a plume of smoke rising above the cave.
"It must have another entrance!" he cried and ran towards the column of smoke. As he got there he saw it was only a small hole in the cave's roof, probably not big enough for a man to climb through. He took off his cloak and draped it over the entrance and ran back to the rest of his party.
When he got there he found a couple dead bandits in front of the fire, one with arrows through his chest and the other with his head several meters from his body and saw the rest of the party shooting randomly into the cave.
As Lefean readies his bow a mass of bandits try to jump the fire, but as they run up to it most scream and stumble, cutting their feet on the elf's caltrops. Tears streaming down their eyes from the smoke bandits with torn feet try to crawl over the burning wood, screaming as their flesh burnt and falling back into the cave, sobbing. Only a few manage to avoid all the caltrops and leap the wood, and several of those land on the caltrops on the other side. The few that get over and can still walk fall to the earth as the party releases their arrows and but one makes it to the paladin, half blind from smoke and waving his club around in front of him in a futile attempt to defend himself and with a look of pity Urlandro crushes his head with his morningstar.
Eventually the fire began to die down and well before that the screaming and coughing stopped.
Expedition to Kebrid
Assigned By: Porto City Watch Captian
Mission: Drive the bandits from the region!
By: Koury The Sentinels were returning to Porto for the first time in a while. The adventuring company they had formed since meeting here was prospering. Occasionally people even recognized them, though that was rarer then they'd have liked.
The group planned on heading to the pub before splitting up and enjoying the town for a while. They were stopped on the way there, however, by the watch.
"You guys are the Aegis Sentinels?"
The group exchanged glances. The paladin stepped forward. "Yes, we are, why do you ask?"
"Come with us. The captain has been waiting for you guys to come back."
The watch led the party to the watch headquarters. Once inside they were met by an imposing human. "I don't believe we've met. I am the officer who sent your group on your mission to investigate the attacks on the merchant caravans about six months ago. With your help, we were able to drive them away. Or so it seemed. Banditry is on the rise again, and we believe it to be the same group as before. We scoured the wood, but found no sign of them there. One of our scouts tracked them all the way back to the Kebrid Pass. Word is that they've been harassing Valeverd also.
Unfortunately, I've been unable to convince our king to fund an expedition to go and wipe them out. This is why I've summoned you here. I'm asking you to go and wipe them out, completely. The havoc they wreak will only continue to grow if we don't act soon."
Urlandro was again the first to speak up. "We'll go," he said, looking to the group for confirmation.
"Of course we'll go," Mallias said. "Since when did we turn down a mission?"
The captain seemed pleased. "I must make it clear that you are being hired by me personally, and not by the city. As such... Payment will be minimal. I am a personal friend of many of the merchants in town, however, and will put in a good word for you with them. Most will happily let the group who protected their caravans save some coin."
The group agreed and the captain gave all the details as to the location as he could. The party set out first thing next morning.
They traveled to the pass with little trouble. Within a day of arriving, the scout had located the enemy camp. He also brought back some bad news.
"It appears they are being led by a caster of some sort. I had to bypass more then one magical trap to find the camp. And once I got there the evidence only grew stronger."
Corretha perked up at this. "A mage, eh? Any idea of the spells he likes to cast?"
"Sadly, no. How do you guys want to approach this?"
Mallias had the plan this time. "We wait until the earliest part of morning and we catch them unaware. Lafean, how close can you get us safely?"
"I can get us inside their tents, if you'd like. I found a decent place to hide out a little ways from their camp, if that's what you're asking."
"Good, this will give me a chance to change my spells. Urlandro, I've got something I think you'll like."
The party set up a quick camp and waited until morning started to creep in.
"Lets move out," Urlandro suggested.
Lafean lead them to the camp. It was a large camp, big enough to support close to twenty people. It seemed like this could be trouble. They spotted two guards on watch.
"Lafean, you take the one one the right. Corretha, help me with the one on left"
They nodded.
"Three," Lafean whispered. Mallias loaded his crossbow. Corretha and Lafean notched their arrows.
"Two"
They took aim at their targets.
"One"
They fired simultaneously. Lafeans arrow struck the bandit square between the eyes. Mallias' and Corretha's shots both hit center mass. They were dead before they knew what hit them.
"Perfect!" Corretha said a little excited. It seems she spoke too soon, however, as two more bandits turned the corner at that very moment.
"This is bad," Urlandro said, drawing his morningstar. "Whatever preparation's you have to make for this fight, make them now guys."
An alarm sounded and the camp started coming to life.
"Whats our plan, guys?"
"Wait for it."
"Wait for what?"
"Wait for it."
"What are you looking for?"
"There! That one is the mage! Take him out first." he said, pointing to a dwarf in the crowd of bandits around the bodies.
They shot another volley. The mage was hit but still up. The bandits finally spotted them and began charging.
"Hey, Urlandro, I got something for you," Corretha said, and began casting a spell. Upon completing a gesture, Urlandro doubled in size. Corretha smiled. "Perfect."
Urlandro charged out of their spot to meet the bandits head on. His now huge morningstar crushing bandit after bandit easily.
Lafean and Mallias attacked. Corretha, however, waited, watching the mage intently.
The enemy mage began casting a spell. Corretha instantly recognized it. "Grease? No you don't!" she said as she began counterspelling it.
Urlandro had killed four bandits, and had more piling up in front of him. Lafean was trying to get a clear shot on the mage and Mallias was helping Urlandro build up a body count.
The mage pulled out a scroll and began casting from it. Corretha couldn't tell what spell it was until it was too late, however, and took two Scorching Rays to the chest. "Wrong spell to use on me, mage," She said, picking herself back up. "Hail of Stone!"
As the rocks flew down from the sky, Lefean got the shot he was looking for. As his arrow flew straight into the mages chest, the mage went limp. Upon the mage dropping, about half of the remaining bandits turned tail and ran.
After cleaning up the few who remained, they began to search the camp. They found little of value, except for Corretha, who found some enchanted gloves on the mages body. They did, however, find a tattoo on a few of the bandits that they had began to be VERY familiar with.
"Of COURSE the Scarlet Shackle is involved somehow..." Mallias exclaimed, upon seeing the tattoos.
They regrouped after the search and headed back to town, knowing that this would only serve to redouble the Shackles efforts against them.
They returned to town and relayed their success to the captain. The captain promised to see what he could find out about the Scarlet Shackle and told them the local merchants had agreed to pass on a discount for at least the next little while.
Urlandro looked at the group as they walked out of the headquarters. "So, how about we get that drink now?"
CHAPTER ONE
- It Begins -
Mission 01-A: The Map
During one night, a couple weeks since the last incident with the Scarlet Shackle, while they were going towards the Green Shark Inn, for a well deserved rest, the Aegis Sentinels were approached by a tall man, whom, by his rigid northerner accent, you can tell is from Ahtira. The man, wrapped around a black coat, neck to toe, connected by a beautiful silver chain about neck high, and boots that seemed to be worth more than a peasant’s yearly income, introduces himself as Iarov Lod.
Iarov, a very important merchant and explorer (as he mentions), offers you a job, which involves rescuing a very important chart that was stolen from him during his last stay in Cor.
Due to the nature of the chart, which he doesn’t mention, he was unable to contact the authorities, as it was possible that the info contained in the chart, or even Iarov’s intentions, could end up in the ears of his very influent merchant rivals, great friends of Porto’s nobility. However, Iarov heard of your last encounters with the Scarlet Shackle, one of his many rivals in the business, “They don’t just sell slaves, they are also in the spice and ore business. Needless to say that, as your encounters with them might have tipped you, they are ruthless cowards. They have been raiding every single merchant ship going through familiar routes for over a month. Now, I don’t know if they are behind my map’s theft, since it was dark and all that my men were able to see was a cloaked figure running towards the woods, beyond the Sobrerio, last night”.
As soon as he finishes briefing you, as far as he would (verbally dodging any attempts to get more information out of him), Iarov sets a reward: two thousand gold pieces, each. And maybe some more contracts in the future, as long as you act discreetly. He gives you until noon to decide. If you wish to accept the job, all you have to do is go to the last dock and wait for him. After that, he bids you a good night, and leaves.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Loce/porto.png
Mission 01-B: Sudor
When you finally arrive in the Green Shark Inn, the owner, who sympathizes with the whole “adventurous” life-style (despite being an old halfling that seems to have enjoyed all the gastronomic pleasures life has to offer, and then some), Lars “Two-Copper” Cordel, greets you with a big smile just before you head for your usual table.
Inside the common room you notice that there is quite a ruckus. A group of twelve, maybe fifteen, people surround one of the small tables near the southern wall. Apparently, they were hearing the tale of two keepers of sheep, who retold their experiences with some nasty pirate raids just north of the first coastal hills before Kebrid Pass.
Apparently, from their tales, the pirates started attacking the small town of Sudor (about two days distance in a decent pace horse, one if you are in a hurry), from where the two men hailed, a bit less than a week ago. Since the first day the pirates had raided the town one more time, which was when the two men managed to flee, amidst the fighting and looting. They don’t know what happened afterwards, but they are not going back to see.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Loce/Sudor.png
“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom”.
A great bard of yore
[OOC]
There you go guys, the game is on! This is more or less how the entire game will be, I will present you with a couple hooks and you choose which one to bite, or if you want to do something else (in which case you will tell me what it is that you want to do, and a brief goal for that.
Any rolls are to be rolled inside a spoiler tag with the “[OOC]” tag above the spoiler (like this post). Aaaaaand have fun :D
Any questions?
In a world where no dragons roam free, the average adventurer falls before he gets a chance to retire with his life (or full set of limbs, for that matter), where magic is a mysterious force respected by some and feared by others, the four of you have managed to survive and to make a small fame for your adventuring group in Porto, and, of course, to make a few gold coins while doing it, a feat in and on itself.
However, wild rumors about strange beasts that used to roam the far southern lands (closing in and going above and under The Wall to raid and destroy whatever they find) are quite the subject of talk amongst people. Noble or peasant, street urchin or law-enforcer; everyone is talking about it, and, quite frankly, a bit scared.
If that wasn’t enough, there are some other rumors (these not as known as the previous ones) that talk about some kind of horde approaching the westernmost lands. And apparently, not even the mighty orcs that roam the vast lands after the Red Sands were able to deal with them.
But who knows, they might just be rumors spread by liars wanting to scare the people and their governments in order to enact a military coup. Or maybe they are just stupid rumors that a drunken man spread because he drank too much dwarven ale. But I wouldn’t bet my gold on the last one.
Aegis Sentinels
{table=head]
Player |
Name |
Race |
Alignment |
Class
Koury | Corretha Caelara (http://www.thetangledweb.net/forums/profiler/view_char.php?cid=33688) | Fire Elf | Chaotic Good | Wizard
Hack Writer | Urlandro Kalagros (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=178818) | Human | Lawful Good | Paladin
Seth | Lafean Kaenndar (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=178588) | Human | Chaotic Good | Scout/Ranger
Goon | Mallias Sennin (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=178741) | Human | Lawful Neutral | Psion[/table]
Previous Adventures
Porto's Supply Problem
Assigned By: Porto City Watch
Mission: Discover and resolve the cause of the supply shortages!
By: KouryIt had been nearly a week since the caravans had began coming less and less often. For a busy merchant like Porto, this was unusual. As people began to realize something was wrong the city watch began to mobilize the local militia. They were put on patrols on the main roadways from the city walls to about 3 miles out.
Finally one of the caravans that came through had news to deliver about the situation. Bandits had been pillaging caravans at their leisure for some time. The city watch recruited 8 volunteers, split them into two groups and commissioned them to go and investigate.
Your group consisted of a skilled Scout, a noble Paladin, a crafty Wizard and a mysterious Psion. Your investigation revealed a large bandit camp hidden in Algaterra forests, discovered due to an ingenious tracking method devised by the Scout. After a little reconnaissance, the Paladin suggested sneaking around to attack the leaders of the group head on. The party managed to enter the large cabin undetected, but they didn't remain unnoticed for long.
Inside the cabin a fight broke out. Things were going well for the party at first, but tides turned when reinforcements arrived for the bandits in the cabin. The Wizard and Psion were causing as much mayhem as possible, but the Paladin found himself surrounded by three bandits.
"We need to pull back!" He shouted.
The Scout put an arrow into the bandit separating the Paladin from the rest of the group and the Paladin took advantage of the opening. Upon escaping the cabin, the group found nothing but more bandit awaiting outside.
With the Paladin valiantly defending the doorway, not letting a single thief out, the Psion, Scout and Mage began blasting a path out. The group managed to escape with the only injury coming to the Paladin. As the group arrived back in town they relayed the location of the camp to the city watch, who dispatched a unit to deal with the problem. The city payed for the Paladins recovery 100%
The Scar
Assigned By: Aegis Sentinels
Mission: Rescue the Scout!
By: SethThe party was just coming back from an assignment – tired and unsatisfied. Their mission proved to be futile. They were to retake the supplies stolen from one of the caravans. Unfortunately – the thieves moved their camp at least a few days earlier and so it was impossible to find their current hideout.
The party was about a day of march away from the city. The Scout was in the vanguard, searching for any hostile activity. It was getting late but The Scout decided to go a bit further, so they would know what to face the next day. He had found a good place for a camp – left a note for the party to stay here and wait for his return from the recon.
Rest of the party arrived to the camp-place. The Paladin was a bit concerned about The Scout, but The Psion reassured him about The Scout’s skills. They quickly set up a camp for the night.
Meanwhile The Scout found something of a great interest. He considered calling the party but in the end decided to inspect alone. Before him was an unmarked cemetery – a few nameless graves would be a more appropriate name. The tumuluses looked fresh. The Scout went a bit closer – he wanted to see if there are any writings on the tombstones – rocks and barks mostly.
The Scout kneeled before one of the tombstones to decipher the writing. At that exact moment something caught his leg! All of a sudden dead bodies rose from the graves! The Scout was took completely by surprise. Unable to move he was defenseless. He shot a few arrows but that only slowed down one of the zombies. Another zombie attacked! He hit The Scout right to the face with his clawed, dead arm. The Scout fell down to the ground. "That’s my end" came through his mind. Blood was all over his face. He closed his eyes, waiting for the final blow.
Instead he heard a loud crack, and then smelled burnt flesh. He opened his eyes to see one of the zombies being set upon with a splash of acid – The Wizard took care of that. The Paladin was charging towards another of the undead with his deity’s name on his lips. Even The Psion – afraid of the undead – was helping the party with his mysterious powers. The Paladin lifted the wounded Scout from the ground and run away from the undead.
The party managed to lose the zombies and taken care of the wounded companion. Unfortunately they were unable to cure his face – he had a big, red scar crossing his whole face – from his forehead, through the nose ending near the cheek. An inch to the left and the zombie would have struck his eye – and that’d be an even greater disaster. From that day on The Scout become grim and full of hatred to the undead.
Scourge of the Scarlet Shackle!
Assigned By: Aegis Sentinels
Mission: Survive the night!
By: Hack WriterThe Restful Traveler seemed a fitting title for the small coaching inn when the party, fresh from their adventures against the restless dead, arrived there late one night. The sumptuous way stop was extravagantly furbished and with prices to accommodate even their meager resources. The jovial landlord even cut them a deal: “two stay for the price of one! I’ll break your morning fast for no extra charge!”
It seemed too good to be true.
And it was. Late at night the party were assailed. Lurking bandits in sinister red hoods burst from hidden alcoves beneath the floorboards of the old inn, setting upon the party as they slept. The false allure of the Restful Traveler was revealed for what it truly was: an elaborate haven for bandits and slavers. The party fought off their attackers and rounded upon the innkeeper, who swiftly revealed all to the irate adventurers.
“I work for the Scarlet Shackles!” he told them, his podgy face blanched entirely white with fear. “We had an arrangement; if I allowed them to use my inn they’d split the proceedings with me – and I’d get to live a while longer! If I didn’t agree they’d have slapped the irons on me anyway, and I’d be toiling away in some musky copper mine ‘til the end of my days! What was an old man like me supposed to do?”
Further interrogation revealed the bandit’s lair to the party – an ancient cavern complex within the nearby hills – and at once they rounded upon it. The villains of the Scarlet Shackle fought doggedly against the brave band of adventurers; close, bloody and ferocious. Ultimately they were defeated, and their ringleader – an evil-spirited woman who referred to herself as ‘the Lady of the Lash’ was slain.
The party had won a great victory in the caverns beneath those hills. The power of the Scarlet Shackle had been broken, and scores of people freed from bondage. Of course, they had made an enemy too. The continent-spanning crime consortium of the Scarlet Shackle would not easily forget such a deed. Doubtless they are plotting their revenge now….
Ambush the Ambush!
Assigned By: Matrim Cauthon
Mission: Recover the Heirloom!
By: GoonIt was the middle of an unusually hot day when the adventuring company rode into town, all sweating from the heat and looking forward to the respite a cool inn would provide, except for the Fire Elf who seemed to be perfectly content with the sweltering heat and was not even showing the slightest sign of discomfort.
Bloody elves... Mallias muttered to himself as he paused to wipe the sweat off his forehead yet again. As he said it Corretha turned back to face him and said nothing but gave him a quick grin.
Bloody elves and their bloody long ears he muttered to himself in a voice soft enough that not even the elf could hear it.
As they entered the inn they elicited no response except a few quick glances until the fire elf finally decided to forgo the sun she was enjoying so much in favour of joining her comrades inside. Many of the inn's patrons were nursing their drinks pretending not to stare and a few were dropping all pretenses of subtlety and openly gawking at her. Noticing that all his mates weren't paying attention to his tales any more, a swarthy man of about 30 with a nose that looked like it had been broken at least once turned around from the bar to see what the trouble was.
As he caught sight of the elf he gave a double take and paused for a few seconds to decide what to do. Making up his mind, he approached the group and although he kept glancing at the elf he approached Urlandro.
"You look like a capable group" he said. "Can I trouble you with a proposition?"
At a nod from Urlandro he wrung his hands together where several gold rings were obviously displayed and began to talk. "You see, a few weeks ago when traveling back to this town on business I was waylaid by the bandits that operate from the cave a bit north of here. I got away with my life, but they took a necklace that has been in my family for generations! You lot seem like the kind of fellows capable of getting it back and I'm willing to pay a lot more than the necklace would be worth to you for its safe return..."
Bristling at the implication that he might keep another's property for himself, Urlandro turned to the group to ask them whether they wanted to do it. The response from the scout and the psion was immediate- They'd do it, but there was no way they were going out again in this heat. The elf had no such objections to heat, but she had no objections to waiting a day. Turning back to the man who had given them the quest Urlandro said "We'll go at first light tomorrow to put an end to those bandits and retrieve your necklace, my good man. The Aegis Sentinels will always help those in need. I don't believe I've asked, what is your name?"
For some reason the man hesitated for a second, but answered "I'm Matrim. Matrim Cauthon. I look forward to seeing you lads- and the lovely lady too, of course- here tomorrow with my necklace. I promise you, it will definitely be worth it."
At dawn the next day the group got up to find the scout was nowhere to be seen. His room was empty and his bed didn't look slept in, and they were getting rather worried.
They decided to split up and search for Lafean and as they walked out the inn door ready to begin their search the missing member literally bounced off Urlandro's chest. Getting up and rubbing his head Lafean put his finger over his lips to stop the rest of the company's questions and beckoned them to follow him into the the shadows of the ally behind the inn.
Although there were shadows under his eyes and his voice was slightly slurred with tiredness the excitement made him look even younger than he already was. As the rest of the group opened their mouths to ask what had happened he began to speak almost too fast to understand.
"All right, I know I probably should have told you I was going to do this, but I decided to scout out the cave Matrim told us about so we'd know where to go ahead of time and guess who was there? The man who told us to go there in the first place, Matrim!"
The others gasped as he paused for breath.
Are you sure it was him? Mallias asked. After all, it was night time...
"No, it was definitely him, he must have taken a different route from town but I saw him walk the last part of the way to the cave, he was carrying a torch and I got a good look at his face. He met a couple of bandits outside and talked to them. He let them know we were coming, it's a trap!"
"But why would someone who has never met us want to kill us?" asked Corretha.
"I don't know, but he obviously does. He said he'd meet us at this inn, I propose we do just that and ask him" Urlandro said.
"Except that since he obviously didn't expect us to come back, he'd have no reason to go to the inn..." replied Corretha. "I vote we go up there and find out why"
"Except", said Lefean, "they know we're coming and they're probably all hiding in the cave ready to ambush us, since they know it better than we do"
So they're all waiting inside the cave? I think I might have a solution...
"I don't like this. It's not honourable" said Urlandro as they walked towards the cave, dragging wood with them.
"I like it quite a lot" said Corretha, who was using her powers to carry more wood than the rest of them combined. "Going into the caves with them preparing to ambush us would be suicide, plus this way we get fire"
"We're nearly there, hush now" said Lefean. "This won't work if they hear us doing it"
As they got to the cave entrance they piled all the wood in a line across the cave's mouth and as the scout used his flint and steel to light the fire the wizard began casting caltrops on both sides of the line of wood. The paladin stood a few metres back from the fire, using his cloak to blow smoke into the cave, although that wasn't really necessary as the wind was already blowing towards the cave mouth anyway. The other three stood back, bows at the ready to attack any bandits that might try jumping the flames rather than choke to death on the smoke. As the smoke began to waft in at first nothing happened but then they began to hear shouts and coughing coming from inside the cave. As the smoke at the entrance grew too thick to see the scout noticed a plume of smoke rising above the cave.
"It must have another entrance!" he cried and ran towards the column of smoke. As he got there he saw it was only a small hole in the cave's roof, probably not big enough for a man to climb through. He took off his cloak and draped it over the entrance and ran back to the rest of his party.
When he got there he found a couple dead bandits in front of the fire, one with arrows through his chest and the other with his head several meters from his body and saw the rest of the party shooting randomly into the cave.
As Lefean readies his bow a mass of bandits try to jump the fire, but as they run up to it most scream and stumble, cutting their feet on the elf's caltrops. Tears streaming down their eyes from the smoke bandits with torn feet try to crawl over the burning wood, screaming as their flesh burnt and falling back into the cave, sobbing. Only a few manage to avoid all the caltrops and leap the wood, and several of those land on the caltrops on the other side. The few that get over and can still walk fall to the earth as the party releases their arrows and but one makes it to the paladin, half blind from smoke and waving his club around in front of him in a futile attempt to defend himself and with a look of pity Urlandro crushes his head with his morningstar.
Eventually the fire began to die down and well before that the screaming and coughing stopped.
Expedition to Kebrid
Assigned By: Porto City Watch Captian
Mission: Drive the bandits from the region!
By: Koury The Sentinels were returning to Porto for the first time in a while. The adventuring company they had formed since meeting here was prospering. Occasionally people even recognized them, though that was rarer then they'd have liked.
The group planned on heading to the pub before splitting up and enjoying the town for a while. They were stopped on the way there, however, by the watch.
"You guys are the Aegis Sentinels?"
The group exchanged glances. The paladin stepped forward. "Yes, we are, why do you ask?"
"Come with us. The captain has been waiting for you guys to come back."
The watch led the party to the watch headquarters. Once inside they were met by an imposing human. "I don't believe we've met. I am the officer who sent your group on your mission to investigate the attacks on the merchant caravans about six months ago. With your help, we were able to drive them away. Or so it seemed. Banditry is on the rise again, and we believe it to be the same group as before. We scoured the wood, but found no sign of them there. One of our scouts tracked them all the way back to the Kebrid Pass. Word is that they've been harassing Valeverd also.
Unfortunately, I've been unable to convince our king to fund an expedition to go and wipe them out. This is why I've summoned you here. I'm asking you to go and wipe them out, completely. The havoc they wreak will only continue to grow if we don't act soon."
Urlandro was again the first to speak up. "We'll go," he said, looking to the group for confirmation.
"Of course we'll go," Mallias said. "Since when did we turn down a mission?"
The captain seemed pleased. "I must make it clear that you are being hired by me personally, and not by the city. As such... Payment will be minimal. I am a personal friend of many of the merchants in town, however, and will put in a good word for you with them. Most will happily let the group who protected their caravans save some coin."
The group agreed and the captain gave all the details as to the location as he could. The party set out first thing next morning.
They traveled to the pass with little trouble. Within a day of arriving, the scout had located the enemy camp. He also brought back some bad news.
"It appears they are being led by a caster of some sort. I had to bypass more then one magical trap to find the camp. And once I got there the evidence only grew stronger."
Corretha perked up at this. "A mage, eh? Any idea of the spells he likes to cast?"
"Sadly, no. How do you guys want to approach this?"
Mallias had the plan this time. "We wait until the earliest part of morning and we catch them unaware. Lafean, how close can you get us safely?"
"I can get us inside their tents, if you'd like. I found a decent place to hide out a little ways from their camp, if that's what you're asking."
"Good, this will give me a chance to change my spells. Urlandro, I've got something I think you'll like."
The party set up a quick camp and waited until morning started to creep in.
"Lets move out," Urlandro suggested.
Lafean lead them to the camp. It was a large camp, big enough to support close to twenty people. It seemed like this could be trouble. They spotted two guards on watch.
"Lafean, you take the one one the right. Corretha, help me with the one on left"
They nodded.
"Three," Lafean whispered. Mallias loaded his crossbow. Corretha and Lafean notched their arrows.
"Two"
They took aim at their targets.
"One"
They fired simultaneously. Lafeans arrow struck the bandit square between the eyes. Mallias' and Corretha's shots both hit center mass. They were dead before they knew what hit them.
"Perfect!" Corretha said a little excited. It seems she spoke too soon, however, as two more bandits turned the corner at that very moment.
"This is bad," Urlandro said, drawing his morningstar. "Whatever preparation's you have to make for this fight, make them now guys."
An alarm sounded and the camp started coming to life.
"Whats our plan, guys?"
"Wait for it."
"Wait for what?"
"Wait for it."
"What are you looking for?"
"There! That one is the mage! Take him out first." he said, pointing to a dwarf in the crowd of bandits around the bodies.
They shot another volley. The mage was hit but still up. The bandits finally spotted them and began charging.
"Hey, Urlandro, I got something for you," Corretha said, and began casting a spell. Upon completing a gesture, Urlandro doubled in size. Corretha smiled. "Perfect."
Urlandro charged out of their spot to meet the bandits head on. His now huge morningstar crushing bandit after bandit easily.
Lafean and Mallias attacked. Corretha, however, waited, watching the mage intently.
The enemy mage began casting a spell. Corretha instantly recognized it. "Grease? No you don't!" she said as she began counterspelling it.
Urlandro had killed four bandits, and had more piling up in front of him. Lafean was trying to get a clear shot on the mage and Mallias was helping Urlandro build up a body count.
The mage pulled out a scroll and began casting from it. Corretha couldn't tell what spell it was until it was too late, however, and took two Scorching Rays to the chest. "Wrong spell to use on me, mage," She said, picking herself back up. "Hail of Stone!"
As the rocks flew down from the sky, Lefean got the shot he was looking for. As his arrow flew straight into the mages chest, the mage went limp. Upon the mage dropping, about half of the remaining bandits turned tail and ran.
After cleaning up the few who remained, they began to search the camp. They found little of value, except for Corretha, who found some enchanted gloves on the mages body. They did, however, find a tattoo on a few of the bandits that they had began to be VERY familiar with.
"Of COURSE the Scarlet Shackle is involved somehow..." Mallias exclaimed, upon seeing the tattoos.
They regrouped after the search and headed back to town, knowing that this would only serve to redouble the Shackles efforts against them.
They returned to town and relayed their success to the captain. The captain promised to see what he could find out about the Scarlet Shackle and told them the local merchants had agreed to pass on a discount for at least the next little while.
Urlandro looked at the group as they walked out of the headquarters. "So, how about we get that drink now?"
CHAPTER ONE
- It Begins -
Mission 01-A: The Map
During one night, a couple weeks since the last incident with the Scarlet Shackle, while they were going towards the Green Shark Inn, for a well deserved rest, the Aegis Sentinels were approached by a tall man, whom, by his rigid northerner accent, you can tell is from Ahtira. The man, wrapped around a black coat, neck to toe, connected by a beautiful silver chain about neck high, and boots that seemed to be worth more than a peasant’s yearly income, introduces himself as Iarov Lod.
Iarov, a very important merchant and explorer (as he mentions), offers you a job, which involves rescuing a very important chart that was stolen from him during his last stay in Cor.
Due to the nature of the chart, which he doesn’t mention, he was unable to contact the authorities, as it was possible that the info contained in the chart, or even Iarov’s intentions, could end up in the ears of his very influent merchant rivals, great friends of Porto’s nobility. However, Iarov heard of your last encounters with the Scarlet Shackle, one of his many rivals in the business, “They don’t just sell slaves, they are also in the spice and ore business. Needless to say that, as your encounters with them might have tipped you, they are ruthless cowards. They have been raiding every single merchant ship going through familiar routes for over a month. Now, I don’t know if they are behind my map’s theft, since it was dark and all that my men were able to see was a cloaked figure running towards the woods, beyond the Sobrerio, last night”.
As soon as he finishes briefing you, as far as he would (verbally dodging any attempts to get more information out of him), Iarov sets a reward: two thousand gold pieces, each. And maybe some more contracts in the future, as long as you act discreetly. He gives you until noon to decide. If you wish to accept the job, all you have to do is go to the last dock and wait for him. After that, he bids you a good night, and leaves.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Loce/porto.png
Mission 01-B: Sudor
When you finally arrive in the Green Shark Inn, the owner, who sympathizes with the whole “adventurous” life-style (despite being an old halfling that seems to have enjoyed all the gastronomic pleasures life has to offer, and then some), Lars “Two-Copper” Cordel, greets you with a big smile just before you head for your usual table.
Inside the common room you notice that there is quite a ruckus. A group of twelve, maybe fifteen, people surround one of the small tables near the southern wall. Apparently, they were hearing the tale of two keepers of sheep, who retold their experiences with some nasty pirate raids just north of the first coastal hills before Kebrid Pass.
Apparently, from their tales, the pirates started attacking the small town of Sudor (about two days distance in a decent pace horse, one if you are in a hurry), from where the two men hailed, a bit less than a week ago. Since the first day the pirates had raided the town one more time, which was when the two men managed to flee, amidst the fighting and looting. They don’t know what happened afterwards, but they are not going back to see.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/Loce/Sudor.png
“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom”.
A great bard of yore
[OOC]
There you go guys, the game is on! This is more or less how the entire game will be, I will present you with a couple hooks and you choose which one to bite, or if you want to do something else (in which case you will tell me what it is that you want to do, and a brief goal for that.
Any rolls are to be rolled inside a spoiler tag with the “[OOC]” tag above the spoiler (like this post). Aaaaaand have fun :D
Any questions?