The Castaway (5e)

[SunderedWorldDM]

You feel yourself gasping for breath as you collide against the shore, waves crashing against your limp body. You spit out the salty black water in your lungs as you slowly roll over, every muscle in your body screaming in pain. You lie there, back to the surf, waves slowly crashing over you body, as you stare up into the swirling grey skies above.

What... what do you want with me?

The titanic creature spoke, limbs undulating through the unnaturally cold water. I will give you life. You will give me the Forge.

You slowly sit up, clothes soaking wet, most of your possessions gone. You look around you to see a mostly desolate beach of dejectedly wet sand. This borders what appears to be a forest, or a jungle- all big trees look alike to you, tropical or temperate. You don't know where you are, and you are alone.

What would you like to do?

I think we can manage with doing all of the OOC stuff in spoilers since there's only two of us. You make rolls here, ask me out of game questions, whatever you'd like.

So, let's get adventuring!

[bc56]

Albrecht slowly stands up. He searches through his possessions, seeing what he still has left.
His backpack
A coil of rope
Two daggers
And his lucky crystal.

He's on a beach. An island. "Beats being underwater," he says to no one in particular. He begins a slow walk along the beach, going back and forth looking for anything which might be useful on his way up to the forest.
works for me.
I don't know which of us you want to play Xxviat, so I'll wait to introduce him.

[SunderedWorldDM]

Please make a Perception or Survival check (your choice) to look for useful supplies.

I will run Xxviat, but introducing him ruined the isolated mood I was trying to introduce in the opener. He'll show up in a bit.

[bc56]

Albrecht moves slowly and carefully. There could be all sorts of flotsam washed up here.


Perception [roll0]

[SunderedWorldDM]

As you comb the beach, the light mist falling against the beach distracts you, and you're unable to find any interesting junk. There's barely a piece of driftwood present.

[bc56]

Having not found anything, Albrecht walks up to the forest and moves along its edge, hoping for a path, even just a narrow animal trail, to be present, although any sign of civilization would be nice

[SunderedWorldDM]

As you approach the woods, you see what appears to be a narrow footpath carved by two treads, the dirt below long since bare. Some carts or vehicles have been moved this way many times a very long time ago. This creates a 7-ish foot wide path through the woods, curving across the uneven ground. On cursory observation, you see no signs of life.

The path extends deeper into the wet woods, extending far forwards into darkness.

If you'd like to make any checks, go ahead.

[bc56]

Albrecht steps forward onto the path, looking about cautiously, then following it into the forest.


Checking for less obvious signs of danger.
Perception
[roll0]

[SunderedWorldDM]

Looking through the dark thicket, you see no signs of danger. Or really, any signs of anything. Nothing is moving save the leaves of the trees being jostled by the rainfall. No woodland creatures, no goblinoids in ambush, nothing.

It's just... silent.

You cautiously begin down the path, feeling slightly anxious as you continually check the grey light from the open beach behind you, getting smaller and smaller as you walk deeper and deeper into the silent woods until it's gone, and you can barely see, only hear the pitter patter of rain against the canopy.

As you walk, you feel an incline in the ground below you. You're ever so slightly increasing in elevation. The path, having previously been mostly straight, take a sharp turn to the left and winds steeply upward. As you make the turn, feet squelching into the mud below, you look up the hill and see what appears to be the flicker of a small flame- a torch or a lantern of some kind!

What would you like to do?

[bc56]

Careful to make as little sound as possible, Albrecht draws a dagger and creeps toward the flame. It didn't look like anyone had been here for years, why would people be here?

Stealth Roll
(If necessary)
[roll0]

[bc56]

Oops, typo
Should be d20, not d29
I will reroll
[roll0]

[SunderedWorldDM]

You creep up the hill, dagger at the ready. You duck behind a thick tree, looking down the path ahead.

You see two tiki torches burning (despite the rain) around what appears to be a small, squat structure made of stone about the size of a house. Inscriptions on the outside show what appears to be waves and tentacles tracing their way around the outside of the structure. You shudder as you realize this is some form of temple.

Around this hideous structure lie moss-covered boulders- more buildings, reduced to rubble somehow. This temple is the only recognizable structure. The place where a set of double doors would guard the interior lies instead a broken and musty cavity into the dark space within.

Nothing seems to be alive around you, but you get the sense that you are being watched...

You feel it to be getting close to evening time, as the forest is significantly darker and the rain has picked up into less of a patter and more of a rumbling drumbeat on the leaves above. The path winds through this, what seems to be an abandoned and desecrated village, and continues deeper into the woods, climbing ever higher to god-knows-what.

What would you like to do?

[bc56]

Albrecht creeps toward the defiled temple and peers inside. "Anybody home?"

[SunderedWorldDM]

Inside, you see a pedestal in the center of the room, over which floats a glass orb filled with faintly glowing water. This odd, aquatic light barely illuminates the walls of the structure.

Where the walls aren't covered by burn marks, you see more of the same style of carving swirling across the rough stone, but this time the tentacles are wrapped around ships and people. You can't tell if they're pulling people out of the water or forcing them under the black and briny waves...

Against the far wall, all the tentacles converge under a hideously familiar shell. You realize this temple was devoted to the Angel of the Deep.

[bc56]

Albrecht shudders at the disturbing imagery. However, the glowing orb is too much for his curiosity, and he walks over to it and examines it.

[SunderedWorldDM]

Is the examination purely visual, or will you touch the orb as well?

[bc56]

Is the examination purely visual, or will you touch the orb as well?

If looking at it is not harmful, Albrecht will touch it.

[SunderedWorldDM]

As you look, you see the glass orb appears to be filled with the most brilliantly clear water you've ever seen. Light dances in rays through the water, making it bright enough to produce to glow that has suffused the room. You're almost entranced by the clarity.

But as you approach, the clear water doesn't vanish, but it's almost as if another image is laid on top of it, as if it were some type of weak illusion or some strange effect akin to seeing two things at once. The clear water is overlayed with dark and briny water, the water of storms at sea. You shudder, remembering this water well. In the center of the orb floats a two-dimensional red eye, staring unblinking at you, faintly visible through the churning water. As you look at the eye, you hear a chorus of whispers hiss at you from the back of your mind, goading you to come ever closer.

Yet, as you change perspectives yet again, the water is sunny and clear, and the eye has vanished.

Do you wish to touch the orb, given this information?

[bc56]

Albrecht sees the strange changes in the water. It's like some sort of illusion, perhaps? He carefully reaches out and gently touches the orb, taking it off the pedestal if possible.

[SunderedWorldDM]

The orb was already floating a couple of inches off of the pedestal, but as you touch it, the whispers in your mind become violent shouts as a white hot blast of pain shoots through your senses. You feel you are no longer standing, but floating in ice cold water. And as you look around you, you recognize where you are.

The Angel of the Deep floats in front of you, looking behemoth and intimidating. Inquisitive. A long pause, then the slippery and slow voice slides through the water towards you and bounces around your cranium. I's not a pleasant experience, and you wince as the wet intonation reaches you ears. But there are some things you should not know.

[bc56]

"Aaaaaahhh!" Albrecht shrieks as he is suddenly engulfed in the icy black water. "Put me back!"

[SunderedWorldDM]

You hear the mocking, burbling imitation of a laugh. It chills you to the bone. Someone must keep an eye on you. Keep you on task. Make sure you secure the Forge.

The water grows dark as you open your eyes, lying prone in the temple, a squamous creature appearing to be a mass of tentacles with wings sitting next to your head.

This is your familiar.

[bc56]

"Euurgh. What is that?" Albrecht asks, staring at the scaly creature beside him. He's still shaken by the vision, feeling sick, and the grotesque otherworldly creature isn't helping.

[SunderedWorldDM]

The creature flops around almost pathetically next to your head. The only other sound you hear is from the rain picking up outside. It's getting dark, and you're feeling tired. Maybe you should rest up and come back to it tomorrow with a clear head?

[bc56]

That's not a bad idea.
Of course, this place is rather disturbing, Albrecht would rather not sleep here. However, it's better than the rest of the village, sheltered from the rain and wind. He lies down and tries to fall asleep, keeping the hideous creature out of his line of sight.

[SunderedWorldDM]

Sadly, as much as you try and divert around the creature, it shuffles after you in a hideous and ungainly manner. However, you eventually find spot in the corner that's slightly more comfortable and not-damp than the rest of the temple, and despite the eye in the orb and the small creature watching you intently, you manage to collapse into a deep and dreamless sleep.

As you open your eyes in the morning, the creature is standing next to your head. As terrifyingly ugly as it is, you're starting to get used to its presence. You look out of the broken temple doorway to see the rain reducing and the landscape becoming brighter. The jagged rocks jutting out of the mossy earth don't look quite as hostile in the morning light.

What would you like to do?

[bc56]

"Good morning, blasphemous abomination." Albrecht stands up and peers outside. "Man, I'm hungry." He leaves, looking around the desolate village for any sort of food.

[SunderedWorldDM]

Please make a Survival, Nature, Perception, or Investigation check (your choice).

[bc56]

Perception
[roll0]

[SunderedWorldDM]

As you scrounge around, you find some mosses, plants and fresh-looking water that fills you up, if not being a satisfying meal. Among the rocks, you also find a few artifacts of life, including rusted kitchen implements, rotted wood from furniture, and even a few bones looking suspiciously humanoid. It frightens you- what has happened here? And what did the Angel if Death have to do with it?

As you sit finishing your breakfast, the sun begins to creep out from behind the massive bank of clouds. You almost feel cheery.

[bc56]

"That's a nice change of pace from the endless rain." Albrecht decides to continue up the path away from the ruins.

[SunderedWorldDM]

As you continue, you hear the squelching of the creature following through the mud behind you. It seems to be playing almost like a small child in the aftereffects of the rain.

As you ascend, the foliage stops bearing so aggressively onto the path as the tracks gently meander over the placid hills. There is a warm and comforting calm in the air. You reach the pinnacle of a hill after about an hour's walk, looking at your surroundings. A thin mist blankets the lowest valleys below, obscuring them. Above the rolling wooded hills rises a single massive mountain peak, towering so tall into the air that to look at the apex was blinding from the sun's gaze.

As you look around, you notice a few breaks in the trees where stone and wood structures stand in various states of disarray. They're scattered widely across the landscape, so much so that even from your vantage point you can only see about 5 or 6 spots where there might have been civilization.

You look in your immediate vicinity for structures and see that stand out as possible sites of interest. One appears to be a massive stone structure composed of a large cracked pedestal, columns lining the outside, shattered inwards. Another appears to be a number of small wooden steeples barely peeking out from the foliage. The third and final one is a large stone structure, pyramidlike, in one of the misty valleys fer below. You think you could probably get to any of these before nightfall, but no more than one in a day.

To which site do you choose to venture? Or do you steer clear of all three, or take some other course of action?

[bc56]

Albrecht heads for the steeples. Steeples mean a village, and they look more intact and more welcoming than the other ruins. It's a place to start, at least.

[SunderedWorldDM]

You descend down the hill, jogging lightly. You hear the squelching noise of the creature following you. Eventually, the ground evens out as you find yourself at a fork in the road. The cart wheels veer off to the left, where you saw the temple in the mist, and to the right, the trail continues as a slightly narrower footpath, leading back into the forest. You begin to walk down this trail, deeper into the dark cluster of trees.

I'd like you to make a Perception check in order to remain alert your exploration in the woods.

[bc56]

Perception:
[roll0]

[SunderedWorldDM]

As you descend into the forest and closer to where you saw the wooden peaks of the roofs above the canopy, the silent forest begins to come to life around you, starting with the din of insects to small creatures scampering about the trail. Over the course of two hour's walk, the forest has become animated and full of life, as they normally are.

At this point, you think it might be a good idea to have some lunch. Conveniently, within 15 minutes you come upon a small grove with a number of stones perfect for sitting and dining upon. Now if only you could find a square meal...

[bc56]

Albrecht wishes he had some food, but what can you do? He looks around for something edible nearby.

[SunderedWorldDM]

A number of small wild animals dart around the periphery of the clearing. If you could figure out a way to catch a rabbit, you might have a meal...

[bc56]

Albrecht takes aim and attempts to throw one of his daggers at a rabbit.

[roll0] to hit
[roll1] damage

[SunderedWorldDM]

Albrecht takes aim and attempts to throw one of his daggers at a rabbit.

[roll0] to hit
[roll1] damage

The dagger fumbles and drops out of your hand. The bunny looks straight at you, then bolts back into the forest.

Shoot. There's a couple more small creatures around, but they're now alert. Would you like to try again? Or maybe beseech the Angel for help?

[bc56]

Albrecht picks up the dagger and throws again. Another miss. He is getting frustrated. His third throw is also a miss. Inwardly screaming, he sits down and glares at the rabbit, wishing it would just die, so he could get a bite to eat. Suddenly, an eerie sound, like a ship's bell in the dead of night, rings out over the clearing. The rabbit is bathed in dark power, leeching its life away.

Toll the dead:
Rabbit makes a DC 13 Wis save or takes [roll0] necrotic damage

[SunderedWorldDM]

[roll0]

The rabbit looks at you strangely for a moment before freezing up, eyes wide, and falling dead on the ground.

[bc56]

"What?" Albrecht is shocked. "Did you do that?" He glares at the alien creature which has been following him this whole time.

[SunderedWorldDM]

The odd, squamous creature approximates a shrug.

Suddenly, you hear the leaves around you rattle and shiver as three serpentine creatures rise from the foliage. They extend their spears, clutched by muscular arms, and hiss at you menacingly.

He is touched by the Angel! He must be taken to the king!

They leap out at you, coming closer, spears bared. What would you like to do?

[bc56]

"Aaugh!" Albrecht raises his dagger, panicked. "Do you understand me? I come in peace." Without realizing it, he simultaneously sends a psychic broadcast to the three creatures. After all, thinking about sending a message to someone is natural when speaking to them.

I think this makes sense. He doesn't really know how to use his powers yet, they just happen.

[SunderedWorldDM]

They hiss in confusion, looking at each other. They hesitantly begin to lower their spears before one of them barks out another command in Draconic and they all go back to attention.

You fools! This is the mark of the Angel.

You watch as one of the 5 circling you breaks rank and sounds out on what appears to be a large horn made from a tooth. More rustling filters from the forest around- you can't pinpoint the source.

[bc56]

"Great. Well that's better than threatening me." Still subconsciously broadcasting, Albrecht doesn't feel safer. They could be calling for reinforcements and trying to stall him. And he still doesn't understand what they're saying.

[SunderedWorldDM]

As you stand, surrounded by spearmen, you watch as what appears to be a small warband- two normal-looking lizard people accompanied by one larger one, coated in trophies from kills and scraps of valuable cloth, even some hints of jewelry. The leader makes a gesture and the rest of the lizardfolk put their spears down, still at the ready, but not pointed at you.

The leader looks at you. Ssssso... The Angel hasss sssent another one... Who are you, ssssskin-bag?

[bc56]

"Finally, somebody who can understand me! I'm just a sailor." Albrecht replies. He doesn't feel safe. He's surrounded by armed lizardfolk, and whatever killed that rabbit is probably still lurking nearby.

[SunderedWorldDM]

The Lizard in charge nods, bobbing his head up and down in an ungainly manner. You were tosssssed overboard, I asssssume? You barely manage a nod. The Lizardfolk hisses something in Draconic to his compatriots.

Then, he looks back at you. Come with usssss, and wear thisss. We have much to discussssss. He hand you what appears to be a tribal amulet, wire and metal around a small, polished chunk of amber stone. When you put it on your neck, you feel a pulse of magical energy through your body- it doesn't seem to have any negative effect.

The leader barks an order to the others and they begin to march you out of the clearing and down the path. The creature, who appears to have remain unseen, darts in between their legs.

Will you cooperate?

[bc56]

Albrecht wears the amulet. He doesn't exactly have a choice, not cooperating would mean a painful death at the end of those spears

[SunderedWorldDM]

The squad of lizardfolk marches you out of the clearing, down the path towards the gables. After about 10 minutes of marching, you find yourself in a small village of wooden houses built in tight spirals around trees, along with some more squat, stone houses not dissimilar in design to those found decimated around the temple to the Angel you saw earlier.

You see various women and children, all reptilian, living typical lives among the trees. Some stop to watch the procession, led by the gaudily-dressed leader, seeming to be treating this like a carnival show. You see expressions of fear crossing the faces of the lizards as you pass.

You are led to a larger tree, up which spirals a ramp made of a bamboo-like substance. Some of the guard hang back, but you are still surrounded and prodded upwards. When you reach the apex, you see inside the large, boxy structure entangled in the limbs of the massive tree, revealing an interior decorated with plush, velvety cushions and rows of chain lined with coins. The leader gestures, leading you in. You sit down on one of the pillows. Those who brought you in assume positions around the exits, assuming a guard position, keeping their unblinking eyes forward, staying absolutely still.

The leader stands, looking at you with a calculated, cold eye. "I don't believe I've introducccccced myself. My name isss Vesssh'Kaaal. They call me a warlord here..." He slowly paces, inspecting you. "And you are the newessst one it sssends, hm?"

Sorry it's been a while! I'm back. Also, if you try to use magic, you feel the spark is gone from you. The amulet is blocking your connection to the Angel.

[bc56]

"Nice to meet you, I guess. I'm Albrecht. Can you explain what's going on here?" Albrecht feels safer knowing that he's no longer actively being threatened by the lizardfolk warriors, although he feels like something is missing, like some core part of himself just isn't quite there.

[SunderedWorldDM]

The lizard continues to pace, softly hissing to himself. "You made a deal, no? When you were in dire need?"

[bc56]

"Um, yes?" Albrecht doesn't like where this is going. He's worried the lizards will kill him for admitting it.

[SunderedWorldDM]

"Many are cassst on the ssshoresss of thisss island after having made a ... pact of sssortsss with an entity." He hees your alarm, and coos "No, no. I am not here to hurt you. You do not know what power you have been given, and what evil hasss taken your sssoul. You ssssssee, whatever you call the entity you've made a pact with, they have existed on thissss island long before we. And what terrible actsss they made, what missuses of the Forge." Seeing your surprise, he exposes his teeth in a mockery of a smile. "Yesss, the Forge. We know where it issss. But do you want to hand it right back to that terrifying monsssster? Don't worry, it can't hear you now..."

[bc56]

"No, not really. But if I don't..." Albrecht shudders, thinking of the briny depths and the horrific creature which dwells there.

[SunderedWorldDM]

Suddenly, the amulet around your neck pulses. Vesh'Kaal looks at it in revulsion. "It sssenssses you're missssing. We don't have much time. You mussst make a choice," the lizard hisses. "Will you work againssst your massster, or for them?" He looks you deep in the eyes. "Do not make the choicccce lightly. If you choosssse to ally with ussss, we will sssshelter and help you in what way you can, but you're making a powerful enemy. However," he hisses, "I wouldn't blame you if you chosssse your patron over ussss. We would give you thre dayssss to run," he spits at you.

[bc56]

Man, this was a hard choice. Albrecht's primary motivation is fear, and it was hard to decide whether the lizardfolk, who can kill him now, or the Angel, who can kill him later, was more frightful.

"Three days... Sorry. I'd rather not face the Angel's wrath." Albrecht reaches to the amulet, now conscious of its effect. He tears it off and is overwhelmed by the power returning to him. He doubles over in surprise.

[SunderedWorldDM]

The lizard hisses in anger, but not surprise. "Very well. Run now, flesssh-wearer." He steps back and begins to inspect one of the gems scattered across one of the tables next to him.

[bc56]

Albrecht doesn't move. Instead, he focuses. He managed to work magic before, maybe he can get it again? He concentrates on what he needs right now, a weapon and armor. Suddenly, a blade flickers into existence in his hand, a dark weapon made from black, briny water. Unspeaking, he takes a step back and flings the blade at the lizardfolk chieftain.


Casting Shadow Blade
Attacking chieftain [roll0] to hit, [roll1] psychic damage on hit.

[SunderedWorldDM]

You slash with the blade, and the warlord cries out. He looks at you, sidling a spear in his left hand. "You sssshould run now. You've lossssst yoursssself a day," he growls.

[bc56]

Albrecht would rather cut off the head of this problem (and the head of the lizardfolk chief). He attacks again, whispering to the weird abomination as he does so. "Can you distract the guards outside or something?"


Talk: ask Xxviat to distract the guards.
Attack: [roll0] to hit, [roll1] psychic damage

Edit:
Oops, that should be 17 to hit and 10 to damage

[SunderedWorldDM]

The blade once again skewers the chieftain, who cries out in pain, but doesn't even appear shaky on his footing. He is strong! "You're pussshing your luck. One day," he hisses as he readies to strike with his spear.

Meanwhile, you hear some squelching and some reptilian yelps from outside. You don't think you want to see what's going on out there...

[bc56]

Wow. This guy is tough. Albrecht isn't about to give up though. It's a shame they are on different sides. Albrecht attacks again, calling the creature to get back inside and help him, once it's scared off the guards.

[roll0] to hit, [roll1] psychic damage

[SunderedWorldDM]

The blade strikes true once more, but the warlord doesn't even look phased. "I'll give you one more blow before I take away your final day. After that," he hisses, "no mercccccy."

The creature flies into the room, ready to assist you.

[bc56]

Albrecht moves to the side, mentally requesting the creature's assistance. "Help me kill him!"


If I can still attack after requesting an attack from Xxviat, I will.
[roll0]
[roll1] damage.

[SunderedWorldDM]

The warlord bats your sword aside, baring a menacing grin. Xxviat flies in through the doorway and ineffectually tries to grasp the side of the warlord's serpentine, scaled face, but is unable to find purchase.

The warlord cries out in Draconic, and you watch as 4 guards file into the treetop temple. 2 attempt to strike at Xxviat unsuccessfully, and the warlord and two others turn to you.


Warlord: [roll0] [roll1]
Guards (both add 4 to attack roll):[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]

You got yourself into this...