This adventure originates in the village of Winterhaven, a tiny hamlet with a population barely approaching 1000. The Lord's guard is less than a dozen strong, kobolds and brigands plague the surrounding countryside, and the town is nearly shut out from the outside world. What better place for an up-and-coming band of adventurers to make their mark? Maybe they can do some good in this town...
The town is led by Lord Ernest Padraig. He is descended from the noble family that ruled the area under the edict of the old empire. Folks around Winterhaven were happy with Lord Padraig's father's authority, and they have found answering to the rules of the new lord no more arduous.
The party received a letter from the Lord asking for aid. His writing was vague, surely intentionally so, and simply asked for assistance in escorting a "critical package." Not the types to turn down such a hefty reward as the Lord promised, they have set out for Winterhaven to hear the Lord's full request.
We join them only hours away from their destination. The sun is high in the sky, thin wisps of chimney smoke dance on the horizon, and the road stretches lazily onward.
It's a fine day to make a fortune delivering luxury goods to fat noblemen.
Character sheets are to remain up-to-date on the
Myth Weavers website, and all rolls will be carried out on
Invisible Castle.
This thread is for both in-character talk and out-of-character ramblings. Please keep OOC text wrapped in spoilers, including roll statistics. Linking verbs and such to your rolls is perfectly fine, but please keep the nitty gritty details of the d20 system in your spoilers--it will help to keep us all in character.
The post requirement is the usual one post per weekday minimum, but more frequent activity is certainly welcome and encouraged. That said, real life is a son of a bitch, and if you need to be away from the game for a period of time, please let me or someone else know.
For short absenses (a day or so), you can send your turn intentions and rolls to a fellow party member, who will act on your behalf. For extended absenses (more than a day), I recommend you hand control over to someone else to avoid me rolling/acting on your behalf.
Extended, unreported inactivity will result in me taking over your character and eventually replacing it using a bank of reserves.
For those of you who have run Keep on the Shadowfell before or plan to in the future, worry not. The only thing that will remain entirely constant here are some of the maps, some names, and the
overall story-line. How you actually get there is entirely up to you, and even if you've run KotS several times before, you'll find plenty to surprise you here.
That being said, let's begin what promises to be a truly epic adventure... roll dem bones!
Posts
Azulan Saul Tigh
Assuring reputations...
The sun beats down on Old King's Road as the adventurers head west toward Winterhaven. Aylden takes Lord Padraig's letter from his pack, quickly glancing over it one more time.
The allure of the words "handsome salary" are lessened somewhat by the mention of the mysterious "critical package." Still, the group is used to a little bit of danger, which the letter's vague details almost promise to deliver.
As the adventurers make their way toward the wisps of chimney smoke dancing on the horizon, the wind dies down to a mere draft. The unkempt foliage along the road rustles slightly, and the path grows more obscure but is still easy to follow.
He thought about the task at hand. He hesitated to go on a mission with such little information, but the group needed the work, and the opportunity to defeat the dark forces at work in these lands would not go untaken.
Azulan Saul Tigh
I never expected this. Dorne and Roscoe seem easy enough to get along with, for all that they're nearly complete opposites of me. The former carries himself well enough, though there is an irritating jingle to his step. She smiles easily at him, asking;
"Just how many weapons are you carrying, Dorne? Your pack rustles as bad as your coinpurse!"
Before he can reply, she turns to face forward again and notices Aylden rereading the recruitment letter yet again. There's an interesting one, she thinks to herself sardonically. So terribly elven, to become a cleric. At least he's out here in the world instead of climbing trees all day.
Her gaze falls upon Azulan, and she frowns. So serious, that one. So rigid and formal, when's the last time I saw him laugh? I'm not sure that's even happened once. Anyone looking at the five of us would assume we were the most alike, but we are so different.
... And what gives him the right to copy my choice of weapon? Hmmph. She chuckles below her breath, fully aware of how absurd the notion is.
Inquisitor77: Rius, you are Sisyphus and melee Wizard is your boulder
Tube: This must be what it felt like to be an Iraqi when Saddam was killed
Bookish Stickers - Mrs. Rius' Etsy shop with bumper stickers and vinyl decals.
Moving up beside his fellow halfling, Dorne, he was unable to stifle a chuckle at the remark made. With another jump in his step, he arrived close by the party's most fearsome and yet most lovely member. In a way, he sympathized with her more than anyone else, they were both often looked over or dismissed, but for different reasons, "It is a lovely day, don't you think? A tad warmer than I would prefer, but still we seem to be making progress."
Roscoe offered a small smile, glancing down at the ground before him and slowly drifting back to his thoughts, his pace slowing once more.
EDIT: Sorry, almost forgot to add in the roll for Wild Soul.
Wild Soul damage type. (1d10=7)
7 is Poison.
Smiling to himself, he looked over the countryside. The combination of no enemies in sight, no storm clouds in the sky, and the promise of a full coinpurse once the job was complete all served to heighten his mood. He muttered a quick prayer to Sehanine and turned to look over the beautiful landscape. It's times like this that made him glad he choose the life of an adventurer.
Closing his eyes, Aylden walks along the path lost in his reminiscing.
Azulan did not talk much, preferring instead to listen to their banter and interject where he saw fit. He certainly admired those with the gift of great words, but understood that action was what got him through the dark places in life.
He continued on, admiring the barbarian's sword, hoping to match her prowess in the adventures to come.
Azulan Saul Tigh
As they continue on, the road begins to become more and more weathered. Suddenly, some foliage to the left of the party rustles unnaturally.
"Ah, there is Winterhaven," he says as he gazes down at the town's walls "we should be there within the hour and be able to learn what it is that Lord Padraig wishes to pay us so handsomely for."
She notices the leaves rustling against the wind and looks toward them, halfway bored, halfway alert against possible danger.
Perception Check 1d20+5=15
Pfft, nailed the passive.
Inquisitor77: Rius, you are Sisyphus and melee Wizard is your boulder
Tube: This must be what it felt like to be an Iraqi when Saddam was killed
Bookish Stickers - Mrs. Rius' Etsy shop with bumper stickers and vinyl decals.
He looked up at Aylden, offering a small shrug and innocent smile, "Surely we can take a short rest before we visit this Lord Padraig?"
There was a rustle in the bushes, but Roscoe paid it no mind. Obviously it was just the wind.
Boom! First roll! Bahamut smiles on me this day...
Azulan Saul Tigh
Azulan...
Roscoe and Gavin...
Azulan readies his weapon and steels himself for action.
Who goes there!
Azulan Saul Tigh
Sariela pulls a javelin out from the quiver at her hip and holds it ready, pushing her way through the bushes to the north, ready to hurl it should a suitable foe present itself.
Perception Check (1d20 5=16)
Leetle better!
Inquisitor77: Rius, you are Sisyphus and melee Wizard is your boulder
Tube: This must be what it felt like to be an Iraqi when Saddam was killed
Bookish Stickers - Mrs. Rius' Etsy shop with bumper stickers and vinyl decals.
MAP
NOTES
The trees provide cover for anyone standing in them, but line of sight/effect is not changed, and it is not difficult terrain.
The rocks provide superior cover for anyone standing behind them, and they require a DC 15 Athletics check to hop on top. Once on them, they are difficult terrain to move on the same rock. (3 4x4 squares and the 1 square in the North)
Gavin stops admiring the pretty green grass when he notices his comrades preparing for battle. He draws his short sword and makes sure his shurikens are at the ready.
With cutting hand motions, she indicates for everyone to spread out and check the surrounding area.
2x Minors: sheathe javelin, draw greatsword.
Free: Everybody spread out, ya'll =P
Inquisitor77: Rius, you are Sisyphus and melee Wizard is your boulder
Tube: This must be what it felt like to be an Iraqi when Saddam was killed
Bookish Stickers - Mrs. Rius' Etsy shop with bumper stickers and vinyl decals.
Muttering an elven curse under his breathe he dusts the dirt off his robe with one hand and unhooks his mace from his belt with the other.
climb the rock (1d20 2=3) FAIL
Minor: Draw mace
As you move up to the rock, you notice a section of the path beside you has been disturbed.
Also, as a note I have a real D&D game tonight so this might be my only post for the day. If combat starts tonight, I'm sure someone can take over for me until I get back.
Move to F8
Minor: Draw Short Sword
Perception Check: 1d20+4=23
Next up: Azulan
Perception check: Perception (1d20+2=14)
Free: Tell them I see some trees and rocks or whatever=)
Azulan Saul Tigh
Edit: Fixed! Hope you don't mind.
Azulan Saul Tigh
Suddenly two stones come flying toward Gavin, but they miss completely, shattering on the rocks in front of him. A third rock hits Azulan square in an unprotected area between his armor plates.
"It's them!" cries a voice from somewhere ahead.
Azulan 26/31
Roll Initiative!
I'll be unable to post till Monday, so this is a nice suspense point
Regarding the disturbed earth, it's the 10 foot region on the path that looks a bit odd on the map... like someone was messing about in the dirt.
Noticing an enemy in the treeline, she levels her greatsword at him and makes eye contact. Yes, you will be the first to die.
Inquisitor77: Rius, you are Sisyphus and melee Wizard is your boulder
Tube: This must be what it felt like to be an Iraqi when Saddam was killed
Bookish Stickers - Mrs. Rius' Etsy shop with bumper stickers and vinyl decals.
Can't wait!
Azulan Saul Tigh