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For the Love Noble Knight and GM Lady Kristin
United States
MO
Natural 20!
Level 25 Dungeon Master
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played by
Jedidiah Pearce
United States
Raleigh
North Carolina
Check out my game design blog!
Ether Oak Games design blog
played by
Mike Hadfield
Canada
St Andrews
New Brunswick
played by
Darin Shaw
United States
Round Rock
Texas
played by
Sean Allen
United States
Turlock
California
played by
Jennifer Fuller
United States
Argyle TWP
Maine
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For the Love Noble Knight and GM Lady Kristin
United States
MO
Natural 20!
Level 25 Dungeon Master
-
Background
Deep within the forest, an ancient oak has grown huge, twisted, and evil. Ages ago, a savage cult haunted these woods and this tree became the catalyst of their unspeakable rites. Below it they carved out a chamber of sacrificial horror where innocent victims were offered to a hideous wormlike god. As the centuries passed, the cult faded into the mists of time, but the twisted old oak stood fast, awaiting the day when the creeping evil in the dark below would be summoned once more.
And so it happened that a crazed warrior, a savage berserker who spilled rivers of blood in the north of the world, came in his wanderings upon the great, brooding tree. In his madness he believed that the tree whispered to him, invited him, shared with him its dim secrets. Over the course of many years, the folk of the borderlands have come to know the old berserker as “the mad hermit of the woods.”
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For the Love Noble Knight and GM Lady Kristin
United States
MO
Natural 20!
Level 25 Dungeon Master
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After getting separated from your guide, you and your five companions got hopelessly lost in the expansive, dark forest. After raining for two days and nights straight, you are cold and long for a warm bed and a hot meal. At the very least you desire a bit of sunshine and the chance to dry out your clothing.
It is growing colder, and night if falling once more. From not too far in the distance off to your right, a soft growl can be heard followed by a soothing voice that hushed whatever animal had made the noise. This could be your only chance at getting out of this forbidding forest anytime soon.
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Jedidiah Pearce
United States
Raleigh
North Carolina
Check out my game design blog!
Ether Oak Games design blog
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Ézren tenses and squints his eyes - peering towards the sound. "Damnit!" He hisses. "This is why I love forests - always full of candy and rainbows..."
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Mike Hadfield
Canada
St Andrews
New Brunswick
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Valeros, muttering softly to himself, snaps to attention at the sound of the voice. "By Cailean, a voice! For better or worse I feel that's our ticket out of these damnable woods"
Valeros begins to stealthily move towards the voice.
"Merisiel, make yourself useful and scout out that voice!" He hisses.
Valeros takes a spot at the front of the group as they move towards the voice
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Sean Allen
United States
Turlock
California
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VikingPrincess wrote: ...you and your three companions got hopelessly lost in the expansive, dark forest.
I've always known they didn't care for my company.
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Sean Allen
United States
Turlock
California
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Why do I continue to let them blunder their way through life, dragging me down with them? Maybe, someday, they will come to understand my true worth...
"Merisiel. My dear sweet Chaoticly Neutral elven companion. I agree with the sword wielding brute. We need you to scout our noisy neighbors."
"As for the rest of you, I trust, once again, you will make a mess of this. Should you decide on a wiser course of action and allow me to handle things (for once), you may find yourselves... surprised."
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Darin Shaw
United States
Round Rock
Texas
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Alain, quietly noticing Valeros take control of the situation, determines to be the one to get them out of this mess. He assertively forces his way up to the front to provide protection for Merisiel. He makes sure he has his sword and shield ready for whatever is up ahead.
As he passes Valeros, he mutters, "Why don't you let a real warrior take the lead."
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Sean Allen
United States
Turlock
California
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I'm going to close my eyes and count to 5. And maybe, when I open them, I will be alone. No, the world is far to cruel to grant me that...
"Alain. Why don't you and Valeros go take a bath or something. Maybe the cold water will wash some common sense into you both."
"It is obvious that by now our hidden guests know we are here (thanks to your fine show of masculine stupidity), but, there is no reason to alarm them. The last thing we need to do is spook them, I've seen you both run."
Why am I still talking to them...
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Jennifer Fuller
United States
Argyle TWP
Maine
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Merisiel quietly creeps through the woods toward the voices flanking them in hopes they won't hear her approaching. Without getting close enough to alert them to her presence she is able to overhear them talking about checking out the noises they had just heard to see who was spying on them. Quietly she makes her way back to the group to inform them the strangers would soon be approaching them.
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Kyra, who had been behind, also heard the hissing and joined Ezren while Merisiel and Alain were approaching the suspicious sounds from behind the bushes. We have been followed, she said. Whoever it is, we didn't encounter him just by chance. We should keep our weapons ready but low, and find out what it is this person wants. I suggest we stay together, for he might not be alone, and it would be better if we resolve this peacefully.
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Sean Allen
United States
Turlock
California
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Feiya remains quiet, but has a look of approval.
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Darin Shaw
United States
Round Rock
Texas
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Alain reaches out his arm and forces Valeros to stop. He hears something suspicious. He prepares himself and gives a signal to Valeros to do the same.
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Sean Allen
United States
Turlock
California
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I send Daji (my familiar) out to assist in scouting our skulking neighbors. My empathic link should feel if they are a danger to the group.
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Jedidiah Pearce
United States
Raleigh
North Carolina
Check out my game design blog!
Ether Oak Games design blog
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Nerves on edge, Ézren prepares himself to stun any potential ambushers.
Why do I always feel surrounded by the wrong kinds of adventure? Where are the worldly riches, the buxom women, the... the... THE GOOD PARTS!
"Damn forests," he mutters to himself. If only I were still young...
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Kyra walked over to Alain, closer to the bushes behind which the unknown guest was holding quiet and unseen. By the sun, we are seeking passage through these forests, Stranger. Two days we have wandered through these overgrown lands, which you obviously know batter than we do. Our means are peaceful, we seek no harm to you. Rather than that, you might give us guidance. Reveal yourself, and we might warm ourselves with a small fire in each other's company.
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For the Love Noble Knight and GM Lady Kristin
United States
MO
Natural 20!
Level 25 Dungeon Master
-
A diminutive old man wearing a tattered brown robe wrapped tightly about him and carrying an ancient looking warhammer approached with his wolf, having heard the chatter between the unfriendly companions. His salt and pepper hair long and unkempt with an equally bushy beard and mustache framed a face lined with years of life and eyes that held many a scar from battles won and lost over time. "Why hello, there, friends. What brings such a fine group into my humble forest?" he asked, his voice hoarse and low. He attempted a smile, but it seemed that it had been quite some time since he'd last had the occasion to use one.
Reaching over, he placed his small but chubby hand on the wolf's head and, before anyone could reply, went on, "Now, now, Marn, these people are our friends, do not get out of sorts protecting an old man." The wolf, apparently called Marn, did not seem too overly concerned, but neither did it look happy at the newcomers.
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Kyra became more comfortable as the old man came forth with his wolf. The man's appearance was one I am Kyra of Sarenrae, daughter of Selma, priestess of the Order of the Golden Ray. With me are Alain of the Order of the Cockatrice, Ezren of Absalom, Feija, Merisiel and Valeros of Andoran. Blood has been spilled in our lands and we believe that the responsible savage has found refugee in your forests. Our interest is none other than bringing him back to our lands to show him that it is justice that flourishes under the sun.
The last words she spoke while she headed back towards their luggage with light and elegant steps. From her bag she fetched herself an apple and some leftover cake. It is nearing lunch time, she said. You might sit with us and eat something before we continue our way. And if your companion is okay with fire, we might make some tea to warm ourselves. Please introduce yourself, Master. We would be more than pleased to hear your history!
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Mike Hadfield
Canada
St Andrews
New Brunswick
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"Aye", says Valeros, agreeing with Kyra, "And what brings you this deep into the woods? This doesn't seem a likely place for a stroll."
Valeros peers intently at the old man, trying to discern if there is more to this old man than it seems.
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Darin Shaw
United States
Round Rock
Texas
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Alain is not so quick to trust the old man. His appearance suggests an experienced warrior. His scars and age prove that he is formidable. Alain remains standing to the side so that he can quickly react to any actions from the old man or his wolf. He remains silent and observes intently.
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Sean Allen
United States
Turlock
California
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I don't like the feel of this either Daji...
"Old man, We have heard rumors of a Hermit in these woods. Are you not him?
"Friends, despite his appearance," Feiya looks at Kyra, "I believe we should take this man as more than he seems.
I recall Daji back to my side and prepare to hex his ass.
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For the Love Noble Knight and GM Lady Kristin
United States
MO
Natural 20!
Level 25 Dungeon Master
-
radicalizard wrote: Kyra became more comfortable as the old man came forth with his wolf. The man's appearance was one I am Kyra of Sarenrae, daughter of Selma, priestess of the Order of the Golden Ray. With me are Alain of the Order of the Cockatrice, Ezren of Absalom, Feija, Merisiel and Valeros of Andoran. Blood has been spilled in our lands and we believe that the responsible savage has found refugee in your forests. Our interest is none other than bringing him back to our lands to show him that it is justice that flourishes under the sun.
The last words she spoke while she headed back towards their luggage with light and elegant steps. From her bag she fetched herself an apple and some leftover cake. It is nearing lunch time, she said. You might sit with us and eat something before we continue our way. And if your companion is okay with fire, we might make some tea to warm ourselves. Please introduce yourself, Master. We would be more than pleased to hear your history!
My friends, it is so good to meet with you. It gets rather lonely out here in the woods with only the animals and trees to keep me company. I am honored to make the acquaintances of such a fine group of people. Priestess Kyra, Alain, Mage, I do believe, Ezren, Feija, Merisiel, and Valeros. You seem quite a formidable band. May I ask you why you have come this way seeking your prey? There is naught around here for many days' travel in any direction, and it is a harsh land to survive in on your own. Is the man you seek quite mad?" the little man said with another attempt at a smile. The wolf calmed down a bit and laid down at the hermit's feet, closing one eye lazily but keeping the other on the group of adventurer's that still might try to threaten his master.
"But before I forget, you asked me about myself, did you not? Well I am old man, a halfling if you have never met my kind before, but I do have good tales to tell. I used to be a warrior, but the stain of battle lay thick on my heart, and I had not the stomach for it. As soon as I was able, I fled my homeland and came to settle here. Now, Priestess Kyra, I am a priest of nature itself and strive to protect it to the best of my ability. Though I prefer the quiet, solitary life I lead, I do like the occasional visitor now and then, and so I must insist you follow me to my home where we can share a meal there. My little hovel is not large, but it will comfortably seat us all, and I have a nice fire already built with a delicious rabbit stew on the fire along with biscuits and some goat cheese. Please say you will come," he went on, his third attempt at smiling better than the first two.
But again before anyone could answer, he turned to the other two that had spoken directly to him. "Valeros, was it not? I stroll, as you call it, these woods each and every day to look for sustenance and to ensure the forest is protected. Surely it is not so suspicious to be out hunting for one's dinner, wouldn't you say?"
"And...Feiya...? What a pretty little fox you have there. Beautiful color. Is it a boy or a girl?" the hermit continued, looking genuinely interested in the beautiful animal, much more so the fox than any of the people in the group. "As far as I know, I am the only hermit in these woods, and yes, I know what they call me. But wouldn't you be a little mad if you had lived all by yourself for decade upon decade after losing yourself in too many wars to count?"
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Sean Allen
United States
Turlock
California
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"If my companions are willing, I think your humble hut may be an," flashing a sneering smile, "enlightening stop."
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Jennifer Fuller
United States
Argyle TWP
Maine
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Quietly Merisiel stood behind her companions wondering if this hermit was to be trusted. Having her doubts she stood and pondered the interaction taking place before her feeling pensive yet on guard.
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Mike Hadfield
Canada
St Andrews
New Brunswick
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"Warm, dry and hot food, you can't say fairer than that. Much thanks... what did you say your name was again?"
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Jedidiah PearceUnited States
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