“THE Adventurers” Ep. 3: A Speedy Recovery

“THE Adventurers” Ep. 3: A Speedy Recovery

A fire burnt brightly in the fading light, illuminating four tired, battle worn faces. Uthal, Wrenn, and Torment all sat pondering what the next move would be. Ezekiel , having just recovered from his wounds, snored loudly as his Genasi snores filled the camp with the sounds of grinding rocks. Torment spoke first.

“If I’m going to be any use to this team, I need to prepare my spells. I will return,” he stated flatly. Torment then turned and disappeared into the woods, leaving just Wrenn and Uthal.

The gnome and the goliath sat, considering the events, and finally came to at least one decision. “I think it’s clear,” Wrenn spoke up, “that if we are going to go any further than here, we are going to need more than two functioning people.” Uthal Grunted an affirmative, so Wrenn continued “and I don’t exactly know your sentiments, but I’m not going back to that town to find more adventurers without anything to show from our first task.”

“I agree,” Uthal stated, “If only the two of us return, that would not look good, and it certainly wouldn’t fill the townsfolk with any sense  of confidence.”

While the two discussed where exactly to start a search for new members of their team, both failed to notice as a tall imposing figure approached them from the shadows. Then, with a loud thump that startled both Ulthal and Wrenn, the canvas of a two person tent flopped down in front of them.  The pair looked at the tent, and then slowly turned to see the surprisingly healthy figure of Nolan the Paladin looking back at them.

“What the hell!?” they both started jumping up and reaching for weapons.

“Nolan’s back you dweebs!” Nolan laughed! As Wrenn and Uthal slowly recognized him, they became less afraid and more curious. Battered with questions, Nolan related his tale.

“Well, as I died, I felt at piece. I saw all my actions, knowing that my work for good and justice would be recognized in the afterlife. But then before me appeared a god…” Nolan stated, pausing for dramatic effect. Wrenn and Uthal were on the edge of the logs they were using for seats. “She told me to go north, to find a man in a cave. The fate of the world is unbalanced, and our finding him is vital. Welcome to having a quest guys.”

Wrenn and Uthal sat back, wide eyes staring back at Nolan and his tale. “Well Uthal,” Wrenn broke the silence, “It would seem we are doing a really good job. Only five minutes ago we decided to add more members to our ranks and already Nolan returns.”

“We are a fantastic team, It must be said,” Uthal agreed puffing out his chest. “At this rate we will have the people we wanted in no time. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone showed up right now!” The two leaned back looking proud of themselves.

“Hello there!” a gruff voice erupted from behind them. All three jumped again reaching for their weapons a second time. Before them stood a dwarf, short but sturdy, his beard reaching close to the ground, and his shoulders broad. This time, the group did not let their weapons down, being suspicious of the newcomer.

“Who are you, and what business do you have here?” Uthal demanded, his menacing size drwing intimidation.

However the Dwarf seemed unfazed, not as though he wasn’t bothered by Uthal’s size, but rather, as though he hadn’t even noticed. “I say, who are you people, camping out by the road like this?”

Wrenn, Nolan, and Uthal all looked at each other a bit confused. Had he not heard them? “Excuse me, but we just asked you that question,” Uthal reasserted.

The dwarf grinned “Oh so ya have. The name’s Vellen. I’m a Cleric, sent out by my clan to do good in the world. I am meant to assist in those who seek to banish evil, and had hoped you might be a crew who was doing that type of thing.”

There was silence. Or there would have been if not for Ezekiels granite like snores filling the campsite. Wrenn spoke up first, saying “Ah yes, we happen to be that group, however, let us discuss this matter amongst us adventurers for a moment. Excepting new members into our group is no small matter.”

The three all turned into a huddle, looking at each other trying to gage every ones opinion on the newcomer. “I’m not a huge fan. He’s abrasive and socially inept,” Uthal stated. The other two couldn’t really disagree.

Then Wrenn started “Yes that may be true but we were just shown first hand that we need more fighters. And here comes another right out of the darkness. Once again Uthal, we are doing a very good job at finding more team members, even if they seem a bit odd.”

“I have to take that side,” Stated Nolan. “I’m in no mood to die again any time soon, and despite his mannerisms, he seems to be a strong and able warrior.”

“Well I like him. He seems like just the kind of man we need!” another voice piped in. All three looked to find Vellen had joined in their huddle and was aiding in the discussion. Vellen looked around the group, apparently unaware that he had not yet been declared a member of the team. “By the way, who are we talking about?” the dwarf continued. The group looked around, and smiled despite themselves. The dwarf, although misguided in interacting with others, seemed genuine. Now he only needed prove himself in battle.

“Alright,” Uthal stated. “You can join with us for now, but we re4serve the right to send you off should you prove false.”

“Haha!” the dwarf cheered. “I’ll be happy to be of service. To celebrate let’s get a drink at the local tavern!” All four of them nodded. They had been intending to regroup at Blacktree anyway, and started heading back down the road. Night had truly struck now, and they were guided by the light of the moon and the stars. Wrenn sat upon Uthal’s shoulders, helping guide both Uthal and Nolan who had no dark vision to aid them. In this darkness the group failed to notice yet another newcomer emerging from the trees.

“Hello there,” the figure started, giving all four group members a start. “Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to scare any one.”

Standing before them now, was an elf, heavily armed, but not hostile. “Who are you now?” Nolan asked, wondering how many new people he’d have to meet tonight.

“Oh, um yeah, I guess I could start there. Well, um, I guess I’ll just be straight with you guys, I don’t exactly know who I am or where I’m from. But I woke up in the woods without much memory a while back, and have just kind of been living in isolation since then. But, well, when I saw you guys, I thought, you know, maybe I can go about working with others again, and try to help you guys out with any tasks you might be set out upon.”

This story was not what any of the team had been expecting to hear. A ranger with no memory was not something you came across every day, and it was a story that was hard to trust. But at the same time, none of the group members, including Wrenn who had a way with people, could detect any falsehood in his words and ways. Wrenn turned to Uthal and said “Well then, only about an hour or so ago we decide we need to build up our numbers and we make that goal before even getting back to town.  Uthal, we just may be the best recruiters on this side of the realm. Tell us elf, by what name should we call you?”

“Oh! Well,” the elf scratched his head seeming in concentration, “I can’t really bring to mind my actual name at this point, but you guys can go ahead and call me Cartsy.”

And so, The five wandered back towards the town with new faces in tow.

"THE Adventurers" Ep. 2: Not Far from Town

Ep. 2: Not Far from Town

The crowd massing near the bridge out of town had become restless. The trades that depended on this route were being cut off without much of an answer as to why. And although the safety of the town may have been at risk, its economy would begin to suffer soon. As more and more people crowded near the gate, the guards began to feel overwhelmed.

“ADVENTURERS HAVE ARRIVED! WE ARE HERE TO SOLVE ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS!” a voice boomed over the chaos of the crowd. The mass of people and tradesmen turned to see an interesting sight. A gnome had perched on the shoulder of a goliath’s imposing form and was hollering with a voice that seemed uncharacteristic for such a small frame. Behind them stood a paladin, genasi, and tiefling, all approaching the crowd with purpose.

After having decided to band together at the tavern, THE Adventurers had decided to make a quick pit stop, gathering several items including a map, some rations, and tools. Uthal, with a stroke of luck, managed to get his hands on an unassuming meal sack that appeared to hold more than it could. Nolan, despite the advice of Wren, purchased a two person tent, stating that it was very important to him for getting a good night’s rest. With this gear in tow, the unlikely band headed towards the gate. Wren the bard used his powerful voice to clear a path through the crowd. The many faces looked back at them, splashed with a diverse array of emotions ranging from confusion to hope.

Out of the crowd, one of the tradesmen made eye contact with Ezekiel, and shouted thanks. Ezekiel nodded and told him “You’ll be trading goods again before you know it!”

Upon reaching the guards, Wren hopped down from the shoulders of Uthal and explained “we are THE Adventurers, and we have been contracted by your mayor to clear the area beyond this gate of any evils it may contain.”

The guards nodded, opening the blockade to allow for passage. The adventurers passed through, and started down the road towards their quest. As the woods to the north came closer in their view, the village behind them faded, until it was no longer visible. The road seemed peaceful and quite in comparison to the chaos of the town they had just left behind. The group found peace in this quiet, and took it in before they entered the difficulty of the task at hand. They conversed of many things, a plan, and various kills. Nolan and Wren spent some time arguing over the use of a tent when they each had perfectly fine bedrolls and plenty of shelter. Of course, no time of peace lasts forever.

Uthal and Wren saw it first. Up ahead in the distance, a wagon had been turned on its side, with goods scattered through the road. Uthal equipped his Warhammer, which Wren grabbed onto, and used as a ride to the ground where he readied his bow. As this happened, the rest of the crew became alert, and looked around for anything suspicious. Readying weapons and spells, the groups cautiously approached the wagon.

Ezekiel broke the silence. As he observed his surroundings, he saw either a bug or bird fly out of the woods. Following its path lead Ezekiel to look directly into the sun, from which he cried out in pain. Suddenly, two Goblins became alert and appeared from behind the wagon. “So much for stealth!” Nolan muttered as the brawl began.

Wren struck first, calling insults out at the Goblins,  “Only thing uglier than that goblin is his friend!” Although they seemed like meaningless words, they were potent with magic that stung the goblins minds. Ultal and Nolan took this opportunity to charge and attack. The goblins swords clashed with the Warhammer as Uthal swung down, creating mighty craters in the ground with every miss. Nolan sparred with the other goblin, swords clashing with the sounds of battle. Ezekiel began to cast his spells, and fire along with the sound of thunder erupted from his staff.

While all this was happening, Torment was searching through the ground for sticks. Picking a stick up of the ground, he observed it, deemed it unsatisfactory, and tossed it aside. He needed a very specific stick for what he was trying to accomplish. “Hey! Any help you can offer would be much appreciated!” Nolan called out from the fray.

As Nolan shouted, three more Goblins emerged from the bushes along the roadside. It was an ambush! Wren saw them and adjusted the aim of his bow, throwing more stinging insults towards them as he loosed an arrow. The arrow zipped by the shortest goblins head, nicking his ear. One of the goblins caught up with the sparing match between Nolan and his foe. Nolan was surrounded, and took a devastating blow to the gut. He crumpled to the ground unconscious.

Uthal let loose a mighty roar and swung his hammer true flattening his foe and immediately turning to deal with the vermin who had just struck down his newfound friend. But another goblin managed to reach Ezekiel, who although powerful with magic, was having a hard time dealing with direct combat.

Wren saw the state of the fight, and decided they were not going to win this by direct means. “Torment! Get over here!”

Torment looked up from the stick he was observing and saw the current state of the fight. He ran over to Wren who grabbed him and pulled him close. “Listen, Goblins are cowards. If we can’t fight of their numbers-”

“We can scare them off!” Torment exclaimed! Wren breathed a relieved breath. Regardless of the tiefling’s origins, it seemed that in this fight, he was on their side.

“Can you shake the earth?” Wren asked. Torment smiled and began his incantation. Wren thought of the most terrifying beast from his childhood in the forest. An owlbear would be enough to scare these pests off. He cast his spell, but made a mistake. The sound of the biggest owl any of them had ever heard began roaring from the woods. Torment looked at Wren confused, and Wren just shrugged as he readied another arrow.

Another crunch of bone was heard from the impact of Uthal’s Hammer against a goblins head. But as Uthal turned to assist Ezekiel, he saw the wizard fall from a wound in his side. As this happened the earth shook, and the sound of whatever creature was in the woods began to frighten some of the goblins off. Uthal turned towards the woods to see one last goblin still willing to fight. But before the Goblin could reach him, an arrow landed in his chest, and he fell to the ground.

The three still standing looked around. Torment ran over to heal Ezekiel but upon seeing the amount of blood, began to panic. Wren ran over, and was able to stop the bleeding, and stabilize the wizard. Nolan however, was lost.

They gathered around as Nolan uttered his final breath. Uthal was the only one to hear him. Wren looked up at Uthal who was lost for words. “What did he say Uthal?” Wren pleaded.

“He… he told me that we should wrap him up in his two person tent, and lay him to rest in that ditch over there,” Uthal said with a confused expression. They all stared at him, and at each other.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Wren said flatly. “You only get so many dying words and he had to waste them on that stupid two person tent.”

They all chuckled, saddened by the loss, but appreciative of the humor. They did as Nolan requested, and looked at the wagon. Uthal tried to lift it back up onto its wheels, but the battle had taken its toll on his strength. Not sure what to do next, they all decide to set up camp, only one mile from where they had started. “Well this has been a trip” Torment muttered.

Wren played a song on his dulcimer, spun from the memories of his lost friend. Creatures of the forest gathered to listen, and the mood of the group seemed soothed. They settled in to rest off the wounds of battle, tend to the wizard, and plan for the next day.

What none of them saw was a dark mysterious figure, looming at them from the woods, that had arrived midway through Wrens song. It stayed there, and watched. After a long while, the figure backed away, disappearing into the shadows behind, and vanishing from sight.

"The Adventurers" Ep. 1: Luck of the Dice

Ep. 1: Luck of the Dice

As promised in last weeks "Spotify Me," I have recently played some D&D. So instead of an article on music this week, I will start turning the campaign into a story told as the game is played. Before the story gets started, a few words on the 5th edition of D&D: it's good! Just by looking at the character sheet you can already tell that this edition has switched the focus back on the roll play. With two pages on attacks, abilities, and spells, the new character sheet offers an additional 3 pages on character backstory and personality alone. Additionally, the Players Handbook offers more guidance on developing a backstory and personality than the 4th edition ever did. It does this through the use of a "Background" mechanic that sets up a series of suggested equipment and personality traits for players who are new to this aspect of the game. t has me more excited then I have ever been to create the more in depth aspects of my character that I have over looked in the past. So, with all that said, here is the first episode of "The Adventurers".

In town called Black Tree, near the Sword Coast, a mayor was in a crisis. The northern bridge out of town had been blockaded in order to prevent dangers from the north from invading and pillaging his small town. With guards spread thin, and trade with most other towns becoming difficult, the people of Black Tree would start to feel like prisoners in their own homes. The mayor felt he had but one last hope: four adventurers had recently been attracted to his town. The Mayor didn't necessarily trust any of them to compete the mission on their own, as all of them seemed fairly green, but perhaps together they would be able to complete a common goal.

Meanwhile, a wizard by the name of Ezekiel had wandered into town upon noticing the commotion. A family in desperate need of selling their wears in a nearby town flagged him down. Upon further discussion, Ezekiel found himself headed in the direction of the Mayors house. Upon reaching the house though, a Goliath figure ducked out of the doorway, and began lumbering towards the nearby tavern. Interested in this outlander, Ezekiel fell into the shadows, and tailed the small giant.

Uthal the Goliath wandered in the direction of the tavern. The mayor had informed him that in that tavern he would find two well known adventurers in the town. They were panning on heading north soon, but were looking for more muscle to add to their team. As Uthal entered the tavern, he came upon a somewhat depressing scene. Patrons who hadn't made it home from the previous nights revelry were strewn through out the bar. One in particular drew his attention, a man sitting casually playing with what appeared to be a set of dice. As he approached, he noticed that the trinket was in fact a peanut still in this shell.

"OH! Did you wan to play with my peanuts?!" the man yelled in a drunken slur. As Ulthal backed away he heard another sound.

"Hey! You're probably looking for us!" Ulthal turned to see a small child and a paladin sitting in a booth near the corner of the room. "The mayor send ya?" the child yelled. As Ulthal approached the table he found the child to actually be a small man with fey features on his face, a gnome. The Paladin was a human, tall and plain looking. He was heavily armored and, but looked nervous as more attention was drawn to him. Ulthal chose to focus on the gnome.

"I'm Wrenn Mola," the gnome stated "and this here is Nolan. We're the two looking to head north and investigate the crime spree. Mayor seems to think we need extra muscle, and you look like you fit the bill. You think you're up for a trip?"

Ultal stared at the two. They were a strange pair, but the gnome seemed confident, and the Paladin at leased looked the part. Ulthal nodded an affirmative. "All right then. We should supply up and head out quickly. How about a drink for the road?"

"Sounds good to me," the gnome smiled, looking over at his companion.

"Sure, sounds good to you. We aren't all hauling entertainer money" the Nolan muttered.

"Fine then, I'm buying" Wrenn stated with a smile as he stood up to walk to the bar. Halfway across the room though he made a sudden change of direction and made a b-line for a small performance area in the corner of the room. Seeing this, Nolan suddenly stood up with a look of panic and made for the exit. Instead of making it all the way, Nolan bumped into a table, right on the most sensitive spot, and sent the table flying. All eyes in the tavern were on Nolan as he grunted in pain. Suddenly, a the strum of a Dulcimer broke the silence. Heads turned to find Wrenn's small figure standing on a bar stool just as he erupted into song.

Let me introduce you all,
To Nolan the clumsy Kinght!
And though he's not that dexterous,
He'll not run from a fight!

A great many a year ago,
His country was at war!
And so Nolan did his duty,
And took to the fields of Gore.

One evening in the campsite,
Nolan answered natures call
And wandered in the darkness
Beyond his armies wall.

But in the still of darkness,
Nolan didn't bring a lamp,
And taking a few wrong turns,
Wandered to the enemy camp!

Nolan stumbled into the site
And tripped upon a tent wire!
And knocking down a lantern
Started up a fire!

The enemy camp went up in flames!
The battle had been won
By Nolan's late night bathroom break
Before the fighting had begun!

The tavern erupted in applause, refilled with an energy seemingly out of nowhere. The barkeep became so distracted meeting the sudden demand for drinks he forgot about the broken table. As Nolan, red faced and flustered, slunk back to the table, Wrenn collected a complimentary beverage and two more for his friends. As he reached the table, a cold rush of air filled the room, as the dark imposing shape of a Tiefling filled the doorway. The happy atmosphere created by the song drained as people hid from the demonic figure. The adventurers stared at the newcomer with suspicion.

"Where are the adventurers heading north?" the Tiefling demanded, glaring around the room. His eyes landed on the strange looking trio at their booth. While the Uthal glared and Nolan stared with suspicion, Wrenn waved the stranger over to their table. Before the Tiefling arrived, he noticed a shadowy figure in the other corner of the room. "You there! Who are you?"

Ezekiel the wizard removed his hood, revealing a green Genasi face, and approached the table. "I am Ezikiel, and I am also here to investigate the north. Who are you demon?" the Genasi requested.

The Tiefling took no notice of the intended insult and responded "My common name is Torment. I am a druid of these woods, and also have investment in their protection. I wish to join you on your mission."

The five looked at each other. It was a strange alliance, but it had a common purpose. "Very well," Uthal the goliath stated. "We shall work together on this."

"And what then," Wrenn announced with a mischievous grin, "Shall we call ourselves? Every group needs a name after all." The gnome, always looking for his next story, placed his hand in the center of the table, inviting others to place theirs with his. One by one their hands met his. Even the Tiefling found he was unable to resist the Gnomes instance.

"The adventurers?" Uthal suggested, a bit confused.

Nolan started up "Thats a really stup-"

"The Adventurers!" Wrenn shouted, lifting his hand in the air, leading the others to do the same. The group stood up and took to the door of the tavern, exiting the dark room and stepping into the mid-day light.

So that is about half of our first session. The next half is soon to arrive I hope. But the introductions seemed like a good place to round up the first chapter. This will update as we play, so hopefully we set up a good adventure for you. Hope you keep reading so that I keep writing!

-Mark