DM Darkshard's Swift Kills

[Darkshard]

[Darkshard]

~A Crawl Through Fire~

("The Coast is Alive" 13)

Characters Involved:
Anders Wintersoul
James White
Omar Mu'awiya
Revir Vashandi
Vich Unders

Synopsis:
A group of adventurers were making headway in the gnoll caves when they were ambushed by huge numbers. They fought desperately, but were soon overwhelmed and subdued. When they next awoke, they were in a prison cell in the lower levels, in some kind of torture and experimentation room. There were no guards around, and the whole place was eerily quiet. Even more curiously, nothing had been taken from the prisoners, as though they had been thrown in the jail in haste and never searched. Omar took to the "cheap lock" and they were easily able to escape.

As they made their way through the tunnels, the complex seemed quiet and deserted. They passed dead gnolls and gruesome blood smears. Occasionally, they would hear a sharp cry rounding a corner only to see a gnoll fall dead amidst the blood spatter. As they progressed cautiously down one corridor, smoke billowed toward them, with flames spreading in its wake, and then an efreeti charged down the passage and attacked. They defeated it with some difficulty and the flames died down. The cause of the gnoll carnage soon became apparent as they repelled more efreeti attacks, always preceded by smoke and fire. The party took many wounds, burns and casualties, but were able to press forward by working together.

When they finally arrived at the top level once more, they found all the caves in flames and filled with efreeti spawn. They carved a bloody, desperate path to the exit, emerging out into the fresh air and rain. They fell about gasping for breath, grateful to be alive. The party surmised that the gnoll occultists, known to dabble in the conjuration of outsiders, had bitten off more than they could chew and been overrun by their own summoned.

Rewards/Punishments: Decent xp to everyone, slightly more to Vich for the best exclamation/battlecry I've heard in a long time.

[DM Fugue]

I'd like to subscribe for the audiobook versions, mr Shard.

[Darkshard]

~Shadows in the Woods~

("The Coulter Indictment" Part One)

Characters Involved:
Dralzar Dimenean
Elladyr
Laisren Ua Tieman
Mendel
Radia El'yn
Thergal Stonesmith
Shyntvayas LiNeer

Synopsis:
Disturbed by the unusual mass migration of animals in the Sharpteeth Woods, Archdruid Thergal attempted to commune with nature to determine the cause. He managed to gather a number of woodland creatures together and speak with them, albeit in a limited way. The animal responses were vague, Thergal learning only that the creatures were fleeing north, south and west from some indistinct force named only as "the Fear". During this communion, Thergal caught sight of four robed and hooded figures moving through the trees.

Thergal rendezvoused with some other members of his grove as well as many elves of Doron Amar, and the party began tracing the steps of the robed figures who were apparently moving quite clumsily in this terrain. They were followed by the party to the Shrine of Malar, whereupon they were confronted by their pursuers and attempted to flee. One fell behind and was taken back into the wood for questioning.

The man, variously distraught, panicked and paranoid, claimed to be a poor farmer who had turned to the Beastlord to deliver his family from starvation. He claimed that many in the farmlands had been praying for the animal migration that now drove fresh game toward their lands. Some confusion ensued in the interrogation, with debates over the story, and the bewildered man being caught amidst contradictory orders. Eventually, the party settled to escort him home and verify his story that way. The state of his house and family later confirmed he was telling the truth.

Several people left donations of coin and dried meat for this family. Thergal also convinced him to turn away from the Beastlord, though he still refused to destroy the make-shift Malarite Shrine in his barn for fear of angering Him.

Rewards/Punishments: Small amounts of xp to all, more to Thergal. Small xp cost to cast a PnP spell.

[Darkshard]

~Debt for Debt~

("The Red Ink of Black Tenday" Part One)

Characters Involved:
Arolan Mistrunner
Elvina Aira-S’efarro
Haeman
Revenark Stonehold
Seth Siger
Tara Rahn
Ulfrik
(Two others, to update)

Synopsis:
Seeking a permanent Keep of their own in these lands and hearing of the accomplished dwarf architect Barbryn Glori, members of the Order of the Silver Rose sought her at the Merchant's League. Upon arrival however, they were informed by Elad that she was preparing to leave town as a result of diminished prospects in the Gate. They found her packing up her office, but managed to convince her to at least stay for a consultation.

They all sat around a large table in the conference room and Barbryn asked questions about the Order before taking them through a list of necessary steps in the construction of the Keep. They asked Barbryn to take on the project, but she insisted she could not remain in the Gate. At that moment, the group heard loud knocking and less-than-friendly voices seeking Barbryn in her office. This panicked her, and she herded the group off to "inspect the stone" at the Order's desired construction locale. She was evasive and sometimes defensive about the unwanted visit she had dodged.

The group arrived at the spot near the Friendly Arm Inn, and Barbryn went about inspecting the area. At this point the group was jumped by bandits and a scuffle broke out. One of the bandits quickly called off the attack, seeing how many well-equipped foes they faced, stating they were "only there for the dwarf" and pointing at Barbryn. The Order stood between her and the bandits, giving more than one of them poise. Insults were traded between Revenark and a dwarf bandit, resulting in another scuffle after which the latter dwarf lay dead. After this the bandits appeared to flee, only to launch their attack from a distance. Battle ensued and the Order prevailed.

Owing them her life, Barbryn agreed to build their Keep. She asked for an advance on her services, to "keep the wolves from the door".

Rewards/Punishments: Decent xp to all and the first steps toward guildhall construction. A significant amount of gold taken from Revenark to cover Barbryn's advance.

[Darkshard]

~The Other Last Ship~

("The Red Ink of Black Tenday" Part Two)

Characters Involved:
Mealir Ostirel

Synopsis:
Mealir enquired with Elad about the possibility of buying goods in Waterdeep in the Merchant League's name. When he arrived at the League for the meeting, he was surprised to also find courtier Jhasso waiting for him, who stated he was there to represent Duke Entar Silvershield. Even more surprising was that he passed on an apology by the Duke for being unable to attend in person.

The three moved to a private office. Despite the Whistling Wanderess being a small ship with relatively modest cargo space, Elad and Jhasso seemed eager to charter the vessel. Mealir offered to buy food supplies, but the pair told him they were only interested in mineral and commodity purchases, and gave him a writ of credit with which to buy refined iron ore from the Waterdeep Trading Group. Mealir accepted the deal.

Rewards/Punishments: Potential for a significant payday, future deals and political influence.

[Darkshard]

~Restless Crypt~

("The Coast is Alive" 14)

Characters Involved:
Arkaine HalfOrken
Auron
Ferragus Manus

Synopsis:
Three members of the Order of the Radiant Heart set out to purify the Fields of the Dead with a vengeance. The fields had been particularly restless lately and today proved no different, with many waves of skeletons ambushing the trio. The knights and squire pressed on to the crypt in which they surmised lay the source of the evil.

Inside, they practically waded through ghouls and ghasts to arrive at the deep ritual chamber, whereupon they did battle with a deformed Shadow Priest and his many minions. With considerable effort, they defeated him and the crypt quietened once more. For good measure, they purified the pool and destroyed the fell shrine.

Rewards/Punishments: Small amounts of xp to all.

[Darkshard]

~A Thing or Two~

("The Coulter Indictment" Part Two)

Characters Involved:
Cael'rinar
Elladyr
Jaufre

Synopsis:
Some marksmen of Doron Amar travelled to Ulgoth's Beard to teach archery to the local farmers, that they might better hunt the game in the woods to supplement their farming activities. At first, their calls were slow to garner interest, but eventually farmers Tom, Radly and Torsen came over to talk to them. They were very reluctant at first to go along with the outsiders, but acquiesced once the elves declared they could keep the bows afterward.

The three lined up and the elves taught them how to correctly grip and draw the bows. It was clear the farmers had never held bows in their lives. After much practice and instruction, two out of three farmers managed to hit the target tree. Assumptions about Elladyr's gender caused one of the farmers to flirt with him, resulting in much embarrassment when he stated he was in fact a male elf.

By the end, the three farmers had been swayed that this was a good idea, and promised to practice on their own and drum up support for participation in future lessons. They warmed to their teachers in general, saying these elves "know a thing or two about a thing or two."

Rewards/Punishments: Small amounts of xp to all, slight improvements in reputation in Ulgoth's Beard.

[DM Fugue]

[Hoihe]

And i thougth Calinde had it bad, at least there is no confusion... poor elladyr.

[Darkshard]

~Rain Check~

("The Coulter Indictment" Part Three)

Characters Involved:
Thergal Stonesmith

Synopsis:
Archdruid Thergal visited the farmlands outside Baldur's Gate and attempted to use his magic to lend some relief to the current drought. He was initially met with predictable suspicion until Alistar Morley, the man he had helped previously, greeted him and calmed the other farmers.

Thergal performed his ritual and called a light rain for a while, but the spell abated unexpectedly, well short of its normal duration. Thergal left the disappointed farmers to ponder this, but Alistar still promised to hold up his end of the bargain and discourage worship of Malar in the farmlands.

Rewards/Punishments: A small amount of xp.

[Darkshard]

~Carriage Ride~

("The Red Ink of Black Tenday" Part Three)

Characters Involved:
James White
Pate

Synopsis:
Jhasso's carriage stopped outside the Friendly Arm Inn, picking up James and Pate and transporting them to the Merchant League in Baldur's Gate to meet with Elad. It seems James' form letters had generated a great deal of questions and some confusion, though Elad seemed unflustered by the situation. Rather, taking it in stride and after some discussion, he agreed to entrust two caravan convoys to the protection offered by the "City Relief Committee", as a trial run to see how well the volunteers could handle an organised task.

In return, Elad agreed that James could commission a couple of wagons to bring food supplies back south.

Rewards/Punishments: Small amounts of xp, potential for achieving RP goals.

[Darkshard]

~Morric and Gold~

("The Red Ink of Black Tenday" Part Four)

Characters Involved:
Gold
Kage
Morric
Silhouette
Whisper

Synopsis:
A business meeting took place at night, down on the docks. Information was traded for coin and good faith. The potential for a new working relationship was discussed.

Rewards/Punishments: Decent xp to all.

[Darkshard]

~The Second Lesson~

("The Coulter Indictment" Part Four)

Characters Involved:
Anona Anu
Cael'rina
Cael Sae'bael
Elladyr
Faelon Dy'nesh
Marc Blackberg
Mendel
Pate
Shyntvayas LiNeer
Tristan Ebonhawk

Synopsis:
After their first archery lesson, Radly and Torsen had been spreading the word throughout the farmlands. So much so that the elves found no less than forty farmers gathered there, most eager and willing to participate in the second lesson.

The elves set about equipping them and split them up into four groups. Each group had 2-3 instructors as several passers-by joined in to contribute their knowledge. The training was a struggle, most farmers having never even held a real bow before. Each instructor had her or his own style; some moving quickly to draw technique and shooting, some focusing on breathing discipline, and some even concerning themselves with bow maintenance. An injury was sustained late in the training, but Mendel was able to see the wound healed and the rest of the practice concluded without incident.

Radly and Torsen proved themselves capable teachers as well as learners, and the young Evey Winter showed a natural aptitude, being named Captain of her firing line by Pate. Elladyr gave a stirring speech at the end, and told the farmers of orcs on the move and how their bows may be needed for defence as much as hunting.

After a long day, the farmers sincerely thanked their instructors, and promised to practice daily.

Rewards/Punishments: Decent xp to all who contributed, slightly more to Faelon for charity, and to Elladyr for leadership.

[DM Fugue]

I give archery lessons as well.
nodnod*