wilboman
Hibernorse Frost Giant
I'd be very interested in seeing the campaign web site. And I did mean geek in the sense of enthusiast. I consider myself a geek. Just not a D&D geek (I have a way too short attention span
).
).
A Fall from Heaven D&D Campaign
- Thread starter vorshlumpf
- Start date
![[NWO]_Valis](https://civfanatics-data.community.forum/avatars/m/110/110973.jpg?1475248361){kind=avatar}
[NWO]_Valis
A bad kitty!
PBF [play by forum] is very fun and you really do not have to have the rule books to play. You can think the rules your selfs or just use common sense. I have taken part in games that had no specified rules at all, storytelling all the way.
Unfortunatly my current game waits for me about 4 months now [we play Mage: the Ascescion] on a polish RPG forum :/ I have no time to write the response but the story is very specyfic and each characters story is separate and others do not need me to go on.
If you would like to start to play such game [PBF-RPG] here then you would need a subforum at least.
Unfortunatly my current game waits for me about 4 months now [we play Mage: the Ascescion] on a polish RPG forum :/ I have no time to write the response but the story is very specyfic and each characters story is separate and others do not need me to go on.
If you would like to start to play such game [PBF-RPG] here then you would need a subforum at least.
I don't own D&D either so I have created a simplified game system based on common sense and realism, which seems especially well suited for PBF and it might be easier to use than D&D as long as the DM is competent. (the rules are just some 2 pages (big text))
vorshlumpf
Emperor
It's http://bia.niilo.ca/
Since this link has already been buried once, I'll put it on the first post as well.
thomas.berubeg
Wandering the World
yeah, here!
wilboman
Hibernorse Frost Giant
The play by forum concept reminds me an awful lot of the early NESes. They were fun, until some people started to loose any semblance of control. Although the later NESes were fun too
vorshlumpf
Emperor
Here's another story segment for you guys to critique, if you wish. It's introducing the players to the next game session, which will (should) involve a rescue mission, with a side of invasion-foiling.
--------------------------------------
The trail was stale, but the signs were obvious. Kurnlynn, a hunter of over 15 years, was sure that he followed the tracks of two goblins dragging a human body - a human that he hoped was still alive.
And now, finally, after several hours of difficult tracking, it seemed that his quarry decided that they no longer needed to cover their trail. The seasoned tracker redoubled his pace now that he didn't have to spend as much time with his eyes to the ground. He didn't know how long it would be before he would overtake them, but he had no doubt that he would. Two goblins would be no problem for him to handle. But, would he be in time? The last thing Kurnlynn wanted to do was return to Valentia to inform Lord Ibrahim that his son was dead.
It had taken just over two full days for him to even locate any sign of Obed Ibrahim at all. Fortunately, though smart enough to make some effort to hide their passage south, the goblins did not conceal the quarterstaff that the young nobleman had obviously dropped in battle. With that discovery, it was only a matter of time for Kurnlynn to use his honed skills to track them down.
The chill wind assailed him as he broke out of the shelter of woods and into a glade. Pulling his cloak close, he kneeled down for a short rest and to ascertain the direction of his chase. He had been going straight for some time now, and looking ahead he could see the familiar, protruding ridgeline that ran south-east from the lookout locals called, Tranquility Ridge. The goblins likely had a favourite cave that they used to make camp during the day. Then their trail would continue farther south, towards the wilds of the Danaan Forest where their brethren likely numbered in the hundreds. Fortunately, the Valentian hunter wouldn't allow them to get that far.
Daylight was fading, and the overcast sky wouldn't let much of the yesterday's waning full moon shine through to light the night. Kurnlynn quickly sprung up to his feet and resumed his pursuit. It didn't take much for him to follow the signs, as he passed through more forest, over small hillocks, and along minor vales and cliffs. He slowed to a cautious pace once he got near the base of the main ridgeline. He couldn't see any obvious dips or trails on the cliff face, so the anticipated cave was likely near. Though they should still be ahead of him by a day, he wasn't going to risk tripping over the savages recklessly.
The foot of the ridge happened to jut out at this point. Kurnlynn's slow approach now angled away from the tracks he follow, as he surveyed the broken ground and cliff face from the concealment of the trees. Shortly, he was able to see what he was looking for: a narrow opening in the rocky wall. A few moments of carefully scanning the area convinced him that the area was clear and he took quiet, deliberate steps up the slope to the cave entrance. A quick glance within showed the beginning of a twisted passageway, a sign that this cave wouldn't be as simple as some bear den.
The hunter stepped within until darkness enveloped him. He waited breathlessly as his sight adjusted naturally to the diminished light - the blood of his elven mother ensured that any light, no matter how faint, would be picked up by his eyes, allowing him to see normally. Just in case, he patted his belt pouch to assure himself of his flint and steel, for if the cave went very far there wouldn't be any light for even his acute eyes to use.
After a couple of dozen feet, the natural passage widened into what looked like a small, roughly hewn room. His hand traced the wall closest to him to confirm what his eyes saw - that this cave was no longer quite natural. It appeared that someone had gone through great effort to expand the size of this underground hollow, though he had not the skill to guess as to when this was done. And, more disconcerting, there were two passageways that branched off from here: one to his immediate right and one straight ahead.
The decision on which direction to try first was interrupted by footsteps, voices, and a growing light to his right. Kurnlynn quickly bounded forward and hid in the opposite passageway, his longknife automatically drawn. His instincts told him something was not right, for goblins could see in complete darkness and had no need for light.
"No! Cannot! Dawn not good time to attack."
The half-elf wasn't sure what surprised him more, the sight of what appeared to be three robed humans or the frantic goblin following them, speaking in the human tongue of Patrian. The robed individuals seemed intent to leave the cave when the goblin, and two of his brethren, stopped in the middle of the small room.
"Will not attack!" the lead goblin said with an air of finality. The robed people stopped as one, but didn't turn around. The light of the torch that one carried showed off the darkness of their garb, all black with some elements of deep red.
The speaking goblin held aloft a scrolled parchment. "I not follow orders this time. Go back and tell that to your master."
A voice that sent shivers down Kurnlynn's spine rasped slowly and softly from the central robed figure. "You. Have. No. Choice." All three spun on the spot and the hunter couldn't help but shrink further back into the cave. Dark cloth covered their faces - no skin was visible. Even their hands wore dark gloves.
Again the central person spoke. But this time, the words were not clear, if they were words at all. The sound could be best described as oily, as if it tainted your entire body by oozing into your ears. To Kurnlynn's relief, the voice stopped almost as quickly as it started. The robed figure was halfway through a deliberate stride toward the outspoken goblin when another of the short, yellow-skinned folk jumped forward with one hand out and his other hand pulling a vicious morning star from its belt.
"[Stop!]" the apparent bodyguard said in his own tongue, one which Kurnlynn had learned in his youth. "[Stand back fro-]"
The robed figure didn't even pause as he (she? it?) reached out with his own hand to touch the goblin's. On contact, the small humanoid immediately screamed and dropped to the ground, doubling up in pain. A comrade, the third goblin, rushed forward to help but stopped in awe as the skin on the victim's still outstretched hand began to blister, crack, and split. This continued up the madly screeching goblin's arm, to his shoulder, neck, and, eventually, to his head. One eye swelled shut and blood flowed from his ears. A gash opened up on his forehead and travelled back along his scalp just as the horrifying shrieks stopped, the echo throughout the cave dying well after the goblin.
It all happened in little more than a second, but the moment lasted an age for the petrified half-elf concealed in the tunnel. No one else moved either, the two remaining goblins immobilized from shock and the robed figures seemingly lifeless where they stood. Finally, the main robed individual pointed with the same hand toward the wide-eyed goblin that spoke with such cockiness before. The outstretched finger was not directed at the humanoid savage, but at the scroll he still held aloft, forgotten, in one dirty hand.
"Dawn," came the voice, more disconcerting than before. At that, the figure once again turned for the exit and left, the other two joining him as he passed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was some time before Kurnlynn, hiding in the dark, could motivate himself to move. The robed people were gone. The goblins were gone. But he was having trouble sorting his thoughts. Or, more accurately, he was having trouble getting his thoughts to break through the image of that goblin being ravaged alive. Eventually, he was able to get a rein on his mind.
What was going on here? There were three goblins when he expected two. And who were those horrible robed people?
Whatever the answers may be, he knew one thing. Lord Ibrahim's son was brought to this cave and he needed to get him out.
Choosing to continue down the passageway that served as his hiding spot, Kurnlynn was even more deliberate with his steps. His enhanced vision was slowly diminishing the farther he went, and one hand glided along the curving tunnel. Just as he was about to pull out his flint, a small amount of light became visible around a bend up ahead. After a moment of study, he calmed his nerves as it seemed to be light from an open fire, not a deliberate light-source. Goblins had to eat, too, afterall.
He snuck ahead, ignoring a couple of side-passages after ensuring they were clear of goblins. The passageway narrowed suddenly, giving him a sudden feeling of claustrophobia, but immediately opened up into a very wide room. At the far end he saw a couple of goblins unexcitedly throwing items into a large stew pot above a fire. Another small passage was directly behind them, but this large room continue off to Kurnlynn's left and out of site. After assuring himself that the goblins were too occupied with their task to notice him on this shadowy side of the room, he slowly moved forward.
He was about to round the corner when he heard more voices, this time speaking goblin. And it wasn't only a few. The half-elf surreptitiously glanced around the rock wall, and almost gasped at what he saw. Dozens of make-shift cots were scattered throughout this underground hall, with enough goblins to fill them. Some were sleeping, some talking or arguing. A few played some sort of game in the corner, accompanied by frequent goblinoid squawks or guffaws.
Kurnlynn pulled back to take a deep breath. The cooking goblins were still engrossed in their chore. He took another look, this time making a more accurate assessment. He counted just over 4 dozen of the filthy savages, and all of warrior stock. No women or children. He didn't know much about goblins, but this had all the makings of a war band.
No longer feeling comfortable in these caves, the hunter slowly backed out the way he came. When he once again came to the intersection, he had to duck back to avoid a couple of goblins pushing a poorly assembled cart from one of the side passages. The half-elf held his breath as he tried to sink back into the rock wall for it didn't matter how dark it was - the goblins' eyes could pick him out even if he was completely covered in shadow. They moved passed him without noticing, though, either due to sheer luck or general inattentiveness. He couldn't help but notice, by smell more than sight, the contents of the cart. From small rodents, to hunks of larger animals, it was filled to the brim with meat of various sorts. The two continued on across the intersection, down a wide tunnel, and stopped before a bend about thirty feet away.
The half-elf thought he heard one goblin ask the other, "[Ready?]" before grabbing a long pole from against the wall. The pole-wielding goblin moved forward and was immediately greeted by vicious growls and snarls. Shouts and commands erupted from both goblins, the former now out of site around the bend as the other threw their gruesome cargo piece by piece into the depths of the cave. His best guess was that they were feeding wolves, but he didn't want to stick around to find out. Kurnlynn used the din to mask any noise he happened to make during a more hasty retreat down the original tunnel and out of the cave.
As he left, his foot kicked an object on the ground that skittered to a stop. Bending down, he found what looked like the scrolled parchment the goblin leader had held earlier. He must have left it here in the aftermath of the robed ones' dramatic exit. Kurnlynn slid it into his belt pouch and hurriedly left the cave into the twilight of the evening.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kurnlynn was wasting no time in returning to Valentia. He had a good idea of where he was, and it would likely take him until late into the evening to get back. He had to warn Lord Ibrahim about the goblins and, more importantly, return immediately with more people if they hoped to rescue Lord Obed. He felt guilty that he didn't even get to see the young man, nevermind not extricate him by himself. But nothing would have been gained if he became wolf meat himself.
It was at this moment, while running across an open glade, that something caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand up. Whether it was intuition or a blessing of Sirona's wisdom, Kurnlynn whirled while simultaneously crouching low. It only took a moment for him to notice the shadow with a pair of red eyes at the edge of the trees. The creature had stopped at the half-elf's sudden drop to the ground, but now slowly and confidently moved straight toward the hunter with its shoulders hunched high. As it came into view, Kurnlynn saw that it resembled a black wolf, aside from the eyes, but it was considerably larger than any the woodsman had seen before. It even dwarfed the war dogs that the Bannor sometimes used, and they were almost 150 pounds!
Fangs were bared in a growl as the creature continued its advance, muscles clearly rippling on its massive body with each deliberate step. Drool dripped from its mouth and its eyes remained focused on its elf-human prey. Kurnlynn didn't believe in his ability to outrun this beast. He didn't enjoy the thought of fighting it, either. However, at this range, if he was quick, he could get a few shots off with his bow. With luck, he could kill it. Without it, maybe he could at least weaken it.
With a practiced move, his longbow was unslung and an arrow pulled to the string. He didn't even have it drawn back before the wolf bolted back into the cover of the trees. The fact that the creature seemed to recognise what he was doing was very unnerving - he had never had an animal respond to him like that before.
There was no sign of the beast now, which unnerved him even more. As long as the clouds didn't cover the moon too much, he could see as well now as any man could see during the day. But he couldn't stay in the middle of this clearing. He had to get back to Valentia.
Walking backwards at first, his bow still out with an arrow drawn, the half-elf eventually turned around and resumed running. This time, fear lengthened his stride and fueled his lungs, as he constantly looked over his shoulder for those two red eyes. He entered the forest once again, and paid no heed to the branches pulling at his cloak and whipping at his face. Kurnlynn's laboured breathing filled his own ears as they strained to hear any noise in the dark. Somehow, his senses failed him, as he had only a split-second to react when a large, dark object hurtled at him over a bush. The half-elf felt a sharp pain as the full weight of the creature's body collided with his, large jaws snapping right next to his ear. He hit the ground and rolled to his hands and knees, his bow still somehow in hand.
He couldn't fire an arrow from the ground, though. He looked up to see the black-furred animal facing him from a dozen feet away, walking sideways while snarling viciously. He pulled out his knife as he got up on his feet into a stooped stance. Those red eyes followed his every movement, an unnatural intelligence behind them assessing its quarry. The Valentian didn't have much time to be disturbed by this, though, as it suddenly leaped at him again. With natural speed enhanced by his elven ancestry, Kurnlynn stuck out his bow. He caught the wolf-beast in the mouth, deflecting its bite, but the sturdy bowstave bent and snapped under the immense weight. The creature still collided with him, claws finding his ribs. As he screamed, the hunter-turned-prey lashed out with his knife and rolled away.
In a daze, Kurnlynn regained his feet and held out his knife. He didn't see the beast right away, but he was sure he could hear it amongst the trees. The half-elf bolted. He took a moment to glance at his longknife, happy to see it covered in blood. Hopefully that wound would slow it down. Alas, such was not the case as again his reflexes saved him from a full-on impact with the beast. He ducked under another leaping charge, this time managing to completely evade the attack. The creature crashed through a small tree and tumbled down a slope. In mid-slide it nimbly regained its feet and immediately turned around to find its prey.
Kurnlynn was already running upslope, though, his legs pumping despite the intense burning in his muscles. He had passed this way while tracking the goblins, and was sure he remembered something about the area. This beast that followed him from the caves seemed unstoppable, so he had only one hope. Fear and determination kept his legs moving, but it wasn't long before he heard crashing behind him. A quick glance back confirmed that it was almost on him, red eyes blazing in the night. The trees opened up in front of him. A small cliff greeted him ahead, but he kept running. Almost there. He was sure he could feel its breath on his neck. He was just about at the ledge. A growl rose in volume behind him as he reached the edge, his own yell piercing the night. And he leaped with all of his remaining strength.
--------------------------------------
The trail was stale, but the signs were obvious. Kurnlynn, a hunter of over 15 years, was sure that he followed the tracks of two goblins dragging a human body - a human that he hoped was still alive.
And now, finally, after several hours of difficult tracking, it seemed that his quarry decided that they no longer needed to cover their trail. The seasoned tracker redoubled his pace now that he didn't have to spend as much time with his eyes to the ground. He didn't know how long it would be before he would overtake them, but he had no doubt that he would. Two goblins would be no problem for him to handle. But, would he be in time? The last thing Kurnlynn wanted to do was return to Valentia to inform Lord Ibrahim that his son was dead.
It had taken just over two full days for him to even locate any sign of Obed Ibrahim at all. Fortunately, though smart enough to make some effort to hide their passage south, the goblins did not conceal the quarterstaff that the young nobleman had obviously dropped in battle. With that discovery, it was only a matter of time for Kurnlynn to use his honed skills to track them down.
The chill wind assailed him as he broke out of the shelter of woods and into a glade. Pulling his cloak close, he kneeled down for a short rest and to ascertain the direction of his chase. He had been going straight for some time now, and looking ahead he could see the familiar, protruding ridgeline that ran south-east from the lookout locals called, Tranquility Ridge. The goblins likely had a favourite cave that they used to make camp during the day. Then their trail would continue farther south, towards the wilds of the Danaan Forest where their brethren likely numbered in the hundreds. Fortunately, the Valentian hunter wouldn't allow them to get that far.
Daylight was fading, and the overcast sky wouldn't let much of the yesterday's waning full moon shine through to light the night. Kurnlynn quickly sprung up to his feet and resumed his pursuit. It didn't take much for him to follow the signs, as he passed through more forest, over small hillocks, and along minor vales and cliffs. He slowed to a cautious pace once he got near the base of the main ridgeline. He couldn't see any obvious dips or trails on the cliff face, so the anticipated cave was likely near. Though they should still be ahead of him by a day, he wasn't going to risk tripping over the savages recklessly.
The foot of the ridge happened to jut out at this point. Kurnlynn's slow approach now angled away from the tracks he follow, as he surveyed the broken ground and cliff face from the concealment of the trees. Shortly, he was able to see what he was looking for: a narrow opening in the rocky wall. A few moments of carefully scanning the area convinced him that the area was clear and he took quiet, deliberate steps up the slope to the cave entrance. A quick glance within showed the beginning of a twisted passageway, a sign that this cave wouldn't be as simple as some bear den.
The hunter stepped within until darkness enveloped him. He waited breathlessly as his sight adjusted naturally to the diminished light - the blood of his elven mother ensured that any light, no matter how faint, would be picked up by his eyes, allowing him to see normally. Just in case, he patted his belt pouch to assure himself of his flint and steel, for if the cave went very far there wouldn't be any light for even his acute eyes to use.
After a couple of dozen feet, the natural passage widened into what looked like a small, roughly hewn room. His hand traced the wall closest to him to confirm what his eyes saw - that this cave was no longer quite natural. It appeared that someone had gone through great effort to expand the size of this underground hollow, though he had not the skill to guess as to when this was done. And, more disconcerting, there were two passageways that branched off from here: one to his immediate right and one straight ahead.
The decision on which direction to try first was interrupted by footsteps, voices, and a growing light to his right. Kurnlynn quickly bounded forward and hid in the opposite passageway, his longknife automatically drawn. His instincts told him something was not right, for goblins could see in complete darkness and had no need for light.
"No! Cannot! Dawn not good time to attack."
The half-elf wasn't sure what surprised him more, the sight of what appeared to be three robed humans or the frantic goblin following them, speaking in the human tongue of Patrian. The robed individuals seemed intent to leave the cave when the goblin, and two of his brethren, stopped in the middle of the small room.
"Will not attack!" the lead goblin said with an air of finality. The robed people stopped as one, but didn't turn around. The light of the torch that one carried showed off the darkness of their garb, all black with some elements of deep red.
The speaking goblin held aloft a scrolled parchment. "I not follow orders this time. Go back and tell that to your master."
A voice that sent shivers down Kurnlynn's spine rasped slowly and softly from the central robed figure. "You. Have. No. Choice." All three spun on the spot and the hunter couldn't help but shrink further back into the cave. Dark cloth covered their faces - no skin was visible. Even their hands wore dark gloves.
Again the central person spoke. But this time, the words were not clear, if they were words at all. The sound could be best described as oily, as if it tainted your entire body by oozing into your ears. To Kurnlynn's relief, the voice stopped almost as quickly as it started. The robed figure was halfway through a deliberate stride toward the outspoken goblin when another of the short, yellow-skinned folk jumped forward with one hand out and his other hand pulling a vicious morning star from its belt.
"[Stop!]" the apparent bodyguard said in his own tongue, one which Kurnlynn had learned in his youth. "[Stand back fro-]"
The robed figure didn't even pause as he (she? it?) reached out with his own hand to touch the goblin's. On contact, the small humanoid immediately screamed and dropped to the ground, doubling up in pain. A comrade, the third goblin, rushed forward to help but stopped in awe as the skin on the victim's still outstretched hand began to blister, crack, and split. This continued up the madly screeching goblin's arm, to his shoulder, neck, and, eventually, to his head. One eye swelled shut and blood flowed from his ears. A gash opened up on his forehead and travelled back along his scalp just as the horrifying shrieks stopped, the echo throughout the cave dying well after the goblin.
It all happened in little more than a second, but the moment lasted an age for the petrified half-elf concealed in the tunnel. No one else moved either, the two remaining goblins immobilized from shock and the robed figures seemingly lifeless where they stood. Finally, the main robed individual pointed with the same hand toward the wide-eyed goblin that spoke with such cockiness before. The outstretched finger was not directed at the humanoid savage, but at the scroll he still held aloft, forgotten, in one dirty hand.
"Dawn," came the voice, more disconcerting than before. At that, the figure once again turned for the exit and left, the other two joining him as he passed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was some time before Kurnlynn, hiding in the dark, could motivate himself to move. The robed people were gone. The goblins were gone. But he was having trouble sorting his thoughts. Or, more accurately, he was having trouble getting his thoughts to break through the image of that goblin being ravaged alive. Eventually, he was able to get a rein on his mind.
What was going on here? There were three goblins when he expected two. And who were those horrible robed people?
Whatever the answers may be, he knew one thing. Lord Ibrahim's son was brought to this cave and he needed to get him out.
Choosing to continue down the passageway that served as his hiding spot, Kurnlynn was even more deliberate with his steps. His enhanced vision was slowly diminishing the farther he went, and one hand glided along the curving tunnel. Just as he was about to pull out his flint, a small amount of light became visible around a bend up ahead. After a moment of study, he calmed his nerves as it seemed to be light from an open fire, not a deliberate light-source. Goblins had to eat, too, afterall.
He snuck ahead, ignoring a couple of side-passages after ensuring they were clear of goblins. The passageway narrowed suddenly, giving him a sudden feeling of claustrophobia, but immediately opened up into a very wide room. At the far end he saw a couple of goblins unexcitedly throwing items into a large stew pot above a fire. Another small passage was directly behind them, but this large room continue off to Kurnlynn's left and out of site. After assuring himself that the goblins were too occupied with their task to notice him on this shadowy side of the room, he slowly moved forward.
He was about to round the corner when he heard more voices, this time speaking goblin. And it wasn't only a few. The half-elf surreptitiously glanced around the rock wall, and almost gasped at what he saw. Dozens of make-shift cots were scattered throughout this underground hall, with enough goblins to fill them. Some were sleeping, some talking or arguing. A few played some sort of game in the corner, accompanied by frequent goblinoid squawks or guffaws.
Kurnlynn pulled back to take a deep breath. The cooking goblins were still engrossed in their chore. He took another look, this time making a more accurate assessment. He counted just over 4 dozen of the filthy savages, and all of warrior stock. No women or children. He didn't know much about goblins, but this had all the makings of a war band.
No longer feeling comfortable in these caves, the hunter slowly backed out the way he came. When he once again came to the intersection, he had to duck back to avoid a couple of goblins pushing a poorly assembled cart from one of the side passages. The half-elf held his breath as he tried to sink back into the rock wall for it didn't matter how dark it was - the goblins' eyes could pick him out even if he was completely covered in shadow. They moved passed him without noticing, though, either due to sheer luck or general inattentiveness. He couldn't help but notice, by smell more than sight, the contents of the cart. From small rodents, to hunks of larger animals, it was filled to the brim with meat of various sorts. The two continued on across the intersection, down a wide tunnel, and stopped before a bend about thirty feet away.
The half-elf thought he heard one goblin ask the other, "[Ready?]" before grabbing a long pole from against the wall. The pole-wielding goblin moved forward and was immediately greeted by vicious growls and snarls. Shouts and commands erupted from both goblins, the former now out of site around the bend as the other threw their gruesome cargo piece by piece into the depths of the cave. His best guess was that they were feeding wolves, but he didn't want to stick around to find out. Kurnlynn used the din to mask any noise he happened to make during a more hasty retreat down the original tunnel and out of the cave.
As he left, his foot kicked an object on the ground that skittered to a stop. Bending down, he found what looked like the scrolled parchment the goblin leader had held earlier. He must have left it here in the aftermath of the robed ones' dramatic exit. Kurnlynn slid it into his belt pouch and hurriedly left the cave into the twilight of the evening.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kurnlynn was wasting no time in returning to Valentia. He had a good idea of where he was, and it would likely take him until late into the evening to get back. He had to warn Lord Ibrahim about the goblins and, more importantly, return immediately with more people if they hoped to rescue Lord Obed. He felt guilty that he didn't even get to see the young man, nevermind not extricate him by himself. But nothing would have been gained if he became wolf meat himself.
It was at this moment, while running across an open glade, that something caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand up. Whether it was intuition or a blessing of Sirona's wisdom, Kurnlynn whirled while simultaneously crouching low. It only took a moment for him to notice the shadow with a pair of red eyes at the edge of the trees. The creature had stopped at the half-elf's sudden drop to the ground, but now slowly and confidently moved straight toward the hunter with its shoulders hunched high. As it came into view, Kurnlynn saw that it resembled a black wolf, aside from the eyes, but it was considerably larger than any the woodsman had seen before. It even dwarfed the war dogs that the Bannor sometimes used, and they were almost 150 pounds!
Fangs were bared in a growl as the creature continued its advance, muscles clearly rippling on its massive body with each deliberate step. Drool dripped from its mouth and its eyes remained focused on its elf-human prey. Kurnlynn didn't believe in his ability to outrun this beast. He didn't enjoy the thought of fighting it, either. However, at this range, if he was quick, he could get a few shots off with his bow. With luck, he could kill it. Without it, maybe he could at least weaken it.
With a practiced move, his longbow was unslung and an arrow pulled to the string. He didn't even have it drawn back before the wolf bolted back into the cover of the trees. The fact that the creature seemed to recognise what he was doing was very unnerving - he had never had an animal respond to him like that before.
There was no sign of the beast now, which unnerved him even more. As long as the clouds didn't cover the moon too much, he could see as well now as any man could see during the day. But he couldn't stay in the middle of this clearing. He had to get back to Valentia.
Walking backwards at first, his bow still out with an arrow drawn, the half-elf eventually turned around and resumed running. This time, fear lengthened his stride and fueled his lungs, as he constantly looked over his shoulder for those two red eyes. He entered the forest once again, and paid no heed to the branches pulling at his cloak and whipping at his face. Kurnlynn's laboured breathing filled his own ears as they strained to hear any noise in the dark. Somehow, his senses failed him, as he had only a split-second to react when a large, dark object hurtled at him over a bush. The half-elf felt a sharp pain as the full weight of the creature's body collided with his, large jaws snapping right next to his ear. He hit the ground and rolled to his hands and knees, his bow still somehow in hand.
He couldn't fire an arrow from the ground, though. He looked up to see the black-furred animal facing him from a dozen feet away, walking sideways while snarling viciously. He pulled out his knife as he got up on his feet into a stooped stance. Those red eyes followed his every movement, an unnatural intelligence behind them assessing its quarry. The Valentian didn't have much time to be disturbed by this, though, as it suddenly leaped at him again. With natural speed enhanced by his elven ancestry, Kurnlynn stuck out his bow. He caught the wolf-beast in the mouth, deflecting its bite, but the sturdy bowstave bent and snapped under the immense weight. The creature still collided with him, claws finding his ribs. As he screamed, the hunter-turned-prey lashed out with his knife and rolled away.
In a daze, Kurnlynn regained his feet and held out his knife. He didn't see the beast right away, but he was sure he could hear it amongst the trees. The half-elf bolted. He took a moment to glance at his longknife, happy to see it covered in blood. Hopefully that wound would slow it down. Alas, such was not the case as again his reflexes saved him from a full-on impact with the beast. He ducked under another leaping charge, this time managing to completely evade the attack. The creature crashed through a small tree and tumbled down a slope. In mid-slide it nimbly regained its feet and immediately turned around to find its prey.
Kurnlynn was already running upslope, though, his legs pumping despite the intense burning in his muscles. He had passed this way while tracking the goblins, and was sure he remembered something about the area. This beast that followed him from the caves seemed unstoppable, so he had only one hope. Fear and determination kept his legs moving, but it wasn't long before he heard crashing behind him. A quick glance back confirmed that it was almost on him, red eyes blazing in the night. The trees opened up in front of him. A small cliff greeted him ahead, but he kept running. Almost there. He was sure he could feel its breath on his neck. He was just about at the ledge. A growl rose in volume behind him as he reached the edge, his own yell piercing the night. And he leaped with all of his remaining strength.
vorshlumpf
Emperor
Heh, that would be great, but I'm more of a short-story kind of guy.
a compilation of short stories might even be better to start with, showing the broadness of FfH so, save what you have written for a future day 
MagisterCultuum
Great Sage
Well, rereading this, I think it is more than likely that you are right, though I don't know where you get the part about the wizard? Anyway, these death elves would be much closer cluturally to Svartalfar than to Ljos., living in perpetual darkness and all, and I think it is possible to suggest that the shadowed vale was absorbed as some sort of border region into the svartalfar kingdom sometime in the AoI.
edit: Ah, I don't know if I ever saw that post vorshlumpf quoted. (I miss the dog avatar, by the way). The old FfH1 thread just moved too fast for me to keep up with. Bear in mind it was preliminary info, but I'll change my Malakim info to reflect this if it bears out as the Empyrean is added and all that good stuff.
I found that Wizard's (well, archmage's) name: Laroth.
Spoiler :
Kael's other mention of Laroth strongly suggests that he was was a student of Kyorlin back when Kyorlin was an evil Archmage who still served Ceridwen.
Nikis-Knight
Deity
Thanks. My memory isn't as infallible as I pretend.
MagisterCultuum
Great Sage
Yes, that was strongly implied in the same place. Also Gastrius (who ever that is)
Nikis-Knight
Deity
(Heh, my edit is faster than your reply. I just read the Bhall thread.)
Well, I did in the dialogue, but I'm sure I wasn't the first.
vorshlumpf
Emperor
Thanks for the post-link, MagisterCultuum. Gives me more ideas...
Marksman77
Aethernaut
Fantastic reading
thebeef1980
Chieftain
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2008
- Messages
- 18
Vicarious RP, there's nothing quite like it. I'd cast my vote for a by-email or a forum campaign.
It goes without saying that the writing is very good in the story segments. Highly Enjoyable!
It goes without saying that the writing is very good in the story segments. Highly Enjoyable!
xienwolf
Deity
Two forum games going now that I Know of.
Both linked in the last line of my Signature
Both linked in the last line of my Signature
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