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The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 11

2020-01-31T14:15:26-05:00January 31st, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 11 "Come along," Harold called to the small orc. "You little monster," he said under his breath. "Wait, wait!" cried Little Rat. "I hurry." The orc slipped from stone to stone following the halfing's path. The two were almost of a size; the small, thin orc was just a hand taller, but nothing more than flesh and bones wrapped in a dirty rag of shirt and pants. Neither wore shoes, the halfling had the wide heavy padded feet of his kind and the orc had soles tough as leather, thick and scarred. Harold stopped, his feet on a split stone projecting from the wall of rock. He heard voices drifting up from below and peered down to see who made them. Between a wide cleft of rock his companions sat in two small groups. The orcs gathered round their leader, while Talberth, Gytha and Ghibelline sat by the body of the man they'd rescued and who'd died this very morning. Ivo sat atop a high boulder, half concealed by the stones around him and a cloak which blended in with rocks dull gray shade. There was a scrabble above, the sound of cracking stone, he heard a small sharp yell and jerked his head around looking up the wall of rock. Harold had time only to raise his hands. A wide-eyed orcish face came hurtling down. Little Rat crashed into the small thief and both went over the foothold in a tangle, both shouting as they fell. * * * Harold barely had time to scream out a curse before he and the orc bounced off ... read more!

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NPC – Sassa Dragonshield Fruzti Warrior

2020-01-29T13:58:57-05:00January 29th, 2020|

NPC - Sassa Dragonshield Fruzti Warrior Sassa is known as the Shield of Sylvi and is a distant cousin who lives near to her among those of the Sarjar tribe. Currently she is with Sylvi on the Styrkarsarjar and is one of the thirty taking captured orc boats to shore to explore the orc's island and gather supplies. The fight was quick and the orcs easily defeated by the experienced crew of the Styrkarsarjar but the huge war leader managed to bloody Sassa in the fight. She is a stouty warrior, expert in the sword and shield and bears a legendary shield that is passed down in her family. The Dragonshield grants immunity to the breath of dragons but against more mundane adversaries it enhances her protection even more than her chain shirt and ringed leather. It is said that no arrow will wound her while she bears her shield. Added to the shield is her belt that give her the strength of an ogre and it said only those of exceptional strength may bear the Dragonshield. Originally published on the Hall of the Mountain King blog.

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NPC – Lavas Laerk Apothecary City of Greyhawk

2020-01-27T20:42:05-05:00January 27th, 2020|

NPC - Lavas Laerk Apothecary City of Greyhawk There are several apothecary, potion and compenent shops that can be found on the Street of Dreams in the City of Greyhawk, (although it is known mostly for a large and languid brothel as well as several dens where drugs are consumed and a large theater where illusions and shows of light are cast on the ceiling, and few all hours fried meat-sandwhich sellers nearby), but none are more respected than Lavas Laerk's Bottle Shop. His storefront seems modest but behind his counter the curtain in the doorway to his backroom leads to a long building with many basements and cellars. His stock includes potion and elixirs of almost any kind, medicinal or magical. The compenents held in storeroom cover the mundane, the exotic and the impossible. He is constantly on the look-out for replenishment of material and the source of many an adventurers livlihood as he sends them to find this rare plant or creature or that mineral or item necessary for the creation of potions, spells or items of power and deviltry. The shop is frequented by some of the most powerful users of magic in the city and is guarded by several wards and creations that would daunt or destroy any would-be robber or burgler. Lavas is something of a Half-elf, certainly there is high elf blood in him but it is questionable if the other half is human. He has run his shop for at least a century and, according to those with equally lengthy lifespans, appears no older than he did when he first opened his doors. Originally published on the Hall ... read more!

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The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 10

2020-01-26T22:04:40-05:00January 26th, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 10 Dawn came to the giants' hill. Smoke still drifted from the embers buried beneath the fallen beams of the great hall. Giants and ogres poured water over the splintered wood; others pulled away the charred rubble and stirred the ashes beneath. In the sodden field sat Nosnra, he'd had them drag a table from the ruined hall and benches too. Engenulf's body lay prepared before him, Nosnra used piled boxes and crates to form a throne, then set the table at his feet. They laid the witan down and placed the benches round the throne for Nosnra's warriors, those who'd sworn the oath of blood. The giants put down their buckets, their bars of iron, and their axes. They left the orcs and ogres to drown the fire out then filed past the body of their witan and their chief. They had no feast prepared; the words they spoke were all of vengeance and of blood, the ale they drank, the final toast to their lifeless kin, was thick and bitter from the fallen ash. * * * It was past midday when Harald woke. He'd slept since dawn; hours past the time he'd asked Telenstil to wake him. Everyone else was still asleep except for that other elf, Ghibelline, and even he leaned against the rock wall with eyes closed. "Telenstil," he said to the elven mage who stood by the cliff's edge, "you let me sleep." "You needed sleep," Telenstil answered him. He looked past the ranger at the others who lay crowded under the overhang of rock. "Everyone needed some time to ... read more!

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Minstrel Tales The Fall of Calbut

2020-01-24T22:33:02-05:00January 24th, 2020|

Minstrel Tales The Fall of Calbut The Fall of CalbutHere is a fragment about the fall of Calbut in Tenh.Then the captain young in war spoke: "This is neither the dawn from the east, nor does a dragon fly hither, nor are the gables of this hall here burning, but they are launching a sudden attack: the birds are singing; the grey corslet rings; the spear clashes; shield answers to shaft. Now gleams the wandering moons beneath the clouds; now dire deeds come to pass which will enact the hatred of the Tenha people. But awake now, my warriors, grasp your shields, be mindful of courage, strive in the front of the fight, be resolute."Then rose up many an armored guard, girded on his sword; then to the door went the excellent warriors, Zillah and Eaha, drew their swords; and Irad and Lamech at the other door, and Jared himself came behind them.Then Nepheg exhorted Gershon that he in his armour should not risk so noble a life at the first onslaught on the doors of the hall, since one bold in attack was minded to take it away; but he, the daring-minded hero, openly asked over all who it was who held the door."Zillah is my name," said he, "I am a warrior of the Tenha, a hero widely known. Many trials have I undergone, stern conflicts; now is decreed for thee here what thou shalt gain from me."Then by the wall there was an uproar of deadly struggles; shields must needs be in the hands of bold men, the helmet must burst - the floor of the fortress rang - until Gershon son ... read more!

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City – Crow’s Gate Old City – City of Greyhawk

2020-01-24T20:58:45-05:00January 24th, 2020|

City - Crow's Gate Old City - City of Greyhawk Old City, once it was the city, it was Greyhawk, but those days are long gone. Now Old City is a corpse rotting in the sun, left abandoned to decay and infested with those surviving within its carcase. Crow's Gate is the pathway to an ancient manor within the heart of the city. The gate is left closed and a guardsman posted. Beyond the gate is the home of the Old City Judge of Measure and Balance. Galba the Bald is the current judge, He can trace his lineage to the very beginning of the city. He is a pureblood Suel and very proud of that fact. Originally the Judge of Measure and Balance was an important position among the merchants of the city and the wealth it brought allowed those judges to build great mansions and estates which later became the High Quarter when the vast outer walls of the city swallowed the hills which surrounded Old City. As the power of those judges increased their role changed and they became judges of life and death, freedom, slavery and imprisonment. As Old City became old, the first barracks became the city prison, the great storehouses became the infamous Workhouse. Those that could moved from Old City to the new quarters which evolved beyond the original walls. Old City became grim, its buildings fell to disrepair, it began to die. The position of Judge no longer brought great wealth. Those falling under the power of the judge were the poor, the desperate, the destitute. Galba receives his pay from the Oligrachs of the city, but ... read more!

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History of the North, Part 2: A Myth of Unity

2020-01-24T17:52:00-05:00January 24th, 2020|

History of the North, Part 2: A Myth of Unity All empires crumble. They begin with a single conquest, and before long, want and avarice overwhelm them. They grow fat on their power and plunders, and in time, they collapse under their own weight, as they must, for their grasp always exceeds their reach.They conquer, and then conquer again, further and further afield until the crown can no longer contemplate the vastness of its territories. They are too far-flung; the distances are too vast; they sprawl out to this horizon and that, and beyond those, again. Where is that again, it asks? Tenh? The Quaglands? The minutiae of the day-to-day governance of so vast a territory overwhelms it, and it must then rely on its governors, for who knows their lands better than they? So long as the taxes are collected, what of it?That’s all well and good until the governors take umbrage with sending the crown their gold, receiving naught in return. 300-350 CY Anarchy crept into the Great Kingdom, and more and more of its northern provinces became increasingly independent. Some became lawless. Many became lawless. Petty fiefs sprang up, their rulers declaring themselves kings and barons and dukes and such. Where ruffians seized power, banditry prevailed, and they became known for such. Such were the Bandit Kingdoms, which called themselves a confederacy—a fancy word for what they might have been; but in truth, they could never be, because they preyed upon one another even as they clung together to ward against those who would annex them. The Bandit Kingdoms are a collection of petty holdings. Each little kingdom is ruled by a ... read more!

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Minstrel Tales A Prayer to Hextor

2020-01-23T21:51:04-05:00January 23rd, 2020|

Minstrel Tales A Prayer to Hextor A Prayer to HextorThis is an inscription found on the barrow of an ancient Oeridian War-Chief. It is still used today to honor fallen worshippers of Hextor who have achieved greatness in Hextor's cause."My days have run, A servant IWorshipper, of mighty Hextor;Student of war and battle, Hextor's lore;I have called his battle-cry;Fulfilled his red and bleeding feast;Held my enemies heart within the flame;I am set free and named by nameHonored by the War-God's priests."An altered fragment of Aristophanes Originally published on the Hall of the Mountain King blog.

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NPC – Rhaine Wildwood

2020-01-23T13:22:53-05:00January 23rd, 2020|

NPC - Rhaine Wildwood Rhaine Wildwood is a druid of the Old Faith who wanders the forests and mountains. He is encountered in the most unlikely places and often aids those in distress. While he promotes a balance in nature he has a preference for humankind and animals over humanoids and demi-humans. He hates monstrous creatures, giant and goblinkind. During the giant invasion of Geoff he was a prominant figure at first aiding those fleeing from the giants and then in the fight to drive the giants and their allies and servants back into the mountains. He possesses an enchanted spear called the Blood Tree. The blade is wooden but the enchantment makes it sharper than steel and it negates all non-magical armor treating opponents as if they were unarmored. The haft of the spear is a living limb from a Hornwood tree and once per day it can cause a Hornwood sapling to spring from the ground where it is rested. Such a tree will provide limbs that will make superior arrows, bows and spear hafts and the sapling will grow to maturity within a year. Rhaine also possesses an item called the Wind Horn which can cause a gust of wind or summon a smnall wind elemental to aid him. Originally published on the Hall of the Mountain King blog.

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The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 9

2020-01-23T06:16:55-05:00January 23rd, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 9 "Can you walk?" Gytha asked Jalal. The old man still lay on the floor with his back propped up against a wall. He breathed deeply and seemed asleep till Gytha spoke, but then his eyes opened, lively and bright. "I don't know," he said. "I will try." With a groan he shifted onto his side and got to his knees, Gytha reached out to help, but Ghibelline put his hand on her shoulder and drew her back. Jalal's bones creaked as he stood, and he used his hands braced against the stones so that he could straighten up, but when he faced them it was with his shoulders back and his pride in place. "We must go," said Telenstil. "I have a friend here..." Jalal began. "I am sorry, we have also lost companions, the one who was left here and another, but we cannot stay," Telenstil explained. "There are places we could hide, and the orcs, they are in rebellion, we could enlist their aid," said Jalal. "I am afraid that we have had a confrontation with the orcs. They will not help us," Telenstil told him and shook his head sadly. Jalal sagged a bit at the news, but caught himself and addressed Telenstil once more, "I cannot abandon my friend." "We may be able to return. I had not planned to leave entirely, but this foray, we have stayed much longer than I had thought to," said Telenstil. "Come with us now and we will try to help your friend and rescue our companion." "I will come. You promise to return?" Jalal ... read more!

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Adventure (Seed) – The Abbey of Grobund – Perrenland

2020-01-22T12:44:05-05:00January 22nd, 2020|

Adventure (Seed) - The Abbey of Grobund - Perrenland (This idea is a conversion work based on 'The Evil Abbey' from module X4 Master of the Desert Nomads.) The Abbey of Grobund is a half-ruined ancient abbey devoted to Pelor in his aspect as the Sun and as a healer. Anyone with sickness or injury is welcome and many who come to the abbey choose to remain or at least are never heard from again. The abbey is located in the Yatil Mountains west of the Mounds of Dawn along the narrow and dangerous pathway that links the Backlunish west with Perrinland and the Flanaess. What is unknown to travellers is that the abbey and the monks have become corrupted by a terrible disease spread to them by the Wives of Incabulous (a powerful cult most prominent in the Gnatmarsh). Why one of the Wives was travelling through the pass is unknown but she left her mark upon the once good and peaceful monks.During the day the monks are normal with no memory of their transformation which occurs with the setting of the sun and the strength which Pelor's light gives them. Once it is fully dark they transform into semi-vampiric monstrosities with a bestial thick hide, clawed hands and the fangs of a viper. The Abbess Somaruga is only herself for two hours at mid-day when the sun is at its height otherwise she has been completely subsumed by the evil of Incabulous and bears a tattoo marking her as a Sub-Wife of the cult. Like the others she has no memory of her evil transformation during this time and if she is made ... read more!

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NPC – Kekszem Wegwiur Pack-Leader

2020-01-21T11:23:16-05:00January 21st, 2020|

NPC - Kekszem Wegwiur Pack-Leader The Wegwiur, or Wolf Nomad's as they are called, share their lives with their wolf companions so much so that the tribe and the pack are considered to be one. To kill a Wegwiur wolf is declare war upon all the tribes and is a fatal error made at times by foolish southerners come to trade with the nomads or attempting to cross the path of the tribes. The wolf-packs of the Wegwiur or numerous, more so than the humans of the tribes, and each man and woman is companion to a pack rather than just an individual wolf. The pack-leader does hold a special place both with their human companion and the tribe as a whole. Wegwiur wolves are larger and more intelligent than normal wolves. Since there are so many packs even within a small clan of tribesmen there are special ceremonial circumstances for the wolves to fight for pack dominance and leadership over other pack leaders. These fights are rarely to the death. The old or weak among the tribes both human and wolf will take the Ride North and a funeral feast will be given before they leave for the Land of Black Ice and whatever fate has in store for them never to rejoin the living tribe of Wegwiur or likely be seen or heard from again. Kekszem is a young wolf of extraordinary intelligence. He is a large wolf even for the Wegwiur and has faced all challenges to become the Voice of Wolves or pack-leader of pack-leaders at the council of Voices where the tribal leaders meet. His companion is a young warrior, ... read more!

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The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 8

2020-01-19T17:49:27-05:00January 19th, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 8 "Harold! Harold!" Ivo called. "Where is our thief?" he asked the others. "I saw him," said Gytha. "He was attacking that giant from behind. I saw him stab its legs." She pointed to the headless corpse, a vast body lying on its side, the ranger standing nearby leaning on his sword. The giant's head rolled several feet away, wedged beneath a kitchen storage shelf. "Harold," said the ranger, shaking himself, still recovering from the rage that had overcome him. "Where is Harold?" They all began to look about the room. It took only a few moments for Ivo to find the little thief, unconscious, a small crumpled form soaked in the giant's gore. Gytha ran to his side, and the ranger crowded in beside them. "Is he all right?" asked Harald with a worried voice. "All this blood, I don't see a wound but I can't tell if any of it is his own," said Gytha. "He does have a lump on his head." "Ow!' the body spoke. "Good, maybe he has had some sense knocked into him at last," Harald said relieved. "What was this the third or fourth giant you have attacked since we have come to the steading, and that ogre. I thought you were a thief not an assassin." "Shut-up," said Harold, "both of you. Gytha I don't mind seeing two of you but please tell that fat old human to get out of sight. I'm feeling sick enough already." "Seeing double eh," said Ivo. "That is quite some lump you have there." "Gracious Saint, this small one has your brave ... read more!

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History of the North, Part 1, Arrivals

2020-01-18T09:28:00-05:00January 18th, 2020|

History of the North, Part 1, Arrivals Much had happened in the North, more than one might expect. It’s surprising how many peoples chose to settle in that unforgiving land. The Elves had prospered there, so had the Flan. There had been peace there for many years before the Ur-Flan had swept in and swept aside all who stood against them. Then they too prospered there. Some might think that they were lesser than those who came after them, because, were they all that powerful, surely they would still rule all of the Flanaess, surely they would have brushed aside the martial fury of the Oeridians. They would have had they been interested in worldly affairs. They were not. They were concerned with extending life. With immortality. They were concerned with attaining power not seen since eldritch times. Were the Ur-Flan wiped out? Those lesser ones, yes. But not all. No, not all. There were many who survived the coming of the Kingdom of Aedy. We should hope that we never draw their attention ever again. Keraptis Some two thousand years ago, the wizard Keraptis established himself as "protector" of Tostenhca--a grand mountainside city of wide streets and towering ziggurats. But the wizard, who had extended his lifespan far beyond that of most mortals in his search for immortality, became more and more corrupt with increasing age. Over four centuries, the cost of his protection grew ever more burdensome, until eventually Keraptis was taking a piece of everything that the people of Tostenhca grew, made, or sold. With the announcement of yet another levy—one-third of all newborn children—the people rose as one, ousting Keraptis and ... read more!

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The Hill Giant Chief – Nosnra’s Saga – 2020 – Part 7

2020-01-17T19:10:07-05:00January 17th, 2020|

The Hill Giant Chief - Nosnra's Saga - Part 7Harold lifted the ogre's blade. It was made for a human hand, a short sword or a long broad dagger, not what the halfling would choose to wield, but his own knife was gone. The sword's sheath was still on the ogre's belt, now lying down below where the monster's body had landed hard upon the stones. He had to keep the blade in his hand or leave it lying on the ground. He wanted to have both hands free, yet standing alone in the giant's kitchen he felt more secure with the hide-wrapped hilt grasped tightly in his hand."Little good you will do me against a giant or even another ogre," Harold told the blade. He paced the length of the large room, down its south-eastern arm, beneath the towering tabletops and out to the archway that opened on a long corridor and looked out across to a huge set of double doors. He peered down the corridor, looking south then north, but there was nothing but the tangy smell of smoke, distant noises like the creaking of old bones, and the dim glow of torchlight, the flames burning from sconces far off to either side. Back he went and then to the north and east, more tables, chairs, sinks and shelves, the room bent sharply to the north, a dead end, the kitchen larder. There was a doorway to the south, the way that Edouard went and Derue followed. Harold would not go that way alone, not if he had any other choice. From the chute he heard a banging sound. Harold ran over ... read more!

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