Poll

Valizar's crusade:

Doesn't actually happen
1 (14.3%)
Gets defeated in its first battle
1 (14.3%)
Wins a few and takes control of the southern forest
1 (14.3%)
Succeeds in wiping out opposition in the forest and kills Greenfellow
3 (42.9%)
Destroys the world
1 (14.3%)

Total Members Voted: 7

Author Topic: Tales of the Heroes  (Read 40432 times)

Offline Asinjin

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Tales of the Heroes
« on: January 01, 2021, 06:45:42 PM »
This thread is where I will post stories of the PCs.
The hand that rolls the Dice rules the world.

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2021, 06:58:28 PM »
Sylvestor Graves (Terrorshard, Plateau)

After becoming the wizard of note in Grimhold and starting a solid business, Sylvestor went on to have a good relationship with Gneon, Grand Protector of the Plateaus.

Choosing his fellow gnomes and wealth over the wizards of Iott, he became a target during the wars.  After the Day that Magic was Broken, Iott turned to assassinations of traitor wizards and Sylvestor, being notable but not truly powerful was high on their list.

While Gneon and many of his cohort were out in the world, Sylvestor was paid to protect Grimhold, a task which he excelled at using illusion.  However, the wizards of Iott were able to get through his defenses and strike where Gneon began in Grimhold.

Sylvestor died a hero, concealing the true fate of the city, allowing the attackers to believe they had done far more damage than they thought.

His shop remains, with the new owners using his name and legacy to maintain its fame.

The Assault on Grimhold occurred in 797 AC.

Illusionist 11
« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 10:11:35 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2021, 07:24:20 PM »
Arken Psychestone (Malchia, Plateau)

Talented psionic crafter, the crystal dwarf found a profitable and welcome home in Grimhold working for Gneon in the expanding city.  Psionics became more and more popular as Iott's grip tightened and alternatives to magic were needed.

Arken developed novel items and his stylings began to be copied first on the plateau and then more widely.  Gneon use of copyright and adherence to business law helped Arken greatly and his wealth became significant.

Notoriety and fame have their drawbacks.  When the Assault on Grimhold occurred, he was high on the list, but happened to not be there as the assault began.  Alerted psionically to the threat, Arken was left with a hard choice.  He was one of the few that could make it there to help, using psionics to travel where magic and mundane means were not options.  He also sensed the danger that the return would be, but his cousin Gerlock was in the city at his shop or home and he had to return.

Returning, Arken put his powers to work and activated the myriad of items he had crafted for such an occurrence.  His efforts saved his cousin and many others, but once the Iottians recognized his return, they exhausted many resources to ensure he hid not survive.

The cousin and apprentices continue to maintain his shop and supported the war against Iott in every way they could for the next two decades.

The Assault on Grimhold occurred in 797 AC.

Psychic Warrior 11
« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 10:12:30 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2021, 01:05:45 AM »
Rathos (Windblade, various)

The long adventuring, nimble warrior found the best employee he's had in Gneon and from the beginning of Iott's reign on he was paid well to be part of Gneon's cohort.  Traveling with the Admiral of the Skyship Armada, Rathos became known for years as a master of combat on the airship.  Using his skills as an acrobatic warrior, he became unmatched at combat on the airships.  Tales of him repelling endless streams of summoned creatures by bouncing around the ship were legendary in the armada.

It was not lack of skill or need that saw the near fifty year old retire.  Even though his skills did begin to wane, with magic not available to set right the mounting injuries, Rathos was still a match for nearly anyone in the rigging of the airship.  But other things called to him.  His family had not gone unscathed in the plagues and wars and the life that he had put off for many years called to him.  He returned home, somewhat angering Gneon as the war was not over.

Finding a home not far from his off and on adventuring companion Harris, he retired far from the action and hid his family for fear of retribution.  He found a young woman to take as a wife and started a family.  Time and effort has hidden memory of him and his exploits.

Rathos left the adventuring life and service to Gneon in 808 AC, one year after the worst of the plagues.

Rogue 5 / Fighter 2 / Acrobat 10
« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 10:13:44 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2021, 01:24:16 AM »
Owen Brisbane (Valdis, various)

The word war profiteer is defined by the magic item creating wizard.  Living in Grimhold and vying for title as the provider of the best items in the city, he found great fortune in providing Gneon and his allies with items.  If not for the constant strife, his shenanigans would have been uncovered earlier.  As it was, he went on amassing a fortune for decades.

When the assault on Grimhold occurred, he did not defend the city other than to protect those that paid him.  When the Iottians sought information about the residents, he provided that for a fee, leading them into traps...or giving them accurate intel if the price was right.  As was the case when he thwarted a trick of his main rival Sylvestor, leading to his death.  Owen also saw the greater tricks that fooled the Iottians, but left them in place to protect his source of revenue.

When the battles moved from the Great Plateau, Owen moved to where money could be made.  His exploits around the world selling items of great value and dubious worth made him wealthy as a prince.  A number of times, he only narrowly avoided collection or a deadly encounter with his pseudo nemesis, Parker Berko.

When Kallark was destroyed in 814 AC, and there was no doubt Iott's reign was over; Owen's life finally caught up with him.  Found by the Iottians in one of their final strategies, not for victory but for revenge, he was de-magiked.  Left with only his wealth to protect him, and revealed to the world by the Iottains, he remaining days are spent spending his fortune to stay ahead of those that want him dead and trying to find a way to cast again.

Wizard 15

« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 10:14:41 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2021, 09:20:45 PM »
Finneas Grignard II (Hero, Plateau)

The aged halfling finds himself as an important cog in the wheel that is the revitalization of the Great Plateau.  As Gneon consolidated power, he time and again came to Finn to give guidance on how to maintain the natural balance on the plateau.  Being wise enough to know the Gneon wasn't truly interested, but smart enough to not look a gift horse in the mouth, Finn used the relationship to make a difference on the Great Plateau.

When Iott arrived, he aided in the defense against the wizards.  When the plagues came, he helped fend them off, which the Great Plateau did as well as any other place in the world.  He became well known and liked.  But not all was well.  Some of his faithful brothers in Habastly abhorred his relationship, as tenuous as it was, with tinkers.  The Warden's of Nature on more than one occasion had to be turned away with force.  Finn was forced to take the lead to save them or others from death.

His large family flourished and spread around the Great Plateau.  Words were spoken of him being in line for possibly becoming the high cleric.  Respected, loved, powerful, liked, influential, goodly, and many other praises were piled upon him.  Few came out of the turmoil of the early 800's as well as Finn...until it ended on a fiery day in 816, when the undead came to town.

Cleric 4 / Grovetender 10
« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 10:15:30 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2021, 09:39:43 PM »
Kovar Jolan (Master Po, various)

By the time of Iott's reign, Kovar had already been in the service of Lord Maximillion for years.  That did not change at first, as he set about his vigilante means of justice, kept safe by the machinations of the High Noble family.  So called refugees of Borkondof were often a target.

Iott's actions changed a great deal, as the king waffled and changed course to the anger of the high nobles.  Finally, when they had enough of the king's decisions as the struggle with Iott drug on, the had enough.  Kovar, disgusted by a king he long ago and disavowed took the fight to the king's loyalists.  Backed in secret by the high nobles, Kovar, a force even in his six decade gave ultimatums to those he found: renounce the king, leave the nation, or die.

Seemingly immune to the plagues, inspired by Dedestroyt, and unphased by the weakening of arcane magic, his reign of terror became a story of dread for children.  His only targets were adult males, but that made no difference in the stories.  Iott's agents searched for him and thanks to the aid of Lord Maximillion failed to find him.  To his luck, Kovar never spoke against Iott nor attacked their agents, nor did he try and destabilization the nation.

Finally, as Iott had to withdraw its imposed order, he turned to larger targets.  More notable lords.  By the time, after years of terror, he came to the estate of the Loyalist Poed family, he was accompanied by dozens of raiders in 813 AC...

Monk 1/ Cleric 3/ Fighter 2/ Vigilant 10
« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 10:52:51 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2021, 09:51:54 PM »
Wilham Poed (Windblade, Mounted)

Having retired after a relatively brief stint as an adventurer, Wilham found the traditional love of food and farm with the occasional jaunt around on his beloved mounts.  He was already living that life when Iott began its rule.  Little changed as the Yellowian king flopped and floundered in his responses to Iott.  When other lords cried out, the Poeds stayed in quiet support of the king.  As nations began to need food, they were quick to send aid.  Wilham flying missions with flocks of creatures to delivery food where magic was blocked.

So his life continued, keeping the peace in his family's lands and bothering little with the battles of the world beyond.  This went on for two decades, where he started his own family and watched somewhat suspiciously as a shrine of Quan Yin was built on his family's estates.  Two children, fifteen mounts, and 6,400 pies into life on the farm, a call came from a farmer.  Dedestroyt's Knight had arrived.  Wilham had not wanted to see this day, but he feared it would come.  The knight had been wandering Yellowia for years and had grown more bold.  Now, he came to the Poed's fields.

Wilham gathered his mounts and his ill fitting gear and went to meet the threat.  He demanded no others come with him, knowing that the rest of his family would likely flee or die in the opening moments of any fight.  No other allies could be called, magic was not that reliable anymore.  His other friends of old could not help him against his one time companion Kovar.  He wished for Malchia, Ty, Vor'Ruk, Ajax, and maybe even Ash.  He kissed his family, ask for a blessing from his cousin the cleric of Habastly, and flew off...

Ranger 7 / Skymount 8
« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 10:53:40 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2021, 11:05:31 PM »
Wilham and Kovar

On the 3rd day of the 9th month of 813, the sun was setting on the Poed estate.  As was Kovar's way, he arrived as the sun was setting.  Wilham saw the guards fleeing from the road where the estate began.  They had been told to do so should Dedestroyt's Knight approach.  Dressed in the white death's head as was the long tradition of vigilantes of Yellowia, Kovar was mounted, surrounded by his raiders, also on horse.  To be fair, the radiers' stories exceeded their actions.  They did not pillage, loot, burn or rape.  They did murder and extort.

From above, Wilham counted 25 including Kovar.  He easily spotted those hidden and those waiting far behind.  They stood at the gate, waiting.  Wilham obliged and descending to talking distance, surrounded by his flock of birds, griffon, pegasus, giant insects, and winged dogs.  Doubling the number of raiders among the larger creatures, and far outnumbering them if the tiny animals were counted, Wilham was as imposing as possible.

"You know who I am, you know my demand?"

"I do, please leave."

"Your choice is made."

Kovar, sword drawn, spurred his horse forward and the raiders followed, charging down the road towards the estate house.  Wilham knew his father would not give in to the request to disavow the king, nor would he leave the land, that meant only death.  Wilham sent his swarm to delay and dismount the raiders and he fired arrow after arrow at Kovar.  For every arrow that hit, one was deflected by the great sword and one missed.  Until his quiver was empty, he fired.  Unable to bring himself to kill the horse, he hoped lucky shot would kill Kovar, but the knight was undeterred.

With the flock and the raiders at a standstill, the farm rose up to stop them.  Entangled by plants slowed and poisoned lightly, the raiders were all stopped for the moment.  But Kovar was seemingly unharmed and relentless.  Wilham took up his lance and drove to attack.  Kovar new what was coming, and readied himself.  The two jousted with great sword and lance for pass after pass.  Kovar only able to make sure that he wasn't run through and Wilham waiting for the perfect time to finish the duel.

It would have only been a matter of time before the fight would have been won by a well placed lance of Wilham's, but the raiders gained the upper hand on the flock.  The four that had been hidden and held back joined the fight, putting the flock at a disadvantage.  Only Kovar's death soon would save the flock and his father.  The raiders would run on towards the estate house once they cleared the flock.

Kovar, unconcerned if it was him or one of the raiders that got to the lord was content to fight Wilham, the only threat on the estate, to a draw.  After several minutes of battle, Wilham had to make the choice to ignore the risk and go full into Kovar's attack.  The stories of what a Vigilant could do to finish his task were legendary, and Wilham now knew how true the legend was.  Only an utterly devastating attack could stop Kovar.  At full tilt, he flew in.  Kovar readied his own attack, preparing a death blow of Dedestroyt.

The lance hit first, putting a hole in the chest of Kovar that no creature survives.  But Wilham knew that was not the end, knew that the reputation of the Vigilant and Kovar meant that in the throws of death Vengeance would be sought.  He hoped for luck, he prayed for deliverance, but Dedestoyt's grasp was strong.

The raiders, seeing the leader slumped over, held in place only by the lance of Wilham, fled.  They knew the job had ended and wanted to be far away.  Wilham, cleaved nearly in two by the serrated great sword, was quickly carried away by the remains of his flock.  His mount, Pecan III, limped away towards the house, trying to keep up with others.

Days later, a great ceremony, and a simple one, were both held.  The funeral of Wilham, presided over by his cousin the cleric of Habastly and watched by the family cleric of Dedestroyt, was attended by two thousand.  4,000 pies were eaten.  The second ceremony involved only the cleric of Dedestoyt, who buried the faithful servant Kovar a thousand feet from the Poed cemetery.  It would remained unmarked in words, but a small tree would be noted so that the family would know.

The raiders that had fled looked to keep up their fallen leader's ways, but within months they were all killed by an assailant they never saw, one at a time.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2022, 11:34:10 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2021, 12:10:28 AM »
This is very entertaining.

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2021, 08:25:09 PM »
Cordaro Blackbattle (Zunder, Plateau)
 
A well paid employee of Gneon in Grimhold, Cordaro continued his success for a time.  Plying his skills of combining magic and stealth in ways few other son the plateau could, he found a niche.
 
When Iott came to power outside the plateau, a new mission came into focus, one that was even more lucrative: spy.  Paid by his clan and by Iott, he used his good will with Gneon and the people of Grimhold to spend years relaying information.  He was never deep into the planning of Gneon, or stealing to killing anyone, but information that couldn't be otherwise obtained was given.
 
For a decade he had been working well in his position until finally the Marshall caught his scent.  Even after that, Cordaro spent nearly two years in and around Grimhold, staying one step ahead of the law.  Finally, Marshall Wayne cornered him.  The wily dwarf evaded and escaped for hours in the city they both knew well, but the Marshall was better.
 
Sticking to the law, Cordaro's life was spared, as his offenses could not be proven to lead to any deaths, and there was the matter of the assault on Grimhold years before.  Remembering that Cordaro had aided in the city's defense, when he could have stabbed the in the back, the Marshall gave him a sentence of prison until Iott's reign was over.
 
From 803 until the death of Kallark in 814, Cordaro remained in prison.

Wizard 4 / Rogue 4
« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 10:55:05 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2021, 09:00:15 PM »
Couple things grab my attention:
  • The Iottians attacked the Plateau. I thought there was a magically sealed treaty that prevented that. What happened?
  • Plagues. Little too much like real life on that one.
  • Destruction of the quasi-deity Kallark. I hope that was an accomplishment of the Collector. Kallark's high cleric was a d-bag to Natsu.
  • Finn's end came on a "fiery day" with undead involved - stupid Harrick.

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2021, 01:03:47 PM »
Harris Drake Travelerson (Whitesword, various)

The land rush on the Great Plateau treated Harris well.  Quickly becoming one of the two most notable land owners near Grimhold, he held sway with the might of his hammer.  He did not have to conquer to control, intimidation and reputation were enough for him to have that power.  Only the Yellowian transplant family near Grimhold did not do as he suggested.

This set up continued through the days of the Iottian reign and the war that followed.  Harris made sure the lands near Gimhold were free of wizardly influence.  His band more than once found an infiltrator and he turned down bribes on a number of occasions.  He held a respectful but not friendly relationship with Marshall Wayne, which was tested when Harris did not quickly rush to Gimhold's aid in the attack by the Iottians.

Growing fat and happy, unchallenged in his lands, Harris aged for the better part of two decades in hog heaven.  Enjoying the pleasures of life that wealth and power can afford, while not be too much a pain to cause the powers that be to do something about him.

Able to pull that off for a long time, there finally arose a situation that he could not ignore and was a bit worrisome.  In 816, the sky to the north lit up with a red glow that had people from all over the area rushing to their protector.  Harris, old and not in the shape he used to be felt a twinge in his gut he had not felt for a long time.  Taking up his hammer, which the gnomes of the area called "Makuredifudigrav", Harris gathered his band and went north.

Fighter 3 / Berserker 3 / Shock Trooper 10
« Last Edit: April 11, 2022, 11:35:15 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2021, 02:03:44 PM »
Marston Wayne (Malchia, Plateau)

The sheriff of Grimhold becomes of the Marshall of Grimhold and the surrounding lands and for the years of Iott's reign is both that and an advisor to Gneon, Lord of Grimhold, Commander of the Defense of the Plateau.  Aided by Gnigel and many deputies, Marston kept the are secure and safe.  Often having to sniff out infiltrators, he was busy but up to the task  His repuation began to proceed him to the point were fewer and fewer tried anything in and around Grimhold.

His job became even more challenging after the war began in 796.  The days were long and the nights not restful.  Open hostilities meant combat not just infiltration.  Calling upon allies and not just employees more often, Grimhold was a center of action as Gneon's headquarters, even though not the capital.  It was not long into the war that the biggest test yet arrived in the assault on Grimhold. 

Marston quickly realized he was in command of the defense of the city and called upon all of his allies to help.  Some answered the call, others did not.  Standing in the open to draw fire and returning the attack with deadly precision, Marston valiantly stood his ground at the main way into the city.  Much of it had been proofed against magical intrusion.  Since Grimhold was smaller and newer than most Plateauian cities and very well planned, that was possible.  An endless stream of summoned creatures stormed towards him as waves of fear drove most of the other defenders into the city.  The horde came on for an hour.  His hands burning and having used all of the ammunition that had been stacked at the entrance for him and all of the other defenders, the assault ended.

The story of Marston's feat outshone any of the other stories of the day.  For the Marshall, the assault did not end his hard time in Grimhold.  For years, he would be on constant alert against traitors, saboteurs and assassins.  Although some petitioned that he be sent on offense, Gneon insisted Marston remain in Grimhold and protect it, and he did.

Marston fought through the war.  He seemed unphased by the plagues.  He held firm against the petitions of other deities seeking him to draw him form a weakened Falan; even having to duel some of the last members of the faith of Lightstalker before it lost power.  He turned down bribes and offers of higher office to turn away from Gneon.  Even when Gneon himself asked him to leave Gimhold as Iott's end was clear, the aged Marston refused to leave the city that was as much as part of him as he was of it.

Once it was clear the war was over, Marston turned to the one burr that had bothered him for decades.  One that he had not been able to rid himself of due to bigger issues; the circus master Hognus, who like Marston has survived the ordeals of Grimhold.  It seemed as if old man Marston would soon finish that last task, when days before arresting Hognus, the norther sky turned red and one more time he was called into action...

Rogue 2 / Ranger 9 / Pistolier 10
« Last Edit: January 21, 2021, 10:57:24 PM by Asinjin »
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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2021, 02:20:54 PM »
Artemus (Windblade, Plateau)

The Keeper of the Hand of Falan was through for a loop soon after the Counsil Meeting of 791 when his patron lost some power.  Called upon soon after, Artemus was tasked with being at the forefront of bringing tinkering of sorts under the supervision of Falan.  Leaving his shop for months at a time to demonstrate the power of the clicking hand and to evangelize, he lead a busy life.

For five years, he made some progress, while evading attacks by those that sought Falan's ultimate demise and those that sought tinkering for themselves: the faiths of Ziest, Lansin, and Tefershot.  After the Day the Magic Broke, thinks did not get easier for Artemus.  Spells he relied on started to fail, and now the wizards of Iott and elsewhere targeted him.

His survival lay likely in his continued giving over to the machine, as his body became more and more mechanical.  This did increase his ability to spread the word of Falan and inspire and intrigue.  On a number of occasions, he faced off with the mad tinker's agent, Gmax.  At least twice, the two 'died' on the battlefield only to be reincarnated by the deity's power and that of tinkering.

Artemus was not in Grimhold during the assault, a fact which haunted him.  After it, he would spend more time there; except for his two years on the Southern Plateau spreading the word of Falan.  By 815, he returned full time to Grimhold, traveling to the nearby Bullwark regularly in preparation for the Counsil meeting of 816.  Happy for a year at his old home and surrounded by his shop and surviving friends, one day a surge of energy burst through his body.  Confused at first because he thought it may be a machination of his, Artemus soon realized the red sky was real and he must go...

Tinekr 2 / Cleric 5 / Machinehead 10
« Last Edit: February 05, 2021, 12:26:09 AM by Asinjin »
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