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 40506 times)

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #495 on: March 09, 2021, 09:36:04 PM »
Will the remainder of the fallen/vanished/surviving characters have their levels posted?  Zunder probably has a complete list, but here's my remaining characters.

Schurke
Profit
Kasai
Gneetagh (DM Whitesword)

I just posted levels with their stories.
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Offline Malchia

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #496 on: March 09, 2021, 10:15:53 PM »
I just posted levels with their stories.
Wow, Profit really made something of himself.  Too bad he ended up on the wrong end of Parker's Whirlson.

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #497 on: May 27, 2021, 11:10:21 AM »
Harrick part 3

The second full Falanic crusade against Vestilion occurred in 812.  For years, Harrick had been bolstering the faith by 'curing' the plagued.  This insult enraged the clerics of Falan at the Bulwark to the point where they were driven to action.  A debate ensued among the clerics of Falan: wait or attack now.  Waiting would have afforded them more daylight and possibly reinforcements as they sent a call out to the world.  However, every day that went by was another that Vestilion could claim the full power of a deity and be much harder to destroy.

For years, Harrick had cultivated a reputation on the Plateau.  He was seen as helpful and liked by the poor.  He never sided with Iott and was one of the few powerful arcane spellcasters that was trusted.  Those years served him well and his plan bore some unexpected fruits.  A crusade of thousands cannot be planned in a vacuum.  Word reached Harrick that the build up was happening but the timeline was not set.  He went into action to manipulate the effort.  Guided by Vestilion, he began to make it look as if he was preparing a major event.  His agents were seen leaving Skull Keep.  Small events were staged all over the plateau.

In their enthusiasm, the leaders of the Bulwark fell into Harrick's ploy.  They saw what they wanted to believe and fit with the preconceived notions.  Against the advice of other temples off the plateau, they moved quickly.  By the 11th month of 812, they neared Skull Keep.  Full reports of the battle are not known by anyone except Harrick and the undead, who don't tell the tale.  The crusaders that survived, under a thousand of the more than three thousand that went to war, tell a mixed tale.

They attacked during the day, but dark clouds of ash blocked the sun.  The sky was as if a volcano had erupted nearby.  Having planned to earthquakes, remembering the last crusade, they have plan in place to prevent that.  The ground opened up nonetheless, and dwellers of the underdark spewed out to attack.  Promised the reward of eternal life and all the treasures the crusaders carried, hulks and drow with some other creatures laid into the crusaders.

Few undead presented themselves.  The crusaders called upon the champions of Falan, as was planned, to attack Harrick the high cleric as the crusaders dealt with the army.  The crusaders knew only that the champions did not succeed, as Harrick appeared far overhead during the battle after the champions were summoned.  Still, they pressed forward, driving the underdark forces back.  The rearguard secured the field as the rest charged into the Skull Keep.  Those that entered never exited.  After an hour, half of the rearguard made their way into the keep to see what happened.

With no sign of the champions, Harrick, or the forces of the underdark; the crusaders outside began to hope.  But there was no word from the other in the keep.  It was then that the undead attacked.  Tired, but still ready for undead, the remaining crusaders formed up defensively and fended off the assault.  Then, calls came from in the keep for reinforcements.  Victory was at hand if only a few more could get inside.  The undead did not allow it.  Two or three undead, and not skeletons or zombies, were destroyed for each crusader, but they prevented any reinforcements.

Four hours after it began, the undead pulled back.  The crusaders sent runners into the keep to see what had happened.  They returned to report the halls had collapsed and nothing could be heard.  Tired, without their top commanders, night having fallen, seemingly have beaten every enemy that had faced them, with no where to go; the remaining crusaders withdrew from the field to camp a safe distance away.  The next day, they began to march home.

Harrick remained in Skull Keep for several months.  He had survived at great cost.  For the next year, he and he forces recuperated.  The Bulwark's clerics were depleted and their reputation on the plateau and within the faith of Falan diminished even more so than before.  By 814, Harrick began to venture back out and see how his flock had managed without him.  They had done well, aided by the attention everyone gave to Iott and able to work in the shadows.

The chaos of Kallark's destruction was a great boon to recruiting.  Vestilion's stock rose in the eyes of many.  Harrick was performing services daily to grant eternal life.  And then, the opportunity arose in 815 to claim another prize.  He aided in the defeat of Sutyr.  Months later, the Counsil meeting of 816 happened, and Harrick's dream was fully realized.


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Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #498 on: May 27, 2021, 12:01:00 PM »
Day of the Red Sky

A red glow emanating from the Skull Keep and blanketing the sky for miles around let everyone know that Vestilion’s time had arrived.  The Counsil meeting of 816 was underway and Harrick and the undead that followed him were beaming with joy.  Their lord would be elevated and their eternal life would be assured.  They would be free to expand into the world as their fire of immortality burned for all to see.  It would burn the flesh off of the living and leave them warm with the feeling of immortality.  What magnificence and wonder for all.

Other saw and knew what the red sky meant.  Those that had followed the rise of Vestilion and tracked the growth of his minions did not feel the warmth of the red glow.  The ash cloud covered the sun and gave them a chill.  The fire burned away life and left nothing but soulless monsters.  Drawn to the sky by instinct, by prior knowledge, out of fear, or some greater force guiding them; these others charge to Skull Keep in one final attempt to destroy Harrick and Vestillion before it was too late.

Artemus, now more machine than gnome, had found purpose years before, but the defeat of Iott had brought him peace.  He was not around for the crusade or the attack on Grimhold, but he was home now.  The red sky called to him and he felt pangs of guilt for his absence and a sense of redemption at hand.  He gathered his things and looked for help.

He went to find Sheriff Wayne, and when he came upon him, his old friend was staring at the red sky to the north.  They looked at each other and no words were needed.  Marston left a detailed note for the other sheriffs, making sure that his last loose end would be taken care of in case he did not return.  Collecting the best items, he had acquired over the years, he put on all of his gear.  Many came to him asking what was going on as he walked out of town with Artemus.  He told them he needed to talk to an old friend and demanded they not join him.  The two left Grimhold by foot, watched by hundreds.

Finn was tending the farms as usual when he saw the red sky.  He knew what it meant and knew that only he among his flock could survive what he would now do.  He quickly penned letters and had animals and family collect his tools and equipment.  Messenger birds flew out to alert those who might help him.  Prayers were said to prepare blessings.  It took little time for him to find Marston and Artemus walking north.  The three did not move fast.

Harris did not need any more action.  He did not want any more action.  He had built the life he wanted and was king of his domain.  Unchallenged and catered to, happy and content.  The red sky brought an unwanted call.  All of those that he had protected, that had paid him taxes, that looked up to him, and spoke of his great strength and boasted how no one would dare mess with Harris now called on him.  Pride, ego, and some duty all pulled on Harris.  So, he twitched and summoned up the skills that had gotten him here.  Collecting his arms and armor, he went north.  With him, he took his retinue.

Saren had been waiting for the sign that it was time for fight again.  He had been present for many of the great battles of the past decade.  Fought in battles against a quasi-deity and a demi god.  Now it was time to face his first foe, the one-time death knight that had haunted his dreams and inspired his actions.  Now he was ready for the battle and knew that he would not be alone.
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Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #499 on: July 04, 2021, 02:57:52 PM »
Day of the Red Sky (part 2)

Others came as well to the area of the Skull Keep.  The last remnants of the faith of the Lightstalker, failed Falanic crusaders seeking redemption, and Valona representing Taivas Valtias who flew in from the north.  They hoped that the Clikinacy would send aid as well, and all indications were that they were on the way.

The gathering was not as impressive in number as the Falanic crusades.  Those assembled was less organized and not as strongly lead as that that had joined forced to defeat Sutyr.  They faced a foe that was not on the outside of the Counsil and whose destruction and banishment was sought by the religions.  They faced an emboldened enemy that as they learned had just been endorsed by the Counsil as a new member.

Immediately, as the leaders of the groups met, arguments began over who should lead.  Precious time was wasted.  Having heard stories of the Battle of Mount Ila'Alnar, many of the leaders sought to claim the role of Dourvan.  Ego drove some to think this battle could end the same way that one did, with elevation to a divine rank.  Certainly, the leaders of Falan, Taivas Valtias, and the Lightstalker believed that...and probably Harris thought it would be cool as well.

After one day of meetings a planning, Finn had finally prevailed and convinced those gathered to work together.  This could be won, and if any individual exceeded expectation to an amazingly level, perhaps the deities would grant them some boon.  It was not something Finn believed, but he sold it as best he could.  In the morning, they laid out the field of battle.  Taking lessons from the crusades, they began to craft a strategy.

Their opponent did not take time to plan.  Harrick was prepared, as he had been for some time.  As his gathered foes quarreled, he set his plans in motion.  The day was all he needed to set things as they needed to be.  He would not wait to be attacked.  The Skull Keep was not a fortress that could withstand a siege, it had not been for some time, having been bombarded by crusades.  Harrick gathered his forces, summoned his blessings, and readied an attack for the morning.  With clouds of ash protecting his eternal allies, the time of day would matter little.

« Last Edit: July 06, 2021, 08:09:21 PM by Asinjin »
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Offline Zunder

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #500 on: July 05, 2021, 09:52:01 PM »

Offline Hero

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #501 on: July 05, 2021, 11:23:05 PM »

Offline Zunder

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #502 on: July 06, 2021, 08:16:55 AM »

« Last Edit: July 06, 2021, 01:24:10 PM by Zunder »

Offline Hero

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #503 on: July 06, 2021, 06:13:37 PM »

Offline whitesword

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #504 on: July 06, 2021, 08:01:39 PM »
I make a motion for bonus XP to Zunder for changing his icon. And to both Zunder and Hero for this pithy dialogue.

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #505 on: July 06, 2021, 08:05:13 PM »
I make a motion for bonus XP to Zunder for changing his icon. And to both Zunder and Hero for this pithy dialogue.

Motion granted....Finn and Harrick both get 100,000xp
The hand that rolls the Dice rules the world.

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #506 on: July 06, 2021, 08:30:35 PM »
Day of the Red Sky (part 3)

The foes of Vestilion had not left themselves defenseless as they camped.  Finn and the clerics of Falan had blessed the field of battle and protected their camp from a variety of threats.  Valona circled high to keep watch on the Skull Keep.  Despite their quarrels, all wanted the mission to succeed and aided in the preparation.  When the attack came in the morning of the first day after they all met, they were nonetheless taken aback.

The ash cloud that covered the sky began to rain down at a pace they had not seen before, and with it came a roar.  Wasting no time down from the clouds flew a creature of legend, one that none of the foes of Vestilion had seen before that day.  Cried of panic rang out as alarms blared.  Prayers began in earnest.  Valona fled from the sky.  Those on the ground were forced to gather together around bastions of bravery to avoid fleeing.  A Dracolich, bones bleached, leather petrified, eyes of glowing cinder; descended towards them.

They had prepared for undead, they had expected terrors.  Only Saren, who had been at the Battle of Mount Ila'Alnar had an inkling that this might happen.  So as to not bring more problems into the camp on the first night which had not gone well, he had not brought the worst possibility to their attention.  He regretted it now, but even had he said something, the quick attack was not in anyone's plan.

The allies spent their minute wisely as the creature descended.  Every defense possible was made.  Just as it was about to engage them, it veered away.  No illusion, it had other plans.  The ash storm intensified as the caster went about protecting themselves as they tried to discern Vestilion's plan.
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Offline Zunder

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #507 on: July 06, 2021, 10:19:55 PM »


« Last Edit: July 06, 2021, 10:32:15 PM by Zunder »

Offline Zunder

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #508 on: July 06, 2021, 10:40:49 PM »
Motion granted....Finn and Harrick both get 100,000xp


Wait.. Can I get my 5 levels before we start

That'll be lvl 23.  epic level spells in cleric, only 8th in wizard, but what are those good for these days.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2021, 10:23:26 AM by Zunder »

Offline Hero

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #509 on: July 06, 2021, 11:12:23 PM »

Wait.. Can I get my 5 levels before we start

That'll be lvl 25.  epic level spells in cleric, only 8th in wizard, but what are those good for these days.
I see your epic level cleric spells and raise you epic level druid spells.