Tales of the Heroes

[Asinjin]

32 done, about 25% of the way there...seesh

Let me know your favorites so far.  Also enjoy the speculation posts and Easter Egg catches.

This is a bit off I realize, because there are 5 Grean characters and a dozen Icefian characters whose stories I won't be writing due to copyright infringement...

[Asinjin]

The destruction of Merid

On the edge of the jungle in autumn of 810, the entity known as Merid was traveling to new lands in the Destroytian Peninsula to infect them with his plagues and grow in power.  Appearing as a decaying gnoll, the only thing that stood in its way was the pack of Olokas.  The pack had cleared the area ahead of Merid's arrival, giving it no creatures to kill and draw power from and putting no on in danger.

Sensing the danger, Ri had sent a psionic call out to allies who might be able to help them.  As the battle ensued, with the pack burning away the edges of the undead horde, Ri's call was answered.  Gails, the Anklelent, servant of Solaris and fellow celestial arrived, blessed by Solaris.  It traveled far and wide collecting those that had responded they would help.  One of the only creatures on Habololy that could still teleport great distances at will, Gails was a boon.  Saren, an off and on companion of the pack arrived.  Allies from Icefia, rarely seen on the main continent for the past decade appeared from the guardian temple, lead by Dovin.

As heroes of old gathered, some grew hopeful that Solaris himself or even legendary Ajax might appear.  Although they did not, an aging Firfin arrived, joined by a myriad of clerics of Falan.  The remaining waywatchers and knights of Stasis that lived on the main continent were brought in as well, Gails tirelessly teleporting them to aid the battle.  The tide turning towards the forces of light, Merid was finally able to trap Gails and banish the Anklelent for a time.

The undead servants of Merid did not fair well against what opposed them.  Holy energy and an assembled force coordinating in ways that had not been seen in 20 years fought as if they were 20 years younger, inspired by dreams of a time when evil was clear before them to fight.  Merid's undead even in destruction were dangerous.  Endless amounts of plague dust filled the battlefield.  As the undead lessened, the smog grew.  Efforts to blow it away were thwarted.  Holy energy had little impact on the natural diseases that composed much of the mist.

As many of the allies choked, nauseated, weakened, sickened and forced to back off; Merid went after those seemingly immune to the plagues.  Several knights and guardians were laid low.  As Merid moved to kill the incapacitated, Dovin dove to their defense, protecting his friends from certain death.  Some of those that perished rose in a terrible form, attacking their friends.  It fell to Saren to dispatch them to a final peaceful rest.

Olokas' pack fared better than the others.  Working in perfect harmony, doing what they had been doing for years together, they continued to wipe out the horde.  But they could do nothing against Merid.  The Deva feared banishment, a fate with unknown effects for those that had been on Habololy so long.  Leaving the pack, Olokas and Ri joined Dovin.

Although Dovin was not able to do much to harm Merid, he was equally unharmed from its attacks, as he was fighting to protect his allies as much as defeat Merid.  Olokas' attack was tremendous, and the holy knight of Stasis called out for Ajax's blessing as his sword smashed the creature time and again.  The vileness that spewed from Merid was intolerable and the disease that ravaged the three could be seen moment by moment.  Those in the area, already sickened, begin to quickly fade. 

Overcome with grief and about to expire, and told mentally by Ri, Dovin began to drag the others as far away as possible, calling out for the pack to do the same.  Saren, finishing the last of the undead fought his way towards Merid, but stopped short after a command from Ri, turning instead to save those around.  As Olokas pinned the wretched being down with his sword, his skin being eaten away by rot, Ri latched on the the head of the creature, tentacles driving into its brain.  Agonizing moments later, Ri torn the head from Merid and the explosion of filth covered the area.

It was an hour later when Dovin, Saren and the others were able to get close enough to see what was left.  Nothing was recognizable in the slime and dust except for the sword and armor of Olokas.  No undead remained in the area.  Merid's presence was banished from Habololy. 

[Asinjin]

Vega Blackbattle (Hero, Port Springs)

A dwarf without a side, the power struggles that raged around the world were mostly not touched by Vega upon his return to the city.  His focus, as always, was the safety of the city.  When it was decided that the city would formally leave the dwarven kingdom, he made due and kept things moving as they always had been.

When the Iottians demanded the city follow their rule, he shrugged and continued to uphold the appropriate laws.  When Nomagrok came calling with hopes for driving magic from the city, he defended it against the short lived attack.  When the plagues came, he took little pity on those that sought to profit from the event.  When the Ritvalists made an appearance, he put them on notice.  When the Grean fleet sought to blockade the city, he offered them only a gesture.  When spells broke and chaos ensued, he helped calm take hold again.  When Gneon sought to use Crazyrock as a base, he said no.  When the mobs wanted to lynch wizards that had aided Iott, he turned them back.

Time and again, Vega proved that he was an advocate for Port Springs.  Its defender and a favorite son.  It was with great fanfare and hope that he was made Chief Constable in 815, sworn in by his long time friend and fellow city hero, Daane Silversword.

Rogue 5/ Ranger 4/ Investigator 10

[Asinjin]

Emmerick Blackhammer (Whitesword, Port Springs)

The oft troubled cleric of Falan had lived a tormented life and although respite was had for moments, the time after the severing was difficult as well.  Hoping to be shielded at the college from the hardest of events, torment came in many forms.  New undead entities that arose haunted his dreams.  Torment by Gmax invaded his thoughts as well.  Several times, he would be asked to aid against the undead, but he found it very difficult to leave and not be driven mad by temptation.

When the plagues arrived, life was even more difficult.  Convinced that any one would claim him and turn him undead, especially after word of the entity Meril came to light, he interacted less.  His classes were highly sought after for the insight into the madness of undeath.  Conspiracy theorists always sought his opinion: were the giants going to invade the kingdom from the north, was Yellowia going to assassinate the king and claim the throne, would the melting glacier flood the kingdom, would the death of fire bring a new ice age in which the chosen would rule, would Habastly and Lakius merge now that they faiths were similar, would the rarely seen Icefian eagle repopulate and take control of the skies, or would they go extinct and mean doom for all creatures of Icefia, would Thom defect to Iott and complete his family's plan for world domination, would all the planes be cut off from Habololy, would the wizards three turn to Iott's side, would the scaled elven genocide be completed, would Amatom conquer Layreadia and the new college in Ekarude, would magic ever be the same!!!

Nearly a Hermit, elderly and have mad by 816, the actions of the Counsil that year were the final straw.  He was found dead in his room at the college.

Cleric 6 / Bard 6

[Asinjin]

Bandrig Granitebreaker (Whitesword, Falan)

Having been jailed for crimes in Pacyr, ones that he claims were ridiculous, his term ended, but bad luck would follow as it often does for one time criminals.  His efforts to reach other lands and travel were thwarted by the onset of Iott's reign.  Although he found employment working as he had been, but now for Iott and Hertoplowis, as Pacyr had closed its doors to nearly everyone thanks for the doom speaking president.

The amount of profit to be made getting items between the two nations was astounding.  Hertoplowis had immediately rejected Iott and the two fought as they had many times before.  Seeing opportunity, Bandrig was able to get prohibited items from place to place.  Never weapons or items of war, but comfort things such as pipeweed that just made people feel good for a time.

This went on until he was betrayed by a buyer in Hertoplowis.  Religious fanatics of Everentual dragged him to prison.  On trumped up charges he was deemed a spy of Iott and hung.

Rogue 4 / Wizard 6

[Asinjin]

Laz (Whitesword, Seas)

The time of Iott's reign is not one that warrior's like Laz are enjoy.  Magic is dominant and those that cannot use it or stand strongly against it, which also required its use, were relegated to menial tasks.  Pay for corsairs plummeted, unless they were smugglers, and Laz had little skill at hiding.  He did get employment keeping sailors in line and his skill at swimming are strength made sure he was never without work; but the jobs that he wanted and that would pay were not oft available.

For a time, he hired on to fight the Grean fleet allied with Iott, but that went poorly for all ships involved.  He managed to survive and ended up in Layreadia, after a brief stint trying to work for the Quan Yin Horarians, which ended poorly.  The Layreadians appreciated his work for years, and Laz was happy to be doing good work and sailing the southern seas.

On leave in 816, the lizardfolk was enjoying time in the city of Ermaneo, known for its entertainment and independence.  A bard he had been enjoying for week at the Low Bar was playing and the spicy shredded meat that he preferred was available in large quantities that evening.  But thunder and lightning were interrupting his time and a one eyed human kept beating him at dice.

Fighter 2 / Ranger 4 / Shock Trooper 4

[whitesword]

Emmerick Blackhammer

The oft troubled cleric of Falan had lived a tormented life and although respite was had for moments, the time after the severing was difficult as well.  Hoping to be shielded at the college from the hardest of events, torment came in many forms.  New undead entities that arose haunted his dreams.  Torment by Gmax invaded his thoughts as well.  Several times, he would be asked to aid against the undead, but he found it very difficult to leave and not be driven mad by temptation.

When the plagues arrived, life was even more difficult.  Convinced that any one would claim him and turn him undead, especially after word of the entity Meril came to light, he interacted less.  His classes were highly sought after for the insight into the madness of undeath.  Conspiracy theorists always sought his opinion: were the giants going to invade the kingdom from the north, was Yellowia going to assassinate the king and claim the throne, would the melting glacier flood the kingdom, would the death of fire bring a new ice age in which the chosen would rule, would Habastly and Lakius merge now that they faiths were similar, would the rarely seen Icefian eagle repopulate and take control of the skies, or would they go extinct and mean doom for all creatures of Icefia, would Thom defect to Iott and complete his family's plan for world domination, would all the planes be cut off from Habololy, would the wizards three turn to Iott's side, would the scaled elven genocide be completed, would Amatom conquer Layreadia and the new college in Ekarude, would magic ever be the same!!!

Nearly a Hermit, elderly and have mad by 816, the actions of the Counsil that year were the final straw.  He was found dead in his room at the college.

Yikes

[whitesword]

Bandrig Granitebreaker

Having been jailed for crimes in Pacyr, ones that he claims were ridiculous, his term ended, but bad luck would follow as it often does for one time criminals.  His efforts to reach other lands and travel were thwarted by the onset of Iott's reign.  Although he found employment working as he had been, but now for Iott and Hertoplowis, as Pacyr had closed its doors to nearly everyone thanks for the doom speaking president.

The amount of profit to be made getting items between the two nations was astounding.  Hertoplowis had immediately rejected Iott and the two fought as they had many times before.  Seeing opportunity, Bandrig was able to get prohibited items from place to place.  Never weapons or items of war, but comfort things such as pipeweed that just made people feel good for a time.

This went on until he was betrayed by a buyer in Hertoplowis.  Religious fanatics of Everentual dragged him to prison.  On trumped up charges he was deemed a spy of Iott and hung.

Double Yikes!!

[Windblade]

The destruction of Merid

Overcome with grief and about to expire, and told mentally by Ri, Dovin began to drag the others as far away as possible, calling out for the pack to do the same.  Saren, finishing the last of the undead fought his way towards Merid, but stopped short after a command from Ri, turning instead to save those around.  As Olokas pinned the wretched being down with his sword, his skin being eaten away by rot, Ri latched on the the head of the creature, tentacles driving into its brain.  Agonizing moments later, Ri torn the head from Merid and the explosion of filth covered the area.

It was an hour later when Dovin, Saren and the others were able to get close enough to see what was left.  Nothing was recognizable in the slime and dust except for the sword and armor of Olokas.  No undead remained in the area.  Merid's presence was banished from Habololy.

Eating the brain of a Quasi deity has to be the top way for a mindflayer to go out.

[Asinjin]

Tynan Swiftwater (Hero, Mounted)

With the ascension of The Collector to the Counsil, Ty became more powerful than he would have dreamed.  The herald of The Collector was now tasked with finding items of magic and collecting them.  With a religion at his back and new found authority, The Collector and therefore Ty became a force.

For years, his notoriety and infamy grew.  Traveling swiftly on his enhanced steed Hero, Ty made it to all corners of the main continent and later the civilized world.  Careful to not bite off more than he could chew, Ty claimed small prizes to start.  As Iott's reign began, the task became harder.  The Iottians refused to give up any items, and their enemies clung harder to them, desperate for a counter to the wizards.  But Ty did not relent.  Turning more to snatch and grab rather than confrontation, he was able to spirit away with notable items.  Halfling weapons, Orcish pottery, Elven arrows, potions galore, and a strange talking raven construct were among the things he collected.

With the destruction of the circle, which Ty was better informed of than most, his task became harder.  Magic items became harder to construct and their value increased.  That was somewhat balanced by the increase in clerics and faithful of The Collector.  For a decade more, Ty traveled and procured items.  His mission did begin to add trade.  Telling of new routes the Collector had found and offering to settle disputes of commerce.  It was a dangerous mission.

In 805, Ty was traveling through Loahk, a place where he had never stopped to collect anything since there was never anything worth collecting.  He traveled with a merchant band heading for Undrile and the Market of One Hundred Nations.  The band was friendly and seemed happy than people from most places Ty went those days.  Arriving at the market, Ty went his separate way.  Later that day, the merchants of Loahk came to find him, pleading for his help.  They were being swindled.  Ty went to settle the dispute and came upon a band of brightly dressed freaks, who he believed were from a circus.  It did not take long for Ty to figure out that they had indeed cheated the merchants.  He began negotiations and was well on his way to settling another.

A flash, a tumble, and a rope later, Ty was in bad straights.  "Pop him open and lets see what treasurers come out!"  The merchants fled and the freaks, who were more powerful that Ty could have dreamed went to work.  Ty woke up in a swirling place of magic, happy as he has ever been, surrounded by horses of many colors.  Croaking echoed in his head.

The freaks enjoyed their treasures for only a short time, but within a few months, they were all dead having never seen their killer.

Rogue 5 / Fighter 2 / Lighthorseman 7

[Asinjin]

Ikraam (Malchia, Tyrogatore)

The life of a cleric of Dedestroyt was not easy at any time.  Years of travel, looking for those that violate the natural order, hated by many, loved by none.  From Undrile to Upgriv, Megenthia and Jaswap, the Great Forest and the desert; Ikraam traveled and spread the justice of Dedestroyt.  He followed leads and tracked down those reported to have been brought back.  Spending time with the gnolls, he befriended their clerics of Dedestroyt, of which there were many.

When Iott began its reign, the faithful of Dedestroyt were displeased.  The wizards cheated death constantly without morality or consequence.  Ikraam called out for their defeat, as did his fellow clerics, but few heeded the call, until Gneon, the Deliverer from Iottian Tyranny approached.  Enlisting clerics of Everentual, Celetal, Dedestroy and other into his plan, Gneon told them of a coordinated effort to defeat Iott in one fell swoop.

Set for a summer day in 796, forces around the world coordinated their attack, with a great deal of divine and technological assistance.  Ikraam joined the forefront of the assault on Iott itself.  When the hour hit, he and his fellow clerics, including the renowned Stalker of the Dead Mortimer Lede stormed the beaches, accompanied by a literal storm.  The attack was fierce, the battle long.  The Iottians controlled the battle from the 2nd moment.  The assault failed, but the mission that was unknown in life to the clerics succeeded.  Hundreds of clerics died on the beach, but only the clerics of Dedestroyt went happily to their lord's realm.

Cleric 11

[whitesword]

Eating the brain of a Quasi deity has to be the top way for a mindflayer to go out.

I thought the same thing

[Asinjin]

Maybe a death pool, either number or ways the PCs died would be in order.

[Asinjin]

Saladien Greenleaf (Windblade, Great Forest)

Following his time in the Great Forest, first training with the weathersingers and then trying to stop them, Saladien was a lost soul.  Many of those that he had traveled with, trained with, and befriended were gone or changed too much.

He remained in the forest, living as peacefully as he could.  It grew more and more difficult as fewer fey stayed neutral.  As the forces on both sides slowly controlled more of the villages, he had fewer places that felt safe.  The last straw was when the stones broke.  The forest buzzed with rumors and danger.  Saladien did not know what to do, so deeper he hid.  Again, he thought he had found a safe place, no longer traveling to any other villages, quietly living with a small group of fey.

Years passed, and a new threat began to emerge.  Rumors among the fey that a new power was emerging in the forest.  One that still had access to the most powerful arcane magics.  One that offered the fey a new choice.  Saladien did not trust it.  Before the new power came to town, he fled again.  This time, to a place he knew would be safe, where he could hide forever if need be, which had been the least effected by the current turmoil; Amansky.

And there he stayed.

Bard 4 / Sorcerer 1 / Weathersinger 8

[Asinjin]

Veronica (Zunder, Seas)

The seamstress extraordinaire spent years on ship peddling her wears, earning enough coin to live comfortable in Port Talp.  As the troubles began, she thought better of it.  Port Talp was a city that would surely get involved in these affairs.  A woman of her means needn't be troubled by such things.  So she sailed elsewhere, to Magenthia.  There was money to be made there, but life a hot and hard.

As the plagues began, she understood the danger of unchecked disease.  With fewer spells to prevent the spread, she took action.  Taking her belongings, and leaving some behind, she looked for a way out of the city.  The first ship out was a Horarian ship.  No matter it was Yinites, it was certainly better.

After two months at sea and ports, Veronica made it to the Horarian islands.  She was welcomed personally by Nimi'ona Joshinohaha.  A peace and comfort came over her and Veroncia was happy to be there.  It took some time for her to find her place, but she was a talented seamstress.  The money was not a lot, but not a lot was needed in Hiyokuna Machi.  She was even able to take up her other past time, since almost no others here were interested.

Veronica was surprised that everyone was so tepid and prudish.  She expected some of that, but to the extent it was confounding.  She gave birth nine months later, having wished she spent more time learning the language and religion.  As luck would have it, she discovered she was good at something else.  By 816, her brood would number enough to crew a fair size fishing boat when they were older.

Rogue 4 / Crafter 2