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 40410 times)

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #120 on: January 15, 2021, 11:00:17 AM »
setting death rate


- wizards 1/4 - 25%
- Tyrogatore 2/2 - 100%
- String Mountains 1/5 - 20%
- Seas 1/10 - 10%
- Rouges 2/9 - 22%
- Port Springs 1/3 - 33%
- Plateau 4/13  - 30%
- Palumbton 1/1 - 100%
- Pacyr 2/3 - 66%
- Mounted 2/2 - 100%
- Icefea 2/3 - 66%
- Great Forrest 0/2 - 0%
- Falan 1/1 - 100%
- Constables 0/5 - 0%
- Various 3/8 - 37%

This I had no idea on, at least with by player that's how I have them grouped in my chart.  Interested, and will get more so...
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Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #121 on: January 15, 2021, 12:13:28 PM »
Natsu (Hero, Rogues)

To be the high cleric of a newly commissioned deity of the Counsil is a busy job.  To add on to that being proprietor of a bustling establishment for magic items which is also a temple, and then a member of a well performing guild made Natsu in demand and always on the move.  At times, those that knew him better than most would have sworn that he was in two places at once.  Truth be known, Natsu's research and magical ingenuity allowed him to do things few others even inside Iott would have conceived.

The years between becoming high cleric and the Day Magic was Broken were incredible for Natsu.  Everything worked.  Business expanded.  He was visited by high clerics from around the world.  Hothmur Mountainmagic, in a grand event in 792, visited Port Talp to greet Natsu.  He sought to strength the ties of magic that bind spellcasters to the world.  Not long after, Keifer Griffonbane, several years before his death, visited to convince Natsu that Iott was evil and that the Collector should not join the forces of arcana, but the forces of freedom.  A dozen times, Natsu was visited by Valen Tracenkall, every time in a different form before revealing himself and praising the change the Collector was bringing to the world.  Captain Ekai Makomi visited on a diplomatic mission and warned Natsu not to have the new religion encroach on the trade of the sea.

The most challenging visits were by the clergy of Tfop, which politely suggested placing the high temple not in the holy city of their lord.  Natsu was obliged to agree and spent several years looking for a new location, which would be the hidden vault where the Collector's treasures were stored.

Natsu set the standards for the new religion in this time, getting help from the many high clerics that visited.  Times, locations, amount and style of worship were all his to make.  He also decided to make the official name of the deity Korekutā, a so much better sounding version of his lord's name from his native Horarian.  Common human privilege led them to name everything, and even after the proclamation, many still used the name Collector.

When magic changed, the religion of Korekuta found a greater importance.  Natsu and the other clerics understood magic in a way few others did, especially as it applied to magical items.  Exchanging items that worked for items that failed to do what they once did garnered the religion tremendous wealth.  International trade was hurt by the failing magic, and Natsu leaped on the chance to take improve things in the name of his lord.

Natsu stood at the center of this burgeoning empire.  Surrounded by faithful, swimming in wealth.  Iott could do little to get in his way and he could ignore them at his leisure, a position almost no others had.  Then, Kallark ascended.  Within days, Natsu was visited by Garum Mountainmagic, high cleric of Kallark.  He was given a choice, obey Iott's rules or suffer the consequences.  A negotiator far more than a fighter, Natus began to parley.  Days later, an arrangement was struck.  Natsu would not 'collect' from any Iottians, nor offer out any items Iott deemed too dangerous.  In exchange, Iott would declare the faith of Korekuta a righteous one and allow it freely to exist.

Despite that agreement, the two faiths competed over converts.  The two were 'invited' to debate at college and places of learning around the world.  The debates helped both sides as these two new dynamic religions made their cases.  The two grew to be friendly rivals.

As the years passed, Natsu continued to focus on growing the faith.  He kept out of the battles, he turned away requests to join a side.  He did what he set out to do.  When tragedy struck and the herald of the Collector was killed, it was his job to pick the next one.  Every time the obnoxious Parker or one of his ilk beat Natsu to a prize, he plotted a means to eliminate the competition.  If Kallark's faith put up a new shrine, Natsu made sure to put up a temple.

The unexpected defeat of Kallark, took Natsu by surprise.  At first he thought it would be a boon.  No one would compete for faithful now.  But he soon learned it was not.  A notable part of the would had grown to see organized magic as the enemy and did not differentiate between the faiths of Kallark, Korekuta, or even Smofarf.  Riots destroyed shrines and temples.  For two years, all he could do was cling to some of the gains he had made.

In 816, the Counsil met and Natsu hoped for relief...

Cleric 3 / Wizard 1 / Theurge 9
« Last Edit: February 14, 2021, 12:23:09 PM by Asinjin »
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Offline Hero

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #122 on: January 15, 2021, 07:44:53 PM »
Profit (Malchia, Rogues)
The bugbear leading, who had recently promised the religion of Quan Yin a temple in his lands for every one hundred pups he sired was looking for more.
Sounds like the religion of Quan Yin is pimping for a bugbear warlord.

We should do a campaign where we all play Harrl offspring.

Offline Hero

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #123 on: January 15, 2021, 07:49:33 PM »
Schurke (Malchia, Rogues)

...he would just be a lackey, just a lowly Kobald begging at the feat of some great mastermind.
Schurke/Esme would get my vote as the most creative character concept ever.

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #124 on: January 16, 2021, 01:20:00 PM »
Lorenzo "Enzo" D'val (Hero, various)

Remaining in hiding, Enzo does little in the battles after the Day Magic was Broken.  Not choosing a side and annoyed his powers have been diminished.  He travels the world, never creating a stir, never settling down.  Occasionally, someone or something peaks his interest and he spends some time investigating, but there is always danger around the corner, at the edge of his mind.

After ten years of drifting, he finds his way to Amansky.  A place for refugees, widely known for its safety and comfort.  It is peaceful.  He falls into a happy life and whatever danger that followed him no longer seems to be there.  None of his neighbors pay him much attention.  None of the people at the tavern bother him.  No one seems to have any interest in Enzo.  And then one day, they even forget that he was ever there, along with everyone else...

Sorcerer 8/ Rogue 1/ Arcane Doppel 10
« Last Edit: February 06, 2021, 10:56:18 PM by Asinjin »
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Offline Windblade

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #125 on: January 16, 2021, 01:42:11 PM »
Interesting can the god of lost knowledge erase everyone's  memory of an entire nation.

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #126 on: January 16, 2021, 01:54:54 PM »
Interesting can the god of lost knowledge erase everyone's  memory of an entire nation.

That was not what the post was implying, people still know the nation is there.
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Offline Windblade

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #127 on: January 16, 2021, 02:49:01 PM »
The other way I took it was Enzo was forgotten by everyone

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #128 on: January 16, 2021, 04:34:33 PM »
The other way I took it was Enzo was forgotten by everyone

Yes
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Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #129 on: January 16, 2021, 04:59:13 PM »
Razk (Terrorshard, Gnolls)

The runt of the litter would have been none of the brothers' guess as to a survivor, and yet he did outlast most of his littermates.  In the time after the Great Forest Treaty in 790, Akrak and the gnolls were angry.  Their anger boiled over as their allies stayed stagnant.  With Iott on the rise and the treaty preventing much of the hostilities, Razk and the gnolls were looking for a fight.  Razk left Garlaccal and headed to the Boiling Line.  Meeting up with the rebel halfling freedom fighters, for years he performed covert attacks on the wugs and the forces of Scalehome.  It was a dirty, ugly life, but he was very good at it and outlived many of his companions.

Returning to his brothers in their part in the Breaking of the Circle, he spent time again in Garlaccal.  Razk and gnolls raiders attacked the Vass and the forces of Scalehome in the chaos that followed.  The raids diminished as magic stabilized.  Balinhost and the southern coalition cut Garlaccal from the alliance.  Akrak, no fool, ordered Razk and the raiders to end their activates for the time.  Razk sired gnolls and brooded over his inactivity.  Years passed, the gnolls stewed.

It took wuite a while for the gnolls to realize what the plagues meant.  The gnolls resisted the diseases metter than any other race.  At first, they laughed at the misfortune of others.  But it was Razk, who had in his youth trained under the diseased gnoll Kaklan and himself survived illness, that recognized the opportunity.  Going before Warlord Akrak, he explained how the plagues would be cover for the gnolls.  Like a plague themselves, Garlaccal could sweep out and infect anywhere they neared.  The gnolls grew excited.  The gathered for war.

Razk preceded any attack.  His plague ridden raiders moving in to infect and lay the groundwork.  Waiting for the plague to take hold for a month or more, the gnolls attacked as the town or city was using all its resources to combat it.  Razk would target healers in his raids, clerics of Quan Yin were prized trophies.  He raided through the Great Forest and in Loahk, even reaching Yellowia.  Intoria and the jungles of the Destroytian pennisula, but never Hertoplowis.  For four years, he raided and spread the gnoll plague.  In 810, while resting and enjoying life in Garlaccal as the packs and hordes raided elsewhere, he heard a familiar voice.  "Step out and answer for your actions!"

The one time savior of the litter and ally was outside the tent.  Grant awaited him...

Rogue 6 / Fighter 1 / Trench Runner 10
« Last Edit: January 28, 2021, 02:31:39 PM by Asinjin »
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Offline Malchia

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #130 on: January 16, 2021, 05:11:15 PM »
Razk (Terrorshard, Gnolls)

"Step out and answer for your actions!"

The one time savior of the litter and ally was outside the tent.  Grant awaited him...
Brings me back to my youth when I would watch Kung Fu Theater on channel 48.

I can hear the music playing and the Shaw Brothers logo scrolling across the screen before the mighty brawl; complete with Grant's poorly dubbed dialogue.

Offline Zunder

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #131 on: January 16, 2021, 08:30:46 PM »
Brings me back to my youth when I would watch Kung Fu Theater on channel 48.

I can hear the music playing and the Shaw Brothers logo scrolling across the screen before the mighty brawl; complete with Grant's poorly dubbed dialogue.


I hear that gnolls speaking looks a lot like poorly dubbed english over chinese.
« Last Edit: January 16, 2021, 08:53:28 PM by Zunder »

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #132 on: January 16, 2021, 10:35:52 PM »
Scratch (Valdis, Gnolls)

The years of Iott's reign were easier on Scratch than most.  He spent his time honed his martial skill and gaining a reputation as a cleric of Dedestroyt.  During this time, he met with the most notable clerics if the faith, Mortimur Lede and Vistrani Fell.  Mortimur was content enough to know that Scratch did not have designs on being a Stalker of the Dead.  Vistrani, the aged elf, had a different vision.  There was a tradition of martial clerics of Dedestroyt, and the Stalked told Scratch to stay on that path.  The blind cleric did, and took on the moniker Manalefu, 'clawing death' in gnoll.

In 800, he entered the Graplore, and although he did not win, he increased his reputation be his performance.  During the time of the plagues, he traveled with the gnoll horde as it raided all the lands it could reach.  From time to time, he would demonstrate his grand blessing, invoking magic in a way few could anymore.  If wizards stood in their way, he disjoined them.  He would lock areas so that their targets could not magically flee.  Worst of all, he would forever imprison those that were deemed worthy of such punishment, usually because that had cheated death on more than one occasion.  These demonstrations of power brought him to a level rivalling Akrak.  Seeing this as a threat, Akar sent Scratch back to Garlaccal.  Had he remained with the horde, they may never have been stopped.

Back at the gnoll home, he worshipped and spread the word of Dedestroyt.  He put an end to a cult outbreak of Re'Alpf.  When panic began to spread among the gnolls that they were now catching Deng, he dispelled the illusion.  When the horde was finally defeated and the high cleric of Dedestroy among the gnolls was slain, Scratch was anointed high cleric by Akrak.  Others were preferred by the warlord, but they refused to take the role, knowing it meant they would be killed.

He remained the gnolls' high cleric for the years that followed, helping to keep they safe from the many enemies that had gained during the hordes' rampages.

Cleric 7 / Monk 3 / Twilight Sentinel 6
« Last Edit: February 06, 2021, 10:57:37 PM by Asinjin »
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Offline Asinjin

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #133 on: January 16, 2021, 11:47:28 PM »
Tarkin (Zunder, gnolls)

Rising through the ranks of pack leaders, Tarkin hunted and became better and better known in Garlaccal.  While his remaining brothers took less common paths, Tarkin was the traditional gnoll pack leader, taking after his father more than the rest.  It seemed only right that he held most of his father's items.  Ever near to Akrak, the two were a force when the horde began its rampage.

Tarkin's displays of power were far less imposing than his brother's, but he would still make great use of them, often changing his from into a greater size or one that was impenetrable.  Only once, when the horde was finally turned back in 811 at the Battle of the Jungle Revealed did unleash his full potential.  An effort that nearly killed him but engulfed a massive swath of jungle in an eruption and left the trees burning for days, allowing the horde to escape.

After returning, Tarkin shielded a broken Akrak from those that began to speak against him.  This meant attending every meeting Akrak had.  On a chill fall day, more than a year after the horde had returned, Akrak received a visit from the Voice of Scalehome.  Quickly summoning his brothers, they stood in front of Akrak in the massive tent that had been prepared for the meeting.  The voice walked in, unarmed with no guards.  Akrak, as was usual by this time paid little attention.

"I bare no ill feelings towards you sons of Arka and Hessa.  Let me speak plainly and be gone."  The brothers held their actions for a moment to hear the final words of their father's killer before ending him.  Akrak perked up, but the brothers did not notice.  "Let Razk make sure what I speak if truth, for you will not believe me otherwise."  Razk called upon his power and nodded.  Akrak barked an objection, but was not heard.  "Your mother enchanted many items for your father, as she had a different home than the forest.  He was adorned with more than any gnoll and likely anyone in the forest.  Akrak grew jealous and had Scalehome kill him.  He gave us many of the items, but kept the rest for himself.  That is why he rose so the heights he had so quickly."  Akrak had left the tent.  Razk nodded that is was all true.  "I know you still want to kill me, but if you take that time, Akrak will escape and you will be surrounded and killed.  If you go after him now..."  The voice was known for his persuasion, the brothers turned in fury and saw no Akrak.  The voice was gone when they looked back.

Racing out of the tent, they found Akrak arming himself and calling upon his guard.  "You have been charmed, stop or die!"

Razk hissed, "Speak and I will know the truth."  Akrak knew he had no escape, but he also knew the limits of the brothers' powers, knew he had a fighting chance.  "The truth is with your deaths, I will have more items than the Collector!"  He fired his bow, once Arak's and each brother felt the sting and the brawl began.

Gnolls rushed to the fight, confused as to what was happening.  Many joined in and the battle raged.  Akrak used gnoll after gnoll as cover.  He taunted the brothers as they tried to reach him.  Razk moved through the crowd as if it wasn't there and snuck up on Akrak, cutting his leg to shreds from behind.  The Warlord roared and pummeled Razk.  Nearly dead, unable to escape, he slashed again and again, nearly gutting the warlord before collapsing.  Akrak grasped for items of healing.  Tarkin saw no way to get to the warlord and barked at Scratch.  Calling upon his inner power, Scratch repelled the gnolls from the area.  Clearing the path, Tarkin grew in size and ferocity, dragging Scartch with him.

Akrak howled and set himself, unable to charge with his leg in tatters.  Tarkin dropped Scratch and rushed in.  With only teeth and claws the two tore at each other for what seemed like minutes.  Those surrounding stopped and watched.  Blood splattered in all directions.  Howls echoed for a mile.  When the fight stopped, both gnolls were in a pile and neither looked like they had survived.  Scratch found his brothers, barely able to move himself, and dragged them away.

Tarkin awoke feeling terrible, but alive.  It would be weeks before he recovered fully.  When he did, he walked out of his tent the new Warlord of Garlaccal.

Ranger 9 / Huntsman 10
« Last Edit: February 06, 2021, 10:59:38 PM by Asinjin »
The hand that rolls the Dice rules the world.

Offline Zunder

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Re: Tales of the Heroes
« Reply #134 on: January 17, 2021, 11:26:01 AM »
Great Warload Akrak.. not so Great!  *Hyena cackles*