Letters Home 6 pt 1

Note: Because we are going so far between breaks, with lots happening, this current letter to Illia's Mum is going to be posted in segments, so as not to overwhelm the reader. Enjoy!

Dear Mum,

Our life has been full of adventure since I last had a chance to write! I'm sitting here debating whether or not I should tell you everything, or if that would just worry you. I guess I'll stick with what I've been doing and just try and give you the full story of our adventures. I hope that's ok Mum! Wouldn't you rather know than imagine anyway? I'm afraid that means this will be a rather long letter, but considering your getting these in batches of letters anyway I'm not going to worry about break it up!

It didn't take us very long before we found our first group of sentries, some kobolds, and they were fighting amongst themselves. Not that it was surprising, kobold's love to fight after all! We decided to surround them and Meren used some sort of magic to alert us when she was in place (she was up in the tree's) and to start the attack. It was pretty funny. She made little green lights appear above the kobold's heads and they were so confused! I think I saw one try to eat one of the lights before they realized we were attacking! Gen confused them even further when she threw a rock to make some noise that was nowhere near where we actually were!

The battle was a little hectic. We had some shots and hits that totally missed, and a few that just injured, but in the end we managed to get 'em all. Whiffy, Gen, and Meren each accounted for two kobolds, Neris helped by injuring one, and I took one out. Not bad. I'd feel better if I hadn't totally missed one!

After the battle Meren spent some time soothing a tree that Neris had hit with her axe. She didn't seem too happy about it, but then again, what else would you expect from a wood elf? It really wasn't Neris's fault either, she didn't really have any options other than throwing her axe and it's not one that was really meant to be thrown.

I was a little squeamish about it, but we searched the bodies. We didn't find anything useful for our mission, but we did get some copper pieces!

(to be continued)


 

 

Letters Home 5

Dear Mum,

Well it was bound to happen sooner or later; we all knew that when we set out on this quest, and by that Mum, yes, I mean we were attacked. Twice. Don't worry though K? Nobody got hurt. The first attack was a bunch of huge bats and Meren let fly some sort of spell that put three out of the five asleep! That certainly made our job easier. You would have been proud of me Mum. I killed one of them on my first shot. I guess all that target practice WAS good for something eh Mum? I wasn't just avoiding work in the tavern…

I have to admit though; I was a little shook up after the battle. I mean, I've gone out hunting before. Remember when Targoth was determined that I needed to know how to hunt and dress out kills and all that? But that was different. The animals were for food and they saved us all some money. They also didn't attack. Now maybe that's because he never took me out to hunt anything dangerous for our stew pot, but still. I got a little sick from the rush of emotions that came with trying to kill something that was trying to hurt me and my
friends!

We tried to go back to sleep after the first attack, but it didn't really work very well. That's when the second attack occurred. A pair of spiders this time, and dumb spiders at that! I didn't think they were as scary as the bats. Then again, I have killed spiders before; just not one's as big! I think I still had some adrenaline going from the first attack too cuz I actually went after them with my short sword! Didn't do much damage, but it counted for something I guess.

I ended up spending what was left of that night watching Gen run around all hyper. I guess battle agrees with him? At least one's we win!

We're heading out in a few minutes. We should reach the abandoned village by the end of the day and we plan on scouting things out and attacking by night. Whiffy tells us that the kobold's we're up against will have their defenses lowered some at night. Who thought I'd ever be taking advice from a kobold on attack strategies???

The next letter might be a long one, but I'll write as soon as I can, and I'll stay out of danger as best I can!


Love,

Illia

Letter's Home 4

Dear Mum,

So much to talk about – it's hard to know where to start! I guess I'll just go chronologically. Isn't that what they always tell us bard's to do? Start at the beginning...

I did a watch with Neris last night. It was good to spend some time getting to know her a little bit better. Like me, she's never really done much adventuring. She's spent most of her life working in her uncle's shop, I guess that's kind of like me spending most of my time hanging around the Wayfarer's Rest eh? I've had a little bit more experience I guess though, since I've traveled from Jayall to get here. Anyway, it's nice to know I'm not the only one in the group just “testing the waters” so to speak. I mean, Gen and Whiffy both seem to be seasoned adventurers and Meren's probably seen a lot as she's lived in the woods and then learned about magic!

I think I'm going to start making breakfast for the group whenever they let me. Everyone really liked what I did this morning, and it's probably our most “regular” meal of the day with us being on the move. It's good to get a good foundation to our day before we head out. Especially because we never know what we might encounter! So far it's been calm, but I'm sure that won't last.

Speaking of which, we're only a day or so away from our destination! I'm both excited and a little nervous. I know your worrying, but I promise I'll be careful. I'm well aware that I've never been in any type of battle before.

Guess what? We met a Centaur today! His name is Kryro and apparently he's been friends with Meren since they were young. In fact, he even has a nickname for her! He calls her Peren, but we weren't able to figure out exactly why or what that might mean. I'm sure it's nothing horrible though, she looks embarrassed, but he has that “brotherly teasing” look on his face whenever he says it. He didn't seem too sure of our group at first, but once Meren vouched for us he calmed down, although I'm sure he never really put his guard down. There's something about Centaurs that makes you think they are always serious on one level, even when they start teasing and joking with an old friend.

We asked Kryro for information about the Wizard Phanto, but he wasn't able to do much more than confirm our suspicions and what we already knew. Apparently his people avoid the deserted town that Phanto has made his home, and I don't blame them! I probably would as well if I wasn't on this quest! One thing he was able to help with is he's going to take Rory back with him so that he's safe and stays out of whatever we have ahead of us. That's a big weight off of all our minds. He's also going to get a message to Meren's people to make sure they know what's going on so they can be careful.

Well that's it for today. I love you Mum!

Illia

Letters Home - 3

Dear Mum,

We had our first bit of adventure today! Don’t worry, it wasn’t anything dangerous, we just met someone new and got a little bit more information about what we might be facing when we find Phanto. On a side note, it’s kind of strange to realize you might not read these letters until after everything is over with our Quest. Since I can’t send the letters your way until I see a traveler going that way, I have no way of knowing when these will reach you or if they will all get to you all at once! Don’t worry, I’m keeping my eyes open for chances to send the letters north with a passing traveler, but there just aren’t as many opportunities now as when I was traveling from town to town, so I think you’ll probably get a big bundle all at once. I hope that Magnus gives you a good long break so you can sit and read them.

Wow, I got completely off topic, ok, back to our new friend. His name is Rory and he’s a young Halfling. He came across our party when he was running from monsters (which turned out to be Kobold’s, yah, he was really “excited” to see Whiffy) and he fainted right at our feet! I felt a little foolish because I thought he might be suffering from some sort of magical spell until Meren pointed out that it looked like he’d simply fainted. I guess I’m eager for drama huh? I need to be careful of that, I’m sure I’ll have more than I can handle soon enough!

Oh – another side note – Whiffy can’t say Halfling. I never thought I’d say this about a kobold, but it’s adorable!

Anyway, it looks like some of Phanto’s men have kidnapped a local priestess and another boy (forgot to ask much about him) so we’ve added saving them into our quest. It only makes sense, we can’t ignore their plight and it fits right in with what we’re already doing! We probably would have ended up rescuing them anyway. Now my only concern is for Rory. He’s a bit young to be involved in something like this, he’s sworn to avoid the fighting and just be on guard duty, but we’ll see what actually happens.

Oh – and apparently the ever mysterious Meren speaks Halfling! I wonder where she learned that?

Well I better get some sleep, I have third watch tonight, so going to be early is a good idea.

Love,

Illia

Letters Home - 2

Dear Mum,

We set out on our mission yesterday morning, and I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am! This is exactly the type of thing I’ve been hoping to do ever since I set out from Jayall. I mean, sure I love getting to see different towns and people, but for once I’m going to be a part of the stories I sing about. I can make a difference in the lives of the people of this town. Maybe I’ll even get to write my own song about our adventures!

I spent some time at lunch yesterday talking to Meren. She’s the wood elf in the party and Lady Kris’s apprentice. She intrigues me. I haven’t known very many wood elves, and I know they can be very different from high elves, but something about her seems off even for that. It might just be that she’s a wizard’s apprentice, but I don’t really think that’s it either. I mean, I’ve known some wizards and their apprentices (remember when Nadoll set the town hall on fire?), and it seems different. I can’t put my finger on it.

Oh well, for all that she’s different, Meren is very nice, and she seems to know what she’s doing, at least so far. We’re in her element right now because we are travelling through the forest towards the place where this “Phanto” is located. Right now we’re on the path, but we’ll be leaving it eventually to avoid some kobolds. The last thing we want is them notifying Phanto we’re on the way, or worse, ambushing us.

You know how much I love languages right? Well Meren has started to teach me Wood Elvish! I’m so excited! There are some similarities to High Elvish, and some things that are very, very different. At least that’s how it seems from what little I’ve learned so far. Mostly we’ve just been exchanging words. How to say “pot” and things like that. She doesn’t know High Elvish, so I’m teaching her what I know as we go along. I’m hoping to pick up a few words in the languages of our other travelers as well. Not too sure I want to learn kobold though…

Meren says hi by the way. She thinks it’s great that I’m writing you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I didn’t have time to finish this at breakfast – hopefully I’ll have enough time to catch up this time!

Last night we met some small creatures that I’ve never seen before. I have no idea what they were, but they were friendly, and they were good musicians! We ended up spending some time playing tunes, and some of the other members of the party even started dancing! I think Gen was a little tipsy, there’s no other explanation for the gnome dancing with the kobold…you would have been cracking up Mum! Wish you could have seen it.

Speaking of dancing kobold’s, who would have thought that they are such good dancers? Not only was Whiffy pretty good at dancing with Gen, he surprised us all with some incredible acrobatics! I almost dropped my harp and started clapping. I settled for a whistle instead if I remember correctly. Last night’s a little fuzzy. I promise I didn’t drink much, but apparently the “moonlight” that Meren shared with us is much stronger than what I grew up around at the tavern! If it makes you feel any better it hit Gen pretty hard too. Although Gen’s a gnome, so who knows how differently our body processes things? We were all glad that Meren had some tea that helped take away some of the side-effects!

This letter is getting long, so even though I have more to say, I’ll seal this one up and start another one with its own stories. I love you Mum!

Illia

Lady Kris' Map

I figured I'll post this here, as well as on the forum. This is the map Lady Kris gave to Meren:

The X is where Kris thinks the wizard is, the pink line is the path Kris suggested they take, that black arrow points to where Meren has heard that kobolds watch the path, and the dotted line is the path Meren traced with her finger where she thinks it would be best that they travel.

Welcome to Springwell! And what's this? An adventure?

Our story thus far...

After fighting the dreaded evil message board, the group encounters a new forum with prettier graphics and pledges their allegiance to that one in the hopes that it shall serve them better... wait, that's the players, not the characters. ;)

Here's what has happened to the characters so far:
Upon arriving in the village of Springwell, a small (but prosperous and safe) town, most of the group headed straight for the Blue Wyvern Inn. The exception was the Kobold, Whiffy, who decided to find a nearby priest to get him to read him the contents of a signboard.

In the inn, the bard Illia struck up a conversation with the innkeep and cook, while the Gen the Gnome headed straight to a shady-looking guy sitting at a table in the corner. Illia soon joined the gnome and the shady guy (who finally introduces himself as Griff) for a few games of dice.

Meanwhile Neris the Dwarf had sat down at a table with her uncle and his Halfling friend and began talking with them. The Kobold made his way to the inn and, after bribing the innkeep being the first to learn of the upcoming adventure from Davkul the innkeeper, joined the Dwarves and Halfling at their table, much to the annoyance of Neris.

After the dice game, Gen and Illia went to speak with Davkul about the adventure they had overheard him mention to the Kobold. The innkeeper filled them in about the when and where of the meeting for potential adventurers while Whiffy spread the news to Neris.

After dinner (during which Illia preformed her music), the four would-be adventurers and Griff met in a back room at the inn where they were introduced to the wizard of the village, a glamorous red-headed Human named Lady Krisiries Spelloyal, and her apprentice Meren, who the characters take to be a Wood Elf. Lady Kris informed them about the task she needs help with: an important magical amulet that she uses to keep the village safe has been stolen. Upon hearing that the quest would involve magic, Griff rudely stormed out. Lady Kris let the group know who she thinks may have stolen it and what may be ahead of them, and offered them a reward- being the adventurers they are, the group agreed. After letting them know that her apprentice would be going with them (and supplying Meren with a map and some money), she had to leave suddenly because of a spell she was working on.

Meren supplied a bit more information about what would be ahead of them and shared the map given to her by her master, and the group decided that they would set out the next morning after breakfast.

Letters Home - 1

Dear Mum,

I reached a town called Springwell today and met the owners of the Blue Wyvern Inn. It’s always nice to reach a new town. New people, new sites, and hopefully new stories and songs! As always I’ve been collecting stories as I traveled the road on my way here. Most of them weren’t the type that you’d share in a big room, but I relish hearing the stories of people’s lives just as much.

I met an elven woman as I traveled earlier today. We stopped and had lunch together. She didn’t look down on me like the elves back home often did. That’s one thing that’s been refreshing about traveling farther south, the elves down here seem to be less prudish about mixed races.

Anyway, you would have loved her Mum! Her name Falira and she had the prettiest smile you’ve ever seen. It took me awhile to get her to smile though. She was traveling to visit her sick mother. As you know full well, it’s not often that elves get sick enough that death is a risk, so she’s very worried at being called home to her mother’s side. I think I was able to help ease her worries, at least for a short while, by distracting her with our laughter and conversation.

I’m going on a quest! Now I know you’re going to start worrying the minute you read that, but I’ll be ok Mum, really I will! I’ve been through lots of adventures (as you know) since I left Jayall and at least this time I won’t be on the road alone. Although I must admit our group of adventurers is a bit, um, different.

We have myself, a gnome, another elf (but she’s rather strange for an elf), a dwarf, and a kobold. Yes, I said a kobold. That’s going to be really interesting, especially since we also have a gnome along, and you know how kobold’s and gnomes are like oil and water. No something worse. Like an explosive and a torch! So far they’ve been civil, but that’s about it. The gnome offered the throw the kobold out of the tavern if Davkul wanted him to, and during our meeting the kobold was staring at the gnome like he was just daring him to start something.

I’m getting a little ahead of myself though – you probably want to know what the quest is all about right? We’ve been commissioned by Lady Kris, a local wizardess, to find a charm that apparently helps to keep Springwell safe. Lady Kris believes a wizard, one who’s not that powerful, stole it from her. She said we shouldn’t have to worry about the magic part too much, and I’m not really worried. Her assistant is going with us, so I’m hoping she can help if needed, and I’ve picked up a few small things on the road myself.

We’re setting off in the morning, so I should probably put out the candle and get to sleep. I love you Mum. Try not to worry. I’ll write you more soon!

Love,

Illia

A Ballad

Illia shared a ballad from the area she grew up in with the diners at the Blue Wyvern Inn. This is what she sang:

"Ariella was a farmers daughter,

Full of laughter, full of grace,
She was the light of her Papa's eye,
And her Mama's dearest friend.

Everyone loved the farmer's daughter,
Every teacher, clerk, and stranger,
And every boy would stare after her
Hoping she'd smile for them.

Till one day the farmer's daughter,
met a boy with eyes of blue,
His eye's were full of tears,
And she didn't know what to do.

And so that farmer's daughter,
made it her goal to see if,
she could make those eyes of tears,
Clear as the morning sky.

She tried, that farmers daughter,
to tell jokes, and stories gay,
She brought him cakes and pies,
And tried to brighten his day.

Until one day the farmers daughter,
Saw the blue eyes clear of tears,
and so fast you hardly saw it,
a smile crossed his solemn face.

And now the farmers daughter,
is married to that boy so serious,
Who blue eyes are still full,
But full of joy, laughter, and love.

Ariella was a farmers daughter..."

Hurrah! The game has begun!

To put things into perspective, here's the (much edited down to avoid giving away too much but still looking cheesy since it was drawn with a mouse) map of the area:

Light green/bluish are grasslands and sparse trees/lightly wooded areas.
Medium green are fields and harvested land.
Dark green are forests.
Blue is water and rivers.
Brown ... well, squiggles are hills.
Brown squiggles on top of other brown are large hills/mountainy areas.
Brown squares are towns, villages, or cities.

The game begins in Springwell, the central town on this map.

Neristranna- You received a letter from your uncle Rogar saying that you may be able to find work in town. After traveling for a week or so NW, you arrived the night before and are currently staying with him in his apartment above the general store.

LaceAnne- You, too, have received word that the town is looking for help (through the halfling gossip vine, of course) and have traveled about 4 days from your home nearby in the southwest.

Illia- You've been traveling south in your quest for adventure, song, fun, and whatever else it is bards enjoy, stopping at various towns along the way to play your music at inns and wherever anyone wanted music. You've been on the road for quite a while, as your home is far to the north.

Gen- You're traveling around, looking for adventure, a use for your sword, and whatever else your gnomey heart desires. You're far from your home, as well (I haven't even figured out where the gnomes live- somewhere outside the area I have plotted, lol).

Whiffy- You climb out from beneath the cart you'd been hiding under.

Players, head over here to the message board to begin. (And don't forget to stop by the Character Info subforum to post a bit about you and your character.)