Breakfast of Champions

It’s the next morning by the time you get to meet the new arrivals.

Bastien, Volkon and Nitendae are summoned to the Abbot’s chambers before breakfast.

As you stand before his heavy wooden door, you feel a pang of curiosity. Nitendae has filled them all in on what little he’d seen but from even that, you all sense destiny calling.

After announcing your presence, Abbot Elphick gestures for you to enter and approach.

The table is laid with breakfast fare and as you sit down, he bids you eat and drink while he introduces you to the late night visitors.

“These unexpected but welcome travellers have come far to seek your help.”

Both the new arrivals are sitting beside the Abbot with their faces now unhooded.

The first is an ashen faced elf but taller than any you’ve ever seen. Despite his taut skin though, he radiates age.

The second, smaller, long nosed one with toast crumbs and jam caught in his beard, seems more familiar. For a moment you think you recognise him as the annoying shyster, that you met in the Fassel wood. Fortunately you realise your error in time.

He’s a white bearded gnome all right but older by far, than the one you met those many months ago.

Both elf and gnome meet your eyes and smile grimly…

Cary on Regardless

Mysterious arrival

It’s been several days since the confusing but miraculous journey to Bastien’s Fharlanghnian monastery. In that time, you've been made most welcome and have recuperated well from your last, almost deadly mission.

The magic backpack: Issack has familiarized himself with his new, wooden body and the rest of you have all practiced with your generous reward boons.

Since his semi-apologetic speech, Bastien has been eager to continue the battle against the newly revealed triad of evil. 

The Black cloak Dragon disciples, the Death cultists of Nerull and the Drow Spider worshippers.

Whatever their plans are, they must be stopped!

But where to start?

Bastien and Demitasse have a mission but Volkon, Nitendae, Marlon and Sereena are pretty much just in it for loyalty and the rewards offered.

Late that evening, from his roof-top perch, Nitendae notices two mysterious figures arrive at the monastery. A thin but haughty looking figure draped in grey traveling robes and a much smaller one wearing a purple cloak.

Before the half-elf can scamper down though, they are hurriedly escorted by the acolyte sentries to see the Abbot…

Info Dump

Just started writing the next adventure and I immediately found myself with a two page incentive speech.
Rather than waste twenty minutes of game time, should I give the speech/start the adventure on the Website?
I guess I've done it before but what do you guys think?
:S

Bastien's Boon

I was making good on my preparations to leave when he finally caught up with me. The man I'd been trying to avoid for what felt like an eternity. I'd felt his eyes boring into me during services, I'd dodged him when walking the grounds, and I'd even skipped meals when I knew he would be in observance.

But now there was no mistake. I was cornered in the storage barn, crouched over a large chest, with my back to the door, when the unmistakable shadow cast by the late afternoon sun creeping through the barn doors stretched across the floor in front of me.

Stifling a sigh I stood and faced him, and with quiet reverence acknowledged that I had lost.

"Abbot Elphick... It is good to see you."

He replied with a sly, but kindly knowing smile. "Bastien, if I didn't know better I would think you were trying to avoid me."

I stammered a poor excuse. "I, um, no, Abbott. I was just, erm, I've been busy doing... things... and getting ready to... go somewhere to chase after the, uh, bad, uh people..."

He was not fooled, but he was amused by my efforts. "Bastien, Bastien... Be still, my son. I know you well enough to understand. Since returning Fahrlanghn's boots you've been hailed as a hero - quite rightly - but I know that fame sits awkwardly with someone as calm and modest as you. I also understand that this is why you have not come to me for your boon."

I met the older man's steady gaze "Abbot, I am glad that everyone else has received their boon. They deserve it, as they had no better reason to help me. But I did not return the boots for a reward. I did it for my God, and their safe return is reward enough for me."

Abbot Elphick smiled broadly as he replied "I suspected you would feel this way Bastien, but you have many trials ahead of you... Which is why I have chosen a boon for you." And with that he raised a closed fist to my head more quickly than I would have thought possible for a man of his advanced ears.

When the abbot opened his hand, a pale green prism began to circle my brow and he remarked "This, Bastien, is an ioun stone. Whilst small, it is immensely powerful. It will aid and protect you on you journey. It is amongst the most valuable of relics and I can think of no-one more deserving than you to receive it." His voice changed to take on a melancholic tone. "Nor, I fear, no-one in greater need for such a treasure if my suspicions of what awaits you come to pass."

With that he clenched my shoulders strongly with both hands, looked me in the eyes, nodded, and turned to leave.

He left me staring, cross-eyed in wonder, trying to focus on the crystal as it revolved around my head like the earth orbiting the sun.

Fourth Date Proposition

Game Date suggestion:

Saturday 5th May 2018.

First option to get the ball rolling and me a kick to start writing...

Not the end, merely the end of the beginning

I knelt at the foot of the pedestal which was now topped once again with Fahrlanghn's boots. 

With the relics back in their rightful place, the priory's defences had been greatly bolstered. The walls were now manned full-time, a new guard tower erected at the main gate, and a set of stern and intimidating paladins now stood watch over the boots around the clock. The significance of their positioning was not lost on me. Four paladins, each one posted at the major points of the compass: North, south, east, and west. Fahrlanghn himself would be proud.  

Despite their relaxed demeanour, I knew them to be alert, ever-watchful, and powerful warriors. The latter I could certainly vouch for... I'd help select those who were blessed with the honour of guarding the relics over the last few days, and I still had the bruises to prove it.

Standing again, a grim smile set across my face. The boots may be home and safe from harm, but Fahrlanghn teaches that life is a never-ending journey and I had arrived at the truth that my own was really just beginning. I'd resolved to head out into the world again as soon as possible. My mission to reclaim the boots from nefarious hands had been a success, but I knew we had only postponed, and not thwarted, whatever plans the evil spider creature was plotting. 

As I crossed the courtyard the images that had been interrupting my sleep flashed before my eyes once more: Akbar, in his dark plate armour. Held captive in a trap of his own making, laughing as he burned to death. Immolated by own hand. More disturbing than the image itself was my own response to it. I had committed an act of pure evil, but felt no guilt. I knew that Akbar had deserved to die and did not regret my part in his demise. But it did make me realise that there are grey shades to the black and white, and made me wonder what else I could be capable of.

I shook off those thoughts as I entered the inn. I would would set out on my new mission, but first there was a duty I had been dreading. As the light from the open door lit the room I was pleasantly surprised, and incredibly relieved, to see that everyone I had invited had gathered. As I walked to the head of the table, a hush settled over the companions I had come to know as friends and they allowed me to say my piece...

"Friends, I thank you for coming. In truth I did not know if you would after the stunt I pulled at Akbar's trap. My reasons for bringing us here are obvious, so I shan't dwell on them. Neither shall I apologise for my actions and you have all been greatly rewarded."

As I expected, such a bold statement was met with silence, frowns, and grimaces.

"However, I do need to apologise for making the decision without agreeing it between us first. And I do acknowledge that my actions have made us unpopular with the underground in Nompariel. I realise I acted uncharacteristically rashly, without rational thought, and I apologise also for this."

"Fahrlanghn's boots are safe once more, but we know many other sects have had relics stolen, and we know that the forces behind this are still at large. It is my intention to chase this evil down and defeat it once and for all. But, first, I will travel to Nompariel to explain my actions to the thieves guild and resolve you of any blame. I can only hope that this act will go some way to make up for my recent actions."

"I will be leaving from the main gate at dawn, three days hence. I will understand if you feel that you cannot or will not join me, but I would dearly love for our party to be united once more in what so far has proven to be one of the most exciting, and... ", said with a wink towards Nitendae, "... lucrative, times of my life."

"For now, farewell, and I hope you can forgive me."

With that I turned and left the inn, heart heavy with uncertainty. I had not looked forward to that moment, but with a sigh of relief I let the door swing shut behind me. I couldn't be entirely sure but as I left I thought I heard Marlon's voice... 

"Yeah, alright, 'e might've run off wivvout tellin' us nuffin', but no-one died and 'e's always been nice to me... givin' me 'is old arma an' stuff. I say we go wiv 'im."