FRPDM 

The Return Home

A cold breeze ruffled the blonde, shoulder-length hair of Armanthia as she surveyed their surroundings. Arnon and Rosso glanced at the cloud laden sky and then looked at each other doubtfully.
"My guess is that way," Rosso offered after a moment. Arnon shrugged.
"These clouds make it tough," Arnon said to the others, who were busy assessing their own physical condition. "We think north is that way, but we're not 100% sure."
"We aren't going to know for sure until morning, " Rosso said. "We may as well look for shelter from this rain."
Lando motioned to no one in particular.
"Hey, take a look at this," he said, pointing to his waist. Brother James and Aud drew near. The heavy, battery powered armor that had proven so effective in their journey thru the stars glistened in the rain, the water beading in little droplets against the grey-blue steel.
"What am I looking for?" Brother James asked. Aud motioned to Landorian's waist, where the armor was jointed to allow freedom of movement.
"What's that green stuff?" Aud asked. "I don't remember seeing that before."
"That's what I'm talking about," Lando agreed. "Look, it's all over."
The others began inspecting Arnon and Taesha's armored suits as well. Sure enough, from all of the joints, a luminous light green gel appeared to be leaking. Armanthia shook her head, muttering under her breath.
"It almost looks like it's bleeding," remarked Parvati.
"Something tells me you aren't going to be able to heal these so easily," Alik said wryly.
"I'm not entirely certain I can heal at all," Parvati muttered, pulling her cloak tighter around her. "I remember feeling this way just before we left, and it wasn't a good thing."
"I sense it too," Roldana agreed. Pop, her familiar, sniffed the air suspiciously before entwining himself around her feet. "There is some sort of change in the aethyr; the wind of magic. I do not think it is a good change, either."
"Well, whatever the change is, us standing around in the rain ain't gonna set things right," Alik said impatiently. "Let's find cover."
Rosso pointed in the direction he suspected was north.
"I'll head up that ways and see what I find," he volunteered. Arnon nodded.
"I'll go that way," Arnon announced, pointing in the opposite direction.
"Is it wise for us to split up?" asked Aud, adjusting her armor. "Perhaps we should all stick together; there is strength in numbers."
"I can move faster alone," Arnon said, popping open the hatch to the armored suit. He scampered out and stretched his limbs, wincing as some of his joints cracked audibly. "Bein' cooped up in that thing does have its disadvantages," he remarked, cracking his back.
Rosso checked his sword in its scabbard, and quickly evaluated the condition of his bow; both appeared to be in good condition.
"We can move faster and quieter alone," he agreed. "If we're not back in 10 minutes, come for us."
"Who do we go for first?" Brother James said with a grin, although the question was serious.
"Me, " Rosso replied. "You won't be able to find Arnon anyway with that ring of his." Arnon grinned, putting the ring on his finger and disappearing from view.
"See ya in ten" the party heard Arnon whisper as he quietly made his way down a small trail. Rosso headed up onto the side of the hill and began working his way along a winding elevated path. The party watched until Rosso disappeared from sight, then they turned their attention back to themselves.
"We should probably take inventory," Brother James suggested. "Let's see what else, if anything, didn't survive the trip through the portal."
Taesia motioned a moment, and then her voice could be heard thru the external speakers in the powered armor.
"I'm checking for any movement," she announced. "I can detect Rosso, but not Arnon."
"Anything else in range?" Roldana asked. "This is not the time for us to run into anything unfriendly." Taesia shook her head as best she could from within the heavy suit. The servos inside the suit whined audibly, something they hadn't done before.
"No, it's all clear," she replied. "For now, at least."
The group quickly took stock of their equipment as the rain around them intensified. Within minutes it was a torrential downpour. Lightning flashes illuminated the sky with bluish green tendrils of energy; the rumbling thunder could be felt in the pits of their stomachs. Parvati shook her head.
"Look at that lightning," she said. "Nature is unbalanced in some way."
"Is it too much to ask of the fates that we catch a lucky break? Just once?" Roldana moaned. Her weasel familiar poked his head out from under her robe and chattered, as if in agreement.
Brother James stood, wiping the rain from his eyes. "We're light on provisions," he announced. "And it would appear that we don't have any rope."
The group laughed grimly at the inside joke; for several weeks they had been searching for rope that they were certain that they had been carrying. The last of the rope had been used tying up a prisoner back in the Xill caves - but at least now the erroneous belief that they did have rope could be put to rest.
"What a shame," Armanthia said. "We could probably use rope in this terrain." The others nodded.
"We haven't caught a break yet," muttered Roldana. "Why should things change?"
"I've got movement," Taesia called, her voice distorted thru the external speakers in her suit. There was a slight bit of static in her voice as well. There was definitely something amiss with their prized suits of powered armor.
"Is it Rosso?" Brother James asked, grabbing his staff. Aud drew her sword, just in case. Taesia's response was all but obliterated by the static and white noise that issued from the speakers.
"It may be," Lando translated. His external speakers weren't as bad as Taesias, although his suit whined more audibly when he moved. "She says it's coming from the same general direction that he headed out to." Lando moved his suit into position and brought his flame thower to bear. The others noticed the grinding noise that the arm made as Lando moved it.
"I don't think those suits have much life left in them," remarked Brother James.
The group arranged themselves into defensive positions, readying missile weapons as they waited to see what approached. There was a tangible feeling of relief when Rosso's head popped up from behind a boulder.
"There's a small cave up ahead," Rosso shouted down. "It's dry, but a tad bit of a climb."
"Let's wait and see what Arnon finds," Parvati said. The rain continued its furious pelting of the landscape as the group huddled as best they could. Finally, the small shape of Arnon could be seen making his way towards the party.
"Any word from Rosso?" Arnon called out over the rain.
"He's found a cave, but it's a bit of a climb," Roldana replied. "What about you?"
"I got one too," Arnon said, gasping for breath. He bent over, hands on his knees, breathing deeply for several moments. "I think I got spoiled in that armor."
"You better unspoil yourself quick," Alik said. "Those things didn't take the travel through the portal well."
"So, what about this cave?" Aud asked.
"It's pretty big, and nice and dry, but it looks like someone, or something, is using it as its lair," Arnon explained. "It isn't occupied right now, but there's signs of recent activity in and out."
"Any ideas what lives there?" Parvati asked.
"It's some kind of mountain lion, or some other big cat," Arnon answered.
The group looked at each other. A bit of climb versus an unknown occupant. The choice wasn't very tantalizing.

PC Character Backgrounds

Player: Steve
Character: Arnon Burbristle
Race / Class: Halfling Ranger

You were born to halfling carnival gypsies, who travelled the countryside singing, performing, and entertaining the populace with a variety of shows. Tragically, the entire caravan was wiped out by a band of goblins, who attacked one night while the caravan was traveling between towns. Your father, who used to wow the crowds with his archery skills, slipped a ring on your finger as the goblins descended upon the caravan, and instructed you to sit still as a stone and not make a peep of noise.

You watched as the goblins burst into your tent and slaughtered your mother and father, though not before half a dozen goblins dropped with your father’s arrows thru their necks. You thought for sure the goblins would come after you next, but they didn’t even seem to realize you were there, and they dashed back out into the night to attack other members of the caravan.

You sat and waited, but the goblins were victorious that night; no one came back into your tent until the next morning. A female human ranger, Thenia Silverbrook, somehow sensed you as she investigated the remains of the caravan, and she took you in as her own.

Under her watchful eye, you learned the skills of a ranger, and Thenia nurtured your natural abilities with the bow. The ring which saved you continues to be a prized possesion of yours, and you have learned it renders you invisible upon placing it upon a finger. Your hatred of goblins continues to this day, and you have learned much from Thenia on their fighting tactics and habits. They are your sworn enemy until death.

A week ago, you awoke to find Thenia gone. She had recently begun hinting that the time was soon coming for you to head out on your own, but you were a bit surprised at how quickly that time had arrived. You tracked her footprints to the village of Glimradden, and arrived in the village just in time for the spring festival of planting, which is a three day festival held just after the fields have been plowed and sown for the coming year. Tournaments, food, drink, mischief and adventure abound.

You manage to secure a room in the only inn and tavern in the village, The Unicorn’s Horn. The festive mood of the village is infectious, and soon you have joined in their revelry, signing up for an archery contest.



Player: Scotty
Character: Parvati
Race / Class: Half elf Druid

You have spent all of your life living in a small cottage deep in the woods just north of the village of Glimradden. Your mother and father raised you in a loving household and taught you many things, but chief among their lessons were those pertaining to the plants, animals and the ways of the ancient druids.

It never really dawned on you that neither your mother nor your father appeared to have any elven blood in their veins; in fact, had it not been for the wandering stranger who arrived at your cottage doorstep two weeks ago, you may have remained where you were, tending to the small garden and caring for the animals.

But this strange wanderer did more than share a meal with you; he shattered all you thought you knew about who you are.

“Your parents are not these two folk”, the stranger quietly muttered as he wiped his mouth. Ignoring your shocked look, he continued. “You are a descendent of the Druidic Circle of Kelosia, and it time you begin your training to assume the role of High Priestess.” The stranger turned and faced your foster parents, who stood in the doorway, fighting back tears. “It is time for her to go.”

“Where?” you asked, surprised at how quiet your voice had suddenly become.

“Head to Glimradden first,” the stranger instructed. “Your training will begin there. Seek adventure wherever you may find it, so that you may find knowledge, wisdom and experience.”

You packed your meager belongings and headed off to Glimradden. Around noon on day 2 of the festival, something spooked a team of horses carrying kegs of ale, and no one was able to calm the animals. It appeared that the horses would bolt, and with the streets full of revelers many would be injured. You managed to calm the horses down, and after a short time, ascertained it was the jacket of a local farmer that was spooking the beasts. Upon asking, you learned the jacket was made from the hide of displacer beast. The crowd was amazed at your abilities with the animals. You notice one man, an older, bald gentlemen, pointing you out to a young teenage girl. The three of you make eye contact briefly, but then the team of horses move forward, blocking your line of sight, and when the horses pass, the two are gone.

You think nothing of it until the end of the fetival, when you return to your room and a message is left for you. “Meet us in the private dining hall of the tavern tonight at midnight.” Curious, you decide to attend.


Player: Sandy
Character: Alik
Race / Class: Halfling Rogue

You have no idea who you are.
You do not remember your parents.
You do not remember your life as a child.
You have no idea of where you are, except for the obvious fact that you are in a forest.
You don’t remember how you came to be here.

You examine your clothing, and the gear in your backpack.
The feel of the locpick set is familiar, and you know what each tool is for, but you don’t know how you know what you know.
The dagger in your boot is familiar as well, and your light mace feels at home in your hand.
You remember how to cock and fire your crossbow, but have no idea what the inscription on the side reads.

You know the rumbling feeling in your stomach is hunger, but have no clue when you last ate. Keeping hidden as best you can, you make your way thru the woods.

Eventually, you arrive in the village of Glimradden, just in time for the spring festival of planting, which is a three day festival held just after the fields have been plowed and sown for the coming year. Tournaments, food, drink, mischief and adventure abound.

You managed to secure a room in the only inn and tavern in the village, The Unicorn’s Horn. You pay with money you don’t remember earning. The festive mood of the village is pervasive, but you keep a watchful eye for any dangers, and for any targets, for there will be many pockets to pick in these crowds.




Player: Mary
Character: Aud
Race / Class: Half elf fighter


“Are you sure you don’t want to re-enlist?” The words still echo in your ears as you adjust the your backpack and continue your hike thru the forest. Running away from home and enlisting had seemed like such a good idea at first, but the regimented lifestyle and constant discrimination from his half elven blood eventually became too much to bear. Life in the military offered nothing but death; riches, fame and glory could only be found by setting out on one’s own and dealing with whatever circumstances that fate placed before you.

You always had fond memories of the springtime festival and tournament held annually in the tiny village of Glimradden, and you figured this would be a good place to start on your quest for riches, fame and glory. After all, tournaments would attract other adventurerers- it was the perfect opportunity to fall in with someone who may have an inside track to undiscovered treasure.

You arrive in the village just in time for the spring festival of planting, which is a three day festival held just after the fields have been plowed and sown for the coming year. . Tournaments, food, drink, mischief and adventure abound.

You manage to secure a room in the only inn and tavern in the village, The Unicorn’s Horn. The festive mood of the village is infectious, and soon you have joined in their revelry, signing up for the Swordmaster competition.



Player: Lia
Character: Roldana
Race / Class: Half elf wizard

Your father was elf, your mother human. When you were born, you father was so angered by the fact that you were not a male that he left both you and your mother to fend for yourselves. You only know his name was Derstan because your mother cried his name in her sleep for years afterward.

Eventually, your mother succumbed to her broken heart, and you were left alone. Always having been fascinated with magic, you travelled alone to the capital city of Vespera, seeking admission into one of the schools of magic, where the mysteries of the arcane are unravelled. Although you weren’t the brightest or the most magically inclined, your fierce determination to learn and master the craft brought you into contact with Cedrik Reddagger, an evoker who defied the masters and decided to teach you as his apprentice.

Two weeks ago, Cedrik took you west out of the capital city and into a small village named Glimradden, which was a beehive of activity as it worked to complete the spring planting and prepare for the festival which celebrated the end of the planting. You and Cedrik headed into the woods north of the village, where you camped and Cedrik assisted you in your first ritual; the summoning of your familiar.

After several days, your efforts were rewarded with a small, brown furred weasel. Elated at your success, you and Cedrik celebrated that night with some of Cedrik’s finest wine, which he had brought for just such a success.

The next morning, you awoke to find Cedrik gone. Behind, he left a small wooden case and a note. The note read “You are on your way now to becoming a wizard in your own right. Beware the dark powers and remember that every spell corrupts or cleanses your soul.” The wooden case contained a beautiful glass wand, the tip of which was covered by two entwined serpents.

Eager to begin your career as a wizard, you decide to head back to the village of Glimradden, just outside the forest. You arrive in the village just in time for the spring festival of planting, a three day festival held just after the fields have been plowed and sown for the coming year. . Tournaments, food, drink, mischief and adventure abound.

You manage to secure a room in the only inn and tavern in the village, The Unicorn’s Horn. The festive mood of the village is infectious, and soon you have joined in their revelry.




Player: Tasia
Character: Taesia
Race / Class: Elf Rogue

Your mother and father were members of the Dark Guild, as were your grandparents, and their grandparents. Membership in the Guild was an unspoken family tradition, and you entered into the Guild with the same sense of pride and accomplishment as one who entered a college or university.

But change was in the air. The usual cooperation between the various guilds had been deteriorating for a long time, and an all out war was seemingly unpreventable. You never were much for the political infighting, and your parents seemed to be doing a good job of steering clear of potential confrontation, until the night in the sewers of Vespera.

A week ago, a roundtable discussion had been called for all the high ranking members of each branch of the Thieves’ Guild, and the meeting was to take place in the sewers beneath the capital city of Vespera. You accompanied your parents to the meeting, but due to your low standing in the heirarchy, you weren’t permitted a seat at the roundtable. A snub which ultimately saved your life.

Vespera’s Thieves’ Guild has always been known as one of the strongest unions, with many members to serve as muscle, and many public, high ranking officials comfortably settled in the Guild’s seemingly bottomless pockets. This meeting should have gone off without a hitch; in fact, most of the members present were optimistic that a settlement could be reached.

This night, however, not even the all powerful Vesperan Guild foresaw the bloodshed; strange, dark assassins who struck at the height of the roundtable discussion murdered nearly all of the upper Guild leaders. Less than a handful survived and fled into the night; all the others were riddled with black arrows adorned with red and gold fletching. Your mother slipped a ring off of her finger and pressed it into your trembling hands as she fought to maintain consciousness.

“Our chapter of the Guild is most likely doomed,” she whispered. “You must advance your skills outside of the Guild, for you will not know who you can trust after tonight.” You mother began to convulse as the poison from the assassin’s arrows worked its way to her heart. “Remember, there is no honor among thieves.”

You pack your meager belongings and head off to Glimradden. You arrive in the village just in time for the spring festival of planting, which is a three day festival held just after the fields have been plowed and sown for the coming year. Tournaments, food, drink, mischief and adventure abound.

You manage to secure a room in the only inn and tavern in the village, The Unicorn’s Horn. The festive mood of the village is infectious, and soon you have joined in their revelry, for there will be many pockets to pick in these crowds. You notice one man, an older, bald gentlemen, pointing you out to a young teenage girl. You think nothing of it until the end of the festival, when you return to your room and a message is left for you. “Meet us in the private dining hall of the tavern tonight at midnight.” Curious, you decide to attend.



Player: Jim
Character: Brother James
Race / Class: Half Elf Monk


For as long as you can remember, you have lived within the confines of the Monastic Order of the Brotherhood of the Rose. You have spent hours training, studying, meditating, and theorizing on the fundamential philosophies of life. To your masters, you were no different than any of the other pupils, but your half elven heritage, betrayed by the elven ears and elven eyes, was noticed by all your fellow students, and slowly, one by one, they began to ostracize you from their social circle.

Events came to a head during one of the training tournaments that was held every spring. You were sparring with Julius, one of the more outspoken critics of your heritage, when he failed to pull a punch and landed a solid blow right between your eyes, which brought you to your knees. Julius jeered,

“A real elf would have seen that punch coming a mile away and easily dodged it, and a real human would have be able to take it. Looks like you just a half breed who can’t see a punch or take one.”

A blind rage overcame you, and the two of you traded blows in a furious frenzy that awed the other pupils. Eventually, the masters pulled the two of you apart, bloodied and bruised.

In the disciplinary hearing that followed, you and Julius were expelled from the monastary with the instructions to seek the wisdom to see the error of your ways, the patience to understand the errors of others, and the strength to overcome the dangers that lie between you and the fulfillment of your quest. Julius headed off on his own, blaming you for his expulsion and swearing revenge should the two of you ever meet.

You will not be re-admitted into the monastary until you successfully pass the “Trial of the Fist”, hand to hand combat with the master instructor of the monastary. It will take years of training and experience for you to develop your skills to a level where you could face the trial.

You head southeast from the monastary, and eventually arrive in the village of Glimradden just in time for the spring festival of planting, which is a three day festival held just after the fields have been plowed and sown for the coming year. . Tournaments, food, drink, mischief and adventure abound.

You manage to secure a room in the only inn and tavern in the village, The Unicorn’s Horn. The festive mood of the village is infectious, and soon you have joined in their revelry, signing up to participate in the unarmed fighting contest.




Player: Ross
Character: Rosso, aka Krayardo
Race / Class: Elven Ranger

You will never forget the day you learned of the death of your parents. Although it happened nearly 150 human years ago, it is fresh in your mind, and the pain still aches in your heart.

It was en route to the festival of Lydissia that your parents were waylaid by a band of ettin-troll brigands. Massive, two headed behemoths who had the feared ability to regenerate damage from weapons, they attacked your parents and their traveling companions without fear or mercy. Although they fought bravely, they were no match for the brigands; their remains were found scattered amongst the tree tops, torn limb from limb and half eaten.

Despite the pleadings of your relatives, you swore revenge. You left your elven village and took up with a small band of human rangers who patrolled the northern borders of Vespera. They tought you as if you were one of their own, and soon you became a skilled ranger, sworn enemy to the ettin trolls who ruined the life you could have had.

Your travels have led you to the village of Glimradden, just in time for the spring festival of planting, which is a three day festival held just after the fields have been plowed and sown for the coming year. Tournaments, food, drink, mischief and adventure abound.

You manage to secure a room in the only inn and tavern in the village, The Unicorn’s Horn. The festive mood of the village is infectious, and soon you have joined in their revelry, for there will be many pockets to pick in these crowds. You notice one man, an older, bald gentlemen, pointing you out to a young teenage girl. You think nothing of it until the end of the festival, when you return to your room and a message is left for you. “Meet us in the private dining hall of the tavern tonight at midnight.” Curious, you decide to attend.




Player: Joe
Character Landorian
Race / Class: Human Paladin

Born into a peasant family as the youngest of 2 boys, Landorian discovered he had "gifts" even as a young child. His mother imbued him with a strong sense of religion and morality, while his father, a former soldier, showed him skills with the family weapon - a beautiful sword which carries the name "Justice." His older brother failed to return from an attack on an orc raiding camp and is believed dead. His parents still live in their tiny cottage where Landorian was born.

Your travels have led you to the village of Glimradden, just in time for the spring festival of planting, which is a three day festival held just after the fields have been plowed and sown for the coming year. Tournaments, food, drink, mischief and adventure abound.

You manage to secure a room in the only inn and tavern in the village, The Unicorn’s Horn. The festive mood of the village is infectious, and soon you have joined in their revelry, for there will be many pockets to pick in these crowds. You notice one man, an older, bald gentlemen, pointing you out to a young teenage girl. You think nothing of it until the end of the festival, when you return to your room and a message is left for you. “Meet us in the private dining hall of the tavern tonight at midnight.” Curious, you decide to attend.

Chapter 1. Meeting at Glimradden

For various reasons and under a variety of cirumstances, the party members find themselves in the village of Glimradden, which is in the midst of their springtime festival. Each member of the party receives an invitation to meet in the private dining chamber of the tavern at midnight, where, after an initial weeding out process, they meet their host and organizer of a quest for riches.

Armanthia is the young daughter of an adventuring father. He recently passed away, and she inherited a map and notes that supposedly led to a vase treaure trove of riches. She is tough, hard as nails, attractive but seemingly unaware that she is. Her youthful inexperience shows in many of her choices, and she is hot tempered and anxious to prove herself. She has none of the usual feminine skills, but masters the sword, bow, and dagger.

Ferdinand is Armanthia's "butler" who stays with her out of loyalty to her deceased father. Ferdie, as he is affectionately called, is almost like a 2nd father to Armantheia, and the wisdom of his many years is often the only thing that can cool Armantheia's hot temper.

After the initial introductions are made, Armanthia explains she seeks a group to aid her in trying to garner the wealth at the end of the map. The party learns that some of the danger that awaits them is in the form of a multi-armed and multi-legged enchanted suit of armor which decimated her father’s group years ago.

Their get together is interruped by Armanthia’s former fiancee, Polearon, and his half ogre bodyguard, Ugorn. Polearon leaves after being threated by Ferdinand’s raised hand, and the party learns that Ferdinand is a sorceror in addition to being a butler. Polearon lays claim to half of the treausre on the map; Armanthia insists he has no claim, as she never married him.

The party meets Landorian, a templar in training who dashes into the meeting nearly 2 hours late, apologizing profusely for his lack of punctuality. Landorian has some healing skills which may be of use, and he swings a mean bastard sword as well.

The party heads east thru the plains and grasslands towards the mountains. Eventually, they arrive at a small village located in the foothills of the mountain range. The party takes up lodging at the local end, planning to purchase climbing supplies and other gear before continuing up into the mountains.

Dinner is interrupted by a band of local thugs, who try to bully the party into paying 5 crowns as a passing thru toll. Brother James intimidates the leader of the gang, and they back down, for the time being.

That night, the thugs return, scaling ladders and trying to break thru the windows of the rooms rented by the party. The ensuing battle is brief, and the thugs take the brunt of the damage. Parvati takes a nasty blow, and Aud is slightly wounded by a crossbow bolt, but the entire contingency of thugs is killed, either by direct weapon hits or from falling off of the ladders. Lando displays a mix of awesome skill and brainless planning when he bursts into one of the rooms and throws his bastard sword at the thief climbing thru the window. Lando scores a critical, skewering the thief's head with his blade, but then the thief falls back out the window, taking Lando's sword with him. Lando recovers his weapons after the fight.

After searching the bodies and retrieving 13 crowns, the party debates on the best course of action; Brother James and Landorian argue the authorities should be notified; the others are untrusting of the locals and suggest otherwise. Eventually, Arnon agrees to do a recon, and if all is clear, he will alert the authorities; meanwhile, the party will assemble and prep for immediate mobilization.

Arnon discovers the leader of the thugs laughing it up with the local capt of the watch, and that’s enough to convince him the authorities are crooked as well. The party takes 13 crowns worth of provisions from the tavern and leaves the money from the dead thugs as payment and then heads off into the night.