As Martin walked, he started to notice the rustling of leaves and cracking of branches below his feet. And, after a while, he started to notice rustlings and crackings that didn't seem to be coming from his own feet - or at least, he couldn't be sure. He stopped and looked behind him but there was nothing to be seen. Martin quickened his pace, but it only served to make more rustling and cause more cracking, which made him all the more nervous. He could just see over the top of the shrubs that were looking more and more sinewy as the sun's angle sharpened. But, he couldn't eliminate from his mind the thought that he was being followed by one, or perhaps several clawed, toothy creatures. Martin began to stumble and felt something fall from his pack. It doesn't matter, he thought. Probably just a bit of old cloth. By now, he was jogging and his entire pack was rattling and clanking with each step. Sweat stung his eyes and he tried to wipe them as he ran. Blinded and deaf from... Read More →
"Grog!"
DM: You set down your grog and burst through the door, your companions closely behind. The goblin horde stands before you, sniveling and snickering in low and nasty tones. "Come on, bitches!" they shout in unison, charging at you with their speers and whatnot. Grumpus: I am so wasting these guys. Penut: Take it easy, Grumps! We don't know their alignment, yet. They could be on our side... Grumpus: Shut up, peanut. Kill! [I charge the bastards] Penut: That's Pe-nut, like Pele. And I'm not doing anything. [I look around to see if I can find any identifying marks on their tunics] Rom: I'm with Grumps. Murder! Rage! [I'll go for the one with the limp...] DM: Okay. Everyone roll initiative... Read More →
The Wide Tango, Part 1
Young couples walked along the canal on an early May afternoon the way young couples do when they have nowhere in particular to be. Some gave off an aura of boredom on the verge of despair. A few pensively watched the water flow by - dotted with paddle boats and ornamented with various men and their fishing poles - like an impressionist scene, thought Paul as he breathed a bit of the maritime air. This particular stretch of "seaside" real estate lay along the route between Red Bridge which crossed the canal to Paul's right and Shipwrights Dock to Paul's left. There had never been a shipyard nearby, so the dock's name was a mystery, but names are often more aspiration than truth. Paul tried to appear aloof and unexpectant. A figure in a short black jacket rounded the curve off bridge and started towards Paul. A little urgent in his gate, thought Paul. It could be him. Paul noticed piercings, stretched earlobes, tattoos. False alarm. Munsky was the name of his target according... Read More →
"Yargh, the Goblins are Here!"
Sitting with your back to the wall, you down your last grog-filled mug. Your hairy arms instinctively reach in the pouch at your side for coin. None. You glance at your ragtag companions, a tall wiry Elf with bluish-blonde hair, and a squat Dwarf with a flaming red bird. Uh-uh, they say with their eyes... Just then, the door to the Whining Red Dragon swings abreast. A man peeks through the doorway and shouts, "The goblins are here!" Read More →
Caravan, Part 2
Martin plodded on, slowly, but persistently. He had brought extra materials for trading, in case their coinage dwindled or good-will ran dry - a small clay container, several drinking bladders, and carved figurines among various other trinkets. Garyth had warned that the extra burden would overweigh him but Martin stubbornly wrapped the belongings and stowed them in his pack. Alone now, he realized that Garyth was probably less worried about Martin's pace, and more concerned about attracting undesirable attention. He had yet to encounter the bands of thieves, greedy lawmen, and swindling townsfolk that he'd heard tales of. Martin resolved to shed the goods at the soonest practical moment, even at a steep discount. He sat for a moment on a rock alongside the trail to rest his back and shoulders. From within his pockets he produced a block of dried meat and sliced small portions. As he chewed through the tough flavorful chip, he reflected that the journey was already quite different... Read More →
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