webboysurf

The Fall of Tenas - A 5e Campaign

If yall are looking for someone to run a caster and ok with one more player, I can roll up a Bard or Druid after work tonight.

To Become a Knight! ~ A Chivalric (Mis)Adventure

---

"What made you want to become a knight, if you don't mind me asking?"

Nathaniel listened intently to Zenshin as he spoke, taking the opportunity to get a few large bites of his food in. He was unsurprised that the old legends were a motivation: besides fame, aspiring to the ancient legacy was perhaps the second most discussed motivation for joining the ancient order. In a way, perhaps it was one of Nathaniel's own motivations... but that would discount what truly drove the Vice Captain. The meat of Zenshin's reason for joining, however, perplexed him. Failing to live up to a familial legacy was a great nightmare was Nathaniel's nightmare.

Of course, Nathaniel kept his composure and nodded along diligently. Zenshin's reason was inconsequential when it came to becoming a knight. The determination was more admirable. The Vice Captain was almost giddy hearing Zenshin hadn't picked up a sword before: it was certainly better than having been trained by a poor teacher. No bad habits had to be drilled: Zenshin was more of a blank slate when it came to martial capabilities. Of course, equally interesting to Nathaniel was the magical prowess, especially when self-taught. Nathaniel understood that aspect well: there were few who could teach him how to hone his gift from their own experience. And due to the circumstances at be, the only one who could teach such a skill was far too above Nathaniel's own station for that to be possible.

Of course, dwelling on Zenshin's words almost caused Nathaniel to miss the question thrown at him. The Vice Captain finished chewing his last bite of food before giving a small smile. "I... I don't think choosing anything else was ever an option. I was taught from a young age how important the knights were, and that one day I would be one as well. And that it would be irresponsible for an aura user to turn from the knighthood."

As soon as the words left his lips, it almost felt as though a sour taste had been left on his tongue. His words were factually accurate, and a proper reflection of the things his father and his family had told him. But there was something about the way the words flowed that suddenly seemed... strange. But Nathaniel simply widened his smile to hide that feeling. His eyes glanced over his comrades, listening in briefly to the various conversations across the table. Everyone had a reason to be here at this table, but having a reason wasn't going to be enough to become a knight.

@pkken

To Become a Knight! ~ A Chivalric (Mis)Adventure

---

Nathaniel remained quiet as he joined his companions in heading down for breakfast. Thoughts raced through his mind as he watched his compatriots continue their conversations and jests to each other. A wiser man would have recognized the awkward lonliness that hung over him. Instead, Nathaniel's thoughts dwelled on what was to come from the first day of training. The future knights of Grayle had a lot of learning to do, and some in the squad had more than others. He had a rough idea of what he could expect from some members of his squadron. But as Nathaniel's eyes dwelled on Zenshin, he stared for a moment. Rarely did Nathaniel have nothing really to think of or on his mind, but in this instance he had so very little information there wasn't much to think at all. Zenshin seemed a little quiet, and any display during the sparring matches demonstrated little to go off of. He seemed to be from Valefor, from what he had picked up. Signar seemed engaged with the Prince at the moment, but Nathaniel's eyes lingered on Elon for a moment as well. Antskelia was a name that Nathaniel vaguely recognized, placing heritage among a prominent family. But Zenshin seemed like a wildcard. Of course the Ferros name seemed to indicate some manner of prominence in its own regard. Nathaniel just seemed a bit removed from Valefor politics to recognize Zenshin's familial name.

Nathaniel had fetched his food, doing his best to maximize protein intake after glancing at Signar and Kai while waiting in line. As much as strategy was key to winning a fight, Nathaniel wasn't quite in the same optimized shape as they were. It would be best to even the playing field in that regard if Nathaniel wanted to set a good example. He saddled up near Zenshin to settle in for breakfast. Nathaniel ran his tongue along the roof of his mouth for a moment in contemplation. He didn't know anything about him, and that wasn't going to change unless Nathaniel bothered to probe for information.

"So, Zenshin... what brings you here to Grayle to become a knight of the realm? Train anywhere notable in preparation? Or are you self-taught?"

Of course, Nathaniel couldn't help but hide a pointed question. Zenshin's grip with a sword and stance were clearly untrained in the opening spars. Nathaniel knew that the Ferros boy must not have trained with a tutor or at a school. What he truly wanted to pry into was how Zenshin had gotten here. Nathaniel had seen plenty of spoiled snobs whose parents had practically bought their skill with a sword, destined to attend the academy without any real zeal or passion. But Nathaniel recognized that if Zenshin was not particularly gifted with a blade, there was something driving him to be here. Passion could be a tool for training. And if there's one thing Nathaniel could understand about some of his fellow cadets, it was passion.

@pkken

Itiner: Heroes of Ardenfeld

Snowing Timber

Despite a moment of tension, Timber could feel a wave of calm wash over him by the friends that had gathered. When the tavern door swung open and a roughly familiar human, one whom Timber recognized by reputation and a lot of investigation, everyone Timber had expected to arrive were there. Sure, there was one more who had vowed vengeance with them, but Timber had considered them lost or certainly dead at this point. Mary was nothing but a distant memory, gone in some incident at the orphanage. A runaway. Though the woods were wide, a drifter like him would have heard tale at this point or found some sign. The only ones who lived in these woods Timber had already encountered, save for a reclusive witch or nature spirit that most kept their distance from.

When Danyl approached, Timber patted his friend's shoulder in reassurance. The band was back together. He nodded at the rogue's words, recognizing the pain that existed in his words. Not everyone had been out this way since the town burned. Even Timber felt embers of that pain still burning deep down. He couldn't quite imagine how hard this had to be for Danyl or Niala... hells, even Nathaniel.

Of course, Niala tried to raise the mood. The sentiment wasn't lost on Timber, who gave a nod. He eyed the tavern keep for a moment, figuring he ought to buy a drink or two. He hadn't had a drop since Dain had bought him a drink to celebrate 'getting even' on his debt. It would be nice to actually share a drink with friends for once, the only friends he had ever really had. But a chill breeze swept in from the newly opened door, and the fur on Timber's neck began to stand on end as if it were an omen. When Timber's eyes locked on the figure that had entered, his brain immediately pieced together the local legends with the figure standing before them. In Timber's eyes, the local witch stood before them.

Timber's hand reached instinctively under his cloak for the hunting knife strapped to his leg, palm resting on the pommel while fingers curled up towards the hilt. He looked at the witch, noticing the horns and white hair. But as it spoke, Timber's eyes narrowed as he looked between his companions. The voice was softer than he would have expected... younger, even. Tales and stories spoke of how witches would curse those who acted disfavorably towards them, so Timber took a deep breath to steady his nerves. The last thing he wanted to do was cross a witch... but to let it sit and break bread with his friends so soon after they had all found each other once again? Whatever the witch wanted here, it was best to get to the heart of it.

Timber moved forward slightly in the group, speaking in a sweet tone as he interrogated, “I believe this establishment is open to most… but what brings one such as yourself here of all places? Have any of us done harm to your dominion?”

X-MEN: REDuX ('The New Era' Saga). Get in here!

Huh, ping didn't work in the OG post... but alright. Glad to see this coming back.

One Universe: Unlimited - A Marvel/DC Comics Roleplay

_{Location: Bludhaven Police Department Headquarters - Bludhaven}

Take Me Out #1.03: I’m Just a Crosshair

---

_{Interaction(s): None}

Previously: So If You're Lonely

Adrian Chase sighed as he leaned back in his chair. Four hours of interrogation produced nothing. He turned his wrist to take a look at his watch.

11:28 am.

Flores opened the door to the observation room as Luciano "Lucky" Coronetti sat back with a smug grin on his face. He was harder to crack than expected. No matter the criminal threat or lead was yielding anything, and it was clear Agent Flores was just as frustrated as Chase. He looked down at the various notes he had sprawled out before him. Nothing was working. Lucky knew he was busted, but worst case he was in jail for a couple years maximum before getting out. Rumor was Scarapelli had connections to some of the guards at Blackgate, and they could easily keep Lucky safe while Tony Scarapelli got to walk free.

Flores must have been thinking the same thing, as she muttered towards Chase. "Do we have anything else we can try to pull on this guy? He hasn't even asked for his lawyer yet."

Adrian shook his head. "He's cocky, and his lawyer is most likely one of Scarapelli's. He's not calling his lawyer because his lawyer is down at the court house getting ready for the Bond hearing. Once Scarapelli's out, Lucky's going to lawyer up quick and that lawyer will freeze you out real quick."

Agent Flores grabbed her now lukewarm cup of coffee and took a sip. Her gaze was focused on Lucky on the other side of the one-way mirror, who almost seemed to be staring back in mock amusement. "Then what if we tackle someone close to him? Someone not under Scarapelli's protection?"

Adrian gave a half-hearted shrug. "That would be a great idea if he wasn't a cold blooded bastard with no friends or family outside of the gang. I mean, the only thing he does when he's 'off the clock' is go to that..." Adrian's eyes grew wide as he quickly sat up in his chair, leaving his sentence dangling in the air as he flipped through files and notes. One of the interns had prepped a sheet of contacts based on FBI surveillance data. And from warrants for phone records, there was only one person that Lucky contacted with any frequency. Adrian grabbed the list, and thumbed through a small pile of envelopes until he got the right one. "Kandy. That's our best ticket."

Flores raised an eyebrow as she took another sip, plucking the envelope from Adrian's hands. "Kandy?"

Adrian nodded, motioning towards the envelope with his hand. "Kandace Gomez, a foreign exchange sutdent from Brazil. She's one of the dancers at the Narrow's Nest."

Flores opened the envelope and flipped through the printed pictures, which all had time stamps printed in the bottom right corner. Sure enough, pictures dating back to the start of the investigation. The pictures showed them both exiting the club together a few times, with the more recent pictures showing them exiting an apartment building. "Alright... and how exactly do I press him?"

Adrian got up from his seat, grabbing the pictures and another manilla envelope as he walked towards the door. "I'll do it. Make a deal with him directly now. I'll give him whatever he wants if he's willing to flip on Scarapelli."

Flores tilted her head in shock, not having time to react as Adrian exited the observation room and quickly opened the door to the interrogation room. Lucky turned his gaze towards Adrian as the latter entered the room. "Well well, long time no see, Mista District Attorney."

Adrian crossed the room and quietly sat down on the metal chair across from the career criminal. "I hope I didn't frighten you too much last night, Mr. Coronetti. But if I'm entirely honest, I couldn't care less about your little attempt at intimidation last night."

Lucky raised an eyebrow and chuckled to himself, his words dripping like sweet venom. "Then why dont you cut to the chase, Mister Chase."

Adrian shrugged and set down the folder before fanning out the pictures of Kandace and Lucky on the table. "I came to make a deal, Lucky. And not just for your sake."

Lucky's eyes widened as he saw the pictures, and Adrian smiled. The District Attorney learned years ago how to recognize weakness under interrogation. The gap in the armor was clear. Now it was the time to push his luck. "Let's be perfectly frank, Mr. Coronetti. I don't care about your little shake up last night, or if your intentions were to stick a knife between my ribs and leave me to die. And you don't care about going away for what you did last night. You would get, what, a few years? With good behavior, which is likely because we both know Scarapelli's got friends to watch your back in Blackgate, you would be out in 3. Sure, you would miss your girl Kandy, but you're thinking that she'll be waiting for you when you get out."

Lucky sat up in his chair, leaning in towards Adrian with a scowl on his face. His cheeks and neck were turning red. "I don't know what tale you've got spinning in your head, lawyer-man."

Adrian's smile grew a little wider as he leaned in, getting a little closer to Lucky. All the lawyer needed to do was go in for the kill. "Kandy overstayed her visa, Mr. Coronetti. One call to the right department, and they're going to raid your place." Lucky's face went almost ghostly white, and Chase had to stifle his excitement. Lucky bought the bluff. "Agent Flores will make a call, goes along on that raid. Takes a look around your apartment. Maybe she finds something, maybe she doesn't."

Lucky readjusted himself in his seat, leaning against the table and speaking a little softer. "Doesn't matter if she finds anything, you'd need a warrant for anything on Scarapelli."

There it was: a slip-up. Not an admission for working with Scarapelli, but a sign that the cracks were spreading in Lucky's defenses. Adrian leaned back slightly, nodding to Lucky's response."You're right, anything we found wouldn't be admissible regardless. But do you know what Scarapelli would do in response to that?" Adrian paused for effect, and Lucky looked up towards the one way mirror at his own reflection. "Any protection you have is gone, Mr. Coronetti. Your apartment goes up in smoke, wiping any evidence before we can get a new warrant. Kandy goes back home, cartels finally catch up to her when she's back. Best case, she gets a bullet in the back of her head like the rest of her family. Worst case... well, I'm sure you can imagine."

Lucky clenched his jaw, and Adrian saw the muscles in the mobster's face tighten. Within just a couple minutes, the District Attorney had the career criminal fighting back rage and tears. just one final push. "But you won't get the chance to find out what happens to her, Lucky... because Scarapelli's not going to let you live. Your friend in the other room doesn't have any connections to this world. But you? You have Kandy. And when Kandy's gone, Scarapelli is gonna be worried that you're second-guessing your decision to protect him. And so, one night, your cell door is going to open and some men are going to pay you a visit, grab your bedsheets, wrap them around your neck, and hoist you up on the bars until the world goes black. Meanwhile Scarapelli sleeps like a babe in some villa near Naples and replaces you the following week. Because I think you and I both know that if Scarapelli posts bail, he's in the wind."

Luciano Coronetti's eyes turned down to the table, hands balled into fists so tight his knuckles were white. The thought never occured to the mobster that he could be betrayed. That little idea was all Chase needed. The District Attorney got up from his seat, scooping up his notes and documents. "So tell me, Mr. Coronetti... does that sound fair to you? Or do you want to do something about that chain of events."

"What... What do you need from me?"

Itiner: Heroes of Ardenfeld

Snowing Timber

Timber stifled a grimace at Nathaniel's remarks, and turned his gaze towards Niala. It seemed one of their friends had found purpose in the teachings of Tyr. As much as Timber had been jealous to see Niala go so quickly from the orphanage, Niala seemed just as focused as Timber on their singular purpose. It was impossible to know what struggles they faced in the years since they last spoke, but Timber felt comfort in Niala's passions. He wasn't a member of the faithful, nor had much faith in the temples... but he was pleased to know that the god of justice might bless their cause.

However, it took a moment for the meaning behind Nathaniel's words to sink in. The Tabaxi shook his head, slipping his pack and bow off his shoulder to rest them against the wall of the tavern. He spoke his response rather simply, as if stating a well-known fact. "I did not choose to pick up arms first, I chose to survive. What I do now... I suppose that is the meaning of our gathering, no?"

To Become a Knight! ~ A Chivalric (Mis)Adventure

---

Nathaniel flinched awake as he heard shuffling coming from the bunk above his. He rested his head back down on his pillow, letting loose the white knuckle tension in the fists balled at his sides. It seemed Julian was awake, but Nathaniel had no intention of interacting with his roommate this early. So Nathaniel simply stared at the ceiling of his bunk, waiting for the door to his room to open and shut. The second Julian left the room, Nathaniel opened his bunk and rolled out of bed. He gazed out of his window, the world still dark. No matter. He preferred to do his morning stretch as the sun rose... but given the sounds he was hearing of the others waking up, it seems that such a luxury was not to be afforded.

Nathaniel took a deep breath as he stretched his hands up over his head, before exhaling as he folded over to touch his toes. He took a deep breath, stepped back into a plank, and then lowered his body to the ground. He lifted his torso up, exhaled, and continued walking through his sun salutation as he released the stress and anger running through his body. The last thing he needed was to cramp up on the first day, or to lose his cool again. Nathaniel didn't lack total self-awareness. He saw the way Kai and Rossweine looked at him the afternoon before, and it was clear his fellow cadets were on the side of the cowardly fraud. The quest for honor would have to be placed on hold for the moment: after all, today was going to be a busy day as it was.

Nathaniel Lothwren hadn't been able to keep a clever enough eye on all the sparring matches on the first day. He had vague memories and impressions of his fellow squad-mates, but Julian had demonstrated that a single duel between two random opponents did little to demonstrate skill or ability. Today was going to be crucial for Nathaniel, for it was the first day of proper training. This meant that he could start building profiles of his squadron, and understand who would need more help and guidance. A lot of eyes were going to be on them, and the last thing Squadron 13 needed was for some of their cadets to fall behind. So, after his morning stretch, Nathaniel quickly threw on his uniform and opened up the door to his room as he finished buttoning up his uniform. He had caught the Captain's summons, but lingered in the common room to quickly knock on the doors of Zenshin and Kaiser. "The squadron is heading to the mess hall. Meet us there when you are ready."

Itiner: Heroes of Ardenfeld

Snowing Timber

Timber reached up against the bark of a towering oak, placing a single claw underneath its edge and prying it off with a simple flick of the wrist. He lifted the bark up to his lips, almost absent-mindedly placing it into his mouth. He chewed into the bark softly, his ears soaking in the sound of the rustling of the trees. Despite being exactly where he belonged, the anxiety that weighed down Timber's chest ate at him. Ten years had come and gone, and he was finally returning back to where everything had changed. And despite many seasons, the forests near where Ardenfield once stood remained as familiar as home could. Especially when Timber's real home was gone, certainly retaken by this very forest. The rhythm of chewing into the bark helped to calm the nerves, sharp teeth pressing past the hard exterior and into the soft wood underneath. The fresh taste of bark was bitter and unappetizing to even a reclusive traveler like Timber, but not every ritual was meant to be soothing. He was taught when he was young that oaks stood for strength and endurance, stalwart icons of nature's ability to persevere. And in this moment, Timber could use that strength.

He took a moment as he caught first sight of the Lying Wolverine to take a knee and organize his pack. He removed the external belt that stored his shortswords and carefully stuffed them into the pack. He placed a covering over the top of his quiver to hide his arrows and tightened the ropes holding his gear together. As he checked his supplies one last time and made sure that everything was padded appropriately to eliminate any rattling, Timber's eyes rested upon his longbow. The only possession he had left of his family, from the old days. He shook his head, lifting up a single claw to the bow's interior upper limb. He etched in one more hash mark to fill out the nine other markings that signified the 10 years since Ardenfield was destroyed. Once satisfied with his marking, Timber readjusted the hunting knife strapped to his leg to make sure it was sturdy before hoisting the pack onto his back once again. He sported a simple green tunic and matching pants littered with patches to cover holes that came from years climbing through forest brush. Draped over his shoulders, though, was a new brown cloak that stood in contrast to Timber's own white fur.

The ranger pushed through the forest's brush and strode up to the front doors of the small tavern, taking one last deep breath. He spat the bark out of his mouth before pulling open the front door and taking a step in. Timber's emerald eyes quickly settled on two individuals: a well-dressed half-tabaxi and a human woman in full armor. It took a moment for the smuggler to recognize his two childhood friends after years apart, but here they were in the flesh. A decade of misery and envy slipped for this moment as Timber quickly stepped towards his old friends with a toothy smile. "You... you both came. I... time seems to have treated you both well."

One Universe: Unlimited - A Marvel/DC Comics Roleplay

Alright, finally... got my first post out. As long as I keep getting slow days at work, I can keep churning these things out like hotcakes.