Tunnels & Trolls The campaign begins...

[Jagged]

Tol'Chuk

The Gnomes reply with many your welcomes for the gifts and wish you the best on your journey ahead. They hope you kill many trolls along the way. Your gear does not take long to put together and as you gather your belonging and head to the entrance you notice Gnomes are already rebuilding the gate. They seem well prepared with timber, ropes, and tools.

The Gnome you saw speaking with Alornia comes over to you and puts his hand on your shoulder. "We want you to know that we will build spare huts and there will be one for you so that you can return after your adventure so you can winter with the group.

Detton

Many Gnomes and party members alike raise their heads after hearing your words about a strange tunnel.

A gray bearded Gnome comes over to you and nods. "HMMM.....a clear substance you say son....hhhmmm......few creatures can do that and I have yet to see a man made creature build such a item. Show me this tunnel. Anything else odd??

You with several Gnomes in toe go back to the hole. Several take boards freshly created and block off the hole while others throw ropes down and bring lanterns.

Alonria

Many Gnomes seem to gather around and look at it curiously. A young Gnome in bronze armor hops down a robe and is lowered a lantern. If your party isn't interested it would seem the Gnomes at least wish to investigate.

You point out to Detton where the food is in the middle of the Gnomes gathering spots. Many Gnomes come by the hole but many more keep watch and are working on a new front gate and essambling all the necessary tools and supplies. Many do give smiles to you....your a tall female but a female none the less to this group who has been on partol for months.

 

[LadyFairy]

Smiling she walked over to Tol'Chuck and asked.Well shall we check it out or move out? We still have a ways to go, but there could be something we could use down there.

 

[LadyFairy]

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!!

 

[Cammon]

New Arrivals?

((Indeed, happy valentines day, and a good place for a new arrival if you can handle another player, Jagged? I've been reading this board all month and FINALLY decided to apply.))

 

[Jagged]

OOC Submitt your character idea.....and we will see. Would be a good time to slip in so let me se what you have.

 

[LadyFairy]

yes indeed this would be the perfect time for you to join. If you do i bid you welcome.

 

[Cammon]

Enter Cammon

Cammon is a thick necked brawler, a human male of rather imposing stature. Signed on as a mercenary with the sturdy gnomes, he seems as much signed on for reaching high shelves and carrying heavy weights as for his skill at arms.

And he most definitely has skill at arms.

It may have been a handsome face at one time, a face women could fall in love with, but now, even the rugged days growth of stubble aside, the scars and marks on him make him look a bit more frightening than handsome. His wavy black hair still falls in a lion's mane around his shoulders, framing his broad featured face, with his frequently broken nose and battered eyes, and the high, almost romanesque cheekbones. A fighter from the games, without recourse, his gait has the spring of the newly freed, and his eyes the sparkle of the damned given pardon. Standing six foot and four inches (just over two meters), he's made entirely of broad muscle and sinew, scar and tattoo.

Designs cover his exposed flesh, along his stomach, scrollwork that cuts through his lean and well muscled abdomen, blue and black on sun-bronzed skin. A star beneath his left eye draws attention there, fighting for prominence against the gashes and scars that pucker his deep, broad chest. A band of thorns on his upper right arm, a loop circling an imperial marking, an ownership marking. His legs are drawn down, one a series of marks declaring city symbols worked into a flame rising from ankle to knee, and the other simply a tattoo on his calf of a glaring, demonic face, that of a troll's head, severed at the neck.

This man has known combat, the thrill of the games and the glory of victory, for all his young life. Starting lower than the serfs, and ending up now, a free and talented man, a mercenary with skills to trade, a victor of the most brutal sport. A labor slave, a pit slave, and now a free man, he sees things through the eyes of the most hardened warrior, but with the heart of a man finally given justice and the taste of the sweetest prize.

He's dressed strangely, his heavily muscled body, worked to peak by the rigors of the pit clad in leather skirt and leather straps to hold on a huge, heavily armored armpiece of pure steel, stained and lacquered blue and trimmed in silver. The heavy steel arm covers his shoulder in a sizeable pauldron, spiked and studded with hooks, and continues on down like a piece of full plate, another heavy shield around his elbow bearing four wicked spikes in a semi-circle. The vambrace hugs his thick forearm, joining across a chain enforced joint to the plate gauntlet that bears talons of hooked steel, and two short, hooked barbs that jut from the back of his hand, clearly a threatening weapon. But other than two light steel greaves, carved and fluted to give some protection to his knees, the straps biting across his tattooed calves, and the heavy dastana (a sort of gauntlet/buckler combination, a heavy leather glove and a fluted metal plate that covers most of the forearm) on his right hand, he seems unarmored, and unarmed. His boots are well worn leather, reaching just above his ankle, and he wears a skirt of studded and buckled leather, not unlike a kilt with long strips of leather to support it. Around his neck hangs what looks to have been a shackle perhaps, a clearly magical item of dwarven make, a torque of pure gold stamped with odd symbols and hung with a round disk, reading the mark of high award, the gift of his freedom, an item promising long life and health to the wearer.

Working now with the gnomes, he helps to set up the framework of their buildings, and cart the tools and materials where they need to be taken, moving provisions around, or even tending to the horses like a common groom. His sole posessions tucked away in the corner of one of the gnomish supply carts, a backpack with some suitable clothes and waterskins, his meager supply of coins, and the fence-faced helmet with the razor brim that once served as meager protection for his head.

 

[LadyFairy]

Alonria was waiting for Tol'Chucks reply when she saw someone working with the gnomes. Why she hadnt noticed him before she didnt know, and decided to introduce herself.

The gnomes trusted him, and had been good company thus far. They would have warnd them if there compaion was dangerious, but decided to keep a safe distance just to be safe.

Walking close enough so the stranger would be able to hear her. Alonria stoped and said. Hello...My name is Alonria Looking up at him as he turnd to face her Alonria could tell that he was strong fighter, and used to battle. There was a gleam of intelligance in his eyes. She would have to think fast if he proved to be foe.

 

[Cammon]

"Hey Rimshuttle!" The burly fighter calls out to his particular foreman of the hour, hefting a some hundred pound barrel of beer onto his unarmored shoulder, his claw-bearing hand snatching up to grip the rim and steady it... "Where do you want this beer?"

A woman approaches, pretty, slight, and the first female he's seen in quite some time. That'll get a grin, showing his straight (but for the broken eye tooth) teeth, and a friendly nod. "Lady." Then of course, she introduces herself!

"Hello...My name is Alonria." she says in that soft feminine voice.

"Cammon." He replies, again adjusting under the heavy wooden barrel hoisted up on his shoulder. No malice in him, it would seem, just more than a bit of sweat and toil.

 

[LadyFairy]

Moving out of his way to let him through with the heavy barral. Alonria smiled, and said I am sorry if i botherd you. I know your working, tis a pleasure to meet you. Mayhap we can talk more later. Making sure to keep out of his way. She turned to leave but noteing the heavy barral she asked. Do you need some help? She didnt think he did, but it never hurt to ask.

 

[Cammon]

"I've got it but... Soon as this tiny little man tells me where he wants this very large cask, I think I've earned myself a bit of time off." He gives a toss of his head, sending his black hair fluttering over the spiked pauldron of his armor. "I'm not about to be so busy that the first woman I've seen in a season isn't going to take more of my attention than a bit of coin that I've nothing to spend on. It's never a bother to be bothered by a real lady." He offers a flashing grin, his eyes dancing, and without taking his eyes off her, sort of lifts head and shouts "RIMSHUTTLE!?"

 

[LadyFairy]

Laughing Alonria decided she liked Cammon a lot. He had a wonderful sence of humor, and a ready laugh. She would enjoy his company. I must return to my companions. You are most welcome to join us if you like, We are on a quest, and have a ways to go yet. The more we have with us the better. She said with a smile.

 

[Cammon]

The Mercenary Dime

"Army of gnomes... beautiful woman... army of gnomes... beautiful woman... hmmmm..." looking back and forth, Cammon pretends to ponder, to struggle between the decision. I mean really, one starts to become more than a little accustomed to watching one's feet when in the monthly company of people who barely reach mid-thigh.

It also develops an impressive crick in the neck.

"I'll see how long it's going to take me to collect my pay." he chuckles, smirking and again shifting the huge weight on his shoulder. "What exactly does this 'quest' entail? You hardly look the rugged troll-slaying type, these mountains are dangerous for girls and children to be traveling alone.... and I certainly hate to think of you in the smelly tent of a repulsive tribe of those flesh eating fiends..."

 

[LadyFairy]

A thoughtful expression on her face Alonria explain's about their quest.We are on a quest to reclam a book stolen by the Red Claw Clan. We have encountered some of them not far from here, and free'd the women, and children they had with them.

On a lighter note with sparkles in her eyes she said.Tho by comparasson we may be smaller than you, but we are far from children.

 

[Jagged]

While work continues around you it is not surprising at least to the veteran fighter that the Gnomes already have a two story hut up and coming together with a roof. Fast little guys you note as you see them setting up step ladders so they can put up the walls and windows. The sounds of hammers is all around.

Upon hearing that Cammon wants to leave the band Rimshuttle comes over to you...."you wish to leave before the winter? Well not the smartest move but if that is what you want you filled all your obligations to the order so your free to go......as to the matter of pay. Not much gold is available but we have some items that should help you out in your quest...."

He goes over to a chest and returns and hands you a few items....."First here is a a pickax that will never be dull. Second is a light stick the glows as long as it is dark so if you want to hide make sure to keep it in the case. Oh and finally a never ending pouch of peppermints. Good luck." The little guy gives you hardy hand shake.

The day is still early yet and you can get at least half way to the mountain before dark easily. The mountains are filled with trolls and adventurers.........ready???

 

[Cammon]

Candy?

"Now... I know pay was 'negotiable' when I signed the contract... but I don't think I've ever made candy as a wage before." Cammon chuckles and gratefully accepts the items though. In truth, such a set of magical gear is likely to be worth a lot more than he could have made in two months of guard duty and moderate physical labor anyhow... And he hardly had to kill anyone! For a man intent on leaving senseless violence and servitude behind him, he sure is finding a reason to get embroiled in violence with sense and voluntary labor.

Not having a further option, he hefts the heavy barrel off his side and gives Rimshuttle a knowing glance, giving another meaningful look at the pretty female. What wage are you going to spend, exactly, with nothing to spend it on? Well.... surely there are things worth chasing worth much more than coin. He gratefully accepts the gifts, looking the pickaxe over and giving it a few tentative little strokes, swishing it through the air. He uncaps the 'light rod/ and looks in the case, then, blinking abruptly, immediately caps it. Oh yes it works. Then he attatches the little candy pouch to his belt and fishes in it for a piece... candy's a rare treat and the cool taste of peppermint is refreshing. He sucks it thoughtfully for a long few moments just to be sure how pleasant 'gnomish' candy is, before offering one to Alonria.

"A 'sweet' reward, to be sure. And quite pleasantly striped." he clicks the hard mint between his teeth, smirking a bit, and after Alonria (we assume) takes the candy, he strolls off to his gear and stows his new gains, finding a loop on his pack to hang the pick from and then hauling the pack onto his shoulder. It's a fine morning to start a new adventure.

 

[Jagged]

All your gear is where you left it and in fine order. A few gnomes come by to wish you well and promise you a place to sleep if you return during the winter. They also promise gold in exchange for giant falcon feathers. The large birds often nest in the high mountains. Your ready and equipped for battle.

 

[LadyFairy]

After accepthing the candy from Cammon, and watching him move away. Alonria smiled, moveing back twords Tol'Chuck, and the others letting them know that we had another member to our group.

 

[The GrandMage]

Detton

Detton watched the gnomes at the tunnel for a while, describing the monster who had attacked earlier and the plant he had packed away. After all, if they they had need for it he could trade them. He discussed briefly what his group was up to and come across, including the contents of bigger-inside-than-out bag.

He eventually moved back to the others, noting their offering for winter and interest in giant falcon feathers under consideraion. They seemed amiable enough people,...if a bit odd.

But odd was better that a cruel landowning bastard.

 

[Cammon]

Dwarf Ready!

((I hate to write off the Dwarf... Tol'Chuk has been here since the beginning... we have any word from the other players?))

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: If you feel so bad about writing off a character that isn't yours, then maybe you shouldn't do it. That would be a nice common courtesy.

Ummm, I've been waiting for a few weeks now for us to get moving, but people seem content to stay in the camp and do other stuff... so, let's just say the dwarf is packed and ready at the edge of the trail, waiting not-so-patiently for others to join him.

 

[Cammon]

Headcount

((Yay he's still here! We waiting for anyone else?))

 

[Jagged]

OOC: Look for updates this weekend......all are welcome to keep playing.

 

[LadyFairy]

WOW ok well Alonria last time i posted had walked over to join Tol'Chuck so she is ready i think the only one were waiting for is Detton. The others havent posted in a long time, but i think we should contiue to play as if they are there this way should they decide to join back in they can.

 

[Cammon]

The Next Chapter

Checking his gear one last time, pauldron, pack, pick, candy, and the leather case for the stick of glowing light, Cammon packs the basket faced helm on, strapping it under his chin before striding to join the bald faced dwarf and the attractive woman who invited him...