G.A.N.G. Post #3.3 – Palenredeon’s Bow

Giving the harp to Bren, the old man next picked up the old bow that Palenrédeon brought.  He looked at it rather discontentedly for a moment.

“I wish I had given this some more of my attention.  Alas, not everything in my collection is restored.  But, that doesn’t mean it can’t be.

“This bow once belonged to a group of people who were big into a popular game.  A bow was much easier to make and decorate, as swords tend to require metal and large amounts of heat in a contained area.  The golden triangle image you see here was a prominent symbol in the game belonging to three all-powerful objects that granted the wielder of these objects his wishes.  Now, these objects didn’t grant just any old thing the wielder desired.  The objects would grant these wishes according to the wielder’s heart, so that one with evil intent would be granted a dark version of his desires, while one with with good intent would be granted a lighter version, so to say.

“Some fans of this game would make things like this bow as a way to sort of role-play the hero of this game, a good-hearted young kid upon whose shoulders the fate of the world rested.  Such a terrible burden, indeed, but somehow, the child makes it and saves the day.  Not much is known how this game is played these days, but some suggest that pencil, paper, and dice were the tools used.

“Strange this is that this bow acquired powers of its own, as if it had gathered the thoughts and desires of these gamers, and seeks to be weilded in the hands of a hero worthy of the young child in the game.

“Give me the evening, and I will have this bow restored for you.”

Welcome, Palenrédeon!  You are a male elf Hylian Archer! (While Link is always graced with the sword first, you get the bow first.  There’s no telling how you’ll turn out with such a break in conventions.)

Str: 12 Con: 13 Dex: 15 Int: 14 Wis: 12 Cha: 10

HP: 9/9 MP: 10/10 AC: 12 Speed: 40

Archery Mastery: You are skilled with the bow.  Over time, you will learn special attacks that will enhance your abilities with the bow.

Magic Arrows: You have the ability to imbue your arrows with special powers to enhance their attacks.  Over time, you may gain the ability to stack several spells onto a single arrow.

Spells:
Fire Arrow: You can imbue arrows with the power of flame.  Adds d4 fire damage. MP Cost: 1

Blizzard Arrow: You can imbue arrows with the power of ice. Adds d4 ice damage. MP Cost: 1

Thunder Arrow: You can imube arrows with the power of electricity. Adds 1d4 electric damage. MP Cost: 1

Poison Arrow: You can imbue arrows with a poison that slowly kills your enemy.  Deals d2 damage per round for d6 rounds.  MP Cost: 2

Equipment: Clothes on your back.

G.A.N.G. Post #3.2 – Bren’s Harp

After handing the book to Anhaga, the old man picked up the harp.  It was a small harp, one that could be held in one’s arm, yet upon the old man’s stroke, it was as if several of the larger variety played in chorus.  The group feels a sort of calm as the old man plays a few notes in contemplation.

“Years ago, a kingdom to the north was overrun by invaders from the south.  This kingdom held a source of power that helped ensure its prosperity, and the invaders sought it.  Such are the nature of many wars.

“The kingdom was besieged, and many were lost.  The power source was captured, and the kingdom left to die.  The royal family had been completely decimated.  All, that is, save one: the prince.  The prince had a fancy for music, and rather than study combat and royal management, he studied various instruments.  This, of course, led to a soft man who would not pick up a weapon and fight.  In fact, he ran from conflict.

“During the siege, he ran and hid wherever he could.  Eventually, he was spotted running towards a tower.  Arrows flew, but before they could find his flesh, his young lover rushed to his aid and acted as his shield.  Soon after, the power source was retrieved, and the invaders left.  He moped about for months before the spirit of his love came to comfort him one final time, and to show him the power she lent to him: the power of courage.

“Emboldened for the first time in his life, he studied and crafted a means by which he could use music to attack his enemy.  With a ragtag army and his rather unconventional weapon of choice, he took back that which was stolen from his kingdom, and restored it to its former glory.

“That kingdom has since perished and fallen prey to the sands of time.  The power source that once helped the kingdom lost its power, and the people were forced to scatter and find new homes, lest they, too, should die.  The only thing of value left behind was this harp, which hung over the throne.  It was weather-worn and rusted when I found it, which perhaps saved it from the clutches of treasure hunters seeking their fortunes.  I have since restored it to its former glory.

“This harp is now yours to use, Bren.  Use it in the honor of the prince who found bravery and courage from the sacrifice his beloved freely gave him.”

Welcome, Bren!  You are a male human Bard!

Str: 10 Con: 11 Dex: 14 Int: 12 Wis: 14 Cha: 15

HP: 6/6 MP: 11/11 AC: 12 Speed: 30

Musical Ability: You have the talent and skill to perform music using a variety of different musical instruments.

Musical Manifestation:  You can use music to aid your allies and hinder your foes!  As you progress, you will learn various Songs that will effect those around you in more ways music normally would.

Songs:
Cheer: By cheering your allies into battle, they are emboldened and ready for action.  +1 to AC, attack, and saves against fear for 1 minute or the end of the battle, whichever is shorter.  MP Cost: 1

Frighten: Killer riffs, massive chords, and not-so-pleasing lyrics are the name of this game, and your foes will feel slightly intimidated by this one-man show.  -1 AC, attack, and saves against fear for 1 minute or the end of the battle, whichever is shorter.  MP Cost: 1

Soothing Aire: This song sooths the spirit and heals the soul.  Not only does this relax allies, but it also improves healing capabilities.  Healing spells will work at 1.5 times normal strength.  Salves, potions, first aid, and other attempts to nullify injury and disease are also more effective.  MP Cost: 2

Bren acquires the Prince’s Harp!

Equipment: Clothes on his back, said harp.

G.A.N.G. Post #3.1 – Anhaga’s Book

For the next hour, the group scattered amongst the books, weaponry, relics, and artifacts looking for something that truly piqued their interest.  Each found something that caught their eye more than anything.  Indeed, it would be near impossible not to, especially when each had something in mind to begin with.

As they returned to the table, mugs filled with freshly made tea and simple plates covered in pie filled with the local berries awaited them.  The old man grinned joyfully as each person brought him their object of interest, recalling memories and stories each one brought.  As they sat down to eat dessert, the old man picked up the book Anhaga brought.

“Ah, yes!  Such an ancient tome!” he said half to himself.  He thought for a moment before continuing.  “This book is several hundred years old.  It is perhaps the last copy available.  I’ve been meaning to copy it onto fresh paper, but I just haven’t found the time.

“This book is the last known written history of the Hamen Empire.  The Hamen was a race of people who once ruled a good portion of the known world.  While they were said to be ruthless conquerors, they treated their people fairly, often improving the people they overtook.  In time, the Hamen were said to have brought about an age of Utopia on the world.  But, as with all good things, the Hamen would meet their end.

“Their end did not come to an end through violent means, so to speak.  There were none to oppose them!  Their end came about through illness.  A super disease of sorts.  It is unknown what caused this disease, but it worked quickly and decimated most of the world’s population.  The true Hamen were all wiped out, while their conquered people survived.  That is not to say that the conquered people did not also suffer heavy loss, but there were enough left for them to carry on.

“According to translated Hamen writings, one Hamen survived, but not by his own will.  The writings speak ill of him, as if he had something to do with the disease.  While on his own deathbed, several leaders approached the man and cursed him so that he may never know the embrace of death.  It is unknown who this man is, nor is it known if he lives still.  To be alive all these tens of thousands of years certainly must be difficult.

“I came across this book a while back in an old, abandoned study.  I was overjoyed, for I had helped the historian write this, and I managed to lose my original copy.  I’m surprised that it’s still in as good condition as it is.  It’s written in an ancient language that few such as myself are able to read.  Indeed, it is a rather fascinating read, but I can’t help but think that there are missing pieces to the Hamen Empire.  The writings and ruins we have found feel…incomplete, somehow.

“Oh ho, surprised to see that I’m that old, are you?  There are many surprises that await you.

“Now, Anhaga, I will lend you this book and the power it holds.  I only ask that you copy its pages so that what’s written is not lost forever.”

Welcome, Ahnaga!  You are a male human Archaeologist!

Str: 12 Con: 12 Dex: 12 Int: 18 Wis: 10 Chr: 6

HP: 7/7 MP: 14/14  AC: 11 Speed: 30

Ancient Lore: Age has treated you well.  You know a lot of things.  You can recall details from times past as if they happened yesterday.

Artifact Mastery:  While adventurers can use magical devices and weaponry to some extent, you’ve seen it all and know how it all works.  You can use any artifact to its full potential.

Senility: Age has treated you poorly.  Your mind slips with age.  Your Ancient Lore and Artifact ability works only 30% of the time.  However, once something is recalled, you can remember it for the next week.  You can remember it for good if its written down.

Spells:
Read Magic: You can read arcane writings.  Useful for discovering the properties of a scroll, some magic devices, and even the personal notes of a wizard.  Lasts 1 minute/level.  MP Cost: 1

Comprehend Languages: You can read anything in any language, even if the handwriting is atrocious. Lasts 1 minute/level.  MP Cost: 1

Breeze: Why blow on dirt and easily wind yourself and you can call forth the power of a gentle breeze to do it yourself?  MP Cost: 1

Cure: Digging is hard work and not without its share of cuts and scrapes.  Heals d8 HP for every three levels of archaeologist. MP Cost: 2

Ahnaga has acquired A History of the Hamen Empire!

Equipment: Clothes on your back, said book.

G.A.N.G. Post 2 – A Not-So-Typical Lunch

(Note: Anybody is still welcome to join in.)

 ”Ah, very good,” the old man said.  “Come in, come in!  There’s food and tea waiting for each of you.”  He motioned hastily for everybody to walk in through the open front door.

As you walk in, you notice the large table in the middle of the cottage covered practically to the edges with all manner of meat, cheese, fruit, and bread.  It was a feast fit for simple folk, but a feast, none the less.  As the old man closes the front door, he urges you to dig in with promise of more to come if you don’t get your fill.  He hurries over to the fireplace to check on the brewing tea.  It is then that you notice the rest of the cottage.

In all of your travels, you have never seen anything like it.  Some buildings look bigger inside than they do on the outside, but they’re quite understated compared to this.  It is as if by magic, the tiny cottage outside contain the space of a small mansion.  Bookshelves filled to brimming with books, walls decorated with all manner of weaponry, suits of armor resting on racks, musical instruments of all types waiting to be played, and a plethora of strange and wondrous artifacts decortate the inside of this cottage.  Nearly everything thought to have existed in the world could be found here, or at least pieces of such.

The old man chuckles at your gazing as he serves tea to you and your companions.  “Traveling,” was his wistfully laconic reply to your unsaid question.  This man had been everywhere and seen everything.  “Eat, eat,” he urged while grabbing food for his own consumption.

As lunch is eaten, few words are spoken as you and your companions look at all the old man owns.  Many questions about where things came from come to mind, but none seem to want to be spoken.  Seeing the indecisiveness in his guests, the old man chuckles again.

“Tell you what, as I clear lunch off of the table and bring out dessert, look through everything.  Bring me the one thing that interests you the most, and I will tell you the story behind it.”

He didn’t wait for a response as he began to clear the table.  Grabbing one last bit of food off of the table, you begin to walk amogst the old man’s relics, artifacts, and treasures.

G.A.N.G Post 1 – A Typical Beginning

You and your companions are walking down the road one day.  The countryside is bathed in the warm glow of the spring sun.  Birds flit about between the few trees that dot the hilly landscape, while gentle breezes press against the ocean of grass into what seems like waves.

You met your companions setting out of town earlier in the morning.  With several down the same road at least until the next town, and with the safety of numbers in mind, you agreed to travel together.  The company of your travelling companions has not been unpleasant.  There has been plenty to speak about, with each person having been from a different place in the world.  News from other lands, plans each other have, and old stories rejuvenated for new ears have helped whittle the hours and miles away as if they had been mere seconds and feet.

It is now in the midafternoon.  Your company spots a small cottage about a half mile down the road.    Aside from little farms just outside town, this is the first time you’ve seen a dwelling since leaving town.  Wondering if it isn’t a halfway hostel between towns, your company approaches the cottage with curiosity, but also with caution.  Who knows what is actually inside the small building?

The cottage appears as if it could house a small family rather comfortably.  Smoke is piping out of the chimney, and the unmistakable scent of a local tea permiates the air around it.  The place looks rather inviting, but there seems to be no sign of the building’s function.  Perhaps it was just somebody’s home?

As if to answer that question, the front door opens, and a kind, wrinkly old man with a long, white beard walks out.  He is garbed in simple green robes.  He grins warmly at the sight of your company.  His green eyes sparkle with the kindness granted to those who live a long and good life, but they also speak of a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that such years could grant him.

“Welcome!” he says in a warm, rasp voice.  “I have been expecting you!  Please, come in.  I have tea and food prepared, as you are no doubt famished by now.  Tell me, what are you names?”