...the adventures of Polmund Stouthammer
DMers note: Our group has made the conversion from 3.5 to 4e, so some of the lore is a little different, this takes some getting used to. As is our characters have world jumped...Polmund and Marowyn have jumped twice now, Marowyn decided to be an eladrin in the conversion, so for an easy answer she and Polmund have come to this world through the feywild. Our new friends were bounced into this world from the Forgotten Realms, and as the get into the hire tiers might find themselves back in there off and on. The world jumping has one common thread, an ancient looking obscure man is always present propelling them to their next world. In the meanwhile the powers of the elemental chaos are showing up, displaying a deeper issue that could include the reason for our hero's travel. ~now back to the story...
Resting an an underground hotspring...what brought me here, I still love my liquor, but I find a good friend is brings just as much pleasure. I'm in the company of a companion through circumstance that is now my closest kin, an 'eladrin' by name of Marowyn. She came to this world with me as the old man kicked us through the rabbit hole. The damn samauri and kappa went running off, I knew they were no good.
We woke up in the new world on the side of a road, but this time something was different. I felt much like always, wanting a strong ale after such a harrowing experience, but I noticed something different in Marowyn...her features were much the same, but her eyes had a clear glow to them. She also looked wiser and as if something clicked, she realized she could harness the power of the world jumps we've been through. It was odd at first, she'd be beside me, then suddenly in the blink of an eye, she'd be 20 paces ahead...very curious, and very exciting.
My own perceptions had changed a little too, this world seemed a little softer than my own, my stout legs could propel me further and I could actually climb and move more easily, maybe I was just losing a little weight. I have also abandoned the hope of finding revenge for my clan, giving up the call of murderous rage towards the orc clan I'd never find. Instead I am seeking new clanship with companions brave enough to seek adventure in this world. I need to learn more about it if this'll be my home. I've sharpened my skills to survive, doing my best to guard Marowyn, but also promise her great adventure.
...We happened on a caravan in following the roads, a suspicious folk they were, but they brought us on to guard the goods bound for the remote trading post called Coldcreek.
We arrived to a fanfare of traders and their families cheering, we arrived at what seems to be a harvest holiday. Marowyn and I keep to ourselves gaurding the caravans as the shoppers happen on by through the town square. We notice an odd habit of this village, after doing something risque, naughty or evil each person brings out a small straw doll and whispers into it. Perculiar, but while observing this I notice one of our own caravan gaurds moving amongst the crowd and filching from their pockets. This is no good, they come to spend at our caravan anyway, a townsman is on his trail though and poor Reinald is quickly caught and subdued. I apologize to the townie and tie Reinald up and through him in the caravan, I should have kept my eye on him beforehand, he did teach me his tricks afterall.
The culmination of the holiday is a huge bonfire, the cleric Evon, one that rides with the caravan, bestows the blessing of Pelor and the towns people throw there dolls into the fire, absolved of their sins.
Suddenly in the middle of the celebration a giant scarecrow, glowing with blew flames steps into the crowd, sweeping people out of the way with giant claw like hands. The pumpkin head calls out a challenge to the cleric, "The bigger the sin, the bigger the doll...Evon, you cannot save Coldcreek, for Winter Comes!" The giant scarecrow starts makeing way to the dias wailing "Winter Comes, Winter Comes!" apparently headed for the young cleric of Pelor. Each step he takes, frost forms at his feet.
Marowyn and I react immediately working to protect our customers, but to my surprise the young townsman that caught Reinald and a dragon-type man react as well, and a young monk. Clearing our way through the masses we work to place ourselves between the monster and the cleric. With much flair and magic we chip away at the monster's defenses, all of Marowyn's spells of winter have no effect. Still it moves on towards it's goal...slashing at us when we might get in it's way. Frightened but determined I launched myself at the scarecrow, siluhetted against the light of the bonfire. He straggles back and whats left of him burns up...
"Aye, winter comes, but theres no need to rush it."
The clearing is emptied, as we all approach the cleric to check on his health. The townsman, Mokoto, notices behind the inn and by the creek...3 mounted goblins pointing and yelling excitedly.
"They shouldn't be here...the Frostfall clan shouldn't be here!"
Tags: Ranger Polmund 4e D&D
