I'll start posting the journals of our D&D 5.0 Netherdeep Campaign here, as well as anything else seeming worthy of posting.
To the Sanctuary of Albahith, Jigow Township
Greetings to the Masters of the Pilgrims, and hail to The Luxon:
First Mission Report from Childe Raymonde
Taking your advice, O Masters, in order to begin my mission as a Paladin I left the area of Jigow, without preconceived notion of what I might do.
Finding myself in the Xhorhas Wastes far from home, I took the first work assignment that came my way -- caravan guard for a shipment along the Harrowalk Road all the way to Urzen, the swamp town.
The passage was uneventful, but I did strike up an acquaintance with several of the other guards. These included:
- Blynce (pronounced "Blink") - a Human hybrid of some sort with long white hair and gray skin. Apparently he has Gnome ancestry? There would seem to be an interesting story there, but I have not yet learned it. Despite his small stature, he is a trained warrior, equipped with chainmail, longbow, and a rapier.
- Bell, a Kenku avian creature in humanoid shape. He has black plumage, and speaks with some difficulty, sounding something like an enormous crow. He has, like myself, taken on a holy mission of some sort. Unlike myself, he serves not the Luxon but the White Raven. In fact, he has apparently travelled from the Empire and wears clothing and symbols of that realm. Like Blynce, there is no doubt an interesting story there, but he has not yet told it.
- Vaal, an Eladrin with green hair and violet eyes. He dresses in finery, apparently to the limit (or beyond) of his finances. He claims descent from a noble family in Port Demali on the Menagerie Coast, and declared his intention to become "rich and famous." While his materialism is repellant, he carries himself with wit and charm. It remains to be seen whether he will rise to become a force for good or descend into base greed.
- Bumi, a Goblin wielder of arcane power, I immediately took a liking to. He seems clever and capable, but is keenly aware of his small size and lowly appearance. (As you know, O Masters, I have a soft spot for Goblins, for it was in the act of rescuing a trio of Goblins from a bullying Orc that I discovered the power of The Luxon flowing through me, and you decided henceforth that I should be trained as a Paladin.) Bumi troubles my spirit, though. Taking me aside, he questioned me about the Umavi, and those The Luxon has reincarnated. I was abashed by my own lack of knowledge and experience. I wish to know more! The final thing he said to me was chilling: "Beware, for they do not always tell you the truth." What could this mean?
Upon reaching Urzen town, we found that it was several confederated settlements built on the back of a pack of enormous turtles! Like Jigow, it is people mainly by goblinoids, orcs, gnolls, and many other kinds of humanoids. Unlike Jigow, this region is only recently become part of the territory of the Kryn Dynasty, having previously been part of the Empire.
We received our pay and discharge from the duties of caravan guards, and Vaal treated us to a round of drinks at a local tavern. I approached and hailed a group of Aurora Watch guards, and immediately felt foolish -- they had never heard of the Pilgrims, and looked upon me as a boorish stranger.
We were approached by a Hobgoblin, one Morgid, who we later found out was an aide to the "mayor" of Urzen town, Buff-All the 2nd. Taking us to his master, we were offered an adventuring quest.
We were asked to search the swamp environs for the missing Bollbarra, a Goblin witch and chief advisor to Buff-All the 2nd. She went into the swamp to search for spell components, but then failed to return in a timely manner. The presence of an outpost of the Empire creates fears of foul play. Buff-All the 2nd wished us to take up the quest rather than local forces due to political reasons -- he does not wish it known that his chief advisor (who is a power in town in her own right) is missing.
Buff-All the 2nd offered us weaponry, but we all had superior arms of our own already and we declined his generosity (but accepted the promise of 200 gold pieces each upon successful return of his witch).
Trekking through the swamp (with the aforementioned Morgid as a tracker and guide), we came upon a raft carrying the corpse of an Imperial soldier. Investigating, we were attacked by a swarm of snakes! Their venom was foul, but we managed to dispatch them with only some little trouble.
We shall rest briefly and resume our quest….