Shurijo's Gaming Journal

Nirus Azeyra - The Gatekeepers (998 YK, Campaign entry)

2006-03-11T15:23:00.000-08:00

Character: Nirus Azeyra
Campaign: The Gatekeepers

The Gatekeepers (998 YK, Group Campaign)

With the help of House Thrasashk, we located most of whom I was searching for. The House found Benmarrow the shifter; Parmelk the kalashtar; Tin Man the warforged, and Savyna the human woman. The woman and Kalashtar still had the symbiots and were in great pain. After telling them of our peril, we quickly gathered our things and boarded the Lighting Rail to Aundair.

Our destination was the Glade of Reborn in the Eldeen Reaches, so we exited at Passage, Aundair. At Passage, the group acquired horses and a carriage and began our journey to the Eldeen.

As we exited the city, another warforged approached us. He informed us of that Garithos d’Deneith, the House Deneith bodyguard, died at the hands of aberrations. The warforged also spoke of the death of the House Cannith artificer, whom I was sent to locate. With both Dragonmarked adventurers dead, that only left two infected members alive, so we rushed off towards the Eldeen.

However, within hours of leaving Passage, we were assaulted on the road by more followers of the aberrations. During that battle, a strangely armored woman escaped while her shifter companion was killed by the new warforged. I was disheartened by the shifter’s death and while dragging his body off the road, I discovered markings of the Gatekeepers.

After a few days ride, we arrived in the Eldeen and rested in Varna. The two warforged went to find a smith or artificer to repair their wounds, while the others ate and drank at a local inn. Hours passed as I conversed with Savyna, the shifter heavily drank, and the kalashtar retired to the room to mediate, when the voice of the kalashtar rang out in my head.

Savyna, Shoraeral, and I rushed to the aid of Parmelk and found a knight of the Silver Flame in the room threatening to kill the kalashtar. I attempted to speak with the zealous knight, but her sworn oath to destroy the aberrations would mean the death of Parmelk and Savyna.

It was a battle that I did not want to fight. Before the war, I lived and trained for battle with my war clan. Death in battle was the highest honor among the Tairnadal elves who settled in Valenar.

to be continued...

Kuhlagos Ordo - History & Timeline

2006-02-02T20:03:00.000-08:00

Character: Kuhlagos Ordo
Setting: Old Republic (Star Wars)
Species: Mandalorian (Clan Ordo)
Class: Soldier
Game Host: Brennor's RPG Corner

Kuhlagos Ordo - History & Timeline:
xxx

Journal Entries:

The Assassins

The Demon Moon (Campaign entry)

Valkhad - History & Timeline

2006-02-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

Character: Valkhad
Setting: Eberron (D&D)
Alignment: Lawful Good
Race: Kalashtar
Region: Breland (Sharn)
Class: Monk/Psion
Game Host: Brennor's RPG Corner

Valkhad History & Timeline:

894 YK : Last War begins
958 YK : Valkhad born in Sharn
994 YK : (Olarune 20^th) Cyre is destroyed; the Mournland is created.
996 YK : The Treaty of Thronehold officially ends the Last War.
998 YK : Valkhad (The Tour, 40 years old)

Journal Entries:

The monastery years (958 - 998 YK)

The Tour (998 YK, Campaign entry)

Nirus Azeyra - Artwork

2005-12-14T21:56:00.000-08:00

Character: Nirus Azeyra

Artwork by WANNA_bee (Brennor's RPG Corner)
Colored by Shurijo

Nirus Azeyra - Eldeen Reaches Part 3

2005-10-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

Character: Nirus Azeyra

Eldeen Reaches (998 YK, Solo Campaign)

As soon as I was able to leave the camp, we departed and returned to the cave to speak with the newly appointed guardians. The group who secured the entrance were fellow hunters of the Gatekeepers. Daniel Flarg and Ginerlee greeted us as we approached the camp. Ginerlee, nicknamed Whitebough, is a half-elven woman with a keen eye with her bow and Daniel wields duel kukri. After our tour of the entrance, Fuddok and I headed off to the west.

Not too far into our journey, we heard a faint call for help. Rushing across the small river, we found a dark gray wolf trapped by a metal jaw trap. With Shoraeral’s help, I was able to free the wolf from the trap. Once again, Fuddok came to our aid with healing spells to help the injured wolf.

The seven of us, which now included the wounded female wolf, our two steeds, Holg – Fuddok’s companion, Shoraeral, Fuddok, and I, continued on our journey. After another day, we arrived at a most magnificent grove where Fuddok sought to ask for help regarding the parasite aberration.

Our animal companions bound off into the grove acting as playful as they could be. Here they all felt safe and energized. Fuddok and I headed into the grove to find two druids at a gazebo waiting for us. The two women were twins and took turns speaking, alternating back and forth. The welcomed us to the Glade of Reborn and after we spoke of our story, they took us to see Deeproot.

Deeproot is a large and ancient hemlock tree which looks over the glade. Using his communal powers, he spoke with Eberron and informed us that the adventurers with whom I traveled with in Cyre were also affected by the parasites. The parasites are pieces of a Daelkyr-child which are being collected to be assembled into the aberration.

The ancient tree then commanded me to bring those infected to him before the Daelkyr’s agents find them. His final words suggest the others are located in the City of Towers, Sharn. However, one of the adventurers cannot be located. Deeproot promised to learn more of how to destroy the parasites when I return with the others.

After our conversation with the treant, Fuddok and I began to leave. However, the twins told my friend that he must stay to prepare for our return. So I left the next morning to Sharn.

After a few days of travel through Varna, I arrived in Passage. There I purchased my Lighting Rail ticket. Shoraeral was caged and placed in with the other animals. Seeing my companion confined, brought an idea and I was able to sit and tend to the animals as a spare handler on the trip.

I thought the trip would be uneventful, but it was not. Midway through the journey, the Rail took an unexpected bounce and the cage door to a Dire Ape was jarred loose. The other animals became confused and scared when the ape exited its cage. Fortunately for all, I was able to coax the ape back into its cage without harming the animal. However, a few of the exotic cats died when their cages were overturned during the ape’s initial escape.

The Rail ended at First Station and we exited and began our search for the others. I only hope we are not too late and that we find them before the enemy finds them.

Nirus Azeyra - Eldeen Reaches Part 2

2005-07-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

Character: Nirus Azeyra

Eldeen Reaches (998 YK, Solo Campaign)

The week continued to grow worse by the day. When I returned to the camp site, Fuddok wanted to return to the cave. With Holg and Shoraeral by our sides, we entered the cave and began the decent. Along the walls, there were ancient and strange symbols etched into the walls. Both of us felt something strange about this place.

Eventually, we came to a door of carved stone with twisting geometrical patterns and no sign of a keyhole or handle. We studied the door for a few moments and then I remembered the small demonstone which I carried from the remains of the wayward adventurer. This stone, when pressed to the face of the door, set the door into motion and it opened slightly. It was at this door where our companions could not follow anymore. We said our goodbyes and watched the alligator and wolf retreat back to the cave entrance.

Once we entered the doorway, three separate and winding passageways presented themselves. One of the passageways sloped slightly upwards, the other slightly downwards with carved stairs, and the third passageway seemed to continue along the same depth.

Since the upward route was covered in spider webs, we decided to travel along the level passageway. Soon we found this passage to be blocked by fallen rocks and we returned to the fork. Next, we decided that we should inspect the upper chamber before following the stairs downward.

We cut through the webs to find a small round chamber with a pool of water. In the middle of the pool stood a large stone with similar markings as the walls of the cavern. It was then I shined my Everbright lantern to discover a large wooly spider readying itself to attack. Fuddok didn’t notice the spider and even my shout didn’t give him enough time before one of the smaller spiders poisoned him.

Even spiders which have no hard armor to protect themselves have talents that present a challenge. The large spider shot forth webbing which held us in place and the poison from their fangs sickened Fuddok. However, after a few decisive swings of our blades, the large spider fell and the smaller spiders scampered off. After the battle, Fuddok was able to tend to the toxins and heal himself from the surprise attack.

The stone was carved to be smoothed and covered with runes which started at the base and spiraled up around the stone until they reach the top. A few small spiders lived in top of the stone within a depression on the stone. The depression looked to form a shallow bowl. Fuddok explained that this stone is called an Activator Stone and declared it was a tool of our true enemy (Daelkyr). He also stated that these stones are rare and only found where the Daelkyr's presence was once very strong.

After inspecting the rest of the chamber, we returned to the fork. Only a single unexplored path remained. This passageway had carved stone stairs which lead down through the small passageway. During our trek downwards, we were ambushed by something that I had never seen before.

Fuddok later called the beast an ‘ooze’. This beast was made of acid and immediately tore through my boots and clothing and nearly destroyed my scimitar. After seeing the destruction caused by merely touching the beast, I decided it would be wise to make use of my bow instead. Fuddok used his sling and I fired my bow for a few minutes as it chased me around the chamber. Eventually, the beast fell. I hope to never see another one of those again. Now, I must continue the trek shirtless and with soleless boots.

We finally arrived at the bottom and stood before yet another smooth door. Using the same technique as before, I placed the demonstone upon the rock and it opened. The putrid air, I assumed it had been trapped for thousands of years, exited the chamber and sickened both of us. We decided it would be wise to allow the chamber a few minutes to collect new air and provide time for us to recover from the sudden onset of nausea caused by the putrid air.

We pushed open the door and entered the chamber. However, as soon as I entered, I immediately fell to the ground in pain. Across the chamber, a huge, oval-shaped, semi-translucent, yellow-brown crystal which stood nearly ten feet tall and eight feet wide was blocking a tunnel entrance. Around the stone were inscribed glyphs from ancient Gatekeepers.

I do not remember much of what happened next. From what Fuddok told, I began speaking to a beast which was on the other side of the Gatekeeper stone and a symbiot emerged from my stomach. I woke up a couple of days later at our camp. Fuddok recommended that we seek council to help us understand the recent events.

Riley Phillips - Schooling

2005-06-27T21:11:00.000-07:00

Character: Riley Phillips

Schooling (1980-2005)

I have always sought to become a police officer. Maybe I watched too much of Poncherello chasing down the bad guys or maybe it was something else that drove me towards this profession. As soon as I graduated high school, I left Kentucky for Cincinnati. It wasn’t a far drive from home, only a few hours north, and it offered a degree in Criminal Justice.

I attended the University of Cincinnati for four years. Then after finishing my bachelors’ degree in Criminal Justice, I continued my education and graduated with a PHD in the same field. When I was finishing my PHD program, I attended a job fair and applied for the FBI. I never thought that I would be accepted, but I was and after my school was over, I flew to Quantico, Virginia to attend the FBI Academy.

During my sixteen-week training at the FBI Academy in Virginia, I received classes in forensics, investigative, and technology skills. It was here where I was given my nickname, “lil‘ Stone”. It was a late evening in October and NBC Dateline was doing a special report on the Academy. I was interviewed by the reporter, Stone Phillips, and was dubbed “little Stone” by my classmates due to our common family name. Although there is no relation to the newscaster, the name stuck. Now, the shortened version is used, “Stone.”

After my Academy graduation, I was assigned as a field agent to the Cincinnati Division. It has only been a few weeks since graduation and I have just been given my first case from Special Agent in Charge Borgia.

It was late in the evening when I was called by SAC Borgia and ordered to report to the office. There I was assigned the case and headed off to speak with the forensics experts.

Riley Phillips - History & Timeline

2005-06-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

Character: Riley Phillips
Setting: GURPS Modern
Game Host: Brennor's RPG Corner

Riley Phillips History & Timeline:

1980: Riley born in Lexington, Kentucky
1998: Riley enrolls in University of Cincinnati
2002: Riley graduates with BS in Criminal Justice
2002: Riley enrolls in University of Cincinnati
2004: Riley graduates with PHD in Criminal Justice
2004: Riley enrolls in FBI Academy
2005: Riley graduates FBI Academy
2005: Riley is assigned first major case (The Ferryman campaign, 25 years old)

Journal Entries:

Schooling (1980 - 2005)
The Ferryman (2005, active Campaign)

Jacob Welsh - Graffiti

2005-06-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

Character: Jacob Welsh

Graffiti (1658, Solo Campaign entry)

I sit alone in a dirty and infested jail cell. ‘How did I get here?’ I wondered. ‘All I wanted was to help. And that’s the last time I ever help anyone!’ The young man, who has been in the cell for merely a few days, takes a piece of paper and pen and begins another letter to his parents.

April 8, 1658
Port Royal Jamaica

Dear Father,

It seems that I have ran out of luck and my time is near to end. It was a rather odd set of circumstances, I must say. My journey started when a local government official, Master-At-Arms Pettingale, requested I translate a few documents and maps confiscated from one of the local thugs.

The translation went fairly easy and only took a day to complete. However, he was not at his desk when I went to deliver the documents. Hence, I returned to my room to rest a bit before venturing after him. There I was ambushed by three men and then shot! They took the papers and ran away.

The next thing I knew, I was in a doctor’s office and being given a few shots to prevent infection. Later that night, once I had rested, I went downstairs for some food and Pettingale arrested me!

He thought I was trying to escape, but I know understand how corrupt the local government is here. The new world is a wild world and I have learned to trust nobody. I do not know if there will be a civil trial or what will become of me.

Farewell,
Jacob Welsh III

Jial Dunek - Shadow of the Storm

2005-06-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

Character: Jial Dunek

Shadow of the Storm

For a year, I trained and exceeded the challenges laid before me by Yesha Baal, the Lady of Blood, Avatar of Lord Kalo Xin. Her trials were carried out to find the best candidates and, of course, I am one of the finalists. A few others have also survived the trials, but I care not for them for they will surely meet death soon either by their own words or actions.

The Lady assigned the finalists a mission to infiltrate and acquire a valuable weapon. This weapon, identified as a Sith sword, is designed specifically for Lord Sarrin Ka’at by the artificer Sato Malar. She commanded us to journey to the Ruaan Belt and recover the item for Lord Xin before it can be delivered to Lord Ka’at.

The voyage to the Ruaan Belt was uneventful – thanks to my extraordinary piloting skills. One of the others, his name is Mox Kagen, proved useful with his computer and navigation skills. The other three sat idly in the passenger seats.

We formulated a plan to disguise ourselves as the ambassador of Lord Ka’at. However, we never had time to implement the plan. When we landed, the station was in disarray with combat already ensuing. We were greeted by a rather large Sith, who we later discovered followed the apprentice artificer Emo Palma. The Sith warrior stated that Baraka Shan, Lord Ka'at emissary had already arrived.

We found Master Palma and agreed to aid him with destroying his master, Sato Malar, in exchange for the item we were pursing. We were shortly ambushed and this was the first combat I had ever witness the other ‘students’ engaging in other than our training matches. The large Sith, Lued, immediately cowered to the ground and stayed there until combat was over. One of the masked Sith, just stood there attempting to swat away there attacks. I do not understand Yesha Baal’s wisdom in allowing these students to progress to this mission. It is sure that some will not return.

Eventually, our group along with Palma’s warriors found Baraka Shan...

Nirus Azeyra - Eldeen Reaches Part 1

2005-06-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

Character: Nirus Azeyra

Eldeen Reaches (998 YK, active Solo Campaign)

It was one of the most terrifying days of my life. Throughout my life, I have been breed and taught to fight offensively and without hesitation. However, today I realized that for all the bravado of my earlier years, I might have put allies at risk of losing their life. Maybe I never took note of my foolish ways because I never had a true companion or friend that I feared to lose.

The battle began weeks ago in a small village east of the Towering Wood and North of Lake Galifar, called Badger Creek. Several weeks prior to our journey, a large predatory creature begun killing horses and farm animals of the small community.

My good friend, Fuddok the druid initiate of the Gatekeepers, Shoraeral, my wolf companion, and I began tracking the creature. Within a few days, we caught its trail and followed its tracks back to its den.

Fuddok had circled west and Shoraeral and I advanced from the east. We got there first and immediately initiated combat with the great Owlbear. The beast was over 10 feet tall and well over a thousand pounds.

Shoraeral attacked first, but the Owlbear caught the wolf and threw him across the opening and broke the wolf’s spine before I even had a chance to attack. I fared no better than Shoraeral. After a few minor hits, the Owlbear trapped me in its arms and began to bite me with its huge beak.

Luckily, Fuddok arrived as I was being beaten to death and caught the beast on fire with a druidic incantation. I was thrown to the ground and I nearly lost conscious. My vision was slipping in and out and I couldn’t even stand using my own strength. As the creature became enflamed, it fled through the forest and Fuddok was able to pull Shoraeral from the clutches of death and provide a few goodberries for myself.

After a few minutes of rest, Fuddok and I chased after the heavily wounded Owlbear to finish our quest. The trail was easy to follow, the beast’s blood led directly to a hidden cave not far from its den. As soon as the beast exited the cave, Fuddok and I took the beast down without any further injuries.

When we walked to the cave’s entrance, a strange eerily feeling came over both of us. We decided to return to Shoraeral and explore the cave in a few days.

A few moments later, we arrived back at the Owlbear’s den and found the remains of an unfortunate adventurer that may have had a run-in with the Owlbear. His armor and weapons were crushed and links from the chain mail were dispersed throughout the brush. However, the remains of the adventurer’s pouch were secure. Within the pouch, there were a few Galifars (gold) and Sovereigns (silver), a single rough gem, and a mysterious disk. As soon as Fuddok inspected the item, he recognized it and bode me to not mention the disk when we arrive in Badger’s Creek.

When we arrived in Badger’s Creek, Fuddok met with Holg and they left for our camp. Shoraeral and I proceeded to the village council member’s residence where we informed him of our good fortune. In addition, we provided the Galifars and Sovereigns that were the remains of the wayward adventurer. I hoped that the money could be used to provide support to the farmers that lost their animals to the awful beast. The shifter councilman, Gurahl, and his wife, Garou, delighted in the good news and treated us to breakfast.

Jacob Welsh - Across the Ocean Blue

2005-05-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

Character: Jacob Welsh

Across the Ocean Blue (1635 - 1658)

April 1, 1658
Port Royal Jamaica

Dear Father,

I knowest that ye and ma be concerned since my hasty departure. Ye should knowest well that I be faring fine.

In the beginning, the ship ride was ghastly. One could never imagine it would be so sickening. Soon I met the ship’s navigator, Master Brooks. Once he learned of my cartographer apprenticeship, he made me the ship’s assistant navigator. No more swabbing the deck for me!

Now, I must discuss more troubling issues. By now it is certain the University of Cambridge has approached ye and threatened to revoke my accolades and impugn our family name. Let it be known, that I didest nothing to dear Jade that she did not openly ask for. Yet, her father still press that I tooketh what wasn’t mine to take. I believeth – and hopeth – that in time, she will cometh to senses and see the uselessness of these trials that benefit none.

I sayest my farewells and I am off to seeth the New World.

Your son,
Jacob Welsh III

Jacob Welsh - History & Timeline

2005-05-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

Character: Jacob Welsh

Setting: Swashbuckling Adventures (D20)
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Nationality: English
Class: Wanderer
Game Host: Brennor's RPG Corner

History & Timeline:
1635 :: Jacob Welsh born in Wales, England (Sep 12)
1642 :: English Civil War begins
1649 :: King Charles I’s surrender and execution
1649 :: Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector, declares England a republic
1652 :: Jacob enrolls at University of Cambridge
1656 :: Jacob departs England (Nov 23)
1657 :: Jacob arrives in Jamaica (May 9)
1658 :: Jacob Welsh (Apr 1, Graffiti, Solo Campaign)

Journal Entries:

Jial Dunek - Graduation

2005-05-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

Character: Jial Dunek

Graduation

I have reached the pinnacle of success for a solider. My father, Commander Indil Dunek of the 68RY brigade, must be proud. Since his youth, he has served under Dark Lord Marka Ragnos and now since the great Sith Lord has passed away our future hangs in the balance between Ludo Kressh and Naga Sadow.

The Council of Ten has not yet decided which of the two Sith Lords will become the Dark Lord. I hope that my talents, which granted me the honor of lead student of the military academy class 0x7d5, would win favor in Naga Sadow’s court, but I have not had any contact with the Sith Lord.

In the academy, I was commissioned and awarded the rank of lieutenant for my stellar performance. In the two years since my graduation, I toiled with little notice among the other miserable and undeserving lieutenants. My unit continued to perform above the standards, but I still remained alongside the others.

However, that changed today. I received a notice that I have been requested to attend a elite recruitment camp for a Sith Lord on Corgamu. My contacts have informed me that Sith Lord Kalo Xin is allied with Ludo Kressh. Over the last few years, Xin has lost power and control of planets in his realm. I believe he needs my help to regain authority and influence with Kressh.

There I will be challenged alongside others of equal value and worth. And in Xin’s house, I will become his greatest warrior and then become even more powerful the Xin.

Jial Dunek - History & Timeline

2005-05-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

Character: Jial Dunek
Setting: Star Wars (Golden Age of the Sith)
Species: Sith
Class: Warrior
Game Host: Brennor's RPG Corner

Jial Dunek History & Timeline:

The Golden Age of The Sith
-5,000 years before battle of Yavin (Eposide 4)
Jial Dunek born on Ziost
Jial Dunek enters Sith military academy
Jail Dunek assigned to Sith Lord Kalo Xin (Shadow of the Storm campaign)

Journal Entries:

Nirus Azeyra - The Eldeen Reaches Years

2005-05-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

Character: Nirus Azeyra

The Eldeen Reaches Years (993 YK - 998YK)

When I arrived in the Eldeen Reaches, the townsfolk were generous and friendly. I was able to enjoy a long and slow ride along the western coast of the Silver Lake and Lake Galifar through a several small farming and fishing towns leading to the largest city of the Reaches, Varna. I stopped at each of the towns to converse with the local druids, rangers, farmers, and fishermen. My respect for the region grew tremendously during that ride and it helped relieve some of the doubts that formed of the Khorvaire people.

In the city of Varna, I became captivated with the stables and the level of respect given to their horses. For several months, I spent days and nights in the stables grooming and training their horses. These stables were finer than any establishment that I had entered since I left Aerenal. Not including the Valenar steeds brought from Aerenal, these are the finest horses of Khorvaire. While working as a hired hand, I learned of the local druid sects of that roam the Towering Wood.

One autumn day, I adventured into the Towering Wood to mediate. There I met, a Half-Orc named Fuddok who came from the Shadow Marshes. Over a campfire, he introduced me to the oldest druid tradition in all of Khorvaire, the Gatekeepers. The purpose of this druid sect is to defend against the horrors of the Dragon Below.

We exchanged stories and I told him of my encounter with the Dolgaunts and other aberrations at Redhearth foundry in Cyre. Then he invited me to return to his group and share the details of this encounter to his Gatekeeper aspirant. During our journey to see his group, I was surprised to meet his animal companion, a crocodile from the marshes, named Holg. It took me several weeks to become comfortable around Holg.

Fuddok, an initiate, explained that each aspirant trains four initiates who then train four hunters. Several days past after I presented my stories to his aspirant, Fuddok requested that I become a hunter and work with him to defend against the darkness. The group was very concerned that my story was the beginning of a full-scale attack that might be the initial release of thousands of aberrations.

The following month, the Day of Morning occurred and solidified their beliefs that the aberrations in my encounter were directly related to the disaster that destroyed Cyre. Some believed Cyre had released the aberrations from below or was betrayed after allying with the evil forces. They attempted to mount an expedition to return to Cyre to inspect the disaster. However, the deep fog and darkness that sat upon Cyre, now called the Mournland, forced the group to return.

Two years later, the Treaty of Thronehold was signed. However, my sect and I were busy hunting and destroying the unnatural beasts that threatened northern Khorvaire. Additionally, Fuddok taught me the skills of rearing a wild animal into a companion and some of the druidic traditions.

During one hunting expedition, that required I leave Mosorelaes safely behind, we encountered a wolf pack being attacked by a group of Dolgrims. The Dolgrims had killed all of the pack and their litters except for a single wolf. Our group was able to overpower the aberrations and save the remaining young wolf.

After several months of training, Fuddok, my group companions, and I were able to train the wolf to help us hunt. I named the wolf Shoraeral, which translates from the Elven words of “white fang.” Since all of the other group members had a companion, I was given the responsibility to protect the wolf.

It has been five years since I left Valenar and my kin and the Redhearth adventure. Sometimes I wonder what happened to the remaining members of the Redhearth group. I feel that some might have died serving Cyre or on the Day of Mourning. I do not know...

Nirus Azeyra - Along the Rail at Midnight

2005-05-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

Character: Nirus Azeyra
Campaign: Along the Rail at Midnight

Along the Rail at Midnight Campaign (993 YK – 993 YK)

I entered the Cyre capital of Metrol with my weapons, armor, and clothing concealed and my cowl pulled tightly over my face. Soon thereafter, I found a Khorvaire elf living in Metrol. This elf had lived in Cyre for nearly 300 years and had very little knowledge of Aerenal. In exchange for a stories of Aerenal and Tairnadal and our shared Xen’drik history, he helped me understand the basic Cyre traditions and how society operates in Khoravaire. In addition, he showed me where to find work.

I knew that Gaerath would have never betrayed an ally and during the escape I vowed to rejoin the ranks of Cyre. The first assignment that I received came as an inconspicuous note bearing the Cyre military seal.

A few days later I followed the instructions and arrived at the mission briefing. I donned a disguise to mask my heritage and temporarily entrusted my Tairnadal double scimitar to my friend. My elven friend had warned that without the disguise I wouldn’t be allowed to enter. He stated that the Cyre military still held a lingering resentment against the Tairnadal, now known as Valenar.

At my initial inspection of the Cyre captain, I began to feel the pain that the war has caused to the human nations. This encounter and his expressions were far removed from the military strategy meetings held by my previous war clan and war band. I realized that these humans were so young compared to the longer-lived races. In fact, this Cyre captain was born during the war and had never known or seen peace. He was just a child when my ancestors betrayed his kin and ceased to be allies in the war. Through deeper introspection, I saw how it was possible that his parents, him, and his children, and even his children’s children could die during the same war.

It was at this point that I began to contemplate futility of war. These thoughts went drastically against all that I had learned and was taught by my teachers. However, it would be many years before I would see the truth about the nature of this war. I had made a commitment to try to regain Cyre’s trust and respect among my kin, so I accepted the mission.

The assignment given by the captain led myself onto a Lighting Rail as an escort for a secret Cyre project. After a few uneventful days, the lead rail cars were ambushed by a group of goblin assassins and bugbears. Once that situation was resolved, the train was ambushed yet again by elite troops from a warring country. Luckily, the group and the charge were able to defend off the attack and escape from the train before it plummeted into a deep canyon. A small army demolished the bridge that spanned the canyon and waited to recover the charge from the train crash.

After narrowly escaping the third ambush, we traveled to a Cyre outpost. This outpost gave us a few supplies and horses, so that we could continue the journey. I had been away from Valenar for only a few months, but the separation from my horse torn on my emotions. I knew he would be taken well of, for there are no better horsemen on Eberron than my kin. So I was delighted when a steed was given to me. I named the Cyre horse Mosorelaes, which loosely translates from Elven as “Spirit Runner”.

The group members were a strange bunch and like nothing I had ever been associated with. It was my first encounter with shifters, warforged, and kalashtar. There were also a couple of humans and even a female human.

Shortly after arriving at our destination, we were relieved of responsibility and told to leave the compound. From a few hundred feet away from the entrance, we saw an airship arrive with knights that disembarked and began to attack the compound. At first, I believed they were attacking the Cyre foundry. Then I noticed the beasts that were coming out of the compound. Those beasts were aberrations and the knights were attacking them.

I do not remember what happened to the remainder of the group. I believe they fled as the d’Deneith bodyguard had suggested after being told of the Captain’s demise. All fled, except for I. I turned and rode directly into combat and fought off a few of the aberrations alongside the knights.

After the battle, I discovered the knights where from Thrane and they were of a new religious sect that was called the Silver Flame. Since I had no direct association with Cyre, they allowed me to depart if I vowed to continue my journey northward and not rejoin the Cyre forces.

I remember this as a crucial moment in my life. I was turning my back on war, albeit a pointless war. My instincts told me to refute the order and rejoin Cyre forces. Luckily, I realized that one person could not stop this continental conflict and nothing I could ever do could restore the ties between the Valenar and Cyre peoples. Finally, I considered that I could gain more glory for my ancestor in more honorable confrontations than continue this war. So I agreed on my ancestor’s glory and my honor to not rejoin Cyre forces and to continue northwards.

Nirus Azeyra - From Birth to Valenar

2005-05-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Character: Nirus Azeyra

From Birth to Valenar (858 YK - 992 YK)

The Tairnadal elves dedicate their lives to the memories of their martial ancestors, gaining glory in this life by emulating - and thus serving as vessels for - the heroes of ages past. At birth, the Keepers of the Past read the signs to determine which hero has chosen the child.

Gaerath Mylvl chose me. My patron was renowned as one of the deadliest bladedancers of Xen’drik and a legendary tracker. Over 39,000 years ago, a story tells of Gaerath tracking a powerful and influential giant across the entire continent of Xen’drik and returning with its severed head months later. This incident is also told to have been one of the catalysts of the rebellion against the giants.

Gaerath was also known for his sense of honor and compassion, traits that were all too rare in the last days of the war against the giants. Stealth has always been a weapon of the Tairnadal, and Daerath was willing to ambush enemy warriors. But he showed mercy to captives and would not allow poisoning of wells or similar tactics, and he never broke his word even when given to a giant. These qualities of Gaerath are which I have attempted to emulate over the years.

After the elves migrated to Aerenal, Gaerath taught the others how to hunt and track for food. Additionally, Gaerath taught respect the land and its creatures and to only take what is necessary. Many of the Tairnadal did not and continue to not understand Gaerath’s compassion, sense of honor, and respect for nature. As I was raised in my war band, I was ridiculed because the seemingly weaknesses of my ancestor. Even today as many of the Tairnadal has settled in the lands of Valenar, most find Gaerath’s traits of honor and compassion as weaknesses.

M family chose the Tairnadal double scimitar as my birth present. Today, this weapon has become connected with the Valenar raiding bands that patrol the Blade Desert. I wielded this weapon throughout my youth and schooling in Aerenal. While I completed my training as a scout in Aerenal, the majority of my warclan left for Khorvaire, at the request of the Cyre Queen, and allied with Cyre. Shortly after the alliance was formed, the Tairnadal betrayed Cyre and founded Valenar. At this time, I was called to join my warclan on Khorvaire.

During my time in Valenar, I was stationed at a sentry post on the edge of the Blade Desert and Talenta Plains. For many decades, I contemplated the war at the silent outpost and I could not understand Shaeras Vadallia logic in betraying Cyre. I hated how the humans perceived us as wicked for turning our backs on them. For these decades of duty, my unit focused continued to focus on perfecting scouting techniques and combat skills.

My outpost saw combat once in those decades. The incident happened when I was away on patrol. Roaming Valenar Calvary raiders had captured a Cyre caravan and brought them to our outpost for transfer to Taer Valaestas as prisoners of war. These prisoners would be sent to work the farms that fed the Valenar troops.

A few days later, I learned that the caravan was crossing the plains to reach Gatherhold on the opposite side of Lake Cyre from our outpost. Among those captured were several Cyre citizens and one noble. None of which were heavily armed. In fact, only a few had poorly crafted swords.

Before the captives were to be transported to Taer Valaestas, I became infuriated at how the Valenar treated them. I requested the prisoners be released and allowed to pass through the desert. Consequentially, I was promptly rebuked and ordered away. Later that night, I slipped past the guards and unlocked their chains. Quickly and silently, I led the Cyre captives over the desert dunes where I had previously positioned their captured horses. We traveled a week to reach the outskirts of the Cyre city of Gatherhold. We were fortunate that the Valenar hadn’t pursued us.

Far outside the gates of Gatherhold, the noble gave me a token and told me to wait on the shore a few miles away. Later that day, a boat arrived and carried me to Metrol where I began a new life.

Nirus Azeyra - History & Timeline

2005-05-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

Character: Nirus Azeyra
Setting: Eberron (D&D)
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Region: Tairnadal (Valenar)
Class: Ranger
Game Host: Brennor's RPG Corner

Nirus Azeyra History & Timeline:

Age of Giants
-39,554 YK : Gaerath Mylvl born in Xen’drik
-39,238 YK : Gaerath Mylvl tracks a giant leader and beheads it, Elven rebellion begins
-39,000 YK : Elves flee to island-continent of Aerenal

Age of Monsters
-38,812 YK : Gaerath Mylvl dies in Aerenal

Current Age
858 YK : Nirus Azeyra born in northern Aerenal (Valaes Tairn)
894 YK : Last War begins
934 YK : Cyre requests aid from the Valaes Tairn (Aerenal mercenaries)
934 YK : (Dravago 3rd, 934 YK). Day of Ashes This was the first major encounter between the Brelish army and the Valenar (in the service of Cyre).
966 YK : Aerenal mercenaries annex southern Cyre and declare the sovereignty of the elf nation to Valenar.
970 YK : Nirus Azeyra arrives in Valenar (112 years old)
992 YK : Nirus Azeyra leaves Valenar (132 years old)
993 YK : Nirus Azeyra begins mercenary service for Cyre (Along the Rail at Midnight campaign)
993 YK : Nirus Azeyra travels to Eldeen Reaches
994 YK : (Olarune 20^th) Cyre is destroyed; the Mournland is created.
996 YK : The Treaty of Thronehold officially ends the Last War.
998 YK : Nirus Azeyra (Eldeen Reaches, 140 years old)

Journal Entries:

From Birth to Valenar (858 - 992 YK)

Along The Rail At Midnight (994 YK, Campaign entry)

The Eldeen Reaches Years (993 - 998 YK)

Eldeen Reaches - Part 1 (998 YK, Solo Campaign)

Eldeen Reaches - Part 2 (998 YK, Solo Campaign)

Eldeen Reaches - Part 3 (998 YK, Solo Campaign)

The Gatekeeper (998 YK, Campaign entry)

Artwork:

Nirus by WANNA_bee

Game Links

2005-03-03T19:25:00.000-08:00

Dungeons & Dragons
Eberron

Traveling via Lighting Rail - Times, Distances, and Cost
Shows departure times, distances, and cost for traveling using the Lighting Rail across Khorvaire.

Traveling via Road - Times, Distances, and Cost
Shows traveling times for various modes of travel, distances, and cost for purchasable transportation.

Maps of Eberron
Image and PDF maps of Khorvaire, Aerenal, and the world of Eberron.

Eberron Khorvaire Poster Map (Wizards of the Coast)
A full-sized poster map of the continent of Khorvaire on Eberron

Eberron World and Planar Calendar Utility (Wizards of the Coast)
Shows charts to determine the location of planes are on any given date and the phases of the moon. Also, you can print a calendar for use in campaigns.

Art Links
Art Gallery Archive (Wizards of the Coast)
Some great PC portraits and pictures from WotC books.