[A Note on Notes]
Here we see Yisi and Valea venturing out into the world beyond the monastery. Sure they have taken a few trips into Mosstone in the past for supplies, but they were always accompanied by Adepts on those trips. Today they are on their own to begin a long journey (well… long for them anyway…).
In this scene, we meet Nim and Norli Bragos (oh.. And Tronk). Norli takes an unsual liking to the couple and outfits them with some enchanted clothing. The Bragos Twins will return at some point… Nim is a merchant with a reputation for being able to locate (and trade) special items.
We also meet a small band of Half-Orcs claiming to be “Cyrics Cudgel”… a cult dedicated to bringing back the Church of Cyric. They are also a bit isolationist, allowing only Orc kin membership. Why is unclear, perhaps we will find out later. Really they are just bandits and bullies wanting to pillage other folk. At any rate… they will be biting off more than than can chew. Perhaps they will learn their lesson and ensure they have better numbers next time…
I’m not sure if Cyrics Cudgel will ever become a serious threat… or just occasional opportunity for comic relief… Maybe perhaps one of our PC characters will have reason to despise Cyric and his church – and maybe Cyrics Cudgel will kidnap and ransom some key NPC which a Warden Shield will need to rescue.
Credit Notes
I am playing and writing in a world not of my creation. I owe credit to those creative minds which inspire my own creativity and enjoyment. May their effort and imagination be rewarded in full.
Adventure Design
The basic idea of the quest I am using for Cycle One: Shield of the Everwelde came from the published adventure, “Mystery Under The Monastery” by James Floyd Kelly and Goodman Games. I have changed a lot, as is the Dungeon Masters perogative, but Trayban Monastery and the problems beneath it sparked the idea for Treyvigg Monastery and I want to ensure credit is shared.
Ed Greenwood is owed credit for the Sword Coast of Faerun and much of what an adventurer such as myself might encounter there.
Wizards of the Coast is owed credit for Dungeons and Dragons – Fifth Edition. I firmly believe they deserve both creative and legal credit for the game structure and mechanics and even the containers such as Stat Blocks which make the game a joy. Many of the characters, settings and storylines I play within are their creative property. I officially recognize this and express gratitude for it.
Fandom Wiki is a tremendous source of lore for playing within the Forgotten Realms. I link out to it extensively and I hope readers will benefit as much as I have from the resource.
OGL & SRD
To the best of my ability, this site conforms to the the Open Game License (OGL) and 5E Systems Reference Document (SRD). Exceptions are “homebrew” and “house rule” customizations. Nothing posted on this site is intended for commercial publishing. It is a mere blend of Solo Gameplay and Fan Fiction
Fan Fiction Disclaimer
The Wardens of Heroes Gates is essentially fan fiction. By no means am I attempting to tread upon any copyright or property rights. As far as I can tell, the content I use in this blog is covered under Fair-use.
[A Note on Notes]
We start with Yisi and Valea in Song Moon Temple. They have been called by one of the senior Teachers of the monastery. He has a mission for them… replenish his wine. It is a journey to the Small Teeth mountains to get the specific wine, but their teacher has something else in mind – progressing their training.
At this monastery, the first ten years of training will progress a student from Novice to Potential Adept. In 5E character terms… Levels 1-3. At Potential Adept, students begin to take on assignments and expeditions outside of the temple, as directed by their Teachers. The Potential must face the real world and its significant challenges in order to reach Adept (5E Level 5).
Each Potential must also begin exploring their creative calling. The martial skill must be balanced in the Potential else they fail to progress, or worse, fall into a brutal character. The savage Potential will not progress to Adept until they can balance out their aggression with art.
Yisi has known for some time that wordplay would be his art. At some point he developed a love of beauty and became fascinated with Sune. He has not, and would not turn his back on Tel’Aestar as the source of life and love, but the Lady Firehair has his attention as the source of beauty. Yisi’s intent is to become a poet, exemplifiying beauty through the written word. There is a trap for him however… he will be tempted to fall into a vain character, which may be worse than a brutal one.
Valea on the other hand, does not know what art she would pursue. She tells her teacher that her “martial prowess will be her art”. Yet she must find balance there. Valea will develop her own forms (like Whispering Fang) that appear as dance and yet have martial application. So she is not being stubborn… “martial prowess” is indeed the creative calling to offset the savage within.
I feel Teacher Solomvar needs more attention. I want him to be a very endearing character. Authoritative and exceedingly wise, but also humorous and light-hearted. Perhaps he is the teacher of Flowing Force – it fits with the idea I have for him.
The basic idea of the Way of Flowing Force is to take the common Monk feats (Flurry of Blows, Deflect Missles, etc) and enhance them. Graceful relaxed movement leads to increased power. Very Tai Chi in essence. I want Teacher Solomvar to exemplify this power from flow.