Play By Post: DDO EXPANDED

[EdsanDarkbane]

This thread will continue scenario 1.

You may choose any class/race up to level 3. No restrictions. If your character has a spell list and/or a feat or mechanical expression you are going for include it in your message. Please message me these details. I want your experience to be out of this world!

I post a story synopsis, first and then setup the first scene for the party.

Good Luck!

[EdsanDarkbane]

After a brief discussion, I agree that players may introduce a side character if they choose.

However, after the initial post, I will assume control of whatever side character is produced.

If there is a story arc you imagine let.me.know in a message!

[mrfantastic1]

I am still playing Engal Azu(formerly named, Itax Astrala)?

I don't know what my class or abilities are.

[EdsanDarkbane]

This is a short synopsis::;

The highlights: Adventurer Itax Astrala wrongfully accused of murder he flees Regalport, aboard a disguised Bloodsail Ship, Captained by an elf named Thail.

Escape assured, Thail.asks Itax to deliver a red box with white elf script, to a Crabbers Wharf warehouse.

Arrival on Saltmarsh with the box in hand sees Itax ostracized from town.

hexblade/pact of the blade warlock, Itax Astrala, Completes a Contract with the Raven Queen.

Itax meets Min Le Vel Trey, an apparent shifter Ranger and Half Orc Orza Moon Druid Gatekeeper.

Itax is told by Captain Thail, that he is related to Erandis Vol and he is invited to participate in the "Melding"

The group of three is ambushed. Itax trades his Contract with his patron for a new reality--One where he can save his friends.

The group attacked by the Poison Dusk and the Bloodsails, retreat to their home.base to plan the next step.

Hope this works! Can't wait to see how this next adventure goes!

[EdsanDarkbane]

Orza's arm casually around Min's shoulders. The two smiled at each other, the rays of the sun seemed to spotlight their affection.

The road is empty except for the three friends. Engal Azu, Orza, and Min. Three days had been enough for Engal to adjust to his new body. It was enough time for recovery.

A decision must be made. They still possessed the Bloodsail Box marked for delivery to Erandis Vol.

The Poison Dusk's involvement in the ambush that almost killed Min, was of equal importance and alarm. Why would a Demon Overlord ally with the Blood of Vol? Are they allies?

And Engal Azu's sacrifice, weighed on Min and Orza.

The revelation that Engal was the product of Vol's attempt to breed an Apex Dragonmark is a lot for anyone to process. To also know that an evil Lich Sister wanted to reunite to perform a "Melding". What even is a Melding?

It turns out that Engal also bargained out of his contact with his former Patron, The Raven Queen.

So much. So Much. Too much.

"Hey!" Orza's green Forearm rolled against Min's shoulder snapping her out of a day dream.

"We'll get to the bottom of all this. Remember we aren't alone, The Gatekeepers are not as many as they once were, but hey! They have me and you!". Orza leaned low and kissed Min's cheek.

Engal smiled. Walking next to his new friends, nothing could be better. He mindlessly, looked at his hands, rolling them back and around. The Black Scales are invisible now thanks to the last gift of the Raven Queen, his black roped, Talon necklace.

The illusion was just that. To any onlooker, Engal appeared to be an ordinary elf. He laughed as he remembered seeing his new Elf form. Min said he was more concerned about the illusionary red hair more than the fact that his Black Hair was adorned with horns!

The size difference will take practice. Engal's awakened Half Dragon form made him larger than an Orc. The illusion that gave him an elf form did not adjust any of his new physicalities.

He shook any dark thoughts, and smiled at his friends again.

Just after midday the sun is still high in the blue sky of Saltmarsh.

First stop was the Snapping Line Inn. A hot fresh meal.

They crossed the bridge bringing them into the outskirts of the town.

[EdsanDarkbane]

The buildings of Saltmarsh stretched alongside the harbor. The businesses, dock administration building a closest to the water. Various size residential homes dotted the further reaches following the rise of a large hill.

The smell of the town dump, wafted over the trio. The dump was further up and out, over a small rise.

Uneventful Orza, Min, and Engal, stared in the direction of the dump as they passed close to the rise that blocked the dump from view of the town.

Min heard the feet, and alerted the others, "Fast incoming!" Min drew her longsword from its sheathe on her back. She exchanged a quick look with Orza and she took a surprise post along the small hill.

Orza stood himself straight up. Making himself as imposing as possible. His right hand holding his Staff in military pose. His left hand, resting on his hip, secretly close to his reagent bag.

The sound was discernable as running feet. Grunts and the sounds of effort grew louder.

Cresting the hill a dwarf performing the characteristic waddle run known only to be used in great need. Upon seeing the Half Orc, it raised his open palms and seemed to be throwing his empty hands forward.

"Blast! It's going to Blast!". Straight passed Min, around Engal and into the ditch on the roadside.

The dwarf covered his ears with his hands closed his eyes as tightly as possible While pointing his face down. Nothing happened.

Still.

No blast

No boom. Not even a pop. The realization that blast was occurring brought a concern look over the kneeling dwarf. He looked up from the ditch staring at Engal and Orza. Both looked confused. The dwarf alarmed.

"Guys" Mins voice traveled across the road. She maintained her position of surprise.

Was it wet sounding? Was the screaming coming from a human or humanoid? The beast covered the sun with its shape.

A large round shape, long tentacles twisted and played in the open air.

Orza and Engal alternated looking at the large creature and back to the dwarf.

"Oh" the dwarf gulped and stood, his body still mostly covered the ditch. "O" he tri d again, he seemed to be fighting his own mouth. "Ohh" the gurgle of anger clear in his informed word. His lips smacked together and he fought to open his mouth.

The dwarf leaped from the ditch to the road pulled up one sleeve, set his furious face and marched intentionally toward the creature.

"Aw tee U!" Orza warned. The three watched as the dwarf seemed determined to feed himself to the aberration.

Engal's sense's were out of his control. The dwarf walked past him, the dwarf was all serious. The dwarf's unkempt green hair spilled from the sides and back of a large pointed hat that flopped and bounced with every movement.

The green seemed to glow. Engal shook his head. His head hurt. Was it coming from the Otyugh?

Blast it! Blast that Tiefling shopkeeper! Straight from hell that one is! The dwarf laughed at his own thoughts. No one pulls a fast one on Oddie Blast! In this moment Oddwick Bon Veno, swore he would have his due from Shak Gelo, Tiefling Owner of the Perfectionist's Alchemy, Arcano, Engineering Supply. This was the last time! The Tiefling was literally getting him killed!

The sound of his runearm fully charged, was his queue.

The dwarf's boots boomed and a dust cloud appeared as Oddie Bon Veno flailed high through the air above the Otyugh.

Click, Clink, Zzzt, bbbbrrrrrppppuuppupp.

The sound was clearly coming from the Otyugh's stomach.

"Blast!". The falling dwarf finally spoke.

The explosion was perfectly timed to send the dwarf backwards through the air and down the hill.

One second Oddie was staring at the angry ugly aberration, and the next his ears were shell shocked while his eyes took in the sun and the sky.

Landing on his back was going to hurt. He should build Hard Back Landing Device. His thoughts always of the next invention.

Orza and Engal exchanged concerned looks as the dwarf sailed towards them. They scrambled to catch the green haired dwarf.

Orza planted his feet wide and lowers his center arms stretched wide anticipating.

Engal slid below Orza's arms and braces himself against the ground.

"OOMMF" Orza's breath left him he strained from the impact.

"HUHHHH" Engal's lungs emptied by dwarf's landing. The three rolled and tangled in a cloud of dust.