Talons PBeM

Welcome to the Talons PBeM. We couldn't very well not play D&D while our DM was out of the country! See the character journals elsewhere on this site to find out what happened before and after the PBeM.

Charactersplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigCast of Characters

Albatross is pretty bad with names, so here's a quick reference of the characters who have appeared in the game. The names that Albatross calls people are given in italics, while the real names and descriptions are given in normal text.: The cast of characters, complete with proper names omitted from Albatross' journal.

Talons: The main page for the Wrath of the Talons D&D campaign.

Turns

Talons PBeM 1: Let the Game Beginplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 1: Let the Game Begin

6/30/04

DM

As he wipes the blood from his knuckles, Li, along with Hurricane and Dancing Albatross, look at the still forms of the three Cult Guards at their feet. Hurricane looks up the tunnel they had just entered and opines that
Talons PBeM 2: Flight of the Talonsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 2: Flight of the Talons

7/2/04

DM

You look among yourselves hurriedly for extra weapons, and curse what you find; only the arms Bokuden took off the Sentry he and Albatross killed, and three swords and bows taken from the Guards vanquished by the Talons. Bokuden gives his Dai-kyo to a former Shou militia man, Li surrenders his Sling to a Strongheart Halfling, Hurricane a throwing dagger, and Albatross reluctantly gives up his staff to a man who claims to be from the Dales. Unfor…
Talons PBeM 3: The Unknown Campsiteplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 3: The Unknown Campsite

7/3/04

DM

[OOC: I forgot about Essethra´s Ring of Sustanence. I think the new shift order should be 1st Bokuden and Toben, 2nd Essethra and Li and 3rd Essethra and Hurricane. That way Bokuden gets his beauty sleep, and we always have a competant Scout. And no Christian, I don´t have Essie´s PC sheet
Talons PBeM 4: Campsiteplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 4: Campsite

7/3/04

DM

Bokuden sizes up the man before him, and it does not take long to realize that from his bearing and the way he nervously fidgets when he sees your Katana, he is but a novice in the ways of war...no better than a town guardsman starting out.
Talons PBeM 5: Deniedplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 5: Denied

7/5/04

DM

Bokuden and Essethra break bread with the trappers, which includes some coarse but passable ham and some of the Bitter Bean, which Bokuden finds a bit bland for his palatte but quite rejuvenating in the early morn. Essethra makes a show of enjoying the rolls, then takes the rest of the meal and, turning around a bit, folds it into a rag and allows it to disappear into her robes. The meat will be a welcome respite from Toben´s bland mana and water for some of …
Talons PBeM 6: Li's Expositionplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 6: Li's Exposition

7/5/04

Dancing Albatross

“Empty Hand, I would speak with you.” Lee nodded to Albatross and followed him to what he believed to be an unnecesarrily distant location. He was well used to this kind of thing from the paranoid mage. When they could only hear the camp as a remote whisper, Dancing Albatross stopped and turned to face Lee. He spoke as if reciting a memorized speach, which, in fact, it probably was.
Talons PBeM 7: Boulder Crossingplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 7: Boulder Crossing

7/7/04

DM

As the Infiltrator and the Empty Hand, the party´s stealthier members, sneak up to the tree line to observe the boulders [the tree line is roughly 50 feet from the first line of boulders and logs], Bokuden, Toben and Dancing Albatross move the freed prisoners quietly back downstream
Talons PBeM 8: The "battle" for Arabat's Fordplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 8: The "battle" for Arabat's Ford

7/9/04

DM

“Bokuden,” Li begins, “I agree to your plan. Hurricane and I will use Sakai´s Silenced stone to move unseen across the river. If they decide they would rather fight then parley, we shall lay the Empty Hand of Righteousness upon them and waylay the men on the side of the river furthest from you. Essethra, go with Bokuden as a show of force.hopefully we can dissuade combat, and our chances will be much better if they see two hardened ad…
Talons PBeM 9: Under the Watchful Eye of Yulashplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 9: Under the Watchful Eye of Yulash

7/12/04

DM

The party, having reached the road to Yulash and Voonlar, discusses what to do

Toben: “UhhhI don´t think I would be the best choice for entering town. The Zhentarim are, after all, an EVIL organization and the Morninglord is at his core a being of goodness. They would spot me a mile away.
Talons PBeM 10: In From the Coldplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 10: In From the Cold

7/12/04

DM

“That eighty gold will include the cart, of course. We would also like a dozen two-yard planks of wood, a twenty-five yard roll of canvas, and one hundred feet of rope, all of which can be put in the cart. Can you provide these?
Talons PBeM 11: The Journey to Voonlarplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 11: The Journey to Voonlar

7/15/04

DM

Hurricane and Bokuden, still crouched, listen quietly as the four riders make their way back to Yulash. For some time afterwards, you still feel as though you can hear the echoes of hoof on turf.
Talons PBeM 12: Safetyplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 12: Safety

7/16/04

DM

[I have to say, this has been the best set of responses I´ve received so far...keep up the good work!]

The party in agreement, rather than risk a confrontation with the Zhents and appear threatening they unhitch and abandon the wagon (taking as much of the bison meat as they can carry) then the caravan slowly files in to the dense woods. Though the forest itself is dark and foreboding, and you spend most of the afternoon being pelted by rain filtering down t…
Talons PBeM 13: Eliminster of Shadowdaleplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 13: Eliminster of Shadowdale

7/19/04

DM

As the party makes its way into the farming community of Shadowdale, some of the peasants pull away in worry, and after a few moments three riders in Full Plate stop the party and its followers short of entering the town.
Talons PBeM 14: The Knights of Myth Drannorplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 14: The Knights of Myth Drannor

7/20/04

DM

OOC: Sorry Dustin forgot about Sakai´s mind reading in my haste. Sakai notices mostly quizzical concern at the 100 people weaving their way into Shadowdale. The minds of the riders appear to be closed to him.their Will is too strong.
Talons PBeM 15: Storming Myth Drannorplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 15: Storming Myth Drannor

7/22/04

DM

OOC Note: If you are going to reply to a post, please try and wrap all comments into one e-mail. This makes them easier to go throughthree instead of 6. I usually write all my thoughts out in a Word document, then cut and paste. That being said
Talons PBeM 16: Crypt Encounterplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 16: Crypt Encounter

7/27/04

DM

As the skeletal creature descends, most of the party is too surprised to react. Sakai sets his spear for a charge as a sling appears from Li´s belt. The sling stone flies past the creature´s head, and it descends straight toward Bokuden, where it savagely tears at his left shoulder with its foreclaw and abdomen with both hind claws (23 damage). Sakai´s spear reaches up to meet its advance before it can get to Bokuden, but misses badly. As Bokuden…
Talons PBeM 17: The Interrogationplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 17: The Interrogation

8/2/04

DM

Dancing Albatross stands over the still form of the fallen creature and wonders aloud: “I've never seen anything like this. What could be the use of such magic?” Thinking back to his long lessons on arcane magic under the tutelage of Sensei, the Arcanist reasons that this was likely an invisibility incantation or effect that was only half successful, and says as much to his companions.
Talons PBeM 18: Holes Filled Inplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 18: Holes Filled In

8/2/04

DM

As Bokuden sheaths his katana and works his way across the cavern, Toben lets out a sharp sigh of relief that almost comes out in a whistle, while Li gives a worried look at Bokuden´s back as he disappears into the tunnel from whence the Young Red appeared in the last battle here.
Talons PBeM 19: The Unexpected Direction... and a Partingplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 19: The Unexpected Direction... and a Parting

8/9/04

DM

Bokuden´s search of the young dragon´s lair is fruitless, save a few token gold pieces (8) which he aimlessly picks up from the floor. He returns to the mouth of the passage, and detects the subtle shuffling of foot on earth. When he hits the passage mouth, Bokuden thinks he can hear someone shuffling off to hi rightit´s Li, trying as innocently as he can to make his way back to the rest of the adventurers. A mystery for …
Talons PBeM 20: Travelingplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 20: Traveling

8/9/04

DM

That last night in Myth Drannor is one of fitful rest for all. Albatross, once he has finished his conversation with Bokuden, gets precious little sleep as he works his way through the near-abandoned Keep, going through drawers, looking under straw pallets, and running his hands along the walls in the hope of finding secret doors he knows he´s not competent enough to find. Bokuden, deep in thought after his conversation with Albatross, makes his way acros…
Talons PBeM 21: Bokuden: Battle Plansplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 21: Bokuden: Battle Plans

8/12/04

DM

Akahito (in Shou): “Ahh,yes Bokuden. They have progressed mightily in the past 3 10-days. There are around 250 able-bodied Shou, and I have found 5 or 6 trustworthy lieutenants to train them in the ways of the pole-arm, sword, and dai-kyo. They are out every morning at dawn for the morning regimen, and they should only be coming in now.
Talons PBeM 22: Bokuden: Battle Answersplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 22: Bokuden: Battle Answers

8/14/04

DM

“From what straggling survivors have told us, we estimate one Giant or Giant-Kin for every two humans we propose to send. There were orcs in the invading army as well.”

“I have learned from Cormyrian geographers that the lands to the west of the Storm Horns are in fact a valley, or more properly a basin. To the East sit the Storm Horns and the Cormyrian fortress High Horn and to the West, the Sunset Mountains and the Zhent fortress, Darkho…
Talons PBeM 23: The Journey to Scardaleplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 23: The Journey to Scardale

8/15/04

DM

Albatross looks disapprovingly at Li's horse, and hopes that the Empty Hand's self-denial does not slow them down.

“I know it does not look like much, Albatross, but I must thank Hurricane for letting me borrow this noble steed. It will still be faster than either Hurricane or I could travel on foot, and less taxing on our endurance.
Talons PBeM 24: The Requestplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 24: The Request

8/16/04

DM

“Indeed it is. I too have felt ill-equipped for the chill. I will make it a priority to purchase some warmer clothes for the Winter. But, with your leave, I wish first to see your army and meet your lieutenants.
Talons PBeM 25: The Journey to Ethdarplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 25: The Journey to Ethdar

8/18/04

DM

“Have you any idea who would do this, Toben. Surely you have made enemies during your travels abroad, but none who would dare attempt something so bold. In fact, when I think of the kidnapping itself, I can think of few who would possess the ability to accomplish the task. Your estate was guarded as usual, was it not? Were any of your guards slain? How could someone infiltrate your manor and leave carrying the body of your father?
Talons PBeM 26: Essethra Interviews a Mercenaryplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 26: Essethra Interviews a Mercenary

8/18/04

DM

Thoughts on strategy:

Hurricane and Li sit in a circle, with both men oblivious (or ignoring) Albatross´ frequent darting glances left, right and behind him. Li speaks what he believes to be wisdom.
Talons PBeM 27: Ethdar's Towerplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 27: Ethdar's Tower

8/19/04

DM and Bokuden

[OOC: Chris and I did a little role-playing over IM this evening and he asked that I post it all now that we have finished up. Looks like there is a combat on the horizon which we will wrap up on Sunday evening. But without further ado here is a second person view of what happened after Bokuden wakes in the town of Ethdar.]
Talons PBeM 28: The Mysterious Assailantplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 28: The Mysterious Assailant

8/22/04

DM

“Eighty days, if our path is smooth and simple, and we encounter no trouble on the way. I think we will have to make use of magic if we don't want to give the Enemy more time than necesarry.”
Talons PBeM 29: DM Post Disappearedplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 29: DM Post Disappeared

8/26/04

DM

So it appears DM post 26b never made it to anybody...rather than spend another two hours writing it (didn´t back it up, of course) let me recap:

-Albatross gets hit with another set of missiles, but Essethra makes it to him and heals him.
Talons PBeM 30: Final PBeM Postplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 30: Final PBeM Post

9/01/04

DM

DM Post the Last: A Voyage Awaits.

Dancing Albatross and Essethra effortlessly land near the other Talons and Sakai, who have now surrounded their two captives. Sakai grabs the fighter-type by the ankle, and heals him just enough to keep him from falling unconscious.
Talons PBeM 31: The Confrontationplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTalons PBeM 31: The Confrontation

8/18/04

Dancing Albatross

The night was a particularly dark one when, for the first time, Albatross appeared alone to Essethra. Even with her supernatural hearing, she didn't notice him until he was a couple dozen feet away. If he were the type to care about such things, one would think he had planned this moment, right down to the thick branches above, and the cloud cover that blocked out what little moonlight there was left, and the fire in the distance be…
Discussing Essethraplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigDiscussing Essethra

3/24/04

Empty Hand, Infiltrator... I would like your assistance in carrying out a... a test. There may come a time, somewhere on the island, where we will have to split up. When this happens, you should go off with the priest and leave me alone with the woman. But do not go far
Rescuing Stornplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigRescuing Storn

10/30/04

Storn

First, Storn's description and gear, after all you did see it in its entirety:

The emotional dwarf you just freed from prison stands approximately four and half feet tall. His fiery red beard hangs wildly over his hairy chest, in complete disarray from tendays of interrogation. His busy eyebrows, the same color as his beard, partially mask his brown eyes which would otherwise give away his intelligence. His rugged frame (even for a dwarf) complete with a thick c…

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Roleplaying Resources

The Wrath of the Talons

Summer PBeM

Talons PBeM

Turns