Tag Archives: The Made

The Choice of Steel

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The night forest is shadowed in the soft glow of lamplight and Alexis’ magical light, revealing old trees, dead bodies, and pools of blood. In the center Alexis stands amidst his weary but resilient team. Their faces are etched with concern and anticipation. Gustav stands slightly apart, clutching a simple dagger with a look of stubborn defiance.

ALEXIS
(seriously, addressing the group)
“This isn’t just about a choice of weapons. It’s about understanding the weight of our decisions, especially when they put others at risk.”

Alexis looks over the group, capturing their post-battle adrenaline-state, Ethelred’s post-battle dread, and highlighting their reliance on each other for survival.

ALEXIS(CONT’D)
(firmly)
“We’re in this together. Choosing a dagger over a magic sword, in the face of bow-wielding orcs no less, it’s not just a personal mistake. It’s a risk to every single life in this camp.”

Alexis walks over to Ethelred, wiping off some of the blood running down Ethelred’s armor and looking at it on his fingers, his voice softening as he turns back to Gustav.

ALEXIS(CONT’D)
(softly)
“Gus, your bravery isn’t in question here. But bravery without wisdom is folly. We needed that sword, not just for its power, but for the protection it would offer us all.”

He steps closer to Gustav, looking into his eyes, searching for understanding.

ALEXIS(CONT’D)
(gently)
“Every choice we make in our crusade against the Dark Hand has consequences. Today, it was a close call. Tomorrow, it might not be.”

A moment of silence fills the room as Gustav stubbornly meets Alexis’ gaze.

ALEXIS(CONT’D)
(curiously, with a hint of something else)
“So, I have to ask… Gus, why? Why choose the dagger over the sword and put Red in dire peril? What was it that you saw in this choice that we didn’t?”

Gustav, looks down at the dagger in his hand, then back up at Alexis. The rest of the team looks on with curiosity.

The Dead Weeping God

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6

Sometime in the two weeks after Utiog has been defeated. The group has gathered at the inn to discuss and share.

“I’ve been thinking about the nature of The Dead God. The one who wanders She-Who-Is-Fierce’s hunting ground.
‘He mourns and weeps and is quite unseemly’
Gnolls enslaved by the Dark Hand are trying to find the last of Him.
He weeps because of an ancient wound that is fed with blood daily. This wound is feasted on by The Made… or possibly whomever made The Made.”

“Have I overlooked or forgotten anything about this dead, weeping god?”

Playing to Strengths Against The Brutes

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5

During the downtime, while healing and hunting for food on north side of the western twin. While everyone is rested, Alexis addresses the group.

“If we’re going after the hammer and crown, we need to find a way to neutralize the Dark Hand. Mostly the ‘Made’, but also Mavon and whoever the third person was. Considering how dangerous it was to have a bow fight with that ‘Made’ in the tree, it seems like we need a better plan. I’ve got two ideas, but I’m interested in any others you might have.”

“My first idea is making traps. Big traps. Small traps. Luring traps. Pit traps. Enough traps to deal with the lot of them. They showed they’re willing to chase us around the mountains. And it seems like we can get them to chase us again if we really try. Hells, we could tell them we have Deepforge’s axe.”

“My second idea, is preying on part of what makes them stronger than us: supplies. Every week, or so, we have to spend 2 – 3 days getting resupplied. They don’t have this problem. They get supplies from elsewhere, like those Harnack rations, and/or they range for food and water. Either of these options gives us an opportunity to strike them where it hurts, possibly cripples.”

“Any other thoughts on this?” Alexis looks expectantly at the group.