Rialacha Teach Mhorgunna

“Hawkiem’s Tale” – Session 0 Opening

The old man leans forward, his milky eyes staring at nothing. His voice is gravel and smoke.

“Ahh… you want to know where you’ve landed, do ye? Heh… stories ain’t free, stranger. Not here. Everything has a price. You got a coin? No? Then a swig’ll do. My throat’s drier than a nun’s virtue. Aye, that’s better. Gods bless your generosity—though not your choice of gods, eh?”

He spits to the side and begins, voice low and drawn like a blade:

“Two passes cut through these mountains, like scars. The locals call ‘em Oubliettes—Forgotten Paths. First is Twelve, closest to the Imperial City. But Twelve’s choked with hillmen and ogres. Filthy bastards, they eat what they catch. So folk, desperate as they were, turned to the other road… the Thirteenth.”

His head tilts, a grin spreading across his cracked lips.

“Oubliette Thirteen. Named for Bane himself. God o’ Evil. They call it Bane’s Blessing, but don’t let the name fool you—ain’t no blessing here, unless you like curses, rot, and things that crawl in your skin while you sleep. This land’s poison, through and through. Always was. Everything in it… bends toward wickedness.”

Hawkiem takes a pull from the skin, lips smacking before he goes on.

“When the Sasanacs overran Rankin—ah, the jewel of the Empire, now just ash in the wind—folk fled. Thieves, slaves, gladiators, scum and sinners all. And where’d they run? Here. Through the Thirteenth Oubliette, into the jaws o’ Hell. And they built a city… Sanctuary, they call it.”

He chuckles darkly, a sound like dry leaves.

“Sanctuary! A name sweeter than the truth. It’s no haven, friend—it’s a pit. Murder walks arm-in-arm with greed. Vice wears a crown. They cast off the old gods, spat in their faces, and bent the knee to Bane. Now the city thrives on sin. It’s Sodom and Gomorrah with sharper teeth, and the teeth bite deep.”

He leans in, his breath foul, his voice a whisper:

“And now you’re here. Heh. You don’t even know why, do ye? Don’t matter. The mountains walk. The gates are shut. And there’s no way out.”

He sits back, cackling softly.

“Welcome to Bane’s Blessing, stranger. Hope you brought a strong stomach… and a stronger blade.”





So.... what went wrong?

Well no fault of Fantasy Grounds. My friend, Wil had problem with his computer. Maurice is comeing over to help him out later in the week ... so hopefull next week goes better. But I have say I have been spoiled by my past groups. Let me say this ... if your DM said it would be adventagous to do this. How many of you would do just that? I had a pre rolled character that I wanted them to run. He was a retirered captain of the guard that would give him insights and connections within thw town they would be playing. NOPE!!! None of them were having it. In hindsight I should of rolledu p 3 characters and have them roll off and the lsst one got what they got. And this upset the apple cart! Funny thing was I wass just listening to one of Rune Hammer's You Tube vidoes wher hecharacters gonna due what players going to do. In the past my old groups I guess picked up onmy cues ... or just had sense enough to be let in the door before they ransacked the house.

I was also was reminded that this is not "My" campaign ... it belongs to all.

So after I finish this post I will start on another adventure. Salvage what I can. And move on.

At least we got characters done. /B]