Stories From Around the Campfire

Hey guys. I've seen this in other roll20 games and figured I would gauge interest for it here. Basically, this thread serves as a tavern-style roleplay forum for us to flesh out our characters, get some good inter-party interaction going, discuss things that have happened in character, etc. etc. It's designed to be non-canonical to Jack's campaign - i.e any occurrences that would require weekly players be brought up to speed is forbidden. And of course if the DM decides this is utter crap, feel free to knock it down, no hard feelings.

Just to give an example... Voelker sits with his back against a ruined pillar that stretches up into darkness, near the edge of the firelight. His heavily-runed bow and quiver lay haphazardly beside him. He absentmindedly shuffles a deck of worn cards between his calloused hands, hardly noticing the motions. His eyes, fixed on a point in space near the top of the chamber wall across from him are at once sullen and bright, as if memories rather than visions swim in their depths. Tonight he doesn't even notice the young sorcerer's boasting, the stern and sharp-eyed countenance of Aerlon as he seeks evil's form in the darkness, or even Derwin's endless conversation.

Jake, I like it and I'm willing to bet that Jack won't mind us doing this RP type narrative.  It doesn't really take us off-topic and will add to the verisimilitude of our game (making it seem more real).  I'm all for it... Aehrlon took up a comfortable position in a shadowy corner of the chamber, a little weary after the battle with the fiends & the elemental.  He was also a little wounded but nothing serious.  He looked to his companions, busy in the aftermath of the battle.  Noble Gram was healing his companions, channeling the power of the benevolent deity Eldath.  Gram seemed to be coming into his own & was growing in power.  Voelker seemed lost in thought, his enchanted bow & quiver arrayed before him.  Aehrlon hated to admit it but the man's skill with a bow was even better than his own.  But he had respect for the man who had proven a solid addition to the company.  The irrepressible Derwin was busy cleaning the demon blood from his blades, talking all the while.  He was becoming a force to be reckoned with in battle, wielding his rapiers with impressive skill.  Aehrlon wished that he would quiet himself... sometimes it seemed as if the advantage of staying hidden was lost on the company.  But since the beginning he, Gram and Dandy had been stalwart companions. The cunning elf cleaned the blood from his own enchanted blades before it dried & looked to the young sorcerer Dandy.  He was telling Derwin & Worlen about his spells.  Dandy was sometimes a braggart but also could back up his claims.  His command of arcane magic was growing & more and more his contributions to the battlefield were having a bigger effect.  He was a wily half-elf for certain.  Aehrlon's gaze last fell to the gnome Worlen.  The voices Aehrlon heard claimed that he was a plant, a servant of the fire cult... but it seemed that the voice was false.  Worlen came with the recommendation from the Harper leader Edwin Colbert & as such was virtually beyond reproach.  And there was also no proof of the claim despite the voice seeming like it belonged to Dreena Delmon.  Aehrlon prayed that it was not really her voice.  As a precaution he would be watching the gnome but would not alienate him.  He did seem a good fellow and had joined in this dangerous mission to defeat these evil cults.  Time would tell what, if any truth there was to the voice's claim.  For now, Aehrlon would take a moment of rest and then resume the search for enemies in this foul place...

I love it. Although The Obsidian Portal page might be better.

Vorlen plunks himself down near the campfire but as far from his new companions as possible.  Wishing for some silence as he pours over his spellbook,desiring for Derwin to shut his damnable mouth for once.  He finds himself slowly sinking into a deep depression.  Wracked with feelings of uselessness after the last few battles.  None of his brilliance able to come to light and constantly being outclassed by any fool around.  His lack of concentration coming more from his own frustration than any external source, not that he will ever admit it.  Vorlin continues to grumble furiously to himself, trying to ignore everyone around him as he failing tries harder and harder to study his spellbook.

Jake said: "the stern and sharp-eyed countenance of Aehrlon as he seeks evil's form in the darkness.." Jake, I love this description of my character, hope I can respond in kind... it is spot on & well said.  Aehrlon is a bit more light-hearted outside of dungeons but down in the depths of this ruined dwarf city he tends to be all business...

Shaking off his melancholy like snow from a branch, Voelker lowers his gaze to Vorlen, barely lit by the flames yet all the more visible for his fidgeting and grumbling. He moves, slowly, as a child approaches a squirrel, to sit beside him. "Listen. Sorry about that earlier... y'know, with the grabbin' n' the accusations 'n all." He laughs and casts a sidelong glance at the gnome. "Not sure I'd believe you were a part of this nonsense anyhow, if'n I'd heard it from yer own mouth. Don't seem the type. I've just been... a bit on edge, let's say." He withdraws a silver flask from his shirt pocket, swigs, swallows, then offers it to the gnome.

The wind periodically blows hard throughout the antechamber chilling the party to the bone, making everyone - whether consciously or unconsciously - move closer to the fire. The awful sound the air makes is sometimes difficult to discern whether the sound was the howl of a distant aberration, fiend or some other sort of uncouth creature - or simply the wind itself. It almost serves as a semi-constant warning for the group to stay on edge. Somewhere distant in the cave, it almost sounds like you can hear an occasional blast of thunder. Water drips from the ceiling, keeping the cave floor wet and slick. The dampness, coupled with the force of the wind almost makes tending the fire a full time job.

Vorlen slowly turns to face seasoned warrior, trying hard to mask the annoyance at being interrupted once again.  Not really choosing his words that carefully, he responds, "I suppose it is to be expected from one such as yourself.  Can't say I really blame you.  However, don't put too much stock in appearances and feelings.....friend."  Vorlen gratefully accepts the flask and takes a deep draught, figuring he would get no studying done this night.  "I do thank you, sirrah.  A little nip is always good in environs as these."  Vorlen hands the flask back and huddles a little closer to the fire, his resolve a bit renewed after the brief conversation.

"Why, Dandy, why?!?" was all that Aehrlon could get out before punching the foolish half-elf.  This was beyond all reason the enraged rogue wanted to know why this sorcerer was continually putting all of their lives in danger... and also catching them in the area of his spells.   Looking down at the half-elf, who had been knocked on his ass...           "It would be best if you stayed with the group henceforth.  As we cannot trust you to value any of our lives, measures must be taken.  It's dangerous enough down here without a reckless fool throwing caution to the wind like you did.  Do such a thing again and I will travel with you no longer. "   Aehrlon was fed up with such nonsense.  He fought the urge to run the half-elf through and turned to another of the group... "And Volker or anyone else so inclined, please don't blunder into an area like that when you cannot even see where you are going.  Had we used a little caution we likely would have gotten the drop on those ogres but also would have had a choice as to where the battle took place, if at all.  Any of you jumping ahead of me basically eliminates the chance of my killing or gravely wounding one of our enemies before that battle begins.  That would be like me taking your weapons away just as we were about to enter battle or throwing a silence spell on our casters.  Please let me do what I do best, friend.  You are hampering my ability to lay our enemies low.  I don't go in first because I am anxious or want to lead.  I do it because of my skills and needing to catch our foes unaware for them to be of full use. This cloak makes it very hard to see me when I hide.  Let us use that to our benefit, friends." Aehrlon wondered if it was worth the risk to remain with his companions.  Most of them were solid but the half-elf left him wondering.  Taking a deep breath and letting out a heavy sigh, Aehrlon helped Dandy to his feet.  "Sorry, friend, my anger got the best of me.  Please exercise more caution as we explore further..."

Dandy, reluctantly, accepted the hand of his assaulter, while using his free hand to fix his loose jaw. " Think nothing of it, pal, frankly I can understand you’re reasoning to lash out. It must be frustrating having others ruin what you take the time to set up. I can sympathize with at the very least. But..." He pause taking a moment to spit out some blood that pooled in his mouth. ” I hardly call my actions foolish, no foolish would be to leaving the area unexplored as our foes get themselves ready. The little scaled mongrel were undoubtedly getting themselves ready for battle. Especially after that hag gave out her little call." His face scrunched up at the mention of that horrendous creature. “I think we'd have been have a lot worse if I had ignored the room and let them catch us off guard. Or fates forbid they caught while we started our inevitable rest. But those are nothing but ifs and I choose to focus on what is happening rather then what might. Nevertheless, I'll give the respect a small town folk hero such as yourself deserve and promise next door I open I'll be real careful with doing so."

Voelker, shaking like a leaf in a storm, nods at Aehrlon and fails at quaffing his spirits, hardly noticing as they run down his chin and into his clothes. With a practiced determination he steadies himself, turns to Dandy, and stutters out, "I...The...uh..." He breathes deep, and his gaze sharpens. He puts a shaking hand the sorcerer's shoulder. "The thing... The troll. Back there. Was a mighty fine shot you made. What with the fire and whatnot. What I mean is...well...thanks. I owe you one." He turns away, and tests his composure by finally managing to tip back a swallow of courage.