thebeardedcrab

[thebeardedcrab]

Campaign

Session II:

Canaan opened his eyes after a blissful night's rest and getting to talk to Clotte.

As his eyes open, he notices Bayul and Akasha staring at him, wide eyed, and Akasha is petting a raven that is perched on her lap.

"What?" Canaan asked, confused. He then noticed a gleam of silver, and looked down at his body and saw he was now adorned in a platinum and gold colored plate armor set. On his shoulders and chest, was Clottes holy symbol, a tear drop that ended in a roaring bears head. Posted next to the bed, was a giant similarly colored great maul that the head of it was also the symbol. The spike was the start of the water droplet and the hammer was the open bears head.

"Thank you, Clotte." Canaan said under his breath. He shot up out of the bed.

"Mr. Gnome?" Canaan called and after a moment the gnome man entered the room.

"Good Morning." Bayul and Akasha replied to his sentiment.

"So, Clotte has commanded that I deal with this mean King. So, where can I find him?"

Before the gnome could respond, there was a loud shuffle of armor and weapons from outside.

Canaan rushed outside and saw a horde of what he assumed were the rebels since they didn't look like guards. He stood in there path and extended his hand to stop them. They stopped a few feet from him.

The occasional whisper of confusion was heard as Canaan addressed them.

"So, overthrow the King. Then what?" Canaan asked out of the blue. The men looked at him confused.

"Put his brother on the throne!" One of the men in this mass of rebels shouted.

"Alright, Clotte told me to help, so lead the way." Canaan said matter of factly.

At this time Akasha and Bayul made their way out of the gnomes house to see Canaan fall in line behind the passing rebels. They followed behind Canaan.

However they moved so fast and precise, twisting and turning throughout streets and alleyways, almost with no rhyme or reason known to the three, that they got left behind. Stranded.

Canaan looked around, confused.

"I can take you to the King. He thinks I'm on his side, but I'm the one who was feeding tips to the rebels on when and where to attack. He'll let me into the castle. Follow me." Akasha said before turning and walking away. Bayul and Canaan stared after her, wide eyed, before looking at each other, Bayul shrugging, and they followed after her.

After about 20 minutes, they arrived at the gate that led to the inner district. The two guards stopped them.

"Oi, whatchyu want?" One of them asked.

Akasha stepped forward and bowed for a second.

"I am Akasha, the court Wizard. The King is expecting my return. Best not to keep him waiting." They nodded and let her pass, as Canaan and Bayul stepped forward, the guards stood in the way.

"Surely you can let my bodyguards in." Akasha said from behind the guards.

"You'll be plenty safe in there. They can wait out here." The guard said.

Akasha looked towards Bayul, concerned. He gestured for her to go on. She nodded and turned to walk towards the castle.

Canaan and Bayul walked away from the gate, and out of sight of the guards.

"Well, what now?" Canaan asked.

"I don't know. Do you know any other way in?"

"I've been in a cage since I was a baby. I didn't even know there was a castle until yesterday." Canaan said. "I don't think there's any other way to break in."

Suddenly Bayuls eyes lit up. He grabbed Canaan and drug him behind as he stormed away. Canaan, though confused, let Bayul pull him.

Suddenly Canaan stopped, which stopped Bayul in his tracks. Bayul turned, and saw Canaan bent down, petting a stray dog.

"Uhm, what are you doing?" Bayul asked.

"I love animals. They're so pure, and cute. My last fight in the arena, I was forced to kill some dogs that they starved. It was horrible." Canaan said, almost a tear in his eye.

"Canaan, buddy, we need to go help Akasha, she's alone in there." Bayul pleaded. Canaan nodded, gave the dog one last pet, and stood up and let Bayul pull him along again.

After another 10 minutes, Bayul stopped and looked around. After seeing no one else, he turned towards the Outer wall of the Castle District, and charged it, slamming his shoulder into it. A Crack formed. Canaans eyes went wide with realization.

Canaan looked around for a moment also, seeing that no one investigated the sound, he joined in, and they slammed their shoulders into the wall in tandem.

----

Akasha stepped into the main hall of the castle. A massive and elegant room, decorated to the nines in, probably, the most expensive tapestries. Almost everything seemed to be gold plated and luxurious.

She approached the throne, where King Tywill sat, flanked on both sides by his personal Knights.

"Ahh, Akasha. You return. Tell me, how many of the rebel scum did you destroy." He asked in his mightier than thou voice.

"Uh, like 10." She stammered.

"Ooh, good. I am pleased. Very impressive for the soon to be court Wizard. Now, go out and continue until you snuff out this rebellion." He ordered.

"Yes sir." She turned and left. Angry with herself. The plan was to face him, and kill him, but she couldn't do it alone and who knew where her backup was.

When she exited the castle, she slipped away behind the nearby stables and called her raven, Lestat, to her. When the bird landed on her shoulder, she whispered to it, and sent it off. Her eyes turning blind.

----

Bayul stepped through the massive hole in the wall of the inner district, followed behind by Canaan.

"Break in. I get it." Canaan chuckled and Bayul grinned.

They found themselves behind a stone building, but couldn't see much of anything else. So, Canaan walked up to the edge of the building to look around, and immediately met the eyes of a guard.

Knowing that he was seen, he simply stepped out from behind the building and approached.

"Hail, my good sir. I believe I have captured one of the rebels. By his size and fighting prowess, probably a leader." Canaan said. The guard looked at him warily.

"Where?"

"One second." Canaan said before speed walking back behind the building to Bayul, and got close to him and whispered.

"Pretend to be my prisoner so we can get taken to the King." Canaan said. Bayul stared at him for a moment before pulling out some rope and loosely tying it around his wrists.

"I'm going to be a little rough with you to show that you're really a prisoner, mkay?" Canaan asked as politely as possible. Bayul nodded in agreement.

Canaan shifted his facial expression into one of disgust as he forcibly pushed Bayul out into the clearing and up to the guard.

"Oh! Wow." Looking up and down the towering Elephant man. "Right. Well, I'll take him from here."

"But sir, I'd like to accompany. Maybe I could get a reward from the King, or atleast praise." Canaan said.

"No, but I'll put in a good word." Canaan sighed.

"Alright, go ahead." Canaan said, frustrated. Bayul slipped the ropes, and struck the man, dead center of his face, with a powerful left jab. The guard fell to his back, before Bayul pulled out his axe and prepared to bring it down on the man.

"Do not kill him!" Canaan yelled, reaching out towards Bayul. Hearing this, Bayul stopped, and instead brought his foot down on the guards head with just enough force to knock him out, but not kill him.

Canaan knelt down beside him and checked his pulse. He was still alive. Canaan let out a sigh of relief.

They lifted the unconscious man together, and hid him behind the building they came out behind of. When they finished, Bayul noticed a bird staring at them from on top of the wall.

"Isn't that Akasha's bird?" Bayul asked. The bird crowed back, as if responding.

"Well, let's follow it. Maybe it'll lead us to her." Canaan suggested. The bird crowed happily.

----

After about 10 minutes of following the bird through alley ways and avoiding guards, they finally met with Akasha who was sitting criss cross behind the stables.

Her eyes returned to their normal color and she stood up.

"Alright, so how do we do this? He's got two guards with him, so I say we charge in there and attack." Akasha said.

"No. I'm not killing the king. Clotte doesn't like it. He believes that EVERYONE deserves a chance at redemption. So, shitty or not, I have to give him that chance." Canaan said.

"So, what's your plan?" Bayul asked.

"How bout, me and Bayul act like your prisoners. We could pretend to be the leaders of the rebels, that way he won't attack us on sight and we can get kind of close to him. Then, I can talk to him and maybe convince him to step down and change his ways."

"Im good with the first part, second part seems like a waste of time, but we can try." Bayul said. They both looked towards Akasha. She sighed, then nodded.

-----

Canaan and Bayul walked into the main hall and towards the throne behind Akasha, with their hands loosely tied with rope. When they got within 15 feet, the guards ordered them to halt, and the King began to speak.

"Hmm, Akasha. Who might these be?" The King asked.

"They're my prisoners. They're the leaders of this rebellion." She said. The King stared at her for a moment, then began laughing.

"Foolish girl, I KNOW who these two are. Bayul is a political prisoner, and that is Canaan, one of the, if not best gladiators to ever step foot in an arena." He mocked.

Canaan sighed and let the ropes fall from his wrists and stepped forward besides Akasha.

" I didn't realize I was that famous-" Canaan began to speak but was cut off.

" Oh yes, I am a fan. Watching you break those mangy animals necks and spines with your bare hands was a delight."

Canaan gritted his teeth in anger. Redemption.

"Anyway, I'm here to give you a chance. Step down, and slip away. You don't need to get hurt." Canaan pleaded.

"I have an army behind me. You think you three can hurt me?" He chuckled.

"You might have an army, but I was raised and trained to do one thing, and that's to kill. Now I don't want to be a mindless killer anymore but-" The King interrupted him again.

"Oh I know. One of my shining moments was buying you and keeping you as my little killing monkey." The King mocked. Canaan sighed. Then charged the King.

He pulled out his maul as he sprinted forward, fueled by pure rage, he moved so fast that neither the King or the two guards were fast enough to stop him.

He slammed his hammer towards the side of the sitting Kings head, who only had enough time to put his arm up to block some of the blow.

Akasha and Bayul were taken aback by the attack, but were prepared to fight.

Askash stepped back maybe 10 feet and extended her arm, letting loose three magic missles that struck into all three of the enemies chestplates with a thud. Bayul whipped out his bow and began to fire.

Canaan stood over top the King, with murderous intent in his eyes.

"Get up! Fight!" Canaan spat. The King obliged, and returned to his feet, pulling out his ornate longsword.

"Get those two. I've got the slave." The King ordered.

As the King and Canaan had a staredown, shifting their feet and circling one another, the two guards charged towards Akasha and Bayul. Since he was closer they went for him first.

Bayul tossed his bow aside and pulled out his axe, blocking and parrying both guards advances but also not able to land a blow on either of them.

The King and Canaan began trading blows, Canaan was surprised at how nimble and dexterous Tywill was with his sword. Even managing to slice a small cut across Canaans cheek.

At one moment, Canaan thought he had Tywill beat, so he put all his power behind one blow to the side of The Kings head, just for him to duck, and Canaan to lose grip on his hammer, and it went flying and sticking into a nearby wall.

Akasha stood behind Bayul, trying to help, but was afraid to hit him with one of her spells, but suddenly, one of the guards managing to slip past Bayuls defense, and plunge his blade into his stomach. Bayul froze for a second, before slumping to the floor.

The two guards, looked up from the fallen Bayul, at Akasha.

She panicked for a moment, before extending both her palms face up at the guards and a large cone of blazing fire plumed out towards them.

One of the guards, managed to slip behind the other, making him take the brunt of the attack. The flames curling around the man, and licking the seconds guards armor, heating it up.

When the flames subsided, the guard who took the damage, his armor was charred black. Terrified he tried to run, he got maybe 5 feet before a fireball slammed into the back of his head, melting his skull and brain inside of his helmet.

The second guard charged towards Akasha, who barely had time to cast a last spell. The guard immediately fell to the ground and started snoring.

Canaan and The King saw all of this happen in awe and confusion, and after it was over, Canaan noticed Bayul bleeding out on the floor. So, he smashed his forehead against the Kings and as the King reeled from the blow, he ran and slid next to Bayul.

He pressed his hands against the gaping wound in Bayuls gut.

"Please Clotte, let me save him." Suddenly, a bright light eminated from under Canaans hands and he watched as the blood began to slip back up into Bayuls body and the wound close as it it never happened. Bayul suddenly gasped and his eyes shot open.

Canaan laughed suddenly out of relief.

"Cmon, were not done yet." Bayul said, grunting as he got back to his feet. Canaan put his hand on Bayuls shoulder.

"No. I got this." Canaan said as he stepped past Bayul towards the King.

"I gave you a chance to slip away. You hurt my friend. That offer has expired." Canaan snarled before charging the King. They each let off blow after blow. Block after block. Parry after parry. When suddenly the King tried to return the headbutt from earlier, but Canaan telegraphed it, and instead brought the handle of his maul smacking against the kings forehead. Knocking him out.

The three of them stood there, in the now quiet still of the Throne room. Canaan pulled out his rope and began to bind the hands and feet of King Tywill.

"Bayul, get on top of the other guard." Bayul nodded and buried his knee into the previously sleeping guards back, and used his hand to keep his face pressed against the floor.

Canaan picked the unconscious King up and slung him over his shoulder and walked towards the other guard.

"I want you to understand that you're getting a chance at redemption here. We're not going to kill you, but if you struggle or try to break free, my friend here will happily break your neck. Do you understand?" Canaan asked. The guard tried to speak, but all that was audible was a muffled sentence, and then what sounded like crying.

" I'll take that as a yes." Canaan said before walking towards the front door and opening it. It was still silent.

" So much for that army, huh?" Canaan said to the unconscious King.

"The King has been defeated and dethroned! Rebels, you are victorious! Come and handle this." Canaan roared, his voice super loud, as if from a megaphone.

Suddenly, doors of nearby buildings blasted open and nobles, and guards and rebels all flooded the courtyard in front of the castle.

A lone noble stepped forward.

" Seems you've bitten off more than you can chew brother." He said. Akasha, who stepped forward, saw the man and smiled.

"Tyrrell the Second." She said to Canaan.

"Brother? He's your family?" Canaan asked.

"Unfortunately." Tyrrell said with disgust. Canaan tossed the King to the ground, unclasped the throne from his head, and walked towards Tyrrell.

"By the holy guidance of Hassius Clotte, I give you this." Canaan said, bowing slightly in respect as he handed him the crown. Tyrrell took it and thanked the three of them.

He rewarded them all with property in the city, as Canaan and Akasha denied the reward in currency.

"You hear that Clotte? Now I can open up a temple for you." Canaan said happily, holding the holy symbol on his necklace tight in his hands. For a moment, the clouds above parted and a brief ray of sunshine cascaded over Canaan, and he smiled and basked in its warmth.

#dnd 5e rp #d&d oc #d&d 5e #d&d story #dungeons and dice #critical role #dungeons and dragons #gamersonly

[thebeardedcrab]

The Campaign

Session 1:

Our story begins in the city of Bower, a massive city surrounded by a massive concrete wall that circles around it. The city itself is honeycombed, will walls surrounded each district, and the Kings castle directly in the middle. The King was a dick, though. Only caring about himself, and his district, the rest of the city becoming almost a slum. However, this story isn't about him. It's about how unlikely companions, would change the world.

-----

The crowd roared. Most cheered, those who bet against Canaan, foolishly, either booed or hanged their heads in shame upon the realization of lost money.

The almost 7 foot tall black and yellow Tiefling, with horns that stabbed straight up from his skull as if a crown, was escorted deeper into the collessium and to his cell. Canaan was not just a Gladiator, he was a slave. He had been a slave for as long as he could remember. He had no memories of his family or where he was born, his only memories were those of a slaves.

The four guards escorted him back to the cell that he had called home for the past 25 years. Well into his 30th year, unbeknownst to him, due to the account that Canaan didn't know about the spanning of time. He wasn't versed in academic knowledge, only the martial kind. He had also never seen outside the arena. He had lived in Bower City for his entire life, and yet, had never seen another building.

The two guards that led him stopped in front of his cell. The two that flanked him stopped about a foot or two behind him. Canaan stepped forward, still feeling the effects of his bout. The fight was him versus almost a dozen men and a handful of dogs. He got knocked around, his brain a little fuzzy and had wounds open, but nothing he hadn't experienced before.

As Canaan entered his cell, he saw a familiar face, laying in his bed. His own face. A completely identical version of him laying in his bed.

"Hello Clotte." Canaan said in his surprisingly soft voice. Clotte stood up out of the bed.

"How was the fight?" He asked. Canaan bowed his head down.

"I had to kill puppies, Clotte. I hate it when they make me hurt animals." Canaan said, a tear swelling in his eye.

"Oi! Who ya talkin' to?" A passing guard asked Canaan. Canaan looked confused and looked at Clotte, and pointed at him. The guard followed Canaans finger and saw nothing. The cell was empty besides Canaan. The guard shook his head and kept walking.

"Don't fret too much about it Canaan. One day, very soon, you'll be free. You can do good things, instead of the awful things you're forced to do." Clotte said.

"Yeah, but-" Canaan began to say but was cut off by this sudden explosion that staggered him. Light suddenly blinded him for a moment, as the wall in cell, was longer standing. Canaan grabbed his cloak and went through.

A sudden wave of new experiences surged at him. There were screaming, people running, explosions in the distance. Canaan stood there, dumbfounded by everything that was going on.

"Excuse me" A small, but high pitched and polite voice called towards Canaan. He looked over to see a small and beautiful high elven woman. He panicked, afraid that she was going to hurt him or recapture him, he backed up against the wall outside of his cell.

She walked closer to him and looked into his cell for a moment before approaching.

"Excuse me, you're that famous gladiator aren't you? Canaan right?" She asked, having to look up at his face from her 5 and half foot stature. He nodded.

"Yaknow, I could use your help. King Tywill has instructed me to deal with the rebel militia that have invaded. I could definitely use a strong fighter like you." She explained. Canaan stared at her for a brief second.

"I'm sorry Ms. Pointy Ear, but I just want to be free. Goodbye." He said as politely as possible, not really knowing that calling her Pointy Ear was an insult, and speed walking away down the street.

The elven woman stood there, confused for a moment, when a figure walked up behind her. She turned to see a humanoid, even bigger than Canaan, who looked to be like an elephant man.

"Are you a gladiator?" She asked.

"Uhm, yes." He replied. She noticed that he looked particularly thin for being as big as he was. She assumed he hadn't eaten recently.

"Well, if you help me deter the rebels, I'll give you some food." She said as she reached into her satchel and pulled out some dried meats. He hungrily grabbed them with his trunk, and shoved them in his mouth.

"I'm in." He said. "I'm Bayul."

"I'm Akasha."

-----

Canaan was lost. He had no idea where anything was out in the city. He didn't even know what anything WAS in the city. He had been wandering for the better part of 30 minutes, when, after turning down a street, he saw a familiar face. The elven woman. He gulped, and then set off towards her.

She stopped as he approached, not sure what to expect, but Canaan simply stopped in front of her.

"If I help you, will you help me out of the city?" He asked.

"I can try." She replied.

"Okay then. Let's go fight your bad guys." He said with a bright smile. Canaan looked at the elephant man.

"Hello. I am Canaan." He said.

"Bayul."

The three of them began to walk towards, where in the sky the saw smoke rising. Canaan suddenly stopped, and was looking towards an alley. Akasha stopped to see what he was looking at. Five goblins had a small gnome man cornered.

"How are Goblins.... Forget it. Come on. Our task is the rebels." She said as she began to turn away. She began to continue walking when she heard Canaans voice.

"Uhm, excuse me, little green men. Would you please leave him alone?" Akasha turned to see that Canaan had walked into the alley and was now about 10 feet away from a pack of Goblins.

The goblins began chittering in a language that Canaan couldn't understand.

"Will. You. Please. Go. Away." Canaan said, speaking slower, hoping they would understand.

Suddenly, a rock smashed into Canaans brow. His head rocked back a moment.

"Ow!" He yelled out. Before picking the rock back up and throwing it. When it missed, the goblins started laughing at him.

Akasha watched as Canaan grabbed Goblins and threw them into the sides of buildings, or stomped them out. Canaan was taking on four of them at a time, that he didn't notice the fifth one sneaking up behind him with a club. The goblin jumped up high, and smashed the club against the back of Canaans skull.

Still being a little concussed from his arena fight, the blow sent Canaan slamming directly onto his face, unconscious.

Akasha gasped, and extended her hand, and a missile of fire shot forward, and pierced the goblin, burning it from the inside out.

Canaan heard the goblin screaming in agony, when everything went black.

-----

Canaans eyes opened and he sat up quickly, only to hit his head on a low hanging ceiling. Canaan saw he was on a bed, a very tiny bed, that only his torso fit onto.

The thud had been loud, and the noise brought a small man into the room.

"Mr. Tiny Man! From the alley with the green people!" Canaan exclaimed.

"Yes." The gnome said. "After you were knocked out, me and your friends brought you to my house, which was close and let you rest here. The streets aren't safe anymore. Ogres and Goblins run rampant. The King has all the guards pulled back to the castle to protect himself against the rebels, so, the monsters run free in our streets." The gnome explained.

"That sucks but, I just want to leave the city." Canaan explained. The gnome looked disappointed, but nodded and said he understood.

"However, you should all rest the night here before leaving. It's dangerous." The gnome said. The three of them accepted the offer, and began to drift off to sleep.

As Canaan slept, a familiar face crept into his dreams.

"Clotte!" Canaan said happily.

"So, how was your first day of freedom?" Clotte asked.

"Kinda sucked. I had to kill more, but they were little goblins who were attacking a nice gnome." Canaan explained.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Clotte asked.

"Leave the city, be free."

Clotte looked disappointed.

"What?" Canaan asked.

"You told me, that you wanted to be better than the mindless killer your master raised you to be. To be a hero of justice. Here is your chance to start." Clotte said.

"The king? I don't want to help him. He's mean, and a bad guy." Canaan said, kind of whining.

"Not the King. The city. There are innocent people here, being hunted by invading monsters." Canaans facial expression was that of sudden realization.

"Yeah! I can do that! As long as you're with me."

"I'm always with you, and now you have new friends as well."

"Yeah, I like Bayul. I don't know if I trust the lady. She works for the King."

"Give her a chance. She may surprise you."

Canaan nodded his head, then, began to slip into sleep.

PSA: This is our actual D&D 5th Edition campaign we are currently playing. I figured It'd be cool to novelize our game so here it is. I'll update the day after each session.

Canaan: Me

Akasha: My wife, Alexa

DM, Bayul: Matthew

#dungeons and dragons #d&d story #d&d oc #d&d talk #gamersonly #fantasy #adventure #critical role #dnd 5e rp #5e #d&d 5e #dungeons and dice #writing #novel #fanfic