2AN: Hey guys, here's a new story based on D&D. Now, there are a few things that me and my friends play differently. First, Rangers get animal companions first level but the ranger's level is cut in half when accounting benefits. If anything else comes to mind I'll put it in.
Disclaimer: I don't own the D20 system. I do own every character, place, and the world in general; which by the way is called Alland.
The Gathering
Theo:
Theo stood at the edge of his forest grove with a young man just a few years younger then himself. Reading the message that the boy had delivered he nodded every so often as if answering a question. The boy, who kept glancing back to his horse a little ways away, tried not to make eye contact with the rather large wolf that stood beside Theo.
"So Mr. Druid," the boy began as Theo finished reading, "What is it you wish to tell my Lord?" the seventeen year old folded the parchment down before speaking.
"Tell your lord that I will accept his 'quest' only because I hate such vile monsters as the ones he has promised I will vanquish." the boy nodded and began walking swiftly toward his horse. "And also tell him that Fenrir will come with me to the meeting."
"I was afraid you'd say that." the boy said leaping onto the steed. Looking to the wolf, he could have sworn that beast was smirking. "I'll bring him the message. Good day to you sir." the druid seemed to be waiting for something, and the messenger sighed when he realized what it was. "And to you too Fenrir." There, there it was again! The wolf smirked!
The horse turned around and began trotting down the hill.
"I'll never hear the end of this."
Olin:
"So let me get this straight," the soldier began pinching the bridge of his nose. "You want me to move the entire hunting party, roughly twenty men, to another sector so the deer will have a place to live in peace?" Olin, a ranger, nodded his head like this answer would sway the captain's decision.
"Yes, that is my argument." the ranger's hand rested on his long-sword, which hung at his right hip. "Are you saying you don't find this reason to be sound?"
"I'm saying I have orders from Lord Gunthar to move through this land and gather sufficient venison to feed his royal guests." the older man had a good amount of patience, but this boy was beginning to get under his skin.
Before the teen could utter another word, a Halfling entered the area on the back of a riding dog; a St. Bernard to be exact. He was clothed in very nice leather clothing, and seemed to be a little plump in the belly.
"A message from the Lord Gunthar for a Mr. Olin." the teen in question approached the small man and was given a piece of parchment, which he read. "And a message for you as well Sir." the captain took the scroll from the man and he too read it.
"You're jesting right?" Olin said after reading, "He can't try me for living on this land. He doesn't own it." the captain snorted as he came up from his message.
"Of course he does!" the burly man said, "He owns almost all of Wolf Head Island! All save for the Elves forest. It seems you and me have no more business together Olin. I've been told to find another place to hunt, mainly the more open plains."
"Good luck with that." the ranger said, his voice full of sarcasm. "I guess I need to go to see this Lord Gunthar. Let me guess, he lives in Rootwall?"
"Yes-sir." the Halfling said getting back on his dog. "The meetin' is in two days, you should be there in one if you're walkin'." with that the little man rode off.
The two men looked to one another, shooting daggers at each other with their eyes. Then, the ranger began walking north. It was a whole day's walk to Rootwall and he might as well get started.
Dalton:
A knock came at the door of Dalton's little cabin. Three brisk knocks that told just how much the knocker hated his assignment. Standing from his wooden desk, the half-elf walked to the door and opened it.
There, on the other side of door stood a gnoll. A half-man half-hyena humanoid with claw-like fingers and shaggy, dirt brown fur that covered everything but its face. Normally, a gnoll would mean there were about ten other gnolls and they all wanted you either dead or without food. But this gnoll Dalton knew.
"Hello Geth," the sorcerer said with a sly smile, "What did you do to have to come see me?" the creature in question shoved his way into the house with a gruff bark, most likely a curse in Gnoll.
"Didn't clean myself well enough and scared the Lady Isabelle." the gnoll answered taking a seat on one of the wooden stools that surrounded the table. "It was only a little blood in my teeth and under my claws."
"Hmm, now, what is it Gunthar asked his favorite gnoll bodyguard to do for him?" Geth sighed at the sarcastic tone before beginning.
"First, I'm his only gnoll bodyguard." he took a swig from his water-skin, "Second, the Lord wishes to have a meeting with you and a few others. I'm here to deliver the message and return back with your answer."
"You know I can't help but want to meet with the Lord." the gnoll rolled his eyes at the magic user.
"Then I'll tell him," as he got up to stand his left ear twitched a bit. "Oh yeah, and the meeting's tomorrow by the way. Try to look nice."
"Do I have any blood in my teeth?" the half-elf asked jokingly.
"Ass."
Ethan:
"Ethan," called the Lord Gunthar, a middle aged man with a good build. "Come here nephew, I have a favor to ask of you." Ethan, an eight-teen-year-old warrior, walked toward his regal uncle.
"Yes Lord Gunthar?" he said going to a knee, which got him a gruff jerk on his collar to make him stand.
"I told you," the man said like he'd said it more then just once, "No family of mine will ever bow to me. Especially you, one who is like the son I never had." the young fighter nodded curtly. "That's better."
"What is it you ask of Uncle?" the two looked into the others blue eyes.
"I have summoned three young heroes to meet with me about the problems we've been having in the mining town of Jaknith." the fighter's eye twitched at the mention of the events. "A ranger, a druid, and our good friend, Dalton the sorcerer. I'd like for you to be there as well."
"It would be my honor... Uncle." Gunthar smiled, happy with his nephew's acceptance.
"Good man," he said turning around, "I'll see you tomorrow in the War Room. Please do not wear your ceremony armor. Just the average garb." with that, the man walked out of the room.