Beauty and the Eye of the Beholder: An AD&D Campaign

TIme for some Q&A

2011-01-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

This week's Q's come from Mike:

How do you do spells from the standpoint of memorization? Do clerics and druids memorize, or is it just the wizards, or nobody at all? All spells need to be chosen at the beginning of the day. Clerics/druids pray for them. Wizard study.
What age category are the dragons? very young and young
Would druid characters have an additional animal companion or would the dragon be the companion, or either? druids would not have an animal companion - the bond with the dragon would prevent it. Similarly, magic users would not have a familiar. Also, druids will not be able to shape shift (when they reach that level) as they normally would - a different ability will be substituted. :)
Are you thinking that this campaign will be mostly outside and in the wild or a solid mix of city and wild? I'd say a fairly solid mix.
Are there huge cities in this world where high-level magics and such can easily be found? Yes. But not near your current home base.
Do we get starting gold for a 3rd level character? No, but you may assume basic adventuring equipment plus 10 gold (so, pack, blanket, rope (not silk), etc.)
Do we keep our dragons with us 24/7 or do they tend to stay in their respective homes? You have been with your dragon companion since it hatched.
Should we treat them as steeds, wards, companions, masters, or something else entirely? Companions, soulmates, protectors. Death of the guardian (that's you) is traumatic and unpleasant for the dragon, but not fatal. The reverse is not true - if your dragon dies, so do you. So your relationship should reflect this.

Whoa - that is a serious layer of dust....

2010-10-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, it's been an age since we've played. Or talked about playing. Or wrote about playing.

Yeah. I know it's my fault. Stupid PhD.

And then there was that pesky "got to take care of the newborn" thing.

Well, I am OUT (and officially Dr. Becky hee hee). The littlest one will be a year old this December. So, I vote we start the new year with a game!

I know - it's still months away, but this will give us PLENTY of time to get ready. And have lots and lots of fun doing it :)

Come on...you know you want to...let the games begin!

Creature Alignment

2009-04-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

Had a good question from Brian - does the organizational aspect of your alignment need to match that of the dragons in the Monster Manual? Answer - no. Pick whatever good or neutral alignment you want and your dragon will match that alignment regardless of color. Creature alignment for this game (not just dragons) will be variable. :)

A barbarian, a mage, and some other guys walk into a bar...

2009-04-17T11:21:00.001-07:00

We've got the players, time to start getting the characters together! Post 'em if you got 'em!

New game!

2009-04-01T14:12:00.001-07:00

Time to dust off those tomes and get started in a new game! Here's the specs:

Backstory:

A small village nestled in the foothills of the mountains has a pact with a tribe of dragons that live above them. In exchange for plentiful crops, healthy livestock, clean water, no disease, and long life for all in the village, the villagers provide protection for the dragons in form of the Ryuu Rei Moriyaku Shugyoku - Dragon Soul Stone Guardians. When a dragon is born, on its first birthday, a festival is held in the village. All children who are "old enough to walk, but too young to be mated" are brought before the dragon child and lay their hands upon the warm scales of its hide. The dragon communes with each child then chooses one to bond with , from that moment until death joins them completely. The child grows to maturity but then ceases to age and will live as long as the dragon lives. The bond between dragon and child is complete and unbreakable from the moment they join - they can communicate telepathically and are immediately aware of each other ‘s thoughts and feelings. As part of the bond, the child is given a magical gift - each one unique. The child enters training the day after the joining, learning the history of the dragons and village, training as a guardian, and exploring his or her unique gift. You are all members of this guardian group.

Story of the Soul Stones:

Each dragon in the tribe is born with a small gemstone over the heart-plate. The stone contains the dragon's soul and the collective wisdom of its many incarnations. When the dragon dies, it's stone is brought to the place of ascension and returned to the fires of the earth, releasing the dragon's soul for rebirth. One of the jobs of the guardians, is to retrieve soul stones for dragons that have left the tribe and died abroad. Soul stones are very powerful magic items and much coveted by those who would use them for evil.

When a dragon dies, the associated guardian will also die or will, in one case, became a lich. The guardian does not have to be buried with the dragon, but it is traditional and the guardians will go to some lengths to ensure this happens. During bonding, the guardians soul passes into the soul stone. It is part of what makes the binding so permanent. Similarly, it makes resurrection of a dead guardian much easier and less traumatic than for normal people. Guardians are also reincarnated to rebond with their dragon in another life - you are a pair that has been bonded before and will be again.

There has only been one recorded case of a guardian surviving his dragon The dragon and his guardian (a high powered mage) were fighting a mind flayer. The guardian was driven insane during the fight, his dragon companion fell. The guardian's rage and grief were so great that he continued to fight, even though his soul was severed from him. He fought wildly, eventually killing the mindflayer. Unfortunately, he had now become so consumed by hatred, he was no longer himself - he became a lich, wandering the dark places and killing anything he found there. His dragon remains trapped in the soul stone, helpless, until the guardian can be released from this world and the soul stone recovered and returned to the place of ascension. Several parties of guardians have tried without success.

Game Particulars:

We're breaking with AD&D tradition vis -a -vis dragons in this one - stats on dragons will go as per the manual, but alignments for all dragons in the tribe, regardless of color are Good. The tribe consists of most types of chromatic and metallic dragons. No gem dragons. You may choose the organizational aspect of your alignment (Lawful, Chaotic, Neutral), but ethically you are all Good.
Stats are rolled 4d6, discard the lowest number. We are using comeliness, so please include it. And discard the lowest number you roll and replace it with 18.
You get 1 additional feat and 10 additional skill points - however, they need to be applied to something you would learn in the temple to help guard or otherwise help the dragon tribe.
You can choose any class you like - there's need for all of them in the dragon guard. Remember that this is an Asian flavor, so create your characters accordingly.
Race - elf, half-elf, and human preferred. I'll entertain the idea of other races, but only if there's a good story behind it.
Dragon bond - I'm going to let you choose the color of dragon you are bonded with and the age at which you bonded with the dragon (generally, 3-15 for humans, adjust accordingly for elf/half-elf). I will provide you with your special power, and the age/personality/background of your bonded dragon after I get your character sheets.
In addition to your usual stats, I need you to provide me with a) a story from your childhood outlining a fear either submitted to or overcome, b) your chosen battle cry, and c) a theme song (the song you think of when you think of your character, not the song your character might sing).
I also would like you to, collectively, come up with the name of your group of adventurers. Because of your skill level/ages, you have all trained together and have naturally come together as a sub-group within the guardians, a common occurrence. These subgroups have names so that they can be easily distinguished and called into service.
I will provide a summary of your past adventures to the group. I will give 500XP bonus to anyone who writes up their character's version of any of these adventures. And yes, that's 500XP per story, so if you write 3 that's 1500XP.
Please come to the game prepared - I want to try to keep it fast moving and I need your help to make that happen.

22. There is no such thing as a Gnomish Pygmy War Rhino.

2009-03-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

74. My thief's battle cry is not "Run And Live"

http://theglen.livejournal.com/16735.html

(Although, I still think "Not The Face!" is a good battle cry.....)

Hint for anyone reading this blog

2007-11-13T14:39:00.001-08:00

In the next game, certain party encounters will reflect the current miniatures holiday sale going on at Wizards of the Coast.

Game Day

2007-11-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4dnd/gameday

Game Summary: Very brief

2007-09-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Excellent game play on Monday, everyone! The drama currently unfolding is most intriguing and the comic relief of Gammy's well-placed illusions makes sure we don't get too serious :)

Quick summary of the game to date:

A party of young women was tasked with escorting a young duchess to the capitol city for a ball with the local prince. Through a series of adventures, they discover that the prince (Herschel) is actually much more than he seems and is not a nice guy at all. While escaping Herschel's decidely evil and licentious clutches, they are forced to make a deal with a vampire to destroy a chaotic gate being constructed on a far continent. They are transposted to this continent, but quickly discover they don't have enough information to determine what they must do (nor enough experience to deal with the hazards they are confronted with). After many further adventures, most of the original party dies or wanders off on personal quests and is replaced by other members, many of whom know nothing of the original quest. However, events conspire around these brave fellows such that they find themselves on the same quest, to close the gate. Unfortunately, much time has passed and by the time they gather the artifacts necessary for the task and find the gate in question, construction has completed and the evil force of the Elder gods is coming through. In a mighty battle they close one aspect of the gate, but not before the city in which it has manifest is nearly destroyed.

Now they find themselves in a city in chaos, people looking to them for guidance, chaotic evil loose in the world, the worshippers of the Elder gods seeking to become strong again, unknown demonic forces out to get them, gods taking an interest in their every move, and feeling torn in many directions as messages of family members in trouble, personal quests, and the pressures of gods and demons weigh them down.

Next Game:9/17

2007-09-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

When last we saw our intrepid adventurers, they had just escaped from a collapsing (or perhaps expanding?) dimensional space in which Mira, Herschel, and Sil were laying. They of course laid the smack down on the three seemingly dead bad guys before they skeedaddled. They are standing outside the doorways which are fast crumbling, leaving nothing but unmarked wall behind.
Play begins at 7pm and will end promptly at 10pm.

Very Secret Diaries of the LOTRs characters

2007-09-05T07:20:00.000-07:00

An absolutely brilliant and hilarious set of "secret diaries" from the LOTR characters. Perfect for all those pervy hobbit fanciers out there (although, I'm not sure they're as funny as Mike's "Tora" post!!)
http://www.ealasaid.com/misc/vsd/

LOTR meets D&D....

2007-09-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

A group of hack and slash players that have never read/see LOTRs. A masochistic DM with a lot of patience. Put them together and you get Aragon wanting to know where the brothels are!
http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=612

New edition of AD&D coming next May

2007-08-24T13:18:00.001-07:00

I just heard that Wizards of the Coast announced a 4th edition of AD&D to be released May 2008. No details yet...
But user friendly has some amusing cartoons on the subject:
http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20070825

Tora's Inner Fears

2007-08-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

Alone in a room, by a fire, long since darkened, Tora cries to his gods “Oh why is the round eye so much more powerful than I”.

Only silence answers the sword-master. Boroto enters the room, seeing the distressed hero, she removes her robes hoping to comfort his aching heart, but Tora will have none of her love-pity. He must find a way to master the mostly nekked little man, Drako. Spurning her advances he spins about: “He doesn’t even wear armor! How is it that he is so nearly invulnerable to attack?”

Boroto quickly regains her robes and turns away from Tora. “He is a monk, highly disciplined, focused beyond standard human measure. His path is not one that all may walk and so the gods reward him for that.”

Quietly she thinks: “this is my third attempt to seduce this bastard. What is his problem? I’m so totally hot. I wonder if he has the hots for Drako?

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I mean really, Drako is so hot! Maybe I should go after Drako? No, skinny round eye is too, I don’t know, hmm....

Tora turns about, drawing his sword (and in the same stroke), slices through a pineapple that happens to be lying about, despite the fact that he has never seen a pineapple and they are not even indigenous to this clime.

He wonders about the odd fruit as he slices through it, reveling in the fact that he has hit something, at least. Quietly to himself, he imagines Drako’s ugly head detached from his body, rolling about on the floor. Tora laughs then kicks the fruit. It hits Boroto, who seems rather annoyed. “Look, Romeo, unlike normal people, Drako adds his wisdom to his ability to avoid blows.” If you haven’t noticed, he has godlike wisdom.”

Tora snorts at this and states: “I’ve never seen his wisdom, just those stupid acrobatic show-off stunts that he pulls. What a dick! Stupid round eye!” Oh, sure, he gave me this dragon armor, fan-frickin-tastic! Ooh! What a nice guy?!

“I didn’t say he was a nice guy, in fact I’m a little worried about his motives of late considering the several times that he has bathed in dragons’ blood. He also seems to really enjoy smacking around Illya. I mean, who doesn’t really? But he seems to take an almost unnatural joy from the experience. Is it the dragon blood? Yes, probably. Also, he seems a bit more frightening to me these days and I can’t explain why. However, he has been very focused on making himself as invulnerable as possible. He must have gotten something for being in the heart of a living dragon. I mean that’s got to count for something. Plus, he bathed in the blood of a black dragon once I believe.”

“Freak!” Tora yells and slices through another strange fruit entirely non-indigenous to this clime. “Why does he do that? It weirds me out?” “It grants him power, Tora. It imbues him with the power of creatures that are near godlike. He himself worships F'thrun, as do I. We are such a perfect match, that hot little man and I?”

“Screw that freak!” Tora yells as he once again spins his sword about cutting a swallow in two – leaving two smaller, but equal swallows in its place to fly off.

Tora is impressed at his ability for a moment and doesn’t continue the conversation with Boroto.

Time passes. ...

“And as I was saying, that is why the mighty Drako is so powerful! Being a monk does most of it, but really, he has focused all of his efforts to be as invulnerable as possible. I mean, look at his spell resistance. The spell resistance itself comes from being a high level monk, but part of it comes from the fact that he’s a damn fine human specimen. But still, it seems like he has preternaturally high abilities to resist magic, most probably from his focus and discipline and all of those damned magic items that he’s been hoarding for so long.

Come to think of it, he’s probably gay. I mean really, all the good ones are right? Seriously, he’s never had a date. In all these months of adventuring, not one date? I mean, look at Artemis, if I weren’t so straight, I would go after her. Meow! Bad kitty! Down kttty, down, lower, lower, ooh, good kitty!

“Boroto! You are not making me feel better.”“Oh, sorry, as I was saying, it makes perfect sense when you think about it. Monks are very limited, but very focused. Almost all of the abilities that he has can be attributed to his monk status and the fact that he has worked hard to be as invulnerable as possible.”

“Fine!” I don’t care. It doesn’t bother me at all. I’ll just laugh twice as hard when he gets his tail kicked by one of the undead creatures wandering about. Let’s see him teleport inside a vampire. Now that will be funny!”

Boroto shakes her head. “Poor Tora, you don’t realize that Drako has moved beyond all that. He is a magical creature now, an outsider. Perhaps we have can learn from him. He will be a good and kind master when he rules these lands. Perhaps it is best if we start praising him now. I think I’ll just go and offer myself to him. Perhaps that will buy me some favor.”

“Aaaah!”Tora snaps his head up. He had drifted off on watch, but it had only been a few seconds. The sleeping forms Drako, Boroto, and the others of the League of Law were nearby. “Yosh!” Tora mumbled under his breath. Drako’s sleeping form smiles.

Hero's Lament

2007-08-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

As you trek into the underdark
where lurid monsters dwell
or climb the highest peaks of ice
or into the planes of Hell.

Do not pack Elf chain for armor
or a cloak to ward off chills.
Just find some lucky dice my friend,
for a one in twenty kills.

A dragon breathes a burst of flame
that steel cannot withstand
and vampires have unholy bites
and undead to command.

But fire and fang you can combat
with bravery, wit, and skill,
but not if you can't roll for shit,
for a one in twenty kills.

You have slain the mighty dragon.
You have crushed the evil king.
You have claimed the crown of glory.
You have mastered Sauron's ring.

Though you have many triumphs
and a destiny to fulfill,
The best hero needs some loaded dice,
for a one in twenty kills.

Game Schedules and Whatnot

2007-08-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

Alright my mighty band of heroes! Time for the unpleasant business of scheduling the next game(s).

With the fall upon us, at least 4 of our troop will be more or less "out" for the weekends (hunting, SCA, etc.) so we will be moving games to Monday evenings (7pm -10pm). This means the games will be, necessarily, shorter and more focused, and will need to end at 10pm, no matter where we are. You will need to get as much planning as you can done on the blog or via email. Everyone needs to plan on eating before they get there and we'll just have snacky food/drinks. Fortunately, it also means we might be able to play a bit more often - I'm thinking 2x/month - since it's only a 3 hour commitment.

So, taking a look at the rest of the year, I'm proposing the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. Let me know what you think (is twice a month too often? are Mondays good/bad/indifferent?) I know some folks may only be able to make 1/month due to other commitments, and that's ok, as long as we have at least 4 players for each game.

Also, as an aside, I'd like to have a dinner party in the near future (late September/early October) for anyone interested in working on their back story and/or leveling up their characters. If you haven't applied your experience points in a while, or want some input from your compadre's in shuffling around your skill points, this would be your opportunity. If there's interest, I'll send around a follow up email with details/dates.

That's all for now folks. Look for posts on the blog from Birodo, Marion, and possibly others in the near future...

Upcoming Game

2007-08-16T08:05:00.001-07:00

Next game, Sunday, August 19th, 2pm-9pm
We will have barbeque chicken and cherry cheese dessert pizza - bring side dishes or chips/snacks!

Starting point: When last we saw our intrepid adventurers, they were licking their wounds from a recent battle with a horror from the mirror in Mira's room. The clerics/druid are low on spells and now have to sleep fully to be able to recover them (since they were interrupted in the middle of the night and had to fight the tentacle - monsters are so inconsiderate!). They have 2 cats shut up in a bedroom and a possible change of landscape outside.

Tora also needs a nap. Good thing Gammy's on his way! :)

Honestly, it's not my bag baby

2007-08-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.thewavemag.com/pagegen.php?pagename=article&articleid=24184

2 Games in 1 Month - Yikes

2007-08-07T17:26:00.001-07:00

Wow! 2 games this month! How much will that be!! Well, hopefully a lot.
A few reminders before our game this Sunday:

Writing a summary, a letter home, sketching one of the fantastic animals you see on the way, writing a poem about your adventure, etc. (be creative) earns you a 10% experience point bonus.
To get the bonus, you have to give me the work of art, letter, poem, cheese sculpture, etc. or post it (or a picture of it) here.
Everyone in the game should have rights to create posts on this blog. If you don't, let me know and I'll resend the invitation.
Planning ahead is good.

I want to have a scheduling discussion at the next game. I've kicked around the idea with some of you about playing on Monday nights, twice a month. It would probably be easier for us to coordinate, especially with the holiday's fast approaching, and if we limit it to, say, 6-10pm, order out pizza or Thai or some such, we should all still be good for Tuesday morning work. Anyway, I'm interested in your thoughts on the matter.

Ping!

2006-07-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Still looking for inventory, letters home, etc....I *know* y'all like those extra points :)

Tell you what - first person to write and post a summary of the last game gets 2,000 XP. Seriously. Offer expires by the next game. Which reminds me....

Inventory

2006-06-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

If you have property in town, please send me an inventory of items that are currently in that property.
Gammy and Drako - this means you! :)

Beholder haiku

2006-05-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

All too many eyes
Spying, peering, watching close
The beholder blinks

The Oracle?

2006-05-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

What I owe you now is a expanded map of the known world with Landess. If you go back to Treyjack before continuing, I owe you:

Org chart for the Treyjack city government (for Gammy)
Any further information from Belina
Any further information from the temple of Odin
Item descriptions

What I need from you:

If you leveled up, new stats please
List of items for identification - Gammy gave me some, but I know you have others

Also, I am willing to answer any questions you might have about the temple type thing you were in last night. You have one day to explore it (if you choose to do so), while Gammy gets his identification spell back, you go through the treasure, etc. If you want to spend longer investigating the building, let me know.

Tora writes his father: the Green Dragon II

2006-05-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Father,
Such things as I have seen offer no me rest. As I meditate, the myo of our teachings flees my mind and is replaced by haunting pictures of new truths I have seen. When last I wrote to you, I spoke of Honor and Courage among companions. I felt myself superior to them somehow, perhaps based on our Shinju-Ryu training and tradition. But Father! how many of our monks can jump 10 spars into the air and land on the head of flying dragon? How many could maintain such a footing, much less the courage to attack a flying Dragon from atop its back? How many of our archers would deliver their arrows at such a creature from underneath it?

I have seen mages walk beside Tigers whose eyes know the deaths of many foes. I have seen a magnificent tiger grow to an impossible size by magic. Thus strengthened, it took down a giant man-thing made of the stone from which the sword-makers wring the strongest iron. I have seen men so small that we would step over them without notice, pull artifacts to stay the Hand of Chaos out of the dark iron fist of Evil.

We entered the pit I mentioned in my last letter. I allowed mages to cast spells on my very skin that rendered it like stone. We moved through a long passage to a steep cliff, deep in the ground. While most of us fixed ropes and climbed down laboriously, the monk Drako walked down the cliff as on flat ground. How can such magic be wrong in battle? How can making oneself vulnerable during a long climb, and tired at the end of it, be lacking in honor? Honor? Hah! One man with a sword is not Honor! That truth lies in how that man wields his sword for his companions, his country, and even his world! We teach our young wrong, Father! We do them an injustice!

We found a huge room 20 spars high and more than 100 spars across in every direction. In that room waited a Green Dragon who attacked us from above, with a choking cloud of stinking air, without even sounding his attack! All of the fables, all of the stories – lies! This foul creature fought with no Honor - back-stabbing son of a lizard-whore! He used his magic to turn the tides of battle. We had no choice but to use magic to repel his advance. Never have I seen Nature's forces lash against each other so. No dragon he, this cowardly scum-spawn summoned water of such force as to fill the room with 3' of water nearly instantly! 20 by 100 spars, Father! The roar of water as it entered the cavern was deafening. He sought to drown us rather than face us in combat!

When I think now of the dragon mark I have placed upon my brow – I am sickened to think that such creatures were once revered and even worshipped by our people. Our own school conjures the name of such foulness. I will be quick to assume a new mark – a noble Tiger to vanquish the black wyrm I errantly set upon my own brow.

While the monk crashed his Iron Fist technique into the beast's hide, I fired Grandfather's bow using magical black arrows with silver runes. Their power against Chaos made the wyrm scream as the fletchings disappeared within his chest. The skills you taught me as a child are no lie, Father. I am humbled to think how many times I missed with the arrows from the school's armory, but the shots that needed to count did. As you warned me, I still hurry too much on my second and third shots. Perhaps one day I will be worthy to follow in your foot-steps… forgive me, Father, for my failures in this battle. I will do better, I will practice more fervently… chou ma zhiang etizh no zhou.

Dazed and attacked, the vicious beast flew headlong into a wall. Even so, it remained in the air until it's wing was broken by the monk's well-placed blows, and several more arrows pierced its cursed hide. It fell from the air, dead, but landed directly on top of one of our party, and she had been standing in more than half a spar of water! She was trapped underneath and would surely have died there, had not the tiny mage magicked her to the surface. You might call such retreat cowardice, but that's not what I saw, Father. There was no knowing who or what might wait for them on the surface, yet he did not hesitate to take her there. He saved her, even though he has little thought for other than himself outside of battle. Her death would not have served Honor, and it certainly wouldn't have helped in our fight against Chaos. Fara is a powerful warrior-sage. She speaks many languages - more even than Brother Takahashi.

As I stood surveying the battle scene, the other mages attempted to stem the tide of water still rising in the cavern. Drako began telling me that the foul beast was not truly dead – but looking carefully, I could see no movement. Still he was insistent, so I climbed on top of the beast to gain a better striking position. Then it did start to move. More treachery! It reared up to attack the Tiger! Just as in stories of the Beginning of the World – only this time I had a chance to even the battle. As I prepared to strike, I saw something I would never have believed possible. Drako rammed his fist through the Dragon's eye and killed it! He killed the dragon bare-handed, Father. Not even you could manage such a feat. No one from Shinju-Ryu could have done it. How is it that another tradition is more powerful than ours? Is what I have been taught all lies and arrogance?

Drako searched beneath the water's surface and found the beast to be wearing rings and an amulet. Once these were removed, the creature no longer stirred. But to be sure, we wielded the ancient Metal King's power against him and caused his carcass to explode into the filth and muck from which it came. We had now only to swim through a depth of a half-spar of water to the door. But from there was a distance no man would be able to swim underwater. Not unless he were a fish.... It was here we had help of a different sort.

Father, take your ease as you prepare to read this next passage, for I have news for you which will doubtless take you unaware. I have been traveling with us someone you know, and for whom the school has searched in vain. I speak of Birodo, Father. She came into my sight some time ago. She has power the Monks know not, Father, and she is fierce in battle, if but a little of her blood is drawn. I protect her from such injuries as I am able Father, for none were left alive after the first time I calmed her with the flat of my blade.

I know you will think it shameful that I have not executed her for running away. I will not apologize for that. She has a part to play in the war against Chaos, and I would not so willingly cast aside an ally. I have seen some of what is coming, Father, and we need her, and others like her. We are sometimes too harsh on those we feel wrong us, I think. Especially those of our own people. Surely you can see Father, we need all of our people working together, not living in fear of making mistakes. The school MUST ease the ban on women becoming monks. There are many at Shinju-Ryu who ARE qualified and must be allowed to stand the tests – men and women.

I will write more of Birodo later, Father. But understand this, I will not allow her to come to harm. Especially at the hands of those of our people who cannot see past the blinders that Tradition has placed on them!

I have more news of dragons to tell… more treachery and lies and deceit, though I fear it is not all on their part. Know this however, dragons can assume human form and walk among us. They have their own plans for this world, and we do not figure highly in those plans. I would be amazed now to find that any dragon is a noble creature – they so treat their own kind as to be Gortzian Slavers.

Please convey my respects to Mother, and place incense on Grandfather's shrine in the main Dojo. His spirit lives on inside my bow – I am sure of it.

May Peace with Honor favor your sword.
Your attendant son,

Tora

The magic identification spell is sputtering...

2006-05-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Just a note guys - still haven't gotten the list of items you wanted IDed. If I don't get it before I log in on May13th (that's this Saturday), an oddity of magical fields will descend upon said objects rendering them unidentifiable.

Similarly, if I don't get updated character information before I log in on May 20th (that's next Saturday, the day before the game), your level, equipment, etc. will revert to whatever I have on my last character sheet from you, erasing all experience awards and treasure gathered to date. I don't need the whole hairy deal - just your new level, new treasure/equipment, and anything relevant to leveling up (hit points, etc.) - just the NEW stuff, in other words.

Reminder...

2006-04-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

OK, ladies and gentlemen. I'm going to be working on maps this weekend, so if someone would like to send me the list of goods that need identifying, that would be peachy.

Accounting

2006-04-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

From my notes, I currently owe everyone:

Gammy: Map of the city with locations of the Water Dog and Gammy temple, architectural diagrams of the Water Dog, temple, and riverboats.
Drako: Map of the city with location of store front and architectural diagram of the store front, character sheet for Sparky (or whatever name you and he agree on).
Party: Map of the known world with locations of Oracle (as indicated by the druids) and mines, descriptions of all the powers of the magic items you have on hand.

Did I forget anything? I seem to remember I owe Ilea and Tora something but I can't remember what.

I need from everyone:

Updated character sheets (updated levels, skills, items, etc.)
List of items you wanted identified
Any back story items you have not provided
If you have property in town, any specific improvements/investments you want to make

Talking to the Temple

2006-04-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

Artemis casts her Stone Tell spell and asks her questions. A low and rumbling voice grates from the very depths of the rock, rolling over you like molten lava.

Q. Is there a magical bronze long sword or any bronze long sword in the building?
A. There are many things inside the building but whether they are swords is a question for a beater of metal. And I am not sure what this thing is that you call bronze or swords. There are children of stone here - ores that have been heated and shaped and beaten into shapes by such as yourself. Perhaps that is what you call bronze sword.

Q. Is there a magical gold crown inside the building?
A. Gold...yes there is gold here. I do not know if a crown would be the thing that it is, but there is much gold here, enough to make a mighty vein within the living earth. It is all heated and beaten and molded in ways that are not the way it is.

Q. What force or power could destroy the walls of this building?
A. Destroy? You may break this stone or melt it with your fires, but it is only changed not destroyed. You may carry it away, but it is only made distant from its place of uncovering. Nothing can ever be destroyed, only changed and melted or melded into another thing. You can do this with anything if you have enough heat and pressure.

Q. How many levels are there within or below the building?
A. There are empty places encased in stone below this outcrop that reach a finger into the earth. It does not reach more than a little way to the stone heart of this world, but that may be a very great way for such as you.

Q. How many entrances are there to this building?
A. There is a gap in the stone near where you stand. Other gaps are deep within the earth or come from places I cannot see.

Q. Other than smearing blood on the door, what are the other ways to get into the building?
A. You may move through the gap if you are small enough. Perhaps if you break yourself into pebbles, you will be able to move more easily through them.

Q. How many living creatures are inside of this building?
A. There are many things that move rapidly inside my walls, not like the slow steady comfortable speed of stone. They go here and there, in nearly all of the places in the stone. And they go out too.

Q. How many undead creature are inside of this building?
A. All of the things inside seem the same to me.

Q. Are there powerful magic items or artifacts in this building?
A. There are many types of power inside the walls. Some are old and some are young.

Q. Has anyone or anything come into or out of the building in the last day (warmer/colder cycle) or the last 30 warmer/colder cycles?
A. Things go in and out all the time.

Q. Are there protection spells in place to keep people out?
A. I do not know.

Q. Are there protection spells in place to keep people in?
A. I do not know.

Gammy's Eventual Take Over of Organized Crime in Treyjack and other stories...

2006-04-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

I had asked earlier, and you requested that I send you an email to remind you about the following: Gammy want's to do research on the organized crime in Treyjack. He also wants to look into finding a suitable lackey that will help him in this endeavor. I'm looking for information on the hierarchy of the organization, weaknesses, possibilities for blackmail, etc.

I'd also like to see about buying into different businesses in Treyjack. I'm looking at pricing and possible weaknesses and possibilities for blackmail to reduce the cost of buying into these businesses. Also, any I can buy outright.

Prep for Sunday April 9th

2006-04-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

To save time for fun during the next game on Sunday, I have the following suggestions:

Let’s create a list of questions for the druid to ask of the temple with her stone tell.
Let’s then go to the temple and ask the questions. (Hopefully, this can be done before the game.)
From the temple (unless other information gathered at the temple changes things), let’s go to town using the druid’s wind walk.
In town, let’s:
Check with Drako’s sage/researcher to see what he has discovered.
Buy any healing, vampire protection, and other general use stuff that we need.
Find out what the crown that we bought really does.
Find out what this stupid tin foil hat does that I bought.
Find out about these amulets.
Get any other identifications done on the stuff we aren’t sure about (Gami can do some of the identifications if not all).
Get some maps of the continent and see if we can find the area described to us by the “big bad”.
Find the exact location of the mines (if possible) that we “know” to be to the North.

Please add to the list or make any other suggestions.
Thanks,

Mike

Drako’s Rare Item Recovery Service

2006-04-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

Found this flyer that Drako posted around town from last time and thought everyone would enjoy it! I'll post some other bits as I locate them - I love this particular idea :)

Drako’s Rare Item Recovery Service
Are you in need of a rare spell component? Do you need a cockatrice feather or a dragon scale? All out of vampire dust? Drats, that can be a real problem. No challenge too big no monster too fierce.

In the last several months alone, I have recovered many items, including:

Giant blood
Formian shell
Beholder eyes
Hydra blood, skin, claws, and fangs
Dragon heart, blood, claws, blood, and hide

Note: Beasts only killed when absolutely necessary. Wildlife conservation is a serious issue which I take seriously.

Are you great at research, but not inspired to trek to Northern Abaronda to scale Mount Nureid, to enter the haunted mines of Khalish to recover that ancient tome? Well, Crikey! That’s what I live for!

Very experienced, honest, highly-skilled, motivated, and professional archaeologist/xenobiologist monk.

Can’t trust anyone to perform the task for you? Tired of rogues and “professional treasure seekers” running off with your items? Do they contaminate your samples? Did they get their gnome’s blood mixed with the troll’s blood? Are they trying to pass-off wolf hairs for werewolf hair? Sleep well, knowing that a dependable lawful-good monk is on the job.

Disclaimer: Legal transactions only; no theft, murder, or criminal activities condoned or performed.

Tora's journal

2006-04-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Father,
We have been out this time for several days. After finding an evil temple, and then riding to a nearby town to talk to the inhabitants about it, we tracked the Iron Golem we killed to a large hole. The monk, Draco, said he believed this to be the lair of a Green Dragon. Can there still be such as this in the world? So many of the dragon-clan were slain! My blood raced to think of joining such a creature in battle-dance.

Alas, however, my companions are somewhat indecisive and we lingered near this pit discussing what to do for quite some time. Eventually, the group decided to return to the remains of the Iron Golem to search for clues as to who sent it, as perhaps it was tracking the amulet carried by the gnome.

I know you disapprove of these kinds of companions, Father, for at times they do not appear to act with proper Courage or Honor. But they do show respect for each other, and they help each other fearlessly in battle. I have learned many things about fighting and tactics watching them work together. Perhaps you will allow me to speak of this in greater detail another time.

Once we regained the Iron Golem's death-ground, the gnome Gammicus began to examine it closely. His concentration was much like the monk acolytes as they sit their first vigil. He then reached inside the body and removed two green and glowing spheres - surely something magical and powerful. Some members of our group then removed an Iron Axe from the heart of the great beast. I did not see what led them to it. But their find was most fortuitous. Another of the ancient artifacts that will stay the Hand of Chaos in our world! Hieronymous' Own hand must be in this! There were other things, an amulet matching one the illusionist had, but that is most important to maintaining Law in these times.

The druid, Artemis, scried the Iron Axe to find who sent the mishapen man-thing after us. Scrying is a magical spell that allows the user to see through eyes and hear through the ears of another person. She used water to view an interview with a man who is surely right Law's true enemey. In a dark room lit only with torches, we watched him question his retainer, who had a voice most strange. Low, like Brother Kinji in the chant, yet high at the same time, like the performers in the old style Operas we watched when I was a child. We saw, through his eyes, a montain range and rock formations lit by the Zen moon. They feel they will recognize them again, if and when we see them.

We returned to this so-called dragon's lair. We camped some distance away, and some of the party were too worried about the dark to go in right away. No, not cowards, Father, for if they had been, I would certainly have enacted the Shinju-Ryu's normal price. But as these are magic folk, they needed time to learn more from their strange books, and to rest for the coming battle. I myself settled into the Cha Yu Dae Ryun Muk Nyum. Meditating before battle is never ill-advised, regardless of the foe you face. I doubted there would be a real dragon - they are so few in this Age.

I know, Father, that you disdain the use of magic in battle. But... the things I have seen! We would do well to allow our Monks to pursue some of this learning, lest the old times come again. In the time of your Father's Grandfather, the Shinju-Ryu protected the people from brigands... and worse! Should the footfalls of Chaos echo again across our land, what good will be our Swords and Bows and Honor alone? I beg you to reconsider your decision, and to allow me to return home with what I can learn. I have a number of items I have acquired - you will be amazed at their uses, in and out of battle!

I will add more of our tale to another letter. The hour is late, and I must meditate, and perform the Haman-takeishi. Only after so thorough a cleansing will I be prepared for rest.

Your faithful son,

Tora

End of Sunday's Game

2006-04-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, sorry I had to run out. My daughter fell on the hard wood floor and banged up a tooth pretty bad. It bled extensively; thus, my wife's worry.

That being said, what happened to our intrepid band of adventurers after I left?

Current Party Location (start of game for 4/2/06)

2006-04-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Currently, our adventurers are standing around a large pit in the ground which they suspect strongly leads to a green dragon, with whom they have tangled often. Assuming it's the same green dragon. Assuming it's actually a green dragon and not something else.

Behind them, a temple with a door that will not open. An evil temple. And a missing village. And an iron golem, that lays rusting in the snow. Did I mention that it was snowing? It's snowing alright. Yep...snow in summer...

Tips from Mike

2006-04-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

The following information is not a series of questions, but a series of conclusions (and some assumptions) and/or answers that I gleaned from the DM or other sources. I ask one question at the end. We did not search or investigate the iron golem after defeating it and we should have. There is something about it that is important. It could be something it is carrying or is inside it. It could be something about the actual material or composition of the creature. It could be the mission it was on. Remember that it was coming for or to the amulet - which should not be destroyed! It may be that investigating it could give us clues about the council, the dragon, or one of the artifacts (the iron axe most likely. Perhaps it could be reanimated and used to approach the dragon. Perhaps it could be used to spy on the dragon.

This is more of a clarification and assumption. We had asked (and had been informed before) that we need all 6 of the items to defeat the council's plans. But it has never been stated (one way or another) as to whether or not we can defeat individual members of the council without all of the items. However, from speaking with the DM and by communing with rocks and a nice mixture of tea leaves, I have determined that the individual members of the council (however formidable) are not unbeatable without all of the artifacts.

Warning: When the party found the mithril hammer, it was in an abandoned temple. The markings on the temple were similar in origin (Ancient Ones of Chaos type) to the symbols on the round and mysterious temple a stone's throw through the forest (assuming a clear line of site and one hell of an arm). The important bit to know is that entering the other temple caused a temporary insanity on all party members (who entered). The insanities ended upon leaving the building. Oh joy! Heeeeeere's Drako!

Summary of Campaign

2006-04-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

In another place, in another world, an ill-bred, young lady, was given an armed escort of women to take her across the mountains to meet with the prince of that land, in the hopes that he would be pleased with her countenance and take her hand in marriage.
He wasn't.
He didn't.
Point in fact, the bonny prince Herschel is an evil wizard/fighter, whose plans extend far beyond this world. With the help of a number of like minded fellows of varying races, he intends to bring chaos back to it's rightful place on top. The women barely escape his dungeon, stumbly through a series of misadventures until.....

Our brave adventurers lay huddled in the musty library as Estefan, their host, swirls his brandy absently. Brandy that he hasn't touched since he is, afterall, a vampire. Vargoyles circle outside the castle windows, no more than a rustle of bat wings against the dirty panes, a scrabble of claws, a hiss. The night stretches before them, and dawn, and its safety, an eternity away. Estefan offers them a choice - sacrifice one of their party and leave the castle immediately to fight the vargoyles and wolves that roam the grounds or...accept a quest from thier host, a quest he will not describe until they have promised to take it.
They have had better days.
Deciding to take on the quest, they find themselves pawns in an ugly game between the forces of chaos and law - with evil on both sides. To fulfill their oath, they must travel to the southern continent and destroy a portal to another plane - or die trying. Transported far to the south by a portal stone, they find themselves in forbidding surroundings. Dwarven slaves, forced to mine a strange ore by beholders, trudge through the valley below them. A dark jungle beckons to the east. The sea rages at their backs. And a road leads south to a foreign city.

After finding thier feet, the intrepid party strikes off in an attempt to close the portal before *something* get through. But it never seems as simple as all that.

A gnome that looks like an orc.
An orc that looks like an elf, then an orc, then an elf, then an orc.
Two elves that might make the summer Olympic track team.
One really nasty city.
Exploding temples.
The medieval mafia.
A Godfather with a Deliverance accent.
And a tournament that delivered more damage to one poor spectator than to the participants.
Gammy “the made man” and the lovely, unpredictable Sam trick poor slobs into loosening their purse strings, the magic users immolate monsters (and party member), and the party handles a persistently annoying green dragon.

After many adventures, the party discovers that there is more to this wicked chess game than simple politics. The prince and his "counsel" intend to bring one of the Old Ones into the world, misguided in their belief that they can control this awesome power. As they bring in minions from other planes in the form of Slaadi, the repercussions of their actions is already main plain in sweeping weather changes. The only way to stop them and close the portal is to gather ancient weapons - those forged by the metal kings.

A silver ring
A golden crown
A mithril hammer
A copper sword
An iron axe
A bronze long sword
And....

Seperately, each artifact is powerful, but together they can close the portal and send the Old Ones back...if they can be found. And the counsel....who are they? The prince and his lady Mira are simple enough but the rest remain a mystery. And how do the mines tie in to all of it?

Notes on game play

2006-04-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

To move the battles along quicker, spell casters must have their spells ready and fighters must have their chosen weapons ready when their initiative is called. If you're not ready, you lose your turn and I still get to hit you. Then the monsters get to hit you.
I award a 10% experience point bonus to anyone who writes AND THEN GIVES TO ME a drawing, diary entry, letter home, figurine, diorama, flyer you are having your lacky post, or any other creative piece relating to/about the previous game. I will even accept cakes, assuming they are decorated to depict something that happened in the previous game.
Let me know at least 24 hours before the game whether you are going to make it. This is an important courtesy - I do not want end up with one poor soul on my doorstep, 20-sider clutched desperately in a sweaty palm, squeaking “What do you mean I get to finish the bone ooze battle all by myself?!??!?!”

GamerGrrl

2006-03-18T16:32:00.000-08:00