Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.24 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 10 April 2011, and has been using Pathfinder, Skype, and an online dice roller.
In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. After “Holy Steel‘s” journey to the distant empire of Khemet, another motley group gathered in the northwestern “Vanished Lands” to explore a world full of perils and wonders….
After meeting in the Wisalef Forest, an unlikely band of adventurers encountered the hostile Centaur followers of Vappu Lahja, as well as Fey and Undead on the Plains of Sathendo….
>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of spring 2011:
-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard); NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 2
-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras, god of contracts and brotherhood; LGn, Lvl. 3
-“Asish Chen Ti” [Byron V.O.]-male Tsucharim human archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from the kingdom of Gokuri; owner of Akita dog Genghis and horse Onimusha; NGl, Age 20, Lvl. 3
-“Jovinda Halflight” [Sammy H.]-female Half-Elf (Grugach/Hifalendorin) Cleric of Mekkil, goddess of nature; owner of horse Wyth-Amoi, or “Wind Spirit”; NGl, Age 23, Lvl. 3
-“Kazuo Takenaga” [Taum D’A.]-male Nezumi (Rat-kin) Monk from the Zedu kingdom in the Therud Forest; LNg, Age 20, Lvl. 3
-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S./absent]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 3
-“Favelhorn Riftbringer” [Dexter V.H./absent]-male Mountain Dwarf Summoner; CGn, Age 51, Lvl. 1
“23 to 25 August 1229 B.C.E.:” Shortly after arriving at the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city of Nadwi, the wanderers visited a chapel of Yondolla, goddess of the hearth. Priestess Nelly O’Keefe removed Vappu Lahja’s mental control of Digger and Kazuo.
The Halfling Rogue and Nezumi Monk decline their companions’ offers to go sightseeing or shopping, instead staying in their rooms at the Deer’s Heart tavern. Digger spends several hours making a sketch of the mysterious Vappu Lahja, and Kazuo meditates in solitude.
The next morning, Gawain and Digger go to the civic library and Magisterium (magic school) to conduct research. Gawain talks to curator Latafo, who helps him find books on devils. The Saganim Illusionist believes that Vappu Lahja is a shapeshifting temptress. He also compares notes with colleague “Gerando” [Kim A.G./Non-Player Character] and meets the friendly “Jade Xi” [Sammy H./N.P.C.], a Saganim/Shengtese human scholar.
Digger inquires about Octavius Karstus, the mage who hired him to deliver information about merchant Eligius and a map of Evesboro to stonemason Marcel. The scholar finds that Karstus is in good standing with the local Magisterium, which he hasn’t visited in several months.
Asish sells a horse in return for two ponies and a small profit for the party. The Tsucharim Ranger also buys leather armor, including giant lizard hide and barding modified by tanner Beredoc from Centaur armor. Asish later presents the barding for grateful Kovar’s steed.
Sylvan Elf Joella Kylikki and Hifalendorin Ranger Carlos Clothard help Asish acquire arrows and archery practice, and talkative tailor Master Georgi sells him western-style clothing. Avoiding the consulate of the nefarious kingdom of Zuromm, Asish meets Chi Ren Han, the consul from the Principality of Silado (Tong Sheng).
Jovinda and Asish later visit the Grove of Mekkil, a pleasant park in the temple district. The Cleric of the goddess of nature and the Ranger sit on the lawn with Druid Lynne, who listens to their stories about Vappu Lahja and the unnatural creatures near the hamlet of Alarn. She warns them of the Unseelie Court and renegade Druids. In addition, Asish talks with Halfling herbalist Julia Hardbottom near the East Gate.
Lynne also asks the adventuring party to help find missing farmers before the autumn harvest. Armored Kovar takes Asish and Jovinda to the Knight’s Tower, where they report to Sir Niles Hawthorne and Sir Rodrigo Adelmo, commander of the city watch. They agree to send some troops north to Alarn and expedite an audience with Nadwi’s ruling council.
Gawain and Kovar return to the Magisterium, where they find Jade waiting on the steps to the arcane academy. The attractive young woman expresses interest in their investigations before returning to her own studies. The Illusionist and Paladin give the shards of a magical mirror found at the “Mellow Mule” inn in Alarn to Lady Ingrid Sufeliastra.
The Quelanthi (High Elf) Wizard confirms that the mirror carries enchantments from the Conjuration, Divination, and Transmutation schools of magic. Lady Ingrid also notes that in addition to possibly being a portal, it could have trapped monsters and even some peasants inside!
In searching for tinkers such as the late Taras of Rockney and her father, Jovinda is referred to Gnomes Pip… and Gimbleburntfingers, a silversmith and an alchemist, respectively. Kovar intends to ask Dwarven metalsmiths for time in their forges, and Asish invites Kazuo to join him at the Arrakis Arena.
Jovinda also plans to go to the temple of Ulandt, lady of rest, and Kovar is referred to the temple of the temple of Otih, god of the sun and justice. Digger consults Brother Thendiril, a Quelanthi priest of Labelas Aenarith, lord of time, at the temple of Corellan Larethian.
After its first round of visits to various temples, shops, and the Magisterium, the group waits for word from the palace on reporting to Nadwi’s council and from Digger regarding Karstus’ mission….
Rob, I hope that your eye is better, and we missed you and Dexter at this past Sunday’s game! Note that our next telecom fantasy game won’t be until 1 May 2011. The FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera teams won’t be meeting again until April 25 and May 2. In the meantime, stay in touch, and have a happy Passover or Easter! -Gene
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