Latest “Vanished Lands” telecom team, Update T3.27 — Nadwi nobles

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.27 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 22 May 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 on the Plains of Sathendo and a haunted inn in Alarn before riding to Nadwi….

>>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

-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; CGn, Age 45, 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

-“Favelhorn Riftbringer” [Dexter V.H./absent]-male Mountain Dwarf Summoner; CGn, Age 51, Lvl. 1

“27 August 1229 B.C.E.:” After several days in Nadwi, the adventuring party receives a summons to appear before the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city’s ruling council.

Gawain and Digger continue their research into devils at the local Magisterium (magic school/library) and linguistics and history at the civic library, respectively. The scholars hope to determine the true nature and intent of the mysterious Vappu Lahja and mage Octavius Karstus.

Asish hopes to meet “Jade Xi” [Sammy/Non-Player Character], but Digger warns that his former classmate and rival is not to be trusted. Both Asish and Gawain seem smitten with the attractive young woman, but they agree to curb their tongues. Kazuo trains with Hans Jeffers at the Arena of Arrakis.

Before their audience at the palace, Kovar and Jovinda go to the temple of Otih, lord of the sun and justice. At the barracks-style building, they tell human priest Sibelus Pirandor about the haunted hamlet of Alarn north of Nadwi. The Cleric (who first thinks that a Half-Orc and a follower of Mekkil, goddess of nature, are out of place) compares notes on Otih and Kovar’s patron, Mithras, deity of contracts and brothers in arms.

Sibelus refers them to Sir Daramor Helios, who orders his squire to prepare for an immediate departure. Satisfied, Kovar and Jovinda rejoin their companions, change clothes, and go to the palace. Royal and city guards in chain armor and blue surcoats hold halberds, and scribes and supplicants fill the outer corridors.

In a great hall, the adventurers introduce themselves to representatives of Nadwi’s nobles, merchants, and spellcasters. Gen. Sixtus Aurelias of the Hifalendorin army and Lady Elaine Valis are skeptical of their report of Vappu Lahja gathering an army of hostile Centaurs near the town of Kedetura.

However, Sir Rodrigo Adelmo of the city watch and Quelanthi (High Elf/Eladrin) Lady Ingrid Sufeliastra of the Magisterium verify Jovinda’s testimony of Fey mischief in Alarn. Sigmund Balard, the Halfling master of the gates, expresses concern to curious Digger about the decline in trade between Hifalendor and the Waletku kingdom to the north.

Lord Mayor Clobard Thudoric tells Ranger Asish that he is reluctant to commit resources to investigating threats out on the Plains of Sathendo, but Sylvan Elf merchant and consul Joella Kylikki offers the party a stipend. Upon learning from Kovar that knights of Otih have already departed, Pater Aldric and Lady Lara Maxiope vow that Paladins of Urda, lord of the sky, will also be dispatched.

Prince Andre de Giles, cousin to King Akkon XII in Hesolin, looks to aged Sir Mador Basored and Saganim loremaster Duncan Teague for counsel. When Jovinda repeats her request for aid, the prince notes that the Elves have offered gold, the Paladins plan to cleanse Alarn of Undead, and the city guard will send messengers to communities warning of the Centaurs.

He and the other aristocrats are still reluctant to believe that Vappu Lahja, who shares a name with a fairy tale character, poses a danger to their constituents. The wanderers are dismissed and plan to follow up with various demihumans later. Back at the “Deer’s Heart” tavern in the Dagger District, Digger and friends are surprised to find Jade waiting for them!

The Shengtese/Saganim woman offers information about agents of Vappu Lahja in the city for a price of 10 crowns (gold pieces). After some haggling, Kovar firmly turns her down, saying that Jade should share the names as a show of good faith. She replies that she’ll be around if Digger, Asish, or others need her, but she’ll take her business elsewhere.

Potential quests to weigh include returning to Alarn to search for refugees, Digger’s real estate inquiry for Octavius Karstus and scouting of ruined border forts, the besieged kingdom of Saganim as described by Asish, Jovinda’s search for her father, and missing gladiator Marcus (predecessor to Kazuo at the ludus)….

I hope that everybody enjoyed the latest game, despite numerous distractions. I know I’ve provided a lot of names to keep track of, but I hope that these notes and our Skype records will help. Good luck as your characters sort out missions and get ready to leave Nadwi!

Sammy and Taum, I’m glad that you were both able to join us from Denver, and congratulations on your engagement! Paul and Beruk, note that Team 2 for the FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera is scheduled to meet on Memorial Day. Rob, I hope that Ethan becomes more manageable, and Byron, I hope the tornadoes didn’t affect too many people near you.

Also, please remember to post to the Google Groups message board between virtual sessions regarding character questions, planning, and scheduling. Other than Paul, I look forward to seeing each of you online next Sunday, May 29! -Gene