“Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” Session 40.12 — Mob, ghouls, and crones

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands” Session 40.12, which was held on Sunday, 2 March 2014:

Long ago in a distant land, spirits and men directly traded bamboo, silk, and steel. Wars to the west, twisted monsters, and power-hungry sorcerers threatened the eastern kingdoms, so the call went out for new heroes of honor and tact….

Player Character Party 40 in Gene D.’s “Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” Asian-style telecom campaign, using the Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1st Ed.) Oriental Adventures, plus house rules, Skype, and an online dice roller, as of spring 2014:

“Souji Nobuto ‘Sonny’ Yoshimitsu” [Beruk A.]-male Shengtese Tian Kensai (eastern human weapon master) from a dishonored house in the Lion Clan, specializing in chain weapons; LNg, Lvl. 4
“Toshiharu ‘Toshi’ Sembutsu” [Byron V.O.]-male Shan Sao Wu Jen (eastern Halfling Wizard) from the Tiger Clan with a destiny; NGc, Lvl. 4
“Ember Talon” [Sara F.]-female Crane Hengeyokai Wu (shapeshifting Druid), actually a young gold dragon banished from the Celestial Court; NGl, Lvl. 4
“Saigo Kasugi” [Bruce K.]-male Bamboo Spirit Folk Samurai (eastern Sylvan Elf Cavalier) discreetly serving his daimyo; LNg, Lvl. 4
“Soske’ Tiatoshe” [Geoff C.]-male Shengtese Tian Shukenja (eastern human Cleric), priest of Shang-ti and animist from the Phoenix Clan, prophesied to do great things; LNg, Lvl. 4
“Moon Jung-mo” [Dexter V.H.]-male Nannuattan Ninja (Msamaki, eastern Dark Elf Assassin) who has left the Shadow’s Claw clan and is posing as a River Spirit Folk Yakuza (eastern Grey Elf Rogue); LNg, Lvl. 4

“10 to 11 April 1227 B.C.E.:” The wanderers investigated a Tikbalang summoning and tracked a Wolfen bounty hunter, his Barbarian bandit quarry, and missing farmers. They questioned a geisha and bowyer/fletcher and found three peasants turned into Undead before capturing the bandit.

Toshi searches the Yamen-Ren (Barbarian) and finds a dagger, a short bow, a broadsword, a chain shirt, and dried meat but no necromantic items. Saigo questions Shiskikura Eiji, who admits to banditry but claims that he restrained the three farmers and that someone in the village sent Ivor Bloodpelt after him.

Ember and Soske’ dispose of the corpses so that they won’t return to haunt the village of Chin Mok. Soske’ points out that whoever created the Undead could also have summoned the horse-headed Tikbalang near a desecrated grove.

Jung-Mo and Sonny visit a nearby farm whose fields also show unseasonable neglect. They open the door to a large, musty house and hear something moving in the rafters. Jung-Mo quickly yanks Sonny back outside.

As Ember and Soske’ keep watch, they see more than a dozen people approaching from the Shengtese human village. Ember shifts into crane form to get a better look, and she spots Ji-Sil Yuen, who was angry that her husband is missing and who accused Ember and others of having poor morals.

Soske’ goes to warn Toshi and Saigo, who agree to hide Eiji in a barn. Saigo goes out to meet the mob, which Ember says doesn’t include village elder Fong Kien or militia leader Yang Kuang. Ember and Toshi perch overhead as birds, while Soske’ leaves to check on Jung-Mo and Sonny.

Scout Jung-Mo and Kensai Sonny get a glimpse of three unnaturally pale children climbing down the walls like spiders. They pull the door shut and hold it. Shukenja Soske’ arrives and offers to help deal with the Undead delinquents.

Jung-Mo runs to assist Samurai Saigo with the angry nong (peasants). Ji-Sil says that she has heard of “impure monsters,” but the adventurers suspect that she hopes to destroy any evidence of her own involvement. Wu Jen Toshi is able to communicate with Druid Ember since both are in avian form.

Saigo pulls rank and orders the villagers back to their homes, saying that his band needs time to address the threat. The assembly reluctantly disperses, and Ember and Toshi fly overhead for a while to make sure they leave the area.

The party regroups at the second farm, where Sonny lets go of the door. The children of the rice paddies grab at him and Soske’ with their blackened nails. Jung-Mo hurls a Whippet (incendiary boomerang) into the fray, missing and starting a small fire in the house.

Undead creature — Children of the rice paddy

Soske’ draws his bow, lodging an arrow in the neck of one ghoul, and Toshi casts Magic Missile. Saigo swings his no-dachi (great sword). Ember casts Bless on her companions.

After an initial miss, Sonny unleashes a Whirlwind Strike with his chains, hitting all three foes. One of the Undead is slain by Soske’s Positive Energy Burst, and Toshi destroys another. Saigo finishes off the third one in a cloud of dust.

The group retrieves and unbinds Shiskikura, saying that he must face justice, not an angry mob. Saigo and Soske’ lead the way to the third farm, followed by Toshi, the bandit, and Sonny. Ember and admirer Jung-Mo bring up the rear.

The clinking cups and laughter of a tea party can be heard outside the last house. Saigo opens the door and sees three women, but when they turn, they reveal half-withered visages. They are the ones who have ensorcelled the farms.

Shan Sao Toshi tries to Detect Undead but concludes that the crones are Mahotsukai (witches). Shengtese Soske’ shoots an arrow but misses, and Spirit Folk Jung-Mo isn’t stealthy enough for a sneak attack.

Bamboo Spirit Folk Saigo cleaves into the evil trio, slashing two witches. One woman turns into a bat, another casts Mirror Image, and the third casts Cone of Cold. Hengeyokai Ember responds with Resist Cold, and Shengtese Sonny dispels four of the illusions with another Whirlwind attack.

Toshi casts Scorching Ray and Magic Missile at the bat, which Soske’ finishes off before falling back to heal Saigo. Jung-Mo again misses before hitting an Invisible witch with an arrow from his new folding bow.

Saigo slashes in the hope of hitting the hidden sorceress, who tries to escape. The other witch casts Lightning Bolt, injuring Jung-Mo, Sonny, and Saigo. Ember casts Cure Light Wounds on Jung-Mo and Toshi.

Sonny loops a chain around one enemy’s neck to interfere with her spell casting. The Kensai’s kicks force the other to drop her Invisibility. Toshi casts another Scorching Ray, finishing Sonny’s foe. He also tosses shurikens, but they miss, unlike Soske’s arrows. Saigo beheads the last witch.

The team searches the house, finding food likely brought from Chin Mok in the past few days. Sonny believes that a conspiracy of spurned wives led them to the sorceresses’ services. Saigo and Ember want to confront Ji-Sil Yuen, but Toshi and Soske’ note that she has swayed several peasants.

Jung-Mo says the group should remember its overall mission of bringing Gokuri emissary Lady Yun Aei-Yong to the capital and balance that with trying to help people and learn about hazards on the way. Soske’ and the others agree to leave Chin Mok as soon as possible….

Thanks again to all for your patience as we finish updating your characters to our latest house rules. Let me know if you have any questions as we upload them to Obsidian Portal, and I hope our games will run more smoothly in the coming sessions.

We’re also revising the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” party, and I look forward to eventually continuing Jason E.R.’s “Glassworks: the Devil’s Den” superhero scenario.

“Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” Session 40.11 — “Dude, you’re dead!”

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands” Session 40.11, which was held on Sunday, 23 February 2014:

“Souji Nobuto ‘Sonny’ Yoshimitsu” [Beruk A.]-male Shengtese Tian Kensai (eastern human weapon master) from a dishonored house in the Lion Clan, specializing in chain weapons; LNg, Lvl. 4
“Toshiharu ‘Toshi’ Sembutsu” [Byron V.O.]-male Shan Sao Wu Jen (eastern Halfling Wizard) from the Tiger Clan with a destiny; NGc, Lvl. 4
“Ember Talon” [Sara F.]-female Crane Hengeyokai Wu (shapeshifting Druid), actually a young gold dragon banished from the Celestial Court; NGl, Lvl. 4
“Saigo Kasugi” [Bruce K.]-male Bamboo Spirit Folk Samurai (eastern Sylvan Elf Cavalier) discreetly serving his daimyo; LNg, Lvl. 4
“Soske’ Tiatoshe” [Geoff C.]-male Shengtese Tian Shukenja (eastern human Cleric), priest of Shang-ti and animist from the Phoenix Clan, prophesied to do great things; LNg, Lvl. 4
“Moon Jung-mo” [Dexter V.H.]-male Nannuattan Ninja (Msamaki, eastern Dark Elf Assassin) who has left the Shadow’s Claw clan and is posing as a River Spirit Folk Yakuza (eastern Grey Elf Rogue); LNg, Lvl. 4

“8 to 9 April 1227 B.C.E.:” After a giant flaming boar attack on the village of Chin Mok, the wanderers visited a desecrated grove. There, they met a strange girl, who turned into a horse-headed monster. They slayed the Tikbalang but had questions about who summoned it.

Jung-Mo and Toshi look for disreputable types who may know where Wolfen bounty hunter Ivor Bloodpelt may have gone. Jung-Mo poses as a Yakuza, and Toshi changes to baza (bird) form.

Meanwhile, Saigo and Soske’ visit the village elders. They report to mayor Fong Kien and militia leader Yang Kuang, who says that Ivor hastily left Chin Mok, do doubt feeling guilty over disturbing the nearby sacred grove while hunting Shiskikura Eiji, a Tsucharim human Yamen-Ren (Barbarian) bandit.

In addition, Sonny and Ember return to the “Pelican’s Chin” inn, where they check on Lady Yun Aei-Yong, the Nannuattan emissary from Gokuri, and Oh-Kum Jah, her Draconian guard. They also look for tea houses and other drinking establishments.

Jung-Mo and Toshi find three people rolling bones at the edge of the village — a female Wolfen trapper, a Tsucharim (Mongol-style) human lumberjack, and a dusty Tsucharim drover. Marina Snowcrunch, Yarin Gavrovich, and Vladek Ilyanov let Jung-Mo gamble with them.

Yarin repeats a rumor that Ivor left because he had fallen out of favor with the local council, and Vladek wins a few tael. Wu-Jen Toshi watches the dice but can’t communicate openly with Jung-Mo. Marina eventually mentions that she and Ivor frequented hunting camps not far from Chin Mok.

Yang Kuang directs Saigo and Soske’ to Takara Yoshifumi, a bowyer/fletcher occasionally patronized by Ivor. The Samurai and Shukenja find the archery shop ransacked, with three quivers of broad-headed, hollow-point, and flight arrows and some food missing. The Hulinyuan says that Ivor was a decent customer.

Sonny meets geisha Takabe Miho and acquires a room to talk. The thin woman says she wants to go to the city of Sogewa and performs for the Kensai. Ember, who posed as his companion, is accosted by an angry farmer’s wife. Ji-Sil Yuen accuses the Wu of low morals, saying that women like her and Miho have corrupted three missing peasants.

After losing a few coins, Jung-Mo wins 12 tael (6 gold pieces) and discreetly eases out of conversation. Toshi distracts the gamblers by flying in front of a horse-drawn cabbage cart, upsetting it, and they head back to the “Pelican’s Chin.”

Takabe says he has no enemies, but Saigo and Soske’ notice a broken window latch and tracks outside leading north. They also return to the inn to rendezvous with their adventuring party.

Jung-Mo, Toshi, Saigo, and Soske’ find Ember being yelled at by Ji-Sil Yuen. Ember stands abruptly, her honor as a former member of the Celestial Court insulted. Toshi loudly tells Ember that there’s no need to kill someone so far beneath her, and Yuen bows to Saigo before quickly retreating.

Jung-Mo stops Yuen outside the tea house and learns that a few farmers have been missing for days. Most wives assumed that they had fled for shame, but planting season waits for no man. Jung-Mo and friends suspect that the missing peasants are related to the Tikbalang summoning, Ivor, and Shiskikura.

Jung-Mo runs upstairs to check on Sonny, followed by Saigo, who asks Soske’ for holy water. They find Saigo and the geisha otherwise engaged but not in any obvious danger. Jung-Mo keeps watch, and Saigo goes back downstairs to strategize.

Toshi and Ember check on Lady Yun, who agrees that the missing bounty hunter, bandit, and farmers are worth investigating. Sometime later, the wanderers regroup and follow the tracks north, through untended fields.

Soske’ notices empty farmhouses and casts Protection From Evil on Sonny and Saigo. Toshi casts Detect Magic and senses something from one of the seemingly empty buildings. Jung-Mo prays to the ancestors, and Ember shifts to crane form.

Bamboo Spirit Folk Saigo draws his katana, which Shengtese human Soske’ temporarily enchants, and kicks the door in. The room reeks, and three men are tied up to chairs. They have tried to kick at objects in the room to get the attention of passers-by. Shengtese Sonny watches the area.

Outside, Spirit Folk Jung-Mo sees movement behind the farmhouse, and stealthy Shan Sao Toshi casts Web, preventing someone in a furred cloak from retreating. Hengeyokai Ember flies ahead and Wild Shapes into a bear.

Saigo ungags the farmers, who claim that Ji-Sil Yuen captured them in vengeance for her husband’s infidelity. However, he notices that the three aren’t breathing and says, “Dude, you’re dead.” Sonny sees that they have been systematically bled over three days.

Jung-Mo and Soske’ fire arrows at the runner, whom Ember confirms is the Yamen-Ren. Toshi casts Magic Missiles, which appear as orange daggers.

Soske’ confirms that the three struggling men, who ask to be unbound, are incipient Undead. Sonny draws his kama, and he and Saigo behead them. Toshi is exasperated at not being able to question them, but Ember knocks down the Barbarian and restrains him.

Jung-Mo notes that there are still many unanswered questions, and the groupprepares to secure the farm and look for more clues….

Thanks again to everyone for your feedback as we convert your characters to the latest D20/FATE hybrid house rules! Note that the “A New Dawn” party is now Fourth Level. I’ll post the latest refinements separately.

I look forward to seeing some of you at Jason E.R.’s “Glassworks: the Devil’s Den”superhero session tonight, and remember that the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” game resumes in mid-March.

“Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” Session 39.33 — Vistel’s expedition

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands” Session 39.33, which Brian W. hosted in Newton, Mass., on Monday, 17 February 2014:

In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The “Vanished Lands” were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders.

Various groups of mercenaries and diplomats have fought humanoids in the northwestern borderlands, encountered pirates on the Sea of Nagendwa, and wandered the hostile Halmed Desert and the wide Plains of Sathendo….

“Vistel’s Circus,” Player Character Party 39 in Gene D.’s ” Vanished Lands ” heroic fantasy campaign, using the Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game, as of spring 2014:

“Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage seer, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; with homunculus familiar Gerald; NGc, Lvl. 7

“Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W.]-male Zeda (proto-Germanic) human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 7

“Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 7

“Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and former ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 6

“Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with Banuq (winged cat) Penryn; NGc, Lvl. 6

“Tempestade” [Josh C.]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), former roustabout, now a follower of Otih; CGl, Lvl. 6

“Sir Torrel” [Alex W.]-male Hifalendorin human Paladin of Otih, the lord of the sun and justice; LGn, Lvl. 6

“Radius” [Jason E.R./departed]-male Modron Paladin of Primus, lord of Nirvana; exiled to the Prime Material plane; LGn, Lvl. 5

“16 to 18 February 1227 B.C.E.:” While sailing from Bokor Isle to Salhonif Island, the “Foamrunner” fought a giant squid before arriving at the Zarendo port of Riku. The away teams made new friends and enemies, contacted a guide, and hired porters to enter the jungle, where it avoided a dinosaur attack.

The expedition arrives at Estu, where it witnesses a meeting between civilized apes and Wemics (centauroid leonines). Guide Makena Walabu helps translate for introductions. Orangutan scout Anwar Waheed is curious about the newcomers and brings them into the village.

Anwar introduces the onetime circus performers to Acturis Leontis, a gorilla chieftain, and Padmini Tanushi, a gorilla shaman. They politely bid farewell to Wemics Vathud and Tauret and share a meal with the humans and demihumans.

Giacomo is impressed that the primates have managed to avoid the rule of Schm*ckF*ck, the Pit Fiend ruling much of Salhonif Island from a temple on volcanic Mount Tilefa. Acturis says that his people trade with their neighbors but avoid larger conflicts. He agrees with Makena that Queen Zapanga in the city-state of Selifa would be a helpful ally.

Hamfast declines the temptation to test his strength against the apes in a wrestling match. Scully asks Anwar whether it’s better to cross the savannah or jungles to get to Selifa. The javelin-bearing scout says he prefers the dense forests, but the outlanders may be more comfortable in the open.

Tempestade enjoys the local cuisine, which is very similar to that of his distant homeland. Corwin performs some music for those assembled, who join in on drums. Elsa proffers gifts of maps and wine and receives fruit liquor in return. Sir Torrel is wary around the talking apes, but they seem honorable.

Giacomo notices on the high ceilings many geometric carvings, which Acturis attributes to the Reptile Folk who built the city during an age of harmony among beast kin. Scully surreptitiously uses the Lens of True Sight and sees bas reliefs of many-headed Tiamat, mother of chromatic dragons.

Acturis asks Anwar to take the explorers to a vacant house for the evening. Once the group has some privacy, conversation turns to its mission of rescuing Lady Shadira, an Efreeti transformed and imprisoned by the greater devil.

The would-be heroes acknowledge that if they’re successful, they’ll probably need to take the Foamrunner back to Tarvulis Island before continuing on to the barbaric port of Gisar, where Tempestade plans to use an obelisk to return to his own time and rescue fellow slaves.

Scully hears a sound outside. The albino Flind looks out into the alley and sees Waneta Malila, a chimpanzee servant. The eavesdropper runs, and Scully tackles her. Zeda human Hamfast holds the chimp as Giacomo casts Dispel Magic, temporarily transforming Waneta back into her true form, that of a Zarendo human.

Hifalendorin human Giacomo questions the woman, who is reluctant to cooperate until he explains that they have a common foe, her Pit Fiend master. She says he has spies everywhere and that his lieutenant is an Osyluth (bone devil). Waneta seems unaware of the location of the Eye of Heaven, a gem said to be protecting Estu.

After some discussion, Scully and company let Waneta go. She promises not to reveal what she has learned and reverts to simian form. The next morning, Tempestade, Corwin, Elsa, and Sir Torrel keep watch over Makena and the porters, while Giacomo, Hamfast, and Scully get a tour of Estu from Anwar.

They see other intelligent apes, Lizard Man ruins, and an abandoned ziggurat near the center of the village. Anwar says his people avoid the ancient edifice, but he doesn’t prevent the curious team from probing further.

Wizard Giacomo, Fighter Hamfast, and Ranger Scully find a ramp descending beneath the step pyramid. As they walk, they step on numerous bones, and Anwar warns them that there are likely traps. Scully glimpses a large idol with one intact eye.

The statue of the plum, red-skinned humanoid flickers in torchlight before the rumble of stones indicates that a trap has been triggered. Anwar leads the way back to the surface.

Classic D&D Player's Handbook — Dungeon idol

Giacomo casts Levitate to aid their hasty escape. They privately confirm that the Eye of Heaven is indeed at the center of Estu, possibly protecting the apes from the devil in the mountain….

While we missed Josh, Bruce, Rich, and Alex last week, I’m glad that Beruk, Brian, and Sara were game. Not only did we convert their characters to the latest D20/FATE house rules, but we also got some good role-playing in!

I look forward to seeing everyone at our next “Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” and Jason E.R.’s “Glassworks: the Devil’s Den” sessions!

“Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” Session 40.10 — Into the woods, again

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands” Session 40.10, which was held on Sunday, 16 February 2014:

“Souji Nobuto ‘Sonny’ Yoshimitsu” [Beruk A.]-male Shengtese Tian Kensai (eastern human weapon master) from a dishonored house in the Lion Clan, specializing in chain weapons; LNg, Lvl. 4
“Toshiharu ‘Toshi’ Sembutsu” [Byron V.O.]-male Shan Sao Wu Jen (eastern Halfling Wizard) from the Tiger Clan with a destiny; NGc, Lvl. 4
“Ember Talon” [Sara F.]-female Crane Hengeyokai Wu (shapeshifting Druid), actually a young gold dragon banished from the Celestial Court; NGl, Lvl. 4
“Saigo Kasugi” [Bruce K.]-male Bamboo Spirit Folk Samurai (eastern Sylvan Elf Cavalier) discreetly serving his daimyo; LNg, Lvl. 3
“Soske’ Tiatoshe” [Geoff C.]-male Shengtese Tian Shukenja (eastern human Cleric), priest of Shang-ti and animist from the Phoenix Clan, prophesied to do great things; LNg, Lvl. 4
“Moon Jung-mo” [Dexter V.H.]-male Nannuattan Ninja (Msamaki, eastern Dark Elf Assassin) who has left the Shadow’s Claw clan and is posing as a River Spirit Folk Yakuza (eastern Grey Elf Rogue); LNg, Lvl. 3

“6 to 7 April 1227 B.C.E.:” On its way southeast to the city of Sogewa, the adventuring party met a dozen ronin and the six Orc samurai pursuing them. It also passed a thawing battlefield and rested in Chin Mok until a huge flaming boar rampaged down the village’s streets. The group lured the beast out into a rice paddy and learned that the nature spirit’s sacred grove had been violated by hunters.

Sonny recommends that Saigo stay at the “Pelican’s Chin” inn and help keep watch for the remainder of the night. Toshi notes that Shengtese human farmers should know better than to desecrate such a grove.

Ember, who spoke with the piglet before it ran back to the woods, hopes to learn more from other local wildlife. Soske’ is outraged at the sacrilege, while Jung-Mo stealthily guards Lady Yun Aei-Yong, the kingdom of Gokuri’s emissary.

In the morning, Saigo practices with his new katana. Sonny asks innkeeper Tan Tse about her village. She directs the visitors to a round house with a thatched roof at the end of the street. Soske’ and company find Chin Mok’s head men talking with a Wolfen bounty hunter.

Robed Fong Kien is grateful for the group’s help in repelling the flaming boar, and militia leader Yang Kuang says that most people avoid the nearby woods. Ivor Bloodpelt says that he is hunting Shiskikura Eiji, a Tsucharim human Yamen-Ren (Barbarian) bandit.

Soske’ asks for proper burial rites for those in the battlefield, and Fong says that he’ll send a request for priests. Sonny and Saigo notice that Ivor is nervous, so they and Soske’ take the Wolfen out for drinks to loosen his tongue. Jung-Mo continues courting Ember.

Ivor admits knocking over some standing stones in the grove and gives Soske’ 40 yuan (20 silver pieces, or 2 tael/gold pieces) to help restore them. The shaggy humanoid also says that he smelled smoke and heard strange laughter in the area.

The group leaves Lady Yun in the care of Draconian bodyguard Oh Kum-Ja at the “Pelican’s Chin” and heads through rice paddies to the tangled woods. Saigo is tempted to go off the trail to pursue strange sounds, but his friends follow a stream to the sacred grove.

Watch out for hidden dangers — A sacred grove

As expected, they find toppled carvings, but Wu Ember is surprised to notice that the mossy turf has been torn up in a struggle. Apparently, Ivor didn’t tell them everything.

Kensai Sonny and Samurai Saigo warily watch the woods as Soske’, Ember, and Saigo work to reset the stones. Wu-Jen Toshi casts Detect Magic and senses a trace of summoning. Shukenja Soske’ uses Sense Elements: Psychometry and glimpses claws vs. paws — presumably the Wolfen’s.

Toshi casts Know History and has a vision of a gold mane and nature spirits fleeing the area. Soske’s Detect Evil picks up a strong trace. Sonny climbs a tree and finds a hammock-like nest with cigar butts.

Jung-Mo finds a hoof print like that of a horse or pony. Ember shifts to crane form and flies to talk with some songbirds. They are initially reluctant to communicate with a stranger, but they say a hunter fought with their friend Tiki.

A small bird approaches and turns into a little girl in a white dress. She asks for gifts, but Soske’ senses malicious intent. Ember cries out Tiki’s name, to which the strange child laughs.

Hengeyokai Ember flies down, raking Tiki with her claws. Bamboo Spirit Folk Saigo draws his katana and plunges it into the eerie girl. Spirit Folk Jung-Mo sneaks around and hurls a whippet (incendiary boomerang).

Shengtese Soske’ casts Protection From Evil on Saigo. Tiki shrugs off the whippet and gathers shadows, revealing her true form as a monster with a horse’s head and rear legs and long arms ending in black talons. Sonny swings his kusari-gama but misses.

Shan Sao Toshi and Jung-Mo are temporarily incapacitated by Tiki’s hideous laughter. Ember reverts to humanoid form and casts Entangle, but the equine horror is unaffected. Saigo again slashes at his foe, as Soske’ falls back to the sacred grove and changes water into holy rice wine for his arrows.

Tiki taunts each of the would-be heroes and tries to trample Saigo. Sonny switches to his kama and makes a double attack. Ember Wild Shapes into bear form.

Jung-Mo rejoins the fight with his wakizashi [ninja-to] and more whippets. Toshi casts Elemental Burst on a rock, exploding it, followed by Magic Missile.

Sonny briefly trips Tiki, but she stands up and shrinks out of his chains. Soske’ fires arrows, and Ember finishes off their foe with an ursine growl. Saigo beheads the unnatural beast.

Toshi flies up to the creature’s nest and retrieves a sacrificial knife, pipe weed, and the following coinage:

200 yuan (100 silver pieces, or 10 gold pieces)
40 tael (electrum pieces or 20 g.p.)
150 tael (75 g.p.)

Toshi casts Detect Curse and determines that the knife is of Goblinoid or extraplanar origin. Each party member gets about 30 tael (15 g.p.). Sonny plucks six gold threads from the monster’s mane.

Soske’ works to purify the area around the sacred grove, aided by Ember. Jung-Mo wonders who would have summoned the horse-headed girl, and Saigo agrees that they should question Ivor and Shiskikura.

The adventurers return to Chin Mok by nightfall. Fong Kien is grateful, and Yang Kuang says that the Wolfen hunter has left the village. Lady Yun identifies Tiki’s head as that of a Tikbalang, a dangerous shapeshifter.

Soske’ hopes to track down the summoner behind the Tikbalang, but Saigo hopes to avoid local entanglements while bringing Lady Yun to Sogewa, capital of Tong Sheng. The wanderers rest another night in Chin Mok….

It was great to see everyone virtually! Thanks again for your patience and feedback as we try out my latest D20/FATE house rules for both “Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” and “Vistel’s Circus” teams. I hope to see all of you online tomorrow night.

I also look forward to continuing Jason E.R.’s “Glassworks: the Devil’s Den” superhero scenario, and let Byron and me know about the proposed crossover with his Middle Earth Role-Playing game with his sons.

The Lego Movie review

On Saturday, 2 February 2014, Janice and I met Sara F. & Josh C. and Thomas K.Y. & Kai-Yin H. at the AMC Burlington 10 for an early matinee of The Lego Movie. We all enjoyed the computer-animated comedic adventure.

Plot: The Lego Movie follows Emmet Brickowski, a cheerful but unimaginative construction worker who learns that he is “the Special,” prophesied by the wizard Vitruvius to save their world. After meeting a woman named Wyldstyle, Emmet is thrust into various adventures and must defeat Lord Business. He also learns the truth about creativity, individuality, and the nature of his world.

Script: The overall storyline will be familiar to viewers of other family films, such as Toy Story or Wreck-It Ralph, but I was impressed at the amount of adult humor and satire. The Lego Movie makes sly comments about mass media, consumerism, freedom vs. conformity, and adulthood vs. childhood but still entertains.

Cast: Like many animated features, The Lego Movie has an all-star cast. Chris Pratt is lighthearted as Emmet, and Will Ferrell is the domineering Lord Business. Elizabeth Banks is spunky but vulnerable as Wyldstyle, and Will Arnett is hilarious as her boyfriend Batman.

Other DC Comics superheroes make appearances, including Channing Tatum as Superman, Jonah Hill as a goofy Green Lantern, and Cobie Smulders as Wonder Woman. (Two out of the three would do well in live-action versions.)

Other comedians lending their voice talents include Alison Brie as the cutesy but temperamental Uni-Kitty, Nick Offerman as cyborg pirate Metal Beard, and Charlie Day as a 1980s space guy. Morgan Freeman riffs on earlier roles as wise Vitruvius, as does Liam Neeson as Good Cop/Bad Cop, Lord Business’ dour henchman.

There were several other Lego cameos, including Shaquille O’Neal as himself, Billy Dee Williams as smooth Lando Calrissian, and Anthony Daniels as C-3P0. The numerous crossovers should come as no surprise, since licensed properties have helped the toy maker’s financial success.

Direction: Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who previously worked on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, do a good job of keeping The Lego Movie‘s story progressing within the 100-minute runtime. They also manage to balance Lego’s many licenses with original characters and imagination. While there have been many CG movies lately, relatively few have retained a sense of wonder and cleverness.

Cinematography: As a longtime Lego fan, I was pleased to see several classic themes represented, including medieval, city, the Old West, and space. The kinetic action and multicolored bricks were difficult to discern at first, but the Lego-style settings, characters, and vehicles were all cleverly rendered, as were the opening and closing titles.

Soundtrack: The main theme, “Everything Is Awesome!” is very catchy even as it teases us with its seeming banality, and there are allusions to the live-action Batman movies, as well as Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and more.

Rating: I’d give The Lego Movie, which is rated PG for cartoon violence, an 8 to 8.5 out of 10, four out of five stars, or an A-. I recommend it not only to adult fans or those with children who play with Lego, but also to anyone who is young at heart. A sequel is already in the works.

While I had already seen previews for Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Muppets Most Wanted, and Amazing Spider-Man 2, we were intrigued by the first trailer for The Boxtrolls. They all look like fun. We then went to Slowbones, a new barbecue joint, for lunch.

Other movies we caught up on around the holidays included Red 2, Elysium, and Turbo. If you like seeing spoofy reunions of aging action stars, like in The Expendables, you’ll like Red 2. While Elysium wasn’t as insightful social science fiction as District 9 was, it was decent, and Turbo was surprisingly sentimental, despite its similarity to Cars.

We’ve also recently screened 47 Ronin, which wasn’t particularly faithful to Japanese history but still a good “fantasy gamer flick.” It was the sort of film that would be fine for a video night, which my local groups have been discussing. Janice instead went to Disney’s animated Frozen, which she liked.

Here’s a list of recent and upcoming movies (with U.S. release dates):

2014 movies — to see in theaters:

Mr. Peabody & Emerson (animated comedy, March 7)
Veronica Mars (neo-noir, March 14)
Muppets Most Wanted (comedy, March 21)
Captain America: the Winter Soldier (superhero sequel, April 4)
Amazing Spider-Man 2 (superhero sequel, May 2)
Godzilla (kaiju reboot, May 16)
X-Men: Days of Future Past (superhero sequel, May 23)
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (animated fantasy, June 13)
The Boxtrolls (animated fantasy, Sept. 24)
The Hobbit [Pt. 3 of 3]: There and Back Again (fantasy, Dec. 17)

Maybe eventually on cable or DVD:

Hercules: the Legend Begins (sword and sandals, Jan. 10)
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (espionage/action, Jan. 17)
The Monuments Men (war/caper, Feb. 7)
RoboCop (cyberpunk remake, Feb. 12)
Pompeii (sword and sandals, Feb. 21)
300: Rise of an Empire (sword and sandals, March 7)
Only Lovers Left Alive (vampires, April 11)
Transcendence (cyberpunk, April 18)
Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return (animated fantasy, May 9)
Maleficent (fantasy, May 30)
Edge of Tomorrow (time travel/SF action, June 6)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (apocalyptic, July 11)
Jupiter Ascending (space opera, July 18)
Hercules (sword and sandals; with the Rock, July 25)
Guardians of the Galaxy (space opera superheroes, Aug. 1)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (comic book reboot, Aug. 8)
The Expendables 3 (action, Aug. 15)
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (noir action, Aug. 22)
Dracula Untold (vampire, Oct. 17)
Big Hero 6 (animated superhero, Nov. 7)
Interstellar (science fiction, Nov. 7)
Paddington (animated fantasy, Dec. 12)
Into the Woods (fantasy musical, Dec. 25)

What are you looking forward to?