Steampunk festival

On Mother’s Day, Janice and I went to the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation. Waltham, Massachusetts, which was rechristened “International Steampunk City,” hosted numerous events focusing on the subgenre. Steampunk blends 19th century speculative fiction with modern sensibilities and has been growing in popularity.

We liked the museum, which contains artifacts from the real Industrial Revolution. The festival also included historical re-enactors, arts and crafts exhibits, vendors, and of course, fans of all ages in semi-period costumes.

Although the venues were spread out around the museum, Waltham Common, and Moody Street, I was glad to see strong attendance. I hope that the steampunk event brings business to the area and leads to an event that draws more performers and participants.

We also went to the Outer Limits comic shop and had lunch at Margarita’s, whose namesake drink was good, but the service was slow. This coming weekend, the festivities continue with high school chum Damon F.P.’s visit and a cookout!

Latest “Vanished Lands” telecom team, Update 25: Flirting with danger

Arena of Arrakis in Nadwi — Classical arena

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.25 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 1 May 2011, and has been using Pathfinder, Skype, and an online dice roller.

After meeting in the Wisalef Forest, an unlikely band of adventurers encountered the hostile Centaur followers of Vappu Lahja 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

-“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

“25 to 26 August 1229 B.C.E.:” After a few days in the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city of Nadwi, the adventuring party continues gathering information and weighing options for missions. Curious Gawain and Digger spend most of their time at the libraries of the Magisterium (magic school), palace, and various temples.

The Wizard hopes to learn more about the mysterious Vappu Lahja and mage Octavius Karstus, while the Halfling scholar studies local lore, geography, and ancient languages. Kovar and Jovinda walk down Mercantile Row, where they find the smithy of Hill Dwarf Yohann Karsh.

The gruff metalworker is surprised to find a Half-Orc and an Elf, but he welcomes them just the same. Kovar explains that he wants to learn about forging high-quality armor and weapons but has little money. Yohann agrees to begin teaching the Paladin of Mithras his trade in return for help around the shop. Jovinda is fascinated by the smithy’s water and wind-driven machinery.

Meanwhile, Asish and Kazuo go to the Arena of Arrakis, where they watch young archers finish the morning’s practice. Among the people readying wooden practice weapons are a Hifalendorin woman, a Dragonborn (reptile woman Tu’Rokk) gladiator, and a Shengtese Kensai (eastern swordsman).

Young Asish notices an attractive woman of Shengtese and Saganim descent, and he asks Kazuo to buy some dumplings from the Halfling vendors/bookies working the bleachers. Jade Xi introduces herself, and the smitten Ranger soon learns that she has already met Gawain and Kovar and is an old classmate of Digger’s! He tells her of his own travels. (Somewhere, an archaeologist cries out in pain….)

Down on the sandy arena floor, Kylea Draconda [Taum/Non-Player Character] faces off with Kezui Ochima [Beruk/N.P.C.]. The Hifalendorin and Shengtese humans spar with quarterstaffs as the scattered audience cheers. Eager to prove himself, Asish ignores wise Kazuo’s caution and enters the competition, wearing a bracelet from Jade.

The Tsucharim scout challenges Kezui, who picks the shinai over the bo-ken. Although Asish does strike the Kensai once, Kezui makes quick work of him with three hits, as Kazuo and Jade chat in the stands. All four easterners find that they are equally strangers in a strange land.

Somewhat humbled, Asish dusts himself off and returns to Jade, and Kazuo goes to challenge Kezui. The Nezumi Monk fares better than his companion, both with the shinai and unarmed grappling, earning the Kensai’s respect.

Jade agrees to watch Asish participate in a demonstration of mounted archery the next day, and Kazuo and Kezui part as honorable (if not particularly tactful) opponents. Elsewhere in the city, Jovinda and Kovar find the shop of a Gnome named “Pip….” surrounded by ringing wind chimes, tin pinwheels, and other shiny artwork and gadgets.

Burly Kovar steps gingerly into the store, but Jovinda gets a windup bird caught in her feathered hair. Pip rides to them on bulldog Bruce and talks about his silver and clockwork wares. The Cleric of Mekkil asks for help locating her tinker father, and Pip says that he’ll look at his piles of correspondence.

Asish asks tanner Beredoc to save scraps of the unusual hides he’s using for barding to give to Gawain for magical scrolls. The Ranger also names the team’s mules “Miso,” “Basan,” and “Kishin” after eastern monsters and offers to take Jovinda to Saganim consul Lady Megan McDonnel to learn more about her missing father.

Jovinda, Asish, Kazuo, and Gawain meet at the “Deer’s Heart” tavern to compare notes over dinner. The wanderers are also waiting for an audience with the city council about the haunted village of Alarn to the north and the threat posed by Vappu Lahja’s Centaur followers….

If I left anything out of this update, please post to the Google Group message board for Rob, Paul, and Dexter. Rob, thanks again for your patience, and I hope you’re feeling better! Byron, I’m sorry that you’ll be missing our next game on Mother’s Day, but please give Cindy our regards!

Also, everyone should update their Player Character records and let me know your availability for Memorial Day weekend. Beruk and Paul, I’ll see you at Team 2’s FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera session. Have a good week, -Gene

Latest “Vanished Lands” telecom team, Update T3.24 — Nadwi’s temples

Arrival in Alfendi — Adventurers' arrival

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

“Vanished Lands” Telecom team, Update T3.23 — Newcomers in Nadwi

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.23 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 3 April 2011, and has been using Pathfinder, Skype, and an online dice roller.

After meeting in the Wisalef Forest, an unlikely band of adventurers encountered the hostile Centaur followers of Vappu Lahja 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

-“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

“22 to 23 August 1229 B.C.E.:” The travelers ride south from the haunted hamlet of Alarn and the village of Rockney. They follow the Aspar River, which glitters in the summer sunlight like a silver ribbon winding across the brown plains and fields. The stone ramparts of Nadwi encircle the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city, rising 30 feet from the packed earth.

At the North Gate, the group waits with various farmers’ wagons to be admitted. Gawain notices pennants of the neighboring Waletku kingdom of the Elves in addition to the banners of Hifalendor and Nadwi. “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character] offers to introduce Kovar to a local order of knights.

Digger tells the skeptical guards that he and his companions are travelers who plan to visit Nadwi‘s libraries and temples. The Halfling scholar also asks for recommendations of inns. Asish watches for Centaurs or enemy spies.

Jovinda looks in wonderment at the buildings and throngs of her first human city. The Half-Elf had been reminded of her missing father by the tinkering gear of Taras of Rockney, who had been slain by scarecrows. Kazuo is uncomfortable in the crowded, cobbled streets.

On Wood Street, Gawain and Digger go to the Boar’s Head Inn, where liveried coachmen hold the doors for them. Concierge Hiram Connors offers the party a suite at 15 crowns (gold pieces) per night, or 20 for the week. The Illusionist and Rogue quickly realize that the hotel is beyond their means and leave.

Meanwhile, Sir Bonner takes Kovar to a knight’s tower near the fortified palace. Sir Niles Hawthorne greets his old friend and listens to Sir Bonner’s tale of woe, including how he was trapped by two Korred in Alarn and freed by Kovar and company. Sir Hawthorne gives the Half-Orc Paladin of Mithras a writ of safe passage and recommends that he seek fellow holy warriors at the temple of Otih, god of the sun and justice.

Kovar and the spare horse (and the party purse) rejoin their band at the Temple Court, in the shadow of the palace and Arena of Arrakis. Next to the columned temple of Ismiltar, goddess of magic, is the modest chapel of Yondolla. Worshippers of the goddess of the hearth and Halflings sit on low benches. In return for offerings, they are fed by acolytes.

Digger and Jovinda say they were referred by Seglinda, a priestess in the town of Kedetura. Nelly O’Keefe leads the pilgrims to a quiet alcove, then to a comfortable sitting room beneath the main hall. Jovinda explains how Davven and Kazuo came under the magical sway of the mysterious Vappu Lahja, who shares a name with a fairy tale wise woman and is too old to be human. Gawain theorizes that she is some sort of devil.

Nelly responds by offering everyone freshly baked scones and tea. Digger eagerly eats a few scones, but Nezumi Kazuo needs some persuading. The Rogue and Monk soon find their attitude changing and mood lifting, restoring trust within their fellowship. They are disturbed that Vappu Lahja’s rituals compromised their judgment and ask for Nelly’s help in getting an audience so they can report to the local authorities.

Sometime later, the wanderers cross the busy market square and follow Galnoris Avenue into the Dagger District, by the docks. At the Deer’s Heart Tavern, Gawain slides up to the bar and asks Neil Heckler about room rates. The innkeeper tells him it would be a crown per day for the group and its mounts, but Digger haggles the price down to 3 g.p. for four nights.

Impatient Digger has a verbal altercation with a drunken River Dwarf. “Jeevus McMarne” [Randy K.M./N.P.C.] mocks the Halfling Rogue and tries to provoke a bar brawl. Tsucharim Asish sits at a table with his back to the wall and offers Gawain a wager on the outcome.

Diplomatic Jovinda steps between Digger and Asish, trying to calm the patrons, and burly Kovar warns the Dwarf to avoid trouble and move on. Kazuo quietly backs up Digger, whom Gawain reminds of the group’s desire to keep a low profile. Jeevus is eventually placated with a round of drinks.

The Deer’s Heart’s rooms are spare but clean. Gawain and Digger share quarters, Asish and Jovinda split another room, and Kovar and Kazuo take a third. Digger and Kazuo ask to be left alone to meditate. The next morning, they plan to look into the mission from mage Octavius Karstus to inquire about a map of Evesboro from merchant Eligius and deliver information to associate Marcel, a stonemason.

Arcanist Gawain goes to the local Magisterium (magic school/library), where he expects Digger to join him in the coming days. Armored Kovar goes to Dwarven metal smiths along Mercantile Row, and Ranger Asish plans to ask tanners to refit barding confiscated from Centaur raiders for the party’s steeds.

Asish and Jovinda also visit bowyers, fletchers, and other Elven craftspeople near the Waletku consulate. They also intend to make inquiries at Gnomish tinkers’ shops, the Saganim consulate, and the Grove of Mekkil, goddess of nature….

Thanks again to those of you who have used the “Holy Steel” Google Group to discuss party plans for Nadwi, treasure distribution, and images and backgrounds for your characters! I’ve revised your characters’ experience levels above (Gawain should catch up soon).

Please note that we’ll be meeting next Sunday, April 10, but not the two weekends after that because of holidays. I’ll be checking with the FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” teams tonight regarding the schedule for the face-to-face space opera game. Have a good week, -Gene

“Vanished Lands” Update T3.22 — Leaping lizards and Rockney

A village in the Middle Ages — Hifalendorin town

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.22 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 27 March 2011, and has been using Pathfinder, Skype, and an online dice roller.

>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of spring 2011:

-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard); NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 1

-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras, god of contracts and brotherhood; LGn, Lvl. 2

-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 2

-“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. 2

-“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. 2

-“Kazuo Takenaga” [Taum D’A.]-male Nezumi (Rat-kin) Monk from the Zedu kingdom in the Therud Forest; LNg, Age 20, Lvl. 2

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

“19 to 21 August 1229 B.C.E.:” The adventuring party left the haunted hamlet of Alarn and rode southwest, following the Aspar River. The wanderers rode beneath cloudy skies, encountering few others on the trail across the wide Plains of Sathendo.

Gawain studies his spellbook, and Kovar recommends that his companions be careful about mentioning Vappu Lahja when they reach the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city of Nadwi. Not only has the mysterious woman stirred up Centaurs and other Fey folk against human farmers, but she has also ensorcelled Digger and Kazuo.

Digger offers to keep track of the party’s treasure, with Kovar holding the purse. Asish keeps a watchful eye over the tall grassland, while Jovinda looks for local fauna. Kazuo keeps his own counsel, denying that Vappu Lahja has any undue influence over him. “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character], shamed by his fear in a recent encounter with animated scarecrows, rides at the rearguard.

Asish sets watches for the night: Gawain and Kazuo, Kovar and Digger, and Jovinda and himself. After dinner and sunset, Kazuo’s keen Nezumi senses detect something crawling toward the camp from the river. The Monk and Illusionist quietly awaken their band. Two large lizards lurch at the team!

Nimble Digger throws a dagger before a lizard grabs him with its mouth! The unhappy Halfling resists its venomous saliva and recalls a similar attack by a magically enlarged eel near Alarn. Archer Asish fires arrows and moves to one side, while patient Kazuo waits in “Iron Monkey” stance for his opponent to come to him.

Hastily donning his breastplate, Kovar spears the lizard holding Digger but is bitten in return. Arcanist Gawain maneuvers and casts Color Spray, blinding and stunning the monstrous duo. Pious Jovinda invokes Mekkil, goddess of nature, and casts Cure Light Wounds on Digger, who then frees himself from the reptile’s jaws.

Ranger Asish’s next volley hits its mark, but Kazuo’s first punches miss. The injured lizard smacks armored Kovar with its thrashing tail, and Gawain casts Detect Magic. Paladin Kovar knocks his foe on its back with a mighty shield bash, and Jovinda strikes it with her staff.

Digger’s daggers do more damage to the lizards, and Asish finishes one off. Kazuo slays the other creature with a Flurry of Blows. Gawain tries to copy the fading runes on the lizard’s bellies, which Digger notes are similar to those on the eel. The Illusionist later identifies the markings as Enlarge and Permanence spells, but he doesn’t fully recognize the language.

Asish happily butchers the carcasses, taking many pounds of lizard meat and hides for later use. Jovinda claims the claws for jewelry, some of which she agrees to trade for Asish’s leatherwork. As with the scarecrows, the group suspects a single cause for their unsettling encounters on the plains, but Digger is reluctant to blame Vappu Lahja or mage Octavius Karstus, who hired him to look into property around Nadwi.

The next day, the explorers reach the village of Rockney, about 10 miles northeast of Nadwi. Friendly innkeeper Vormana greets them at the sleepy “Helm’s Draught” tavern. Her husband Arien shows the way to guest rooms, and Asish offers to help cook.

Gawain keeps an eye on Digger, and Kovar stays with Kazuo to keep the well-intentioned Monk from proselytizing. Back in the common room, Digger chats up farmers Bart and Carson, who mention that a disheveled man came from Alarn within the past week. His babbling made no sense, they say, and he soon left.

Jovinda notices burly Dalan and dark Arvon, and Kovar and Asish pay close attention to the conversations as they pass around roast lizard. Digger shares Halfling pipeweed from Tarken and says he found giant footprints, but none of the locals know anything about giants so far from their traditional homeland in the Ivory Mountains….

Please see my notes on Nadwi as your Player Characters prepare to investigate the city! Sammy, I’m sorry that you got stuck in a train, but I’m glad that you were able to join us, even if your microphone wasn’t always working. Dexter, let me know if you need any help with your Pathfinder characters or getting back into Skype.

In the meantime, you should have also seen my post on the attendance thread regarding upcoming spring sessions. Let me know if you have any problems with the gaming schedule. Thanks again, Byron, for your help with the latest FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera scenarios! Have a good week, -Gene