After doing some spring cleaning of our bookshelves and having a good brunch at Zaftig’s Delicatessen in Natick, Mass., Janice and I met Thomas K.Y. and his friend to screen Sucker Punch. Despite mixedreviews, we enjoyed the crossgenre action movie.
Emily Browning plays a young woman who’s institutionalized after a family tragedy. In a 1950s American gothic asylum, she befriends characters depicted by the attractive Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jamie Chung. Carla Gugino, as a Polish psychiatrist, teaches the girls to dance and escape their unpleasant reality into shared dreams.
They’re menaced by orderly Oscar Isaac, who appears in the alternate universe as a pimp, and Jon Hamm as a lobotomist/”high roller.” From the first-level dreamscape of the burlesque show, the girls descend into a world where their obstacles are represented by giant samurai, World War I zombies, orcs, robots, and a dragon. Scott Glenn appears as an old man who guides them on their missions to find clues to escaping their multilayered prison.
Snyder isn’t bashful about alluding to his inspirations, which include Heavy Metal, Brazil, and Kill Bill, all of which I also like. In fact, I enjoyed Sucker Punch more than similar movies such as What Dreams May Come and Inception. The skimpy costumes notwithstanding, the movie isn’t as exploitative as I had feared, and the fight scenes are well-choreographed, if sometimes hard to follow.
I was also favorably impressed with Sucker Punch‘s soundtrack, which includes Browning covering the Eurythmics, as well as Bjork, some metallic tracks, and “Love is the Drug” sung by Gugino and Isaac over the credits.
Overall, I’d give Sucker Punch a 7 or 8 out of 10, a solid “B,” or three or four stars out of five. The film is rated PG-13 for violence, sexuality, and language. Fans of high fantasy, dieselpunk, or psychological thrillers who keep their expectations in check should enjoy the visuals even if they recognize most of the story.
Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.21 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 20 March 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….
>>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
“17 to 18 August 1229 B.C.E.:” After meeting in the Wisalef Forest and encountering hostile Centaurs and other creatures on the Plains of Sathendo, the adventuring party rode back to the abandoned Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human hamlet of Alarn.
After spending the night at a farm north of Alarn, the group has breakfast with the Sandia clan. Digger climbs onto a bench and shows a sketch of Octavius Karstus, the mysterious Wizard who hired him to look into property in Evesboro.
Jonas recognizes the drawing and says that he had met Karstus near the Aspar River a few months ago and directed him to the city of Nadwi. The peasant says he got a whole silver coin for his help, and the Halfling Rogue offers Jonas two coppers more.
Kovar, Gawain, and “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character] enjoy the morning’s entertainment before going to ready their steeds. Digger and Jovinda ask matron Violet Sandia for another private conversation. They apologize for Kazuo, who told Violet’s impressionable granddaughter Alyssa about Vappu Lahja, and note that the pregnant girl is otherwise healthy.
Meanwhile, Kazuo’s presence is requested upstairs, where bedridden Alyssa begs the Nezumi Monk not to leave because the he is the only person who understands her. Asish and Jovinda bring the paranoid heiress some tea and retrieve Kazuo. The Grugach Cleric whispers that the group should make a quick exit because it’s no longer welcome.
The wanderers ride past wary field hands and pass Alarn, which is still empty. Tsucharim Ranger Asish looks for recent Centaur tracks, and Digger and Jovinda debate whether to place more warnings for would-be raiders. Perhaps due to Vappu Lahja’s influence, Digger believes that some of the enigmatic woman’s followers must be misguided — and punished — if they attacked this Hifalendorin community rather than let him and Kazuo find converts.
He and Gawain also conclude that the storm giant sighted in the area must be a magically transformed peasant, based on the reticence they encountered at the Sandia farm. Kovar and Kazuo say there’s no need to interfere further with the farmers, but they keep watch for more Fey. Sir Bonner tells Digger that he encountered Karstus, whom he took for a lost courier, a few weeks ago.
Several hours later, the team passes through a wheat field near the Aspar River on its way southwest toward Nadwi. Four figures watch the road, unmoving and drawing the party’s curiosity. Gawain, Kovar, Jovinda, and Kazuo ride to about 60 feet away, while Asish stays a bit farther back and to one side. Digger and Sir Bonner keep near the road in case of ambush.
The four humanoids, about 50 feet each from one another, are in ragged clothing and glower at the investigators. Kovar and Gawain shrug off their fear, but Sir Bonner is affected, and Jovinda is fascinated.
Asish fires an arrow into the emaciated creature closest to Jovinda, knocking off its human face and revealing a glowing skull! Digger dismounts and readies his sling, and Kazuo slides off his mule. Gawain readies spells, and Asish’s dog Genghis tugs on Jovinda, shaking her out of her fascination.
One of the strange scarecrows rakes Jovinda with skeletal claws, and the others shamble forward. Paladin Kovar spurs his horse and charges, smiting one with his spear. Asish’s next two arrows miss, and the unnerved archer steps back to avoid the enemy. Digger also falls back.
Martial artist Kazuo rains Flurries of Blows on the straw-stuffed constructs, and arcanist Gawain helps by knocking down one with a Grease spell. Jovinda draws her short bow but fumbles her first shot. One monster hits Kovar, and another staggers Jovinda.
Armored Kovar jumps off his destrier and skewers a scarecrow, as Asish incinerates a straw man with a volley of flaming arrows. Swift Kazuo moves to another opponent.
Priestess Jovinda invokes Mekkil, goddess of nature, for a Positive Energy Burst. Fellow spellcaster Gawain observes that since it only healed her and her friends but didn’t hurt the scarecrows, they must not be Undead. He casts Enlarge on Half-Orc Kovar, who spears another before it can hit him.
Sniper Asish continues to lay covering fire for Kazuo, Jovinda, and Kovar, but unlucky Kazuo is knocked unconscious and dragged out of the melee by Genghis. Illusionist Gawain casts a Minor Image of embiggened Kovar and Blinding Rays. After missing the scarecrows with arrows, Jovinda casts Cure Light Wounds on herself.
The three remaining foes close in on the party. Kovar shield bashes one before missing and being knocked down, and Gawain is fascinated until shaken by Genghis. Jovinda races to Kovar, casts Sanctuary and heal, and then retreats.
Asish pulls Kazuo onto his saddle and continues to wield his bow against the scarecrows, eventually destroying them. Digger and Kazuo say it’s no coincidence that these unnatural creations were near the road from Alarn, and Digger and Gawain suspect that Octavius Karstus may be involved.
Kovar angrily asks Sir Bonner why he didn’t help. The hapless knight says he recognized one dead face as that of a tinker he once traveled with. Jovinda attends to Kovar, Kazuo, and Gawain’s injuries, as well as her own, while Akita Genghis licks the Wild Elf’s face.
Asish and Digger find 18 crowns (gold pieces), assorted silverware and tools worth 30 g.p., and the remains of a skin once holding Fey wine amid the charred corpses. Sir Bonner identifies the tools as belonging to one Taras of Rockney….
Please note that I’ve added the treasure amounts and Sir Bonner’s explanation of why he didn’t fight. Paul and Beruk, I look forward to seeing both of you (and prospective role-player Rich L.) at tonight’s FATE 3eStarblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera game! Byron, thanks for posting your prestige class ideas for Asish on the Google Group, and I hope the others give good suggestions.
Rob, I’ll try to touch base with you later this week on the parts you missed. Sammy, I hope you get your computer back in good working order, and can you and Taum let me know which D&D3.5/4e books I’m selling you’re interested in? Dexter, we saw you online briefly — were you having problems with Skype? Have a good week, everyone! -Gene
Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.20 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 13 March 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….
>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of spring 2011:
-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard) and contact of “Kimo” [Beruk A.]; NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 1
-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras; raised as an orphan; contact of the Order of the Golden Lion; LGn, Lvl. 2
-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; contact of “Tunnel” [Stuart C.G.]; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 2
-“Asish Chen Ti” [Byron V.O.]-male Tsucharim human archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from service to Nannuattan (eastern Dark Elf) Wizard Arbalas; contact of “Sukhov” [Beruk A.] and 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
“16 to 17 August 1229 B.C.E.:” Several weeks after defending it from Centaur raiders, the adventuring party returned to a farm near the abandoned Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human hamlet of Alarn. Matron Violet Sandia invited the group to join her extended family for dinner.
Gawain entertains children with Prestidigitation, and Kovar and Asish ask “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character] to help train the peasants to defend themselves. However, the knight says that his skills are too specialized to easily share with simple farmers.
After the meal, Digger retires to the porch to share Hollysharp pipeweed and tales with some of the men. After some prodding by the Halfling scholar, Jonas and his son admit that they fled Alarn after signs that the hamlet was cursed. They confirm the party’s findings of the haunted upper floor of the “Mellow Mule” inn, unnatural beasts in the Aspar River, and mischievous Fey such as Korred from nearby woods. The men are more evasive, however, about the storm giant footprints.
Jovinda meets privately with Violet, who says that she took in her relatives but is disturbed at more news of Alarn’s problems. The elder doesn’t recognize the name “Vappu Lahja” at first, but she later tells the Grugach Cleric of an old fairy tale about a woman who found wisdom on the Plains of Sathendo and was stoned by those who couldn’t comprehend it.
Kazuo reluctantly agrees to talk with a young pregnant woman who is bedridden. He finds the well-fed Alyssa ranting about how some of her relatives are jealous that she is carrying the heir to the Sandia homestead. The emotional girl finds that the Nezumi Monk lends a sympathetic ear, and he tells her of the mysterious Vappu Lahja, whom he met with Digger after a Centaur ritual.
Later that evening, Tad takes Kovar and Asish to a barn to inspect the farm’s arsenal. The horsemen study the broken farm implements, occasional hunter’s weapon, and raw materials and make some suggestions. They also set watches as the party gets ready to bed down in a hay loft.
Gawain confirms that the new arrivals from Alarn are related to the farmers, and Violet asks Jovinda to request that another Cleric to be sent from the city of Nadwi. The priestess of Mekkil, goddess of nature, begins interviewing the entire household, beginning with Jonas’ wife Denise. She isn’t pleased to learn that Kazuo has mentioned Vappu Lahja, which he had said he wouldn’t do.
Kazuo offers to leave, and Digger insists that whoever attacked Alarn must be misinterpreting the guidance of Vappu Lahja. Gawain and Kovar say they have detected little magic and that the Monk and Rogue should be watched. Asish notes that the entire team (including compromised members Digger and Kazuo) should continue riding together to Nadwi.
The next morning, Sir Bonner patrols the farm’s perimeter, and Ranger Asish practices archery with the peasants. Kazuo is joined by Jovinda and Gawain in visiting Alyssa, and stern Kovar waits outside her room. Jovinda re-examines Violet’s bratty granddaughter and concludes that she is physically healthy.
Digger and Jovinda go to talk again with Violet before leaving, and Asish recommends that they try to identify the father of Alyssa’s child. The matron refers Jovinda to her cousin Viola, who works in the household of a Wizard in Nadwi. Armored Kovar not only keeps an eye on furred Kazuo, but also reminds his companions not to rush to judgment….
Please remember to post to the Google Group message board if I missed anything or if you have any ideas to discuss between games. Byron, thanks again for your help with the FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera! Sammy, I’m sorry that you had to postpone your trip to Japan. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing all of you next Sunday! -Gene
Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 19 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 6 March 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….
>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of spring 2011:
-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard) and contact of “Kimo” [Beruk A.]; NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 1
-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras; raised as an orphan; contact of the Order of the Golden Lion; LGn, Lvl. 2
-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; contact of “Tunnel” [Stuart C.G.]; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 2
-“Asish Chen Ti” [Byron V.O.]-male Tsucharim human archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from service to Nannuattan (eastern Dark Elf) Wizard Arbalas; contact of “Sukhov” [Beruk A.] and 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
“16 August 1229 B.C.E.:” The adventuring party had previously encountered Centaurs raiding a farm near the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human hamlet of Alarn. After investigating the followers of the mysterious Vappu Lahja, the group returned to find Alarn abandoned.
The wanderers debate what to do with the haunted rooms at the “Mellow Mule” inn. Kovar wonders whether they have stumbled across some unholy Fey ritual that has yet to reach completion. Asish’s recommendation that the inn be burned to the ground is voted down, partly because spellcasters Gawain and Jovinda aren’t sure if that would contain or release the evil spirits.
Digger and Kovar lecture Jovinda about releasing the magically enlarged eel they had found in the Aspar River, and the Cleric agrees that the beast could still endanger more people. On the other hand, Kazuo notes that human lives aren’t necessarily more valuable than those of other creatures.
Scouts Digger and Asish show Gawain the giant footprints they had found on the hamlet’s outskirts. The Illusionist says they could have been made by a storm giant (corresponding with weather described by two Korred) or an enlarged human.
Ranger Asish and Paladin Kovar talk with fellow horseman “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character], who is still recovering from being captured by the Korred and having his steed slain. They recommend riding on to the city of Nadwi to report to local authorities.
Grugach Jovinda goes back to the “Mellow Mule” and invokes her patron Mekkil, goddess of nature, to channel positive energy, disrupting some of the unnatural conditions in the guest rooms. Kazuo points out that the mischief and murder could have been committed by evil Fey or a misguided Druid rather than followers of Vappu Lahja.
Nimble Digger carefully brings out the pieces of an enchanted mirror so that Kovar can further smash them and avoid the temptation to gaze into the eyes on the other side. Arcanist Gawain identifies the magics in the mirror as belonging to the Conjuration, Divination, and Transmutation schools.
Digger reminds his companions of the farm north of Alarn, and they agree to check it out. Kovar and Asish gather kindling and prepare a pyre for the innkeeper, found hung upside-down in an upstairs room, as well as the remains of Sir Bonner’s horse. Jovinda makes sure that the “Mellow Mule” is marked with warnings for future travelers.
The party fords the Aspar River and passes several Hifalendorin peasants working the fields outside Alarn. Digger reminds one of how he helped drive off the Centaur raiders a few weeks before, and grateful Tad brings him to the main farmhouse.
Rogue Digger and Nezumi Kazuo smell freshly baked pies, while wary Kovar and Asish keep an eye on the farmhands. Matron Violet Sandia greets the newcomers and invites them to join her clan for dinner. Gawain and Jovinda wait on benches in the dining room, while Digger helps in the kitchen.
Kovar, Asish, and Kazuo help Sir Bonner find a place for the horses, and they look for recent Centaur tracks but find none. Jovinda and Gawain talk with a young girl named Daisy and learn that several members of her extended family recently arrived, presumably from Alarn.
Jovinda plans to ask about the strange goings-on around the nearby hamlet, and Asish and Kovar are concerned about the recent movements of Fey folk such as Centaurs, Satyrs, and Korred, as well as humans and Halflings. Digger and Kazuo want to make sure that if “misguided” followers of Vappu Lahja committed the crimes, they’re caught and held responsible….
Please remember to use the “Holy Steel” Google Group message board between sessions. I’m glad to see that some debates have led to good role-playing and character development, but don’t forget to give the quieter folks a chance to express their opinions!
Note that this and other recent posts are mirrored on various sites as I consolidate my blogs. I’m working on updates for the FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera, and our next “Vanished Lands” telecom game is scheduled for Sunday, March 13. Take it easy, -Gene
Note: As I continue consolidating and migrating among my various blogs, some posts will be mirrored.
Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 18 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 27 February 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….
>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of spring 2011:
-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras; raised as an orphan; contact of the Order of the Golden Lion; LGn, Lvl. 2
-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; contact of “Tunnel” [Stuart C.G.]; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 2
-“Asish Chen Ti” [Byron V.O.]-male Tsucharim human archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from service to Nannuattan (eastern Dark Elf) Wizard Arbalas; contact of “Sukhov” [Beruk A.] and 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
-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J./absent]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard) and contact of “Kimo” [Beruk A.]; NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 1
“15 to 16 August 1229 B.C.E.:” After meeting in the Wisalef Forest, the travelers had encountered hostile Centaurs, followers of the mysterious Vappu Lahja. Returning northwest across the Plains of Sathendo, the group found an abandoned hamlet and stayed in a haunted inn.
The brave adventurers revisit the upstairs rooms at the “Mellow Mule” in the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human community of Alarn. Noting that one room contained a man hanged upside-down, scholar Digger speculates that the strange items in each chamber may have a symbolic meaning similar to the Tarot deck or Skaevingol (Norse) beliefs.
In the first guest room on the right, Kovar had seen a raven, which left behind a black feather. Digger and Jovinda theorize that it could be an omen or a sign for judgment and justice. Across the hall, all the furniture is suspended from the ceiling, possibly reflecting a reversed Tarot card (emphasizing negative connotations) or the Wheel of destiny.
The shards of a magical mirror in the second room on the right showed the Half-Orc Paladin eyes that were not his own. Asish searches for tracks, and Kazuo questions whether his companions are reading too much into the manifestations of unquiet spirits. Still, Digger and Jovinda note that mirrors can be portals or symbolize the Magician or soul.
The opposite room is covered in frost, suggesting a trap or Hell (as well as the recent presence of Undead). Gawain stays downstairs with “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character], who is recovering from being captured by two Korred.
In the third room on the right, the furniture had been thrust out the window, leaving a maw of dangerous and animated splinters. Across from it is a room where decay had rapidly advanced, which Halfling Rogue Digger says could represent the Fool or the Wheel card.
After determining that a circle scratched on the floor of the last room on the right isn’t broken, Asish cuts down the hanged man. Kovar carries the unfortunate victim, whom Sir Bonner positively identifies as the innkeeper. Jovinda casts Detect Magic, which shows that the man was levitated into place and that the horse in the room in the last room on the left was affected by Teleport and Eviscerate spells.
Digger observes that the slain steed could represent the Death or Tower card, but Jovinda notes that just as the Fey Korred spoke in riddles and metaphors, perhaps the rooms reflect an unnatural progression. The raven and reverse-gravity rooms could be warnings of a disruption in the natural order, says the Grugach Cleric of Mekkil, while the cold and mirror chambers might be a trap for the soul.
Jovinda says the rooms with decay and splinters could demonstrate a separation of the physical from the spiritual, echoing the ritual purification that Kazuo and Digger endured on their way to meeting — and being influenced by — Vappu Lahja. The priestess says the last rooms in the inn (with the horse and hanged man) could depict a final destruction of the body and soul. The group agrees that her interpretation makes sense.
Asish takes Kazuo to patrol the area around Alarn. They find the print of a huge bare foot, suggesting that Connacht and Maldrod weren’t lying about a giant passing through. The Ranger and Monk retrieve a runaway horse for Sir Bonner. Gawain and Kovar watch the “Mellow Mule” and the knight.
Jovinda finds that the innkeeper was exsanguinated elsewhere before he was hung, and she and Digger walk along the Aspar River looking for animals to talk to. A monstrous eel leaps out at them!
Tsucharim rider Asish’s arrows hits the slimy serpent, which falls short of swallowing Digger. Kovar throws a spear, and Kazuo charges, but his blows have little effect. Jovinda casts Calm Animal and Talk With Animals, persuading the hungry eel to swim north, away from human habitation.
Kazuo objects to the use of any mind-affecting spells but says he’ll respect Jovinda’s judgment. The Monk also disagrees with Kovar and others, who feel that the dangerous monster should have been slain.
Asish describes the tracks he found, which may have been left by a storm giant. Jovinda and Digger are surprised that the two Korred may have been literal in their description of what scared off the peasants after all.
Digger and Kazuo say that the storm, serpent, and giant, combined with the haunted inn and Korred, are more likely to be responsible for Alarn’s abandonment than the followers of Vappu Lahja. Kovar and Asish still don’t trust the woman and hope to find human farmers to verify what happened before riding on to the city of Nadwi….
I’m glad that most of you were able to participate in our return to the regular Sunday night time slot! Dexter and Paul, let us know when and if “Favelhorn” and “Gawain” will be able to rejoin us. A few of you have mentioned alternatives to Skype, Scriblink, and the online dice roller we’ve been using — feel free to post links to the Google Group message board.
Prospective gamer Rich L., who sat in on “Vortex” Team 1 in this past Monday’s FATE 3e Starblazer Adventuresspace opera session, has also expressed interest in checking out the fantasy campaign. Since he lives near me, I may have him come over to check out the game at some point, if you’re amenable, but it’s not urgent.
In the meantime, while I continue to look at various retro-clones and rules-light systems such as Labyrinth Lord, please make sure that your character records are up to date. I don’t anticipate skipping any sessions in March, but let me know your own schedules. Take it easy, and happy gaming! -Gene
Gene's Worlds 