Category: Games

“Vortex” Update 5c.19 — Docking with the Dauntless

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.19 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 30 December 2012. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

In one future, humanity has begun to colonize the Sol system, but environmental degradation, population pressures, and internecine conflict persist. The rediscovery of mystical abilities and open and official First Contact with galactic societies, themselves at war, threaten Terra’s very survival. Can heroes rise to the challenges?

>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 3 (5c) telecom Player Characters, crew of the Gryphon/Pina Colada, as of late autumn 2012:

  • “Hector Chavez“ [Beruk A.]-male Latin American Terran human, former spy and communications expert/engineer of the Appomattox and Gryphon/Pina Colada
  • “Capt. Jasmine“ [Sara F.]-female Martian Felinoid (Synth, “Uplifted” tiger), former professional pit fighter and onetime crewmember of the Appomattox, now apart from the grifters in “MarSoupAiL” with boyfriend Darcy
  • “Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran human cyborg, former sniper for the North American Aerospace Marine Corps. and eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.; onetime crewmember of the scout ship Blackbird
  • “Dr. Srinu Pahul“ [Byron V.O.]-male Indian Terran “near-human” (bioengineered) xenobiologist, shadowed by scandal and confident in survival skills; with robots MEGAN and PEPE
  • “Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.]-male Terran “near-human” (cyborg), former Interplanetary Patrol officer and member of the Blackbird crew; commander of a Union of Solar Nations task force aboard the Dauntless
  • “Orion Starchaser“ [Geoff C./absent]-male Pomuyan [blue humanoid alien] outcast, irrepressible mystic and adrenaline junkie; with mentor Vovestomosanehe
  • “Chiron” [Dexter V.H./to join]-male android pilot, assigned to assess and protect humanity
  • “Jax“ [Robin H./departed]-male human from the Asteroid Belt, vain space pirate and pilot of the Slipstream
  • “Jim Delaney” [Robert A.S./departed]-male Terran “near-human” gambler and psi encountered on Mars

“12 to 15 May 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” As the Stella Sagitta encountered interstellar traders and the Venture visited Olvar space, former crew members from the Blackbird and Appomattox prepared to leave the Sol system.

Those aboard the Gryphon had retreated to the Oort Cloud, renamed the yacht the “Pina Colada,” and examined its cargo of smuggled zero-point explosives. Prisoner Timothy Dugan had submitted to physical and psychic surgery to undo his conditioning by the eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.

Chris McKee sends a message to Kevin Reese, a colleague from the Blackbird, and they agree to meet near Saturn’s moon Titan. Chris and Dr. Srinu Pahul have been waiting to report to the Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.) about the approaching Zarkonian Armada.

Hector Chavez lets onetime handler Max know where to find him. Hector hopes that she can give a second opinion on the alien munitions obtained in the Asteroid Belt from Capt. Vijay Bhaghwandra of the Satan’s Strumpet.

Capt. Jasmine says that she’s tired of stealing and running, and the Pina Colada leaves the planar ecliptic, jumps through Transit (faster-than-light), and enters orbit around Saturn.

After contemplating the recent departure of pilot Jax, Orion Starchaser meditates. The blue-furred extraterrestrial continues his martial arts and mystical training with mentor Vovestomosanehe.

Three U.S.N. ships arrive at ringed Saturn and hail the Pina Colada. Lt.Cmdr. Reese, acting captain of the light cruiser Dauntless, greets “Agent Prometheus” and asks to meet face to face. Jasmine agrees, and the ships dock in low orbit, with the frigate Tigress and the scout ship Blackbird keeping watch.

U.S.N. cruiser "Dauntless"
U.S.N. cruiser “Dauntless”

Chris introduces Jasmine to Kevin, who in turn introduces the following fellow officers in his task force for homeworld security:

  • Capt. Sebastian Growlick, a male Terran Felinoid (“Uplifted” lion) and acting captain of the Blackbird
  • Capt. Elektra Contos, the female Terran human commander of the Tigress
  • Cmdr. Helena Cain, the female Martian human XO (executive officer/first mate) of the Dauntless
  • “Nylca of Clan Firehoof” [Brian W./Non-Player Character], the female Gustrall (orange-furred, flightless raptor) weapons officer of the Dauntless and friend of Chris

Hector stays on the bridge of the Pina Colada while the officers exchange pleasantries. The burned operative monitors communications and scans the military vessels. Capt. Jasmine and Mr. McKee go aboard the Dauntless and talk with Lt.Cmdr. Reese and company in Kevin’s ready room. Jasmine is pleased to see fellow “Synths” (bioengineered humanoids) among the cruiser’s personnel.

Chris explains that the Pina Colada has studied samples of Zarkonian probes, fought Encegulan (slug-like alien) slavers in Europa’s frozen seas, and recently obtained weapons of mass destruction intended for Earth.

Kevin thanks Chris and Jasmine for the intelligence. He orders captains Growlick and Contos back to their ships to watch out for pirates. Dr. Pahul asks to meet with U.S.N. scientists, and Kevin agrees to send some to the Pina Colada.

Hector reminds his companions not to mention hidden Vatican treasures and the particulars of some of their past misadventures. A small ship approaches and is stopped by the Tigress. Hector exchanges coded messages with Max(ine) and gets permission for the Catspaw to enter the Pina Colada‘s launch bay.

Chris and Kevin reminisce about their far-ranging travels with the Blackbird, and Kevin notes that most of that crew has dispersed. He had offered “Tela” [Sara] the chief engineer post on the Dauntless, but she and boyfriend Kedar stayed aboard the experimental ship.

Lt.Cmdr. Reese brings Nylca, Sebastian, Dr. “Phil Phillips,” and Lt. “Mulan Neverland” to the Pina Colada. Capt. Jasmine takes Kevin to the cockpit and shows him the piloting controls.

Sniper Chris catches up with fierce Nycla, who looks forward to new hunting expeditions. He also warns the security officer to watch out for Kraythor, a member of the “Takers” faction among the Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian aliens) who once traveled on the Anaconda.

Over high tea, Dr. Pahul shares his findings on the Zurmiz Krott/Harbingers of the Righteous Order of Submission, the biomechanical probes of the Zarkonians, with Lt. Neverland. Srinu tells the enthusiastic Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) about the deadly nanites (microscopic robots) they emit, as well as countermeasures such as psionics and electromagnetic pulses.

In the Pina Colada‘s medical bay, Dr. Pahul reluctantly shows Dr. Phillips the sedated Dugan. The logical Pomuyan is different in temperament from cheerful wanderer Orion but no less dedicated to protecting life. Robots MEGAN and PEPE attend to the patient.

Jasmine and Chris show the U.S.N. officers the zero-point devices, and Hector gets a second opinion from Max. Mulan confirms that the spherical ordinance is more powerful than Terran thermonuclear weapons and that their controls have been modified for human use.

Max notes that the smuggled cargo could have been very lucrative, but Lt.Cmdr. Reese has communications officer Lt. Harry “Monty Hall” Takahari Jr. send an urgent warning to fleet headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. He also expresses interest in catching up with slower-than-light generation colony ships headed in the direction of Zarkonian-controlled space.

After some discussion over drinks, Capt. Jasmine and her crew agree to transfer the three shipping containers of zero-point devices to the Dauntless. Kevin offers a letter of marque, ship upgrades in the Asteroid Belt, and to personally accompany them.

Bold Kevin and Jasmine carefully maneuver the Pina Colada, while Lt. Wynona Smoketrail, a Delphine (“Uplifted” dolphin) pilot who once raced “Aughest-vor…” [Jason E.R.] near Mars, brings the Dauntless about. They then transfer the containers.

Hector meets privately with Max and later coordinates communications to Earth with Lt. Takahari. Lt.Cmdr. Reese reports to Col. Shan Gray, his superior at Interplanetary Patrol. Kevin also promotes Cmdr. Cain to acting captain of the “Dauntless” and takes leave so that he can travel on the “Pina Colada.”

The Dauntless, Tigress, and Catspaw head back to the inner Sol system, as the crews of the Blackbird and Pina Colada review their capabilities and potential destinations….

Welcome, Bruce, to the teleconferencing version of “Vortex!” Our group’s move from the Gryphon to the Pina Colada and Blackbird feels like a new chapter (or TV season) in our continuing adventures! Good luck as your sort out crews and missions.

I’ll post on the Google Groups board the specifics on advancing your characters and refitting your ships. Note that while certain roles are essential to both starships — such as pilot/astrogation and engineering — you can have some specialties and overlap.

Dexter, I hope that you’ll be able to join us soon. In the meantime, I also look forward to upcoming sessions of our other games in 2013:

Happy gaming! -Gene

“Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” Update 39.6 — “We’re too far gone to be smart now!”

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 6 of the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy campaign, which Rich C.G. hosted at his apartment in Waltham, Massachusetts, on 17 December 2012:

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 autumn 2012:

  • “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage magician, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; NGc, Lvl. 2
  • “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 2
  • “Tempestade” [Josh C.]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), roustabout; CGl, Lvl. 2
  • “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 2
  • “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with owlbear cub “Oswald”; NGc, Lvl. 2
  • “Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W./absent]-male Zeda human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 2
  • “Radius” [Jason E.R./absent]-male Modron Paladin of Primus, lord of Nirvana; exiled to the Prime Material plane; LGn, Lvl. 1
Old-school Undead
Old-school fight against Undead

“15 to 16 February 1228 B.C.E.:” The circus had visited Androth and Tensar, two agricultural communities on the Plains of Sathendo, but some of the performers had encountered more trouble than usual outside of their tents and wagons.

In the Saganim (proto-Celtic) human town of Tensar, the wanderers learned that relatives of escape artist Seamus Fenor had died from a plague and were haunting a nearby farm. Corwin had narrowly escaped Undead roaming the moors the night before.

Miranda Barrowright, a Halfling priestess of Yondalla with the circus, returns from the local church of Edillon, lord of the sky. She says that Seamus has escaped from his exorcism by Fr. Wallace and that the group should follow him.

Giacomo takes giant centipede venom [2d4 damage], and Scully grabs some torches. Tempestade needs nothing besides his fists and feet, but Elsa obtains holy water and a scroll of Protection From Undead [+2 AC, saves] from Fr. Wallace.

Corwin buys three flasks of oil and a mace and heads to the Fenor farmstead. Hamfast is busy with roustabout duties, and Radius has returned to his home plane. “Black Raven” [Michael C./Non-Player Character] stays with “Lady Alcye” [Kim A.G./N.P.C.] to help defend the town.

Corwin, Scully, Elsa, Tempestade, and Giacomo go into the dusty parlor of the Fenor farmhouse. The shutters rattle on their hinges, and a cold winter wind blows through the rafters. The kitchen is empty except for some broken furniture and crockery. The intrepid band bars the door to the basement.

The group is horrified to find the dining room caked in dried blood and mystified about why there isn’t any anywhere else. Cloth in the sewing room has long since rotted away, but implements are meticulously laid out on a strangely clean table.

Giacomo picks up a thimble and puts it down again, only to see it slide back to its exact original location. The adventuring party climbs creaky stairs to the second story. Corwin finds Seamus in the master bedroom and tries to convince the possessed performer to come with them.

When the escape artist resists, Corwin smashes his mace into the bed, knocking Seamus through two floors! Elsa wants to go after him immediately, but she is temporarily outvoted. In the next bedroom, the team finds two ghosts clad in tartan and arguing.

Seamus’ parents, Karen and Cullen, seem disappointed that their youngest son ran off to join the circus. Giacomo asks them what happened, and he and Corwin have a vision of a similar argument years ago, when everyone on the farm was still alive.

Cullen initially stormed off, leaving Karen to answer the door to a tinker with his cart. The farm matron invited the itinerant salesman into her parlor, where Cullen found them and angrily addressed his wife. He smashed her head with a farm tool but immediately regretted it.

As the farmer sobbed over his wife, the tinker took a knitting needle and jammed it into Cullen’s ear. With a malicious smirk, he took out a pair of shears and created a disguise for himself from the peasants’ skin!

Giacomo and Corwin are unable to turn away as the vision’s point of view shifts. They see sometime later, when Seamus’ siblings returned from the field, and someone resembling their mother invited them into the dining room….

The Mage and Bard relay what they have seen to the others. Ranger Scully says that the ghosts of Cullen and Karen disappeared as they were transfixed. Elsa notes that the Necromancer who committed the murders must still be around. This would explain not only the ghosts and thimble, but also the other Undead in the area.

In the next bedroom, Corwin finds a mattress stuffed with skulls. At this point, Druid Elsa convinces most of her companions to go after Seamus in the cellar. Tempestade neglects to check for traps and tumbles down the stairs. Fortunately, the Monk is able to alter his descent to evade serious injury.

Gnoll Scully jumps down, while Giacomo, Elsa, and Corwin follow via rope. Scully sniffs, but there is no sign of Seamus. Dwarf Elsa quickly finds a concealed door.

Amid the debris in the basement is a bottle of wine, dried herbs, a silver mirror, and a small chest. Corwin unlocks it and finds coins and jewelry. He is about to claim the booty when Elsa points out that it belongs to Seamus as the sole surviving member of the Fenor clan.

Giacomo and Elsa put the treasure back in the chest while Corwin impatiently charges ahead with Scully and Tempestade. The Monk opens the door and is hit by a shriveled ghoul.

Corwin’s first sword swing misses, while Elsa drags paralyzed Tempestade to safety. The Druid invokes Gaia and heals him. Giacomo uses a spell burn to cast Chill Touch, and Scully burns the Undead with a torch.

Fortunately, the cannibalistic Ghoul is unable to grab anyone else, and Corwin’s next blow lands true. Elsa sprinkles holy water on the creature, and Giacomo helps finish it off with his quarterstaff.

After Corwin, Scully, and Tempestade enter the tunnel, the concealed door magically slams shut behind them, cutting them off from spellcasters Elsa and Giacomo. The trio presses ahead, coming to a ladder leading up to the barn that Corwin and Alcye fled from the previous night.

Elsa and Giacomo leave the chest and climb out of the basement. They hear more movement from one of the unexplored bedrooms upstairs and run out to find their companions.

Meanwhile, the others find possessed Seamus sitting on a rotten bale of hay like the farmboy he must once have been. He refuses to come with them, and sharp tools begin to hover between the interlopers and the main door.

Corwin tries to talk with Seamus, but the agricultural implements spike the trap door shut. Tempestade knocks Seamus unconscious, and Scully carries him outside. Elsa and Giacomo call for help as someone emerges from the farmhouse.

Brawny Scully blocks the front door, which shatters between the Gnoll and the tinkerer. Wise Elsa sets the barn on fire, as wary Giacomo casts Magic Shield. The smirking Necromancer begins chanting, and Tempestade kicks at him but misses.

Scully draws her bow and begins firing flaming arrows, while Elsa reads the Protection From Undead scroll. Giacomo casts Magic Missile, and the tinker begins Summoning Undead. Corwin hits the evildoer with his long sword, and Tempestade has better luck with his fists in close combat.

More skeletons emerge from the ground, and Elsa casts Bless. The Dwarf Druid also throws vials of oil at the Necromancer and farmhouse, helping Ranger Scully set them alight. Wizard Giacomo throws a torch and reaches for the centipede venom.

The murderer is forced to stop his chanting because of the flames around him, and Monk Tempestade gets in a few solid hits. Scully slays the Necromancer, whom the others hastily search as the directionless Undead begin to wander off.

They find an iron amulet, a signet ring with a rampant unicorn engraving, and the simple shears. The travelers smash a few more skeletons on the way back to Tensar. Scully carries Seamus to the church of Edillon to be fully exorcised.

At the town’s gates, two knights in full mail armor and surcoats with a gold disc and a sword symbol greet the group at lance point. “Lady Perrin” [Carolyn M.P./N.P.C.] and Brion Black Elk explain that they are Paladins of Otih, god of the sun and justice. Lady Alcye and Fr. Wallace had sent for them to help defend Tensar.

The holy warriors dismount and escort the circus folk to the temple. In return for the Necromancer’s symbol of chaos, which they intend to destroy, they reward Elsa and the group with a scroll of Circle of Protection vs. Undead.

Giacomo and Corwin decide to keep the enchanted shears for later study (they are of infernal design). Lady Alcye identifies the ring as belonging to the Sable clan, a noble house represented in the royal court at Thadenis.

Corwin worries about Lord Colin, the previous ruler of Tensar. Alcye suggests that the Necromancer must have still traveled and was using the Fenor farm as a base of operations, since there haven’t been many unexplained murders in the town.

Between the secret silver mine run by Sir Banor Finney’s late squire Adric and a corrupt Necromancer of aristocratic lineage, Corwin realizes that something is wrong in the capital of the kingdom of Saganim, his homeland. The other adventurers agree with his recommendation to circus founder Orlando Vistel to travel west….

Please note that we’ll be taking a break for a few weeks. Here are when our games are tentatively scheduled to resume, weather permitting:

May all your holidays be happy! -Gene

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey review

On Saturday, 15 December 2012, Janice and I met Beruk A., Thomas K.Y. & Kai-Yin H., Ken G., Josh C. & Sara F., and Robin H. at the AMC Loews Boston Common to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. We all enjoyed Peter Jackson’s latest adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy novels.

Boston showing of The Hobbit
The gang for An Unexpected Journey

I’ll try to avoid plot/script “spoilers,” but if you haven’t yet read the original book, do so! An Unexpected Journey follows eponymous Hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he evolves from a retiring country gentleman in the Shire to become an adventurer alongside 12 Dwarves and the wizard Gandalf. On the way to the Lonely Mountain, they encounter warg-riding Goblins, Elves, Trolls, and more, all harkening back to the Norse tales that Tolkien studied and loved.

Director Jackson and company fold in plot threads from the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, expanding many scenes and characters. Since Jackson filmed more than four hours’ worth of footage for each installment of the previous trilogy, it should come as no surprise that he expanded on The Hobbit. I have fond memories of a marathon screening of the first trilogy’s extended editions in New York City with cast members present, so I am perhaps the target audience.

Dinner for 14
That’s what Bilbo Baggins hates!

The tone of the prequel is close to that of “LotR,” but with a bit more humor, as in the book, and slightly less violence — but maybe still too much for young children. I was pleased to hear much of Tolkien’s language in An Unexpected Journey, including a few songs and poems (some of us still remember the Rankin-Bass animated attempt). As a longtime Tolkien fan, this helped balance out the newer additions to the story.

One of the strongest components of An Unexpected Journey was the cast. It was nice to see familiar faces again, including Ian Holm as the older Bilbo and Elijah Wood as young Frodo in a framing scene. Of course, it’s now difficult to imagine mischievous Gandalf without picturing Ian McKellen, and Hugo Weaving and Cate Blanchett are back as regal Elves Elrond and Galadriel, respectively.

Fans of British genre television and movies should recognize many of the actors, at least by name. Martin Freeman is ever the befuddled Englishman, whether it’s in The Office, Shaun of the Dead, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Sherlock, and now as young Bilbo in The Hobbit. But as Gandalf notes, he’s more clever, hardy, and ethical than meets the eye.

Martin Freeman as young Bilbo Baggins
Bilbo Baggins, the bravest little Hobbit of them all

Even with a three-hour runtime, we get to know only a few of the Dwarves in The Hobbit, but Robin Hood‘s Richard Armitage stands out as honorable Thorin Oakenshield, and Being Human‘s hunky Aidan Turner as young Dwarf Kili might be a rival for the affections of fans of Orlando Bloom’s Legolas. Jekyll‘s James Nesbitt has some sympathetic moments as Bofur, and Ken Stott is sagacious as older Dwarf Balin.

Dozen Dwarves
Far over the Misty Mountains cold….

Doctor Who‘s Sylvester McCoy is the twitter-pated (literally) wizard Radagast the Brown. Those playing the villains are just as experienced. Andy Serkis, now also second-unit director for The Hobbit, is a delight as the nasty Gollum. Comedian Barry Humphries, best known as Dame Edna, is unrecognizable as the Great Goblin, while Spartacus‘ Manu Bennet is fearsome as Orc leader Azog.

It was also nice to see familiar Middle Earth locations, such as Bilbo’s comfy estate of Bag End in Hobbiton and Elrond’s Last Homely House in Rivendell. Jackson also shows us Dwarf cities in their full glory and violent decline, a Goblin town beneath the Misty Mountains, and the depths of Mirkwood. All of the architecture, costumes, and props are again excellent.

Many critics have taken issue with the movie’s length and editing, and I agree that they could have been tighter. Still, trimming a few sequences of Bilbo and company hiking or computer-enhanced battle scenes wouldn’t make An Unexpected Journey much shorter, and I’m glad that so many character moments and scenes from the book made it into the film. The flow of the story from scene to scene could have been smoother — reminding me of both tabletop and computer role-playing games — and I hope it will improve in later chapters of this new trilogy.

Unlike practical visual effects and makeup, the storm giants and the aforementioned Azog and Goblin king do look computer-generated, unlike the expressive but still realistic Gollum or Trolls. I think that comparisons to Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, even if they’re accurate, reflect “nerd rage” more than a fair critique. I didn’t see the movie in 3-D, IMAX, or high frame rate formats, so I’ll leave that to other reviewers to describe. Howard Shore’s latest soundtrack was also good, and it alluded to the soaring themes of Lord of the Rings.

Overall, I’d give The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which is rated PG-13 for violence, an 8 out of 10, four out of five stars, or a B+/A-. For me, that’s about on par with The Two Towers, if not as satisfying as The Fellowship of the Ring or Return of the King. Compared with most other fantasy films, I’d still recommend the The Hobbit and remind moviegoers that it has been a generation since we’ve had so many to choose from.

Most of the trailers we saw before The Hobbit were for science fiction flicks rather than fantasies. Both Tom Cruise’s Oblivion and Will Smith’s After Earth post-apocalyptic visions had cool hardware but seemingly predictable plots. Romantic zombie comedy (when did you think you’d see those together?) Warm Bodies looked mildly amusing.

I’m most looking forward to kaiju vs. giant robots in Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim and to Star Trek: Into Darkness, even if I have reservations about how the latter again relies on a villain-driven story involving mass destruction and threats to the starship Enterprise. Man of Steel looked rather dark for a Superman film. Still, genre film fans have a lot to look forward to in 2013!

After the movie, we went to the Rock Bottom Brewery for a late lunch. On Sunday, Janice and I attended “A Celtic Christmas Sojourn” at the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston. I hope that all your holidays are happy!

“Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus,” Updates 39.3-5 — Hey, he took my spleen!

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Sessions 3-5 of the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy campaign, which Brian W. hosted at his home in Newton, Massachusetts, in October and November 2012:

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 autumn 2012:

  • “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage magician, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; NGc, Lvl. 2
  • “Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W.]-male Zeda human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 2
  • “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 2
  • “Tempestade” [Josh C.]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), roustabout; CGl, Lvl. 2
  • “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 2
  • “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with owlbear cub “Oswald”; NGc, Lvl. 2
  • “Radius” [Jason E.R./absent]-male Modron Paladin of Primus, lord of Nirvana; exiled to the Prime Material plane; LGn, Lvl. 1
Haunted farm
Fenor family farmstead

“5 to 14 February 1228 B.C.E.:” While their troupe visited the Hifalendorin human village of Androth, a few performers freed Goblin slaves from a hidden silver mine. They slew the overseers, including Adric Thumon, squire to Sir Banor Finney.

Corwin and company don’t tell the knight about their involvement in Thumon’s death, even as he travels eastward with the circus, across the Aehonir River and into the (proto-Celtic) human kingdom of Saganim.

While on watch one night, Scully goes into some woods in search of her owl “Owlicious.” Branches slam into the Gnoll, but fortunately Stuffy, one of Elsa’s trained dogs, is able to lead the others to her before the evil Treant can do any further harm. It takes the entire group to fell the monster, which later feeds a bonfire.

As the circus, Sir Banor, and scout “Black Raven” [Michael C./Non-Player Character] ride across the Plains of Sathendo, they sense a winter storm approaching. In the middle of the blizzard, the camp hears a stampeding herd of aurochs pass nearby, as well as something large hunting them on the wing.

The travelers avoid the wyvern — “Cows don’t fly” — but Tempestade helps grab a bovine for food and its hide. The adventuring party also finds 80 silver pieces and 20 gold crowns while sheltered in a cave.

Orlando Vistel and his wagons pull into the Saganim town of Tensar. Giacomo orders an ale at the “Tipped Disc” tavern, while Scully carves an auroch horn. Hamfast demonstrates his prowess by lifting a bench of Halflings.

Corwin avoids Black Raven and flirts with “Alcye” [Kim A.G./N.P.C.], an attractive lady apparently related to Laird Colin. This earns him a cold shoulder from Tamara, a dancer in the circus.

Cerdwyn, head of the roustabouts, tells Hamfast that disgruntled clown Graham Tervin and escape artist Seamus Fenor have gone missing. Hamfast finds Graham drinking and learns that the Fenor clan had a farm on the town’s outskirts until it died off from “the dropsy.”

Orlando gives ringleader Corwin leave to take a group and retrieve Seamus. They find the Saganim human seemingly talking to himself in a family graveyard next to a dilapidated farmhouse and barn.

Bard Corwin approaches Fenor and soon realizes from the escape artist’s grimaces and jerky movements that he is possessed. Eight skeletons burst forth from the ground, grabbing at the circus folk!

Druid Elsa reaches for holy water, and Tempestade stomps on the emerging Undead. Giacomo and Hamfast are hurt, and Corwin smashes a skeleton with his long sword. Ranger Scully slides over a gravestone and shoots arrows, which have a limited effect.

Mage Giacomo casts Shield before swinging his quarterstaff. Hamfast Hammerfist fights as mightily as his name implies, eventually crushing five skulls. Elsa tends to the injured and draws her mace “Grimtooth” in the names of patron deities Mekkil and Vulkan.

Monk Tempestade dodges and kicks, but is attacked in return, along with Scully and Elsa. Corwin covers Hamfast, as Scully switches to a sword. After defeating the skeletons, the team ties up Seamus and returns to Tensar.

Miranda Barrowright, the Harfoot Halfling priestess of Yondolla in the camp, refers Seamus and company to the local church of Edillon. At the temple of the sky god, Fr. Wallace agrees to prepare an exorcism. Scully and Cerdwyn help keep watch.

Corwin reluctantly reports to circus founder Orlando, Sir Banor, and Alcye. Elsa offers prayers to Yondolla and Edillon, while Hamfast and Tempestade eat and rest with the other roustabouts.

Alcye accepts Corwin’s offer to escort her home (he has prepared his Seduction Stash for the occasion). However, a thick fog envelops them, and Corwin is forced to slay Alcye’s butler, who has been zombified! Her cook takes a cleaver to Corwin’s clothes.

The couple soon finds itself fleeing from shambling zombies and sees a building up ahead. Corwin realizes that it is the Fenor farmstead. He takes Alcye’s hand and runs to the barn. They climb to a hay loft and use a rope to get around the gathering horde.

Corwin and Alcye race back to the walls of Tensar, shouting for help. More Undead appear on the misty moors. Tempestade wakes all but Hamfast and Elsa and runs out the gate. Scully checks on Seamus and grabs torches.

Alcye casts Magic Missile, and Corwin knocks down two more zombies, but they’re still overwhelmed. Black Raven, Sir Banor, and three Dwarf newcomers to the town come to their rescue. For once, Corwin is glad to see Black Raven, and he hands Alcye to him to ride back.

With help from Giacomo’s Color Spray spell, Tempestade’s blows, and Scully’s flaming arrows, Corwin and company fight their way back to the town. Fr. Wallace looks at the wounded.

The haughty Dwarves introduce themselves as Ivar Giantslayer, Dmitri Sminkevitch, and Yurgi Twoblade. Hamfast defends the honor of “sundered Dwarves” Elsa and River Dwarf rigger Baskor Steadyhand.

The priest, Alcye, and Orlando agree that a more organized force should return to the Fenor property during the day. Alcye asks Sir Banor and Black Raven to help fortify Tensar, while Corwin prepares to lead another expedition to the haunted farm….

It was good to see some of you for The Hobbit [Part 1 of 3]: An Unexpected Journey this past Saturday. I look forward to seeing most of you at tonight’s face-to-face game, our last for this year. Brian and Jason, we’ll miss you, and I hope that all your holidays are happy!

Josh, I’ll try to write up my notes for your latest “A New Beginning: Mystic Adventures in the ‘Big D‘” game soon, and I look forward to continuing that and the “Vortex” telecom space opera.

In the coming months, I also look forward to meeting new role-player Joe T. and playing in Jason’s Savage Worlds: “Barsoomian Adventures” and Bruce’s Pathfinder: “Hyborean Age” scenarios. Take it easy, -Gene

“Vortex” Update 5c.18 — Bombs, bionics, and booty

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 5c.18 of the “Vortex” telecom space opera campaign, which met via Skype on Sunday, 9 December 2012. We’ve been using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Bulldogs, and an online dice roller.

In one future, humanity has begun to colonize the Sol system, but environmental degradation, population pressures, and internecine conflict persist. The rediscovery of mystical abilities and open and official First Contact with galactic societies, themselves at war, threaten Terra’s very survival. Can heroes rise to the challenges?

>>FATE 3e “Vortex” Team 3 (5c) telecom Player Characters, crew of the Gryphon, as of autumn 2012:

  • “Hector Chavez“ [Beruk A.]-male Latin American Terran human, former spy and communications expert/engineer of the Appomattox and Gryphon/Pina Colada
  • “Capt. Jasmine“ [Sara F.]-female Martian Felinoid (Synth, “Uplifted” tiger), former professional pit fighter and onetime crewmember of the Appomattox, now apart from the grifters in “MarSoupAiL” with boyfriend Darcy
  • “Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran human cyborg, former sniper for the North American Aerospace Marine Corps. and eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.; onetime crewmember of the scout ship Blackbird
  • “Orion Starchaser“ [Geoff C.]-male Pomuyan [blue humanoid alien] outcast, irrepressible mystic and adrenaline junkie; with mentor Vovestomosanehe
  • “Dr. Srinu Pahul“ [Byron V.O.]-male Indian Terran “near-human” (bioengineered) xenobiologist, shadowed by scandal and confident in survival skills; with robots MEGAN and PEPE
  • “Jax“ [Robin H./absent]-male human from the Asteroid Belt, vain space pirate and pilot of the Slipstream
  • “Jim Delaney” [Robert A.S./absent]-male Terran “near-human” gambler and psi, encountered on Mars

“9 to 11 May 2195 A.D./C.E. or 1 Terran Galactic Era:” After a confrontation with pirates and the Interplanetary Patrol (I.P.) over a smuggled cargo of zero-point munitions, the crew of the Gryphon retreats to the outer Sol system to consider its next moves.

The Pina Colada
The Pina Colada, a Starwind-class space yacht

Capt. Jasmine parks the ship in the Oort Cloud. The feline “Synth” also recommends changing the vessel’s name in the hope of evading former pilot Jax on the Slipstream, pirates from the Satan’s Strumpet, and the I.P. ship Steel Sanguinis.

Hector Chavez empties an account used by Jax and other traders and donates money to the “Belter Gentrification League.” Chris McKee wants to continue interrogating Timothy Dugan, a former colleague at Black Box Security Co. caught trying to stow away.

Orion Starchaser tells his mentor, fellow Pomuyan Vovestomosanehe, about his plans to visit Earth to find out why the Cheyenne tribe of Native Americans uses their language, Namid. Orion’s teacher announces his intention to leave to find out more about humanity.

Dr. Srinu Pahul reminds his companions of stolen treasure from the Vatican Museums, but Hector notes that they have a more immediate concern — the alien explosives. The former spy scans the three containers obtained from the Satan’s Strumpet and finds 60 spheres with zero-point devices.

The wanderers try to discreetly find trustworthy recipients for the weapons of mass destruction that they were smuggling to Earth. They agree to hide a few for themselves. Hector contacts onetime handler Max(ine) and asks her to meet him at a neutral location in space.

Chris sends a message to “Lt.Cmdr. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.], a former crewmate on the Blackbird and commander of a Union of Solar Nations (U.S.N.) task force responsible for long-range homeworld security.

Jasmine rechristens the Gryphon as the “Pina Colada,” and Hector changes the yacht’s transponder codes and registry. They hope to eventually install an Olvar (arboreal, mammal-like alien) database into the ship’s computer.

At Chris’ request, Dr. Pahul instructs robot nurse MEGAN to awaken Dugan. Chris and Orion repeat their offer to free the would-be assassin from his Black Box cyberware and mental conditioning. Dugan asks “Agent Prometheus” and Srinu why they have turned from the belief in humanity’s destiny to perfect itself and spread out among the stars.

The sniper and doctor reply that they still hope for Terrans to reach their potential, but not at the cost of billions of supposedly “unworthy” lives. Orion notes that there are many wonders yet to behold and that inner peace is at least as important as striving for a more highly evolved state.

Dugan reluctantly consents to go under the knife, and Srinu and MEGAN begin preparing an escape pod to serve as a surgical theater. Orion agrees to go along to psychically operate, while Capt. Jasmine and engineer Hector monitor from the “Pina Colada‘s” bridge.

Dr. Pahul and MEGAN remove Dugan’s cranial implants, including a transmitter and a small explosive that Agent Prometheus warns them about. Shortly thereafter, Orion uses telepathy to enter Timothy’s mind. Hector and Srinu monitor this instance of psionic contact.

Orion finds himself in a shadowy landscape, blocked by a dark figure [Josh/Non-Player Character] representing Dugan’s Black Box training. The blue-furred alien is then surrounded by numerous Men In Black [Byron/N.P.C.], avatars of Chris and Dugan’s brothers in arms.

Dueling explosions in the dreamscape give way to a kindly woman whom Orion believes might be Timothy’s mother [Sara/N.P.C.]. He and the dark figure sit on either side of the woman, who grants access to what looks like a control room.

Orion uses the virtual monitors to piece together fragmented memories. The mystic isn’t able to completely heal Timothy’s scarred psyche in the time alotted in the capsule, but Orion reassures Chris and Srinu that he should be on the road to independence from Black Box.

Jasmine retrieves the medical pod, and MEGAN escorts Dugan to a secure cabin. Chris recommends going to Epsilon Eridani to retrieve the Vatican relics as soon as possible. Hector reviews the ship’s engines and internal security, while Orion rests and trains with Vovestomosanehe in the swimming pool.

Srinu learns of Dr. Martha Liao, a xenobiologist on Earth who would likely be interested in the data on the Zurmiz Krott (Zarkonian biomechanical probes). The closet ship of the Union of Solar Nations is the Kestrel, commanded by Lt. Hardin.

Capt. Jasmine puts on a new uniform, sends her boyfriend Darcy a warning to look out for Jax and slavers in the Asteroid Belt, and sets a course back to the inner system….

Please remember that we’ll be skipping the next two Sundays because of the holidays, but I expect the “Vortex” virtual sessions to resume on Dec. 30. Also, note that Bruce may make a cameo, Dexter has expressed interest in rejoining the telecom group, and Byron hopes to visit the Boston area in January!

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing some of you for The Hobbit and upcoming “Vanished Lands” and “Mystic Adventures in the ‘Big D‘” games. May all your holidays be happy, -Gene