Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands” Session 39.53, which Drew S. hosted in Needham, Mass., on Monday, 8 December 2014:

In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The “Vanished Lands” were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders. One such band began as circus performers, rescued slaves, and seeks to fight the dreaded Ghost Fleet….

“Vistel’s Expedition,” crew of the Zephyr, Player Character Party 39 in Gene D.’s “Vanished Lands” campaign, using Pathfinder and FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre, as of autumn 2014:

• “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) with homunculus familiar Gerald; NGc, Lvl. 11
• “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Flind (Gnoll) Ranger, archer and sailor, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 11
• “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, wandering noble, warrior, and mandolin player; CNg, Lvl. 11
• “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with banuq (winged cat) Penryn; NGc, Lvl. 11
• “Rhys Davies” [Drew S.]-male Tinker Gnome (Minoi) clockwork gadgeteer and impetuous Rogue; TNcg, Lvl. 11

(See previous notes for “Hamfast” and “Brendan” [Brian W.], “Tempestade” [Josh C.], “Radius” [Jason E.R.], “Melchior” [Byron V.O.], “Sir Torrel” [Alex W.], and “Brogar” [Brian S.].)

“8 to 11 May 1227 B.C.E.:” The adventurering party left the Zephyr in the city of Nadwi and ventured across the Plains of Sathendo. They spotted an Orcish camp and entered the haunted hamlet of Alarn, where they found a Redcap who had murdered five of their former companions in Vistel’s Circus.

The Redcap escaped, but the onetime carnival performers were able to resurrect their friends, if not restore their severed hands. “Vistel’s Expedition” sent them to the relative safety of Nadwi and called for its airship to evacuate the remaining traumatized peasants.

Giacomo prepares another Contingency spell for his familiar Gerald. Scully scouts ahead, while Corwin and Rhys ride in a reclaimed circus wagon. Elsa Wild Shapesinto an eagle, joining her winged cat Penryn and Scully’s owl Owlicious in the air.

After about a day’s ride southeast, the travelers spot a large humanoid loping from the direction of Kedetura toward their caravan. Wizard Giacomo castsShield on himself and identifies the creature as a fierce Grimm, another Unseelie Fey.

Ranger Scully readies her long bow, and Bard Corwin casts Comprehend Languages and Displacement on himself. Druid Elsa shifts into a dire bear and casts Enlarge Animal on herself. Gadgeteer Rhys checks his clockwork automatons and loads his crossbow.

The Grimm and Elsa charge and rend each other with claws and teeth. Scully looses a volley of arrows as Corwin casts Greater Heroism on Elsa. Giacomo hits the beast with Magic Missiles, but Rhys’ first quarrels miss.

Flind Scully casts Protection From Evil on Elsa to protect the Hill Dwarf from the Grimm’s fell aura. The muscular monster Calls Lightning, but the dire bear avoids the blast. Elsa continues wrestling with the Grimm, and Half-Elf Corwin casts Displacement on her.

Hifalendorin human Giacomo’s Phantasmal Killer has no effect on the gruesome Grimm. Tinker Gnome Rhys tries hurling bars of “cold steel,” a reddish antimagical metal alloy, but they fall short.

In between firing more arrows, Scully attends to Elsa’s wounds. The slavering Grimm Ethereal Jaunts from Elsa to Corwin but is slowed by his Stun Bolts. Giacomo casts Acid Arrow and more Magic Missiles.

Elsa finishes off the tough Grimm and shifts back to demihuman form to make sure its carcass is incinerated. Rhys claims an enchanted katar (punching dagger, 1d8+2), and Giacomo detects an evil sickle.

Elsa casts Lesser Restoration to help Corwin regain his strength, and the Zephyr crew members resume their journey to rescue the rest of Vistel’s Circus from the Centaur followers of the mysterious Vappu Lahja.

Sometime later, Scully and Elsa see five Elves riding stags. Giacomo and Corwin recommend caution, while Elsa argues that they need allies against the forces of evil. Scully says that learning more about the area is worth some risk, and Rhys plans to make puppets resembling argumentative Corwin and Elsa.

Corwin uses his Hat of Disguise to appear as a full Elf, and Elsa hails the riders wearing fringed buckskins and feathers. The Grugach (Wild Elves) treat the team as intruders in their territory, even though they’re all in the human kingdom of Hifalendor.

Giacomo and Corwin are annoyed when Elsa mentions that she’s looking for former traveling companions, as Scully and Rhys hang back and watch the Grugach. Uller Tolvo says that his patrol has been hunting for exotic animals for a circus.

Antero Korkonen doesn’t seem surprised when Elsa warns of an Orcish warband from Zuromm nearby. Asser Rantasila notes that creatures such as the Grimm have been seen in the borderlands, and Heikki Makinen doesn’t respond when the Druid offers the blessings of Mekkil (Gaia). Scully sniffs for clues.

Pasi Vanhala doesn’t mention Vappu Lahja by name, but the explorers suspect that the Grugach are in league with the woman claiming to be a figure from a fairy tale. They continue riding their separate ways.

Elsa casts Pass Without Trace as Scully finds a defensible position. Elsa then casts Grove of Respite to create a restful (and alarmed) campsite. Giacomo and Corwin take the first watch for the night and notice that fewer animals than expected are moving on the grasslands. Scully and Rhys don’t set a fire during their watch.

On the third watch, Elsa and Rhys sense people sneaking up on them from all directions. Elsa again Wild Shapes into a burly bear, wakes the others, and dispels the grove. Diminutive Rhys climbs up on the bear for a better vantage point.

Stealthy Corwin casts Displacement on himself, and Rhys whistles to send his constructs to beat the bushes. Wary Giacomo casts Mage Armor, and Scully says, “I’m done being Ms. Nice Elephant” as she Wild Shapes into an animal she saw in the Zarendo Islands.

The Grugach shoot flaming arrows, injuring Corwin and Scully. Elsa casts Entangle, slowing the Wild Elves, and Corwin retaliates with a Fireball. Rhys again misses with his crossbow, and Giacomo casts Magic Missiles at Heikki and Pasi.

Singed Antero and Pasi shoot Scully, Antero and Uller hit Elsa with arrows, and Heikki targets Giacomo. Corwin runs to Pasi and hits the injured Elf twice. Elsa casts Greater Dispel Magic in case the Grugach are somehow ensorcled by Vappu Lahja, but she notices no immediate effect.

Rhys recalls his automatons, while Giacomo activates his Contingency spell, again causing homunculus Gerald to take on the Form of the Dragon. Heikki runs but is caught by the gold dragon.

Scully charges, and the Grugach fire at her and Gerald. Elsa casts Wind Wall to deflect further arrows and orders the Elves to stand down. They lower their bows. Giacomo has Gerald release Heikki.

Corwin angrily asks the hunters why they attacked. Asser says that Vappu Lahja will eradicate all “civilized” interlopers on the plains. Scully and Rhys keep an eye on Antero, Pasi, and Uller.

Elsa prays to Mekkil for a Positive Energy Burst, healing her allies, and she covertly casts Remove Curse in another attempt to disrupt Vappu Lahja’s sway. With Gerald still overhead, the Grugach back off.

Giacomo reiterates the need to keep a low profile while searching for the captive Vistel’s Circus. Scully keeps watch for the Grugach, and Corwin wants to confront Vappu Lahja.

Elsa, however, notes that the sorceress may have many followers and that they need to find out more about the situation in the borderlands. Rhys points out that Giacomo and Corwin’s Teleport spells could be dangerous because of a certain Pit Fiend looking for them.

The wanderers discuss visiting the Waletku kingdom of the Elves in the Wisalef Forest, which is just north of Hifalendor. Corwin states that his mother was once respected in Alfhileno, the distant capital.

Giacomo is reluctant to stay anywhere for long, and Scully worries about Elven prejudice against humanoids like herself. Rhys is curious about rumors of other Gnomish airships.

Elsa is interested in expanding the alliance against the dreaded Ghost Fleet and her nascent long-range communications network, so she begins preparing a fewTransport via Plants invocations….

Happy Birthday, Rich! I hope that everyone enjoyed our latest face-to-face “Vistel’s Expedition” sessions, and I look forward to continuing this fantasy campaign early next year! The “New Dawn” telecom team should resume this coming weekend.

I also look forward to concluding Rich’s “Tunnel Vision” modern supernaturalminiseries next Monday and to starting Jason E.R.’s “Channel 37” speculative fiction anthology. In the meantime, make sure your character records are up to date on Obsidian Portal, and stay in touch….

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands” Session 39.52, which Drew S. hosted in Needham, Mass., on Monday, 1 December 2014:

In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The “Vanished Lands” were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders. One such band began as circus performers, rescued slaves, and seeks to fight the dreaded Ghost Fleet….

“Vistel’s Expedition,” crew of the Zephyr, Player Character Party 39 in Gene D.’s “Vanished Lands” campaign, using Pathfinder and FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre, as of autumn 2014:

• “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) with homunculus familiar Gerald; NGc, Lvl. 11
• “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Flind (Gnoll) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and sailor, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 11
• “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, wandering noble, warrior, and mandolin player; CNg, Lvl. 11
• “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with banuq (winged cat) Penryn; NGc, Lvl. 11
• “Rhys Davies” [Drew S.]-male Tinker Gnome (Minoi) clockwork gadgeteer and impetuous Rogue; TNcg, Lvl. 11

(See previous notes for “Hamfast” and “Brendan” [Brian W.], “Tempestade” [Josh C.], “Radius” [Jason E.R.], “Sir Torrel” [Alex W.], and “Brogar” [Brian S.].)

“1 to 7 May 1227 B.C.E.:” After a week’s refitting, the Zephyr was airworthy and left Hesolin, capital of the human kingdom of Hifalendor, but Princess Priscilla and Lady Matilda stowed aboard.

The airship’s shakedown cruise northward went relatively smoothly, and Elsa befriended a Treant. In the city of Nadwi, the crew reassured the ruling council that it meant no harm to the princess and offered to help deal with a Centaur uprising.

Freed from his cursed tattoo of the “Mad Mage” Ezra, Giacomo goes to the local Magisterium (magic school) and the Library of Memir to research Vappu Lahja, the mysterious woman named in an old fairy tale who is now stirring up conflict between the Centaurs and humans [see notes for the “Uncommon Companions”].

Scully stretches her legs outside Nadwi’s walls, but she keeps an jealous eye on Svetlana Taildunker, a Wolfen sailor who has recently come under her boyfriend “Capt. Niac’s” [Mike F./Non-Player Character] command.

Corwin visits the temple of Brijitt, goddess of fire and poetry, and talks with priestesses Anastasia and Claudia of the Harp. They relay messages from “Melchior” [Byron V.O.], who is watching Corwin’s enemies in the barbaric port of Gisar. The Bard also learns some Centaur songs.

Elsa still hopes to negotiate between the Centaur raiders and the Hifalendorin peasants, so she brews beer and bakes bread as gifts. Rhys spends all his money on provisions for the airship and takes fellow Gnome Mathilda sightseeing.

After learning at the Grove of Mekkil (Gaia) that some fey are nearby, Druid Elsa and Ranger Scully take their fellowship to meet them. They find a traders’ camp outside the city gates, including some Skaevingol (Viking-style) and Tsucharim (Mongol-style) humans, Wolven, and a few Centaurs.

“Rakhnar Longtail” [Rob A.S./N.P.C.] tells them that much of his tribe has left to follow “the white lady.” The shaman believes that Vappu Lahja is using a combination of ensorclement and clever political arguments to sway so many of his people, as well as Satyrs/Fauns and some Grugach (Wild Elves).

The Centaur asks the commanders of the Zephyr to look for and rescue Antiochus, a kinsman of his. In return, he warns about Theocles, a warlord following Vappu Lahja who could be a dangerous and cunning foe.

The next day, “Vistel’s Expedition” rides northeast, along the Aspar River. The wide Plains of Sathendo stretch to the south and east, and the caravan sees scattered hills to the north. Beyond them are the dense Wisalef Forest and the tall Ivory Mountains. To the west is the nefarious kingdom of Zuromm.

Wizard Giacomo brings Gerald, his homunculus familiar, leaving adept and girlfriend “Dread” Maggie Oakleaf back with the rest of the Zephyr’s crew in Nadwi.

Corwin argues with Elsa about whether to allow Princess Priscilla to join the expedition, but he is outvoted. Scully wants to bring Svetlana to keep her away from Niac, but she reluctantly agrees to have her watch the princess.

Rhys notes that Mathilda isn’t as much of a potential liability and stuffs his three automatons and clockwork butler Vasco into his Bag of Holding. The Tinker Gnome also builds a platform for himself on the saddle of his pony.

Elsa casts Locate Object to find the ring of Baskor Steadyhand, a roustabout in Vistel’s Circus, which has been captured by Vappu Lahja’s followers. It leads the Hill Dwarf toward the hamlet of Alarn, about four days’ ride away.

Flind Scully hunts with her owl “Owlicious” to supplement the team’s rations with small game. Hifalendorin human and city slicker Giacomo recommends that the Ranger or Druid cast Speak With Animals to see if the circus has passed recently.

Half-Elf Corwin sings as a thunderstorm passes over the plains, and Tinker Gnome Rhys is careful to keep his contraptions dry. Scully spots tracks of three quadrupeds with cloven hooves. She scouts ahead and sees three unicorns with Elven riders, but the group decides against a detour to meet them.

Sometime later, the scouts see something more worrisome: tents not in the Hifalendorin or Saganim style. Giacomo, Corwin, and Rhys stay back with the horses, while Scully Wild Shapes into a sparrow, and Elsa transforms into an auroch (ancient bovine).

They observe humans wearing patchwork armor and a ragged black pennant with angular red and silver symbols — the flag of Zuromm. Scully shifts into rat form to get a closer look, while Elsa realizes that she might be mistaken for livestock or prey and heads back to the party.

Scully crawls into one tent, which is more crowded and orderly than its exterior might suggest. She sees components for shamanic rituals and a muscular, green-skinned humanoid in black armor. The Ranger dodges hobnailed boots and runs out of the Orc encampment.

Giacomo recommends pressing on toward Alarn through the night, avoiding the Zuromm troops. Scully points out that a proper detour will take hours. Corwin wants to fight, but Elsa wants to stay on mission. Rhys notices that the enemy forces are headed toward the town of Kedetura, which is where Vappu Lahja is believed to be.

Stealthy Scully takes the lead as the group rides on. Rhys follows, protected by aSilence spell from Giacomo. The wary mage also casts Invisibility on winged Gerald. Corwin sulks in his saddle, while Elsa and her banuq (winged cat) Penryn take rearguard. She also casts Message to warn Prince Andre de Giles in Nadwi about the Orcs.

The tired travelers eventually reach Alarn, which they find mostly abandoned. Farmers huddle in their houses, and the lone thoroughfare is empty. The adventuring party passes a boarded-up chapel and stops at the “Mellow Mule” tavern.

They meet a toothless old man playing a battered harmonium and a young girl with lank hair and a tattered dress. The visitors quickly realize that they are ghosts and hastily leave. Elsa again casts Locate Object, which indicates that members of Vistel’s Circus are in a vine-shrouded barn.

The dark leaves shudder as if from an imperceptible breeze, and roots break out of the dry soil toward the group. Giacomo casts Detect Magic and Shield, and Scully draws her long bow and maneuvers. Elsa looks for cover and Wild Shapes into a vulture.

Corwin casts Displacement and Fly on himself, while Rhys readies his clockwork scorpion, which spits acid, and his dragon construct, which can produce fire. Elsa casts Control Plants and has the vines tear the barn doors off their hinges before parting.

The explorers enter the barn and see the wagons of their former traveling companions in the carnival. They hear a high-pitched voice welcoming them, and flying Elsa, Corwin, and Giacomo see small figures made out of twigs moving in the rafters.

Corwin casts Light and reveals a short, bearded man dressed all in red, from his floppy cap to his pointed boots. Despite some similarities, Rhys knows he is not a Gnome. The fellow introduces himself as Gilean and shows off a necklace of hands, one of which has Baskor’s ring!

Prince Corwin casts Lightning Bolt at the evil fey, and Elsa has the vines entangle the Twigjacks. Giacomo activates a Contingency spell on Gerald, and Rhys sends his devices to the carriages to search for survivors. Scully fires arrows.

Gilean shrugs off his electrical burns, and Elsa has the vines rip the roof off the barn. The Dwarf Druid then casts Lightning Strike. Wizard Giacomo casts Mage’s Sword while his familiar turns red as he takes on the Form of the Dragon.

The Redcap refuses to admit defeat. He stomps on the ground three times, causing it to tremble. Gilean then phases into the earth, escaping further spells and arrows. Giacomo sends enlarged Gerald to fly over Alarn to see if there’s any further sign of him.

Scully searches the hamlet and tries to reassure the remaining peasants, who tell her of previous attacks. Rhys finds five bodies in the wagons: Dwarf rigger Baskor Steadyhand, Saganim drover Cerdwyn mab Ardain, Suthern fire breather Amur ibn Wayat, Hifalendorin acrobat Simona Perhuten, and Halfling caricaturist Alberto Barrowright.

Elsa mourns her friends, who likely put up a fight, and Corwin vows vengeance and begins preparing spells to Raise the Dead. The onetime performers deduce from the looted carriages that the rest of the circus has probably been sent on to Kedetura.

The wanderers rest in Alarn for two days, resurrecting the carnival folk, but the spellcasters aren’t able to restore their severed hands. The five people are put on Phantom Steeds, which can run down the Aspar River toward Nadwi, away from hostile fey.

Elsa sends for the Zephyr to warn Prince Andre and evacuate the remaining farmers. With grim determination, the away team prepares to head to Kedetura to confront Vappu Lahja and her Unseelie Court followers….

We’ll be picking up next Monday, Dec. 8, right where we left off. That’ll probably be the last regular “Vanished Lands” face-to-face game of 2014!