“Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” Session 40.20 — The talented Jung-Mo

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands” Session 40.20, which was held on Sunday, 1 June 2014:

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

Player Character Party 40 in Gene D.’s “Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” Asian-style telecom campaign, using the D20 Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1st Ed.) Oriental Adventures , plus house rules, Skype, and an online dice roller, as of summer 2014:

“Souji Nobuto ‘Sonny’ Yoshimitsu” [Beruk A.]-male Shengtese Tian Kensai (eastern human weapon master) from a dishonored house in the Lion Clan, specializing in chain weapons; LNg, Lvl. 6
“Toshiharu ‘Toshi’ Sembutsu” [Byron V.O.]-male Shan Sao Wu Jen (eastern Halfling Wizard) from the Tiger Clan with a destiny; NGc, Lvl. 6
“Ember Talon” [Sara F.]-female Crane Hengeyokai Wu (shapeshifting Druid), actually a young gold dragon banished from the Celestial Court; NGl, Lvl. 6
“Soske’ Tiatoshe” [Geoff C.]-male Shengtese Tian Shukenja (eastern human Cleric), priest of Shang-ti and animist from the Phoenix Clan, prophesied to do great things; LNg, Lvl. 6
“Saigo Kasugi” [Bruce K.]-male Bamboo Spirit Folk Samurai (eastern Sylvan Elf Cavalier) discreetly serving his daimyo; LNg, Lvl. 6
“Moon Jung-mo” [Dexter V.H.]-male Nannuattan Ninja (Msamaki, eastern Dark Elf Assassin) who has left the Shadow’s Claw clan and is posing as a River Spirit Folk Yakuza (eastern Grey Elf Rogue); LNg, Lvl. 6

“1 to 4 May 1227 B.C.E.:” The investigators reported their findings on court intrigues and growing chaos in Tong Sheng to Gen. Wang Tung, but the onetime ally of Saigo’s grandfather betrayed them and tried to keep them from talking to Duke Kou Fei Seng. After Soske’ summoned an avatar of Hotse Mar, god of war, the duke asked the group to scout an approaching army.

The diplomatic escorts prepare to leave for their new mission. Sonny learns that a kaishakun, or seppuku second, in the retinue of Lady Rekai of the Crane Clan is connected with House Daidoji’s dishonor of his own family in the Lion Clan.

Toshi reviews spells and copies a scroll of Fireball. He also asks whether anyone would have an objection to him summoning a tiger, which is his clan’s totem. Nobody does. Saigo acquires a scroll of Haste and takes Gen. Wang’s sword, which Sonny is disappointed to see identifies him as a member of the Lion Clan.

The duke tells Ember and company that he will allow them access to the imperial armory if they successfully return to him. Soske’ gets Cure Moderate Wounds potions from various temples and creates masterwork bracers (+1) for Sonny and Jung-Mo.

Jung-Mo asks underworld contact Tsuji Eizo (actually a fellow Nannuattan Ninja named Park Chulsoon) for supplies. He obtains smoke bombs, knockout grenades, and poison. The onetime spy also decides to leave his mysterious egg in Ember’s quarters in Silado Palace.

The adventuring party saddles up and leaves the palace grounds by midmorning. Some of the bridges over Sogewa’s canals are apparently closed for construction, so the caravan is forced to take side streets.

A broken-down cart blocks the way ahead, and the group finds that it can not back up because of new obstructions. The five remaining people in the alley wear orange sashes, which Sonny recognizes as similar to the one worn by the man who attacked Lady Yun Aei-Yong upon their arrival in the city.

Toshi moves to the side, while Saigo rides up to cart and its occupant. Soske’ sighs and casts Ancestral Weapon, which produces a spirit who reluctantly gives him an enchanted bow. Jung-Mo and Ember hope to disappear as the ambush unfolds.

Shukenja Soske’ fires a Lightning arrow, and Wu Jen Toshi casts Invisibility on himself. Jung-Mo tries to duck into a window, but it is closed. Samurai Saigo swings his katana at the enemy leader, who is wearing an embroidered orange vest and says that the group can not leave the provincial capital.

The would-be assassins hit Toshi, and nine more appear on the roofs on either side of the alley. Kensai Sonny strikes two Ninjas with his chains, and Wu Ember pleases Toshi by Wild Shaping into a tiger.

The first ambusher falls to Soske’s lightning arrows, as Toshi summons an air elemental and sends it to attack Saigo’s foe. Jung-Mo draws his bow as Saigo strikes down the leader on the ground. The Ninjas wound Toshi, and Sonny identifies the leader of the squad on the rooftops.

Ember pounces on an orange-clad assassin but misses, while Soske’ hits three assailants on one roof with Blade Barrier. Toshi casts Mass Snake’s Swiftness on his companions, and the elemental slams a Ninja.

Jung-Mo tosses an alchemical grenade, blasting two Shengtese humans off the roof. Saigo cleaves through two of the people on the ground, but the Ninjas fire arrows at Jung-Mo, Soske’, and Sonny, who acrobatically dodges.

Shengtese human Sonny punches one opponent and climbs to the tiled roof. Shengtese Soske’ shoots another man on the roof, and Shan Sao Toshi summons bats as his elemental misses the Ninjas. Spirit Folk Jung-Mo’s gas grenade incapacitates five more.

Of the more than a dozen ambushers, only a handful remain. Jung-Mo shoots the roof squad leader identified by Sonny with sleep poison as the enemy starts to retreat. Soske’ recommends letting them run away, but Bamboo Spirit Folk Saigo slays another, and Sonny trips one more before he can leave.

Sonny ties up the lieutenant, as Jung-Mo and Hengeyokai Ember search the others. They find the following items, but no identifying papers or money:

Amulet of Protection From Law (claimed by Toshi)
Dust of Tracelessness (claimed by Toshi and Ember?)
Eggshell grenades — one powder, one smoke (claimed by Jung-Mo and Saigo)
Kau sin ke (chain whip, +2, claimed by Sonny)
Ninja-tos, eight (short swords; one at +2, claimed by Jung-Mo)
Shurikens, 24 (throwing stars; four for each party member)

The wanderers ride past farms encircling Sogewa. They continue east as settlements get sparser on the Plains of Sathendo, and they begin to cross a high steppe. Toshi and Ember scout ahead in bird form.

Miles away from the urban trap, Saigo ties the Ninja prisoner to a tree and begins roughly interrogating him. Soske’ tends to the horses, and Toshi advises against unreliable and dishonorable torture. Clever Ember turns the spy into a turtle and leaves him out in the grasslands, far from civilization.

That night, Halfling Wizard Toshi casts Know History on the Ninja’s orange garb. The Halfling Wizard has a vision of people meeting Lady Liao Qianru in a shrine. Shapeshifter Ember recognized the aristocrat as a dragon, but she has no idea why the Dragon Clan would hire Ninjas to prevent their departure.

The squad leader’s ninja-to has a symbol of a crescent moon, probably a family crest. The amulet yields a vision of worshippers of Tiamat, the evil serpent queen. Cleric Soske’ isn’t sure how the clans, cultists, and growing chaos around Tong Sheng are related, but Rogue Jung-Mo tells knight Saigo that he knows the Nannuattan of Gokuri are always up to no good.

As the party prepares to see what it can find out about the army approaching Sogewa, far to the southwest, “Vistel’s Expedition” enters the barbaric port of Gisar….

Dexter and Sara, please again accept our condolences on your recent losses. It was good to chat with both of you, and I hope you enjoy our ongoing campaign.

Now that your characters have leveled up, remember to update their records on Obsidian Portal. I’ll see some of you at upcoming games, including Jason E.R.’s“Glassworks: the Devil’s Den” superhero scenario and Bruce’s “Pathfinder: Eberrron/Reign of Winter.”

Godzilla 2014 review

On Sunday, 1 June 2014, Thomas K.Y. and I caught an early matinee of Godzilla at the recently renovated Showcase Cinemas in Woburn, Mass. We liked the latest incarnation of the “big G,” even if the film wasn’t as satisfying as it could have been.

Gojira in San Francisco — Latest Godzilla

Plot

As with most of its kaiju (Japanese giant monster) movie predecessors, the first half of this Godzilla focuses on its human cast, including environmentally conscious scientists, grimly determined but often misguided military folks, and a young family in peril as huge monsters fight through multiple cities. That’s all you ever need to know.

Acting

The mostly American cast plays it straight, with none of the camp of the fondly remembered Showa-era’s monster mashups or the 1998 misfire. As you may have seen from Godzilla‘s trailers, Bryan Cranston and Juliette Binoche play nuclear physicists Joe and Sandra Brody, who are among the first to suffer from the kaiju emergence.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen, who’ll be playing mutant siblings in the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron, are young soldier Ford Brody and his wife Elle here. Alphas‘ David Strathairn and Ken Watanabe bring some gravitas as Adm. William Stenz and Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, respectively. Their roles are mostly two-dimensional, but they provide a human’s-eye view to the massive destruction.

Direction

While the cast is solid, the pacing of the movie is not as steady. I expect kaiju movies to start slowly and build to big battles, but director Gareth Edwards teases full views of Godzilla and his “MUTO” (massive unidentified terrestrial organism) opponents for a bit too long. Yes, viewers should identify with the human cast, but I would have liked to see more of the fights and fewer teary people or futile small-arms firing.

Visual effects

That said, the monster designs are all good, and Godzilla’s latest look is properly regal. As I mentioned to Thomas, the MUTOs show that this is the first post-Cloverfield Gojira flick. Pacific Rim might have been more fun, but the newest Godzilla restores the beasts as manifestations of nature’s wrath and nuclear horrors.

Unlike 1998’s “GINO” (“Godzilla in name only”), I rooted for Godzilla even as he and the MUTOs stomped through Japan, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, which didn’t look overly computer-animated or rely on shaky cam. The HALO jump seen in the trailer was also well-executed and actually had a connection to the story.

Like that movie and Cloverfield, however, there were subplots about reproduction, survival, and military secrets, and even a little humor might have helped relieve and build tension.

Soundtrack

Godzilla’s roar and the music for this movie were decent, but nothing can top the ominous 1954 theme. (To be fair, as a longtime “G-fan,” I also like Blue Oyster Cult’s song and the late 1970s cartoon’s song.)

Rating

Overall, I’d give the 2014 Godzilla, which is rated PG-13 for “mayhem,” a 7.5 out of 10, three and a half out of five stars, or a B. I do think that some critics have been overly harsh, looking for subtle acting or political statements.

I don’t know if it will be enough to reignite interest in the 60-year-old franchise, but I liked it more than other recent monster movies, and I’d love to see Godzilla take on new versions of Mothra, King Ghidra, MechaGodzilla, and evil aliens in potential sequels! Long may he reign!

“Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Expedition” Session 39.39 — Sea quest

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands” Session 39.39, which Brian W. hosted in Newton, Mass., on Monday, 26 May 2014:

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

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

“Vistel’s Circus,” Player Character Party 39 in Gene D.’s ” Vanished Lands ” heroic fantasy campaign, using the D20 Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game and FATE3e Legends of Anglerre, as of spring 2014:

“Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage seer, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; with homunculus familiar Gerald; NGc, Lvl. 8

“Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W.]-male Zeda (proto-Germanic) human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 8

“Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 8

“Tempestade” [Josh C.]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), former roustabout, now a follower of Otih; CGl, Lvl. 8

“Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and former ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 8

“Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with Banuq (winged cat) Penryn; NGc, Lvl. 8

“Rhys Davies” [Drew S.]-male Tinker Gnome (Minoi) clockwork gadgeteer; TNg, Lvl. 8

(See previous notes for Paladins “Radius” [Jason E.R.] and “Sir Torrel” [Alex W.].)

“5 to 9 March 1227 B.C.E.:” After debating how to proceed through the Temple of Elemental Evil, the expedition distracted Ogres, defeated a Beholder, and destroyed the contact binding an Efreeti to the Pit Fiend ruling Mt. Tilefa. The group made a hasty retreat to Tarvulis Island.

Giacomo worries that the devil Schm*ckF*ck will send minions to pursue the onetime circus performers. He recommends entering the city of Gisar overland. Hamfast is eager to return to the barbaric port, which he briefly visited thanks to Tequila, the pseudodragon familiar of Drow archmage “Vasec” [Alex J./Non-Player Character].

Scully reminds her companions that they have agreed to help Tempestade get to an obelisk beneath Gisar so he can return to his own time and free slaves from his former plantation.

Corwin would prefer to visit the Gusorin Confederation as briefly as possible, and Elsa is curious about rumors of evil Druids, the cult of Krakas, and fighting the dreaded Ghost Fleet. She wishes that Paladins Radius and Sir Torrel could help deal with the scourge of Undead on the high seas.

After sending an urgent magical message to Capt. Scarlet on the Sea Elven schooner Foamrunner, the wanderers prepare to return to the mainland. Wizard Giacomo talks with “Tondra” [Rob A.S./N.P.C.], a Zarendo Islander human shaman (East African Cleric), about getting the accursed tattoo of the “Mad Mage” Ezra removed from his back.

Fighter Hamfast waits outside and pounds on a leech with his maul on behalf of recently departed Sir Torrel. Ranger Scully sends a love note to Wolfen Paladin “Niac” [Mike F./N.P.C.] and allows Vasec’s scribes to copy her maps of the temple on Salhonif Island.

Martial artist Tempestade explains that he wants to resettle fellow escapees and that he hopes to help clear Gisar of evil upon his return. Bard Corwin buys a potion of Water Breathing and scrolls of Invisibility to Undead and Restoration.

Elsa writes several letters. She asks Baskor Steadyhand, a roustabout in Vistel’s Circus, about how owlbear Oswald is doing. The Druid also sends soil samples to Barry the Gardener on Emein Island and warns the Royal Cartographer’s Society in Thadenis about Mt. Tilefa.

Tondra, who is packing for a seasonal visit to the Hifalendorin human capital of Hesolin, gives Giacomo a Periapt of Wisdom (+2) to help him fight Ezra’s control. Hamfast and Tempestade find her zombie gardeners unsettling.

Vasec and his students bid “Vistel’s Expedition” farewell as the team boards Capt. Scarlet’s sleek catamaran. About a day’s sail north, however, the Foamrunner ’s crew and passengers are tested by a storm.

Giacomo casts Rope Work, and Scully and Corwin help the Sea Elven sailors in the rigging. Hamfast and Tempestade stay with the oarsmen below decks, but Elsa comes up from the galley to cast Calm Winds. After being tossed around by huge waves, the Foamrunner manages to ride out the tempest.

Sometime later, a lifeboat with six storm survivors is spotted. Hifalendorin human Giacomo readies spells, and Zeda human Hamfast waits in reserve. Scully readies a grapple and casts Detect Evil, but the albino Gnoll senses no malicious intent from the castaways.

Brazilian human Tempestade helps cast lines to the dinghy, and Corwin casts Detect Magic and then Fly to help rescue the newcomers. The Half-Elf spots a Gnome clutching a wooden chest and slowly carries them to safety.

Elsa summons a water elemental, but it turns on the Hill Dwarf, saying, “We’ve been looking for you,” no doubt in reference to the Pit Fiend’s followers. Capt. Scarlet orders her crew to maneuver, while Vistel’s Expedition tries to get the six shipwreck survivors aboard and fights the Grue.

Elsa invokes Mekkil (Gaia), goddess of nature, to Call Lightning. Corwin drops off the Gnome and begins lifting the Suthern human corsairs. Hamfast comes up to the main deck, and the evil elemental slams Scully.

Giacomo casts Dispel Magic, to no effect, and Scully misses a rope, landing one of the Suthern sailors in the drink. Tempestade runs on the side of the ship with his Boots of Spider Climb and grabs the man. Rhys, the Tinker Gnome, opens his chest and readies a fancy crossbow.

Pious Elsa Wild Shapes into an orca (killer whale) and rams into the Varrdig. Flying Corwin and nimble Tempestade continue pulling castaways aboard the Foamrunner. Mighty Hamfast grazes the Grue with his maul but also gets slammed by a blast of water.

Clever Giacomo casts Scorching Ray, seriously wounding the elemental, which sniper Scully finishes off with a Flamestrike. Rhys is disappointed that he didn’t get to show off his repeating crossbow or clockwork creations.

Capt. Scarlet and the travelers welcome the gadgeteer and promise to drop off the Suthern sailors soon. Divine spellcasters Elsa and Scully attend to the wounded.

Sometime later, Rhys spots a second rowboat with his telescope, and Giacomo casts Wizard Sense to get a closer look. Scully dives into the Sea of Nagendwa and Wild Shapes into a dolphin. Elsa shifts into squid form and Channels Positive Energy to turn a large skeletal barracuda.

Giacomo reports that the people on this dinghy are contagious Undead, so Capt. Scarlet orders that it be set ablaze from a distance. Scully supervises the arbalests and ammunition, as Corwin watches for other ships from the crow’s nest with Araswe, one of his lovers.

The Foamrunner sets its passengers ashore about two days’ march from Gisar. Saganim Prince Corwin gives Capt. Scarlet several hundred crowns (gold pieces) in thanks. The rescued sailors scatter and head west, back toward the distant Halmed Desert. Vistel’s Expedition begins hiking east to the city.

Approaching Gisar — Any port in a storm….

On the wide central Plains of Sathendo, the adventuring party hears the thunder of approaching hooves. Ten Wolven in Tsucharim (Mongol-style) armor lower spears and surround the group. Mads, their leader, is not impressed by the outlanders but offers to trade for fellow canine humanoid Scully.

When she resists, the Wolven close in. Elsa casts Charm Animal on Mads’ horse, and Corwin incinerates three riders with a Fireball. One raider picks up Scully, and others stab at Hamfast and Tempestade.

Scully breaks free and draws her long bow, as Tempestade runs toward the Wolfen who had grabbed her. Giacomo slays two more foes with Magic Missiles, and Hamfast smites another. Rhys fires bolts with his crossbow.

Elsa Wild Shapes into a dire boar, causing the horse to throw Mads to the ground. Corwin kills two Barbarians with Ice Storm and dodges another. Scully angrily looses arrows, while Tempestade unhorses one Wolfen and kicks him.

The Wolven hit Hamfast and Tempestade and badly hurt Scully. Giacomo drops Tempestade’s opponent with a Lightning Bolt, and Corwin finishes off Mads. Scully claims a tooth and the tail of one Wolfen as trophies and a warning to other would-be slavers.

Hamfast says the corpses should be left for the carrion fowl as his friends search the steeds. Each one has a masterwork saddle, and the warriors had chain shirts, spears, hand axes, and long swords. The group also finds two short bows, 40 arrows, 140 silver coins, 200 crowns, and 10 platinum pieces.

Now with horses, the expedition continues toward Gisar. That night, Elsa castsGrove of Respite for shelter, food, and rest. Saddlesore Hamfast and inventive Rhys take the first watch as the moon comes out from behind light clouds.

Corwin and Scully, with her owl Owlicious, take an uneventful second watch. Elsa Wild Shapes into dire ape form to watch with her winged cat Penryn and Tempestade. Giacomo studies tattoo magic, aided by his homunculus familiar Gerald.

Elsa and Tempestade hear children’s voices in the tall grass around their camp. Elsa walks to the edge of the grove, while Tempestade wakes the others. Giacomo successfully Detects Evil and warns his companions.

Hamfast turns over in his bedroll, and Rhys readies his clockwork devices. Scully casts True Seeing and finds that the children are actually doglike reptilian Kobolds. The small humanoids turn down Elsa’s offer of food, as the fears of a trap are reversed. They disappear into the grasslands.

The next day, the party sees the ruined outer walls of Gisar, a long-suffering city plagued by Barbari tribes and the Undead. Rutted streets wind through crowded neighborhoods of narrow houses. The mostly human population wears drab clothing and avoids direct eye contact.

Giacomo reminds the Corwin that the locals don’t like arcane spellcasters. Hamfast recommends staying near the Mahadi Racetrack, where a restless crowd cheers on a polo match using someone’s head. As “Gareth Greywind,” Corwin pays 10 crowns to stable and feed the horses for a week.

Hamfast, Scully, and Elsa buy beets, cabbage, and turnips on their way into the port, but Tempestade tenses up as they pass a slave market. The group passes saloons, shrines, and vacant shops.

A map from the “Seekers of Lore” from Thadenis indicates that there is a way beneath the House of Xia to the ruins of the local Magisterium (magic school/library) and the magical obelisk.

Corwin, Elsa, and Rhys argue in favor of immediately entering the sewers. Giacomo, Hamfast, and Scully want to scout out the area, which includes a temple to Tiamat guarded by Draconians, but the others say that’s looking for trouble.

Tempestade ultimately decides to head straight to the obelisk. The spelunkers hide Rhys’ chest with a Stone Sphere, and he and Scully agree to travel with Tempestade through the portal, even as their companions prefer to stay behind.

Vistel’s Expedition makes its way to an alley between the House of Xia and the Angkir’s Oars bar, where a sewer spills into the Bedoni River…. Meanwhile, far to the northeast, a new band travels on the Balef River….

Drew, I hope that you and everybody else enjoyed your first regular session as “Rhys!” Don’t forget to keep your characters up to date on Obsidian Portal, especially as we approach “name level.”

I look forward to continuing our adventures next Monday, June 2, before we wrap up Jason E.R.’s “Glassworks: the Devil’s Den” superhero scenario and begin Bruce’s Pathfinder: “Eberron/Reign of Winter” miniseries.

“Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” Session 40.19 — “Everybody hates Wang Tung tonight”

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands” Session 40.19, which was held on Sunday, 25 May 2014:

Player Character Party 40 in Gene D.’s “Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” Asian-style telecom campaign, using the D20 Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (1st Ed.) Oriental Adventures, plus house rules, Skype, and an online dice roller, as of spring 2014:

“Souji Nobuto ‘Sonny’ Yoshimitsu” [Beruk A.]-male Shengtese Tian Kensai (eastern human weapon master) from a dishonored house in the Lion Clan, specializing in chain weapons; LNg, Lvl. 5
“Toshiharu ‘Toshi’ Sembutsu” [Byron V.O.]-male Shan Sao Wu Jen (eastern Halfling Wizard) from the Tiger Clan with a destiny; NGc, Lvl. 5
“Ember Talon” [Sara F.]-female Crane Hengeyokai Wu (shapeshifting Druid), actually a young gold dragon banished from the Celestial Court; NGl, Lvl. 5
“Saigo Kasugi” [Bruce K.]-male Bamboo Spirit Folk Samurai (eastern Sylvan Elf Cavalier) discreetly serving his daimyo; LNg, Lvl. 5
“Soske’ Tiatoshe” [Geoff C.]-male Shengtese Tian Shukenja (eastern human Cleric), priest of Shang-ti and animist from the Phoenix Clan, prophesied to do great things; LNg, Lvl. 5
“Moon Jung-mo” [Dexter V.H./absent]-male Nannuattan Ninja (Msamaki, eastern Dark Elf Assassin) who has left the Shadow’s Claw clan and is posing as a River Spirit Folk Yakuza (eastern Grey Elf Rogue); LNg, Lvl. 5

“29 to 30 April 1227 B.C.E.:” In Sogewa, the capital of Tong Sheng, the diplomatic escorts learned more about threats to the realm. Jung-Mo, Sonny, and Ember accompanied Gokuri emissary Lady Yun Aei-Yong as she visited the heads of various human clans. Toshi and Saigo watched the guest quarters of Zu Ji, crown prince of the Shang empire.

Soske’ consulted more priests on the sources of recent chaos and Undead attacks. Jung-Mo and Ember shared their secret identities over dinner, Toshi fought a Nezumi Ninja disguised as a raven, and Saigo overheard suspicious talk among Zu Ji’s mercenaries.

Shengtese human Sonny leaves Lady Yun with Spirit Folk Jung-Mo and Draconian bodyguard Oh Kum-Ja. Shan Sao Toshi sends messengers to ask his companions to regroup at Silado Palace.

Bamboo Spirit Folk Saigo is worried about a potential assassination plot involving the prince. Hengeyokai Ember receives Toshi’s message, but Shengtese human Soske’ is waylaid by his cousin Yao-Ren Hu and other relatives.

They ask Soske’ about his visits to various temples, where he has been asking about hauntings and disorder in the countryside. The Shukenja reassures his family members that he will get to the source of any problems and avoid dishonoring them.

Soske’ shares his visions of strife and bloodshed, and Saigo recommends that the travelers stick together. They visit Gen. Wang Tung, who once fought alongside Saigo’s grandfather Shinso, and find him beating a shinai against a tree trunk.

Samurai Saigo introduces his friends, but Wu Ember is distracted by a koi pond. Wu-Jen Toshi follows court protocol and bows. Soske’ talks about all the monsters they have encountered on the way to the city, and Gen. Wang acknowledges that this is more than what’s expected after a war’s end.

Kensai Sonny suggests that the unrest, as well as the pending truce with Gokuri, could undermine Emperor Zi Zhao’s “mandate of heaven.” Gen. Wang agrees to arrange a private audience with Duke Kou Fei Seng, ruler of the province.

Sometime later, the adventurers meet Gen. Wang at a side door. He gives them hooded robes to further hide their entry and leads them away from lavishly decorated halls to winding passages.

Weapon master Sonny leads the way, followed by Druid Ember and Cleric Soske’. Knight Saigo accompanies the aged general, and Wizard Toshi casts Lightand brings up the rear.

Sonny steps on a loose ceramic tile, and the walls begin closing in, aggravating Ember’s claustrophobia. He jumps back. Gen. Wang tries to shove Saigo into the others and to flee down a side corridor.

Ember watches the narrowing hallway, and Soske’ casts Remorse on the general, who falls to his knees and apologizes to Saigo for trying to kill him. Surprised and angry, Saigo asks Gen. Wang how to disarm the device.

Toshi casts Wall of Ice to slow the squeeze. Sonny reaches for a lever that opens a trap door to escape. The party grabs the general and slices down the chute, finding itself in an empty laundry room beneath the palace.

Saigo disarms Gen. Wang before he can commit seppuku. The traitor mentions getting Shinso “out of the way” and a plot to exploit the growing chaos to advance military interests. The general says that he couldn’t allow Saigo and company to warn the duke. The demihumans are disturbed to learn that Saionji Yoshio, the Zedu ambassador, may be in on the scheme.

Toshi and Sonny tie up and gag Gen. Wang and stuff him into a closet, and the group agrees to find Kou Fei Seng immediately. Toshi casts Camouflage to scout ahead in the sprawling palace and summons a grumpy air elemental to lead the way back to the suface.

The would-be heroes bluff their way past heavily armed and armored guards to cross ramparts and get into the duke’s residence. They find him in a parlor, surrounded by official scrolls and maps.

Inside the palace

Saigo tells tired Kou Fei Seng about how Gen. Wang and others have conspired to keep him from learning about problems around Tong Sheng. Toshi describes the Ninja he fought and suspicious activities among the relatively small band of mercenaries who arrived with Prince Zu Ji.

Kou Fei Seng explains that the prince will be taking control over Sogewa, and by extension, the rest of the province. Sonny and Ember realize that Lady Yun’s peace overtures and the clan rivalries they have observed only complicate matters. The duke says he will question Gen. Wang himself.

An army is marching from the east to the provincial capital, says Kou Fei Seng, but he doesn’t know whether it’s Zu Ji’s proper escort, a barbarian horde, or some other force. Since he can’t trust his own soldiers, the duke asks the group to scout and report directly to him, even if he’s no longer in charge when they return.

Soske’ casts Sustain and Endurance so that the duke won’t need to eat or drink for the next two days, helping him to work through the night and avoid poison. The priest then casts Commune With Greater Spirit with help from Ember.

An avatar of Hotse Mar, god of war, appears. Soske’ asks if the approaching army is bringing a fight to Sogewa. The divine manifestation says, “No, but it intends to finish one.” The mortals ask who plans to begin the battle, and the avatar replies “one of divine blood.”

Saigo says that disorder is rising and asks whether Gen. Wang or his co-conspirators know its source. Hotse Mar replies in the negative. Neither does Lady Yun, although she and the others are likely trying to take advantage of it. The fierce lord of war fades from sight, leaving the duke shaken but determined.

Ember, Sonny, and Saigo tell Kou Fei Seng that they will scout out the approaching army for him, as long as Lady Yun is watched and protected. Toshi and Soske’ reluctantly accept their destiny to do great things. The wanderers slip out to their quarters to pack for their next mission….

We missed you, Dexter. Byron, let us know when and if you’ll be visiting the Boston area. Those of you who are local, remember that I’ll probably be running the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Expedition” game next Monday.

Since our parties will be leveling up soon, remember to make sure that your character records are up to date on Obsidian Portal. I now have my hardcopy of TianXia: Blood, Silk, and Jade, so I’ll be allowing aspects and stunts from that Kickstarter project, but you should be familiar with FATE Core.

Return to the desert

I’ve already reported on the time that Janice and I spent in Phoenix around her conference for work. On Thursday, 22 May 2014, we drove a rental car down to Tucson for more sightseeing. The last time we drove through the Southwest’s deserts was to the Grand Canyon back in 2006. If only the roads around Boston were as straight, wide, and smooth!

We visited the Mission San Xavier del Bac, a historic Roman Catholic outpost serving the Tohono O’odham people. (The day before, we had looked into Saint Mary’s Basilica near our hotel.) It was interesting seeing the layers of aboriginal, Spanish colonial, and American history. As we had seen at the Heard Museum, much of our history of treatment of Native Americans and other non-whites is shameful, but their descendants continue to persevere and try to follow traditional ways.

On a lighter note, Janice and I then drove to the Mini Time Machine, which was more sophisticated than we expected. We had seen similar dioramas and miniatures at Roadside America in Pennsylvania and the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, B.C. The Mini Time Machine’s collection of dollhouses from the past 200 years was impressive, and we recognized some figurines from our own collections.

From there, we went into downtown Tucson, where we had lunch at Bison Witches, a hip bar and deli. Unlike the sparkling new business and arts district of Phoenix, the neighborhood we visited in Tucson was more hippie-friendly, despite being deep in a “red state.”

We also stopped at Campus Candy Yogurt (we had previously visited Yogurt Time a few times) before driving back to Phoenix for dinner at My Big Fat Greek Restaurant. We had previously hesitated eating there because of the name and the fact that it was emptier than its neighbors, but the food was good, and it may just be that fewer people noticed the restaurant or like Mediterranean food.

On Friday, we shipped a box of conference proceedings, maps, and laundry home. We then took the Metro to the Desert Botanical Garden, which gave us insights into the various terrain types of the Southwest. Fortunately for us, the temperatures were only in the 90s Fahrenheit. Janice and I saw numerous species of cactus, as well as hummingbirds, ground squirrels, baby quail, and cute lizards. We also had pity on the park staffers having to disassemble many Chihuly glass sculptures. After walking on some trails, we had lunch at Gertrude’s Restaurant.

Janice and I then stopped at the Mill Avenue shopping district and the area around a campus of Arizona State University. Again, we experienced a different vibe from downtown Phoenix or Tucson. We got our daily yogurt fix at Moja Yogurt and checked out Pop Culture Paradise, a nice comic book and game shop.

For our last meals in Phoenix, Janice and I ate at Pizza Studio on Friday night and Matt’s Big Breakfast at the airport on Saturday. It’s a good thing that we had a substantial meal, because our departure was delayed for about an hour and a half because the pilot’s seat needed to be replaced — a first for us. I read the graphic novel Trickster, which compiles Native American tales.

Overall, we liked sprawling Phoenix and the other places we visited in Arizona. While our few days of sightseeing were shorter than a proper vacation, it was nice to get away from our cubicles. Fortunately, we had the remainder of the Memorial Day weekend to get over any jetlag.

Since our return, we’ve been catching up on work, e-mail, phone calls, recorded television (about which I hope to blog soon), and gaming sessions. We’ll likely be busy with the usual rounds of visits to and from family and friends later this summer.