Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” Session 39.19, which Brian W. hosted in Newton, Mass., on Monday, 19 August 2013:

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 theBasic Fantasy Role-Playing Game, as of summer 2013:

• “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage seer, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; NGc, Lvl. 4

• “Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W.]-male Zeda human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 4

• “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 4

• “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and former ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 4

• “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with owlbear cub “Oswald”; NGc, Lvl. 4

• “Tempestade” [Josh C.]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), former roustabout, now follower of Otih; CGl, Lvl. 4

• “Radius” [Jason E.R./departed]-male Modron Paladin of Primus, lord of Nirvana; exiled to the Prime Material plane; LGn, Lvl. 1

“28 October 1228 B.C.E.:” The former performers had followed rumors of cult activity to the sewers of Thadenis, capital of the (proto-Celtic) human kingdom of Saganim. They fought Troglodytes and a Yuan-ti/Sahuagin mutant and rooted out Lethargy Weeds.

After draining a fetid chamber beneath the Temple Tor, Corwin Windsong drops a sunrod down a 15-foot shaft. Giacomo du Vane examines the masterwork dagger taken from the Reptile Folk.

Hamfast Hammerfist ties a rope to a metal ring, and Elsa Fairbottom casts Guidance and Ward. Tempestade climbs down a rope, with Scully Strongbow ready to pull him up at a moment’s notice.

The Monk finds a square room with four doors in the cardinal directions. The others climb down. Corwin finds no traps, but underneath one half-open slab, the Bard does feel a carved spiral, the holy symbol of Krakas, lord of the maelstrom.

Elsa puts runes on the wall in chalk and notes that the eastern passage has the least sewage. Scully spots wear marks on the stone floor. Nimble Tempestade leads the way, followed by Hamfast, Corwin, Giacomo, Elsa, and Scully.

The six spelunkers turn south at the first intersection. Corwin casts Light to dispel an area of magical Darkness. After turning east again, the adventuring party finds a corridor lined by iron spikes. Unfortunate people have been impaled and gutted like fish, presumably by worshippers of Krakas.

Dwarf Elsa notices that the floor is tiled, and Flind Scully points out that the scuff marks continue. Hamfast probes the tiles with his maul, setting off a pressure plate and getting scratched. Giacomo tries to Levitate but fails, so Corwin crawls beneath the spikes to spread out his weight.

The Saganim prince finds a lever to partially retract the spikes, and the group continues northward. Tempestade listens at a door but hears nothing. The Barbari human opens it and is greeted by eight pirates. Quick-thinking Corwin tries to close the door, but a skirmish breaks out.

The human followers of Krakas spread out, with some going to adjacent rooms. Cleric Elsa casts Bane on two of them, and Fighter Hamfast readies his hammer for when the door reopens. Mage Giacomo considers casting Web, then decides to aid Tempestade with Magic Shield.

As Tempestade ducks and moves, Ranger Scully watches the rear with her bow. Swift Corwin greets pirate Ulex with his sword, as Goral hits Hamfast. Pious Elsa calls upon Moradin to Heat Metal on the spikes behind the group, and Melissa is injured while trying to sneak up.

Strong Hamfast smashes Goral, as wily Giacomo casts Magic Missile, killing corsair Omar. Agile Tempestade kicks at Vushin but then tries to parley. Burly Scully rearms the trap, forcing pirate Melissa to retreat. Corwin strikes Igar, and Hamfast fells Vushin. The last two pirates, Elander and Nalmo, flee deeper into the tunnels beneath Thadenis.

The group quickly searches the subterranean dining hall and pantry. Hamfast smashes a squid chandelier, and Giacomo and Corwin recover 300 crowns (gold pieces) in pearls. Scully examines leather armor and rusty cutlasses.

Elsa finds four barrels and hears something thrashing around inside them. Despite warnings from Giacomo and Corwin, the curious Druid opens one and is attacked by eel-like animated entrails (from the eviscerated people in the spiked hallway).

Hamfast smashes the unnatural intestines, and the team decides to leave the other barrels alone. In the next cell to the north is a murky pool. Elsa prays to Gaia/Mekkil to Purify Water, clearing it enough to see four large sea snakes. Giacomo and Scully spike the doors shut behind them.

Perceptive Scully hears muffled cries from the next chamber. Corwin checks for traps and casts Sleep on potential guards. Tempestade opens the heavy door and finds six abductees in manacles and a guard, who is quickly dispatched.

Giacomo finds a set of three keys and a cat o’ nine tails on the human sentry. The six Saganim ex-slaves are filthy but grateful.

Aged Gorton thanks Prince Corwin on behalf of fellow fishmongers Tean and Aiden and fishwives Betty, Bitsie, and Bonnie. Elsa examines the prisoners and finds that they’re in good condition despite several days’ captivity, confirming Hamfast’s suspicion that they were being held as sacrifices for the Theft of Sleep ritual at Samhain.

The infiltrators agree to evacuate the liberated cityfolk, retracing their steps toward the surface. Cultists of Krakas raise an alarm in their warren, and Giacomo casts Web to delay their pursuit. However, three Scrags (aquatic Trolls) begin clawing their way through.

The onetime members of Vistel’s Circus and the freed prisoners run through narrow corridors as more Troglodytes emerge. Giacomo successfully casts Levitate to get his companions and charges closer to the exit. Corwin rushes at one Trog in the circular chamber, and Elsa readies mace “Grimtooth” and sling “Seeker.”

Hamfast falls back to guard the retreat, and Giacomo casts Color Spray, knocking one humanoid unconscious. Scully switches from arrows to her long sword, killing a foe. Tempestade kicks one of the enemies blocking the escape. Slimy Troglodytes hit Hamfast and Giacomo.

Corwin kills another Troglodyte, as does Elsa. Hamfast knocks one creature into a pit, and Giacomo drops two more with Magic Missiles. Tempestade misses, and the cultists’ lack of concern about a dozen casualties is explained when more arrive.

Corwin kills a third enemy, as Elsa aids Scully and Tempestade. Stoic Hamfast swings his maul mightily, while tattooed Giacomo gets charged up from a miscast spell. Scully drops another Trog, and Tempestade helps the fishmongers climb out of the sewer.

As a parting shot, Giacomo casts Scorching Ray. Panting by a grate near the Temple Bridge, the humans, Dwarf, Half-Elf, and Gnoll are relieved that the Troglodytes don’t pursue them into the streets at daylight.

Giacomo recommends resting before returning with reinforcements. Hamfast notes that although Samhain is still a few days away, the summoners now know that they have been discovered.

Furred Scully offers to ask “Sir Niac” [Mike F./Non-Player Character] and the knights of Otih for aid. Tempestade is eager to continue the fight against unholy slavers, but priestess Elsa says she needs time to pray.

Corwin agrees to report to “Melchior Merryman” [Byron V.O.], an agent of Queen Margaret. With soldiers and holy warriors securing their route, the group plans to reenter the labyrinth to defeat the cult of Krakas….

Note that we’re planning on meeting at Rich’s place in Waltham, Mass., next week. The “Vortex: Terra’s Pride”telecom space opera will also resume this coming Sunday!

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” Sessions 39.17 and 18, which Brian W. hosted in Newton, Mass., on 15 July and 5 August 2013:

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 summer 2013:

• “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage seer, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; NGc, Lvl. 4

• “Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W.]-male Zeda human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 4

• “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 4

• “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and former ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 4

• “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with owlbear cub “Oswald”; NGc, Lvl. 4

• “Tempestade” [Josh C.]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), former roustabout, now a follower of Otih; CGl, Lvl. 4

• “Radius” [Jason E.R./departed ]-male Modron Paladin of Primus, lord of Nirvana; exiled to the Prime Material plane; LGn, Lvl. 1

“26 to 27 October 1228 B.C.E.:” The erstwhile performers had begun investigating rumors of a new cult in Thadenis, capital of the (proto-Celtic) human kingdom of Saganim. Many residents of the city, including King Edmund II and Scully Strongbow, were suffering from an unnatural fatigue.

Giacomo du Vane goes to the Royal Society for Cartography, where he finds girlfriend Maggie Oakleaf asleep. The mage asks “Ulrich Vandermoor” [Ted A.H./Non-Player Character] for any maps of the sewers.

Hamfast Hammerfist and Tempestade go to the Chalice of Pain, where they find wiry bouncers and throngs dancing to the beat of large drums. Scully joins them at the nightclub, which is between the temples of Nenashen, goddess of pain, and Libotoh, lady of death.

Corwin Windsong casts Change Self to appear as the scout “Black Raven” [Michael C./N.P.C.] to visit the embassy of the nefarious kingdom of Zuromm. The prince talks with Lady Dolista about signs of a rising cult. The seductive Drow (western Dark Elf) delegate denies any direct involvement.

Elsa Fairbottom traces the city’s malaise to the East Rush River, and the Druid talks with a turtle named Earl who notes that plant growth beneath various bridges has changed recently.

At the Chalice of Pain, strong Hamfast gets invited to a lounge by Seamus McGinty [Rich/N.P.C.]. Cloaked Scully watches a large man in a kilt arm-wrestling with scrawny fop Edard McMullen [Bruce/N.P.C.]. Tempestade eagerly joins in on beating the hide drums.

Lady Dolista tells cautious Corwin that a statue at the temple of Gherra, matron of the gods, was recently defaced. The statue’s gender was crudely changed to male. Giacomo isn’t happy to learn that spiral carvings found underneath piers match the holy symbol of Krakas, lord of the maelstrom.

Hamfast directly asks Seamus where cultists would gather in Thadenis. The gentleman suggests new tunnels connecting to the sewer system since the Zuromm sack of about a year ago (in “game time”).

The wanderers regroup at Ghanki’s Gin Pub to compare notes. Tempestade notes that with Samhain approaching, any unholy ritual should take place soon. The adventuring party agrees that the first step to stopping the Theft of Sleep, which is robbing the Saganim people of rest to rouse an Undead or sleeping god, is to unpoison the water supply.

Court wizard Giacomo looks for alchemical treatises, and Hamfast and Corwin ask crown prince Garamond, Corwin’s half-brother, for help from his Lizard Folk pirate crew. Scully acquires Sun Rods from her boyfriend “Sir Niac” [Mike F./N.P.C.], a Wolfen Paladin of Otih, god of the sun and law.

Elsa visits the temples of Gherra and Moradin. The Dwarf petitions the priests of the soul forger to share their brews with the populace until the river is made safe.

When some of Garamond’s Reptile Folk go missing, Ranger Scully follows a trail of blood to Hunter’s Bridge, across Cadebas Stream. Two slimy Troglodytes emerge from the murky water, upsetting the rowboat!

Prince Corwin strikes with his sword and dagger, but Elsa’s Charm Animal spell fails. Scully pulls Giacomo out of the water and sends a message to the Grove of Arbos via Owlicious. The Troglodytes rake at Corwin with their filthy claws.

Hamfast stabs at the creatures with a spear, as Tempestade’s knives fly. Giacomo casts Levitate Foe to isolate one of the Trogs, which Corwin slays. Elsa invokes Gaia to Entangle the other, and Giacomo’s Magic Missile has a delayed blast, inadvertently turning his irises white.

Corwin finishes off the second Troglodyte, and local Druids help Elsa and Scully remove the last of the Lethargy Weeds for burning. Garamond is sad to lose sailors but glad that his city is safer.

At the Gilded Keep, Corwin and Tempestade talk with “Melchior Merryman” [Byron V.O./N.P.C.], a Cleric of Ulandt, lady of rest, and counselor to Queen Margaret. Melchior says that the chaotic cult of Krakas is linked to the dreaded ghost fleet.

Giacomo and Scully go to the docks to ask sailors whether they have seen anything unusual. One named Bart is drowning his sorrows in rum and claims that the entire city is damned. Bart says he was serving on the Angry Angel to the Zarendo Islands, where three cultists among the crew committed mutiny against Capt. Hom.

Lady Dolista tells Corwin that a group as large as a cult would need a space such as a sewer node to gather in secret. Hamfast goes with Elsa to a sewer grate, where the Druid charms rat Benny. He agrees to show them the way through the sewers in return for food and reputation.

Scully and Elsa ask Pfenik, a Brownie at the Grove of Arbos, if there are any Druids who might know more about Krakas and the other sea lords. He mentions Sigmund, a Thallassaquendi (western Sea Elf).

The next morning, the brave band enters the sewers beneath the Temple Bridge. Benny leads the way to a large intersection beneath the Temple Tor before scampering off. As the party edges along a slippery walkway, two Troglodytes rise from the depths, followed by a four-armed Sahuagin/Yuan-ti mutant!

Bard Corwin casts Web, ensnaring one, and Fighter Hamfast takes Giacomo’s walking stick. Druid Elsa invokes Moradin to Heat Metal on the leader’s harness, as sniper Scully hits a Trog with an arrow. The monsters hurl spit and feces.

Giacomo shoots Magic Missiles, while Tempestade lobs sling stones. The Troglodytes struggle in the raw sewage, but the Yuan-ti casts Darkness for cover. Corwin casts Mirror Image and tries to restrain the four-armed monster.

Hamfast switches to his maul, hitting one opponent, as Elsa calls upon Gaia for Light to dispel the darkness. Scully misses, and Giacomo casts Magic Shield. One of the Troglodytes dives to escape the webbing, and the Yuan-ti grabs at Giacomo.

Corwin strikes the enemy leader with his sword, and Hamfast helps Tempestade by killing a Trog. Elsa readies her sling “Seeker” and asks Moradin to Bless her companions. Scully is glad that she has wax in her nostrils and fires at the webbed foe.

Giacomo’s next Levitate and Magic Missile spells fail, but he succeeds on his next tries. The mage is hit by the Sahuagin’s Magic Missiles in return. Corwin and Giacomo finish the skirmish, and they retrieve a Harness of Buoyancy and curved daggers with pearl-inlaid handles.

Elsa heals Giacomo’s burns, as the group catches its breath. Corwin ties a rope around his waist and dives, finding a hidden hatch. He opens it, and the water starts to drains out, pulling in Hamfast, who was holding the rope.

The former members of Vistel’s Circus feel a blast of warm, dry air and prepare to face the cultists deep beneath Thadenis….

Our adventures will continue next Monday, 19 August 2013! Those of you playing spellcasters should probably check your character records on Obsidian Portal to make sure that their lists are up to date.

While I’m sorry that we’ve had to skip some “Vortex: Terra’s Pride” telecom space opera sessions, we’ll resume later this month. Josh, I hope your “Steam Wars” game wraps up well, and Jason, I look forward to your “Star Wars: Dark Times” miniseries (using Savage Worlds) this fall.