I hope that each of you has had a good Passover/Easter week. I’ve been busy with work, especially after the departure of former associate editor and fellow bloggerBianca S. (who had been my strong right hand on two sites) and subsequent departmental reorganization. We’ve also moved cubicles within TT’s offices in Newton, Massachusetts.
Janice and I will be visiting her family in Pennsylvania, but I don’t yet know when I’ll see my parents in Virginia again. In the meantime, I’m helping to plan a cookout coinciding with Damon F.P. and hopefully Dexter V.H.‘s visit in mid-May, a trip to Corbin A.Y. and friends in Manhattan in June, and a visit to David I.S. in Upstate New York and business trip to Chicago in July!
With Barack Obama and Mitt Romney officially declaring their campaigns for the 2012 presidential election, we can expect U.S. politics to be even more polarized in the months ahead. I’ve made no secret of my liberal leanings, but I expect incumbent Democrats in the White House and the House of Representatives to provide more than progressive rhetoric.
I hope that Pres. Obama and congressional Democrats can show the public that our government can perform an important role in protecting the poor and the environment, reform itself for greater accountability, and promote national interests abroad without immediately resorting to military intervention.
By the same token, I expect Republicans and conservatives to push for deficit reduction, trimming of middle-class entitlements, and fair trade. Libertarians and so-called Tea Party activists should keep pushing for a smaller federal government, but they need to understand that certain things, like defense, taxes, and Social Security, are best established on a larger economy of scale.
I disagree with some Democrats’ alarmism and intractability, which have contributed to government shutdowns. I also take issue with some Republicans’ phobias against taxes, social policies, and cultural inclusiveness. Instead of arguing endlessly over Planned Parenthood (rather than agree to disagree over abortion) and privatizing Medicare and Medicaid (health care reform deserves careful analysis and swift action, not posturing), both parties should tackle the bigger problems of the federal budget and our trade and fiscal imbalances.
Many Democrats have looked the other way regarding corrupt labor unions, undermining their own support, while many Republicans have done the same regarding wasteful military spending or lax financial regulation. Even if we can’t agree about the causes or extent of global climate change, can’t we concur that pollution and dependence on increasingly expensive fuels are bad?
Is banning marijuana or smoking in bars (presumably all-adult, alcohol-serving establishments anyway) really as important as making sure that a generation of young Americans avoids obesity-related health care costs? Do Donald Trump’s rantings about Obama’s citizenship or concerns about entertainers’ “wardrobe malfunctions” deserve as much news media attention as the complex struggles for people around the world for civil and religious liberties?
Despite our diversity, Americans still have more in common than they believe. We all want secure jobs, affordable health care, safe food and transport, and the freedom to speak our minds. We want a world safe for democratic values to thrive, and I hope that each election cycle can help us sift through proposals to pursue all of these goals.
Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.24 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 10 April 2011, and has been using Pathfinder, Skype, and an online dice roller.
In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. After “Holy Steel‘s” journey to the distant empire of Khemet, another motley group gathered in the northwestern “Vanished Lands” to explore a world full of perils and wonders….
After meeting in the Wisalef Forest, an unlikely band of adventurers encountered the hostile Centaur followers of Vappu Lahja, as well as Fey and Undead on the Plains of Sathendo….
>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of spring 2011:
-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard); NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 2
-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras, god of contracts and brotherhood; LGn, Lvl. 3
-“Asish Chen Ti” [Byron V.O.]-male Tsucharim human archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from the kingdom of Gokuri; owner of Akita dog Genghis and horse Onimusha; NGl, Age 20, Lvl. 3
-“Jovinda Halflight” [Sammy H.]-female Half-Elf (Grugach/Hifalendorin) Cleric of Mekkil, goddess of nature; owner of horse Wyth-Amoi, or “Wind Spirit”; NGl, Age 23, Lvl. 3
-“Kazuo Takenaga” [Taum D’A.]-male Nezumi (Rat-kin) Monk from the Zedu kingdom in the Therud Forest; LNg, Age 20, Lvl. 3
-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S./absent]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 3
“23 to 25 August 1229 B.C.E.:” Shortly after arriving at the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city of Nadwi, the wanderers visited a chapel of Yondolla, goddess of the hearth. Priestess Nelly O’Keefe removed Vappu Lahja’s mental control of Digger and Kazuo.
The Halfling Rogue and Nezumi Monk decline their companions’ offers to go sightseeing or shopping, instead staying in their rooms at the Deer’s Heart tavern. Digger spends several hours making a sketch of the mysterious Vappu Lahja, and Kazuo meditates in solitude.
The next morning, Gawain and Digger go to the civic library and Magisterium (magic school) to conduct research. Gawain talks to curator Latafo, who helps him find books on devils. The Saganim Illusionist believes that Vappu Lahja is a shapeshifting temptress. He also compares notes with colleague “Gerando” [Kim A.G./Non-Player Character] and meets the friendly “Jade Xi” [Sammy H./N.P.C.], a Saganim/Shengtese human scholar.
Digger inquires about Octavius Karstus, the mage who hired him to deliver information about merchant Eligius and a map of Evesboro to stonemason Marcel. The scholar finds that Karstus is in good standing with the local Magisterium, which he hasn’t visited in several months.
Asish sells a horse in return for two ponies and a small profit for the party. The Tsucharim Ranger also buys leather armor, including giant lizard hide and barding modified by tanner Beredoc from Centaur armor. Asish later presents the barding for grateful Kovar’s steed.
Sylvan Elf Joella Kylikki and Hifalendorin Ranger Carlos Clothard help Asish acquire arrows and archery practice, and talkative tailor Master Georgi sells him western-style clothing. Avoiding the consulate of the nefarious kingdom of Zuromm, Asish meets Chi Ren Han, the consul from the Principality of Silado (Tong Sheng).
Jovinda and Asish later visit the Grove of Mekkil, a pleasant park in the temple district. The Cleric of the goddess of nature and the Ranger sit on the lawn with Druid Lynne, who listens to their stories about Vappu Lahja and the unnatural creatures near the hamlet of Alarn. She warns them of the Unseelie Court and renegade Druids. In addition, Asish talks with Halfling herbalist Julia Hardbottom near the East Gate.
Lynne also asks the adventuring party to help find missing farmers before the autumn harvest. Armored Kovar takes Asish and Jovinda to the Knight’s Tower, where they report to Sir Niles Hawthorne and Sir Rodrigo Adelmo, commander of the city watch. They agree to send some troops north to Alarn and expedite an audience with Nadwi’s ruling council.
Gawain and Kovar return to the Magisterium, where they find Jade waiting on the steps to the arcane academy. The attractive young woman expresses interest in their investigations before returning to her own studies. The Illusionist and Paladin give the shards of a magical mirror found at the “Mellow Mule” inn in Alarn to Lady Ingrid Sufeliastra.
The Quelanthi (High Elf) Wizard confirms that the mirror carries enchantments from the Conjuration, Divination, and Transmutation schools of magic. Lady Ingrid also notes that in addition to possibly being a portal, it could have trapped monsters and even some peasants inside!
In searching for tinkers such as the late Taras of Rockney and her father, Jovinda is referred to Gnomes Pip… and Gimbleburntfingers, a silversmith and an alchemist, respectively. Kovar intends to ask Dwarven metalsmiths for time in their forges, and Asish invites Kazuo to join him at the Arrakis Arena.
Jovinda also plans to go to the temple of Ulandt, lady of rest, and Kovar is referred to the temple of the temple of Otih, god of the sun and justice. Digger consults Brother Thendiril, a Quelanthi priest of Labelas Aenarith, lord of time, at the temple of Corellan Larethian.
After its first round of visits to various temples, shops, and the Magisterium, the group waits for word from the palace on reporting to Nadwi’s council and from Digger regarding Karstus’ mission….
Rob, I hope that your eye is better, and we missed you and Dexter at this past Sunday’s game! Note that our next telecom fantasy game won’t be until 1 May 2011. The FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera teams won’t be meeting again until April 25 and May 2. In the meantime, stay in touch, and have a happy Passover or Easter! -Gene
After encountering regional warlords, extraterrestrial probes, and other hazards around Karachi and Ghanki Station beneath the Arabian Sea, a band of grifters and near-humans escaped to the Shepard 2 orbital city. They conducted a successful heist in the Lunar Free State, then undertook an urgent medical mission to the Venus colonies….
>>”Vortex” Team 2 (5b), crew of the Appomattox, as of spring 2011:
-“Gabriel Adams” [Paul J.]-male North American Terran near-human with telepathy, courier and pilot
-“ARTHERR” [Greg D.C.]-Advanced Resonance Theoretical Heuristic Exploration and Research Robot created by megacorp Vimeco
-“Jasmine” [Sara F.] female Martian Felinoid (Synth, “Uplifted” tiger), former professional pit fighter
-“Dr. Richmond Garrett” [Dave S.C.]-male Southern American Terran human, space snake-oil salesman and social climber
-“Dr. Dieter Klein” [Rich L.]-male European Terran human, semi-retired physician, altruist and thrill seeker
-“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A./absent]-male Latin American Terran human, “burned” operative and communications expert
-“Nero Bartholomew” [Non-Player Character]-male Terran human, former owner of the “Fortune’s Fool,” ship’s cook
“22 to 23 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Galactic Era:” After returning to Earth, the crew of the Appomattox prepares to host a party and follow up on leads to faster-than-light (FTL) engines. Capt. Gabriel Adams handles docking with an orbital city and visiting ships.
ARTHERR reviews ship specifications and repaints himself again, this time as a Doric column in keeping with Nero Bartholomew’s ancient Roman-themed décor. Jasmine puts on a toga and greets arriving guests. The tiger woman asks for their weapons.
Dr. Richmond Garrett supervises Nero and Averki “Deep Dish” Dyashenko’s cooking and redressing of the yacht’s lounge for gambling, as in a Mississippi River boat. Retiree Dr. Dieter Klein invites former interns and looks forward to making new acquaintances.
Hector Chavez monitors communications and learns that the group’s involvement in treating the Venusian virus and investigating the subsequent stadium disaster has been in the Terran news. The party decides against inviting any officers from the United Earth Authority.
Among the guests is “Ramon Sanchez” [Josh H./Greg], the Lisbon-based “fixer” who had given the party its first mission, to an old battlefield north of Karachi. Ramon wears a long coat and sunglasses and brings two beefy aides, Hugo and Hernando.
Lillian Morrisey, an underworld contact of Gabriel, escorts Capt. Brandon Morgan, who claims to know of “easy pickings” near Earth. Hector’s onetime handler Max mentions a derelict ship at the edge of the Sol system. ARTHERR unobtrusively serves drinks.
Last but not least are two Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian aliens) offering humans work with the galactic Trade Guilds. Gorvek Beezo and “Rabak Porset” [Rich/N.P.C.] say there is another ship with extraterrestrial technology ripe for the picking. They and the other gamblers try various games, including roulette and baccarat, before settling on Texas Hold-’em poker. Jasmine deals the cards.
Capt. Morgan chats up Dr. Garrett, who determines that his fellow confidence artist is neither wealthy nor reputable. Dr. Klein is briefly intimidated by Hugo and Hernando, so he teams up with the Ru’ulok against Ramon. Capt. Adams telepathically contacts Richmond, and Dieter suspects that something is amiss.
Gorvek clumsily tries to make small talk with “Synth” Jasmine, whom has been instructed to take a 5% rake for the house. Hector helps keep watch for cheating. Brandon changes tack, flirting with Jasmine, confusing the former wrestler. Richmond successfully bluffs Brandon, causing him to be short-stacked.
Mr. Sanchez turns his attention to Dr. Garrett, who agrees to take a load of mysterious cargo to Epsilon Eridani. Gabriel asks the Ru’ulok about who invited them. Rabak replies that they had heard of the soiree from Lillian, and Gorvek finds that Gabriel is as altruistic as he is mercenary. Richmond tries to get the reptilian visitors drunk (“poker-faced”) by offering several toasts.
Ramon continues his winnings against Dieter, who bets against Gorvek. Gabriel pushes Brandon to the brink of being broke but is intimidated in turn by the Ru’ulok. Capt. Morgan briefly recovers at Dr. Klein’s expense, and Richmond presses his advantage over Gorvek.
Dieter and Brandon reluctantly take loans from Ramon, and Gorvek suggests that a Kharvamid Alliance ship would be easy prey, despite potential Gustrall (orange-furred, raptor-like alien) guards. He surprises the other card players with strong hands against Richmond and Dieter.
Gabriel offers to pay Brandon’s debt to Ramon in return for a favor, and the suave captain agrees. Dieter also has second thoughts about becoming indebted to the fastidious fixer. Ramon, satisfied with his winnings, departs with Hugo and Hernando. Gorvek and Rabak say that the alien ship can still be salvaged, if another crew doesn’t get there first.
Max says he’ll keep the group in mind for the derelict at the Sol system’s edge. Brandon and Lillian describe the Enlightened Flower, a vessel being refitted with an Olvar FTL drive in the private shipyard of one Feng Ruying. Brandon says he wants that ship’s central computer as a finder’s fee. Richmond says that the Appomattox‘s crew will begin planning a heist….
Session 5b.15 for the crew of the Appomattox is scheduled for 2 May 2011. Neither “Vortex” team nor thePathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy game will be meeting during the next two weekends because of family travel. The crew of the Blackbird will meet again on April 25, and the “Vanished Lands” should resume on May 1.
We also have some nongaming events coming up, including Waltham’s steampunk festival on May 7, The Mighty Thor, and the mid-May potluck! I look forward to seeing all of you after Passover and Easter, -Gene
For the past few weekends, Janice and I have been busy with spring cleaning. We started going through our books, videos, and appliances partly because our annual lease-renewal letter was late, and we feared that we might have to scramble to move. Although Janice’s commute by train is long, we didn’t relish the idea of looking for another affordable, spacious, and conveniently located apartment closer to Boston on relatively short notice.
Fortunately, we were able to renew our duplex‘s lease for another year in Needham, Mass., despite some nagging problems such overflowing gutters, needed repainting, and poor insulation. At least we finally have hot water! We then shifted our attention to cleaning for an upcoming visit by my brother.
Of course, nature abhors a vacuum, so I have to restrain myself when visiting comic and game shops. I’ve also been trading HeroClix miniatures with people in the local groups, so I have a lot of cataloging to do. Even after thinning out our shelves and the much-heralded advent of gaming PDFs and e-readers, I’m still attached to bookcases full of science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, science, history, and classic literature.
If I had to move, I’d want space equivalent to the full basement that I’ve used for hosting sessions and storing boxes of comics and magazines. Janice isn’t a pack rat like me, balancing my obsessive-compulsiveness with asceticism. We still have to deal with our CRT television and bulky entertainment unit, a computer desk, and other odds and ends. My department at work is also shifting cubicles.
Gene's Worlds 