“Vortex” Update 5b.13 — Decryption, defense, and decoration

"Vortex" Team 2's yacht — The "Appomattox"

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5b.13 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 2 met on Monday, 4 April 2011, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Diaspora, and Limitless Horizons.

In one future, humanity has begun to colonize the Sol system, but ecological degradation and internecine conflicts persist. Open and official First Contact with Galactic societies, themselves at war, threaten Terra’s very survival. Can heroes rise to the challenges?

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

-“Hector Chavez” [Beruk A.]-male Latin American Terran human, “burned” operative and communications expert

-“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

-“Nero Bartholomew” [Non-Player Character]-male Terran human, former owner of the Fortune’s Fool, ship’s cook

-“Averki ‘Deep Dish’ Dyashenko” [N.P.C.]-male reptilian Synth (genetically engineered humanoid), onetime Venusian miner

“26 August to 21 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Galactic Era:” Aid workers struggle with a virus sweeping through the Venusian colonies. The crew of the Appomattox continues its investigation into the sabotage of Hephaestus Stadium, whose destruction killed thousands of workers who had gathered for treatment in the Kardikea orbital habitat.

Hector asks Gabriel to look for computer parts so that he can safely analyze a data storage unit obtained from the office of Orion Stefanov, chairman of the Venusian Finance Union (V.F.U.). The former secret agent explains to the runner that he doesn’t want to expose their ship’s systems to potential electronic countermeasures (ECM).

After defeating several layers of security and decrypting the information, Hector copies it and asks ARTHERR to help him analyze it. They find recordings of meetings of Stefanov and the V.F.U.’s Central Committee, which includes representatives of the 12 families and megacorporations that control Venus.

Stefanov had told the committee that thanks to his initiative, Dr. Richmond Garrett would be awarded the title of surgeon general and held responsible for the treatment of lower-ranking colonists. Nero Bartholomew, former tycoon and owner of the Fortune’s Fool, is confined to his cabin because of food-borne infection.

The recordings also confirm that the Central Committee ordered its security forces to withdraw shortly before the explosive decompression at Hephaestus Stadium, indicating foreknowledge. The United Earth Authority (U.E.A.) has been looking for such proof of Finance Union misdeeds.

ARTHERR is confused by evidence that Vimeco, the megacorp that created him, provided the robotic assassins at the stadium and engineered the virus to spread and kill more quickly. The exploration robot has been assisting with the distribution of medicine, some of which was also made by Vimeco.

Kardikean flight control tells the Appomattox to prepare to be boarded, because a warrant has been issued for Dr. Garrett’s arrest in connection with the sabotage, uncensored transmissions, and break-in at Chairman Stefanov’s office. Jasmine creates an improvised shield from a metal container door, and ARTHERR recommends herding the livestock that Dr. Dieter Klein tested toward the airlock as a diversion.

As guards arrive at the space dock with cutting tools, Richmond emerges from a long soak in the low-gravity sauna and wonders what all the fuss is about. Although the snake-oil salesman did accept the surgeon general post and recommend the use of Hephaestus Stadium, he didn’t participate in the daring infiltration of the Central Committee offices.

Richmond stalls for time, allowing his companions to send the incriminating data to their contacts — Gabriel to fixer Lillian Morrisey, Hector to onetime handler Max, and ARTHERR to Capt. Amelia Saviola of U.E.V. Sphinx, the U.E.A. destroyer maintaining the medical quarantine of Venus. Hector also contacts Lady Lykhova, a member of the Central Committee and a potential rival or successor to Stefanov.

By surrendering to Stefanov and Lykhova, Richmond avoids a shootout on the Appomattox and guarantees himself a show trial. He and ARTHERR are taken to a holding area as news drones surround their yacht and the courtroom. People across the Venusian colonies tune in to see the Terran spies prosecuted and executed for their crimes during the plague.

Ever wily, Richmond privately tells Orion that he has evidence that security officer Kiril Shatalin was involved in the sabotage and that a doctor at Morningstar Consortium was conducting corporate espionage with Xi Labs, interfering with early treatment of the illness. Dr. Garrett offers up the two patsies during his trial, narrowly escaping execution, and returns to his ship.

Capt. Saviola thanks ARTHERR and the rest of “MarSoupAiL” (shell company Mars Soup Aid Lenders Ltd.) for the data, which she says the U.E.A. legislature will use against Stefanov. She orders “Capt. Doug McDonnell” [Erik B.L./N.P.C.] of the aid vessel Parsifal to see whether the Appomattox can be cleared to leave Venus space.

The Interstellar Patrol veteran tries to telepathically scan for clues that the crew knows more than it has told the U.E.A., but he is blocked by defiant Gabriel and Richmond. After a thorough disinfection of the galley and cabins by Averki “Deep Dish” Dyashenko, Capt. McDonnell clears the Appomattox to return to Earth.

The relieved crew spends the journey reviewing the ship for potential improvements. The adventurers discuss their leads on obtaining faster-than-light (FTL) engines. Hector’s friend Max had mentioned an abandoned alien ship at the edge of the Sol system, but it could take months to reach with conventional Terran technology.

In return for profitable information about Venus, Lillian has referred a man named Brandon Morgan, who knows of a lightly defended FTL vessel near Earth. She also previously told Gabriel about Rabak Porset, a Ru’ulok (heavy-gravity reptilian alien) offering drives and privateering work through the galactic Trade Guilds.

ARTHERR contacts Adm. Wei Sihong, whom he had given dangerous samples retrieved from a battlefield north of Karachi and in Ghanki Station. The probe droid asks the U.E.A. for containment units that can maintain extreme temperatures. Dr. Klein asks for a proper medical bay, and engineer Hector notes that the Appomattox doesn’t yet have any weaponry.

Gabriel customizes some of the passenger cabins for smuggling, and Richmond buys gambling equipment to redecorate the yacht’s lounge with a riverboat casino theme (in contrast to Nero’s ancient Roman-styled crew cabins). Dr. Garrett and Deep Dish also study astrogation.

Once in Earth orbit, Gabriel invites several of the party’s contacts, such as fixer “Ramon Sanchez” [Josh H./N.P.C.] to meet and discuss potential missions in the Appomattox‘s new lounge. Hector familiarizes himself with ship systems, especially communications and ECM. ARTHERR experiments with the grappling unit and supervises the installation of the containment units. Doctors Garrett and Klein keep a low profile and stay aboard.

Jasmine takes Deep Dish planetside for sightseeing. They go to a subtropical park, where they atavistically hunt and devour a deer. The tiger woman politely declines the reptile man’s overtures, noting that she has a mate Darsil but she knows a female Synth named Ruby. Jasmine also tells Deep Dish of her dream of a homeworld for their people, free of human oppression.

Back at the Appomattox, the crew weighs its options for an FTL drive and prepares to receive its gear and guests….

Please note that “Vortex” Team 2 will play again next Monday, April 11, and Team 1 won’t convene again until April 25 (sorry, Bruce). Rich, I hope you’ll be able to meet the remaining gamers soon! In the meantime, everyone should R.S.V.P. to the May 14 cross-group cookout invitation by next week. Take it easy, -Gene

“Vanished Lands” Telecom team, Update T3.23 — Newcomers in Nadwi

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.23 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 3 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 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

-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; CGn, Age 45, 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

-“Favelhorn Riftbringer” [Dexter V.H./absent]-male Mountain Dwarf Summoner; CGn, Age 51, Lvl. 1

“22 to 23 August 1229 B.C.E.:” The travelers ride south from the haunted hamlet of Alarn and the village of Rockney. They follow the Aspar River, which glitters in the summer sunlight like a silver ribbon winding across the brown plains and fields. The stone ramparts of Nadwi encircle the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city, rising 30 feet from the packed earth.

At the North Gate, the group waits with various farmers’ wagons to be admitted. Gawain notices pennants of the neighboring Waletku kingdom of the Elves in addition to the banners of Hifalendor and Nadwi. “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character] offers to introduce Kovar to a local order of knights.

Digger tells the skeptical guards that he and his companions are travelers who plan to visit Nadwi‘s libraries and temples. The Halfling scholar also asks for recommendations of inns. Asish watches for Centaurs or enemy spies.

Jovinda looks in wonderment at the buildings and throngs of her first human city. The Half-Elf had been reminded of her missing father by the tinkering gear of Taras of Rockney, who had been slain by scarecrows. Kazuo is uncomfortable in the crowded, cobbled streets.

On Wood Street, Gawain and Digger go to the Boar’s Head Inn, where liveried coachmen hold the doors for them. Concierge Hiram Connors offers the party a suite at 15 crowns (gold pieces) per night, or 20 for the week. The Illusionist and Rogue quickly realize that the hotel is beyond their means and leave.

Meanwhile, Sir Bonner takes Kovar to a knight’s tower near the fortified palace. Sir Niles Hawthorne greets his old friend and listens to Sir Bonner’s tale of woe, including how he was trapped by two Korred in Alarn and freed by Kovar and company. Sir Hawthorne gives the Half-Orc Paladin of Mithras a writ of safe passage and recommends that he seek fellow holy warriors at the temple of Otih, god of the sun and justice.

Kovar and the spare horse (and the party purse) rejoin their band at the Temple Court, in the shadow of the palace and Arena of Arrakis. Next to the columned temple of Ismiltar, goddess of magic, is the modest chapel of Yondolla. Worshippers of the goddess of the hearth and Halflings sit on low benches. In return for offerings, they are fed by acolytes.

Digger and Jovinda say they were referred by Seglinda, a priestess in the town of Kedetura. Nelly O’Keefe leads the pilgrims to a quiet alcove, then to a comfortable sitting room beneath the main hall. Jovinda explains how Davven and Kazuo came under the magical sway of the mysterious Vappu Lahja, who shares a name with a fairy tale wise woman and is too old to be human. Gawain theorizes that she is some sort of devil.

Nelly responds by offering everyone freshly baked scones and tea. Digger eagerly eats a few scones, but Nezumi Kazuo needs some persuading. The Rogue and Monk soon find their attitude changing and mood lifting, restoring trust within their fellowship. They are disturbed that Vappu Lahja’s rituals compromised their judgment and ask for Nelly’s help in getting an audience so they can report to the local authorities.

Sometime later, the wanderers cross the busy market square and follow Galnoris Avenue into the Dagger District, by the docks. At the Deer’s Heart Tavern, Gawain slides up to the bar and asks Neil Heckler about room rates. The innkeeper tells him it would be a crown per day for the group and its mounts, but Digger haggles the price down to 3 g.p. for four nights.

Impatient Digger has a verbal altercation with a drunken River Dwarf. “Jeevus McMarne” [Randy K.M./N.P.C.] mocks the Halfling Rogue and tries to provoke a bar brawl. Tsucharim Asish sits at a table with his back to the wall and offers Gawain a wager on the outcome.

Diplomatic Jovinda steps between Digger and Asish, trying to calm the patrons, and burly Kovar warns the Dwarf to avoid trouble and move on. Kazuo quietly backs up Digger, whom Gawain reminds of the group’s desire to keep a low profile. Jeevus is eventually placated with a round of drinks.

The Deer’s Heart’s rooms are spare but clean. Gawain and Digger share quarters, Asish and Jovinda split another room, and Kovar and Kazuo take a third. Digger and Kazuo ask to be left alone to meditate. The next morning, they plan to look into the mission from mage Octavius Karstus to inquire about a map of Evesboro from merchant Eligius and deliver information to associate Marcel, a stonemason.

Arcanist Gawain goes to the local Magisterium (magic school/library), where he expects Digger to join him in the coming days. Armored Kovar goes to Dwarven metal smiths along Mercantile Row, and Ranger Asish plans to ask tanners to refit barding confiscated from Centaur raiders for the party’s steeds.

Asish and Jovinda also visit bowyers, fletchers, and other Elven craftspeople near the Waletku consulate. They also intend to make inquiries at Gnomish tinkers’ shops, the Saganim consulate, and the Grove of Mekkil, goddess of nature….

Thanks again to those of you who have used the “Holy Steel” Google Group to discuss party plans for Nadwi, treasure distribution, and images and backgrounds for your characters! I’ve revised your characters’ experience levels above (Gawain should catch up soon).

Please note that we’ll be meeting next Sunday, April 10, but not the two weekends after that because of holidays. I’ll be checking with the FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” teams tonight regarding the schedule for the face-to-face space opera game. Have a good week, -Gene

“Vortex” Update 5a.14 — Tyche trading

The T.K.V./U.E.V. "Blackbird" — The "Blackbird"

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 5a.14 of the “Vortex” space opera campaign. Team 1 met on Monday, 28 March 2010, and is using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer, Diaspora, and Limitless Horizons.

After enduring xenophobic attacks on Earth, two alien explorers and their human allies were embroiled in megacorp intrigues in the Lemuria orbital city and the Lunar Free State. The group then visited the Mars Confederation and obtained a faster-than-light ship in the Asteroid Belt from the Olvar Star League….

>>”Vortex” Team 1 (5a) Player Characters, crew of the “Blackbird,” as of spring 2011:

-“Syzygy” [Brian W.]-Trinoid (trilateral amphibious alien) xenologist with an organic laboratory and a pet cat named “Mr. Sniffles”

-“Tela” [Sara F.]-female Tharian (winged reptilian humanoid alien) escapee from the Encegulans, engineer

-“Chris McKee” [Josh C.]-male North American Terran cyborg human sniper working for eugenics conspirators at Black Box Security Co.

-“Aughest-vor” [Jason E.R.]-male human from the Lemuria orbital city, onetime dilettante, solar-sail regatta pilot

-“Lt. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.]-male Terran human, burned-out officer and explorer in the Interplanetary Patrol

-“Gombo Shisel” [Rich L.]-male Mongolian/Martian human, former horse rancher and wilderness survival expert

Scene 1: Leaving the Asteroid Belt

“5 to 7 September 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Galactic Era:” Syzygy sets up his organic laboratory aboard the Blackbird, and Tela reports that the REM faster-than-light drive isn’t ready because the Olvar-installed (mammal-like alien) biomechanical systems need fine-tuning after the refitting for a human crew. “Dr. Bucket” helps familiarize the crew with its new vessel, although Chris McKee and Lt. Kevin Reese suspect that the robot is a spy for the United Earth Authority (U.E.A.).

Agent Prometheus acquaints himself with the particle cannon, while Lt. Reese watches Aughest-vor pilot the scout ship. The Interplanetary Patrol officer had requisitioned armored space suits for the mission to explore Tyche, a mysterious body near the Sol system.

Former horse rancher Gombo Shisel tries to use his animal-handling abilities on the spider-like drones in “the Hive,” but he finds that the ship as a whole responds more like a subsentient creature than individual robots. The Blackbird takes only a few hours to reach Tyche but stands off by a few Astronomical Units (the distance from Sol to Terra) because of radiation.

Preliminary scans indicate that Tyche is either a Precursor “sunkiller” or a rogue brown dwarf star diverted by Sol’s gravity well. The humans are alarmed at the Kharvamid Alliance databank mention of a sunkiller but have more pressing concerns, such as the body’s pull and radiation, as well as two arriving ships!

Scene 2: Tensions at Tyche

The first vessel is identified as the Shameless Strumpet, a mining ship from the Jovian colonies. Familiar with frontier customs, Gombo manages to intimidate Capt. Shane Borkai, Tetzuki Scarlotti, and Malia Karveh, who claim Tyche for themselves and have a contract with megacorporation Oromax. They recognize Aughest-vor from his solar-sail regattas.

The second ship is crewed by Cestolar, whom the Blackbird‘s computers identify as a former client species of the Olvar. They are badger-like, impatient, and literal. Capt. Dvar, Uduk, and Khoz recognize the Blackbird as the former Morifaiwet, which once outmaneuvered three Cestolar ships for similar mining rights. They also later recognize Tela as a Tharian.

Lt. Reese and Aughest-vor offer to negotiate a settlement and invite two members from each crew to the Blackbird. Tela and Dr. Bucket prepare the cargo bay for reception and then watch from the engine room. Gombo offers his expertise in claims settlement, and Syzygy notes that Tyche doesn’t pose an immediate threat to Terrans but represents a strategic resource.

Xenologist Syzygy talks with the stocky Capt. Dvar and Uduk, who are suspicious of the factionalized, erratic humans. Armored Capt. Borkai and Scarlotti are wary of Aughest’s association with Vimeco, which is a rival to Oromax. Neither side trusts the other or the negotiators. The Cestolar state that their mining technology is more advanced and much safer than that of the Jovians.

On behalf of the U.E.A., Kevin and company eventually manage to broker a deal to share the valuable plasma and heavy elements that the Cestolar will mine from Tyche. However, the Shameless Strumpet will have to spend the next year (of Earth time) in orbit to monitor their progress. The crew of the Blackbird agrees to contact the U.E.A. for supplies and protection from Ru’ulok raiders.

Scene 3: Swinging by Saturn

Although it wasn’t able to directly obtain samples from Tyche, the crew of the “Blackbird” reports its fuel-sharing arrangement to the U.E.A. and turns sunward. At an orbital habitat near Saturn’s moon Titan, the crew looks for a used military drop ship….

Josh C. will be writing his own update for this game, and I expect the Pathfinder/Skype: “the Vanished Lands” telecom fantasy game to continue this coming Sunday. Note that I’ve also posted to the Yahoo/eGroups message board about potential schedule changes in the next two months, books and miniatures for sale or trade, and a potential cross-group cookout in mid-May! Happy gaming, -Gene

“Vanished Lands” Update T3.22 — Leaping lizards and Rockney

A village in the Middle Ages — Hifalendorin town

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.22 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 27 March 2011, and has been using Pathfinder, Skype, and an online dice roller.

>>Telecom party Player Character roster, as of spring 2011:

-“Gawain Keary” [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard); NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 1

-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras, god of contracts and brotherhood; LGn, Lvl. 2

-“Davven ‘Digger’ Hollysharp” [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue) from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 2

-“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. 2

-“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. 2

-“Kazuo Takenaga” [Taum D’A.]-male Nezumi (Rat-kin) Monk from the Zedu kingdom in the Therud Forest; LNg, Age 20, Lvl. 2

-“Favelhorn Riftbringer” [Dexter V.H./absent]-male Mountain Dwarf Summoner; CGn, Age 51, Lvl. 1

“19 to 21 August 1229 B.C.E.:” The adventuring party left the haunted hamlet of Alarn and rode southwest, following the Aspar River. The wanderers rode beneath cloudy skies, encountering few others on the trail across the wide Plains of Sathendo.

Gawain studies his spellbook, and Kovar recommends that his companions be careful about mentioning Vappu Lahja when they reach the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human city of Nadwi. Not only has the mysterious woman stirred up Centaurs and other Fey folk against human farmers, but she has also ensorcelled Digger and Kazuo.

Digger offers to keep track of the party’s treasure, with Kovar holding the purse. Asish keeps a watchful eye over the tall grassland, while Jovinda looks for local fauna. Kazuo keeps his own counsel, denying that Vappu Lahja has any undue influence over him. “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character], shamed by his fear in a recent encounter with animated scarecrows, rides at the rearguard.

Asish sets watches for the night: Gawain and Kazuo, Kovar and Digger, and Jovinda and himself. After dinner and sunset, Kazuo’s keen Nezumi senses detect something crawling toward the camp from the river. The Monk and Illusionist quietly awaken their band. Two large lizards lurch at the team!

Nimble Digger throws a dagger before a lizard grabs him with its mouth! The unhappy Halfling resists its venomous saliva and recalls a similar attack by a magically enlarged eel near Alarn. Archer Asish fires arrows and moves to one side, while patient Kazuo waits in “Iron Monkey” stance for his opponent to come to him.

Hastily donning his breastplate, Kovar spears the lizard holding Digger but is bitten in return. Arcanist Gawain maneuvers and casts Color Spray, blinding and stunning the monstrous duo. Pious Jovinda invokes Mekkil, goddess of nature, and casts Cure Light Wounds on Digger, who then frees himself from the reptile’s jaws.

Ranger Asish’s next volley hits its mark, but Kazuo’s first punches miss. The injured lizard smacks armored Kovar with its thrashing tail, and Gawain casts Detect Magic. Paladin Kovar knocks his foe on its back with a mighty shield bash, and Jovinda strikes it with her staff.

Digger’s daggers do more damage to the lizards, and Asish finishes one off. Kazuo slays the other creature with a Flurry of Blows. Gawain tries to copy the fading runes on the lizard’s bellies, which Digger notes are similar to those on the eel. The Illusionist later identifies the markings as Enlarge and Permanence spells, but he doesn’t fully recognize the language.

Asish happily butchers the carcasses, taking many pounds of lizard meat and hides for later use. Jovinda claims the claws for jewelry, some of which she agrees to trade for Asish’s leatherwork. As with the scarecrows, the group suspects a single cause for their unsettling encounters on the plains, but Digger is reluctant to blame Vappu Lahja or mage Octavius Karstus, who hired him to look into property around Nadwi.

The next day, the explorers reach the village of Rockney, about 10 miles northeast of Nadwi. Friendly innkeeper Vormana greets them at the sleepy “Helm’s Draught” tavern. Her husband Arien shows the way to guest rooms, and Asish offers to help cook.

Gawain keeps an eye on Digger, and Kovar stays with Kazuo to keep the well-intentioned Monk from proselytizing. Back in the common room, Digger chats up farmers Bart and Carson, who mention that a disheveled man came from Alarn within the past week. His babbling made no sense, they say, and he soon left.

Jovinda notices burly Dalan and dark Arvon, and Kovar and Asish pay close attention to the conversations as they pass around roast lizard. Digger shares Halfling pipeweed from Tarken and says he found giant footprints, but none of the locals know anything about giants so far from their traditional homeland in the Ivory Mountains….

Please see my notes on Nadwi as your Player Characters prepare to investigate the city! Sammy, I’m sorry that you got stuck in a train, but I’m glad that you were able to join us, even if your microphone wasn’t always working. Dexter, let me know if you need any help with your Pathfinder characters or getting back into Skype.

In the meantime, you should have also seen my post on the attendance thread regarding upcoming spring sessions. Let me know if you have any problems with the gaming schedule. Thanks again, Byron, for your help with the latest FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera scenarios! Have a good week, -Gene

What’s with all these games?

Those readers just joining this blog may have noticed that more than half of my recent posts are dedicated to the various games I’m playing. In truth, they do occupy a fair amount of my free/social time. As my peers enter middle age, finding time to hang out aside from the usual work and family commitments is increasingly difficult.

A quick look back: In autumn of 1982, when I was a freshman in high school, I entered a hobby that would change my life. My interest in fantasy and science fiction had led me to Dungeons & Dragons and Star Frontiers. Through college, grad school, and married and professional life, various role-playing games (RPGs) have been my main medium for creativity and socializing.

Like many people of my generation, I also played video games in arcades, on consoles, and on computers, but they never appealed to me the way tabletop games have. I’ve only dabbled in board games, collectible card games, miniatures-driven wargames, and multiplayer online games.

I don’t expect the freeform storytelling, character-driven drama, or arcane rules sets of true RPGs to be for everyone, but many of my friends and I enjoy them. It’s a pity that role-playing hasn’t gotten the public acceptance that video games have, and face-to-face, pen-and-paper, or dice-and-pizza games peaked in popularity in the 1980s. As David I.S. noted, tabletop RPGs will likely persist as a niche form of entertainment, like heavy metal music, model rocketry, or cosplay.

In the present, I’m running games for three groups. On Sunday evenings, I meet with six people across the U.S. via Skype for a fantasy campaign using Pathfinder. Since I prefer homebrew scenarios over professionally published modules, the current adventuring party is exploring my “Vanished Lands” setting. Sure, that world is based heavily on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and others, but close to 400 Player Characters have helped shape its fictional history.

On Monday nights, I’ve been running alternating groups of about six players each in my “Vortex” space opera, using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures. I’ve enjoyed juggling numerous characters and storylines, but I’m at the limit of what I can prepare for and host regularly. I’m also in contact with other Game Masters, both locally and near Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Aside from the session updates, what else do you want to know about my games? My groups have tried several genres and rules sets over the years, and the interpersonal dynamics are at least as important as our choice of game or characters. If you’re in one of my games, what would you like to know about from “behind the curtain”? What don’t you understand, or what tragedies and triumphs have occurred in your own groups? Happy gaming!