“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

“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

New “Vanished Lands” telecom team, Update 21 — Scarecrows!

Dragon Magazine art — Larry Elmore's scarecrow

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.21 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 20 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

“17 to 18 August 1229 B.C.E.:” After meeting in the Wisalef Forest and encountering hostile Centaurs and other creatures on the Plains of Sathendo, the adventuring party rode back to the abandoned Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human hamlet of Alarn.

After spending the night at a farm north of Alarn, the group has breakfast with the Sandia clan. Digger climbs onto a bench and shows a sketch of Octavius Karstus, the mysterious Wizard who hired him to look into property in Evesboro.

Jonas recognizes the drawing and says that he had met Karstus near the Aspar River a few months ago and directed him to the city of Nadwi. The peasant says he got a whole silver coin for his help, and the Halfling Rogue offers Jonas two coppers more.

Kovar, Gawain, and “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character] enjoy the morning’s entertainment before going to ready their steeds. Digger and Jovinda ask matron Violet Sandia for another private conversation. They apologize for Kazuo, who told Violet’s impressionable granddaughter Alyssa about Vappu Lahja, and note that the pregnant girl is otherwise healthy.

Meanwhile, Kazuo’s presence is requested upstairs, where bedridden Alyssa begs the Nezumi Monk not to leave because the he is the only person who understands her. Asish and Jovinda bring the paranoid heiress some tea and retrieve Kazuo. The Grugach Cleric whispers that the group should make a quick exit because it’s no longer welcome.

The wanderers ride past wary field hands and pass Alarn, which is still empty. Tsucharim Ranger Asish looks for recent Centaur tracks, and Digger and Jovinda debate whether to place more warnings for would-be raiders. Perhaps due to Vappu Lahja’s influence, Digger believes that some of the enigmatic woman’s followers must be misguided — and punished — if they attacked this Hifalendorin community rather than let him and Kazuo find converts.

He and Gawain also conclude that the storm giant sighted in the area must be a magically transformed peasant, based on the reticence they encountered at the Sandia farm. Kovar and Kazuo say there’s no need to interfere further with the farmers, but they keep watch for more Fey. Sir Bonner tells Digger that he encountered Karstus, whom he took for a lost courier, a few weeks ago.

Several hours later, the team passes through a wheat field near the Aspar River on its way southwest toward Nadwi. Four figures watch the road, unmoving and drawing the party’s curiosity. Gawain, Kovar, Jovinda, and Kazuo ride to about 60 feet away, while Asish stays a bit farther back and to one side. Digger and Sir Bonner keep near the road in case of ambush.

The four humanoids, about 50 feet each from one another, are in ragged clothing and glower at the investigators. Kovar and Gawain shrug off their fear, but Sir Bonner is affected, and Jovinda is fascinated.

Asish fires an arrow into the emaciated creature closest to Jovinda, knocking off its human face and revealing a glowing skull! Digger dismounts and readies his sling, and Kazuo slides off his mule. Gawain readies spells, and Asish’s dog Genghis tugs on Jovinda, shaking her out of her fascination.

One of the strange scarecrows rakes Jovinda with skeletal claws, and the others shamble forward. Paladin Kovar spurs his horse and charges, smiting one with his spear. Asish’s next two arrows miss, and the unnerved archer steps back to avoid the enemy. Digger also falls back.

Martial artist Kazuo rains Flurries of Blows on the straw-stuffed constructs, and arcanist Gawain helps by knocking down one with a Grease spell. Jovinda draws her short bow but fumbles her first shot. One monster hits Kovar, and another staggers Jovinda.

Armored Kovar jumps off his destrier and skewers a scarecrow, as Asish incinerates a straw man with a volley of flaming arrows. Swift Kazuo moves to another opponent.

Priestess Jovinda invokes Mekkil, goddess of nature, for a Positive Energy Burst. Fellow spellcaster Gawain observes that since it only healed her and her friends but didn’t hurt the scarecrows, they must not be Undead. He casts Enlarge on Half-Orc Kovar, who spears another before it can hit him.

Sniper Asish continues to lay covering fire for Kazuo, Jovinda, and Kovar, but unlucky Kazuo is knocked unconscious and dragged out of the melee by Genghis. Illusionist Gawain casts a Minor Image of embiggened Kovar and Blinding Rays. After missing the scarecrows with arrows, Jovinda casts Cure Light Wounds on herself.

The three remaining foes close in on the party. Kovar shield bashes one before missing and being knocked down, and Gawain is fascinated until shaken by Genghis. Jovinda races to Kovar, casts Sanctuary and heal, and then retreats.

Asish pulls Kazuo onto his saddle and continues to wield his bow against the scarecrows, eventually destroying them. Digger and Kazuo say it’s no coincidence that these unnatural creations were near the road from Alarn, and Digger and Gawain suspect that Octavius Karstus may be involved.

Kovar angrily asks Sir Bonner why he didn’t help. The hapless knight says he recognized one dead face as that of a tinker he once traveled with. Jovinda attends to Kovar, Kazuo, and Gawain’s injuries, as well as her own, while Akita Genghis licks the Wild Elf’s face.

Asish and Digger find 18 crowns (gold pieces), assorted silverware and tools worth 30 g.p., and the remains of a skin once holding Fey wine amid the charred corpses. Sir Bonner identifies the tools as belonging to one Taras of Rockney….

Please note that I’ve added the treasure amounts and Sir Bonner’s explanation of why he didn’t fight. Paul and Beruk, I look forward to seeing both of you (and prospective role-player Rich L.) at tonight’s FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera game! Byron, thanks for posting your prestige class ideas for Asish on the Google Group, and I hope the others give good suggestions.

Rob, I’ll try to touch base with you later this week on the parts you missed. Sammy, I hope you get your computer back in good working order, and can you and Taum let me know which D&D3.5/4e books I’m selling you’re interested in? Dexter, we saw you online briefly — were you having problems with Skype? Have a good week, everyone! -Gene

New “Vanished Lands” telecom team, Update 20 — Back on the farm

The Adventures of Robin Hood — Robin Hood

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session T3.20 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 13 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) and contact of “Kimo” [Beruk A.]; NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 1

-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras; raised as an orphan; contact of the Order of the Golden Lion; LGn, Lvl. 2

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

-“Asish Chen Ti” [Byron V.O.]-male Tsucharim human archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from service to Nannuattan (eastern Dark Elf) Wizard Arbalas; contact of “Sukhov” [Beruk A.] and 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

“16 to 17 August 1229 B.C.E.:” Several weeks after defending it from Centaur raiders, the adventuring party returned to a farm near the abandoned Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human hamlet of Alarn. Matron Violet Sandia invited the group to join her extended family for dinner.

Gawain entertains children with Prestidigitation, and Kovar and Asish ask “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character] to help train the peasants to defend themselves. However, the knight says that his skills are too specialized to easily share with simple farmers.

After the meal, Digger retires to the porch to share Hollysharp pipeweed and tales with some of the men. After some prodding by the Halfling scholar, Jonas and his son admit that they fled Alarn after signs that the hamlet was cursed. They confirm the party’s findings of the haunted upper floor of the “Mellow Mule” inn, unnatural beasts in the Aspar River, and mischievous Fey such as Korred from nearby woods. The men are more evasive, however, about the storm giant footprints.

Jovinda meets privately with Violet, who says that she took in her relatives but is disturbed at more news of Alarn’s problems. The elder doesn’t recognize the name “Vappu Lahja” at first, but she later tells the Grugach Cleric of an old fairy tale about a woman who found wisdom on the Plains of Sathendo and was stoned by those who couldn’t comprehend it.

Kazuo reluctantly agrees to talk with a young pregnant woman who is bedridden. He finds the well-fed Alyssa ranting about how some of her relatives are jealous that she is carrying the heir to the Sandia homestead. The emotional girl finds that the Nezumi Monk lends a sympathetic ear, and he tells her of the mysterious Vappu Lahja, whom he met with Digger after a Centaur ritual.

Later that evening, Tad takes Kovar and Asish to a barn to inspect the farm’s arsenal. The horsemen study the broken farm implements, occasional hunter’s weapon, and raw materials and make some suggestions. They also set watches as the party gets ready to bed down in a hay loft.

Gawain confirms that the new arrivals from Alarn are related to the farmers, and Violet asks Jovinda to request that another Cleric to be sent from the city of Nadwi. The priestess of Mekkil, goddess of nature, begins interviewing the entire household, beginning with Jonas’ wife Denise. She isn’t pleased to learn that Kazuo has mentioned Vappu Lahja, which he had said he wouldn’t do.

Kazuo offers to leave, and Digger insists that whoever attacked Alarn must be misinterpreting the guidance of Vappu Lahja. Gawain and Kovar say they have detected little magic and that the Monk and Rogue should be watched. Asish notes that the entire team (including compromised members Digger and Kazuo) should continue riding together to Nadwi.

The next morning, Sir Bonner patrols the farm’s perimeter, and Ranger Asish practices archery with the peasants. Kazuo is joined by Jovinda and Gawain in visiting Alyssa, and stern Kovar waits outside her room. Jovinda re-examines Violet’s bratty granddaughter and concludes that she is physically healthy.

Digger and Jovinda go to talk again with Violet before leaving, and Asish recommends that they try to identify the father of Alyssa’s child. The matron refers Jovinda to her cousin Viola, who works in the household of a Wizard in Nadwi. Armored Kovar not only keeps an eye on furred Kazuo, but also reminds his companions not to rush to judgment….

Please remember to post to the Google Group message board if I missed anything or if you have any ideas to discuss between games. Byron, thanks again for your help with the FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera! Sammy, I’m sorry that you had to postpone your trip to Japan. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing all of you next Sunday! -Gene

New “Vanished Lands” telecom team, Update 19 — Back to the farm

Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 19 of the latest adventuring party in my “Vanished Lands” heroic fantasy campaign setting. The teleconferencing team met on Sunday, 6 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) and contact of “Kimo” [Beruk A.]; NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 1

-“Kovar” [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras; raised as an orphan; contact of the Order of the Golden Lion; LGn, Lvl. 2

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

“16 August 1229 B.C.E.:” The adventuring party had previously encountered Centaurs raiding a farm near the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human hamlet of Alarn. After investigating the followers of the mysterious Vappu Lahja, the group returned to find Alarn abandoned.

The wanderers debate what to do with the haunted rooms at the “Mellow Mule” inn. Kovar wonders whether they have stumbled across some unholy Fey ritual that has yet to reach completion. Asish’s recommendation that the inn be burned to the ground is voted down, partly because spellcasters Gawain and Jovinda aren’t sure if that would contain or release the evil spirits.

Digger and Kovar lecture Jovinda about releasing the magically enlarged eel they had found in the Aspar River, and the Cleric agrees that the beast could still endanger more people. On the other hand, Kazuo notes that human lives aren’t necessarily more valuable than those of other creatures.

Scouts Digger and Asish show Gawain the giant footprints they had found on the hamlet’s outskirts. The Illusionist says they could have been made by a storm giant (corresponding with weather described by two Korred) or an enlarged human.

Ranger Asish and Paladin Kovar talk with fellow horseman “Sir Bonner of Runnymeade” [Jon W.B./Non-Player Character], who is still recovering from being captured by the Korred and having his steed slain. They recommend riding on to the city of Nadwi to report to local authorities.

Grugach Jovinda goes back to the “Mellow Mule” and invokes her patron Mekkil, goddess of nature, to channel positive energy, disrupting some of the unnatural conditions in the guest rooms. Kazuo points out that the mischief and murder could have been committed by evil Fey or a misguided Druid rather than followers of Vappu Lahja.

Nimble Digger carefully brings out the pieces of an enchanted mirror so that Kovar can further smash them and avoid the temptation to gaze into the eyes on the other side. Arcanist Gawain identifies the magics in the mirror as belonging to the Conjuration, Divination, and Transmutation schools.

Digger reminds his companions of the farm north of Alarn, and they agree to check it out. Kovar and Asish gather kindling and prepare a pyre for the innkeeper, found hung upside-down in an upstairs room, as well as the remains of Sir Bonner’s horse. Jovinda makes sure that the “Mellow Mule” is marked with warnings for future travelers.

The party fords the Aspar River and passes several Hifalendorin peasants working the fields outside Alarn. Digger reminds one of how he helped drive off the Centaur raiders a few weeks before, and grateful Tad brings him to the main farmhouse.

Rogue Digger and Nezumi Kazuo smell freshly baked pies, while wary Kovar and Asish keep an eye on the farmhands. Matron Violet Sandia greets the newcomers and invites them to join her clan for dinner. Gawain and Jovinda wait on benches in the dining room, while Digger helps in the kitchen.

Kovar, Asish, and Kazuo help Sir Bonner find a place for the horses, and they look for recent Centaur tracks but find none. Jovinda and Gawain talk with a young girl named Daisy and learn that several members of her extended family recently arrived, presumably from Alarn.

Jovinda plans to ask about the strange goings-on around the nearby hamlet, and Asish and Kovar are concerned about the recent movements of Fey folk such as Centaurs, Satyrs, and Korred, as well as humans and Halflings. Digger and Kazuo want to make sure that if “misguided” followers of Vappu Lahja committed the crimes, they’re caught and held responsible….

Please remember to use the “Holy Steel” Google Group message board between sessions. I’m glad to see that some debates have led to good role-playing and character development, but don’t forget to give the quieter folks a chance to express their opinions!

Note that this and other recent posts are mirrored on various sites as I consolidate my blogs. I’m working on updates for the FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures: “Vortex” space opera, and our next “Vanished Lands” telecom game is scheduled for Sunday, March 13. Take it easy, -Gene