Damon F.P. arrived by Megabus from New York on Friday, 13 May 2011. He and I have been friends since high school, for almost 30 years. I’ve been Damon’s best man three times, and he created some of the first Player Characters for my “Vanished Lands” fantasy campaign setting.
Soon, more people from Josh’s gaming groups arrived, including Bob & Ginger and Robin. My groups were represented by Beruk A., Brian W., and Brian’s wife Beth. Despite overcast weather, the potluck barbeque was a success, with some Nerf sparring and badminton. The cookout included roast chicken, pork, and sausages, as well as good conversations about politics, religion, pets, and of course, games.
Everyone got along well, and I hope that this nongaming social gathering (the first in a few years among our groups) is just the beginning! Damon was drowsy from some medication, but Janice and I later watched the gnostic episode of Doctor Whowritten by Neil Gaiman.
On Sunday, after Janice made a pancake brunch, I took Damon to Central Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, our toilet stopped functioning properly. It’s the third time where we’ve had problems during visits — no heat during David I.S.‘s January visit, a leaky washer during my brother’s trip, and now this. Damon and I had lunch at Four Burgers before he returned to New York. Now I’m just waiting for our landlord to send a plumber….
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 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
“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 usedmilitarydropship….
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
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.
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….
>>Telecom partyPlayer 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
“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
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!
My thoughts are with the people of northeastern Japan, which was affected by a terrible 8.9 earthquake yesterday (their time). Such natural disasters remind us of the fragility of human life and our technological civilization. But they also bring out the best in people, as we put aside petty differences to help those in need.
Please donate if you can. Every little bit helps, as long as it’s properly directed. I’ve also given money through DriveThru RPG for recent crises in Haiti and New Zealand. We won’t know the number of fatalities for days, but I hope that all survivors can be found quickly and that the damage can be repaired, especially to the nuclear power plants.
Gene's Worlds 