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Ancient Greek-like Dungeons and Dragons campaign
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 8th, 2008|09:01 pm] |
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I don't know if joe said he can't make it this week or next so npot sure when the hiatus is but I can't make it this saturday. |
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| The Short: "Drake's Poems" |
[Jun. 16th, 2008|10:38 am] |
Drake sat in the Travarni stables draped in lantern light. He had had servants of the house bring a desk to the stable so that he could write. At first he drew up battle plans for the upcoming fight with Resigal, but his thoughts had begun to wander. Poetry soon filled the pages before him as he wielded the Raven Quill pen given to him by Fox. Plans for three poems had been jostling around in his head for days and he was determined to finish the poems before he had to face Resigal. Who knows, these may be the last three poems Drake Krinstar ever writes.
Jarook the white-gold griffin with emerald eyes lay sleeping next to Drake. His feathers were still a little singed from their last battle against the World Walker. Drake studied his mount and friend while conjuring up the next line of poetry. Almost in response to Drake’s gaze the griffin’s eyes opened and Jarook cocked his head sideways.
Out from the shadows the gamine form of Nightshade appeared. Her skin glowed in the lantern light like the harvest moon at midnight. And her eyes shone, like the two last embers in a bed of ash. Her brown moleskin dress clung to her torso and hips as she maneuvered around the massive resting form of Jarook.
Seeing who it was, Jarook laid his head back down on a pile of hay and returned to sleep. Drake, on the other hand, stood up in response to her arrival. “Lady Nightshade, what brings you to the Travarni stables? Is something wrong? Has Resigal come?”
“You can drop the lady when I am not sitting on the council Drake. And no, Resigal hasn’t come; this is mostly just a social visit, if you don’t mind being interrupted?”
“Your arrival happens at a most fortunate time; I was stuck on the line of a poem and need a break to recover my wits.” It was then that Drake noticed that she was carrying a large sack behind her as she walked up to him.
Nightshade set the sack to the side as she sat down on a bale of hay near Drake. “What are you writing?”
Drake, in turn, sat as he began explaining his poems to her, “I am trying to get some poetry written before I face Resigal, it may be the last time I get to do so.”
She glanced at the papers on the desk. “What sort of poem are you writing?”
“I am working on three actually. One is to the legend of The White Rose. I am trying to catalogue its beginnings, rise, and greatest deeds all leading up to its biggest challenge ever, Resigal.”
“Is there anything about me in there?”
“Of course my lady, The White Rose could not have accomplished nearly as much as it has without your aid, everything from saving Cerian and vanquishing Belveric the Black to defending Ildiva against Geta.”
Nightshade smiled. “And the other two?”
“The second is my tale, a list of deeds done since I left my home. I plan to send it back to my family, so they may know what great things their name, their blood, has done in the world. Something to inspire the young and embolden the old, another reason for my kin to be proud to call themselves Krinstar.”
“Such deeds should be remembered, but not just by your kin, by everyone. I think it is a dishonor what men do to their heroes of old. Losing them, forgetting them and what they have done, what sacrifices they have made; few things are worse. For if you do not know what it took to provide you with what you have, how can you appreciate it? How can you use it wisely? It is good what you are doing, leaving written words to the future, to your successors.” Nightshade grinned at the last part. “And what is the last poem of?”
“Fox. A tribute to her, the most magnificent of the queen’s subjects. To her family as well, especially her son Shade, my friend.”
Nightshade looked Drake in the eyes, “your friends mean a great deal to you, don’t they Drake?” While continuing to look in his eyes she put her hand on Jarook and began petting him, “Even this simple beast you would die for.”
“Yes, for what are we without friend we would die for? Just looking out for yourself, that is no way to live. Without honor and without mirth, that is no life for me.”
Nightshade looked away from Drake for a moment, then brought forth the sack that she had brought with her. “I consider you a friend Drake and I too highly value my friends. I have brought you this gift, it means more to me then I can truly explain, but suffice it to say that by giving it to you, I am giving you a piece of myself.” From out of the sack Nightshade revealed an adamantine great-helm. The silvery helm was covered in tormish magical runes and set in the front was a purplish crystal. “This helm shall aid you in out thinking even a dragon as old as Resigal, plus, I have added some other protections to this helm that will keep you safe during our fight with Resigal.”
“You honor me my lady. I shall wear it proudly into battle.” Drake now was sitting taller, honored to have obtained Nightshade’s favor.
“So what will you do after we defeat Resigal? What challenges could ever measure up to that accomplishment?”
Drake nods, “None that I can think of, which is why I will likely retire back to my home families lands. There I could be of use, training the next generation of Krinstar to be dangerous and honorable warriors.”
Nightshade stood. “Survive the battle Drake, and perhaps one day when you tire of telling stories to your children in Carwethnywen you will come visit an old friend here in Ilduva.”
Drake raised with her, “As you wish my lady”
Drake watched the new Magister of Ilduva disappear back into the shadows from whence she came. When the memory of her image left his sight, Drake kneeled down close to Jarook’s ear. “I’ve changed my mind Jarook, I will need to write four poems before we face the dragon.” |
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| Curran Odessa |
[Jun. 7th, 2008|10:17 pm] |
Name: Curran Odessa, cleric of the Sun Court
Former Title: Master Librarian of the Order of Threth, Cassaborne Temple (in SE Carethnewyn)
Current Occupation: Journeyman Cartographer
Skills: Heal, Dungeoneering, Religion, Arcana, History
Feats: Skill Focus (Heal), Water-eater's Blessing (Melora's Tide)
Languages: Newyn, Aramun, Draconic
Physical weapon: Quarterstaff
Rituals: Gentle Repose, Make Whole
Cleric Powers: Channel Divinity (Divine Fortune, Turn Undead, Water-eater's Blessing), Gift of the Sun Queen (Healing Word), Serenos' Judgement (Lance of Faith), Far-watching Shield (Priest's Shield), Sacred Flame, Holy Dread (Cause Fear), Elea's Light (Beacon of Hope)
Sign: the Dolphins
Curran has very few secrets, for he is an old man who has outlived the need for intrigue and deceit. He enthusiastically strives to serve the gods of the court of the Sun, to aid those in need, and to gain ever more perfect understanding of the world and its denizens. His one unspoken passion, known to those close to him, is the study of the Sideran cultures to the south; one of his most prized possessions is, indeed, an eight-pointed Sideran compass acquired for him by Kett Sunstone.
He is said to have been born under the Dolphins, on the night of the new moon. The Cassaborne temple priests received him as a baby from a group of refugees, survivors of a coastal plague. He was at first a servant, then a lay member of the Order of Threth, one of the twelve orders represented on the temple grounds. His early delights were in the library, but he also found time outside the busy monastery schedule to peek into and map the unexplored caverns and ruins around the temple. He became an invaluable assistant to the monks of Threth, finding whole wings of lost works, yet he was not to take ordination until much, much later in his life. When he finally donned the simple, green-hemmed robe of the Order of Threth, it was with regret at having to abandon his more or less carefree existence.
However, he found the Order itself to be a source of adventure: with his mind in its prime, he soon rose in the ranks of the ordained. He initiated a massive revitalization project aimed at improving the Order's collection in organization, quality, and quantity, and within a decade, Cassaborne had become a shining jewel of Carethnewyn, prized for its valuable stores of knowledge thought lost forever. His training in the Order was not limited to books, however, and over the course of his lifetime study of the healing arts at the feet of the temple monks, Cassaborne became a renowned place of recuperative care.
Now, Curran has been sent on a mission of utmost importance, given the political climate: to map the borders and territories of Carethnewyn. He has gone to Oldmarin to seek the resources to do the job well, and he feels that Cassaborne's weight will help in his plea to the powers that be. Insightful characters, however, will note that the mission is not the only reason he left the temple. |
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| Wraith Darkstar |
[Jun. 4th, 2008|09:21 pm] |
Name: Wraith Darkstar
Race: Pooka (Fey beasty)
Class: Ranger (2-weapon style)
Skills: (in order of skill level) Stealth, Preception, Athletics, Nature, Endurance
Languages: Ilduvan, The Queen's Tongue, Newyn
Physical Weapons: Natural Weapon Hands
Sign: The Knight
Flavor:
He haunts your step, hounds you at every turn. You can't shake him, you can't make the hair on the back of your neck go down. He's that dark shape in the shadows. You know you won't escape, so you turn to face this faerie fiend. He comes at you like a thousand hungry wolves and suddenly you wish you had that unknown fear back for this reality is much much worst then you could of ever imagined.
Background for Players:
Born of the unholy union between Devlin Krinstar and the pooka assassin Silhouette. Silhouette was sent to kill Devlin after causing the fall of the Goblin King, but through skill at arms and tongue Devlin managed to seduce her. The two ran away from the world, taking refuge in an old forgotten fey vale. Lost to time, lost to their enemies Devlin and Silhouette made a life together as Devlin slowly maanged to regain his ability with magic, inspired by his bride.
Wraith began his life there in the vale, nurtured by both parents. He was taught to be a survivior and that the world would hand you nothing but sorrow unless you faught for what you loved. In that vein, Silhouette and Devlin performed a fey blessing upon Wraith to make him a ferious survivor and combatant. A blessing that would grow with time, as Wraith himself would grow, so would the magic around him.
When Wraith was still young his father went missing on one of Devlin's ever more frequent quests outside the vale. Wraith's mother took him to the only other family he had, Drake Krinstar, while she went out to look for her love.
Drake at the time Wraith came to him was currently married to Nightshade and had a son of his own, Ronic. Ronic was born with the gifts of his mother and was being trained to use them. Neither Wraith nor Ronic had had any other children to play with and so instantly formed an unbreakable bond. For safetly reasons both children were kept secret from the public, Nightshade and Drake not wanting to attract the attention of the "Queen's Men".
While there Wraith made friends with Nightshade's ally Sharavar, who refined his unarmed combat style and honed his survival instincts.
As Wraith grew older he and Ronic would make journeys into Ilduva or other places together but continue to hide who their parents were. In Ilduva they were introduced to Kettu and quickly were drawn in by her complex personality. They view her in some respects as a little sister that needs protection, even though she is likely older then they. When she was sent to Oldmarren the two of them decided that someone would need to go with her, but with Ronic's training in magic still not complete Wraith won that honor.
Religion:
Naturally he is drawn to Sivana a god of the hunt and of wolves.
He also likes the story between Kalevi and his love Nafeen, A god of passion and a goddess of luck both appleal to him.
In general though he does not put much weight in the gods. He believes they exist but does not think they will do anything for or against him. So he is rather apathetic towards them and lives by his own strength.
The Queen of Air and Darkness, towards her he has a natural pull. An affinity that he cannot ignore, but one that he does not really indulge. At very passionate moments he may call out her name, cursing a foe or the like.
Personality for Characters:
Wraith is a complex contradiction of personality traits. He is wildly independent and does not take orders but is fiercely loyal to a flaw. He can be hard to manage as a friend always pushing the boundries as he challenges ideas and assumptions and people themselves. His tendency to start fights by casually insulting people and his inability to back down from the fights he starts can be most tiresome. But on the lighter side he loves adventure, exploring and new things. And while it can be hard to become his friend innitially, once you are one he will not let anything happen to you.
To the Insightful Characters:
Wraith is seeking something. A place in the world perhaps, something lost, or something he does not even know he is missing. |
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| Skills and Rituals |
[Jun. 3rd, 2008|02:32 pm] |
So I've thought more on skills, and here's what I've got. I imagine what the designers were going for was skills-as-lived-experience, since it seems to make sense that we learn how to do some things as a matter of navigating daily life rather than focusing in it a la skill ranks. The trained bonus (+5) indicates that focus.
However, the fact that all that separates an epic Cleric of Bahamut and a epic Fighter is a +5 in any given skill (let's say Heal), ceteris paribus, sort of sticks in my craw. Here's my suggestion in full:
Two ways seem to present themselves. The first would be to treat the character level as a form of BAB: untrained skills add one third character level rather than one half. This way it still represents lived experience, just less of it. Another way would be to augment the trained bonus by a similar amount, though this has the disadvantage of potentially breaking the DC system the designers have set in place. I think I prefer the former to the latter because of its elegance. Have you chewed on it at all?
My mind also turns to rituals. The group is shaping up well, and it looks as though I'll be the only ritual caster through class features. I don't want y'all to have to burn a feat on it, despite the fact that it's only one of eighteen, and it helps preserve the low-magic nature of the world if there is very limited knowledge available of these things. But obviously it would be fun if there were multiple ritualists; I just like the notion of having a sphere of control :) Where Gauk's tentative Warlord is a battlefield leader, I see Curran as a leader in the more mystical and sage-type arena. I was thinking about petitioning Tim for more rituals known at first level, but I think it might better fit the nature of the campaign to keep things as they are in the RAW. That way I can express Curran's interest in the arcane on a lower-level scale, but much earlier in the game. How does this strike you? |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 1st, 2008|02:14 pm] |
Pre-ordered my PHB today :)
I'm going to be, and really looking forward to playing :) a Sieni dwarven paladin, I don't know if the Sieni have their own pantheon; if not then being a paladin of Vathno is most in character. If they do, then he'll be of the Sieni equivalent to Vathno (preferably they worship the same god but have a different name for him than carethnewyn/northmann do) I don't know how much starting gold we'll get but if I have enough then +1 holy symbol (360), full plate (50), heavy shield (10), and battleaxe(15) for a total of 435gp. If not then I'll get a standard holy symbol for a total of 85gp. Question: Paladins start trained in religion, can i select it again and get another +5 or is training a 1-time thing for a single +5 to a skill? Because my intelligence will probably be pretty low. Being a dwarf I have to take endurance for character reasons (tougher than 20d nails :P) I'm torn between diplomacy and intimidate, it seems like they do the same thing in different ways. If the party really needs healing i can take heal, if not i'll do insight, and I can take heal later as a feat if i have to. I don't know how you all are building your characters, i'd rather not take heal but if steve and I are the only healers than I will. My first feat will be Dwarven Weapon Training. The Paragon I'm going to be is either Astral Weapon or Champion of Order depending on how the campaign goes. 4th edition looks like it'll be a Lot of fun, I can't wait! Also feel free to make suggestions, this is a preliminary overview. |
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| May 17th Game Cancelled!!! |
[May. 15th, 2008|08:31 pm] |
Greetings,
I must cancel this Saturday's game, as I will need to be in NYC to visit with Jason who is still in the hospital. We'll pick up next Saturday with flags flying and banners waving.
Ciao! |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 20th, 2008|09:58 pm] |
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On the plus side: Holy Crap we killed Eargosolas; on the negative side, Holy Crap Palandir causedthe destruction of Arathel! |
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| Alternative Transportation |
[Apr. 19th, 2008|01:52 am] |
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A week has gone by so fast, and yet I have not been to the shop to get my car fixed. I blame the hot weather for making me sleepy. Shame on me. Is there any chance Eric and I could catch a ride for tomorrow's game? |
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| In town! |
[Mar. 25th, 2008|05:32 pm] |
So I've finally scheduled some vacation (paid, for the first time in six full years!). I'll be up in Maryland from approximately April 20th until the 26th, with the intent of joining you guys for a session in person! The 26th is, indeed, a Saturday. Now I hope that nothing crops up between now and then to destroy my cleverly-crafted plan...
So, shall I see you all then? |
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| The Game is ON for Saturday! |
[Mar. 19th, 2008|02:09 pm] |
Gentlemen!
Nessa and I will be back on Thursday, and so Saturday's game is on this week! Clear your calendars, make time, and we'll see you at our place around 3:00 pm.
~ T. |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 15th, 2008|10:21 pm] |
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I GOT A JOB! :) It's with Social Security, some paid training, then I'll be deciding who's entitled to your heard earned money just because they lived to be 67. I start April 1st and i'm pretty happy to have a recession-proof job with gov't benefits. I'm only planning on being there a year or two, when I can afford to I definitely want to go back to school but I need to earn the money first. |
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| Skype |
[Mar. 11th, 2008|01:42 pm] |
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I just got it, you can add me as andytheaxe832, what are your names so ican add you |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 3rd, 2008|08:29 am] |
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Could someone please post a recap of saturday's game? |
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| GHOUL gamers is now closed. |
[Jan. 30th, 2008|05:17 pm] |
Le sigh. Fortunately I had saved a backup of Penny on the hard disk.
However, I found another site that seems open for the duration. Alternatively, would any of you be interested in me setting up one for ourselves? |
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