tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38081062938968311462024-03-13T18:32:26.139+00:00Dungeon TalesRoboGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979358871848745259noreply@blogger.comBlogger688125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-54472687964072185302010-11-25T11:26:00.003+00:002010-11-25T11:28:43.321+00:00A Hundred Years of HateHis teammates dead and his family shamed, Mendez headed back to Gon Dulat to face his responsibility and to kill the Dragon.<br />During the journey he bribed, bought and recruited as many men and monsters as he could find.<br />The most powerful of these were the lightening resistant, flesh golems bought from the insane Derros.<br />Unfortunately the battle against the ancient Blue Dragon and his followers was as futile as it was brutal.<br />Hundreds died and Mendez was dragged wounded and unconscious from the slaughter.<br />Realising that there was nothing more he could do, Mendez made his way back to the orphanage at Redford and the warm embrace of Etta.<br />Once there, Mendez quickly bought the Mayor ship and used his gold to buy off and then pay the Pit-fiend’s tax collectors.<br />When the Pit-fiend was driven out, Mendez continued to pay the taxes for the entire town to the Dragon.<br />He and Etta had many children together, as well as looking after all the orphans.<br />Mendez taught them all to fight and when he died, he passed on the responsibility of looking after the town to his eldest son.<br />Years passed until eventually, as was bound to happen, Mendez’ gold ran out.<br />The town was soon devastated and the population that could, moved away.<br />The teenage Vogir, grandson on Mendez, travelled to the nearest ‘free’ town: Highmarsh.<br />There he spent his time brooding and planning on how he would complete his grandfather’s quest.Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-40439975827230355012010-10-22T11:10:00.000+01:002010-10-22T11:15:28.883+01:00A Final goodbyeBooking passage on a ship back to Seawell, Mendez says a final goodbye to Thesis.<br />‘Are you sure you won’t come with me? I could use your strength if I’m to defeat the dragon.’<br />Thesis is fully recovered thanks to Mendez’ healing magic, the ministrations of the devoted Lizard-woman and his own remarkable constitution.<br />‘I’m ssorry Mendezz, but you know what I’m desstined to do. Will you not reconsider and come with me?’<br />Mendez smiles. ‘You’re about to head off to an island ruled by evil humans and lead an army of oppressed Lizard-man slaves against them. Even if you truly become their King, I doubt there’ll be a place for someone like me. Still good-luck and I sincerely hope you’re successful.’<br />The normally quiet Lizard-woman steps forward and kisses Mendez’ hand.<br />‘I thank you for my people and my King. May Semuanya watch over you and blesss you with many children.’<br />Mendez smiles for the first time in days.<br />‘And may ‘Semiwuniwawaw’ do the same for you.’<br />With a wink to Thesis over the head of the blushing Lizard-woman, Mendez boards the ship.Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-71215899503923444142010-10-21T12:25:00.004+01:002010-10-21T12:31:10.904+01:00Grave departuresWorking all day, Mendez manages to dig the four graves.<br />Tears well up again as his now unclouded mind realises that both Eolar and Durin were killed by his bow.<br />It gives him no solace that they had killed his sister and one of his brothers before his retaliation.<br />The Were-bear, the Dwarf and the Half-Elf wear expressions of surprise but Bodush looks weirdly relieved.<br />The traitorous Elven Archer and the sly Kobold have long gone but Mendez had no real feeling for either of them. He hardly knew them at all really.<br />Fingers bleeding and fine silk clothes soiled, Mendez trudges back into his Father’s mansion to clean him self up.<br />He passes servants and family like a zombie.<br />A short while later, he visits Thesis’ room; he notices that the door is bolted shut from the outside and there are two guards posted.<br />‘Let me in’, Mendez growls at them.<br />The two guards exchange worried glances before acquiescing.<br />Thesis lies on the cold wooden floor. All the furniture has been removed from this room and the Lizard-woman slave has draped herself around him in an attempt to keep him warm.<br />Casting one of the few spells available to him, Mendez pours a little strength into his horribly wounded friend.<br />It’s enough.<br />Thesis opens his eyes with a double-lidded blink.<br />‘Mendezz? Isss that you?’<br />‘Yes my friend. You are safe and I’m about to take you out of here.’<br />Hefting his massive friend onto his feet, Mendez heads towards the relocked door.<br />‘Let us out!’<br />One of the terrified guards peeps through the small barred window in the reinforced wooden door.<br />‘We’re under orders not to let the creature out.’<br />Mendez utters a curse with a voice no louder than a whisper, ‘Let us out now and I won’t kill you where you stand. Do you think a few inches of timber can protect you from me?’<br />Hurriedly the guards slide back the bolt and open the door.<br />‘Supported by Mendez on one side and the Lizard-woman on the other, Thesis makes it through the doors and eventually to the outside courtyard.<br />Three horses are waiting for them, all saddled up and loaded with their equipment.<br />Mendez takes a moment to say goodbye to his weeping Mother before leading the three of them out through the front gate.Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-78067046493565626922010-10-20T12:11:00.003+01:002011-04-14T15:57:03.335+01:00Miserable Ever AfterThe ‘battle’ is over and all of his friends lie dead with the exception of Thesis.<br />Tears rolling down his cheeks, Mendez pours his last bottle of healing elixir down the mighty Lizard-man’s throat.<br />It doesn’t revive him but it keeps him from death.<br />After shouting down his Father’s call for Thesis’ head, Mendez numbly walks over to the horribly burned body of his little sister.<br />Despite his Father’s spells, he’d managed to resist firing on his teammates until Eolar had killed her with a single blast of divine power.<br />She had been so young; so beautiful.<br />How could Eolar have done it?<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">‘Don’t fret son’</span> comes the voice of Estaban.<br />The now hated voice of his Father.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">‘A simple call to our nearest Cleric will have Eris back with us in no time’.</span><br />Mendez spins round in a fury.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">‘Never call me ‘Son’ again. I’m no longer under your spell or your thumb. I shall bury my friends, pack my bags and leave forever. Never ask for my help again or expect me to return.’</span>Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-81144622268178874502010-09-30T15:33:00.003+01:002010-10-01T16:08:08.671+01:00Eolar, Eolar...Estaban sings to Eolar...<br />(To the tune of: ROBIN HOOD)<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Eolar (Pompous) Eolar, with your band of friends.<br />Eolar (Poor) Eolar, here is where it ends.<br />Nowhere to run, your adventuring days are done.<br />Eolar, (Poor) Eolar.<br />I'll miss you Eolar.</span><br /><br />:(Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-24587629253746622232010-08-04T23:26:00.000+01:002010-08-04T23:28:03.915+01:00Rudha-an of Rowandale<pre>As I enter the tavern my mind wanders off to the forests of Rowandale like<br />it usually does when I find myself in an uncomfortable situation. The tavern<br />is loud, full of people and stinks of old ale and rebreathed air. But I have<br />been traveling the lands for too long on my own and need to find companions<br />which can help me to explore the nature and secrets of the evil which drove<br />me of my homeland.<br /><br />Centuries ago my family, being close to the king of our long forgotten<br />realm, was entrusted with the wellbeing of all that lives in Rowandale and<br />the mountains surrounding it. But the thick forests and purling streams<br />started to fade away when I was young and an unknown evil started to gnaw on<br />the roots of the trees my family had protected for generations. Being raised<br />in the ways of nature I was sent out to learn more about its source and to<br />find a cure. That was a long time ago.<br /><br />My ultimate goal is to go back and reclaim what was lost. After countless<br />years of exploring the wilderness without any result, the dangers ahead and<br />the task at hand force me to find companions with whom I can explore these<br />lands. A party of five, weathered and interesting looking, makes me shift<br />back to the here and now. I ask one of the humans in the group whether I<br />could sit down, and after he invites me to do so, I tell him my name:<br />Rudha-an of Rowandale.<br /><br />After discussing the coming plans of the party, the group is quite<br />happy to have a guardian druid on board. I think this for me is the perfect<br />opportunity to seek for what was long lost and help the forces of nature to<br />gain back control over all beings. "I am the seeker. I am the stalker. I am<br />the storm."<br /></pre>TieDyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01986869699796314972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-76379799164484305462010-05-26T11:06:00.003+01:002010-05-26T11:15:25.103+01:00The Big Finish<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjGoFAMf5DOHZ_3QIkfidBZgKUXBdw13ryc4Uh801AY7phG85gJ1UOzZhW9tzTOjYVMaee1hqvF2hYGeP0mYn5frAR36sRvA0IYMMrDJXOxAoG7cIVmfJbbc7KjXUVtVww39p3wXL-Ng/s1600/28492_391903156455_533546455_4729735_5596652_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjGoFAMf5DOHZ_3QIkfidBZgKUXBdw13ryc4Uh801AY7phG85gJ1UOzZhW9tzTOjYVMaee1hqvF2hYGeP0mYn5frAR36sRvA0IYMMrDJXOxAoG7cIVmfJbbc7KjXUVtVww39p3wXL-Ng/s400/28492_391903156455_533546455_4729735_5596652_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475518478169609650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5uK7KFGHnXlEipIEFYLLRsR691I2QkpERrM6m6-ESMdEoJIl8QLSzpak1wF4-l59FGvFUgHfoaUJ6r2AC2yZy1A_v1Sth2v96M34KqhGeO73R2aUmxG9Kp2CCX3kQVd-S6B03YiSsgY/s1600/28492_391903166455_533546455_4729736_8138465_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5uK7KFGHnXlEipIEFYLLRsR691I2QkpERrM6m6-ESMdEoJIl8QLSzpak1wF4-l59FGvFUgHfoaUJ6r2AC2yZy1A_v1Sth2v96M34KqhGeO73R2aUmxG9Kp2CCX3kQVd-S6B03YiSsgY/s400/28492_391903166455_533546455_4729736_8138465_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475518475458059954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6NhtBo_IRRo0nm_AOyKRx7FxhxQJmfKZl57Gir1FGa_3ThbwOW9i8Gb2lIgid4n2wE8HRN1s6WofRjwFVk5_rAfItb_6ieXCB-g-QD3nPjclmS6TmQEH4Fp1NDWtbetq9NQitxb5wHo/s1600/28492_391903181455_533546455_4729737_6030649_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6NhtBo_IRRo0nm_AOyKRx7FxhxQJmfKZl57Gir1FGa_3ThbwOW9i8Gb2lIgid4n2wE8HRN1s6WofRjwFVk5_rAfItb_6ieXCB-g-QD3nPjclmS6TmQEH4Fp1NDWtbetq9NQitxb5wHo/s400/28492_391903181455_533546455_4729737_6030649_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475518467942971490" /></a><br />Moritz took some photgraphs!Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-25817395724572629852010-05-14T13:30:00.002+01:002010-05-14T13:37:49.611+01:00DT Goes FourthSo, our campaign has come to an end.<br /><br />The players were either killed or else died of old age in the years that separate this campaign from our next.<br /><br />As a group we have also decided to move forward.<br />Members have left (Bye Moritz!) and others have joined (Hello Christoph!).<br /><br />And so for the new campaign we will be playing 4th Edition, starting from 1st level, remove computers and projectors from the group play sessions (but keep them for character creation), and also be playing in a more cosy conference room.<br /><br />The campaign itself will be set in darker times after the war between the Blue Dragon and the Pit-Fiend.<br /><br />If you would like to follow our activities see our new blog Dragon Tales at dtgoesfourth.blogspot.comRoboGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979358871848745259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-66198159034671908642010-05-12T17:35:00.009+01:002010-05-12T18:47:08.348+01:00Collective learning? Effective teaching? Not in my adventuring group!<pre><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >In his last comment under the post "No holds bard", Kirk made a good point about how<br />we, as a party, are meant to collectively learn from our experiences and take the<br />appropriate measures to ensure we don't repeat the same lessons too often. I agree<br />that the apes throwing rocks was an excellent way to teach us about how to deal with<br />being ambushed and surrounded by a team of fairly weak creatures; the point was made<br />clearly and effectively, as many of us felt embarrassed by our performance while at<br />the same time we understood the point being made. The fact that our characters were<br />none the worse for wear ensured that all of us should have been able to act in a more<br />appropriate way when the opportunity presented itself.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >The thing is, it's very difficult for a group of people to collectively learn<br />anything, and we all know this. I'm not saying that it never happens; indeed, the<br />fact that companies learn how to adapt to changing market influences, athletic teams<br />learn how to beat other teams, and armies learn how to outsmart / outmaneuver / kill<br />other armies every day shows that groups of people can clearly learn from their<br />collective mistakes. However, all of these entities have two elements in common:<br />structured leadership and the ability to remove or retrain unfit members to<br />improve the group's net performance. As an adventuring group, while we can't force<br />our own members to leave if they're not performing well enough (and we shouldn't!),<br />we can retweak our characters to work better within our specific group. Additionally,<br />we've occasionally debated about our lack of centralized leadership, let alone a<br />command structure of any sort, and I think we should give it a shot in 4e. Otherwise,<br />it's going to be very difficult for us, as a group of individually-minded adventurers<br />who can be resurrected after dying, to collectively learn anything.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Having said all that, I imagine that if I were in Kirk's DM shoes, I probably would</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >have done a similar thing to our party -- after I gave them fair warning that I'd be</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >testing them to see how much they learned from the adventure! It can be very</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >frustrating to try and teach something to an entity who cannot or will not learn, and</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >if I had one last shot to see whether such an entity had learned anything, I'd</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >probably also make it a painful test. However, to not tell an entity that you're</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >trying to teach them something; to not tell this entity that you'll then test them on</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >everything you've been trying to "teach" them; and to then berate them for not</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >"learning" anything from your "lessons" is just silly! It's also cruelly fun, but</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >that's besides the point. ;)</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >In short, I think that we, the players, should try using some sort of simple command</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >structure to better coordinate our fights if we ever want to collectively learn and</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >grow from our adventures. Otherwise, our post-battle reports will always have lots of</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >comments that read like this: "gosh, that was a clusterfuck! why didn't X do Y?"</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Similarly, if DMs are going to test how well we learned the lessons of an adventure,</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >they should let us know. Otherwise, we're going to operate under the presumption that</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >they're going to try out some cool new monster / combat feat that they've discovered.</span><br /></span></pre>TieDyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01986869699796314972noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-4347689036712624752010-05-10T13:12:00.007+01:002010-05-25T11:04:24.603+01:00An Arrow too far?‘Challenge Ratings’ are pretty lame. Would 17th level Estaban have lasted more than 12 seconds if he stood against the Party alone?<br />The way I see it is that a 'Challenge rating' equal to the Party is only a quarter as powerful.<br />Just out of curiosity though, would one of you ‘Techies’ work out what the ‘Challenge Rating’ was for the final battle?<br /><br />The Party: <br /><br />1) Eolar: 17th level Cleric/Ranger<br />2) Thesis: 17th level Fighter/Barbarian<br />3) Bodush: 16th level Sorcerer<br />4) Durin: 14th level Barbarian<br />5) Mara'ch: 13th level Rogue/Sorcerer thingy<br /><br />Party assets:<br /><br />1) Ragnar: 13th level Fighter/werebear (Don’t say he doesn’t count just because he’s a sidekick)<br />2) Roly: 5th level Cleric (Would have healed ‘certain’ Party members)<br />3) Lizard-folk slaves. x 2 (CR:2)<br /><br />Neutrals:<br /><br />1) Meldo<br />2) Children x 7<br />3) Siren children x 3<br />4) Sailors x 3<br />5) Hamster-men x 2<br /><br />Opposition:<br /><br />1) Estaban: 17th level Bard (With only one offensive spell that he could only use once)<br />2) Dorgon: 12th level Fighter. (Meant to have targeted Mara'ch)<br />3) Valdis: 13th level Fighter/Barbarian (Silver-sheened Halfling of death!)<br />4) Mendoza: 12th level Fighter (Hit and run specialist)<br />5) Hawkmoon: 14th level Fighter/Wizard (Traitorous turncoat)<br />6) Mendez: 17th level Fighter/Barbarian/Ranger (Geased to attack any that attacked family)<br />7) Benidict: 7th level Rogue (Law hating backstaber)<br />8) Eris: 3rd level Wizard (Sweet 18 year old little sister)<br />9) Brothers x 11: 4th level Fighters (Completely safe on their 10' wall...)<br />10) Thugs x 12: 1st level Fighters (Completely worthless)<br />11) Servants x 4 1st level commoners (Even more completely worthless)<br /><br />As for the encounter setting... <br />Estaban had planned against you but the courtyard itself was only a minor obstacle and the tactics were pretty straight forward.Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-32431941956835010052010-05-07T13:23:00.004+01:002010-05-07T13:53:00.362+01:00Final Banner: The EndOh my. Utter carnage.<br /><br />Should we review what happened? OK, Lets:<br /><br />Bodush and Eolar were under a gaes, and were compelled to return with the diamonds.<br />We all duely did the same (why?) and strolled into the <s>killing-field</s> courtyard.<br />Hawkmoon revealed himself as the spy and shot at Bodush, who survived thanks to stone-skin.<br />Bodush then took out Hawkmoon with a power-word stun.<br /><br />Two more attacks took place, one from the halfling with his silversheen dagger against Ragnar and the other by the sailor-spy on Eolar.<br /><br />All fine up to that point. We could even be said to be winning and Mendez was holding back on shooting anyone.<br /><br />But then, it was up to us and frankly our decisions were poor in terms of who to attack.<br /><br />The obvious candidates would have been the spy and the halfling.<br /><br />Thesis and Durin chose neither. We did what we always say we shouldn't do but do anyway - split up.<br /><br />Eolar's decision was possibly worse: let off an indiscriminate killing spell.<br /><br />From there on in it was probably over, but, yet there were one or two more chances.<br /><br /> * Had Thesis acknowledged that Mendoza and the big guy had broken off and dropped back to aid the dying Eolar, that would have helped.<br /> * Had Durin run across the wall he so incredibly lept upon earlier and engaged Mendez, that would certainly have helped.<br /> * And, had someone (any of us) decided to stand with Bodush things would have been a lot different.<br /><br />Clearly we could and should have played it differently, but would that have been enough to win? I'm not sure, there were a lot of brothers on the wall and Esteban was in full-rude health. <br />We may still have lost. <br />And in any case, there was a devil waiting for us inside. :P<br /><br />What do you all think?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz0n5eQ23T3EU7B5v7d8Bo-Pfl48kvsR-R_mgMRweU6wD-E1I36WaTZK_F_jow4z3KHozcyV1t5xehsIJkmdTUl30XtCd-bFOrDWkXf8OR-pU-KwgHZq1nIuC7OlVM7WEAgqrWxIH5oTI/s1600/TheEndBannerFlat960.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz0n5eQ23T3EU7B5v7d8Bo-Pfl48kvsR-R_mgMRweU6wD-E1I36WaTZK_F_jow4z3KHozcyV1t5xehsIJkmdTUl30XtCd-bFOrDWkXf8OR-pU-KwgHZq1nIuC7OlVM7WEAgqrWxIH5oTI/s320/TheEndBannerFlat960.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468510268764934882" /></a>RoboGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979358871848745259noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-73391936523916883862010-05-06T10:18:00.004+01:002010-05-06T10:51:15.138+01:00Bard to the BoneA week before the end...<br /><br />Mendez’ face is clouded when Estaban moves to sit back down with his youngest son.<br />"Now Mendez, although I’m grateful for the gifts you have given your brothers, let’s see what else you have that’d be useful... Hmmn. Frankly I’m surprised by how little magic you have considering you’ve been adventuring for nearly three years. These ‘Tanglefoot’ bags look like you’ve been carrying them around for ages! Still from what I’ve recently learned a few of these items, specifically this pot of ‘Silversheen’ may prove useful…"Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-59677386284864967302010-05-05T13:01:00.002+01:002010-05-05T21:10:33.601+01:00Stinker, Sailor, Soldier, SpyAbout five weeks ago…<br /><br />As the massive gorilla bounds into the clearing, the three sailors draw their swords.<br />The two Hamster men simply cower idiotically and try to hide behind the trees.<br />Easily out powering them, the gorilla rends the first sailor in half and quickly turns to dispatch the remaining two. With astonishing speed, the huge ape grabs at the second sailor. His powerful jaws clamping down on the weathered sailors throat.<br />Suddenly a sword erupts through its powerful chest.<br />Dropping the dying sailor, the ape tries to turn, but his back is stabbed again.<br />With blood pouring from the two serious wounds, it dies gazing up at the fragile looking human. A look of confusion frozen onto its leathery face.<br />Benidict regards the massive ape with contempt and then calls to the Hamster men.<br />“Come out. You’re safe now.”<br />Obviously relieved, the two Hamster men emerge timidly from the foliage. <br />Like sheep they approach the remaining Sailor for reassurance and like lambs they are cut down by their supposed saviour.<br />“I’m sorry rodents, but I just can’t have you telling the adventurers what I just did.”<br />Benidict stares at the carnage for a moment before getting to work. <br />He carefully arranges the bodies to make it look as though everyone was fighting the lone ape. He then proceeds to cut himself several times across his chest. Deep enough to bleed freely but shallow enough not to cause serious injure.<br />Benidict then hides himself in the bushes until help arrives.Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-8823524004823304282010-05-04T14:53:00.005+01:002010-05-04T15:13:22.204+01:00No Holds BardThree weeks ago…<br /><br />Hawkmoon is searching idly for more diamonds when he hears a noise nearby…<br /><br />“Are you alone?”<br /><br />Looking around, Hawkmoon can see no one but knows Estaban’s tricks well enough to recognise this as being one of his.<br />Durin’s in sight but too far away to hear anything.<br /><br />“What do you want Estaban?” <br /><br />“I need to hear your report. I need to know the strengths and weaknesses of your travelling companions. Their favoured spells and tactics. Their vulnerabilities and defensive shortcomings. Everything I need to know to defeat them when the time comes!”<br /><br />Hawkmoon sighs and, while making sure he’s out of sight, tells Estaban everything he wants to hear.<br /><br />“Very well - though I don't approve of your underhand tactics to influence the others. Am I not insurance enough? <br />Overall the Party are a disparate bunch. Different aims and goals. They don't act together, but somehow manage to salvage most situations. Usually through the use of powerful magics.<br /><br />Bodush should probably be your first target. His firepower is unprecedented, but catch him early on and he would be an easy target.<br />After a few seconds, though, beware. He will fly, become invisible and also likely create a number of fake images to confuse your archers.<br />There's even a chance that he’ll pre-empt an attack and protect himself in advance. <br /><br />The Werebear is nothing special in his human guise, but beware him once he changes. He becomes extremely strong. I would suggest avoiding melee with him if you can.<br /><br />Next you may wish to focus on Thesis: the lizard-man. He and the Dwarf are both good close combatants, but the lizard has the slight edge. Being a barbarian, Durin's tactics are often baffling but once stuck in a combat he will quickly become angry and become a whirling dervish of axe! Be prepared for healing against these two. Split them up; Divide and conquer.<br /><br />The pedantic Cleric: Eolar is more an annoyance than anything. He’s self serving and almost as shambolic in combat as the Dwarf. He will probably be called on to heal the others, but instead will try to damage you himself! He may call down the fury of his God, but catch him in melee and he will drop quickly.<br /><br />Mara'ch, the new Kobold, is a tricky one. Keep your fighters away from him. He can't fight himself but is somehow able to sap the strength of others.<br />If you are looking for an easy kill, then shoot him. Be quick, though, as he will likely disappear like Bodush.<br /><br />Use the element of surprise to your full advantage. Act quickly decisively. Concentrate your attacks against one target at a time.<br /><br />I have no loyalty to these adventurers - but make no mistake. Turn on me as you would turn on them and I swear I will return from the very bowels of Hell to take my revenge upon you...”<br /><br />There’s silence for a moment before Estaban speaks again.<br /><br />“Good work Hawkmoon. You’ve confirmed my thoughts and given me everything I needed to know. When you arrive back here, do nothing until Bodush and Eolar have handed over the diamonds. No doubt my youngest son will try to speak up for his friends. As soon as he starts talking, shoot Bodush in the back.<br />As for me turning on you… save your oaths. A deal is a deal."Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-11446907500817793332010-05-01T10:50:00.003+01:002010-05-01T11:12:03.104+01:00The Big PictureA hundred years have passed since we brought our Most Noble Lord and established him in His rightful place as King of Gom Dalat and Emperor of the Furnace Coast. Throughout His glorious reign, He has time and time again demonstrated His commitment to peace and prosperity, freedom and stability, justice and mercy. While the rest of the region has been devastated by warfare, Our Most Noble Lord has kept us safe, entering conflict only when necessary to protect His charges from harm.<br /><br />It is with great pleasure I have been asked to speak at this banquet of the merchant guilds commemorating His centenary Jubilee. We are all beneficiaries of His strength and wisdom, and trade is only possible due to His stabilising influence.<br /><br />Going over His record as ruler, we only have to look to the early years for confirmation of our great fortune. As tales of the horrors of Seawell spread across the region, the jingoistic priests of Febril prepared for a brash assault against the Pit Fiend. Forging an alliance with the noble Dragonborn of the Island of Sunrest, their fleets sailed against Seawell. Our Most Noble Lord sent his emissaries to the Priests and to the Devils, urging against this war, stating time and time againg that this conflict would only bring ruin to all. <br /><br />His warnings were not heeded, the Furnace coast ran red the blood of devil, dragonborn and human alike. <br /><br />Still, our Lord was magnanimous, offering succour and shelter to the innocent refugees of this war. It was this that pulled him into war. A Pit Fiend does not understand the very concept of mercy or justice. A Pit Fiend cannot comprehend the nobility of Dragons, and so the Pit Fiend of Seawell betrayed us all, sending his armies against us. <br /><br />Dragonborn and Human united under Our Lord's blue banner, and we pushed the invader back. Sacrifices were made by all, but His leadership saw us through. <br /><br />It was then that Our Lord unleashed his most potent weapon. Drawing round him a circle of sorcerers from lost Febril, he oversaw the ritual that twisted the very fabric of reality and brought the forbidden lands out of the shadows. Out of these lands came a new army, fresh from an eternity in the primordial chaos, emerged. Once human, but now warped beyond recogniton, the Tieflings fell into the flanks of the retreating army, and the Pit Fiend was driven away from our world. <br /><br />When I now look at this assembled crowd, when I look at the prosperity of our beloved city, I know who I should thank. If it was not for the noble Dragon-nature of our Lord, we would have shared the fate of Febril and Seawell, now just ruins in the Marshlands. I propose that we raise our glasses in a toast to our rightful ruler!Insanodaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00242489353812329703noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-38825569527214960162010-04-30T09:47:00.003+01:002010-04-30T09:56:19.475+01:00Survival of the FattestRoly sneaks a peak through his fingers. The psychopathic tiny man has disapeared and all his children appear unharmed.<br />Looking around himself he sees the carnage of the furious but short lived battle.<br />Every single one of his ‘rescuers’ lie dead or dying.<br />He feels mixed emotions. He actually liked the Dwarf and the Were-bear and he felt a debt to the teenage Sorcerer. Ashamedly though, he's glad that the Elven Cleric Eolar was killed.<br />He spies Mendez craddling the massive Lizard-man Thesis in his arms. It looks like he’s trying to bind his equally massive wounds.<br />As quietly as possible, Roly ushers the boys, girls and Siren children back to the gate.<br />He is grateful when the two servants open it without fuss.<br />Without a backward glance at the mansion, wagons or treasure, Roly wobbles away back towards the city of Shalalah as fast as he can.<br />Reassured by the weight of the bulging purses on his belt, the multiple necklaces, broaches, bangles and the rings on every finger, Roly knows that he’ll have enough money to ensure a comfortable living for himself and a future for all of his charges.Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-27620919306460926442010-04-29T12:21:00.001+01:002010-04-29T12:21:32.003+01:00Buried in ExperienceWhoopsy.<br />After two years of giving the Party soft encounters I finally pitched an equal force at you.<br />We can pull apart the encounter later but I think our arrogance was our undoing.<br />Despite knowing that Estaban was prepared the Party still just ran around individually and hit separate targets.<br />Eolar actually did more harm to his own Party than the enemy!<br />Only Mara’ch showed any trace of self-preservation and so unsurprisingly he was the only one to survive.<br /><br />The final scores (In experience order):<br /><br />Mendez: Level 18: 153,026xp (Guilt ridden)<br />Eolar: Level 17: 147,998xp (Dead)<br />Thesis: Level 17: 143,195xp (KO’d but saved by Mendez and the Lizard lady)<br />Chen: Level 16: 127,436xp (Plotting against the Dragon)<br />Bodush: Level 16: 120,199xp (Dead)<br />Durin: Level 14: 105,213xp (Dead)<br />Wer: Level 14: 102,312xp (Plotting against the Pit fiend)<br />Hawkmoon: Level 14: 93,396xp (Guilt free)<br />Mara’ch: Level 14: 93,199xp (Still plotting how to get the diamonds back)<br />Ragnar: Level 13: 86,420xp (Dead)<br />Elogyn: Level 12: 74,556 xp (Saving the world regardless of if you want her to or not)<br />Ned: Level 6: 19,264 xp (Married and happy)<br />Kruddo: Level 6: 17,668 xp (Went back to the family mining business)Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-77251085150151993442010-04-29T11:19:00.001+01:002010-04-29T12:29:04.316+01:00The Speed of FoughtHappily Bodush and Eolar walk through the open gates into the courtyard of Estaban’s mansion.<br />There are many guards, but that’s to be expected, as they’ll be needed to protect the diamonds.<br />Thesis and Durin seem still baffled by their companions generosity but still follow them into the walled off courtyard.<br />Hawkmoon enters behind them but moves around unnoticed to the other side of the walled in area.<br />Mara’ch, still disguised as one of the children, enters with the entourage that the Party have accompanied or collected along their journey.<br />Ragnar, the surviving four sailors, the two Hamster-men, Roly and his adopted children, the Lizard-folk slaves and the Siren children.<br />Waiting by the far gate, Estaban calls out, “Welcome friends. Leave all of the diamonds by the fountain”.<br />It’s then that the Party notice Mendez and his brothers lining the walls. These walls aren’t particularly tall. 10’ at their lowest, 20’ at their highest.<br />The Party notices Mendez because he calls out through gritted teeth, “Half! Half is fair. My friends deserve somethi”.<br />Unfortunately he doesn’t get to finish his sentence before being interrupted by Bodush’s gasp of surprise as an arrow fired by Hawkmoon glances off the back of his head. Luckily this is due to the protection of the ‘Stone skin’ spell that was still in effect from the previous battle.<br />Suddenly Eolar and Bodush find themselves free from Estaban’s enchantment.Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-54957245434701387892010-04-28T10:42:00.000+01:002010-04-28T10:44:02.611+01:00Last MomentsEstaban strides out of his study to find Mendoza waiting for him.<br />“The diamonds are just hours away little brother. Is everything prepared?”<br />Mendoza mumbles in response.<br />“Yes Estaban. Everything is how you wanted it.”<br />“And the men?”<br />“Yes Estaban. The men will be waiting at the dock.”<br />“Excellent. Good work Mendoza.”<br />With that Estaban turns and walks off down the corridor, leaving the despondent Mendoza alone with his guilt.Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-6440444195453751102010-04-27T11:38:00.004+01:002010-04-27T11:55:14.173+01:00Yet another diary excerpt from Bodush' Infernal(Linguistically speaking) DiaryDear Diary,<br /><br />This philantrophy is a funny business. I must admit that I have at times questioned my judgement in leaping to the aid of Mendez' father in his, what I suspect(although my drunkenness on that has clouded my memory), quite dire financial circumstances. Hopefully the sacrifices that we( but mainly the sailors and the hamsters) made will allow him to keep his mansion, his servants, his stables and his luxurious lifestyle. Still, this whole adventure is making it painfully clear that my time in this group should come to an end. Even if we discount the whole Pit Fiend/Dragon debacle, I do feel as if our impact as a group has been a rather negative one on the world as a whole. <br /><br />Our unilateral interventions in various conflicts have had unforeseen consequences that have come back to haunt us. Even such a semmingly innocent endeavour as defending a gnomish village against orc raiders led to an upset in the local powerstructure that left an entire region at the mercy of the whims of a giant warlord. I hope that region appreciates what we had to do to rectify that situation. <br /><br />On the other hand, our current quest has done some good. Roly and his charges will soon be safe in civilisation, and we will finally have the chance to show Mendez that despite his incessant self-aggrandizing tales, we do seem him as a worthy member of our group. Still, I am getting more and more uncomfortable with my place in the group and the consequences of our actions. I think I will seriously consider the offer I have had from Szandor. <br /><br />Anyway, I have to go. My fellow travellers are concocting another crazy plot to extract liquour from a Magnificent Mansion on board a moving ship. I can't wait to get back Esteban.Insanodaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00242489353812329703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-77535700625241883592010-04-24T20:13:00.004+01:002010-04-24T20:18:20.003+01:00Worst Father Ever!No not Estaban...<br />Me!<br />It's my Boy's birthday on Tuesday.<br />Game date change to Wednesday 28th.<br />I hope no-one minds and everyone can make it.<br />Please, please. Pretty please.<br />So sorry.<br />Everyone make it and I promise this'll be the last session of this adventure.<br />I'll also bring jelly snakes as well as the beer.<br />Oh and sorry!Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-23238710309103820052010-04-21T16:43:00.001+01:002010-04-22T10:08:43.216+01:00The Babies on the Boat go Whaaa Whaaa WhaaaThe journey back is surprisingly uneventful. This is lucky because there’s scarcely room to swing Hawkmoon’s cat.<br /><br />The Elven Box-Ship contains:<br /><br />Thesis the hulking Lizard-man.<br /><br />The two Lizard-folk slaves.<br /><br />Durin the stout Dwarf.<br /><br />Eolar the tall Half Elf.<br /><br />The (thankfully) human sized Ragnar.<br /><br />Bodush the Sorcerer.<br /><br />Gajapan the tiny viper.<br /><br />Mara’ch the slightly larger Kobold.<br /><br />And his unnamed rat.<br /><br />Hawkmoon the Elven Archer.<br /><br />Rou the cat.<br /><br />Roly (the annoyingly obese) cleric.<br /><br />The two Hamster-men.<br /><br />The four Sailors.<br /><br />The three boys.<br /><br />The four girls.<br /><br />The three Siren children.<br /><br />A Riding horse.<br /><br />And last but not least: Meldo the donkey.<br /><br />A total of thirty-one creatures in a ship designed to hold fifteen.<br />Still if you get hungry…Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-73567033628168901562010-04-20T12:30:00.003+01:002010-04-20T12:36:19.047+01:00Volcanic ash stops playAs Sven is stuck somewhere is Europe and Moritz is sticking around in England for an extra week, tonight's game is cancelled...<br />Unless Assif, Scott, Josh and Moritz fancy a game today AND next week<br />If not, see you boys next week.Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-90665763401366477392010-04-12T14:52:00.004+01:002010-04-12T14:55:50.738+01:00New Banner: Wham, Bam, Thank you mam!We move from defenceless beauties engaged in lovemaking murdered without a thought to a much more significant battle.<br /><br />The Hag laid in wait for us to return and threw trolls, elementals and magic at us. <br />The party though were rather more troubled by the presence of a few unlocked doors.<br /><br />Having barged down door after door the Hag was at our mercy, but she most definitely still had the upper hand - Multiple Mirror Images, Mage Armour and a slew of spells ready to discharge.<br /><br />That is when we showed our true strength as a party: <br />Wham! Dispel Magic - Roll 18, 20, 20 - all defences down!<br />Bam! Feeble Mind - now uncapable of casting more<br />Thank You Mam! Cut to pieces by Sword and Claw!<br /><br />As powerful as we may seem right now, I can guarantee it is all Hubris - just wait till the next session ....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6g1llAeaiPjz_GUdsxk0NnaTsLh2UVgkncN3VkoP-AY0C4uE6yKpSbHKnoV_M8uqQ8rHBMjGHN8B0KCTYuZmXY30Bo8ocXuY6Dh42n7ZaXs6YL6krxFscPu5iwg3opAhqBjJXqN7Bm5l1/s1600/HagBannerFlat960.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6g1llAeaiPjz_GUdsxk0NnaTsLh2UVgkncN3VkoP-AY0C4uE6yKpSbHKnoV_M8uqQ8rHBMjGHN8B0KCTYuZmXY30Bo8ocXuY6Dh42n7ZaXs6YL6krxFscPu5iwg3opAhqBjJXqN7Bm5l1/s320/HagBannerFlat960.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459249298648946594" /></a>RoboGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979358871848745259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808106293896831146.post-24898063226652846132010-04-12T12:01:00.003+01:002010-04-12T14:45:32.655+01:00Boxy but GoodThe magical Elven box-ship is considerably smaller than the Gnomish Sky-ship but it can just about support the sailors, the Hamster-men, the adventurers and the assorted rescued refugees.<br />All eyes are on the sea for several days, but everyone relaxes when they realise that the dreaded Kraken won’t be resurfacing again.<br />Days turn into weeks but eventually the surviving Sailors inform you that Shalalah is only a few more days away…Hedzorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03608476268218419081noreply@blogger.com0