Endless Bag of Games

A lot happened during the session. One was captured, one was killed and one got in to spice business. We started by finishing my character’s departure in our Thranil campaign. That was done quick and the “voice of concience” left the party since he could no longer tolerate the course of actions. That done we continued our Aerithia campaign. (Sorry for the english.. too tired to check the spelling)

In our previous session Dwarf captain Redgar Telek hired our heroes to protect his ship against vicious pirates that were now threatning all the coastal movement near River coast. It was agreed that on tomorrow at midday the ship would set sails towards Telf Lamm. Our heroes spent their extra time at the lively city of Waterham… When they eventually head back to their inn, the innkeeper informed them that there was two individuals who asked about heroes whereabouts. A tiefling with beady eyes and a huge minotaur warrior full of strange-looking tattoos. They told the innkeeper that they would have a job for our heroes. That however was not the case…

Everyone was sleeping, expect for our eladrin ranger Hadarai who was… doing his weird eladrin stuff. Suddenly, the doors bashed open and rough looking ruffians attacked with poisonous blades. The attackers had the benefit of surprise but eventually they were not prepared enough. When the fight was resolved they got beaten badly. Heroes had survived and three of the attackers were captured during the attack. The innkeeper was lucky that his inn was carved to stone like other buildings in Waterham, since Alan made hell of a ruckus in the room bashing fireballs and other visual spells which lit the room in fire. Anyway, heroes were victorious. Victor however was missing and could not be found anywhere. His personal belongings were still at their usual place in his room.

Soon the Flaming Fist town guards arrived. The innkeeper explained the whole thing with the heroes who proved their worth by showing that they were actually pathfinders. Impressed, the guard in charge let the pathfinders go off the hook, since the standard procedure was to take everyone back to the barracks and there they would interrogate everyone involded. The man was kind enough to let the heroes participe in questionning the attackers. (Skill challenge)

They learned that the attackers had simple orders to capture them, alive if possible and take them to Meret’s Butchery at upper narrow street. Heroes soon decided to take action with the town guards. The sergeant appointed five guards to accompany the heroes and capture everyone involved in criminal schemes. It was a going to be a long night… They decided to visit Meret’s Butchery.

Gap and Hadarai entered building trough window in cinematic manner (but the execution was not so well performed, but it turned out well anyway. Funny moments though when you try to bash trough window and fail the check and end up hanging just outside the window). Dagur and Alan kicked the door and entered the butchery from front door. Upstairs, in the room, they saw the biggest minotaur they had ever seen. Minotaur was engulfed in strange symbols and was carrying nasty looking executioner’s axe and was wearing a scale mail.

The opponent turned out be very tough. Alan regognized the meaning of those symbols and discovered that they were symbols of Tamoo, evil god of the minotaurs. Other symbols included summoning of elemental fire and afflictions towards fire. Soon the heroes learned what was the meaning of those. Every time they hit the furious minotaur, fire bursted trough the attackers weapon damaging also the attacker. Gederon, the minotaur was a typical example of fearsome warrior with exotic abilities. Gederon laughed at the heroes that it was in vain their search for their friend. He told that their friend would eventually meet them… soon enough. As the fight went on our fighter Galvaren got killed and it was near that the minotaur took others with him when he finally perished… Fight took a cost.

After searching the building, they found a secret door leading to room full of ritual markings. They found only the robes of Victor and remains of a powerfull ritual they had witnessed before… it seemed that Victor has been a victim of Zin-Carla. Exhausted.. our heroes headed to the temple of Kord where Dagur plead that they could use the services of the church to resurrect their fallen ally. That however took time several hours and the clock was ticking. Redgar was waiting that the ship would set sails at midday…

It was midday when our heroes, Gap resurrected, went to the harbor and told Redgar that it was not possible for them to accompany the dwarf. As they suspected, Redgar became outraged, but Dagur took great effort comforting him by buying the man’s whole cargo. 5000 kg’s of spices. Dwarf was satisfied but, still little annoyed that his associates could not receive the shipment. So now, our heroes had 5000 kg’s of spices and some rented warehouse-space in the harbor. In addition only one hazy lead (after gathering more information and using speak with the dead ritual) that the tiefling had headed outside the city with wagons.

Frustrated the heroes decided to follow the only lead that they had which eventually took them to a settlement of goblins who were terrified that the group were associates of this fearsome tiefling who demanded to use their sacred table. The table was a teleportation circle. Destination was Shade Enclave in Netheril. Notorious floating city of mighty wizards. Because of Alan’s sharp eyes they noticed that tiefling had performed a ritual in there aswell and thus been teleported to somewhere else. They had lost the trail of Victor…

Feeling somewhat defeated, the heroes head back to Waterham, determined to gain enough wealth to gain necessary means to find ways to find their lost fellow. Now, it was time to get rid of the spices and get a job to have lots of money and fast. Spices were sold with terrible loss, but that was necessary and heroes were once again hired by Redgar.. who would kill them if they would fail him again… The pirate hunt was resumed.

You all know what “lean manufacturing” is right? Lately I’ve been having trouble with finding enough time for every campaign that I’m currently playing. There are three campaigns: Thranil, Aerithia (D&D 3,5 and 4th) and Confrontations (Star Wars SAGA). I have lots of schoolwork that I must currently focus on and the spring is going to be much tougher because of the exchange period in Shanghai (extra work to be done before march). So I now have decided to reduce the amount of gaming a bit. The decision falls on ending Thranil campaign (at my parts). Easy to do, my character recently died and.. well that’s about it. Good situation to leave the campaign even though it would not take long for my character to be resurrected. Ending Thranil and at the same time giving more time on our e-mail based games with my friend Jasca. This solution currently is the most suitable choice for me since e-mail based gaming is not dependent on time-factor. Those campaigns won’t take so much time and are still very enjoyable and deeper. I wrote about e-mail based games earlier here.

Lean manufacturing is about getting more value with less work. So “lean gaming” is about getting more out of roleplaying-games with less work

Few words about Thranil campaign in overall: I’ve been having confusing thoughts about this Thranil campaign for some time now. It’s been a long campaign and I still don’t know what the major plot is. We have a lots of freedom to do whatever we want, but eventually that has become boring. Lately it has been about dealing with random monsters and running away from authorities since we don’t have a common goal in the game. I mean the fellows I’m playing with are great and it’s been fun to play with them, but the campaign… well it is not my cup of tea. Anymore. It was LOTS OF FUN! while it lasted.. until it somehow changed. Or maybe it was me who changed, who knows Hard to explain..

I was supposed to write about what happened during this session, but I am not able to. Well.. I was there and all, but my character was unconcious and thus I spent whole session at the wonderful world of internet. Fun session! I must add. Anyways, no more Thranil session logs can be found from this webpage. Well.. I don’t think that people are pouring tears because of this

[EDIT] Latest information that I have is that Rashnak actually did not die in the latest evets, but instead was just unconcious. That however does not change things, I still have to reduce time at the gaming table.

Today, I made a big decision concerning about my character in this campaign. Our Thranil campaign has been a really big sandbox-style of a game and we have been playing it quite a long time (at least that is my opinion). The character I am playing in this campaign is one of my.. let’s say the character is the one character I’m most fond of. So before I write about what happened during the session, I must light up a bit about the character, his point of view about the world and how he sees it.

He’s name is Rashnak Vokon, a half-orc druid from a travelling village. Raised in a loving home despite people’s attitude towards him. When he got older, a wondering druid found out about his abilities and taught him the foundation so he later became a druid and decided to have a little adventure with his brother and few of his friends. First he was naive, didn’t know much about the world when he started his journey in the big world. He’s alignment was chaotic good, always ready to help those in need since he was been mistreated in his young life. He would not allow same thing to happen to others, since he thought that world is a good place, or at least, it should be.

During the course of adventures he learned that world is a cold place, people did not care what was happening around them. Eventually Rashnak and his friends decided to work for a certain individual. At first Rashnak thought that the job would have a meaning so he was enthusiastic, ready to do what he could. However, the course of actions eventually showed, that there were no honor either in this individual, or even in the ones he was plotting against. People were conspiring against each other. Trying only to benefit themselves. One of Rashnak’s friends even Rashnak himself got killed during these actions. In this point something happened, Rashnak lost what he got and his alignment turned to neutral. He turned to Obad-Hai, god of the forests to seek guidance in his actions.

For a long time the party travelled from place to place, doing whatever was necessary to gain wealth and fame. They got enemies, they were accused for treason they were just as anyone else. Looking for their own benefit. At this point Rashnak left the party and headed to north, to seek himself and what was happening in the world. There were rumors and it was clear that something big was going to happen. Rashnak witnessed armies of desert folk gathering in the south, armies of giants in the west. Frustrated he tried warn the villages, warn the people he knew to be in greater position than him. Whatever he did, he felt that it was all in vain. People did not listen to him. Not the peasants nor the captain of the guard of the city. Everything seemed to be just in vain. Frustrated he sought his old friends again, wanting to know what they were up to.

His friends were in trouble, following the same pattern what has been going on until this day. They had some new friends, but still no one was driving towards goodness as Rashnak had witnessed so many times. Now, having witnessed the coldness of the world he decided to tag along with them for the time being. Time passed and Rashnak became every day a little more cynical.

Now it’s time to go trough what happened today’s session. We encountered the menace which was threatening the dwarves. The great white dragon. The heroes were victorious and the threat were now more. While we trudged onwards in the hopes of finding the dragons lair Rashnak noticed a band of travelers in the distance. Since it was really strange to see anyone in these parts the group agreed that Rashnak would go and talk with them.

Rashnak approached in the form of white hawk. Approaching carefully, showing no signs of hostility towards them. The group about 15 people and with them were few wolves. Rashnak quickly noticed, that these people were druids as well so he took his natural form and headed to greet them: “I am Rashak Vokon, a druid as you clearly noticed” he said to their leader who had approached Rashnak as well. “Why are you travelling these lands?” the man asked. “You’re travelling very close to the domain of the Big Cold, and he does not like intruders in his lands.” the man said. “I have introduced myself, who are you people and who is this Big Cold you speak of.” Rashnak inquired. “My name is Haraim. The Big Cold one is the protector of these lands, we have his permission to live here, and he protects us from ice-worms and other foul hazards.”

Now Rashnak knew what they had done, killed their protector even without thinking about the situation more truly. Rashnak felt ashamed, since they had done something irreversible.

“Why are you here” Haraim asked again. “The dwarves of Snowpeak have sent adventurers to stop the creature from killing them. “I fear that something has happened to your protector” Rashnak said and continued. “I tell this to you as druid would to another. I know I am a messenger of bad news, but there has been a misunderstanding.” Rashnak said boldly. He felt really ashamed that he didn’t think of such a possibility. Now he and his friends had done something really bad. “Impossible!” The man replied. “What size is this army who have come to these lands!?” Haraim practically yelled and people behind him weren’t looking exactly happy. “I wouldn’t say it is an army” Rashnak said quietly and his thoughts were running wildly.

What have I done, I am responsible this to happen and it is my responsibility of dealing with this situation. Oh, Obad-Hai who are in heavens.. help me with this.

“The group is only six men, me included. I am here to tell you that something terrible has happened and I am a man enough to said it to you face to face. I have even proof, your protector is dead. I hope that if your next actions are considering that everything here has happened due to a misunderstanding” Rashnak told him and continued to tell him why they eventually had come here. Leaving outside the actual names and places why exactly they had arrived. “We are responsible, we have acted without knowing. I hope you people consider your actions” Rashnak plead Haraim, but the response he got was simply “You will pay for this, kill him.”

The world paused around Rashnak, he thought everything what he was gone trough, what he had became and for a moment he felt the righteousness in his heart. First he acted to protect himself, but quickly he realized that there was no point. He could defend himself, but to what end. By dying he would possibly justify the actions they had done wrong, protect his companions and possibly protect even the dwarves from further hatred. He stopped, pled to Haraim for the last time and turned to his god. Rashnak showed no resistance when the winter wolves came and tore his flesh…

This fine image is from (http://www.crystalnewton.com/images/fineart/howling%20wolf.GIF)

The events went almost like that, I am sorry if there are mistakes that I have made, but that however delivers quite well what happened. What I thought when we were playing: “I could let my character get away of this and possibly even kill them and take their stuff”. Then again I was thinkin also, that “Rashnak is not a character who can go on without a cause. He has principles and there have been only few opportunities to roleplay the character for a while.” So I decided to, on the expense of my fondest character, roleplay him. Play him well even it would mean that it isn’t the smartest thing to do. Of course as a player I will “mourn” when he dies, but I rather let the character die than go on playing a character who cannot do the things he so much wanted to do. Rashnak is/was a hero, one who could not deliver what he held most dear to him and that led him to this situation. It would have been cruel NOT to play him how I did considering what kind of character he is/was.

So here is another session log from our Thranil Campaign. Session was, well, as gaming sessions usually are. Not too astonishing and amazing, but fun anyway.

The dwarves of Snowpeak weren’t too eager to deal with us, so we had to find alternative ways to impress them in order to get our “voice heard”. We heard that there were somekind of monster lurking nearby and it had caused problems in the area. Naturally we decided, that it would be a good idea to slay the beast and get attention this way.

So after careful planning we headed to the area where the monster was supposed to be. We quickly found out that the actual “threat” was a cohort of a white dragon who lived nearby, so the actual threat was this huge dragon. Our heroes, unfortunately, have had some bad experiences with those creatures before. In addition to this, we were harassed by Tramel’s guards (a mining city quite far away and yes, our heroes have a quite reputation almost everywhere in Thranil). They tried to capture us, but the resistance was too much for them to handle so they fled.

So we spent our days trudging onwards trying to find the dragon’s lair. It how ever proved to be quite a difficult task. So after fighting our ways trough worm infested territorries our wizard conjured a planar ally to help us. Air elemental who finally did get the job done for us. Eventually we encountered the white dragon and just when the fight was about to start, we decided to continue some other time…

So the next session is going to be our Aerithia Campaign. And the session is run by Outeq, which gives me the possibility to play my rogue/feylock trickster!! Ahh..

There isn’t much to tell about this session. I managed to miss the last session so I was little confused on what was actually going on. We were trying to gain information about a place where the “strings of life are woven again” and that is the reason we where currently visiting a very old dwarf stronghold at snowpeak.

Unfortunately there were some malfunctioning in the teleportation spell so we ended up in three different locations. When there are three groups and all groups are played separately with the Dungeon master, there isn’t much you can do while you wait the other players to “finish”

This session was more or less about good old Sould Calibur 3 and little roleplaying as we trudged onwards to our destination. Maybe the other players had something else to do than Rashnak and Gael, but that’s the way it is sometimes

So it’s time for my first post about our Thranil (Dungeons and dragons 3.5) campaign. Mainly I’m going to write about what happened during gaming session. At the end of this post you can see a little description about player characters. I don’t actually know everything about player characters since I was absent from this campaign for a while. Because of that, the introduction of player characters is somewhat short.

We continued our session in the middle of nowhere. Near the southern end of Krainn-mountains in the middle-parts of Thranil. We were there since Rashnak had found out that there were a little army of giants camped there taking great care of keeping their camp hidden. Our group have had some difficulties in many cities so they’re wanted for treason and some other things. So hunting giants in the middle of nowhere was actually quite a good idea.

We were running. A group of thirty trolls and ogres were after us since our presence was soon noticed after we had slayed few hunting parties they had sent out from their camp. Soon, we found a little natural cavern which was just enough for Rashnak’s large friend to squeeze in. After few stone shapes we had concealed the entrance and we had time finally for some rest. Or we thought that.. The giants weren’t all that stupid. They had their ways of tracking and soon they found out where we were. They were coming, until we headed deeper and collapsed the entrance. Now we had our time for the long longed resting.

While we were resting we actually now had some time to actually talk about what we were going to do next. Jack started to talk about a place where strings of life could be rearranged. Place of great wonder and amazement. After a few successful knowledge checks we decided to learn more about this ancient place. We had virtually no idea where to look from, but we no had time for that. We couldn’t do anything about army of giants so now, when they thought that we were dead, we could head for somewhere else and return later on if necessary. You can thank us Dungeon Master you’re welcome. The only leads that we had was that in Snowtop, big dwarven settlement in the north, we could find some leads since our groups Marduk and Dzergar were from there. But in order to go “back” to Snowtop we needed to retrieve some lost heirloom which was lost during our adventuring…

So once again, we headed to Merien, a biggest coastal city in eastern Thranil, where the heirlooms (shields) were supposed to be. This part of the session was a highlight for our bard who, by himself, managed to retrieve them after manipulating some lieutenant with dominate spell. Excellent work, considering our group had FAILed several times before when we had tried to retrieve them. Soon our bards little trick was found out and once again we fled the city in a haste. Mambojambo and *gasp! Teleport and we were in Tramel. First stop on our way to Snowtop. This is where the session ended. Nice session altogether and it was once again proved that Dungeon master rarely anticipates what the player characters are up to Next.. player characters:

Gael Gel’dun is an elf, skilled working in shadows and using some flashy art of swordfighting. Always eager to earn money or stab someone, if it is needed.

Marduk and Dzergar Fireshield. Marduk is a Favored Soul of Moradin while Dzergar is a fighter/wizard some weird combination I don’t remember. Both like beer and keep things simple and blunt.

Jack Trench is a bard and something else. He is a con man who for some reason is one the side of goodness or at least at some parts. I don’t actually know much about his character so that’s enough of that.

Duensel. Wizard, don’t know much about him. Lots and lots of teleporting by his hands.

Rashnak Vokon. This is my character, a druid who travels with his animal companion brown bear called Jargon. Rashnak is a neutral character. Sometimes he thinks things trough. Sometimes he don’t. Sublety is not his forte. This character has been more of an npc in other campaigns so sometimes I have even difficulties to play with him nowadays.