For a very long time, I held a remarkable record in gaming. I had the same character for 18 real months of campaign, gaming almost every week. For those of you familiar with Warhammer 3rd edition (and if you’re not, get familiar, you’ll love it) I had over 40 XP with Candy. She would kill or heal with relative ease. I knew her in some ways better than I knew myself. I used her life to help me work out issues with my own. She was another version of me. I loved playing her.
Everything eventually changes or ends. It came time for Candy to retire. It was the only right decision for her, really. She just married the love of her life, they adopted a daughter. She needed time to be with her family and recover from all the bad stuff that just happened. It was cool. I was cool.
Rel was my next character. Putting on someone else’s skin was harder than I thought, and that part of the story was very dark. A few games before it happened, I had a good idea how it was going to end. I was right. Surrounded by guards, about to be captured, Rel killed herself. It was the right decision. I was still cool, but anxious to create a character I could be with for a while.
So Jason allowed me to just pick a class, something that normally people have to do by random in Warhamer 3rd Edition. I wanted to be a wizard. I had never tried anything like that. Together we decided my character would be from Kislev, and an Ice Witch!! I created magic cards unique to my background and read extensively on Kislev. Last night, I lost that character, too.
Now I have to create another character, this one temporary to finish out the mini story we are on, and then likely another character when this arch is over. Yep, that is 5 characters in 4 months. Sigh.
My response is perfectly logical. I am going to amass an army. Now this is not like my friend Eric’s character army. When he was younger he got bored and rolled up over 100 characters. He created so many that our friend Wil created a special dungeon whose sole purpose was to kill those characters off. My army will not be characters. My army will be a troop of female miniatures, so I have a great mini for any new character I need to create. Two by two, like the arch, I will get at least two of every race and class I am interested in playing. After all, a great female mini is hard to come by (which would make a great blog topic). I have been on Reaper’s website www.reapermini.com for over an hour now making my list of possible figures, and earlier today I bought my first two. After all, games are unpredictable. The least I can do is be prepared.
Now while creating an army of minis is a little extreme, have you ever bought a mini because you thought they looked cool? Have you ever created a character based on a mini that you love? I find myself now wanting to play a game with vampires just based on some of what I’ve found but first I need to create a warrior that can deal with the Chaos Wastes, and hopefully survive the next two or three games…
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Preparing for the End at Creation
There is one question that one of my best friends asks me often about my characters: “What is your character’s endpoint?” It always struck me as a bit of an odd question, because I while I have a good idea where my character is going next, I never would swear where they will end up. Meanwhile, even when my friend is creating a character, he has a good idea where he wants that character to end.
I think that some of this is due to what systems we cut our teeth in. My friend has played a lot of D&D (and tons of other systems), all versions. In that, you have a pretty well defined character path, and there are certainly rewards for plotting out your character’s entire existence before you get in and play.
Meanwhile, I learned by playing Warhammer, 3rd edition. In that, you can change your characters career completely at any time. What your character’s career is ties in heavily to the story line. For example, in my gaming history, Candy is the best example. When I created her, she was a barber-surgeon. Then, in game we needed someone who could pick locks and sneak better, so I had her train with a thief and become a thief. When it came time for her to change class, she had to assassinate the man who killed her parents. Welcome to being an assassin! Then, at long last, with that done, she was able to finally go back to her roots, transitioning to physician. If I had continued playing her, I planned for her to train in apothecary next, but who knows? All the other careers were reactionary, except the first and last.
I really do think that while end points work with other systems, they do not with Warhammer. Even my friend that introduced me to endpoints got burned in Warhammer. His original concept was to take his character from pauper merchant to noble. In the words of Phil from the Hangover, “Yeah. That’s not going to happen.” When that character left the group on he was a duelist and a bit of a lovable scoundrel, but no closer to being a prince. Matter as fact, he had just learned his biological father was not a noble, but a Reiklander merchant.
Is it better to know the character’s end toward the beginning? Are you exactly where you thought you would be when you were a kid? As a kid I thought I would either be a single comic book writer or a single scholar. I am a very happily married chef. I thought I would have a daughter by 27. I am past that age with no child of either sex in sight. If the system rewards you heavily for knowing where you will end up, or offers you limited options, then by all means, make a rough sketch. But if you have never tried just going with the flow, try it and see if it helps you immerse yourself into the world.
I think that some of this is due to what systems we cut our teeth in. My friend has played a lot of D&D (and tons of other systems), all versions. In that, you have a pretty well defined character path, and there are certainly rewards for plotting out your character’s entire existence before you get in and play.
Meanwhile, I learned by playing Warhammer, 3rd edition. In that, you can change your characters career completely at any time. What your character’s career is ties in heavily to the story line. For example, in my gaming history, Candy is the best example. When I created her, she was a barber-surgeon. Then, in game we needed someone who could pick locks and sneak better, so I had her train with a thief and become a thief. When it came time for her to change class, she had to assassinate the man who killed her parents. Welcome to being an assassin! Then, at long last, with that done, she was able to finally go back to her roots, transitioning to physician. If I had continued playing her, I planned for her to train in apothecary next, but who knows? All the other careers were reactionary, except the first and last.
I really do think that while end points work with other systems, they do not with Warhammer. Even my friend that introduced me to endpoints got burned in Warhammer. His original concept was to take his character from pauper merchant to noble. In the words of Phil from the Hangover, “Yeah. That’s not going to happen.” When that character left the group on he was a duelist and a bit of a lovable scoundrel, but no closer to being a prince. Matter as fact, he had just learned his biological father was not a noble, but a Reiklander merchant.
Is it better to know the character’s end toward the beginning? Are you exactly where you thought you would be when you were a kid? As a kid I thought I would either be a single comic book writer or a single scholar. I am a very happily married chef. I thought I would have a daughter by 27. I am past that age with no child of either sex in sight. If the system rewards you heavily for knowing where you will end up, or offers you limited options, then by all means, make a rough sketch. But if you have never tried just going with the flow, try it and see if it helps you immerse yourself into the world.
NPCs VS PCs… is there a difference?
There have been several games recently when the issue of whether an NPC (non-player character) or PC (player character) have different values in the game. Obviously, PCs are those characters played by the gamers at the table. NPCs are those characters that the DM plays, but are essential to the story line and inhabit the world just like the PCs. The interaction between the PCs and NPCs is what pulls a story forward.
I think that much of how you feel about NPCs vs PCs depends on how you see the game and the world. I my mind, the gaming world is just that, a world. It is filled with people. My character, Zarnian in Dark Sun, for example, just sees people. Hamdi killed her lover. Denning is one of her best friends. Barok is like a brother. Two of these are NPCs, one is not. It does not matter.
But, I find that some players, especially those coming from a Dungeons and Dragons background, see player characters as being better and superior to non player characters. Somehow, no matter what other player characters do, it is ok, because they are, after all, player characters. My friend told me in the past she gamed with a guy who had his characters just start killing simple farmers in a bar because he was bored. That was the only time she played in that game.
Another thing that some players do is treat NPCs like tools to be used and discarded. One player had a history where he had been raised with another character (a NPC) their whole lives, but he said “I would let him be killed in a second if it meant me getting away”.
I game because it allows me to easily submerge into another world. That world is populated with many other people. In fact, it is filled with a world’s worth of people. Five or so of those are my fellow gamers, but the rest are technically NPCs. However, I don’t see any differences between any of them. Some of good, some are bad, some I kill and some I protect with my life. Trying to see a difference between them drives me insane.
But that is just my experience. What is your gaming experience? Do you see NPCs and PCs as fundamentally different or do you see them the same? If you see them as different do you see other parts of your world as being artificial? Does it feel like you’re in the Matrix? If you see them all as the same how does that affect your view of your gaming world?
I think that much of how you feel about NPCs vs PCs depends on how you see the game and the world. I my mind, the gaming world is just that, a world. It is filled with people. My character, Zarnian in Dark Sun, for example, just sees people. Hamdi killed her lover. Denning is one of her best friends. Barok is like a brother. Two of these are NPCs, one is not. It does not matter.
But, I find that some players, especially those coming from a Dungeons and Dragons background, see player characters as being better and superior to non player characters. Somehow, no matter what other player characters do, it is ok, because they are, after all, player characters. My friend told me in the past she gamed with a guy who had his characters just start killing simple farmers in a bar because he was bored. That was the only time she played in that game.
Another thing that some players do is treat NPCs like tools to be used and discarded. One player had a history where he had been raised with another character (a NPC) their whole lives, but he said “I would let him be killed in a second if it meant me getting away”.
I game because it allows me to easily submerge into another world. That world is populated with many other people. In fact, it is filled with a world’s worth of people. Five or so of those are my fellow gamers, but the rest are technically NPCs. However, I don’t see any differences between any of them. Some of good, some are bad, some I kill and some I protect with my life. Trying to see a difference between them drives me insane.
But that is just my experience. What is your gaming experience? Do you see NPCs and PCs as fundamentally different or do you see them the same? If you see them as different do you see other parts of your world as being artificial? Does it feel like you’re in the Matrix? If you see them all as the same how does that affect your view of your gaming world?
Friday, September 16, 2011
Zarnian’s Journal 9/15/2011
We escaped Tyr, but needed a place to shelter. Ohzon has many contacts here and suggested that we shelter with Lady Jamaya, a Sky Follower who has a great deal of wealth. The estate was only about 15-20 minutes’ walk outside Tyr, so we traveled. When we arrived, the guards would not allow Ohzon access to her. They were four well armed city guards, but luckily, one of the serving girls saw him and altered the Lady. She asked us to return the following night, but said that we could not stay because her husband was there. She also has a particular contempt of slaves, which she assumes Barok and I are. Leaving the estate for the night was what we needed, but it was also where Cael was supposed to meet us. Therefore, Padras and Xanus stayed behind to wait and hide in the Farrow fields so she would not be alone when she came. Ohzon, Barok, and I found a small inn on the roadside from town. It was packed due to the fact the gates had closed early that day. Ohzon paid another to leave their room, so we could have it.
The next night we traveled back to the estate as we were bidden to do by the Lady of the estate. She ushered Ohzon inside where he apparently showed her more than the wonders of the sky judging by the happy sounds coming from inside. Meanwhile, we were given berth in the slaves quarters and cactus needle bread. Cael still had not appeared. Padras was visibly shaken. He was starting to fear that something has happened to her. We made plans to go into town the next day but that night he showed me what he was carrying – scroll with writing unlike any I had ever seen. I gave him my paper, quills and ink and helped him copy it. The following day, we traveled into Tyr. Since we were hoping to attract the minimum amount of attention, just we two traveled, wrapped in desert gear. The guards were not concerned about who they allowed inside, so we slipped in. Then, we headed for the elven market. The place was swarming with templars and other guards, some of which immediately started staring at Padras more than was warranted. I overheard that a male wizard had been killed. Immediately in my heart I knew it was Aegon. Padras did not want to believe it, but instinct is what keeps you alive in the ring, and mine told me our link to the resistance was dead.
Once we traveled back to the plantation, we found the others in the Crodlu barn. Ohzon said that while Lady Jamaya traveled to Tyr in order to arrange other prominent templar husbands and wives to meet Ohzon, but she came back in tears because her husband had killed one wizard and captured another, this one a woman. We all knew that he was holding Cael. Ohzon searched the house for clues. He found a crystal. Xanus read it, discovering that Cael was being held in Under Tyr and the templars were trying to break her mind.
We are leaving the plantation and heading for Tyr. We will either rescue Cael or we will die in the attempt. But I will save Cael for Trakas. I will not fail.
The next night we traveled back to the estate as we were bidden to do by the Lady of the estate. She ushered Ohzon inside where he apparently showed her more than the wonders of the sky judging by the happy sounds coming from inside. Meanwhile, we were given berth in the slaves quarters and cactus needle bread. Cael still had not appeared. Padras was visibly shaken. He was starting to fear that something has happened to her. We made plans to go into town the next day but that night he showed me what he was carrying – scroll with writing unlike any I had ever seen. I gave him my paper, quills and ink and helped him copy it. The following day, we traveled into Tyr. Since we were hoping to attract the minimum amount of attention, just we two traveled, wrapped in desert gear. The guards were not concerned about who they allowed inside, so we slipped in. Then, we headed for the elven market. The place was swarming with templars and other guards, some of which immediately started staring at Padras more than was warranted. I overheard that a male wizard had been killed. Immediately in my heart I knew it was Aegon. Padras did not want to believe it, but instinct is what keeps you alive in the ring, and mine told me our link to the resistance was dead.
Once we traveled back to the plantation, we found the others in the Crodlu barn. Ohzon said that while Lady Jamaya traveled to Tyr in order to arrange other prominent templar husbands and wives to meet Ohzon, but she came back in tears because her husband had killed one wizard and captured another, this one a woman. We all knew that he was holding Cael. Ohzon searched the house for clues. He found a crystal. Xanus read it, discovering that Cael was being held in Under Tyr and the templars were trying to break her mind.
We are leaving the plantation and heading for Tyr. We will either rescue Cael or we will die in the attempt. But I will save Cael for Trakas. I will not fail.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Issill’s Journal 9/12/2011
Hi to all those who read this blog. Last week you might know that my normal Warhammer Character Rel killed herself. This made the most game sense and character sense. This is still the Warhammer game, but it now follow the adventures of Moh instead of Ian for a while. My new character, Issill is an Ice Witch Apprentice from Kislev as you can tell. Read on and write with any questions.
-Madelyn
Issill’s Journal 9/12/2011
My mistress and I arrived in the city of Nuln. We are tracking a weapon of great chaos power that the Ice Queen wants to know more of. It threatens us all. Being only a novice, it is a perilous and frightening journey but I will do as commanded.
My mistress learned that a local professor at an engineering college has knowledge of the weapon. He has a student, Hugh, who likes me a bit more than I find comfortable, and he invited me to a party. Since I might be able to gain insight into Hugh and the professor then, my mistress commanded me to attend. It was unlike I expected, filled with drugs and sex. The professor took many drugs. As he was passing out I leaned over, whispering in his hear to tell me about the cannon. He said it spoke to him, that it knew his name. One of the professor’s older students was writing in a book, and had the same chaos look as his mentor. His name was Adolphus, and propositioned me sexually, so I did what I needed to. I pleasured him in exchange for looking at the journal. Inside was a picture of the cannon and ever increasing madness in his words including “It knows my name! How can a weapon know my name?” I left his side, returning to Hugh’s. After the party was over, I asked where I could meet him later, then went to meet my mistress. After telling her all that I knew, she said she would deal with Adolphus who wanted to meet with her later. She commanded me to meet with two dwarves that might prove useful to our pursuit of the cannon.
First, however, I met with Hugh and convinced him to help me steal Adolphus’ journal. He agreed, thinking it was a prank. We went to his apartment with a duplicate journal in which Hugh had written bad poetry and drawn pictures of penises. However, when we arrived at the apartment, it was apparent that he left with the intention of not returning.
At this point, I decided to involve the dwarves. Hugh accompanied me. We made contact with them. After talking to them and learning they are as dedicated to discovering the cannon as I, the surly dwarf, Moh, proposed that we return to Hugh’s apartment to look for clues. We did, and discovered a small crawlway behind his dresser. I entered, encountering walls full of notes pasted to the walls. These notes show that he was working on the volley gun and it slowly corrupted his mind. The last entry was about killing my mistress. Then I saw the image of Slaanesh it corrupted my mind, leaving only the perfection of numbers swirling around.
I recovered enough that we knew we had to find Adolphus. We traveled to the imperial college of engineering in time to see a huge covered weapon being escorted from the college. The quiet dwarf and I followed the cannon while the grumpy dwarf and Hugh stayed at the college. After we had traveled for a time following the volley gun, I saw Adolphus join the guards with the journal in hand and a horrible gleam in his eye. I feared for my mistress’ life. Leaving the quiet dwarf to follow the cannon I ran through the streets, asking about Mistress Anya and where she might be. I finally found a small bar where she was supposed to be. I found traces of her magic but not her, only a bartender and three men. When I tried to demand where she was, they attacked, after proclaiming they had ‘Killed one bitch’ and could kill another. I managed to freeze one, but the magic was not easy to draw upon. Then I got shot with a crossbow bolt and stabbed. Bleeding badly, I ran from the bar and made my way back to the location I was supposed to meet the others. They got me some medical help but I refused to rest, instead insisting that we chase the cannon.
Once we arrived at the cannon’s location, a barn outside town, we prepared to attack, but saw it was too late. Adolphus, the eight guards, and all the population of this small town were slaughtered by Chaos Knights. The cannon is now in their hands. We must pursue the cannon and recover it if possible, or destroy it if not.
-Madelyn
Issill’s Journal 9/12/2011
My mistress and I arrived in the city of Nuln. We are tracking a weapon of great chaos power that the Ice Queen wants to know more of. It threatens us all. Being only a novice, it is a perilous and frightening journey but I will do as commanded.
My mistress learned that a local professor at an engineering college has knowledge of the weapon. He has a student, Hugh, who likes me a bit more than I find comfortable, and he invited me to a party. Since I might be able to gain insight into Hugh and the professor then, my mistress commanded me to attend. It was unlike I expected, filled with drugs and sex. The professor took many drugs. As he was passing out I leaned over, whispering in his hear to tell me about the cannon. He said it spoke to him, that it knew his name. One of the professor’s older students was writing in a book, and had the same chaos look as his mentor. His name was Adolphus, and propositioned me sexually, so I did what I needed to. I pleasured him in exchange for looking at the journal. Inside was a picture of the cannon and ever increasing madness in his words including “It knows my name! How can a weapon know my name?” I left his side, returning to Hugh’s. After the party was over, I asked where I could meet him later, then went to meet my mistress. After telling her all that I knew, she said she would deal with Adolphus who wanted to meet with her later. She commanded me to meet with two dwarves that might prove useful to our pursuit of the cannon.
First, however, I met with Hugh and convinced him to help me steal Adolphus’ journal. He agreed, thinking it was a prank. We went to his apartment with a duplicate journal in which Hugh had written bad poetry and drawn pictures of penises. However, when we arrived at the apartment, it was apparent that he left with the intention of not returning.
At this point, I decided to involve the dwarves. Hugh accompanied me. We made contact with them. After talking to them and learning they are as dedicated to discovering the cannon as I, the surly dwarf, Moh, proposed that we return to Hugh’s apartment to look for clues. We did, and discovered a small crawlway behind his dresser. I entered, encountering walls full of notes pasted to the walls. These notes show that he was working on the volley gun and it slowly corrupted his mind. The last entry was about killing my mistress. Then I saw the image of Slaanesh it corrupted my mind, leaving only the perfection of numbers swirling around.
I recovered enough that we knew we had to find Adolphus. We traveled to the imperial college of engineering in time to see a huge covered weapon being escorted from the college. The quiet dwarf and I followed the cannon while the grumpy dwarf and Hugh stayed at the college. After we had traveled for a time following the volley gun, I saw Adolphus join the guards with the journal in hand and a horrible gleam in his eye. I feared for my mistress’ life. Leaving the quiet dwarf to follow the cannon I ran through the streets, asking about Mistress Anya and where she might be. I finally found a small bar where she was supposed to be. I found traces of her magic but not her, only a bartender and three men. When I tried to demand where she was, they attacked, after proclaiming they had ‘Killed one bitch’ and could kill another. I managed to freeze one, but the magic was not easy to draw upon. Then I got shot with a crossbow bolt and stabbed. Bleeding badly, I ran from the bar and made my way back to the location I was supposed to meet the others. They got me some medical help but I refused to rest, instead insisting that we chase the cannon.
Once we arrived at the cannon’s location, a barn outside town, we prepared to attack, but saw it was too late. Adolphus, the eight guards, and all the population of this small town were slaughtered by Chaos Knights. The cannon is now in their hands. We must pursue the cannon and recover it if possible, or destroy it if not.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Xanus vs the Kank
From our game last Wednesday. Don't be late to the table, or odd things happen to your mini...
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Looking in the Mirror
There are many things that gaming continues to teach me, and many ways in which it continues to surprise me. I did not think when I first started that gaming would be my therapist in so many ways, or that it would teach me a thousand things about myself that I didn’t know.
I have been gaming two years now, and most of those have been spent in two long running campaigns. During this time, I have had two primary characters (a a dozen minors that basically acted like NPCs in other people’s games). Those two primary characters, Candy and Zarnian taught me many things about myself. For instance, both women are very strong willed. Anyone who knows me will be shocked at this, I know. Both characters care deeply for their friends and lovers. And speaking of lovers, both characters showed me things about my husband's and my relationship that I didn’t even know.
First, Candy gradually fell in love with another character, Adalard. Adalard was never meant to be Candy’s lover. I even had her semi-engaged to another man in her back story. But, Adalard was an NPC, which meant he was played by Jason. Adalard was shy, a little insecure, and very sweet. He was the one that took primary care of the six year old girl we found, and by the time he explained how though her parents were gone, they would always love and look after her, Candy was head over heels. It was still months of real and game time before she acted on it, and now they are married. I learned that all those qualities Jason brought out of himself to play Adalard were things I cherished about Jason.
So when it came to Zarnian, I was pretty determined to not have her fall for an NPC. After all, I already did that with a character and I am not about duplication. Nine months have gone by of Zarnian not falling for an NPC. She even had a few night affair with another player character, but that fell apart before it even started. I thought, I’ll keep her single. That was, until Trakas. Trakas is a character Jason created who is mysterious, strong, and has Jason’s actual laugh and smile. That laugh and smile are kryptonite. Zarnian has developed a huge crush on Trakas. Stuff happened last week in game that prevents her from acting on that crush, but I still learned that Jason’s laugh and smile can make me happy no matter what reality I am in or what I am doing.
Gaming has taught me many more things about myself besides what attracts me to my husband, but that can all be saved for other posts. So what has gaming taught you about any of your relationships or yourself? I would love to know. You can always reach me at thebadkittybakery@gmail.com.
I have been gaming two years now, and most of those have been spent in two long running campaigns. During this time, I have had two primary characters (a a dozen minors that basically acted like NPCs in other people’s games). Those two primary characters, Candy and Zarnian taught me many things about myself. For instance, both women are very strong willed. Anyone who knows me will be shocked at this, I know. Both characters care deeply for their friends and lovers. And speaking of lovers, both characters showed me things about my husband's and my relationship that I didn’t even know.
First, Candy gradually fell in love with another character, Adalard. Adalard was never meant to be Candy’s lover. I even had her semi-engaged to another man in her back story. But, Adalard was an NPC, which meant he was played by Jason. Adalard was shy, a little insecure, and very sweet. He was the one that took primary care of the six year old girl we found, and by the time he explained how though her parents were gone, they would always love and look after her, Candy was head over heels. It was still months of real and game time before she acted on it, and now they are married. I learned that all those qualities Jason brought out of himself to play Adalard were things I cherished about Jason.
So when it came to Zarnian, I was pretty determined to not have her fall for an NPC. After all, I already did that with a character and I am not about duplication. Nine months have gone by of Zarnian not falling for an NPC. She even had a few night affair with another player character, but that fell apart before it even started. I thought, I’ll keep her single. That was, until Trakas. Trakas is a character Jason created who is mysterious, strong, and has Jason’s actual laugh and smile. That laugh and smile are kryptonite. Zarnian has developed a huge crush on Trakas. Stuff happened last week in game that prevents her from acting on that crush, but I still learned that Jason’s laugh and smile can make me happy no matter what reality I am in or what I am doing.
Gaming has taught me many more things about myself besides what attracts me to my husband, but that can all be saved for other posts. So what has gaming taught you about any of your relationships or yourself? I would love to know. You can always reach me at thebadkittybakery@gmail.com.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Zarnian's Journal 9-7-2011
Bali’s funeral was today. It is a sad day to say the least.
Two days have gone past the funeral. Already Trinidas is trying to restore the house to some level of normality. He mourns his son, of course, and wants revenge. We have the shell of Rokan. Xanus volunteered to probe his mind, a tactic that I thought would work better than torture. Besides, I have little stomach for pain for pain’s sake. Xanus was able to invade the things mind and learn who sent him. Kalak is behind these bladed assassins as I thought since the second one attacked. Who else could have the skills and the money to arm a throw away undead assassin with two metal swords? This information does not comfort me. I already had a passing knowledge of how formidable Kalak would be before the keep, but when we relived the Ogre visions and saw how he killed the Ogre warrior… that was centuries ago and I can only imagine that he has gained a refinement of his skills since then. There will be little hope of us being able to take him on directly if it comes to that. But, why Kalak is after us is open to debate. I have two theories. One involves the oracle and the scroll. The other involves one of us, but I will not record it, not even here. Trinidas was obviously rattled about the fact we had attracted such a powerful enemy. He suggested that we travel to Tyr in order to recruit guards. Barok and I had already discussed a plan to recruit gladiators there so I readily agreed, but do not plan until leaving tomorrow.
Trakas came today, wounded, with two others. I rushed him into the house to tend his wounds, but they were so old that I could not heal them with my own skills. Instead I brought him my water ration and ordered more food and water from the kitchens to be billed to me. I watched him eat and drink for a moment, though he told me I had to assemble the others and it was urgent. Once I had assembled the others he explained that the two others were Cael and Padrus. He said that we had to escort them to Tyr with all possible haste, and that their lives were more important than our own. I also learned that Trakas and Cael have a relationship, which makes me feel rather childish. Of course he has an arrangement with another. I should not have thought otherwise. I will take the mixed emotions I feel and channel them into completing this task and killing Hamdi.
Traveling.
Today we fought and killed some giant rock turtle out in the desert. They are rare creatures, but it was vicious. It bit me which was painful, but more painful was the fact that the bastard snapped my spear. I must get another Agafari spear, soon. I do admit that I took some of my rage out on the creature. The loss of the ability to form closer connections to Trakas wears on me more than the others will ever know, and more than even I had guessed at first. I kept my intention to become his apprentice too close to chest. Cael confirmed that she is a druid, and Trakas’ apprentice. He does not need two. But… the creature is dead and though Barok and I are wounded, we will continue to travel.
We entered Tyr. I journeyed with Cael and Padras to the bar where they were to meet their contact Aegon. I did this because it is apparent to me that they are in the Veiled Alliance and meeting their contact. I approve of this, and I intend to keep them safe. However, the contract never appeared. We found the others and tried to make new plans.
We have been discovered. Templars closed the gates to the city and tried to close the net in upon us. We saw one traveling with six half giants, moving to intercept us. We escaped the city, but now must find a way to get the information to Aegon, if he is still alive. I fear that he has been captured. If that is the case then we must find another way to act on the information.
Two days have gone past the funeral. Already Trinidas is trying to restore the house to some level of normality. He mourns his son, of course, and wants revenge. We have the shell of Rokan. Xanus volunteered to probe his mind, a tactic that I thought would work better than torture. Besides, I have little stomach for pain for pain’s sake. Xanus was able to invade the things mind and learn who sent him. Kalak is behind these bladed assassins as I thought since the second one attacked. Who else could have the skills and the money to arm a throw away undead assassin with two metal swords? This information does not comfort me. I already had a passing knowledge of how formidable Kalak would be before the keep, but when we relived the Ogre visions and saw how he killed the Ogre warrior… that was centuries ago and I can only imagine that he has gained a refinement of his skills since then. There will be little hope of us being able to take him on directly if it comes to that. But, why Kalak is after us is open to debate. I have two theories. One involves the oracle and the scroll. The other involves one of us, but I will not record it, not even here. Trinidas was obviously rattled about the fact we had attracted such a powerful enemy. He suggested that we travel to Tyr in order to recruit guards. Barok and I had already discussed a plan to recruit gladiators there so I readily agreed, but do not plan until leaving tomorrow.
Trakas came today, wounded, with two others. I rushed him into the house to tend his wounds, but they were so old that I could not heal them with my own skills. Instead I brought him my water ration and ordered more food and water from the kitchens to be billed to me. I watched him eat and drink for a moment, though he told me I had to assemble the others and it was urgent. Once I had assembled the others he explained that the two others were Cael and Padrus. He said that we had to escort them to Tyr with all possible haste, and that their lives were more important than our own. I also learned that Trakas and Cael have a relationship, which makes me feel rather childish. Of course he has an arrangement with another. I should not have thought otherwise. I will take the mixed emotions I feel and channel them into completing this task and killing Hamdi.
Traveling.
Today we fought and killed some giant rock turtle out in the desert. They are rare creatures, but it was vicious. It bit me which was painful, but more painful was the fact that the bastard snapped my spear. I must get another Agafari spear, soon. I do admit that I took some of my rage out on the creature. The loss of the ability to form closer connections to Trakas wears on me more than the others will ever know, and more than even I had guessed at first. I kept my intention to become his apprentice too close to chest. Cael confirmed that she is a druid, and Trakas’ apprentice. He does not need two. But… the creature is dead and though Barok and I are wounded, we will continue to travel.
We entered Tyr. I journeyed with Cael and Padras to the bar where they were to meet their contact Aegon. I did this because it is apparent to me that they are in the Veiled Alliance and meeting their contact. I approve of this, and I intend to keep them safe. However, the contract never appeared. We found the others and tried to make new plans.
We have been discovered. Templars closed the gates to the city and tried to close the net in upon us. We saw one traveling with six half giants, moving to intercept us. We escaped the city, but now must find a way to get the information to Aegon, if he is still alive. I fear that he has been captured. If that is the case then we must find another way to act on the information.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Will of Rel
From the saddlebag of Revica Horse -
Ian, if you have this letter, you survived and I did not. I know that despite all that is said about you, you are a good man. Under other circumstances, I think my cousin would have loved getting to know you better. I do not blame you for what happened to her. I know that the Witch Hunter is insane, he would have to be in order to find chaos in someone as beautiful and innocent as my cousin. I hope I killed that son of a whore, and I hope that the next world finds a way to make him suffer for all the harm he caused. I guess we did, too. I feel bad for all the soldiers we killed. I’m not proud of that. Still, riding with you was a good experience in many ways. But, I need you to do something for me.
I want you to take Revica Horse and all that she has in her saddle to your friend in Altdorf, the one that helped Blimey. You said that she has a husband and kid. If she’s like you described her, she’s a good person. I want her to give Revica Horse a good and happy home. In the saddle, there is ten gold, and if I time this right, my pistols and rifle. Give it all to her so she can keep her family safe.
As for you, you will need a place to go. I suggest you leave the country. If you decide to stay, I am willing my cousin’s horse farm to you. The paperwork does not say Ian, of course. It’s under Thorsten Hagen, but Dieter, the main farm hand is a good man. He knows everything, and loved Revica like I did. He will do what is right. Go there, change your name and appearance, and live a quiet life if you want. If not, give that to someone else, too. I have included directions to place below.
Find some peace, Ian. I have.
- Rel
Ian, if you have this letter, you survived and I did not. I know that despite all that is said about you, you are a good man. Under other circumstances, I think my cousin would have loved getting to know you better. I do not blame you for what happened to her. I know that the Witch Hunter is insane, he would have to be in order to find chaos in someone as beautiful and innocent as my cousin. I hope I killed that son of a whore, and I hope that the next world finds a way to make him suffer for all the harm he caused. I guess we did, too. I feel bad for all the soldiers we killed. I’m not proud of that. Still, riding with you was a good experience in many ways. But, I need you to do something for me.
I want you to take Revica Horse and all that she has in her saddle to your friend in Altdorf, the one that helped Blimey. You said that she has a husband and kid. If she’s like you described her, she’s a good person. I want her to give Revica Horse a good and happy home. In the saddle, there is ten gold, and if I time this right, my pistols and rifle. Give it all to her so she can keep her family safe.
As for you, you will need a place to go. I suggest you leave the country. If you decide to stay, I am willing my cousin’s horse farm to you. The paperwork does not say Ian, of course. It’s under Thorsten Hagen, but Dieter, the main farm hand is a good man. He knows everything, and loved Revica like I did. He will do what is right. Go there, change your name and appearance, and live a quiet life if you want. If not, give that to someone else, too. I have included directions to place below.
Find some peace, Ian. I have.
- Rel
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Rel’s Journal – 9/5/11
Rel's Journal
Getting ready for the big confrontation. Ian found a small village called Bittenthrop. It was a small fishing village with about fifty people in it. I rode in with Anchor and made contact with the village. I paid the first family very well to leave their house. I did not want the Witch Hunter to kill them for sheltering us. They had a baby, and so many people were just good, hardworking people. I can’t see them get hurt.
I paid them all to leave, Ian helped. The bigger families got one gold to leave, the single people or couples got fifty silver. I think that was more gold than they see in a few years. These poor people have at least a shot of getting away and starting a normal life, because if we don’t kill this bastard, I do not put it past him to take it out on all of them. The only ones that didn’t leave were the village miller and his daughter but they holed up tight in their two story mill. Anchor and Ian especially built up massive fortifications. They used the oil that we bought and what we found around the village to create fire points to help in case of attack. I brought our horses into the great hall since Blimey is in the barn in a sniper spot. I think that the horses will be safe. I have been spending large amounts of our time standing by the trail on Revica Horse, waiting. I also made Ian promise that if anything happens to me during this battle that he will take Revica Horse and the contents of her saddle to that woman who helped us in Altdorf. He said that she used to be like him, and that she retired, got married, and has a little girl. I already sent money and instructions home to the horse farm; little does Ian know that he has a source of income for him. I don’t intend on getting out of this alive. If it comes to me or the Witch Hunter, he will die. He killed the only person I loved; for that he will pay. Now, it is just Revica Horse and I. The sun is setting and all will be well. This bastard will fall by my hand.
The Journal of Ludolf Wulrich, Guard Captain for Graf Sigfriend Von Soponatheim
We heard that Foul Ian the Black (Sigmar curse the chaos spawn) had terrorized an entire fishing village into leaving their homes. The Graf assembled the army to attack. Luckily, we were nearby and could get to the village without overly fatiguing our horses or men. Though I warned him to stay back, the Graf came with us, as did that Witch Hunter who has been burning chaos spawn throughout the country looking for Foul Ian. We brought the volley cannon, and thirty men down the trail. Ten men commandeered a barge to come down the river, and six soldiers rode from each side of the beach. Before we came in mass, three good men volunteered to act as scouts. They posed as foul bandits who wanted to join Foul Ian for a share of his bounty. Somehow, the bastard found them out and killed them. Maybe he didn’t find them out. Maybe he just enjoys the killing now, or maybe he sacrificed them to one of his foul gods. It doesn’t matter I guess. They are dead all the same, but back to the battle.
As we rode in, the Witch Hunter slipped off his horse and disappeared into the woods. We proceeded in when all hell erupted. Those bastards set the forest and most of the village on fire. Our horses spooked and it took us a while to ride in from the forest. We couldn’t get the volley cannon in, so we left it and the wagon. The bandits managed to set a boat and raft on fire, which kept those men out of the fight. As they rode off, they killed the men that rode down the beach after them, and started to get away. That was when the Witch Hunter attacked. He shot Foul Ian right in the chest, almost killing him. It must be part of the pact that he made with his evil masters, but he lived and shot the Witch Hunter. He shot his nose off. We thought we had the woman pinned in, because the Graf insisted that they be taken alive, besides Ian. She broke away and shot that poor Witch Hunter right in the back of his head. He died in Sigmar’s name, doing what was right. We got the bitch surrounded right as the others rode away. I heard from Sven that she got cut a few times, then as he was getting ready to capture her, she put a pistol against her head and shot. Crazy bitch. She was probably chaos tainted, too.
I rode off after the others with the rest of my men. They had a few with them that could ride well, and we had Sigmar on our side. Every time it looked like they were going to get away, we caught up. Finally, we ran one of them down. He got off his horse and killed three of my men with a damn blunderbuss. Four more crashed into them and got hurt, but we took him alive. I know that he’ll suffer for what my men’s lives before he dies, but that doesn’t bring them back. Then Ian and the dwarf got away. I rode and rode, but my horse gave out. I will get that bastard. It’s just a matter of time. He will pay for his children buggering, Nurgle infected, warpstone loving ways. Sigmar will see to that.
Getting ready for the big confrontation. Ian found a small village called Bittenthrop. It was a small fishing village with about fifty people in it. I rode in with Anchor and made contact with the village. I paid the first family very well to leave their house. I did not want the Witch Hunter to kill them for sheltering us. They had a baby, and so many people were just good, hardworking people. I can’t see them get hurt.
I paid them all to leave, Ian helped. The bigger families got one gold to leave, the single people or couples got fifty silver. I think that was more gold than they see in a few years. These poor people have at least a shot of getting away and starting a normal life, because if we don’t kill this bastard, I do not put it past him to take it out on all of them. The only ones that didn’t leave were the village miller and his daughter but they holed up tight in their two story mill. Anchor and Ian especially built up massive fortifications. They used the oil that we bought and what we found around the village to create fire points to help in case of attack. I brought our horses into the great hall since Blimey is in the barn in a sniper spot. I think that the horses will be safe. I have been spending large amounts of our time standing by the trail on Revica Horse, waiting. I also made Ian promise that if anything happens to me during this battle that he will take Revica Horse and the contents of her saddle to that woman who helped us in Altdorf. He said that she used to be like him, and that she retired, got married, and has a little girl. I already sent money and instructions home to the horse farm; little does Ian know that he has a source of income for him. I don’t intend on getting out of this alive. If it comes to me or the Witch Hunter, he will die. He killed the only person I loved; for that he will pay. Now, it is just Revica Horse and I. The sun is setting and all will be well. This bastard will fall by my hand.
The Journal of Ludolf Wulrich, Guard Captain for Graf Sigfriend Von Soponatheim
We heard that Foul Ian the Black (Sigmar curse the chaos spawn) had terrorized an entire fishing village into leaving their homes. The Graf assembled the army to attack. Luckily, we were nearby and could get to the village without overly fatiguing our horses or men. Though I warned him to stay back, the Graf came with us, as did that Witch Hunter who has been burning chaos spawn throughout the country looking for Foul Ian. We brought the volley cannon, and thirty men down the trail. Ten men commandeered a barge to come down the river, and six soldiers rode from each side of the beach. Before we came in mass, three good men volunteered to act as scouts. They posed as foul bandits who wanted to join Foul Ian for a share of his bounty. Somehow, the bastard found them out and killed them. Maybe he didn’t find them out. Maybe he just enjoys the killing now, or maybe he sacrificed them to one of his foul gods. It doesn’t matter I guess. They are dead all the same, but back to the battle.
As we rode in, the Witch Hunter slipped off his horse and disappeared into the woods. We proceeded in when all hell erupted. Those bastards set the forest and most of the village on fire. Our horses spooked and it took us a while to ride in from the forest. We couldn’t get the volley cannon in, so we left it and the wagon. The bandits managed to set a boat and raft on fire, which kept those men out of the fight. As they rode off, they killed the men that rode down the beach after them, and started to get away. That was when the Witch Hunter attacked. He shot Foul Ian right in the chest, almost killing him. It must be part of the pact that he made with his evil masters, but he lived and shot the Witch Hunter. He shot his nose off. We thought we had the woman pinned in, because the Graf insisted that they be taken alive, besides Ian. She broke away and shot that poor Witch Hunter right in the back of his head. He died in Sigmar’s name, doing what was right. We got the bitch surrounded right as the others rode away. I heard from Sven that she got cut a few times, then as he was getting ready to capture her, she put a pistol against her head and shot. Crazy bitch. She was probably chaos tainted, too.
I rode off after the others with the rest of my men. They had a few with them that could ride well, and we had Sigmar on our side. Every time it looked like they were going to get away, we caught up. Finally, we ran one of them down. He got off his horse and killed three of my men with a damn blunderbuss. Four more crashed into them and got hurt, but we took him alive. I know that he’ll suffer for what my men’s lives before he dies, but that doesn’t bring them back. Then Ian and the dwarf got away. I rode and rode, but my horse gave out. I will get that bastard. It’s just a matter of time. He will pay for his children buggering, Nurgle infected, warpstone loving ways. Sigmar will see to that.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
To Whom Does a Character History Belong?
This last Wednesday, we sadly had a character pass away. It happens to us all. As gamers we all lose characters at one time or another. If the game is a one shot, or you know you will never revisit that world, I am sure that some people (gasp) throw away their character sheets and notes. I am new to gaming (going on two years) and such an idea is abhorrent to me. I have binders of carefully divided characters, histories, game notes, and tokens from various games and campaigns. I am not alone in my group. One of our group, Jordan, makes small cartoons of various game situations, and Gregory makes elaborate game notes. We are all packrats and we hoard this info.
But Jason, our DM, also needs this info. If a character dies, there is a chance that they may not stay dead. He might bring them back as an NPC in a dream sequence, or to haunt your new character into completing some task. He needs the character sheets and notes of major characters. So if a character dies, who keeps it? The DM or the Player?
I think the fair thing to do is see how comfortable you are letting the DM keep it. If you know and trust your DM, then go for it. If you are like me and need that for yourself, then make copies. Most printers now have copiers or scanners, and if not, a Kinkos has to be close by. Just make a copy for the archives and keep the originals.
And I think this goes without saying. If you have been using something like original cards, or cards from a set like Warhammer that the DM owns, make sure he or she gets those back too, because that is just classy and fair. Just remember, no one ever plans to die, but knowing what to do when it happens can be comforting.
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