tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90082650557610962592024-03-03T18:26:51.535-06:00Greathammer GamingMusings and Ramblings of A New School Gamer With An Old School HeartBuddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.comBlogger421125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-42704938887668322602023-07-31T17:15:00.001-05:002023-07-31T17:15:44.156-05:00Numenera: Those Who Move Clouds, Session 1When a Shadow of the Demon Lord campaign I was running came to a close, I had everyone vote on what would I would run next, from games on The List (almost 100 different campaign ideas I have on the back burners). It was a close run between Deadlands and Numenera, but Numenera won out and we started the campaign on alternate Saturdays over Discord. <div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uNm9PGVHNLn8RY1TXmdet7uv7gPwJJQFSCMmZwJ8wOOWebFSgDqoYGyMTFg9s9R6bvwGvn9hPjl2O6QQLxHB8EdDyz-3dznKn6fkaDt6Gje92PsT8K4wLjqcRY3g-5uMMgiDIu4MmC64Xz60gO5c-SykbVKXPvm0k_HqJrGDp4rnAe1Nxi3cyn3DCiTc/s253/Awgere%20Numenera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uNm9PGVHNLn8RY1TXmdet7uv7gPwJJQFSCMmZwJ8wOOWebFSgDqoYGyMTFg9s9R6bvwGvn9hPjl2O6QQLxHB8EdDyz-3dznKn6fkaDt6Gje92PsT8K4wLjqcRY3g-5uMMgiDIu4MmC64Xz60gO5c-SykbVKXPvm0k_HqJrGDp4rnAe1Nxi3cyn3DCiTc/s16000/Awgere%20Numenera.jpg" title="Awgere" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awgere</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Our campaign starts in Awgere, a coastal <i>aldeia</i> (village) off the Sere Marica known for its salt harvesting operations. The PCs have found themselves in Awgere for their own reasons, becoming acquainted through work or other means. One balmy evening, right as the sun starts to set, an explosion echoes from the marsh nearby the settlement. Many people rush to the scene, fearing the worst for their fellow residents. The PCs arrive to an already gathering crowd to find the remains of a person badly mangled from a localized explosion.</div><div><br /></div><div>No one gathered could identify the individual, and pieces of scrapped numenera and other devices led Yanusen to believe that a reaction from gathered cyphers had caused the explosion until a device was found that was still functional. Upon activation, the device played an audio message stating "Transmission complete. Mission failure." Interested in what this mission could be, the rest of the group ask Yanu to see if he can get more from the device, which he easily does after manipulating it for a few moments. "Secure objective: Mazen. Return to Astaria rendezvous. Payment upon completion."</div><div><br /></div><div>This alarmed everyone, especially Mazen, who became even more alarmed when the party decided that the best course of action was to head toward Astaria, putting them closer to whatever group wanted them captured! Plans were hastily made to make the trek overland and after collecting pay and informing those who needed to know where they were going, seeding false information in case anyone was feeding Mazen's pursuers intel, they headed for Astaria on foot.</div><div><br /></div><div>A more inland route is chosen and the group set off, their travel the first day takes them into the grasslands inland from the coast and they pass a few aldeia until later in the day when they decide to rest at the next one they encounter. The party spots a dead man slumped on the porch of a small hut. He had been dead for just a short time, and some sort of black substance had been placed under his skin from a puncture between his shoulder blades. Finding they could do nothing for the man, they move on. Just down the road, they come across a chimney-shaped building with robed and hooded residents that pass them on the road as they enter a place called Jutte.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTJ7Al6Ye6w60GveFZ0dF-E_3-4cFh_XZd-EgmjGq_3pIEHklSRiUBt6iInHvfgevCFYprEcLMYOEyuU5U9SumIQVnynJc4j7Hlg0pV-ljPmDGP9AMLzHKd2uw1_dCqzjaU2nZ6mkl7IWdwHvXrJBCJ1s09GtlZLu2fbJ3wVrWJKNPDNzUsXvl4t4--zd/s780/Trummel%20with%20helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="540" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTJ7Al6Ye6w60GveFZ0dF-E_3-4cFh_XZd-EgmjGq_3pIEHklSRiUBt6iInHvfgevCFYprEcLMYOEyuU5U9SumIQVnynJc4j7Hlg0pV-ljPmDGP9AMLzHKd2uw1_dCqzjaU2nZ6mkl7IWdwHvXrJBCJ1s09GtlZLu2fbJ3wVrWJKNPDNzUsXvl4t4--zd/w222-h325/Trummel%20with%20helmet.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trummel</td></tr></tbody></table>A man named Trummel greets them as they enter Jutte, asking what their purpose is and offering information if they need anything in the town. He points them to a hostel and the market square for lodging and food and answers a few questions about crime in the area. He answers a question about the hooded people they saw before and bids them well, letting the PCs go about their way. Trummel meets them in the morning and walks them to the edge of town as they leave, making small talk.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once far from the safety of the aldeia, the group see an oorgolian kneeling on the road ahead, petting two broken hounds he has with him. When it stands, it points to Mazen stating "Give us that one and nobody gets hurt," stating again that Mazen is the one it's after and projecting a hologram of their likeness to confirm. Mazen and their companions balk at this and after a short exchange, Asimra charges into battle. The oorgolian pleads with Mazen to come along peacefully throughout the encounter, but its voice becomes more digitized as the fight wears on, as if encoded. One statement too many and the alien explodes just as he's about to say something else, shredding the sole hound left standing and leaving the group pincushioned with shrapnel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWTtV4we5xYdyqj5zQhxSXFDmIbH7OUX5pM4bMrjBTf6LKFNhEaAMo5nbd6TMBGcveBBzgpM5-urrMgZ8Y5NWogiHArghEFJwncqM4XQh9AokWE7ayJVfvROT7wkfB9Q_mWxidRUnBXCf_dewAgq0jnEx1boAGFSBifSgcXSC-5lGcKCUROIwvryjZCKB/s379/broken%20hound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="379" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWTtV4we5xYdyqj5zQhxSXFDmIbH7OUX5pM4bMrjBTf6LKFNhEaAMo5nbd6TMBGcveBBzgpM5-urrMgZ8Y5NWogiHArghEFJwncqM4XQh9AokWE7ayJVfvROT7wkfB9Q_mWxidRUnBXCf_dewAgq0jnEx1boAGFSBifSgcXSC-5lGcKCUROIwvryjZCKB/w200-h151/broken%20hound.jpg" width="200" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCWQotPwir-kgAi7_6gM1p_YkXyZLL414b99uHlOUdR7eKIoA0JJBLDs1bq5Hq63mm76KY0_ekw1x3T4D8Nc6600ZeTlfPU5jICW4JfM002pxN2jxF7eYEwsJxwy-vyfIN9EOHz3GDBGC9_SPG8i0-70Dl_4sUSIUe6kblvBxRL-rfKjlvhQBBgvypwwl/s320/oorgolian.jpg" width="149" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDp4nVS8jfuDCNh_TxvGdxXalRAClpUHVqlXzWw91wSbz7gdpsU3PVMY2sz8dK1ay6A7xY2n3Li7fCByQIZ5RHt-JVZQWntJyf7GnvZe6ARAY7H8biQNVlm4FZ_2cahWxg1ATVsL996W72iztAi81EA53sFWT9xIarO-6PMcEGzlLlES1lL-4xh7AgRYz/s379/broken%20hound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="379" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDp4nVS8jfuDCNh_TxvGdxXalRAClpUHVqlXzWw91wSbz7gdpsU3PVMY2sz8dK1ay6A7xY2n3Li7fCByQIZ5RHt-JVZQWntJyf7GnvZe6ARAY7H8biQNVlm4FZ_2cahWxg1ATVsL996W72iztAi81EA53sFWT9xIarO-6PMcEGzlLlES1lL-4xh7AgRYz/w200-h151/broken%20hound.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the mercenary and his hounds defeated and another clue pointing to Astaria, the band are left pondering what lies ahead as they mend their wounds before setting off again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Cast of Characters</u></b></span></div><div><b>Mazen</b>, A Swift Nano who Controls Gravity (Sam)</div><div><b>Yanusen</b>, A Calm Nano who Commands Mental Powers (Taylor)</div><div><b>Asimra</b>, A Strong Glaive who Works Miracles (Chanz)</div><div><b>Errol</b>, A Graceful Glaive who Fights with Panache (Rachele)</div><div><b>Raide</b>, A Strong-Willed Glaive who Rides the Lightning (Brenden)</div><div><b>Lincoln Ford Mercury</b>, A Strong-Willed Nano who Works Miracles (Chris G)</div><div><br /></div><div>Notes: </div><div>1. Playing this game on Discord allowed for some of the people not in our normal group to play and made it easier for some of the players who had scheduling conflicts to participate, but attendance has still been an issue. I've called off games a few times before, and we settled on playing Wilderlands when we can't get four players for a session so we don't have a dry week of gaming.</div><div>2. I lean quite a bit more into the sci-fi than I think is intended. Assumptions are made that people aren't idiots and terms and basic knowledge would spread at least a little. This might be colored by having played Torment: Tides of Numenera?</div>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-25710233824748733232023-07-07T23:48:00.001-05:002023-07-07T23:51:30.768-05:00Editions in Dungeons & Dragons, or Where Are We, Again?<p>I'm still working on getting some actual plays up and I have a few other longer posts in the works that are sitting in drafts, but I'm going to hit on some quick thoughts in the coming days, the first of which is some thoughts on edition and how it's defined.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX0oWjkjqmVx37UqWlQFFuhRJnmlC3zpemlk4Uz_uiLKLIu9KRh3Sc60g-VWpUjH0hHEwfLCmvWxGZ3gl-3TMPJ7FFFQRXlh_KoDkoOh0KK2jsYVc6AtPfANnNMfdo7BFqY86LvxySk3qWbhPzfLKaWxz_7awDWugXzeiqUZHyZqUvuXT9LpsauWZq5EE/s474/ODD.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKX0oWjkjqmVx37UqWlQFFuhRJnmlC3zpemlk4Uz_uiLKLIu9KRh3Sc60g-VWpUjH0hHEwfLCmvWxGZ3gl-3TMPJ7FFFQRXlh_KoDkoOh0KK2jsYVc6AtPfANnNMfdo7BFqY86LvxySk3qWbhPzfLKaWxz_7awDWugXzeiqUZHyZqUvuXT9LpsauWZq5EE/s320/ODD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Dungeons & Dragons was first published in 1974 as a box set with three booklets. These weren't the normal Player's Handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide and Monster Manual that we're all used to, their organization was different, but I think the template was successful enough that it's stuck. If anyone is unfamiliar with this edition, let me tell you that it's a different creature altogether than the game you're used to. The layout is a little all over the place and the ties to wargaming are everywhere in the text. I'm veering off course already, but it really is a unique game and though supplements were printed for it, it stands alone as its own beast.<p></p><p>In 1977, two different versions of Dungeons & Dragons were published. Basic D&D, often called Holmes Basic since it was written by J. Eric Holmes, and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Basic released at the start of summer that year as a box set with dice and booklet or the standalone booklet, and featured rules that took characters to third level. As a further disconnect from the Advanced rules, Basic also featured race-as-class, so a player would just select Elf instead of Elf Fighter/Mage, which are the abilities the race featured. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons released later in the year and presented book releases with a format we've been familiar with since. AD&D also featured class/race combinations, multiclasses and most other trappings people associate with Dungeons & Dragons.</p><p>1981 saw a slight revision of the Basic Set featuring rewrites and edits by Tom Moldvay. This edit pushed Basic even further away from AD&D. This boxed set featured a red-bordered rulebook and module B2: The Keep on the Borderlands along with a set of dice. This revision was followed in short order by the release of the Expert Set, by Dave Cook and Steve Marsh. The Expert rules expanded character advancement from levels four to fourteen.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj7Tjhc_Zkbge_Hmp4KQ11lyYL85u30YFa1T1Sx-a0mbGuPJsPj4hdbnx4wmOsw7SA4I4Vx1RVhqwyyCc2d_XvfUe_LTuXo4uyDkLHcLKsTIXhiU7qUxU2cC094Nr19Ie5izaz_okIbIwVBi0aCxeS95oDGvW7L3f_C0ZMdgPlopnuIOy0Ssp6lNurqLe/s1600/BECMI.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj7Tjhc_Zkbge_Hmp4KQ11lyYL85u30YFa1T1Sx-a0mbGuPJsPj4hdbnx4wmOsw7SA4I4Vx1RVhqwyyCc2d_XvfUe_LTuXo4uyDkLHcLKsTIXhiU7qUxU2cC094Nr19Ie5izaz_okIbIwVBi0aCxeS95oDGvW7L3f_C0ZMdgPlopnuIOy0Ssp6lNurqLe/s320/BECMI.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Two years later, in 1983, yet another revision of the Basic Set was released. Frank Mentzer's edit, also known as Red Box D&D, was followed in the next two years by four more boxed sets for the Expert (levels 4-14), Companion (levels 15-25), Master (levels 26-36), and Immortal (transcendence) rules. This release of the Basic rules were presented in a more tutorial form to welcome new players.<p></p><p>In 1989, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons got a 2nd Edition release, with updated rules and new character classes. This release was partially made to address the Satanic Panic that had impacted the game in previous years, removing 'evil' items like the Assassin class and Half-Orc race and changing the words demon and devil to tanar'ri and baatezu, respectively. The release schedule started over with the three core books and ballooned rapidly.</p><p>The Rules Cyclopedia released in 1991, collecting major rules from the previous Basic, Expert, Companion, and Master boxed sets. Aaron Alston and his team put together this tome as a reference guide for those with a higher proficiency with the game. In addition, the book included two new classes, a guide on conversion between D&D and AD&D and short overviews of both the Known World and Hollow World campaign settings (Mystara).</p><p>Also in 1991, a new Basic Set released that not only included a rule book, but a deck of Learning Cards that had rules of play on one side and an example of those rules on the back. The box also included a map, pawns, and dice. This box included rules that took characters to 5th level.</p><p>The final Basic Set release came out in 1994. The Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game, as it was called, was edited by Doug Stewart. The set came boxed with PC miniatures, monster pawns, a DM's screen, a map, and dice.</p><p>2000 brought a new edition of the main game line, dubbed Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition. This was a major overhaul of the rules that affected all aspects of the game, and introduced what was called the d20 System that led to the formation of the Open Game License. Notable among changes made were the removal of race/class restrictions and level restrictions for characters.</p><p>Three years later, a new release of the three core books revised the 3rd Edition, addressing plenty of minor rules complaints and confusions submitted to WotC. This revision, called 3.5, touched on races, classes, skills, feats, and almost every other aspect of the game. Supplements previously released were addressed in errata documents, but no rereleases and the publishing schedule retained its fast pace.</p><p>In 2008, another major overhaul of the primary game took place. 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons introduced new core races and classes with a design that clearly pulled from video games with roles like tank and striker, enemy types likje minion and elite, and powers with cooldowns and resets. Multiple waves of core books also made this edition notable. Mechanically, this edition deviated the most as each class had powers usable at different times and spells were rolled into this system, as well, making most classes feel similar in playstyle, but differentiating them with power sources and delivery. Every 10 levels (1-10, 11-20, 21-30) represents different themes of adventure; heroic adventurers are establishing their legends, paragon adventurers are affecting regions, and epic characters are world-shakers.</p><p>In 2010, a soft revision (though not called that) was released for 4th Edition, called the Essentials line. These books cleared up and revised some rulings while presenting the rules in an introductory fashion.</p><p>In the quickest turnaround for a full reworking of the main game line, Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition was released in 2013. 5th Edition returned to many of the basic concepts of the d20 System familiar to players of the 3rd/3.5 Edition, though many rules come from all eras and editions of D&D. Defense values were boiled back down, a universal bonus was applied to skills, attack bonus, saves and other things characters are trained in. Advantage/disadvantage was introduced in a move to boil down granular situational bonuses that plagues previous editions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgWU9QISol8k9OlajOm8rHwRngk-CkqWcxnW3eF7GbWjJWftptP1XTqDSMQu3Om5ZNLDDrVhZCVirw87o310v3OVROha3xrrXzyXoVwqgRVMMojTMR1R4M8N8NJQu-c_lF7pWVkfFONor_6pqMrbtxpoKx7ddslskpeGXtH6KYoYoNfzfMPAsvvml72gl/s480/1stphb.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="366" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgWU9QISol8k9OlajOm8rHwRngk-CkqWcxnW3eF7GbWjJWftptP1XTqDSMQu3Om5ZNLDDrVhZCVirw87o310v3OVROha3xrrXzyXoVwqgRVMMojTMR1R4M8N8NJQu-c_lF7pWVkfFONor_6pqMrbtxpoKx7ddslskpeGXtH6KYoYoNfzfMPAsvvml72gl/w153-h200/1stphb.jpg" width="153" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEqCvK6cEHXG9ObfGwf-Zoy2r6AjV6sFC_6aRyyewETDo5WAbPVEtTc67imVtbojg07xFnNYKbajqNzUBT49SgmWFU2ewCC1AVI_hzOOJ292_8boDW-frRf08eASp0HCJVj6FnroHUt1NeFNcU98FwkLWpquyv7jFKlWLKyBrDGRYvVKk4yKmHUDX0P1r/s628/2nd.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEqCvK6cEHXG9ObfGwf-Zoy2r6AjV6sFC_6aRyyewETDo5WAbPVEtTc67imVtbojg07xFnNYKbajqNzUBT49SgmWFU2ewCC1AVI_hzOOJ292_8boDW-frRf08eASp0HCJVj6FnroHUt1NeFNcU98FwkLWpquyv7jFKlWLKyBrDGRYvVKk4yKmHUDX0P1r/w151-h200/2nd.jpg" width="151" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZqxoOTfa21Z_lNCG-PbLE_Ky_G8g2VW4c93O2NSgg3YcXaVZNZ3M6Gip07at0fZHTGTiNS1yzZXZW2CEiREZ19yl-p4e598qoW_5xS0NiZ6XasgbD3Vg5ZL2VOdoijGcUV0SSceRG2IUAv9CDkm6ynB5_0PXGIA6EYGHUaNrQ3_OwqttOYy_dLc3un-r/s620/3rd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZqxoOTfa21Z_lNCG-PbLE_Ky_G8g2VW4c93O2NSgg3YcXaVZNZ3M6Gip07at0fZHTGTiNS1yzZXZW2CEiREZ19yl-p4e598qoW_5xS0NiZ6XasgbD3Vg5ZL2VOdoijGcUV0SSceRG2IUAv9CDkm6ynB5_0PXGIA6EYGHUaNrQ3_OwqttOYy_dLc3un-r/w153-h200/3rd.jpg" width="153" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgWU9QISol8k9OlajOm8rHwRngk-CkqWcxnW3eF7GbWjJWftptP1XTqDSMQu3Om5ZNLDDrVhZCVirw87o310v3OVROha3xrrXzyXoVwqgRVMMojTMR1R4M8N8NJQu-c_lF7pWVkfFONor_6pqMrbtxpoKx7ddslskpeGXtH6KYoYoNfzfMPAsvvml72gl/s480/1stphb.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JXOQ_PUURwU2SCnkoqhBkbAZxiPi11qWX7EeLQy71LFTsH3a3T3QHeFx0DUtmg8oTh9YLkZA9k2ZCs77I0h9zNkDh8PgL9KXhzIre6ILDyhUGvsQkOi7lGmmOdQ1x7dw3piYhLeP3NEvEGWzDa9PpJN6ELWTr6fJf7uxors6SwP6f7MF-VpdsW9sUks8/s778/35v.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JXOQ_PUURwU2SCnkoqhBkbAZxiPi11qWX7EeLQy71LFTsH3a3T3QHeFx0DUtmg8oTh9YLkZA9k2ZCs77I0h9zNkDh8PgL9KXhzIre6ILDyhUGvsQkOi7lGmmOdQ1x7dw3piYhLeP3NEvEGWzDa9PpJN6ELWTr6fJf7uxors6SwP6f7MF-VpdsW9sUks8/w154-h200/35v.jpg" width="154" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHznU93sjYDqbaIH5hH9eOMa2eVvnPM29IRqnuswSrMSpqAgXyuzTTPUELwL33BdpRy35UxviFAXGG3Fdk-f1AkMTuZhEKv8XrWrk4GPFzEZDSPeHjLgDphEcIdBOYie2rYRUbgT-tOqkT4QBKx0E5XbFtr6FxaJpnuaVZzADPihIMZ1javbDTozZSlnZG/s400/4th.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="290" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHznU93sjYDqbaIH5hH9eOMa2eVvnPM29IRqnuswSrMSpqAgXyuzTTPUELwL33BdpRy35UxviFAXGG3Fdk-f1AkMTuZhEKv8XrWrk4GPFzEZDSPeHjLgDphEcIdBOYie2rYRUbgT-tOqkT4QBKx0E5XbFtr6FxaJpnuaVZzADPihIMZ1javbDTozZSlnZG/w145-h200/4th.jpg" width="145" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyNAL2YXvq3CMThmOdXh2af3Kal9BtiGC6TrYyg3-GTnzXJCTA35bTY9PALvm0mtcl86vKBwNLpXKPcfV8PNyQ2cu5E0U9nDN0w8wH4N2BbY_YBTg1Qvg2O8qkdx8EvHOk0Pk7xpScAK3v6MLc9ca4WDXWDGAg95jqQRxttChKP9GYcSwuSyhp-vlWa1x/s738/5th.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="580" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyNAL2YXvq3CMThmOdXh2af3Kal9BtiGC6TrYyg3-GTnzXJCTA35bTY9PALvm0mtcl86vKBwNLpXKPcfV8PNyQ2cu5E0U9nDN0w8wH4N2BbY_YBTg1Qvg2O8qkdx8EvHOk0Pk7xpScAK3v6MLc9ca4WDXWDGAg95jqQRxttChKP9GYcSwuSyhp-vlWa1x/w157-h200/5th.jpg" width="157" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Though this is presented as a timeline of release with a little bit of detail for each of the editions, my initial reason for this post is the argument in some groups that 3rd-5th Editions are not continuations of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Does that mean to imply that they're continuations of the Basic rules? There could be an argument for that, I suppose, as the Rules Cyclopedia states it's the second major revision of the BECMI rules, making it a 2nd Edition, of sorts.</p><p>Depending on source, there are 5, 14, 17, 18, 23, 28, etc., etc., etc. editions of Dungeons & Dragons. I've read all of those numbers in articles and blog posts, but I don't think I agree. I believe OD&D, the original 1974 release, is its own thing. I also believe BECMI is its own game and Rules Cyclopedia is included in that. Which leaves my absolutely reasonable (yet controversial) take that 3rd-5th Edition is the continuation of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. The "Advanced" name could be dropped since the separate game was no longer in production or supported. This is also supported by the conversion document that showed how to convert your 2nd Edition character and other aspects of your campaign to the 3rd Edition of the game.</p><p><br /></p>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-80318246081283383492023-06-10T23:49:00.007-05:002023-06-10T23:55:10.242-05:00A Quick Thought on Domain Spells in 3.x/Pathfinder 1e<p> I have a handful of posts I'm currently writing in draft, but I thought of this at work the other night and it's been in my head a fair amount.</p><p>The original thought came as this question: <b><span style="font-size: medium;">Was it the original intention of the designers of D&D 3rd Edition that DMs would assign domain spells, instead of players choosing them?</span></b></p><p>To which some might say, "No, idiot. You get domain abilities in addition to the spells." Which is fine, but I don't feel like they need be mutually exclusive concepts. Access to domains is granted by every deity to every Cleric that worships them. A Cleric character can choose two domains to represent the aspects of the deity they vibe with that grant slight abilities such as activated bonuses on saving throws against certain effects or weapon proficiencies, minor elemental attacks, or a feat, for example. Each domain has a list of thematic spells implied to be especially granted to the Cleric due to their special bond with their deity.</p><p>My proposal: <b><span style="font-size: medium;">Each Cleric chooses two domains to represent the parts of their deity's portfolio they most associate with, gaining the domain abilities for those, as normal. The DM assigns a domain spell of each spell level available to the Cleric from any domains the deity has access to when the character prays for their spells. Domain spell slots cannot be manipulated as currency for class features or other abilities and can never be left open for later memorization.</span></b></p><p>This means that a 5th level Cleric of Corellon Larethian prays for their spells and the DM assigns their 1st-3rd level domain spells, which could be from any of Chaos, Elf, Good, Magic, Pride, Protection, or War domains of the appropriate level. I know, it's more work on the DM, but not much, and could be a great tool for foreshadowing; "Why was my character granted <i>Nystul's Undetectable Aura</i>?" You could mix them up and assign them randomly, or in a rigid pattern of repeat, depending on the alignment of the character's god. That could make planning fun. "I'll be able to <i>Dispel</i> an additional time in three days, if we can wait to strike the wizard's tower then."</p><p>Anyway, a quick thought. I might implement it. Anyone out there have thoughts?</p><p><br /></p>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-49885465426812646362023-05-28T16:55:00.004-05:002023-05-29T11:54:26.683-05:00Wilderlands 4, Session 1<div style="text-align: left;">The crew couldn't all assemble for our bi-weekly Discord game of Numenera on the 22nd of April, so I asked if we wanted to pivot to a back-up game so we didn't have a dry week of gaming. Getting answers in the positive, the group began to make first-level Pathfinder characters to play in my take on the Wilderlands setting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBryzvfnmw0bB6gEAqTh1DapHwtD-M2H2ZsVYcHwp48jrwsWTLv2OlVcUiqOzhaNFzLQbtW8CRQh-Vd8lrXPzyMuYhQrMF_oS3DZDIDGFLsbbLsvZc8gSclcVFFAlyZxf85XEafb3YeELhV0xuXPT_y4xYYcS4guineFtzIDeph_jVwbSJM4Z_3maDw/s1600/keepwallpaper2.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBryzvfnmw0bB6gEAqTh1DapHwtD-M2H2ZsVYcHwp48jrwsWTLv2OlVcUiqOzhaNFzLQbtW8CRQh-Vd8lrXPzyMuYhQrMF_oS3DZDIDGFLsbbLsvZc8gSclcVFFAlyZxf85XEafb3YeELhV0xuXPT_y4xYYcS4guineFtzIDeph_jVwbSJM4Z_3maDw/s320/keepwallpaper2.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />The group started their careers in my homebrew town of Bugbear Falls, a fortified site on the far eastern reaches of the territories held by Viridistan, the fabled City-State of the World Emperor. Having newly made their individual ways there after hearing the promises of wealth and fresh starts in the territory made by the Emperor's court to any willing to explore and tame the marches.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sitting in the local tavern, The Desecrated House, the newly chartered adventuring guild, the Glorious Slayers, decided to take on a job before their funds started to run out, so they looked at local postings. There were three notices on the board outside the bank/pawn broker:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Unbreakables estate clearance! Inquire inside!</li><li>A return of a bracelet belonging to Elle, from the river by the Hermit's Shack.</li><li>Rubbings from the fey gate to the east of town. See Sym the Sage for details.</li></ul><div>Both of the jobs outside of town seemed appealing and they quickly settled on getting the rubbings, heading to the shop of Sym the Sage. A slate outside reads "Walk-Ins Welcome: Readings, Debates, Research, Taxidermy." The troupe enter and find the small woman surrounded by books, mumbling about proving someone wrong. After introductions are made and business rates discussed, Gregor speaks up and negotiates the terms of the job posted previously. Sym gives them charcoal and paper and sends them on their way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once down on the River Road, the party can see the top of the gate, a beautifully carved relief on a cliff face depicting two trees, their trunks covered in runes, branches meeting to create an arch. The fey gate, as it is known, has no opening. A blank rock face is all that greets the party as they approach and take out the supplies to begin making rubbings.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOxoEThkqoi_pEZXXXnfAQVqnXU-3-LAm0BOeJHv9Kxczyo3GVmk88_4uP8XukYXBEKRdEdPgHyKWzLUJJJESBAn7S_ftIUlt28Nq6JkxJafbo7DNe4awDK0yCFs5R3grdY56KNweMO9wJnBmBI9f8MZ1MJBJmHZHbV-XI--0pPH95ym2nJCQUMM5hg/s512/Xvart-5e.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="512" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOxoEThkqoi_pEZXXXnfAQVqnXU-3-LAm0BOeJHv9Kxczyo3GVmk88_4uP8XukYXBEKRdEdPgHyKWzLUJJJESBAn7S_ftIUlt28Nq6JkxJafbo7DNe4awDK0yCFs5R3grdY56KNweMO9wJnBmBI9f8MZ1MJBJmHZHbV-XI--0pPH95ym2nJCQUMM5hg/w200-h192/Xvart-5e.webp" width="200" /></a></div><br />Shortly, however, the party is interrupted at first by one, then another small, blue humanoid coming out of the rock wall as it shimmers and ripples before them, speaking an odd language. They look perturbed, but Echo also speaks the Sylvan tongue and can communicate. They inform her that the adventurer's "kind" had not paid their debts and that they should leave immediately. The little ones seem to personally feel like taking rubbings isn't going to hurt anything and warn the PCs to be gone by the time they come back with their master, at which point they walk back into the gate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our heroes speed their efforts and begin to feel immense heat coming from the gate and hear loud, clanging footsteps. They gather their supplies and beat a trail out as quickly as possible by the time whatever is coming reaches their side of the gate, being out of sight and on the River Road back to Bugbear Falls to collect their reward, 10 gold coins and a future research of their choice for free!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>Cast of Characters</u></span></b></div><div><b>Gregor and Victoria Palesun</b>, Human Spiritualist 1 and Phantom (Taylor)</div><div><b>Echo Tovun</b>, Elf Magus (Eldritch Archer) 1 (Rachel)</div><div><b>Taric</b>, Human Barbarian 1 (Brenden)</div><div><b>Baila</b>, Halfling Rogue 1 (Rachele)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Notes: You'll notice there are four PCs in the cast, but only two mentioned in the actual body of the session. That's because the players for Taric and Baila left early in the session. I had planned a combat for the session, as well, but put that off when the only two characters left were a Spiritualist and a Magus.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Edit: Changed some names as I've come to rediscover my notes.</span></div></div>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-52681720393271273462023-04-29T15:52:00.001-05:002023-04-29T15:52:34.094-05:00Exalted, Sessions 1-5<p>On alternating Saturdays, Chris runs his Exalted chronicle for our group. The chronicle is set in a modified Creation that mostly plays to how the Exalted setting is presented, but with the agreement that anything that he wishes to change will be changed on a whim, as the events and characters will be presented as the ancient history and some of the most important figures (perhaps gods) of a shared campaign setting in the future, which will mostly host D&D and Pathfinder campaigns.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Story So Far...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our chronicle began in K'losis, a city carved into and around a fallen enormous humanoid war machine. There, we had learned some history of the campaign world and that the construct the city was built into is actually the husk of a being from another reality that invaded in the distant past and now there were factions that were trying to bring it and others like it back to life and summon more to this reality! Additionally, it was learned that powerful individuals were involved in these groups, speeding up their timeline by funneling money and resources into their aims.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Reports surfaced during this time of one of the great threats marching across the land as our band made haste to various locations, dismantling cult cells and the portals they had begun to erect. We flew out to face the engine of destruction and were able to dispatch it with the ship's weapons and a sprinkling of our own attacks, then made on our merry way to prevent the onset of the end of the world. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our leads took us to the city of Palanquin, where we strong-armed our way into their strange cult politics by having enough knowledge and materiel from capturing and destroying construction from other cult cells, thus locking in our access to the working portal in the city that leads to what we had learned were the giant war construct things' home plane. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We took the first opportunity to make the jump through and emerged into a barren cityscape. Once we entered we find the place inhabited by the spirits of thousands of the dead, many of which showing signs of physical trauma. Most of these spirits didn't give us a notice, but one approached and engaged us, answering a few questions about the place, then leading us to a building where a council gave us audience, further providing information about the place. We had assumed this was the home plane of the aggressor war machines, but we were told this was also a conquered world, and their undeaths were spent in servitude.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">During the trip through the portal, Exton experienced a vision in which an entity revealed to him that in order to fulfill their task of destroying the colossi, they would have to assemble a collection of artifacts. There were eight in total, but it was unclear if all of them were needed, and only a few were revealed. Our "map" was a tome that turned out to be in possession of one of the party, a key, a sword, the Shield of Ancel, the Hands of Tyr, and the Keeper's Dagger.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The form of the last five named and the two unnamed were unknown to us, but we had a start. Exton told the Circle about his visions and the decision was made to cross back into our world to find the artifacts. When we arrived, we discovered that two years had passed, even though we has spent a touch less than eight hours in the other realm. We assessed our situation and set a few affairs straight once we found that our ventures had continued as usual without us, then we took the opportunity to divine where other artifacts could be located.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our key was in Brightonvork, an island located in the northwest, and the sword was in the Burning Sands, to the south. We decided to head toward the island and made contact with an older lady who explained to us that if what we were after ever existed, it was at the bottom of the ocean with her father's ship, which sank when she was young. It didn't take us long to ascertain the approximate location of the shipwreck and we went diving, recovering a metal rod with no discerning markings on it, as well as some other valuables from the wreck, which were mostly returned to the old lady, after which we set off for the Burning Sands, at which point we left off.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we pick up next, I will be taking over for the next arc of the chronicle. The Circle knows that one of the colossi are headed to sea, presumably to Brightonvork, and the other is heading in the direction of the Burning Sands. Are these things now moving to intercept any who are trying to retrieve the artifacts? Are they wanting the artifacts, themselves? Hiow do they know about them? The Circle is so far clueless to the actual history of the items.</div>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-64705268630487777392023-04-16T13:04:00.003-05:002023-04-16T13:04:22.493-05:002022: A Year in Summary<p> Always open to questions and commentary when it comes to the lists of media I consume! I write these every year so that maybe if someone sees this, it might act as recommendations. Having said that, I do not claim all things on this list are good!</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Books</b> </span>(Many, many of these are 5-40 pages. Sorry I don't have the authors of some)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Trinity Continuum: Anima (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord master adventure Oblivion's Edge (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Monstrous Pages: Of Monstrous Mein (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord novice adventure The Apple of Her Eye (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord master adventure The Darkness in Shadowturrets (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord expert adventure Feast of the Father (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord novice adventure The Demon's Wetnurse (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord expert adventure The Gorgon's Tears (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Lands in Shadow: The Kingdom of Sails (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Unholy Champions of the Demon Lord (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Lands in Shadow: Weight of the Underworld (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord master adventure With My Last Scream (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord expert adventure Wretched (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord novice adventure The Knife in Your Hand (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord master adventure The Man Who Fell to Urth (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Phylactery (Planet X Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Eberron (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: When Armies Clash (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Creating New Class Options (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Psionics and the Mystic (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Modern Magic (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Prestige Classes and Rune Magic (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Phylactery #2 (Planet X Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Psionics & The Mystic, Take 2 (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Artificer (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Warlock & Wizard (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Revised Subclasses (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana: Fiendish Options (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Geist: The Sin-Eaters 1e SAS: Dem Bones (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Geist: The Sin-Eaters 1e SAS: The House Always Wins (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors Introduction (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - The Razorkids (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Host of the Clutter (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Frankenstein's Mobster (not a typo!) (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Phylactery #3 (Planet X Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Empty Space (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - The Man with the Gray Beard (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Meeting the Frostbite Girl (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Getting Her Back (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Body of Evidence (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Caveat Emptor (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - No Escape (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Good for the Soul (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Serpent's Tooth (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Warhammer Age of Sigmar Battletome: Soulblight Gravelords (Games Workshop)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - The Mother of All Wrong Turns (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Mother to Monsters (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Dead to Me (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e SAS: Collection of Horrors - Mr. Theleme (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">nWoD SAS: The Devil's Night (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 2e Scions of the Scarlet Dynasty (?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tombpunk: Rogues (Outland Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Marvel Heroic Roleplaying What If...? Ed Gross Had Thor's Hammer in His Collection (Margaret Weis Productions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Marvel Heroic Roleplaying What If...? Bruce Banner Was A Prisoner at the Raft (Margaret Weis Productions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e Nile War Gods (Chris Handforth)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e Relics of Origin (Crystal Mazur)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e The Deicide Compact (Travis Legge)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Occult Charm Homebrew (?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e Cheat Sheet (?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Changeling: The Dreaming The Norse Fae (?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D Dark Sun A Little Knowledge (?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mage: The Ascension One-Page Jumpstart A Breakdown of Order: The Alchemist's Schism (High Level Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Werewolf: The Apocalypse adventure Curse of the O'Tolley's Burger (High Level Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e homebrew Clanbook: Maeghar (Jasin Holliday)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e homebrew Clanbook: Ravnos (Jasin Holliday)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dark Sun Cosmology (David Schwartz)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Monstrous Pages: From Beyond This World (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">They Came From Outer Space! New Tropes and Archetypes (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Trinity Continuum Terra Firma: Boston (High Level Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e The Republican Pantheon (Mike McCall)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mork Borg module Under the Abbey (Flamberga)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Forgotten Realms module The Dead Tell No Tales (Mikael Mansen)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Demon: The Fallen Angels of Death: Lore of the Slayers (Travis Legge)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rayguns & Robuts (Planet X Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Demon: The Fallen Flames of Perdition: Lore of the Devils (Travis Legge)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Demon: The Fallen Infernal Might: Common Lores (Travis Legge)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Storypath System Preview (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Trinity Continuum Leviathan: Mabuhay (Travis Legge)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e Vampire (Lilith Grishaw)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e Mysteries of the Otherworld (David Taylor)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e adventure The Haunting of Valentyne Manor (Ryan Loyal Stueve)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dark Sun Sorceror-Kingmaker conversion for Pathfinder Kingmaker AP (Luke Swadling)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Brancalonia The Daily Jinx #0 (Acheron Books)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Call of Cthulhu adventure Black Goat of New Orleans (Golden Goblin Press)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e Sioux City by Night (Martlett Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e homebrew Clanbook: Tzimisce (Jasin Holliday)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e homebrew Clanbook: Nagaraja (Jasin Holliday)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e homebrew Clanbook: Old Clan Tzimisce (Jasin Holliday)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e homebrew Clanbook: Gargoyle (Jasin Holliday)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e homebrew Clanbook: Daughters of Cacophony (Jasin Holliday)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e homebrew Clanbook: True Brujah (Jasin Holliday)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 5e homebrew Clanbook: Salubri (Jasin Holliday)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Werewolf: The Wild West Welcome to Purgatory: Osage Character Option Supplement (High Level Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition one-page jumpstart Heirs to the Mountains of Madness (High Level Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Victorian Age one-page jumpstart A Musical Interlude (High Level Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Deadlands Horror at Headstone Hill Player's Introduction (Pinnacle Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Monstrous Pages: Forces of Nature (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 3.x SiglO: 100 Feats for Ravenloft (Dion Fernandez)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cavaliers of Mars module Witch-Queen of the Shadowed Citadel (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e Solo Adventures (Peter Rudin-Burgess)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Symbaroum Throne of Thorns Campaign Overview (Jarnringen)</div><div style="text-align: left;">King Tut's Rootin' Tootin' Extravabonanza (Planet X Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Conan d20 to 2d20 Conversion Guide (Modiphius)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Final Fantasy RPG 4th Edition CD 1 (Bruno Carvalho)</div><div style="text-align: left;">A Guide to the Storyteller Adventure System (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">nWoD Dudes of Legend (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Mud, the Blood, and the Beer (Calvin Johns)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vermilium Jumpstart (White Witch Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Requiem 1e SAS: Scenes of Frenzy (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mummy: The Curse 1e Lore of the Deceived (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadowdark RPG: Blades, Guts, and Gold (Laurin-David Weggin)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dawn of Worlds (Legends)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition Believe in Magick! (Sebastian Freeman)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Numenera In Strange Aeons (Monte Cook Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Numenera adventure Vortex (Monte Cook Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Strange Impossible Vehicles (Monte Cook Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Blood & Chrome 1.1 Technopunk Descriptors (Marlowe House)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Blood & Chrome 1.2 Technopunk Types (Marlowe House)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Blood & Chrome 1.3 Technopunk Foci (Marlowe House)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e adventure Shadows of Lastwatch Keep (The Arcane Library)</div><div style="text-align: left;">AD&D adventure DA1 The Lottery (Dan Armstrong)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e adventure Crypts of Azarumme (The Arcane Library)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Numenera Cypher Collection I (Monte Cook Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Numenera Artifacts & Oddities Collection I (Monte Cook Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Monstrous Pages: Foulest Reptiles (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana 37: Downtime (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hopeless, Maine: The Roleplaying Game (Outland Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana 32: Traps Revisited (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Victims of the Demon Lord: Only Human (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Insupposable Instruments (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Victims of the Demon Lord: Ghosts in Machines (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Lands in Shadow: Borderlands of Tear (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e A Mirror Darkly Abyssal homebrew (?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Metagaos Charmset Infernal homebrew (Revlid/?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Big Eye Chungus (Planet X Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dungeon Crawl Classics 72: Beyond the Black Gate (Goodman Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Gods of the Fall Gods Beyond (Monte Cook Games)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e Unearthed Arcana 33: Mystic Class (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 5e module Temple of the Basilisk Cult (The Arcane Library)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Odyssey of the Dragonlords Player's Guide (Modiphius)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Geist: The Sin-Eaters 1e Ready-Made Characters (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e Ready-Made Characters (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Promethean: The Created 1e Ready-Made Characters (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Requiem 1e Ready-Made Characters (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Werewolf: The Forsaken 1e Chronicler's Guide I: To Isolate (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Werewolf: The Forsaken 1e Chronicler's Guide II: To Rebuild (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Comics</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hopeless, Maine Book One: Personal Demons (Tom & Nimue Brown)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Justice League: Last Ride #1 (DC)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nightwing #74 (DC)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Batman: Fear State Omega #1 (DC)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Movies</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Death on the Nile (2022)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Batman (2022)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Night House (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Candyman (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Man from Toronto (2022)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Free Guy</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Cloverfield Paradox</div><div style="text-align: left;">Uncharted</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Black Phone</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ghosts of the Ozarks</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jurassic World: Dominion</div><div style="text-align: left;">Halloween Ends</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nope</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Northman</div><div style="text-align: left;">Champagne & Bullets</div><div style="text-align: left;">Killer Workout</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">TV</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Witcher, Season 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Masked Singer, Seasons 5-7</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Archive 81, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Castle Rock, Season 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">Burden of Truth, Seasons 1 & 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Amazing Race, Seasons 33 & 34</div><div style="text-align: left;">Law & Order: Organized Crime, Seasons 1 & 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">Obi-Wan Kenobi, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">No Cover, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stranger Things, Season 4</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Umbrella Academy, Season 3</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Last Kingdom, Season 5</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Sandman, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anatomy of a Scandal, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Sinner, Season 4</div><div style="text-align: left;">House of the Dragon, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Unsolved Mysteries (Netflix), Season 3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Servant, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Video Games</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Battlechasers: Nightwar</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Tabletop Gaming</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">(Jon G)Pathfinder 1e Ruins of Azlant AP, 12 Sessions</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadows of the Demon Lord: Shadows of Castle Whiterock, 12 Sessions</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Jon R)Pathfinder 1e Game Shop setting homebrew, 1 Session</div><div style="text-align: left;">Numenera One-Shot</div><div style="text-align: left;">Numenera: Those Who Move Clouds, 1 Session</div>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-67009756371154535402023-04-14T23:24:00.000-05:002023-04-14T23:24:03.669-05:00A Return to Things<p> Unsurprisingly, another year+ has passed since any content has been posted to this blog.</p><p>Also unsurprising is that I'm here to say that I hope to remedy the lulls I've had the past few years, and start posting at least semi-regularly.</p><p>You see, my absences have been driven by changes. Changes in workplace, changes in schedule, changes in health, changes in living conditions, and very importantly, changes in happiness. Too heavy for a blog that deals with make believe? Perhaps. True, nonetheless. I have allowed various things and circumstances in my life to dictate my mood and attitude toward almost everything for too long, and I've decided (with the help of some good old introspection) that I'm going to take the things that bring me joy and relaxation back. </p><p>More gaming, more talking about gaming, more reading and just soaking up entertainment, in general. In the past few years, I couldn't tell you about things I've read or watched because they mostly were just to distract from stress.</p><p>I want to engage and create again.</p><p>Do I still have anyone that follows this blog? Do people still try to engage with my other endeavors, elsewhere? I'm not sure, but I know I want to try to do the things that I have loved in the past and this is one of those things.</p><p>More to come! </p>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-48725955848426518732022-02-27T20:17:00.002-06:002022-02-27T20:17:15.215-06:00My 30 Day World - Who Is the Most Renowned Hero in Your World?<div style="text-align: left;"> I'm participating in the #My30DayWorld exercise partially because I want to see how fleshed out my world of Khardtha actually is, and also to see what I can add, prompted by questions I may or may not have already asked myself.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jumping back into this after a few years. Previous answers to questions 1-3 can be found <a href="http://buddyr.blogspot.com/2018/03/my-30-day-world-what-is-30-second.html">here</a>, <a href="http://buddyr.blogspot.com/2018/03/my-30-day-world-what-is-name-of-your_21.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://buddyr.blogspot.com/2019/06/my-30-day-world-who-is-most-nefarious.html">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Day 4 - Who is the most renowned hero in your world?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kronor Makal was the leader of a Filian expedition to a continent that had appeared to the west of the Fartucian continent. Upon arrival, he and his expeditionary force encountered a land populated with a large race of humanoids calling themselves the Uhgur. These "Ogres," as Makal's notes called them, were an enslaved people, forced to toil and fight for a being they described as made of pure darkness.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Makal was a canny diplomat and accomplished battle-mage. He led his forces in early strikes to liberate the Uhgur and help them free more of their kin. Though there were tribal enmities to overcome, the ogres fought fiercely against ashen-skinned forces clad in black that could use darkness as weapons. After long years of war, Kronor led the coalition forces against the stronghold of their mutual enemy, clashing personally with a massive giant seemingly made of shadow. The battle shattered the lands on the southern tip of the continent, and in the aftermath, Makal asked the Ughur if the humans could settle the desolated lands. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There, Makal built a settlement on the ruins of the enemy stronghold and the Uhgur tribes dispersed to the rest of the continent, returning to their tribal ways and working to cultivate good relations with the Filian newcomers. The Uhgur bestowed the honor of naming the continent Makalus after Kronor for his devotion to freeing their peoples.</div>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-63514200289171607492022-02-27T18:08:00.005-06:002022-02-27T18:26:45.315-06:002021: A Year in Summary<p> Late with last year's list of stuff I read, watched, and played, but here it is. As with the last two years' worth (that I posted in the last couple of days), I have no excuses. As always, I welcome commentary and questions!</p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>2021 Use of Time</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Books</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">People of the Crossroads Continent (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">In Fluid Silence (G W Tirpa)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 3.x Dragonlance Holy Orders of the Stars (Sovereign Press)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tombpunk: Lo-Fi Adventuring (Outland Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Infernal Homebrew (Sandact)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Elder Scrolls RPG Delve Mode Scenario: Path to Glory (Modiphius)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e Quick Character: Annie X (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">AD&D 2e Dark Sun The Player's Guide to Balic (Dark House Rules)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Deadlands Reloaded Independence Day Conversion (Pinnacle)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Deadlands Reloaded one-sheet Death in Dodge (John W Thompson)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana Rune/Swarm/Revived (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Adversaries of the Righteous: Cynis Borok (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Adversaries of the Righteous: Regara Feria (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Adversaries of the Righteous: Ifraja the Librarian (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Adversaries of the Righteous: Harrowing Silence (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Adversaries of the Righteous: The Broker (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Hundred Devils Night Parade: Mouse of the Sun (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Hundred Devils Night Parade: Rantai (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Hundred Devils Night Parade: Zicnal of Asmari (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Hundred Devils Night Parade: Strix (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Underwarrens (Arcane Library)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Watcher Sheet (Margaret Weis Productions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Chronicles of Darkness The Golden Watch (Dawn Prough)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Chronicles of Darkness A Night with Jack (Eddy Webb)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Requiem 1e The Man Himself (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Races of Ravnica (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Greyhawk Initiative (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Feats for Races (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Feats for Skills (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Starter Spells (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Wizard Revisited (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Mass Combat (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Sorcerer (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Ranger & Rogue (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Paladin (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Monk (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Fighter (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Druid (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Cleric (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Bard (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Barbarian (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Encounter Building (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: The Faithful (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Quick Characters (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Feats (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Gothic Heroes (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Kits of Old (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: That Old Black Magic (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Light, Dark, Underdark (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Warhammer: Age of Sigmar 2e Quick Rules (Games Workshop)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Warhammer: Age of Sigmar 3e Core Rules (Games Workshop)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana: Waterborne Adventures (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D One Grung Above (Christopher Lindsay)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Unhinge the Mind (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Tooth and Claw (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: The Witching Wood (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord expert adventure The Star's Refuge (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord starter adventure The Slaver's Lash (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord master adventure The Last Train to Darksville (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord novice adventure The Huntsman's Isle (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord novice adventure The God Below (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord expert adventure The Flute of Farewell (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Monstrous Pages: Slaves in Death (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Riders of the Wind (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Power in A Name (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Monstrous Pages: Odd Monsters (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Flesh of the Fallen (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Fever Dreams (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Dark Passages (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Children of the Restless Earth (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Battle Scars (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord novice adventure One Perfect Moment (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord expert adventure A Measure of Faith (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord expert adventure Beware the Tides of Karshoon (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord novice adventure Blood Will Run (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Lands in Shadow: City of Death (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Poisoned Pages: Do We Not Die? (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Lands in Shadow: Freeholds of Nar (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord master adventure The Giant's Tribute (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dungeon Master's Little Black Book (Squarehex)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Bork Morgue #666 (GWHY)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord master adventure Heart of Winter (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord master adventure Measure of a Man (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Monstrous Pages: Noisome Beasts (Schwalb Entertainment)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Magic and Shit (Levi Combs)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Movies</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Coming 2 America (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Midsommar (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Color Out of Space (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tenet (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thunder Force (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Tomorrow War (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Empty Man (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Monster Hunter (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Keeping Hours (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sweet Girl (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Old Guard (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">News of the World (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Secret Societies [Documentary] (2007)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Family [Documentary] (2016)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Halloween Kills (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Eternals (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Matrix: Resurrections (2021)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>TV</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">His Dark Materials, Season 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">Into the Badlands, Seasons 1 & 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Stand (2021), Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Sinner, Season 3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sharp Objects, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">WandaVision, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Amazing Race, Seasons 26-32</div><div style="text-align: left;">Britain's Outlaws, 3-part Docuseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Seven Deadly Sins, Season 4</div><div style="text-align: left;">Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jupiter's Legacy, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Nevers, Season 1.1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Deadwater Fell, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mare of Easttown, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Loki, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">NCIS: New Orleans, Seasons 1-7</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lore, Seasons 1 & 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kitchen Nightmares (USA), Seasons 1 & 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">American Horror Stories, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Knights, 3-part Docuseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Normans, 3-part Docuseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Invincible, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ragnarok, Season 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Chestnut Man, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cowboy Bebop (live-action), Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Arcane, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hawkeye, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">CSI: Vegas, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Wheel of Time, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Tabletop Gaming</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Battletech Escape from New Dennyson (2 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Sam)Pathfinder 1e Wrath of the Righteous AP 2nd Playthrough (5 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Jon G)Starfinder homebrew (1 Session)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Jon G)Pathfinder 1e Ruins of Azlant AP (5 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shadow of the Demon Lord Shadow of Castle Whiterock (4 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Malifaux (3 games; Resurrectionists Loss vs. Outcasts, Resurrectionists Loss vs. Arcanists, Explorers Loss vs. Guild)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Games with names in parenthesis denotes who ran that game.</span></div>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-41979829087079639452021-01-01T01:08:00.062-06:002022-02-25T01:51:52.294-06:002020: A Year in Summary<p> Another year's worth of things I've consumed/done. This one, also just inserted where it would have been with no excuses.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>2020 Use of Time</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Books</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Deadlands: Reloaded (Great White)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Small Favor (Jim Butcher)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Dark Ages The Curse Pole module (High Level)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Requiem 1e Core Rulebook (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade Beautiful Spiders bloodline book (David MacDowell Blue)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade 101 Plot Ideas (Guido Alfieri)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Dark Ages Clanbook: Baali (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Castles & Crusades one-page adventure The Hunt (Davis Chenault)</div><div style="text-align: left;">One-page dungeon Broken Bridge Mill (Gothridge)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mythoard Game Card #7 Man of the Mountain (Justin Andrew Mason)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mythoard Game Card #9 Wrath of Heaven (Justin Andrew Mason)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e Dragon-Blooded: What Fire Has Wrought (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">In Hollow Houses (Gary A Braunbeck)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Zombie: The Coil Core Rulebook (Daniel Solis)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Magazines</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Dungeoneer 12</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Comics</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pathfinder: Runescars 1 & 2</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Movies</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Season of the Witch (2011)</div><div style="text-align: left;">John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Irishman (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Annabelle Comes Home (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Curse of La Llorona (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Crimson Peak (2015)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hobbs & Shaw (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bumblebee (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nosferatu (1922)</div><div style="text-align: left;">A Trip to the Moon (1902)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Alchemist Cookbook (2016)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Grave Encounters (2011)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pet Semetary (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Badlands (1973)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Death Wish (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let Me In (2010)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Dark (2005)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Under the Skin (2013)</div><div style="text-align: left;">IT Chapter 2 (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Angel Has Fallen (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Wildling (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Killing Them Softly (2012)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Midnight Meat Train (2008)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Lighthouse (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mud (2012)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Joker (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hangman (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Babadook (2014)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Uncut Gems (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Project Power (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Field Guide to Evil (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Shed (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Invisible Man (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scoob! (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Doolittle (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Knockaround Guys (2001)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>TV</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dark, Season 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">The 4400, Season 4</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Amazing Race, Seasons 10-25</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ragnarok, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Carnival Row, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Outsider, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Agatha Christie's The Pale Horse, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">What We Do in the Shadows, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Castlevania, Season 3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tiger King, Docuseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Masked Singer, Seasons 1-3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Seven Deadly Sins, Season 3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sword Art Online, Season 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ancient Aliens, Seasons 7-13</div><div style="text-align: left;">Expedition Unknown, Seasons 1 & 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Perry Mason (2020), Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Haunting of Bly Manor, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Blood of Zeus, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ripper Street, Seasons 1-5</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hinterland, Seasons 1-3</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Mandalorian, Season 2</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Video Games</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Call of Cthulhu (XBox)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Tabletop Gaming</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Deadlands "Getting the Hell Out of Dodge" (7 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Sam)5e D&D Dragon Heist/Dungeon of the Mad Mage (9 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vampire: The Masquerade V20 "Easy Street" (7 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Taylor)Pathfinder 1e (One-Shot)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Sam)Pathfinder 1e Wrath of the Righteous AP 2nd Playthrough (10 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Battletech "Escape from New Dennyson" (4 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Games with names in parenthesis denotes who ran that game.</span></div>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-61216997150378850252020-01-01T02:57:00.259-06:002022-02-25T01:07:26.048-06:002019: A Year in Summary<p> Writing this in 2022, but putting it where it belongs with no excuses. I have no context to give, but I welcome any commentary or questions, as always.</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>2019 Use of Time</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Books</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">AD&D 1e Dragonlance module DL9: Dragons of Deceit (TSR)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Changeling: The Lost 1e QuickStart: Dwelling in Darkness (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana 18: Revised Ranger (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana 46: Elf Sub-Races (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana 44: Eladrin and the Gith (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Changeling: The Lost 1e SAS: The Rose Bride's Plight (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e Guide to Cryptids of North America (David Fuller)</div><div style="text-align: left;">53 D&D Unearthed Arcana 43: Three Pillar XP (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5e D&D Unearthed Arcana 35: Three Sub Classes (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Art & Arcana: A Visual History of Dungeons & Dragons (Ten Speed Press)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Scion 2e Many Names of Heimdall (Joshua Heath)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Space Master Companion I (ICE)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Aberrant 2e Core Rulebook (Onyx Path)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 1e Storyteller's Companion (White Wolf)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 3.x Races of Eberron (Wizards of the Coast)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Comics</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Wicked + The Divine, 1-4</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ignition, Volume 1</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Movies</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Polar (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Abducted in Plain Sight (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Captain Marvel (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bleach (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Highwaymen (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Mummy (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rampage (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mercy Black (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Nun (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Halloween (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Snowpiercer (2013)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Annabelle: Creation (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lifechanger (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Apostle (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The VVitch (2015)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bob Lazar: Area 51 & Flying Saucers (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewold (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ready Player One (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Founder (2016)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Machete (2010)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Predator (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tag (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Aquaman (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">A.I., Artificial Intelligence (2001)</div><div style="text-align: left;">House of the Witch (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the Tall Grass (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Ritual (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">St. Agatha (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Death Day (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fractured (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Eli (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rattlesnake (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Influence (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Crooked Hoyuse (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The King (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Lodgers (2017)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Golem (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">An Inspector Calls (2015)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Murder by the Book (1987)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dark Places (2015)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Family Blood (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Shazam (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Us (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jacob's Ladder (2019)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Night School (2018)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>TV</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Criminal Minds, Season 12</div><div style="text-align: left;">Longmire, Season 6</div><div style="text-align: left;">NCIS, Season 12</div><div style="text-align: left;">Daredevil, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stranger Things, Season 1-3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Black Mirror, Seasons 1, 2, and Bandersnatch</div><div style="text-align: left;">Top 10 Secrets & Mysteries, Season 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">Love, Death, and Robots, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">True Detective, Seasons 1-3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Murder Maps, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Transformers: Prime, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Confessions of a Serial Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dexter, Seasons 1-3</div><div style="text-align: left;">The 4400, Seasons 1-3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Miniseries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Weird Wonders of the World, Seasons 1 & 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jessica Jones, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Deadwood, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Conspiracies, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Chef Show, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Good Omens, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Boys, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Seven Deadly Sins, Seasons 1 & 2</div><div style="text-align: left;">The ABC Murders, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">NOS4ATU, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Marianne, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">American Horror Story: Armageddon, Season 8</div><div style="text-align: left;">Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Seasons 2 & 3</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Amazing Race, Seasons 1-9</div><div style="text-align: left;">Commander VS, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">Penny Dreadful, Seasons 1-3</div><div style="text-align: left;">Watchmen, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">His Dark Materials, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Witcher, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Mandalorian, Season 1</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Tabletop Gaming</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">(Sam)5e D&D Dragon Heist/Dungeon of the Mad Mage (21 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pathfinder 1e Legacy of Fire AP (11 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Taylor)Starfinder Homebrew (13 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 3.x Sandbox/Tentpole "Kellan's Cellar" (7 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Sam)5e D&D Forge of Fury (One-Shot)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Jon G)Pathfinder 1e Gestalt "Wardens of Absalom" (1 Session)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Sam)5e D&D White Plume Mountain (One-Shot)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hunter: The Vigil 1e (One-Shot)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Changeling: The Lost 1e "The Grass Isn't Always Greener" (3 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 3.x "Forgotten Realms II: Legacies of the Past" (13 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Exalted 3e "The General Direction" (7 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Sam)Call of Cthulhu Masks of Nyarlathotep (5 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Sam)5e D&D Christmas-themed adventures (2 Sessions)</div><div style="text-align: left;">D&D 3.x Dark Sun (One-Shot)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Games with names in parenthesis denotes who ran that game.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-8294860470220184642019-06-30T00:37:00.002-05:002019-06-30T00:37:17.233-05:00My 30 Day World - Who Is The Most Nefarious Villain In Your World?I'm participating in the #My30DayWorld exercise partially because I want to see how fleshed out my world of Khardtha actually is, and also to see what I can add, prompted by questions I may or may not have already asked myself.<br />
<br />
Day 3 - Who is the most nefarious villain in your world?<br />
<br />
The short answer, and kind of a cop-out is "no one." Despite the number of years I have had material on Khardtha sitting in my notes, I've not actually developed it to the point where many would claim it is playable. Additionally, quite a few of my decisions when world building are player driven, and I've never been presented by a player with a "big bad."<br />
<br />
This isn't to say there aren't villains in the world, I've just not delved into their stories much. If I had to choose, however, I'd say it would be a tie between Arvedas Dungan, a powerful magic user that threatened the peace and prosperity of a whole continent hundreds of years ago; or Karthōth, the God of the Dead in the Fartucian Pantheon, who had been a thorn in the side of the very first adventurers I ever ran in the setting.<br />
<br />
Neither have much developed for them to make them the "most nefarious," but I would likely edge Arvedas just a touch higher in rank on this, due to how oppressive his regime was.Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-24923793892471648362019-06-29T10:57:00.002-05:002019-06-29T10:57:26.394-05:00Bleep Boop! Achievable!Last night's session was a milestone for my group. Though we have completed a Pathfinder Adventure Path in the past (Wrath of the Righteous), this was the first one we completed with me in the DM's seat.<br />
<br />
A few years back, I decided I would run the APs in order, starting with Rise of the Runelords. That one wrapped up in the fifth book, with the characters' lives ending in Runeforge, the magical research center created by the Runelords. Curse of the Crimson Throne came to its conclusion during play of the third book under Arkona Manor when the party fell to the claws of Sivit, the darksphinx. After that, the group (down a couple of players, I'll add) failed saves against Drow sleep poison and were quickly outmatched by Depora at the end of the first book, bringing our Second Darkness run to a close.<br />
<br />
Then, we started Legacy of Fire. The opening felt weak, though the action and story were compelling enough to keep play going. There were times when the story fell flat, not supporting the overall narrative, and focus was lost a little. There were times I had to bolster or scale back the number of encounters to keep things exciting/stop the game from becoming a slog. Despite this, after 41 sessions since 2017, we completed the Adventure Path.<br />
<br />
I only hope my players had fun through the campaign. Something about the end rang hollow to me, but I can't place it. It's not that they didn't have to fight for the win, it's not that I don't think they were rewarded with a bad campaign (or Dungeon Master!). I keep going back to the denouement. Legacy of Fire's epilogue isn't as satisfying to me as the three previous APs'.<br />
<br />
We talked about it as a group after we finished, and everyone seemed ok with it. Sometimes it's a curse being the DM, when you read and know more about it all. It does feel good to not TPK in one of these and actually see it to the end, though Jhavhul did his best to try to change that.<br />
<br />
The Council of Thieves is next in the series, but it's been requested that Forgotten Realms 2 be next. Looking forward to that!Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-44429492786417513462019-03-03T17:10:00.001-06:002019-03-26T09:07:04.784-05:002018: A Year in SummaryFinally settled into a place where I can bring out my PC and kind of get back into the swing of things here. Though I don't promise a huge upswing in posting, I do think I will put more on here than the three or so posts that have been sprinkled in the last couple of years.<br />
<br />
I'm kicking off this year the same way I've done the last few and letting everyone know what I've been up to as far as entertainment goes. As always, if there are any questions or comments about the content of these lists, let me know.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2018 Use of Time</b></span><br />
<b>Books</b><br />
Starfinder Adventure Path 2: Dead Suns 2: Temple of the Twelve (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles City of Strangers (Paizo)<br />
Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game X-Men Roster Book (TSR)<br />
Vampire: The Dark Ages Libellus Sanguinis - Masters of the State (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Inner Sea Bestiary (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 20: Legacy of Fire 2: House of the Beast (Paizo)<br />
Exalted 3rd Edition Jumpstart Module The Tomb of Dreams (White Wolf/Onyx Path)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles Guide to Absalom (Paizo)<br />
White Night (Jim Butcher)<br />
World of Darkness Combat (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles Dark Markets: A Guide to Katapesh (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Horror Adventures (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Lands of the Linnorm Kings (Paizo)<br />
Scion 2nd Edition: Origin (Onyx Path)<br />
Pathfinder Player Companion People of the North (Paizo)<br />
Vampire: The Dark Ages Liege, Lord, and Lackey (White Wolf)<br />
Starfinder Adventure Path 3: Dead Suns 3: Splintered Worlds (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles Heart of the Jungle (Paizo)<br />
Shadow of the Demon Lord Expert Module A Case of Consumption (Schwalb Entertainment)<br />
Pathfinder Player's Companion Demon Hunter's Handbook (Paizo)<br />
Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game (Sword & Sorcery)<br />
Good Omens (Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett)<br />
3.x D&D Ravenloft Secrets of the Dread Realms (Sword & Sorcery)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 21: Legacy of Fire 3: The Jackal's Price (Paizo)<br />
The Roadmap (Cameron L Morrisey)<br />
5e D&D Princes of the Apocalypse (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Shadow of the Demon Lord Victims of the Demon Lord: For Gold and Glory (Schwalb Entertainment)<br />
Shadow of the Demon Lord Core Rulebook (Schwalb Entertainment)<br />
Scion 2nd Edition: Hero (Onyx Path)<br />
Pathfinder Adventurer's Guide (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Module The Emerald Spire Superdungeon (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Occult Mysteries (Paizo)<br />
<br />
<b>Magazines</b><br />
Dungeon 90<br />
Dungeon 143<br />
<br />
<b>Movies</b><br />
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2006)<br />
Seventh Son (2014)<br />
Divergent (2014)<br />
Insurgent (2015)<br />
Alien: Covenant (2017)<br />
Midnight Chronicles (2009)<br />
Black Panther (2018)<br />
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)<br />
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)<br />
The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)<br />
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)<br />
Deadpool 2 (2018)<br />
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)<br />
Alex Cross (2012)<br />
Out of Time (2003)<br />
It (2017)<br />
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)<br />
Dracula Untold (2014)<br />
The Snowman (2017)<br />
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)<br />
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)<br />
Near Dark (1987)<br />
The Legend of Hercules (2014)<br />
War (2007)<br />
Sausage Party (2016)<br />
Neighbors (2014)<br />
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)<br />
The Angry Birds Movie (2016)<br />
The Ridiculous 6 (2015)<br />
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)<br />
Bird Box (2018)<br />
<br />
<b>TV</b><br />
Major Crimes, Season 6<br />
Brave Starr, Complete Series<br />
The Alienist, Limited Series<br />
Legion, Season 2<br />
Night Gallery, Season 1<br />
Castlevania, Season 1<br />
Castlevania, Season 2<br />
The Haunting of Hill House, Season 1<br />
Black Mirror, Season 4<br />
The Last Kingdom, Season 1<br />
Godless, Season 1<br />
NCIS, Season 8<br />
NCIS, Season 9<br />
The Final Table, Season 1<br />
The Last Kingdom, Season 2<br />
Black Mirror, Season 3<br />
Longmire, Season 3<br />
Criminal Minds, Season 6<br />
Criminal Minds, Season 7<br />
Criminal Minds, Season 8<br />
The Last Kingdom, Season 3<br />
Criminal Minds, Season 9<br />
Criminal Minds, Season 10<br />
NCIS, Season 10<br />
NCIS, Season 11<br />
Criminal Minds, Season 11<br />
Longmire, Season 4<br />
Longmire, Season 5<br />
<br />
<b>Tabletop Gaming*</b><br />
Legacy of Fire AP (22 Sessions)<br />
Dead Suns AP (6 Sessions)<br />
(Taylor)Shadowrun (1 session)<br />
Exalted 3e "The General Direction" (5 Sessions)<br />
(Sam)5e Tal'Dorei Campaign (14 Sessions)<br />
(Taylor)Numenera 1-Shot<br />
3.x D&D "Kellan's Cellar" (14 Sessions)<br />
(Jon G)3.x D&D "By Sword and Claw" (8 sessions)<br />
(Taylor)Iron Gods AP (3 Sessions)<br />
(David)Deathwatch (2 Sessions)<br />
(Taylor)Strange Aeons AP (2 Sessions)<br />
(Paul)Serpent's Skull AP (2 Sessions)<br />
(Sam)5e Dragon Heist module (3 Sessions)<br />
Into the Haunted Forest module 1-Shot<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Games with names other than mine in parenthesis denote who ran those campaigns.</span>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-16400139609377069912018-03-21T19:00:00.001-05:002018-03-28T11:23:35.946-05:00My 30 Day World - What Is The Name Of Your World? Why Is It Called This?I'm participating in the #My30DayWorld exercise partially because I want to see how fleshed out my world of Khardtha actually is, and also the see what I can add, prompted by questions I may or may not have already asked myself.<br />
<br />
Day 2 - What is the name of your world? Why is it called this?<br />
<br />
The name of my world is Khardtha. Khard was the name of the being that created Khardtha with his magics, but it is unknown if he named his creation or if those who came after named the world after him.Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-64033567377805429642018-03-20T19:00:00.000-05:002018-03-28T11:14:32.374-05:00My 30 Day World - What Is The 30-Second Elevator Pitch For Your World?I'm participating in the #My30DayWorld exercise partially because I want to see how fleshed out my world of Khardtha actually is, and also to see what I can add, prompted by questions I may or may not have already asked myself.<br />
<br />
Day 1 - What is the 30-second elevator pitch for your world?<br />
<br />
Khardtha was founded with magic, yet has forgotten its roots. It is a world branded by war, but not shaped by it. Exploration and discovery are in a Golden Age as people search out clues to the past. Enterprising warlords take and rename lands, or, if using powerful enough magic, raise their own territories from the sea. It is a land where the ever-shifting pantheons of gods walk, and a land where the lowliest peasant can aspire to godhood.<br />
<br />
Khardtha is a world both old and new, ever in flux, and ever ready for adventure!Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-49360263553004658992018-01-30T16:00:00.000-06:002018-03-13T14:36:59.344-05:002017: A Year in SummaryWow, nothing since July of last year, and coming back out my lowest posting year since I started this thing 11 years ago. This doesn't mean I've fallen out of the hobby. Far from it, in fact, I've just not had an opportunity to post, since a lot of my things have been sitting in storage for a long time (including my PC) in preparation for an eventual move. I have a ton of aborted posts in my drafts, actually. Some of it Actual Play, some just discussion topics.<br />
<br />
To kick the year off, I've decided to repeat what I did in <a href="http://buddyr.blogspot.com/2015/01/2014a-year-in-summary.html" target="_blank">2015</a> and <a href="http://buddyr.blogspot.com/2017/01/happy-belated-new-year-everyone-its.html" target="_blank">2017</a>, and give you a glimpse of how I spent the previous year interacting with nerd stuff and entertainment of various kinds. I understand that what I do with my free time probably isn't entertaining to most of you, but you never know if you'll find a book, movie, tv show, or gaming product that you might be unfamiliar with and may want to check out.<br />
<br />
Feel free to ask questions about, comment on, or make fun of anything on the list!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2017 Use of Time</span></b><br />
<b>Books</b><br />
Ruins of the Dragon Lord: Tales of Mount Moru (Judges Guild)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Lost Treasures (Paizo)<br />
d20 Modern d20 Past (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
3.x D&D Eberron City of Stormreach (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Rule of Fear (Paizo)<br />
Expert D&D module X1: The Isle of Dread (TSR)<br />
Vampire: The Dark Ages The Transylvania Chronicles I: Dark Tides Rising (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Tombs of Golarion (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Companion Second Darkness Player's Guide (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 14: Second Darkness 2: Children of the Void (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Villain Codex (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Misfit Monsters Redeemed (Paizo)<br />
3.x D&D Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Big Eyes, Small Mouth Second Edition Core Rulebook (Guardians of Order)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Osirion, Legacy of Pharoahs (Paizo)<br />
AD&D 2nd Edition The Complete Psionics Handbook (TSR)<br />
Vampire: The Masquerade Clanbook: Malkavian (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Inner Sea Magic (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Artifacts & Legends (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 15: Second Darkness 3: The Armageddon Echo (Paizo)<br />
3.x D&D Eberron Dragons of Eberron (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Kinsmen of the Grail (Dorothy James Roberts)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles NPC Guide (Paizo)<br />
Werewolf: The Apocalypse Player's Guide (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles Classic Monsters Revisited (Paizo)<br />
Street Fighter: The RPG The Perfect Warrior (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Player Companion People of the Stars (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Player Companion Faiths of Balance (Paizo)<br />
Vampire: The Dark Ages Clanbook: Cappadocian (White Wolf)<br />
AD&D 2nd Edition Ruins of Myth Drannor Boxed Set: Myth Drannor Adventures (TSR)<br />
Pathfinder Companion Qadira, Gateway to the East (Paizo)<br />
3.x D&D Planar Handbook (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Pathfinder Companion Gnomes of Golarion (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Player Companion Champions of Corruption (Paizo)<br />
Vampire: The Dark Ages Book of Storyteller Secrets (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 16: Second Darkness 4: Endless Night (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Rival Guide (Paizo)<br />
3.x D&D Races of the Dragon (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Undead Revisited (Paizo)<br />
Yeager (Chuck Yeager and Leo Janos)<br />
3.x D&D Hero Builder's Guidebook (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
HackMaster 4th Edition GameMaster's Guide (Kenzer & Co.)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Inner Sea NPC Codex (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles Faction Guide (Paizo)<br />
Demon: The Fallen Core Rulebook (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Monster Codex (Paizo)<br />
The Domain of Midnight Falls (F. Williams)<br />
Starfinder Adventure Path 1: Dead Suns 1: Incident at Absalom Station (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Dragons Unleashed (Paizo)<br />
3.x D&D Drow of the Underdark (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Mythic Realms (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 17: Second Darkness 5: A Memory of Darkness (Paizo)<br />
AD&D 2nd Edition Forgotten Realms Elves of Evermeet (TSR)<br />
Nordic Runes (Paul Rhys Mountfort)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles Dragons Revisited (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Chronicle of the Righteous (Paizo)<br />
Vampire: The Masquerade Guide to the Camarilla (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Companion Legacy of Fire Player's Guide (Paizo)<br />
AD&D 2nd Edition Forgotten Realms Ruins of Undermountain II Boxed Set: The Adventures (TSR)<br />
Pathfinder GameMastery Module Crypt of the Everflame (Paizo)<br />
3.x D&D Sandstorm (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 18: Second Darkness 6: Descent into Midnight (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting Irrisen, Land of Eternal Winter (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Book of the Damned (Paizo)<br />
Vampire: The Dark Ages Constantinople by Night (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 19: Legacy of Fire 1: Howl of the Carrion King (Paizo)<br />
<br />
<b>Magazines</b><br />
Dungeon 96/Polyhedron 155<br />
Dragon 343<br />
Dragon 350<br />
Dragon 351<br />
Dungeon 128<br />
<br />
<b>Movies</b><br />
The Book of Life (2014)<br />
Reclaim (2014)<br />
Doctor Strange (2016)<br />
Gone Girl (2014)<br />
The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014)<br />
Brave (2012)<br />
Prometheus (2012)<br />
Logan (2017)<br />
22 Jump Street (2014)<br />
Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer's Curse (2015)<br />
Faster (2010)<br />
The Barrens (2012)<br />
Split (2016)<br />
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)<br />
Interstellar (2014)<br />
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)<br />
John Wick (2014)<br />
Battleship (2012)<br />
Chronicle (2012)<br />
Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)<br />
Suicide Squad (2016)<br />
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)<br />
The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016)<br />
The Last Witch Hunter (2016)<br />
The Legend of Tarzan (2016)<br />
Annabelle (2014)<br />
Wrath (2011)<br />
Project Almanac (2015)<br />
Central Intelligence (2016)<br />
The Accountant (2016)<br />
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)<br />
The Magnificent Seven (2016)<br />
Spy (2015)<br />
Wonder Woman (2016)<br />
Assassin's Creed (2016)<br />
Witchcraft (1964)<br />
Why Him? (2016)<br />
Grabbers (2012)<br />
Vampires: Los Muertos (2002)<br />
Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)<br />
The Sandman (2017)<br />
I, Frankenstein (2014)<br />
Neverknock (2017)<br />
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2016)<br />
Get Out (2017)<br />
The Hateful Eight (2015)<br />
Red River (1948)<br />
Goosebumps (2015)<br />
Kong: Skull Island (2017)<br />
Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2 (2017)<br />
Warcraft (2016)<br />
<br />
<b>TV</b><br />
Salem, Season 3<br />
Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda, Season 6<br />
Legion, Season 1<br />
Major Crimes, Season 5<br />
Game of Thrones, Season 7<br />
American Horror Story: Cult (Season 7)<br />
Gotham, Season 1<br />
<br />
<b>Video Games</b><br />
Final Fantasy XV<br />
<br />
<b>Tabletop Gaming*</b><br />
Vampire: The Masquerade "Easy Street" (3 sessions)<br />
Curse of the Crimson Throne AP (11 sessions)<br />
Pathfinder Homebrew (Jacob, 1 session)<br />
5e D&D Curse of Strahd (Jon R, 1 session)<br />
Pathfinder Castle Whiterock (Taylor, 5 sessions)<br />
Tomb of the Iron Medusa (Taylor, 1 session)<br />
Wrath of the Righteous AP (Sam, 10 sessions)<br />
Star Wars Force and Destiny (Taylor, 8 sessions)<br />
Second Darkness AP (6 sessions)<br />
Crypt of the Everflame (1 session)<br />
Dead Suns AP (8 sessions)<br />
Hunter: The Vigil (1 session)<br />
Legacy of Fire AP (6 sessions)<br />
Shadowrun 4th Edition (Taylor, 4 sessions)<br />
The Harrowing (Taylor, 1 session)<br />
Exalted "The General Direction" (1 session)<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Games with names other than mine in parenthesis denote who ran those campaigns.</span><br />
<br />
This was in my drafts for a long while, as you can tell by the timestamp. As it stands, only the Legacy of Fire, Dead Suns, and Exalted games are still running from those listed above. Shadowrun was our last game to come to an end, and I currently switch out my Legacy of Fire every other week with Sam's Tal'Dorei 5e D&D game.Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-22014405025399269682017-07-01T18:42:00.000-05:002018-03-13T14:39:46.473-05:00Leaving Whiterock to be Wrathfully RighteousUpon further investigation into the happenings on the level of the dungeon we were on in Castle Whiterock, Taylor found out we were not, in fact, on a level where we would be thrown into an underground arena that is mentioned in the adventure, so he decided to call the game, citing that the orcs that captured us would just feed us to, well, themselves.<br />
<br />
Though the campaign was fun, and I felt like it was gaining momentum as we delved deeper, the call made sense, and opened up a slot for the next game in our rotation (we're usually two or three games out in planning, though we drop random stuff in time to time), meaning that Sam would be picking up her Wrath of the Righteous adventure path for Pathfinder!<br />
<br />
We last played this campaign in July of last year, and had attained 13th level and 5th Mythic Rank. Going back through my archives, I was surprised to see I never posted about this campaign, but the past couple of years have not given me many opportunities to do so, and the sessions are so rich with content that I don't feel I would do them justice. Here's my attempt to pick it up, at any rate, and we begin in the Midnight Isles, realm of the Demon Lord Nocticula...<br />
<br />
<br />
After a reunion between Triel and Iridai, upon invitation we made our way to the Vault of Graves for an audience with Nocticula. However, befitting her fiendish nature, the demon queen set the shades of her lessers on us in the antechamber, stalling our advance just a short time before we were able to vanquish three and Triel took control of the fourth.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Demon Queen, Resplendent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As we entered the main area, we saw shelves rising 50 feet or so, filled to the brim with scrolls and tomes. This scriptorium was guarded by two fly-headed demons, who we vanquished and then made our way past to Nocticula's chambers, where we were greeted by the sight of her reclining on a bench. I must admit, I have never looked upon the visage of one who rules what is basically a divine realm with my own eyes. Though I, myself, and Triel are both of divine providence, I must admit to being stunned and speechless when my eyes fell upon this dread queen. I noticed some of my companions were similarly dumbfounded, which makes me wonder if it was a spell of some sort or perhaps the fact that we met in her domain which added to the effect. We may never know unless we meet her again.<br />
<br />
The conversation with Nocticula was tense. I remained silent, mostly due to my hatred for her kind, but also because she offered us what we wanted directly, and I felt no need to interject. She also granted us a "boon" in the form of a warrior that Iridai seemingly knew, but we turned down her other gifts, knowing that they would be tainted somehow by her demonic influence.<br />
<br />
Despite the dangerous prospect of trusting someone of her persuasion, Nocticula agreed to withdrawing from a business operation with the demon lords Deskari and Baphomet, and also told us of a mining operation that the two were allowed to run on one of her islands, which we whisked away magically to when our audience was finished. Triel and myself teleporting there, with Druss leading the other two through a portal the fiend had offered to facilitate our travel. Though I could find no deception in her eyes or voice about this portal, I couldn't bring myself to jump at the gifts of one from the Abyss.<br />
<br />
Arriving at the Isle under circling flocks of vrocks was unnerving, but we all converged in time to see a shape rushing at us from the sky, a celestial body defiled with beheading, with its skin flensed from its body. This Heavenly corpse rushed at us, but Triel's magic seized control of it and forced it under her will. I secretly wished for her to have blasted it to ash to rid reality of this atrocity, but it is small relief to know that under this control, at least this holy being's body will die in just cause and in battle against those who would commit this type of atrocity.<br />
<br />
Our ventures took us further upstream, where we encountered more undead abominations. These, the wailing spirits of the cursed fallen, led by a powerful knight of the grave. Though they proved slightly troublesome, we eventually won out and claimed the barge they had been guarding.<br />
<br />
I shall return with words on this soon...<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Cast of Characters</u></strong><br />
<strong>Hal' bin (Human Cleric 8 of Iomedae/Exalted 5|Mythic Heirophant 6) - </strong>Me<br />
<strong>Triel (Drow Wizard 13|Mythic Archmage 6) - </strong>Taylor<br />
<strong>Druss (Dwarf Barbarian 13|Mythic Guardian 6) - </strong>David<br />
<strong>Iridai (Nagaji Sorcerer 9/Dragon Disciple 4|Mythic Archmage 6) -</strong> Jon<br />
<strong>Tusk (Half-Orc Barbarian 13|Mythic Champion 6) - </strong>G2<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Edit: I had typoed "orcs" in the first paragraph to "orcas". Funny, that.</span>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-87380566167656423242017-06-17T13:47:00.001-05:002017-08-19T18:27:30.686-05:00Castle Whiterock - An Adventure in Six Parts...but only because there have been six sessions so far.<br />
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<br />
Taylor has been running this with Pathfinder, and we've had a blast. Our party has made probably 10 forays into the dungeon, taking the opportunity to head back to town maybe half a dozen times, and we made it to fourth level last night.<br />
<br />
We started as an established adventuring group, with our band having done enough stuff before the game started to bring us to first level in our respective classes. We met with a local personage of power and agreed to tasks set forth by her to collect books and other writings we recover, and then be compensated for them.<br />
<br />
Early forays to Castle Whiterock saw us facing off with slavers/cultists (I don't think we ever really got a good idea of which), undead, murderous birds, and bugbears! This latest venture into the dungeons below the structure had us poorly navigating hallways and randomly bumping into groups of orcs... one even featuring a spellcaster! Some of the orcs seemed a bit tougher than others, and it felt like our group were in for it a time or two, but we persevered (thanks in large part to Sir Hiss' Color Sprays) until we came across this Donkey Kong-esque staircase where some orcs were rolling barrels down the stairs at us.<br />
<br />
After taking a few lumps from the barrels on our way up, we finally made it up and engaged the 4 pig-faces, then were surprised by Nomdalu (sp?) running up the stairs yelling that we had more company coming in the shape of six of the elite commando orcs heading in from the other direction.<br />
<br />
Sir Hiss fell early, but Nomdalu was able to come to his aid while Malek and Cale swung away at the growing mass of bodies. Cale was clubbed down, followed by Nomdalu when she attempted to cast a spell in melee. Malek swiftly followed, leaving Sir Hiss the last standing. He promptly started begging for his life to be spared, and the laughing orcs (only 3 left standing, I may add) tied him up and then the lights went out.<br />
<br />
We all know Batman or the Ninja Turtles aren't coming to save our sorry asses, so Hiss has been knocked out. Taylor let us know that we didn't end with a TPK, and has, indeed, told us what is to come, but I will leave my dear readers in the dark!<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Cast of Characters</u></strong><br />
<strong>Sir Hiss, Male Vishkanya Sorcerer 4 - </strong>Jon<br />
<strong>Malek, Male Dwarf Fighter 4 - </strong>G2<br />
<strong>Nomdalu, Female ?? Cleric of ?? 4 - </strong>Sam<br />
<strong>Cale Fontan, Male Human Fighter 4 - </strong>MeBuddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-40787071084624671362017-01-07T01:14:00.000-06:002017-01-10T09:35:14.438-06:002016: A Year in SummaryHappy belated New Year, everyone!<br />
<br />
It's been four months since I've posted, and the reasons stay the same, so I'll not bore you with them. Instead, I've decided to tell you a little about what I've been doing, entertainment-wise, in the past year, much like I did <a href="http://buddyr.blogspot.com/2015/01/2014a-year-in-summary.html" target="_blank">at the start of 2015</a>.<br />
<br />
I understand that what I do with my free time probably isn't appealing to most people, but you never know if you might find a book, movie, tv show, or gaming product that you've never heard of on the list somewhere.<br />
<br />
Feel free to question, comment on, or make fun of anything you see on the list!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>2016 Use of Time</u></b></span><br />
<b>Books</b><br />
The Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss)<br />
Basic D&D Dungeon Master's Rulebook (TSR)<br />
Do Ants Have Assholes? (Jon Butler and Bruno Vincent)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 11: Curse of the Crimson Throne 5: Skeletons of Scarwall (Paizo)<br />
D&D 3.x Exemplars of Evil (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting (Paizo)<br />
Proven Guilty (Jim Butcher)<br />
Mummy: The Resurrection (White Wolf)<br />
Vampire: The Masquerade New Orleans by Night (White Wolf)<br />
D&D 3.x Ravenloft Denizens of Dread (Sword & Sorcery)<br />
Vampire: The Requiem: Bloodlines - The Hidden (White Wolf)<br />
5e D&D Forgotten Realms Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Expert D&D Rulebook (TSR)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 12: Curse of the Crimson Throne 6: Crown of Fangs (Paizo)<br />
World of Darkness Armory (White Wolf)<br />
World of Darkness Shadows of Mexico (White Wolf)<br />
Pathfinder Unchained (Paizo)<br />
World of Darkness Chicago (White Wolf)<br />
Vampire: The Masquerade The Hunters Hunted (White Wolf)<br />
AD&D 2nd Edition Dark Sun Thri-Kreen of Athas (TSR)<br />
The Civil War Almanac (World Almanac)<br />
D&D 3.x Dragonlance Dragons of Spring (Margaret Weis Productions)<br />
Malifaux Rules Manual (Wyrd)<br />
D&D 3.x Cityscape (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Changeling: The Lost Core Rulebook (White Wolf)<br />
Expert D&D module XSOLO Lathan's Gold (TSR)<br />
D&D 3.x Dragonlance module Key of Destiny (Sovereign Press)<br />
Exalted 3rd Edition (Onyx Path/White Wolf)<br />
Malifaux 2nd Edition (Wyrd)<br />
Pathfinder Adventure Path 13: Second Darkness 1: Shadow in the Sky (Paizo)<br />
Ruins of the Dragon Lord: The Dragon Stone (Green Ronin)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Ships of the Inner Sea (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles: The Great Beyond (Paizo)<br />
Pathfinder Chronicles: Guide to Darkmoon Vale (Paizo)<br />
Ruins of the Dragon Lord: Path of Archaneroth (Green Ronin)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Belkzen, Hold of the Orc Hordes (Paizo)<br />
D&D 3.x Dragonlance module Spectre of Sorrows (Sovereign Press)<br />
The Two Swords (R. A. Salvatore)<br />
5e D&D Dungeonology (Wizards of the Coast)<br />
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Dragon Empires Gazetteer (Paizo)<br />
<br />
<b>Magazines</b><br />
Dungeon 95/Polyhedron 154<br />
Dragon 353<br />
<br />
<b>Movies</b><br />
Deadpool (2016)<br />
The Mexican (2001)<br />
Hollywood Homicide (2003)<br />
The Croods (2013)<br />
Pompeii (2014)<br />
Ride Along (2014)<br />
Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987)<br />
Captain America: Civil War (2016)<br />
2 Guns (2013)<br />
300: Rise of an Empire (2014)<br />
47 Ronin (2013)<br />
The Internship (2013)<br />
Apartment 143 (2011)<br />
Girl in Woods (2016)<br />
Law Abiding Citizen (2009)<br />
The Other Woman (2015)<br />
Just Go With It (2011)<br />
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)<br />
Rise of the Zombies (2012)<br />
Pacific Rim (2013)<br />
The Revenant (2015)<br />
Dream/Killer (2015)<br />
Hazard Jack (2014)<br />
Ender's Game (2013)<br />
Man-Thing (2005)<br />
Rawhide (1951)<br />
These Thousand Hills (1959)<br />
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010)<br />
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)<br />
The Adjustment Bureau (2011)<br />
<br />
<b>TV</b><br />
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Season 2<br />
Murder Book, Season 2<br />
Real Detective, Season 1<br />
Agent Carter, Season 1<br />
Major Crimes, Season 4<br />
Rizzoli & Isles, Season 6<br />
Ancient Aliens, Season 6<br />
Game of Thrones, Season 5<br />
Rizzoli & Isles, Season 7<br />
American Horror Story: Roanoke (Season 6)<br />
Game of Thrones, Season 6<br />
<br />
Video Games<br />
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim<br />
<br />
<b>Tabletop Gaming</b>*<br />
Rise of the Runelords (6 sessions)<br />
Iron Gods (Taylor, 1 session)<br />
Tomb of the Iron Medusa (Taylor, 4 sessions)<br />
Wrath of the Righteous (Sam, 10 sessions)<br />
Hollow's Last Hope (1 session)<br />
Master of the Fallen Fortress (Taylor, 1 session)<br />
Vampire: The Masquerade - New Orleans (10 sessions)<br />
Serpent's Skull (Paul, 10 sessions)<br />
Pathfinder Homebrew (Jacob, 3 sessions)<br />
Shadow of the Demon Lord (Taylor/Me, 1 session)<br />
Shadow of the Demon Lord (Taylor, 3 sessions)<br />
Exalted 3rd Edition (2 sessions)<br />
Forgotten Realms II: Legacies of the Past (2 sessions)<br />
Malifaux (4 sessions)<br />
Curse of the Crimson Throne (7 sessions)<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Games with names in parenthesis denote who ran those particular campaigns.</span>Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-22742707623606499652016-08-03T20:09:00.003-05:002018-03-13T14:49:51.555-05:00Forgotten Realms II: Legacies of the Past, Series 2.1Friday night, I revived a campaign I haven't ran in ten years, with a group featuring only one of the players from that game a decade ago.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8Dsw91Qp1X6ujA2yfyu9iKIVBxFgTc2H5IjYrg467pbptS7rkjrkesa-fUIWmGpPyed7ED1SBLhM8hqlqTzLnmrmcAUQoid-U2O4X8NHb2FT7Ia0DbO-3qoN6d95E0uS4SYvdnQ9yVpl/s1600/jackieconfused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8Dsw91Qp1X6ujA2yfyu9iKIVBxFgTc2H5IjYrg467pbptS7rkjrkesa-fUIWmGpPyed7ED1SBLhM8hqlqTzLnmrmcAUQoid-U2O4X8NHb2FT7Ia0DbO-3qoN6d95E0uS4SYvdnQ9yVpl/s1600/jackieconfused.jpg" /></a></div>
Some might ask why I'd do such a thing? Surely, the balance and chemistry would be thrown off? Does the player from the old group even remember his character or what was happening? Can the new group possibly capture some of that same dynamic that made the old campaign successful? Can you even remember where you were going with the campaign, and can <u>you</u> reignite that dynamic that made the old campaign successful?<br />
<br />
The answers are easy enough: Paul really wants to see this out to its end, plus it sounds fun. Probably, but that can be recreated. Not really, but with lots of exposition and two weeks to study his character and classes, he's getting up to speed. I'm hoping the new group creates its own dynamic that will make this new part of the campaign successful. I keep meticulous notes, and had all my old work saved, so I know where I was going, but can I jump back in and get a solid dynamic going? Hell, I'm gonna give it my best!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And so we begin...</span><br />
There's a fair amount of exposition and hammering out some details before we get started. This was made easier by only having half of the group present, so after we do some short prologues and catch everyone up to what happened in the old campaign, then I let the players choose when we would get into the game.<br />
<br />
Some of the exposition follows, for those who want to play along at home...<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: If you stumbled across this post and decided to read due to setting, and you are a Forgotten Realms purist, you might want to stop right now. My realms is set in 1395 DR, before any of the 4th or 5th Edition material was published, and absolutely wrecks canon in places. You have been warned!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The intrepid heroes of the old campaign were whisked to the
Monastery of the Omniscient Eye in the Sunrise Mountains. (A huge shared temple of all gods/goddesses of
knowledge in any form, including those who normally wouldnt work together on
principle of alignment. (Shar, Oghma, Milil, Savras, Gond, etc.)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">There, it is revealed that the Illumians
are a dying race magically created thousands of years ago by a culture they do
not recall to safeguard knowledge and put the knowledge they do have to use in
making Abeir-Toril safer and to keep magic proliferate.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">At the Monastery, the PCs unlocked the
truth behind their items(and statted them), decided who would continue on the quest,
and equipped themselves to be appropriate for their level so that the challenges
aren't increasingly harder than the PCs could muster against.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">·</span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: xx-small; text-indent: -0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">The 8 Great Evils were revealed as
riddles and rhymes to be interpreted how the PCs found fit, though each is very
much a specific person/entity, and all are truly evil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">The PCs will set out on their quest to rid
the world of the Evils, thus fulfilling their purpose as bearers of Thenadae's
Legacy Items. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
After hitting the bullet points and going over a recap of the last session played with Paul, we went through a short prologue for each character, which is where the campaign picks up.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gdjDzg-opmS4jNrREmYxVd5-fBY5bDYq2vgkQKc68TwPqPoX36lJHJC9fVxVfIVKy-HZ8Gla3yoh8qRyxEo0HlOIXDKorxEkt4lC6g9-8N1Fghhyfib_emBD2KsvP6sAcS7EygtW3Leh/s1600/Sidharth+Chaturvedi+-+Barbarian.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gdjDzg-opmS4jNrREmYxVd5-fBY5bDYq2vgkQKc68TwPqPoX36lJHJC9fVxVfIVKy-HZ8Gla3yoh8qRyxEo0HlOIXDKorxEkt4lC6g9-8N1Fghhyfib_emBD2KsvP6sAcS7EygtW3Leh/s320/Sidharth+Chaturvedi+-+Barbarian.png" width="222" /></a><br />
<b><u>Jörmun's Prologue</u></b><br />
After his battlelust getting the best of him during a job in his long stay in Waterdeep, Jörmun is forced to leave the city, becoming a wanderer again in his life, searching out battle, gold, and magic.<br />
<br />
Some time later, during his travels, an agent of his employer in the City of Splendors, a man he for the first time realizes is an elf, despite multiple dealings, intercepts him and offers him a tip on a lucrative venture where there is promised to be much treasure and many chances to prove his might in battle.<br />
<br />
This is all the Uthgardt needs to agree, and the man gives him an amulet that will guide the northerner in the right direction. Without hesitation, the warrior begins the long trek on foot toward adventure, arriving nine days later in Enialani Deshu.<br />
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Harlequin's Prologue</u></b><br />
Harlequin has it easy. After touring with a troupe of entertainers, she has settled back in working for a noble family that pays her well. This day, however, when she enters the estate for her nightly performances, she is met with the man of the house, who takes her aside and explains that her father has need of her talents this day.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rH3BdXpiMZT9wEm3NXMEjX35egm2AKNT3uHaluBCqfGboglokWxw6VkcLqP37Y0PzzW7eiEGmKiH0c6VoAcQtrvQ-KGuKMFh7t0jyjT1o6HwZfcRrC32WuisaPxw3vRbCAAFmlohVpc3/s1600/harlequin_by_carlaarlecchino-d4y6ocj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rH3BdXpiMZT9wEm3NXMEjX35egm2AKNT3uHaluBCqfGboglokWxw6VkcLqP37Y0PzzW7eiEGmKiH0c6VoAcQtrvQ-KGuKMFh7t0jyjT1o6HwZfcRrC32WuisaPxw3vRbCAAFmlohVpc3/s320/harlequin_by_carlaarlecchino-d4y6ocj.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art by Carla Arlecchino</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is explained by Harlequin's father that a veteran friend, and powerful Chessentan noble, named Telamon has asked for his aid in completing a quest that Telamon, himself, must give up for the time being. The old naval officer realizes that he is too old to take up this quest, but believes that his daughter has the life experience and potential to achieve great things and so decided to contact Harlequin and ask for her to do this thing for him, and to know he would never ask this of her if he didn't feel there was great need.<br />
<br />
Harlequin accepts and her father bids her gather everything she feels she will need and meet him at their home, which she does and is introduced to a mystic whom asks if she is ready, then whisks her to Cormanthor via teleport as soon as she begins to answer. The mystic then bids her good luck and teleports away again just as quickly, leaving the young woman to guess where to go.<br />
<br />
Shortly after entering the city, she makes contact with Telamon and his group before they depart, and he thanks her for taking up this quest in her father's stead. He then introduces her to Melody and makes preparations to leave.<br />
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Melody's Prologue</u></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7e7t-aiEgetQq8fKbrT3LAK_BOu87PB6Oy2hhTEzkNSSgdAidU0vfEwFj3acJ2tDnF6ePZ0SsNTX07mlxS_iiufJ7u07jJvUBobThdoqchpeHlcfnKUze8BKaVXVYSXriMYq5S3tFCM8/s1600/Halfdrowdruid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7e7t-aiEgetQq8fKbrT3LAK_BOu87PB6Oy2hhTEzkNSSgdAidU0vfEwFj3acJ2tDnF6ePZ0SsNTX07mlxS_iiufJ7u07jJvUBobThdoqchpeHlcfnKUze8BKaVXVYSXriMYq5S3tFCM8/s1600/Halfdrowdruid.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art by Nekoart on Twitter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Telamon, Hapheth, Jack, Melody, Ajax, Logos, and Aeshoon (most of the original group) are traveling into Cormanthor to Enialani Deshu, the grand city that was rebuilt over fallen Myth Drannor. On the way in, they are met by elven sentinels clad in glassteel armor and weilding exotic blades and masterfully crafted bows. These elves bid them well on their travels, and sometimes accompany the party a short while before continuing their patrols.<br />
<br />
Before reaching the gates, Telamon gets a Sending explaining that his city-state (Luthcheq) is in danger of civil unrest and possibly invasion if he does not return and exert control. He asks for Ajax and the rest of his followers to accompany him, except for Aeshoon, whom he asks to help recruit others to take up the quest, vowing that he will return if given the opportunity. Jack says that he will travel east with Telamon, but admits that his destination is the Great Dale, where he hopes to get the relationship with his daughter on track. Hapheth offers to help Telamon, also saying that he will return to the quest if the opportunity later presents itself. The majority of the band depart, leaving behind the lich Thenadae's prophesied items that will help the heroes defeat the Eight Great Evils after Telamon and others put out calls to various agents to send worthy persons to Cormanthor.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Group Forms and Starts Out</u></b><br />
Melody and Aeshoon wait, first greeting a Chessentan woman by the name of Harlequin who teleports in that afternoon and is greeted by Telamon before he departs, as she is the daughter of an old friend, then almost a tenday later being joined by a Uthgardt calling himself Jörmun.<br />
<br />
After greetings, the two new recruits are given the basics of what the items that make up Thenadae's Legacy do. More abilities are introduced to the characters once they lay claim and a short attunement ritual is completed. Jörmun chooses Hapheth's cape and Harlequin takes Jack's boots, leaving Aeshoon's silvered tanto blade, Telamon's helm, and Darden's belt, though the latter item is still with it's original claimant.<br />
<br />
Aeshoon explains that Darden had a lead on where they needed to go next to face one of the evils, but had only left a note, and had taken off on his own to arrive there first, saying he would wait at Enailai Deshu for a short time before moving on, and that if he had already gone, they should meet with the Tradesmaster of the Elven Court, and that he would be able to provide them more information.<br />
<br />
The four go to meet the Tradesmaster, who in his graciousness does not turn them away when they enter his chambers armed and armored, despite the proper company in attendance. Tradesmaster Ivellios Vyshaan introduces the group to his wife, Siloqui, an air genasi named Ithagan, who is introduced as "Captain of Her Majesty's Spell Archers", an earth genasi named Fraught, who is introduced as the Vyshaan's head of security, and the High Mage of Cormanthor, Eraevan Teshurr, and his companion, Maresa.<br />
<br />
The Tradesmaster goes on to explain that he had met with Darden two tendays ago, and that the dark elf indicated that he would be going to a location in the Dagger Hills, just on the edge of Daggerdale, to enter a chamber leading to the drow outpost of what used to be known as Szith Morcane and on to Maerimydra. Ivellios goes on to explain that he doesn't know what could be in those locations now, but that he was part of an adventuring band, that included Ithagan and Fraught, that cleansed that place of the drow menace more than twenty years ago, though as he understands it, some rogue bands of drow and fey'ri were destroyed in the area during the Reclamation Wars.<br />
<br />
Ivellios then pulls out a map of the region and shows the group where Darden was to enter the Underdark, and bids them luck on their travel, offering fresh mounts for the journey, should they so choose. The group declines when Melody suggests she can get them there faster, and they decide to leave that afternoon, with Aeshoon staying behind to greet any others who may show up to take on the quest and guide them on their way.<br />
<br />
Jörmun is reluctant to climb aboard at first when Melody shifts into the form of a giant bat, but reasons that flying is basically the only mode of travel he hasn't used before, and climbs onto the wildshaper. Harlequin is quick to mount the bat, finding it no more unusual that someone can turn into a bat than some of the arcane tricks she has already seen in her travels, and thus with a few spells cast for even more expedience in their trip, they take to the sky.<br />
<br />
Five hours into their flight, however, several figures can be seen rising into the air in pursuit...<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Cast of Characters</u></b><br />
<b>Harlequin Jacinta, Human </b><b><b>Jester 13</b> - </b>Angela<br />
<b>Jörmun Gand, Barbarian 11/Frenzied Berserker 2</b> - Taylor<br />
<b>Melody Proust, Half-Drow Druid 5/Mistress of Many Forms 8 of Shiallia</b> - Paul<br />
<b>Aeshoon, Illumian Fighter 4/Cleric 9 of Oghma</b> - Chris' cohort <span style="color: blue;">(retired)</span><br />
<b>Ajax, Human Fighter 12</b> - Ritchie <span style="color: blue;">(retired)</span><br />
<b>Darden (Zszfrynvyll Noqurden), Drow Ranger 7 of Silvanus/Fighter 2/Tempest 1</b> - Ritchie <span style="color: blue;">(retired)</span><br />
<b>Hapheth Hesaad, Greensnake Shinomen Naga Abjurer 9/Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil 2</b> - Eric <span style="color: blue;">(retired)</span><br />
<b>Jack Grimes, Human Scout 7/Thief-Acrobat 4/Artificer 3</b> - Zack <span style="color: blue;">(retired)</span><br />
<b>Telamon, Karsite Human Human Paragon 3/Fighter 4/ Knight 5 - </b>Chris <span style="color: blue;">(retired)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
So, with one session under my belt on this campaign, I thought things went well. There were a lot of tangents, but it's not always easy to get into the thrust of a game when you're down half the group. I caught myself stalling a couple of times during the game, partially because I didn't want to get into combat, though I ended with a random encounter about to happen.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if this new group of players (new to this campaign) will take well to the Legacy Item rules. There seemed to be some dislike of the costs, but maybe it will grow on them once they can customize them to their own liking with further ritual unlocks.<br />
<br />
All in all, I'm excited for the next session, and I've already done quite a bit of prep!</div>
Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-26437742927759171492016-07-30T15:41:00.002-05:002016-07-30T15:41:12.952-05:00Miniatures, part 5 - D&D Miniatures, Group 3Getting into what is technically the more "modern" of the D&D Miniatures sets, you'll see slight purchasing effort here and there, but nothing really compared to some of the older sets. Space and money were both at a premium when these sets were being released, and I had lost some of the interests in having yet another drow mini, or whatever. This becomes more apparent during the 4th Edition runs late in the line.<br />
<br />
All lists are grouped in set and number I own from that set, numbered as they are within that set, and with the quantity of each beside the individual mini names in parenthesis.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">War
Drums (28/60)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1 Arcane Ballista<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">2 Arcanix Guard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">4 Axe Soldier<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">5 Combat Medic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">8 Sacred Watcher<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">12 Warforged Captain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">13 Warforged Scout (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">18 Halfling Slinger (8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">19 Hunting Cougar (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">20 Lion of Talisid<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">21 Mephling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">24 Warforged Barbarian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">26 Wood Elf Ranger (3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">30 Goblin Blackblade (5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">31 Goblin Underboss (4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">33 Inspired Lieutenant (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">35 Khumat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">36 Large Duergar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">39 Skeletal Legionnaire (6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">40 Snig, Worg Rider<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">41 Terror Wight (7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">46 Derro (3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">49 Hill Giant Barbarian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">51 Horde Zombie (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">55 Orc Mauler<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">57 Quaggoth Slave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">58 Tiefling Blademaster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">59 Troglodyte Thug (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">War
of the Dragon Queen (16/60)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1 Aasimar Fighter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3 Cleric of Syreth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">5 Golden Protector<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">8 Tordek, Dwarf Champion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">16 Storm Archer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">20 Huge Fire Elemental<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">28 Diseased Dire Rat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">33 Dread Warrior<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">41 Witchknife<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">43 Cleric of Laogzed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">44 Cloudreaver (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">51 Ogre Skirmisher<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">53 Small Black Dragon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">54 Small Fire Elemental<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">57 Tundra Scout<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">58 Twig Blight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Unhallowed
(1/60)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">14 Changeling Rogue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Night
Below (10/60)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3 Champion of Dol Dorn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">4 Deep Legionnaire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">13 Greyhawk City Militia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">23 Warpriest of Vandria<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">24 Wild Mage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">33 Hobgoblin Marshal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">35 Kobold Trapmaker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">41 Skeletal Courser<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">51 Drow Enforcer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">53 Gnoll Claw Fighter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Desert
of Desolation (17/60)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">2 Animated Statue (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">7 Militia Archer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">11 Farmer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">12 Merchant Guard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">14 Black Woods Dryad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">15 Cliffwalk Archer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">23 Capricious Copper Dragon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">24 Tiefling Cleric<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">25 Tiefling Rogue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">27 Blood of Vol Fanatic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">28 Guardian Mummy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">33 Sahuagin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">41 Demonweb Swarm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">42 Flame Snake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">43 Naga<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">46 Drow Blademaster (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">55 Shrieking Harpy</span><br />
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<br />
I think I'll just have one more post of D&D Miniatures left, but it will be kinda large, as I just want to finish this out.Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-70253933439541956532016-07-30T15:21:00.000-05:002016-07-30T15:21:05.607-05:00Miniatures, part 4 - D&D Miniatures, Group 2Here, we've gotten to the second grouping of D&D Miniatures. As mentioned previously, most of my collection ranges to the older sets, so are about a decade old.<br />
<br />
I started picking up Underdark boosters because I was involved with several games at the time and everyone wanted to use miniatures and I wanted to bolster what I had so we could get closer representations of what we were playing or encountering. I should probably just push ahead and buy the singles to finish out the set, since I'm so close. Maybe I'll track down some cheapish boosters.<br />
<br />
All lists are grouped by set and number I own from that set, ordered as they are within that set, and with the quantity of each beside the individual mini names in parenthesis.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Giants
of Legend (6/72)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">19 Lidda, Adventurer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">22 Xeph Soulknife<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">23 City Guard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">32 Hobgoblin Sergeant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">43 Displacer Serpent<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">44 Drider Sorcerer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Aberrations
(2/60)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">19 Longtooth Barbarian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">43 Silent Wolf Goblin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Deathknell
(7/60)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3 Dwarf Artificer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">4 Dwarf Caver<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">8 Skullclan Hunter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">11 Warforged Wizard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">14 Catfolk Wilder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">36 Grim Necromancer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">50 Deathlock<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Angelfire
(3/60)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">12 Village Priest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">18 Elf Swashbuckler<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">53 Feral Minotaur<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Underdark
(54/60)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1 Battle Plate Marshal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">2 Dwarf Ancestor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3 Earth Shugenja (4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">4 Githzerai Monk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">5 Gold Dwarf Soldier (7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">6 Half-Orc Paladin (4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">7 Lantern Bearer (4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">8 Loyal Earth Elemental (6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">9 Marut (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">10 Medium Silver Dragon (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">11 Royal Guard (10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">12 Slayer of Domiel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">14 Dromite Wilder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">15 Elf Stalker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">16 Elminster of Shadowdale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">17 Guenhwyvar (3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">18 Half-Ogre Barbarian (3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">19 Halfling Sneak (11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">20 Nentyar Hunter (4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">21 Rikka, Angelic Avenger (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">22 Satyr (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">23 Spirit Folk Fighter (10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">24 Wizard Tactician (5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">25 Iron Golem<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">26 Justicator (3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">27 Mercenary Sergeant (5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">28 Xorn (4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">29 Monitor Lizard (8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">30 Ankheg (4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">31 Xen’drik Champion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">32 Artemis Entreri (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">34 Dolgaunt Monk (8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">35 Duergar Champion (3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">36 Half-Orc Executioner (7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">37 Helmed Horror (4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">38 Kobold Miner (11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">39 Skeletal Equiceph (3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">40 Troglodyte Captain (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">42 Dark Creeper (9)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">43 Death Slaad (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">44 Dire Bat (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">47 Drow Arcane Guard (3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">49 Grimlock Barbarian (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">50 Half-Fiend Ogre<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">51 Hunched Giant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">52 Large Deep Dragon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">53 Lolth’s Sting (13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">54 Mounted Drow Patrol (2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">55 Orc Skeleton (6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">56 Roper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">57 Spider of Lolth (13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">58 Swarm of Spiders (3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">59 Troglodyte Barbarian (10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">60 Winter Wolf<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
With this second grouping, I'd say we're a little past halfway through the D&D Miniatures line that I own. Perhaps just one more post, then I'll move into the Pathfinder Battles line.Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-74214188087427428612016-07-30T14:59:00.001-05:002016-07-30T14:59:32.480-05:00Adventuring in the Shadow of the Demon Lord, part 2As I had mentioned in the next to last post, our group was short on numbers that weekend and we decided to try out Taylor's latest purchase, Shadow of the Demon Lord. We had already finished one adventure the hard way (by dying), and since David had shown up and we'd only burned through two hours of the night, the group set off on character creation, except for Angela, who asked if she could play her Clockwork again. I said yes, saying this could, theoretically, be hundreds of years after Taylor's adventure was set, since we weren't really using the setting stuff on these trial runs.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Warning: The body of this post contains spoilers to the Shadow of the Demon Lord module A Year Without Rain!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGb2X5bEbZ_dR5atS-zuKJoK4iG4zt7As6ryuhhLNSH6sJeAbzwWpdBHoqDs4YINPjgzT4Lxd0enCwz9euQ6O-ES8s2-0LzE9tgY1zOtlkh-nr7RX76KFA2M01U5cK2M4fCUftJwc6xHM/s1600/YearCoverLarge_large.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGb2X5bEbZ_dR5atS-zuKJoK4iG4zt7As6ryuhhLNSH6sJeAbzwWpdBHoqDs4YINPjgzT4Lxd0enCwz9euQ6O-ES8s2-0LzE9tgY1zOtlkh-nr7RX76KFA2M01U5cK2M4fCUftJwc6xHM/s320/YearCoverLarge_large.png" width="253" /></a>Not having anything prepared and not wanting to wing something while learning a system, I decided to go on <a href="http://schwalbentertainment.com/" target="_blank">Shwalb Entertainment</a>'s site and purchase one of their modules. After looking at the starting level tiers for each, I decided on <a href="http://shop.schwalbentertainment.com/collections/shadow-of-the-demon-lord/products/a-year-without-rain" target="_blank">A Year Without Rain</a>, which noted that it was for Starting/Novice characters. This seemed like a good place as any to start, and help me get a feel for how the company constructs scenarios.<br />
<br />
I asked everyone to give me how long they had been in Asylum, the village where the adventure starts in, asked them to give a quick description of where they would like to start out in the town, discussed some interesting characterization points for the characters, and off we went.<br />
<br />
It all starts just as the sun begins to rise, when an older couple out for a walk come across a body face-down in the road. For such a small town, any event draws attention and many people crowd around, mumbling this and that, guessing who the body could belong to, even placing wagers on identity and cause of death. Samyra, the town's mayor by default, shows up and begins to organize the scene, turning the body and discovering it belongs to a cowherd that lives just outside of town. Known to be a mean drunk, he was easy to ignore and never caused much harm, so it is surprising to find him dead, especially when, upon closer inspection, he seems to have had all the moisture removed from his body.<br />
<br />
Samyra asks for volunteers to go out to Braidon's shack and see if anything is amiss. The PCs eventually get assigned when nobody really steps forward, by virtue of standing closest to the body when Samyra looks up. They leave immediately, and come to the cabin a short time later to see it covered, inside and out, with chalk drawings depicting terrain not local to these parts and a beautiful woman with flowing hair. Paul's Changeling realizes just now that he has a locket with a picture of this same woman, and wonders if maybe this is why he was drawn to this new town. Nothing is out of the ordinary, other than the drawings, so they head back and report what they know, then retire to their own devices.<br />
<br />
On the following day, a second body is found. This of the seamstress Glyssandra, apparently dead in the same circumstances as Braidon. The group goes back to their duties as a posse looking into these incidences and find that Malery was the one to find the body, so they talk to her. She's very stand-offish until someone asks what kind of contact the two women had previously. When Malery admits the seamstress was doing a job for her, the group turned the heat on and pressured her enough that she admits to hearing a laughing voice and seeing the figure of a woman descending into the well at night.<br />
<br />
The posse immediately ask for a few things from Samyra to descend into the well and make their way, finding a small passage off to the side of the shaft which leads to old doors with the seal broken. Undeterred, the four of them head in and work their way through a small maze of passages, killing some large spiders, a magical construct made of living sigils, and a few dastardly traps before finally hearing the giggling they had been told of before and seeing a shadowy figure charge toward them. The posse fly into battle with the bound demon, but in the end, though they fought bravely, they were no match for the minion of evil known as The Laugher in the Well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Thoughts on A Year Without Rain</u></b><br />
Though we all enjoyed the module, I must offer a word to those who wish to use A Year Without Rain as a beginning module: This thing can be HARD. The lead up takes a bit of tying everything together, and unless your group really is on top of their game and asking the right questions, they could falter in the early stages and a string of deaths could begin piling up bodies.<br />
<br />
One crucial piece of advice I have for anyone wanting to run this module is also to consider letting their players hit Level 1 when they can get the Malery reveal. You might not feel it fits the pacing of Shadow of the Demon Lord to level mid-adventure, but The Laugher is no joke, and she can easily chew up a group, even if you have someone dedicated to using the Distraction mechanic the whole fight and everyone else swinging away at her (like my group.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, I'd read good things about this game, but never expected it be as good as all the hype I'd seen for it expressed. Combat was simple, fun, and only slow because of poor rolls throughout the session. Overall, we were all impressed with the simplicity and flavor offered by Shadow of the Demon Lord, and have since played a campaign that's now on a short hiatus. I've even been working on a Dark Sun hack for it, but that's for later.Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008265055761096259.post-45084452871785234562016-07-30T14:04:00.000-05:002016-07-30T14:11:29.995-05:00Master of the Fallen Fortress - A Friday Night One-ShotThis post has been sitting in my drafts for quite some time, so I decided to clean it up a little and put it out, since it was mostly done, anyway.<br />
<br />
On some past Friday, I was set to run my ongoing Rise of the Runelords Pathfinder game (yes, the same one I had been posting about in the past), but various circumstances conspired against enough of the group showing up for us to be comfortable enough with running it, since the adventure EL was currently ~14.<br />
<br />
Taylor, Angela, and I decided to play something, anyway, and Taylor downloaded the Free RPG Day module, <a href="http://paizo.com/products/btpy8ey4?Pathfinder-Module-Master-of-the-Fallen-Fortress" target="_blank">Master of the Fallen Fortress</a>. Angela made a Human Fighter and I cobbled together a Dwarf Ranger, both 1st level, and we started the adventure in media res, with our characters outside the ruined siege tower.<br />
<br />
We made our way toward the tower, but are set upon by a small pack of three wild dogs, but we quickly dispatched them and made our way inside via a hole in the wall, only for myself to be covered in webs and then power my way out. The giant spider that provided the web then pressed the attack and charged Mira as she made her way through the opening, whereupon the warrior made good use of her earthbreaker to end the creature's life. In an adjacent area, we found the remains of someone's pet dog, that we took the bejeweled collar off of and headed up to the second level of the tower, climbing in from the outside.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavl34mESJ5t0Ku2MnprFtCEs-eoFtK35LzNc-4Lu4FIZxqBXLKiLQryvM8Vz1bZd6g_xqXv52SRNNof4WuoJqhD7lkBhKojr3mix9TT4sqULf5I3DWO12WD42JO-pXitnxpRkzxLYPrjO/s1600/troglodyte_by_benwootten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavl34mESJ5t0Ku2MnprFtCEs-eoFtK35LzNc-4Lu4FIZxqBXLKiLQryvM8Vz1bZd6g_xqXv52SRNNof4WuoJqhD7lkBhKojr3mix9TT4sqULf5I3DWO12WD42JO-pXitnxpRkzxLYPrjO/s200/troglodyte_by_benwootten.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
There, we encounter a friendly little lizard that almost immediately tries to electrocute us, which eventually draws the attention of two pungent lizard-like beings, that attempt to put an end to our quest to find a little treasure and glory. The fight goes poorly for us, and we're forced to <br />
leave for civilization to rest up, heal our wounds, and plan for another assault on the ruined tower. Almost a week later, we trudge back to the place and after giving the ground floor a cursory once-over, we head back up to the second level.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw5UoGHU6PjsJlL3rEvqu-ZHrifvrQG3up6padBBS5blK7Dn4c7t_gGXxzlJKY41OKPIFO8SAKv5a9Iwfbxw2-hhD_n50w3vE7RsO6hWpLHkG03rNLUmMTS7BYQp-NJyzDZHuP3z80DmK/s1600/burning_skeleton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw5UoGHU6PjsJlL3rEvqu-ZHrifvrQG3up6padBBS5blK7Dn4c7t_gGXxzlJKY41OKPIFO8SAKv5a9Iwfbxw2-hhD_n50w3vE7RsO6hWpLHkG03rNLUmMTS7BYQp-NJyzDZHuP3z80DmK/s200/burning_skeleton.jpg" width="200" /></a>Shortly after ascending, we come across more (or the same?) of the nasty reptile people, but make relatively short work of the situation, then blunder right into the path of a mechanism that hurls javelins. I'm a little fuzzy as to our course here, but I believe we crawled up to the next level onto a ledge, but could see no egress, so we went back and backtracked to a central spiral stair we had seen before and came out in a large chapel area, obviously dedicated to Nethys, the god of magic. This place was guarded by two skeletons lit afire with eldritch power, but we were (barely) able to defeat one of the things, if memory serves, before we were made to turn back and again spend time at our homes, recuperating.<br />
<br />
Our third foray into the tower met us with more opposition from the lizardy beast-men, but we managed to press through by the skin of our teeth and met with a human by the name of Balenar Forsend, who claimed to be a member of the Pathfinder Society. Though we (I, anyway) distrusted him, he healed some of our wounds and pledged to help us complete our task in the moldering keep, simply for the experience of it!<br />
<br />
We returned Balenar's things - that we had liberated from the Troglodytes (as the Pathfinder called them) - and waited while he composed himself before venturing further up...this time to come face to face with one of these Troglodytes that could command magic! The thing also had a large pet lizard, the color of fresh snow, with a long snout filled with teeth! Battle was commenced, and after a long fight, we prevailed against the vile master of this ruin, despite his calling of a swarm of vermin and his brutish unnatural companion.<br />
<br />
We took our spoils, dividing them as we saw fit and bade Balenar well on his travels, retiring to home and speaking of never doing a fool thing such as "adventuring" again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Cast of Characters</u></strong><br />
<strong>Mira Silvano, Female Human Fighter 2 </strong>(Angela)<br />
<strong>Whurvark Moonoath, Male Dwarf Ranger 2 </strong>(Buddy)Buddy Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00834582086927715399noreply@blogger.com0