Savage Timmy's Playhouse

Qualinost and Sla-Mori (with the not-so-big kids)

2012-01-29T01:51:00.002-06:00

Back at the campaign with the kids last week. We covered a LOT of ground!

After the Ambush of the Slave Caravan, the heroes gathered their equipment and fled into the woods with the Elves. Through the night they were pursued by Orcs and Goblins and Draconians. By morning (of Day 11) their pursuers had given up or had been picked off by Elves that had laid behind in ambush.

They marched on through the day and and made camp at a great waterfall. The next day (Day12) took them to the Elvish capitol of Qualinost where they met the Speaker of the Suns. They spent the rest of the day recovering and healing.

The next day (Day13) They met again with the Speaker of the Suns in a great council and were charged with going to Pax Tharkas to free the prisoners and create a distraction by leading the dragons armies off in a wild goose chase after them, to give the Elves some time to pack up and flee Qualinost!?

The following day (Day14) they headed off on their quest. Along the way they came across the scene of a recent battle and were ambushed by some Draconians!

The Draconians were quickly dispatched. Among the dead they found a sole survivor who decided to tag along with the group.

In the late afternoon they came to the valley leading to Pax tharkas and as they looked on a massive Dragon Army marched out from it’s gates. After the army had passed they snuck past the valley and into the next vale following an old stream up to the hidden entrance – The Sla Mori or “Secret Way”. Entering under cover of night they decided to camp out just within the entrance.

The next day (Day 15) they delved deep into the mountainside. Whenthey came to the first crossroads there was some dissent among some of the group as to which way to go. In the end most decided to head on straight into the mountain, but Christopher insisted that Gilthanas would want to go the other way and so the group was split. AS it was only one character (and an NPC) I decided to just take Gilthanas and they rest of the group went on without him.

They entered the tomb of Kith-Kanan and found his ancient blade: Wyrmslayer. Christopher quickly snatched that up for Sturm Brightblade, but I thought afterwards I probably should not let Sturm have the sword – he is a Knight of Solamnia, not a Grave Robber. He would not raid the tombs of the honoured dead and steal their sacred swords!

Passing through the corridor that led out of the room they entered a hall that was blocked with rubble – the far end of the hall had collapsed long ago. Before they could investigate and see if they could find a way through they were attacked by

A GIANT SLUG!!!

This was pretty quickly taken care of and we called it a day.

This week Bruce and his kids were at book club so Christopher came over and we played a separate Savage Worlds game (which I will chronicle as some point) and played a bit of Hordes of the Things. Hopefully next week we’ll be back to our Dragonlance Saga!

Pax Tharkas (with the BIG kids)

2012-01-29T01:17:00.003-06:00

Whoops. I’ve slacked off a little updating the Dragonlance Campaigns. Here are the last two session of the big kids Saturday Night game…

Getting later into the afternoon (of Day 22… still…) our heroes retreated back to the “Chain Room”, having battled Draconians and saved the captive Elven Princess in our Previous Encounter

They ate some supper and awaited the return of the Kender – after an hour or so they heard some orcs and goblins heading down the passage towards them, evidently having come across the signs of the struggle and tracked them back to the Chain Room.

Riverwind rushed to the door, perhaps to block them from pouring into the room. Unfortunately not one went with him… so the orcs did pour into the room and quickly surrounded Riverwind.

It was quite the long, pitched battle, but I think it ended with Only Riverwind being seriously wounded (3 wounds!) and most of those, if I recall correctly, were from friendly fire into close combat!?

Afterwards Goldmoon, who’s starting to get the hang of the whole healing thing, healed him up pretty good (removing tow of three wounds). Princess Laurana and maybe Norfindel were also wounded, but survived and were given some quick first aid and set straight right away!

And that was Session 12… The battle took a while… we started late… and ended early…

This week our heroes left a note for the Kender should he ever return that way and forged ahead. They returned to the Guard Room where they had rescued Princess Laurana. They ahd a look out the two different doors leading out of the room and found dark hallways leading out of both.

Princess Laurana was able to lead them to the prison area where all the women were being kept. Henry FitzArnulf, actually being played by Christian for the first time in over a month and a half, stood guard at the Guard Room while others went off to rescue the women. While they were healing one of the prisoners and rying to make plans for getting them out a group of Draconians blundered into the Guard Room

“WE’VE GOT COMPANY!”

Henry charge the Draconians! Others followed – through their quick and decisive action, they were actually able to stop the two who had run off to get help before they made it to the stairs!

Afterwards I sent everyone upstairs for a bit so I could sort out what exactly The Kender was up to… I’ll have to fill you in on that later, lest my players sort out what’s going on…

Anyway, The rest of the women folk were freed but it was discovered that the children were being held hostage under the careful eye of an ancient red dragon! The men were being held elsewhere as well and were being forced to work as slaves in the mines… while they were plotting and preparing to head out the entire fortress became to shake as thought it was all about to collapse. Many were thrown to the ground and the trembling went on for half a minute. When it stopped all was deadly quite.

The silence was broken by someone wondering aloud “What did the Kender DO!?”

(If only they knew….)

Guessing that stealth and secrecy was no longer an option they formed ranks and, after making a quick check of the other rooms on this level of the dungeon, started climbing the stairs to the level above where it was clear complete chaos and pandemonium reigned!

We called it a night at that point because this was a bit of a departure from how I think it was imagined the module would play out – though, I think, not all that different from the books…. And I need some time to sort out where all the denizens of the fortress are at and what they would be up to at the moment….

Hopefully we will be forging ahead next week and finishing this part of the adventure!!!

I can’t believe how many sessions I’m getting out of each of these modules. WE started in September and still haven’t finished the second (of TWELVE!) modules in the campaign!?

Zombies in Stalingrad

2012-01-15T01:21:00.010-06:00

Once again we did not have quorum for our regular ongoing Dragonlance Campaign so I quickly set up another East Front WWW2 game.

Stalingrad, October 1942

SITUATION

A few weeks after our heroes Last Mission a report came to the BPO Stalingrad HQ that a unit of Russians had been attacked by another unit of Russians which had advanced out of the German lines – they did not carry weapons and all attempts to communicate with them were ignored – they fell upon the soviets holding the line and savaged them in brutal hand to hand fighting. Pandemonium ensued. An entire regiment of artillery was tasked to level the area just to get the situation under control. The BPO commander suspected paranormal involvement and the team to the front to investigate.

There they waited a few days until they got a report that a forward observation post had spotted what seemed to be a large number of Russians gathering just beyond the german lines.

The team moved to the front….

FORCES

Soviet Forces

Leytenant Anya Putyatin – BPO Psionik
Serzhant Boris Trotsky
Rayadovoy Ioseph Dizaleski - BPO Sniper

7x Soviet Riflemen
3x Soviet HMG crew (with Maxim HMG)

German Forces

1x SS Bloodmage
4xVeteran SS Minders
27 x Reanimated Russians

THE GAME
(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Amanda (Leytenant Anya Putyatin) and Dave (Serzhant Boris Trotsky)

Patrick (Rayadovoy Ioseph Dizaleski) brought his own hat.

Soviets preparing to hold the line…

Darkness fell….

…and out of the darkness loomed…

The Zombie Horde!!

Slowly they shambled towards the soviet line. The soviets fired buckets of bullets at them – but with very little effect!?

(at this point the players were getting VERY nervous and making comments about how they’d really enjoyed playing these characters and that I wasn’t being very nice….)

During the five or so turns to advance to the Soviet lines the two machineguns, six riflemen, sniper rifle, submachinegun and BPO Psionik only managed to drop three zombies.

The HMG team was the first to be overrun – despite hundreds of bullets being shot downrange they hadn’t caused a single casualty with their fire. On their first turn of close combat the team leader bashed in one of the zombies head with the butt end of his SMG and it reeled back and crumpled to the ground.

In following turns the two gunners would beat a number of them to death with their bare hands!?

Zombies continue to shamble forward – and who is that skulking behind them?! An SS Blood Mage and his minders (bodyguards, yes, but also there to kill him if it seemed capture was immanent).

These two riflemen beat one zombie down with the butt ends of their rifles and were feeling so confident they rushed out to beat on some others that were separated from another group before they could converge and overwhelm them.

Rayadovoy Ioseph Dizaleski had started dropping zombies like crazy when they came out of the shadows and tried to cross the street in front of the building, but eventually his position was overrun… well with one zombie. After the first one got through, BPO Psionik Anya Putyatin turned her attention there and started melting zombie brains with her mind…

AT the other end of the line one zombie had stumbled into the wire and became entangled, but others behind him simply crawled over top of him…

The MG team holding the gap in the wall, holding off the three or four times their number.

The pile of zombies outside Dizaleski’s hide. There was some debate as to who was responsible for the pile. Dizaleski claims he shot them all point blank as they rushed out of the shadows and across the street. Trotsky, however, had also spend turns (and entire drums of ammo!) blazing away down that street and thus claimed he was responsible for the majority of them. Truthfully had they been examined more closely a number of them would have had no sign of gunshot wounds at all but rather looked like their heads exploded from within or had simple melted…

Another pile of corpses mounts in front of the MG position – mostly due to the gunners fists!

I missed getting a shot of him while he was down – but the team leader of the MG team was wounded and knocked down, but Leynant Putyatin rushed to his aid and got him back on his feet and into the game again! (lets hear if for the Combat Medic edge! HIP! HIP….!?)

(bah, my first kill of the game and I didn’t even get to reanimate it! Fie! FIIIIIEEEE!)

A Zombie crawling over the other zombie caught in the wire finally gets over and attacks the rifleman beyond.

The riflemen who had earlier rushed out from their position being overwhelmed as the SS Blood Mage strolls on by – expecting there to be a number of fresh Russian corpses to animate at this position soon enough.

More of a mess in the center.

Another Russian is finally overwhelmed – his comrade fled and leapt over the wall!

The Blood Mages first victim – REANIMATED! Unfortunately no one else was around to witness is so no guts checks…

His comrade didn’t last long… From his position behind that wall he tried to fire on the Blood Mage – but the minders were on hold and interrupted. They tied their opposed agility rolls and thus went simultaneously. The Russian went down in a hail of submachinegun fire…

…but not before he shot one of the SS minders!

Another zombie over the wire while four flank through the building to the side.

Trotsky decided to run and help out his sniper (not having any more zombies to shoot out in the street). The two of them finally beat down the last two remaining zombies at their end of the line.

Mopping up in the middle.

The SS saw that it was lost and scarpered, but not before…

… they raised one last zombie and sent it on it’s merry way towards the soviet lines. It almost made it to Anya Putyatin – who had advanced a little too far into the “no man’s land” beyond the soviet lines.

Wow… from certain doom to total victory. The Soviet only lost two dead – another had been only slightly wounded and returned to the fight with the aid of Anya Putyatin. The SS lost one of their minders – who turned out to be only wounded and was captured by the BPO. The Germans had started with 27 zombies (and animated two more Russians along the way) and they were all beaten down – mostly with fists and rifle butts…

Afterwards, Serzhant Boris Trotsky successfully persuaded his superiors to have the riflemen holding this position to be transferred to the BPO (and replace the rifle squad he’d lost in his last action….).

Fun times!

Coming Soon to Savage Timmy’s Playhouse:

Well, with any luck, next week we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled Dragonlance Campaign… Assuming we can get quorum!?

More Sla-Mori

2012-01-14T14:38:00.001-06:00

By the afternoon (of Day 22) our heroes had finished cleaning off zombie goo from the Previous Encounter and were ready to forge ahead…

They trundled through one hall and some of them fell into a trap and twisted ankles and stuff. Undaunted and not-quite-dead they carried on and found a room with a BIGASS chain rising up and out of sight through a tight hole in the ceiling high above. The Kender figured he could fit up there and decided to climb up and see what he could find.

Realizing the Kender was not coming back anytime soon some of the others forged ahead down the corridor, effectively splitting the party.

I hate it when that happens… It’s one thing when a character are going to scout ahead briefly and everyone else is going to stay put and wait until they return – but it’s something completely different when one group goes one way and another goes another with no clear plan as to how they’re supposed to meet up again. For one it means some players have to sit and twiddle their thumbs for great periods of time while others play out what their characters are doing. Another difficulty is how far ahead do you let one group delve before returning to the others. Further – how do you deal with information? If everyone’s sitting there listening and hearing all the stuff that they other group or individuals are doing , do you trust them no to act on information they hear that their characters would not have any clue about – it’s hard…

Previously (like, years ago) I would send the people not with an individual group into another room… Then I got sick of that because the group was ALWAYS splitting up and getting into separate fights in separate areas and some evenings some players wouldn’t get to play at all – and I essentially told them not to split up anymore…

I guess I could give them disincentives to do so – increase the likelihood of random encounters/wandering monsters and beat them down when they do.

Anyway the group that scouted ahead down below found their way into a cellar and then into a guard room

In the guard room they confronted a few draconian guards and freed Princess Laurana…

(Here I lowered the number of guards… should have kept it at the suggested number and beat them all to a pulp, took away all their stuff, and forced the others to now rescue them in addition to carrying out the mission… except now having to do it with less than half their number… and with the entire fortress aware of their presence – a totally impossible task – do I want to end the campaign in module two – of the twelve that I have successfully tracked down over the last year!?)

The Kender (Roscoe Thorngage) climbed waaaay up in the fortress and snuck around and found out some stuff (here I did kick all the other players out of the room).

Not sure if the game is going on tonight only two have confirmed their attendance, two are definitely not coming, the other two I haven’t heard from (but haven’t been showing up regularly so I generally assume that they won’t be here…).

Kids Savage Worlds DargonLance Campaign Update

2012-01-14T12:34:00.004-06:00

I’ve been remiss in updating these campaign sessions… so here is a quick update of the last three sessions:

THE DRAGON

In Session 9, after about three months of playing we found ourselves at the afternoon at the fourth day after the adventure began… Oi!? Anyway… They found and confronted the dragon!

Bursting into the Dragon’s Lair! Huzzah!

No messing about – they charged in and tried to do battle (not realizing the utter hoplesness of doing so)

As per the adventure plot Goldmoon (at the bidding of Mishakels ethereal voice) strode forth and struck the dragon with the Blue Crystal Staff and they both disappeared in flash of blinding light.

I took a picture of it… it was a damage roll… I can’t remember exactly what it was for… I think it was for Sturm Brightblade, who was hit by a falling stone as the cavern began to collapse around them. I said he was buried under a pile of stone – to prevent them from trying to save his very dead butt (following the suggestion of “obscure deaths” written right into the book). Sturm has been a favourite of Finnegan’s and a few tears were shed… but I tried to keep things moving along…

They decided to try and take the “elevator” back up but found a few draconians at the base and had to fight them amidst the falling rocks…

They eventually made it up and found Goldmoon AND Sturm at the base of Mishakels statue in the temple above! Huzzah! Everyone escaped before the whole mess burned down, fell over, and sank into the swamp creating some very good foundations for further construction, methinks!)

BACK TO SOLACE (one way or another...)

In Session 10 the group hiked out of the swamp and over the hills and started to make their way back across the plains toward Solace. The passed the ruins of Que-Shu and debated whether to carry on to Solace or follow the tracks heading south. Eventually it was decided to head to Solace first.

At Que-Kiri, along the way, they ran into some trouble…

They ran into a new kind of draconian (that melted into a puddle of acid when they were killed) and were beaten down quite fiercely and ultimately captured. They were chucked into a cage on the back of a wagon and hauled over the pass to Solace – which they found to be in utter ruins!

THE CARAVAN

In Session 11 we were joined by our neighbors - Shawn and his son Christopher (who have also decided to start homeschooling). Shawn took over playing Riverwind, and Christopher took over playing Sturm Brightblade. Finnegan is still playing Flint Fireforge, Keira is still playing Tasslehoff, V. is still playing Tanis and Caramon, C. is still playing Goldmoon, but also took on playing Tika Waylan (Who was also thrown into the cage with them when they reached Solace), and Bruce is still playing Raistlin.

Everyone was in a pretty bad way – from the beat down in the previous session. So I made the caravan go a bit slower than suggested in the book (which was probably a more realistic speed for traveling though mountain passes!) to give Goldmoon a few days to try and heal people up.

As the caravan passed by the Qualinesti Wood they were ambushed by Elves!

This was a bit of an epic battle and we ended up running out of time before the battle was truly concluded… but in the end good triumphed over evil and our heroes escaped into the woods with the Elves. Huzzah!

This week we were to forge ahead, but Bruce and co. never showed. So I started a new side-campaign for Christopher, Finnegan and Keira – more on that in a bit!

Stalingrad

2011-12-11T01:42:00.009-06:00

The Kids finished up the first Dragonlance module earlier this week… and I’ll get back to that… but on Savage Saturday we have four MIA to three showing up so I decided to roll out the WWW2 stuff for a return to the old BPO Campaign….

Stalingrad, September 1942

SITUATION

After the last mission the unit was sent to a remote base in the urals for convalescence and training. They spent some time in the late summer investigating reports of paranormal occurrences that turned out to be nothing and in September were sent south the Stalingrad front.

Yesterday at dawn the Germans launched another attack that took over part of the city that housed the local BPO offices. The Unit was brought in to try and recover or destroy any records, artifacts, or personnel that may have been left behind.

Serzhant Trotsky and his squad were given this mission. Attached was BPO Psykic Leytnant Putyatin and a new recruit Sergei Karamanov (a very sneaky scout which Curtis made up this evening because he hadn't played in this campaign previously)

SCENARIO

The Players need to cross behind enemy lines, locate the ruined BPO office and attempt to recover any records, artifacts, or personnel and retire back across to friendly lines

THE GAME
(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Curtis, Dave, and Amanda and the ruins of Stalingrad.

Without really planning things out they all just tromped across the front following Karamanov. Though Karamanov cross the front like a ghost, Sgt. Trotsky’s squad, who’d perhaps had a bit too much liquid courage befreo setting off struck up a marching song - or something like that – which attaracted the attention of a German squad hiding in some ruins along the front.

There was a brief exchange of wild fire and the soviets scattered to cover. Anya Putyatin started melting the Germans brains with her mind… One dropped to the ground, blood pouring out of his ears and eyes, screaming in agony…

Another couple were similarly dealt with as the Russians consolidated into cover.

Not having great cover Trotsky’s squad decided to dash for a more intact building, but that drew fire from some previously unseen foes.

One of Trotsky’s Squad fell.

The shooters were form a squad of veteran SS that were sitting in the building they were to locate. Unbeknownst to the Soviet team there were captured BPO personnel in there and some rather nasty Gestapo types types…

Another German at the front line is dealt with by Lt. Putyatin, their sole remaining comrades slinks into a corner to hide.

Sgt. Trotsky rushed out of cover to shoot the remaining German.

Karamanov had long since abandoned these noisy idiots and was trying to sneak around the flank on his own…

At almost the exact same moment a team of German Feldpolizei and Karamanov spotted each other another firefight erupted!

Sgt. Trotsky’s squad reached the front of a building across from where the SS and Feldpolizei were firing from cover.

Between the SS and a pair of Gestapo thugs that joined in the fight, two of Trotsky’s squad were shot down, and the remaining two shaken.

Karamanov shot one of the Feldpolizei shattering the others morale.

Another of Trotsky’s men had been shot, but Lt. Putyatin had finally caught up and for the first time in all the games I’ve played made use of the Combat Medic edge and brought him back into play! Huzzah!

Hans and Gunter, the Gestapo Thugs, are shot down by Sgt. Trotsky.

The Feldpolizei taking more casualties.

With Hans and Gunther down the SS moved their LMG team to the side of the building to deal with Sgt. Trotsky. Lt. Putyatin, back on the offensive, scrambled the gunners brain, and Sgt. Trotsky finished the two of htem off.

The last of the Feldpolizei goes down.

Another SS soldier shot down.

Taking no more fire from the building occupied by the Feldpolizei, Karamanov decided to make a dash across – only to be shot down by another MG team down the street which had been waiting, in hiding, on hold... Seven wounds. SEVEN!? I don't think he even knew what hit him?!

Curtis noted that that was the first character he’d played that had been outright killed…. (he had just made him up this evening!)

The SS taking more casualties.

And antoher one bites the dust…

It was a pretty drawn out firefight so I said the important people that were in the building had plenty of time to get away…

Again Sgt. Trotsky’s squad takes casualties.

And, again, Lt. Putyatin brings one back into play!

The last of the SS put out of action.

Sgt. Trotsky enters the building. There was little left behind, that he could see, so he planted his demolition charge in the middle to destroy anything remaining and scarpered.

German reinforcements arrive and they soviets try to make a run for it!

Escaping from the advancing reinforcements meant running directly into the field of fire of the MG that took out Karamanov! Luckily Lt Putyatin had scrambled the brain of the gunner the previous turn and he was unable to recover before the end of the game (seriously he made five attempts to recover from beign shaken and just couldn’t do it!?)

The last few turns endedup being and intense chase through the ruined streets of Stalingrad!

The last surviving member of Trotsky’s squad was shot down and Putyatin, who was also injured, couldn’t save him… again…

A lucky Joker probably saved Lt. Putyatin’s life – who had been shot a second time and was up to THREE WOUNDS. The joker helped her recver from being shaken which got her just about around the corner, out of the fields of fire of the pursuing Germans.

Last turn – Trotsky man-handled Lt. Putyatin over the last wall into cover and relative safety of the soviet front lines…

In Sgt. Trotsky’s report he likely declaired that the building was located and all remaining records and artifacts were destroyed… of course they will never know how much was carted away by the Gestapo before they got there…

Of Sgt. Trotsky’s Squad two were seriously wounded and were finished off by the Germans. The three others were lightly wounded. Two were captured while the third snuck into cover and hid. He escaped back across the front to soviet lines six days later. The two captured Russians were interrogated but assumed to know nothing of importance. They were later transported to a camp in Poland where they remained until they were liberated in early 1945 – miraculously surviving their ordeal….

On the German side… of the five Germans holding the front line three were seriously addled by Putyatin’s psykic attack and were convalesced back to Germany and spent the rest of their lives in an institution. The two others were left unconscious but recovered to return to the lines in a few days – but suffered from terrible headaches and nightmares for some time. Two of the feldpolizei were seriously wounded and evacuated from Stalingrad, the other two recovered quickly and were returned to duty. Two of the SS were outright killed in action, another was seriously wounded, and the remaining three escaped with minor injuries.

Not sure if there’s going to be any games until the new year... It seems like most people are going to be busy with the holidaze and seasonal festivities over the next three weeks. Maybe I’ll run a few more one-offs like this if anyone is available…

Sla-Mori

2011-12-04T00:49:00.005-06:00

Early the next morning (of Day 22) Gilthanas lead the group into the Sla-Mori - the secret entrance to Pax Tharkas that only the Elves know about (well… presumably only a few Elves at that… Anyway…. Into the dark carverns our heroes delved…

The first came to the burial chamber of Kith-Kanan – founder of the Qualinesti, who, with the help of the Dwarves built the fortress of Pax Tharkas. Across his lap (for his remains sat in a large throne of stone) was a great sword that Lorena Whiteswan divined to be embued with some very powerful magic and then realized (with a series of raises on a Knowledge: Arcane roll!) that it must be the legendary Wyrmslayer! Norfindel took the sword – thinking the ancient king would understand they had desperate need of it!

Carrying on through some double doors made of bronze they followed a passage that lead to another hall where they were ambushed by…

SLUG EAT YOUR FACE!

(I was so excited reading ahead to discover that there was actually a GIANT SLUG in this adventure and I’d have an opputunity to use SLUG EAT YOUR FACE!)

Of course with such a big party, even making the giant slug a wild card… he didn’t have much of a chance (good thing the sword wasn’t called Slugslayer…)

After slaying SLUG EAT YOUR FACE! They realized that this was a dead end and headed back to explore a different corridor they had passed along the way here. This lead them back to a crypt with many stone doors down a dark hall. Of course Roscoe Thorngage - being “curious” and all – HAD to check them out…

Oh dear!

ZOMBIES!!

GRAAAARRRR!!!

And on the third turn I got a joker… because they hadn’t quit got a line formed up and I had a few characters more or less surrounded I – with the joker and wild attacks and gang-up bonuses I had +4 to +7 to hit (and +4 to damage, if I hit) – which these useless creature needed…

I actually hit Henry FitzArnulf with a raise… then started rolling sixes for damage… a lot of them… when it was all counted up I’d caused five or six wounds… Jackson who was playing Henry for Christian (who wasn’t there!?) roll a two to soak… fail… bennied that and started raising and raising and ended up soaking ALL of the wounds… it was that kind of night…

I also managed to tag Norfindel for a few wounds and one actually "stuck".

Wall o’Zombies hammering on Wall o’Heroes

I pulled ANOTHER joker two turns later… but this one wasn’t nearly so effective…

Eventually the zombies were whittled away…

In the end Henry FitzArnulf and Roscoe Thorngage had each taken out nine! Norfindel had taken out five, Tika and Gilthanas had taken out three each, “New Guy” and Marcus Cabot both took out two, and Magnus Blackburn had beaten down one with the torch he was carrying… Lorena Whiteswan held her light so everyone could see and managed to cast armour on a couple characters… Goldmoon tried, in vain, to heal norfindel throughout the whole combat…

More Skulking in the Darkness

2011-11-29T00:32:00.002-06:00

Picking up where we left off last week I came to the realization that, though it’s been a month in “real life”, they’ve been playing one really long day in the game… the day began With the pegasi depositing the group in a mountain pass overlooking the swampy ruins of Xak Tsaroth at dawn. Since then they walked down the mountainside and into the swamp, been ambushed by draconians while crossing open water on a fallen tree, crossed more bridges and made their way to the central plaza, entered the Temple of Mishakel and fought a bunch of Dragon Hatchlings, Fought some draconians in the upper part of the temple, took the elevator down, fought some more draconians.. then some more .. then some ogres… then some more draconians…. That’s a long day… So I convinced them to fnd a moderately secure location to have a bit of a rest or they might have to start making vigor rolls and suffering fatigue. Their first inclination was to press on – a couple of htem nothing that they were pretty vigourous and could take it…

Eventually they were convinced that some rest was required… A couple (game) hours later a patrol of Draconians searching for the intruders interrupted their slumber…

Caramon and RAistlin were on watch and heard the patrol coming and hastily awakened the others (who started the encounter “shaken”).

They all got pretty good cards and rolled some amazing recovery rolls and were, for the most part, all awake and fighting before the Draconians even took an action!

The group went back to sleep for a couple more hours (hoping that no one would miss the patrol or figure out where they had gone…). After some breakfast they continued their exploration – following their de facto leader - the curious kender (played by the five-year-old…).

The Kender next blundered into the Draconians barracks…

I should not that she’s figured out that, while curious, she can exercise SOME caution in the form of entering new areas with some stealth and observation. While very stealthily entering this room, she was completely oblivious to the rumbling of the snoring draconians… it was Tanis, the half-elf ranger, that drastically failed in his attempt to be stealthy that woke the Draconians.

After the first round of combat…

After another round or so…

These draconians that I originally thought would be too powerful are proving to be little challenge to these seasoned explorers…

After that they Kender lead them on a circuitous tour of the ruined under city eventually returning to where they had come down the elevator to check a door they realized they’d forgotten…

Here they found three more draconians. I decided to make one of them a wildcard sorcerer – just to make it more of a challenge.

Goldmoon got beat down pretty good- Incapacitated with one mighty blow!!

Raistlin cast a 3d6 bolt and hit with a raise (making it 4d6 damage and managed to roll this:

What are the odds of that!? 1:1296!?

The two lesser draconians were easily overcome, but the sorcerer eventually realized he was outclassed and cast obscure and scarpered – to go fetch some reinforcements!

And that’s where we had to call it a day!

I have to admit I’m a little concerned the players might be loosing sight of what they came down here for in the first place – Keira at one point (tired of opening doors and finding more monsters to fight) suggested that they just go back up and leave…!? At one point they had started going in the “right” direction, but then decided to turn back and check out other empty corridors… Do I need to send draconians by the dozen chasing them fro every direction other than where they need to go!? Probably wouldn’t work – they’d just try and stand and FIGHT them all!?

Maybe alert them to the sinister sounds of and undetermined “many” approaching draconians could spur them on their way….

Elvenhome

2011-11-28T00:53:00.001-06:00

The Elves that saved our heroes from the Slave Caravan led the group on through the Elvish woodland realm of Qualinesti to the capitol of Qualinost. There they had meetings with the Speaker of the Sun and it was eventually decided that they should go to Pax Tharkas to free the slaves (including some of their own families!) and try to take some of the pressure off the Elves by leading the Dragon Army within off in pursuit in the opposite direction… or something like that…

Gilthanas, The elf they’d met in the caravan, was to lead them to a secret entrance to Pax Tharkas known as the Sla Mori (which only the elves know about).

Along the way they came across the scene of a recent battle – and were ambushed by Draconians.

The Draconians were dealt with in short order…

Amid the bodies and carnage they found one survivor, who joined their merry gang.

In the valley that leads to the Sla Mori they ran into some Ogres

It was supposed to be trolls, but trolls look a little bad-ass in Savage Worlds… of course, considering how fast they dealt with the ogres, I probably could have thrown the trolls at them…

Next Week: Into the Sla Mori to infiltrate the mighty fortress of Pax Tharkas!

Skulking in the Darkness

2011-11-28T00:42:00.003-06:00

After two weeks of life intervening since our last session, the kids finally got together for another session of our Savage Worlds Dragon Lance campaign.

Once again the curious Kender led the way, since no one else felt the urge to take the lead or convince Tasselhoff to go any other way…

She was determined to see what was back up the street back the way they had came and strode back in that direction – being none to cautious about it. She got out of the ruined building they had been in and crossed the street and didn’t even notice the Draconians back down the street – where they had came from – investigating the dusty remains of the sentry by the “elevator pot” and just about to form a search party (to find the intruders that had vanquished him). They, however noticed her… and Goldmoon, who was the second out the door.

The Draconians rushed them! The rest of the heroes poured out of the building and dispatched the group of Draconians.

The Kender continued to lead them hither and thither, up and down the ruined streets of the subterranean ruins of Xak Tsaroth. Eventually her wanderings led them into a building occupied by two ogres. I think Keira shrieked… (I very definitely remember her saying “I don’t want to be there!)

The Kender ran for a corner to hide in while the rest of the crew stormed into the room and dealt with the ogres handily…

Again the Kender set off to explore with the companions following… The third and final encounter took place in an ancient armoury

Again a group of Draconians.

I think someone was actually injured in this battle… I should take better notes… or do these up quicker after the game – it’s hard to take good notes while trying to keep the game moving along at a fast, furious, and fun pace!

I think in game terms it must be late-late-late at night… perhaps I’ll have to have them hunker down for a couple hours shut-eye before they press on (or start having them roll for fatigue…)

Hopefully Bruce and the gang will be able to make it again tomorrow and the adventures will rage on!

Slave Caravan Ambushed

2011-11-20T01:10:00.004-06:00

The whole crew was actually on hand to play their own characters tonight! Woot!

Picking up the action where we left off last week; Marcus Cabot, Norfindel, Henry FitzArnulf, and Roscoe Thorngage had, after destroying a few Draconians in the ruins of the Inn of the Last Home, slipped out the back door to find themselves surrounded by dozens of orcs and goblins and draconians. They were arrested and hauled to the center of what remained of Solace and locked in a big cage on the back of a wagon.

Up on the mountainside Lorena Whiteswan, Magnus Blackburn, and Goldmoon lie moaning in pain under the ever watchful eye of Riverwind. Lorena (through a fog of pain) spotted a patrol of Draconians headed their way. When she reported this to the others both Riverwind and Magnus (drastically failing stealth rolls) stood up to look around shouting “WHERE!?” The group was surrounded and also captured. They were roughly hauled down to solace and imprisoned in the same cage as their compatriots.

After a day of hanging out in the cages a caravan was finally organized and head out towards Pax Tharkas. After a couple days the caravan was traveling near the Qualenesti wood when the caravan guards started dropping like flies – felled by Elvish Arrows!

So… we started with everyone (well all the player characters, plus Goldmoon and Riverwind, and Tike Waylan and Gilthanas – two additional NPCs picked up along the way) in one of the cages and unarmed – but with the locks just busted off by a Gully Dwarf slave (who wanted to sticki it to his soon-to-be former master – before scarpering off into the underbrush). I focused the encounter on just the area around the wagons – there would have been dozens more Orcs and Draconians on either side, but we assumed they would be kept busy by additional ambushing Elves. So on the table I have 7 Elf Rangers, 8 Kapack Draconians (the ones that melt into a pool of acid upon dying) 13 Orc warriors with either sword and shield or great axes, and 7 orc archers….

The Caravan rolls along what remains of the old road leading to Pax Tharkas

When the ambush was spring the Elves got to take one shot with the drop – and they dropped six foes right then and there.

On the Orcs first move they rushed the ambushers, not yet aware that the Gully Dwarf had broken the locks on our heroes cage…

Part of The Gang. From left to right: Christian who plays Henry FitzArnulf, Amanda who plays Lorena Whiteswan, Curtis who plays Magnus Blackburn, and Patrick who plays Roscoe Thorngage.

Also present (but not in any pictures) were Jackson who plays Marcus Cabot, Dave who plays Norfindel, and Rick who has been playing Riverwind since Curly plummeted to his doom off a subterranean waterfall…

When our heroes finally went (Gilthanas was blocking the door out) Gilthanas in one deft (multi-action) move leapt out, picked up a sword from a wounded orc and cut down another!

The rest blundered out scrambling to pick up weapons from injured foes…

Fighting other orcs, or trying to free the other prisoners…

The ambushing Elves.

In the end most of the orcs and Draconians in the center were slain and the remaining ones on the flanks (not on the table) fled! The Elves were dealt a serious blow – three of the seven on the table here were killed in action (by naughty orcs delivering killing blows!) one was seriously injured and another was lightly wounded.

In the melee Riverwind was seriously injured, but Norfindel was able to path him up pretty good afterwards.

Tika the barmaid was the champion of the day taking down at least four Orcs (I can’t say “singlehandedly” because at least two of them had been previously shaken by Roscoe!?).

After freeing the rest of the prisoners and recovering their personal effects the lot of them scarpered into the Qualinesti woods with the Elves…

Huzzah!

Heading Home

2011-11-13T00:38:00.003-06:00

Session Seven… and just starting DL2 Dragons of Flame… this campaign’s going to take a year – for sure… Unless I pull a TPK and abandon it…

In our last episode, the group had escaped from the collapsing ruin of Xak Tsaroth, fighting a few bands of Draconians along the way. It was nearly morning and they had been on the run for nearly 24 hours… Two of the group were critically wounded (3 wounds!) so they all collapsed into a bush somewhere to hide out and wait until sun up… They listedned for a while as the ruins collapsed into the sea and the draconians rampaged and fled hither and thither.

As dawm broke on the fifth day since their adventures began it seemed like it had been months… (in real time, it HAD been!?). They lay low in the swamp for a day then decided they needed to press on. They headed back up into the mountains through the pass and sought out shelter in one of the secret hiding places of the Que Shu. The arrived to find the scene of a recent battle and the cave deserted. With seriously wounded companions they decided they could travel no further. They hung out in the mountain valley for a few days to recover – ever aware of smoke rising from beyond the Sentinel Peaks beyond the plains.

Lorena Whiteswan and Magnus Blackburn both recovered one of their wounds (still two each). It was decided that they could wait no longer and had to pres on.

Another days travel brought them to Que Kiri – the town at the entrance to the mountains – reduced to a smouldering ruin. They found a dying man who told them of great flying wyrms with leather wings that destroyed their town…

And then they were attackecd by a group of Draconians – a new type, that melted into a pool of acid upon dying!? YIKES!

Goldmoon was critically injured in their encounter with them!? They stayed the night in the smouldering ruins and then pressed in the morning – Riverwind carrying Goldmoon – and climbed the pass through the Sentinel Peaks. They camped in the pass and in the morning were exposed to a horrific vista – the valley many of them had grown up in was reduced to a smoldering ruin….

Stumbling down out of the pass they approached Solace. They found what was left of it to be occupied by Draconians. Leaving the injured behind, Norfindel, Henry FitzArnulf, Roscoe Thorngage, and Marcus Cabot tried to sneak into town. They found the ruin of the Inn of the Last Home – Tika the barmaid was there and serving up food and ale – but shortly after their arrival a group of draconians entered the establishment and picked a fight with an Elf and Tika…

Our heroes intervened, but as they tried to beat a hasty retreat from town they found the Inn to be surrounded by Draconians…

Down into the Deep Dark!

2011-11-11T01:04:00.002-06:00

Bruce and his kids came by and we got in a second game this week with the kids! Huzzah!

Picking up from where we left off on Tuesday, The group rushed the pair of Draconians and dispatched them in pretty short order.

As they looked down into the hole to see what the chains were all about they spotted another group of Draconians in a giant metal pot – suspended from the chain coming up towards them!! Arrows and bolts of macical energy were loosed at them as they ascended – but with little effect.

Eventually they popped up through the hole and were immediately in combat! This was a bit more of a slog – Tasslehoff and Goldmoon were both injured.

Afterwards Goldmoon attempted to heal herself and Tasslehoff, while the others had a brief conversation with some Gully Dwarves that were skulking about. It was eventually decided to try and ride the big pot down.

As they reached the bottom they encountered another Draconian standing by a big gong. Caramon and Riverwind rushed him and took him down before he could raise an alarm.

There was a bit of poking around in the ruined city and the bottom of the deep dark cavern and a stash of weapons was discovered, but that’s about as far as week got before Bruce and co. had to skedaddle.

Stay tuned for more action as the Saturday Savages rage ahead with DL02 Dragons of Flame – and next week when the kids group continues their exploration of the subterranean ruins of Xak Tsaroth!

Xak Tsaroth! (with the Kids)

2011-11-09T22:50:00.003-06:00

Finally got in another game with the kids – and this time we had new players join us! Yay! Bruce, C., and V.

C. took over Goldmoon, V. took Caramon and Tanis, Bruce took Raistlin and Riverwind, Finnegan kept Sturm Brightblade and Flint, and Keira kept Tasslehoff… I decided the blue crystal staff was a bit “weak” and so healed a couple wounds of those injured in the last session; making Tasslehoff all better again and Caramon slightly less... well... dead…

Picking up from where we left off in the swamp, the group found a fairly well-worn path – with lots of Draconian footprints. Flint figured the Draconians were there looking for the same thing they were. They decided to follow the path to see where it led. Not too far along they came across a second, less traveled path branching off fro the main one. Discussing it a moment it was decided a less traveled path would likely mean running into less Draconians, so they followed that one.

This lead them across a few more slippery woven vine bridges – which burned a few bennies in attempts to not fall in the swamp! The path led tehm by an evil-looking black water pool. On the edge of the pool they found what looked like a number of leathery egg shells from what must have been and enormous reptile of some sort (Dragons? Pffft! Nobody’s ever seen a Dragons – that’s kids scary stories and legend…).

One more woven vine bridge brought them to an open plaza in what seemed to be the center of the ruined city. The group explored the only standing building and (with a couple of insanely lucky common knowledge rolls!?) determined it to be a temple of Mishakel.

Entering the temple they discovered what probably came out of those eggs – three enormous black reptilian creatures were waiting in the entrance hall and attacked. After dispatching the creatures they had a really good look at them and determined they looked like miniature versions of the dragons they’d all heard about in the legends of old. They figured they must have been hatchlings…

Further into the temple they found the statue of Mishakel which came to life and charged them with recovering the Disks of Mishakel from the dragon horde in the caverns below that they may bring knowledge of the True Gods of Krynn to the people and lead them out of darkness… So they set of in search of some stairs.

They eventually found some that lead down into some catacombs – with some very unstable floors. After searching around a bit they heard a strange noise – a distant gong… followed by a whip cracking and the shuffling of feet… followed by a loud mechanical clanking noise…!?

Following the noise lead them to a chamber where they saw two great dark holes in the floor with a chain coming up out of one, trough a series of wheels suspended from the ceiling, and plunging back down into the darkness of the other hole. Also in the room were a pair of draconians!?

And that’s where we had to leave off!!

The kids are super excited to carry on, hopefully we’ll be able to meet up with our fellow adventurers and bash on soon!

Marcus Cabot

2011-11-09T22:16:00.002-06:00

Marcus Cabot - Wildcard Ranger - Jackson
Ag d10, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d8, Shooting d10, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Survival d8, Tracking d8
Edges: Woodsman, Quick, Quickdraw
Hindrances: Code of Honour, Loyal
Gear: Bow (Range: 12/24/48, ROF1, Damage: 2d6), short sword (Str+d6)

Marcus was born in to a small woodland village. Out of necessity he learned to hunt and gather at a young age like all woods people must. He had no brothers or sisters and not many friends, he found joy practicing archery training to become a masterful hunter like his father.

Although he liked hunting, is true calling was adventure and the thrill of the unknown. Eventually his curiosity got the best of him and he decided to leave the village in search of a suitable quest. His perseverance paid of and over time he accumulated a group of fellow adventurers. These were his first real friends and he quickly developed a brotherly bond with them.

They set up the home base of Solace. Whenever they went there separate ways they always knew to meet back there for their next adventure.

He recently got a letter telling him to meet there but when he got there he found that they had already left with two plains people. He began the long tedious job of tracking them. With the help of some footprints and some lucky pegasus feces (he believed to be dropped from very high up) he eventually caught up with them at a ruined city in a swamp next to the sea....... thus the adventure continues.

Escape from Xak Tsaroth!

2011-11-09T21:54:00.001-06:00

The Sixth Session of the Saturday Night Savages DragonLance Campaign…. (Finishing off DL01 Dragons of Despair). This post is a couple weeks late – we played this session on 22 November 2011, The following week I was at the opera, and this past weekend we Played Hordes of the Things since I wasn’t quite ready to move on to the next adventure and half the players were absent….

Rick took over playing Riverwind (since Curly met an untimely end last session).

So we started in the remains of the Dragon’s Lair with the cavern beginning to collapse around them – Larana severely wounded. Magnus had spotted the Disks of Mishakel at the end of the last episode so he went and picked them up…

Now I was curious, and had thought about trying to figure this out before (but didn’t get to it before…) about how much these disks are supposed to weigh… the disks are 18” in diameter and 1/16” thick… and there’s 160 of them all bolted together!? The game doesn’t even list the gold-piece-weight of them… but Dave quickly figured out for us that a cylindrical block of platinum 18” in diameter and 10” tall would be 894kg (or about 1900lbs) I think that exceeds the load limit of the entire party!? Now they were supposed to “quickly” escape this collapsing cavern with this?! I wonder if Mr. Hickman thought of this…? Actually, the more I read through these adventures the more I have to stretch the limits of my suspension of disbelief! Ah well.. it’s fantasy…

I said for anyone of “good alignment” (which in our game is anyone with Code of Honour or Heroic hindrances) it would “magically” be the weight of a heavy book… for anyone else it would be the full weight… (much in the same way that anyone of evil or neutral alignment would get zapped for 4d6 damage if they tried to touch or read the discs). Of course that would have caused some other conundrums a little later on if I’d been thinking about it…

They made their way out of the Dragons’ lair to the underground plaza as the whole subterranean city and cavern began to collapse around them. There they thought of the great chain they’d seen. Norfindel finally saw it in action and figured if they could get to it maybe it’d be a way out. They found the giant pot at the bottom of the chain, climbed in and rang the gong. Gully Dwarves jumped into the other pot a couple hundred meters above them and up they went.

Of course half way up they realized that the Gully Dwarf that acted as the counter weight were riding to certain doom – so as they passed by the dwarves going down they shouted at them to stay in the pot – thinking they might be able to find something else to fill the pot with to bring up the gully dwarves… Unfortunately, just as they got to the top and bailed out of the pot the whole apparatus crumbled and fell away into the cavern.

The gang pulled themselves together and scrambled up and out of the hall of the dead. In the upper part of the temple they found Goldmoon by the statue of Mishakel.

As they left the temple…

…there was a group of Draconians just rushing up the steps!

They were beat down and the group scrambled away back into the swamp. Behind them they could hear the crash of rock collapsing and falling into the great void, and and sound of rushing water – the water level in the swamp was noticeably lowering and as they stumbled through he swamp…

They ran into another band of Draconians!

It’s been a couple weeks now so I’m not sure where everyone was wounded, but in my notes Lorena currently has three wounds (I’m pretty sure those were from the dragon), Magnus has three wounds (I think that was from the last encounter), and Roscoe has one wound…

And that’s where we’ll pick up – hopefully this (Savage) Saturday!!

Flight of the Peagasi and Into the Swamp

2011-10-23T14:52:00.001-06:00

In our last session the kids had met the forest master who had suggested that they go to Xak Tsaroth and find the “greatest gift”. He provided them with Pegasi (Pegasuses?) to swiften their journey.

In the game I ran for the other group I had the Pegasi land them near the Que Shu village (much as they did in the novel) and they had to hoof it over the Forsaken Mountains – I decided to skip that with these guys and had the Pegasuses fly them over the forsaken mountains and drop them off at the edge of the swamp.

So into the swamp they went!!

At the fallen Ironwood tree they were ambushed!

There was only three Draconian warriors and one Wildcard Draconian sorcerer… but because of the order they were in and the Draconicans ambushed them – most of the heroes warriors were stuck on the far side of the water.

The sorcerer menaced them with a few fireballs. Both times Caramon took two wounds and was unable to soak them. The second time, Raistlin, who was also in the blast template, took no damage so we said Caramon had leapt in front of his brother to shield him from the blast and took the brunt of it.

Tasslehoff, who had been frightful in the very first game first game we played, took a pretty severe beating at the hands of a pair of Draconian warriors.

When the battle was over no amount of healing, mundane or divine, was able to help Tasslehoff or Caramon. So Tasslehoff is severely wounded and Caraman has perished…. Yikes!

Next time: Further into the swampy ruins!

The Black Dragon!

2011-10-16T22:05:00.002-06:00

The Fifth Session of the Saturday Night Savages DragonLance Campaign….

Picking up where we left off last week, the group wandered out of the building they were in and down a “street” (the city had sunk underground during the Cataclysm – the buildings on this street toppled together to form sort of a hall). The kinder insisted on searching EVERY building along the street, and when they got to the square at the end of the street they found a torrent of water gushing through it and on the other side another building with great steel doors.

Some decided to checkout where the water went and discovered it opened into a great cavern. The Kender (Roscoe Thorngage), however, had to check out the steel doors…

He somehow waded across the river without trouble – with a rope tied to him (just in case). He tied off the rope andLorena (“The Light Source”) crossed as well. The made their way in only to discover spectra minions waiting for someone to deliver their taxes – not having the taxes they minions attacked.

Now I’m not entirely sure how anyone was supposed to deal with these – the spectral minions could not be harmed by any normal weapons… and I don’t think any of the original members of the party had magical weapons… Perhaps Raistlin was meant to deal with these… So I let Lorena try to cast “Slumber” on them. A couple of them fell asleep as did the Kender.

Laurana continued to try and make the other minions sleep – so she could retrieve the sleeping Kender and retire. She just couldn’t get them all to sleep and the remaining ones attacked. Now on their own this wasn’t much of a problem because I’d given them a d6 fighting….

Curly decided something was amiss so he decided to cross the water and see if he could help out. Making it, he took a swing at one of the minions – SWISH – right through it making a loud klanging noise as it solidly hit the stone floor. Everyone woke up.

Curly then decided there was no use fighting them and beat a hasty retreat heading for the water… We’ll get back to him in a moment… This unfortunately left Laurana facing four spectral minion guards again. She tried “Slumber” again – it only worked on the Kender… So four spectral minions ganged up no her and had her down, slowly dying, in a round…

Back to Curly: Curly slipped trying to cross the torrent and was washed over the falls plummeting to his death 150m below… (Here’s how that worked” failed Agility check – slipped and let go of rope, failed strength test to just wade across on his own, failed second strength test, bennied it, failed again, last ditch agility test a -2 to grab slipper vine as he was thrown over the precipice – I think he might have even failed and bennied THAT and succeeded on the second attempt – but only because Magnus, who was standing there looking down aided him adding a +1… when I told Rick he was saved but lost his axe, he insisted that Curly would not have let go of the axe under any circumstances… I told him he would have needed a raise to grab the vine – which he had not done – so Rick said he went over the falls…. I mentioned that it was ~150m drop, right…? So I had to look up falling damage… 2d6+5 per 10m…. I decided to add a bit of chance in there and made it 2d6+d6 per 10m – my maths weren’t working at that time of night – trying to convert form feet in game book to tabletop inches… anyway I rolled 14d6 instead of 17 as I probably should have. the first mittful of dice I chucked came up all ones and twos and we, for a brief moment, thought curly might survive the drop… the second mittful of dice was less forgiving and curly took 30-some damage causing 6 wounds… no bennies left… Exit Crullen “Curly” Balckstone…)

Back up at the top everyone else was realizing the situation was becoming dire. The rest of the group bludgeoned their way across the torrent and, in an attempt to prevent a TPK I said that as soon as Goldmoon entered with the staff the Spectral Minions backed off (this staff keeps getting better and better – Oh, and I miust have been glowing, because the only light sources, up until now had been Laurana’s magic staff, which would have been snuffed out when she was, and Curly’s lantern – which just went over the falls…)

The end of the first encounter – water and rocks seem to be more deadly than any other adversary in this quest so far…

They dragged Laurana and the sleeping Kender out of there and patched them up as best they could – Norfindel working his near magical first aid and the staff helping out too…. They managed to heal three of Laurana’s six wounds.

After that they attempted to talk to some Gully Dwarves that had just climbed up the vines hanging down the inside of the great cavern. The group climbed down the vines – but luckily had tied off Laurana and Goldmoon – who were both seriously injured at this point (Goldmoon still having two wounds from hertumble down the sewer pipe last game, and Laurana now having three wounds from her encounter with the Spectral Minions…)

Crreping around they came to the Grand Plaza and spotted the Dragon giving it’s (not-so-spectral) minions to begin some sort of search, before retiring to her den.

Making their way across the less deep, less fast moving water they followed into the subterranean courtyard. Presented with a hall and a pair of massive double doors they chose the hall – because how could a dragon possibly open doors? They followed the hall and wandered down a few passageways and encountered some more Draconians:

Beating down the Draconians

After the encounter with the Draconians they decided to head back to the double doors – because the last hall they entered was clearly too small for a Dragon to have fit through…. And couldn’t possibly lead to a sneaky backdoor entrance to the Dragon’s Lair or anything…).

Throwing the doors open they strode down the great hall – stepping on pressure plates, sounding alarms… The dragon popped it’s head through the doors and the far end and filled the passage with acidic spray…. The players wondered if the staff might cast barrier? I decided it could to avoid a TPK before I finished the first module… So the mighty staff of Mishakel saved them from certain death (considering half of them had no bennies left at all…).

The continued striding to the end of the hall and entered the dragon’s lair:

Entering the Dragon’s Lair

Henry FitzArnulf charged in and Norfindel let fly with the arrows…

They battled the dragon for a few rounds

Eventually goldmooon was able to stagger up to the beastie and smashed the Blue Crystal Staff on it and they both disappeared in a brilliant explosion of blue-ish white light… then the cavern started to crumble and cave in…. and that’s where we left it as it was after midnight.

Next Week: Escape from Xak Tsaroth! (and Who Will Rick Play Now!?)

Lorena Whiteswan

2011-10-16T21:43:00.002-06:00

Lorena Whiteswan - Wildcard Wizard - Amanda
Ag d6, Sm d10, Sp d8, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 5 (6 ), Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d6, Notice d6, Stealth d4, Spellcasting d10, Throwing d4, Knowledge: Arcana d10, Survival d4, Riding d4, Swimming d4, Persuasion d4, Healing d4, Investigation d4, Climbing d4,
Edges: Arcane Background (Magic), Alertness, Luck, Wizard
Hindrances: loyal, pacifist, Code of Honour
Spells: Detect/Conceal ARcana, Light, Armour, Slumber
Gear: Robes, Staff (Str+d4, Parry +1, Reach 1), Dagger (Str+d4), Backpack, Bedroll, etc.

Lorena was born in Solace just after her parents moved there. Her father, John Whiteswan, a master carpenter, was invited to move there by his cousins who’d lived in the town for a couple generations.

Her older brother (by three years), Arnulf, had been born in Solamnia. When he was 14, he was apprenticed to another Master Carpenter, who moved to Solamnia in search of work and Arnulf went with him. No one has heard from him since.

Lorena had four younger siblings that were born in Solace. Isador, her younger sister (by just a year) has always been a rival – and a bit of a brute – bullying her constantly. She still lives at home – exasperating her parents.

Gwenyth and Gyles, twins (four years younger than Lorena) get along with her quite well. Both are recently married. Gyles is a carpenter and works with his dad, and Gwenyth is married to one of her fathers other apprentices Morgan Hammermann.

A Third sister was born a couple years after the twins but died when she was only one in a housefire.

Lorena’s youngest brother Quinlan (10 years younger) is also apprenticing to be a carpenter under her father, but longs to travel and go adventuring like his older sister.

Lorena, showing an aptitude for magic, was apprenticed to a Wizard at the age of thirteen. The wizard, Rowena Lablanca, traveled a lot and maintained a number of households across western Ansalon in Solamnia, Ergoth and Abanasinnia. Every couple years Lorena would return with Rowena to Solace – sometimes for a month, sometimes a whole year, but eventually they would be moving on. After twenty years Lorena’s apprenticeship has come to an end – passing the tests at the Tower of High sorcery. She has traveled home to Solace to decide what to do next…

Magnus Blackburn

2011-10-15T19:04:00.000-06:00

Magnus Blackburn – Wildcard Preacher - Curtis
Ag d6, Sm d8, Sp d10, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 5, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d6, Notice d6, Stealth d4, Persuasion d10, Investigation d8, Streetwise d8, Knowledge (history) d8, Knowledge (the Good Book) d8, healing d6
Edges: Healer, Charismatic, Alertness
Hindrances: Quirk (Loves Beer), Loyal, Heroic
Gear: Robes, Large leather and metal bound Book of the Seekers (Improvised Weapon, Str+d4, -1 to hit), 2 Daggers (Str+d4), Backpack, Bedroll, etc, etc…

Magnus Blackburn was born a short 32 years ago. Orphaned at the age of five when both parents died of illness he was raised by family friends in Solace. He had a decent enough childhood but never felt as if he really belonged. These feelings only got stronger in his teenage years and as young boys sometimes tend to do he ran away from home. He expected great adventure but was barely managing to survive after his small supply of food ran out. This is generally the way of things. Nearly dead, Magnus was found by a group of out of work mercenaries. Instead of leaving him to die they gave him food and water ( very odd considering they were mercenaries) and let him travel with them. Magnus proved an able travelling companion as long as he didn't have to worry about trying to survive. He was quick of wit and had a knack for understanding people and getting them to do what he wanted. Eventually, he joined their company and spent many years taking one job after another from whoever was willing to pay. It was during this time that Magnus did many things he wasn't proud of. Lieing, cheating, stealing, killing, these were not things that he had any interest in but he was accepted and because of that he stayed. Eventually his shame grew to be too great and he ran away once again. You would think that during his time as a mercenary he would have learned a little about survival but all he really gained was a love of good beer. On his own Magnus quickly found himself in trouble once again, lost without food or water. This time he was found by some priests travelling from Haven. Once again helped by strangers, Magnus found himself in a temple of the new gods. Here he learned of the Word and the true Way. Thinking he might have at last found a place to belong he joined the order and became a priest himself. Now he travels, preaching to all who will listen about the way of the new gods. This has allowed him to travel back to Solace and use it as a home base. There, he has met old friends and made some new ones.

Magnus isn't much of a fighter but can if he has to. He would much prefer to talk his way out of most of the situations he finds himself in and he's actually quite good at it. He is incredibly loyal to those he considers friends to the point of being foolhardy. Trying to make up for past misdeeds he has a heroic streak that is bound to get him into a great deal of trouble someday. Of course if he happens to find a good ale house he may never make it on to another adventure.

Darken Wood – With the Kids

2011-10-11T21:28:00.005-06:00

Back at it with the kids again. I’d hoped to get another session in over the long weekend (since all dance classes were cancelled…) but we just ended up doing other things… In our last session, the group had been ambushed by a group of draconians disguised as monks. The group was victorious, but as they wiped the sweat from their brows and caught their breath they hear the far off sounding of a horn and saw more draconians gliding down from trees to the road ahead of them….

Starting this game they simply assumed they would be fighting them. I pointed out that there were "many, MANY more of them than you". They still didn’t see any other option. I pointed out that they could run and hide… They questioned how they would ever make it to Haven if they ran the other way and I explained that they could hide out and find another way to get their.

They decided that discretion was the better part of valour and scarpered back up the road. Only to discover that there were still more draconians gliding down from trees that way! What to do!? They were quite dismayed! So I gave them the white stag.

Much like in the other Saturday Night game they followed the white stag up prayers eye peak (evading the pursuing draconians) and through the crack in the mountain…

I love playing with these guys… They take everything at face value – not yet jaded by overexposure to formulaic fantasy adventure. When I first described Darken Wood as a “deep dark haunted forest full of malevolent spirits, that no one ever went into and returned alive…” to the Saturday Night Crew their comments were: “Well I guess we’ll be going in there at some point” or “Let me roll on my ‘Knowledge: Role-playing Games skill’ to see if I figure out when we have to go in there…”.

When I had the kids make smarts/common knowledge rolls and (upon their success) told them they realized that following this tunnel they would probably come out in darken wood the girls eyes welled up with tears and the boy had a distinct look of dread… I think the girl was actually certain that I was determined to destroy them all at this point (now, I know there’s GMs out there that view RPGs as a GM vs. Player competitive game… I ain’t one of those…). There was some debate between the two – go back and fight the draconians (I had told them that there were “hundreds” in an attempt to dissuade them from taking such an action) or face “certain doom” in Darken wood. At one point the girl eve suggest that they “just give back the crystal staff to the draconians!?” Cooler heads prevailed as I told them that none of them actually KNEW anyone to have ever ventured into Darken Wood… it was just something everybody “knew” (don’t go into Darken Wood, it’s full of evil…).

So they decided to take their chances with the evil spirits of Darken Wood…

The kids and the groups order of march through the Prayer's Eye Peak tunnel

They did meet some rather menacing Spectral Guardians that demanded who they were and why they were there. At first the boy explained that they had come there not of hteir own choosing but were fleeing evil lizard people – they the guardians seemed unimpressed. It was the girl who fessed up – Goldmoon introduced herself and admitted that she was bearing the Blue Crystal Staff. The minions led them on into the forest to meet the Unicorn/Forest Master that set them on their way to Xak Tsaroth on Pegasi! Yippie!

The session involved no combat just role-playing and the occasional skill or attribute check. The kids were rather shocked by this – thinking that all the games I played involved COMBAT! They seemed to have a great time none-the-less and are as stoked as ever to carry on!

Descent into Darkness

2011-10-09T01:13:00.002-06:00

The Fourth Session of the Saturday Night Savages DragonLance Campaign….

Jackson finally made it out to a game and made himself a Human Ranger type (hopefully we’ll have a background for him shortly – AND MAYBE ONES FOR LAURANA AND MAGNUS!?).

Speaking of Laurana, for a (minor) pacifist, she had been doing a whole lot of “shooting first” last session… So I decided to take away her Bolt spell and replaced it with Armour – as it seemed to fit her character better. I did allow her touse her level-up from last session to take Slumber…

In our last session The Heroes had finally made it to the Ruins of Xak Tsaroth. Attacked by a dragon they sought refuge in the only standing building nearby – which turned out to be the temple of Mishakal. And that’s where this evenings adventures began!

Exploring the temple they found a statue of Mishakal that came to life and spoke to them, pretty much telling them what they needed to find (the Discs of MIshakal) and where to find it (in the Dragon Hoard)! While further investigating the temple they discovered some cowardly Gully Dwarves and were discovered by a unit of Draconians…

They were dealt with pretty quickly – due to about half of them falling asleep on the first turn… only waking up just in time to die…

After they were finished snooping around the Temple they descended and spiral stone staircase into the deep dark underworld. They discovered a worn trail leading out of the main hall they had descended into, but decided to check out some side passages. While trying to look down into some big cracks in the floor they head noises in an ajoining hall. They took too long trying to decide what to do – stay and make ready to fight or run and hide – and didn’t think to put their lights out… so they were discovered.

Another squad of draconians dealt with easily thanks partly, again, to the slumber spell, and partly to the unstable crumbling floor which sent a few tumbling into the vast blackness below….

Returning to the well worn path through the crypts they ran into another batch of Guly Dwarves all queued up in a hall. Unable to communicate in any sensible way with them they tried to sneak up to the room ahead to see what was going on. The ALL decided to “sneak up” and someone made a noise and they were spotted.

The two overseers were again knocked out by the slumber spell and they “dealt with” by other party members…

They discovered a secret passageway and the sewer tunnel the gulley dwarves had been using. In the first section they descended the Kender lost his grip and went sliding down – bowling down a group of Guly Dwarves who were coming up the tunnel. Regrouping at a junction, they decided to take the steeper tunnel down (as they Gully Dwarves seemed to indicate that that is where they had come from.

On this one too there was sliding. Goldmoon slipped and took out nearly the whole group. Rolling for some damage on this one most escaped with minor bumps and bruises (a couple were “shaken”). But Goldmoon must have hit her head in the initial fall and knocked herself out. Then, being unconscious bettered her head on the sides of the stone tunnel all the way down and fell hard at the bottom – she took SIX WOUNDS!! Luckily she soaked one… Then Norfindel worked his (nearly magical) healing on her (the fantasy version of First Aid and CPR), taking off another wound. The Blue Crystal Staff healed a further two bringing her back to her senses but leaving her battered with two wounds.

AT that point I suggested we could stop – most seemed ready to bash on until I pointed out it was midnight…. Amanda called the game as she has to teach yoga in the morning and kicked everyone out…

Tune in next week! Find out if they survive the dragon and find the mysterious Discs of Mishakal!!

Dragonlance With The Kids Again

2011-10-09T00:37:00.002-06:00

It’s been too long since our first session (been having some scheduling issues – too many activities, unrealistic education program, etc… that’s all sorted out now, so hopefully we’ll be getting more regular gamin’ in!).

AS before the kids were pretty fired up. This session sort of introduced them to some gen-u-ine “role-playing”. Previously our games have been mostly skirmish scenarios – the first session they were simply ambushed on the road.

It is completely different playing with entirely inexperienced children compared to the Saturday Night Savages (who often joke about making a “Knowledge: Role-playing Games skill check” to “decide” if they should take an obvious - to them - hint or clue from the GM…). A lot of stuff one would assume players would clue into right away they just don’t get at all…A couple times I had to describe Goldmoon and Riverwind sitting by the roadside singing their song and asked if they wanted to stop and listen or carry on the road to Solace (they wanted to carry on!?) and ask “are you SURE!?”

Of course I’ve had adult players that walked right by the obvious clue – sometimes assuming that because it was SOOooooOOOooo obvious it MUST be a TRAP!

The adventure has played out quite different from the Saturday Night group. Here Tanis, Tasslehoff, and Flint met Goldmoon and Riverwind on the road and traveled with them into Solace. Meeting up with the others at the Inn and hearing the many runours floating about they decided to escort Goldmoon and Riverwind to Haven as the staff seemed rather important.

Leaving solace the next morning they ran into some dressed in funny bulky clothes....

These turned out to be draconians in disguise who ambushed them. The group took care of them fairly quickly – but just as the skirmish ended they heard horns being sounded up and down the road and further up the road they saw more draconians gliding down from thetrees and racing towards them!

….and that’s where we had to leave it off!!

Hopefully we’ll get another chance to play this weekend!

Xak Tsaroth

2011-10-02T01:17:00.003-06:00

Raging ahead with my Savage Worlds Dragon Lance campaign this week, I was a little nervous about how far a head to be really prepared for - after last week when the players sidestepped and skipped by a dozen or so encounters I had lined up and found themselves nearly at the Gates of Xak Tsaroth!? Would they flounder in the swamp or bash their way to the very bottom of the dungeon and find all that there is to discover there!?

Christian didn’t make it out tonight, but I let the others play Henry FitzArnulf. They refrained from using him as a meatshield/trap detector. He even made it through the adventure free of injury, though his armour is looking a little worse-for-wear… Dragons with acid breath do that… but I’m getting ahead of myself..

I FINALLY got around to filling them in on the details of Goldmoon and Riverwinds past – having sprinted through the first batch of encounters they never really had a chance to catch their breath and formally introduce themselves to each other!?

And so, in the the swamp they went.

First they were ambushed by a group of Draconians as they tried to cross the murky waters of the swamp on a a fallen tree. This was actually their first encounter with the Draconians (having sidestepped said potential encounters last session).

Curly spent a turn or two frightened out of his wits until he could convince himself they weren’t GIANT bats… Roscoe Thorngage, the brick-like Kender berserker, went berserk and got his arm stuck in the sorcerer draconian as he stabbed his sword and arm right through – turning it instantly to stone.

Goldmoon and Magnus got into a bit of a theological tiff – trying to prove who’s gods were the bad-ass-iest. Goldmoon whacked one with the blue crystal staff (for something like five or six wounds) blasting it into a fine dust in a brilliant flash of blue-ish-white lgith. Magnus, not to be outdone, bashed one over the head with his holy book (improvised weapon, -1 to hit, Str+d6 damage – it IS 10 pounds and bound in steel!).

After finishing them off they came across another bridge guarded by draconians one tried to flee and was blasted by Laurenas magic missiles, The second sounded a warning horn, but was quickly silenced by Norfindel.

They happened upon a giant spider… who just happened to jump Curly (with “The Drop”), who was stung and poisoned and paralysed for a good few minutes. Laurena quickly blasted that with her magic missiles and splattering everyone with spider goo.

They scooted past the dragon breeding pool deciding it was far too ominous looking to be further investigated!

Henry FitzArnulf fell off a vine bridge and very nearly drown. He emerged from the water covered in a fetid smelling black slime.

Then they stumbled across the “Plaza of Death”!

Roscoe and Magnus went to check out the well while the others headed towards the intact building (the Temple). The dragon popped out of the well and made two straffing passes at the crew before they all made it into the (relative) safety of the temple. Magnus was pretty badly burned by the acid (like incapacitated “badly”). Henry escaped looking a little melted as well…

That’s pretty much where we left off. Hopefully they players will take advantage of that OLD RULE (concerning posting on this blog… hint... hint…) as they seem to be burning through bennies rather quickly!! (especially Laurena and Magnus… who haven’t supplied character backgrounds – they each only had one. Laurena because she was “lucky” and Magnus because Curtis brought Root Beer….)

Hopefully I’ll get a game (or TWO!?) with the Kids this week and get them caught up….

Norfindel

2011-10-02T00:59:00.001-06:00

Norfindel – Wildcard Elf Ranger? - Dave
Ag d12, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d10,
Pace 6, Parry 8, Toughness 7 (9)
Skills: Fighting d12, Shooting d12, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Survival d8, Throwing d4, Tracking d8, Climbing d6, Healing d8
Edges: Low-light Vision, Woodsman, Dodge, Marksman
Hindrances: All Thumbs, Loyal, Heroic
Gear: Bow(Range: 12/24/48, ROF 1, Damage: 2d6), Long Sword (Str+d8), Sundry other items…..

Norfindel, a young Qualinesti elf of some one hundred and twenty years, had never felt quite at home among his own kind. Since early childhood, he had been drawn with fascination to the human and dwarven traders that frequented the borders of his woodland home. His mind would wander with these travelers, imagining adventures in far distant lands. Though skilled with sword and bow, and at one in the wild places as only an elf can be, Norfindel did not get satisfaction from the forest; he was not at peace, and dreamed of life amongst the other races, in the villages and towns beyond the woodlands.

His parents, both skilled healers, taught him their craft and loved him dearly, but struggled to understand his restlessness. They were not surprised when he announced his decision to leave the forest at two and twenty, but were sad to see him go. He travelled extensively, returning for three years here, five years there, always restless to set off again. Though always welcome at home, he was considered odd, and felt stronger kinship and loyalty to fellow travelers than to his own people.

Some thirty years ago, Norfindel had settled in Solace, living quietly as a healer on the edge of the treed village. He thrived among the quick burning spirits of the humans, and the years passed like days. Chance encounters led to a deeply satisfying quest five years earlier, with men, a dwarf and a kender, and the companions from that adventure had become his true kin.

Returning from a brief five year visit home to see his parents and further his knowledge of herb lore, he met up with these same companions. During his few years apart, thoughts of quest and companionship were never far from his thoughts, and his heart stirred with the desire for heroic adventure.

Roscoe Thorngage

2011-10-02T00:52:00.001-06:00

Roscoe Thorngage – Wildcard Kender Berserker - Patrick
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d8, St d10, Vg d10,
Pace 6, Parry 7 (-2 when berserk), Toughness 7 (9 when berserk)
Skills: Fighting d10, Notice d8, Stealth d8, Taunt d6, Lockpicking d8, Climbing d6, Swimming d6
Edges: Lucky, Berserk, Brawny, Combat Reflexes
Hindrances: Small, Curious, Vengeful (minor), Quirk (sensitive about height)
Gear: Short Sword (Str+d6), Backpack, trail rations, rope, lockpick, etc, etc…

Roscoe Thorngage was born to a recently married Kender couple who lived in Solace. His father was a baker but had not yet gotten a solid business going. The couple had barely enough money to support themselves and knew they were not yet ready to care for a child. So, they met with a friendly Dwarven woman and her stout husband who, pitying the young couple, agreed to take care of Roscoe until they could support him.

Living among the Dwarves was hard for Roscoe, but he tried his best to fit in. He played with the Dwarven boys, and could match them in most any game. But, he was very self-conscious about his height and would often end up in fights when provoked. He visited his birth parents quite often, and grew to love them and Solace as much as his other home amongst the Dwarves.

As a child Roscoe’s only goal was to become a town guard. He was an energetic student but he could not always focus his energy, becoming distracted by many minor things. Still, he performed well enough in the classroom and at tournaments. His dream of becoming the first ever Kender on the town guard was coming within reach.

Yet reach was just the thing that Roscoe did not have enough of. On his eighteenth birthday he went to the barracks to apply for a position. At only 2’ 11” Roscoe did not meet the height requirements, sparking more teasing from those who did pass the physical. Angered and ashamed Roscoe left for Solace, with his few belongings and only a short (no pun intended) goodbye to his Dwarven parents.

He hung around Solace doing the odd job as a labourer, when he heard that a group, those he is with now, were getting together to go adventuring. Seeing it as an opportunity to redeem himself he signed up the first chance he got. The group split up and Roscoe, with some honour restored, decided to return to the Dwarven lands and live there for a while. After five years, he returned to Solace, ready for another adventure.

As he has experienced the world Roscoe has learned that his small stature can be a blessing as well as a curse. He has mellowed some but still dislikes the mention of his height. He often finds a way to put the one who insulted him in their place either by a returned comment or, less commonly, a good, solid punch.

Crullen Blackstone

2011-10-02T00:50:00.003-06:00

Crullen Blackstone – Wildcard Dwarf Warrior - Rick
Ag d6, Sm d10, Sp d6, St d10, Vg d8,
Pace 5, Parry 7, Toughness 6 (7)
Skills: Fighting d10, Notice d10, Stealth d6, Intimidate d6, Throwing d6, Streetwise d10, Tracking d4, Knowledge: Ansalon d10, Survival d4
Edges: Brawny, Trademark Weapon (Great Axe)
Hindrances: Phobia (Minor – unnaturally sized things…), Curious, Delusional (must smoke pipe or lapse into coma)
Gear: Great Axe (Str+d10, AP1, Parry -2, 2 hands, Pipe, Tobacco, Kilt, Backpack, etc…

Crullen Blackstone is a proud member of the Blackstone line of dwarves from the hill country of Neidar. Dwarves from this line are particularly long-lived, and this certainly applies to Crullen, who, though still not elderly, has long forgotten his younger years.

For the last several decades, most of those who know Crullen call him Curly. Some assume he got this nickname from his baldpate or because of the origin of his first name (which means “to curl”). But the real origin comes from his habit of always having his pipe with him, which he puffs on throughout the day, with curls of smoke regularly seen drifting above him. In fact, his fondness for his pipe leans toward the addictive. He usually spikes his tobacco with snuff known for its stimulant properties - and he firmly adheres to his delusion that, if deprived from his pipe for a lengthy time, he’ll fall into a deep sleep and stay that way until his pipe’s distinctive aroma returns to his nostrils.

Curly is a wanderer, and his insatiable curiosity about the hidden corners of Abanisinia will doubtless keep him wandering for as long as his stumpy legs will carry him. His endless travels have kept him from starting his own family, and he remembers little about the family from which he came. He vaguely remembers having numerous brothers and sisters, but it has been over 100 years since he’s had any contact with them or his parents. He’s an agreeable fellow (though not fond of goblins) and has made many friendships over the years - including his present band of traveling companions, who have just gotten back together again in Solace. Previous to this reunion, the companions had gone their own way for a few years, during which Curly supported his traveling by acting as a guide/guard for various trade caravans, using Solace as his base of operations.

Curly has seen both wondrous and terrifying sights in his travels, and has a fairly strong constitution. He does, however, have one minor phobia. Although his dwarven heritage makes him a bit shorter than most of his companions, he is very proud of his stature – knowing that he is of proper height for a dwarf, and all is well on that account. Unfortunately, his fixation with proper sizes goes a little too far – in that he has a great fear of beings or things that are clearly not of the right size. Thus, his wanderings have taken many a detour around such things as unnaturally giant spiders/goblins/etc or unusually tiny vermin/livestock/etc. In such situations, he takes comfort from the great axe always by his side (a trademark weapon acquired long ago during his travels in Ergoth) - but in the end, there is no reasoning with phobias.

DragonLance Double-Header

2011-09-25T00:48:00.003-06:00

I ran TWO, separate Savage Worlds/Dragon Lance games today, for two separate groups…

The first was for the kids. The whole point of picking up all the old DragonLance stuff was to run a campaign for the kids. I’ve been promising I’d run if for them for weeks and we finally sat down and played through the first encounter.

Keira was playing a feminized version of Tasslehoff Burrfoot, and Finnegan played Flint Fireforge and Tanis Halfelven.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

The kids were pretty darn excited!

Unlike the game I’m playing with the Saturday Night Savages, the kids are playing pre-generated characters I’ve come up with based on the original characters in the adventures/novels/etc.

In the first encounter Tanis, Flint, and Tasslehoff are returning to Solace after a five year absence. They are ambushed by Fewmaster Toade, and his Hobgoblins, looking foe the “Blue Crystal Staff”

Tasslhoff, Tanis and Flint surrounded by hostile hobgoblins.

Two of the hobgoblins rushed Flint and Tanis. One landed a telling blow on Tanis! Luckily Tanis soaked three of the four wounds!! (Would have made for a short campaign if the leader was beat down by a hobgoblin on the first encounter of the first adventure!?)

Tasslehoff scarpered for the woods where she shot one of the hobgoblins and took him out of the fight. The remaining Hobgoblin gave chase, swinging wildly at the small kinder. Tass drew her sword and beat down her assailant!

Tanis just couldn’t wound a hobgoblin to save his life…. After the Kender had taken out two on her own the remaining hobgoblins attempted to flee. Flint finally knocked down a hobgoblin as it turned to flee.

And that was pretty much it for their first game… Everyone was pretty stoked and I’m sure will be constantly haranguing me for game #2!

GAME #2

Shortly after finishing up with the kids the regular Saturday Savages showed up for game three of our campaign. I have to say I was actually totally prepared for the adventure – ready for almost any eventuality – the encounter with the “clerics” on the road to Haven… plus all the potential encounters on the long road to Haven… encounters within Haven and the audience with the Highseekers… The Elves… The River… and they circumvented all that by actually spotting the damn white stag and following it through Prayer’s Eye Peak into Darken Wood where they had their brief chat with the Forest master and jumped on the Pegasi to fly off to Que-Shu. They had aquick look around the burning village and pressed on up the Sageway towards Xak Tsaroth… and that’s where we ended the adventure (a littler earlier than normal - because I totally wasn’t prepared to be running the Xak Tsaroth portion of the adventure!!).

NO pictures because there weren’t really even any tabletop encounters!?

Rick’s sent me his character background which I should get posted shortly… the others should have theirs in within the week (or NO BENNIES next week!!)

Henry FitzArnulf

2011-09-18T21:51:00.002-06:00

Henry FitzArnulf – Wildcard Knight of Solamnia - Christian
XP: 23 Rank: Seasoned
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d10, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 7 (9), Toughness 7 (10)
Skills: Fighting d10, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Intimidate d6, Throwing d4, Survival d6, Persuasion d6, Riding d6, Swimming d4
Edges: Knight of Solamnia, Brawny, Arcane Resistance, Combat Reflexes, First Strike
Hindrances: Code of Honour (chivalry), Vengeful, Loyal
Gear: Heavy Armour, Large Shield, Sword, Dagger, etc…

Henry FitzArnulf is, somewhat reluctantly, an aspiring Knight of Solamnia. He is a quiet, taciturn man who keeps his feelings to himself, and tries to avoid attention, except in the presence of his friends, although he is given to the odd blasphemous outburst when surprised. His quiet exterior hides both a tendency towards depression and a quick and vicious temper, and people insult him at their peril. He is a large, fast, strong, skilled and resolute fighter, who is a master of the sword and shield. He wears his father's master crafted armour, which along with a fine longsword has been handed down for generations in the family.

Henry is the son of a real knight of Solamnia, Arnulf FitzHugh, himself the descendant of a long line of Solamnic knights. Arnulf did try to raise Henry in the traditions of the Solamnic code, teaching him the Oath and as much of the Measure as he could, and to fight and ride. Arnulf, however, was an outcast knight and a broken man who while preaching the code cheated, drank, stole, and beat Henry and his mother far more brutally than was ever required. His personal habits when combined with the general dislike for the Solamnic knights meant that Arnulf and his family could never remain in one place for long before being run off. This meant a hard life for Henry and his mother, who were forced to beg, borrow, and steal in order to get by. Events finally came to a head when Henry was fifteen. Arnulf was working as a bodyguard, and went on a particularly rough bender and started to beat his wife and Henry. Henry took off, but when he came back later that night, Arnulf had beaten his mother to death. Henry, in a fit of rage, fatally stabbed his comatose father in the throat, took his arms and armour, and then fled.

Henry spent several years traveling throughout Abanisinia working as a man-at-arms and caravan guard, until he ended up in Solace and met his current companions, the first people that he has felt comfortable with since his mother's death. Henry has never told anyone about his past other than that his father was a Solamnic knight who was killed, and that Henry inherited his arms. He will not speak of his mother under any circumstance, and reacts poorly to any mention of or questions about her. Henry has also decided that now that his father is gone, no-one will ever push him around. He reacts very poorly to any insult that he feels has been offered either to himself or to his companions. When the group split up, Henry went to look for other Solamnic knights, but found nothing. He is glad to be reunited with his friends, who he considers to be his new family and will defend to the death, and he is looking forward to more adventure.

Henry is very ambivalent toward the knights and their code. He can see that the code of the Solamnic knights is a good thing, and when feeling positive he talks up the knights and tries as best he can to live up to their ideals. Henry, for all he has been through, is a good person at heart, and he likes helping others. But when things are rough, or he is feeling melancholy, he sees the code as being an unobtainable standard, and his adherence to it wavers. After all, if his father was unable to live up to it, how will Henry ever do so? Similarly, Henry feels very ambivalent toward the knights of Solamnia in general. His father was a failure, and everyone must hate the knights for a reason, so even if he were to find one, it would probably be a big disappointment.

Savage Dragonlance

2011-09-18T21:20:00.002-06:00

This all started because I was wanting to start a campaign for the kids… I thought they’d both dig a fantasy campaign… and I wanted a CAMPAIGN; an epic adventure of good versus evil sort of thing – not just a bunch of unrelated dungeon bashes… Immediately I thought of the Dragonlance Saga – which also has a great volume of novel tie-ins that I could probably get the boy reading.

Now I’ve read complaints that the campaign is a bit of a railroad; you just go from one event/encounter, doing what you need to do or finding what you need to find, then moving on to the next without a whole lot of choice in the matter. Frankly, a clearly laid out plot… that’s okay with me. The kids, I’ll point out are five and seven…

Anyway, I haven’t started playing with the kids yet – I’ll get back to that in a bit. I figured though, if I was doing all that work to prepare a campaign for the kids, why not run the same campaign for the Saturday (night) Savages!?

And so we’re beginning a new Fantasy/Savaged/Dragonlance campaign…

With the kids I think I’ll just make pre-generated characters based on the original characters. But for the Saturday evening campaign I’ve had the players make up their own and am running it as a sort of “What if ANOTHER group of heroic adventurers ran into Goldmoon and Riverwind before the characters of the novels ran into them?”

We started last week with four of the players making characters. Amanda is playing a human wizard, Patrick a Kender that is so buff and surly he might as well be a dwarf, Dave is an elf, and Christian is a Knight of Solamnia. (hopefully the players will all provide some background for their characrters – which I will post separately as they are submitted)

We then played a brief encounter along the road into Solace. The heroes were returning from some travel abroad and ran into some hobgoblins lead by Fewmaster Toede, who were looking for a blue crystal staff. Toede split, his goblins slain and the heroes carried on their merry way into Solace.

Sucks when you get a raise on a hit only to roll junk like this….

The next week (last night) Two more players who couldn’t make it the previous week made their characters; Rick made a Dwarven wanderer and Curtis made a priest (lacking divine magic because he worships the “false gods”).

Afterwards I muddled my way through them meeting at the inn of the last home (I’ve been reading the novel and the adventure module over the last couple weeks and things go down a little different in both so I got a bit confused between the two – but it all turned out good – the heros met Goldmoon and Riverwind.

A brief and confused brawl at the Inn of the Last Home

The Heros escaped from the Inn, and then ellusded some hobgoblins and made their way out of Solace!

We wrapped up the evening with one final skirmish as they discovered a a small party of hobgoblins guarding the bridge over the Solace Stream on road to Haven (where they have decided to accompany Goldmoon and Riverwind and seek the advice of the High Seekers)

The hobgoblins were dealt with in a swift and savage fashion – before finishing them off they interrogated one and discovered they, too, were looking for the blue crystal staff.

Hopefully this week I’ll get those characters generated and get the kids started on their own campaign…

Gladiators Week Nine/Ten

2011-09-04T23:26:00.008-06:00

I decided to wrap up the gladiator campaign this week with an “End-of-Season Battle Royale”. Next week we’ll be starting a new campaign.

I allowed the players to use any of their surviving gladiators plus they could make (recruit) one new one. I also said there would be an extra weeks rest to allow some injured gladiators a chance to recover.

So, we checked to see if any of the injured recovered; Aximae miraculously recovered all three wounds, as did Hipp O’Potomus!? Monotonous recovered two of his three wounds.

Game On!

Represented this week were Ludus Amanda, Ludus Davidus, Ludus Patrician, and Ludus Rick. It was an every team for themselves the last team standing wins.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

With four Ludi represented each took one corner. On the left is Ludus Davidus, at the top is Ludus Rick, and over on the right is Ludus Amanda. Ludus Patrician is just off the bottom of the picture.

There’s Ludus Patrician in the corner facing off Ludus Davidus

On turn one Dimus Daius shouted “Follow me!” to his blind brother Darkus and dashed towards the gladiators of Ludus Davidus. Noobus, of Ludus Davidus, went sprinting past going the other way. Before Dimus realized what was happening or could shout a warning to his brother, Noobus had raised (a couple times) on his stealth roll vs. the blind Darkus Daius (even with -4 for running?!) and so I gave him “The Drop”

Noobus took down Darkus Daius with one mighty blow.

Dimus was then swarmed by the remaining member of Ludus Davidus – well… those that could get to him…

Meanwhile, at the other end of the arena… The members of Ludus Rick were still praying as the gladiators of Ludus Amanda charged towards them.

The following turn Dimus found himself fighting three of Ludus Davidus’ gladiators…

The gladiators of Ludus Amanda pinned the (still praying) gladiators of Ludus Rick in the corner. Strangely I had been thinking earlier in the day about possibly penalizing combatants that were trapped against a wall or in a corner… but thought it not the best time to implement such changes lest anyone think I was fovouring anyone… (the old Gamemasters Girlfriend Syndrome).

… make that FOUR of Ludus Davidus’ gladiators…

The following turn saw TWO jokers come out… and just to make things interesting when jokers came out I had a few random events lined up. First any time a joker came up the Sagittarius would shoot at a random gladiator with his bow. As it turned out the Sagittarius was a bit of a misogynist because EVERY time he took a shot it was at one of Amanda’s gladiators!?

Also I had a group of convicts that were sent out a random door.

The convicts were easily taken care of by Ludus Davidus but it did provide a couple of his gladiators with a couple turns worth of distraction – which kept Dimus in the game a few more turns…

Oh and those first jokers also brought out a lion…

Taking care of the convicts…

One by one they fell…

… and, finally, so did Dimus.

Ludus Amanda took down the lion and Aximae, but Rick’s new gladiator… whose name I didn’t even note down… was proving a bit of a tougher nut to crack.

After dealing with Ludus Patrician and the convicts the gladiators of Ludus Davidus formed a battle line a slowly advanced across the arena…

One of Amanda’s damage rolls – hit, with a raise, only to roll three ones!?

Were they just keeping pace with the slow one or were they waiting for Ludii Rick and Amanda to do as much damage to each other before entering the fray…? There was also a lot of smack-talking to gain as many intimidate/taunt bonuses as they could before entering combat with the girlie gladiators.

Seeing the end draw near – and wanting to get in while they were still distracted by Rick’s slowly dying gladiator – Noobus did his amazing sprint-from-one-end-of-the-arena-to-the-other-and-wild-attack moves…

The next turn another joker (or two…?) turned up and another lion entered the arena.

Noobus, not wanting it to be attacking them from behind while fighting Ludus Amanda, sprinted back across the arena to engage the lioness.

Ludus Amanda and Ludus Davidus square off.

Noobus is mauled by the lioness and will remain shaken for the rest of the game – due, mostly, to a d4 spirit!?

The gladiator so Ludus Davidus and Ludus Amanda pair off and beat on each other ferociously!

Things started going downhill for Ludus Davidus

Finally all four of Amanda’s gladiators were beating on poor Hipp O’Potamus (though two of her gladiators had three wounds, and another had two!?)

The finally took him down…

On the same turn the Lioness finished off poor Noobus.

Ludus Amanda won – and, miraculously, all of her gladiators were still standing, thought just barely. Two of her gladiators had taken three wounds, and another had two!? Even more strangely Sonja had no wounds and still had three bennies!?

The campaign was fun… and I'd definitely run a similar one again (with a few tweaks)… but I’ve had enough of it for now and I’m ready to move on.

Next week we’ll be beginning a new campaign – a sprawling fantasy saga: the original Dragonlance campaign! It’s been around so long and spawned so many other adventures and books and novels it can’t be THAT bad… can it…? Anyway I’ve tracked down most of the original modules and have ordered a couple of other books… I’m even reading through the original Chronicles novels (that were tied to the campaign modules).

Gladiators Week Eight

2011-08-07T00:26:00.004-06:00

Not much turn out this evening, just Rick, Christian and myself...

Before the games, we checked to see if any of the injured gladiators recovered.

Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus finally (FINALLY) recovered fro his wounds! And just in time, because Christian finally (FINALLY) was able to make it out this week!!

Aximae made no recovery and remained incapacitated.

Darkus Daius made a full recovery and returned to training this week.

Noobus made a remarkable recovery and was back to strength and returned to training. Hipp O’Potomus and Monotonous, however, both picked up some sort of infection and each gained a wound – bringing them both to THREE!!! .

Sabrina remained pretty seriously injured and Sura both made full recoveries this week. Sabrina was lucky on the dice, recovering two, Sura recovered one but got a bonus heal-up because Amanda actually READ last weeks post and made a comment… Pay attention the rest of you…

Game One

Three on Three

Gladiators:
Vorro, Cruxus and Oxus versus Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus, Unhygenix and Metallugix

I couldn't even be bothered to do a page for Cruxus and Oxus... sorry. Cruxus was the latest incarnation of Crixus/Craxus... and Oxus was a gladiator I quickly made up myself to even up the odds....

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Oxus makes for his opponents then realizes his “partners” are still on their knees praying to their pagan gods..

A bit of smack-talk gets a couple of the gladiators crying… bucha babies…

In his first round of combat Oxus laid a mighty blow on Unhygenix – like SIX wounds… the bugger soaked FIVE of them!? Would have been a totally different game…

Publius got into it and took advantage of Oxus’ wild attack – knocking him further off balance (shaken)

Oh, it became a big brawl…

Everyone just hamering on each other.

Oxus deal two wounds to Publius as well and it was looking up for his team…

Then Cruxus took THREE wounds!

A turn or two he went down…

Then it was Vorro…

Then all three opponents were ganging up on Oxus. On of them dealt HIM six wounds – which he soaked three of (using his lat benny) he took a dive but didn’t have the audiences favour and was slain…

Unhygenix and Metallurgix

2011-08-06T23:58:00.002-06:00

Ludus Christian has gone and bought a pair of batsh!t crazy Gaullic brothers to fight for them... They refuse to wear armour...

Unhygenix – Wildcard Gladiator - Christian
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d4, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 9, Toughness 5, Charisma -2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d4, Intimidate d6, Taunt d8,
Edges: Strong Willed, Acrobat
Hindrances: Outsider, Loyal
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Large Shield

Metallurgix – Wildcard Gladiator - Christian
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d4, St d6, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 9, Toughness 6, Charisma -2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d10, Notice d6, Intimidate d4, Taunt d4,
Edges: Berserk, Trademark Weapon
Hindrances: Outsider, Loyal
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Large Shield

Gladiators Week Seven

2011-07-31T01:56:00.008-06:00

I’ve been working on some new walls for an arena. They’re not finished yet, but you might spot them in the bacground of a few shots here… Hopefully I’ll be able to populate them with some Roman Civilian spectators (and slave girls!) at some point (hopefully before the campaign fizzles…).

There were a few new characters this week after last week’s bloodbath. Afterwards I pointed out that if any of them ever wanted to level-up – let alone make it to seasoned – they’d have to stop making bloodthirsty-mean-ugly characters and maybe start looking at Hard to Kill, Quick Healer and charisma boosting edges….

Because Arrogant wasn’t really all that bad for a major hindrance I’ve decided that Arrogant characters will not take a dive. Also I’m now allowing Loyal – which is similar – Loyal characters cannot take a dive while other teammates are still fighting.

Of course, before the battles, we checked to see if any of the injured recovered.

Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus has some sort of lingering infection and STILL showed no signs of further recovery. Hipp O’Potomus remained seriously injured while Monotonous looked a little less like he was about to die (recovering one wound – two remain). Sabrina remained pretty seriously injured, but Sura finally made a full recovery and returned to action this week.

Game One

Bloodsport – bloodthirsty versus bloothirsty

Gladiators:

Sonja versus Orangeus Saladus.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

The gladiators enter the new arena…

No smack talk – they just charge in and get to business

Pretty quick Sonja had Orangeous reeling from a telling blow.

Once off balance it didn’t take long until he was one the ground… One more bloodthirsty character bites the dust.

Game Two

Ludus Daveous vs Ludus Patrician

Gladiators:

Darkus Daius
Siberius

Versus

Noobus
Trius Aurelius

Siberius tried to give his blind teammate some directions but Darkus was having a hard time hearing due to the roar of the crowd…

He did, however, hear Noobus approaching – hard not to when approaching at a run – and was able to defend himself for a turn or two.

Siberius, incensed by Noobus’ insensitivity (beating on a blind man and all) ran over and laid the smack down – attacking with two hand weapons - his fighting (to hit) rolls were both 18(!?) – both raises. He scored a total of SEVEN wounds between the two, but Noobus somehow managed to soak six of them (beginner’s luck?)

Trius joined the fight and Darkus was left to attempt to fight the bewildered Noobus.

Trius kept nipping in and out of combat…

Noobus seriously wounded Darkus, who took a dive. A Crowd favourite, they took pity on him and he was spared.

Siberius was left to battle the two from Ludus Daveous.

They took turns charging in and taking cracks at him

Eventually they brought him down and he did not survive the day….

Game Three

Ludus Amandus vs Ludus Rickus

Gladiators:

Sura
Sarona

Versus

Aximae
Vorro

There was a great deal of smack talk to start this one… everyone approaching very slowly…

Very, VERY slowly all attempting to taunt or intimidate everyone from the opposintg ludus.

Someone said something nasty that made Aximae cry for a couple turns while Saron and Sura ganged up on Vorro.

Eventually Aximae pulled himself together and joined in the battle.

A mighty blow from his great axe seriously injured Sura who took a dive and called it a day. Being the most beautiful Gladiator around she was spared.

Aximae was then able to turn his attention to Sarona.

Sarona found herself then fighting both of Ludus Rickous’ brutes.

I seemed to have stopped taking photos at this point… Sarona really held her own – she beat down Aximae (incapacitating him) and fought off Vorro for some time, eventually she was seriously wounded and took a dive (figuring it’d be better to take a thumb roll at -2 than a bleed out roll at -4….) alas she was not favoured buy the crowd and was finished off by Vorro!

With everyone not making bloodthirsty characters this week the death rate dropped a little… though there were some serious injuries…

Is anyone actually reading this....? Bonus benny or a free wound recovery for one character of everyone that comments (well... that's playing in the campaign... anyone else that comments... um... will get to read future game reports...?)

Darkus Daius

2011-07-31T01:05:00.001-06:00

painted by Patrick

Darkus Daius - Wildcard Gladiator - Patrick
Ag d4, Sm d4, Sp d8, St d6, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 6 (7), Charisma +2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting dX, Notice dX, Stealth dX, Intimidate dX, Throwing dX, Taunt dX, Repair dX
Edges: Fast Healer, Hard To Kill, Attractive
Hindrances: Blind … yeah…. Really…
Gear: Superior Light Armour, Trident (Str+d8, +1 Parry, Reach1),

Siberius

2011-07-31T00:53:00.001-06:00

Painted by Patrick

Siberius – Wildcard Gladiator - Patrick
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8, Toughness 6 (9), Charisma -2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Notice d6,
Edges: Brawny, Ambidextrous
Hindrances: Arrogant, Outsider, Gloater
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), hand Axe (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Heavy Armour,

Noobus

2011-07-31T00:52:00.002-06:00

Painted by Patrick

Noobus - Wildcard Gladiator - Dave
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d4, St d10, Vg d4,
Pace 8 (+d10 run), Parry 10, Toughness 8 (10), Charisma 0, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Stealth d8,
Edges: Fleet-footed
Hindrances: None
Gear: Superior Light Armour, Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Inferior Large Shield

Trius Aurelius

2011-07-31T00:49:00.002-06:00

Painted by Patrick

Trius Aurelius - Wildcard Gladiator - Dave
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d10, St d4, Vg d4,
Pace 5, Parry 8, Toughness 5 (7), Charisma 0, Encumbrance -2!!
Skills: Fighting d8, Stealth d4, Intimidate d12,
Edges: Hard to Kill, Charismatic
Hindrances: Obese, Loyal
Gear: Average Medium Armour, Spear (Damage: Str+d4, Reach 1), Average Small Shield

Aximae

2011-07-31T00:34:00.001-06:00

Painted by Jackson

Aximae – Wild Card Gladiator - Rick
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 5(7), Charisma -1, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Intimidate d8,
Edges: Trademark Weapon, quick
Hindrances: Vow (minor) must pray to deity at the beginning of each match (starts “shaken”), one eye,
Gear: Medium Superior Armour, Great Axe (Str+d10, AP 1, Parry -1, 2 hands

Vorro

2011-07-31T00:31:00.002-06:00

look familiar...?

painted by Jackson

Vorro – Wild Card Gladiator - Rick
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8 (10), Toughness 6 (9), Charisma -1, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Intimidate d6
Edges: Brawny, Strong-Willed
Hindrances: Vow (must pray to gods at beginning of each match – starts “shaken”), One-eye
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Average Heavy Armour, Average Large Shield

Sarona

2011-07-31T00:06:00.003-06:00

Serina's sister, apparently. Amanda had such fun with the net and trident last week she decided to resurect this figure right away!

Serona – Wildcard Gladiator - Amanda
Ag d4, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 4 (run d4), Parry 8 (9), Toughness 6 (7), Charisma 0, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Intimidate d6
Edges: Ambidextrous, Fast healer
Hindrances: Lame
Gear: Trident (Str+d6/8* one hand = d6, two hand = d8, +1 Parry, Reach1), Net (+2 to grapple/ entangle an opponent (so, if offhand, net 0) once grappled with net may make fighting attacks at +2. May also be used for “Florentine” in place of a dagger), Superior Light Armour

I realized afterwards Amanda was cheating a bit here.... she dropped the agility on this one, but didn't take into account it would cost more to get fighting to d12... cheater-cheater-pumpkin-eater! Another incarnation of this figure will probably show up next week...

Gladiators Week Six

2011-07-24T01:58:00.005-06:00

A whole raft of new gladiators entering the arena this week… had a few (real time) weeks off so Patrick and Jackson got a few more figures painted – and as the games have been bloody almost everyone (except Amanda) was fielding at least one new gladiator this week.

Maybe I should have given them some criminals to execute… ah well..

Of course, before the battles, we checked to see if any of the injured recovered.

Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus has some sort of lingering infection and STILL showed no signs of further recovery. Sabrina remained pretty seriously injured, but Sura mad a pretty dramatic recovery (only one wound – of three – remaining) and Sonja fully recovered from her last weeks injury.

Game One

Three on Three

Gladiators:

Serina
Lucius
Aximus

Versus

Orangeus Saladus
Gluteus Maximus
Monotonous.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

This match was fast a furious!

There was a bit of smack-talk as the gladiators approached – but as soon as they met it got very bloody very fast – like in the first turn

BAM! Aximus is wounded

BAM! Lucious is wounded

BAM! Monotonus is wounded

BAM! Down goes Aximus

Monotonus was then severely wounded by Serena and chose to take a dive – he was spared by the crowd. Lucious, not so lucky…

AS the survivors of the initial match-ups circled there was a bit more smack-talk (taunting and intimidating – including Gluteous Maximus mooning Serena – who was so horrified she was briefly shaken by the incident…) Things went badly very fast for Serena – being double teamed and fighting against a bloodthirsty foe…

Game Two

Three on Three

Gladiators:
Sonja
Minimus Caesar
Hipp O’Potomus

Versus

Brutus
Diesalotus
Caxus

Once again the match opened with some jockeying for position and smack-talk. Some how it ended up with two two-on-one match ups…

Diesalotus fought against Sonja and Hipp O’Potamus

Minimus Caesar took on Brutus and Craxus

It took a fair bit of hammering on Diesalotus to get him down – being a bloodthirsty, mean, ugly brute, he was not spared by the crowd…

Minimus Caesar single-handedly took down Brutus and Craxus – also not loved by the crowd, they were shown no mercy…

And that wraps up another bloody week of Gladiatorial savagery…

Minimus Caesar

2011-07-24T01:20:00.002-06:00

painted by Jackson (who says he's going to repaint it...)

Minimus Caesar - Wild Card Gladiator - Jackson
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 4, Parry 8, Toughness 6(9), Charisma +4, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Taunt d6, Repair dX
Edges: Brawny, Attractive, Noble
Hindrances: Lame, Minor Phobia (nets), Quirk (plays the crowd – starts “shaken”)
Gear: Superior Heavy Armour, Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), 600 denari

Craxus

2011-07-24T01:13:00.003-06:00

painted by Jackson

Craxus – Wild Card Gladiator - Rick
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8, Toughness 6 (8), Charisma -8, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Intimidate d8,
Edges: Brawny, Ambidextrous
Hindrances: Bloodthirsty, Outsider (Gaul), Mean
Gear: 2x Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Medium Armour

Aximus

2011-07-24T01:12:00.004-06:00

painted by Jackson

Aximus - Wild Card Gladiator - Rick
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 5(7), Charisma X, Encumbrance X
Skills: Fighting d12, Intimidate d8,
Edges: Trademark Weapon,
Hindrances: Vow (minor) must pray to deity at the beginning of each match (starts “shaken”)
Gear: Medium Superior Armour, Great Axe (Str+d10, AP 1, Parry -1, 2 hands, min Str

Orangeus Saladus

2011-07-24T01:00:00.002-06:00

painted by Patrick

Orangeus Saladus - Wild Card Gladiator - Patrick
Ag d4, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 8, Parry 10, Toughness 7 (9), Charisma -6, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Repair d4, Intimidate d4,
Edges: Brawny, Fleet Footed
Hindrances: Bloodthirsty, Mean
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Medium Armour, Superior Large Shield

Diesalotus

2011-07-24T00:53:00.004-06:00

painted by Patrick

Diesalotus - Wild Card Gladiator - Patrick
Ag d4, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 9, Toughness 10, Charisma -8, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Intimidate d6,
Edges: Brawny, Trademark Weapon
Hindrances: Bloodthirsty, Mean, Ugly
Gear: Superior Heavy Armour, Trident (Str+d8, +1 Parry, Reach1),

Brutus

2011-07-24T00:43:00.002-06:00

Brutus - Wild Card Gladiator - Curtis
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d4, St d6, Vg d10,
Pace 6, Parry 10, Toughness 7 (9), Charisma 0, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Notice d4,
Edges: Brawny
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Average Large Shield, Average Light Armour

Gluteus Maximus

2011-07-24T00:41:00.001-06:00

Gluteus Maximus - Wild Cart Gladiator - Curtis
Ag d4, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8, Toughness 5 (7), Charisma 0, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d4, Taunt d8
Edges: Brawny
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Average Large Shield, Average Light Armour,

Hipp O'Potomus

2011-07-24T00:32:00.001-06:00

painted by Patrick

Hipp O'Potomus - Wild Card Gladiator - Dave
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d4, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8, Toughness 6 (9), Charisma -2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Taunt d6,
Edges: Brawny, Ambidextrous
Hindrances: Bad Luck, Outsider
Gear: Average Heavy Armour, Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Crescent Blade (Damage: Str+d6)

Gladiators - Week Five

2011-07-03T01:08:00.004-06:00

I just finished reading volumes 1-4 for The Walking Dead and was tempted to run a zombie game this week – but just didn’t end up having time to organize it (and clean more of the table off…). I also saw the trailer for Captain America: The First Avenger and was tempted to bust out the East Front Campaign… (again… lack of time to prepare…). Sometime this summer we will see some zombies and nazi/commie supersoldiers battling it out… perhaps in the same game!!

Anyway… On with the gladiatorial battles!

Week Five

Actually, before the battles we checked to see if any of the injured recovered.

Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus did not recover any further, nor did Sura, or Sabrina. Gorgeus Maximus, succumbing to his wounds, went to join his brother Beauteus Maximus in the underworld …

Executing Condemned Criminals

Gladiators:
Spearus Nochuckos, Sonja, Monotonous, and Serina

To take a break from the bloodshed (of CHARACTERS) like last week _ decided to throw the players a “gimme” – executing condemned criminals… of course the last time I did that it was so fast and one-sided I decided to make these criminals a bit more determined not to die – they were wildcards with three wounds, wild die, but only one benny (their luck had, more or less, run out) they were d6s across the board and only two had swords (the other two had improvised weapons…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

There was a fair bit of smack talk from the gladiators as they approached… a few were intimidated, one (the fellow on his knees) was shaken… TWICE!

The Condemned rushed to one side to try and gang up on a gladiator and succeeded in swarming Spearus, and wounding him. Monotonous rushed to his aid and relieve some of the pressure.

They’d picked the side opposite the gimped girl gladiator who would be three whole turns away from being able to aid her teammates.

A second round of wild attacks from the criminals and Spearus was down… (a total of SEVEN wounds between the two blows... we didn't even bother rolling on the bleed out table...).

Monotonous, who’d wounded the man he’d been battleing deftly extricated himself from that melee and regrouped with the remaining member of his team.

Bit of a stand off – with shouts of intimidation flying about…

The condemned regrouped as well and pulling high cards all went on hold to await the gladiators’ onslaught.

Sonja, being a tad impulsive, rushed the group – they all successfully interrupted and faliled wildly at her – but she hid behind her shield and struck back when she saw openings.

The condemned got a second round of batterings in before Serina and Monotonous were able to get in and help out and Sonja took one wound.

Monotonous took down the Condemned Man he’d originally battled with and Serina repeatedly ensnared another in her net – giving him jabs with her trident. Sonja hid behind her shield trying to recover while two criminals battered away at her.

Eventually Sonja recovered and dealt with some nasty blows to the Condemned Men and Monotonous and Serina mopped up a bit..

A bit more exciting that the utter slaughter of Condemend Men last time… even lost a gladiator in the match.

Patrick just not having luck with his Gladiators… I’m waiting for “Diesalotus” to show up in Ludus Patrician.

Serina

2011-07-03T00:20:00.003-06:00

Serina – Wildcard Gladiator - Amanda
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 4 (run d4), Parry 8 (9), Toughness 5 (6), Charisma 0, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Notice d4, Intimidate d4
Edges: Ambidextrous, Two-Fisted
Hindrances: Lame
Gear: Trident (Str+d6/8* one hand = d6, two hand = d8, +1 Parry, Reach1), Net (+2 to grapple/ entangle an opponent (so, if offhand, net 0) once grappled with net may make fighting attacks at +2. May also be used for “Florentine” in place of a dagger), Superior Light Armour

Spearus Nochukos

2011-07-03T00:03:00.002-06:00

painted by Patrick

Spearus Nochukos - Wildcard Gladiator – Patrick
Ag d4, Sm d8, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8, Toughness 5 (6), Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d8, Taunt d48, Intimidate d6,
Edges: Strong-Willed
Hindrances:
Gear: Spear (Damage: Str+d4, Reach 1), Superior Light Armour, Superior Small Shield

Gladiators - Week Three and Four

2011-06-26T02:09:00.005-06:00

We blasted through two more weeks of out Galdiator Campaign this past (Savage) Saturday!

Week Three

Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus did not recover any of his wounds… on the plus side, he didn’t succumb to his wounds… so it’s not all bad.

Crixus
and Sura both recovered from their minor wounds…

Game One

Gladiators:
Servious Pompeius and... um... Tiberius...? (Jackson’s first character… unfortunately he died in this game and Jackson erased and reused his card before I got the stats… so… no stats for Tiberius…)

versus

Crixus and Beauteus Maximus.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Servius and Tiberius (left) approach Crixus and Beauteus (right)

Ummmmm… it’s been a long night… someone got a joker here… and Beauteus got ganged up on and wounded…

Here we go – Beauteus and Servius more or less paired off (with no helmets) and Crixus and Tiberius Paired off (with helmets)

Beauteus took down Servius – it was early in the evening and the crowd wanted blood and Servius was not sparred…

Beauteus joined in the melee between Crixus and Tiberius.

Tiberius managed to take down Crixus – delivering him a killing blow before waiting for the crowds response (as bloodthirsty characters do..)

Tiberius, however, was, in turn, taken down by Beauteus. Despite his bloodthirsty reputation, the crowd called for mercy. It was all for naught as Tiberius expired from his grievous injuries…

Game Two

Gladiators:
Sura and Sabrina

versus

Lucius and Varro

The Bout started off with some smack talk – attempts at intimidation – as the combatants closed on each other…

Sabrina managed to intimidate Varro and rushed in to take advantage.

Her impetousness cost her as Lucious joined his partner and they laid a sever beating on her.

In two hits Sabrina was on the ground. The crowd called for mercy and she was left to bleed out

Varro and Lucious rushed Sura and dealt her a serious blow – she took a dive and was also sparred…

Week Four

Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus recovered not one, but TWO of his wounds!? Things are lookingup for Publius indeed!

Sura remained in pretty critical condition (but not dead yet!!), but Sabrina was looking a little better… (recovering one wound)

Game One

Gladiators:
Lucius

Lucious wanted a bit more of a challenge so he fought a Lion, solo… As the lions weren’t enough of a challenge this one was a full wildcard (though with only two bennies…). The game did last a bit longer… with Lucious the ultimate victor.

Game Two

Gladiators:
Sonja, Monotonous, and Gorgeus

versus

Beauteus Maximus, Varro, and Marcus

Again the game started with a bunch of smack talk – but with success like we’ve never seen - it actually got a little confusing for a moment; who had successfully intimidated whom…?!

Gorgeus was actually shaken he was so intimidated… of course, it didn’t help that he was standing next to Sonja (-2 phobia: Women…).

This game was a bit more dynamic with some considerable maneuvering and dancing about…

Sonja ended up battling Varro, Gorgeus fought Marcus and Beauteus clashed with Monotonous.

At one point Monotonous danced away from his melee with Beauteus, to join Sonja battling Varro. Beauteus took the opportunity to engage Sonja – which proved a bad move. She turned and dealt him a serious blow.

Now the Maximus brothers are pretty lads and favourites of the crowd (Very Attractive, +4 charisma) so Beauteus considered taking a dive… then saw the devilish gleem in sonja’s eyes and knew she would show him no mercy – even if the crowd demanded it… He fought on, but not for long

Monotonous deeked out his melee with Varro just in time to join Sonja as she dealt a killing blow to Beauteus.

Varro made a dash to aid Marcus in his battle with Gorgeus – hoping to take him down and level the field a bit…

Monotonous and Sonja dashed over and joined the fray!

Varro went down and was dispatched by Sonja.

Marcus fought on valiantly – against THREE – but was eventually overcome…

Round Up

Well… life is short and brutal for a Gladiator… Servious Pompeius, who came out of the last weeks games with a level-up was pushing up daisies after his first game this week. Sura is now the top survivor – with 5 experience points and having played in three weeks of games – but is now suffering from critical injuries and showing no sign of recovering any time soon.

What will next week bring…? Rumor has it Christian has bought a pair of Pictish fanatics to join his Ludus. Amanda has a retiarius she’s training up for next week. When with John’s Blue Ludus make their appearance..?

Monotonous Monoculus

2011-06-26T01:07:00.002-06:00

Again with the Recycling of figures... (Patrick better get painting!? No excuses - shool's out!!)

Painted by Patrick

Monotonous Monoculus – Wildcard Gladiator - Dave
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 9, Toughness 4 (5), Charisma -1, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d10, Intimidate d8,
Edges: Acrobat, Two-Fisted
Hindrances: One Eye, Outsider
Gear: Trident (Str+d6/8* one hand = d6, two hand = d8, +1 Parry, Reach1), Net (+2 to grapple/ entangle an opponent (so, if offhand, net 0) once grappled with net may make fighting attacks at +2. May also be used for “Florentine” in place of a dagger), Superior Light Armour,

Varro

2011-06-26T01:01:00.002-06:00

Painted by Jackson

Varro – Wild Card Gladiator - Rick
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8 (10), Toughness 6 (8), Charisma -2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Intimidate d6, Repair d4
Edges: Brawny,
Hindrances: Vow (must pray to gods at beginning of each match – starts “shaken”)
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Average Medium Armour, Average Large Shield

Lucius

2011-06-26T00:58:00.003-06:00

Painted by Jackson

Lucius – Wild Card Gladiator - Jackson
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 7 (9), Toughness 6 (8), Charisma -2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d10, Intimidate d4, Notice d4, Taunt d4, Repair d4
Edges: Brawny,
Hindrances: Bloodthirsty
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Medium Armour, Average Large Shield

Marcus Arallius

2011-06-26T00:55:00.002-06:00

Painted by Jackson

Marcus Arallius – Wild Card Gladiator - Jackson
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8 (11), Toughness 6 (9), Charisma -4, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Intimidate d4, Repair d4
Edges: Brawny,
Hindrances: Bloodthirsty
Gear: Spear (Damage: Str+d4, Reach 1), Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Heavy Armour, Superior Large Shield

Gorgeus Maximus

2011-06-26T00:41:00.002-06:00

Brother of Beauteus Maximus

(Starting to recycle figures here and Gladiatorial combat, as it turns out, is pretty deadly!)
Painted by Patrick

Gorgeus Maximus - Wildcard Gladiator – Patrick
Ag d4, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d10, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 7(9), Toughness 5 (7), Charisma +4, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Repair d4, Intimidate d4,
Edges: Very Attractive
Hindrances: Bad Luck, Phobia (minor- women!?)
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Medium Armour, Superior Large Shield

Beauteus Maximus

2011-06-26T00:39:00.001-06:00

Painted by Patrick

Beauteus Maximus - Wild Card Gladiator - Patrick
Ag d4, Sm d4, Sp d8, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 9, Toughness 5 (6), Charisma +4, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Notice d4, Stealth d4,
Edges: Very Attractive
Hindrances: Bad Luck, Phobia (minor- women!?)
Gear: Spear (Damage: Str+d4, Reach 1), Superior Light Armour, Superior Small Shield

Sonja the Surly

2011-06-26T00:31:00.002-06:00

Sonja the Surly – Wildcard Gladiator - Amanda
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 8, Toughness 5 (6), Charisma -8, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Stealth d4, Intimidate d4,
Edges: Brawny, Improved Nerves of Steel
Hindrances: Mean, Bloodthirsty, Outsider (Pict)
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Average Light Armour, Average Small Shield

Sabrina Galatrix

2011-06-26T00:29:00.001-06:00

Sabrina Galatrix – Wildcard Gladiator - Amanda
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8 (10), Toughness 7 (8), Charisma 0, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Notice d4, Stealth d4, Intimidate d4,
Edges: Ambidextrous, Two-Fisted
Hindrances: Habit (Major – Alcoholic)
Gear: 2x Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Average Light Armour,

Gladiators Week One and Two

2011-06-19T18:26:00.008-06:00

This was the first (real world) week of our Gladiator campaign. It says “Week One and Two” because the games went quicly and we wanted to play on so we played a second week of the campaign.

Week One

Game One – Executing Condemned Criminals

Gladiators:
Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus
Servious Pompeius
Sura
Necrophilius

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

The Gladiators close in on the condemned men.

At this point they condemned men went on hold and awaited the approaching gladiators…

Servious Pompeius was the first to charge in and the condemned interrupted – their only success in the whole bout(!) – They surrounded him and started flailing wildly at him…

…it looked potentially bad because help was still a move away… For all their faliling, thought, the convicts were unable to land a blow. Pompeius knocked one on his ass and turned to the others.

Sura was the next in and took one down with a single, mighty blow.

The next round Mediocritus charged in and knocked down another. Before Necrophilius could get there (toiling under the load of his armour…), Servious Pompeius, had dispatched the remaining condemned man and that was the end of the game…

Game Two – The Lion

Gladiators:
Pheidippides Argupoulos

Pheidippides Argupoulos, being “arrogant” thought killing condemned men beneath him and sought something a little more challenging.

Niiiiice kitty….

I threw him in the arena with a lion. I was looking at the lion and thinking; “Wow, they look pretty bad ass…” so I left it a common “extra” lion and charged in.

Parry 10 is pretty tough to beat. Fighting d12 and Strength d10 isn’t anything to sniff at either… The lion got the first attack – pouncing (+4 attack, +4 damage, improved frenzy) and failed to hit… Argupoulos cleaved the poor kitty’s head in two with one blow.

Maybe I need to make lions a bit tougher…

So experience gathered, no wounds taken… we dicided to carry on with the “second week” of our campaign…

Week Two

Game One – Three on Two

Team One Gladiators:
Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus
Pheidippides Argupoulos

Team Two Gladiators:
Servious Pompeius
Sura
Necrophilius

Quickly the teams paired off…

Sura fought Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus.

Pheidippides Argupoulos took on both Necrophilius and Servious Pompeius because he is awesome, at least in his own mind.

There was a bit of trash talking – trying to taunt or intimidate… but after a few unsuccessful tries everyone more or less resorted to bashing on each other. Eventually that gave way to Wild Attacks… slowly whittling away each others bennies.

At one point Argupoulos was shaken… things looked bad as he was unable to recover right away.

Finally Sura landed a telling blow – Mediocritus suffered THREE wounds and decided to take a dive.

The crowd took pity on the downed gladiator who had fought so gallantly and called for him to be spared….

Sura rushed to her team mates aid – but for her troubles she got a bash in the face as Argupoulos turned to see who was harmlessly banging on his helmet from behind.

A turn or two later Argupoulos ran out of awesomeness (or luck… or whatever…) and the three took him down. Not a crowd favourite he was shown no mercy and was dispatched to the roar of thunderous applause!

Rick showed up late part way through this game so I threw him against a lion as well.

Game Two – The Lion

Gladiators:
Crixus

Still thinking the lions a little too “bad ass” I decided to not make him a full wildcard (with 3 wounds and all) but gave him a wild die.

The lion bounding towards Crixus

The lion’s first attack… seriously!? I bennied that… and may have scratched Cixus for one wound.

Crixus recoiled for a moment but gathered his wits and recovered! With apair of telling blows the lion was beat down…

Next time… Lions will be full wildcards…

Round Up

So… Pheidippides Argupoulos is dead, Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus is suffering three wounds and has damaged armour and no money to repair it, Crixus and Sura each took a single wound, and Servious Pompeius managed to eek out 5 experience points and leveld up with Two-Fisted!

We will definitely see a couple new gladiators next week as Patrick will be fielding a replacement and Chrisitan will have to leave Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus in the hospital for at least a few weeks. Will Rick and Amanda fight on with their wounded gladiators? Will Oezalces Fuscina make an appearance? Find out next week!!

Crixus

2011-06-19T17:15:00.002-06:00

Painted by Jackson

Crixus – Wild Card Gladiator - Rick
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 8, Toughness 6 (8), Charisma -2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Intimidate d6, Repair d4
Edges: Brawny, Ambidextrous
Hindrances: Arrogant, Outsider (Gaul)
Gear: 2x Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Average Medium Armour

Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus

2011-06-19T17:10:00.001-06:00

Publius Gnaeus Mediocritus - Wild Card Gladiator - Christian
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 4 (+d4 run), Parry 6 (8), Toughness 6 (7), Charisma 0, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d4, Stealth d4, Taunt d8,
Edges: Strong Willed, Brawny
Hindrances: Lame
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Average Light Armour, Average Large Shield

Pheidippides Argupoulos

2011-06-19T17:08:00.001-06:00

Painted by Patrick

Pheidippides Argupoulos - Wild Card Gladiator - Patrick
Ag d6, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d10, Vg d6,
Pace 8 (+d10 Run), Parry 10, Toughness 5 (7), Charisma -2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Notice d4, Stealth d4,
Edges: Fleetfooted
Hindrances: Arrogant, Mean
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Light Armour, Superior Large Shield

Servious Pompeius

2011-06-19T17:06:00.004-06:00

painted by Patrick

Servious Pompeius - Wild Card Gladiator - Dave
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d4,
Pace 6, Parry 7 (9), Toughness 4 (5), Charisma -3, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d10, Notice d4, Stealth d8, Intimidate d6,
Edges: Florentine, Acrobat,
Hindrances: One Eye, Outsider (of unknown origin...?)
Gear: Trident (Str+d6/8* one hand = d6, two hand = d8, +1 Parry, Reach1), Net (+2 to grapple/ entangle an opponent (so, if offhand, net 0) once grappled with net may make fighting attacks at +2. May also be used for “Florentine” in place of a dagger), Superior Light Armour

Necrophilius

2011-06-19T17:02:00.002-06:00

Necrophilius - Wild Card Gladiator - Will
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d4, St d6, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 6 (8), Toughness 6 (7), Charisma 0, Encumbrance -1
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d6, Intimidate d6, Taunt d4,
Edges: Nerves of Steel
Hindrances: none
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Light Armour, Inferior Large Shield

A "one-shot" gladiator - my firiend Will happened to be in town visiting for our first Savage Saturday Gladiator Campaign night, so he made up "Necrophilius" to bash about with the others...

Sura the Snake Charmer – Wildcard Gladiator

2011-06-13T10:13:00.002-06:00

Sura the Snake Charmer – Wildcard Gladiator - Amanda
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 7, Toughness 5 (6), Charisma +2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d8, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Intimidate d4, Throwing d4, Taunt d4
Edges: Atractive
Hindrances: None
Gear: Gladius (Damage: Str+d6), Superior Light Armour, Superior Small Shield

Oezalces Fuscina – Wild Card Gladiator

2011-06-13T10:11:00.001-06:00

Oezalces Fuscina – Wild Card Gladiator - John
Oezalces Fuscina is a Berber from Numidia. He disdains the traditional view of trident users and actually has the word trident as his last name.
Ag d8, Sm d4, Sp d4, St d6, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 9, Toughness 7 (8), Charisma -2, Encumbrance 0
Skills: Fighting d12, Notice d4, Stealth d6, Taunt d4,
Edges: Quick, Brawny
Hindrances: Bad Luck, Outsider
Gear: Trident (Damage: Str+d8, Two hands, +1 Parry, Reach 1), Superior Light Armour, 100 denarii

For Those About to Die…

2011-06-13T00:38:00.000-06:00

…we salute you!

I’ve decided to run a gladiatorial games campaign over the summer. All the regular savages have chipped in and I ordered a shwack of Gladiators from Black Tree Design and Crusader Miniatures (I also already had a few from Wargames Foundry and West Wind Productions - mostly women..!?)

This past Saturday we drafted figures and everyone made their first gladiator – which I will be featuring in future posts…

Here are some of the rules I came up with for the campaign so far:

Character Generation

Attributes
All attributes start at d4. You have 5 attribute points to raise them – as per the basic rules.

Skills
You have 10 skill points to spend – as per the basic rules (except a few less – because, really who’s going to take anything beyond fighting, throwing, and intimidation?).

Hindrances
Only certain hindrances will gain you “Hindrance Points”

Arrogant (major) must always attack the “master” in battle.
Bad Luck (major) -1 benny
Bloodthirsty (major) must deliver killing blow immediately, -4 charisma
Elderly (major) -1 pace, -1 Strength and Vigor (cannot be raised again),
+5 for smarts based skills
Habit (major) alcoholic – spirit roll before games fail = hung-over -2 to all trait tests.
Lame (major) -2 pace, run d4
Mean (minor) -2 charisma
Obese (minor) +1 Toughness, -1 pace, run d4 – but you have to find a suitably obese figure!
One Arm (Major) – but you also have to find/modify a one-armed figure!
One Eye (major?) -1 Charisma, -2 to throwing, shooting, etc.
One Leg (major) -2 pace, run d4, -2 fighting, etc
Outsider (minor) Not a Roman -2 Charisma
Phobia (minor or major) as per rules, but must be something you could potentially face:
Wild animals, Gauls, Tridents, etc.
Ugly (minor) -2 charisma
Young (major) 3 attribute points, 5 skill points, +1 benny

Edges
Most of the edges in the main rulebook are available. I’m also allowing some additional ones from other SW books:

Pirates of the Spanish Main
Dirty Fighter S PotSM pg.32
Really Dirty Fighter S PotSM pg.33
Entangle S PotSM pg.33
Grit H PotSM pg.
Improvisational fighter S PotSM pg.
Iron Jaw N PotSM pg.
Riposte S PotSM pg.
Improved Riposte V PotSM pg.
Spot Weakness S PotSM pg 36

Modern Martial Arts
Accurate Attack (Fighting) S
Bewildering Warrior S
Breaking Blow S
Bring It On S
Bring It ALL On H
Disarm Mastery S
Grab and Hold N
Ground Fighter S
Heightened Senses N
Improved Heightened Senses V
Hi-YAH!! N
Squeeze Play S
Superior Defence N
Unarmed Warrior N

Equipment

Armour
Light (+1) Inferior 30lb 50d
Average 20lb 100d
Superior 15lb 200d
Medium (+2) Inferior 45lb 200d
Average 30lb 300d
Superior 25lb 450d
Heavy (+3) Inferior 60lb 350d
Average 45lb 500d
Superior 40lb 700d

Small Shield +1 Parry Inferior 15lb 25d
Average 10lb 50d
Superior 8lb 100d
Large Shield +2 Parry Inferior 30lb 100d
Average 20lb 200d
Superior 15lb 300d

When wounded check for damage on armour:
If shield and armour always check the lower quality if of equal quality, determine randomly.
Roll d6 for inferior, d8 for average, or d10 for superior
pass = no damage, fail = damaged
damaged armour has -1 protection value until repaired. Cost of repair is 25% cost of armour – or can be repaired by the gladiator with successful repair roll and 10% cost of armour.

Weapons
Dagger Str+d4 1lb 25d
Short Sword Str+d6 4lb 200d
Spear Str+dx 5lb 100d one hand = d4, two hand = d6, +1 parry,
reach1
Trident Str+dx 10lb 200d one hand = d6, two hand = d8, +1 parry,
reach1
Great Axe Str+d10 15lb 500d AP1, Parry -1, 2 hands
Net * 15lb 100d +2 to grapple/ entangle an opponent (so, if offhand, net 0) once grappled with net may make fighting attacks at +2. May also be used for “Florentine” in place of a dagger.

Experience
+1 survived a match
+1 won a match
+1 (per multiple) match versus numerically superior foes
+1 (per rank) match versus more experienced foes
-1 (per multiple) match versus numerically inferior foes
-1 (per rank) match versus less experienced foes

(you always get at least ONE for surviving, though there are conditions that can reduce the experience you get it can’t be less than one)

The Thumb Roll

At the end of a combat when one character has been incapacitated (or taken a dive/begged for mercy/etc.) there will be a “thumb roll” to determine whether the gladiator is to be spared or killed.

(note – bloodthirsty characters will not wait for the thumb roll but will automatically deliver a killing blow to an opponent who is down)

Make a spirit roll; success = spared, failure = death
Modified by:
+/- charisma (outsider, mean, noble, bloodthirsty, etc).
-1 per rank higher than opponent
+1 for each wound you caused your opponent

Take A Dive
You don’t have to fight to incapacitation all the time… After you take at least one wound you can take a dive, or beg for mercy from the audience, but you are at -1 for each wound short of incapacitated for your thumb roll (i.e. -1 is at three wounds, -2 if at two wounds, -3 if it one wound).

Wounds and Recovery
We will assume a week goes by between rounds and thus injured characters will have an opportunity to recover between matches. We will assume they have doctors and a relatively pampered life – so there will be no negative modifiers beyond the wound modifiers.

I may also come up with a random “scenario” table (one-on-one, pairs, teams, vs. wild animals, vs. condemned men/slaves, etc.)

I am also considering using Showdown rules – so there will be a fortune and calamity table (though there may likely be some changes… out of ammo, for example, would be quite useless) and a random events table…

Stay tuned for Gladiator Profiles and reports of the action at the colosseum!

The Tomb of Xongar XI

2011-05-31T00:53:00.005-06:00

This past weekend saw the return of Savage Saturday - I have decided to run a series of skirmish games over teh summer (the Savage Saturday Summer Skirmish Series - am I the king of alliteration or what!?). I've been painting a bit of colonials and Martians so it seemed appropriate to get them on the table in a little Space: 1889 scenario.

SITUATION

Professor Arnold Daventhorpe has approached Thurston Howell to fund an archeological expedition to what he believes is the lost tomb of Xongar XI. Convincing him that Xongar XI was the richest of Xongar dynasty and the tomb is likely filled with untold riches and treasures Howell agreed and decided to accompany the expedition. Ruby Johnson and another Martian guide have been hired to help get them there and Daventhorpes beautiful assistant Dr. Penelope Smith was also to travel with the group.

The site was located after a few weeks searching and excavation began. All the work had to be done by the small team as no Martians could be found that would be willing to dig up the site – especially since it was so close to a High Martian Kragg.

About a week after their arrival the High Martians noticed their presence and for another week could be seen soaring on the horizon or sometimes high overhead. Finally, two weeks after their arrival at the site, a group of High Martians approached and told them to leave.

Word was sent back to their friend Lt. Montgomery that they expected trouble from the High Martians and asked if he would be able to help….

SCENARIO

The Heroes are holed up at the dig site – with hostile High Martians circling closer – hoping their friend Lt. Montgomery will arrive in time!

The players will check to see if Montgomery and the Parhoon Rifles arrive at the beginning of every turn after turn four – rolling d8, if the number rolled plus the turn number is equal or greater than twelve Montgomery and his detachment of Parhoon Rifles arrive in the far corner of the table..

FORCES

Thurston Howell I
Ag d4, Sm d8, Sp d10, St d6, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 6 (7), Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting dX, Shooting dX, Notice dX, Stealth dX, Intimidate dX, Throwing dX
Edges: Filthy Rich, Strong Willed, Snob
Hindrances: Stubborn, Jingoistic, Overconfident
Gear: Sword Cane (Str+d4), Revolver (Range: 5/10/20, ROF 1, Damage: 2d6, AP: 1) Languages: English!

Lieutenant William Montgomery
Ag d8, Sm d8, Sp d10, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d10, Shooting d6, Notice d8, Stealth d6, Intimidate d6, Riding d4, Persuasion d8
Edges: Rank: Officer, Command
Hindrances: Loyal (To the Regiment and Crown) Obligation (Army, Mionr), code of Honour
Gear: Sabre (Str+d6), Pistol (Range: 5/10/20, ROF1, Damage: 2d6, AP: 1)
Languages: English, Koline, Parhooni, French

Ruby Johnson - Wild Card Guide - Amanda
Ag d10, Sm d8, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 5, Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d6, Shooting d6, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Survival d6, Tracking d10, Streetwise d4, Persuasiond4, Climbing d4, Riding d4, Healing d4,
Edges: Linguist, Luck, Alertness,
Hindrances: Loyal (The Group), Martian Raised, Code of Honour
Gear: Knife (Str+d4), Rifle (Range: 24/48/96, ROF 1, Damage: 2d8, AP: 2)
Languages: English Flemish, French, German, Koline, Oenotrian, Parhooni, Hellan

Professor Arnold Daventhorpe – Wild Card Archaeologist
Ag d8, Sm d10, Sp d8, St d8, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 4, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d4, Shooting d6, Notice d8, Stealth d4, Survival d6, Throwing d4, Climbing d6, Knowledge: Archaeology d10, Knowledge: Martian History d8,
Edges: Scholar,
Hindrances: Code of Honor
Gear: Shot Gun (Range: 12/24/48, ROF1, Damage: 1-3d6, snapfire)

Dr. Penelope Smith
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d8, St d6, Vg d8,
Pace 6, Parry 4, Toughness 6
Skills: Fighting d4, Shooting d6, Notice d8, Stealth d6, Persuasion d8, Survival d6, Knowledge: Archaeology d8, Knowledge: Martian History d8,
Edges: Attractive,
Gear: Pistol (Range: 6/12/24, ROF1, Damage: 2d6, AP: 1)

Martian Guide
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 5, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d6, Shooting d8, Notice d8, Stealth d8, Intimidate d6, Throwing d6, Tracking d8, Survival d8
Edges: Musketeer, Marksman, Woodsman
Hindrances:
Gear:
Rifled Musket (Range: 20/40/80, ROF 1/3, Damage: 2d8)

Parhoon Rifles
Ag d6, Sm d6, Sp d6, St d6, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 5(6), Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d6, Shooting d6, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Intimidate d6, Throwing d6
Edges:
Hindrances:
Gear: Martini-Hanry Rifle (Range: 24/48/96, ROF1, Damage: 2d8, AP: 2, Snapfire), bayonet (Str+d6, parry +1)

THE GAME

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Our heroes at the dig site… who will get there first; The hostile High Martians or the Parhoon Rifles relief column…?

The High Martian warband approaches!

The swooped in and attacked the camp

Things were looking very badly indeed… The professor and his assistant were down int eh first round. Mr. Howell didn’t last much longer… The rest wouldn’t have held out another turn, but then wouldn’t you know it – Patrick rolled an eight on turn four…

The Parhoon Rifle detachment, led by Lt. Montgomery, is spotted approaching – the High Martians wait in ambush…

When the Parhoonis had closed enough the High Martians swooped out and were upon the Parhoonis before they even got a shot off!

The sudden violence of their attack caught the Parhoonis off guard!

Quiickly the Parhoon Rifles recovered their wits and dealt the High Martians some pretty serious blows

Ruby Johnson and the Martian Guide held their own – eventually the surviving High Martians fled!

Figuring they would soon be back in greater numbers, and Howell and the professor were very seriously wounded, the group was obliged to abandon the dig and return to Parhoon with their rescuers…

Coming soon on Savage Timmy’s Playhouse:

More Space:1889 and Gladiatorial combat!

Savage Saturday Hiatus

2011-05-01T16:31:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year again... Savage Saturday is going on hiatus for a bit. I might start again later in the summer... might be fall... we shall see. I seem to do this every spring… Things get busy with various kids activities winding up – final concerts and recitals and all the extra practices and rehearsals that entails. I also like to start getting out and doing some long distance bike rides on Sunday mornings.

I have some other stuff I want to focus on, game-wise; mostly Zulu War and Great War projects using Ever Victorious Armies/Contemptible Little Armies/Black Powder/etc maybe even some DBA or HOTT. I’ll be pretty busy painting new forces and preparing games for Toon Con in the fall. This I'll probably be doing most of this on random weeknights. You can follow all that action over on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog.

I'd also like to do some more board gaming. I had actually planned to play Age of Conan this afternoon… but the whole family is sick so I had to call it off... I have a whole lot of board games, many of which I've picked up over the last couple years and played very few of them - I want to actually get around to playing a few more!

I also want to do some more painting of pictures, drawing of comics, get some more reading done and, as I mentioned, start getting up early for long distance bike rides on Sunday mornings, etc, etc... (You can read about some of that over on The Bike Blog and The Art Blog)

So I just don't have time to prepare and run a regular game on Saturday nights.

When I DO start up again I want to have a complete campaign planned out - toys painted and any required terrain/vehicles built, adventures read, cards for extras and wild cad NPCs all filled out, etc. It will be Realms of Cthulhu or Savage Space:1889 (so those of you playing in those campaigns that haven't completed a background for either of those characters - get on it!).

I did just order a schwack-load of Martians from Rafm (seriously… like 200 of them…) and I’ve been eyeing up Black Cat Bases Deep Ones and Mi Go and other assorted Cthulhu Critters (they’re on sale – 20% off - right now… doh…) - not to mention Rafm’s Cthulhu stuff. I guess that’s where some planning might come in handy – figure out which of those cthulhu critters I might actually NEED for the various adventures I’m going to run…

Cheerio for now…

Rippers vs Zulus

2011-04-24T00:47:00.006-06:00

Back to the Rippers campaign for a bit… last week I was a bit distracted so we played a quick fantasy skirmish (which I took pictures of… but didn’t bother posting any…). Actually the main reason why we were back to Rippers was because I really wanted to play a skirmish sort of game with all these Zulus I’ve been painting and I didn’t think I’d get the Saturday Savages to go for making new characters for a strictly historical skirmish campaign set during the Zulu War or 1879…. The Rippers characters are the same era and could easily be sent to South Africa…

We still haven’t found a new name that I’d like to replace “Rippers” with. “Rippers” just seems not-so-very-victorian to me… I was thinking something like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen… except… well… NOT!

One I had thought of was The Ministry of Paranormal Research and Defence (sort of a mix of the "Ministry of Magic" from Harry Potter and B.P.R.D. from the Hellboy comics...!?). Alternatively I could be the Military Intelligence Department X (Although M.I.5 wasn't formed until 1909...). There was the Special Branch – these could be members of the EXTRA Special Branch… maybe that’s a bit silly….

These all seem very... well... BRITISH (The Ministry would probably be a secret cabinet position - or operate completely separate from the regular government - like the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter – the minister being appointed by the Queen herself). They also kind of take it away from being and international brotherhood of a masonic nature that transcends the rule of governments to fight for the better good.... which may or may not be a good thing.

I'm still taking suggestions.

Order of the.... somthing...?

In Weird War Two there's the Sons of Solomon - an organization that goes back millennia - whose members vow to oppose supernatural evil in all it's forms...? I guess I could use that.

Anyway… last nights adventure…

[Zululand, 1877]

SITUATION

Our heroes have traveled to the Cape Colony where the local lodge has reported trouble with werewolves along the Transvaal-Zululand border. Their travels took them to the Kalamba Mountains and then south into disputed lands along the border. While some of the werewolves were among the Boer settlers and were quickly dealt with, their hunt took them deeper into Zululand and to their horror they discovered the leader of the pack was the son of a prominent inkhosi. The Zulus didn’t take kindly to what they saw as European assassins hunting their people and decided to do away with them.

SCENARIO

Our Heroes and their companions are being hotly pursued by a Zulu war party. Werewolves may also be in the region – they must retreat across the Phogolo River on the north edge of the table.

FORCES

Sadie MacEwan – Vampire Hunter
Heinrich Neudorf – Wolfenjäger
Father William “the Stomach” Turner - Priest
4 Wolfenjäger
8 Boer Settlers
2 Natal Native Guides

Zulu Inkosi
20 Zulu Warriors with spear and shield
20 Zulu Warriors with muskets

THE GAME
(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

Turn One: The Zulus with muskets when first and shot one of the Natal Native Guides

The Zulu Warriors surge forward!

Our Heroes make a run for it – the fleet-footed leader of the Wolfenjäger and the veteran vampaire hunter taking the lead! (cowards)

Two of the Boer settlers were shot by Zulus and the rest of the unit failed a moral test…

Heinrich Neudorf is intercepted by a pack of wolves!

Sadie MacEwan comes to the young leaders aide.

Three of the Boers recovered and scarpered – three others were over-taken by the Zulus – they actually lasted two turns, but eventually were chopped to bits…

A Greater Werewolf made an appearance but was taken apart by the Wolfenjäger.

MacEwan then starts beating on the other wolves too…

The Zulus surge forward again.

The remaining Boers executing a desperate fighting retreat… trying to buy time for the Wolfenjägers fighting the werewolf.

MacEwan and Neudorf finishing of the wolves.

The Wolfenjägers were dealt a joker and took down the werewolf… but it was too late the next turn they were overtaken by the Zulus and massacred.

The last dash to the table edge and the drift across the Phogolo River!

Neudorf was the first off – a turn or two ahead of everyone else – abandoning his fellow wolfenjägers to their doom… ah well… he’s not LOYAL or anything…

The Preist was the next off – which was pretty damn amazing considering he’s a slow portly fellow (Pace: 5, Run: d4!).

Sadie and the Natal native guide then made it across the river with the three remaining Boers settlers.

The game was a bit of a nail-biter! With the Zulus ever surging forward it looked like they'd all be massacred by angry natives... indeed if I hadn't had the additional Wolfmen I'd thrown out retreat after the demise of their leader (the Greater Werewolf), they may very well could have all been killed... but where's the fun in that!?

Lost were five of the Boers settlers, all four Wolfenjäger, and one of the Natal Native Guides. The Zulus lost four of their warriors – plus the son of the Inkhosi (the Greater Werewolf) and a couple of his wolfie companions.

Coming soon on Savage Timmy’s Playhouse:

Hopefully some more character backgrounds for the Rippers characters (hint, hint!) and hopefully we’ll carry on with the mosnster-hunting next week!

William Mclintoch

2011-04-10T12:03:00.002-06:00

No one seemed to be available to play this week... but I do have one character backgound to share with you. Christian's charcter for Rippers (look familiar?).

William Mclintoch
Ag d8, Sm d6, Sp d10, St d8, Vg d6,
Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 5
Skills: Fighting d8, Shooting d10, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Intimidate d8, Throwing d6, Swim d4, Boating d4, Streetwise d4
Edges: Ambidextrous, Two-fisted, Dodge, Fleet-footerd, Trademark Weapon
Hindrances: Greedy (minor), Vengeful (minor), Stubborn
Gear: Dirk (Str+d4), 2x Pistol (Range: 5/10/20, ROF1, Damage: 2d6, AP: 1)
Languages: English, Chinese,

William McClintoch was born in 1842 in the Scottish highlands, in the farming community of Lairg. His parents scratched out an existence as sheep farmers, but William caught the exploring bug early, often running off to fish or go punting with friends on the nearly Loch Shin. This wanderlust led him to Glasgow, where he heard stories of the opportunity to be had in America now that the US Civil War had ended. He stowed away on a trading vessel, and although caught, negotiated a term of service with the captain to pay for his passage. William reneged as soon as the ship reached Boston, and he immediately started moving west to the frontier. William spent several years in the American West, never staying in any one place for long, and picking up the proficiency with dual revolvers that he is known for. Eventually he worked his way out to California, leaving behind him a trail of unpaid bills and irate former partners, a few curious lawmen, and the occasional buried former enemy. Hoping that there was still some gold in the California hills, he staked what turned out to be another fruitless claim with another hapless and eventually vengeful partner. Fleeing to San Francisco, William was dazzled by tales of the opportunities to be had in China, and took passage on a steamer to Shanghai.

In Shanghai William quickly teamed up with another Scotsman by the name of Craig Johnston, and they joined the ranks of those seeking to ransack the treasures of Chinese history for profit. The duo recorded a slew of successes by raiding tombs, towns, and temples for antiquities, which they then sold for huge profits. Again, William showed a talent for utter unscrupulousness combined with a knack for getting out with all the loot at the exact right time., locals and authorities hot on their tails. It was in the farthest Northern corner of Manchuria that William and Craig learned of the fabulous mountain temple of Fang Shen, reputed to be the lost fastness of a group of wealthy monks possessed of great treasures. When they discovered the temple, they found to their horror that it was in fact inhabited by a group of fanatic martial artists. Still, William and Craig and their retainers persevered, shooting their way into the heart of the temple, where they discovered Fang Shen, the temple's master and namesake, a thoroughly ancient and evil sorceror of considerable power . William barely escaped, pursued by the reanimated corpses of his party and the temple guards that they had killed. The experience shook him, and he took passage to London, where he looked for and found others who shared his knowledge of and revulsion for the supernatural.

William is almost a stereotypical stubborn and tightfisted Scot, who is both avaricious and easliy offended. He does not care who he offends, so long as he comes out ahead. He is quite paranoid and narrow-minded, and views anyone who is not a Highlander as some sort of lesser being. He is deeply hateful of the Chinese, although he still is fluent in Mandarin, and views anyone who has any sort of martial arts training as being worthy of the most deep and virulent suspicion. William is, however, despite his flaws, deeply committed to eradicating the supernatural wherever he finds it, and will use whatever means, fair or foul, to accomplish this goal.

Monster Hunt

2011-04-04T11:09:00.001-06:00

This past (Savage) Saturday we played Rippers. Some old characters were dug out (from our very first Savage Worlds campaign of the pre-blog era) who haven’t seen action in years, and some new character were created for the players who weren’t around then. We have quite a diverse mix now – two preachers, a Wolfenjäger, a gunslinging Scotsman and a gravedigger all took part this week.

I have to admit I hate the name “Rippers”… Doesn’t seem all that Victorian to me… or good-guy-ish… I think I shall have to rename the organization for the purposes of our campaign. International Fraternity of Monster Hunters…? League of Extraordinary Monster Hunters? (who can come up with a better name? If it’s someone in the gaming group there’s a free level-up in it for you!)

[Norway, 1875]

SITUATION

A Doctor Pedersen of Oslo came into a rare copy of Dr. Frankenstien’s notes a decade or so ago and became obsessed with the idea of reanimation. Five years ago he retired to a property he acquired in a remote northern fjord to do his work in secret. After years of ceaseless work his experiments proved successful. Unfortunately his experiment then killed him and has been terrorizing the lands nearby for some time now.

SCENARIO

The Characters have come to the area to hunt the monster and tracked it to a desolate clearing in the woods not far from his creators estate.

Characters win if they kill of otherwise subdue and prevent the escape of the creature.

The monster wins if he can get off the table…

THE GAME

The players spread themselves out around the table in an attempt to block the monsters retreat. I should have simply charge one, ploughed through them and ran off… but where’s the fun in that…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)

The monster hunters converge on the dark clearing.

The Brave Wolfenjäger is the first into the battle.

Everyone eventually joined in…

…except the Scotsman, who preferred to fire into the melee from a way back…

The creature was eventually taken down. Short game…. But making characters took some time and I’d had a long tiring week so I was happy to kick everyone out a bit early…

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

Probably more Rippers and some more character backgrounds. I’m anxious to get back to the Cthulhu campaign actually, but in the meantime we’ll probably play Rippers as it’s easiest to some up with something quickly.

I’d LIKE to play Space: 1889… but I just don’t have the time to properly prepare all the stuff I’d like to have ready for that at this time…

WE may revisit the East Front Campaign as well in the near future (again… easy to throw down a skirmish game for that…)

From the journal of Harrison Challenger

2011-03-19T23:11:00.001-06:00

It is quite the mess I fear I've gotten us into. Things have been moving fast and nary a chance to lay pen to paper. But here appears to be the lay of the land. A Mrs. Roweena Preston approached us with a story of pirates murdering her husband and making off with his experimental cloudship. I have a keen ear for languages and was certain that she was not British, as she claimed, but instead perhaps German. But a fine adventure was afoot, and I am certainly not one to shy from that. So off my companions and I went on Captain Shoolo's cloudship-for-hire in search of said pirates in the highlands. We caught up with the scoundrel and apprehended him. My loyal Baraak and I had to stop (lethally) a few of his bodyguards, but we've been in many similar pickles in the past requiring such forcefulness. Captain Shoolo deftly dodged the pirates' pursuing ship and we did a bit of interrogating of our prisoner. Long story short, it turned out my suspicions were correct and the "Lady" Preston did no less than shove a revolver straight in my face! A fierce scuffle ensued and we managed to subdue her (while Baraak dealt, lethally, as is his way, with her maid servant). Our sponsor, Thurston Howell, is in a bad way, but survives. Meanwhile the ship awaits us, and I feel adventure's siren call. Now, down goes the pen and off we go!

Anturiaethau Cymro ar Fawrth

2011-03-15T08:42:00.001-06:00

(An excerpt from Anturiaethau Cymro ar Fawrth: y llythyrau Dafydd Thomas (The Adventures of a Welshman on Mars: the letters of Dafydd Thomas, ed. Owain Thomas, trans Prof. Horace Percy Smythe-Bigglesworth, London, 1917)

Dear Nan;

How are you? Please send my love to Grandpa. Also, say hello to Hywel and Gareth and their kiddies. I hope my mother is alright and please keep checking on her like I know you do.

Things here on Mars have become more exciting. One day, some fool of a Midas (ed. note - a Welsh colloquialism for Martian, based on the golden yellow skin of those first Martians to come to Earth) was jabbering at me in the street, so I clattered him. I was about to throw him into his stall and pelt him with his own vegetables, when a hand grasped my shoulder! I turned to see who was going to get hammered next, but to my surprise it was a very English gentleman. He told me that he wanted to hire me on as a bodyguard of sorts, as he had never seen anyone hit so hard. You should hear him talk, Nan, with all of his "chappies" and "pip-pips" and such he sounds a real english bastard, that's for sure. But his name is Hywel, so he must be one of those Welshmen that went to England with Henry Tewdr back in ancient times, like you told me about. But he is still a rich English bugger alright. So since I was getting on at the shipyard, I agreed.

After a day or so of lounging around and fighting whatever poor boyo got in me and Mr Hywel's way, we met up with a English explorer and his pet Midas, a real savage from the mountains. I am sure you have heard stories of the red indians but these mountain Martians are like nothing anyone has ever seen. They are real bloodthirsty buggers. Along with him was a young english army officer there for protection and I think to keep the mountain savage under control. There is also a doctor, and a guide - a woman, if you can believe it. Soon another lady came and Mr Hywel agreed to find her air-boat that her husband had lost. We had to chase a Martian pirate to a wild city and there the explorer, Mr. Challenger, killed two men in cold blood. I had run up to the pirate, and dropped him with only a few jabs and a hook, but I looked back and the Sais bastard had chopped two martians with a machete, and then we had to stop the savage from killing the pirate too, even though he was already out cold. I tell you Nan, it made my blood cold to see those men cut down like that. I have beaten many men, but have killed noone. Mr Hywel took care of the police, and he tells me that it was alright what happened, but I didn't like it.

But we had to get away quick, so we got away. Then we found that the lady who was with us was crossing us, and had hired the pirate. She was going to shoot Mr Challenger. Before we could grab her and her maid, the treacherous ship captain who we had hired spun the wheel, upsetting the ship. I almost fell overboard to the ground, and Mr Hywel got shot badly, also the guide, Miss Johnson. The young officer grabbed the lady and got the situation under control, but not before the Midas savage killed the maid, an Irish who I quite fancied. She didn't need to die either, but he would have eated her if Mr Challenger had let him.

So now I am in a right pickle. I think the ship captain is not on the level, and wanted some of us to fall overboard. I will see, but if he plays us false I will give him a sore jaw and that is for sure. The explorer and his pet are more a problem, they do not care about anyone and kill right easily. I thought the officer was there to protect them but now I think he is there to protect others from them. I will have to watch my back around them, but you know that God and my ten knuckles will see me through. I hope Mr Hywel will be alright, but now we have to get the boat back from the other pirates.

Love Thomas