Morning all. Sorry about the light posting. I keep up with the campaign and try to post whenever my skills/abilities are needed, but have not had the time to really participate fully. If you all would prefer retiring Matthais back to Brindol to rejoin the Lions, and recruit a full time player, that is fine. I am good either way as I have not had the time to fully get into this character. Also, I have never been a horse person, so it is a tough to play him to the fullest of his abilities.
If Matthais returns to Brindol, then if the real Matthias comes back, he could rejoin the party.
Please let me know so that DMHW can get someone full time if you would prefer.
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Tirion, you're in 12 campaigns?!?! Holy sh1t. That's about 10 too many for me.
I've been SUPER busy, and will continue to be so until mid-January due to us moving our operations center around that time.
Matthias, I think it's up to you how you want to handle things. If you're comfortable with your current level of posting, I'm sure we're all glad to have you. But if RL is in the way of your putting in as much effort as you'd like here . . . we'd regretfully say "until next time" with no hard feelings. from my perspective--it's your call.
DMHW--just to be clear, I'm still enjoying things. I just can't do quite as much as I was a month ago. This is a temporary situation, though . . .
Lets see, what am I doing to waste time here:
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Active Campaigns:
Male Dwarf LN Monk - all martial arts group
Male Gnome NG Sorcerer - awesome DM, keep up the good work
Female Changeling CG Sorcerer(orc bloodline) - Kingmaker
Female Human CG Fighter (soon Oracle/Sorcerer/Dragon Disciple) - Carrion Crown
Female Elf N Rogue/Wizard(Air Elementalist) (soon Arcane Trickster) - Council of Thieves
Female Changeling NG Bard - Runelords
Female Tiefling N Fighter/Oracle/Sorcerer/DD - Heart of Journeys (she will have a 36 strength when all is said and done.
Female Human CG Figher(soon thief multi) - Land of Fire AP
Female Aasimar N Thief/Cleric - Curse of the Crimson Throne
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Unused/just starting characters
Male Oread LG Monk - probably joining Heart of Light
Male Kobold NG Witch - just starting Kingmaker sandbox campaign
Female Tiefling NE Witch - trying to get into TarkXT's assassins campaign right now
Male Tiefling N Fighter - never got into a campaign
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Dead/Idle campaigns
Male Half-Elf CG Wizard(earth elementalist)/Cleric - would have gone Mystic Theurge next level, but the campaign died
Female Azlanti CG Cleric/Wizard(Metal Elementalist) - cool campaign until the DM went awol 3 weeks ago
Female Elven NG Wizard - campaign finished, crappy DM, thank goodness it is over
So, I guess I am really in only 9 active campaigns, 1 just starting and 2 that I am awaiting responses on whether I am getting in
Dear Lukan,
Tirion told me you were interested in joining our game here in the Elsir Vale. He gave you a strong recommendation. We have a fun group here and would look forward to having you join us. We have been in a homebrew of mine for a long while, and are now just starting an adventure called the Red Hand of Doom that was published in D&D version 3.5. I have simply converted it over to Pathfinder. The party is currently 5th level. Our current Cleric, Matthias Teskerwill has stopped posting for a long while. We had a substitute actually pick up his actual character and run with it for a while, but the sub is not able to continue. So, we are looking a replacement. You are certainly welcome to use Matthais if the character is interesting for you, but if you prefer to make your own character, that would certainly be fine as well. I have not DMed Oracles, and/or Witches, but I would be open to that. There will be some undead, but healing and melee will be a much bigger factor than turning. We built our characters on a 25 point buy. At the moment, the party is entering a hobgoblin filled forest called the Witchwood. Please feel free to read the last few pages of the campaign to get you up to speed. As you can see, we are a pretty active group. We seem to be a little too busy these last few weeks, but it is not uncommon for many of us to post three to four times each day. There is no pressure to post frequently, but we usually cannot help ourselves. If you are not familiar with the published adventure and you think you would be willing to commit to and plan on this for a long term, please let me know. If you are ever away for weekends or something, that will not be a problem, but I just ask that you let us know. Feel free to come here to ask questions and to share your character ideas. Thanks ahead of time, and please let me know how I can help.
Sincerely, DM Harpwizard
P.S. I have a couple of real harp gigs this weekend, so I will not be around as frequently as I am during the week. If you have any questions, Tirion or the rest will be happy to answer them for you, if they can.
** spoiler omitted **...
This is Lukan with an alias for the campaign. Thank you for the invite. This sounds like a great game. I am not familiar with the published adventure, but that is a good thing, right? After talking with Tirion, I have been preemptively working on a character for this campaign (Zanith). I'll read through some of the posts today and get a better feel for what has happened, but from what I understand so far here is the idea of my character:
I created a character primarily focused on healing and secondarily on support. You'll find that the witch is actually quite a capable healer if built right. My design was for him to have a healing patron - possibly an Azata spirit. I was thinking of taking improved familiar at 7 to gain a Lyrakien Azata. He is great at crafting potions and alchemical ingredients, and is quite knowledgeable about the arcane arts as well as history.
Although he is a witch, I will probably break the mold a bit and not have him sitting on the edge of civilization. He will more than likely be a fully integrated member of whatever community he hails from. He will not be forthright about his abilities, even though I consciously created him without any of the nefarious abilities (to the point of being detrimental to character optimization). He is a free spirit that wants to help and do good, but he is also very afraid of revealing his talents.
EDIT: Ok, I've read up on what has happened so far. Here's a short and sweet plot-hook for Zanith if it works for you all:
Upon hearing about the adventurers that came through the Drellin's Ferry, specifically the great and well-known maker of fine brews, Beerswizzler, Zanith quickly grabbed his things and secured his small apartment. He hoped he could catch them on the road, especially before any trouble could find them or him. These adventurers could be the best chance his small town had against the hobgoblin raids. He had witnessed what the nasty beasts could do first hand as he tended to the victims, wounded and dead alike. The death, blood, and suffering had become too much for him to stand any more. He had to do something more, more than secretly aiding the village.
With Lyra perched upon his shoulder and walking stick in hand, he set off towards Jorr's cabin.
Welcome Lukan - just watch out for the halfling and dwarf, one is always grumpy and the other will rob you blind.
Act Innocent:
Welcome Lukan - just watch out for the halfling and dwarf, one is always grumpy and the other will rob you blind.
Act Innocent: 1d20+10
Hah! Guess you are the most innocent little creature on earth. I will protect you, my little gnome butterfly creature.
Zanith,
This is great! I'm thrilled to have you on board! I don't know where the gang is today, but on behalf of everyone, I would like to welcome you to our adventure!
Your hit points look great. In terms of starting gold, you could pick just about any non magic equipment you want. You could also select a +1 weapon of your choice and some other minor magic item. Please make a decision and simply clear it with me here.
I would like to get you involved as soon as possible, but I would love to give you a good hook that fits with the story. Does your character like nature? One idea is to have you be a close relative to Jorr and have you join the party as soon as they come upon his cabin, but unfortunately, they missed that turn and are not likely going to go visit Jorr anytime soon.
Following the party is a reasonable plan, but I am curious why you would have followed them and not said anything sooner. Let me think about his as I type. Strangely, the recluse witch out in the woods actually fits really well right at this moment, but a connection with one of the communities in the Elsir Vale will work better in the long run.
Let's consider this. Perhaps you are a resident of Drellin's Ferry. You have heard about the increasing hobgoblin raids and you grew concerned for your good friend, Jorr Natherson, who is a local guide and goblin hater. When you could not find him at his cabin (which is located at L2 on the map of the Witchwood) , you decided to venture out deeper into the Witchwood and try to find him.
Normally, I would put you at Jorr's cabin with your good friend, but I should tell you that the party has missed Jorr's cabin completely. Furthermore I do not anticipate that they will go back South and East to try and find it. However, they are about to enter combat right around the swamp surrounding the causeway that they are on. Once combat starts, you could hear them and then come running to see what is the matter. You have not found Jorr yet, and you thought that was who you were about to find. Instead, you find the party engaged in a combat with a denzien of the swamp. Let me know if this sounds reasonable and gives you a motive to be in the woods?
I should tell you that you do not necessarily need to be a resident of Drellin's Ferry. You could have been from Terrelton, Nimon's Gap or Talar. This may create interesting opportunities later. Well, I've gotta run for now, but let me know your thoughts under a spoiler.
Please also think about two traits to select that fit your background. Thanks again for joining us.
Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm excited to interact with the group. Sounds like there's quite a few interesting personalities. Hopefully I wont disrupt the group too much. I try to make characters that are a bit more subdued in campaigns that are already running as I don't want to step on any toes. It makes the forming and storming phases of group mechanics a little less crazy.
Drellin's Ferry is a great place for my character to be a resident. I was thinking that he could have a history that he is trying to escape. Perhaps he was not tolerated in his home town and ran out? I chose the reactionary and without a past traits to illustrate his desire to escape the persecution of his past life. I do not know those towns well enough, but perhaps there is one that has more bigotry towards witches, casters, or the like?
Would you be opposed to me choosing +1 bracers of armor rather than a weapon? It is significantly cheaper, but more useful to Zanith. For the minor magical item can he have a Handy Haversack?
Here is what I would like to have as equipment beyond the mundane (I can craft all of these things):
4x Potion Cure Moderate Wounds (Level 1, 50g each=200g)
1x Potion Enlarge Person (Level 1, 25g)
1x Scroll of Remove Fear (Level 1, 12.5g)
1x Scroll of Unseen Servant (Level 1, 12.5g)
1x Scroll of Gentle Repose (Level 5, 125g)
1x Scroll of Lesser Restoration (Level 1, 25g)
2x Scroll of Mage Armor (Level 1, 25g)
1x Scroll of Comprehend Languages (Level 1, 12.5g)
Total = 437.5g
Bracers of Armor +1 and a Handy Haversack would be fine. The scrolls also seem fine. Regarding your background. I like the escape piece of the story. There are two possibilities that this makes me think of.
• The first possibility is that you came from Elsircross. Elsircross is a small town at the ford of the Elsir River, and is known for woodcutting and papermaking. The self styled "Baron" Hargil Trask and the rest of the no-good Trask clan govern the town by the Baron's cruel fist. For the culmination of their first adventure, the party defeated Baron Trask. This was one of the last things they accomplished before Lord Jarmaath sent them to Drellin's Ferry. (See the journals for recaps) This would give you good reason to be thankful to the party.
• The second idea is that you came from Brindol. This is one of the largest settlements in the vale. The party just met each other in Brindol about a week ago when they all competed in the Elsir Vale tournament of Heroes. It is a prosperous farming community and caravan stopover located along the Dawn Way on the south bank of the Elsir River. Brindol is the home of Lord Kerden Jarmaath. It is also home to the Verasa Kaal, the matriarch of the Kaal family and head of the Merchant Council. She has a history with the players. Her son Jared Kaal has taken over as magistrate in Brindol a few days ago, and has already had some tensions with the party. Even Bofus Beerswizzler cannot use his last name in Brindol because if the Kaal's ever found a Beerswizzler in town, they would eliminate him. She is a living villain that could give reason enough for Zanith to flee Brindol. It would also give you a common enemy with the party that you will have to deal with when you guys get to around 10th level. (There are many characters and sub plots in this adventure.
Whichever place you decide, Drellin's Ferry would be a fine place to have retreated to. If Dennovar is the eastern gateway to Elsir Vale, then the small town of Drellin's Ferry is the western. Once a dwarf made bridge spanned the Elsir River here, but it was destroyed during an epic flood about a hundred years ago. Since that time, travelers on the Dawn Way have crossed by means of a ferry, from which the town gets its name. I can give you more information as needed.
What other questions do you have? I am curious, where are you from and what time zone are you posting from?
I'm posting from the west coast, in sunny California.
A quick question to help with the background:
1. You mentioned the Merchant Council. Would it be possible for Zanith's father, Arden Selrios, to have once been part of it?
EDIT: Hmmm, there is something wrong with the forums. It is not saving changes to my character after a few hours. This is frustrating =(
Arden Selrios could certainly be a former part of the Merchant Council. Here is some information on Verasa Kaal.
The leader of a wealthy merchant family, Lady Verrasa Kaal is fond of wearing her hair in extravagant styles and always dresses in costly and elegant courtier's dresses. It's a commonly held belief that if she wanted to cash in all the favors and loans the rest of Brindol owes her, she could whisk rulership away from Lord Jarmaath in a matter of hours. There's certainly no love lost between the two.
Perhaps your father discovered one of her secrets that she did not want revealed. (Bofus has already learned of her associations with Cheliax, but she has many other secrets) The secret your father discovered was important enough that Verrasa Kaal made sure that your father and his family we either 1) assassinated, or 2) forced to flee. The party does not know this, but here is one such fact that he could have found out: She is an agent for the Aspis Consortium. She does operate with great cunning and has many operatives that work for her. Work with this for your background, and let me know if there are any details that need fixed.
I just realized bracers of armor would be a very bad choice with mage armor. Would it be alright if I traded them for a ring of protection +1?
My character sheet (On the Alias) is finished. Let me know what you think. Oh, and I've wrote a rough-background. Enjoy =).
Background:
The silence of the night was broken. The large wooden door to Zanith’s dorm slung open, slamming against the cobblestone wall behind it. His father stood in the doorway, a bleeding man slung over his shoulder. The trail of blood could be clearly seen behind the two.
”Zanith! I need your help!”
The young man looked to his roommate and then back to his father, perplexed and not knowing what was happening. The initial stun wore off quickly and he sprung to the side of the dying man. His falcon, Lyra screeched in excitement while his red-headed roommate incessantly asked what was going on. Zanith’s hands shown in a golden light as he touched the dying man, the wounds slowly closing, but the dagger wounds were deep. Too deep.
“He’s going to die father. There is nothing more I can do.” Zanith slumped his shoulders forward in defeat after he spent the last of his healing energies. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the young man still in his bed, who was stunned and astonished. Looking up at his father he just shook his head, ”Why’d you bring him here? What is going on?”
His father dug in the man’s breast pocket and pulled a silver metal badge. Inlayed in the badge was the outline of a snake on a shield. Lifting it towards his son he began to speak quietly and calmly as if here were a man who had accepted his near death. ”I’m sorry. I always knew something was wrong. We were walking home from a Merchant Council meeting when we were attacked by thieves. We fought them back, but this man took the brunt of the attack.” Zanith notices the blood streaming down from a cut above his father’s eye. ”I had struck a deal with this man. I offered him a large sum of gold to tell me what he knew. Unfortunately he could not tell me, but I know the truth now. This badge has revealed everything.”
Zanith shakes his head, ”What are you talking about? What is going on?”
”Lady Verrasa Kaal has been working with the Aspis Consortium it seems…”
Both father and son jump at the sound of metal boots clanking against the cobblestone in the hallway. Before they could react, a small contingent of guards rushed into the room and demanded their surrender. Not acting quickly enough, the two were hit with the guard’s pommels and fell the floor.
This was a quick end to a long line of very successful merchants, the Selrioses. His father was left to rot in prison - pegged as an agent of the Aspis Consortium and traitor to the kingdom.
Zanith’s cover was blown. Ten years earlier, Zanith’s father witnessed his son speaking to a hawk just outside of town. Continuing to watch from a distance, he saw as his son began to cast spells that no normal sorcerer could cast. It was a mix of the divine and arcane. His father knew that he had been touched by a strange and mysterious force. Arden enrolled his son in the wizard academy of Brindol, costing him a fortune. His father knew it was worth the cost. Concealing his son’s true nature was essential, for if anyone discovered his son’s secret; he would be branded as a witch.
Lady Verrasa Kaal was cruel and knew the suffering faced by a life in prison would pale in comparison to branding Arden’s son a witch. She used his roommate as a witness and through her contacts had made Zanith’s face well-known. Zanith fell from wealthy lifestyle within the towers of the Brindol academy to the streets. He was beaten, insulted, and reduced to nothing more than a street rat. He couldn’t return to his mother for fear she would suffer the same so he decided to leave – to the west. He found refuge in Drellin’s Ferry.
Your background is really good! I like the Brindol Academy piece. In this case, you would have known the kindly professor Deitrovicca Manturiel, Professor of Arcane Studies (also known by the students as D.M. Harpwizard). This wizard would have been compassionate and done nearly anything in the world for you. You may have known Condar Everimsar, a retired priest of Shelyn who teaches art at the academy. You would also have known Harmon Stipplelock, the headmaster of Brindol Academy. This man would have bowed under the pressure of the Kaals and expelled you from the academy. These characters have had some interactions with the players and you can read some of them by searching the thread.
Depending how long ago the events happened, you may or may not have gone to school with Jared Kaal or even Matthais Teskerwill. One person who could have helped you escape is Narvak Kruel, the former guildmaster of the local thieve's guild. He is an interesting character. Most of the party wanted to see him dead, but Bofus is still very fond of him. He is a lovable rogue sort, but when he was about to be turned over to the authorities by the party, he fled. This has angered Tirion, and Thordak, especially when they were arrested in the chase when they injured some of Narvek's henchmen, and the new magistrate, Jared Kaal was going to execute them for it. Lots to read if you are inclined, but it is certainly not essential knowledge to know.
Goodness! This is fantastic. So much depth. I like it. Further and further the rabbit hole I go =).
In light of the lack of down time, I think I will change my craft wondrous item feat to something else. I'll have to look into my options and get back to you. Brew potion and scribe scroll should be sufficient to occupy him during down times.
As to knowing Jared or Matthais, Zanith would have been accepted into the academy 7 years ago. He was expelled at 17 (4 years ago) and had his first encounter with the Azata spirit, Lyra, was when he was 7 (14 years ago).
I think it would be fantastic if Narvak Kruel helped Zanith escape.
I'll read through what I can tonight.
EDIT: Changed out Craft Wondrous Item with Combat Casting.
Good Morning folks.
Today is going to be a great day! I have a gig down in southern New Hampshire. I started doing this gig annually when I was 21. It is interesting that I am doing it today on my 42nd birthday. The best part is that I get to top it off with seeing my good friend Bofus in person. Will be back to post tonight.
Everything seems to be coming into place really well. Interesting fact that you are aware of that the party is not. The party does not know the author of that text: Son of a Dragon, J. Natherson, is in fact Jorr Natherson, your missing friend.
The insert, Son of a Dragon, was scribed by Bofus onto a scroll from a book in Deitrovicca Manturiel's office. At some point, the connection will be made. However, it all depends on whether they remember the scroll.
Happy birthday DMHW - I can never remember if it is Dec 2, or Dec 4.
Happy Birthday! I used to live/work in Southeast New Hampshire (Dover/Portsmouth). Hope the gig goes well.
Aye, happy birthday to you, Harpwizard! May your beard never fall out!
Well, I had a great day! After three hours of playing at yesterday's gig and two hours at today's gig, my fingers were feeling nimble, but very sore. Zanith, when did you live in Dover. I lived there from September '90 until June '91 during my junior year at UNH. My wife and I love Portsmouth. She use to work on the Isles of Shoals for a couple summers and has strong ties to the region.
Damn flatlanders. Almost as bad as Ma$$holes. <-- it actually censured this
Tirion, stop giving flatlanders a hard time. Look how flat Chicago is! At least Dover is in New Hampshire!
Yeh - Chicago sucks, if it were my choice I would bulldoze the entire place into the ground. Flat sucks, I try to move to somewhere with mountains, heck, anywhere with mountains about monthly, but it does not seem to work.
It was a short tour. I was only in NH for a year and a half through '05 and '06. And then I only spent half the time actually there. The rest of the time was spent catching bad guys on the high seas.
I actually liked Boston. Washington DC was horrible, however.
No problem.
Tirion, I am having trouble finding the site for a rod of reach. Can you post it here for me?
Yup - that is the Rod of Reach. The one that is not listed is the Rod of Toppling. I could have sworn it was there when I selected it, however, based upon the pricing and nature of the metamagic feats, I think I decided that since the Toppling Spell feat only raises casting level by 1, it should be exactly the same as the other 1 spell level increase feats and made it 3,000 gp. When I bought it.
Thanks, Zanith! That's a big help!
So when you were chasing bad guys on the high seas out of Portsmouth, were you working for the Coast Guard?
Thanks, Zanith! That's a big help!
So when you were chasing bad guys on the high seas out of Portsmouth, were you working for the Coast Guard?
I am still working for the Coast Guard. This time around I am flying around looking for bad-guys. Oh the unexpected things life throws at you. I'm only around today to post because I will be flying out tonight, but I'll be back tomorrow morning for more play by post action ;). Most of the time I wont be able to post during the day, but I can catch up quickly at night, and if it ever slows down battle you all can feel free to NPC an action or two.
Zanith, please feel free to post out of turn. It fact, it was unusual that they actually posted in order. However, regardless of the order they post, I will execute and summarize the round in order. Also, if you suspect you will be away for an upcoming round, you are always welcome to post a round or 2 ahead by using if and then statements. (i.e. If the hobgoblin at B2 is still alive I will attack it, otherwise I will climb the wall.) Just please indicate what round you are posting for. Also, if you are down any hit points, please post your current hit points under the round number.
Sometimes, we all forget, especially if we are in a rush, but normally it would look something like this:
Round 5
Solaric rushes in and charges the ghoul.
"For Victory and the Heart!"
Hello everyone, sorry for the light posting. The last day of classes was today so I have been saddled with exams and papers due left and right and have been filing the rest of my time with studying. Things are finally starting to ease up a little and I'll be back to posting regularly now. Thanks for posting for me, Bofus!
I'm just entering exam-town, I think I'll be staying at the Studybook Inn for the next couple of weeks...
Certainly you want to study well, but don't forget to keep a balanced life and visit the Elsir Vale a little each day!
Thank goodness I finished my second degree up and a masters degree is just too expensive to pursue right now =)
Who is going to get the prize for the 4000th post?!
#1000 = Bofus
#2000 = DM Harpwizard
#3000 = DM Harpwizard
#4000 = ?
And the winner is Tirion! Nice job, everyone!
Tirion, my friend, you are the proud winner of a free reroll of any dice roll of your choosing. Use it well!
Ooh - can I reroll on the wandering damage table?
When you are completely surprised by the wandering damage that sneaks up on you, you may reroll and a different amount of wandering damage will sneak up on you.
Don't you remember the wandering damage table. It was in one of the early Dragon Magazines you had, probably like before #90. It was an April addition as I recall. There was a Wandering Damage table in it. It used a d6 and almost all rolls included a +5. Any roll of 6 or more was "Cut self while shaving, player is decapitated" or something to that extent.
EDIT - my memory is not perfect, I think this is from the Dragon Magazine I was talking about
I vaguely remember it! I think I remember you talking about it more, though!
Jorr Natherson mostly wrote nature and exploration books about the area. Some of his works include his knowledge of plants, animals, mushrooms and in particular, birds. He also did have a good working knowledge of the surrounding goblin tribes. This was not his favorite bit of knowledge, but he always felt that it was important to have a good understanding of one's enemy. He did write about that one incident with the Son of a Dragon who became a priest of Tiamat, but he has long believed that entity to be dead, killed by a young group of Brindol Lion called the Lion's Jaw. He has never believed that old dragon cult to be in existence any longer.
Jorr Natherson would come into Drellin's Ferry on occasion for supplies or some item he needed for one of his projects, but he preferred to live alone in his hut with his three dogs, Bravar, Bentel and Bandit. You arrived here to find him a few days ago, but there has been no change in the place since you first arrived. This does not seem like him to leave without telling somebody where he was going. To see his house still empty even after this short duration, makes you very concerned.
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Hah!! I *do* recall that wandering damage table. I wonder if it was originally posted as a joke in response to the Tomb of HOrrors which is pretty much a wandering DEATH table (RIP Brothers Gygax and Arneson).
Point of mild interest: I was part of a party that actually survived the ToH--a party with NO THIEF!! hehehe And, I got the module (one of the original printings) signed by Gygax for my DM. that was fun!!
Skull Gorge is a large canyon far to the North of the Witchwood. You have never been there, but you are aware that it is desolate area. Skull Creek runs through the bottom of the gorge and it eventually flows into the Rhestwash. You can see some of these landmarks on the map of Elsir Vale.
Well, I'm not quite use to this place being quite so quiet. Usually when I get home on a Friday night I have something to read and post. Maybe I am just getting anxious and excited about what is to come! Does this outside adventure have a different feel to it than being in Brindol?
Well, I am off to bed. Tomorrow I have two gigs back to back right here in town. I am playing for a Victorian Christmas celebration at one of the new stores right on our main street and also at our local library. This will be fun!
You need to break out that electric harp for the holiday crowds, get them out of the 19th century.
And it is not just your campaign, I am in almost a dozen campaigns right now and I think I have only seen perhaps 4-5 posts in total since I got home six hours ago.