Michael Johnson 66 |
Shame to see Arc go but that is the nature of PbP. As MJ can attest I have had times when the boards have just fallen through the cracks because real life is kicking my ass. It is possible is unlikely that he will return.
A heads up for all my games. I work as a wilderness educator and through the summer their are a few weeks when I will be out in the forest for a week with little access to the internet. I will post letting you know before hand but the next one will be the week of june 25th-29th.
Thanks for the heads up, friend. No worries, I’ll bot you as needed.
Michael Johnson 66 |
As Johann pointed out, this world is different than our real world in some fundamental ways. Obviously, as a fantasy world, magic is real (although as a practitioner of Ceremonial Magick in RL, I would argue that Magick is real, just way more subtle than RPG high fantasy magic lol). The Judeo-Christian God is real in my fantasy world, which can be (and regularly is) argued to be true in RL as well. The pagan gods are also real in my version of Earth, and many RL pagans and Wiccans will argue that they are as real as the Judeo-Christian God, if not more so. This fantasy world assumes that all the mythologies are true. The more worshippers a god has, the more powerful that god is. Because Christianity, Judaism and Islam are the biggest and most powerful religions on Earth in 1437, the God I Am, the God of Abraham, is THE MOST POWERFUL of all gods, being equal to an over-deity, greater even than the greater gods of Olympus, Asgard, the Egyptian pantheon, or the Japanese pantheon. The Vedic Hindu gods and the greater gods of Chinese mythology come in a close second, having millions of believers.
I commend each of you for RPing your PCs’ faiths realistically. The Crusaders would no doubt have differing opinions and beliefs about God and the pagan gods. They might have disagreements, but as long as they have a powerful common enemy in the Antichrist, they have more reason to cooperate than to not. Not that they wouldn’t debate theology as they have been. I’m thoroughly enjoying your RP! Keep it up, and reap the XP rewards! ;-)
A little about your GM’s personal beliefs: I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic school for 7 years, and devoutly believed (most) doctrines until a few years of college and exposure to other faiths led me to a hopeful agnosticism until my mid 30s, and then about 5 years of jaded atheism. Once I hit 40, the spiritual nature of reality began to call to me once more. I have been a licensed massage therapist for over 15 years, and am trained in a couple modalities of what is called energy work, because it deals with the energetic body—soul, chi, ki, Prana, spirit, etc. From practicing Reiki and craniosacral therapy, I became more and more attuned to auras, energy, spirit, etc. I have quietly prayed to Jesus, Mary, and my patron saint, Michael the Archangel, during massage sessions where I sensed negative entities—demons, if you will—attached to troublesome clients lol...and got startling responses. I never tell a client that is possessed that I am exorcising their demons, as I don’t want to alarm them or seem crazy lol... I just mentally do it, and afterward, the client seems to sense that I’ve done more for their wellbeing than just relax their muscles. Often, they are tearfully grateful and aren’t sure for what. So, now I identify as a pantheist, and though I favor Christ and the God I Am, I believe that other gods and goddesses are merely aspects or avatars of the One True God, appearing in forms suitable to different cultures. Hopefully, God is not so jealous and petty that He will send me to Hell for not getting it right lol :-D. I prefer to believe He is compassionate, loving, and forgiving—the New Testament, post-Christ God, not the rather grumpy and volatile Old Testament God lol.
I have noticed, by the way, that many Buddhists and Hindus I’ve met acted more Christ-like than many so-called Christians I’ve met. Ironic! All we can do is strive toward enlightenment, and Christian mysticism is a great path, but I personally believe there are other good paths as well. I hope that revealing my personal beliefs isn’t too off-putting to any of you, as I enjoy gaming with each of you! Peace be with you all!
Michael Johnson 66 |
Regarding this Ceremonial Magick which I practice, BTW: It is based in Judeo-Christian mysticism, especially Jewish Kabbalah (Qabala/Cabala). It is the craft Dr John Dee (astrologer, physician, and spy for Queen Elizabeth) and psychic Edward Kelly used to conjure and receive revelations from angels and archangels, and was later employed by Aleister Crowley and his student, Jack Parsons (who invented the rocket fuel that propel nuclear missiles), to converse with angels and, supposedly, a demon.
I am currently slogging through the laboriously complex and esoteric Keys of King Solomon, the great grimoires that seem to be generally accepted as the manual for magi, trying to memorize the charts that show each hour of each day of the week and the associated angel, archangel, planet or other celestial body, color, and metal, and how each affects the working of Magick lol... It’s as exact a “science” as chemistry, in some ways, or more accurately, Chinese medicine, which associates different hours, colors, tastes, temperatures, seasons, elements, etc, with each organ system.
I haven’t progressed yet to actually drawing conjuring circles and conjuring entities—I’m still learning everything, crafting my necessary tools (my wand is looking badass! Still need to forge an athame at least), and studying invoking and banishing of elements with pentagrams—a mere novice! Lol
Practicing divination with pendulum, scrying crystals, Tarot deck, and necromancy (Ouija board lol), and have had a high degree of success.
Michael Johnson 66 |
Also reading a great book called John Dee and the Empire of Angels, by Jason Louv (a chaos magickian in LA), not so much a biography of Dee, but a comprehensive biography of his Renaissance proto-science and work in alchemy, astrology, conjuring, espionage on behalf of Protestant England, and what was recorded in the fragmented notes detailing his communion with angels and archangels, and how that information helped build the British and American Empires. It reveals the somewhat esoteric, occult foundations of England and the US, and the reason UK and US are so intent on Zionist policy, and alliance with Israel—a literal plan to hasten Apocalypse and being about the Second Coming. Israel’s jews are stuck in the unsavory position of relying on the aid of nations that ultimately want to Christianize them, and bring about the Kingdom of Heaven promised in the Book of Revelation by St John of Patmos. Dee and Kelly supposedly received a plan for hastening Apocalypse from angels and archangels inpatient with the state of humanity! Lol... This plan is still being followed by our Evangelical governments (UK and US).
Johann Kaltgeboren |
I am a Protestant Christian personally. It pains me that I even have to separate myself from others in the Christian faith, but I do not support or agree with much of what is considered Christianity in America today. Prosperity gospel, extreme hostility toward immigrants, a antiscience, anti-gay, no compassion for those less fortunate, combining faith and the Republican party, dispensational eschatology, etc etc... Christianity in America today is becoming more and more misguided. And certainly there have been a multitude of mistakes from the Church in the past. The core of the Gospel is still true, that is my belief. The problem is that humans keep messing up the interpretation. Over and over and over again.
Anyway, I am having much fun in this game and happy to converse and dialogue with any and all from a variety of faith backgrounds. It is not my place to tell people they are wrong just because we disagree (another problem I have with most American Christians).
Michael Johnson 66 |
I am a Protestant Christian personally. It pains me that I even have to separate myself from others in the Christian faith, but I do not support or agree with much of what is considered Christianity in America today. Prosperity gospel, extreme hostility toward immigrants, a antiscience, anti-gay, no compassion for those less fortunate, combining faith and the Republican party, dispensational eschatology, etc etc... Christianity in America today is becoming more and more misguided. And certainly there have been a multitude of mistakes from the Church in the past. The core of the Gospel is still true, that is my belief. The problem is that humans keep messing up the interpretation. Over and over and over again.
Anyway, I am having much fun in this game and happy to converse and dialogue with any and all from a variety of faith backgrounds. It is not my place to tell people they are wrong just because we disagree (another problem I have with most American Christians).
And you are my kind of Christian, friend. I agree with everything you just said about how America epically fails at being the “Christian” nation so many Republicans claim it’s supposed to be. The core truths of the Gospels are a fine, beautiful moral compass to follow, if you are honest with practicing the message. As you said, too many so-called Christians are Christian in name only, practicing lazily practicing verbal faith without works or action, all based on the one Bible verse about salvation by faith, not works. To be a good disciple of Christ, one should actually do what Christ asked us to do—clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, forgive and love our enemies. Tall order for most lazy, entitled, half-awake Americans.
Michael Johnson 66 |
As one who still worships in an essentially Catholic fashion, I am so grateful that the Protestant Reformations occurred and cut Mother Church down to size. She needed a wake up call. We have a pretty cool, Christian pope today, thank God. Hopefully the millennia of abuses will be redressed under Frances.
Michael Johnson 66 |
I am aware that half our saints were once pagan deities, of course lol. I can see how that might seem blasphemous to Protestants. “Popery”, with its half-pagan saints, idols, and Mary-reverence lol...
I guess you are where you came from to a degree, though we always have free will to change or reject our upbringing. I just have a soft spot for the ritual of Catholicism and Anglicanism (I was bass section leader and soloist at an Episcopal Church for 10 years, it’s just the same as Catholicism except the Archbishop of Canterbury is their “pope”).
Cardinal Lucius d'Borja |
I have noticed, by the way, that many Buddhists and Hindus I’ve met acted more Christ-like than many so-called Christians I’ve met. Ironic! All we can do is strive toward enlightenment
I think polytheism has a lot to recommend it - it teaches tolerance and the acceptance that there is not necessarily one right answer. Valuable things to recognise.
Zagathoth |
My undergraduate degree was focused primarily on comparative religion, and the study of religion(s) from a social sciences perspective (at a secular university). I also spent a little while living in the Middle East and Moslim North Africa. For the last nine years I’ve worked as a clergy person in a liturgical Protestant Church, and am working on finishing a (lengthy) masters program at a fairly conservative/evangelical seminary (though I’m loathe to use either of those terms because of their association with American politics). I’ve (obviously) given it all some thought, and have some fairly strong opinions on a lot of it, but I’m actually really enjoying role playing Zagathoth’s incredibly simplistic understanding of the faith.
Michael Johnson 66 |
Forgive me if I chortle evilly over Quinlan’s temporary madness...
MUAHAHA!!
As a GM who takes a small amount (okay, a lot) of sadistic pride in designing dangerously memorable dungeon crawls, I must admit that my version of the Roman Catacombs might be my finest (and most diabolical) work without making it a no-win meat grinder... You guys are clearly experienced, elite players, so you are making it look a lot easier than it should be lol... Bravo, Crusaders!
Johann Kaltgeboren |
Yeah... he isn't going to miss. Here's hoping for good rolls for us!
Cardinal Lucius d'Borja |
Honestly, the CRs I’m using would probably set this at more like a 7th level adventure for the last two dungeon levels, if this were Pathfinder Society. You guys are walking through it like pros at 5th level!
I think he's decided that we're actually 7th level and given us a 9th level encounter in order to 'challenge' us... *gulp*
Deus Vult!
Johann Kaltgeboren |
Well Lucius certainly didn't HAVE to walk through the lights, though I commend his bravery. We have the rope of climbing, that could be used possibly to grab things.
The Ogon Fox |
*facepalm*
A longsword weighs 4 pounds. That's within the 5 pound limit of mage hand. The dagger and jar after that probably don't weigh more than the longsword.
Johann Kaltgeboren |
Sure we could do those things... except MOST of us are trying to fight the monster, not run off into traps.
I kid, I kid, Lucius. I'm sure your self-sacrifice will come in very handy.
Johann Kaltgeboren |
Cool! I want that amulet!
Whose turn is it to go in battle?
Johann Kaltgeboren |
Pinned isnt good enough for a coup de grace; he needs to be helpless for that.
Johann Kaltgeboren |
If someone has rope handy, could they tie this thing up? I'm not going to be able to hold him.
Zagathoth |
If someone has rope handy, could they tie this thing up? I'm not going to be able to hold him.
uhhh... we have a magic rope... but, um, it's kind of melded into a bear right now...
Johann Kaltgeboren |
Yeah... the rope probably wouldn't hold it either...
But remind me later to give you all this cool stuff I am carrying.
Are we at the top of the order again?
Zagathoth |
But remind me later to give you all this cool stuff I am carrying.
Yeah... that sounds like smart guy work aka, someone else's job...
The Ogon Fox |
Fox’s mystic bolts seem to be doing the most damage to the golem, seconded by Bear’s crushing embrace...
This would be going very differently if I hadn't dipped rogue and got this sneak attack. I am satisfied. =)
Johann Kaltgeboren |
absolutely. You have the perfect weapon against this guy!
Zagathoth |
Grumblegrumblegrumble...stupid worthless new sword...grumblegrumblegrumble
in all seriousness though, I’m glad this fight is giving others a chance to shine in combat!
Michael Johnson 66 |
Grumblegrumblegrumble...stupid worthless new sword...grumblegrumblegrumble
in all seriousness though, I’m glad this fight is giving others a chance to shine in combat!
True! Lol... We don’t want this campaign to be called “Zagathoth and friends!” ;-)
Johann Kaltgeboren- Dire Bear! |
Shifter seems pretty powerful to me. I'm happy with how it is turning out. Unless I'm doing it completely wrong. Never seen it played before. Maybe a lot of the backlash was before the errata (which clarified stuff like getting grab ability)
Michael Johnson 66 |
Shifter seems pretty powerful to me. I'm happy with how it is turning out. Unless I'm doing it completely wrong. Never seen it played before. Maybe a lot of the backlash was before the errata (which clarified stuff like getting grab ability)
You’re the first player I’ve had play shifter in my games, so I don’t know, but you are definitely making it look good! Lol
Cardinal Lucius d'Borja |
I've always quite liked it, although I think the errata helped hugely. I want to try the tiger shifter at some point and see how pouncing works too - Bear Aspect is clearly plenty strong!
The Ogon Fox |
He takes off the corrosive amulet and looks at it. A marvelous piece of magic. Looks like a lizard... But that doesn't feel right. Johann begins to scrub on the amulet more, and the amulet has a slightly different shape.
Johann puts it back on. He feels...different... he feels like...
Oh, don't leave me with a cliffhanger like that, Johann, come on, now!
Johann Kaltgeboren- Cobra! |
It was hard for me to decide!
I wanted to go bat since we are in the catacombs, because I wanted flight and darkvision, but dire bats are BIG.
An emperor cobra is also big, but he has reach, and he has poison!! Also a good climb and swim speed.
It is going to take a bit for me to stat him out. I've been a slacker at work long enough today!