S.Baldrick's page

I was not surprised to hear this. I can remember watching the DVD with commentary from both Schwarzenegger and the director John Milius. They both expressed their love of the first movie and their interest in revisiting the character. The commentary was recorded about 2002, a few years before Schwarzenegger ran for governor and I assumed that his election put his plans on a new Conan movie on ice. Well, he is no longer governor so I guess that he decided to return to the role that helped make him a star. I am not sure how the movie will be but I will give it a chance.

Sword Woman and Other Historical Adventures by Robert E. Howard. Awesome collection! Some of these stories are ones that I had not read before and I did not think that was possible.

Just started Thomas Paine's Rights of Man: A Biography (Books That Changed the World) by Christopher Hitchens

No Man Knows My History by Fawn Brodie. For me, it changed my entire world view.

Steppe by Piers Anthony.

An unwritten Journal:
Being the memoirs of the cleric Ember during her travels as an initiate of the Bellum Ecclesia
Day 14. Month of the Swordfish
Strange events in Freeport last night. Many claim to have seen a mysterious sigil in the sky over T’wik. This was followed by an explosion of the upper stories of the just completed Lighthouse commonly known as “Milton’s Folly”. We investigated using various bribes and disguise to reach the island. There we encountered a group from the Temple of Knowledge who claimed to be seeking the Jade Serpent, a statuette that was necessary for the city’s survival. We uncovered this along with several weapons and a battered journal. The serpent was relinquished to its seekers.
15 Swordfish
Announcement today that the council has repealed the Rule of Succession; likely as there exist no further candidates. This was followed by rioting in the streets and rival gangs took advantage of the chaos. The commissioner of the guard was slain.
The Cutthroats, led by Bloody Jack, attacked the Temple of the Sea God. Several acolytes were slain before we arrived and dispatched the malefactors. Mother Lorrel stated that her god would send a storm to cleanse the temple of its defilement. She also expressed concern for a Sister Gwendolyn who was missing. We found her speaking to Thuron at the Temple of Knowledge and escorted her back.
16 Swordfish
The Sea Lord’s Guard are conducting a purge of the city, hunting down the surviving members of the Cutthroats and Buccaneers. First hurricane of the season appears to be brewing.
Sister Gwendolyn approached me and asked that we speak to Captain Marcus Roberts regarding the rumored disappearance of Lady Elise Grossette. Roberts stated that he suspected a political rival, Arias Soderheim of abducting the lady. Reconnaissance at her estate led Bergo to discover that she had been removed through her second story window by elven pirates the night before. Further investigation revealed that Captain Sharpe of the Knife had departed in haste. He appeared to be heading to Windward.
We decided to seek passage in order to pursue and soon encountered Captain Buster Wallace of the Gallant who agreed to take us to Windward before the storm broke. Upon our approach, we sighted a caravel and were attacked by Sahuagin. A malenti fired a wand at Celestia who replied, quite efficiently, with scorching ray. Rudolf’s dog was slain, and his resulting rage quickly cleared the remaining foes from our decks.
We bypassed the larger ship under cover of the storm and made directly for the shore. Captain Wallace agreed to wait three hours for our return. The beach was littered with bodies, and we discovered some undead, serpent-like people feeding on the remains.
The resort inn had been overrun by elven pirates. These were led by Captain Sharpe, a bald and scared caster called Keel, and the rogue, Dirty Malone. We eventually overcame them, capturing Sharpe and Malone in the process, and rescued Lady Grossette and five other survivors. Once again, Celestia proved invaluable in the fight while Rudolf more than held his own.
We returned to shore where Celestia signaled Captain Wallace by igniting Sharpee’s caravel with no less than four fireballs. The return crossing was rough but uneventful. We made landfall and I asked that Captain Wallace as well as those from the inn accompany us to Captain Roberts’ residence for shelter and to make our report. Two hours later the storm hit.
17 Swordfish
Captain Roberts requested that we attend an emergency meeting of the Captains’ Council. He provided coaches that conveyed us to the Plaza of Gold in the Merchants’ district. We were then asked to present the evidence acquired during our recent excursion and to testify against Soderheim. Documents and confessions obtained during the rescue of Lady Grossette indicated that Soderheim had hired Malone to kidnap her. Sharp was paid by someone from the continent to insure that she did not survive.
Marilise Maeorgan proposed that Soderheim be formally tried, his household dissolved, and his relatives banished from Freeport. This led to a further two hours of debate which were interrupted when crossbowmen concealed in the crowd of about forty spectators opened fire.
Celestia fell, but I was able to heal her by the power and will of the God of War. She returned quickly to the fray, firing spells at her assailant until he was dropped by Rudolf. The three remaining assassins then drank potions and vanished from sight. Bergo, however, assured us they were still present, so I called once again upon the power of my god; this time to purge invisibility.
We felled two more, but the last escaped. Of those we defeated, only one remained alive for questioning. From him, we learned that the assassins had been hired by Deadeye Dan Marsh, who was himself in the employ of Soderheim. Their instructions were to kill us and then the council members.
The Sea Lord’s Guard were dispatched to apprehend Soderheim, but he had fled the city. Documents discovered at his residence revealed payments to Captain Sharp and Continental Trading as well as letters to both the Cutthroats and Buccaneers inciting the riots as a citywide distraction.
We also discovered that Soderheim owned a house in the Old City Quarter listed as Mrs. Safe’s Retreat. Celestia posed as a fruit seller and made the acquaintance of the only resident, an elderly woman who revealed to her that Arias was an infrequent visitor who also spent his time at a nearby “house of ill repute”. This, in turn, led us to the Serenity House.
Enroute, we became aware of watchers signaling to one another. The building itself was locked and barred, but yielded to Celestia’s magic. Inside, we encountered more crossbowmen and assorted other thugs. One threw a barrel at Rudolf, causing him to rage and storm the third floor.
Resistance was stiff and we were outnumbered by about three-to-one, but were gaining ground until the appearance of an unknown man with an eyepatch who appeared to be a spell caster. Rudolf was controlled and slew Celestia. Arias appeared and cursed us all, before being himself slain by Bergo.
We retired to the Temple of the Sea God where Mother Lorrel was able to restore Celestia, although the later seems quite subdued and unlike her usual self. We also dispatched a messenger to Captain Roberts informing him of what had transpired, and he shortly thereafter sent his carriage to retrieve us.
Roberts informed us that the guard had succeeded in capturing the renegade gunman who had been hired to kill Soderhiem and destroy the House of Serenity. He was in the employ of Saul Hawthorne, a priest of St. Cuthbert. Hawthorne had been staying at the Rusty Hook in the docks district, but checked out early this morning. We searched his room, but discovered nothing further.
However, as we were leaving the Rusty Hook, we were attacked by a large, heavily armored man mounted on a clock-work centaur known as an inevitable. This, as we soon discovered, was Saul Hawthorne. I demanded that he desist, but he refused. He claimed that he was working to destroy Freeport as it deserved, and that we had ruined his plans and must pay.
Notes and documents discovered on his body confirmed that he had been sent from the continent with instructions to cause disruptions in Freeport. He had engineered riots, kidnappings and general unrest in service to the Empire of Hexworth.
19 Swordfish
Marilise Maeorgan has been elected the new Sea Lord of Freeport. She has appointed a new commissioner and begun plans for rebuilding the city. Perhaps, we can look forward to quieter days ahead.
Day 3. Month of the Osprey
Bergo invited the rest of us to dinner at the Diving Fin, perhaps the only establishment in the docks district where one does not need to purify food and drink. Bergo, who is a member of the Halfling Benevolent Association, informed us that its president Finn and an associate of his named Trask would like to meet with us tomorrow. They are apparently concerned over a large number –perhaps 10 to 20 – of beggars who have been disappearing from the streets.
4 Osprey
We arrived at the HBA as agreed and were shown into Finn’s office. Finn himself appeared to be a middle-aged Halfling who walked with a limp which he tried to conceal. His office was predominantly utilitarian but did contain one unusual bit of décor-- a human sized war hammer bearing the symbol of the god of justice. This, he later said, had belonged to a former adventuring companion of his.
According to Finn, the disappearances had been occurring throughout the city and not all of the victims were halflings. He offered to pay us 400 lords to investigate and 600 to stop the attacks. In addition, we would receive 100 lords for every halfling rescued and 50 for each additional victim. This is assuming that they are still alive and can be recovered. The coin was apparently enough to satisfy Rudolf and we all agreed to help.
We began our investigation in the Eastern District where we uncovered rumors of cults and “great vultures” that came by night and carried away their victims, leaving no trace behind. This reminded me of stories of Pazuzu, a demon who is said to be the Lord of Winged Predators.
Gradual disappearances, including the docks district, had been occurring for over two months now, although they initially went unnoticed. Strangely, none of the victims have been dwarves; most are halflings, then humans and a few elves.
We decided to try to lure this mysterious attacker into the open. Celestia and Bergo were to act as bait, while Rudolf and I waited nearby to intervene. Nothing happened until after midnight when our two halflings were unexpectedly hit by bird droppings. This sickened and weakened them. A swarm of birds then appeared together with a robed figure which spit at Bergo apparently releasing a cloud of spores. We drove them off, before the guard arrived and began asking questions.
Later, at the Temple of Knowledge, I dug into some old records and discovered that spores are often used by Vrock, a type of vulture-like demon known to serve the Demon Lord Pazuzu.
5 Osprey
We informed all of the temples and churches in the district of what we had learned so far. Perhaps this will help them to protect their members. Bergo also met with Finn and when he mentioned the spores, learned that Finn and his former companion, Arych Sante, a paladin of justice had fought a Vrock , years ago, at Lonely Shore, and that Arych had died from the spores. Are these two incidents related?
I decided to pray for guidance in finding and confronting our foe. My first attempt was interrupted by another swarm like those we encountered last night, but later I was able to receive instructions. These were to speak to Berlin of the Booty Trading Company in order to find the one I seek; and to stop him before he dances over the city.
We located Berlin’s office near the docks. Berlin himself was a stout man with dark hair. He seemed nervous and mentioned money problems that had led him to rent an unused warehouse to a crazy old man for the past two months. He did not know the man’s name and said their dealings had occurred in person in the office. This crazy man apparently matches the description of an individual whom Bergo had encountered yesterday in scurvy Town who was raving about the end and “coming to take us away”.
On our way to the warehouse, we were ambushed by a mixed group of hobgoblins and bugbears. The survivors fled except for one captive who revealed that they had been hired by a creepy, old man who appears to match the description we were given before. This person sent a messenger bird to instruct them when and where to attack us.

S.Baldrick wrote:

I can't imagine why no one else has listed Hawk the Slayer. That movie was great and yes, I do own it on DVD. It was certainly a better D&D movie than Dungeons and Dragons the Movie was.

Very true about it being better than the D&D movie. I was mulling over suggesting it (I have it on DVD) but this is supposed to be about good movies and not so bad, it's awesome movies.

Well, it does have an future Oscar winner: Jack Palance.

That makes it good doesn't it?

Well, maybe not. However, I don't think that it was any worse than The Beastmaster.

I can't imagine why no one else has listed Hawk the Slayer. That movie was great and yes, I do own it on DVD. It was certainly a better D&D movie than Dungeons and Dragons the Movie was. I would mention Deathstalker but I don't think that it every made past VHS.

Raven 4: Lords of the Shadows by Richard Kirk.

Raven 3: The Frozen God by Richard Kirk.

Raven 2: A Time of Ghosts by Richard Kirk.

Berserker 3: The Horned Warrior by Chris Carlsen

Berserker 2: The Bull Chief by Chris Carlsen

Raven: Swordsmistress of Chaos by Richard Kirk.

Berserker: Shadow of the Wolf by Chris Carlsen

SPOILER ALERT for the Freeport Trilogy

After the final encounter at the end of the Freeport Trilogy ended with a TPK, Freeport being saved the return of the Unspeakable One, the death of the EVIL Milton Drac and the destruction of Milton's Folly, I have restarted my campaign with a new group of characters. This time, we are starting out in the power vacuum that was left in the aftermath of the Milton Drac's death. This time, the campaign journal is being kept of Ember, a cleric of the God of War.

SPOILER ALERT of the Green Ronin adventure module: Crisis in Freeport

Being the memoirs of the cleric Ember during her travels as an initiate of the Bellum Ecclesia

Editors Note: Character backgrounds and summaries
Ember (played by Amy) is a cleric to the God of War and thus no stranger to conflict in many forms. Although the church is officially neutral in its outlook, Ember herself is not which has occasionally led her into trouble since what her conscience dictates does not always match with her superiors’ expectations. She is capable of empathy and compassion, but tends to conceal this behind a habitual reserve. She will seldom venture advice unless asked, but follows orders with quiet efficiency. Ember sees herself primarily as a defender who functions as both warrior and healer at need. She is fiercely loyal to those few she considers friends, but never outwardly demonstrative.
Rudolf Caskbreaker (played by Mark) is a dwarven fighter and barbarian. He has no concept of tact or restraint, instead his approach to any situation is to “run in and smash things”. Rudolf is rarely sober and habitually carries several flasks or skins of intoxicating beverage. He is accompanied by a trained war-dog called simply “dog” and refers to this companion as “the best b@@*# I’ve known since my third wife”. Rudolf is incredibly tough and tenacious and is not one to back down from a fight or any other challenge.
Celestia Starfall (played by Robin) is a halfling sorcerer who specializes in pyrotechniques. She arrived in Freeport as a traveling entertainer for the recent Swagfest Celebrations, but was forced to part company with her former troupe after her enthusiasm caused their largest tent to burn to ash while patrons fled screaming. Celestia is quite adept at juggling magical energies and very formidable in a fight. She prefers to conjure fire and lightening or something equally flashy and won’t hesitate to demonstrate her skill, especially if she has an audience.
Bergo Ironbelly (played by Chris) is rogue and master chef. He is a native of the City of Freeport, and a member of the Halfling Benevolent Association, although he has been known to refer to the latter as the Half. Ass. on more than one occasion. Bergo sees himself as a jack-of-all-trades, but will admit to a particular skill with locks and traps. He also takes great pride in his culinary skills and will frequently offer a meal as an incentive to nearly anyone. Bergo wears glammored armor and uses thrown weapons.

Day 14, Month of the Swordfish
Strange events in Freeport last night. Many claim to have seen a mysterious sigil in the sky over T’wik. This was followed by an explosion of the upper stories of the just completed Lighthouse commonly known as “Milton’s Folly”. We investigated using various bribes and disguise to reach the island. There we encountered a group from the Temple of Knowledge who claimed to be seeking the Jade Serpent, a statuette that was necessary for the city’s survival. We uncovered this along with several weapons and a battered journal. The serpent was relinquished to its seekers.

15 Swordfish
Announcement today that the council has repealed the Rule of Succession; likely as there exist no further candidates. This was followed by rioting in the streets and rival gangs took advantage of the chaos. The commissioner of the guard was slain.

The Cutthroats, led by Bloody Jack, attacked the Temple of the Sea God. Several acolytes were slain before we arrived and dispatched the malefactors. Mother Lorelee stated that her god would send a storm to cleanse the temple of its defilement. She also expressed concern for a Sister Gwendolyn who was missing. We found her speaking to Thuron at the Temple of Knowledge and escorted her back.

16 Swordfish
The Sea Lord’s Guard are conducting a purge of the city, hunting down the surviving members of the Cutthroats and Buccaneers. First hurricane of the season appears to be brewing.

Sister Gwendolyn, a Cleric of the God of the Sea and a member of the Captain's Council, approached me and asked that we speak to Captain Marcus Roberts regarding the rumored disappearance of Lady Elise Grossette. Roberts stated that he suspected a political rival, Arias Soderheim of abducting the lady. Reconnaissance at her estate led Bergo to discover that she had been removed through her second story window by elven pirates the night before. Further investigation revealed that Captain Sharpe of the ship The Knife had departed in haste. He appeared to be heading to Windward.

We decided to seek passage in order to pursue and soon encountered Captain Buster Wallace of the Gallant who agreed to take us to Windward before the storm broke. Upon our approach, we sighted a caravel and were attacked by Sahuagin. A malenti fired a wand at Celestia who replied, quite efficiently, with scorching ray. Rudolf’s dog was slain, and his resulting rage quickly cleared the remaining foes from our decks.
We bypassed the larger ship under cover of the storm and made directly for the shore. Captain Wallace agreed to wait three hours for our return. The beach was littered with bodies, and we discovered some undead, serpent-like people feeding on the remains.

The resort inn had been overrun by elven pirates. These were led by Captain Sharpe, a bald and scared caster called Kyl, and the rogue, Dirty Malone. We eventually overcame them, capturing Sharpe and Malone in the process, and rescued Lady Grossette and five other survivors. Once again, Celestia proved invaluable in the fight while Rudolf more than held his own.
We returned to shore where Celestia signaled Captain Wallace by igniting Sharpe’s caravel with no less than four fireballs. The return crossing was rough but uneventful. We made landfall and I asked that Captain Wallace as well as those from the inn accompany us to Captain Robert’s residence for shelter and to make our report. Two hour

Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim Butcher

I just finished Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs. Now I am moving on to Who Fears the Devil? by Manly Wade Wellman.

The Big Nowhere by James Ellroy

Savage Season by Joe R. Lansdale.

World War Z by Max Brooks

The following was recovered from a burned by most intact journal that was found in the debris field that was created when the top of the Freeport lighthouse (commonly referred to as "Milton's Folly") mysteriously exploded the night that it was to celebrate its grand opening. Prior to the explosion, a mysterious yellow sign briefly appeared in the sky over the Freeport harbor. This sign apparently drove a number of people to madness.

Day 40: Night –

We continue our search of the sunken temple of Yig. After fighting off shadows, we enter a room warded by a magical compulsion the kill anyone near you. I gain a book. The Way of Yig.

The next room holds three shadowy serpent men and a ramp up.

The next chamber holds a shadowy serpent prisoner. Answering its riddle

I create life and also nourish it.
I contain life and the future for some.
I am first, although some say I came last.
I am fragile, yet strong enough to hold precious cargo.
What am I? (An EGG)

After answering the riddle, the shadow serpent reveals the location of the Venom of the Serpent. It was found in a secret stash inside a statue not far from the cell. I also found an old Valossan journal stating concerns about worship of the Unspeakable one, and a chest with a shadow snake, 500 gold, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds, and 2 potions of lesser restoration. Kerishen drank both restoration potions to restore her strength and health.

We encounter two shadow serpent folk who appear to have been arguing for eons. They each want the other destroyed to reclaim the other half of the room they are haunting. We destroyed both to be fair.

Next, we have a rather refreshing fight. Ten short zombies. At least they have solid flesh to be destroyed. Blades and flaming sphere put their souls to rest.

ext, we find a large Jade statue to recover on our way out. Next is a statue of a snake. Its eyes emit light holding a set of double doors shut. We close the eyes and an enormous dead snake attacks. It bears the Fangs of the Serpent as its fangs. After we open the statue’s eyes twice, closing the doors and giving us time to breath and heal, we defeated the dead snake and recover the Fangs of the Serpent.

We take the amulet, vial, daggers and armor back to Allister’s spirit on the second floor. It performs the ritual and Kerishen sacrifices her blood to reform the Jade Serpent. We take all we can and return to the temple of knowledge.

1 Day to go...

Day 41, Having recovered from our wounds and from the ill effects of the attacks for the undead serpents of the lost temple of Yig, we are planning to assault the lighthouse. Sister Gwendolyn from the Temple of the Sea God has provided Frek with a healing wand. I am certain that we will need it. Gwendolyn and Thuron believe that the Brotherhood of the Yellow Sign will attempt to summon their vile god the Unspeakable One tonight. They also both believe that Milton Drac himself will be there himself to oversee the ritual. We must stop them. Hopefully with the aid of the Jade Serpent we can be victorious.

Somewhere in my teens my father challenged me to come up with a BoM type RPG. I was all on board and thought it might be fun. I went to him to ask about converting some aspect of the priesthood into cleric spells and his support cooled considerably. :)

It has been done. I have a friend that I used to game with that had a younger brother that did run a BoM campaign. I didn't play in it so I have no idea how they handled divine magic or clerics. I also ran across a website mentioning a Runequest campaign called "Lamenties' Lament." (Don't bother looking for it. The website no longer exists.)

I was raised a Mormon (although it has played little or no part in my adult life) and I have lived my entire life in Utah. I was born and raised in Moab and I currently live in Provo, just a few miles south of BYU.

As for gaming, most of the people that I play with are Mormons. Considering where I live, it isn't very surprising that most of the people that I game with are Mormons.

Day 38: Afternoon –
We arrive at a tavern to return payment to a syndicate thug and make a correction of our own for his error. I surgically remove the same pinky finger he removed from Egil, but with less fuss and more skill, I am certain then he managed.
Evening –
That evening we are invited to a ball at Milton Drakes home. We entered the event, expecting to be summarily put to death. Instead, we are made part of the upper crust of Freeport’s high society, and are thrown a graceful and informative party. We are awarded the Drake metal of Honor for saving the city from snake men. Capt. Lydon tells us that Sea Lord Drake is part of the Yellow Sign cult and bears the tattoo on this thigh. (probably don’t want to know how he knows.)
Many strange items have been seen entering port. Serpent people have been sighted, as well as corpses of owl bears, a strange green metal called serpent’s blood, yellow summoning candles, a large gemstone used for focusing magical power. An elderly disheveled man enters and shouts a prophecy in ryme to those gathered, before he transforms into a snake and slithers out.

“The Yellowed Sign once again shall appear,
Then the time for Yig’s revenge will be near.

As the finger of evil rises toward heaven, (the lighthouse)
One must pay heed to the calling of his brethren.

Search below the waves for that which was unmade,
And return with the Serpent carved of Jade.

When the madness is unleashed upon the land,
The icon of jade alone shall stand.

The end of the creature from outside, (extraplanar)
Contained within the Serpent deep inside.”

We are then approached by Brok Wallace, who tell us (in secret) that the lighthouse will be the focus for the summoning of an army of beasts to attack the mainland. He also asks us to assassinate Milton Drake. (Drake may be in the same position as Verlayne and still trustable, but that is only a guess.) We refuse and Brok disappears from the ball.
I gathered a list of people on the Captain’s Council...
Milton Drake the Sea Lord. Those that follow him are Melkior Maeorgan (with his sundering shortsword), Brok Wallace, Arias Soderheim (a half elf), Garth Varellion, Hector Torain, and Verlayne who is dead.
Lady Elise Grassotte is a challenger for the Sea Lord’s position and a great dancer. Her followers are Dirwin Arnig (a gnome gem cutter), Xavier Gordon, Liam Blackhammer, Marcus Roberts, and Sister Gwendolyn (a green haired priestess of the sea god).

Midnight –
After the ball late at night, we go tot he temple of knowledge to speak with Theron and research the prophecy. We learn that the Jade Serpent was sunk somewhere near Freeport. (as it this is the central area of old Valossa.) A pirate named Blackdog, was rumored to have found the Jade Serpent, and some of his crew may yet live.
The lighthouse is top open in three days. Time is short and life here is a great deal more hectic than I ever thought it could be.

Day 39: Late Morning –
We search the hall of public records and find an address for Gareth, one of Blackdog’s crew.
By noon we go to speak with him. For some coin he tells us where the cave is and that the trick is to enter at low tide.
Night –
With the help of Kerishen’s meager sailing skills, we enter the caves but Frek falls overboard. We recover him, and even the dip in the surf does not seem to extinguish his hellish fires. We are over cautious in investigating a shining magical cutlass stuck in the sand, as we triggered the shadows attack anyway. Frek and I used our god’s might to turn the undead away. We then leave to investigate other areas within the complex. We fight a large spider again, and if not for my medical prowess, its poison may have proven fatal to Verwyn.
We find Blackdog’s treasure and his ghost. We converse with the undead pirate who tells us, where the door that he sealed up, can be found.
We find and enter the cavern of Yig. Written in Valossan, (good thing I studied all the writings I could find on the language.) we learn that to open the door, bravery must be proven, by surviving a hallucination of the snake biting ones hand and a very real, strong, splash of strength draining poison. Kerishen and Frek both tried and could not open the door, and after wards could hardly breathe in their armor. We return to port at midnight and send a runner for aid from the temple. Theron, Egil, and Lady Gwendolin arrive with and some restoration magic. We are restored, rested, and then we return.

Day 40: Morning –
Frek tries the door again and prevails. Inside we fight shadow snakes and learn that the Gifts of the Serpent (Amulet, Fangs, Venom, and Scales of the Serpent) and a Sacrifice will bring forth or restore the Jade Serpent. We delve further swimming into an air pocket to fight Vrosh, some sort of ghost in the “Scales” an invulnerable suit of armor with an electric battleaxe. We prevail and gain the Scales of the Serpent.
I feel that I am constantly pushing the souls of those who we fight behind me to gain some distance between myself, and death’s cold embrace. 2 days to go.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

A crown royal bag.

Pleasure Model: Netherworlds-1 by Christopher Rowley.

Day 33: Morning –
We visit Bryce Vinter’s but spot nothing out of the ordinary. Next Reed at the public records tells us that Verlaine’s men want maps of the sewers connecting the Eastern District, Scurvy Town, and the Merchant’s Quarter. We copy the map, find their route, and made a rubbing of the indentation of their map tracing thru the sewers.
Capt. Reikert and ten-armed guard escort us from the public records to the Hall of Justice. We miss lunch and dinner before Verlaine comes for a visit with us. He tells us we are leaving town now! We expect an escort to a ship bound for the main land in the morning.
Day 34: Morning –
Brother Egil comes to free us with a writ of protection from the temple of knowledge. Membership has its privileges. Lady Elsie Grossette helped to finance our release. Egil also tells of Lucius’s kidnapping by the Snakes. We immediately travel to the Eastern District, enter the vile sewer filth, and follow the map to a dead-end and find a secret door.
Brother Egil tries to push us into a trapped room/meat grinder. Frek splits the false Egil’s skull and we find magical pigments a ring and a map on the body. The map leads us to another secret door. That takes us down a sloping tube into a storage area, then to a library full of Serpent script books. Only one book is in common “The True and Secret History of the Brotherhood of Freeport” It also contains maps of the ancient continent of Valossa. Snakes are running the Temple of Knowledge.
Afternoon –
We find the new Yellow Temple and kill many snakes. The real Egil is being held on the alter ready to be branded with the yellow sign. A parchment in serpent script says something indecipherable, but also bears all of our names. Egil says, that the snakes said, “After tonight your kind will no longer be a problem.” It is here and now that we devise the “anti-snake code”.
Down the hall is a rather nice wine cellar. The stairs lead into Verlaine’s basement. A cold untouched meal rests untouched. Nobody is home. Upstairs in the master bedroom we find Verlaine and his guards dead. I kneel to inspect the bodies, and hear the twang of a cross-bow, and the all-powerful Black embraces me...

Day 36: Morning –
I awake to find myself in the care of the Temple of the Sea God, and learn that Lady Elsie Grossette paid for the magic to wrest my soul back from Deaths embrace. I must learn why she wishes to aid us so.
Afternoon –
Egil staggers to us in bad shape missing a finger. Apparently he owes a debt (which we paid with) for the gold he used to gain our services.
We rush to the temple to warn them of a possible attack by the Snake men. By evening we are set upon by many yellow cultists and snakes in disguise. We repel the snakes from the holy grounds of the temple, and heal the wounded. Later learned that the high priest Thuron is actually a non-evil Snake in disguise. We rest then prepare to make a visit to Egil’s loan broker, to make certain he knows not to be so heavy handed.

The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett.

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett.

I spent the last two weeks, studying and plying my trade as healer to those in need. Not all could afford a professional’s services so I took payment only where I could.
Day 18: Morning –
Swag Fest begins today. I meet with my companions to join in the drunken fray. We learn that Capt. Lydon wants a seat on the ruling Council, and so has sponsored much of this year’s festivities. During the commencement speech, a cloaked woman attacked the good Captain. We shout a warning and stopped her, then relieved her of a few items of interest. The festivities continue.
Frek participates in “Jack’s Last Stand” one person/Frek vs. 12 pirates for the prize money. Frek gave a Valiant effort against overwhelming odds but did not succeed in reenacting the legendary battle. He only pummeled one opponent down before being felled, no prize for that.
We healed him and move on to the “Catch the Fat Rat” contest. A Dire rat is greased and turned loose into the city. The reward is higher upon its live return. We manage to follow it to an abandon house where we follow only to find six bodies cocooned in webbing and do battle with a speaking, spell casting arachnid. We defeated the areana, gain some useful items, and free a woman named Faun from death’s slow grip. She works at the “Serenity House” and as a reward for our services rendered; her employer has offered us each a pass for an evening of services rendered by her skilled employees.
We capture the rat and return it for the reward of 75 gold... (in exotic spices) not overly useful.
We enjoy the two days of merriment and a day of recovery. I test various remedies for hangovers but I fear that I require more training in alchemy.
As a group we journey out to the lighthouse but see very little of interest. Two more weeks pass uneventfully as I ply my skills, rendering aid to those in need.
Day 32: Afternoon –
We meet with Brother Egil for lunch at the Quill. He is greatly disturbed, and paranoid. He claims to have seen a intruder that smelled like a serpent enter Lucius’ room (while Egil was working and feigning asleep) and steal some parchment scrolls. Egil also does not believe that the guard is actually doing anything about “cleaning out” the serpent’s nest we found.
We track Milo’s movements and learn he had an alias of Delvin a merchant, staying at the Marquis Moon. We get into his room and search, finding notes about Verlaine (who owns all of the masonry shops in town.) and a sketch page in the back of a book, with many unknown magical symbols that pertain to the construction of the lighthouse.
Upon leaving, a young man cries out for help. He is “seemingly” accosted by two orcs. It is a diversion so he can try to steal the book we recovered. The boy escapes and flees towards the East Gate, back towards the Serpent’s nest.
We take secure the valuable book we found, then follow the thief, and re-enter the snake den. Someone has thoroughly cleaned out the serpent’s temple. We defeat four more snake men, a priest, and the young thief. We search more thoroughly; they are still trying to recover the inlayed metal from the temple. I can only assume the snakes were commanded to “Leave No Trace!” Some crates were found, full of bricks with “the yellow sign” carved into them. We assume for use in the lighthouse, so we dumped them out in the bay. A note tells of transit from Bierce Vintners to 100 Wave Ave. We will rest and go to visit Verlaine’s home at 100 Wave Ave., tomorrow.
Upon arriving home, I’m certain that each of us found our quarters ransacked. But the book is safe.

The Ship of Ishtar by A. Merritt

The Unnatural Inquirer by Simon R. Green

Hell to Pay by Simon R. Green

Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth by Simon R. Green

Paths Not Taken by Simon R. Green.

For the second time, I am running the Freeport Trilogy from Green Ronin.
This is an account of the campaign as seen through the witting of Victor Von Vargas, a bard that is obsessed with death.

Here is the cast of characters:

Victor Von Vargas: Human Bard (Played by Chris)
Kerishen Tormalyne: Human Swashbuckler (Played by Amy)
Frek: Hellborn Cleric (Played by Mark)
Verwyn Synt: Elven Wizard (Played by Robin)

From the pages of the personal journal of Victor Von Vargas…

I being a healer with a small amount of bard training, begin this journey with the intent to travel to Freeport to aid with the pains and suffering that must be being accumulating amongst the workers attempting to construct the massive Lighthouse of Drac, a.k.a. “Milton’s Folly”. I hear they are working night and day to complete the project and there are surly no small amount of injuries, petty or otherwise, that shall need tending to. I will be able to live quite comfortably after words, and continue my research on the great mystery of Death.

Day 1: Afternoon –
Arrive in Freeport, leave docks, and fight off press gang. I go down fighting.
The sinister looking Frek, a cleric of some sort, seems to have saved me.
Kerishen, a human woman of some nobility with a quick eye and hand for danger, was nearby during our attempted abduction. A female elven wizard called Verwyn allied herself with us a well. We fought our way free of the thugs. Verwyn lost a dagger to the back of one of the thugs. We received healing, and a job from a cleric named Brother Egil. He needed us to help him find one of his fellow librarians named Lucius.
Lucius left the employ of the Temple of Knowledge for reasons unknown and returned about 10 months ago. He seemed to have changed, but could not remember his travels. Lucius recently tried to retrace his steps and has disappeared. Brother Egil has provided a key to Lucius’s home and some payment, so we agree to investigate.
There are so many notes, papers and books, and so little time. One note points us to a Captain Scarbelly, the very definition of local thug. An Orc captain, with a Orc crew on board a ship called Bloody Vengeance. We took our rest at a fine local inn The Scholar's Quill as I contemplate my own mortality before a fitful sleep takes me.

Day 2: Morning –
We meet at the Temple of Knowledge and are introduced to Milos, a smarmy, arrogant bastard, of a priest. We found out little and he brushed us away and said he would make arrangements for us to see the high priest in two days time.
Back to the docks. Carashin speaks orcish and she takes Frek along for company, as they parley with Scarily. They are safer as I fear another attempt from a press gang. We learn that Lucius traveled with Scarbelly and spoke to him 1 week ago about his forgotten past. The year old dock records are also of little help.
Night –
We are ambushed by a group of Yellow Shield mercenaries. We prevail.
Rittoro, a Yellow Shield, is carrying Lucius’s dagger. He directs us to a man named Enzo.
Enzo relates that a cult known as “The Brotherhood” of which he is a new member, paid to have us removed.
He also tells where to find the cult’s hole in the ground.

Day 3: Morning –
We send for Brother Egil, who provides some healing. We inform him of the developments, and he joins us as backup as we go to the abandoned stone building housing the cult.
We buy some weapons. Kerishen generously throws money at everything. I knew she was some form of nobility, but what noble allows their daughter to learn to fight with such a crude weapon as a chain? I will look into her past later.
After entering the basement, we find that the Priest Frek, has the ability to disintegrate multiple foes with a mere word, at least undead foes.
We also encounter Serpent Folk, a race of snake people thought long lost to history. They are guarding the Brotherhood’s temple. An interesting development that needs proper research, perhaps they found a way to cheat death?
We enter the brotherhood’s yellow temple and find Milos presiding over an obviously evil alter. After we kill him and his giggling minions, Milos reverts to his true serpent form, leaving us to wonder how many and who of Freeport’s people are actually serpents in disguise. Lucius is also found as is a letter conveying that N’Tal is coming to Freeport and to make sure all is ready, signed “The Brotherhood.”
We Take our finding to the high priest of knowledge and retire. I should speak with Frek about his abilities and views on Death.

Re-reading The Hobbit.

Hex and the City by Simon R. Green

Nightingale's Lament by Simon R. Green

Death Angel's Shadow by Karl Edward Wagner

You might also want to check out Cage of Delirium from Goodman Games. It comes with an audio CD to help make the mood. I was with a group that went through it and it was pretty creepy.

Cage of Delirium.

Agents of Light and Darkness by Simon R. Green

Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green

It wasn't long before Fix arrived. Harry hoped

out that Fix would meet him at McAnally's

in Chicago. McAnally's tavern would be a good

to speak to Fix: the current Summer Knight.

to have driven any bystanders off the streets.