Checking in RL has just been impossible lately. Hope to be back next week.
Thank you.
And life is difficult so take your time.
Any updates? Hope everything is going well for you.
I think we are still waiting. I am in another game Storyteller Shadow is running and I have not heard anything there either. I hope things get better.
Hi Folks, sorry for the long absence had to figure out a number of things in RL.
I am 50/50 on continuing this game. Can everyone who is still here sound off?
I am here, but it has been so long that I don't recall where we were at. A recap would be good.
I'm still around as well, and also agree that a recap would help.
Still here!
Still here
Yes, I’m here, though I have missed much of the game and a recap might just confuse me! ;)
Still here. I'm dropping most of the games I'm in because real life has gotten very busy lately, but I'm staying in both your games, Shadow (as long as you're willing to run them).
Hope things calm down in your life.
OK, the good news is that the slate is a bit clean. We were about to transition into a new chapter.
RECAP:
Most of you were prisoners awaiting execution at Brandescar. The agent of a mystery benefactor visited the group and provided the means for escape.
Post escape, the group traveled to meet the benefactor who named himself a High Priest of Asmodeus who sought to bring down the Mitran royal dynasty. The group pledged themselves to Asmodeus and to each other through a pact and so the Ninth Knot was born.
The Cardinal ran trials in his stronghold which strengthened the bonds between the group (as evil agents are wont to betray one another such an exercise was likely necessary).
The Ninth Knot was sent north to assist a bugbear chieftain in bringing down Balentyne Tower, a stronhold which secures the northern border from invasion. Using the magic provided by the Cardinal, the group impersonated Mitrans to gain the trust of the townsfolk and the garrison of the tower. Their infiltration uncovered two important things: (1) a cult of Lamashtu was present and acting against the Mitrans (subtly but they were there) and (2) Lord Thomas Havelyn was a widower to what appeared to be an Asmodean (who Soren is the spitting image of).
The Knot was able to leverage these resources to bring down the Tower and convert Havelyn to the cause of Asmodeus.
Post victory, the Cardinal sent the Knot westward via boat to Farholde. Along the way the Knot had friction with Cardinal's primary agent, Tiadora. Tiadora is clearly not a mortal woman and a fight was avoided though desired.
The Cadrinal arrived as the group closed in on Farholde giving instructions, an admonishment NOT to cause fights with Tiadora, and he seemed none too thrilled about the presence of Havelyn.
What he specifically stated is critical so I will re post that below:
-------
"They killed your wife... that is what concerns you eh?". He pauses as if still enraged.
Then he takes a deep breath, "So then, you have given yourself to my Lord. If that is so it must be for a reason. Very well. You shall be allowed to accompany my Knot to their next task but I will not make you a member yet.
Prove yourself, then, we shall see".
He pauses once more and scans the faces in the room.
"Despite this potential traitor in your midst, you have served me faithfully, my ninth knot, and I have rewarded you both in treasure and vengeance. Thanks to your efforts, the Fire-Axe has been unleashed. Even now he writes his name in blood across the Borderlands.
Three battles have been fought and three victories won. The villages of Ambryl and Tarrington Fields lie sacked. The fortress of Lorringsgate is in ruins. Each of you did your part in seeing these triumphs come to fruition. Do not think I have forgotten that.
But our work is not yet done. Talingarde has not yet acquiesced to our unholy master nor tasted the full measure of our vengeance. So I have another mission for you. Tomorrow this barge will dock in Farholde, the northernmost town in all the realm. Farholde is a backwater of no real significance. Its lord has already left the place hoping for glory in the war. But it does border the Caer Bryr, the largest unmapped forest on the entire island.
Hidden within the Caer Bryr is the Horn of Abaddon, an ancient temple once occupied by a particularly loathesome death cult called ‘The Sons of the Pale Horseman’. Almost eighty years ago the first Darian king, Markadian I called the Victorious overthrew the Horn and destroyed the Sons. No great loss, honestly.
But what the Victor found within the temple is why we are here. He defeated a daemon prince called Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. So terrified of this monstrosity was the king, that he had the priests of Mitra craft a great silver seal to forever forbid the daemon from returning to our plane of existence. The seal remains to this day.
I have learned the truth about this daemon prince. I have learned what the Victor feared. Vetra-Kali is an archdeacon in service to the lord of pestilence. This immortal monster could create a plague so virulent that it will bring Talingarde to its knees.
When the Victor attacked, the Daemon Prince was close to unleashing his masterpiece upon the world -- a pestilence known as the Tears of Achlys. I am uncertain of the specifics of this plague but if anything could terror in the heart of the Victor, then I want it. The Tears of Achlys will be our poisoned dagger into the heart of Talingarde.
I already have agents in the great cities of this kingdom. With this pestilence, they could deliver blight and death to the very center of the realm. Caught between the twin storms of the Fire-Axe and Vetra-Kali’s gift, we shall bring ruin to Talingarde. This gift you shall bring to me.
It will not be easy. I have already lost one band of followers on this errand. I sent the fourth knot to find the Horn of Abaddon. They succeeded at that at least – revealing to me that it was concealed within a great spire of stone less than a day’s ride from Farholde.
But then they vanished. I have heard no more from the elven ranger Aiden Kael since. He knew the Caer Bryr well so no normal hazard would defeat him. Perhaps the Horn of Abaddon is guarded. I cannot say. But it matters not! The Tears of Achlys must be mine!
I am undeterred by this setback. Where one knot failed, two will succeed. I will also send my seventh knot – the Knot Hibernal led by Elise Zadaria. I task you with finding the Horn and calling forth Vetra-Kali. Elise and her knot will aid you. Elise proved herself a capable assassin in our last venture. The seventh knot will remain in Farholde and see that anyone who tries to find the Horn and interfere with your work meets an unhappy end. Thus, you will have time to do what must be done.
There is another who may be able to aid you. Once a thriving cult of Asmodeus existed in Farholde. It was led by a half-elvish noble – the Baron Arkov Vandermir. He is treacherous and decadent, but wealthy and well-connected. Tiadora will introduce you before she departs.
I know that your Knot has had a verbal altercation with my servant. Cease such petty bickering, it is such bickering that leads to failure, I shall not have it". He narrows his eyes staring at Havelyn once more. He continues.
"I know not what aid the Baron can provide, but his family is old and long has dwelt in Farholde. Never trust him but know this – he’s afraid of me and with good reason. If he does try anything remind him that you are in Farholde on my behalf. That should keep him in line.
Find the Horn. Find the seal and shatter it. Call Vetra-Kali back to our world. Bind him to your will and force service from the monster. And then bring his gift to me. Can you do this, my knot? Have I found servants with might and will enough to see this task done?”
-------
Aurex, remained a Dragon and took to the Forest to hide out until the group met with the Baron to secure aid and then turned their attention to the search for the Horn.
Thereafter, the Knot infiltrated the town with the same disguises, as Mitrans, and located where the elf had stayed discovering a map that should lead them to the Horn.
The meeting with the Baron led to a new ally, Errisaigh Varkain, joining the group, as an agent of the Baron.
Now, the group was just about to purchase supplies and head out to find Aurex and search for the Horn.
If I am not mistaken, no one pushed for supplies in excess of rations so I think we are ready to go. Any further questions before I move us along?
None here. Thanks for the recap - I admit to initially upon playing being quite bewildered by...a few salient points. Armed with a little more knowledge I'm ready to go.
As it is the Holiday weekend here in the US, I will wait till Thursday (giving people time to chime in) till I restart I/C. Daughter is starting a new school this week so that will distract me Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Agreed, many thanks for the recap! Very helpful for keeping aware of everything that's happened and the reasons we are where we are. I believe I'm good to move forward as well--can't think of any supplies in particular I'd need.
Im good to go!
Updates tonight, I had to work last night :-(
And we are moving forward once more!
I took a blow to the head and I am still a little foggy. Please bot.
I will BOT Morana for this scene then :-)
I'll try to get this combat up and running tonight :-)
Ugh, not been a great night, will have to get to this tomorrow instead.
Having played a build similar to Erisaigh's before, there's an often overlooked rule that will be relevant.
You can attempt to intimidate an opponent again, but each additional check increases the DC by +5. This increase resets after one hour has passed.[/ooc]
So each successive intimidate roll, succeed or fail, gets harder. In my experience it doesn't change the game much. It just means you probably won't want to spam intimidate checks after every attack.
I'm having a pretty bad throat infection, and accompanying fever. Bot me please.
Looks like Morana and Soren are MIA.
Not sure when they may be posting. Do we proceed as if they faded into the background? I don't have much desire to BOT PCs.
Have we sent them private messages? Have they been active on the boards at all?
I know sometimes if a game isn't moving for long enough it can get hidden or a poster may be a little inactive compared to normal.
Morana has not posted since September 9 and Soren has not posted since August 21. I will give them another day and then skip them in the Initiative line to get us moving. If they are not here for the end of combat, I will send them back to ton so we can keep things moving forward. Certainly RL for me has kept the game moving slowly the past few years but if we continue at this pace there won't be much of a game left to run. :-(
One of Morana's aliases, Dougal Fairbairn, has posted the last couple of days, so she is still on the boards. I wonder why we haven't heard from her.
Soren was somebody very new to the boards and has only made about 25 posts in total, so it looks like she has vanished from the boards for now.
One of Morana's aliases, Dougal Fairbairn, has posted the last couple of days, so she is still on the boards. I wonder why we haven't heard from her.
Soren was somebody very new to the boards and has only made about 25 posts in total, so it looks like she has vanished from the boards for now.
Lost interest perhaps? It happens.
Soren was a new alias from an old player that played Soren before his initial withdrawal from the boards. I know that he has RL issues that seem to keep him away from the boards.
However, if we are going to move forward, much as I want to keep the dynamic we have, if the PCs are not posting we lack the dynamic AND the momentum necessary to keep the PCs (and the DM) engaged.
Lets please move forward. The only way to gain momentum is to keep moving and hope the players check in.
I've recovered enough to be back. That was a nasty fever I had.
I/C updated.
OOPH, Aurex can't take another round of that. Even one more hit would likely drop him.
Is Jurak the big treant?
Is Jurak the big treant?
Yes.
Folks, Havelyn is up. I'll give him a day or so to check in. I de-activated Soren and Morana from the game. Better that then to let the game die out.
That leaves us with Grumble, Nate, Aurex, Alice, Errisaigh, and Havelyn. That's 5 players and 1 significant mount. I have no desire to recruit anyone at this stage of the adventure. Let's go with who we have now.
Still a good sized party, although we're notably lacking in divine power.
Errisaigh remember we're hasted, which includes bonuses as well as an extra attack.
I'll be at my dad's place for the weekend. Since he lives in the boonies, I might be without internet.
Turns out I have plans tonight, update in the morning.
If Grumble has not acted I will slide him down in initiative to keep things moving.
Updates tonight.
Sorry, post later, baby momma drama last night :-(
Will update today when I get a break at work, too damned tired to keep my eyes open when I got home last night!
F~$%ing day went sideways badly, update tomorrow, sorry for the delays mid combat.
LOL, of course another issue yesterday. Tonight I will be home with some time to spare...
As and when you can SS...
Sorry, still trying to catch up here, will try to get a post out by tomorrow.
GM, for a week straight we have been getting daily updates to expect a post. Do you need some time until things in your life calm down a bit? There's no concern there, we all have to step away from our hobbies when real life coming knocking.
GM, for a week straight we have been getting daily updates to expect a post. Do you need some time until things in your life calm down a bit? There's no concern there, we all have to step away from our hobbies when real life coming knocking.
No, just something new every day! Plan on posting in about 5 minutes.