Well, hello everyone. Good to see the band is getting back together.
Excellent. Phrip is on his way to the UK to drop one of his kids off at Uni, so I expect him to sign in shortly. And I've emailed The Beetle to let him know we're back on.
Hi! I was away on holidays! How's everyone been doing?
Mark, I recollect your wife was in hospice. How is she doing?
I appreciate you asking. Deborah passed away near the end of June. So now I'm just back in the job search grind. My family has been really great and supportive, but it has been, and still is, incredibly difficult.
My deepest condolences, Mark. I hope the hospice made your final time together a bit easier to bear.
Looking forward to delving the ruins again with the Bask Brigade!
Just dropped our son off at Uni in Winchester, England yesterday. Will be heading back to the states in a couple of days with mixed emotions. Proud of our son for going on this adventure, a bit scared for him since we will be so far away, happy to finally have an empty nest, sad to have an empty nest, happy to have been back in Europe these past few days and wishing we could stay this side of the pond, and other sundry emotions.
Very sorry to hear about your loss Mark.
Holy cripes, Mark. I am so sorry to hear that. (Never know what to say and can't even pretend to relate). Man!
Just devastating. Virtual beetle hugs all around, guys.
Thank you everyone. I appreciate the sentiments. The hospice team we worked with was quite good. Fortunately, Deborah was able to stay in our home and get home hospice care for most of it. That is where she was happiest and most comfortable. She ended up going to the actual hospice facility for less than two days. I'm so very glad I had that time with her.
Congrats Phrip on getting your son to the university. My wife and I were empty nesters for a long time (with a couple year relapse when our daughter and her family moved back in while they got back on their feet). Now, my daughter is going to get a taste of it. Her older son is going off to university in a week or so. She does still have a sixteen year old at home though.
We're getting a taste of the kids moving out as well.
Our oldest son, who's 16, is attending efterskole (afterschool), a Danish type of boarding school where students spend a year living together, finishing lower secondary education while focusing on personal development, community, and often a special subject like sports, music, or design.
The school our son is attending is focused on international studies and exchange, so he'll travel to China for 10 days as part of his stay.
Personal matters aside, I had hoped to get the game thread going this weekend, but a stomach bug laid me low. Now that I'm feeling better, I'll drop a quick recap here in the discussion thread and get the game rolling ASAP.
- Having all been recruited by Farhaan, the proprietor of the Tooth and Hookah, The Smokin' Bask Brigade have performed admirably in the first expedition into the Necropolis of Wati.
- After returning from the Tomb of Akhentepi and enjoying an evening of celebration with many of the other teams selected to participate in the Grand Lottery, our heroes have now entered the Necropolis again to investigate the House of Pentheru, the family estate of minor nobles who all perished in the Plague of Madness.
- Upon arriving at the location, the Bask Brigade were briefly disturbed by a haunt before dispatching various vermin and undead that had taken residence in the outer grounds. A particular nasty encounter with a giant centipede forced a brief retreat into town to cure a case of poisoning, and a disease-ridden death dog may have caused new, long-lasting health concerns that need dealing with.
- Now, our heroes have entered the manor house itself, finding it gloomy and full of weird sights and sounds. While exploring a desecrated shrine, a sudden compulsion caused Seben to venture into a central courtyard where she encountered a mysterious sand figure claiming to be the spirit of the house. The rest of the Brigade have just entered to join the conversation.
I appreciate you asking. Deborah passed away near the end of June. So now I'm just back in the job search grind. My family has been really great and supportive, but it has been, and still is, incredibly difficult.
Sorry for your loss!
Going off-grid for three days. See ya'all (virtually) soon!