Cheers Mark - agree 100% was very resistant to dropping the game - due to the fun plans, Slavic theme and of course the characters!
Hey-ho. Will return to the Slavic stuff one day methinks - too interesting a setting not to.
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Guys I've PM'd you all but also wanted to fire something here as a placeholder. Sadly I'm having to make the decision to retire this game - time commitments in RL are biting hard - as is the realization that my ambition far outweighs the reality lol. You assembled a great group of characters with a huge amount of potential and graced my game with them - something I'm very appreciative of. Alas I couldn't develop and run the game in the depth I wanted, so have come to this difficult decision :( Will post something in the OOC thread and will likely close the game off end of April. Thanks again and to those of you I already play alongside – see you soon; and to those I don’t – hope we’ll get to roll the virtual dice again. Cheers Gary aka Black Dow
Nae worries
The young farmer nods in recognition of Leith's question; "Aye... it does... Those nails are supposed to be sok szerencsét charms in this elátkozott place..." Drashovik spits once at his own words; "... never gave us any luck eh Apa ? So any vállalók ?" Grim faced he then climbs aboard his cart, as the draught horse paws the ground impatiently. Seleste: Your spiritual examination reveals nothing more from the nails, other than they are ancient and of a heaven-fallen metal hard enough to split any wood ...
Drashovik listens intently, the bull seemingly vindicated, yet he still seems resolved to leave the village behind. With reluctance he looks to the loaded cart, then closes the cottage's door for the last time. DC14 Perception:
You notice, that imbedded in the wooden door is a similar nail as was recovered from Pap Arkadi's doorway The emotional young farmer sighs, then turns to the group; "Well that's me. Might come back one day... but doubt it... Unless any o' ye wish to make me an kínálat for the place? 50 Dolya gets you the bull... 60 both hus and bull..."
No worries Drayen - safe travels hombre
Keara: The bull's tale is a similar one told by your lion companion
As Seleste enters the bull's enclosure it is clear the beast is both wary and nervous of the ethereal air that the druid possesses. She moves to stand before the mighty beast, and while it does not charge nor attack, the bovine brute carves furrows with its hoof as it snorts and blusters. Through the use of her innate magicks Seleste is able to first placate the bull, then engage with it in what appears to be conversation... The druid nods, mutters and fidgets her way through the next 5 minutes, whilst the bull, for its part, huffs and bellows in response. Selene finishes the parley with a curtsey (prompted apparently by her unseen counsel) and returns to the group to impart the following:
Incoming! Not the knack to give Seleste's flibbety gibbet ways true shape, so merely described her parley with the bull. Hope I did her justice Meowz :)
Welcome back Meowz, truly good to have you back hombre I know in every game I'm lucky enough to have you play in or alongside your sorely missed. In both my games the groups have been hugely patient with my glacial pace and you always have a spot at my virtual table :) Glad your good my friend and ease into things as/when you can. Cheers
Been holding off the bull encounter as its really an opportunity for Seleste to shine... will give Meowz a day or so, then DMPC the encounter and move things along... Tusen Takk for the patience :)
The bells ding, oor clock strikes the midnight oor
A Braw New Year - auld Doric (Aberdeen dialect) poem :) Happy Hogmanay to one and all when it comes gang - appreciate you staying the course and indulging my slow burning vision of Kingmaker. Looking forward to trailblazing with you all in 2014. May your patience be rewarded with health, wealth and happiness in the coming year (both in game and RL :) Alas I'm on call with work and thus won't be imbibing any tinctures of potency... I will however raise a symbolic dram to you all come the bells. Skal! Black Dow
Mighty :) Actually mulled competing in some a few years back... still on my bucket list.
Given the slow on more active games (tis the season) and Meowz's dealing with RL at the mo, I'm going to put the game on its winter break. Once the holiday season has passed we can revisit and renew. Hope this works for everyone??
Fearful and fascinated by Seleste's display and offer, the young farmer nods and lowers his spear wearing a confused look; "Speak to the bull if you wish... My Apa used to speak to the brute, afore it turned on him... Never spoke back though... but he loved it none-the-less... more than me even!" The youth utters a melancholy laugh at the memory, then wipes tears from his eyes; "I'm Drashovik... Drash to those that know me... Speak to the bull if you like..."
Heads up folks - I'm heading off this Saturday over to Houston tae spend Thanksgiving with my bro and sis-in-law. We're on a busy schedule so unlikely I'll get much time/interweb access so its highly likely I'll be off the grid until beginning of Dec (am back 1st Dec). After tomorrow afternoon (Scotia time) you'll likely notice a massive drop in the sledgehammer pace - apologies ahead of time ;) Again thanks for the ongoing patience
The young man eyes your group, afore nodding at Mikel's question, his voice clipped and strained; "I am Lord... leaving today... now. You want this place? It's yours... Atkozott as it is... Since the bull took my papa, there's semmi for me itt ..." He throws the last pack, then grab's the spear from the earth - his eyes wet once again in response to Niklos; "I know... Just need to use it once more, then I go..." The youth turns, the spear clearly awkward in his hands as he stomps toward the paddock at the back of the steading. Your eyes look beyond to where a large bull stands, docile and chewing cud...
Seleste:
As you move away from the door, you notice a carving frozen in a retching motion (something you are sure you never noticed before)... On the ground in front of the gaping guardian lies a long nail of shining metal...
Baffled and perhaps no further forward in understanding the strange malady of The Wild that affects the village, your group trudges toward the farm where this "killer bull" resides... As you approach you see a strange scene; a young man loading a cart with furniture and assorted belongings. Near the side of the steading a large hunting spear stands impaled upon the earth... Sweating from his labours, red cheeked and red eyed in equal measure, the farm lad barely registers your collective footfall. With a curt nod he greets your arrival, before continuing to load more of the household items...
Seleste: No following his cryptic advice about looking to the doors? ;)
At Niklos' taciturn response the old man strains at his ear trumpet; "Ahhhhh. You may be onto szomething legény . Podaga has never szent Zhe Vad into our village before... Vhy now indeed?! Vhy Vhy!?? Mmmmm??" When the noble Mikel chimes in, he once again leans in wearing a quizzical expression; "Whose "zhem" son? Zhe wolves? Zhe Vad. Heh..." Pap Arkadi barks a hacking laugh that descends into a coughing fit before he recovers; "Hahhhhh-h-h-h-h-h-h-hrrrchhhhh! Good luck fighting Zhe Vad Én Uram ... ... for fog , köröm , branch and root it will batter zour armour and muddy zour fine cloak... Unusual in our village? Look to the strange jövevény !!! Most különös they are! Heh...." The ancient man stops mid laugh and eyes Selene, before nodding once and leaning in to whisper to her; Spoiler:
"My dear. Your other friends have rightly reminded me of an old wives tale;" The one sure way to tell if the baby-eating Striga of the Vad is at
"Thank them for longer memories than this old head of mine. Heh. Look to the oldest doors in the village my dear... mine own included... they may help you all knock on wood... Heh." The priest pats the Oracle on the shoulder, nods to you all then hobbles back toward his door closing it slowly with a smile...
The old man beams at Leith's deduction; Igen! Exactly! I zenze another of Podoga's facsemeték ready to grow into a tölgy finom before me!" The ancient priest wags his finger and smiles, showing toothless gums. He eyes Mikel then bows slightly; "Ov course Én Uram ... No zhe animals both vad and tame have never sought to trouble zhe folk of Levoča..." Pap Arkadi pats the noble swordsman on his shoulder with concern upon his wrinkled face and wavering voice; "How can I remember what is forgotten? Nor forget vhat is not remembered eh young úr ! Vhat I can recall is zhat here in Zhe Vad if you stir the lódarazsak nest you expect to get stung... If you threaten zhe anyamedve she will bite! If you make a pörkölt with deathcap then expect to never do so again hah! Yet Zhe Vad never seeks to trouble our hearths... Most különös it is... Mmmmm...." At the mention of the "Hollow Man" the old priest once again smiles; "Zhe Pusty Lokaj? Just a ostoba scarecrow nem ?"
Cool - will keep with the in-speech approach (even though I reverted with the last post lol. Using languages does make posts more time consuming, but hopefully worth it for you lot in terms of flavour etc. Never fear Keara... Anando's itchy feet will wait a wee while longer...
The old man first nods at Seleste's question, then shakes his head afore gently shrugging his narrow, bowed shoulders; "The Pusty Lokaj? Igen... Igen... We have all heard of the "Hollow Man" but nem... none living have seen him. Is he real? Is he mese? Heh... The meses say he is... but who knows? Not me. Nem not me..."
At Leith's query the old man baulks; "Respektál... Nem boszorkányság young one... Podaga's vords fall on deaf ears but some things can be heard by those who hallgat... The trickling laugh of zhe brook, zhe groaning song of zhe tree, zhe mournful howl of zhe farkasok..."
I thought Seleste was going to attempt to deal with the bull before we left the village this morning? Aye there is the bull to sort out as well... perhaps after the chat with the auld fella? Presuming of course that this lovely village throws nothing more at you... (cough)
Know its just colour but thoughts on the translations being "in-speech" vs a footnote to the dialogue. Have my own thoughts but want to gauge you lot as the priority.
Pal Arkadi leans heavily on his thin walking stick and pulls out a tarnished old ear trumpet to listen. He nods as mulls over your groups words; all-the-while the wheezing tune of the ancient priest’s breathing creates a lulling mantra. At the mention of wolves the old man scowls a little… ”[I]Volves eh! Ne'er heard zheir howls! Podaga taught me to keep zhe farkasok from the kapualj Igen!” At the mention of Old Kostya he looks bemused and looks toward the fresh grave; ”Old Kostya you say? Temették him yesterday ve did… no wait vas it zhe day before? No wait… it vas Old Yurt we temették… Yes Old Yurt… I zhink…” At Mikel’s question he looks even more confused; ”Happened before?! No… Old Yurt hass only meghalt zhe once… Holt stay holt… Vell mostly… there was zhat vne summer in 4640 (or was it 51?) vhen Stimmal… aye Stimmal found a Sárga-kúszónövény tree… I vass a young man zhen you see… Hale and hearty! Could rut like a bak and fight like a medve back zhen!” He licks his lips and stands a little taller before again mulling the question; ”Apologies. Vhat is it you asked? How does it happen? Death?? Ahhh my boy halál as ve say comes ind many guises… but here ind Levoča it is zhe seasons, zhe wild or on occasion ind centuries past zhe Pusty Lokaj of course…” Seleste: Your spirit sense can detect nothing untoward nor concerning. No communication is forthcoming from Old Yurt’s grave.
3rd Calistril, 4713 AR As a group you move slowly toward Pap Arkandi’s abode – Levoča’s chapel to the Green Gods. Conversation is reflective on the wolves’ intrusion into the village and to what the priest of Podaga might offer in the way of counsel. Villagers that you pass nod in recognition of your actions and endeavours (whether you were involved or not). Quickly you find yourselves at the door of the Kápolna – a small, simple wooded building whose roof sags dangerously through disrepair. Perception DC12:
A freshly dug grave sits in the corner of the chapel’s grounds. Old Yurt’s final resting place... The chapel’s occupier mirrors his home; Pap Arkadi is clearly a very, very old man – bowed and stooped with age. His eyes are clouded and leans heavily upon his stick as he welcomes your approach with a blessing; ”Podaga’s boon be upon you all. Bountiful szüret ind élet , nyugalom ind halál... Vhat is it you seek this morn?”
Have updated the Campaign Info with the Map Of Levoča... In-game post incoming...
Seleste - great post, when a PC pulls something more in-depth than the DM is producing its time for me to up my game lol.
The children leave the simple but heart fair for you all to finish; giggling and mock bowing at Mikel's request. Then around mid morn . Jacobi takes out the company's huge draft horse (whom he has named Izmos for grooming and exercise. The large porter seems in his element when working hard, and busies himself in honest labour whenever talk turns to the strange events befallen the villages animals and wildlife. Anando contents himself by conducting another full inventory of the Company's equipment . Scribbing and "tutting" his way through the inventory and not trifling any interruptions not of his making. The fastidious scrivener does however encourage you to seek any wares from the village "worthy of acquirement... but mind you barter well with these... frontier folk..." Niklos finds the wolf carcass still lies where it was felled by his bludgeon. It appears untouched, and there are no signs the pack returned overnight. Keara's lion companion appears markedly more calm than the previous night, where wild eyed and clearly distressed Azlan bolted into the wilds. However the cat is still nervous, and slinks low to his mistress, remaining close by her for comfort and security.
Echoing Niklos - welcome back Keara :) Pace will hopefully suit you too
After the night’s events your collective sleep is a somewhat welcome respite from the howls of wolves, shouts of villagers and bothersome questioning of Anando. Upon waking you are met with a knock at the barn, where Anna the farmwife’s beaming children stand with bowls of kasha and a jug of cream. ”Kasha for the heroes! Krém for the varkas choppers!”
Within the barn both Anando and Jakobi are already up, the former stands with ever present ledger in hand wearing nightcap, gown and dissaproving scowl.
The weariness on the assembled Levočans is clear; most stand wide-eyed and shivering, their torches providing scant comfort in the cold night air. Seleste’s words draw gasps and a flurry of wrapping knuckles against wood, followed by spitting over the left shoulder by many of the villagers. Others are too tired, too scared, and make for their homes… As the mob disperses, many nod at Leith and Seleste’s comments on the need for sleep, whilst others give Niklos a wide berth and fearful stares; Gruff old Kostya though lingers to answer Mikel and address the Company at large; ” Pap Arkadi, of Podaga, is bölcsebb to our történet than most… I nem speak for others, but if your óriásnő says more trouble will come, then we will need help in defeating it, nem?”
Knowledge: Religion DC10:
Podoga is the local (Auld Brevic) incarnation of Erastil who focuses on the harvest, seasons and hunting. Interestingly enough synergy with nature is also preached; perhaps a reason why the village co-exists with the wilds on its doorstep. In the far distance a lone, mournful howl echoes through the wooded glade, sending remaining villagers and curious children scuttling to their hearths...
As the wolf pack scatter, the mob of villagers fleetingly chase after them into the fringes of the forest afore returning. They approach your group; some weary, others puffed with bravado, most look tired. Their leader, the stoney faced woodcutter named Kostya that stoically watched you ride into town, sets his axe upon his shoulder; "Farkasok from zhe Vild. Here in Levoča? Neit in my time. Zhe animals grow crazed... Vhy? Vhat elátkozás is upon us idegen? A boszorkány??"
Nae probs - if no-one present themselves we still have a decent group with Leith, Niklos, Selene and Mikel...
As both Leith’s blade and Mikkel’s bow find targets in the lurking pack, it is the brutal death of their Alpha male and the challenging appeal given by the giantess from antiquity, which gives the pack pause. Seleste:
While you cannot detect any spiritual entity per say, there is a lingering trace of something beyond the mortal ken… a spirit of the earth awoken… The surviving Alpha paws momentarily at her ears, before howling to her brethren, and as one the pack flit back into the undergrowth. The big female follows suit, snarling at the air, then turning and eying Niklos who holds the male’s broken corpse before him, before affixing Seleste with a deep stare. Then she too is gone, loping into the gloomy woodland…
Think we've lost Keara folks (did PM ThanosMaximo but heard nowt back) - so we'll continue on as we are at present, but with an eye on recruiting another member as we're pretty melee heavy, so a sorcerer or mage would be useful methinks... Will have a gander at any recruitment threads recently closed for KM, but if anyone has anyone in mind (who might enjoy a slow moving, Old Margraeve Slav style Kingmaker) then let me know...
With a sickening thud, punctuated by a piercing yelp, Niklos puts down the wolf. The remaining of the brazen wolves wheels toward the magus, afore two misfired arrows from villages bury themselves in the dirt next to it (and Niklos' booted foot). Growling it charges the new threat of the mob, who scatter yelling and uttering oaths of protection. One fat oaf falling in his panic... Behind in the undergrowth, lupine eyes glittering in the balelight; as the pack snarl and howl their way slowly forward. Leith:
You innately know something is wrong, yet your senses cannot reveal a source
Gang - I started this endeavour with you lot on board... the potential to really engage with the AP is huge as you are all very individually special characters. So I'm breathing new life into this one... I cannot promise a post every day, but for the foreseeable I'd like to give it another tilt... Game thread is updated... over to you lot :)
As Niklos stalks past heralded by his balelights, the assembled villagers scatter, then reform, like flies disturbed upon a carcass. The eyes of the pack catch, and reflect the fell illumination before two of the more brazen of the wolves charge. Eyes wild, ears flattened and teeth beared they come forth...
:
But the snapping jaws find no purchase upon his armour, nor the flesh beneath... Knowledge: Nature DC 12 Check:
The wolves appear as much scared and confused as angered... a strange combination... the attack is not hunger or prey driven but something else beyond your ken...
Am torn - looking back over the game it has beguiled me somewhat again - great characters and the potential for some excellent encounters... However being realistic I'm pretty stretched as it is and as such might have to chalk this one down to "what might have been"... :S
[ooc]Plan is to get it up and running this weekend - my priority was with my older game (Iobarian Saga) but my Kingmaker has not been forgotten my friends - bear with me :)
Good to have you back matey... Will likely be next week afore I can jump start things - work is busy, we've a bunch of calloffs and I'm now exclusively working with Wellhead and Surface equipment (which is where the action is right now!!) Appreciate the collective patience :)
Thought is to wait until Mark is back from vacation, also gives me more time to sort through the game etc. Can we say (ballpark) two weeks? Appreciate the patience ;)
No worries Meowz - enjoy the celebration :) @Keara - all good, just post when you can
As your group moves out of the barn and into the night air, the sound of the wolves echo from the surrounding forest, only to be joined by a cacophony of animal calls from Levoča’s domestic beasts. It is clear by the intermittent howls, that the wolves are circulating the village… In response the villagers have roused to this threat… Folk clatter from their homes as they grab for sickles, clubs or staves whilst tending bairns or lighting torches. Some more versed cradle bows or the odd boar spear, although one old hunter overzealously discharges his equally weathered crossbow into his own foot, leaving a floppy half donned boot pinned to the turf. Several other villagers stumble in the dark sending torches rolling dangerously close to bales and homes! Soon a score of torch lights flicker and bob as Levoča’s folk make for the edges of the village in small armed groups, their shouts and the banging of pots and pans by children and the housebound only adding to the maddening discord engulfing the village… |