Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Session XXXVII: A New Cause

Six months have passed since our party of adventurers, lost beneath the ruined tower of Zenopus, have returned to their Moon-tower. In that time, Caladan had fallen to the forces of Empress Kushana allied with the Pirates of the Blue Rose and all lead by Morak, who installed himself as ruler of Caladan.

To fortify their Moon-tower, Gnarly created a perimeter of thorny bramble with a pathway that only he and his companions knew about. He also sent out his woodland friends to gather information about Morak and Kushana's troops and while he had down time built up a Mushroom-man army (well more like a squad).

During this time the party had discovered that there was a possibility that Morak had spared Lord Osric and locked him in the Merchant Guild's dungeons and that the bandits north of Caladan are former Caladan watch members who escaped during the invasion of Caladan.

Vinny, along with Arg and Flora headed into Caladan to try to get in touch with the Crafty Magi. Stopped at the gate of Caladan, they were only allowed in with a special Writ of Passage by order of Lord Morak. After paying the fifty gold coins each, they entered Caladan and headed over to the Green Dragon Inn.

Finding members of the mysterious guild, Vinny learned that Risiri, the leader of the guild, is in good favor with Morak and thus, an enemy of Osric and Arvin's Avengers.

Vinny hatched a plan where the party would set out and look for the band of 'bandits' north of the town to try to gather a force to expel Morak and rescue Osric.

The party, including Gnarly, traveled around the outskirts of Caladan and headed for the Bridge of Avery over the Blackmoore river. They ran into some soldier guards who questioned them about their travels. Arg, almost began a fight with them but eventually they were given passage without incident.

Traveling north along the the Great Coast Road they were eventually way-laid by bandits who were discovered to indeed be the former Watchmen of Caladan. After it was determined that Vinny and Gnarly were original members of Arvin's Avengers (who helped rescue Lord Osric's daughter over a year ago), the Watchmen took them into their confidence. Blindfolded, they were lead to the camp.

At camp they parlayed with the leader, Bronswick, and told him that Osric was possibly alive and that a possible rescue of Caladan's former lord would rally the citizens and force Kushana's troops out. Bronswick thinks it's a good idea but doesn't have the man-power to overcome the ever-increasing troop presence. Vinny suggests that he will head into a near-by town to try to gather some more men-at-arms (intending to charm them if they refuse) and so leaves with Arg and a couple of watchmen.

While they were gone, Gnarly and Flora head north to Harrowood to seek out the head of Gnarly's order, the druid Morrison of Morrisonwood. On the way they ran into a party of adventurers on their way towards Brookestone on the trail of Fumark the Foul who has gone missing searching for the slain dragon Medora's treasure. The travelers tell Gnarly and Flora to avoid Morrisonwood as the master of the wood cares not for uninvited guests.

Not heeding the warning they continued on, and entered Morrisonwood. As the mysterious woods closed in around them, they had the intense feeling that they were being watched and followed. The creatures of the forest kept a close eye upon them. Eventually, Gnarly spoke with a chipmunk and convinced him to take him to see the master of the wood. A large bear came out of the woods and told Gnarly to follow him.

The bear lead them into a beautiful natural grove where dwelt Morrison and his lovely companions Pamela and Rose. He invited his guests to partake in the sweet harvest of the forest as he and Gnarly spoke.

Gnarly tried to convince Morrison to aid them in their efforts to free Caladan from the rule of Kushana's forces. Morrison laughingly refused as he felt the city was a blight on the face of the landscape. Gnarly offered up that Kushana was even raising the dead to aid her in her quests. Morrison only replied that he felt that there was no difference between the living and the dead as the living wrapped themselves in man-made environments. Though he was slightly swayed by Gnarly's arguments of the roaming undead, Morrison remained unmoved to aid them.

After finishing their meal, Gnarly and Flora headed back to their camp.

Meanwhile, Slick Vinny and Arg were traveling through the wood when they came upon a party of soldiers seeking out the bandits. From a distance Vinny charmed half of them while the rest returned arrow fire. Arg pulled out his mace and hammer and charged across the field dodging the hail of arrows coming at him. He burst upon his enemies and began bashing bones and brains all over the field. The charmed soldiers headed back to camp lead by Vinny and Arg carrying a pile of soldier's armor.

Back at camp it was decided to seek the aid of Lord Blackmoore and Gnarly sent Tuk the owl, along with a note, west to the town of Blackmoore...





(Gnarly, Morrison and Flora hanging out in the 'Druid Grove')

Monday, September 26, 2011

Madness Chart

Exploring deep dark places can be quite trying to the psyche of even the most stout warrior. After being stressed in the confining tunnels of some rancid tomb and facing horrific death and beasts only believed to exist in nightmares can be enough to tip anyone's scales into madness. Toss in some mutant demon leaping from around the corner and they're carrying you off to the mad-house.

Here' a reaction chart for those failing any type of sanity save.

Madness Chart
d20

1. In Shock! Drops all held items and stands in a passive catatonic state. Totally helpless and useless.
2. Screams uncontrollably, attracts wandering 'guests'. Will attack anyone who is near or comes near him.
3. Runs screaming in a random direction, shedding items behind as he goes until he is completely without items or clothes
4. Begins raving and drooling.
5. Drops into convulsions and foams at the mouth.
6. Becomes paranoid. Thinks everyone is an enemy out to swallow his soul. A very dangerous person to be around.
7. Begins to talk to himself and is delusional. Looses connection to reality.
8. Looses all sense of self.
9. Becomes another personality (determine randomly or GM choice).
10. Begins speaking in tongues and becomes violent
11. The voices! The voices in my head! The voices tells him to do stupid and dangerous things. Not good to have in the part.
12. Becomes blind, deaf, and dumb.
13. Has an obsession with eating bugs and freshly killed things.
14. Urinates self and stands there helpless in catatonic state. Violently resist any attempts to move.
15. Begins clawing at own flesh. Sustains 1d4 hp damage every turn.
16. Can't stop pleasuring his/her self.
17. Begins hitting head against wall until unconscious (Sub-dual hp zero).
18. Starts sobbing uncontrollably. Becomes totally helpless and defenseless.
19. Seeks out the smallest, darkest place and refuses to come out (cave, nook, under a bed, etc.).
20. Believes the end is near and doom is upon us all. Becomes fanatical in this belief.

Remember any screaming or tantrum attracts wandering monsters.
These affects can last as long as the DM deems appropriate from a number of rounds (3d6) to a number of turns (1d6) .Quite and peaceful rest becomes the only cure.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

This Week In The War Of The Ring

While I post the quick highlights the the Journey of the Ring in the right column on a daily or semi-daily basis, I'll summarize in a weekly post the goings on.

Sept. 18th
Gandalf escapes from Orthanc....

The Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen.



Sept 19th
Gandalf Comes to Edoras as a beggar, and is refused admittance.

Sept 20th
Gandalf enters Edoras but Theoden kicks his ass out by bribing him to take any horse. Wormtongue gets the giggles.

Sept 21st
Of course Gandalf selects Shadowfax, but the lord of horses will have none of it and runs off. The grey wizard follows.

Sept 22nd
Frodo's birthday, hooray!
On a grim note, the Black Riders reach San Ford that evening and drive off the Ranger guards.
Gandalf and Shadowfax are now friends.
Sept 23rd
Four Riders enter the Shire before dawn.
Merry leaves with Fatty
A Black Rider comes to Hobbiton that evening.
Frodo leaves Bag End along with Pippin and Sam.
Gandalf, having tamed Shadowfax, leaves Rohan and speeds towards the Shire.

Sept 24th
Gandalf crosses Isen

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Happy Birthday Mr. Frodo


It's Frodo's birthday today (and Bilbo's as well) so make merry!
(Make Merry do what?)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The Screen Pass



I've been becoming quite annoyed using a DM screen for my S&W game. Though I've created a custom screen with the charts I need and a space to clip a map I haven't been using it much. In a rules-lite game such as we are playing (using ascending AC), I rarely have to look anything up on the charts and when I do, it's usually something that I don't have charted anyways and have to flip through the rules or my collection of random charts. Plus, a good full character sheet gives the players everything they need for play.

The other thing is that the screen separates the DM from the players to much. I like to be part of the table more which helps me, as DM, participate more in the game.

Plus with beer, snacks, dice, character sheets, and minis a screen just takes up too much room.

The last number of sessions I haven't had a screen set up. The maps and keys I just keep folded on my lap. But I would still like some quick access to some of my charts.

I made this little micro folded booklet with some of my current charts. It won't take up much room and it has just what I currently need. I'll be testing this out on Monday and see how it works. But however it works out, I'm taking a permanent pass on the screen.



Feel free to print this out (at 100%) and follow the instructions below for folding the booklet and give it a try. Oh, the Crit hit and miss charts were lifted from Gothridge Manor.

Instructions
  1. Folded Booklet Fold A over to B.

  2. Folded Booklet Fold C down to D.

  3. Folded Booklet Fold E over to F.

  4. Folded Booklet Unfold twice (it will look like step 2). Cut on red line.

  5. Folded Booklet Open paper all the way. Fold G to H.

  6. Folded Booklet Push from ends so I meets J. Press down on folds to smooth out rough edges.

  7. Folded Booklet Now self-publish a collection of favorite jokes, illustrate a short story, or just doodle to your heart's content.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Today In The War Of The Ring

I'm starting a small calendar in the right column of this blog which will track the journey of Fellowship of the Ring and their journey to Mordor and Mt. Doom in real time. I'll comment a post at times as well.

Where we are at now is that Gandalf has already talked with Frodo about the ring and the journey to Mordor and has left for Isengard. On July 20th, Gandalf was imprisoned by Saruman and he has been there ever since. On July 4th, Boromir sets out from Minas Tirith for Rivendell. We pick up the story at this point....

...when Gandalf escapes Orthanc

The Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen...


Friday, September 16, 2011

A Little Friday Fun With Kingdom Rush

I'm not one to play or even promote video games especially online 'flash' games but I ran across this online game the other day and found it pretty fun. It's called Kingdom Rush by Ironhide Game Studio.

It's a great little concept of protecting a kingdom from invading goblins, orcs, wolves and other creepy things by strategically placing defending towers of soldiers, archers, wizards and bomb flinging dwarves along the road to various towns. Your job is to pretty much prevent the monsters from passing down the road by killing them.

The graphics and animations are fun and it very much has a hint of D&D to it that I think you all would like.

Kingdom Rush!