Vanguard - Revision history

Johnm: /* Characters */

2015-08-31T17:34:11Z

Characters

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:34, 31 August 2015
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	== Characters ==		== Characters ==

			===Castle Banner===
	* Lord [[Geoffrey Cromwell]], nobleman played by [[User:Johnm\|John]]		* Lord [[Geoffrey Cromwell]], nobleman played by [[User:Johnm\|John]]
	* [[Archon Brachus]] - Brad		* [[Archon Brachus]] - Brad
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	* [[Sereg]], an acolyte played by Eli.		* [[Sereg]], an acolyte played by Eli.
	* [[Vashti]], a Mistwalker played by Susan.		* [[Vashti]], a Mistwalker played by Susan.

			===Wolf Banner===

			* [[Rexar Trummel]], warrior played by [[User:Johnm\|John]]
			* [[Galen Krackenfire]] - little elf druid, played by Brad
			* [[Tybalt Bracher]], a dragon mage played by Dio.
			* [[Tenoch]], a Mistwalker played by Eli.
			* [[Anja Devereaux]], a healer played by Susan.

	== What Happened ==		== What Happened ==

Johnm: /* Under the Banner of the Wolf */

2015-08-31T17:27:49Z

Under the Banner of the Wolf

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:27, 31 August 2015
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	The cutting vines begin grabbing anyone in range, and only with great effort does the group pull themselves free, bloody, battered, exhausted.		The cutting vines begin grabbing anyone in range, and only with great effort does the group pull themselves free, bloody, battered, exhausted.

			Some hours are spent bandaging, healing, resting, with Anja's skills and talents in great demand. The party camps in the rain, and then presses on, eventually reaching an abandoned temple....

			==== Interlude ====

			''In which the GM adjudicates the results of the original party's fate: [[Geoffrey Cromwell]] and the goblin called [[Knozz]] survived, and the rest apparently perished in the melee with the undead. However, both survivors were rendered unconscious from their injuries, and their whereabouts are unknown. ''

Johnm: /* Interlude */

2015-08-31T17:21:15Z

Interlude

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:21, 31 August 2015
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	''Next session, we'll begin anew with a fresh party, sent out from the wagons with the same mission but different geographic vector.''		''Next session, we'll begin anew with a fresh party, sent out from the wagons with the same mission but different geographic vector.''

			=== Under the Banner of the Wolf ===

			[[Rexar Trummel]], [[Tenoch]], [[Tybalt Bracher]], [[Anja Devereaux]], and [[Galen Krackenfire]], under the leadership of the infamous Lord [[Akon]] of the [[House Reborn]], have been exploring the badlands together from the war wagons for a month.

			This day, Lord Akon sends them to clear savages from a green valley while he does the same with a larger force at a mine site.

			Thinking of stealth and surprise, the party opts to leave most of their henchmen behind, and marches towards the valley for much of the day. Upon approaching, a loose plan is discussed, in which Tenoch and a handful of Mistwalkers will circle around to acquire an overwatch position, rushing in to attack upon witnessing Tybalt's explosive fireballs.

			Alas, their stealth is insufficient, and the Mistwalkers are spotted by villagers, squat goblin-like beasts with spear and crossbows and iron armor. An alert is sounded, and the Mistwalkers retreat a safe distance away.

			Galen, the tiny elf, is meanwhile urging de facto leader Tybalt to seek peace with the savages, rather than slaughter and mayhem. The hunched creatures emerge in group, apparently consisting of a chieftain, a shaman, and a contingent of warriors.

			A language barrier is overcome with magic, and a wandering negotiation ensues. Eventually, the parties come to terms. The Empire will gain access to the cool fresh waters upstream of the village, and a swath of verdant valley for agriculture. In return, the village will receive various assistance, supplies, and protection from the Empire.

			Tybalt claims the site for the Tower Guild, which leads to a heated discussion later with Galen of House Tashenda. A grudging compromise is eventually reached.

			Back at the war wagons that night, Lord Akon returns and announces his outrage at the result of a challenge in the field from one [[Geoffrey Cromwell]] of House Tashenda, who apparently had bested him in a duel and was involved in a scheme to claim the mine prior to Akon's arrival. Akon wants Cromwell and his allies brought to justice, and gets and audience with a general to make his case.

			In the end, he is left to gather volunteers for the task, and Tybalt, speaking for the (new) party, takes the bait -- in return for consideration of future resource claims.

			The group is off at first light, accompanied by their full contingent of knights, rangers, axmen, armorers, apprentices, and other henchmen, including a fourteen foot tall treant.

			They speak briefly with the feathered savages at the mine site, and then track the Cromwell party into the badlands. Hours later, marching in a light rain, scouts report that there is a site of a recent battle nearby, with scavengers approaching the dead. The party investigates, and finds two survivors, badly injured.

			Galen begins a druidic incantation intended to heal an injured child, but instead summons a horror from another plane of existence. The child transforms and expands, its skin peeling off in sheets that become weird leaves, as roots emerge from her feet to burrow into the earth and black ichor oozes from her face. Rexar examines the blossoming terror for a moment, and then hews it in half with his halberd.

			Now, the two halves bubble and grow, jettisoning pods into the air just as Tybalt sends one half ablaze with a fireball. More hacking and bashing is similarly ineffectual, and the dozens of pods, upon landing on the ground, dissolve into an oily mess.

			Just a few moments pass before the oily stains give birth to countless cutting vines, which lash and slash wildly at everyone and everything, ripping through armor and whipping arches of blood in all directions.

			The cutting vines begin grabbing anyone in range, and only with great effort does the group pull themselves free, bloody, battered, exhausted.

Johnm: /* Interlude */

2015-08-27T22:15:04Z

Interlude

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:15, 27 August 2015
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	==== Interlude ====		==== Interlude ====

	The party, engaged on a misbegotten quest to rescue a kidnapped colleague, is way out of bounds in terms of service to the city and instructions given by the military. Now, trapped between wicked undead minions and a horde of gobbling beasties, their fate is unknown, but grim.		''The party, engaged on a misbegotten quest to rescue a kidnapped colleague, is way out of bounds in terms of service to the city and instructions given by the military. Now, trapped between wicked undead minions and a horde of gobbling beasties, their fate is unknown, but grim.''

	Next session, we'll begin anew with a fresh party, sent out from the wagons with the same mission but different geographic vector.		''Next session, we'll begin anew with a fresh party, sent out from the wagons with the same mission but different geographic vector.''

Johnm: /* Valor, Outrage, Horror */

2015-08-27T22:14:40Z

Valor, Outrage, Horror

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:14, 27 August 2015
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	That strategy has not turned out well, however. The temple is populated by the walking dead, and we have sustained serious casualties. Despite the injuries I have suffered, I helped perform surgery to try and save [[Vashti]] -- no friend of mine, but an able scout and warrior, useful in these hostile lands. Ironically, our saving grace may be the presence of the craven little goblin merchant, who has practiced dark magicks in my very presence and taken control of some of the creatures!		That strategy has not turned out well, however. The temple is populated by the walking dead, and we have sustained serious casualties. Despite the injuries I have suffered, I helped perform surgery to try and save [[Vashti]] -- no friend of mine, but an able scout and warrior, useful in these hostile lands. Ironically, our saving grace may be the presence of the craven little goblin merchant, who has practiced dark magicks in my very presence and taken control of some of the creatures!

			==== Interlude ====

			The party, engaged on a misbegotten quest to rescue a kidnapped colleague, is way out of bounds in terms of service to the city and instructions given by the military. Now, trapped between wicked undead minions and a horde of gobbling beasties, their fate is unknown, but grim.

			Next session, we'll begin anew with a fresh party, sent out from the wagons with the same mission but different geographic vector.

Johnm: /* Valor, Outrage, Horror */

2015-08-17T16:39:58Z

Valor, Outrage, Horror

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:39, 17 August 2015
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	We arrived at sunset, and it proved just in time, as an army of hostile little savages rushed over a hill at us! We naturally took refuge in the fortified structure, as we were vastly outnumbered.		We arrived at sunset, and it proved just in time, as an army of hostile little savages rushed over a hill at us! We naturally took refuge in the fortified structure, as we were vastly outnumbered.

	That strategy has not turned out well, however. The temple is populated by the walking dead, and we have sustained serious casualties. Despite the injuries I ~~sustained~~, I helped perform surgery to try and save [[Vashti]] -- no friend of mine, but an able scout and warrior, useful in these hostile lands. Ironically, our saving grace may be the presence of the craven little goblin merchant, who has practiced dark magicks in my very presence and taken control of some of the creatures!		That strategy has not turned out well, however. The temple is populated by the walking dead, and we have sustained serious casualties. Despite the injuries I have suffered, I helped perform surgery to try and save [[Vashti]] -- no friend of mine, but an able scout and warrior, useful in these hostile lands. Ironically, our saving grace may be the presence of the craven little goblin merchant, who has practiced dark magicks in my very presence and taken control of some of the creatures!

Johnm: /* Valor, Outrage, Horror */

2015-08-17T16:39:07Z

Valor, Outrage, Horror

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:39, 17 August 2015
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	The man was a giant, encased in steel armor, and yet, with quick footwork and agile thrusts, I found a gap and drew first blood. There were many witnesses to my valor and skill. He seems a treacherous brute, an animal really, and I predict we'll need to reinforce the point, but I look forward to getting the news back to the city. Noble power is a zero-sum game, and what we gain, another house loses. House Reborn lost this morning.		The man was a giant, encased in steel armor, and yet, with quick footwork and agile thrusts, I found a gap and drew first blood. There were many witnesses to my valor and skill. He seems a treacherous brute, an animal really, and I predict we'll need to reinforce the point, but I look forward to getting the news back to the city. Noble power is a zero-sum game, and what we gain, another house loses. House Reborn lost this morning.

	The ~~conflict with~~ Serreayan notwithstanding, our party gathered supplies after the duel and continued along the trail left by the abductors of our hapless dragon-mage. We made our way over increasingly fertile hills, populated sparsely by strange and horrible herd animals, and eventually arrived at a mysterious pair of tusks, twice the height of a man, driven into the deeply into the ground to form a sort of archway. The tusks were adorned with glowing runes, meaningless to all of us. Conjecture and debate ensued, with a consensus emerging that this was a type of magical gate, a one-way gate to parts unknown, and, in fact, the tracks led between the tusks -- and then disappeared!		The subtle treachery of Serreayan notwithstanding, our party gathered supplies after the duel and continued along the trail left by the abductors of our hapless dragon-mage. We made our way over increasingly fertile hills, populated sparsely by strange and horrible herd animals, and eventually arrived at a mysterious pair of tusks, twice the height of a man, driven into the deeply into the ground to form a sort of archway. The tusks were adorned with glowing runes, meaningless to all of us. Conjecture and debate ensued, with a consensus emerging that this was a type of magical gate, a one-way gate to parts unknown, and, in fact, the tracks led between the tusks -- and then disappeared!

	I was not eager to step through a one-way gate to parts unknown, and so, when discussion turned as to whether to explore the temple that was marked on our ragged map before stepping through the portal, I supported embarking for the mapped location, rather than the unfathomable.		I was not eager to step through a one-way gate to parts unknown, and so, when discussion turned as to whether to explore the temple that was marked on our ragged map before stepping through the portal, I supported embarking for the mapped location, rather than the unfathomable.

Johnm: /* Valor, Outrage, Horror */

2015-08-17T16:10:23Z

Valor, Outrage, Horror

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:10, 17 August 2015
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	[[Serreayan Kilendrial]] robbed me of my claim to the mine, and humiliated me in front of hundreds. I shan't forgive her for that, and will be on guard for any further political maneuvers. Her feminine charms are a dangerous distraction; she is a dangerous adversary. She made it clear to me that she owed me no favor and no apology, and I intend to explore litigation upon our return, as well as other remedies. I dare say the others of our group took note of her devious move, and will be on guard as well. She is not what she seems.		[[Serreayan Kilendrial]] robbed me of my claim to the mine, and humiliated me in front of hundreds. I shan't forgive her for that, and will be on guard for any further political maneuvers. Her feminine charms are a dangerous distraction; she is a dangerous adversary. She made it clear to me that she owed me no favor and no apology, and I intend to explore litigation upon our return, as well as other remedies. I dare say the others of our group took note of her devious move, and will be on guard as well. She is not what she seems.

	However! Balancing this humiliation is that fact that I gained the upper hand over Lord [[Akon]] of the [[House Reborn]]. In fair combat, no less! He had arrived at the mining village during breakfast with a small army, intending on its destruction and seizure. ~~The man~~ was ~~a giant, encased in steel armor,~~ and ~~yet, with quick footwork and agile thrusts~~, I ~~found a gap and drew first blood~~. ~~There were many witnesses~~ to my ~~valor~~ and ~~skill~~. ~~He seems a treacherous brute, and~~ I ~~predict we'll need~~ to ~~reinforce~~ the ~~point~~, but ~~I look forward to getting the news back~~ to ~~the city; noble power is a zero-sum game, and what we gain another house loses. House Reborn lost this morning~~.		However! Balancing this humiliation is that fact that I gained the upper hand over Lord [[Akon]] of the [[House Reborn]]. In fair combat, no less! He had arrived at the mining village during breakfast with a small army, intending on its destruction and seizure. Because I was there first and had all but sealed the deal, I denied him the claim. He refused to respect my proper claim, and insulted me the process. When I could tolerate no further disrespect to me, the House Tashenda, and basic principles of negotiation and nobility, I had no choice but to challenge him.

	The ~~conflict with Serreayan notwithstanding~~, ~~our party gathered supplies after the duel and continued along the trail left by the abductors of our hapless dragon-mage. We made our way over increasingly fertile hills~~, ~~populated sparsely by strange~~ and ~~horrible herd animals~~, and ~~eventually arrived at a mysterious pair of tusks~~, ~~twice the height of~~ a ~~man, driven into the deeply into the ground to form a sort of archway~~. ~~The tusks~~ were ~~adorned with glowing runes, meaningless~~ to ~~all of us~~. ~~Conjecture and debate ensued, with a consensus emerging that this was~~ a ~~type of magical gate~~, ~~a one-way gate to parts unknown~~, and, ~~in fact,~~ the ~~tracks led between~~ the ~~tusk -~~- and ~~then disappeared!~~		The man was a giant, encased in steel armor, and yet, with quick footwork and agile thrusts, I found a gap and drew first blood. There were many witnesses to my valor and skill. He seems a treacherous brute, an animal really, and I predict we'll need to reinforce the point, but I look forward to getting the news back to the city. Noble power is a zero-sum game, and what we gain, another house loses. House Reborn lost this morning.

	I was ~~not eager to step through~~ a one-way gate to parts unknown, and ~~so when discussion turned as to whether to explore the temple that was marked on our ragged map~~, ~~I supported embarking for~~ the ~~mapped location, rather than~~ the ~~unfathomable.~~		The conflict with Serreayan notwithstanding, our party gathered supplies after the duel and continued along the trail left by the abductors of our hapless dragon-mage. We made our way over increasingly fertile hills, populated sparsely by strange and horrible herd animals, and eventually arrived at a mysterious pair of tusks, twice the height of a man, driven into the deeply into the ground to form a sort of archway. The tusks were adorned with glowing runes, meaningless to all of us. Conjecture and debate ensued, with a consensus emerging that this was a type of magical gate, a one-way gate to parts unknown, and, in fact, the tracks led between the tusks -- and then disappeared!

	~~We arrived at sunset~~, ~~just~~ as ~~an army of hostile little savages rushed over a hill at us. We naturally took refuge in~~ the ~~fortified structure~~, ~~as we were vastly outnumbered~~.		I was not eager to step through a one-way gate to parts unknown, and so, when discussion turned as to whether to explore the temple that was marked on our ragged map before stepping through the portal, I supported embarking for the mapped location, rather than the unfathomable.

	That strategy has not turned out well, however. The temple is populated by the walking dead, and we have sustained serious casualties. Despite the injuries I sustained, I helped perform surgery to try and save [[Vashti]] -- no friend of mine, but an able scout and warrior, useful in these ~~savage~~ lands. Ironically, our saving grace may be the presence of the craven little goblin merchant, who has practiced dark magicks in my very presence and taken control of some of the creatures!		We arrived at sunset, and it proved just in time, as an army of hostile little savages rushed over a hill at us! We naturally took refuge in the fortified structure, as we were vastly outnumbered.

			That strategy has not turned out well, however. The temple is populated by the walking dead, and we have sustained serious casualties. Despite the injuries I sustained, I helped perform surgery to try and save [[Vashti]] -- no friend of mine, but an able scout and warrior, useful in these hostile lands. Ironically, our saving grace may be the presence of the craven little goblin merchant, who has practiced dark magicks in my very presence and taken control of some of the creatures!

Johnm: /* Valor, Outrage, Horror */

2015-08-17T16:03:50Z

Valor, Outrage, Horror

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:03, 17 August 2015
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	[[Serreayan Kilendrial]] robbed me of my claim to the mine, and humiliated me in front of hundreds. I shan't forgive her for that, and will be on guard for any further political maneuvers. Her feminine charms are a dangerous distraction; she is a dangerous adversary. She made it clear to me that she ~~owned~~ me no favor and no apology, and I intend to explore litigation upon our return, as well as other remedies. I dare say the others of our group took note of her devious move, and will be on guard as well. She is not what she seems.		[[Serreayan Kilendrial]] robbed me of my claim to the mine, and humiliated me in front of hundreds. I shan't forgive her for that, and will be on guard for any further political maneuvers. Her feminine charms are a dangerous distraction; she is a dangerous adversary. She made it clear to me that she owed me no favor and no apology, and I intend to explore litigation upon our return, as well as other remedies. I dare say the others of our group took note of her devious move, and will be on guard as well. She is not what she seems.

	However! Balancing this humiliation is that fact that I gained the upper hand over Lord [[Akon]] of the [[House Reborn]]. In fair combat, no less! He had arrived at the mining village during breakfast with a small army, intending on its destruction and seizure. The man was a giant, encased in steel armor, and yet, with quick footwork and agile thrusts, I found a gap and drew first blood. There were many witnesses to my valor and skill. He seems a treacherous brute, and I predict we'll need to reinforce the point, but I look forward to getting the news back to the city; noble power is a zero-sum game, and what we gain another house loses. House Reborn lost this morning.		However! Balancing this humiliation is that fact that I gained the upper hand over Lord [[Akon]] of the [[House Reborn]]. In fair combat, no less! He had arrived at the mining village during breakfast with a small army, intending on its destruction and seizure. The man was a giant, encased in steel armor, and yet, with quick footwork and agile thrusts, I found a gap and drew first blood. There were many witnesses to my valor and skill. He seems a treacherous brute, and I predict we'll need to reinforce the point, but I look forward to getting the news back to the city; noble power is a zero-sum game, and what we gain another house loses. House Reborn lost this morning.

Johnm: /* Valor, Outrage, Horror */

2015-08-17T16:03:22Z

Valor, Outrage, Horror

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:03, 17 August 2015
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	We arrived at sunset, just as an army of hostile little savages rushed over a hill at us. We naturally took refuge in the fortified structure, as we were vastly outnumbered.		We arrived at sunset, just as an army of hostile little savages rushed over a hill at us. We naturally took refuge in the fortified structure, as we were vastly outnumbered.

	That strategy has not turned out well, however. The temple is populated by the walking dead, and we have sustained serious casualties. I ~~even participated in~~ surgery to try and save [[Vashti]] -- no friend of mine, but an able scout and warrior, useful in these savage lands. Ironically, our saving grace may be the presence of the craven little goblin merchant, who has practiced dark magicks in my very presence and taken control of some of the creatures!		That strategy has not turned out well, however. The temple is populated by the walking dead, and we have sustained serious casualties. Despite the injuries I sustained, I helped perform surgery to try and save [[Vashti]] -- no friend of mine, but an able scout and warrior, useful in these savage lands. Ironically, our saving grace may be the presence of the craven little goblin merchant, who has practiced dark magicks in my very presence and taken control of some of the creatures!