marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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ExpandHonourable deal )

ExpandHonourable? duel )

ExpandHostage situation )

ExpandParty and aftermath )
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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Author's note: something like 5-6 sessions behind on logs again
Expandold fashioned dungeon crawl part 2 )
ExpandThe many-headed Anthony )
marsden_online: Lochlan Springheel avatar (Springheel)

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/ 4

B'fore any treas'r the keep we wus head'n f'r turn'd out t'be full o' 'obgoblins. T'boss stuck a Silence on'e dwarf's 'elm t'stop the clank'n and we snuck in past t'guards at dawn.

Gett'n d'nstairs past the barra'ks were a bit tricky'r. Takir disguised 'isself as an 'obbo 'n pretend'd I were 'is prison'r as a d'stract'n fr'm one door while t'others popped up an 'llus'ry wall 'tween t'other door 'n t'stairs.

Bottom 'o stairs surpris'd a pair of 'obbos, bit tougher th'n 'ey looked but we took 'em. Found some rooms then a s'cr't door straight to the 'obbos boss, wizard call'd Scarr'd.

/ 5

W th' advant'ge o' the silence 'n Takir bluffin' guards out o' the fight made short work o' the wizard. 'Ad some nice stuff on 'im, got some magic bracers. T' tiefing found a very nice dagg'r which she's become suspic' protective of.

Note t'boss likes to get big [Enlarge person] when 'e scrums w' that chain o' 'is.

/ 6

Found a way deeper down w'out any more 'obbos. Incubus wuz feel'n a bit poorly so we left 'im to watch the stairs & amuse 'imself w' and hobbo's 'oo migth follow.

Searchin' the basement di'nt turn up anythin' but some rats and an entry to some caves. Caves 'ad a drow 'untin' party but a peaceful partin' o the ways were negotiat'd.

Caves also 'ad an 'ydra [6] 'oo coul'nt follow us back into the tunnel so we lef' it alone. Back t'other way were some bears *big* bears t'boss decid'd we coul' take, mebbe get'a fur rug. Turn'd out they w'r chained up, coulda backed off 'n jus' blasted 'em, di'nt seem like a far fight so I blasted the pillars jus' a lit'l w' acid.

T'boss had made a misjudgem'nt. Even b'fore break'n loose the bears 'ad th' dwarf as chow (one fer one). didn't manage t'get t'wand o' Cure Light work'n prop'ly 'uff t'get 'im alive 'n t'boss back on is feet b'fore bear got me, last thin' I saw were Killarah 'ightail'n 't outta th're chased by a bear.

/ 7

Seems Killarah manag'd t' outrun th' bear 'n fetch Takir, 'n 'e manag'd to keep th' bears attent'n [flying out of their reach] while she pour'd healin' potions 'nta t'boss 'n me. Poor dwarf were already 'alf eaten. Will miss th' tin can.

R'treat'd back into th' basem'nt 'n rest'd up f'r a day or double.

/ 8

Goin' back prepared made short work of th' two left bears, I led one ona chase around th' loop so only one at a time. Just led it back wh'n this insecty devil thing [ooc: Thri-Keen Psychic warrior] pops out o' nowhere 'n rips into th' bear - real famish'd 'ppar'ntly. Been 'eld prison'r on t'other ide of t' 'llus'ry wall th' bears w'r guard'n. Name's Kik Kik Kik or sump'n.

Poked around back there a b't, found anoth'r demon pris'n like th' one und'r t'inn but empty, th'n a big 'all, interest'n library, alchemy lab (don' know much 'bout alchemy but t'boss got all excited ov'r some sorta "aboleth spit") then big copper do 'n lo! five godsforsak'n mind flayers in th' middle of summon'n something. Don' know what exactly, but I could see they weren't tak'n any chances w' the bind'n circle.

Honest, thought we wuz gon'rs. Th' shark's'd eat our brains f'sure. Made ready t' blast th' book one 'ad, seem'd importn't, but tiefling threw t' aboleth spit inta th' circle 'n all the magic 'n the summonin' jus' blew up. When m'head stopped ringin' the 'llith'ds were toast.

They 'ad some nice stuff tho', 'n we found 'n 'ole 'oard in a secr't room. Load'n up 'n getting out o' there b'fore any o' th'r cobb'rs arrive.
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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ExpandSanctuary and conspiracy )

ExpandA plan and an ambush )

ExpandHomecoming )

At this point we bid a sad farewell to Aiu's player whose real-world adventures are taking her from us. Aiu will continue on as personal speechwriter and counsel to the Prince but the rest of the party are taking their leave of him to once again challenge the multi-headed monster which are the Anthonys and the resources they might lend to the usurper Quinten.
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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ExpandDramatic Escape )

Author's note: still a session and a bit behind.
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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A very short entry, for reasons which will become apparent.

ExpandBetrayal )
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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Author's note: I think I am four revelation-and-drama filled sessions behind as I start writing this.

ExpandGideon is worried )

ExpandA trail gone cold )

ExpandFrom the Shield of War )
marsden_online: Lochlan Springheel avatar (Springheel)

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/1

Well, things gett'n a bit 'ot in this ol' city o' Tellarat 'n me bein down to me last gol' piece I've taen to th' a'ventur'n life, respond'n to 'n ad by a profess'nal dung'n delver fellow wit line on'n ol' keep full o' treas'r out'n th' mountains. No cash up fr'nt but'l shake 'em Academy sharks off me tail.

Japes alon' fer th' ride are bein

René duPlessis, bit o'n odd chap but e's th' one sett'n up this 'ere expedition so e's th' boss. [Human Factotum]
Player's description "Indiana Jones with a spiked chain instead of a whip."

Rothratur, dwarven 'oly knight 'n some sort o' quest and prob'ly th' most norm'l of us chumps by com'n stand'ns. Seems like a good bloke to 'ave at y' back mean'n e'd stay put 'n protect it unlike th' next two. [Dwarf Crusader]

Takir, genr'lly goes ar'nd as a good look'n human bloke but 'e dropped th' act for a bit 'n I seen 'im for what 'e really is, young incubus. Gods know (or mebee they don't) wot one o' them is doin' lark'n about on this plane. Most never shuts 'is damned (heh) mouth, always 'as to be stick'n 'is nose into evryt'n 'n tell'n people what to do ('n "persua'n" th'm when 'ey don't). [Incubus using "monster class" levels]

Killarah, 'nother off-planer tho' she jus' tryn t'hide th' horns 'n tail unner her wearables. S'posd t' be the sneak 'n search bod so I 'ope she's a bit more obs'rvnt th'n prov'n so far. Seen 'er about a bit b'fore, hooked up w' one o th' underside guilds. [Tiefling Rogue/Psychic Warrior]

~~~
So we 'ead out o' town and worst luck the first village we stop 'n gets wraith-bomb'd o'ernight. Most o' the villagers made it to th' inn which turns out 'as an old relig's ward roun' it, din't find this out 'til a coupl' of the others 'ad gone outside 'n tried to smack the wraiths round a bit. [Dumb japes. Y' don'ever get close to a wraith.] Bloody incubus was so upset t'be fac'n someth'n 'e coul'n charm or 'mpress 'e just stole a bow off some poor villager inside 'n sat on the roof shoot'n pointlessly. Meself just blasted 'em safely from th' window, lucky none came in from t'other direction tho' (not know'n bout th' wards at th' time).

Wraiths threw 'emselves at th' wards until dawn, when 'ey slunk off to 'ide out 'o th' sun for th' day. Rider was sent flat-tack to the city t'get some clerical 'elp, y'don' want wraiths wander'n this close t' a damn city. We 'ung around 'cos broken rest, too soon t'get spells back 'n might be a chance t' get paid fer blast'n wraiths t'night.

/ 2

Th' incubus or th' scout managed t'find an 'idden temple unner th' inn 'n first thing t' dwarf 'n me knew 'bout it was t' incubus telepath'n¹ up that th' boss 'ad mang'd t' walk innoo a gelly cube down b'low. Scoot'd down 'n blast'd t'ooze off've 'im ('n scooped up a bunch o' coin it 'ad picked up somewhere) 'n he went back upstairs 'n took a bath while we scouted out th' rest of th' level 'n loot'd some good qual'ty weapons fr'm an old armory.

Th' was a big stair down t' a lower level wh'r t' is/was a demon fr'm th' old wars bound 'n asleep to all 'pearences², 'n old holy alt'r to the goddes s of protectin' travellers wh'r I 'eft what 'ad bin m'last gol' piece fer luck, a few dead a'ventur's and a bleeding (so t'speak) vampire, 'oo tried (failed more th' pity) ta make a meal 'o the incubus but din't bother chas'n us.

¹ not keen on th' blighter bein able t' get innoo me head whenever 'e wants - enough sharks already b'n mess'n around 'n there.
² [until the incubus' repeated clairvoyancing back to that room to make sure it was still there and asleep woke it up, not that he told the rest of the party why he was even more hell-bent on getting out of there than we already were]


/ 3

Got back up t'stair to find the cavalry had arriv'd from t'city, liter'ly, force o' mounted relig's bods o' all sorts but all carry'n magic 'n led by a tall glow'n winged bod. Mebbee this place attracts 'em or th's a gate t'Sigil around or som'n. 'e weren't to pleased t'see t'other two w' us, looked at 'em 'ard but din't start w' th' smit'n. Dwarf had t' tell 'im all 'bout t' vampire 'n such down below but then 'ey sent a group down there 'n f'nd nuttin. So mebee we w' see'n things or mebee 'ey w'not see'n things or mebee th' sharks down b'low jus' moved out t'wait for th' dust t' settle.

T'wraiths (w' more) turned up agin o'ernight 'n we left 'em to th' holy folk. 'ey dealt w' some but waited for dawn t' follow th' rest back to th' nest, 'n we hightailed it off t'ward th' mountains because it din't seem 'ey were goin' t'pay for 'elp w' anyth'n but bless'ns.

Day'r so later 'n we were pass'n throo 'n old forest when th'r's this goblin standing 'n th' road bold as brass demand'n a 50 gol' piece toll. Now if any o' us 'ad that sort o' coin we wouldn't be on this lark inna first place 'n buggered if anyone were giv'n up a valuable piece o' equipment. Where th's one goblin th's usually a bunch more so we wer'n keen t' just walk over 'im. 'e said the coin were so 'e could buy bread fer 'is many kids, so we off'd to liberate any coin 'e might know of 'ereabouts which might be guarded by someth'n nasty 'n pay 'im out o th' proceeds (or, since 'e point'd us at'n ogre, the corpse fer eat'n).

Short story, t'scout mang'd t'sneak up on t'sleep'n ogre 'n ta'e 't out 'n one stab³. found a bag o' sliver 'n a magic ring ' n a necklace o' fireballs some'ow intact, lucky ogre nev'r roll'd ov'r onnoo it. Dragged th' body back to th' goblin 'oo were a bit surpris'd 'n he 'n th' scout nearly came t'blows, 'cept 'e called on 'is mates 'n 'bout 30 of the blight's popped up. Th't I might get t'do some blast'n after all, but it all calm'd down 'n toll accounted fer we moved on.
³ [DM had forgotten about the FORT save part of the coup de grace rules and after the rogue did 26ish damage on the strike the DC was 36, difficult even for an ogre barbarian. To his credit he gave us the kill rather than fudging the encounter.]
.
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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Author's note: Three intense sessions in this log. Finally back up to date!

ExpandOl' Stoney )

ExpandThe many faces (and other parts) of Robin )

ExpandThe big score )
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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Journal link: Sa-Dagget's version of events from joining the party until the end of the previous entry.

Author's note: I wasn't present at the table / Markos was not involved for much of the next two vignettes.
ExpandSa punches a bear )

ExpandGetting Eric back on his feet )

ExpandAn ocean excursion )

ExpandBrother Anthony )
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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Authors note: as I write this I have also gone back and added a couple things to the previous session.

ExpandUnplanned exits )

ExpandA world below )

ExpandThe reveal )
marsden_online: (Evil GM)
Spellweb is a template which can be applied to any monstrous spider or similar poisonous, web-slinging creature, eg an aranea or ettercap.

A Spellweb spider gains the following:

Spell Resistance equal to 11 plus (HD/2) (round down)

Poison (Ex): instead of STR spellweb spider poison drains INT from non-casters, or the primary spellcasting stat of a caster. From casters the venom additionally drains one of the highest level spells the caster has available (determine randomly) as if that spell has been cast. For spontaneous casters this is the highest level available spell slot and the spider gains knowledge of a random spell known of the equivalent level that the caster knows. The spider may then instinctively cast the spell on it's next action (see Reflex Casting).

Web (Ex): spellweb spider webs are attracted to and wrap around magical items, draining them of their power. Any time a character is caught in a spellweb spider web randomly select one magic item worn or carried about their person. Until the web is removed from the item (a full round action which draws an attack of opportunity):
- potions, scrolls and other single-use items are drained of their magic in one round per level of the spell contained
- wands and other charged / use per day items are drained at the rate of 1 charge per round
- permanent magic items have their enhancements and other magical abilities suppressed until the web is removed. This may mean that e.g. gear stored in extra-dimensional spaces becomes unreachable for the duration. If not freed of the web permanent magical items will also eventually have their enchantments completely drained.

Breaking free of the entangling effect of the web(s) does not automatically remove it from any item it has bound to. The wearer of a set of armour cannot adequately remove web from the armour unless unusually jointed.

Spell like abilities:
Reflex casting: On it's next action after draining a spell spider will instinctively cast the spell as if it were the caster for purposes of level-dependant effects. Saving throws are based on the caster's ability score but do not include feats such as Spell Focus; similarly if a spell requires a Spell Resistance check caster feats such as Spell Penetration are not included. The spider will target itself if the spell is beneficial or an appropriate opponent if it is not. Area effect spells will be cast to affect the greatest number of opponents regardless of whether the spider will also be included (they are still no brighter than regular monstrous spiders. This may not apply if the template is applied to an intelligent creature).

This is a standard action which draws an attack of opportunity, but with no concentration check required for damage taken. Slaying the spider prevents the spell taking effect.

CR increase: +3 but adjust by situation. Even a tiny spellweb spider can wreak terrible damage on the equipment of a high-level party if it manages to set up camp in a backpack overnight.

Treasure: as per base spider but any magical items rolled will likely have been completely drained of magic and only valuable as the base masterwork item. However
- spellweb spider venom fetches a good price on certain black markets and a successful skill roll (DMs discretion) can extract up to four intact poison sacs from any spider of size medium or larger. (Tiny creatures may also be able to harvest tiny and small spiders). Apart from the obvious use it can also be used to brew a draught which suppresses a beings ability to cast spells or use spell-like abilities for a period of time.
- scrolls scribed on fabric crafted from spellweb silk always cast as if affected by the Maximise Spell feat regardless of the original caster's ability.

Particularly powerful or dangerous magical items too difficult to destroy are sometimes hidden in spellweb lairs, where the silk keeps them quiescent until such time as they are needed ... or uncovered by unwitting adventurers.
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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Authors note: I am several sessions behind at this point. ...
ExpandA new PC, and Complications )
marsden_online: (Ghostfighter)
It's been over two months since I posted anything about life in general which wasn't dumping angst. So here's a less-transient-than-facebook record of some events.

ExpandHall )

Expandkitty )

Expandgaming )

Expanddentist )

Expandother stuff )
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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ExpandNot quite in time )

ExpandDowntime )

ExpandInto the depths )
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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ExpandDangerous Beasts )
ExpandSunstones and spidery things )

Next session: it is the first full moon since Zenon was shown to have contracted lycanthropy and since it was pushed into overdrive by the Scroll of Restoration. Will the other party members be able to keep him contained?

ExpandMarkos Level 5 )
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Markos)

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I am several sessions behind with this log so the updates are going to get somewhat less detailed until I catch up. Many thanks to Aiu's player for access to her notes.

ExpandLooking around Murdered Bow )

ExpandFire from the sky )

ExpandA purchase agreement )
marsden_online: RPG log icon for this character (Arthur)
So I was lying awake at 5am one morning (quite a while ago now) and my muse decided to get stuck into the fact that most fantasy races have the same sexual binary as humans, despite in a world with magic and elementals and active gods and so forth the options are far broader. This is the fourth in a short series.

These are written with a lot of D&Disms but the principles should hold elsewhere.

Possible trigger warning for child abuse themes.

ExpandGoblins, a desperate and diminishing race )
~~~
I originally wrote this article thinking of goblins, then it occurred to me that it made very similar sense for halflings, those carefree and likeable folk who get to make their way through human society at will, generally well liked and generally also overlooked ....
ExpandThe halfling (or other small folk) take )

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