Kash, no checks

The story of Marglar

"...You know, it's tough growing up with the last name Margler. Even living with the noble and caring race of Eladrin people known in that region as the Rumania Tribe. They tend to not give you any slack and always blame every little thing that goes wrong on you. Like when a kid from one of my training groups suffered a mental breakdown from seeing ghosts and hearing his long dead grandma talk to him from his closet. I did it, of course, but it would have been nice for them not to punish me without even an investigation. I had to keep the village free of animal droppings for a month, they also said that this was to get things right with Melora. I always seem to be on her bad side. I try to appease her, it's just not always the first thing I think of. Well, she looks after me and my tribe so I try to look after her. Sometimes I kind of agree with the term "Marglar", as in to really screw that up. I look at my family and think, what a bunch of idiots, I'm nothing like them. But then I find myself doing things like lighting my farts on fire near someone's head catching it on fire and laughing hysterically as they run around like an eladrin kabob. I know that's not a good thing to do, I just can't seem to help myself. So here I am, prolonging the Marglar tradition, even though my name is pronounced Margler, noone seems to care. Sometimes when I meet new people I stress the difference in my last name, but then they see me doing stuff like chasing someone with two pieces of brread and making them say things like, "Come to me, let me devour you so that you will have to eat nothing but week old soup in helllllllllll." You gotta draw out that last part, adds to the scary.
But one incident when I was a bit younger made me realize that I would have to do something about the family name and the stigma attached to it. If not for my sake, but for future generations, but mostly for my sake. I was out walking near the border to my village, there's some great chrysanthemums out that way, and they smell great. As I was walking, I felt a hard thump on the back of my head and blacked out. When I woke up, I could see a whole mess of goblins around a fire that seemed to make the only light in the place. I was in some sort of dungeon. Neat, never been in one of these before. One of the goblins could speak a bit of common, so we talked for a bit as I talked about my village and its massive defensive capabilities. I told him that the evil wizard Hurg had put a curse on the village, that any non-eladrin who stayed there for longer than a day, would be turned into an animal, like a weasel or rabbit. There was also mention of a dragon or Demi-God or something, you know, it's hard to keep the lies straight. His eyes were getting big with the thought of reward until I told him my name, it just kind of came out. He took a step back, looked me up and down, started laughing, then walked off. He walked over to his goblin buddies and everyone went from laughing hysterically to realization, I was pretty much worthless to them. Who in their right mind would pay to get back a Margler, they're better off. Atleast that's what I surmised, as I kept hearing my name again and again, followed by looks of defeat. But they had no idea that I had been training to be a wizard, so after the initial craze about my name left and the goblins started to dispurse I let myself out of the ropes, well, they weren't tied very tight at all, these guys were not good kidnappers. And I sneaked around the dungeon for a day, trying to find my way around. Learning a few things about dungeon life as I watched the goblins from afar. They noticed that I was gone and looked for me for about ten whole minutes, then said whatever and went back to loafing around the fire. The next day, I heard a big commotion, lots of screaming. I went to check it out and I saw a Tiefling dispatch the last of the goblins with a great sword. Fire burned bright from his eyes and he would have scared me, if he wasn't the coolest person I'd ever seen. After he put his sword away, I approached him, he was weary of me at first. The he heard my name, chuckled and let his guard down. I asked if he could show me the way out, and he said okay. It took us half a day to get out of that dungeon. On the way out, he pointed out things about dungeons that would later turn out useful. He also regaled me with tales of the outside world and how a man could make his name legend with nothing but the sword in his hilt and the courage in his heart. I listened in awe. He dropped me at the border of my village and we parted ways, I hope that I get to see Garrison Bluxart again some day.
Life in the village seemed to drag after that incident and noone seemed to notice that I had been gone for so long. Even my family had figured I'd gotten lost in the forest, for a week. I made a vow to myself that day, I would be better than that cursed name of mine. I gathered my things, left a note, and started my journey toward redemption. Okay, so I also stole a few gold pieces from my folks, they probably won't even notice.
On my travels South I came across a woman on the side of the road who was camped there, for what appeared to be ages, promising to tell your future, for a price. That sounds neat. So I get in and sit down and give her some gold and she looks at my palm and gets this surprised look on her face. She said that my future was cloudy but my past was an open book. She told me that the Margler Clan used to be the most respected among the eladrin people, but jealousy and hatred brought one of the other clans to get the evil wizard Hurg to put a curse on his family for all generations to come. That they would be damned to be idiots, and that the idiocy would come on stronger the older they got, until they were complete idiots at old age. That sounded about right for my parents, they were pretty old and complete idiots. The name of the wizard sounds familiar, yeah, that's the name of the evil wizard I use when making up curses that were put on places. That's weird. She offered nothing more and I left. Was she just some old coot, who knows, with a name like Madame Zeldary, she sure sound like one.
The gold I had taken from my parents didn't last as long as I'd hoped. I ended up falling in with a group of adventurers. Lotha, Cole and I would go on missions for people, end up killing something or finding something or someone and they'd pay us for our services. As I'd been trained as a wizard since I was young, I quickly made myself a valuable member of the team. And they didn't seem to mind the shenanigans. In fact, Cole would always go along with them. Even when I would lie rampantly about something and say he was there, he'd just go with it. He reminds me of Garrison Bluxart, well, being the only other tiefling I've met before, that probably has something to do with it. My goal is to someday be as courageous as Bluxart and make the name Margler not the joke it is today. I think we'll just have to take that one day at a time..."

KHHHHAAAANNNN!!!!!!

Here is a copy of Khan's backgound and goals, from a email sent to me:


"...My basic idea for a story was that the Greyskull clan was a clan of warriors that protected the old Dragonborn empire. After the empire fell they still remained, and worked to protect interests of the Dragonborn, and perhaps lead the way to an empire being reformed. When the lich rose up in Silvertol the Greyskull clan went to battle it, because of the threat it posed to Dragonborn everywhere. Before leaving for battle Kahn was left in Barleycorn, a human village to the south with a clan elder, Balthazar. The Greyskull clan did not return from the battle of Surma, and it is believed they are all dead, leaving Kahn and Balthazar the only remaining clan members. Because the clan is believed destroyed their legacy is mixed in Dragonborn circles. Some admire them for their sacrifice in battle, others see their defeat as proof of their weakness.

Balthazar trained Kahn as a warrior, and told him to find a path that would set him towards rebuilding the clan's honor. Kahn briefly met a group of Paladins of Avandra, and was inspired by their devotion and prowess, and moved toward their path. Kahn looks to uphold the legacy of his clan, and perhaps restore it to glory.

Short term goals: Fight to defend the weak, find magic weapons, learn more about Dragonborn, and Greyskull heritage, what happened to the clan during battle of Surma.

Long term goals: Become a demigod, restore Greyskull clan honor, gain fame as a protector, and warrior

Allies: Balthazar, Churches of Avandra

Enemies: Red Guard. I'm going to play as if Kahn is against many of the tactics of the Red Guard, especially since his clan apparently died fighting alongside them, and would not like what they have done since. Slavers..."

Hey all, this weekend, I am going to try and do some more work on the map of the area. I want to get it filled in abit more, so I can print a copy(s) out on Tuesday for you all to see. I will also send out a email to everyone, asking for your opinions on what deities we should use in the world. Brohm brought this up last session, and after thinking about it abit, I guess we should nail this down. Depending on what pantheon we use, we might set our little realm/world within a greater world, such as Forgotten Realms, or ebberon, or just keep it all our own.

The Keep adventure continues....

Now that we have seen the bowling ball of doom from Kash, what other 4e goodness will we be witness too this week?

Game on!

As it says up above, game on for this Tuesday. D&D is on the menu and we will see how far along we progress into the depths below the keep of Shadowfell.

Next game night:

Looks like we will be playing Hollow Earth this coming week, as Ryan had a work schedule problem this past week. In the meantime I have started work on some ideas that I have had milling around in my head for the D&D game.

I talked with Ryan abit after this past weeks session about what he missed. He said that he would like a chance to play D&D again next week, since he missed out on the fun and spent time with hippie's. So unless anyone really wanted to play Hollow Earth this coming week, we will be continuing the adventure and maybe unlock some of the mysteries of Shadowfell, and maybe that relic the characters found in the dragon burial site. And no, this is not some attept by the DM to drop a hint about character back ground stories (or is it?).

D&D session 7-08-08

Hey guys, hope your having a great 4th weekend, I know I am, just getting alot of stuff done in and outside my house, with the wife and kid gone, I am loving the peace and quiet!! Anyway, Ryan is going to be at common ground on Tuesday, so he will not be able to make the game this week. This should not stop us from playing, as I have shifted around a few things to make this not a problem. Ryan was kind enough to leave his character sheets here, and said he had no problem with us either NPCing them, or one or both of you taking on his two characters for this one session. Either way, I have worked it for the next session so this shouldn't be a problem. Looking forward to Tuesday, have fun.

A brief insight into your world and its history

"You have all grown up in a time of certain surroundings. It has been 30 years since the the great battle of Surma. This battle took place in the once proud city of Monk's Silvertol. It is well known now that a lich had risen a army of undead, and had taken over the city, and its surrounding lands. This was a dark time for the lands of Surma, as nothing seemed able to stop the lich and his evil minions from taking over all the lands of the releams. A year after the lich had secured his "seat of power" in Silvertol, a army lead by a mysterious human named Arathus Lighthem, marched from the south and fought the undead armies back into the city itself. The siege of Monk's Silvertol lasted five long years, but the army of Lighthem was able to defeat the lich and his scourge. Much of the city was destroyed in the long war, and to this day it is still in ruin. Arathus, installed him self as high steward of Surma after the battle, and installed a system of barons and other lords through out Surma to marshal in peace and civility. Arathus was a hero to all, and his sudden rise to power over all in the lands was not seen as anything but good for all. This is how its has been now for the past 30 years. Arathus himself has not been seen outside his stronghold in the ruins of Surma in 25 years. His "protective" army has become a totalitarian government, calling itself "The Red Guard". Rumors of brutality and crimes against common folk are rampant in the realm, but no one forgets that it was the Red Guard that saved this land from the dread lich.
The small town of WinterHaven is many miles to the far south of the ruins of Silvertol, but the power of the Red Guard is felt even in this far off corner of Surma."
This has been a quick history of Surma, for you to get a feeling of what the world around you is like now, I will throw up more tid'bits of history and such as we go along through the game. Much has changed in this world since the last game of 3.5, much has not.

I hope everyone has had time to read more on their characters and have started to put together some great stories of their past. This week we will pick up where we left off, in the small town of WinterHaven. I had a great time last week, and I look forward to what will come of these characters in these uncertain times.

F@ck'n rain

Well, its 12:00pm here, and I stopped by for lunch at my house to check on the basement carpet. This past saturday we got a ton of rain, and my basement, which does not usually get much water at all, well, lets just say between the carpet in the game room, and the theater room, they are very soggy, and have that musty smell. So, we may have to play out in my garage, I will make the final desision when I get home tonight, this isn't that big of a deal, as I have stated here before, I have used my garage for many poker games and such, its finished off, and insulated. No A/C, but with the door open, we should be fine. Again, we will see when I get home.

Update 6-9-08

Hey guys, I talked to Ryan today, and to no big surprise, he has already rolled up his character. He is going with a Tiefling ranger. With the new 4e rule set, they now label classes with "descriptors", just as, Leader, Defender, Striker, and controller. These labels, more or less help to describe a class and its role in the parties makeup. For example, a ranger is a striker, as they can deal out high amounts of damage to a single target. A wizard is called a controller, because they can use mass area effect spells on multiple targets. Paladin and Fighters, are both defenders, as they are more of the front line damage soakers, and a Cleric and Warlord are considered Leaders, as they can heal, offer party buffs and so on. Now, within the DMG, for a group of less then 4 players, they suggest you can do without a striker, or a controller. Since Ryan rolled his guy up as a striker, I can see two options. One, is we don't have a controller class in this group, and each of you has one character. The DMG says this can be done, but the group may take more time to handle certain monsters and encounters. They like to see one of every class type in a group, don't ask me why they seem to think everyone has four or more players. The other option one or even two of you takes on a second character to play. 4-5 characters for a group seems to be the ideal setup for this new rules system. I am perfectly fine with just 3 characters, but I also have no problem with 4, or maybe 5, but I will leave this up to you. Don't worry about having your characters rolled up for this Tuesday, as I know at least two of you don't have your own books yet. But maybe have a idea of what you might want to try.

Got'em!

Due to a error on my part with Amazon.com, I found out last night that I wouldn't be getting my 4e books until mid August. So, today I had the day off from work, and I went out to Barnes and Nobel and picked them up. I have also recieved the module that we planned on running for this weeks session, so... game on! Now I have plenty to read and study up on, has anyone else got their books yet? If not, before Tuesday, no big deal, this first module is set up to play as a "starter" adventure, to get us used to the new rules, so we will be fine.

Big Changes

With this game on Tuesdays, We are about to make two new changes, one, of course being the new rule set, 4e, the other, is something even cooler. Ryan has wanted to run a game of his own for awhile, Hollow Earth, so I suggested we switch on and off every other week, we play 4e one week, then follow up with Ryan's game, then back. This will not only give us the experience of two cool games, but it will allow better content development for both, having two weeks to work on the campaigns. Pat, google up Hollow Earth by Exille games. This looks cool, and I know Ryan will come up with a gripping campaign for us to enjoy. Change is good.

New feature to the blog

Hey guys, this is a idea that I have been thinking about for abit, and I think I brought it up to a couple of you. I will be posting random "rumors and news" here on the blog. This is stuff that your characters have heard, or have learned from different sources over the time between sessions. Like all news and rumors, some is true, some is stretched abit, some is a total lie, other stuff has no bearing what so ever to the game's sessions what so ever. I thought it would be neat to try this out, to add some flavor to the game, this blog, and to also create a different way to add possible adventure hooks into the game. You can do with these what ever you want, ignore them, explore them further, or just add them to your knowledge of the world around your characters. Just remember, you can't believe EVERYTHING you hear, or can you?

Excuse's are like assholes...

Sorry for the delay in this weeks xp, I know at least one of you is awaiting a level up, I have been busy with some training for my job. I will have it posted by the weekend here.

So where we stand now, the characters have defeated the vampire in his lair deep under the city of Jonas Point, and have found a link to him and the lich that is extending his dark powers further into the world. Finding a note, and a map, the party of heroes has chosen to leave the city and strike out to the south, towards the ice covered caps of the silver mountains (don't sue me RJD)in hope of finding a powerful ally in the battle with the undead. Are the characters prepared for the cold weather that is fast setting in? What adventures await the intrepid 4? Why is the DM writing this summary and not a player who can gain plot points? These questions and more will be answered in the sessions to come.

New and Even More Improved Ulrik Ironring

I leveled up Ulrik today. Instead of being crazy and taking that level in Kensai like I've been planning I decided to wait til next level. I took another level in Rogue. Ulrik now has evasion which will be helpful in fighting magic users. I am also looking forward to using sneak attack mostly for dealing out extra damage. Oh, and I also fixed the errors I noticed on my character sheet last time, so everything should be accurate now.

Next level up (in 7000 plus XP) I get a bonus feat. Any ideas on what I should take?

See you all Tuesday.

There be gnome's!

With the loss of the groups one and only healer, the need for a cleric was dire, so, player Pat has stepped up and offered to run two characters, Ulric, the stout dwarf fighter, and a new, yet to be named cleric. Pat had one request though, the new cleric needed to be a gnome, how can I as a DM argue with this. I will roll up the character sometime this week and figure out how to work him/her into the game.

Player down

I have removed "Sir John" from the list of active players, and have revoked the players permission to post on this blog. I have not heard from him in 3 weeks, not one email, one post on this blog, or one phone call. To me that just tells me the person is no longer interested in playing our game. I have no problem with people missing games, being late or what ever, but come on, three weeks is more then enough time to send some sort of notice, of course, maybe he is dead! Anyway, if you, Sir John, see this and feel there was a mistake, send me a email, if not, then good luck to you.

Dirk!

(As reposted from the Google Group)
Backstory

Dirk never knew his birth parents. He was found as a baby on the side of the road, one dark and stormy night, by Tarn Darkhammer and his young daughter, Theresa ("Tessa" to a young Dirk). Tarn had been a fighter and adventurer in years past. But his best days were behind him, so he had married and settled down in a small village called Alro as the local blacksmith. Tarn's wife and own infant son died during a complicated delivery. So with a little prompting from his daughter, he took pity on the obviously half-orc child he found that night and raised him as his own. Of course, Dirk was picked on by the other children in the village. At least, until he outgrew them (which didn't take long). But he didn't have many friends except his "father" and "sister" whom he was very protective of. When he was big enough (again, didn't take long) he started helping the smith at his forge, as well as learning the basics of combat, etc. from him. Then, when he was around 13 or 14 (pretty much full grown for a half-orc) a raiding band of orcs swept through Dirk's village. Tarn was killed defending their home. Dirk's raw fighting prowess impressed the orc chieftan, one Thorak Dreadscar, who decided to keep him as a slave. Thorak was the leader of the Gorefist tribe, a particularly brutal and rapacious tribe of orcs. Tessa also managed to survive, but was captured and sold to slavers by Thorak, ending up Kord knows where. This weighs heavily on Dirk to this day, not knowing what has become of his closest friend. He still keeps his eyes open for any sign of his sister in his travels.

Dirk lived among the orcs for a year or two. Thorak used him primarily as entertainment in gladiatorial fights. Much to Thorak's pleasure (at the time) Dirk quickly distinguished himself as a natural fighter. Though he was a lowly half-breed and a slave, he managed to gain some small amount of respect with his fighting ability. This translated to some small freedoms, or at least less abuse. Still, his days among the orcs left him changed. The treatment he was subjected to, and inflicted upon others, hardened his heart. While he despised his orc masters and their brutality, it was through that brutality that he found a sense of purpose and self-worth, as well as some insight into the beast within him. He managed an escape while traveling to a fight, killing his captors and fleeing into the wilderness. Thorak still thirsts for his blood, since one of Dirk's handlers was the chief's oldest son. Dirk has been on his own ever since, making a living as a mercenary and adventurer for hire, while trying to balance his orcish rage and his human soul.

Gunnar son of Brock, of the tribe of TorbjØrn

(As reprinted from the former Google Group.)

BACKSTORY:
Gunnar son of Brock, of the tribe of TorbjØrn. Gunnar hails from a northern village. In the remote wilds, life is hard. Gunnars was no exception. As a child he learned the hard lesson that power is survival. A few of the other children and Gunnar were gathering wood. This day they were in a section of the woods not often frequented. Well after gathering wood, they were returning to the village when they were attacked. Unknowingly they stumbled into the territory of a dire badger. Which are very aggressive in protecting there territory. It attacked the group. The others fought valiantly. Using wood that had been gathered as clubs. Gunnar that day had been entrusted with the axe. Which he put to good use. They over came the dire badger. But lost two of their four. But if it were not for Gunnar with the axe, surely the day would have been lost. He learned that the axe (weapon) was power. And that power equaled survival. To this day he wears a claw from the badger as a reminder of that.
At the age of seventeen Gunnar went through the tribal right of passage into manhood. He was given a spear, and a knife. These two items alone. Then sent into the forest. His mission to kill a boar then bring it back to the village. Or don't come back. Gunnar was gone for several days before returning. With the biggest boar ever brought back to the village. He wears one of this boars tusks as keep sake of his right of passage.
At eighteen Gunnar left his village to seek his own path. Shortly after this he learned another important lesson. That power was not only physical items such as weapons and money. But friendships and social connections are power too. During his journeys he encountered a group of halflings being bullied then attacked by an ogre. Gunnar immediately came to the halflings assistance. Together they defeated the ogre. They pal'ed around for a couple days then went their seperate ways. Months later in a tavern Gunnar found himself in argument with several orcs over a game of chance. They were preparing to mess Gunnar up. When out of the nowhere, the halflings came. Together they overcame the orcs. He then proceeded to drink till dawn with his halfling friends. This cemented the idea that sometimes friendship is as powerful as a blade.
Gunnar is boisterous and brash. Not afraid of danger, but not foolhardy either. He values power. Its what he wants more than anything. Except at the loss of his friends. Whom he is quick to defend. He is an uncivilized brute, that can be savage and vicious. But he a good person at heart. That acts proper to women and children. On the other hand his enemies should and do fear him. For he is like a force of nature. A furious storm to be reckoned with.

Hey guys, other then Ulrik, I still need your background stories. I have checked all the material I got from Mike, and there is nothing there on your guys. So if you can find them, or rewrite a quick story in typical "tragic childhood driven to revenge" D&D fashion or whatever, it will help with some ideas I have coming up. Nothing too long, just something to flesh out your character alittle more is fine.

New and Improved Ulrik Ironring

So, I updated Ulrik using Heroforge today, and it was very impressive how the software just told me what to change, and kept track of everything for me. As we discussed I added a level in Rogue, which hopefully will be handy in dungeons. Unfortunately my disable device is pretty low right now, so I may be able to find traps, but not disarm them. Oh well, next level I suppose.

On that note I will be able to become a Kensai when I next level up, which is the goal I have been working on with this character, so that is pretty exciting too.

See you all next session.

I would like to offer a way to keep this blog updated, and also for your characters to benefit from it, both by keeping the story going and through experience awarded. In other words, I will give extra xp to those who keep a posted journal, or summary of the past adventures here on this blog. Now I am not asking for a "Robert Jackson" diary, but if you want to post a quick paragraph about the session, either in first person narrative, or just a overview, that's cool.

Reminder

While I am on here, I wanted to ask if all of you that still have their character sheets at Mike's place, will have them for this Tuesday. I know full well how that damn real life can get in the way of game business.

Critical Fumble

Hey Scott have you seen these? From the fine folks at Paizo. Look fun as well.

It figures, the weather is nice today, and I come down with a head cold. That being said, I spent the day drugged up and on my futon, playing xbox and working on this upcoming session in the game. Have any of you read over the Book of Experimental Might yet? I got my critical hit cards yesterday, I really want to use them in this game, they are pretty cool. The company I ordered them from also sent me a free booster pack of item cards to sample, they are pretty cool, but at $10.00 for a pack, versus just sucking up to Sam to make me some, I can live without the flash of the store bought cards(for now)

The hardest part I am finding with this campaign is just starting the story, while still keeping touch with what the last DM has done. I think I have kept true to the story, but with new and added flare and what I hope this group will enjoy, now if only I can figure out a way for Awesome-o 4000 to join you, then this would be sweet. I do know that my Jonas Point is alot different then Mike's, and I hope more fun for you guys. Anyway, the next round of medicine is kicking in, so I will stop babbling, let me know on the book of might, so I can either incorporate it in, or just forget it, and seeya all on Tuesday.

4 year olds and no story= pain for DM's

Well, after you all left tonight, I got to put up with a crying child, I guess we might have been alittle loud, I think personally she was awake because I didn't read her a story before bed, like I usually do. So next week, we will just have to try and be alittle quieter and I will make sure to read her a story at 7:30, it takes 5-10 min and it makes her happy. If for some reason this doesn't take care of it ( it should, as we have never had this problem with my iron heroes or mechwarrior) if not, once it gets warmer outside, we can move to the garage. Its finished off and insulated, with heat, but I don't want to pull my mustang out until its nice and warm out. Yes, I am a bit silly with the car, but its mine. Anyway, I think the session went well, we learned stuff, like more pizza will be needed, house rules and such, so I am looking forward to the real thing next week.

"The city proper"

I have started work on what I hope will be a nice little adventure picking up where the characters left off in Jonas Point. Who knows what secrets this city shut off from the outside world holds. A shanty town of refuges outside the city gates, nobles held up in their rich houses, seemingly unaffected by the plague and the encroaching darkness of the undead lich. Senator Eldene might be holding back a terrible secret that only the heroes can unveil, or maybe Gunnar will just body slam them all and be done with all this wasting of time!

Critical Hit card deck

I bought these, and they should be here next week, what do you guys think about using them in the game? There is also a critical miss deck that I had my eye on. In a effort to change the game from the norm, should be good fun.

Welcome to the Tuesday game blog!

Yes, the game enters the tech age with a blog, its my hope to use this blog as a way to keep notes, a journal of the adventures, questions, and thoughts about the game. Anything that's on your mind really. Post, leave comments, put up polls, you all have admin rights to this private blog for our game.