Decos' Wretched Plight (Session 4)

These notes are originally from 12.09.2014.

A More Aggressive Incursion

As the party returned to the tunnels, they encounter some kobolds attacking from the shadows. The Men from The North are not surprised, quickly cutting the scaly lil' beast down.  Pushing forward, the party finds a fierce orc hacking away at a group of giant rats.  The party charges the rats, slaying a few and scaring the remainder down the hallway to the East.

The orc is wary, but he makes no move to attack the party.  Fnu boldly acknowledges the orc, asking of him the essential questions; why are you here, has he seen a book here in the tunnels, and of course, what is your name?

Conveniently enough, the Orc speaks some decent common, answering the questions, but still wary of what the adventurers plan to do.  Ru'gash, as he introduced himself, is quite taken by surprise at a generous offer from Fnu.  As payment of hiring him under his service, Fnu gives the orc a valuable gem and promises more if he performs well.  Ru'gash accepts this offer, feeling less threatened by his uneven odds.

Rats come running down corridor to the east squealing in fear.  The straggler is struck by a magical missile launched by the Grumpy Goblin Shaman Schwee.  Fnu shouts out at the critter in it's own language, which catches his attention, but only long enough for him to grumble and just walk off down the corridor to the south of the intersection he had stood in.  The party spies a book and pursues the goblin to a door, that appears to be locked, and he turns and faces the party, obviously very uncomfortable with being within a hairsbreadth away from the Fearsome Northerners.

Fnu has the goblin roughed up a bit, and threatened furiously when he chooses to be uncooperative and answers the party's questions vaguely and without much enthusiasm.  Growing tired of his shriveling lil' captive, Fnu forces the desired information out of the goblin.  Further, the canny magic-user forces the goblin to swear servitude to him for 101 days.  On pain of death.  The goblin Schwee does as he is bid, and finds that it might not be so bad as Fnu offers up a softer side and rewards his minion with a secret gift.

Thus unified, the group continues into the depths of the dungeon...searching for a potentially disastrous magical Staff of Pestilence.

Scatter Bases: Seasonal Trees

"Nock those arrows but quick, knaves - or the gobs will have our wenches for their pleasures!"

I really enjoy "area terrain".  By that, I mean I like to base terrain abstractly on a base sometimes.  Less clutter to fiddle with.  "True" line-of-sight is neat and is the norm for drawing LoS on the table, but I think that area terrain still has a place in today's world of "true" LoS.

We have a lot of large area pieces.  A lot of them are forests.  So, when our buddy Buff Bagworm showed up with some awesome Hobby Lobby trees, we knew a good way to set about using them that would set them apart from our other wooded terrain features - both in functionality on the table and general aesthetics.

"I say, is it getting dark in here or is it just your rakish photography!?  Philistine!"

The autumn set here was one package Buff brought forth to the club.  We put them on round 50mm bases, which we flocked with a mix of different tones to make an earthy fall basing.  Add a few rocks and some clump foliage from Gale Force 9 and you've got some nice scatter bases.  These are small, but add a lot of flavor.  As these are area terrain pieces, the placement of one of these can dramatically change lines of sight.

It's the host of Between Two Trees, Zacharias Gallifreynovakus.

A veritable autumn forest.  Big thanks to Buff Bagworm and his missus!  They are always looking out for us in their travels, and we really appreciate it.

Obvious Troll is Obvious.

Buff brought us another pack of trees from a local...Dollar Tree?  I think so...it's a thrift mart, but sometimes there are treasures within.  Good looking out, Mr. Bagworm!

These bases were treated a bit differently - we added summer clump foliage instead!  These were some sort of seasonal holiday item, and had "snow" sprayed on the boughs.  A little Krylon Camouflage spray and we're good.  Green foliage and BOOM - summer time scatter bases.

"Steady, Hans...they'll never see us out here!"

I am not sure where these two trees came from.  It was a long time ago, and when I was doing this project I saw them in our bin.  So...pine tree scatter bases!

It's a whole new forest terrain selection for the club, for just a few bucks and very little effort.  Big thanks to Buff Bagworm & Co. (and whoever donated the pine trees) - we really dig you guys.  See you on Game Day!

The Face of Mystara, Part II (Session 6)

These notes are originally from 11.30.2014.

After an epic battle, accompanied by the blue dragon Magarastu, the group releases the Warlock Charlie Sheen's friend - a lich.  Upon being released, the undead sorcerer pulls a glowing orb from his cloak and shoves it into the Warlock's chest.



Soon the party is attacked by the black wizard Caiustaius' minions, who appear behind the party before they can react.  Utho begins to fire arrows at the magic-users, but the Warlock yells "STOP!!"

The dragon stoped in mid flight, and the group realized that all time had stopped.  Spells were cast in succession.  The Warlock Charlie Sheen waved his hand, and time resumed.  The black wizard fled, and his minions were defeated (Vortex Savants, Magarastu called them).

The group made it back to the ship, and a magical, shimmering portal was open above it.

"My friends," said the Warlock Charlie Sheen, "thank you for your help."  He turned to Acwellan the Lich, and continued.  "If not for my friends here, I would not have been able to rescue you."

"Thank...You..." the lich replied.

"I'm afraid this is where we part ways."  the Warlock continued.

Some time passed as the magic-users prepared the necessary spells.  The group took this opportunity to get to know the undead sorcerer and his companion - for Charlie Sheen seemed different now that he had obtained his power again.

Todd Decos was brave enough to engage the lich in conversation first.

"How long have you been a...lich?"

"Perhaps...For A Thousand Years."

"Were you human...before?"  Todd ventured.

"Once."

Charlie Sheen cast a spell, and a fully cooked and prepared meal appeared with a table out of thin air.  The Warlock immediately began eating.

The lich looked over the party, and stated "I...Will Take You...Where Ever...You Wish...To Go."

Wickwar inquired of the dragon, "Where will you go?"

The dragon seemed bemused.  "I am already home."

Wickwar was undaunted.  "Where are you trying to run off to?"

Magarastu answered, "Caiustaius held me captive for many years.  I will retake his castle."

Acwellan gave Oliver Duncan a key on a silver chain before wordlessly boarding the boat.

---

The party awakens the next day back in the inn.  The innkeeper informed Oliver that he had a large package waiting for him.  Upon opening the chest that was delivered earlier that day, the voice of the Warlock Charlie Sheen could be heard.

"Thank you my friends.  I thought I would leave this here for you.  You can use it much better than I."

Inside the chest was a trove of valuable treasures, and better still...magical equipment.

The group settles in...wondering if they will ever see the Warlock Charlie Sheen or his undying companion ever again.

"I've spent close to the last decade effortlessly and magically turning your tin cans into pure gold." - The Warlock Charlie Sheen.

Krampustag 2014!!

Well, much like the last few years, the Wargate's Feast of Krampus occurred once again this year!  The 4th Annual Krampusfest went over so awesome...we totally forgot to take pictures!!  Who's responsible for this??  They shall be flogged!!

Wait a minute...oh yeah...it was me.

I charged the camcorder, and even put it in a place that I "wouldn't forget it".  I guess I'll be getting flogged this year for sure.  Woe is me!

Yet, there was plenty of merriment that accounts for that lapse in judgement!  We got to see some of our parental units, who stopped by for various bits of awesome.  We sent food home with everyone we could, because try as we might - there's just no eating that much food.

We had Hungarian Chili, Spinach and Rice Pie, Bake Cauliflower for entrees.  For dessert, Wendi made German Chocolate cupcakes and apple struesels - of which I appropriated as many as I could to stuff down my gullet later in the evening!  (Hint:  all of it is gone.)

Big thanks to the girls for the awesome spread!  I'm pretty sure they even told me once that I hadn't taken pictures of anything yet, eager to preserve their handiwork on film.  I deserve the flogging that Krampus will give me for not giving the day the proper due!

Next year we'll be back on the proper hype, pomp and glam we normally have for the Feast of Krampus!  I can't believe I forgot pictures ALL DAY LONG...but if you think that;s bad...we forgot to game as well!  All in all, this was a Krampusfest to remember, and I'm so very happy everyone turned out to make it as cool as it was.

Thank you for becoming part of our Yuletide tradition!

Mercenary Archer Regiment

Our Introduction to Miniature Painting class has shown some nice results!  During Lessons 1 & 2, we learned the basics of putting brush to paint to model - and already the proof is in the...arrow quivers?  This entire regiment of Mercenary Archers for our Sword & Sorcery games was painted by the class during those lessons, and if I may say so they look absolutely gorgeous.

"Let's give 'em a volley, lads!"

Once the regiment had been painted after Lesson 2, I had the pleasure of using Army Painter QuickShade (Strong Tone) on the unit.  After dipping all 20 of them, I applied Anti-Shine to get rid of the glossy residue left by the QuickShade once it dries.  The process worked out quite well on these models - perhaps it's their 1-piece simplicity.

The basing material was a mix of some ruddy, Dark Brown flock I had leftover from other projects mixed with some other hues.  Army Painter's Grass Green Flock provides a lovely light green accent, while Gale Force 9's Grass flock mixes it's dark green with the dark brown to make a nice Autumn look.

These mercenaries make good skirmishers, as well.

These warriors will likely see battle many times in many fashions.  Whether conscripted into your Baronial Army as you carve out a domain in Mystara, or raining arrows on the minions of the Dragon Queen on Toril, these are some of the best equipped light troops you can obtain.  This regiment is one of the main missile units for our human armies, and the troops you recruit can be deployed anywhere in your forces / domain.

Paint Guide

1. Krylon Ultra-Flat Camouflage Brown Spray  (Basecoat)
2. Elf Flesh  (Flesh)
3. Bubonic Brown  (Leggings)
4. Catachan Green  (Coif / Beltpouch)
5. Vermin Brown  (Wood on Bows & Arrows)
6. Blood Red  (Arrow Fletching)
7. Vomit Brown  (Belts)
8. Black  (Dagger Sheath / Draw Guard)
9. Army Painter Desert Yellow  (Dagger Hilt)
10. Boltgun Metal  (Helmet / Arrowheads)
11. Army Painter QuickShade Strong Tone
12. Army Painter Anti-Gloss
13. Mix of a Dark Brown, Army Painter Grass Green and Gale Force 9 Grass Flocks  (Base Cover)

We're going to have a ton of project logs based on our upcoming class lessons.  When the Introduction is over after ten classes, we're not quite ready to stop.  We've got some good ideas for some advanced techniques we're going to teach our class about that will really spur creativity.  Best of all, we'll have more painted stuff for the club to game with!

The Face of Mystara, Part II (Session 5)

These notes are originally from 11.16.2014.

From the Journal of Alexandra Postoak

5:45

The group passes through the gate and continues on.  The golem still stands on the other side of the fire waiting to come after us.  Blanith cast Magic Missile at it to try and rid us of his presence.

We come upon a room that is filled with skeletons that wield swords.  As we move into the room all of the skeletons move toward us.  We take quite a beating from the skeletons but we manage to smash all of them.

6:26

We all discuss our next move.  Blanith casts Detect Magic on the room and the only thing that seems to glow, aside from us, is the door.  We all want to rest but the Warlock tells us that we don't have time.

6:33

Warwick sneaks through the door to look at what else there might be.  The rest of the group hears a voice saying "Intruders!  And I didn't even order a meal delivered!"

When Warwick comes back and tells us he saw a man in a parlor with an Alphatian slave, we continue into the chamber and talk with the odd-looking man.

We end up buying the slave girl for 300 gold.  She seems to be having trouble walking from the zzonga, so Blanith helps her along while we continue down the hall to the next door.

6:52

Behind the door we find a man behind a fire pit, standing in a magic circle.  There are three magical items on the outside of the circle, and each of them together reads:

"Unravel to Travel,

Be Swift and Be Gone;

With Arcane Words,
A Dweomer Unravels;

The Absence of Dark,

A Power that Travels."

The wizards manage to free the man in the circle by casting spells on the stones.  He says the last place he remembers was being in Waterdeep.  he decides to come with our group.  All of us continue to the next door.  Blanith peeks in and spots two ghouls, then quickly shuts the door.  Warwick decides to go in and look around.

He sees five ghouls in one room and a dragon in the other.  he comes back and tells us that he saw the ghouls and a blue dragon.

We go in to fight the ghouls.  Several of us are paralyzed quickly, but the group manages to destroy the ghouls.  Everyone waits until the paralysis wears off.

7:48

We head down the hallway toward the dragon.  We talk with him and he tells us that we should not enter the room without the key to open his manacles.  He tells us that he is guarding the tower of Caiustaius, which is linked to the tower bridgeway.

7:54

He tells us that the vampire we are looking for is Mandros, the odd-looking man we saw earlier.  We go back to look in the ghoul pit.  Blanith goes in and finds quite a bit of platinum, gold and copper.

8:20

Warwick wanders off again back down the hallways to look for the vampires.  He sees a cloud of smoke behind him then yells to us "It's a trap!"  He sees the vampires and skeletons.  He pours oil on the chair in the parlor and climbs up on top of a bookcase just in time to see a large pack of wolves.

Borion of Waterdeep destroys all of the skeletons, the majority of the wolves and the weaker vampire with a Fire Ball but the spell bounces back and maims the party.

The remaining vampire manages to cast Charm on me, and I turn and kill Rahanu.  I then attack the wizard Borion.

8:46

The vampire vanishes into a cloud of smoke and Blanith Webs me.

The wizards Dispel the Charm on me, and Blanith binds the wounds on Eventree and Rahanu.

Meanwhile...

Todd decides to go be ignorant and shoot at the dragon, then run away.  Todd then comes back as we all decide to go after the vampire.  He receives a very unfriendly welcome back.

We go to look in the vampire's study, but don't see anyone there.  Inside the room we find an evil-looking magic skull and a key in a box (that poisoned Blanith).  Blanith searches more and finds a secret door.

Inside we find a coffin and two treasure chests.  We go in and slay the vampire.  We find a magical sword, and a lot of coins.

9:17

We find several interesting books and a map in the study.

9:23

We give the key to Warwick, and he goes to free the dragon.  The dragon introduces himself as Magarastu, and says he wants to join us.  Then we continue on.

9:35

Our party (dragon and all) continues deeper into the dungeon.  A group of skeletons and powerful looking guy wait for us. 

Magarastu crushes a large number of the skeletons and the ominous looking man.  I am killed by a lightning bolt from one of the wizards.

The group destroys the rest of the wizards, and Rahanu Raises me from the dead.

10:15

We continue on.  Soon we come upon a room full of wizards.  While fighting the wizards, I'm Charmed once again.  I'm told to stop the dragon.  While I continue to try and stop the dragon from going, the others fight the wizards.  They manage to defeat them.  We collect all the magical items from the wizards.

10:49

We enter a room to find what the Warlock tells us is the Configuration Machine to the Vortex below.  He seems very interested in the machine and asks if his friend is inside.  A shadow came out that Sheen says is "part of his friend".

10:54

The dragon tells us there are three activations of the machine.  We can use the Rod to reset the thing.

From in the room behind us we hear "Wand of Lightning!"