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!