Mirtul 1, 1479
The captain I suspected lost in the nearby wood turned up in the town’s herbalist shop. Bewitched by a demoness posing as a farm girl! The succubus had her claws in the captain so deep, the poor man was sending his own troops—a man at a time—to a presumed death. We defeated the succubus and the demons that spawned to defend her. Unfortunately, the captain fought us defending his “queen.” Galindan slew him with a fireball.
Still at question: to what end did the succubus force the captain to bleed his garrison? It seems obvious to make the fort defenseless, but I hope to investigate more for a more definitive conclusion.
I need to get my hands on a Send scroll. I must update the Academy as to my progress.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Role-playing Log, Brom-lak Inksmear, May 2, 2009
Summary:
Very busy night for Str8 Rippin’ this past weekend. Dungeon Master pulled a rope-a-dope on me, hedging left, but swinging right. All signs pointed to trouble in the forest. Indeed, Fort Dolor’s captain had been sending this troops, one by one, to certain doom within the nearby woods. A bloodthirsty succubus, posing as a pretty farm damsel, charmed the poor soldier, beguiling him with enchanted love. As her enslaved minion, she had the captain order his men to the forest a few at a type. Why? That has yet to be seen, but all signs point towards a weakening of the town’s defenses.
Str8 Rippin’ handily revealed the farm damsel to be the wily demon for what she was. A network of caves lie in the back of the greenhouse, carved directly into a mountain wall.
Role-playing Quantity: Low
A good chunk of the evening was spent with a titanic fight against the succubus, the captain she enthralled, and her demon minions.
Role-playing Quality: Low
Brom had the chance to do a bit of interviewing, trying to quiz the townsfolk as to the source of the fort’s woes. He also did some mild interaction with his fellow adventurer, mostly low-grade role-playing. I’m trying to play out Brom as a detective of sorts, but haven’t had much traction as yet.
Very busy night for Str8 Rippin’ this past weekend. Dungeon Master pulled a rope-a-dope on me, hedging left, but swinging right. All signs pointed to trouble in the forest. Indeed, Fort Dolor’s captain had been sending this troops, one by one, to certain doom within the nearby woods. A bloodthirsty succubus, posing as a pretty farm damsel, charmed the poor soldier, beguiling him with enchanted love. As her enslaved minion, she had the captain order his men to the forest a few at a type. Why? That has yet to be seen, but all signs point towards a weakening of the town’s defenses.
Str8 Rippin’ handily revealed the farm damsel to be the wily demon for what she was. A network of caves lie in the back of the greenhouse, carved directly into a mountain wall.
Role-playing Quantity: Low
A good chunk of the evening was spent with a titanic fight against the succubus, the captain she enthralled, and her demon minions.
Role-playing Quality: Low
Brom had the chance to do a bit of interviewing, trying to quiz the townsfolk as to the source of the fort’s woes. He also did some mild interaction with his fellow adventurer, mostly low-grade role-playing. I’m trying to play out Brom as a detective of sorts, but haven’t had much traction as yet.
Monday, April 27, 2009
From the Journal of Brom-lak Inksmear
Tarsahk 30, 1479
We dispatched some minions of Gruumsh today and yesterday. Both bands descended on us in the dead of night like the cowards they are. The second ambush came as an act of revenge. Apparently, the ogre priest took umbrage at the slaying of his orc pets. Though it had nothing to do with my mission whatsoever, I took great satisfaction in the events of the last two days. Evil was delivered a blow this day.
Mirtul 1, 1479
On the outskirts of
Jirl Merris proved less friendly than her cousin in Bristol Watch. And even less open about Dolor’s troubles than the farmers beyond her gate. She came close to divulging details several times, but always stopped short with “. . . but no, I dare say no more.” She has the brusqueness of a busy tavern keeper, but like her fellows working the fields, I sense an underlying fear from her that conflicts her greatly.
She did reveal that
Whatever the source of the citizenry’s reluctance to inform and detail, it seems clear to me that a visit to the forest must happen. The earlier, the better. I’m traveling with a goodly band of adventurers and I’m betting they will agree to explore the nearby copse, if only for the chance at treasure and fame. I have no way to communicate with WLA, but I operate on the premise that I am charged with revealing, confronting, and defeating.
Of note, some members of my new adventuring friends took offense at some evidence I took from our first encounter with the orc Gruumans. The followers bear a curious sigil, unfamiliar to me so far. Curious, I lopped an arm off, just above the wrist, preserving the mark for others to hopefully identify. But when I pulled the arm out to show to Jirl Merris, some in my party balked! I must remember that not everyone handles such matters as clinically as I.
Role-playing Log, Brom-lak Inksmear, April 25, 2009
Summary:
Brom and Str8 Rippin' dispatched a band of orc and ogre Gruumsh followers on their way to Fort Dolor. Upon entering the town, the party began to piece together that people have been disappearing mysteriously and most everyone blames the nearby forest.
Role-playing Quantity: Medium
Real nice balance of role-playing and combat last session. Our DM called referred to our encounter with the Gruumsh followers as a "random, scripted encounter." His pack of "scripted" mobs killed a pack of gibberlings for us, to which I'm eternally grateful.
Role-playing Quality: Medium
I was able to work on Brom a bit last session. I'm playing him as helpful, even-tempered, reasonable. In other words, the exact opposite of Rend. Not quite as exciting, but it has the side-benefit of not pissing of the fellow players. I don't see Brom as a potential leader for the party, but I do see him as someone who will play a strong part in determining Str8 Rippin's mission base. I'm going to keep him fiercely loyal to the White Lotus Academy, so much so that he'll follow the Academy's orders and directions above those of the party's. That might prove some nice fertile ground to role-play in future sessions. Right now, Brom is firmly devoted to rooting out the danger that seems to grip Fort Dolor so firmly.
Brom and Str8 Rippin' dispatched a band of orc and ogre Gruumsh followers on their way to Fort Dolor. Upon entering the town, the party began to piece together that people have been disappearing mysteriously and most everyone blames the nearby forest.
Role-playing Quantity: Medium
Real nice balance of role-playing and combat last session. Our DM called referred to our encounter with the Gruumsh followers as a "random, scripted encounter." His pack of "scripted" mobs killed a pack of gibberlings for us, to which I'm eternally grateful.
Role-playing Quality: Medium
I was able to work on Brom a bit last session. I'm playing him as helpful, even-tempered, reasonable. In other words, the exact opposite of Rend. Not quite as exciting, but it has the side-benefit of not pissing of the fellow players. I don't see Brom as a potential leader for the party, but I do see him as someone who will play a strong part in determining Str8 Rippin's mission base. I'm going to keep him fiercely loyal to the White Lotus Academy, so much so that he'll follow the Academy's orders and directions above those of the party's. That might prove some nice fertile ground to role-play in future sessions. Right now, Brom is firmly devoted to rooting out the danger that seems to grip Fort Dolor so firmly.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
In Bruges
First off, "Bruges" is pronounced "brooge," as in it rhymes with "scrooge." You better drop the "es" or sound like a total idiot when you mention the movie's title. Not that I personally made that mistake. No way. Not a chance.
In Bruges is a great movie, by the way. "Don't hold it against me," is a common refrain that Americans in the movie say by way of admitting they're citizens of the United States (why do I now picture all Americans traveling abroad as constantly apologizing that they're American?).
But the movie could also say that about having Colin Farrell star in it: "Yes, Colin stars in me, but please! Don't hold that against me!" And you shouldn't because Farrell makes this movie. He's hilarious in it. He's got some of the movie's best lines and he delivers them like the half-drunken Irishman he probably is in real life, accompanied with some of the best facial acting I've seen in recent memory. If the sight of Farrell sickened you from the half dozen or so movies he's made this past decade, push that illness aside and give the man and his unibrow another chance. You won't be disappointed.
Even if Bruges is a shithole.
In Bruges is a great movie, by the way. "Don't hold it against me," is a common refrain that Americans in the movie say by way of admitting they're citizens of the United States (why do I now picture all Americans traveling abroad as constantly apologizing that they're American?).
But the movie could also say that about having Colin Farrell star in it: "Yes, Colin stars in me, but please! Don't hold that against me!" And you shouldn't because Farrell makes this movie. He's hilarious in it. He's got some of the movie's best lines and he delivers them like the half-drunken Irishman he probably is in real life, accompanied with some of the best facial acting I've seen in recent memory. If the sight of Farrell sickened you from the half dozen or so movies he's made this past decade, push that illness aside and give the man and his unibrow another chance. You won't be disappointed.
Even if Bruges is a shithole.
Role-playing Log, Brom-lak Inksmear, April 17, 2009
Summary:
Brom-lak Inksmear, genasi swordmage and premier student of the famed White Lotus Academy, is sent on a dangerous mission to investigate recent reports that some evil befalls a tiny village, one Bristol Watch, Vilhon Wilds. Brom travels to Bristol Watch with all due haste. Upon arriving, he finds the town completely devastated, but the threat neutralized. He soon meets the band of adventurers responsible for defeating the evil and gathers information from them, including the insect horde threat commanded by the nefarious Ne'ral.
Brom communicates back to the academy Elders (via Send ritual) all the intel he gathered. The Elders digest the information and respond in kind, ordering Brom to investigate a new threat, just two days west of Bristol Watch at the Fort Dolor. Str8 Rippin' agrees to accompany Brom to the fort as some in the party received their own information about rumblings west of Bristol Watch.
Role-playing Quantity: High
The entire night was nearly all role-playing. The only fight of the night barely qualified, a botched assassination attempt on Quinn.
Role-playing Quality: Medium
Brom is the new character I rolled to replace Rend. I'm essentially playing the same template, with the slight tweek that Brom is the Aegis of Shielding specc (a more defensive defender than the Assault version). I made Brom a student of the White Lotus Academy, a recent article published in the D&D Insider website. The DM placed the school north of Akanul, in Aglarond. My idea for Brom's journey to Bristol Watch and eventual integration with Str8 Rippin' was the investigation into the emergence of a ravenous insect horde in the Vilhon Wilds.
That proved a decent enough hook to get Brom with the rest of the players, but the role-playing aspect proved difficult. I really don't have a firm grasp on Brom's personality and motivations, beyond serving the academy as an investigator. As a result, I often felt at a lost on how to react to the other player characters. As a whole, my role-playing felt stilted and forced.
I think I'm going to have Brom play the part of a conscientious bureaucrat. He will take copious, detailed notes on behalf of the Academy's missions. I'm picturing a kind of Sherlock Holmes, branding a bastard sword rather than a pipe. That could prove fertile territory, though I bet it's going to be hard to play the role of detective with six other players.
Brom-lak Inksmear, genasi swordmage and premier student of the famed White Lotus Academy, is sent on a dangerous mission to investigate recent reports that some evil befalls a tiny village, one Bristol Watch, Vilhon Wilds. Brom travels to Bristol Watch with all due haste. Upon arriving, he finds the town completely devastated, but the threat neutralized. He soon meets the band of adventurers responsible for defeating the evil and gathers information from them, including the insect horde threat commanded by the nefarious Ne'ral.
Brom communicates back to the academy Elders (via Send ritual) all the intel he gathered. The Elders digest the information and respond in kind, ordering Brom to investigate a new threat, just two days west of Bristol Watch at the Fort Dolor. Str8 Rippin' agrees to accompany Brom to the fort as some in the party received their own information about rumblings west of Bristol Watch.
Role-playing Quantity: High
The entire night was nearly all role-playing. The only fight of the night barely qualified, a botched assassination attempt on Quinn.
Role-playing Quality: Medium
Brom is the new character I rolled to replace Rend. I'm essentially playing the same template, with the slight tweek that Brom is the Aegis of Shielding specc (a more defensive defender than the Assault version). I made Brom a student of the White Lotus Academy, a recent article published in the D&D Insider website. The DM placed the school north of Akanul, in Aglarond. My idea for Brom's journey to Bristol Watch and eventual integration with Str8 Rippin' was the investigation into the emergence of a ravenous insect horde in the Vilhon Wilds.
That proved a decent enough hook to get Brom with the rest of the players, but the role-playing aspect proved difficult. I really don't have a firm grasp on Brom's personality and motivations, beyond serving the academy as an investigator. As a result, I often felt at a lost on how to react to the other player characters. As a whole, my role-playing felt stilted and forced.
I think I'm going to have Brom play the part of a conscientious bureaucrat. He will take copious, detailed notes on behalf of the Academy's missions. I'm picturing a kind of Sherlock Holmes, branding a bastard sword rather than a pipe. That could prove fertile territory, though I bet it's going to be hard to play the role of detective with six other players.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Humble Grumble
My transfer to the district's newest middle school went through last week and I am neck-deep in work. I started working on the library's ODC (Opening Day Collection) last Thursday and only today am I beginning to grasp the enormity of my task. Over the past Easter holiday weekend, I averaged around six hours of work per day. And I put in about two to three hours each weekday evening too.
It sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm really not. It's an amazing opportunity to build a library from scratch. I know lots of librarians dying for the chance and most never will because it's a relatively rare endeavor. It's also a time-consuming process. I have starting lists as a reference point, but I still have to review each and every title on those lists, not to mention re-configuring bindings, quantities, and editions. It's an exercise in permutations, manipulating and controlling up to five options for some titles.
It doesn't help that I have a looming due date, too fast approaching. I have to have my final list order into the vendors by May 15th. In between now and that date, literally thousands of titles to sift through. I'm confident I'm going to hit the date on time, but it's going to take some concentrated effort on my part. My extra-curricular gaming has all but withered and died on the vine, except for my weekly D&D sessions. I don't see that changing much until June, at the earliest.
It sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm really not. It's an amazing opportunity to build a library from scratch. I know lots of librarians dying for the chance and most never will because it's a relatively rare endeavor. It's also a time-consuming process. I have starting lists as a reference point, but I still have to review each and every title on those lists, not to mention re-configuring bindings, quantities, and editions. It's an exercise in permutations, manipulating and controlling up to five options for some titles.
It doesn't help that I have a looming due date, too fast approaching. I have to have my final list order into the vendors by May 15th. In between now and that date, literally thousands of titles to sift through. I'm confident I'm going to hit the date on time, but it's going to take some concentrated effort on my part. My extra-curricular gaming has all but withered and died on the vine, except for my weekly D&D sessions. I don't see that changing much until June, at the earliest.
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