Gencon 2016

GenCon 2016 marks my 10th year in a row getting to play at GenCon Indianapolis – lots of fun as usual. Here are some pictures!

Countdown until Exhibitor Hall opening!

The Pokemon Go center…

This family had sweet costumes! Go Captain America, Agent Carter, Black Widow, and Hulk!

A fantastic Belle!

Vault dwellers…

Spider-man!

 

And some pics of the newest Dwarven Forge Castles Kickstarter!

Dark*Matter #8-London Calling

1. 2016 May 14
   1. PCs: Markov, Lester, Maverick, Angus
2. Date: 2012 Dec 17
   1. While in London, an Inspector Lestrade from Scotland Yard - a friend of the Knights is seeking the Millenium Knights help in investigating a pair of murders that are have suspicious ritual cultic activity. Supervisor Gordon-Yancy asks the agents for help in investigating the two suspicious murders as she notes that they have previous experience with ritual cultic serial murders, and that the Knight's local expert on cult activity was killed the week before during a burglary at his antique store.
   2. The two victims in the past few days have no known connection:
      1. Kendra Myers: DOB 22 Dec 1991
         1. An engineering student at the University of London.
         2. Slain at approximately 9 P.M. on Saturday, December 15 in her flat on Bedford Way in Bloomsbury (a district of London near the University of London).
         3. Body found at 9:40 P.M. by classmate Jeremy Burnham, arriving to study for upcoming engineering tests.
         4. Neighbors interviewed reported hearing no unusual noises or visitors around the time of death.
         5. Probable cause of death: massive bleeding caused by amputation of hands and removal of heart from chest cavity.
         6. Victim also had bruises on biceps, suggesting that she was gripped strongly by a powerful individual standing behind her. However, no defensive wounds or other signs of a struggle were found.
      2. Michael Grosvenor: DOB 22 Dec 1981
         1. A library assistant working in the British Library.
         2. Slain between 9:45 P.M. and 10:30 P.M. on Monday, December 17 in a reading room at the British Library.
         3. Body found at 8:20 A.M. on Tuesday the 18th by another library worker.
         4. Probable cause of death: massive bleeding caused by amputation of hands and removal of heart from chest cavity.
         5. Victim also had bruises on biceps, suggesting that he was gripped strongly by a powerful individual standing behind him. However, no defensive wounds or other signs of a struggle were found.
         6. Partial bloodstained footprint found near body; print resembles that of a great ape, but the species is as yet unidentified.
   3. The agents also request the details of the death of the local cult expert. There likewise is no connection with the two deaths, and the method of death was vastly different.
      1. Paramijt Singh: DOB 16 Jul 1953
         1. Antique dealer who operated a shop in east London.
         2. Time of death: approximately 8:45 P.M. on Friday, December 14 at his shop. Body found at approximately 9:30 A.M. on Monday the 17th by a customer.
         3. Probable cause of death: massive bleeding from multiple slash wounds across the abdomen.
         4. Current hypothesis: The victim interrupted a robbery in progress (as suggested by toppled shelves and ransacked storage). It is yet unknown what (if anything) might have been taken by the assailants.
         5. Analysis of the body found no defensive wounds or other signs of struggle.
         6. Fiber analysis revealed several reddish-brown animal hairs on the premises. Preliminary analysis indicates that they most likely belong to a primate, perhaps a baboon or orangutan.
         7. No signs of forced entry were found, suggesting that either the assailant had a key or was known by the victim.
3. Determined to get the investigation started early, they decide to head to Singh's Antiques in east London. In the midst of the Asian district, there is still a fair amount of activity in the evening time as customers made their way into 2nd hand electronics stores, book shoppes, shoemakers and such. The agents weave through the small crowds gathered around food stalls on the way from the tube exit to Singh's Antique. Sitting in the midst of the many stores, it stands out with the yellow police tape over the door.

1. Markov proves adept at making quick work of the lock as they gain entrance; he notes that the lock is intact with no signs of being forced. Inside, the small store is littered with toppled shelves and scattered items. The only other door leads to a small back room.
2. Picking through the evidence, they notice no bloody tracks, suggesting the killer was careful to avoid the large bloodstain on the floor. They find Singh's locked cashbox tucked under the counter with over 500 pounds inside, as well as several clearly valuable artifacts, such as those made of engraved silver or gold jewelry with inlaid semi-precious stones.
3. Sitting on the floor in the back room is an opened wooden crate that appeared overly large for the two items still carefully packed inside: a bronze vase inscribed with skulls and leaves, and a triangular iron spear tip decorated with a flame motif. Next to the crate is a page that appears to have been torn from a Sotheby's catalog.
4. They agents retire to their hotel rooms for the night.

1. 2012 Dec 18:
   1. Scotland Yard: The next morning, the agents meet with Inspector Lestrade who provides access to the medical examiner as well as accompanies them to the murder sites.
      1. When asked about why the Inspector contacted Gordon-Yancy at the Millenium Knights, he informed them that he has found them knowledgeable and helpful with the "strange ones. We used to have a chap who handled that kind of thing - Richard? Randall? Or something like that, but left the force six, or maybe eight years ago. Odd chap, to be sure."
         1. They ask Emma at Personnel to track down Reginald Falsworth.
      2. A quick inspection of the two bodies did not reveal any new information, and they are notified the bloodwork analysis is still pending.
   2. British Library:

    

   

   1. Accompanied by Inspector Lestrade, they have no trouble accessing the cordoned reading room - a comfortable chamber with several overstuffed chairs and a fireplace. The cozy room is marred by the enormous bloodstain soaked into the large rug in the center of the room.
      1. Markov notes that there is less blood splattered around that might be expected for such a gruesome killing.
      2. Lester points out a partial bloody footprint just inside the door.
      3. They also make note that while the fireplace is empty of tinder or ashes, the hearth bears a scorch mark. Curiously, in the center of the scorch mark is a round, unmarred area about 8 inches across.
   1. Kendra Myer's flat:

    

   

   1. Located near the University of London, the building sits among rows of other student houses. Students bustle to- and fro- to meet with friends, head to class, or participate in some collegiate activity.
   2. The hallway leading to Myer's flat is like the thousands of similar ones throughout the city, with only the bright yellow police tape marking the room as anything but usual. There are no signs of forced entry through the door, and likewise for the single window in the living room. The toilet window only opens a few inches, and there are no signs it has been tampered with.
      1. The sparse, but comfortable space is tidy, and the accoutrements of student life decorate the small room - books on engineering, photos of mum and sisters, class catalogs, etc. For whatever diabolical reason, her murder cut short the life of a promising young woman.
      2. Like the Grosvenor murder scene, there is less blood splattered around than might be expected for such a gruesome killing, again suggestive of a victim that did not struggle much.
      3. They agents notice however, that the edges of the bathroom sink are slightly charred, as if they had been exposed to direct flame. There is also a small soot stain on the ceiling directly above the sink.
   1. Around tea time, they return to Scotland Yard where Markov calls the Sotheby's Auction House in New York upon their opening.
      1. He confirms that Singh had previously purchased several items from southeast Asia - an Indian brass bowl, a Nepalese bronze ritual ewer, a Tibetan iron spear point, and an Indian copper dagger and sheath.
   2. Maverick meanwhile begins his research on the unique methods of death and is rewarded with information that suggests the practice of removing a heart and a hand was linked to a particularly sadistic worship of the Indian god Kali.
      1. Indian Mythology, AL. Trivedi, Ph.D.; © 1988 Panjabi Publishing "Kali is an emanation or aspect of Devi, one of the Asuras, whose name means "black." She was often called "Kali Ma." Meaning the black mother. She has a dark complexion; long, loose hair; a blood-smeared, tusked face; and three eyes. She has four arms: one handling a sword; another holding the severed head of a giant; and with the other two, she encourages worshippers. She is naked except for a belt made of rows of severed hands and a garland around her neck made of human skulls and of snakes. She is usually shown standing over her husband, Siva.
      2. "Her first deed was her battle with Raktavira. Unfortunately, each drop of blood Raktavira shed gave birth to a thousand giants as powerful as himself. She finally overcame him by holding him up, piercing him with her spear and drinking all his blood (which is why she is often shown with her tongue lolling out and dripping with blood.)
      3. "After the fight, Kali danced a victory dance that shook the entire earth. Siva begged her to stop, but Kali did not see him and he was trampled underfoot. From that time on, the gods would bribe or beg her to slay their foes. She gladly did this to satisfy her lust for blood.
      4. "Kali is waited upon by a great number of shapeshifting demons called Rakshasas, who feed upon flesh and are also known as Asra-pas or blood drinkers. Her worship includes orgiastic rites and human sacrifices, during which the victims' hands are severed and eaten while their hearts are cut-out and burned in a consecrated brass bowl. According to Indian calculations, the world will soon enter the fourth age of the cosmos. This age is called Kali Yuga or Kali's Age: the Age of Destruction. Most texts place the start of this age as December 22, 2012."
   3. The medical examiner confirms the two bodies contain elevated levels of copper in the blood, and at the site of the wounds
   4. Emma also is able to get a picture of Reginal Falsworth from the personnel files. He is a young man with black hair, and she tells them that he would be 46 years at that time. But she cautions them that the picture and information is almost 10 years old.
      1. Maverick once again takes to the computers and is able to find a match in the conspiracy theory forums for a man who claimed to be a part of Scotland Yard. He even finds that the handle "SpookyMan" was active even as of just a few hours previous. Further sleuthing reveals the man's IP address' physical location in Hyde Park!
2. Falsworth's flat:
   1. The agents accompanied Inspector Lestrade to Falsworth's flat anticipating a conflict  with a delusional man. They are met there by Angus McGillicuty, and they show Falsworth's picture to the landlady, who tells them his flat number.
   2. Breaking in, they find a surprised Falsworth - older and more disheveled than his decade-old photograph -  who turns out to be more relieved at finding a group open to believing his theories than upset at being confronted.
      1. He informs them that he believes that the murders are the work of a group aiming to summon the demon-god Kali. And further that he has identified the two other people that they will murder for the ritual to be complete - Vivian Brunswick, a nurse at St. Thomas Hospital, born 22.12.71 and James J. Sibley, a member of the House of Lords and Minister of Parliament,  born 22.12.61; both at 12:01 am.
      2. He is convinced that they will be targeted in the next few days, and that the Kali cultists have a Rakshasa servant. He emphasizes several times that they must do whatever it takes to prevent Kali from being summoned.
   3. Markov calls the Yard and threatens Sibley's life in all manner of colourful ways to ensure enhancement of his security. Inspector Lestrade hurriedly speeds off to aid in the security.
   4. A second call to St. Thomas hospital reveals that Brunswick is still working her shift. They ask her to be detained by security until they arrive. It is an hour trip on the tube.
3. Protecting (?) Brunswick:
   1. The agents, accompanied by Falsworth, meet with Brunswick, who becomes understandably concerned about her daughter's welfare alone at home when told about the danger to her. She is anxious to return home, so they decide to follow her discreetly whilst she travels; perhaps the cultists can be lured out!
   2. Forming an invisible protective bubble, they board the District Line to Beacontree. They keep a close eye on her even as the light crowd pushes in onto the train.  A few minutes later, they realize that Brunswick is exiting on Plaistow; the agents quickly debark with Angus staying on to ensure there wasn't any trickery going on. Markov quickly catches up and attempts to nonchalantly walk parallel to the widow, with Lester, then Markov and Falsworth following.
   3. Brunswick exits onto the surface streets where the crowds slowly disperses. After walking the streets a few minutes, she abruptly turns down into an alley. Markov quickly backtracks and enters the alley to see that 20 yards in front of her, a pair of men are slowly walking away. He rushes forward, attracting their attention - a young Asian man, and a large British man. As he pushes past Brunswick towards them, the Asian man simply tells Markov to "leave them". The Russian agent stops in his tracks - the command tugging at his brain; but pushing through the sudden urge to leave, Markov simply turns away… draws his pistol, completes his turn, and puts a bullets square in the Asian man's forehead.
   4. The distinctive crack of the firearm discharge spurs the other three toward the alley entrance where they see the other man striking Markov in the throat with powerful hands, dropping him. Not trusting to shoot past Brunswick, Lester runs up to her with his pistols appearing in his hands; a pair of shorts sees only one finding its home in the man's shoulder. Maverick meanwhile tackles Brunswick to the ground as Falsworth fires his .38 into the Brit as well.
   5. Unbothered by the two wounds, the man rushes forward and swings at Maverick, gouging thin streaks of blood onto his upraised arms. More shots ring out into the man's back, which seem only to enrage it further, who's furious swings at Maverick come close to tearing his throat out.
   6. Falsworth suddenly calls out for Maverick to "sacrifice the woman!" as he aims his revolver at the woman cowering behind Maverick; Maverick hesitates, but unleashes his next bullet again at the Brit. Is the blood loss getting to him? It almost appears as if the man's elongated fingers and thickly-haired arm are claws!
   7. In desperation, Lester charges in and fire Johnson and Johnson directly into the back of the man's head, finally causing him to drop. Kicking at the body, Falsworth is satisfied the threat is gone before taking the gun off Brunswick.
4. Epilogue:
   1. Quickly arousing Markov, the agents retrieve the dagger and bowl from the Asian man. They find no CCTVs in the dark alley and quickly leave the scene with Brunswick before the growing sirens arrive. A glance back at the Brit doesn't show any strangeness to his appearance; it must have been the light and the adrenaline playing with their senses…
   2. The agents contact Lestrade, who doesn't want to know any details. He is comforted by the fact that the woman is safe, and that there is no video evidence of the "Asian gang violence".
   3. XP: 3
5. GM:
   1. London Calling was originally a module released for the Alternity Dark*Matter game

by Andy Collins. It was originally published in Dungeon Magazine #83 (November/December 2000). It is available online at London Calling.

Dark*Matter #8–London Calling Handouts

Sotheby’s Catalog

17. A SINO-TIBE'IAN GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF VAJRADHARA
AND CONSORT, late 18th/early 19th century, seated
in dhyanasana on a double lotus …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 17 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
18. AN INDIAN METAL RITUAL VESSEL, circa 18th century,
brass howl with Hindi inscriptions and slender serpentine
feet, approximately ...
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 18 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
19. TWO TERRACOITA HEADS, Rajasthan, circa 19th century;
each with almond shaped eyes, triangular nose, plump
cheeks and slightly smiling …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 19 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
20. A PORTRAIT OF A NOBLEMAN AND AN ASCETIC, Deccan,
Hyderabad, circa 1800, the nobleman kneeling before
the ascetic on a terrace, the …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 20 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
21. A MUGHAL STYLE DRAWING OF A PRINCE, circa 18th
century, standing and facing left wearing a flaring jama and
turban, a sword and …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 21 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
22. A TIBETAN THANKA OF PEHAR, 19th century, seated on a
white lion and holding a capa and sara, churi, khadga and
danda, encircled by ...
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 22 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
23. FIVE TIBETAN COPPER, BRASS AND SILVER GAUS.
18th/19th century, each portable shrine decorated on the
front with Tibetan characters and …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 23 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
24. A TIBETAN LARGE REPOUSSE GILT COPPER FIGURE
OF VAISRAVANA. 17th/18th century the guardian seated on
a lotus throne, wearing boots,
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 24 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
25. A TIBETAN REPOUSSE GILT COPPER GUARDIAN FIGURE.
18th century, standing and wearing foil armor, boots,
long billowing sashes and large ...
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 25 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
26. A NEPALESE BRONZE RITUAL EWER, circa l8th/l9th
century, the flaring body chased with lappets, skulls and
scrolling foliage, mounted …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 26 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
27. A TIBETAN IRON RITUAL SPEAR POINT, l7th/l8th century,
damascened with flames at the base of the faceted triangular
blade, ...
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 27 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
28. A THAI SANDSTONE HEAD OF BUDDHA, Ayuthia Style,
with serene expression, triangular nose, full lips, downcast
eyes anti arched ...
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 28 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
29. A NEPALESE COPPER VOTIVE PLAQUE, late 19th century,
rectangular centered by a bodhisattva inset with rock
crystal, standing on a lotus ...
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 29 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
30. A TIBETAN ASTROLOGICAL THANKA, 19th century, a
central stylized lotus flower with eight petals each containing
a trigram, encircled by a …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 30 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
31. A MUGHAL STYLE COTTON HANGING, 1940, boldly
decorated with a large poppy plant with three large red blossoms
and five buds, all with …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 31 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
32. A TIBETAN PAINTED WOOD CABINET, 19th century, She
central door depicting the face of a ferocious dharmapala
with bulging eyes, open …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 23 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
33. AN INDIAN COPPER DAGGER AND SHEATH, circa 18th
century, the steel blade damascened with Hindi characters
and foliage. ...
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 23 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
34. A GANDHARAN STUCCO HEAD OF A WOMAN. 4th/5th
century, her face with benign expression, downcast eyes and
slightly smiling mouth, …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 23 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]
—————————————————————————————
35. A GANDHARAN GRAY SCHIST HEAD OF BUDDHA,
3rd/4th century, his oval face with meditative expression,
heavy-lidded almond shaped eyes …
Arcade: Along the Silk Road: Asian & Islamic Decorations
& Chinese Furniture-Lot 23 8-Dec-2001 [Sotheby's New
York, NY]

Princes of the Apocalypse #2

[Game date: 2016 Apr 17]

[GM Law’s write up]

A southern breeze blew warmly as our heroes returned from Lance Rock. Having driven the mad necromancer out of the area, the heroes returned slightly changed for the better. Feeling the shame of having a foe escape from his grasp, Hoggle decided to change his name to Visk. As the party entered the inn, they happened upon a pair of humans who were discussing their longing for work. Having a need for bodyguards and meat shields, Visk implored the pair to join them and the group became slightly bigger. Chango and Kirke were glad to be able to find the work and be able to support themselves. While Visk and Korek drew and posted crude wanted signs around town warning them of the incontinent necromancer, Kirke found daytime work at one of the local quarries. The night passed uneventfully.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced the windows of the inn, Kirke went off to work while the others decided on a day of shopping. After Brother Faruk's near death encounter at the hands of poor medicineship, Visk was able to procure 2 healing kits from the local scrounge shop. On his way back to the inn, a giant sinkhole opened up in the middle of town, sucking four hapless children and a woman. Kirke, being hero to the damsel in distress, grabbed rope to help those in the hole but was unable to keep his balance and fell in. Luckily he found the soft earth to be a great target and was unhurt. Several of the town elders were asking the townsfolk to back away from the hole as they attempted to rescue the victims. Visk, Brother Faruk, Chango, and Korek went into the holy after Visk spotted stone door along one of the far walls. Thus a rescue mission became a journey of exploration.

At the first junction, two stone dwarves guarded the sides of the passage. Noticing these were doors, the party decided to go down the right path. This led them straight to an abandoned privy. Not ever abashed at the prospect of secrets and treasure, Visk lowered himself into the toilet and found nothing. Retracing their steps, the party took the left door and soon came upon a grisly scene. The smell of rotting flesh permeated their nostrils as two giant rats were feasting on a pile of human bodies. When Kirke went to push them away, they turned around and attacked him. As the rest of the party pushed forward to help him, Visk found himself surrounded by three rats and each feasted on one of his lower appendages. The party was able to dispatch them but our brave wizard was feeling a bit diseased. After a quick rest and diagnosis, the party pushed forward into a room with a floating rock. Unable to enjoy the simply pleasures of watching a rock float in the middle of the room, Korek went and removed the rock. Moving into its space, he realized that he as floating just as the rock had. This area permeates a magic of an earthly nature.

As the delved deeper in, our heroes came upon a room with an enormous statue of a dwarf. As the rest of the party marveled at its posture, Kirke noticed the glint of an arrow and warned the party of the impending ambush. The fight was long and arduous. Korek was knocked unconscious and hope seemed lost as our brave knights kept falling prone thirty feet away from the enemies. Eventually they decided that they were men and engaged them. Thanks to Kirke's shield bashing ability, the leader was finally dispatched and the remaining group was defeated. As they searched through the bodies, a familiar sign was emblazoned on each of the dead enemies' armor. It was a triangle with a small vertical line at the base.

After a short rest, our party collected the treasure at the feet of the statue including a very nice dagger. Choosing the eastern door, they opened it to find a balding, frail old man who began to beg for his life. Weary of deceit, the party questioned him profusely until they determined that he might just be slow in the head. As Baragustas lead them through the central corridor, the party came upon a humongous stone. Next to the stone was a half orc keeping watch and a child pinned on the floor by stones. As the poor boy cried for help, our "heroes" questioned the half orc about the underground ruins. They found out that some of the townspeople were in a group that called themselves the Believers. One of the leaders of the Believers was Rotharr Hatherhand, the father of the child. After tying up Grund the half orc and Baragustas, our so-called "heroes" left the kid pinned under the stones and went back toward the east, looking for the Delvers, a mystical group of bodies that were believed to be able to tell the future. They were also interested in the so-called prophet, Larrakh.

Opening the door led into a giant chamber. There were rocks floating slightly above the ground and six bodies could be seen on stone tables. While sneaking and exploring, the scout Korek came across a hiding guard and the fight was on. Between Larrakh's magic and the party's horrible horrible horrible luck, the party was almost destroyed. Brother Faruk found himself using his healing to pick up Visk and Chango during the fight. As the party began to fall, Larrakh sensed his impending victory and could not help but gloat. "Your deaths shall signal the rise of the Cult of the Black Earth!" However, Brother Faruk had heard enough of the blasphemy and channeled the powers of his fingers into a single blast of energy. The bolt struck Larrakh square in the mouth and the cultist beat a hasty retreat as his followers began to fall. Although Larrakh escaped, our heroes have gathered some information on sinister activities that have happened in Red Larch.

Returning to the surface, the party tells Constable Harburk about the cult that has been hiding under the town and the dead bodies that have been found. The Constable suspects that the Believers may be involved and begins a thorough investigation. Harburk questions both Grund and Baragustas and finds out that although both aided the Believers, none of them were directly involved in the murders. Haburk continues his investigations over the next several days as the party rests and decided what their next plan is...

OOC:

Everyone should now be level 3. This is the last time any changes can be made to characters.

Total Gold for the night and special treasure (including any you have already spent)

440cp/253sp/97gp from dwarven statue

6 small green agates and 2 polished moonstones (130gp total)

dagger +1

54sp from Larrakh's party

4 Mirabar trade bars

Assorted weaponry

Until next time...

Princes of the Apocalypse #1

[Game date: 2016 Mar 26]

(Law starting a new D&D 5E campaign for us to try out. Here is our story which he has written. I posted it here for our reference.)

A group of friends living in Waterdeep were summoned to Red Larch to help an acquaintance of Hoggle. Traveling as a group, Hoggle, Korek, Brother Faruk and Pitus the Fourth made the week long journey to Red Larch. When they arrived, they heard rumors of banditry and robberies as well as strange occurrences happening at a place called Lance Rock.

Needing money to purchase splint mail, Hoggle convinced the constable to offer a reward for helping to clear out some bandits. Heading to a site of known bandits, the group stumbled upon a gang of four bandits and a caged bear. While sneaking in for a closer look, Korek literally stumbled and the fight was on. During the fight the bear broke free of his cage and began to wreak havoc across the battlefield. In the end, both beast and bandit were defeated and Hoggle had enough gold to purchase his armor from the friendly neighborhood half-orc arms dealer.

Not content with dealing with bandits, the heroic party decided to investigate the rumors of strange occurrences at Lance Rock. Approaching the stone, they came upon a sign warning them to stay away else they contract the plague. Ignoring reason, the party pressed on and found a cave near the base of the rock. Wandering in, they encountered zombies and skeletons as they tried to find the root cause of the disturbances. Strategically retreating more than once and almost succumbing to a roaming wolf pack, the party finally encountered the Lord of Lance Rock who bid them to leave him in peace. Being the prudent and accommodating heroes that they are, the group decided to retreat one last time and allow the "Lord" to escape. When they returned, all they found were a few skeletons they quickly dispatched and a hovering stone with an unknown sigil that disappeared after the stone was removed. They returned to Red Larch, warning the townsfolk to beware of the Lord of Lance Rock and with pockets every so slightly heavier.

OOC: The party currently consists of 2 rogues, 1 bard, and 1 wizard. Seems tank/fighter light.

Everyone should be at level 2 now.

Background is randomly determined, if you roll 1d12 I can let you know your character background.

Starting equipment is based off choices from class and background, no starting gold unless otherwise stated.

Point buy is fine.

Healer makes life easier. Not sure if you had Cure Wounds Andrew.

Allowed to change anything about character until level 3.

HP after 1st level will be rolled in my presence. Roll or half, whichever is higher.

Total Gold for the night and special treasure (including any you have already spent)

25gp for bandit ears

99cp/74sp/113gp for bandit treasure

165sp/78gp from Lance Rock

4x 50gp gems from Lance Rock

driftglobe

Total: 99cp/238sp/416gp

Divide by 4

Old Dwarven Forge Pictures–Arena

[Originally posted on the Dwarven Forge forums 2010 Jan 27. Game dates 2009 Dec 01 and Dec 29]]

In a Forgotten Realms game my friend has been running between my regular games (utilizing a completely home-brewed rules system he created), our characters were hired out to escort a group of cargo-bearing lizardmen north along the Sword Coast to Luskan. Turns out, we were part of the "delivery" to the slavers. After putting up a good fight - unexpectedly on the part of our GM, who thought we would just lay down arms, we were subdued and forced to fight in the arena.

I remembered having just seen an incredible arena on the forums, so I tried channeling dudebird as I hastily created one from the 2 cavern sets I have.

We were split into two "teams", and were given descriptions of the other gladiators on the opposing team. We had to pair up and choose a duo on the opposing team to fight.

This was the slaver’s complex, with the natural cavern serving as the arena; one side held the “box-seats” for the boss, and a pair of elevated platforms on each side had archers ready to shoot anyone who didn’t participate or tried to flee. We actually ended the game getting put into the arena that day, so the pictures below was us recreating just the arena portion from memory.

The arena layout, and the teams facing off. The last is a picture of my minotaur weaponmaster laying the smackdown on two of the lizardscum who sold us off into slavery and had volunteered to join in the arena for fun; they didn't expect us to rain on their parade. 8-)

Enjoy!

Pathfinder Society #11–The Riddle

[Another old post whose pictures I recently dug back up. Originally posted on the Dwarven Forge forums 2009 Dec 26. Game date 2009 Dec 20]

I just started a Pathfinder Society group in Indy. For the first mod, I looked for something that would showcase the Return of the Ancients set. PFS #11 is called the Third Riddle and it takes place in a Giant Sphinx - perfect! The blurb reads:

When Pathfinder Colm Safan entered the Nethys-linked heart of the fabled dungeon known as the Ravenous Sphinx, the Pathfinder Society expected to solve one of Osirion's greatest riddles. Months passed with no word from Safan, and you and your fellow Pathfinders find yourselves dispatched into the desolate wastes of Osirion's notorious Parched Dunes to find the sphinx, find Safan, and uncover the mystery he sought. With a band of cloaked riders on your trail and a trap-filled dungeon ahead, will you solve the third riddle before time runs out?

The adventure was fun - a few times it got fairly hairy, but the PC's succeeded.

For the water, I just googled for an image of water, print it out, and cut to desired shape.