By Fletch

Now this is nyce… nyce. All dark and afloatin in my wherewithall, waitin for what would prove a mystical swive from a gyrel-dryad. She’d run the pick of the party an singled upon meself. Must ha’been the dove-colered har the wizred scollar fixed me with. Rue was gone to join us, and thed were alright then, but now I’m plumb chiggered to have her to meself. Even Rol is nowheres here.

An me mother had wished me a tailer! Sommat about idle hands an minds, she witt that a rum-dandy chet as I what would run to trouble lackin a trade in the land. She was ne’er well about my plan for adventurin, noeser. Didn’t fly a fig oer my fell chets what I gathered with neither.

But tailers own sqinted eyes and hands rough of lye, not steel. They tend to bloat and carry more than their fair of chins. I and Bart apprentist with Hardy and even the beatins bort me over. And to lookit his mate… runnt me all ashivver. Not a life worth lustin, no for me. Twas alrite for sommone as Bartimer, wer kikkt by pa’s mule an tid must of made him all flaccid for livin. Not that he’s a looker like meself. Tailerins the best that leather-head could scope.  An now I got upped with the hair, ha Bart, ye old drought. To think he’s gruntin oer stacks of fartin linens, whilst I float in wait for dryad.

Whats that keepin’ her? Quicker in, quicker done, I say.

See, I am man, haulin man-needs. I had must to step from my pure-froe sisters and mother to smith a nib from nocky greenhead. Adventurins not for ale and maydens, naeser. I aim to own, more than there run for lolpoop gils sewin corsets for copper. But yae, ale and poachin for maydens do dull the copper tingue of blood, keeps off relivin the wounds and death as we retrace same steps to same battle what wears and picks us off one-by-one.

We wit adventurins a gamble what the livin side slings rich until the livin dyes. And when I reap heads noff to gain a load of piece tall as Granfa’s pate, I’ll settle account, get prinked fit to sit court, parcel my own, and adventure no more for blood but for a fine-rigged frigot to drape in electrum and bear my legacy.

An Bartimer will never hold no more foul of me, none he dare. I’ll be scarred, levelt, strong. Each day burns me briter, each play guiding me to standing. No one ever wilt dismiss ‘ol Fletch another.  None to dare it.

Ah, she’s back.

Show me, fayre one. Teach ‘ol Fletch yor magic.

Date:

08 May 2010 / 05 – 06 Jevar’Kiev 174

Characters (Players) in attendance:

Æruestan “Rue” Beleg (Sam – as NPC for session 10) – Sylvan Elf Fighter / 2
Doreen (NPC torchbearer) – Halfling Fighter / 1
Dumbarton Oaks (Chris) – Pixie-Fairy Magic-User / 2
Fletch (Mel) – Human Fighter / 2
Kailan Morgause (Victoria) – Half-Elf “Art connoisseur” / 2
Nyneva Parsay (Francine) – Half-Elf Cleric of Benyar / 2
Sondra (Julia – as NPC) – Human Fighter / 2

Voted Most Valuable Player:

(please vote!)

GM notes:

Turns out a fellow named Garnick rode into Frandor Keep mounted on Kailan’s horse. He swears he doesn’t know what happened to Rolando, and could you please tell me what year it is? Further attempts to track down Rolando ended in a brief to-do with an innocent Dryad.

Then, back into the forest and back into the spiders. The group met up with the mother of all spiders, persuading her to withdraw by means of oil and fire.

Experience Points

Dumbarton Oaks – 841
Fletch – 941
Kailan – 791
Nyneva – 945
Rue – 791
Sondra – 716

May all your hits be crits!

by Nyneva

Once again I take the stylus to paper as my masters have bade me do, to gain wisdom and experience from these musings.

The day started out quite well, actually. After Graytar gave us our mission and paid for our training we went shopping. That’s when things got very interesting. We can never seem to just “go shopping” with this band of brothers. No, this time there was the challenge of stringing a bow. Doaks made mention of a strange Fairy notion called “Seinfelding” which is what we ended up doing… a lot for nothing.

For a group of people trying to keep on the down low, we’re not doing such a terrific job. Still, our honor is getting stronger. It’s a good thing Rue couldn’t string that bow, we might have had to leave town for being so well known? HAH! Yes, he couldn’t string the bow. He tried, really. We lost some money on the day, but at least we didn’t lose too much. AND… we sold a LOT of rat on a stick. We sold something like 300 rats. Kailen is pretty darn good with the frypot. I think I heard him whistling while he was working. Yes, Kailen was actually working and liking it.

Adding to that a little trick from Doaks that made our first customer GUSH over the food, we could barely keep up with the Rat on a Stick demand. That’s unfathomable. Next time we’re charging more! That was way too much work for so very little return. Plus, we ended up losing money on the bet and having to get Rue out of jail.

I can’t get the smell of fried rat out of my nose, still. I swear I will not eat another rat for a long time to come. They were getting a little squishy there at the end. Blech. It’s a good thing we stopped. We might have poisoned someone.

Speaking of poison…

Another death.

This time, we cannot resurrect.

We were barely able to walk, some of us, so stung and poisoned by the spyders that dropped from the canopy of the forest above. We, stupid few, nay, unwise, went forth into a forest knowing of the danger of the hairy spikey leggéd things and what did we forget? In all of our shopping? What? Spider poison antidote.

Rats distracted us…made us giddy with the exitement and made us foolish. Now, because of our stupidity, have lost our Liam. Talented bowman, sweet caring Liam with a talent for finding the wrong thing to say–gone. Though he did not claim Benyar for his God–I was soooo close–I beg Benyar to find within this tiny gnome, a heart that was strong with courage to be worthy of the friendship of a Benyarite.

Face down in a cold stream Liam, blue faced and choking having been bitten in the neck… the NECK… by this dispicable creature, died while we were fighting for our lives. Owing to the poisoning, we yelled forth from the woods to the double-axed, mighty warrior, Rolando. Our friend took off to the town in order to get some antidote. Rolando, our wisest compatriot, took off alright. No, I cannot think he has abandoned us. Maybe captured? But why?

I worry. He is a follower of Benyar, a true and trusted friend, he would not leave us. I fear he has been subdued or killed somehow for Nick, the horse. Still, it must have been a mighty band because Rolando is truly a fierce warrior.

Benyar be with him. Benyar preserve him. Benyar be his guide. Let the crows of Happenstance and Mishap fall upon whomever has taken our Rolando. Dogs!

Because of Liam’s death, I am even more resolved to do more within our party to learn better methods of healing. I have now the ability to hold one more small spell. I must pray harder. Fight harder. Work harder. I must get to the next level of learning so that I may heal my friends faster.

Speaking of powerful, Doaks has learned a new and useful spell. While I do not understand his magical ways, the rose petals are a nice touch. Shhhh… he says and everyone of our enemies hit the ground — out cold. Unfortunately for me, while I was finishing the job on one of the downed spiders, I was bitten and so was afflicted. Note to self, do not ask for free healing from Graytar, you end up looking stupid. My eyes scare me…Thankfully, it will wear off. Magical healing hocus pocus is no match for good old fashioned Benyarite clean heals. I can’t complain, at least I don’t have the white hair.

Date:

17 April, 01 May 2010 / 02 – 04 Jevar’Kiev 174

Characters (Players) in attendance:

Æruestan “Rue” Beleg (Sam – as NPC for session 10) – Sylvan Elf Fighter / 2
Doreen (NPC torchbearer) – Halfling Fighter / 1
Dumbarton Oaks (Chris) – Pixie-Fairy Magic-User / 2
Fletch (Mel) – Human Fighter / 2
Kailan Morgause (Victoria) – Half-Elf “Art connoisseur” / 2
Liam Fishfinge-r (Adam – as NPC) – Gnome Thief / 2 (died)
Nyneva Parsay (Francine) – Half-Elf Cleric of Benyar / 2
Rolando (Paul – as NPC) – Human Fighter / 2 (vanished)
Sondra (Julia – as NPC) – Human Fighter / 2

Voted Most Valuable Player:

Kailan (9) / Dumbarton Oaks (10)

GM notes:

Having the better part of a day to kill in Frandor’s Keep, Rue attempted to string and shoot the impossible bow. The story of his failure, and of the coppers made by some in the party selling “Rat on a Stick” should be left of others. (Fletch? Nyneva? Kailan??)

The next day, the party set out for the forest for to find a missing gem. What they found, however, was a nest of giant spiders with poisonous bites and mad-quick moves.

While several party members were poisoned, only brave Liam* succumbed to poison hip deep in a cold stream, while Dumbarton Oaks gently sung him to his sleep.

Rolando, meanwhile, had taken Kailan’s horse back to the keep to see if he could find anti-venom. Somewhere on the road, horse and rider vanished.

* the fact that Liam was at the back of the party has no bearing on his bravery.

Experience Points

Awards for sessions 8, 9, 10.

Dumbarton Oaks – 1550
Fletch – 725
Kailan – 1225
Liam – (dead)
Nyneva – 790
Rolando – (missing)
Rue – 525
Sondra – 425

May all your hits be crits!

There will be no HackMaster game on Saturday, 24 April 2010.

by Fletch

Eh fine, fine day.  Wayta blow off the seams of a hard week of trainin. Rue landed hisself the stone dublet, King Dumbarton ennertained us all, and Kai turnt a might-fine skink.

I hit a hard sleep and found my breeches utop the tavern chandleer.  Maydens and culls ere looking at ‘ol Fletch a bit harder todee, aie.

In the tavern one eve there was spun quite the tale
I heard, o’era  mugful of stout
Of a loosly and lovally swivable milk mayd,
Of coarse, I determint…to seek this about!

I staggrt down south and I knockt at the ‘stead,
Where a saucy ewe greeted this lout.
She purrt “Are you here for the farmer’s lush daughter?”
“Way ho!” sayt I…with a gutful of stout.

She wasted no moment, and soon we were bare,
Her fields were true verdent, no dout.
She trussed up the covey and burrowed him there,
“Gee-UP!” thought I…with a head full of stout.

Her father did find us, and pichfork held high,
He readyied to breat me a clout.
“I rekon you’re tending to marry my girl?”
“Ev corsh” sayt I…with a heart filled with stout.

So tell all your sons, and mind all your drinks,
Don’t listen for maydens to swive.
The daughters of farmers don’t stay farmers daughters,
In truth, they become…bowsy culls’ wives.

by Nyneva

This morning I woke up, as I have all week, to the faces of my acolyte companions here at the Temple of Benyar. Morning after morning we have practiced at the prayers to help bring me that extra gift from Benyar. Just one more to help heal my party, one more to bring the group health after a hard battle.

There is one incident I cannot get out of my head. We, many of us, were at Quid’s when Kaelen sniffed a bottle. IT was a magical snot producing powder. The chi.ldren in the market square were mightily pleased at the pretty coloured bubbles that his nose was producing. While this is an amusing anecdote. I must recount that it was Quid’s that was most pivotal as he led us to our benefactor, Graytar.

Benyar has blessed me again with his power, grace, and wisdom. I fear, however, that it not be long before I outgrow this Temple. My companions have caught the eye of Benyar and blessed us greatly. He has sent us a great benefactor. But the benefactor has a price. It is a price I am sure that some of us will pay with our lives. Graytar, our benefactor, has paid for all of our training. And in exchange for his patronage, we must locate the Ruby eye.

According to Graytar, this Ruby Eye was once in Graytar’s possession but it was stolen by the former prefect of Faengerie. This is now the crazy hermit in the forest. I fear that not only has it made him mad but it may have given him special protection. This is a hard price to pay, one that nobody should have to pay. Graytar feels that once the Ruby Eye is recovered his former friend will return to sanity.

This is where I must trust in my God and his two Ravens for their aid. This is where our true adventure begins.

Date:

10 April 2010 / 21 Haar’Kiev – 02 Jevar’Kiev 174

Characters (Players) in attendance:

Æruestan “Rue” Beleg (Sam) – Sylvan Elf Fighter / 1 > 2
Dumbarton Oaks (Chris) – Pixie-Fairy Magic-User / 1 > 2
Fletch (Mel – as NPC) – Human Fighter / 1 > 2
Kailan Morgause (Victoria) – Half-Elf “Art connoisseur” / 2
Liam Fishfinge-r (Adam – as NPC) – Gnome Thief / 1 > 2
Nyneva Parsay (Francine) – Half-Elf Cleric of Benyar / 1 > 2
Rolando (Paul – as NPC) – Human Fighter / 1 > 2
Sondra (Julia – as NPC) – Human Fighter / 1 > 2

Voted Most Valuable Player:

None

GM notes:

Following their escape from the Roper, the party limped back to the Keep to re-supply. A mysterious benefactor paid for some serious training, if the party would only recover a rather large gem he’s lost…

Experience Points

None awarded this session – we’ll hold them over for next time.

Next session will be Saturday the 17th at 13:00.

May all your hits be crits!

by Fletch

Now in the day, sommat my chets back in the old Home were givin grief at my studie of Old Forcuran. “What you to do with a frummy lang?” Theyed snide. “You are t’be an aventurer, oye?”

Tha maydens, I ‘formed them. Maydens want chums what got the noggin. And you throw a bit o’ dead words at em, they get a-tizzled. Haint no matter if you quote an ol’ trade ledger, whot mayden actually unnerstands the word, eh? They are all as, “You speak forien! What a quaint!” whilst their minds be twistin on how to nail your boots to the bedframe, if ya know whot I mean.

So’s I learnd it by gut, and lo! the maydens are as, “Whot you don’ speak common?” while a-figurin how to raise the price. Wenches.

Nowsabouts, I’m not keen on expanding my verbal a-cue-itty, but as a lark I used my one ogre word to pull a play on a half-ork man and his team of kobolts down in the claim. “Alice!” Whoo-dibley, that stopped the monsers quickly, and the half-ork man called for a duel with our best. Dingleberries.

Feckin’ Sondra steps up, a’course, and whilst we others are pointed to take over once she goes down, she surprised the britches from both crews by downing the half-ork man in three quick-blows. Then she runs down the slowest kobolt, and tries to gut ’em.

But more vital, them kobolds brung up a CHEST OF TREASURE. Benyar witness, it took three o’us to scoop it into our packs. And lo! A piece of scroll with Old Forcuran which I read afor King Dumbarton got to it. The gp was old, old.

And then we mine-crawled till I was kept near heaving.  Saw a wiggly-sack whot with rope arms, one grabbed me and numb me through afor I got hackt loose.

I ended up using “Alice” again on the same kobolts whot were dragging the corps of the half-ork man, mayhap to ressurect him, and my carrys so great, they watered their linen. Or leathers. I was in a hard laugh as they run off, sos I didn’t see their kit.

Date:

20, 27 March 2010 / 13 – 21 Haar’Kiev, 174

Characters (Players) in attendance:

Æruestan “Rue” Beleg (Sam) – Sylvan Elf Fighter / 1
Dumbarton Oaks (Chris) – Pixie-Fairy Magic-User / 1
Fletch (Mel) – Human Fighter / 1
Kailan Morgause (Victoria) – Half-Elf “Art connoisseur” / 1 > 2
Liam Fishfinge-r (Adam – as NPC) – Gnome Thief / 1
Nyneva Parsay (Francine) – Half-Elf Cleric of Benyar / 1
Rolando (Paul – as NPC) – Human Fighter / 1
Sondra (Julia – as NPC) – Human Fighter / 1

Voted Most Valuable Player:

Sondra

GM notes:

Following the great haul of ogre treasure, Kailan took instruction from the innkeep of the Tilted Keg. Battered and bruised, he is now second level.

Then the party went to make good their claim. While trying to map out the mazy mine in the basement, they were ambushed by kobolds. A half-orc leading them challenged “the champion”, so Sondra killed him. [Best mulligan ever: critical failure to critical hit with multiple penetration dice. Ouch.]

There was lots of mud, and a rotting chest of ancient treasure. I wonder where the kobolds got it?

The group encountered a Roper, which was clearly going to slaughter them until Rue pulled out one of the magic arrows the group had found back in Session 5. It hit its target with a clap of thunder, distracting the beastie long enough that an escape could be made.

Experience Points

Remember that thieves get EPs for using their thief skills, clerics get EPs for being religious, and fighters… well, you’ve got that part down. Players who post session reports will receive 100 EPs.

Dumbarton Oaks – 989
Fletch – 1139
Kailan – 739
Liam – 639
Nyneva – 1056
Rolando – 589
Rue – 789
Sondra – 1858

May all your hits be crits!

In recognition that next week is the Easter Triduum, there will be NO Hackmaster on Saturday, April 3rd.