Monthly Archives: May 2015

I Knew I’d Be a Handsome Cadaver, But Not This Way!

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Hey Elmerton!

I know my last visit probably soured you against me again, but I’m not working for Wreckanis anymore. I swear! I wanna be friennnds with youuuu, and I have information to give you as a peace offering!

The other day, I was in the forest outside of Elmerton and I met a young fae girl who was really sad. I sat down to talk to her and learned that she had found a necklace while exploring and she put it on, but then she couldn’t take it off! And what was worse than that, it was hurting her! I could tell from the Essence on the necklace that the last people to touch it were Jack Garren and Galynn, so I decided to try to make the thing my problem instead of this little fae girl’s; or, better yet, make it Jack and Galynn’s problem!

Together, the fae girl and I figured out how to get the necklace off of her and onto me, so now I can’t take it off! Shucks! Anyway, I studied it and, to my surprise, discovered it was a Tane item. Those crazy Tane are always making trouble! So, I went to Brimm and asked around and learned that the thing was made by a Tane named Jabjulalola, she used to be a Jubjub Bird, but now she wants to become a Morticent of the Gatekeeper. Lame.

(Oh, I should explain for those of you who may not know: Tane have the ability to turn themselves into other things. I don’t mean, like, just a shape change. I mean they can completely change into something else and actually become that thing, or an exact clone of that thing. It is kind of like fulfilling a dream, but in reverse since they started out in a dream world. Becoming certain things is harder than others, but ever since Tane on Brimm became aware of Magesta, many of them have set their sights pretty high. Making the change is a long road, and until a Tane completes it, he or she is still a Tane and must answer in the affirmative to the question, “are you Tane?”)

So, yeah, Jabjulalola decided that becoming a Morticent meant that she needed to have her own faithful servants and spiritual hosts, which all Morticents have, and those people are collectively known as The Cadaverate. To do this, she created cursed necklaces and gave them to people in Elmerton. Among other things, the necklaces are designed to instill their wearers with ability to host her Spirit once she finally becomes a Morticent, and becoming a Morticent is a task that is made easier for her if the necklace-wearers believe that she is already a Morticent, which is why she has been hamming up the monologues and maniacal laughter wherever she goes.

Well, there it is. Jabjulalola is no longer really a Jubjub Bird, but she is also not yet a Morticent. If she completes her journey, anyone in possession of one of these necklaces will become a member of The Cadaverate and recognized as a trusted servant by any Morticent of the Gatekeeper. While this will not mean that these people will lose control of themselves and go on a killing spree or anything, it WILL get in MY way of turning from Tane into a Redbush, and that junks for me! I hope I can get rid of this thing. It is pretty, though.

Your Dearest Friend Who Would Never Hurt YouWreckanisMadeMeDoIt,

-Mister Redbush

Player Submission: A Common Man’s Guide to Marionettes and Werewolves

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Granted, the two entities discussed in this issue do not have much in common, but as Elmerton is currently dealing with fear of these (and other) threats I will be covering both this moon in an effort to help those afflicted face their own fears. Let us begin with marionettes.

Emily's MarionetteMarionettes or “puppets” as they are sometimes called, are constructs that can be easily and quickly identified by their pale faces, rosy cheeks, and hinged jaws. Or at least, identification would be easy were it not for the fact that they tend to appear under cover of darkness.

Another signature of these constructs is their vocal tics. Each marionette appears to be capable of uttering only a few short phrases or sounds, often in childlike voices. Fear of these creatures is understandable, especially when such sounds include eerie laughter, questions such as “Are you my mommy?” or “Promise you won’t tell?” or bizarre offputting statements including “I LIKE you” or “I’m going to rip off your wings!” As these constructs are mindless, the last statement isn’t even likely to be directed at a person with wings.

Adding to the air of fear and compounding the uncertainty that marionettes create is that, when struck by weapons or targeted by spells, they will appear to suffer no ill effect. This can be unnerving to opponents that feel they are powerless to stop them, but despair not – they can be dealt with much like other foes.

One thing to watch for is that, once defeated, they will sometimes collapse to the ground, or sometimes hang in midair as if dangling from invisible strings. In either case, whether or not they are dealt a final blow, they will sometimes rise again. After they rise they can be dealt with again, but be aware of this possibility. They will eventually fade away.
For more information on marionettes and constructs in general, consult Reinen.

Werewolves are another matter. Werewolves are fearsome beasts, and even experienced fighters may run in terror when facing a werewolf. Advice to the Common Man in dealing with werewolves: Don’t.

At least not alone. Their ability to terrorize their opponents can instantaneously turn a 2-on-1 fight against them into a 1-on-1 fight, which heavily favors the werewolf. For this reason 3-to-1 odds (or better) are recommended. When the odds are against you, attempt to retreat and seek reinforcements.

Werewolves are incredibly strong and thus they can hit incredibly hard. Among other things, the immense strength of these beasts allows them to quickly shrug off snares and bonds, so if you entangle one, don’t expect that to buy you much time.

Another reason the Common Man would be best to avoid werewolves is their signature ability to regenerate. The surest way to stop their regeneration is a silver weapon, but that is not easy to come by. Shadow damage is also an effective way to stop regeneration. Any psionicist who has mastered the 5th Circle of Psionics should be able to enchant a weapon with shadow damage at least a handful of times per day.

That covers basic werewolves, but as adaptable shapeshifters, there are of course variations. For advanced abilities and tactics, Silver is an excellent resource.

Yours in Knowledge,

Rybin vanHoltRybinvanHoltseal

Historian and Scholar

PC Submission: You Are Invited!

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Dear Elmertonians and all others that may drift in to town. Tree Cake

You are cordially invited to the birthday party of Semaril Luthius. Please join us in merriment and festivities on Wakingday, the 30th of Petalsong. There will be refreshments and delicious food to eat and perhaps a ritual or two. Although it is a birthday party, gifts are not required, but I’m sure would not be turned down.

Hope to see many of you there,

Cesira Storm

Rogue Wizard!

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To Denizens of the Fiddlehead hills, Elmerton, Raldo’s Refuge, and points between:

Be on the lookout for an extremely dangerous magic user who has escaped Concori Magesti’s attempt to subdue him.  His name is Silas Stonecipher, formerly of Concori Magesti, Irvanshire, who has now been expelled from their ranks.  According to a high ranking Guildsman, Silas was previously wanted for questioning about his research into dangerous magic, and was an accomplished theorist who has delved too deeply into forbidden knowledge.  He was traced through the use of stolen ritual components to a series of caves outside of Elmerton, where the mages sent to subdue him found evidence of extensive human sacrifice and what appears to be a form of void energy in an attempt to harvest spiritual matter for no doubt nefarious purposes.

Picture 139oilStonecipher is heavyset and bearded, and should be considered extremely dangerous. DO NOT attempt to engage him directly.  Even if he was to be killed, his unorthodox and profoundly perverted usage of spiritual magic may allow him to operate without the use of his body.  Contact Concori Magesti, and they will send specially trained mages to incapacitate and bring him to justice. A 15 gold reward is to be split amongst anyone who is able to provide information leading to his capture.

Please do your best to assist Concori Magesti Investigators who will be searching the countryside for Stonecipher, in a joint effort with the Portal Authority, who will be monitoring any unusual dimensional activity in the region.

Thunderclouds From a Darkened Skye

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Hey, Elmerton topsiders- We have a serious problem. Not sure what y’all did but Ms. Skye is furious. Boom and I, along with a few of our cousins, decided to go creeping through some of her far off tunnels. As we got deeper into one we heard something that sounded like an explosion. We all hit the dirt and an incredible surge of what looked like the black shards everyone is so interested in shot through the tunnel faster than anything I’ve ever seen. They moved almost too fast to see and all at once, they all shot deep into the tunnel we were creeping in. When they stopped flowing we just heard what sounded like a very angry, distant and almost painful scream that was swallowed by a popping sound that could have signaled the closing of a portal. We thought it best not to go any further and called it off for the day.

The next day shadows and shadow-touched Blackgate family members laid what might have been the heaviest assault we have ever seen. Rebekkah herself- looking a little crazed- seemed to be leading one of the first attacks, screaming about how we would be the first to pay for Elmerton’s sins. Thankfully we were able to force back the attack. Boom had to leave one of his “presents” at the mouth of the cavern and produced a massive cave in that sealed us off. That seemed to be enough to take their interests off of us for now at least. We lost quite a few people and our numbers are already small enough, so we are scrambling for healers and to build up our resources and buildings.

We can make due for now and we are fully ready to assist the town whenever is needed but heed my warning- It’s all coming apart even faster than we thought.

Stay safe, Never trust the dark.

Bosephus Blackgate.

Another Village Falls To Sazdar and the Gatekeeper

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Some may call it luck but that’s a word I would never utter with what I saw. I bore witness to the aftermath of an assault by a man named Carzon Sazdar just over a month ago, I never guessed that in my roaming wanderlust I would see one take place before my very eyes.

My wanderings that day brought me to Gindinmere a small village southwest of Elmerton just a GindinmereLocationInIrvanshirefew short miles from Bloomingport. That night I just finished dinner and was enjoying a rather large and tasty dwarven ale in the Salty Maidens tavern when disaster struck.

It happened all at once- the silence of the night torn asunder by a roof rocking blast that threw a few people off their feet. The tavern emptied as did the other houses and random businesses that remained open at that hour. People poured into the center of town to see a large and heavily armed group led by a large man who stood out in front of them. Before anyone could even speak or try and make an action, the man up front spoke in a booming tone. “I am Carzon Sazdar, the slayer of worlds and the man who is not only ready, but excited to send you all to the Gatekeeper’s Realm of True Death.” He paused then to watch the effect of his words on the town. His brow furrowed slightly as he continued, “The Gatekeeper, however wishes for me to convey his intent to you so that you will know the extent of his mercy. Listen to this well!” Sneering, and drawing a well-worn scroll from a pouch at his side, he bellowed in an even louder tone,

“’Magestans. I am the Gatekeeper. I am Death Incarnate and will take my place amongst the other Incarnations. You cannot destroy me. You cannot withstand me. However, be it known that I bear you no personal hatred nor animosity. I have no desire to inflict unnecessary pain or suffering upon any individual. I am willing to offer you this chance, Magestans. There need not be premature death and destruction, but know that I will grant the spirits of this desperate and pleading world eternal and pure rest, and with that will come the Dread of War. For those with the wisdom to bow before Destiny, I will provide places of safety in which you and your families will be permitted to live safely and comfortably and to live out the natural course of your lives or until such time as I am given a seat amongst the greater Incarnations. Those who enter this stronghold will be under my protection and will know the strength of my might. No harm will come to you.

However, I will warn you that those who do not enter this stronghold will be subjected to the Sword and Wrath of my Pledged. Carzon knows no mercy and has my leave to show no quarter to stragglers and heroes.’”

Carzon leered at the town and said, “You have until this time tomorrow to make your choice, Gindinmere. Make no mistake, I will return at that time, and will show you the strength of MY might and the extent of MY mercy.”

After all this was said, Carzon muttered a few words, made a complicated gesture with his hands, and a massive swirling portal opened in the center of town, complete with an elaborate gateway conjured out of thin air. After nailing the scroll to the gateway, Carzon and his men marched out of town. A few townsfolk rushed into the portal with zero hesitation after gathering their families and the valuables they could carry. Other argued the merits of accepting the Gatekeeper as the overseer of Death. Some disagreements turned into fistfights.

When it was all said and done over half the town went into the portal. Those who stayed behind prepped for a fight. I myself found a pig iron shed that the blacksmith uses and barricaded myself inside. True to his word, Carzon and his men marched back into Gindinmere at roughly the same time and unleashed a horror that the Abyss would be jealous of. Men, women and even children fell to their blades. Any building used as shelter was burned to the ground. There was no stopping Carzon and his men. I was literally the only one left alive as the portal in town began to pulse and then closed.

One of his men found the shed I was hiding in and tore the door open with alarming strength. He raised an axe to my head and was about to strike until Carzon himself grabbed his arm. “Ahh a roving scribe,” he said in a tone of voice full of poison. “No! She gets to live, no point in letting the story of a lifetime go untold. Run off little one and tell all what you have witnessed here.”

After letting me live to escape, he let out a whistle and his men formed up and marched out of town. He followed behind them with strong strides and left the town in ruin. When they left I quickly dashed away.
I can speak no more of the horror I witnessed…

Rasmona Susmark
Roving Scribe

Magestry’s Best of Newgreen 125

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Here are our picks for the April 10th-12th event:

Best PC Alex

Dogwood – very well done! Hope to see you back soon!

 

We had a blast with this month’s Best PC! Alex Fabian as Aspen Dogwood really brought a lot of much appreciated energy and enthusiasm to the event and made the game more fun for everyone who interacted with him. On top of that he was a big help after game during cleanup. We’re so glad to have him back, and apparently, so were you:

 

 

Dogwood was really enthusiastic and cheerful, his costume was great, in general he added a lot to the game.

Dogwood was fantastic, always energetic and in character.

My favorite PC this game has to be Dogwood of Dogwood, (The Thrice-Censured). His costume was great, and he roleplayed complete innocence exceedingly well. Many times I would look over and see him miraculously perched on top of some high object, watching everything with a naive intensity.

Matt Richard Best NPC

Matt. Richard. Was that guy EVER not out doing something?

 

When this month’s Best NPC comes to game, you best have… well… ALL your belts buckled tight! Matt Richard was truly outstanding this game from start to finish! He was always around when we needed something done and never hesitated to do anything we asked. He was cheerful and energetic and much needed behind the scenes! We were so happy to have him at game again and hope to see him again soon! Thanks so much, Matt!