the Brickle Experience! (was: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi)

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Anonymouse Here to stay (12/23/02 11:43 pm) Reply	the Brickle Experience! (was: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi) (edit: thread name-change, as I'll continue with this as a log, though no longer Cena's; see post 22) This is the log I'm keeping as a player. I thought that DMs (including my own? ;) might find it interesting to see it the temple from the "ground level," so to speak. It's probably okay for me to do some discussion on stuff I post, as long as no one drops any "clever hints" or such. ;p Cena's a priest of Cyndor, a lesser god of Time, Infinity, and Continuity. For those without the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, His primary goal is making sure the time stream doesn't get fscked up by marauding mortals or outsiders; His clerics go about enforcing this. They travel with people destined for great things, or go to sites of potential importance, in order to make sure everything runs smoothly.. or that someone's there to fix things when they go wrong. I created an organisation called the Hand of Time and Space, which is a sort of joint-church outfit up in the Barrier Peaks between Cyndori priests and some of Celestian's faithful as well. They have basically the same mission as your typical Cyndor cleric, but are more pro-active in their attempts to safeguard time (and, by extension, the fabric of reality; can there be a more important calling?). Cena is a member of this Hand. I don't know but I've been told, (I don't know but I've been told) Deidre's got a network node. (Deidre's got a network node) Likes to press the on/off switch; (likes to press the on/off switch) Dig that crazy Gaian witch! (dig that crazy Gaian witch) Edited by: Anonymouse at: 3/3/03 8:25:16 pm
Anonymouse Here to stay (12/23/02 11:45 pm) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. To the Senchas: As instructed, I have rendesvoud with and joined a group of adventurers within the limits of Verbobonc; they are noted below. Each of their patterns were within the stream. We will be leaving in a few days' time for Hommlet. The others have since left for their respective assignments, though Teynno was gone almost as soon as we arrived; something was troubling her. * Glognus appears to be a young, tall dwarf, and an arcanist of some minor experience. He claims to be looking for reports of some of his kin in the Hommlet area. Seems to have had some dealings with Brickle in the past; calls him "redcap." * Brickle is a gnome; perhaps a nobleman of his kind? It is unclear (I haven't the skill yet to recite the greater prayers, and I do not know how the stream flows on this) whether this is actual nobility, or simply a higher station. Reasons for travel appear to be monetary. Has a rather fierce-looking dog called Zerk. * Markum is a local Verbobonc mercenary, sometimes merchant guard, sometimes enforcer. Hired on as nominal bodyguard for Glognus and Brickle. Quiet. Sharpens his sword quite a bit. He has an air of.. righteousness? ..about him, and a sense of duty, both uncommon in professions such as his. Possible Hand material. 2nd Starday, Patchwall Hommlet may be caught up in whatever it is that clouds the stream. After three weeks, we entered the village today near zenith-time. Hommlet appears peaceful enough, and prosperous, though I have yet to inquire what the primary sources of income - besides the usual farming - may be. A dairy farmer of some sort spoke with Brickle regarding local places of business, and inns. The town apparently has significant churches to both Pelor and Cuthbert, and I heard mention of a temple of Ehlonna abouts as well. Proceeded to the Welcome Wench, the only establishment with rooms for rent in Hommlet. 4 gold per night; I warn you ahead of time before you receive my expense reports. Later events may alleviate this, however.. A keep - home to one Rufus and one Bern, though we were assured of no "companionship" - tops an eastern hill. I hope to find sufficient reason to visit soon and determine the nature and purpose of the place. Within the Wench was a man, one Chat, whom will come into play later. Slightly unsavoury, and early on attempted to warn the others off a moathouse less than a day from Hommlet. When we returned to the inn later in the evening, a bit of conversation netted him as a "guide," for when we make our trek to this moathouse tomorrow. During the day I met a man named Zaod, a warrior dedicated to Heironeous. He claims the Invincible has been sending him visions of terror and destruction; and that these visions sent him to a nearby ruined temple, overrun with hobgoblins. Unfortunately, Zaod is blind-drunk. I have plans to see if I can't roust him from his cups in order to investigate this temple. A quick search of his room at the inn (re: '7 gold -- room scan' on expense report) turned up nothing. I also stopped in and spoke with A'day, who heads the local church of Saint Cuthbert. She mentioned that individuals wearing ochre-coloured robes had been seen about the moathouse, counter to Chat's early claim that it was abandoned. A cult of some kind, dedicated to some "Elemental Evil" priesthood, apparently dominated the area some two and a half decades past. Perhaps they figure in the events to come? 2nd Sunday, Patchwall This Elemental Evil cult is still active, though their path in the stream remains unknown. In brief, the journey to the moathouse was uneventful, with only a few minutes spent speaking with a passing trapper, though the place itself - a ruined manor home, perhaps - was not. Inhabited by a young dragon, Markum nearly fell prey to its attacks, and Chat was the first to fall to its guile. Thankfully, Glognus and Brickle managed to (inadvertantly) draw the wyrm down from the air and back into the moathouse; grounded, it was little threat to a concentrated assault, as it seemed especially concerned with anyone attempting to enter his lair. A search of the upper floor of the premises turned up a few odd baubles, an minor amorphous abberation of some kind, and several corpses.. both of which had holy symbols of this Elemental Evil priesthood. One was wearing ochre robes. Dinner was dragon steaks. They tasted.. different. Tomorrow, we perhaps descend into the lower level, though I believe Brickle and Glognus wish to return to Hommlet. I don't know but I've been told, (I don't know but I've been told) Deidre's got a network node. (Deidre's got a network node) Likes to press the on/off switch; (likes to press the on/off switch) Dig that crazy Gaian witch! (dig that crazy Gaian witch)
benhamtroll Here to stay (12/24/02 10:47 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. Most excellent. If any DM's wish to discuss this with me (the DM in question), we can start a seperate thread. This first session went fairly well, although my preparations were perhaps not what they should be. I will work a bit harder for the next game. Note to others: Starting a new campaign at Christmas time is not necessarily the best thing. There's no business like gnoll business
Anonymouse Here quite a while (1/25/03 7:53 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. 2nd Moonday, Patchwall Gnolls attacked in the early morning hours as we camped within the moathouse; I did not see them creep up the stairs before it was too late. Markum, having no time to don armor, sustained a few hits. We proceeded down the stairs, and began investigating the passageways beneath. I have become slightly concerned over the sanity of these travelling companions of mine.. especially the gnome. Came across an altar of Tharizdun, though at that point did not realise this fact. Brickle convinced the others to experiment with a number of artifacts found within a nearby obelisk. The sheer folly of this idea can only be considered madness.. and how appropriately, too. An eye shimmered into being; Markum was visibly leeched of his bodily strength, but Brickle was slain outright. I convinced the others at this point that returning to Homlett might be a better course of action. A wizard by the name of Spugnoir had been trapped for some days in the moathouse, and after rendering him some aid, he accompanied us back to the town. We have been resting for two days now, and are preparing for the return journey. Still hoping to get more information out of Zaod; inspected his room at the inn today, but could find no further hints to help sort through his drunken terrors. 2nd Waterday, Patchwall Senchas, I am copying these entries into a letter and am sending it to you via courier. There appears to be some cooperation between a cult of Tharizdun, and the Elder Elemental Eye, which may or may not be serving the same dark god. We are deep underground, now, and I write this in a few spare moments before we attempt to return to the surface. Have battled undead, gnolls, and human cultists, along with a small assortment of other abominations. Slightly the worse for wear, we are all still alive. Questions of sanity aside, the others are at least capable combatants. Please see that Instructor Deh-ji receives the accompanying letter. (a letter, aside from the journal) Instructor, We are men of action, not words, so I skip the pleasantries. Your suspicions as to the extent of my talent were correct. You and the others would face down an undead horde; Cyndor's righteousness would flood you, the greatness of His - and our - cause supporting you, and such creatures would flee or be outright destroyed. Before me, they cower, awestruck. Before me, they enter my mind, and I command them. They are cold as they reside there, Instructor, and empty, but with.. an odd sensation of waiting. The souls are gone, returned to the stream. The bodies have no patterns; removed from the rapids of life, they simply are, as would a hammer or sword or rope be. To create such things would violate the teachings, and I have no desire to do such a thing as that. Yet they bend so easily! The act of touching that energy, of channeling it to the mindless corpse.. the act is natural. I tell myself they are tools. Someone else has created them, and I use them for a moment, then discard them.. but I cannot help but feel.. uneasy. You wondered what it would feel like, Instructor, if instead of the glorious fire that destroyed them, you had access to the other half? Cold, sir. Cold. --Cena EOF
justind dm Here for a while (1/27/03 9:27 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. Great log, but I am a little curious about the RACE/CLASS of Cena.
Anonymouse Here quite a while (1/28/03 1:28 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. Hah, sorry. =) Cena's a human cleric of Cyndor, aged 22, with.. short, dark blue hair. ;) I haven't quite decided why his hair is funky, but darnit, it just is. And I'm using the Ordinator mini for him, from the Morrowind collector's edition, painted silver and blue, in case you've played Morrowind (or have seen a screenshot; Ordinators are those guys in the gold armour with the face masks). EOF
Siobharek Still here? Wow. (1/28/03 2:46 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. This is great stuff, Anonymouse. I look forward to future installments. Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Kylearanon Here for a while (1/28/03 4:58 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. Veeery nice ! This joural is kind of impressive. Good work writing and setting your words. It�s more like a novel ... coming in pieces . And the more often I read stuff like this, the more often I wish I had some players like this in my own group. It�s just adding so much depth. Looking forward to your upcoming journey�s, as well ! Kyle
benhamtroll Here to stay (1/28/03 7:35 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. Just to give you guys the composition of the rest of the party: You've met Cena . . . Brickle - Male Gnome Rogue (5). He's looking at picking up a level of illusionist at 6, since we've found quite a bit of illusion type spells and wands. Glognus Tengo - Male Dwarf Fighter 1/Wizard 4. He likes root vegetables and making magic weapons. Markam - Male Human Fighter 5. Your basic BDF. Except he's not that dumb. There's no business like gnoll business
Anonymouse Here quite a while (2/6/03 7:41 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. 2nd Earthday, Patchwall The return to Homlett was without incident. We stopped, briefly, at the house of Cuthbert; I say briefly, because Brickle likely "burned our bridges," as the easterners say, with Y'day. My companions are not the most tactful. Still, they are (mostly) competant. With His grace, I might be able to use them in my mission, after all. Though not told to keep it strictly secret, I have done so. Habit, training.. after a time, it blurs together. 2nd Freeday, Patchwall A letter recovered from below the moathouse led us to investigate the local mill; the basement was, unsurprisingly, a small hideout for a number of cultists. We dispatched them with a minimum of trouble. Admittedly, the battle turned.. interesting. After only a few moments of fighting, I threw a small, black bead - Glognus, having studied it some, had decreed it a bead of force - into the right side of the room; in addition to immediately dispatching several of their number, it served as a barrier, limiting our remaining opponents' movements. Brickle and Glognus worked the left side.. my tactic was apparently useful enough for the cultist priest to use, as well, and his own bead caught Brickle within its field. And then he raised his companions! Moments after falling, their bodies were animated. I am.. beginning to worry. The creatures, themselves, are no great threat; slow, stupid, and easily dealt with. Yet there seems to be a.. resonance. I almost believe I am beginning to sense their presence, not by sight or smell or some supernatural awareness, but because that black energy wrapped 'round my soul leaps towards the bodies. I have the impulse to control them. I wonder, then, if this power has a will of its own? Or is it merely the act of water falling to fill a hole? I could stop the impulse; I have more than enough will, for that, and Cyndor still favors me. But I don't! It is.. convenient. The battle.. we paused, Glognus and I on one side, the priest on the other, and Brickle caught within one of the fields. One of his once-companions, now under my control, flailed ineffectually at the priest before being dispatched. Beyond that, we simply waited for the beads' fields to dissipate. When they did, short work was made of the cultist. We have plans to travel to Verbobonc, now; Glognus and Brickle wish to liquidate some of the goods brought up from the moathouse, and I wish to see if I might purchase suitable stone for an altar. Hopefully, I will have some time to slip away, and see if any of the other Hands have returned from their local forays. 4th Sunday, Patchwall Verbobonc. What a ridiculous name for a city. I've heard three explainations; the most likely is that it's gnomish. I would not be surprised. Tennyo has not been seen or heard since we all parted ways some weeks ago. Ulaisho and Hazza have been back and gone again. I give thanks to Cyndor that I was able to find Jofren still within city limits. His own investigations seem to be going well. We compared notes, and it seems the flux is being felt places besides Homlett. I am sure this Tharizdun cult is, if not the direct cause, then an effect, at least, and that Homlett is nearer the source; Jofe says that some of the tribes in the nearby FILLER mountains have been acting odd, however, and we feel there may be a connection; moreso because more of these ochre-robed priests have been seen there. Though this journal is for the Archives, and an official record, I find that writing these thoughts calms my mind, at times. Jofren was.. if not accepting, at least more tolerable of my energy "talent" than most of the others. I could not quite bring myself to discuss recent events with him, but his company was reassuring, at least, that I was not travelling this dark path alone. 4th Moonday, Patchwall Still Verbobonc. 10:00am: late breakfast at the Crying Scorpion. Glognus and Brickle arguing over.. something. 10:05am: First use of "redcap" from Glognus for the day. 10:30am: Brickle works on his so-called "Glognus impressions" whilst said dwarf is out shopping for roots and tubers. Common-room crowd snickers at the appropriate places. 12:00pm: Fifth or sixth use of "redcap" heard while visiting an enchanter's smithy. Losing count at this point amongst the other creative phrases. 01:23pm: A small gang of gnome children pop out of an alleyway, deliver their own Glognus impressions, and quickly fade into the crowd. Brickle: "My, what clever children, whom I have never seen before, I'm quite sure." 03:30pm: I cannot even begin to set it to paper. 06:54pm: Dinner. In my room. Quietly. Venison, fruit, and a side of what the innkeeper swears will either cure my headache, or kill me. Either is acceptable. 08:12pm: I hear rather loud noises in the common-room. I don't want to know. The stone I need for the altar will be ready tomorrow, along with some smaller pieces I requested for personal use. We live in a savage world; there is a veneer of civilisation, of decency over it, but the Flaness is never more than two days away from collapse. Thanks to this situation, there is an abundance of ruined castles, towers owned by evil wizards, abandoned moathouses, and the like, all of which can be used to distract Brickle and Glognus. from being Brickle and Glognus. On the return to Homlett, finding one of these is, Cyndor forgive me, my first priority. 4th Earthday, Patchwall Half way to Homlett, half way gone from Verbobonc; pleasant either way you write it. The house of Fortubo had several gargoyle structures placed along its roof, tribute to the Lost Clan, as Fortubo's priesthood calls them, who came to the aid of their faithful on distant shores. I have a small copy of one finished, now, out of one of the pieces of marble I bought in the city. I feel my technique is coming along well, and Father Wodgen would approve. Patchwall is almost over. Ready'reat is on the horizon, and beyond that, Sunsebb. I begin, in a way, to understand why I feel so comfortable, then. EOF
Anonymouse Here quite a while (2/6/03 8:14 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. thing one: the Verbobonc entries are just me filling up space. ;) We didn't RP any of the time spent in-city, as it was mostly just a shopping/un-looting trip, but I wanted to flesh it out some. The Brickle/Glognus stuff is just an extrapolation of what I think would've been most likely to happen. ;p thing two: I think I might start making a post for each entry, so that I don't have obscenely long entries, like above.. thing three: I like writing this! Helps me decide where Cena should be going next. Primary goal: talk to other party members (ICly) about his whole "SEKRIT MISHIN" so that I can be more involved in non-combat stuff. =/ Cena's been rather standoffish, and then I just feel like a dork sitting at the table. ;p EOF
Anonymouse Still here? Wow. (2/26/03 8:17 pm) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. Whew. Waiting too long to do this, but not a terrible lot happened last session, so it's probably alright (people had to leave early, 'cetra). Skipping the usual journal entry. I may come back and fix it back to the format, or not; Cena technically hasn't had time to sit down and really jot something down, and may not, depending on how things go for him.. -- Instead of returning to Homlett, we detoured and decided to check out Nulb. A new character joined us, Torg the half-orc barbarian. Nulb went fairly okay, and started in the tavern. Ghost-things made life a little difficult for Torg; this was to be the first of his ability drains this session. All were discorporated, however, including Wat (whose name we learned a bit later on); after searching the tavern a bit more, Cena decided it'd be best to just torch the place. No sense in letting evil linger. Next encounter was a woodsman-y looking guy in an apothecary-type place. Small staredown between Cena and Brickle, as Cena becomes increasingly convinced that this guy is, if not immediately, at least somehow connected to the Spiral; and thus, as part of his mission, should be destroyed on the safe side. Brickle makes a move to disarm Cena before he can attack, I hate interparty fighting with a passion ("I" being the player in this case), and back down. This is significant, more later. ;p So we leave the guy, and go looking about some more. Find the boat. Torg loses more ability points in the ensuing ghostbuster battle; Cena is woefully ineffectual, as he vainly attempts to climb onto the boat (he waited on shore) in his heavy armor. =/ Gets onto the boat, battle's mostly over at that point. The ooze/slime thing was horribly annoying; Markum had bits of Tiny slime-booger latch onto his face more than once, though he managed to pull them off on the next round each time. Still took some damage. End session. -- Cena's going to be retired, though it remains to be seen how (cue the spooky, bodiless DM laughter), in exchange for a character that fights the party dynamic a little better; they're a bunch of mercenaries, he's a brooding guy on a somewhat-secret mission from God. ;) Just not having a lot of fun with him. Most of my character concepts turn out like this.. cool idea, lousy/awkward execution. And I'd prefer someone that isn't likely to either be at odds, or be totally uncaring, depending on the situation. New character's a bard/barbarian (not what you think, I assure you ;) multiclass, and I think I'll continue this log/thread as the new character, though in a slightly different style. We play this coming Monday, so.. here's hoping. EOF
benhamtroll Here to stay (2/26/03 9:10 pm) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. *Quote:* (cue the spooky, bodiless DM laughter) Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! It will probably be in pieces . . . There's no business like gnoll business
Siobharek Still here? Wow. (2/26/03 11:59 pm) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. I think the bard/barbarian idea is very cool! Have you read the Dragon mag with the multi-class combos? It was one of the annuals, I think. Anyway, they made it out as a typical Norse Skald-character, singin in rage and stuff like that. If you like unusual backgrounds for your character, there's one right there. And bveing a bard, he should be sociable enough to fit in. I look forward to reading more. Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Anonymouse Still here? Wow. (2/27/03 11:44 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. Actually, the skald was the "not what you're thinking" archetype I was referring to. ;) The background for the new character's available if anyone's interested, but as I'm sure we've all seen a lot of those, I'll leave off the URL and just keep it a play-log unless someone's curious. Short version is a city bard (Verbobonc-raised, actually), who had to survive for several years in a fairly hostile environment. Wields a crazy double-weapon. And it's the spellsong/eldritch bard, so.. bonus. ;) Anyway. Update on Monday! I'm still waiting for Juuda (new character) miniature to come in.. it's an out-of-print (kind of) Confrontation one, and I either get to wait a few weeks, or blow $25-$30 for it to ship from Europe, instead of $10. Waiting it is. ;p EOF
ZansForCans Here for a while (2/27/03 7:12 pm) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. {I think the bard/barbarian idea is very cool!} Plus, as some pointed out on the Rule or Char board, it has the proper smashed multi-name of 'barbarbard'. Group Editing & Authoring Support flexible campaign management for the web info :: demo
benhamtroll Here to stay (2/28/03 10:42 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. Hee hee. "The Barbarbard from Verbobonc" There's no business like gnoll business
Anonymouse Still here? Wow. (2/28/03 11:22 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. I'll get you, Lucky Selleck! I think one of the other players had used "bardbarian", but "barbarbard" is even worse. And.. "Verbobonc". Sigh. Such an unfortunate name. I'm still convinced the gnomes named it that. EOF
ZansForCans Here for a while (2/28/03 11:36 am) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. My players have a hard time not making funnies whenever I introduce a new Gygaxian name. First it was 'Verbobonc', then 'Spugnoir', now it's 'Gnarley'. Sigh... Group Editing & Authoring Support flexible campaign management for the web info :: demo Edited by: ZansForCans at: 2/28/03 11:37:27 am
Siobharek Still here? Wow. (2/28/03 12:42 pm) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. Benhamtroll, that's the worst incarnation of poor Tom I've seen since... ever. And it isn't St. Paddy's till when? As to Gnarley, Verbobonc, Spugnoir, you young whippersnappers should have been weaned on the right stuff from the start. Those wondrous names of legend and high adventure (and in Spug's case, pain-in-the-butt low-level mages) would roll right off your tongue(s). Edit: Added a "been". Did wonders for the sentence. Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. Edited by: Siobharek at: 2/28/03 12:43:10 pm
benhamtroll Here to stay (2/28/03 12:49 pm) Reply	Re: the Journal of Cena u'Dessi. My favorites are the pre-generated character names in the backs of those early modules . . . Things like "Erky Timbers" are so cool . . . Anyway, this has nothing to do with poor, unfortunate Cena's departure from the world of Elemental Evil . . . There's no business like gnoll business