The 0ld 0rder - Assyria

The day after the battle Grognak returned to the ship with Ta. He seemed slightly different and definitely alive. Across his chest he wore the scars which had killed him. The party was glad to have him back, and a little curious how.

At breakfast, Ta paid the group (mostly to silence their complaints) and recommended them to purchase any supplies they required. Ta explained how he would need most of the day to find a way around the wardings that protected the wagons. That evening they would make their attempt to enter.

At sundown they returned to the ship to prepare. Ta supplied each of the party with a potion, blessed by Ra, which would get them through the wardings. Grognak, using Tesyble's telepathy to stay in contact, scouted around the trio of wagons. Hours before midnight a signal was sent around to the caravan workers who began to make ready.

Transcendence (Blog 6)

Much has happened since the last post, there are old and new victims, and the Cult of the Purple Glove is about to strike.

Argon, who once carried the Mask of Cypres, awoke in the bus as it was filling with water. The bus, with him sleeping within, had been hijacked and steered into the Gorge. The hijacker also carried a bomb, which exploded shortly after Argon's escape. Argon was still within the blast radius and was shredded by shrapnel.

As the bus was entering the Gorge, Zechs and Mikah were under fire in a parking lot. Through the inventive use of grenades and sniping the ambushers either fled or died. With this lead useless, the pair was sent to the Tower of the Stars. The two stolen masks were in that area, according to Damien, stealth was advised.

Hours later, Zyreal and Craxx arrived at the scene, shortly followed by Rock. Rock and Zyreal attempted to collect the pieces of Argon from the syrupy water. With most of his body in a dufflebag in the trunk, the trio drove to the Tower of the Stars to investigate the disappearance of a couple of associates.

Rock and Zyreal found their way inside and located the last known place of the masks through scrying and questioning the lobby staff. It appeared that the masks were cargobound for Docking Bay 19. On the 33rd floor, they were directed to a portal which led to Docking Bay 19. Unknown to them, Docking Bay 19 was located on the Lunar Ring.

Cypress had awoken in yet another strange place, and looking outside through a small window he could see Earth. He questioned a flex screen to find out he was upon the Lunar Ring in orbit around the Moon. Seeking out a cafeteria to find food and make sense things, a man approached him with a job offer, it seemed that he was in the business of transporting cargo, to which Cypress agreed.

Upon his way to the Nova Invisce, a docked starship, Cypress was spotted by Rock and Zyreal. The two of them followed, attempting to catch up, finding themselves also upon the ship. Gravity lessened slightly and they were free of the docking bay.

All this time, Kacy was progressing upon the task of research in UVic. With her task nearly done she is alerted by a van which is missing most of its side. A figure drops out and staggers towards her. Shooting him with a tempest pistol she immobilizes him and calls in for a pick-up.

The 0ld 0rder - Where it is now

They spotted the legbone being carried into Assyria, a priest of their mage-god was escorting it. By the time they reached the city the priest's group had split up to visit several merchants and possible alchemists. Down at the mage-god's temple, the priest was found upon a stretcher, dead. Through the ability to scry, they became aware of the legbone being at a certain tavern.

Nothing within the tavern seemed amiss, but outside a strange bonfire was lit. The swirling vortex of flame was clearly visible as they approached. It burned within a triangle made of large wagons and many intoxicated slaves dance feverishly around it. As it reached a crescendo, the flames died and the slaves were consumed. Within the pyre a man was transformed into a daemonspawn.

They fought with the Amon-Kaa which was greater than any one of them and a servant of Aten's fury. The daemonspawn eviscerated Grognak after the orc had skewered it with a javelin. Poison darts eventually brought the thing down. As the daemon left its host it released a blast of death energy as a final act of spite.

The party, bleeding and bruised, collected themselves. The wounded were stabilized, Mosa and Nicoli in particular, but there was little anyone could do for Grognak. Tweaks, in an attempt to rebuild the orc, had fused what remained of him to the vessel's corpse. Ta sent the others back to the ship to rest, while he took Grognak's body to the Temple of the Sun.

Wyndspring's Log - 01

Our train arrived in Sicily this morning, which heralds the true beginning of my first official contract. These trains are a fascinating way to travel, sometimes hazardous, but much easier than the trail. My contract consists of escorting a package from here to the College Magica, a week's travel on train plus a couple days on the trail. As the representative of the Merchant's Guild, it is my duty to ensure everything goes smoothly.

For this endeavor a party, of sorts, has been gathered of varied kind. Miraculously, or possibly by an unseen hand, this auspicious group was found at a single tavern. Seth, a human/lupine shapechanger, has quite the taste for tinkering as well as combat. With us is a very well groomed minotaur by the name of Bim, and a self aware geological construct (also lupine) called Marmite. Scotch Rustbeard is our dwarven cook augmented by clockwork.

We intend to spend the day in town, and the night in a tavern. By morning we should be trainbound again.

Of Ridden Dragons

Very seldom, a mortal is allowed to be present during the hatching of a dragon, rarely does this mortal become a Dragon Rider. A bond is formed with the hatchling which ties the two together, both mind and soul. It is known that at some point in the Dominions' history Dragon Riders had formed the Draconus Templar which is now only rumored to exist. Most known Dragon Riders exist in the Nightlands, with notable exceptions on both Earth and Sogrum.

A Dragon Rider's strength is the combination of power and knowledge. They can access any of the talents providing they learn the requisite lores. Also, they can draw upon the dragon's well of mana. A Rider's dragon is a "bonded dragon" and is born tied to their Rider. As the Rider progresses, so does the dragon, and the bond intensifies. At maturity, or draccus, the dragon and rider are nearly the same being with a dragon's power and a mortal's ingenuity.

Bonded Dragon

(Dragon Subrace)

Bonded dragons are those which hatched in the presence of the one who was destined to be their Rider. The bond that is formed between the two is immediate and permanent. A Bonded Dragon is affected by the choices of their Rider as much as their own. When a Bonded Dragon reaches maturity (Draccus) their style of breathe weapon is dictated by their Riders skills in magic and faith (mage and priest source).

Stats: d10, Fl Dex

Levels: A bonded dragon gains a level when their Rider purchases one. This level is of the same type as the Rider.

Sources: A bonded dragon has the same sources as their Rider.

Mana Pool: The bonded dragon may share an amount of mana equal to their max pool with their Rider each turn, this is the only way they may spend mana.

Dragon: A bonded dragon gains all of the rules regarding dragons (see Zero Terminus; Book of Races).

Note: A bonded dragon is not a victim race. These are the companions to Dragon Riders (see Zero Terminus; Book of Magic).

Other Power

Heart of Draccus Cost: 6

Draccus

When a dragon reaches maturity their "essence" can be contained within a diamond-like crystal that grows within them. Disgorging this crystal before final death, the dragon will live on within it. The size of the crystal is based on the dragons CL (base is about 6" diameter, doubling every 5 levels). The crystal has a Stm of double the dragon's and a wound pool equal to the dragon's (at the time of disgorging it). Upon the death of the dragon, the soul is transferred to the crystal retaining Int, Wis, Man and Chr. The dragon's pools (other than wounds), knowledges, wu's, powers, etc. are also transferred but not accessible. The dragon also retains their CL.
Through various means like necromancy and technology, the dragon may be re-animated, this will require the creation of a new body to inhabit. Through some powers, like telepathy and scrying, the dragon may be conversed with, (this will allow a Dragon Rider access to the dragon's mana pool). If the dragon was bonded to a Rider, then the Rider will not succumb to Lunacy at the death of their dragons physical body.

Hope that sheds some light on things, until next round.

Dammed Festivities

Hope Krampus didn't take you, or yours, this year!

SLAOTD - Concept Books

What is a 'Concept Book'? I recently picked up two new sketchbooks for nWo. With a little pre-planning, these are going to become a Grimore and an Atlas, sourcebooks with art and rules.

How is it set up? The first page is the title page, followed by a table of contents, and at the back, an index is set up. These are left blank, slowly being filled in as pictures are drawn for easy reference. Each picture will be accompanied by rules, description and other pertinent information. Setting runes are used like in Zero Terminus to help organize things.

The Grimore will contain all manner of beasts, adversaries, associates, armour, tools, vehicles and robots. Things and persons who are unique will have their profiles kept up to date, the Grimore will be a 'living' sourcebook. The Atlas will contain all manner of maps and scenery sketches from all over the dominions.

As a SL, these books will be invaluable to illustrate the world the victims live in as well as making me more prepared for encounters and other such stuff. For the victim these will assist in formulating plans, and the Grimore might have some goodies...

I recommend a concept book to all players, regardless of the game you play, sink a little deeper into the realms. Keeping an index will help keep track of what/where immeasurably. And, don't forget, art = xp!

I have a collection of entries from other sketchbooks, I would like to compile these along with entries from other SL's to make a tome of knowledge. Does anyone have some of these?

Until next round, be well.

The Monk and the Dervish

nWo is the kind of game that grows continuously. Even as I polish up the Zero Terminus book, new things are created and another book is already planned (a "survival guide"). A couple of these are two new warrior sources; the monk and the dervish.

Monk

Specializing in unarmed combat, a monk can use their strength to cause severe wounds and breaks. Often learned in martial arts, they can become a strong asset in hand to hand combat. Many temple caretakers are trained as monks in addition to their responsibilities to the clergy.

Starting Level:
1 knowledge point, 2 weapon use points, +d10 wounds, +1* (unarmed).

Level Advancement:
1 weapon use point, +d10 wounds, +1* (unarmed).

Dervish

The dancing, weaving, fluid motions of a dervish are easily identifiable and rightly feared. This style of fighting builds up momentum and uses it to make attacks and dodge others. Once in motion, a dervish becomes an increasingly difficult opponent.

Starting Level:
1 knowledge point, +d10 wounds.

Level Advancement:
+d10 wounds.

Benefit:
For each round the victim has been in hand to hand combat add the victim's warrior level to hit and dodge. This bonus only applies in hand to hand combat and will decrease by the victim's warrior level each round not in hand to hand combat.

These sources are allowed in all settings, and have some interesting possibilities. Either of these sources would benefit from the combat discipline or death talent for more hitting power. The monk's bonus can be added to natural weapons (like claws), or think about a dervish with a shimmer....

Until next round, +1 Int.

5th History, Part One

The events that happened before, and which caused the Neoarctic Age are shrouded and corroded. The few things that we do know about the Great War are from personal accounts saved in personal hard-drives, and although often biased, these allow us to reason the cause of this catastrophe.

At the time it was not called the Great War, in fact there seems to have been many stages, these stages were each termed 'wars' or 'operations'. Worldwide power-struggles were being held and were often covert. A system of governments were set up, each declaring an impartial system while being corrupt within. The monetary system was another arena which caused a massive divide in lifestyle between the rich and poor. Many accounts claim that the corporations had control and used capitalism as a weapon, divider and harness.

Nearly every pre-war home excavated has contained at least one personal computing device, as well as a 'television' or tv. Some tv's predate the War by nearly a century, having been embedded into culture and society. Through this media, and multiple industries which support it, dominated and pacified the majority of the population. In fact it has been found that a "pop culture" existed which served as a distraction and commodity.

While distractions and sales dominated the media, other issues were easier to avoid and ignore. While the groundwork was being done by pre-Corp military the media was tasked with the job of hiding the disagreeable facts. They did it fairly well, even to the extent of misinformation on social networking. By the beginning of the 21st century an ever-increasing awareness began to spread which triggered the first of many changes that century.

5th History is a historical account of the World of Damnation (5th Dominion, 7 AW, nWo).

Night of the Lope

The Sith Continuum gathered in a dark park to spin fire in honor of me getting older. I am always filled with pride and energy when I watch my closest friends spin, and I spin too (of course!)

Sadly, I have no pictures of our glorious expedition, but I can tell you it was awesome. My coffee defied gravity (take that gravity!) Benches were verified to be benches! Connections were made, and Aeon died a few times. And there was much more...

But I do have videos of each of the Sith who burned, enjoy.

Some of the best friends a Sith could have!