The 0ld 0rder - The Magister's Wagon (Part 1)

Ta prepares the party with a dampening potion, obtained at no small cost, to get them past the wardings on the wagon. It is a sticky fluid and tastes like a cesspit, but the potion was mixed by a cleric of the Eater of the Dead, a sin to counter a blessing. The small clay vials dangle from leather strings as they advance towards the wagon.

The Magister's wagon is a massive blackwood construction. It is seven meters wide, seventeen long, with ledges on the front and rear. Warding plates, made from bronze, are affixed to the sides and above the both doors. More wards glint upon the four massive wheels that support the transport. The wagon men are busy loading supplies and organizing the draft animals, tuskers, around the wagon and its two smaller companions.

Under the glamor of Mosa's magic, the party approach the wagons invisibly. They split into two groups, one toward the front, the other to the back. Tesyble weaves a psychic net to keep them all in contact with each other. With spells to increase their speed and strength, the wagon men had no warning.

Grognak and Nicoli approach the driver's ledge where a hussar (wagon driver) is shouting orders to the tusker herders. The orc's spear wounds the hussar and he strikes blindly hitting nothing. Invisibly, the orc and faery eliminate the herders and hussar. Grognak's battlelust, unsated, rages towards more of the wagon men within the compound. Soon the hired hands are in rout.

On the back of the wagon two workers load crates into the rear ledge. They fall quickly as Mosa and Tweaks fall upon them. Other wagon hands approach to investigate and have a similar fate. Bezis slides under the wagon and begins to take out the wagon men on the far side of the encampment with her axes.

Mosa is the first inside, the wards failing to restrict her. The wards do counter her spells, leaving everyone visible and stripping her of the spells placed on her by the others. As they each go inside, their spells are countered. Grognak and Nicoli Enter the front, where the driver's bunks are, and kill a second hussar. Tweaks follows Mosa in the back searching the supply room and galley. Further ahead they find the bunk rooms, one being the Seneshal's chamber. After trading blows, the Seneshal teleports away to find the Magister.

Faced with a wall, Grognak attempts to make his own way through it. He succeeds to break a hole large enough for Nicoli to squeeze through, which the faery does with ease. The orc puts is shoulder into the wall badly and dislocates it. On the other side of the wall Nicoli slides across a table from the hole in the wall to see the Magister. He speaks something and the faery's world turns dark and painful.

Mosa and Tweaks continue to the front encountering a large bedchamber and the Seneshal. The warrior's armour and skill are pressed to defend against the two attackers. Tesyble launches psychic strikes through the minds in the net as Mosa sends throwing stars at his face. Tweaks is a blurr of clockwork which destroy the Seneshal's shield in seconds.

Wyndspring's Log - 03

We spend a good while in the lounge car drinking, chatting and whatnot. Rusty suggests a mobile deep-fryer, which I could easily weaponize, and we work on some blueprints. As the evening wears on, we overhear the neighboring table's conversation regarding a resident ghost on the train. Word has it that the apparition can be heard on the observation car in the late hours of night.

Of course we decide to investigate, most of us at least. While the others squeezed though the galley, I chose the alternative route up top. Keeping low, which is quite easy given my stature, I find I can make quick progress across the car roofs. In my over-confidence I land a bit heavily upon the observation car's top window. With a gnomish curse on my lips I will it to undo, and to my amazement, it does. I will make a note to learn more of the ability which I seem to have.

This observation car is much like the one on the previous train and sits back in second class. I sit and light up a new smoke while collecting my thoughts. Through the haze I take a second look around the car. Using the smoke like a pigment upon the canvas of the train car. Secrets are revealed to me in wraithlike forms. And it tastes wonderful.

I learn that the spirit (or shadow) manifests during a brief time at dawn. During this time she weeps softly and is of no threat to anyone. I think she is afflicted with a kind of sorrow or mourning, and one can tell that psychology is not my prime lore. I inform those with me and recommend we sleep off some of our spirits, especially Seth, and return later.

We are returning when someone thinks of the problem of waking at the right hour, this problem I know I can solve. Reaching my quarters, where my bitz and gubbins are kept, I begin work upon a new device. After an hour I have am alarm chime. The timer is turned to the desired amount of minutes or hours. When the time runs out a small hammer will hit a couple resonant bars. The alarm will continue to chime until turned off or when it winds down.

An hour before dawn I am awoken by my alarm chime and proceed to gather other volunteers. We return to the observation car with some time to spare so I roll an anticipatory smoke. As twilight sets in a faint weeping is heard near the from of the car. I light my smoke and proceed behind Bim with Seth. Hoping that my smoke would give her (it sounded like a her) form I blow it in her direction. It gathers in the seat and we can see someone by a wavering outline. Bim sits beside the half-form with a careful slowness and gently asks if she is ok. She seems not to notice and continues to weep. We pause uncertainly and a beam of the sunlight reaches through the window and with the rising of the sun, she is gone.

Specialists

Mages can take multiple talents depending upon their mage source, but not all do. Some prefer to stick to a single talent which can make them more powerful but less versatile. Also, many have noticed the lack of the 'feeding' abilities in the new book, this was intentional as such abilities come at a price. Specialists gain the feed ability (if there is one for their talent), or it can be purchased as an other power. Specialists also gain additional abilities and cost reductions depending on their specialization. Becoming a specialist is an additional cost when purchasing a mage level (much like selecting an additional talent).

A mage who specializes in a single talent will become far more skilled with their power. Mastering a single talent is far easier, as is gaining immunities to it. Some specialists have access to abilities exclusive to them.

Becoming a Specialist: A victim may spend an additional 5 xp when purchasing a mage level to become a specialist. The victim's mage source is not altered in any way, simply note that the victim is a specialist.

Benefits: Mastery (see 'Other Powers – Book of Tools') costs 2 points less and the stat costs are removed. Additional benefits are based upon talent;

Restrictions: A specialist may only have access to a single talent and no further talents may be purchased. A victim cannot become a specialist if they have access to more than one talent.

Air – Elemental Immunity (air)* costs 3 less, add aeromancy modifier to Fl Dex (augmented), Feed (air)#.

Earth – Elemental Immunity (earth)* costs 3 less, add geomancy modifier to soak and Stm checks, Feed (earth)#.

Fire – Elemental Immunity (fire)* costs 3 less, add mage level to MS, Feed (fire)#.

Water – Elemental Immunity (water)* costs 4 less, Waterbreath* costs 5 less, add mage level to one check or war per day, Feed (water)#.

Aether – Elemental Immunity (aether)* costs 3 less, Regenerate (mutation) costs 4 less, K.O. (hand to hand), Feed (aether)#.

Death – Soul Thief* costs 2 less, Hard to Kill* costs 2 less, add necromancy modifier to all regular damage, Feed (death)#.

Famine – Mind Over Body costs 2 less, Hard to Kill* costs 2 less, Magical Resistance* costs 2 less, any attack made by the victim has a K.O. modifier equal to the victim's cryomancy modifier.

Pestilence – Victim's App is negatively modified by their mage level, add cadramancy modifier to all disease and narcotic based rolls (in favor of the disease or narcotic), Appetite Magic and Faith* each cost 2 less, Feed (pestilence)#.

War – Discord* costs 3 less (and may be taken regardless of race), Gaze of Petrification* costs 3 less, Mind Over Body* costs 2 less, add psychomancy modifier to Chr (augmented), Feed (war)#.

Chronomancy – Add mage level to initiative, one reroll per day (per mage level).

Divination – Add scry modifier to dodge and Per (augmented), add mage level to MS.

Dream – Add mage level to K.O. checks, Magical Resistance* and Countercaster* costs 2 less, Feed (dream)#.

Illusion – Add mage level to stealth and App (augmented), Gaze of Petrification* costs 3 less.

Summoning - Add mage level to command, Animal Friendship* costs 2 less, Teleportation#.

*These refer to abilities from 'Other Powers – The Book of Tools' in the Zero Terminus.

#These refer to abilities from 'Other Powers – The Book of Tools' in the Survival Guide.

Feed Cost: 6

The victim has learned to feed upon the energies that they practice. A victim may replenish pool whenever the reuirements are met but cannot excede maximum pool. A victim must select which talent they feed from, which they have access to.

All – Casting (1 mana for each use of power that uses a like mana source).

Air – During high winds (d10 mana per round).

Earth – During eathquakes (d10x10).

Fire -Near flame (1 mana per round), near large fire (d10 mana per round).

Water – In open waters (1 per round).

Aether – Electric fields (equal to Str of field or d10 per round).

Death – Near death (mana replenished equal to CL of dying).

Pestilence – Near disease (1 mana per round, per infected).

War – Disputes (1 mana per round), conflict (d10 mana per round).

Dream – Near sleepers (1 mana per round, per sleeper).

Until next round...>

I, Thaxean

My name is Thaxean, although I have had many others. I travel what is known as the Fifth dominion, Earth as the mortals call it. I have traveled for longer than I can recall, I dimly remember the War and its aftermath. It was the aftermath which brought out my inner nature, before that I looked like the rest of the humans. I stand just over seven feet, I see with green hued eyes, my skin is grey and I grow thin spines where hair would be. At the moment I find myself in Victoria.

I am a musician, by trade or design, so one could imagine my anger when the WTF! show was delayed. It seemed that their current dj/drummer had some kind of misfortune regarding a sport car and a frigate. That was ok, I don't really like sequencers, but they were having auditions.

The address was a rental, pretty low-key with a waiting room full of chumps. Rayne, the pretty elven keyboard player, was heading the audition. I introduced myself and set up. Fresh out, my first attempt was marginal, but she seemed to like it. On the do-over my skills were much more obvious, I was hired on the spot.

The I Am Awesome And You Are Not II was in harbour under repair. It seemed that someone blew a big hole in the side. I got the standard tour, everything was as it looks in the video clips, it was a party ship. The topic of the first dj came up, and that Tzak had a number of followers onboard forming a cult. Tzak was the original source for the sampled Nek-Ra prayers of the early songs.

The chapel was set up according to tradition, a place where the Unkind One dominated all senses. This chapel was a personalized affair, being built by a small army of punks and masterminded by a madman. I met with their current preacher of no clergy rank. He told me how this place was held together by Pipe Wrench (who I could not locate) and the preacher. He also told me of the library they had. I thanked him and tithed an old hymnal.

It appeared that this cult believed that Nek-Ra would send Tzak back to lead them. After the next sermon I made my attempt to seize control of the cult. I told them of how I was sent from the Kingdom, shunned, and forced to walk the Earth. I spoke of how Nek-Ra did not shun me, of how his gaze was attained by sacrifice, and with his gaze was power.

The body of Tzak's zombeast was assembled standing guard over the chapel. I reached out with incantations of the Unkind and returned unlife to the creature. The rapt horror of my desecration and ability had sealed my control over them. My pilgrims now understood that I was chosen by Nek-Ra.

Transcendence (Blog 7)

A cargo truck pulls down the access road beside the Tower of Stars and a shot is fired. The front grav-plate of the truck blows out and it comes to a stop several meters away from the loading bay. Walking up to the truck, Mikah asks the driver if he is in need of help. Staying in the truck he asks what the damage is and curses his answer. He waves Mikah off and tries to park the truck anyway. Zechs fires a second shot and the rear grav-plate explodes. Mikah sends a command to the guard's mind. Entering the loading bay, the truck runs over a railing, and it gets stuck. Stumbling, the guard exits the truck and begins to remove his clothes. His head explodes.

Craxxx arrives at the university in Felisce's dented car where Kaci is perched on top of an unconscious form. They put the body into the trunk and Craxxx tries to update her the best a battery-powered pixie can. Along the way to the Tower off Stars, Craxxx stops to pick up Alias from a coffee shop. The trio enter the building with Craxxx on watch while Alias scanned the wireless bands for signs of the others. This left Kaci to ask around. They found their way to floor 33 and eventually to docking bay 19 which sat empty. Empty-handed, they went to the Lunar Ring's plaza to think things through.

Zyreal wandered the ship, randomly picking floors until reaching the main lounge. While asking directions, he is introduced to Nova, the ship's sim. Reaching the navigation deck, he speaks to the captain and takes a crew placement test. After testing, he is assigned to shuttle operations.

The Nova Invisce sided up beside a passing comet. Cypress, having already taken is placement test, receives his gelsuit who briefs him regarding his first spacewalk. He is to plant several ties into the comet ice while it is cut by others wielding ice-torches. The slabs of ice are taken to the ship, via shuttle, and processed for the upcoming voyage.

In the plaza Alias orders an extra glass of elven wine after a strange phone call. Elsewhere on the Lunar Ring, Zechs encounters Felisce and the two have much to talk about. The griffon tells the elf of what has happened, up to Mikah escorting the package in to the Nova Invisce where he lost contact with him on floor 33.

Wyndspring's Log - 02

Upon leaving the comfort of the train and assembling our belongings we inquired about our next fares. Selecting the evening train, we each purchased first class tickets, as this would be a long ride. Be comfortable when possible I say.

Entering town, we visited some of the local merchants for supplies, weapons and material. We checked upon the package to make sure we could pick it up on time then proceeded to a conveniently located tavern next door. Now tipsy, Rusty, Seth and I assembled the folding trailer. We were off to another tavern, with nice dancing women, and had more liquor. With hours to spare, we headed for the beach.

Since the first tavern, an elven woman has joined us. I was first alerted to her by my smoke. She, a traveler, has offered to join us. I wonder how much a person "in acquisitions" can offer our group, but they agree to let her join.

We pick up the package and board the train. As the train pulls forward, dinner is served.

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.