Diplomatic Log 3

The relic hunting group has returned to Xanadu without that for which they searched. No information about the goblet could be obtained however they were told about a staff connected to the Hora Quan. We have been informed that the the staff of which they learned was created by a man familiar to us.

The group had then traveled to the Tomb of Ozymandias where a tunnel was discovered. While raiding the tomb, the princes apparently tried to kill each other. Due to her lack of previous interaction with humans, Kheriim's recollection of the incident may have be coloured. It is difficult to conceive that Leif would actually try to kill Halden, more likely it was a simple fraternal spat which she misunderstood. Regardless, the tension between the princes is an opportunity for us to further our agenda by playing them off one another.

The tunnel which they found led from the Tomb, to the island of Gorzam. This raises the possibility of other tunnels under the Spiral and alternate routes for clandestine activities.

Given these circumstances, information about the Drunken Gambler who passed through our lands must be obtained. Of particular interest is where he was headed when he left our lands and the location of anything he may have left or lost to our care. This information may be necessary to further our plans in the Empire.

Kheriim's Notes 2

Travel from Xanadu was on a boat. Likes Fire knows a lot about whales. He says they are magical. Skepticism will be maintained for the meantime. Time at sea was otherwise boring. Ao-Manasa has a lot of people in it. One is Finder of Things. Finder of Things knows nothing about the cup which we seek. Finder of Things knows of a staff that controls bees.

There are also bars in Ao-Manasa. Likes Fire and Trouble Boy wanted to go. Prince came too. Alcohol is bad, but drinks were had anyway. Trouble Boy tried to fight the bar. Then there was fire. It was time to go. Priest and Likes Fire argued. It was still time to go. Why won't they go? All problems can be solved with magic. They finally go.

Time to leave Ao-Manasa. Some want to find an island full of bees. Seems difficult. Some want to go to some tomb. Seems easier. To the tomb is the direction of travel. Also, human sexuality and relationships seem complicated. Likes Fire said something about Glowy Lady and sexual behavior and then Prince got upset and tried to attack him. Time to hide in the air.

When the tomb was in sight, something happened. White puddings attacked! It was bad and painful. Then there was magic and they died.

Session 4: In Which Our Intrepid Adventurers Find Themselves Inexplicably in Gorzam

6/20
Recap:
Following the fight with the ice golem, we return to the boat for sleep, setting watches.
Last watch (Leif and Kheriim) was the only eventful watch, with some shadowy thing approaching Leif and offering to teach him how to control the Heart of the Sea in return for powerful artifacts.
Leif had not intended to tell the rest of the party, but the innocent insistence of Kheriim combined with a terrible bluff check means we are all now aware.
We return to the ice caves!
Past where the ice golem had stood guard, we discover much awesome treasure and a bizarre stone tablet. Stavros recognizes the script, but cannot translate. Ancient form of Skaravanian?
-SIX HOURS LATER-
We spy an exit of some sort.
We exit!
Lo and behold, it is a cold frozen northland!
"This must be Gorzam," we say.
Ax confirms.
Blank calls Ax and is surprised to learn that we are in Gorzam.
Ax returns to the ship through the magical caves, dragging Halden with him, with the intent to sail to Gorzam and reunite with the party there.
We make our way into the city of Gorzam without! being attacked by wild yeti.
We go into the first bar Janan spots: The Yeti's Breath.
They have no rum.
This being Gorzam, they have no other alcohol either, just empty tankards and sighs and wails bemoaning the times when a fellow can't even get a flask of rum.
Kheriim 'makes friends' with a crazy guy who is apparently part of a PETA like movement and calls himself both a priest and a follower of the Great Icy JellyFish. (Guy has two eyepatches and wears a dead jellyfish for a hat.)
Stavros and Kheriim end up arguing about Verrik metaphysics.
Janan and Aed still want drinks, as does Stavros, so upon hearing a rumor of rum, we approach another bar: The Iceberg Lounge.
It's fancy.
And it has bouncers.
The bouncers do not like us.
We do not get any rum.
Luckily, we also do not get dead, despite Leif's almost starting a fight.
We then retire to yet another bar, one mentioned to Janan by Captain Blank: Uncle Grisby's Tavern.
We play cards and try not to kill eachother.
Captain Blank arrives in Gorzam!
Janan complains about Gorzam's brothels and their quality of service.
Blank refuses to let Janan sail his ship. Ever. End of story.
They finally decide to return to Xanadu with the information and treasure they've gathered, Blank communicating with Ax so that Ax will return Halden to Xanadu.
Our mission? To get the stone tablet translated!

Notes:

• Pio- God of Not Listening to the Verrik
• Nysa- Goddess of Starting Random Fights

Quotage:

"You're like typewriter barbie!" -me to qwerty, re: his typing skillz

"Halden, you are siblings with Leif, no?" -Qwerty, Stavros
"No." -Oddysey, Halden

"There are nicer ways to send a message than by ominous shadow!" -Artemis, Kheriim
"But not cooler." -Oddysey, Halden

"-and then it was nice and jungle and everything was nice, but then the harrid come and they eat all the magic and it is becoming a desert." -Qwerty, Stavros, re: skaravaan history of being subjugated

"It's weirdly cold."-Oddysey, Admiral Ax
"Weirdly cold in the tomb of ozymandias?"-Qwerty, Captain Blank
"Weirdly cold in Gorzam. ...Actually, it's not weird that it's cold in Gorzam, but it is weird that we are cold in Gorzam."-Oddysey, Admiral Ax
"How did you get to Gorzam?"-Qwerty, Captain Blank
"We walked."-saganatsu, Leif
"...Damn magic."-Qwerty, Captain Blank

"All pirates are Italian!" -oddysey

"Crazy guy, can I wear your hat?" -Artemis, Kheriim
"No! You may not wear my hat; it is mine!" -oddysey, crazy priest who reveres icy jellyfish
and other natural fauna

"You could just eat the citrus fruits without rum, couldn't you?" -Artemis, Kheriim, re: scurvy in Gorzam
"You're just chock full o' blasphemy!" -oddysey, crazy guy

"When was the last time a god directly affected your life?" -Artemis, Kheriim
"The other day I prayed to the god of seasickness and then I felt better!" -Foole, Aed
"Personally, I've always found the gods rather useful. See, when people go to the temple, they tend to leave their bags unattended, and I've always found that to be helpful, especially when the bar's price for ale goes up." -me, Janan

"I could go for alcoholic beverage." -Qwerty, Stavros

"Gorzam is the town where people care if you murder the bouncers!" -oddysey

"Halden's talents are in hitting things and then moping about it! He gets it from his parents." -oddysey

"I would like to remind the party once again that my gender is male till specified otherwise." -me, out of character

"I have only the greatest admiration for the jaw strength of faen!" -me, Janan, re: argument about using the term 'biter' to refer to faen

NPC Profiles

*Updated 6/20/09*

Sifqar - Male Verrik Champion of Magic

Sifqar originally from the Verrik desert (south of the jungle from which Kaperi and Kheriim hail). He came to Xanadu more than a decade ago while Sigrid and Gannen were after a Verrik named Qadara who had killed one of their Champions. Sifqar claimed that Qadara (who was his half-sister) was innocent and he was there to clear her name. As time went on, it became clear that Qadara had indeed gone rogue and Sifqar was forced to kill her. Sigrid saw this as an act of loyalty and invited him to stay. He's served the empire ever since. He's currently trying to find any trace of Paerk.

Jorik Malason - Male Human Champion of War

Joriik is native to Gorzam. He joined the Order of the Axe at a young age and served with Sigrid for about a year before she went off on her adventures on the Ocean's Blade. They also dated for a few months during that time but never really hit it off. He's been in charge of the Order (and the Empire's army) for the last five years, since the last General retired.

Halas Torstead - Minor Male God of Passion

Halas is Sigrid's father. He is also known as Alastor. He's never been much of a father figure. He occasionally appears in Sigrid's life when he thinks she's doing something interesting. He's the reason she's a runechild. She didn't inherit much from him except his extreme emotions. He showed up on Chak Itzin along with some other minor gods. Sigrid calls on him for information occasionally.

Cein Skystar - Male Faen High Priest of the Latter-day Church of the Hora Quan

Cein is a Greenbond who came to Xanadu after hearing about it from his friend, Paerk. He's a Greenbond and soon quickly became enthralled with the Heart of the Sea and its connection to the Green. With Sigrid and Gannen's blessing, he formed the Latter-day Church of the Hora Quan, which is mainly an earth-based, green-based spirituality, but does include numerous Gods (Cein is a Faen, after all).

T'nara'l - Female Dracha Champion of Freedom and Knight of the Axe

T'nara'l came to Pental from White Shoal Island shortly before the first Ao-Manasa coup and resulting war with the Giants. She fought valiantly and made a name for herself and has been one of Sigrid and Gannen's top generals ever since. When either Sigrid or Gannen goes off to battle (they don't ever go to war together for various reasons) T'nara'l is always right at their side. She takes their safety very seriously and considers every wound they recieve a mark of her failure. T'nara'l is also responsible for smoothing over Xanadu's relationship with Mixastomere.

Rasi Karradottir - Female Human Oathsworn

Rasi arrived at Xanadu four years ago at the age of fifteen. She demanded an audience with Gannen and told him that she had sworn an oath to protect his life. At first, neither Gannen nor Sigrid took the girl seriously. But Rasi was insistent and eventually, Sigrid and Gannen accepted her. Over the years, she has completed a number of tasks for them and her most recent oath was to discover the truename of the jealous God of Chak Itzin. Halden used to be quite infatuated with Rasi, but learned a few months ago that his crush was unrequited. He was quite upset about this and became even more angsty.

Zarstrak - Mojh Mind Witch

Zarstrak is the representative of the Mojh settlement on Pele Kor. The Mojh started showing up on the island a few years ago and have built a series of small villages. They practice magic and cultish rituals and generally keep to themselves. Recently they've attempted to tame the velociraptors with their strange magic. Their success rate is about 50% and is rising. The mojh decided they should send Zarstrak to Xanadu during the summit to make friends with the leaders. After all, they're here for completely legitimate, peaceful reasons. Honestly.

Session 3: Constant Vigilance! Velociraptors are sneaky creatures, don't you know?

Recap:
We go into the tomb of Ozymandias.
Kheriim finds a secret tunnel.
This tunnel is cold, dark, and leading downwards.
It gets both colder and darker.
Suddenly, we are attacked! by a Grave Wolf.
This happens at approximately the same time we come upon an open chamber, size unknown but large enough that a globe light (radii of 20 feet) does not illuminate the sides.
Apparently, where there is one Grave Wolf, there are two more you missed on the spot check.
We do brave battle! And eventually prevail!
Although not without complications:
Leif hits Halden with an attack spell (as well as a wolf). Bad Leif!
Moving on, we come upon an ice golem guarding a giant door.
Janan attempts to be diplomatic.
This does not work.
We start fighting with it.
This does not work either.
Luckily, we all survive and manage to take the golem down, mostly due to Admiral Ax's higher level and Leif's early-spent rune attack.

Notes:
Leif is a terrible brother. D:
Grave Wolves come from up north, where they are said to haunt the houses of the dead. When Grave Wolves die, they dissipate into a cold mist.
Arguing with a construct such as a golem is akin to arguing with a calculator, and as futile.
Janan crit fails way too often.
Halden & Leif are likely to kill each other in future sessions if there is not an intervention of some kind.

Quotage:
"That is vague enough for me to approve!" -Qwerty, Commandant Blank, re: Sigrid's definition of tariff

"He says he'll totally tone down the border actions if you tone down the piracy." -oddysey, re: npc Giant ambassador from the Diamond Throne

"If it makes you and your brother feel better, I totally have a lock of each of your hair, so I can always bring you back" -Artemis, Sigrid
"...thanks, mom."-Oddysey, Halden

"I will give monkey comrade little push up!" -Qwerty, Stavros, re: lifting Ax for gliding purposes

"Was that in my fake Australian accent? NO. Therefore, out of character"-me

"I'll take rear guard. Velociraptors come from the outside."-PitrsApprentice, Admiral Ax

"I do not understand the ways of northerners yet, but in my homeland, we would not call this very cohesive group."-Qwerty, Stavros

"What are you talking about? The jungle is full of dungeons!"-oddysey, re: some player comment
"Haven't you played Diablo II?"-qwerty

"You don't cast magic missile at the darkness!"-qwerty re: Leif's protestations of total innocence though he totally almost killed his brother

"Don't do that! Velociraptors attack from the outside! have you never heard of a ranged weapon?"-PitrsApprentice, Admiral Ax
"I've *heard* of them, but they're for posers."-Oddysey, Halden

"The more you are speaking the less I am being inclined to believe you"--Qwerty, Stavros, re: Janan's "explainations"

"I'm going to give Halden CPR." - maggienotmegan, Janan
"He doesn't need CPR!" - Artemis
"But he does need restraining." - Pitrsaprentice, Admiral Ax
"I can do that!" - maggienotmegan, Janan

"What I'm wondering is how I survived gang life in Khorl..."-maggienotmegan, re: Janan's fail!stats
"Apparently they're not very badass in Khorl."-Artemis

Session Summary in Song & Quotes

Session Three Quotes:

Out of Character:

"Did you have no personality? Er, the other way around?" - Maggienotmegan, in reference to Spock in the pilot episode.

"We've got low levels to take care of the ship, and not get taken over by monkeys" - Artemis

"Um, I think we're past that point." - Qwerty

"What about being taken over by monkeys? Says the monkey?" - Pitrsaprentice

"Was that in my fake australian accent? No.... therefore it was out of character." - maggienotmegan
"Bear in mind that wolf three is immobilized" - Pitrsaprentice
"Bears? wolves? what!" - Qwerty
"What are bears?" - Pitrsaprentice
-later-
"Oh" - Pitrsaprentice(not entirely sure on the in-characterness of this one. Qwerty wasn't speaking in character, and I'm not sure how confused Pitrsaprentice was)
"That's #1 and #2?" - Oddysey
"No,that's #1 and Halden" - saganatsu
"Halden at half health" - Artemis
"Yay! And he's next to a wolf he can't see! And it's the wolves turn!" - Oddysey
-later-
"Oh good! He rolled max damage!" - Oddysey
"It... disappears in a puff of smoke." - Oddysey
"Ice smoke." - Qwerty
"No more wolf corpse?" - Maggienotmegan
"No." - Oddysey
"No wolf corpse to loot?" - saganatsu
"No." - Oddysey
"No caltrops? no wolf pelts?" - Artemis
"No." - Oddysey
"No random silverware or napkins?" - Qwerty

"I don't need to roll for that. It's there!" - Artemis (referencing Fire Elemental)

(looking at character sheet) "What I'm wondering is how I survived gang life in chorral." - maggienotmegan
"apparently they're not very badass in Chorral." - Artemis

"I gave halden use rope! he can do that!" - Artemis
"So halden is our dungeon bitch?" - Qwerty
"But I gave him 'getting into trouble' stuff." - Artemis
"Yeah, exactly!" - Oddysey
"Oh god." - Artemis

"If we get trapped we can just use the farspeaking amulets." - Qwerty
"You really want to call your mom to bail you out?" - Artemis (to saganatsu)
"Well Ax could just call Blank, his boss." - Qwerty
"Yeah, call blank and say "everybody's dead". And then not respond. Because I'm dead." - karen

"So when should we run away?" - Qwerty
"How about before we're blinded?" - Qwerty (shortly after being blinded)

"I'm going to give Halden CPR." - maggienotmegan
"He doesn't need CPR!" - Artemis
"But he does need restraining." - Pitrsaprentice
"I can do that." - maggienotmegan

In Character:

"Oh that's what a tarrif is? Oh! I got it confused with the one where you kncok them unconsious, tie them to their boat, chum the waters, and sink their ship! " - Qwerty, Commandant Blank

"I do not fully understand the ways of these northerners, but in my homeland, this would not be considered a very cohesive team" - Qwerty, Stavros

Session One Tracks:

1. Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance (Sigrids Summit)

2. Andrew W.K. - It's Time to Party (Blanks Party)

3. Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party) (Sigrid breaking up Blanks Party)

4. Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire (Janan + Fire + Sex)

Session Two Tracks:

5. Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage (Again, Janan + Fire + Sex)

Session Three Tracks:

6. Matt Uelman - Cave (From Diablo 2) (Tomb of Ozymandias)

7. The Prodigy - Run With The Wolves (Fighting Grave Wolves)

8. SSX - Slayboarder (Fighting Ice Golem)

I'll continue the tracks as the progress, and then present a final, edited version (as some tracks will be removed or condensed, possibly)

In which we set out for adventure and find pudding

Dearest mum,

I've been spending a lot of time lately taking readings for Master Soern. I think he may be regretting taking me as his apprentice and so now he just gives me busy work. He's always muttering about how I don't use enough attack spells. He just doesn't understand. I'm a priest, I help people, and usually that means healing or protecting them, not blowing them up. Anyway, the readings I've taken don't seem good. I think the Heart might be dying or maybe it's going to explode (Samani, God of Keeping The Heart Of The Sea From Blowing Up, forbid). Probably best if you cancel your plans to come visit, just to be safe. Besides, I won't be here! Lady Sigrid is sending me on a quest to find a mystical artifact that will fix everything!!! We're supposed to find a cup or goblet of some sort that's really powerful kind of like the Aur Xica, only not a sword so probably not very good for hitting people with. Pray to the God of Finding Goblets for me; the more prayers Mixi gets the more likely we are to be successful. The princes and some other strange people are coming to, so don't you worry about me. We'll keep each other safe, them with their swords, me with my spells.

One of the tall folks that is traveling with me is called Janan, and guess what?! He's Blank's son!!! He seems really fun. He's almost like one of us with the jokes he pulls. He told Kheriim (another human though she was raised by the verrik, weird) that whales are magic and grant wishes! He likes to get drunk and set things on fire, but it's okay cause Prince Leif keeps it from getting too far out of hand. Speaking of Leif and Janan, I saved the Prince's life today! Janan said something not too nice about Lady Sigrid, and so Leif and Janan got in a fight. Then Janan put a knife to the prince's throat! I made him drop it though.

I don't think I like water-ships. I spent the whole first day bent over the rail making offerings to the Goddess of Sea Sickness. Chulda must have been appeased though because I was fine the next day.

Our first stop was Ao-Manasa. We went to see Taevin and ask if he knew anything about the Goblet. He didn't, but he did know something about a magic Staff (or is it Stave) that was connected to the Heart, so make sure to add a prayer to Mixi's brother Wixi so we can find this Staff. I figure if we want to find the staff we should look for an island full of bees (prayers to Rinaloo would help), but instead we decided to go to the Tomb of Ozymandius.

Chulda took pity on me and I didn't get sick this time. I even took a turn at watch duty up in the crow's nest (wonder why they call it that, I didn't see any crows up there, I haven't even seen any since we left land, can crows swim?). The trip was very uneventful until the end. Kheriim was looking over the edge (maybe she was making an offering to Chulda too) and a white pudding tried to eat her face! We chopped it up but that just made things worse because now there were two of them.. then four.... Prince Leif killed it though, with a blast of magic. Then HE started to yell at me for not having attack spells! Leif spends too much time with Soern if you ask me.

Don't worry mum. I'll be fine.

Your loving son,

Aed Godfinder

Diplomatic Log 2

Contact was made with the representative from Chak Itzin, one Ket Takchitan. Discussion was limited due to representative being more concerned with potential retribution from Thunder God, than with real diplomacy. If assistance were offered to the priests of the island, the opportunity might present to gather further, detailed information. Alternatively, the representative could be presented to Thunder God in hopes of gaining favor with that faction.

Having witnessed a discussion between the Commandant, Lady Sigrid, and the Diamond Throne representatives, reanalysis of early estimations is required. No knowledge of basic terms i.e. "tariff" was shown by Commandant. Sinking of vessels was implied in his understanding of said term. Suggestion of power struggle may simply have been combination of drunkenness and gross ignorance on part of the Commandant. Further investigation is required for definitive conclusions to be reached.

The Lord of the Empire has remained absent for the majority of the summit. If rumours of his failing health prove founded, our timeline may have to be moved up. The death of the man currently attuned to the Heart would of course leave no choice but to move immediately.

Session 2: In Which Janan Explains Things

6/4
Recap:
Leif researches in Xanadu Library with little luck
We sail for Ao-Manasa
Halden convinces Kheriim that Leif is a terrible person.
Janan convinces Halden that Janan is awesome.
Janan also convinces Kheriim of many spur-of-the-moment tall tales.
We arrive at Ao-Manasa

[unsure of order of events, but decided this made most logical sense, even if it might not be how it happened]

We talk to Taevin whats-his-name, who gives us more info about a different artifact, a staff. It has the power to control bees. (and does other stuff, but really, BEES. obviously more important. and awesome.)

Janan convinces Kheriim to go to a bar with the rest of them. (Leif is there to stop bad stuff from happening?)
Halden tries to start a fight with the whole bar.
Janan tries to seduce Halden while fighting him.
Halden passes out, really really drunk.
Janan and Aed start fighting about...something...semantics, mainly, on the return to the boat.
Kheriim ends up casting a spell, as does Leif, in order to convince them to return faster.
(Also at some point Janan inadverdantly implies that Sigrid sleeps around and Leif attacks him to defend his mother's honor. Janan is very confused by having somehow given insult and is Not Pleased with being attacked--ends up with a knife to Leif's throat and Aed's magical intervention.)
First plan is to find an island full of bees. Second, more logical plan is to make sail for the tomb of Ozymandius.
On the way, we are attacked by a White Pudding. (much more vicious than it sounds) We eventually prevail, but not without Janan ending up hanging upside down from the crow's nest and Kheriim sulking a hundred feet up. Good times. :D

Notes:
Ridalou-god of finding island full of bees (spelling?)

scrap of paper found by Leif in Wines of the South:

…(torn)…simply destroyed the Staff, and indeed, it has not been seen in a long …(smudged)…doubt that an item of such power could be destroyed by such a man, at least without any fanfare or record. This is particularly so when considering the nature of the Staff’s reputed powers…(smudged)…on several occasions that the object would bring doom upon any would-be destroyer. In any event, it is also known that the priest, Tai Lakquar, disappeared unexpectedly during the early…(smudged)…that he was a victim of Meren’s political ambitions, close as he had been to the new emperor’s father, but perhaps…(torn)…

info on scrap of paper as determined by Aed with object loresight:

• 2000 years old
• Last touched by: Leif
• Race of last to touch: human
• Creator: Tai Qualir
• Race of creator: human
• Purpose: to preserve knowledge
• Made of: paper/ink
• Location: Xanadu Library

info from Taevin about staff:

• forged for the first emperor of the hora quan
• Before the Aur Xica, son of first emperor created that
• Had a number of powers: storm controlling, attuned to positive energy, controlled bees
• Everyone assumes son had staff destroyed or hidden, because son went bad

Quotage:
"...Pantsless engineering?" -Oddysey, re: some note in her dm prep [context? what context?]

"...I think we're going to consume alcohol." -Artemis, Kheriim
"Sweet."-Oddysey, Halden

"What is this...watch?" -Artemis, Kherriim
"Watch! It's totally awesome. You see the person on watch gets to go up in the crow's next--the round thingamajig up there--and watches." -maggienotmegan, Janan
"For what?"-Artemis, Kherriim
"Whales."-maggienotmegan, Janan
"...big fish?"-Artemis, Kherriim
"Yeah! Sort of."-maggienotmegan, Janan
"Why?"-Artemis, Kherriim
"Because whales are magical. You have to watch real close, and don't blink, and if you see one, you yell out the magic phrase and they'll grant you a wish!" -maggienotmegan, Janan
"...what's the magic phrase?" -Artemis, Kherriim
(whispers)"Supercalifragiliousexpialidocious" -maggienotmegan, Janan
"Watch sounds like fun."-Artemis, Kherriim
"Well, tell you what, seeing as you've never done this before, I've got first watch, but I'll let you take it instead."-maggienotmegan, Janan

"The more the merrier! Well, really that's for orgies, but never mind that!"-maggienotmegan, Janan

Halden! am I right or am I right?"-maggienotmegan, Janan
"You're completely right! Getting drunk is exactly like reading!"-Oddysey, Halden

"You want to fight? Alright then! What're the stakes? Tell you what, I win, you have to kiss me, I lose, I have to kiss you."-maggienotmegan, Janan, to Halden re: his drunk fighting challenge

"Why is he running around screaming?"-Artemis, Kherriim
"Don't worry about it. Longstanding tradition of bartenders."-maggienotmegan, Janan
"He looks angry. And he's yelling at you."-Artemis, Kherriim
"Naw, don't worry about it! He's just expressing his appreciation of our complete enjoiment of the bar."-maggienotmegan, Janan
"And he's mouthing I'm going to kill you."-Artemis, Kherriim
"Sign of affection."-maggienotmegan, Janan


"Look, you break it, you buy it, right? So when you break something, it's like you bought it! so it's like you're giving them gold--except that you arent and it's broken, but not the point. Breaking things is perfectly fine." -maggienotmegan, Janan, to Kherriim, re: burning the bar down

"He started the undead thing."-Oddysey, Taevin
"Did he start democracy too? Because I heard democracy and undead, you know, are like that."-maggienotmegan, Janan
"...Democracy is not something I associate with the undead."-Oddysey, Taevin
"One corpse, one vote!"-Foole, Aed

"I'm very, very offended! I'm hurt!-maggienotmegan, Janan
"No,no! I'm going to kill you!"-Artemis, Kherriim
"...that's the sweetest thing anyone ever told me!"-maggienotmegan, Janan

"That. is a. bee sound. I know a bee sound when I hear one. I know a bee from a bonnet, a hawk from a handsaw, and the wind doesn't have to be north-north-west either"-maggienotmegan, Janan, to Halden, under the influence of ale & a ghostly sound spell

"whales whales whales whales that's not a whale whales whales whales"--Artemis, Kherriim, sung while watching for whales

"Do whales make thumps and slithery sounds?"-Artemis, Kherriim

"Way to sink the ship!"-maggienotmegan, Janan, re: magic water attack
"It's water. Water doesn't sink ships." -saganatsu, Leif
"Yes, it does! Water sinks ships all the time!"-maggienotmegan, Janan

Don Marko and Gorzams Gang War

Don Marko:

Sons of The Family are often left to their own devices, and are never given anything for free, unless they somehow “convince” people to give them things. Eventually, one of a generation is ruthless enough, clever enough, or well-liked enough that they are chosen to be the next Don (by the current Don). Don Marko’s first name also happens to be Don, and he won his status through more benevolence than ruthlessness. That is not to say he is any sort of pushover or pacifist. He is a fair person… for a pirate from Gorzam.

Don Marko is a few years younger than Blank, and has only been Don for about 15 years. Before that, he was in the traditional second-in-command position, running the Black Market on Gorzam’s main street. In the year 7, Iliam assassinated the old Don, and tried to claim that title as his own. But most of the inhabitants (and all of the Family patriarchs) recognized Don Marko instead. With the help of Blank, Don Marko hunted down and defeated Iliam. Shortly after, the Hora Quan officially annexed Gorzam.

 

Gang War:

Year 16: Two Brothers, Maurice and Gabriel Antolini, have a falling out at age 18. They become bitter rivals, and opposing gangs form around them. As time goes on, Maurice becomes more violent and ruthless, more than the Family usually is. There is a bar run by Maurice’s gang that is rumored to have rum, despite the shortage. It’s very expensive though, and has tight security. Gabriel stays true to the old ways, though he is less lenient when dealing with his brother’s gang.

Year 20: Patriarch Pazzesco disappears one moonless night. He is found months later, wearing animal skins and wielding a staff while chanting to a fire, in the footsteps of the mountainous region to the northeast. He is convinced to come back to Gorzam, but he begins recruiting people into his cult. Little is known about the cult, other than they occasionally lure Yetis down from the mountains to cause havoc, and that they have cabals out in the mountains footsteps.

Year 22: Gabriel becomes less patient, Maurice becomes more aggressive, and Pazzesco is becoming a greater problem, though he is seen less and less in Gorzam. Don Marko is trying to keep the peace and remain neutral, but he fears that a cleansing bloodbath is inevitable.

Geography:

The city is on the southern end of the island.  There is a main street that goes from the main port (1) to the black market city section (2), then angles to the east. The black market city section is where Don Marko’s headquarters are, and the family has a tight hold on that section. South of that section on the west side of the main street (3) is controlled by Maurices gang. The entire city on the east side of the main street (4) is where Gabriel has the most influence. The north section (5) is controlled by Pazzesco and his cult. That is to say, Pazzesco has little presence elsewhere, and it is the area with the most Yeti problems.

Outside of the city, to the west, is the rural area (6), where people lead a very similar life to those in the city, only they live on and operate farms, and are less affected by the politics of town, and more dominated by personal control of ones own farm. On the west coast of the island, is the Pirate Cove (7), currently under tight security by an unknown pirate. North of those areas is the Frozen Wastes (8), which are designated by no other geographical marker than it’s where things stop growing, so the rural folk have no reason to venture in there. North east, are the mountains (9), where vicious creatures such as Yetis, and some reclusive humanoids live in caves.

Memo to Soern Re: Heart of the Sea

Master Soern here are the readings of the Heart you requested.

Midmorn : 5500 mega-thaums.  Well within normal parameters.

Latemorn : 1000 mega-thaums. Drastic drop in power accompanied by a dimming of light. 

Noon: 4200 mega-thaums. Slight increase in power, still low but approaching normal.

Early afternoon: Sudden spike to 7000 mega-thaums. My Prayers to Samani were answered as the Heart of the Sea did not explode and the Heart's power levels quickly returned to 4700 mega-thaums.

Late afternoon: 3000 mega-thaums. Low power accompanied by random fluctuations of colour.

-Aed

Diplomatic Log 1

Mission remains questionable. Soon after having arrived in Xanadu opportunities presented themselves. Upon arrival to the summit, we were greeted by the Lady of the New Hora Quan Empire. Once preliminary talks ended, she stormed off to put an end to another gathering that apparently was called by Commandant Blank and/or the younger prince. A mere two decades in, and already the empire seems to be suffering power struggles. 

After the Lady and Commandant returned, Kheriim was sent along with the presumed heir on his trip to calm the empire's Commandant, presumably with alcohol. The reliance of such a highly placed officer on this substance may prove to be an opportunity to be exploited later if necessary.

Lord Gannen was suspiciously absent for the entire greeting ceremony. He did appear for the dinner but barely spoke or moved. He did not seem well, and preliminary observation suggests that he may not last long. Dinner was interrupted by the sudden entrance of a man claiming to represent the rebels of Skaraven. Lady Sigrid avoided making any promises but seemed sympathetic to their plight.

That evening the Lady created a group to hunt down a relic related to the Heart of the Sea. This group consists of both princes, along with the Skaraven representative and the magister's apprentice. Kheriim was also sent with them, she seemed reluctant but it will allow her to develop a closeness to the heir. The Commandant's child was also sent along in order to keep the princess distant. Hopefully the child will not be a negative influence on Kheriim, though she will likely be smart enough to keep her distance.

Sigrid's Journal 1: Another Dollar

Sixthmonth 1

Why do I bother spending weeks making elaborate plans? It's all for naught. Someone will always ruin everything anyway. And by "someone" I mean Commandant Blank. He knew I was having a peace summit and just couldn't leave well enough alone. He decided it would be an excellent time to throw a crazy party. I may have let it slide and written it off as another of his acts of idiocy, but he had to involve my son and create a nuisance in my city.

So, I left my summit and shut down the party. It had to be done. I dragged Blank to the summit, seeing as he was *supposed* to be there in the first place, but quickly sent him away with Leif and the human ward of the Verrik representative. Leif will never understand why Gannen and I tolerate Blank in our Empire. Leif wasn't around 22 years ago, and I doubt I'll ever be able to fully explain to him the kinship of adventuring. Blank was essential in bringing back the Hora Quan Empire. Without him, none of this would have happened. Without him, I wouldn't have Gannen.

So, anyway, after I sent Blank away, I left to double-check on dinner and get Gannen. He had to make an appearance at dinner. It would look bad if the delegates who came to the summit never saw him, after all. Gannen seemed less than thrilled to see me. I know he doesn't like these dinners, especially now. We argued a little about why I'd had to have this summit anyway and why he had to go to this dinner. Unfortunately, we both knew he had to go.

I wish I could say that dinner went off without a hitch, but of course it didn't. Blank and Soern had to go launching themselves out the window. I could have probably laughed that off and been fine, but then some guy burst into the banquet hall and started ranting about harrid. After some confusion, I figured out that his name was Stavros. He lives in Skaraven, where they've apparently been having a lot of problems with the harrid lately. I told him we could discuss the matter further after dinner, and order once again reigned supreme.

Soern returned, followed shortly by Blank, Anika, and a teenage boy. Soern and Blank then decided it would be a good idea to start loudly telling a story about Anika and the boy (Janan, apparently Blank's son) "hooking up" on his boat and somehow lighting it on fire. Yes, they decided to interrupt my dinner and bother my guests with this. If they're mad at my daughter for something, they could have come to me in private. I felt myself growing increasingly angry at Blank. Why does he insist on making my life even more complicated than it already is? I was about to explode. I was shaking with anger, about to just let Blank have it. Gannen must have sensed this and reached over and held my hand. It was a comforting act, and it was a restraining act. I looked over at Gannen and he slightly nodded, letting me know everything was fine. I calmed down. I invited Blank and Soern to take their seats again, effectively putting the subject to rest for the time being.

At the end of the evening, Gannen and I talked to Soern, who has been trying to arrange a meeting for awhile. Apparently there's something not-quite-right with the Heart of the Sea (though he doesn't quite know what). Whether this is related to the giant incursion last year remains to be seen. Soern thought we should try to find another artifact tied to the Heart (like the Aur Xica).

Consulting Ghalib, we discovered that there are at least four, though the only specific one he knows about is a magical cup. It's a relic of power and can heal, kill, and answer questions. (Note to self: Healing ability could be useful) Unfortunately, he doesn't know where the cup is.

I'd love to go myself, unfortunately, that's out of the question at the moment. Instead I formed a task force. Leif and Halden are going. They have got to work through their problems with each other. And even if they don't, if they're away at sea, at least I won't have to deal with the problems between them for a time. Besides, adventuring together might bring them closer. I've also sent Janan. I don't want him near Anika. Sending him away on a boat accomplishes that. I'm also sending Aed for some additional magical talent. I'm sending Stavros to give him a chance to prove his loyalty. I will be more than happy to assist him with his problems once he helps us with this. I've also sent Kheriim, the human ward of the Verrik, to give them a chance to prove their honest intentions. They'll be going with Ax.

I've given them the only leads we have. I suggested they talk to Taevin Brightfind. He's good at finding things. I also told Halden he could talk to Halas as an absolute last resort. Hopefully these kids are as talented as I think, otherwise, we'll be needing a lot of pearls.

Session 1: Captain Blank's Guide to Parenting

"Just because they're stupid, doesn't mean they're worthless." Commandant Blank

"Okay, Mr. Pirate, what's one of the greatest dangers at sea?" Sigrid
"Kraken." Blank
"Fire." Sigrid

"I followed you." Blank
"I flew!" Leif
"I didn't say I did a very good job." Blank

"Nobody like harrid. Not even harrid like harrid." Stavros Xanthis

"Commandant Blank. It means I own the ocean. The entire ocean." Blank

"You clearly don't understand the principles of piracy, if you think it's better sober." Blank

"So, any ideas?" Blank
"Well, could you unfreeze my boots." Janan
"Oh, uh, can I? Huh, maybe a strength check?" Blank/AJ

"Oh, I get it. I'm Gannen's long lost brother." Blank

"Right. I am . . . listening to you." Blank

"You just need storm over just his boat. It happens all the time." Sigrid

"Alright, you. Rum. It's good." Blank to Janan

"Yes, yes, I scratch your back, you scratch my back, only we don't scratch each others backs we just do favors for each other." Stavros

"Magic sex would be pretty awesome if you ask me," Janan

"You said you've divided the sea into four quadrants. Is there a reason for this, besides the directions?" Janan
"I've got four admirals." Blank

"A flaming ship! Makes it look like it's going faster!" Kaperi

"Don't they all look alike? Human, human, human, they all look the same to me." Kaperi

"Oh yeah, she's the one who's already getting kidnapped. She inherited that gene from Gannen." AJ

My Parents Are Ruining My Life

So, I think mom's mad at me again.

Yeah, I probably should have told Blank to buzz off and find his own place to trash, and just gone to the stupid party and talked to mom's stupid enemies. She says it's a peace talk or something but it's pretty obvious that everyone there hates us. We keep fucking their stuff up, of course they do. But they don't even hate us enough to make it interesting. I mean, like, if war was going to be declared there or something, I would have gone. But it's all just "of course the giants respect Xanadu's sovereignty" and "Xanadu engages only in lawful border actions." Boring. And stupid. If people would just say what they meant it would be over a lot faster.

Anyway. I "let" Blank throw his party and get drunk and trash the place, and that was pretty cool, even when mom showed up because at least it's a ruler of a small country who's shut down your party. Not everyone can throw a party like that. And then I got grounded again, which I was pretty much expecting but they always forget about it halfway through, and it doesn't matter anyway because I don't have any friends. At least it got me out of that stupid official dinner. Although that did end up being interesting, so that sucked.

I wasn't there (duh) but this guy Stavros showed up from Skaraven or something, looking for help overthrowing whatever oppressive dudes hang out in the south. Mom'll probably figure out some way to get out of doing anything other than maybe sending a boat or two down, "because we have our own problems." (But mostly because Dad's stopped saying anything about stuff like that. Used to be every so often he'd sponsor a revolution or something just to get the fuck out of the city. Skaraven's too far away for him to do that, but still. I can see why he'd want to.)

Oh, and Blank's ship caught on fire. Anika's fault. (Got to admit, that's better than some party. I need to find a way to upstage her.) And she was with this other dude Janan who claims to be Blank's son. Wouldn't surprise me.

Figuring it out'll keep me busy. Mom drafted him into some task force along with that chick who came with the Verrik, Aed, Stavros, and Leif. And then she went and stuck me on it, too. I'm supposed to "get along" with Leif. How am I supposed to "get along" with someone who doesn't want to get along with me? He treats me like an idiot when he pays attention to me at all. (Hells, that was another reason to stay away from the reception/party/bullshit summit/thing.)

Yeah . . . probably shouldn't have thrown that party. Getting stuck on a boat with Leif is way worse than getting grounded. At least Ax's there too. Ax is okay.