Post Journals / Story / Notes / adventure talk here (July 2015)

Fresh thread for Journal entries for JULY sessions! Remember that Session XP and Treasure/Loot is cataloged in another thread to check weekly, <a href="https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/1861516/treasure" rel="nofollow">https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/1861516/treasure</a>... Journal XP Bonus is awarded for this thread. Post your Journal entries here. (You may also copy your Journal to your Character's personal logbook thread, but the XP award is based on posting it in the monthly Journal thread in the chronological windows of time, week to week between sessions.) Please write your own Journal XP Bonus template/text to propose. I'll review it and give you the Number for the +XP amount. We can do that in-chat in game time, or in-forum between sessions to save ourselves time on game days. Either way, my plan as DM is to copy the Journal XP into the present thread, to confirm it and keep track as we go. If you propose & get it approved in the chat room, I will copy it over to the Journal thread for a confirmation. We'll use this thread for all sessions taking place in the month of JULY 2015. Link to Journals / Story / Notes / adventure talk (March 2015) Link to Journals / Story / Notes / adventure talk (April 2015) Link to Journals / Story / Notes / adventure talk (May 2015) Link to Journals / Story / Notes / adventure talk (June 2015) Link to Journals / Story / Notes / adventure talk (July 2015) . Opening the Window for July 7 session Journals. The party convenes in the town of Portlandio, drinks and celebrates in the Merry Mermaid Inn. The PC's formed a strategy & reasoning for exploring into the Near Swamp next, hoping to find out more about the Lizard King, and about the conniving Lizardman Vessik. Mora joined the Party. Horukh joined the Party. This video, "Put your hand in the water here" My #1 niece would like to read you a warning sign that the party sees on the path leading out of Portlandio towards the swamp, NOTE: Heard in the video, the DM is as tricky as ever. But she has the Reading/Writing NWP and sees right through it. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GeukjT8Dos" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GeukjT8Dos</a>

Journal Notes 7/7 Session After some long discussion and general bullshitting the fancy bird was kind enough to not only pay for our drinks, but also pay for our rooms. After reaching my room I drew a nice hot bath. I must have been exhausted because I awoke many hours later and I was still lying in the bottom of the tub. Some well needed rest indeed. After pulling myself together I headed down stairs and to no surprise there was Torvald at the bar inhaling ale after ale as if he were a fish inhaling water. We discussed what to do next and agreed to pursue the lizardmen in hopes of finding out what is going on. It seems so many people have so many different perspectives on the whole situation - I don't know what to believe at this point. The fancy bird who has been generous to us seems to want to explore the outside world and asked to join in our venture. He does not seem like he could provide any assistance in a fight, but he sure understands negotiations. Perhaps he will be useful when speaking with the lizard king. Sandoval also returned from his outings around town, and he seems to have recruited some half-elf acrobat to join us as well - why? I don't know... perhaps he just wants to impress her and show off his... bow. She is kind of cute after all... for a half-elf that is. Once we had all gathered we prepared ourselves and headed in to the swamp to the east. Not too far out of town we ran in to the lizardman samurai again. He was persistent in trying to convince us to assemble an assault on the sharkmen immediately. Still unsure of what the hell is going on we needed to get more information - so we opted to continue towards the lizard king. All along the way fancy bird would not stop asking questions. Sometimes he would start another question before his previous one even ended! There has to be a spell that can silence him! I am surely going to spend some time researching such a spell the next opportunity I get! Annoyed by his constant squawking we didn't even notice a group of hostile giant frogs surround us! Mora, our new acrobatic friend, lunged out towards one of the frogs that attacked her and ended up falling face first in to the swamp. Luckily Sandoval and Mitel are good shots and were able to kill off the closest frog before it smothered her. It took a few more blows back and forth before the remaining frogs fell, but in the end everyone seemed alright... other than fancy bird. It seems to have been his first combat encounter, and he seemed to be in some short of shock. Even in his state of shock he and Torvald had the bright idea of chopping up the frogs for meat... do they not care that I am also an evolution of these creatures? They are my kin to some degree. I walked away, wanting no part in it, as Torvald began hacking away - encouraged by the fancy bird. Perhaps I will offer to prepare our next meal once we get to town... next on the menu? Fried chicken.

Lots of laughing, that is one highly humorous Journal from the Bullywug perspective. ^:^ I've got the Giant Frog scene pic saved-down in full size to upload and Pop up fullscreen in-game next week. That's Mora lying down tripped into the swamp muck, and the new noble kenku in a robe at the back. Very funny mashup pic, and a good illustration of Giant Frog size. Excellent Journal as ever Chris . As usual you will be rewarded bonus Journal XP for that.

Some Journal notes for the others.. Of course write/illustrate whatever you want. These are some questions that can be answered as "adventure talk" in the thread banter, or incorporate in your Journal. Kryikh -- anything you gleaned from the Greek Church, and the various happenings, rumors & observations from your solo visit there? Suspicions, thoughts? Horukh -- Sorry you caught a fatal disease from a leech on your first adventure. Ha! Ha! You'll have to quest around town for some kind of Cure, as it seems you haven't developed an immunity yet afterall. In your Journal it would be fun to see a mention of the clubbing success, and that time you tried to take off when Sandoval grabbed your feet for a little defensive lift causing you to crash-land. Then of course, how does Horukh feel about being diagnosed with a fatal disease from the blood-sucking swamp worm? Mora and Sandoval -- include your interpretation / perspective of Thoma, the city councilman. Is he the evil mastermind, a pawn, or a middle man? Is Thoma more of a local buffoon of little consequence, or more of a corrupt manipulator who must be confronted? Something in between? What do you think based on your investigative findings so far, or do you just need to keep feeling for more information to decide? Torvald -- any thoughts on party prep for "the swamp"? It could be important to decide your PLAN A, and also your Backup Plan. WHY are you going into the swamp? It's presumably to find the Lizard King. But what then. Is this an assault on a lizard encampment? Is it a diplomatic mission? Are you requesting an audience with the lizard king? Infiltrating the lizard lair to scout and spy? Attacking or laying siege perhaps? Will you just knock on their front door when you get to the lizard residence? When you have an idea behind that, prepare the party in equipment and mindset. Perhaps survival gear, perhaps siege equipment. Perhaps an offering to the Lizard King, or an interpreter, perhaps a guide. Or perhaps secrecy and hiding is the order of the day. Or perhaps a flag of heraldry. Your intended approach, and your Plan B, should guide the party preparations for returning to the swamps next session. This is something I think Torvald can comment and lead the gearing up.

(I tried not to make this long, it just happened.) I'm glad I followed the band of adventurers who brought back that cursed ship. While any information on their journey would have proved valuable, "showing up" at the "opportune" moment to act as scribe for their—what seemed outlandish like at times— adventure, I didn't realize they might actually prove useful to me. Once they spoke of investigating the Orcs, I knew my Aunt Mora would be a valuable source of information to them. If I could get an in with this group, I could finally have the ability to meet with her and find out about my mother. Of course I'd continue along in the quest... but how to get into this odd group's good graces... By chance, an elf of their group, by the name of Sandoval, happens to be in a similar line of profession and spoke the secret language. I was of course willing to give whatever information he needed of a local, corrupted Official if he promised to put in a good word with the group. He offered me a stunning gift of magical gloves—great for climbing and swimming—to show his appreciation for my intel. There must be something big he means to uncover about Thoma. Oh Thoma. I suspect he is as crooked as he is cowardly. Hiding behind his wealth, unearned and simply bred into. He lacks a true center, and I suspect is being manipulated by another, over perhaps several others. I wonder to what end... Back at the Merry Mermaid, the festivities were quite lively. Several members of the group were joining in the dancing and singing, and this time I couldn't resist. I was lauded for my acrobatic prowess and even made some coin. The local circus troupe even extended an offer of employment. This is a group I haven't gotten to known very well, so I thought I'd leave the gate open. They might prove to be a good source of information for the future. What treasures do their locked minds hold? Who better to pry than I? True to his word, Sandoval succeeded in persuading the group to join me. What is his position in this group? What is he after? I should get closer to him and make sure he isn't a danger, especially to my mission. I simply cannot figure out this patron, Horukh, the weak and wealthy Kenku. He seems best suited to his boating affairs and business. One cannot doubt the gleam of adventure in his eye, belied yet with timidness and uncertainty. My little encouragement didn't seem enough—he did seem useful to keep around if not for his deep pockets—and this group, along with myself, seem equipped enough to keep him in good shape. I just hope he doesn't wine too much. That I simply cannot stand. Decide to adventure, or do not! What more is there to deliberate? Well, the group has more pressing matters than the Orcs, though I do not mind the delay. This group will help me seek an audience with Ota Sura in the near future. So off to the swamps we go to investigate the Lizardmen. Quickly into our journey we were besieged by giant frogs. While I managed to maim one and kill another, my grace seemed to have left me somewhere in between as I stepped into a bog and landed face first in the muck. Well, all the better for concealment...

It was intentional of course... for concealment.

She learned it from Predator . Get to da choppah!

Beartram's Scam. (not my artwork) :)

@Gold: my son likes your niece as well! <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfethazkqvv6hc7/VID-2015" rel="nofollow">https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfethazkqvv6hc7/VID-2015</a>... He's saying 'kiddie! kiddie! look kiddie!'

I am not sure what I just witnessed, but it WAS very cute. :) The kid has a righteous hoodie too! Is that burnout velour? Looks cool!

Well, I put on that little YouTube video Gold posted, and my son responded very enthusiastically. So my wife starts recording him as I repeat the video a couple times. That beautiful language you keep hearing is Dutch. Not to be confused with German.

I don’t know what in the Seventy Spheres of Mortal Souls possessed me to go into that swamp. I mean that seriously. What possessed me, or who possessed me? In a world of destinies, prophecies and mind-control, how can any of us be certain that what we do is our choice? Given that any of us can be possessed and used as puppets, one has to grip what one perceives themself as, tightly. So, I think that going into the swamp was my decision and my free will. I know I was chosen by powers beyond my understanding, and then cut loose to act on my own. I am not deluded. I was chosen. I knew at some point I had to become an adventurer. I’ve known this was coming, that I had a Destiny, but you know the thing about destinies? Great Destinies mean Great Funerals. I know that when I die, those powers that I feel inside will reach out to my soul, and I will be changed and welcomed. There is no doubt of it. But just the same, I don’t want to die. It is in the back of my head, all the time. I don’t want to die. I fear that when I die I’ll leave too much unfinished work behind. I fear I will leave someone stranded, or leave a promise unfulfilled. I’ve barely ever killed anything in my life, and this is a world where murder can be bought for pocket money. I can’t be called a coward---I have argued down merchant princes and barons on their own ground---but I know that the life of an adventurer is one of combat and physical danger that I am vastly unready for. I engage in verbal and psychological warfare amongst the royal, the rich, the powerful, and the otherworldly, but I have never been a physical fighter. I studied presence, not skewering people with spears. Or, hitting creatures with sticks. I know how to design forts and warships, but I do not know war. But war is what adventurers bathe in, to one degree or other. Some try to use their power to improve the world, or at least keep it from harm. I felt this adventuring party was good-hearted almost immediately, and time spent with them in the tavern convinced me. These were the ones I had been waiting for. Airen the bullywug is amazing to me. He is so much in the wrong place, doing the best he can, that I immediately felt fascination and kinship with him. He is no savage, nor idiot, and he navigates all these alien experiences with an inspiring gusto. Young Mora turned out to be a pleasant surprise---literate and sharp, with adventuring skills ready. Either she is the best human actress I have ever seen, or she is trustworthy to the core. Sandoval seems to me like the heart of the party; resourceful and determined, he is who anyone can depend upon to get them out of trouble. Torvald is who would get us into that trouble. Even for a fighting dwarf, Torvald is an unstoppable force. And that beard of his--- I can’t stop staring at it . It’s like watching a huge forest thicket, wondering what birds will flit in and out and whether a rabbit will wander out from it. Or if a deer will come by to nibble on it. And then, these people, who faced deadly situations together, invited me to join them. I shivered, feeling both hot and cold. It was the moment I wanted, and feared, and needed, and dreaded. An adventuring party wanted me to be one of them. They deliberated upon what adventure they would pursue next. I thought the pirate situation and the orcs needed priority, but I stayed quiet. I hadn't earned a say yet. So, we faced the swamp. I had learned from retired adventurers that most places adventurers go are too cold, too hot, messy, slimy, poisonous, or stink. I thought I was ready for that. I was nowhere near ready. I wore coveralls while everyone else had armor. When the giant frogs---yes, don’t think for a second that isn’t a terrifying thing---closed in on us, all my imaginings of dashing around, doing heroic things, dissolved into near-panic. But then--- Sandoval was hurt, and I took up a heavy fallen branch and dashed to help him. What I had always dreamed was inside me was actually there . I was brave. The scream inside me that shrieked I don’t want to die! was silenced the instant I knew I could help my team. I believed in myself. I half-flew, laden with the branch, and struck the giant frog crosswise from tympanic membrane to eye. Sandoval retreated, injured, and grabbed for me. I think he expected me to lift him. I dropped like a sack of flour, into the bog. The rest of the team fought off the giant frogs and slayed them. I hauled myself up, a soaked, stinking, filthy, ignominious excuse for an adventurer, more bait than hero. I found bravery, sure, but in the end, I was useless. I hope they do not decide to expel me from their troupe. Ineptitude like mine could get them killed. And so, we were left with these giant frog carcasses. I sent word back to Portlandia, and a wagon came and retrieved them. As I record this, it is my intention to share this bounty with the populace in the marketplace, in a free cookout, while the meat is still good. And while that’s underway, I intend to wash myself a dozen times. I feel like I have mud in body areas I didn’t know I had before today. I wonder if that is why I feel bad right now? I don’t feel very good at all... I’m starting to limp, and now twist to one side... What’s this... on my leg….

Thinking about what "traditional kenku music" would sound like, I thought up the phrase, " If Bjork was a kookaburra. " No way can I let that thought go past without sharing it.

Quote of the week As Torvald wins an arm-wrestling match, he gets offered a job in the military. Horukh the Unready's read of the situation is spot on: ... in case orcs come in riding Shetland Ponies... Sandoval's Tales Keep your enemies closer Did we just dodge a bullet? If so, the group is oblivious to the danger I saved them from. Unaware of what it cost me to make Thoma's hired eyes look the other way. I was lucky to run into the halfblood in the spy shop. I had spotted her when we landed the ship into the Portlandio docks. First, hesitantly in the background, spying our every move. Later, recording our every word, no longer trying to hide her actions. She must've been surprised to run into me in such a location, but she managed to hide her emotions well. I didn't expect otherwise. On days like these it seems everyone in Portlandio is a trickster in one way or another. But today, it was I who played the trick on her. Even my companions, who should know me better by now, were deceived. She made the mistake of testing me. I have picked up plenty peddler's French in my youth to be a convincing rogue. Still, I had no guarantee she wouldn't run straight off to Thoma to report on our activities. There's no real way of knowing who's in his pockets, but I am convinced both her and the Fancybird are on Thoma's payroll. Ergo, what could I do but to enlist them to our crew? It turned out she was willing enough to tag along with us. A little bit too willing maybe? I questioned her about Thoma, mainly to find out what her disposition towards him is. From what she told me, Thoma is a coward. No wonder he wouldn't meet with me! It's starting to sound more and more like Thoma might just be a pawn in someone else's game, but how will I know? Mora, the Half-Elf, seemed like the type who's loyalty can be bought, so that's what I did. It pained me to give her those magical gloves, but if you're going to bribe someone, bribe them well. Conveniently, she then expressed her wish to team up with us, so I had her join me in the Merry Mermaid. I put in a good word for her with the group, as I had promised. She's twice in my debt now. My companions can be such fools at times! By their looks, I knew they thought I had only brought Mora because of the attractive woman she is. Hah, as if I'd fall for someone that easily! And as if I, illiterate fighter, expect to stand a chance with such a woman! But let them believe this ruse for now, it can only work to my advantage. Admittedly, Mora's rogueish demeanor and intelligence seem to fill me with feelings of nostalgia. I pondered on the nature of these emotions as I watched her perform a feat of acrobatics. She reminds me of someone; from a past life maybe? Having taken care of Mora was a start, but I'm not one for half measures. Not surprisingly, the Kenku aristocrat was already present when I entered the inn, once again ingratiating himself with my companions. How come they all seem to believe he just wants to be our friend, for reasons no other than some desperate wish to be something he isn't? I don't believe it for a second. The way he wiggled himself into the negotiations with the trading company, taking our side in the bargain, costing his trading company thousands of gold pieces? It was easy to get him to come along into the swamps with us. An excellent place to find out the Kenku's worth. And if he decides to double-cross us, it shouldn't be hard to dispose of him. As I sat there, comfortably smoking my pipe I reflected on what I had achieved. I had so far managed to bind Horukh, Mora and Mort to my cause, at least for the time being. By convincing the group to go after Vessik, I made it possible for Mort to stay behind and spy on Thoma for me. He seemed happy enough to have dodged making the trip to the Lizardmen himself. Of course, there's no way of telling he will not stab me in the back, but I will hire others to keep an eye on him while I am away. In the meantime, I also managed to get my affairs in order. I picked up the handle for my moonbow at the blacksmith. Oh, what a work of beauty! It shouldn't be long now before I can put this bow to use. In a sense, I already got some use out of it, when I met the corporal. He mentioned looking for a skilled craftsman, and he seemed impressed by my work on the bow. I even got him to buy a sharktooth arrow, by telling him it would pierce the skin of any sea-creature he would come across. Hopefully, he won't ever find himself in a situation where my bluff will be put to the test. I decided to warn him about the perceived threat to Portlandio. After all, it is not in my best interest if savages take over the town. After a good rest, we set off for the swamps. Before long we run into trouble, as was to be expected. A couple of giant frogs bar the way. Nothing we can't handle, but a good test for our new recruits. I decide to stay close to them to see how they would react. Mora is right up in the melee, but she trips and falls suspiciously. Horukh seems to afraid to act at first, and tries to fly off while I risk my life to protect him. No way I am going to let that happen. As one of the frogs lunges forward, no doubt plotting to chew my head off, I grab onto the Kenku's feathery feet. The weight is too much to bear for him, and we end up face-down in the mud beside Mora. Oh well, you know what they say: keep your enemies closer... Thoughts : Sandoval is convinced that Portlandio is full of spies. After all, any such town is plagued by corruption and hidden agendas. By sailing the Sea Skimmer into the docks like we did, we attracted a lot of unwanted attention. Sandoval therefore had to shift priorities and try to prevent word of our goals and motives from reaching Thoma, and whoever else that has an interest in opposing us. He tries to connect himself to people that seem able to provide him with information, and influence the political situation in Portlandio if need be. But because some of us seem to see no harm in basically going around and telling EVERYONE what we are up to, that just got a lot harder. Goodbye, gloves... Meanwhile Sandoval is not convinced the Lizardmen will be of much use to us, but it seemed the best way to go considering everything. With so many eyes on us, there is no use trying to get closer to Thoma now. I will have to let others do this job for me. Getting Horukh and Mora out into the swamps should buy us some time, provided I judged them correctly. If they turn out to be harmless to us, all the better. They are very useful connections for Sandoval to have. But as it stands now, he doesn't trust either of them. On a different note: I really, really enjoyed the journals you've all written this week. Hope ya'll don't mind I took some inspiration from them :) On yet another note: A song to match Sandoval's emotions This is actually a song I'm practising on guitar at the moment. I was planning to record it myself but I haven't mastered it yet so this will have to do :)

Translation: Master Bird - Hosted party - Celebrated - Victorious return Much merriment - Feat of strength - Bested guardsman Discussed plans - Agreed on course - We journey into the swamp lands Would rather kill orcs - More pressing matter - Investigate King Lizard Ventured into marshes - Master Bird panicky - Ha! - Not so fancy now? Frog guides party - Treacherous footing Giant frogs surround - Attack! - Melee battle ensues - Rebuffed all strikes Bird cowards - Strange - Elf protects - Others flails about - All quickly killed Butchered for meat - Frog not amused - Pfft! - Eat well tonight... (Torvald thoroughly enjoyed the evening of merrymaking at the inn. Horukh showed himself to be a generous patron. Torvald noticed Mora was more than she appeared. Betrayed by her cat like agility. Her and Sandoval appear to be as"thick as thieves" together; raising much concern. Torvald remembers when San was just a bumbling dolt. Now he delves into shadow and conspiracies... Maybe it was all just an act. Airen appears more distant; seeming disinterested in party affairs. Kryikh has been buried in arcane study... Others have come an gone. What lays ahead in the vast uncharted swamp lands?) (Giant Frog uses Tongue Attack... It's super effective!)

Why do I feel that there is something more behind our "Lizard King" that must be.... Err arrrgghhh... All Glory to the Hypnotoad!!

Frogs trying to take over the world! Argghh! If only Bjork was a kookaburra... (Did I use that correctly?)

All Glory to the Hypnotoad!!

KRYIKH'S JOURNAL: JULY 7 SESSION As we approached Portlandio harbour I couldn’t pass up the chance to fly, and Strix was anxious to get away from the open water. So we launched ourselves from the crow’s nest and flew the last mile or so back to town. The sea breeze in our feathers, holding us up, pushing us forward. To be able to fly: I will never take it for granted again. I went to the magic school and did some research on some of the items we have discovered, including the cauldron, which Torvald had sent to me. Then to the Temple to visit the priests and find out what they know about the airbenders. Nothing it seems, they don’t even believe in them. Except for Jaxon: he is unsure, but seems to want to believe what I am telling him. But the priests did tell me of something profoundly disturbing. A party of monks newly arrived, and by their description they could well be kenku in disguise. I must be careful. I generally stay in disguise here myself, but inevitably, as the reputation of our party begins to spread, it will be known that a kenku is one of them. I must keep my head down, perhaps go into hiding. Later: My worst suspicions seem to be confirmed – and worse, much worse. Jaxon and I went to find our companions. We reached the inn where we had heard they were staying. The door opened and I caught sight of my friends: Torvald, Airen, Sandoval… and sitting with them was a kenku! A strange, silvery-gray kenku. Laughing and drinking with my friends. I grabbed Jaxon and pulled him aside before anyone had seen us. (I think, I hope.) I told him to return to the temple and not to tell anyone that he had seen me. And I took off, fled with Strix to the woods. Who is he? Why is he with my friends? Did the Gray Claws send him? And something nags at the back of my mind. A silver-gray kenku. Have I not heard of such? But when and where? Who is he? I must stay away from them until I can work out what to do. I cannot simply flee. These are my only friends in the world. I will not abandon them. But now it seems they have another kenku friend, and that terrifies me.

Incredible, awesome Journals all around. Thanks to each and every player for all your unique contributions. This is going swimmingly. It's like a new pile of birthday presents every week "This is what I always wanted". Seriously, it's so epic how much material you Players are able to derive from the gameplay proceedings. It seems you're getting a lot out of it, and extrapolating some compelling intrigue. We are differentiating the characters. You have relationships, perspectives. Journal XP Bonus, propose yours in the game chat, I will approve them there and later document them here. +550 XP (Kryikh for July 7 Journal: returning to town, fear of other kenku, including pic of Greek temple) +620 XP Sandoval (Journal of July 7 session about meeting Mora, her and Horukh joining the party, trickster activities and swamp battle with google image and YouTube song, plus son's reaction to kiddie Crocodiles in the Area vid) +550 XP (Torvald July 7th journal - Merrymaking in Inn, Arm Wrestling, Trip into the Swamp, Battle with frogs) +620 XP (July 7 Journal - Mora joins the group and falls face first in the swamp. Hand-drawn image.) +550 XP Horukh (Journal of July 7 session about joining the party, deep introspection, party thoughts and swamp battle, plus gag image) +620 XP (Airen for July 7 Journal about the encounter with the giant frogs and custom picture(s) “Frog Party") Opening Window for Journals of July 14 session As Game Time is about to begin!

Didn't manage to do this in game session so will put it here: +550 XP (Kryikh for July 7 Journal: returning to town, fear of other kenku, including pic of Greek temple)

Gray , that's approved, I will add your XP to my Forum notes, you can add it to your Edit Bio. Thanks for Playing! Check the Treasure/Loot thread for the notes of Session XP awarded at the end after you had to leave this week. New Background Music: "If I Had A Heart" (Fever Ray) Listen to the song when you're on. Be sure to give it a listen between sessions. SONG: "If I Had A Heart" (Fever Ray original version)... This sound is the tone of your swamp fears and apparitions who confront you. While dragonflies buzz, frogs chirp, and cicada drone in the background.... Swamp spirits, are darkly chanting "This will never end, cuz I want more. More, give me more, give me more." <a href="https://soundcloud.com/fever-ray/if-i-had-a-heart-" rel="nofollow">https://soundcloud.com/fever-ray/if-i-had-a-heart-</a>...

Sandoval's Tales Sneak preview... [...] As I pull my boots out of the mud with every step, wrestling myself through the tall grass, trying to stay sane while my comrades report on all kinds of horror appearing around us, I see her, off in the distance... I stop in my tracks. My mouth falls open, closes up again as a broad smile forms. I lift my hand in greeting, but she disappears into the fog. I start to call out to her, but before a sound comes out, I choke on my own breath. I watch in horror as I see an Orc walk into the same direction, just a few seconds behind her. Memories flash through my brain, and I start running toward the mists where she just disappeared. Suddenly the ground shifts, and I'm up to my waist in mud. I manage to get out of it, but by then she's long gone. What happened? Was that really her? Wait, where is everyone? Horukh and Mora, (who judged by the state of their clothes suffered a similar fate to mine) step out of the mist. As I see Mora, my eyes grow larger. I take a step back and raise my arms defensively... [to be continued]

Behold, the majesty of Strix! <a href="http://i.imgur.com/kI8HBdI.gifv" rel="nofollow">http://i.imgur.com/kI8HBdI.gifv</a> You can see by the eyes he has been spending time with the faerie dragon.

List of People who Fell into Swamp Water Bogs & What's Happened To Them Number indicates the number of half-hours slowed by periodic PC marsh sinkage. Mora - 1 Sandoval - 1 Horukh - 1 Next week we will roll to see if you later found any new leeches stuck on your body once you got back to a bath. Congratulations on avoiding the fatal quicksand so far! Good rolling so far! DM Smile! Torvald (Brendan): Swamp water = Leeches, Piranha, Crocs, nasty stuff Mora (Jennifer): Note to self, buy a walking stick to test for quicksand and bogs Torvald (Brendan): meres Kryikh (Gray): 10' pole! Mora (Jennifer): Polearm Sandoval (Hans): I ain't touching that with a ten foot pole Gold-DM (GM): You fall into a murky bog. Roll 1 d12 Horukh (Larry): rolling 1d12 = 8 Aaaaakh! Gold-DM (GM): you fall in up to your waist, you're ok Horukh (Larry): Arglebargle! Gold-DM (GM): you slowed move rate by half for 30 minutes Swamp Fears, Visions, Ghosts and Apparitions Seem to Appear... Each party member's fright spreads to all. Mora (Jennifer) thinks she sees her mother, and wonders if she could ever end up in a place like this. Torvald (Brendan) thinks he saw "Swamp Thing" the shambling mound Gold-DM (GM): Torvald Noted: Swamp Spirit like in Princess Mononoke film Gold-DM (GM): The bullywug, accustomed to the swamp, notes that every creature stopped what it was doing, eyes seem to follow the party, insects, wildlife, everything Horukh (Larry): <a href="http://www.egyptianmyths.net/ammut.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.egyptianmyths.net/ammut.htm</a> Gold-DM (GM): In the swamp Horukh tries to point out a creature half-hidden in the swamp water that appears to have the shape of: The goddess Ammut with the head of a crocodile, the forequarters of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus. Gold Note: For Sandoval see his Journal entry, vision of... her... receding into the fog, replaced by an orc, and then more.. Portlandio town additions underway. You're noticing new places on the town map key. Gold-DM (GM): added a Sea Fort Office near the beach, Horukh went there and proposed a Sea Fort to be built with footings in the water in the bay near the base of the harbor cliff opening Mora (Jennifer): 14. Chapel of the Phoenix Gold Note: Changed to Temple Of The Phoenix That is Mora's Diety Torvald (Brendan): #9 - Battle Brothers - Mercenary guild Kryikh - smoke shop by Magic School Airen - unattractive woman Elga near the herbalist shop keeps pestering Airen about "Beard" Frog Leg Cookout, Party Proceedings with a secret side note! The DM received a secret message from the Bullywug Airen: (From Airen (Chris)): the herbs I was gathering happened to be laxatives - I recommend to Horukh that they make great seasoning when he begins to cook it - to deter future "frog cookouts" Sandoval (Hans): are you going to put a rufee in his ale? Airen (Chris): I already rufeed your frog legs - you just dont know it yet Gold-DM (GM): for the Frog leg party Horukh sends out Criers to invite all the landowners Mora spreads the word inviting many of the street people Airen sprinkles the froglegs with his special recipes and spices Corporal Bo is there, he is quiet Gold-DM (GM): a different military commander guy is there too, very stern (Yi Ko) mora watches him eat heartily, he drinks plum wine served from a pitcher carried by his attendant Sandoval (Hans): am I the only one that saw a flash of Oprah Winfrey? You get a frog leg, you get a frog leg, EVERYONE GETS A FROG LEG Gold-DM (GM): Mora's Dad, the local Locksmith, attends Gold-DM (GM): rolling d300 = 265 rolling d265 rolling 260d20&gt;12 117 Townspeople Sickened and Runny A military ranking offical named Yi Ko was also sick, whether from the plum wine or the frogleg herbal laxative. Miraculously All the Party members made their Save and relied on their CON rolls! More Funny Quotes Culled from the Chat this Week! Torvald (Brendan): Oh lord two Birdmens Sandoval (Hans): the sky ain't big enough for the both of them Sandoval (Hans): I might not be intelligent, but I have cunning at least Mora (Jennifer): Is cunning a NWP? Sandoval (Hans): nope Horukh (Larry): I do not know, I have never cunned. Sandoval (Hans): I've been cunning it since I was little tbh Gold Side Note, No doubt about that remark Hans, I believe it's true for you, as well as befitting your character. Mora (Jennifer) is trying to skirt around stealthily and backstab one... Mora (Jennifer): (To GM) rolling {1d100+0}&lt;24 [Move Silently] {( 100 )+0} = 0 Successes Torvald (Brendan): Oh New name for Mora... Mora the Macro Queen Kryikh (Gray): Mora: "The Natural" Sandoval (Hans): wait Torvald (Brendan): Nat 100... You're noiser than me Sandoval (Hans): a camouflaged branch? like, as in covered by another branch?! Mora (Jennifer): ^lol it looked like mud to me, what? 3 more Player Notes (Jennifer) @ Jennifer Note: One slight change in your format for Journal XP from this week that you proposed & I approved in chat... Please put the date of the session that the Journal is based upon, rather than the actual date of writing. +620 XP (July 10 Journal - Mora joins the group and falls face first in the swamp. Hand-drawn image.) changed to +620 XP (July 7 Journal - Mora joins the group and falls face first in the swamp. Hand-drawn image.) @ Jennifer Note 2: Your Journal XP will be +620 (original image work), +550 (Google Image), +500 (No Pic), or +200 (short paragraph). This table will persist from now on, because you're already Level 4. I created the table to "top out" at Level 4. The reason for this was to help PC's advance more rapidly from Level 1-4 when XP achievements are low to Level Up, but when the XP demands are higher for Level 5-9, the Journals will still help but they won't level you up rapidly. The party will need to solve mysteries, complete adventures, and defeat larger opponents to earn the massive XP needed for Level 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. In conclusion you can earn +620 each week, from here on out, if you include hand-made illustration weekly. @ Jennifer Note 3: Boots Of Striding & Springing --- These could be inherited from your Mother. Somehow they were hidden away (perhaps in a bank vault, or buried treasure?), I don't know if your Locksmith Dad revealed the boots to you (coming of age), or if you discovered them without a hint from him (because he keeps the relationship's demise private/internal/hidden from you). This Boot-donning can take place more in-the-present rather than your already-written backstory timeline; so your new Starting Magic Item is recently obtained, a new part of your story that you can collaborate-develop from here if you like. You may write it into your latest Journal if you like, or just add to character sheet.

Things Horukh is REALLY seeking while in Portlandio: A disease cure for what the leech did in the swamp. (see below!) A magic item that will allow him to speak, read, or write in any language. The ideal thing for a career diplomat who now is likely to deal with races he's never met or heard of! And I changed my opinion, Gold, on the question about what animal companion Horukh might want. Initially I said a nigh-invulnerable small firebird, but thinking about him more, he'd probably really like a big ol' fluffy blink dog or two, because he's lonely and they're lovable watchdogs that can share a nest with him. On a completely-related side note, in real life, we found the original owners of the Leonberger we've been taking care of. It was a joyous reunion. As for Horukh's GP & spending, it's mentioned that nobles stay at each others' mansions, are received in court & given lodging etc., and so I have been going with a free-form "it's part of the nobility thing" on stuff like his lodging, clothing, meals etc. in Portlandio. I figure that is all off-camera trading advice, skills, and barter, swapping favors and making introductions. Related to that, my idea of making a statue for the Temple of the Phoenix was a form of barter; a work of Xgp in value in return for the effects of a Cure Disease, that can also be worked into the storyline. A sculpture handmade by a Nobleman Priest would actually be kind of a big deal, if real-world religious artifacts are anything to go by. Making it while the clock ticks before the illness gets him would play well in a book too, but this is a D&D game & adventurers are in a hurry. That swamp is FULL of stuff that hasn't chewed on us yet! But time spent making the statue offerring can also account for time getting equipment made. Not that he'll be wearing much armor unless it is magical armor, since his Strength rates him at 20 lbs. ... then again, since we keep falling in the water, maybe that swamp is the right place for Bubblewrap Armor.

Some more quotes Sandoval mentions he will shoot Horukh if he tries to flee. Torvald goes all Skyrim on us... Torvald (Brendan): "He was an adventurer, till he took an arrow in the knee." Gold can always be counted upon to give a detailed description of the scene. None of our senses are ever disappointed. They are, however, sometimes confused: Gold: "You smell curdled milk coming out of the forest" Lately, Kryikh has been a bit absent. I know we've all been wondering what he has been up to. The truth is not pretty: Kryikh: "I've been watching you Airen" Airen: "That's kind of creepy" Sometimes, you don't notice something during the session, but afterwards you re-think it, and you realize you might've missed something. On this occasion I was looking at my notes, reading Gold's description of the swamp. And I suddenly wonder, did he just give us all a very subtle insult? ;-) Entire area is wet, misty, boggy, seems there's no intelligent life around

HORUKH'S JOURNAL The ogres attacked. Ogres. Ogres. Real, stinking, huge, brutal ogres. I’d only seen them in my studies---and then just miles away from where I would lounge and drink brandy and lay about on furs talking about books, there were ogres. Mora and I had just seen the undying visage of the savage Ammut the Implacable. She who cannot be bargained with, she the consumer without remorse. The worst thing. Terror, dread, the need to flee, the hopelessness of knowing Ammut can not be outrun. I felt it all and yet… I hid my trembling. I needed to be brave. And then, ogres. And something twisted inside me. It felt, in my gut, like a lock was turned. I had just seen an apparition of Ammut, which should have left me cowering for a week, but instead, I felt determined. Certainty hardened my resolve. Firm-jawed, I wove the Protection of Aker and the Blessing of Sekhmet upon Mora. Then I flittered, ran and jumped around the battlefield, awarding the Healing of Khnemu and what other things I could upon my fellow warriors. When the last ogre fell, I realized what I had just been. Feeble, lonely bird that I was, I felt like a warrior. I had seen Ammut, and turned away from her, to protect others.

HORUKH'S JOURNAL: An Explanation. "When a vision hits me, it is a sensation of being struck very hard, as if falling chest-first into the ocean from a height of six stories, while simultaneously being pulled back by constricting ropes with the same force. Disoriented, I can not see, not physically. But all around is some sort of light. Sometimes it is a series of shifting dunes made of light, and other times I am immersed in architecture of the fantastic that I know represents the structure of invention and ideas. And I am not alone there. Time has little reference there. Sometimes there are creatures I can try to research later. They speak with me. A dragon made of truesilver, another of platinum. Gold serpents dart through the air, yet the air is energy. I answer what they ask, but they do not need to hear me. The fact that they ask makes all my possible answers revealed to them. Sometimes, I feel a presence and I turn and find a vast apparition looking into me, measuring what I am made of. It is not testing my worthiness, it is testing my capability. I feel my fears and weaknesses then, but the minds accept me with those horrors and secrets I try to hide."

I made it through the preparations for the open-air feast in the marketplace without passing out. The wound on my leg had begun to fester by now, and my basic bandage seeped through bloody red and yellow as the infection wept. I wrapped it again to keep it hidden. The feast started slowly, but picked up steadily after the first hour. Word had gotten around by then, and everyone from merchants to helmsmen came to be a part of it. I stayed up on a balcony, not mixing with others because I wasn’t sure I was able to walk and stand. The feast worked well; it is a basic of all court dynamics that if you wish to see the sway, ebb and tide of who associates with who, give away free food and have music playingin a roomy place. From above, I could see who went to chat with whom; who avoided each other; what groups clumped together, who tried to get close to someone; even who eavesdropped. And the food was good. As I’d hoped, some of the poorest of Portlandio were fed better quality meat than they probably had in a year. Unfortunately, the entree didn’t agree with everyone. The cooks were trusted and skilful, so I assume the meat itself just didn’t sit well for some attendees. Portlandio diet is mainly grain, mallow, berries and above all, fish, so I suppose their stomachs just weren’t ready for giant frog meat. By the third hour, I tilted even more to my left and realized I needed to lay down, so carefully I removed myself to my quarters. While undressing, my world whited out, my convulsions started, and then, I was struck down. Pulled up from my body, from Portlandio, and ever higher above the world, in a taloned grip. Layers of light in infinite complexity fall below me and the world dwindles away. My eye… a reflection of it all in my eye. My view pulls back, and I see myself, feel myself, pinned to a wooden altar. Upside down… my body is skewered by thin javelins precisely placed to wrack me with pain but not let me die. Dozens of them pierce past my organs. If I try to pull away I die shredded; if I stay I suffer and bleed out. I stay… but I am already delirious. Poisoned, too---not allowed to sleep. At random times, arcs of electricity jump from tip to tip of the long pins that hold me fast. Fingers and toes are wired together and bound to rings in the altar. They won’t let me die quickly, and they won’t let me go. And I know I was meant to be here because I came by my choice. A terrible choice. I saw that it would happen, but I had to stay true, even knowing this agony would come. Somewhere, there is a gathering of deities and spiris; those who give me this vision watch it happen, and they calmly accept my sufferring. My eyes slowly close, going dry. The world I know goes to pulsing red as I reach the last of the blood that keeps me alive and I feel my heart collapse inward, nothing left to pump. The last drops fall slowly against time and run down the altar. I wake slowly in my quarters, bleeding from both nostrils, collapsed on the floor. Every muscle hurts. Such are my visions.

Woah Larry, that last post had me totally captivated. You almost made me miss the train I was waiting for while reading. Now don't go dying on us, silly bird!

Wow, I have to agree with Hans! Captivating! Loving these journals. I've never played a D&D game with them before.

Unseen for days, Horukh’s absence piqued Mora’s curiosity. With grace that would make a cat envious, she made her way past the patrols of the manor, up the side of the building and onto the balcony. Blended with the shadows, Mora peered through the rippled panes of floatglass set in the balcony door. Inside were lights, and loose feathers here and there. Papers and charts were strewn around, stacked with purpose, but not tidiness. Instruments from calipers to gouges gleamed. Partly-eaten food and half-finished drinks languished on trays by the suite’s door. Amidst it all, a kenku labored at a heavy table. Horukh raised his head, eyes unfocused, when Mora tapped the glass. Over a minute later, he saw her and beckoned for Mora to come inside. “Horukh? Are you all right? We know you have a lot to do, but the rest of us---we were all getting worried about you.” The kenku tried to keep his gaze on Mora but drifted, then corrected. “I am sick,” he said. “I am sick and I am getting worse. I’ve thought about what to do but… I am changing. You know that, don’t you?” He reseated himself, and Mora could see torn sheets stained with blood and yellowish seepage discarded all around. “What’s wrong with you? Mora frowned. “This isn’t right. You should see a priest.” “I am a priest. I’m a priest that’s changing. I’m dying. We’re all dying in some way, but I mean, I am sick, and I am dying soon.” He gestured at his swollen leg with one of his carving tools. “Change is a process. For me, it did not feel right to just be healed by some other priest, when I could be changed by seeking. Seeking something new, in how I am a priest. Do you see?” Mora gave a withering stare. “No.” Horukh nodded. “I don’t see it entirely, myself. But I trust in my visions and myself. And so I have been working on this. For the Temple. When the time is right I need you to take me there.” The kenku looked ashen. “It is almost done,” he breathed. “I designed this and carved it over the past days. It is to be my offerring for favor from the phoenix. There is no better time to look to the spirit of life renewed than when one is dying,” he concluded.

Translation: Smart Bird has idea - Skin & process frog meat - Use it in town Celebration - Invite townsfolk - Purchase goodwill - Frog displeased Finished work quickly - Started trudging back - Breeze brought foul odor&nbsp; Ogres! - Stupid creatures! - Greedy opportunist! - Voracious gluttons! Burst from forest - Chieftain - Ogress - Underlings Met with steel - Slew chief - Hacked others - Damn kill stealers! Easily routed - Returned to cache - Pillaged - Unknown beast(s) Marched back - Others got stuck - Thick mud - Slowed travel... (Torvald thoroughly enjoyed battling the small ogre tribe. Dwarves hate them as much as they do goblins and orcs. On the trip back he could not shake the feeling of being watched. Looking out into the wilderness Torvlad thought he say two dull green glowing eyes track the party. Whatever it was... He could not tell as it was expertly concealed. However, the creature matched stories old Dwarkin told of the great "Swamp Thing" - A giant shambling mound - A spirit or elemental of nature...) Translation: Back in town - Master Bird - Prepares gathering - All townsfolk invited Frog offers herbs - Enhance flavor - Others join - Relaxed with chilled mead Great banquet - Folk start getting ill - Tainted meat! - Tasted fine to me... Frog to blame! - Ha! - Good prank... (Torvald imagining Mort barfing up his guts after eating the tainted frog meat.)

"&nbsp; Damn kill stealers! " That made me laugh... I was about to say "Torvald slays me" then realized... Phrasing! Another fantastic journal!

I'm going to answer HERE, for some topics that were raised in the "Chat" thread between sessions. NOTE: I am starting to read the Journals from this week, and hope to have time to read everything before game time. Frog Legs Cookout fallout seems to settle down at last. Watch out for Mud Men though. Frog Leg Cookout sickness --- Let's settle with what Larry said, and Jennifer endorsed same. You got the idea. There may be some background controversy in the town. It blows over after a few days of rumors circulating. You guys may face some "Mud Men" (monsters) if you cross the wrong ditch. That would be a consequence of sickening 117 townspeople. Outside of that, let's let it go as a one-time humor scene, for comedy effect, that also had a Point that Airen wanted to make: to discourage the eating of frogs. I don't want to have Airen get in trouble in-the-town, or suffer ethical review. I don't think his action was Evil, just devious and he had a point with it, which expressed his character type. I took it more as an episode of comedy rather than ethics, in this particular instance. There can & will be other occasions that will give rise to more politics, controversy, investigation, suspicion, accusation, and ethics. We can say that the Sheriff's Deputy became suspicious of a possible tainting of the food supply, but she researched the controversy and wrongly misplaced blame on another cause (livestock polluting the water supply). The 2 lizardmen you guys are talking about: Samauri Lizardman wants to direct all-attention and recruitment towards planning an assault on the Sharkmen. His reason is: The Sharkmen are Evil (TRUE) and the Sharkmen threaten to attack the Lizardman's swamp home, which could then serve as Sharkmen's base for invading the land of Portlandio (ALSO TRUE). SiSi lizardman wants to establish Cooperation between the Lizardmen Colonies and Portlandio/Civilization. He wants to set up defenses for the region, and protect against the possibility of a future invasion from Sharkmen or anyone. These 2 lizardmen have differing Alignments from each other. Want to guess their Alignment? I will confirm if you profile them correctly. One is Lawful. The other is Good. Does that hint clear it up for you? You may also remember my house-rule that Alignment is downplayed. I don't ever want to bog-down on Alignment discussions, conflate real-world ethics with game play, or use alignment as an excuse for any actions. Yet in this particular situation I am using Alignment for the NPC's as a guideline for differentiating the Lizardmen's political parties. HINT: Lizardmen are traditionally NEUTRAL in D&D. They typically live in swamps next-door to human civilization without causing conflicts, they simply want to be left alone to survive in their swamp homes. I've decided that Neutral can have a wide variation in our game's lizard society. Their populace remains truly Neutral by-and-large. The political actors in their society may pretend to be neutral, but actually seek to influence the Neutrals and lead them like sheep, to follow various political convictions (Lawful-first, Good-first, Chaotic-first, Evil-first), organized around a central core of True Neutrals. If this sounds like meta-gaming, let me explain. Your characters can SEE a lot more, in the world, than what I have time to describe in the game sessions. Your characters have INTUITION. You know things. You sense things. You sense goodness because you are Good or Good-ish yourself. This is a Game so I'm dropping hints for Players to gradually figure this out. If this was just a Story, not a Game, then I would tell you everything. But it is a Game so the Players have the opportunity to figure this out for yourselves. If you were your Character, you would already know which Lizardman is a Lawful sort of person, and which one is Good and doesn't care about laws so long as evil is abated. Because your character has a better sense of their facial-expressions and attitude, than what I'm able to convey with verbal descriptions. That is why I continue to expand the hints, week to week, for your Chart of Lizardmen politics. Remember there are 3 to 6 different factions/alignments among the Lizardmen. These guys are just 2 of the ones from the alignments that seemed like potential allies. There's still one other Lizardman Political Party that you can potentially ally: the Neutrals. You'll have to figure out who they are too. The ones who will constantly oppose you are the remaining 3 factions who are collectively considered the bad-guy lizards, whether Chaotic, or Evil, or both. It's not a right or wrong answer. You can ally with either, or neither, or maybe with BOTH of the 2 reasonable lizardmen, if you can navigate their differences of opinions.

Accompanying music: Dream Theater - Strange Déjà Vu (from Metropolis pt. II: Scenes From a Memory) Sandoval's Tales & Mora’s Chronicle Joint entry - Part 1 Scenes from a memory [Sandoval] Scenes from a memory long lost flash in front of my eyes as I see Horukh appear, with someone beside him that resembles my Seraphi as closely as any Half-Elf could. My brain knows this must be Mora, but my heart is telling me differently. In disbelief I mutter: "Is that you Sera? ... No... it can't be! You look like her though..." [Mora] "Sera?..." I say, and my voice trails off. I looks back towards the fog where I saw my mother. Could she have ended up in a place like this? What happened to her? I looks back at Sandoval with a puzzled look on my face. Could we have seen the same thing? [S] I stare back, my mind racing as it tries to understand this strange déjà vu. It seems like hours pass, before Horukh breaks the moment as he mutters something about the boggy water and the itch on his leg. [M] Sandoval and I both regain our composure and break contact. We make our way out of the swamp in silence. Horukh seems to sense our mood and keeps to himself instinctively. There are many questions I have, but they’ll have to wait until I can have a word alone with Sandoval. Horukh seems a little preoccupied himself… and looks a bit worn. I’m beginning to worry for him a bit. I know we both saw Ammut, and that can’t bode well… yet I do see the strength of his will shining through. I will keep him in my prayers when I return to the temple. [S] When we get to Portlandio, I decide I need to rest and meditate. During my meditation, the Moon Goddess speaks to me in an unusually direct way: "You must follow this path of redemption, or her fate is sealed." Who is she talking about? Seraphi? Or Mora? I decide to search for Mora. As I move around town inconspicuously, I spot her near the market square. I sneak up to her, and touch her shoulder ever so slightly. Any commoner would've jumped up in fright, but to her credit, she calmly turns towards me. I beckon her to follow down the alley I came from.

Sandoval's Tales & Mora’s Chronicle Joint entry - Part 2 Scenes from a memory [M] When we are out of earshot of the townspeople, I speak to Sandoval: "Who did you see?" [S] Silence. [M] "Did you see... a woman that looks... me?" [S] I decide to tell her. I just have to! She just reminds me so much of my dear Seraphi. "I saw someone from my past; a woman named Seraphi. You look a lot like her." I notice she looks flustered. [M] I try to calm my breaths and slow my racing heart before I attempt to ask another question, but I sense Sandoval is in no mood to answer, and change my mind. I’ll let him I know I shared this vision too. Perhaps that will soften him. I need more answers. [S] She confesses that she saw her too! And the Orcs as well... My god, the Orcs! [M] I see his face change slightly with surprise and fear. "Who is she? Where is she now?" [S] "If you must know, Seraphi used to be my closest friend. We lost contact a long time ago, until a few months back, when she suddenly reappeared," [M] Just a few months back! "What happened?" [S] "She somehow managed to track my whereabouts. At the time, I was a soldier in the Elven vanguard. One night, as I stood guard, she approached me in the dark. We talked for a while, and then she left again." [M] "Was that the last you saw of her?" [S] "As she left, I saw the same thing I saw in the swamp. An Orc went after her. I tried to warn her, but before I could, something struck my head and I lost consciousness. When I awoke, she was gone. I never saw her again." "Why are you asking me about Seraphi anyway?" [M] "I'm just… curious. I saw the same apparition in the swamp… isn’t that strange?” I don’t wait for an answer. I can’t do this anymore. “Look, I'm just sorry to hear about your friend. I hope she's okay." [S] Mora trails off. I watch her go, a deep frown set on my forehead, my hand subconsciously clutching my bag. [M] In the aftermath of the feast gone awry, I steal away to be alone with my thoughts. He knew her, I can’t believe it. I pull the worn locket out of its hiding place and click it open. “What happened to you?... Did you get away?” I am more determined than ever to investigate the Orcs. I will slide my blade into every last one of their black, beating hearts.

Damn, this is a good group.&nbsp; These journals whup ass.&nbsp; And thank you for the input on things, Gold!&nbsp; You have put together a terrific gaming group and adventuring team.&nbsp; As Will Smith said of Tommy Lee Jones, "I'll roll with that guy til the wheels fall off."&nbsp; :)

Journal Notes 7/14 Session While the others were busy butchering the frogs we just killed I went off to pick some herbal "seasoning" for their party. Apparently while I was doing so they encountered a band of ogres. Thankfully they were successful in fending them off and were able to return to the town. Fancy bird began preparations for the cookout and I gave him my offering of&nbsp;cascara sagrada, a natural laxative, to be used as seasoning. I figured I couldn't stop the cookout all together, but at least I might deter them from eating frogs in the future.&nbsp; It seems that being adventurers has also strengthened the party's stomachs as no one seemed to have gotten sick, yet. I can't say the same for the remainder of the town though. I better go use the facilities before the line starts...

A couple of notes on the statue... it is not just a phoenix; if you look closely you can see it is a kenku-like avian (arms, wings, legs, tail) looking upward, holding a crescent moon behind its shoulders but in front of the wings.&nbsp; Above the head is an egg shape (a symbol of life) enclosing a sun disk (evoking Re and Aten, gods of rising and setting sun).&nbsp; Thoth, the god of wisdom and the moon, is also a god of the judgement of the deceased, and an advocate of equilibrium.

Journal Notes 7/21 Session Again we ventured in to the swamp. It seems something has disturbed the balance as the swamp seems to be brewing with various aggressive encounters. Perhaps it is just that I am not traveling in a larger group that is attracting all of the attention. We encountered some large crocodiles, and the Samurai lizardman again. He of course wants us to take up arms with the sharkmen as soon as possible - we were able to convince him to guide us to the lizard king by making the point of "the sooner we visit the king the sooner we can deal with the sharkmen." &nbsp;We will be meeting at the edge of the swamp in a few days. In town everyone was making their preparations. I can't believe the contraption fancy bird was talked in to buying... in no way will it help him in the swamp. At least he had time to have another suit made.

DO NOT TAUNT HAPPY FUN BIRD.

Notes of Journal XP approved from the Chat Editing This. +620 (July 14 Journal, Sandoval's Tale & Mora's Chronicle joint journal, hand-drawn locket) +620 (July 14 Journal, Sandoval's Tale & Mora's Chronicle joint journal, hand-drawn locket) +620 XP (July 14 Journal Horukh, Spectacularly wordy journals, hand-drawn phoenix sculpture design) +550 XP (July 14 Torvald Journal about Ogres and Frog Leg cookout with pics and runes) +620 XP (Airen for July 14 Journal about the town party and custom picture(s) “Ogre Ambush" and "A Frog's Revenge") Opening Window for Journals of July 21 session. Inclusive of Chris C's early-fired 7/21 Journal post above.... Horukh constricted a Constrictor. Then Horukh's informant informed on Sandoval. From The Chat Sandoval (Hans): wait PLUS FIVE EXISTS? I realized I had to outdo my moonbow for +2 or possibly +3, but +5? I can't narrate that... It will have to be the bow of awesomesauce Mora (Jennifer): Bowgasmic Sandoval (Hans): It fires arrowgasms Mora (Jennifer): Gives a whole new meaning to Cupid's bow Sandoval (Hans): Sandoval won't like it much that you revere Thoth Horukh (Larry): Awww why? Sandoval (Hans): Sehanine is the one true goddess of the moon GM: &nbsp;Hmm. Verrrry interesting. Sandoval (Hans): I want to 'buy' knowledge Sandoval (Hans):&nbsp;Like I mentioned with the information network Sandoval (Hans): &nbsp;25gp (paid to the dirty-blonde headed spyboy) (From Horukh (Larry)): 37 gp plus muffins&nbsp;(paid earlier to same dirty-blonde headed spyboy) Gold-DM (GM): Sandoval hires a network of spies at 100GP/week Gold-DM (GM): Horukh's network upkeep is costing 370GP/week Expressed on a per-game-session rate as an approximation Dirty-blonde headed spyboy: Informant Informed Horukh about Sandoval the elf who has been creeping around suspiciously on moonlit nights. Horukh's spyboy claims that Sandoval tried to hire him for his own spy position, but spyboy turned the elf down.

NEW INFORMATION GLEANED FROM SPY NETWORKS! I'm adding this to the game now. Brand new. Directed to Sandoval and Horukh , but all Players may read. This material was not discussed in-game yet. New rumors!&nbsp; New facts!&nbsp; New NPC! (Che Won) Spies are Talking! ANNOUNCING NEW INFORMATION OBTAINED BY SANDOVAL'S 4-SPY NETWORK (excluding Mort The Raven, your Gnome Diplomat Ally and Man-on-the-Inside): Yi Bang holds top local power among the regional military ranks. Yi Bang is the overall highest military commander who is stationed in Portlandio (and Portlandio is the Central Headquarters of the city-units of the overall regional military). So Yi Bang is the highest military authority within the town, if not in the whole Army. Other Generals who are ranked above Yi Ko are not presently stationed in Portlandio, they would be away on military campaigns and expeditions, or headquartered at frontier encampments, or retired back to distant continents or the islands where life is easier. Yi Ko grows more powerful in the regional military, week to week. Yi Ko is subordinate and loyal to his superior (Yi Bang). Yi Ko commands several units of the guards, and his troops are very loyal directly to him. Some of Yi Ko's most loyal troops would probably break the commands of Yi Bang if their direct commander, Yi Ko, commanded it. Rumor unconfirmed: Some of your spies suspect that Yi Ko is operating secretly in some capacity without Yi Bang's knowledge. What is Yi Ko up to?? Corporal Bo appears to be a man of high honor and few words (you've met this NPC before, and sold him a shark tooth arrow). The spies tell you that Corporal Bo frequently goes alone and climbs up this hill near the Beacon, across the harbor and outside the town. What is Corporal Bo up to?? Tidbit (confirmed): Mrs Teva the meat-pie lady in town has the best meat-pies when times are good. She is a smiling old grandma lady with a nice meat-pie shop near the Market. She doesn't even make very much profit in spite of selling a lot of pies. She seems to sell them at an almost charitable rate (high food cost, low profit margin, if not selling them at under-water pricing). Rumor unconfirmed: Mrs Teva has a dark and grisly side. When times are hard, she has been known to cook almost ANY kind of meat into the pies including rats, and even dwarf if the campfire stories are to be believed. Some New Monks have moved in to the Greek Church. Oh and they must have a Vow of Silence, because they never seem to talk or answer any questions. ANNOUNCING NEW INFORMATION OBTAINED BY HORUKH'S 10x INFORMANT NETWORK: Yi Bang is the local Commander of Arms, and a rising General in the regional military, headquartered in and around Portlandio. Yi Ko is a low-born military man, who has risen high in the military (through force of strength and willpower, along with a dose of brutality and viciousness with swords) to become Yi Bang's right-hand-man and trusted subordinate. Yi Ko is effectively the 2nd most powerful military man in town. Che Won is a high-born, noble's son, military commander. He is said to be Equal in power, might, and rank with Yi Ko. Both Che Won and Yi Ko serve under the leadership of Yi Bang. These 3 military men appear loyal to each other. Rumor unconfirmed: Surely this lowborn Yi Ko must have cheated and murdered to obtain this 2nd-in-command status. Che Won is high born and has the pedigree of a rising General, so Che Won should be 2nd in command under the undefeated leader Yi Bang. Corporal Bo is also low-born and lacks the pedigree to rise in rank, despite his growing renown for accuracy with the bow & arrow. The Greek Church , with a combination of Wealth and Priestly divine intervention, musters more power than the regional military strongmen. The leaders of the Greek Church are not necessarily individually powerful in adventuring levels, but the institution itself carries a lot of power and magic. Tidbit (confirmed): The City Council grows concerned that the Regional Military Men are too boisterous and noisy, and should be subdued and put in their place. City Council must maintain their authority on local curfews and law enforcement. Privately the City Council-folk whisper that some of the Military commanders are too powerful and bossy. As a protective measure, the City Council votes to increase spending on the Sheriff's office, to expand the Village Gaol (JAIL capacity), and allow the Sheriff's Deputy Lady to deputize additional muscle (hire more deputies). Tidbit (confirmed): The Black Lion Trading Company and the Southern Seas Trading Company are both abuzz about "The motley crew who steered The Sea Skimmer back into Portlandio Harbor". Both merchant houses have representatives waiting to offer the Party money, GP to go do missions for their profit interests. Tidbit (confirmed): Thoma (the reclusive and cowardly City Councilman who has had 3rd-party interactions with the party, and who lives in a private estate with locked gates and guards or butlers who won't allow entry)... received a "To-Go" Delivery plate of Frog Legs from the Cookout. Thoma was Not sickened (He made his Saving Throw). Consequently THOMA requests that the FROG LEG CHEF be identified and located. Thoma wants to hire the frog-leg chef to cook additional meals to be delivered to Thoma's walled estate.

Portlandio Town Defenses Remark from the DM Torvald (Brendan): No wall or moat or bailey No fortress either aka Keep Horukh (Larry): I have PLANS for defenses. TRUE but the Greek Church wants me to remind you that their Priests and Monks and Acolytes are PRAYING Every Day for the Safety & Protection of Portlandio, Thank Zeus and Poseidon!!! &nbsp;Offering Plate & Services Daily. As you hear a Bell clanging and loudly ringing-out across the city, from the windows high atop the Greek Church steeple. (Of course your ideas for Town Defenses are Welcome and Encouraged. DM Just using this post to add some color commentary about the Greek Church's perspective and claims that they are responsible for the prevailing peace-prosperity and nice weather, blue skies in Portlandio this summer so far.) &nbsp; (There are also additional fortified manors in the hinterlands, ranches and farm estates, and a number of Military headquarters and barracks that aren't shown on the Town Map yet. Finally there are Pilings sunk in the oceanside cliff, with plans to construct a Sea Fort when enough Funds are allocated to the project.) (As Torvald said accurately there is no Keep, no substantial Fortress, no Town Wall, and anyone with a Moat is just a family-sized Estate).

Journal Entry for Horukh The Mud Caked: Today’s trauma was constriction by a massive snake, followed immediately by the danger of my own party trying to save me. I got a yelp out, but couldn’t really scream in terror; that would have taken a voice, which would have required air, and I was imagining crunching bone sounds already. The snake came at me from underwater and pulled my legs together, and down I went, thrashing. I got my belt free to attempt pulling the snake away, but the snake was relentless. Even in my fear I had an instant’s look at the snake and thought, how beautiful it is . But beauty is to live for, not to die for. When the others got to me, those blades of theirs came a splitfeather away from chopping my own flesh. And instead of disengaging, the snake just bound tighter, even when part of it was hacked away! Before it was even dead and pulled off of me, crocodiles closed in. Torvald and the good fighters were in heaven: unrestricted damage on mindless reptiles, with skins and meat for later? Bring on the crocs! Meanwhile, I was just a soggy mess gasping on the water’s edge. Again. What wasn’t sprained was bruised. I am so very thankful I was helped back to the city. My personal notes on the defenses and future of Portlandio: The morale of every creature we have faced in that swamp is like nothing I have encountered, anywhere. They don’t attack to win, they attack with their entire lives in it. South and inland from Portlandio would be protected by a treaty with the lizardfolk and bullywugs, and the intensity of the swamps themselves. The only way to traverse those marshes reasonably is by air or by guided passage. Seaward, the League coastal escort fleet and a patrol fleet would handle pirates and raiders, but I would like to get the sea elves involved also. There is a spot by the seafort site where a guide jetty should go, that would also provide a safe slip for trade with sea elves. It could act as a small-scale embassy. I’ve put some thought into a base of operations for this party and the supporters we will need. It would need to be strategically placed for us to deploy in emergencies, private enough that wanderers would not get in trouble, roomy enough for laboratories, stables, practice and landing fields. I would consider the mayorship of Portlandio as well as my title, if not for the calling of the adventuring life and what I need to do with this party. As it is, I need to be sure my League and treaties, the shipyard and port are in good order so I can leave as needed. I still look forward to the proud day when the broadcutter is launched and put to trials. The rails and tackle for the dual dropkeels are pegged and pointed, last I saw. Those alone will confuse raiders, wondering what they’re looking at. I hope the guards at the yard stay true. We might persuade giant sea eagles to nest north and slightly west of the beacon. They are intelligent, they range far, and would enjoy sharkmen as part of their diet. Similarly, inland colonies in the forests around Portlandio might be lured in by the promise of good trade and sophistication. What this city needs is a dragon or two. Protective dragons who claim Portlandio in their territory would help the city a lot, as far as defenses go. Northside of the beacon might be a place I could persuade a brass, bronze or copper to go, maybe a silver if we got very, very lucky.

Translation: Second trip - Into swamp - Uneventful - Trudging along Fancy bird - Gets ahead of party - Clumsy creature - Falls into water Splashes around - Like fish on land - Dear gods! - Grabbed! - Monstrous snake! Party rushes to aid - Beast starts constricting - Bird's legs trapped Mud - Grime - Hamper efforts - Cannot safely free Risk of injuring Bird - Reapeated blows - Frog finally skewers - Bird released Fight attracts new foes - Giant crocodiles! - Surrounded! - Unleashed fury... Brutal - Quick - Vicious fight - Party withdraws - Wounds to heal... (Torvald feels the party needs to be more mindful of marching order. The Bird got to far ahead which precipitated the python's attack. The swamp is difficult terrain. It is not something to be trifled with. Only the Frog is at home there. As such, he must be our pathfinder. We must all follow his lead...) (Torvald is loathe to forego his heavy armor. Such protection is sure to be valuable in coming battles. However the swamp presents many problems: mud, grime, thick vegetation, deep water... Maybe lighter gear should be employed? Leather, chain, or just a breastplate could all be used. All would need to be oiled for waterproofing. The blacksmith could help...)

Sandoval's Tales Of moles and moonbows Placeholder!

Mora's Chronicles: A Half Elf Loses Her Streak Off all the things... a crocodile? I hope that getting hit doesn't mean my luck has run out. We have so much more to do in this swamp, and being sucked down and eaten by any manner of water, scaly creature is not something I can let happen. I can't let it happen to our other party members either. Horukh was wrangled up by that big snake but, without a doubt I jumped in rescue the fowl in distress. I tried to be graceful so as not to hurt him for I know he's fragile. Horukh in the swamp... what tales he may tell if he gets older... I have to say, Torvald is quite the warrior, and Airen is masterful with magic. They are worthy compatriots, and I look forward to stepping into more battles with them.

Oh I have a dream!&nbsp; A wistful dream.&nbsp; If only it could be!