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| 03:24pm 10/12/2009 |
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Can you please post any info on flat world that you have? |
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| Untitled Kartel Project |
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| 05:23pm 22/09/2009 |
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Here's what I know for sure:
Michael will be playing Emberandt. He will be the king of a nation. I personally imagine something Norse inspired. I need to find the sheet before I can do the math but the great warrior king will be somewhere between his 40s and his 60s.
Aaron will be playing the great wizard Vanyel who, despite a significant reduction in spell casting ability, is one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world.
Amy has shown interest in both a druid or a wizard. I would prefer to avoid having an overload of arcane casters this go around.
Brian had expressed his continued interest in playing Christian's son. However I don't know if he would want to do so in this scenario. This character would most likely be a paladin.
Ian has interest in both Remy and his son Tamen, a rogue and a cleric respectively.
This team has the potential to be perfectly balanced. I would like it if we can make this happen. Lets try to work together to ensure all of the major roles are filled. |
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| New Kartel Game |
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| 05:16pm 20/09/2009 |
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mood:  hopeful
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We will be starting the game, at least, two decades from where we left off. Shortly after the defeat of the Daregoth the people of Sorvala hatched a terrible scheme. Their plan was to take advantage of the turmoil and conquer the world. It has always been their belief that Estancia at its peak was the greatest civilization in history. It was their wish to share this greatness with all of Kartel's inhabitants, human or otherwise. As a symbol of their power they would raise the entire Dragon Mountains into the sky where they would rule over the world from on high. What they didn't realize was that the death of the Daregoth and the backlash of his terrible magics had ruptured the ley lines throughout the globe. When the landmass rose above the clouds the magic of Sorvala failed and the entire mountain range came crashing down upon the earth. Three quarters of the Kartel's population died as a result. Whole civilizations were lost in a heartbeat.
I have quite a few specifics worked out in my head but there is still a lot of thought and work that needs to be done before it could be ready to play. I will be speaking with each you together and individually to determine your characters roles in the years to come after these catastrophic events. |
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Read 5 - Post |
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| Holy Crap...this is cool, unless you hate 4e |
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| 10:46pm 31/07/2009 |
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Wizards just released a beta monster builder. Not only does it have all the monsters from all the materials, but options to build your own very easily.You only have to be a subscriber for it. |
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| The After Years? |
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| 03:24pm 20/07/2009 |
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mood:  excited
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There is a great, time honored tradition in fantasy storytelling. When a great hero or group of heroes come to the end of their journey their legacy lives on in the form of their children, apprentices,and protégés. We began the "One Hundred Years Later" campaign with this simple concept. Though many of the characters had ties to older heroes in one way or another they quickly became their own people. As the game progressed, especially after we brought the classic heroes back to the forefront, we tried to fight this notion. Together with a few out of game issues surrounding the game, it ultimately failed.
Much has changed in the world of Kartel since The Heroes of the Song were restored and we wiped the events of One Hundred Years from continuity. Because of this we will never be able to recapture the magic of early One Hundred Years and I have no intention of trying. I would be lying if I said that Final Fantasy IV: The After Years had nothing to do with this idea. Ultimately though, the idea stems mostly from my desire to see the Heroes' legacy live on. This new group will combine characters both related and unrelated to the original Heroes. Aaron and Amy will have no ties whatsoever to their previous characters. Brian will be playing the son of Delannas and Christian and Mike, as he stated previously, wishes to have another chance to play Alavander Eveningwind.
This group will be facing many new enemies and new threats but that does not rule out the involvement of old villains. On the horizon there is a *gasp* Bandit King, Orcish Warlord, and yet another incarnation of The Cult of Mahsque. However, as the game progresses The One Above All and his legion of undead horrors will be returning to the world of Kartel in full force after a many decade long hibernation. The one villain whom I have no intention of using in this game is Gareth the Lich. I am not promising he will never return, but I can assure you he will not be harassing the successors of his old enemies.
The old questions are likely to come back up as we prepare for this game. Please allow me to tackle the most important one right now. "What if we get into a situation we can't handle? Why wouldn't we just ask our parents/mentors for aid?" The answer is simple: because you aren't pussies. If your primary goal was to crawl out of your parents' shadow and make a name for yourself would you run to them for help every time things got hard? Not likely. If you do then you just aren't worthy of being your own hero. That goes for resurrections as well. Sure Yavaun could have his nephew* raised with little effort but do you really want to let him know how bad you sucked it up? Raising the dead is a major road block at low levels but it can still be overcome.
I understand that most of you have already decided on your characters but I am going to say this anyway. If you want to play a character who is tied to the old game you are not limited to your children, apprentices, or protégés. You can feel free to play a character related to an NPC or, with their consent, another player's character. If none of those things appeal to you play a loyal subject, follower, or simply admirer of a classic character. That said play what will make you happy. If you would like to aid your fellow players in their decision making process feel free to post your character ideas with this entry.
*I thought it important to note that three possible characters are Yavaun's nephews. Tamen and Alavander are obvious but Christian's son is his nephew by marriage since he is married to his mother's sister.
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Read 4 - Post |
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| Coming Attractions |
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| 10:28pm 16/07/2009 |
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mood:  chipper
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There are two things I know for sure and I am going to state them here. Twilight will be played in 4th edition unless the vast majority demand otherwise. Monster Party will be run in 3.5 with a few alterations to the monster racial abilities. I will post these as soon as I have them available.
As you may have noticed I am contemplating a new Kartel game. How much or how little the game is connected to The Heroes of the Song depends on our collective tastes. It will be discussed in person soon I am sure but feel free to have an old fashioned livejoural brainstorm. I rather enjoy reading your posts. So exciting.
I would like to limit my musing to those three ideas for the time being. That said I am seriously considering running a Star Wars game in West End. |
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Read 3 - Post |
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| Across the stars... |
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| 04:08pm 16/07/2009 |
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mood:  contemplative
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...and far beyond the natural boundaries of Kartel, in the fey realms of The Helian Elves, rides a lone figure. He sit atop a white stallion with a mane spun of gold. The strange rider wears plated armor of purest bronze that covers his entire form save his intense, fiery eyes. He rides confidently into a city of magnificent spires who's beauty is rivaled only by the landscape that surrounds it. He calls his steed to a halt in the center of town and plants his golden banner in the ground beside him. He calls out in a thundering voice far to large for a being his size, alerting all within the bejeweled city of his presence. "People of Helios!" he shouts, "I come with a message from your lord Krystos and you would do well to listen carefully. 'You were once my greatest followers, but you have betrayed me and everything I stand for. You will return now to the lands of Kartel and atone for your cowardice or I shall scour your miserable race from The Planes.'" With that the rider departed leaving only the seal of Krystos wafting in the wind for all to see. |
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Read 2 - Post |
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| Old Games |
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| 01:12am 04/07/2009 |
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Brian and I were discussing old games. He made a blanket statement that he would like to play everything again at some point in the future. I am not sure I am up for that but I would like to know what old school games people would like to eventually reviive and in what system. Furthermore if you would like to play a new game in an old setting now is the time to mention that too. If you have any ideas that fit the spirit of this post I would love to hear them as well. |
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Read 8 - Post |
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| Planescape Ending |
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| 02:48am 07/08/2008 |
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mood:  nostalgic
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After a good deal of legwork the heroes discovered Gavan's nefarious plan. He was going to use the energy stolen from Asmodeus' remains to enhance his own infernal power so that he could take control of the fabled Nexus of All Realities. If that was not enough Sigil was entering a second Faction War. The heroes would discover a way to thwart the plans of The Expansionists who were spearheading the invasion with some unexpected help from The Fated. Having planned the new war from the beginning, Gavan uses it as a distraction while he seeks out The Nexus. To find The Nexus and stop their foe the heroes would once again have to call upon The Architect for aid. In the cliche of all cliches the heroes of course arrive in The Nexus too late to save it's custodian from Gavan's mad plan but with enough time to perhaps stop his bid for multiversal control. A pitched battle ensued ending with Gavan's defeat at the cost of The Architect's life.
Unbeknown to the rest of the multiverse a great change had set upon them. The planes as they were known since the beginning of time had been torn asunder and reshaped along with the history of existence. Only a handful of beings were left alive that remembered things as they once were; Tesumu, Garn, Matilda, Ashinoto, Boxx, Txu'quos, Dregoth, and The Lady of Pain. Though the origins and structure of creation was change forever the events of the characters lives remained though in a new context.
When all was finished the heroes returned to Sigil. There would be no happily ever after for our champions. Though they would never again experience adventures of such magnitude, their tales were far from over. Of note:
Tesumu and his renegade Zerth were eventually successful in defeating The Undying Wizard King, freeing the githzerai people from another form of bondage. The zerth aided their people in the transition but refused to accept leadership of the githzerai. Tesumu returned to his people as a spiritual leader where he lived out the rest of his days as their guide and protector.
Garn would eventually ascend to the position of Factol of the Sons of Mercy. A post he held for many decades spreading justice and order throughout the planes. In the end Garn perished in glorious battle defending Sigil from a horde of devils.
With his father dead and Gavan seemingly destroyed Ashinoto returned to Sigil for a time. Though he tried to make a life in The Cage, such a mundane existence did not suit the grandson of Orcus. The planetouched sorcerer left Sigil and did not appear in the history books again.
Boxx, along with several other adventurers, were integral in the events leading up to Julian Avalar's ascension to the rank of a true Demon Prince. Though this may not seem like a noteworthy success it is important to note that they stopped him from achieving godhood and swallowing the power of The Abyss. After halting yet another cosmic cataclysm the former modron continued to adventure across the planes, essentially seeing them all for the first time.
The "heretic" priestess Matilda made many enemies as a high up in The Athar. The most notable of these foes was The Lord of Olympus himself, Zeus. To punish Matilda and her heathen faction Zeus set loose the mighty beast Hecatonchieres! With her old companions now leading separate lives the priestess was forced to assemble a new force to deal with this overwhelming threat. Matilda gathered up the greatest female warriors in creation (and one very angry male orc) and tore down the mighty beast. To ensure Zeus understood the message this team of ladies mounted all of the beasts fifty heads on the battlements of the Athar's citadel in The Astal Sea.
Txu' Quos gave up saving the multiverse to devote himself once again to his career as an advocate. He became one of the wealthiest and most well known persons in Sigil. Txu'Quos used his vast fortunes to secretly fund Tesumu's war against the Wizard King.
Dregoth aided Tesumu and his zerth in their war against the Wizard King. When that battle was over he was not seen or heard from again.
As for the Lady of Pain, she lives on in Sigil as she always has and perhaps always will. |
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Read 3 - Post |
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| The Solution |
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| 12:11am 08/05/2008 |
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Here is the solution to everything in the world. We should play this game:
Bunnies & Burrows!
Its a role playing game based on the novel watership down. I want to play as a Snowshoe hair.
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Read 4 - Post |
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| All Good Things... |
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| 03:54pm 22/04/2008 |
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mood: nostalgic
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This is likely my last post as moderator of this forum and as Dungeon Master of what has come to be known over the last 14 years as "Frank's Game." I am saddened to see it go, however it has been a long time coming. I feel that it is best to end it now rather than let it drag on and start to resent it and the people playing. I always figured the game would end because people stopped playing all together. I figured that as we got older school, careers, and relationships would get in the way and people would bow out. That didn't happen. Players continued to play despite the fact that they couldn't make time for the game any longer. I understand that nobody wants to be left out, nobody wants to miss out. However, that doesn't help the people who are left behind trying to pick up the pieces of the game week after week when two or even three people call off the day of game, sometimes minutes before the game begins.
Despite the rather negative beginning of this post I am not angry with anyone. I am understandably quite saddened. However, I am very grateful for all the good times we have had together. I will cherish the memories of our various games for the rest of my life. I am quite certain that I am not finished DMing. I love it too much. When and in what form my game will return, I cannot say at this time.
In closing I just want to say thank you to Aaron, Amy, Andrew, Bob, Brian, Ian, and Michael as well as all of the various players I have adventured with over the past decade and a half. Thank you all.
Francis Michael Teevin
Dungeon Master (1994-2008) |
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Read 2 - Post |
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| 1, 2, 3, 4 |
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| 12:30pm 11/03/2008 |
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mood:  restless
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I have been doing some thinking of late. If Fourth Edition turns out to be crap I am seriously tempted to go back to Second Edition. Sure, Third Edition offered so many new ideas and opportunity for character growth and advancement. The possibilities for customization were fantastic. The skill system was infinitely better than anything we had seen before. However, the very nature of Third Edition made everything seem more mechanical. I would get hung up searching for rules for ten minutes or worse, we would spend ten minutes debating the meaning of a rule.
I knew Second Edition very well and when we didn't know how to do something I would just make it up. Though I know it still had its problems I had more fun in Second Edition than I have had since. This conversation could be completely pointless. I am still holding out hope that Fourth Edition will deliver what they promise and go back to basics, making the game flow smoothly as it once did. I guess I will just have to wait and see, which is precisely my problem. I really want to play something with swords and sorcery but I see no point in starting a new game with such a small amount of time left before the new system drops. If we like whatever we start it will be a bitch to convert. |
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Read 5 - Post |
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| Monster Party NPCs |
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| 12:12pm 11/03/2008 |
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mood:  creative
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Urototh the Enchanter - Urototh is the elder shaman of the tribe of orcs they players are from. Aside from the player characters he is the only survivor of the adventurers' attack on The Borderland Caves. None of the player characters, orc or otherwise, know exactly how old Urototh really is. He has been the tribe elder longer anyone can remember. I want to make him a warlock. However, any caster class will work just fine. I will make a final decision when the players pick their classes.
Urototh is known for his natural cunning and wisdom. However, he is equally know for his eccentricity and quirky behavior. Always the consummate teacher, Urototh often speaks in riddles. His words may help you along your path but they never walk it for you.
Valentis the Valiant - Valentis is a mighty high elf paladin respected by his people. He was assigned to protect a pilgrimage of elven priestesses as they make their way to the land of their cousins the wood elves. On route the caravan was attacked by trolls (or ogres... whichever is more level appropriate). That is when the player characters come upon him. Valentis' inclusion in Monster Party depends entirely on how the players handle this situation presented. If they do rescue him then he will join the party, should they have him. Having failed in his duty to protect the priestesses he is afraid to return home. He would rather they think him dead than face such shame.
Valentis cares about honor and loyalty above all else. Despite his natural racial prejudices against orcs, goblins and the like he judges individuals by their actions not by their people's history and reputation. When a group of "monsters" rescues him, and attempts to save the caravan, he begins to look at his so called enemies in a new light. Though he can be as arrogant as any elf, Valentis is surprisingly open minded... especially for a paladin. |
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| Monster Mash |
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| 11:42pm 03/03/2008 |
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mood: chipper
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I wrote the first adventure for Monster Party today. It is awesome. I rule. |
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| The Next Wave of Games |
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| 04:03pm 28/02/2008 |
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Starting off our new era of D&D is, of course, the Star Wars game being referred to as "The Captain Novan Game." As far as I can tell we will be playing that until 4th Edition comes out. If it does run its course before June we may well attempt Mutants and Masterminds. However, I am not going to worry about that until the time comes, if it comes at all. When 4th Edition finally drops we have a few brand spanking new games to choose from. I know they have all been discussed at some point or another but I want to see them all in one place and I love making lists.
New Kartel/Twin Game: The Twin Game, also known as The Gemini Prophecy, is being combined with the concepts I had been working on for a new Kartel game. I won't go into much detail as I talked quite extensively about it before the game last Saturday. Though this game will utilize everything in the Player's Handbook (like any good Kartel game should) it will deviate slightly. The most notable change will be the lack of halfbreed races. Players wishing to play half-elves can do so in the form of Lachryman who will be using the same statistics. The Eladrin will likely be replaced by The Frost Elves (who were known as Eldered back in the day). Finally Orcs will be a primary player character race.
Third Life/Twilight: I believe we all get the idea behind Twilight. It really isn't necessary for me to go into it too deeply in this post. It is the "true" sequel to Fulcrum and will feature a brand new story in a brand new land. You will face villains both new and old and some that had only been mentioned until now. The over all theme of the campaign is purgatory.
The Mist Game: This is just a working title. Though the idea originated after we went to see Stephen King's "The Mist" it has evolved into something so much larger. The final product, though maintaining the feel of games like Silent Hill and Half-Life, has begun to resemble the backstory of Palladium's Rifts. Dimensional gateways have opened on Earth and strange things have poured through. Magic has returned and dark forces threaten to destroy mankind. It is also reminiscent of the post apocalyptic Earth game I tried so hard to make work back in high school. Though once again this would be more akin to the origin of that setting than the setting itself.
The game will begin in a local diner. The player characters will be average citizens of any modern Earth background. They will be enjoying a nice meal when the world goes to hell in a hand basket. The first adventure will focus on figuring out a way to escape the diner and survive in a world gone mad. In short: the first adventure is a complete rip off of the short story "The Mist."
Monster Party: For the Horde! Playing World of Warcraft has only served to strengthen my desire to play Monster Party. Because of the transition to 4th Edition I might not be able to use some of the more eccentric races I proposed in the original concept. I might be able to salvage The Fungal but the undead creatures are likely out. If all goes well I plan to have Minotaurs, Orcs, Kobolds, Goblins, and Gnolls. We'll see how it works out when I finally have The Monster Manual in my hot little hands. The game itself will focus on the monstrous races and their struggle to survive, and even thrive, in a world that hates them. |
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Read 1 - Post |
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| Twilight Races part 1 |
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| 12:24pm 27/02/2008 |
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mood: excited
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Anasi/Assari (eladrin): The most recent host of The Creator's servants found themselves in Twilight after being devoured by Milon. Though they retain their original appearance they posses none of their original power. Like Ezion before them many have attempted to unlock their former potential thus becoming warlocks. Most however, have turned to more practical means of acquiring power such as mortal magic and martial training. Ironically there are many Anasi throughout the land of Twilight but only one known Assari... Milon.
Ekard (dragonborn): Strange reptilian creatures that are rumored to have discovered a way out of Twilight. The Ekard have developed great and powerful kingdoms throughout the cursed land. They exercise their might by conquering and enslaving all "lesser" races. Some Ekard disagree with the ways of their people and try to make a life for themselves away from their society. At best they meet with fear and suspicion, at worst outright hostility.
Human: Though humans were not banished to Twilight by The Creator, many arrived because of Milon's actions. It has been over 1,000 years since Milon's defeat. The first several generations of humans have become something entirely different due to the strange effects Twilight has on aging.
Morrow (tiefling): Strange creatures that live beneath the ground in stone labyrinths. Their faces are covered in scar tissue and are mostly featureless except for their lipless mouths. The ways of the morrow are considered strange and frightening to most other species. The spirits consider them all together unnatural. They worships strange powers and are believed to sacrifice sentient beings to these idols.
Spirits (elves): These creatures were once deities in their original worlds. However, as with all such things, Twilight has robbed them of their former power. Now they must try to survive in a harsh domain like every other mortal in The Twilight Realm. Like the Anasi the spirits seem immune to the realms strange aging affects. The spirits have long ears that rest flat against their heads. They are covered in fur except on their faces, hands, feet and chests. They have long dexterous fingers and dog-like noses. Note: Some individual spirits retained manifested in different forms or retained more of their original power, in some cases both. It is theorized that these spirits had a stronger will than their cousins.
Tessori/Tessorai: The forerunners of the Assari. They were banished by the creator for abusing their authority over mortal kind. They are similar in appearance to the Assari and Anasi. However they are extremely tall, gaunt, and pale. Though little is known of their ways it seems that they did not learn their lesson. They still attempt to exert control over the mortal races they encounter. Anyone in Twilight who has heard of the Tessori tries desperately to avoid meeting them.
Other Races: Because of Milon's actions and the destruction of so many realms it is possible that any race could be encountered in Twilight. However of the mortal races created in The Second Kingdom only human beings are prevalent. |
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| Twilight is getting crowded |
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| 01:28pm 26/02/2008 |
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mood:  confused
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I have too many NPC concepts for Third Life. Milon is going to be the primary NPC regardless. However I also have ideas for Delgado, Ethan, Nahtepa (the ghost cat), a spirit (I will post more on Twilight spirits later), Daedra, and the super special NPC who will join the team later on. |
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| 4th Edition Kartel |
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| 12:09pm 21/02/2008 |
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mood: chipper
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I am combining many of the ideas I had for The Twin Game and the failed Galik origin game with the ideas I had for a new Kartel campaign to create one solid fantasy game. I don't feel the need to have a multiple high fantasy games running at the same time. Using all of these ideas together will not only give us a lot more plotlines to work with it will help to flesh the world out better. I want this new campaign to be recognizable as Kartel but still feel like its own unique game. To that end I plan to set it just beyond the lifespans of the longer lived player characters. As of this moment I have a very small list of "old school" characters that will still be alive. Among them will be Galik and The Black Prophet. |
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Read 2 - Post |
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vengeful